FIMA Ch103: Splitting the Family

Gu Siyuan held the waist of the person on top of him, lifting him slightly.

Xie Yiyang propped his hands on his chest, their eyes meeting.

It was mid-April, and the moonlight outside the window was bright. Xie Yiyang naturally saw the deep, somewhat intimidating look in Gu Siyuan’s eyes, and he couldn’t help but shrink his neck.

However, Gu Siyuan moved faster, grabbing his chin and cheeks firmly.

“…” Xie Yiyang.

No escape.

Gu Siyuan squinted at him, his thumb lightly brushing over his soft, red lips, his voice deep and gentle enough to break one’s heart, “Where did you learn to say such things?”

“…” Xie Yiyang.

What to do?

The gentler he was, the more terrifying it was.jpg.

Xie Yiyang felt dry-mouthed, instinctively wanting to lick his lips, but his tongue accidentally touched the thumb pressing on his lips.

Gu Siyuan felt the warm moisture on his fingertip and gently stirred it in Xie Yiyang’s mouth, asking softly, “Thirsty? Want some water?”

Xie Yiyang shook his head, glanced at him, then, as if possessed, lightly bit the finger.

Gu Siyuan patted his head, “Good boy, here’s your reward.”

“…” Xie Yiyang.

Why does this tone sound like the neighbor uncle petting his dog?

But soon, he didn’t have the mind to think about such things, because Gu Siyuan was a man of his word.

The promised reward came.

…

Xie Yiyang’s eyes were red, his delicate fingers clutching the bed sheet so tightly it was almost torn.

Gu Siyuan leaned down slightly, exerting force while slowly kissing his sweaty cheek and red lips.

After who knows how long, the movements in the room gradually ceased.

Gu Siyuan brought over a bowl of hot water, wrung out a towel, and held him in his arms.

Xie Yiyang instinctively shivered.

Seeing the marks on his fair skin, Gu Siyuan kissed his shoulder blade gently, his voice deep, “So sensitive?”

Xie Yiyang lay in his arms, completely exhausted, unable to even open his mouth to retort.

He could only silently complain in his heart about Gu Siyuan’s earlier almost devouring fierceness.

Who wouldn’t be scared?

Gu Siyuan placed the warm towel on his face for a while, as he had cried too miserably earlier, to prevent his eyes from hurting the next day. Then, he cleaned him thoroughly inside and out.

Only then did he hold him and get back under the covers.

He gently massaged his waist, coaxing him softly, “Why did you ask those questions earlier? What did you see?”

“…” Xie Yiyang.

You haven’t forgotten?

This man, so petty.

Xie Yiyang pouted and slowly explained.

When he went to the field to find Gu Siyuan this evening, he passed by a rapeseed field and heard some noises.

A man and a woman.

The woman was scolding: saying why every time he came to see her, it was only for that?

The man said: he liked her so much that his heart was torn, so he always thought about that.

Gu Siyuan pinched his little wife’s cheek, usually a very shrewd person, actually believed the man’s nonsense.

But…

Recalling the wonderful experience just now, well, occasionally believing such things was okay.

The next morning when they woke up,

Xie Yiyang took the opportunity to act spoiled, lying on Gu Siyuan for a while.

Gu Siyuan thought he would be a bit listless today.

However, soon Xie Yiyang had completely regained his vigor.

It made Gu Siyuan hesitate for a moment, wondering if he hadn’t really tried his best last night?

“Husband, let me tell you, Gu Lili said he’s going to the county today,” Xie Yiyang ran over excitedly and jumped into Gu Siyuan’s arms.

Gu Siyuan hugged him to prevent him from falling off the bed and sat down at the edge, nodding, “Hmm, today I also got leave from the team leader to go to the county. The Agricultural Machinery Factory’s exam is at ten o’clock this morning.”

Xie Yiyang immediately exclaimed, “I’ll go with you! I know where the Agricultural Machinery Factory is, I’ll guide you.”

Since the Xie family had been sent to the countryside, he hadn’t been back to the county.

But after all, he had lived in the county for more than ten years, so he was very familiar with it.

