The hurriedly returning Gu Lingling naturally did not know Old Man Zhou’s feelings, nor did she notice the fleeting shadow in the woods as she passed by.
She only relaxed once she got home, and continued steaming buns.
By the time Gu Chunhai got up, Gu Lingling’s buns were already steaming.
"Dad, hurry up and freshen up, the buns will be ready soon." Gu Lingling sweetly smiled, causing Gu Chunhai to be momentarily dazed.
At that moment in the kitchen, he thought he’d dreamed of his wife again.
Although the buns were made with cornmeal mixed with a bit of flour, Gu Lingling added some lard inside, and the aroma was noticeable even before they were done.
"My daughter is really capable," Gu Chunhai praised with a smile.
"Dad, would you like to try some?" After Gu Chunhai freshened up, Gu Lingling’s buns were already out of the pot. "I’ll take a few to Grandpa."
Gu Chunhai watched the little girl carry the steamed buns to the front yard, her eyes flashing with unknown contemplation.
"Grandpa, these buns I steamed, try them." Gu Juan handed the buns to Old Man Gu. "I’ll bring you some vegetable soup soon."
Old Man Gu used to be a worker at the steel factory. That year, there was an accident, and in trying to save the factory’s important equipment, he injured a leg on a machine and could only lie on the bed.
To compensate him, the steel factory allowed Gu Lingling’s uncle, Gu Chunli, to replace Old Man Gu’s position and gave Old Man Gu a five yuan subsidy every month.
Don’t underestimate these five yuan. Nowadays, even a pound of pork is only seven mao.
A regular worker at the steel factory earns only about thirty yuan a month.
What’s more, besides the monetary subsidy, there are coupons.
So, even though Wang Meili despised her paralyzed father-in-law, for the sake of that subsidy, she hoped Old Man Gu would live many more years.
However, Gu Lingling genuinely respected and liked this grandfather.
Because before Grandpa was paralyzed, he was the one who treated Gu Lingling the best in the family. Every time he returned, he’d bring her things and even secretly gave her pocket money, advising her not to tell Gu Juan.
Thinking of the pocket money she’d saved, Gu Lingling’s eyes almost squinted with joy.
"Grandpa, I might not be home for a few days, store these buns well. You can eat them when you’re hungry." Gu Lingling said, thinking of her plan with a smile.
Fortunately, the weather isn’t hot now, so there’s no worry about the buns spoiling at Grandpa’s place.
After settling Grandpa, when Gu Lingling returned to the backyard, Gu Juan was already seated at the table eating buns. Seeing Gu Lingling come in, Gu Chunhai smiled and said, "Lingling, come and eat, and then we’ll go to school together."
Gu Lingling glanced at Gu Juan, took a bun, and bit into it. Since Gu Juan was already sitting here eating, she saw no reason to wait for Old Mrs. Gu.
"Dad, I haven’t been to Grandma’s house in a long time. After school, I’ll visit them. I haven’t seen my younger brother in a while too. When you come back, can you pick me up?"
Gu Chunhai runs long distances, and it would take over ten days for him to return this time. She definitely didn’t want to stay at home and be bullied by this mother-daughter pair.
Gu Chunhai was stunned, then quickly realized Gu Lingling’s intention and nodded, "Okay, I’ll tell your grandma later."
"Thank you, Dad." Gu Lingling sweetly smiled.
Gu Juan was seething with jealousy.
Yesterday, she didn’t notice as Gu Lingling went to school before she got up, but today she noticed that Gu Lingling had changed a lot, becoming much prettier than before.
Gu Juan always knew Gu Lingling was attractive, but she didn’t realize that just by tidying her hair, her appearance could immediately change.
Especially when she smiles, there’s an indescribable beauty.
Old Mrs. Gu, after knowing, agreed without much reaction. Gu Lingling not being home to eat meant saving a few more meals.
Gu Chunhai sent Gu Lingling to school and then detoured to the transformer factory residential area to inform his father-in-law, before going to work.
In his hand was a large teacup; it contained tea Gu Lingling had specially brewed for him in the morning, said to refresh him. The tea leaves were picked while collecting wild vegetables on the mountain yesterday.
Gu Chunhai felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.
How many years had it been since he felt this way? Perhaps since his wife had passed away.
Gu Juan, however, was throwing a tantrum at home, "That little bitch must’ve found out, that’s why she ran away. Mom, I don’t care, you have to get revenge for me."
"Don’t worry. Once that little rascal comes back, watch me deal with her."
For these past days, not only has Gu Juan been frustrated, but Wang Meili has been very upset too.
"Once your dad comes back, I’ll tell him to enroll you in school immediately. Investigate well, and find out who has been advising that little rascal behind the scenes."
Wang Meili said through gritted teeth.
She simply couldn’t believe that Gu Lingling had become smarter after just one illness. Someone must be giving her ideas from behind.
At night, Gu Lingling had a peculiar dream, dreaming Wang Meili was calculating something, not watching the road, and bumped into the door, bruising half her face.
It looked so ridiculous.