Chapter 4 Child Marriage
Sun Yaozu was tall, fat and very strong. He tried to grab Lin Xiang's wrist, but Lin Xiang dodged quickly and took two steps back.
He, who always had a bad temper, was not angry at this moment. Instead, he felt even more itchy when he saw Lin Xiang looking at him warily.
He had been with many women, but had never seen one prettier than Lin Xiang. Especially when he saw her today, somehow, this woman seemed even more beautiful and gorgeous. Even her eyes without a trace of smile were alluring, making his whole body itchy.
"This is a new society, marriage is free, Comrade Sun Yaozu, I will not marry you."
Reputation is important nowadays, especially in an age when people's spit can drown a person. Lin Xiang is particularly cautious and is determined to draw a clear line between himself and people like Sun Yaozu.
When she thought about how he was mentioned in the brief plot and had coerced and bribed many young female workers in the steel rolling mill or deceived young girls who wanted to find a job, Lin Xiang felt disgusted. What a scum!
Many lesbians were cheated of money and sex by him, and in the end they were forced to say nothing because of their Sun family background, and could only swallow their anger. It was really frustrating.
"If you try to do anything to me or bother me again, I will go to the Revolutionary Committee and say that someone is bullying me!"
Sun Yaozu was surprised that this delicate beauty who usually didn't dare to look people in the eye and even spoke in a delicate voice suddenly became so tough and looked like she was ready to fight him to the death. But it was precisely this rose with thorns that was more fascinating and aroused Sun Yaozu's desire to conquer her hidden in his heart.
He is the son of the factory director, rich and powerful, so how could he run into a wall with Lin Xiang?
Impossible!
In his opinion, Lin Xiang was just acting like a little girl with him. In fact, she longed to become the daughter-in-law of the factory director so that she could rise to the top and enjoy a comfortable life in the future!
But today she was too tough, not afraid of making a scene, and even accused herself of being a hooligan. The Revolutionary Committee was not someone you could mess with. Sun Yaozu smiled crookedly, revealing a cunning look. Forget it, there was no rush.
"Okay, okay, okay, go back and think about it carefully. It would be great if you could marry me. I'll transfer you to the office right away so you don't have to work so hard in the workshop. I can also take care of your father, mother, sister, and brother!"
Lin Xiang wanted to laugh when she heard what Sun Yaozu said. Putting aside other things, did he really think that he wanted the Lin family to have a good life?
I'm afraid it will be counterproductive.
Lin Xiang left quickly and ignored Sun Yaozu. He didn't come to her this time, but his lustful eyes were still sticking to her back, which made her feel uncomfortable.
When she got home, Qiu Aiying was washing vegetables and preparing dinner. When she saw Lin Xiang coming back, she smiled and said, "Xiangxiang, you must accept Comrade Sun's scarf. I have already told your sister Chuchu about it. How can you snatch something from your sister?"
The daughter of the family is not in a clear mind and always thinks that Sun Yaozu is a good guy. She wants to marry into the factory director's family and enjoy a good life. However, Qiu Aiying will not agree and cannot bear to see her own daughter jumping into the fire pit.
As for Lin Xiang...she wasn't born from her own belly anyway. After she gets married, her family will be taken care of by the factory director's family. It can be considered that she has made some contribution to this family.
"Mom, I won't marry him." Lin Xiang made her attitude clear on this matter. She didn't want to have anything to do with Sun Yaozu, let alone accept anything from him, otherwise he would easily turn the tables and slander the relationship in the future.
"Hey, you kid..." Qiu Aiying was about to persuade Lin Xiang a few more times when there was a sudden noise outside, and the director of the family home called out to the old Lin family in a loud voice.
Qiu Aiying poked her head out to see Director He rushing over, licking his dry lips and saying, "Old Lin's family, your Jianxin has been arrested, go check it out."
"What?" Qiu Aiying naturally didn't care about Lin Xiang at this moment, and hurriedly followed Director He out, and asked again, "Why was our Jianxin arrested?"
"It was said that he was playing poker with a group, and when he lost money he refused to pay, so he got into a fight with someone!"
......
That night, Lin Xiang was the only one left at the Lin family. Everyone else went to the police station to see Lin Jianxin. It was a complete family.