Moreover, Qingshui County itself was not very big, and the few factories it had were all in the same direction.

Especially the dormitory building for Agricultural Machinery Factory workers was right next to the soda factory dormitory where his foster father worked, in the neighboring yard.

Seeing the anticipation in his eyes, Gu Siyuan nodded immediately, “Alright.”

Xie Yiyang happily kissed him on the cheek.

Gu Siyuan pinched his cheek, “Such a good boy.”

The two laughed and joked for a while.

Xie Yiyang remembered the main topic and continued, “Just now I heard Gu Lili also said he’s going to the county. His mother must have given him money. He has gone to the county a few times before, and each time he would buy something nice to bring back.”

“Is that so?” Gu Siyuan rubbed his fair wrist and squinted.

But…

This time when Gu Lili goes to the county, it might not be to buy things, but to sell them instead.

However, the opportunity for splitting the family had just arrived.

Today, it seemed like quite a few people from Yunxi Village were going to the county.

Team leader Zhou Jiandang and the accountant were waiting at the team department gate. It was said that the commune had brought a batch of fertilizer, and each village had to send someone to pick it up.

To make things easier, the village’s tractor would be deployed.

Coincidentally, both Gu Siyuan and Feng Keng knew how to drive tractors, so Zhou Jiandang arranged for each of them to drive one there and back.

Gu Siyuan decided to go to the recruitment exam at the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory without knowing what it would entail, potentially delaying him for a long time. It might force him to stay in the county town until late, with no fixed return time.

Yunxi Village wasn’t too remote, just about thirty li (roughly 30 kilometers) from Qingshui County. Despite the modest horsepower of the current tractor, they arrived in less than an hour.

Gu Siyuan parked the tractor near the county’s fertilizer plant, informing the team leader with Xie Yiyang that they were leaving for errands. They couldn’t guarantee a return time; if they were late, the others should go back first without waiting. They might stay overnight in the county or walk back.

Zhou Jiandang briefly reminded them and refrained from further inquiries.

In his eyes, Gu Siyuan remained a reliable person. He knew Xie Yiyang’s maternal family seemed to be in the county, possibly leading them to spend a night there.

Xie Yiyang enthusiastically pulled Gu Siyuan along, cheerfully introducing everything in the county.

Where the supply and marketing cooperative was, featuring the latest goods from Shanghai; which state-owned hotel served the tastiest meals, where he used to squat outside just to smell; which street was his favorite hangout, and his school had a big slide.

Gu Siyuan originally disliked talkative people.

But now, he patiently listened as if imagining how youthful and innocent Xie Yiyang had been from these scattered descriptions.

“We’re here, we’ve arrived at the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory!” Xie Yiyang pointed at the building ahead, excitedly shouting.

Gu Siyuan glanced up at the expansive white-walled courtyard.

On the white wall, in red paint, were the words “Serve the People.” In the center of the wall were two large open iron gates, with many people currently passing through.

Behind the white wall were several rows of bungalows, all constructed with red bricks. However, two rows were significantly taller than the others, likely housing machinery workshops inside.

Moreover, around the bungalows or behind them, numerous tractors were parked, ranging from brand new unused ones to several that had already been decommissioned.

Oh, and there were also two large trucks in the yard.

“How’s it? The Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory looks impressive, right, husband? After today’s exam, you’ll be working here.” Xie Yiyang gazed with sparkling eyes, full of excitement.

Passersby, except those already working at the factory, were here for today’s exam. Upon hearing his unguarded words, their expressions subtly turned disdainful.

The Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory could be considered the best-treated and most prestigious place to work in the entire county, boasting about how much they paid. Every year, countless people aimed to become workers there.

However, even in the year they recruited the most, they only had about twenty positions available.

And this year, they were only hiring technical workers. It was said nearly a hundred people applied, including many from technical schools and agricultural universities, but only six were finally accepted.

Hmm…

These youngsters really didn’t know their place.

Facing these varying gazes, Gu Siyuan remained impassive, his expression still cool and stern.

