Chapter 64 - 53: Mr. Lin’s Explanation

Lin Xinsheng looked at the mother and daughter with relief, feeling his nose inexplicably sour. When he left home, his wife was worried that there might be a rift between the mother and daughter, but he was confident; after all, no fools come from the Lin Family. Fortunately, this child has an open heart and mind, with no emotional knots with her mother, which reassures him greatly. Looking around, except for the baby still sleeping, the women were wiping tears, and the men didn’t fare much better. As the atmosphere was filled with sadness and the people in the room were tearful, he had no choice but to interrupt. Otherwise, the guests would find it hard to stay. "Alright, it’s good that you’ve talked things over. The mother and daughter can slow things down and chat at night in the room. Put away the tears; is crying part of a soldier’s demeanor? Jiao Jiao, your grandpa happened to have a task to come to the Northern Military Region this time, so he came to see you. Now that I see your husband’s family as solid people, your parents-in-law treat you like their own daughter, and your sisters-in-law are as close as siblings, you should treat the elders well and get along with your family. In this respect, Old Man Zhou did something right. A fool will always act foolishly." Zhou Jiao involuntarily laughed aloud, looking at the grandfather who resembled Mr. Zhang. She didn’t feel any unfamiliarity; in her past life, Mr. Zhang, whom from an outsider’s view seemed severe, treated her kindly like a granddaughter. Looking at Grandpa Lin was akin to seeing her grandfather. As long as he doesn’t harbor ulterior motives later, she will treat him sincerely. Lin Xinsheng noticed Zhou Jiao’s calm look towards him, without any resentment, and nodded subtly, then explained: "Grandpa feels sorry for you, letting you suffer at the Zhou Family. When your dad had an accident, both your dad and mom lost their closest family members, your mother almost went mad, your grandmother couldn’t take it and went directly to the hospital. The two children in your eldest uncle’s family were just toddlers, and even your eldest aunt collapsed. Your second uncle’s family was out of town, and the household was in chaos, all depending on your fifteen-sixteen year old aunt to manage everything. Your grandparents came over at such times, I was truly helpless, having to manage domestic matters and lead troops to battle. Your grandparents repeatedly requested that you must return to the hometown, saying no one was available to take care of you amidst this chaotic world; the Lin Family had to care for two little ones of their own and couldn’t tend to you. I worried your grandfather wouldn’t have a good relationship with your dad nor treat you well, but I trusted your grandmother, she was a decent person. Your grandfather promised me many things and took you away. Both sides initially agreed that once the world stabilized, they’d send you back to Beijing where you’d settle down and start a family. I even prevented them from relocating your household registration to ensure they wouldn’t swallow the courtyard house your dad left for you. At that time, your grandfather gave me a note promising the compensation money belonged to you and couldn’t be touched. While in your hometown, regardless of your mom’s health recovery, money would still be mailed over regularly. Before the age of five, we communicated frequently, with assurances you were doing well, getting along harmoniously with brothers and sisters at home. I repeatedly asked for a photo of you, and finally received your first photo at nearly age ten. At ten, when you called your mom saying you wanted to find her, she called me crying, fearing you’d secretly run to Beijing, claiming you wouldn’t find her since she wasn’t there. She requested I send someone to pick you up, otherwise she was convinced you’d genuinely get lost. I immediately wired an urgent telegram to your grandfather telling him to keep an eye on you until someone came for you. It was the time just after Jiefang (Liberation), I was extremely busy without trusted people available for the job, planning to take a military flight to the Northern Military Region to bring you back myself but before departing, your grandfather wrote a detailed letter explaining you’ve come to terms wanting to stay in the hometown to attend school. He said that after your dad’s passing, you were the only seedling left and had grown up in his sight, polite yet timid and introverted. Reluctant to let you leave, he was also worried, saying with your mom sporadically working in different locations, you wouldn’t be able to follow her even if you went to Beijing. His intention was to wait