It was rare to have such quiet time at home, and Lin Xiang was happy and at ease. She found a handful of noodles from the cupboard that Qiu Aiying had not had time to lock when she left in a hurry, and went to the corridor to prepare some noodles.
Instant noodles are not rare in later generations, but they are absolutely rare in this era, and many families simply cannot afford instant noodles.
Lin Xiang had never used a coal stove before. People in later generations used gas stoves. She had observed Qiu Aiying's operation in the past few days. Now she stood in the corridor and glanced at the operations of her neighbors, and then she prepared to light the fire.
However, she had never actually done it before, and she only finished it after a burst of thick smoke rose. She waited for the honeycomb coal at the bottom to burn well, then used a fire tong to pick up a brand new piece of honeycomb coal from her home and put it into the coal stove one hole at a time.
An iron pot of boiling water was placed on the coal stove. Lin Xiang took out a few noodles from a paper-wrapped bowl and boiled them in the boiling water. She watched the bubbling hot water and listened to the greetings of the neighbor's aunt.
"Xiangxiang, are you eating noodles today?"
Noodles are a fine grain and cannot be easily eaten. Neighbors of the Lin family occasionally saw them eating noodles, but they always gave them to the grandfathers, or to Qiu Aiying and Lin Chuchu, and it was rarely Lin Xiang's turn.
But since Lin Xiang didn't say anything, no one knew what to say.
"Yes." Lin Xiang was naturally aware that her original body was too honest. She would not accept anything even if her stepmother did not give it to her. She had hardly ever eaten anything good. Now that she had traveled through time, she naturally had to try her best not to treat herself badly. It would be a waste if she didn't eat the noodles.
The long and thin noodles are cooked until soft, swirling and intertwining in the gapping bowl, taking up the entire space. Then the egg that Qiu Aiying had hidden is found and fried into a soft-boiled egg, which is placed on the thin white noodles. The boiled green leaves are decorated on top, and with a stir of chopsticks, the soy sauce, pork fat, chili oil and chopped green onions hidden at the bottom of the bowl are evenly mixed and wrapped around the slender noodles that exude a strong wheat aroma, and the fragrance is overwhelming.
It is said that eating instant noodles is as delicious as eating meat in this era, and it is indeed true.
After eating and drinking, Lin Xiang fell asleep in the stuffy room, holding a palm-leaf fan. In the middle of the night, she was suddenly awakened by a loud noise.
Along with the sounds of hurried and chaotic footsteps and the door being unlocked, Lin Guangming's angry voice scolding his son Lin Jianxin was also heard.
"Are you still learning to play poker? You're going to work soon, don't just sit there doing nothing all day." Lin Guangming expected his only son to carry on the Lin family's bloodline and bring honor to the ancestors, so no matter how much he spoiled him, there was a bottom line.
Qiu Aiying and Lin Chuchu could only advise:
"Old Lin, Jianxin was also deceived by those second-rate people. You know he is the most honest and obedient person."
"Yes, Dad, I must have been deceived."
Lin Xiang lay on the bed and listened silently. Not long after, she heard Qiu Aiying's sarcastic voice: "Xiangxiang, what's wrong with you? You didn't even make dinner!"
If it were the original self, he would definitely prepare dinner quietly tonight, and then save most of the food for his family members, waiting for them to come back late at night to eat.
But Lin Xiangcai didn't have the spirit of dedication. He just pretended to sleep and didn't say a word.
Lin Guangming was very angry at the time. He went to the police station to pay the fine and bail out his son. He went back home after cursing a few words. The Lin family was in commotion again.
The next day, Lin Jianxin was ordered by his father, who always loved him, to stay at home: "Don't go out, and don't hang out with those second-rate guys to play cards! In a few days, I will give you your second sister's job. From now on, you should work honestly in the factory!"
No matter how naughty Lin Jianxin was on weekdays, he could tell that Lin's father was not to be messed with today, so he could only pout and agree.
Lin Jianxin was confined at home for several days and felt depressed. He felt like he was going to get sick, and Lin Xiang was about to get sick from the heat in the steel rolling factory workshop.
The sun is blazing outside and the temperature is high in the workshop. It's almost impossible to survive these days.