Xie Yiyang, however, pouted unhappily.

If they were back in the village and these people dared to look down on his husband, he would definitely glare back fiercely.

But now, they were in the county. Among these people might be Gu Siyuan’s future colleagues, leaders, or even the examiners later. If he acted out now, it would surely cause unnecessary trouble for Gu Siyuan.

Gu Siyuan naturally sensed his emotions. His originally stern face softened slightly, reaching out to pinch his inflated cheek, “You’re so silly.”

Xie Yiyang redirected his anger, starting to glare at him.

Gu Siyuan took out ten yuan and two tickets from his pocket, handing them over, “I’m going in for the exam. You know this side of the county well, so go sit at the supply and marketing cooperative or the hotel for a while. Don’t wander around. I’ll come find you after the exam.”

“Oh…” Xie Yiyang sluggishly took the money and tickets.

Gu Siyuan lightly tapped his forehead, “Alright, I’m going in.”

Xie Yiyang clasped his arm with both hands, earnestly saying, “Good luck. You’ll definitely pass. You’re the best.”

“Of course,” Gu Siyuan said calmly, his tone confident.

“…,” Xie Yiyang.

Hmm, his husband was the type who didn’t need any comfort or encouragement at all.

After entering the gate of the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory, Gu Siyuan asked a staff member, then followed the directions to a bungalow.

At this moment, nearly a hundred people were already standing there.

Gu Siyuan found a place to stand casually. On his left was a young man about his age who inexplicably kept glancing at him.

Gu Siyuan raised his eyes coldly, “Is there something?”

“Ah, you noticed?” Ling Zhi awkwardly scratched his head.

Gu Siyuan: “You are…”

Ling Zhi smiled, “I’m just curious how our famous hot-tempered beauty from back then was tamed by you. Just now I saw him with that bird-like demeanor, I couldn’t believe it.”

Gu Siyuan narrowed his eyes, “You’re talking about Yangyang. You know him?”

Ling Zhi nodded, “Yeah, he’s the eldest son of the accountant at the Soda Factory. He’s been handsome since he was young. Originally, a lot of people liked him in our neighborhood, but his temper was too explosive, and his mouth was sharp. No one could provoke him. Later, I heard he got married and moved to the countryside.”

Gu Siyuan casually said, “Oh, Yangyang is indeed good-looking, and straightforward.”

“…” Ling Zhi.

Bro, your filter is too thick. Can you call that straightforward?

After a while, all he could say was, “Your personalities really suit each other. I didn’t expect that when he was a good city man, he would be willing to go to the countryside.”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him and said lightly, “Yangyang went to the countryside not because of me. Yangyang was sent to the countryside by the accountant couple. He’s adopted by the Xie family.”

“Ah…” Ling Zhi opened his mouth in surprise.

Xie Yiyang isn’t the accountant’s biological son?

I said that the accountant couple looked average, and Xie Jinyu could barely be considered fair, how come Xie Yiyang is so good-looking?

So it was like this…

Ling Zhi felt like he had just heard a big gossip. His mom must be very interested.

Gu Siyuan waited a while longer.

Inside the front bungalow, a young man with a crew cut and a girl with shoulder-length hair walked out. Both wore proud expressions and carried a loudspeaker to call roll. Their tone was stern: anyone arriving late would lose their qualification for the exam.

After roll call, they began to introduce the exam content. There were two parts in total:

The first part was a written test, assessing knowledge related to tractors. It consisted of about twenty fill-in-the-blank questions followed by six or seven essay-type questions.

The second part involved practical skills. It started with a driving test and then identification of various tractor components.

After explaining, the two proud youths directed the hundred or so participants into two rooms on the left for the written test.

The environment at the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory was indeed good. The exam rooms had cement floors, were clean and bright, with neatly arranged tables and chairs. Several potted plants adorned the windowsills.

Gu Siyuan sat at his seat and briefly scanned through the exam paper. There weren’t many questions: first, about twenty fill-in-the-blank questions, followed by several longer answer questions.

After writing his name and seat number as required, Gu Siyuan began to answer the questions, hardly needing to think as the answers came readily to him.

