FIMA Ch109: Moving

Xie Yiyang saw his husband and immediately ignored everything else, pushing through the crowd with a happy smile, looking up at him, “Why are you back so early today?”

Gu Siyuan held his hand casually and said, “I just came back to handle a small matter.”

“Oh…” Xie Yiyang pouted in response.

Then, catching something out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the police officers and the scoundrel who harassed him yesterday.

Xie Yiyang’s expression changed instantly. He excitedly exclaimed, “Officers, are you here to arrest this scoundrel? That’s great! He needs a good lesson!”

Upon hearing this, the scoundrel immediately shouted, “Ger Xie, it was my fault yesterday, but I wasn’t the mastermind. It was Gu Lili who bribed me to do it!”

Xie Yiyang’s eyes widened.

He then noticed Gu Lili and Feng Keng, who also seemed to be held by the officers.

His anger flared, and he rushed forward, grabbing Gu Lili by the collar, nearly knocking Mother Gu aside.

“So, it was you who sent the scoundrel to harm me? How dare you, Gu Lili!”

The officers, both amused and exasperated, quickly patted Xie Yiyang, “Calm down, we will investigate thoroughly and ensure justice is served.”

Gu Siyuan pulled his agitated wife aside.

Gu Lili, gasping for breath, still stubbornly said, “Don’t listen to that thug’s nonsense. He’s just scared of the police and babbling here.”

Father and Mother Gu quickly echoed, “Yes, yes, how could our Lili have any dealings with that scoundrel?”

The scoundrel, unhappy with their denial, retorted loudly, “Who’s babbling? I still have the bribe you gave me. It’s a gold ring! If it weren’t for such a valuable thing, I wouldn’t have dared to harass Ger Xie. Harassing people is a serious crime! I’ve only ever stolen a few eggs in the village before…”

As he spoke, he slowly took a gold ring from his pocket and handed it to the officer, “Officer, this is the evidence. I’m voluntarily handing it over. Can I get a lighter sentence?”

One of the officers took it and said coldly, “We’ll decide after the investigation.”

At that moment, everyone present changed their expressions.

Gu Lili and Feng Keng felt utterly doomed, not expecting the scoundrel to produce such a crucial piece of evidence.

Father and Mother Gu also looked grim, casting a furtive glance at Gu Lili.

A gold ring? Where did Lili get such a thing? Could he have been involved in black market dealings again…

“My goodness, it’s really a gold ring. No wonder this scoundrel, who used to only steal small things and candy from kids, dared to act so boldly now!”

“Giving a gold ring to this scoundrel… The Gu family’s conditions aren’t bad, but since when could they afford to be so extravagant?”

“That’s right, but why would Gu Lili go to such lengths to harm Gu Lao San and his wife? Aren’t they brothers?”

The onlookers began to discuss the situation among themselves.

Xie Yiyang stared at Gu Lili, “Gu Lili, what grudge do you have against me to go to such lengths to harm me?”

Gu Lili avoided his gaze but firmly denied, “He’s lying. This gold ring has nothing to do with me.”

At this moment, Gu Siyuan suddenly said, “Yiyang, didn’t you say you saw them sneaking around on the mountain a few days ago?”

Xie Yiyang was stunned. He hadn’t said that. He had only seen Gu Lili and the others go up the mountain.

However, his husband must have a reason for saying this.

He quickly caught on and nodded vigorously, “Yes, but I didn’t notice anything unusual at the time. But now that I think about it, Gu Lili did start acting strangely after that. Could it be that they were up to something shady and got caught by me?”

The police, being naturally suspicious, immediately turned to Gu Lili, “Comrade, honesty will get you a lighter sentence.”

“……”

Gu Lili and Feng Keng turned pale, realizing that things had backfired.

……

A while later, with the help of the village militia, the police unearthed a chest of gold, silver, and jewels from a spot on the mountain. Alongside these were two guns and ammunition.

This was clearly either a stash from bandits or left behind by retreating people from the other side.

In any case, seeing guns meant it had to be handed over to the state.

Amidst Mother Gu’s wailing and crying, Gu Lili and Feng Keng were taken away.

The gathered crowd gradually dispersed.

