"Damn him for not knowing when to appreciate a toast, and instead, preferring a beating."
Chen Lishu's scalp stung, and her steps involuntarily followed Liu Dabao. Liu Xiaobao, trailing behind, also moved along.
Thinking that her hard-won happiness was about to be ruined by these two vermin, a fire burned in Chen Lishu's eyes, igniting deep within her heart.
Her fingernails, digging into her palm, almost pierced her flesh: No one would destroy the life she had finally managed to secure.
With this thought, just as Chen Lishu was about to desperately snatch the knife from Liu Xiaobao's hand, a scream erupted from above. The pressure on her scalp instantly released, and she found herself falling into a warm, solid embrace.
Upon seeing the familiar military green, Chen Lishu's eyes welled up, and the tears she had held back for so long finally broke free: "Xingdong..."
"Yes, I'm here. It's alright now." Gu Xingdong held her close, his chin resting on her forehead as he spoke in a gentle voice.
"You dare to hurt my brother!"
Liu Xiaobao, watching his brother kicked to the ground and unable to get up for a long time, waved the knife in his hand and lunged towards Gu Xingdong's back.
Gu Xingdong's eyes narrowed, a flash of ferocity fleeting within them.
Before Liu Xiaobao's knife could even brush Gu Xingdong's clothes, his wrist was suddenly seized, halting his movement. Then, two cracking sounds echoed in his ears.
As the sharp pain surged, Liu Xiaobao realized that Gu Xingdong had cleanly dislocated his wrist. The knife, having already fallen, was now in Gu Xingdong's hand: "You two brothers are quite something."
Gu Xingdong's voice was not loud, but it sent a shiver down Liu Xiaobao's spine.
"We... we just wanted to scare you..."
Liu Xiaobao, trembling, didn't get to finish his words before he felt a sharp pain in his chest and was sent flying backward.
Liu Dabao, having just struggled to get back on his feet, saw Gu Xingdong kick his brother four or five meters away with a single blow. His legs went weak, and he dared not utter a single word.
Gu Xingdong's gaze swept over the red marks on Chen Lishu's cheek, his eyes darkening slightly: "Which hand hit you?"
Chen Lishu turned her head to look at Liu Dabao and said with a hint of grievance, "His right hand."
Gu Xingdong nodded, flicked his wrist, and the knife in his hand flew directly towards Liu Dabao's right hand.
"Ah!" Liu Dabao screamed. The tip of the knife embedded itself into his flesh, and blood immediately gushed out.
"How is it? Can you go home yourself?"
"Yes."
Seeing Chen Lishu nod, Gu Xingdong handed her bag and then glanced at the Liu brothers nearby: "Roll yourselves to the Public Security Bureau. I'll be following behind. Any misstep and you'll face the consequences."
As the last word fell, the Liu brothers dared not hesitate. They immediately scrambled away towards the town. At that moment, the Public Security Bureau was their only hope for survival.
Gu Xingdong pushed the bicycle beside him and mounted it, maintaining a consistent distance behind the brothers.
If he saw one of them lagging behind, he would give them a kick.
Chen Lishu watched his receding back, a sense of peace filling her heart.
Upon returning home, she first changed out of her soiled clothes and washed her face and hair. Thinking that Gu Xingdong must not have eaten yet, she headed to the kitchen to start preparing a meal for him.
As the saying goes, dumplings for departure and noodles for arrival. Chen Lishu decided to make him noodles.
While she was busy in the kitchen, Gu Xingdong had already escorted the brothers to the Public Security Bureau. Regardless of anything else, the crime of harming a military family member alone was enough to cause significant trouble for the Liu brothers.
"Comrade Gu, rest assured, we will handle this matter seriously and with severe punishment. You soldiers sacrifice your own families for the greater good and contribute selflessly to the nation. We will do our utmost to ensure the safety of your families and provide them with a satisfactory resolution."
The leader of the Public Security Bureau assured Gu Xingdong with a serious and resolute attitude.
With his word, the Liu brothers would likely accompany Widow Liu to prison for several years.
Emerging from the Public Security Bureau, Gu Xingdong rode his bicycle all the way back home. As he pushed open the courtyard gate, he saw his little wife busy in the kitchen. His previously stern expression finally softened.
"What delicious food have you made?"
Gu Xingdong entered the kitchen, supported her shoulders from behind, and peeked into the pot. Seeing that it was noodles, a smile spread across his face: "As expected of my wife, you know I wanted to eat your noodles."
Chen Lishu's lips curved slightly upon hearing this: "It's only been a short while, but your mouth has certainly gotten sweeter. You just know how to say nice things to coax me."
Gu Xingdong's brow arched slightly, hinting at something: "Would you like to taste it?"
Chen Lishu realized the meaning behind his words after a moment's pause. She shot him a playful glance and instructed, "Hurry and wash your hands, the noodles are almost ready."
After the noodles were served, Chen Lishu skillfully washed the pot and prepared a simple egg sauce. When the noodles were on the table, Gu Xingdong devoured two large bowls, only feeling completely satisfied when a slight sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.
After dinner, Chen Lishu urged him to go to the room to sleep, knowing he must be exhausted from the overnight train journey.
Seeing him enter the room, she cleaned the kitchen and then went back to the room to take her discarded clothes to the courtyard to wash them.
In the evening, when Li Xiulan and the others returned, they were all overjoyed to learn that Gu Xingdong was back. Seeing that Chen Lishu had prepared four dishes, Gu Shoufu gave two mao to Gu Song to run errands to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some wine. The men sat together and had a good drink.
The children, having finished their meal early, ran out to play. The women also gradually left the table, leaving only the men sitting by the table, drinking and chatting, "Third child must be exhausted after a whole day on the train. He's not leaving for a few more days anyway. We can talk tomorrow. Hurry and send the children back to their rooms to sleep. There's no work tomorrow, right?"
Seeing her husband rambling on after a few drinks, Li Xiulan couldn't help but chime in with a reminder.
She had already noticed their third son eyeing his wife several times; even as a mother, she felt embarrassed by those fiery glances.
It was a rare occasion for him to be back, so they should let the young couple spend time together. Otherwise, when would she get to hold her grandson?
Gu Shoufu was not an unreasonable old man. He was simply too happy to see his son after such a long time, which was why he had been talking to him for so long. Hearing Li Xiulan scold him, he finished the last bit of wine at the bottom of his cup: "It's getting late. Everyone pack up and go back to your rooms to sleep."
Gu Xingdong and Chen Lishu obediently got up. After returning to their room, Chen Lishu bent down to retrieve a washbasin from under the cabinet. As she straightened up, a warm body pressed close behind her, the breath exhaling carrying a faint scent of alcohol.
"Let me."
Perhaps due to the alcohol, his voice was deep with a hint of huskiness.
"Mm."
Chen Lishu handed him the basin she was holding. Seeing him head out, she took off her shoes, got onto the kang, and spread out the quilt.