About forty minutes later, he had completed all the questions and felt confident he would score at least a hundred percent.

Of course, at most, he could only get a hundred percent. Full marks were capped at one hundred.

The examiners allotted an hour and a half for the written test. However, due to the subsequent practical exam which could only accommodate a few participants at a time, it would be time-consuming.

Therefore, the examiners encouraged everyone to submit their papers early if they finished, so they could promptly proceed to the practical test, speeding up the rotation and allowing everyone to finish earlier and go home sooner.

However, Gu Siyuan’s speed in submitting his paper still surprised the examiner sitting above, who initially thought he had hastily scribbled something. But upon closer inspection of the neatly written answers and impeccable handwriting, the examiner widened his eyes.

“This one’s a good seedling!”

Following the instructions from the young woman outside the exam room, Gu Siyuan proceeded to the practical exam area behind the bungalow. There was a wide square with four tractors parked and five examiners standing, one of whom was the chief examiner.

The chief examiner, pleasantly surprised upon seeing him, asked, “Are you here for the practical test?”

Gu Siyuan nodded, “Yes.”

Immediately, the chief examiner joked, “Seeing how tall and big you are, I hope your brain is just as capable. You’re out so soon; did you hand in a blank paper for the written test?”

Gu Siyuan looked at him calmly, “Wouldn’t handing in a blank paper disqualify me from the practical test?”

The chief examiner, clearly in a good mood, replied, “Of course not. Come on, hurry up and take the test. You’re quite confident; if you can score full marks, I’ll accept you on the spot today.”

Gu Siyuan replied casually, “That won’t be necessary.”

“…,” the chief examiner.

The other examiners beside him chuckled, rare to see their leader teased.

…

After completing the practical test, Gu Siyuan emerged from the courtyard of the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory precisely at noon, much earlier than he had anticipated.

Like this, he could go do something else later.

However, when he looked up, Gu Siyuan first saw Xie Yiyang waiting outside the courtyard of the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory.

Seeing him, Xie Yiyang was pleasantly surprised. He hurried over and jumped onto him, “Husband, why did you come out so early? Did you do well on the exam?”

Gu Siyuan held him and checked his condition, not answering his question but instead looking at him coldly, “Didn’t I tell you to go to the supply and marketing cooperative or the hotel? Why have you been waiting here?”

“…,” Xie Yiyang felt guilty.

After a while, he puffed up his face, feeling justified, “I just wanted to see you as soon as possible. It’s boring to wander around alone at the supply and marketing cooperative.”

Gu Siyuan lightly bit his cheek, “You silly.”

Xie Yiyang hugged his neck with delicate arms, looking smug.

“It’s lunchtime, let’s eat.” Gu Siyuan put him down and led him towards the nearby state-run restaurant.

The state-run restaurant was the only establishment of its kind nowadays, occupying a large area, bright and clean. Inside were over a dozen square tables, with eight characters on the wall saying “Develop the Economy, Ensure Supply.”

At the front desk just inside the entrance was a small blackboard listing “Today’s offerings: Braised Pork, Fresh Meat Dumplings…”

Generally, you couldn’t order at the state-run restaurant. Whatever vegetables were delivered that day, the chef would prepare, and the customers would eat.

However, the chef’s culinary skills were excellent, and everything was delicious.

Xie Yiyang immediately widened his eyes excitedly, “Braised pork today! What luck, the chef here makes the best braised pork.”

He had spent several years in the county town and had eaten at the state-run restaurant a few times. Every year on Xie Jinyu’s birthday, Mr. Xie would come to the restaurant and bring back two portions of food. Occasionally, he could get some of it, but braised pork wasn’t something he could encounter every time. Nonetheless, he made a deep impression on it.

Gu Siyuan calmly said, “Then you should eat more later.”

Xie Yiyang swallowed his saliva apologetically, “Husband, you eat more. You must have worked hard on the exam.”

Gu Siyuan pinched his cheek, pulling him towards the counter.

“What would you like to eat?” The server asked them unenthusiastically.

