Mother Zhou assumed Zhou Mingzhu would throw a tantrum; after all, ever since her family had usurped her university spot, Zhou Mingzhu had become a completely different person.
To her surprise, however, Zhou Mingzhu didn't say a word. She simply shot Mother Zhou a cold look before turning her head away.
Becoming a mother without the labor—for Zhou Mingzhu, who had transmigrated into a book, this was hardly a secret. Although she hadn't heard the entire novel—only catching about half of it during meals and baths—it was enough to know that Gu Yan had two children.
The older one was named Lujun, and the younger one was Qitong.
Why did they have different surnames? Both were the descendants of Gu Yan’s fellow soldiers. Lujun was a boy; Qitong was a girl. Lujun’s father had sacrificed his life on the battlefield, and his mother, upon hearing the news, had succumbed to a severe illness only a few months later. As for Qitong, her mother had remarried the moment her father died. Neither set of grandparents wanted the girl. The paternal side couldn't bear to look at Qitong, as she reminded them of her mother’s heartless decision to remarry, and her uncles refused to raise a girl for nothing, so they dumped her on the maternal side. The maternal side, in turn, refused to let Qitong "ruin" their daughter’s new family, so they abandoned her with Gu Yan, who had arrived to deliver the death notice and the pension money. Just like that, Gu Yan processed the adoption papers and registered both his fallen comrades' children as his own.
Seeing that Zhou Mingzhu remained silent, Mother Zhou let out a sigh. "You’ve been diligent and sensible since you were small. Mom believes you can make a good life for yourself."
"It’s lucky it’s you marrying into this family. If your sister had to come, she’s so frail and is still just a child herself—how would she ever take care of kids? If you ever have extra malted milk or anything like that, I’m not asking you to think of me, but please do remember your sister. After all, if you’re ever struggling in the future, your sister will surely be able to offer you some advice."
Hearing this, Zhou Mingzhu was so incensed she actually laughed. "If I recall correctly, Zhou... well, Zhou Mingyue and I are twins, right? She’s still just a 'child,' but I’m already an old drudge? You certainly have a way with words. She’s attending the university I earned a spot for, I’m marrying a man who’s been severely wounded in her place, I’m raising his children, and I’m also supposed to treat her like a baby and mail her anything good I get? Do you truly believe I owe you people that much?"
Mother Zhou dropped her mask of motherly concern. She glanced at the villagers still sitting on the ox cart, then lowered her voice, her face darkening. "You should be grateful. If you hadn't bullied your sister while you were still in my womb—"
Zhou Mingzhu waved her hand. "You and Dad have been saying that for nineteen years. Do you actually believe it yourselves? When you were pregnant with us, it was during the famine; there wasn't enough nutrition for both twins. Is it any wonder Zhou Mingyue was frail? Isn't that just because you didn't have enough to eat?"
"You've used that line to make me feel guilty forever. From the time I wasn't even as tall as the stove, I was washing dishes, rinsing rice, and chopping vegetables... and later, doing all the laundry and cooking. I have already repaid the debt of being born. Whatever you owe Zhou Mingyue, why should I, innocent as I am, be forced to bear the weight of it?"
Mother Zhou raised her hand to strike, but Zhou Mingzhu caught her wrist, gripping it so hard that Mother Zhou winced in pain. She stared at her coldly.
"Zhou Mingzhu! I am your mother! How dare you! Do I not even have the right to discipline you?" Mother Zhou shouted in rage.
Zhou Mingzhu sneered. "You sold me off and signed a document severing our ties! Don't you dare bring any of that nonsense up in front of me again!"
The villagers on the ox cart were whispering to one another, making Mother Zhou flush with shame and irritation. By the time they reached the entrance of Luwei Village, the villagers were still pointing and gossiping.
As they walked, Mother Zhou tried to soften her tone. "You're a young girl. Is it really safe for you to carry all that money on you? Why don't you let Mom keep it for safekeeping?"
Zhou Mingzhu ignored her and kept trekking into the village. Mother Zhou, hoping to deflate her daughter's defiance, deliberately slowed her pace. Zhou Mingzhu rolled her eyes, thinking that Mother Zhou probably believed that if she didn't lead the way, Zhou Mingzhu wouldn't be able to find Gu Yan’s house. Everyone has a mouth under their nose; she could just ask!
Under an old elm tree in the village, several elderly women were sitting and sewing soles. Zhou Mingzhu approached them with a warm, open smile. "Grandmas, hello. Could you tell me where Gu Yan’s maternal grandmother lives? I’m Gu Yan’s fiancée."
The women inspected her carefully, asked a few questions about her background, and kindly pointed the way. Zhou Mingzhu went straight to the house. It looked a bit dilapidated from the outside, with rammed-earth walls and a black wooden gate that had clearly not seen a coat of paint in years.
Zhou Mingzhu grabbed the grimy, metallic-looking door knocker and rapped it against the wood. A youthful voice called from inside: "Who is it?"
Zhou Mingzhu paused, then said, "Are you Lujun or Tongtong? I’m Zhou Mingzhu, Gu Yan’s fiancée."
After a flurry of activity inside, a child with a clean face opened the gate. A little boy with dark, shining eyes watched her with suspicion. Zhou Mingzhu held up the two pounds of meat she had bought at the market and smiled. "Hello, Lujun."
Lujun opened his mouth but didn't know what to call her. Qitong, who had been hiding behind him, peeked her little head out and gathered the courage to whisper, "Hello."
Seeing the boy didn't intend to step aside, Zhou Mingzhu stood at the threshold and asked, "Where is your great-grandmother?"
Lujun pursed his lips. "Great-grandmother is at the brigade feeding the pigs."
Just as Zhou Mingzhu felt an awkward silence settling, Gu Yan’s grandmother hurried back from the distance. Mother Zhou also scurried over from the other direction, shouting, "In-law, please, walk slowly! No need to rush!"
Gu Yan’s grandmother smiled and ushered them into the courtyard. Zhou Mingzhu noticed for the first time that the house was built of red brick.
No sooner had Mother Zhou sat down than she said, "I’ve brought your grandson-in-law to you! When are they planning the wedding banquet? What’s the final count on the betrothal gifts? We’ve already—"
Seeing the grandmother’s expression become increasingly stiff and uncomfortable, Zhou Mingzhu cut her off. "Our family took the eight hundred yuan in betrothal money you’ve been sending every year. We are providing no dowry whatsoever."
Ignoring Mother Zhou’s murderous glare, Zhou Mingzhu added with a smile, "I’m here to pick up Lujun and Tongtong. I’m going to get a referral letter from the brigade so I can head out and find Gu Yan."