until you graduated middle school being matured enough before sending you to Beijing for high school and college, afterward entrusting marriage and having children to us. I remember holding that letter for a long time, making several calls unable to reach your mom. Returning home, I discussed it with your grandma, in the end, agreeing, still worried he might deceive me with you sneaking off unnoticed; a ten-year-old, claiming understanding yet still naïve, couldn’t be assumed as an adult. Your mom had already entrusted me, fearing your disappearance. I implored people, passing by, to secretly observe you in Zhou Family Village. It was after my comrades phoned saying to rest assured that I finally relaxed. By the year ’55 when food stamps appeared, your mom panicked, pointing out your household registration was in Beijing, necessary for high school after graduation from middle school. She insisted you were grown enough to self-care even if she wasn’t in Beijing. With your small courtyard also requiring renewal, we penned detailed letters to your grandfather explaining reasons, waiting for your mom to fetch you post-graduation to continue schooling in Beijing. Your grandfather’s reply indicated he’d discuss it with you, assuring non-interference if you agreed, directly sending you back to Beijing. Elated, your mom bought copious gifts mailed to your grandfather. Within several months, your grandfather sent word saying you wanted to marry; resisting, he was forced to comply due to your stubbornness. You’ve grown up together with the other person whom you hold dearly, so I had no choice but to agree, notifying us not to meddle in your wedding. Declaring you’re mature enough, concerns urged them to hasten tying the knot. Back then, I still couldn’t contact your mom nor deduce the occurrence of potential issues cited in the letter, unable to openly blab about it, I discreetly sought Zhang Guoqing’s situation, hearing reassuring things. Since you were not under my guardianship growing up, I couldn’t obstruct the marriage, similarly guiding my own daughters in self-financing relationships. Deciding to await your mother for a joint resolution. Once your mom returned from abroad, your grandfather wrote confirming your forthcoming wedding already settled with dates past by over ten days, surmising you were indeed married by then. Furious, your mom accused him of intentional concealing, "Why no telegram?" No one anticipated hurried marriage proceedings, assuming arguments over marriage would necessitate household registration proof, compelling a Beijing trip for inquiries, all sat in disbelief upon receiving the news. Later, your grandma persuaded your mom, "Now graduated, your mom sending money monthly, plus reaching out for loans to buy train tickets, had you been unwilling you’d long escaped to Beijing. Since post-graduation was meant for return, possibly worried feelings compelling everyone’s separation. Your mother never raised you even a day, please don’t hurt her again." Advising your mom expedite securing marriage certificates. With household registration linked to Beijing, lacking proper documentation risking disruptions couldn’t occur further. Your mother sought connections handling your wedding certifications, failed to obtain prolonged leave, endlessly applying, encountering coincidental matters — her superior poised to retire, rivals appeared except her vying for succession, forcing bonded ties and delays imperiling her visit. Military flight access eluding her rank left no airport route intended. Across span months, grandfather’s correspondence declaring imminent pregnancy agitated your mother decisively pursuing return contemplating intentions ushering young married couple directly to Beijing schooling; segregating division facilities haggled yet pregnancies altered plans. Scrambling for five-day leave to prepare hardly subsided substantial crisis emerged thwarting aspirations leading abrupt cessation. Resolute forfeiting acute rush furthermore situational relief instructed awaiting readiness for departure, emphasizing substantial internal matters delegated within." Concluding, Mr. Lin chuckled merrily. Concluding queries, Lin observed deeply at the couple narrating, "Jiao Jiao, Grandpa regrets missing chances to personally visit earlier, discerning stark disparity between you recognized inside letters. Firm belief persisted showcasing virtuous child disposition during marriage with Zhang Guoqing despite possible undercurrents aside irrespective good-child status emblematic. Grandpa assured personal discernment extremely delighted acknowledging remarkably exceptional granddaughter represented splendid continuity reinforcing relational confidence beneath outward appearances."