The state-run restaurant was close to several factories in the county town, so the customers were all workers, who had money and tickets.

It was very busy during lunchtime.

If they were busy, their mood was naturally not good. In this period, the hotel staff was a good worker.

Xie Yiyang looked at the shiny braised pork, his eyes turning red. He couldn’t remember the last time he had eaten meat. 

He quickly picked up a piece and put it in Gu Siyuan’s bowl, urging him, “Eat quickly.”

Then he used chopsticks to pick up a piece for himself. The braised pork was tender and juicy. With a gentle bite, the meat juice burst out. Xie Yiyang wrapped a large chunk of rice around half a piece of braised pork and put it into his mouth. He closed his eyes slightly and chewed with satisfaction.

Seeing his appearance, Gu Siyuan felt like he was about to ascend to heaven.

For a moment, he felt both amused and helpless, but he also secretly thought: in the future, he should try to let his little wife eat more meat.

After Gu Siyuan tasted a bite of the braised pork, he discovered that the chef’s skills were indeed excellent.

For the first time, the two of them didn’t talk much, focusing on eating their food.

So, in less than ten minutes, two large bowls of dishes and meat, including rice, were eaten clean by the two of them. Even the soup was used to mix with the rice.

Gu Siyuan realized for the first time that he was actually a foodie.

Xie Yiyang hugged his stomach, leaning back happily and lazily on the chair. “If I could eat meat every day, I’d be willing to do anything.”

Gu Siyuan raised his eyes to look at him quietly, thinking to himself: He didn’t need Xie Yiyang to do anything, as long as he obediently let him handle it.

“Hmm?” Xie Yiyang frowned, his brows looking good. “Husband, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing,” Gu Siyuan shook his head. “I’m not looking at you.”

Stop scaring the little guy.

Xie Yiyang pouted.

Liar.

Gu Siyuan stood up and said calmly, “Get up, I’ll take you somewhere and walk off the food. It’s good for your health.”

“Oh,” Xie Yiyang lazily responded, but made no move.

Gu Siyuan shook his head and gently pulled him up.

The two of them left the state-run restaurant, where the sun outside was bright and warm.

However, it was still April, so despite the sun being strong, it wasn’t scorching. There was just a slight warmth.

Having eaten their fill and now under the sun, Xie Yiyang began to feel drowsy.

However, Gu Siyuan held his hand as they walked. At this hour, the county town wasn’t as busy with traffic as it would be in the future, so they didn’t have any urgent matters to attend to.

Xie Yiyang followed behind Gu Siyuan for a while until he felt the warmth dissipate from his body. He regained some clarity and looked around at the buildings, asking curiously, “Hey, husband, why did you bring me here? Since when did you become so familiar with the county town?”

Gu Siyuan pulled him closer and casually fabricated, “I’m not familiar. Actually, I saw Gu Lili and Feng Keng at the restaurant just now, and I followed them here.”

“Hehe, such a secretive alley, two single guys… up to something?” Xie Yiyang couldn’t help but chuckle mischievously.

He had become quite naughty lately.

Gu Siyuan calmly remarked, “That’s why I brought you along to see. Even though I dislike Gu Lili, he’s still a ger. What if that brat Feng Keng bullies him?”

After finishing his laugh, Xie Yiyang nodded in agreement, “Makes sense, let’s go.”

Gu Siyuan quietly led Xie Yiyang forward for a while.

Sure enough, they spotted the two, each carrying a bag, sneaking into an alley and then entering a courtyard.

“Hey, they don’t have relatives in the county town, right? Why do these two seem so familiar with this place?” Xie Yiyang asked with a hint of confusion.

Gu Siyuan shook his head and said, “Something doesn’t seem right. Let’s climb up the wall and see what’s going on inside.”

Having grown up in the countryside, Gu Siyuan was used to climbing walls and trees since childhood.

Xie Yiyang, also mischievous since childhood, found the courtyard wall not too high. In a few seconds, they found a discreet spot and climbed up.

As they peeked inside, they saw Feng Keng and Gu Lili with their bags open, filled with goods. Several people in the courtyard were inspecting and taking inventory.