Gu Siyuan and Xie Yiyang walked home hand in hand.

Xie Yiyang turned to look at Gu Siyuan curiously, “Husband, how did you know that Gu Lili had dug up all those treasures on the mountain?”

Gu Siyuan patted his head, “I guessed.”

Xie Yiyang looked at him, confused.

Gu Siyuan explained, “Didn’t I go out last night?”

Xie Yiyang puffed out his cheeks, remembering the events of last night, and mumbled, “You said you were just going to the bathroom.”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him, calmly saying, “Oh, I must have remembered wrong then.”

“……” Xie Yiyang was stunned.

His husband’s ability to lie so casually was incredible.

Aren’t you supposed to have a photographic memory? How could you confuse going to the bathroom with going out?

Last night, when he was half-asleep, he felt movement beside him. He opened his eyes and saw his husband fully dressed as if he had gone out. He asked casually.

His husband not only denied it but also unjustly accused him of missing him and wanting him, using it as an excuse to bully him until dawn.

Ahem… Though he did go along with it.

Gu Siyuan watched as his wife, who had been speaking so well, suddenly blushed.

He couldn’t help but pinch his cheek gently, calmly explaining, “I went out last night to teach that scoundrel a lesson.”

Xie Yiyang’s cheeks turned even pinker, and his heart softened. He hugged his husband, “Husband, you’re so good, going out late at night to avenge me.”

Xie Yiyang thought: My husband went out in the middle of the night to fight for me. It’s only right to be affectionate when he returns.

How can that be called bullying?

It’s clearly love overflowing!

Yes, Xie Yiyang was that practical and adaptable.

Thinking this, he hugged Gu Siyuan’s arm and continued to ask, “So, did that scoundrel tell you about his collusion with Gu Lili after being beaten?”

Gu Siyuan nodded, “More or less. He even took out the gold ring. I found it strange because Gu Lili isn’t that generous. Besides, you only had a verbal argument with him, not enough for him to spend so much to target you. There had to be more to it.”

Xie Yiyang nodded deeply, “Yes, ever since the family split, I didn’t bother with him. We barely spoke, and I’ve been studying hard every day!”

He looked up at Gu Siyuan, acting cute and coquettish.

Gu Siyuan lowered his head and kissed his fair forehead, nodding, “Yes, so it was odd. You haven’t interacted with him much recently, nor did you offend him. Except for the day before yesterday when you mentioned watching him and talking about him roasting birds on the mountain, I thought he might be targeting you because he thought you saw something incriminating.”

“Oh, that’s how it is!” Xie Yiyang clapped his hands, his pretty eyebrows furrowing as he fumed, “So, he sent a scoundrel to harass me to keep me busy, so I couldn’t pay attention to his activities on the mountain?”

Gu Siyuan patted his head, “Possibly.”

After beating the scoundrel last night, he felt something was off.

That scoundrel had been in the village for years, stealing and bullying kids, but he hadn’t been kicked out because he hadn’t crossed the villagers’ bottom line.

If he was lusting after Xie Yiyang, he wouldn’t have suddenly acted out yesterday unless there was another reason.

Also, the operation seemed familiar.

Combining it with the original plot where Feng Keng and Gu Lili, after being caught in illegal activities by Xie Yiyang, used the tactic of diverting attention to eliminate the enemy, he understood.

Xie Yiyang must have infringed on their interests again.

As for what specific interest, it wasn’t hard to guess.

In the original story, to highlight Gu Lili’s incredible luck, there was a description of Feng Keng and Gu Lili accidentally discovering a small treasure on the mountain, including various gold and silver jewelry.

This became the capital for their startup later on.

So this time, Gu Lili’s intense reaction was likely related to this. Seeing the exquisitely crafted gold ring with the scoundrel further confirmed this suspicion.

Xie Yiyang looked at Gu Siyuan with admiration, leaping onto him, “Husband, you’re so smart, like a prophet. Come, give me a kiss.”

Gu Siyuan caught him in his arms, lifting him up, thinking: If my wife is this enthusiastic during the day, I must not have been vigorous enough last night. Let’s continue at home!

