As dusk settled, the men of the courtyard, both young and old, trickled back home from work.
Upon entering the house, Lin Fu saw the table laden with food—meat and vegetables—and a bottle of Lotus White.
It was worth noting that Lin Fu usually considered himself lucky to have a bottle of Niu Lan Shan. The last time he had Lotus White was half a month ago, when Li Zhu Ren, the head of the logistics department, had invited him for a meal.
"Wife, what's the occasion? You've cooked so much delicious food."
"Of course it's for something good." Lin Mu, holding a plate of braised fish, entered from outside.
After Lin Shan, the eldest son, left to join the army, the Lin family converted the two main rooms into three, serving as bedrooms for Lin Fu, Lin Mu, Lin Yu, and their daughter Lin Miao.
The western ear room was transformed into a kitchen and storage room.
Valuables and grain were kept in Lin Fu and Lin Mu's room.
Lin Fu and Lin Mu's room also had a table and four stools, which served as a place to entertain guests.
"Lao Lin, take your son to the factory tomorrow to register him," Lin Mu said with a smile.
A hint of a smile appeared on Lin Fu's stern face, "Has he made up his mind?"
"Yes, he has." Lin Yu nodded, "I've rested for two months, it's about time I get moving."
Lin Fu nodded with a smile, "Alright, come with me to the factory tomorrow. Li Huai De, the logistics director, has been showing me favor lately. We'll have him take care of this."
Lin Yu, after a brief recollection, remembered who Li Huai De was.
He was the later Li Vice-Factory Manager, the Big Boss during the Wind Rising era.
Thinking about this, Lin Yu didn't say anything more. After all, he hadn't met Li Huai De in real life yet. Saying too much could reveal his secret.
While the father and son were lost in thought, a voice like a yellow warbler rang out.
"Oh, what's the occasion today, so much delicious food?"
Lin Miao, their daughter, skipped in from outside.
"Old girl, you're a big girl now, don't be so boisterous."
Li Fu looked at his little cotton-padded jacket with a voice full of love, "Daughter, it's so hot, don't run around. What if you get heatstroke?"
Lin Miao giggled, "It's okay, Dad. I went to the library with my classmates. I have a year left before college, I have to study hard."
"Hahaha..." Lin Fu laughed heartily, "Right, right, my daughter will be a college student someday."
Just as he spoke, Lin Mu entered with a plate of braised pork.
"You spoil that girl rotten. I wonder who will dare to marry her when she grows up."
Lin Fu rolled his eyes at Lin Mu, "If no one wants her, I'll raise her for the rest of my life. I'll find her a son-in-law who can move in. With her two brothers around, who will dare to wrong her?"
Lin Yu also nodded in agreement, "That's right. If anyone dares to make my sister suffer, I'll bury him alive, headfirst, without any air holes."
Lin Miao, acting cute, said, "My dad and my second brother are the best to me."
"Oh, just pamper her all you want." Lin Mu said with annoyance.
"Mom, ask Yu Shui to come over for dinner. Her brother hasn't come back yet, and Yu Shui hasn't eaten all day. The poor girl just had some cold water." Lin Miao asked.
Lin Mu nodded, "Poor Yu Shui, the child is so pitiful. Go get Yu Shui, dear, and wash your hands at the water basin with her."
"Got it, Mom." Lin Miao nodded and ran outside.
Lin Fu shook his head, "Yi Zhong Hai, that old bastard, has no conscience."
Lin Yu added, "It's not just Yi Zhong Hai, that old geezer next door, Lao Ga Bang, is no different."
"Humph," Lin Fu said with displeasure, "That old thing reeks of decay, he's definitely not on the right path. I hope I don't catch him doing something shady, otherwise, I'll make sure he starts a new life."
Lin Yu looked at his father. Old ginger is indeed spicier.
It seems like if he wants to investigate that old thing, he'll have to start with He Da Qing.
Even if He Da Qing was infatuated with widows, he wouldn't abandon his two biological children to run errands for someone.
There must be some untold secret. He just didn't know what role Yi Zhong Hai, the old bastard, played in all this.
Not long after, Lin Miao brought He Yu Shui in.
He Yu Shui was fourteen years old this year, fifteen by the lunar calendar, and looked very frail, evoking pity.
Recalling He Yu Shui's actions in the TV series, Lin Yu didn't find them excessive.
With a father who was a deadbeat and a brother who wasn't reliable, how much pain had this child suffered?
As for Lou Xiao E returning with her child, and He Yu Shui siding with Qin Huai Ru, it was because He Yu Shui realized that He Yu Zhu's heart was still with the widow.
In the original drama, He Yu Shui had also told He Yu Zhu that she cared for her nephew.
However, He Yu Zhu was too stubborn, his mind was set on Qin Huai Ru, no matter what she said, it was useless.
He Yu Zhu was the type who made up his mind about things, but wouldn't say it out loud. Instead, he would force others to speak up for him, so he wouldn't have to take the blame.
If no one said anything, he would keep on, until everyone understood his intentions and spoke on his behalf.
In today's words, he was a hypocrite.
"Uncle Lin, Aunt Lin, Brother Lin Yu." He Yu Shui greeted them cautiously.
Lin Yu felt sorry for He Yu Shui's cautious demeanor. After all, who could resist a little lolita with such low self-esteem?
"Child, why are you so polite? Didn't I tell you, if you can't eat, come over to Auntie's house." Lin Mu patted He Yu Shui's head.
Lin Fu directly placed a piece of braised pork in He Yu Shui's bowl, "Eat meat, girl, eat up. Auntie is being generous today, we all get to have a good meal."
He Yu Shui nodded, her moist eyes filled with tears.
The Lin family's dinner tonight consisted of braised pork, braised fish, chili scrambled eggs, and cucumber with peanuts.
At this time, this was considered a very good meal, even many families during the New Year didn't eat as well.
This was thanks to Lin Fu and Lin Mu's high salaries and their positions as cadres.
After dinner, Lin Yu and his sister took He Yu Shui back to the middle courtyard.
Logically, they lived in the same courtyard, there was no need to escort her. The main reason Lin Yu wanted to go was to give Yi Zhong Hai a taste of his own medicine at He Yu Zhu's place.
"Brother Zhu, not bad. You come back and get a ready-made meal." Lin Yu pushed open He Yu Zhu's door, looking at the table with a pot of stewed cabbage and two steamed buns.
He Yu Zhu was now a level 10 chef, earning 27 yuan a month, and he could bring home a lunchbox every night, so his conditions were quite good.
"Xiao Yu, come in, come in. Have you eaten? Brother will make you something." He Yu Zhu asked hurriedly as soon as he saw Lin Yu.
After He Da Qing left, He Yu Zhu had seen his fair share of cold shoulders and sarcasm.
Only the Lin family in the back courtyard, the old man's family, and Grandma Lou had been kind to him, never saying a bad word.
Especially Aunt Lin, who often took care of Yu Shui. Therefore, He Yu Zhu was very grateful to the Lin family.