A slick middle-aged man was stuffing money into Feng Keng and Gu Lili’s hands, saying, “Next time there’s such good stuff, he wants it all, and give a little extra…”

Gu Siyuan and Xie Yiyang froze for a moment, exchanged a glance, then silently slid down from the wall.

They walked all the way to the end of the alley. Only then did Xie Yiyang tug on Gu Siyuan’s sleeve, struggling to say, “They… they were just… speculation and profiteering…”

Gu Siyuan nodded grimly, “Yeah, they could get arrested for this. Since we’re not involved yet, Gu Lili might implicate us.”

Xie Yiyang felt drained, leaning against the eaves and nodding, “No wonder that brat Feng Keng acts so lavish, and Gu Lili… I’ve noticed he’s been acting mysterious lately. But how could they be so bold?”

Gu Siyuan patted his head lightly, saying calmly, “Silly kid, as you just said, they’re living it up. It’s like the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures. If we hadn’t coincidentally followed them today, who would have noticed?”

“Oh, they’re coming out, they’re coming out…” Xie Yiyang pulled Gu Siyuan and raised his chin, indicating the courtyard not far away where the two were leaving.

“Hmm,” Gu Siyuan nodded.

They stayed where they were, standing at the corner of the alleyway, waiting. After about a dozen steps, Feng Keng and Gu Lili also turned out of the alley, right into Gu Siyuan and Xie Yiyang at the corner.

“Y-you… you…” Both of them widened their eyes, faces pale with pounding hearts.

Never in their wildest dreams did they expect to be followed.

Gu Siyuan leaned against the wall, looking calmly at the two with a faint gaze.

Seeing their reaction, he cut in coldly, “You two have quite the nerve!”

Gu Lili was momentarily stunned.

But instinctively, he retorted, “W-what did you see?”

Gu Siyuan straightened up, his presence imposing yet his voice light, “I saw what needed to be seen.”

Xie Yiyang still felt shaken by what he had just witnessed.

Though usually fierce and aggressive, he never dared to confront legal matters head-on. He hadn’t expected Gu Lili, who also lived under the same roof, to dare to play such risky games…

“How dare you two do such a thing? If caught, it could bring trouble to our families, especially you, Gu Lili…”

Gu Siyuan’s expression turned cold and stern, his tone icy, “I only want to live my life well. What family do I even have?”

Listening to their exchange, especially Gu Siyuan’s blatant sarcasm, Gu Lili couldn’t maintain his composure any longer, exclaiming in shock and anger, “You’re going too far!”

Since Gu Siyuan returned from digging the canal, he seemed obsessed with targeting him, never doing anything good again. Now that he had caught him in his grasp, who knew how he might use this to threaten him in the future?

Feng Keng, however, was more astute. He looked at Gu Siyuan calmly and said, “Let’s get straight to the point. What do you want? If you were planning to report us, you wouldn’t just wait here. So, do you want to join us in making money, or do you have other demands?”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him indifferently and nodded, “That’s the right attitude.”

With that said, he disdainfully glanced at Gu Lili.

Feng Keng smiled slightly, as long as there were demands.

“So, what’s your idea?”

Gu Siyuan’s voice was indifferent, his expression even colder, “I have no interest in your money-making schemes, let alone getting involved. I just want a share of the inheritance. Gu Lili, you should know what that means.”

“…” Gu Lili looked at him, eyes filled with confusion. “Do you really just want a share of the inheritance?”

Gu Siyuan sneered, “What do you think?”

With that, he turned and walked away with Xie Yiyang.

Once they were gone, Gu Lili finally breathed a sigh of relief, speaking disdainfully, “I overestimated this third brother of mine. I thought he had some malicious scheme in mind.”

Feng Keng’s gaze was deep. He felt that Gu Siyuan was not ordinary.

However, they had no clue about what Gu Siyuan and Xie Yiyang thought.

The only thing they knew was that after returning from the county town, Gu’s parents, who had insisted on not dividing the family for a month, finally agreed to separate today.