The next day, when Gu Siyuan went to work at the agricultural repair factory, Section Chief Lu called him over to inquire about the stolen draft.

Gu Siyuan had nothing to hide and explained everything clearly.

Section Chief Lu was quite speechless about the situation but didn’t say much more.

In these times, strange things were abundant.

Finally, he told Gu Siyuan that Ma Jun had been dismissed from the agricultural repair factory.

Additionally, city leaders and experts were coming soon. Gu Siyuan’s design, after some research, would be reported to the city mechanical factory because their county agricultural repair factory simply didn’t have the capability to develop and produce engines independently.

Gu Siyuan had no objections to these arrangements; they were within his expectations.

Section Chief Lu praised, “Your new engine design concept is excellent. I only understand the basics. When the experts arrive, you might have to explain it to them.”

Gu Siyuan nodded indifferently, “Okay.”

“……” Section Chief Lu was at a loss for words.

How could someone be so cold?

However, a talented person, even if arrogant, wasn’t off-putting.

And soon, he understood this even more profoundly.

In the spacious and bright meeting room.

Section Chief Lu sat in his seat, leisurely drinking tea. Looking around, the other leaders were in similar states, some even yawning out of boredom.

At the far end of the long table, two experts from the city were intensely discussing the design with Gu Siyuan.

Section Chief Lu smirked.

Thinking back to when he first showed the design to the city’s experts, telling them it was independently designed by a young man in their department, the experts were incredulous.

But after Gu Siyuan explained a few things in front of them, the city’s experts, treating him like a treasure, pulled him aside for detailed inquiries and discussions.

Now, nearly half an hour had passed.

At this moment, Expert Deng Qi turned to the city mechanical factory leader who had come along, excitedly saying, “Minister Feng, both Zhao and I believe this design has great potential. If developed successfully, this principle could improve not only tractor engines but also small car and truck engines. Our city mechanical factory has a bright future.”

Minister Feng, hearing this, immediately became excited, “Really? That’s great. When we get back, we’ll immediately report this and consider establishing a project for it!”

Another expert, Zhao Jitong, directly addressed Gu Siyuan, “Comrade, would you like to come back with us? As the engine designer, your participation would certainly strengthen the project team.”

“Cough… Cough…”

At this moment, a few clear coughs came from the other end of the table.

Everyone looked up to see Deputy Director Sun of the agricultural repair factory sitting there.

The factory director of the county agricultural repair factory was also the county party secretary, but he was too busy with government affairs to come often, so Deputy Director Sun usually managed factory affairs.

The city leaders and experts awkwardly smiled, seemingly realizing that Gu Siyuan was still part of the agricultural repair factory.

Minister Feng quickly turned to Deputy Director Sun, “Oh, right, we need to discuss this with Director Sun…”

Deputy Director Sun nodded, satisfied with this.

“……” Gu Siyuan.

So, my opinion as the person involved doesn’t matter?

In the end, after discussion, Minister Feng’s group decided to return and report the project. After meetings and discussions, if the project was approved, they would proceed.

Developing a new engine was no small matter and would require multiple rounds of meetings and evaluations.

If the project was approved, there would still be procedures to follow, like budget allocation and setting up production lines, which would take several months.

During this time, Gu Siyuan would stay at the county agricultural repair factory since there wasn’t much he could do at the city mechanical factory.

Deputy Director Sun decided to make Gu Siyuan a role model, promoting his story at the agricultural repair factory to encourage all workers to love reading and be innovative.

During this period, Gu Siyuan would also guide the workers in related mechanical knowledge.

Meanwhile, the agricultural repair factory would improve his treatment, promoting him from an ordinary worker to a researcher, with an additional bonus for developing the new engine.

In the evening, Gu Siyuan returned home from the county town. As the tractor approached the village entrance, he saw the small figure squatting under the big tree as usual.

The small figure, hearing the “put-put” sound, looked up and saw him, then quickly ran over.

Gu Siyuan reached out and hoisted him up, placing him on the other side of the seat.

As he drove the tractor home, he noticed his wife’s unusual silence and slightly puffed cheeks. He gently asked, “What’s wrong? Not happy?”