At this time, a strange rumor spread in the steel rolling mill. On the way home from get off work, Lin Xiang was called into the house by Aunt Liu, a good friend of her original mother.
"Xiangxiang, you..." Liu Qiuping originally didn't care much about Lin Xiang's affairs, mainly because she wanted to say a few words to the daughter of her deceased friend, but Lin Xiang didn't buy it. Every family has its own problems, not to mention that it is not easy for her, an outsider, to interfere.
But these few days, she noticed that Lin Xiang was a little different, so she asked another question out of nosy business.
"You're not really in love with the youngest son of the factory manager Sun, are you?"
Lin Xiang was shocked. She absolutely did not want to have anything to do with Sun Yaozu, and she had been trying to avoid him these days. "Of course not. Aunt Liu, why do you ask?"
"I told you, you shouldn't be so confused." She knew what kind of person Director Sun's son was. Although he had a good family background, he was idle and had a bad reputation, far worse than his elder brother and second sister. If Lin Xiang and Sun Yaozu were really together, she would have to persuade them.
"You don't know, there are rumors in the factory that you and Sun Yaozu are dating and are getting married!"
"What?" Lin Xiang was shocked by the rumor. She knew how important reputation was in the 1970s. It was not like later times, where even a little rumor could kill someone. Then she realized that it was most likely Sun Yaozu who did it. He wanted to force her to give in without knowing it. Then everyone would think that she was in a relationship with him. She would never be able to clear herself from the blame even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
Such means are indeed troublesome for the original body. She is a loner and often does not dare to seek help. Lin Xiang thought for a moment and said angrily, "Aunt Liu, I heard that Sun Yaozu is particularly rude and likes to beat people. I will not be friends with him. I don't know who is spreading rumors. If it really gets out of hand, my reputation will be ruined and it will be difficult to get married in the future. Am I going to marry him blindly?"
Liu Qiuping was finally relieved after hearing what Lin Xiang said. This kid wasn't that confused. She patted Lin Xiang's hand with relief and said, "Don't worry, I'll help you with this matter. If anyone dares to spread these slanderous gossips in the future, I will definitely tear his mouth apart!"
"Thank you, Aunt Liu!" It was difficult for Lin Xiang, an unmarried girl, to refute rumors, especially those gossiping older brothers and sisters. If she tried to refute the rumors one by one, it might not be effective. It would be much better to let an elder like Aunt Liu take action.
Sun Yaozu is eyeing her covetously. Lin Xiang is thinking that she really can't be picky anymore, time is running out...
"Aunt Liu, I'll go home first. I'm sorry to trouble you with this matter." Lin Xiang remembered that it was almost the beginning of the month, and she had to find a way to get one or two sugar coupons from the Lin family's food book to buy some thank-you gifts for Aunt Liu.
"It's okay." Liu Qiuping thought about how Lin Xiang lost her mother early, and felt a little sorry for the child. Especially since Sun Yaozu was obviously obsessed with Lin Xiang, it was really hard to deal with. Even if the rumor was dispelled this time, it was possible that people would still be watching Lin Xiang. She asked again, "Xiangxiang, you are also at the age of getting married. Have your father and mother arranged something for you?"
Logically speaking, a girl of this age must be married, but Lin Xiang's family situation makes it difficult.
Lin Xiang knew that Aunt Liu was kind-hearted and was genuinely worried about her, so she said, "My stepmother wants to marry me to Sun Yaozu, but I don't want to, so I'm looking for a matchmaker to find someone for me."
"You are a person with ideas!" Liu Qiuping's eyes lit up. She didn't expect Lin Xiang to have changed so much and to have such ideas in private. She was very relieved. "Then I will help you to look for a good partner..."
As she said this, Liu Qiuping looked at the beautiful girl in front of her and suddenly remembered something. She obviously had a ready-made one. She asked again, "Hey, where is your childhood sweetheart? Do you have any contact with him?"
"Child marriage?" Lin Xiang didn't know about this. Even in her original memory, there was no such thing. "Did I really have a child marriage?"
"Of course not! Your grandfather arranged it for you back then, and your mother was still alive." Liu Qiuping was a good friend of Lin Xiang's mother, so she naturally knew about this event that happened more than ten years ago.