Volume One, Chapter 17: Never Surrender Without a Fight

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Shen Aodong could not bear to see his sister upset. Even if she only said it casually, it was unacceptable! He glared sternly at Gu Xianglin and said, “From now on, no matter what it is, if it’s said to be given to you, you can’t just give it away to others anymore!”

Before this, Gu Xianglin would definitely have obediently nodded as if saying, “Brother Aodong has the final say.” But today, he suddenly became very serious. “Since it’s given to me, it’s my business how I deal with it. I’m willing to take these gains out and help my friends clear their debts. I want her to have less burden in her heart!”

Shen Lingshuang’s face flushed bright red in an instant! She couldn’t quite recall Gu Xianglin’s exact words, but what stuck in her mind was him saying “I’m willing, I’m willing.”

He—he was too eager! She was only twelve years old; no matter how eager, it wasn’t yet time to talk about marriage!

However, Gu Xianglin was fifteen, and in their area, early marriages were common. Boys of fifteen or sixteen would be sent to see girls of sixteen or seventeen, and if suitable, betrothal would be discussed…

Suddenly, Shen Lingshuang resented herself for being younger!

After the two brothers had gone up the mountain, Shen Lingshuang returned to her room, growing more and more worried that Gu Xianglin might be intercepted by others along the way.

Although in her previous life, the two of them were not close at this age—not childhood sweethearts—and only came together later due to his second marriage and her late marriage, in this life, since they had met now, she wanted to avoid detours and lock it down directly!

He must be her husband, Shen Lingshuang! She would never let him slip away!

The question was… how could she lock this in?

Lying on the kang bed, she pondered deeply, then gradually grew sleepy and fell into a deep sleep until dawn.

The first thing she did upon waking was to check the results of Shen Aodong and the others from last night.

Li Lanfang brought over a basin of warm water for her to wash up and said, “You can’t really catch something every day, can you? Those two spent the whole night setting traps and beast snares, but apparently didn’t catch a single animal.”

Shen Lingshuang couldn’t help but smile secretly while washing her face. Without the mountain queen who places the prey—herself—they naturally caught nothing.

There really weren’t many animals in the mountains. She guessed that during the famine years a few years ago, the wild animals had been decimated terribly and hadn’t yet recovered.

After washing up, she glanced at her brother’s room and asked Li Lanfang, “Mom, did Gu Xianglin go back to sleep?”

“No, he’s sleeping in your brother’s room.” Li Lanfang pointed toward the kitchen. “When they returned, your sister-in-law was already up. Seeing Gu Xianglin so exhausted with dark circles under his eyes, she quickly told him to rest here and go back when he woke up. Oh, and your sister-in-law also said she wants to take you for morning exercise today.”

Morning exercise?

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Just then, Song Qiuran came out holding a small radio. “Lingshuang, your school has taught you broadcast calisthenics, right? Come, let’s practice together!”

Broadcast calisthenics? No way!

Shen Lingshuang nearly cried out loud.

In her previous life, she wanted to sleep in, but Gu Xianglin always dragged her to practice Baduanjin qigong!

At night, she just wanted to stay home and watch sweet dramas, but Gu Xianglin dragged her off to dance in the square!

Never a moment of peace, day or night—it was pure torture!

Now, having finally returned to being a young girl and escaped his health regimen, she ran right into Song Qiuran with broadcast calisthenics!

Could she refuse?

“Lingshuang, your sister-in-law only wants what’s best for you; you should practice with her,” Li Lanfang urged earnestly.

Shen Lingshuang gave up resisting.

She wanted her mother to be happy and less worried.

Since her sister-in-law wanted her to exercise, she might as well do it.

“There’ll be a ‘Morning Horn’ program soon; we’ll follow the rhythm of the music and do broadcast calisthenics together.”

“I’ll give the commands, and you stand behind me and follow along.”

“Make sure the movements are standard—no slacking off.”

Song Qiuran fiddled with the radio while speaking.

At that moment, the aunt next door came over to exchange vegetables with Li Lanfang. Upon entering, she saw the two women stretching in the yard and heard the music from the radio. Her mouth formed a perfect “O” of surprise.

“When did your family get a radio?”

Shen Lingshuang smiled proudly. “My sister-in-law brought it from the city.”

In these times, radios were rare luxuries in rural areas.

Previously, when the educated youth troupe held a cultural performance at the Peace Farm, they had brought out this radio.

The villagers had gathered around it all night, amazed.

But no one knew this treasure actually belonged to Song Qiuran personally.

The neighbor’s mouth ran faster than her brain and she immediately said, “I heard that nowadays, when city folks get married, they like to bring the four big items: a radio, a bicycle, a sewing machine, and what was it again?”

Song Qiuran smiled and answered, “A watch.”

“Right, right! A watch!” The neighbor looked envious. “Usually the groom’s family brings these to the bride’s family, right? Lingshuang, your mom is lucky—the bride already brought a radio herself, so you saved the trouble of buying one!”

The neighbor meant no harm, but Song Qiuran worried that Shen’s family might take it the wrong way.

She quickly said, “Aodong and I don’t care about those things—we’re one family, no distinctions.”

The neighbor liked her more and more. “I hope my Qiangzi can marry a daughter-in-law like you! Though he can’t swim... no worries, I’ll make him learn this spring!”

Song Qiuran: “...”

Shen Lingshuang couldn’t stand it any longer and shouted, “Mom! Aunt Qiuyue is here!”

Li Lanfang, worried about those still sleeping inside, hurried out of the kitchen and hushed Shen Lingshuang sharply, “Lower your voice!”

She then invited the neighbor into the kitchen.

After they left, Shen Lingshuang grabbed Song Qiuran’s hand and comforted her, “Sister-in-law, that’s just how village folks are! They speak without a filter, but don’t mean anything by it. That aunt really imagines nice things—like her big oaf Qiangzi learning to swim will be able to fish a wife from the river! Especially someone as delicate and beautiful as you… humph! Dream on!”

Song Qiuran laughed, showing two shallow dimples on her cheek, quite charming.

Shen Lingshuang shook her arm and said seriously, “Sister-in-law, have you ever smiled at my brother like that?”

Song Qiuran looked puzzled. “Huh?”

“Sigh, he definitely hasn’t seen it. Otherwise, I’d already have a little nephew by now!”

“Shen Lingshuang!” Song Qiuran scolded and lightly punched her twice.

Shen Lingshuang giggled and dodged, but soon noticed Song Qiuran stopped chasing her and instead stood with hands on hips, frowning as if worried about something serious.

Shen Lingshuang quickly admitted defeat. “Sister-in-law, I know I was wrong. I won’t joke around anymore…”

“Lingshuang, I really need to help you with your studies from now on!” Song Qiuran said sternly.

Shen Lingshuang was confused. “Huh?”

Song Qiuran said, “No one gets pregnant right after marriage… You failed biology class!”

Shen Lingshuang: “...”

Song Qiuran: “From now on, I’m checking all your homework!”

“No, sister-in-law, I’m only in sixth grade! Biology starts in middle school!” Shen Lingshuang begged.

Unfortunately, Song Qiuran was determined.

Seeing that this was set in stone, Shen Lingshuang felt like crying but had no tears.

Fortunately, Afu arrived with good news:

[Congratulations, the owner has gained Song Qiuran’s joy, earning 100 blessing points!]

[Current blessing points: 200]

Shen Lingshuang: “...”

What is sister-in-law so happy about?