Xie Yiyang nodded, looking pitiful, “Father and Mother have been crying and scolding me all day…”

Gu Siyuan squinted his eyes. He didn’t need to guess to know it was because of Gu Lili being taken away by the police yesterday for investigation.

He chuckled lightly, “Are you the type to endure scolding and crying?”

“…” Xie Yiyang looked up and glared fiercely at Gu Siyuan.

Was this really the image he had in his husband’s mind?

He pursed his lips and said, “Father and Mother are already so old. Suddenly encountering such a change, I’m afraid that if I say something too harsh, it might really upset them.”

He paused and continued, “Moreover, this matter is very complicated. Don’t be fooled by how Gu Lili has done so many bad things. The villagers might think we’re pitiful now, but over time, as they see us doing better and Gu Lili possibly going to jail, while our parents are so old, they will surely say we’re heartless and ungrateful. Hmph…”

Gu Siyuan squinted his eyes; his little wife was quite wise.

This was also why he was very satisfied with the improvement in his treatment at the county agricultural repair factory today.

He glanced at the person beside him and said calmly, “No worries, you won’t see these things tomorrow.”

“Ah…” Xie Yiyang opened his eyes wide in confusion.

Gu Siyuan said, “After submitting the engine design, the factory improved my treatment. My salary increased a bit, and they provided a dormitory in the county. We can move there directly.”

Xie Yiyang clutched his clothes tightly, incredulous, “Husband, are you serious?”

Gu Siyuan lightly pulled the handbrake and stopped the tractor, saying calmly, “I specially drove the factory’s tractor back today to make it easier for us to move tomorrow. Besides, when have I ever lied to you?”

“…” Xie Yiyang almost rolled his eyes.

Have you forgotten, you just coaxed me yesterday.

But…

He turned around and hugged Gu Siyuan’s waist tightly, rubbing his cheek against his firm abs.

This kind of thing, his husband wouldn’t lie to him.

Hehe, he could go live in the county.

He was going to live in the county.

When they moved back to the county, he must show off in front of the Xie family.

The county agricultural repair factory’s dormitory seemed to be in the same direction as the soda factory’s dormitory…

When they got home, Mother Gu immediately rushed towards Gu Siyuan.

She kept repeating the same few words, asking Gu Siyuan to tell the police that Gu Lili was innocent, that their family was just joking, and to beg the police to release Gu Lili.

Xie Yiyang immediately rushed forward angrily, “Mom, what kind of joke is this? These are several cases, involving more than just Gu Lili. My husband’s colleagues at the factory were dismissed to cooperate with the investigation, and that scoundrel was also arrested. If you ask my husband to overturn the case now, he would be committing perjury and would end up in jail himself. Do you want to ruin him?”

“Even if you’ve always favored Gu Lili, this is too much!”

Mother Gu’s eyes flickered, but she refused to give up and continued crying to Gu Siyuan, “Lao San, Lao San, Lili is your biological brother. He’s still so young, he…”

Gu Siyuan lifted his eyelids lightly and said coldly, “Mom, if I were you, I would cut my losses. You pampered Gu Lili so much since childhood because of his supposed luck, right? But who brings themselves good luck by ending up in jail?”

Mother Gu was momentarily stunned.

Gu Siyuan’s lips curled slightly as he continued, “So, it shows that luck is just coincidence. Now that we’ve already separated from the family, just live well with Lao Si and stop overthinking. If this situation escalates, Lao Si will soon graduate, and having a criminal brother won’t look good on his resume, making it hard for him to get a good job.”

Upon hearing this, Mother Gu’s lips trembled, and she stared at Gu Siyuan for a long time but couldn’t say a word.

…

The day before at the factory, Gu Siyuan had asked the leader for leave to arrange the move today.

They didn’t have many belongings, so emptying the entire room barely filled the tractor, unlike modern moves which usually require several large vehicles.

As the tractor drove out of Yunxi Village, many people working in the fields craned their necks to look.

Yesterday evening, Gu Siyuan had specifically waited for everyone to record their work points before going to the brigade to inform Captain Zhou Jiandang about the move.

