The Bravest

After a pleasant lunch, Lin Jie, who was supposed to say goodbye, looked at Liu Ruyan's reluctant look, thought about it and thought that there was nothing special to do today, so he said, "Shutong, brother-in-law will take you out to play, okay?"

"Ah?" Li Shutong looked at Lin Jie in confusion. His sister was talking to his mother and it was obvious that they were leaving. Why was she taking him out to play?

Liu Ruyan's eyes lit up when she heard Lin Jie say that. Lin Jie was going to take his brother out to play, so he would definitely come back. That meant he could have dinner with his uncle's family in the evening before going back.

So Liu Ruyan didn't even bother to say goodbye to her aunt, and turned to her brother and said, "Shutong, sister will take you shopping, okay?"

Li Shutong looked up at his parents and saw that they nodded. He immediately shouted, "Let's go shopping. Sister, I want to buy some stationery. I have run out of pencils and exercise books."

"Okay, sister will buy it for you. You and brother-in-law wait for me in the car." Liu Ruyan obviously had something else to say to her uncle, so Lin Jie took Li Shutong out first.

"Uncle, you should quit your job this afternoon and have a good rest at home for a few days. Lin Jie will make arrangements." Liu Ruyan took out a stack of money and stuffed it into her aunt's hand: "Aunt, go buy some fresh vegetables later and cook more in the evening. Lin Jie eats a lot."

"Ruyan, there is still money at home. Keep it for yourself and don't always ask him for money, okay?" Li Guomin quickly returned the money he had snatched from his wife to Liu Ruyan.

"Uncle, I have my salary, so you don't need to ask him for money. Don't worry. My brother also needs it for school, so take it. I'm leaving." Of course Liu Ruyan wouldn't take it, so she turned around and went out.

Watching Liu Ruyan leave, Li Guomin and his wife looked at each other. After a while, Li Guomin took out two bills and put them in his pocket, and gave the rest to his wife: "Shuxian, I'm going to quit my job and buy some groceries. You stay at home. It won't be good if no one entertains them when they come back."

"Well, it's a pity that Director Lin already has a wife. Otherwise, it would be great if Ruyan could marry him."

"No one can have everything they want. It's good enough to have it like this. If he hadn't saved Ruyan, she would have been in the hands of the Japanese. It's good that it's like this. In this world, it's not a good thing for a woman to be beautiful. Without a backer, she will be targeted sooner or later."

Why was my niece captured by the Japanese? Wasn't it because she was pretty? Why were there so many rumors about her at school after she came back? Wasn't it because of the jealous people who deliberately spread rumors? If Ruyan were to return to school wearing a police uniform and carrying a gun, who would dare to say a bad word to her face?

"Yeah, following Director Lin at least I won't have to worry about food and clothing, and I won't be bullied. That's good enough." This was the only way my aunt could comfort herself.

"Not only does he have no worries about food and clothing, this child is filial, and even we benefit from it. Remember, if someone asks, just play dumb and say that Ruyan has found a good job. As for the relationship with Lin Jie, just say that it hasn't been finalized yet and let them guess."

"It can't be hidden. If Shutong keeps calling me brother-in-law, the neighbors will know about it in two days."

"Knowing is one thing, but not admitting it is another. You see, if you dare to say that Ruyan married a director, many people will come to you to ask you to do things. Then Ruyan will be troubled. We should try not to disturb them if we can."

After what happened to Liu Ruyan, Li Guomin had to think the worst of people. Now that Ruyan was getting better, Li Guomin couldn't let some shitty things affect Ruyan's image in Lin Jie's heart.

People can help your loved ones, but if they come to you with all kinds of trivial matters, sooner or later they will vent their frustration on Ruyan. This is something Li Guomin does not want to see. He is also thinking about slowly improving the relationship and fighting for a status for his niece in the future.

"I know." The aunt replied unwillingly. She really wanted to publicize that her niece had a good job and found a man who was an official. As for Lin Jie having a wife at home, who would know if she didn't say it.

"Oh, Ruyan came back too high-profile this time. There will be troubles later." Li Guomin looked at the rice, flour, grain and oil piled in the corner of the living room that had not been cleaned up yet, and he couldn't help feeling happy and melancholy.

"Humph, Ruyan is right. You should just be more high-profile. Usually, everyone is so sarcastic and makes fun of you, a manager of a foreign company who is so poor that he can't even support his family. Now, let's see who dares to make fun of our family."

My aunt was fed up with the neighbors' contempt, and it was a rare opportunity to feel proud of herself, so she didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

"What do you know as a woman? You can ignore those who are usually snobbish, but what about the families we are on good terms with? If one family asks you to help find a job, or someone else in that family asks you for help, will you help or not?"

Li Guomin glared at his wife unhappily.

"I..." Auntie was unable to refute what Li Guomin said. Although some neighbors were snobbish and looked down on others, after decades of living together, there were also a few families that had a good relationship with each other. If someone asked, she would definitely not refuse.

"Hey, I'm not saying that I've become snobbish just because I'm doing well. I'll definitely help if there's something really important, but I'm afraid you'll come to me for some trivial matters, which is a problem."

"Okay, why are you thinking so far ahead? Go quit your temporary job right away, and then buy some fresh food before you come back. Ruyan brought some bacon, sausages and other things that can be kept and eaten slowly." The aunt didn't want to listen to her husband's nagging anymore. Isn't it enough to just let things take their course?

"Well, you should sort these out and find time to deliver some to the Zhang family and the others tomorrow. They have helped us a lot in the past two years. Don't let anyone see it."

"I know, just go quickly."

As expected, not long after Li Guomin left, several unemployed women who were on good terms with him came to his house.

"Shuxian, where is Ruyan? Didn't you say Ruyan is back? Why can't I see her?"

"Yes, Shuxian, I heard Ruyan is a police officer, and she works in an office. I said women also need to study. Look, isn't this useful? Unlike us, who have no education, it's hard to find a job."

As soon as a few old sisters came in, they started talking nonstop.

"Ruyan and her boyfriend took Shutong out to play. I don't know when they will be back. Come sit down and have some tea and try this snack."

When the old sisters come, of course my aunt has to share the good things she has.

"Wow, Hengyuanji's dim sum, I haven't dared to buy it for a long time. Ruyan is really filial, and it's worth it for your aunt to take her in for so many years."

"That's right. Our Ruyan is always very sensible. You see, she bought a lot of things. Our Lao Li said he would send some to you tomorrow. It's just right that you are here. You can take them back when you leave. This will save me from having to make another trip."

……