This was to transfer Xie Yiyang’s grain registration and also to thank Zhou Jiandang for lending him the bicycle these days, giving him some fabric and meat coupons as a thank you gift.

The villagers present were amazed. They were already envious of Gu Siyuan for becoming a city worker, and now he was directly moving to the city.

They also heard that it was the stolen drawings by Feng Keng and Gu Lili that earned him the great merit, leading the factory to allocate him a house.

Immediately, everyone thought Gu Lili was indeed too much.

If they had lost something so valuable, they would have reported it to the police too. Who knew it was a family thief, and it ended up getting Gu Lili arrested? They couldn’t blame Gu Siyuan for being heartless.

Gu Siyuan was clearly satisfied with everyone’s reaction. Although he didn’t care about the villagers’ opinions, it wasn’t pleasant to be misunderstood. Moreover, it allowed him to further discredit Gu Lili and Feng Keng.

It was mid-June, and the sun was scorching.

The tractor’s handles and seats were burning hot from the sun, but this small discomfort couldn’t dampen Xie Yiyang’s mood.

He sat in the back compartment, singing happily with a loud and clear voice. Despite the odd rhythm, his voice was pleasant.

Even after half an hour, Gu Siyuan still found it enjoyable.

It wasn’t until the tractor entered the county that Xie Yiyang’s voice lowered.

After several turns, Gu Siyuan finally stopped in front of a large courtyard.

Yesterday afternoon, the factory’s personnel had taken him to see the house and given him the keys. He had a good memory and naturally remembered the location.

Xie Yiyang was very pleased with the place, “Wow, we’re living here? This is great, I like it.”

This place was just a courtyard away from the soda factory dormitory where the Xie family used to live. He had roamed around here with a bunch of people before.

This was a newly built compound with excellent conditions. It was said that every household had running water and a bathroom, so there was no need to fight for water in the morning or argue while cooking.

Moreover, it was said that not only did the courtyard have flower beds, but also slides and other play equipment.

When the tractor arrived at the courtyard gate, a few elderly people chatting under the shade of a tree stretched their necks to look outside.

Xie Yiyang, who had a knack for socializing, immediately greeted them enthusiastically, “Hello, grandpas and grandmas! We’re new here. Let’s all get along well from now on.”

Looking good was already an advantage, and being sociable made it even better. The elderly folks responded warmly.

While Gu Siyuan was unloading the things, Xie Yiyang almost ended up revealing his bankbook’s password.

The elderly folks in the courtyard then began looking at Gu Siyuan with respect and started chatting among themselves.

“He works at the Agricultural Repair Factory and is already a researcher at such a young age?”

“He got a dormitory in our courtyard so quickly, that’s really impressive.”

“Yes, he has a bright future ahead!”

So, under the watchful eyes of the elderly, Gu Siyuan and Xie Yiyang moved their belongings upstairs trip by trip.

Some of the elderly even offered to help, but Gu Siyuan politely declined, concerned about their safety.

They lived in 205, so moving things up and down was quite convenient. Gu Siyuan, being strong, didn’t find it troublesome at all.

Xie Yiyang took a tour of the dormitory inside and out. Though it was just a simple one-bedroom apartment, he examined it as if it were a rare and precious toy.

After a while, he collapsed onto the living room sofa with a thud.

“I’m exhausted!”

Gu Siyuan sat beside him, pinching his cheek, “Your mouth is tired, right? Showing off enough?”

“Hehe… Hehe…” Xie Yiyang covered his mouth and laughed, “Did I make it that obvious?”

“…” Gu Siyuan.

What do you think?

After sitting for a while, Gu Siyuan got him up again.

Since it was their first day at the county dormitory, they didn’t have many things. If they didn’t go out to buy some necessities, they wouldn’t even have hot water to drink.

Hearing that they were going shopping, the previously exhausted Xie Yiyang immediately regained his energy.

When they went downstairs, he cheerfully greeted each of the elderly folks again, proudly announcing that they were going to the department store.

Yep, showing off again.

Great!

Xie Yiyang almost hopped all the way to the department store.

He was so delighted that if Gu Siyuan hadn’t held him back, he almost bumped into someone.

Moreover, it turned out to be someone he considered an old nemesis.