Rebirth Counterattack with Space-Chapter 61 - Aunt Tian Comes to Visit

She needed to be patient and proceed step by step. Not only did her alchemical skills need to be gradually revealed, but she would also have to endure progressing from elementary school to junior high, high school, and university… It was a sweet burden indeed.

Lu Yun found herself both grateful and helpless as she reflected on this. She thought that in this lifetime, it was probably still difficult for her to be a normal “lively and cheerful” child. She was doomed to follow the path of “proud solitude” once again.

That’s why lying was not an option; one lie had to be covered with many more. Especially for someone like her with a relatively straightforward nature, lying was a torturously exhausting endeavor!

As Lu Yun showcased her “genius” side, she also took the opportunity to sigh about her situation. Xia Yuan, on the other hand, was dumbfounded by her daughter’s talent and became more excited as she taught her.

“Oh, what are you two up to, mother and daughter?” Just as the teaching and learning were progressing incredibly smoothly, a voice mixed with laughter drifted over.

Turning her head and smiling, Xia Yuan said, “Auntie, what brings you here?” She stood up and went over to greet her. Lu Yun also obediently stood up and greeted the visitor.

“Just came to see how you’re doing, and also to bring over some eggplants and cucumbers freshly picked from our garden.” Auntie Tian approached with a basket in hand and took a look at the stone table, “How come you’re starting to learn characters so early?”

“It’s not too early. Xiaoyun will be able to start first grade this September. Since we’re not busy, I thought it’d be good to have her recognize a few characters now, so she won’t be panicked when she faces her textbooks,” Xia Yuan explained with a smile and then told Lu Yun, “Xiaoyun, go to the kitchen and make some sugar water, and bring out some cloud slice cakes too.”

“Okay.” Lu Yun briskly got up and ran off.

“Xiaoyun, there’s no need to go… Ah, you too, we are comfortable with each other, there’s no need for formalities like door-to-door visits, who needs sugar water or snacks, eh?” Auntie Tian hurried to stop her, and though her words were dismissive, the corners of her mouth couldn’t help curling up in a smile. After all, who wouldn’t feel flattered by such attention?

“Auntie, it’s not the first time you’ve come here, so next time I won’t be so formal with you,” Xia Yuan said with a smile as she took hold of her.

“You look much better now. How is it, is Lu Aiguo treating you well?” Aunt Tian handed over the basket she was carrying to Xia Yuan. Xia Yuan received it and placed it on the stone table, nodding her head shyly with some embarrassment, “He’s a very good person.”

“As long as he’s good. Isn’t it what a woman hopes for all her life, to meet a responsible and good man?” Seeing Xia Yuan’s expression, Aunt Tian knew that Lu Aiguo must be treating her well, which made her happy for Xia Yuan.

“Actually, I came today because I have something to warn you about. You’ve only been married for a few days, and I really didn’t want to bring up these upsetting matters to you, but after thinking it over, if I don’t tell you, I’m afraid they’ll take action and you’ll be unprepared.”

“Is it the Su Family stirring up something again?” Xia Yuan showed her disgust. Without even thinking about it, she knew it had to be the Su Family causing trouble again. Based on the experiences over the years, it would be abnormal for them to stay quiet and do nothing.

“Indeed, those people from the Su Family can’t seem to stay put. They started by spreading rumors, saying that you were involved with Lu Aiguo a long time ago, claiming that they had caught you two together when Old Su was still around. They even insinuated that Xiaoyun was not Old Su’s child. They found those in the village who like to stir up trouble to spread such talk everywhere. Such words might deceive outsiders who don’t know any better, but how could those of us who know you ever believe that?” Aunt Tian said with furrowed brows, her face flushing with anger.

“However, fortunately, that rumor didn’t last even a day before it died down, and those who had been talking most fiercely suddenly became mute, none dared to spread it any further.” Aunt Tian leaned closer to Xia Yuan, her voice containing a chuckle, lowering her voice with a hint of schadenfreude, “It looks like someone had warned them.”

“Warned them? Who warned them?” Xia Yuan had a hunch but didn’t dare to be too certain.

“Who else? Besides our village’s big secretary, who else could act so quickly and keep those people in line?” Aunt Tian nodded toward the direction of Lu Aiguo’s uncle’s house, “That one is a real hero who has truly been touched by blood.”

“What hero? Auntie, what exactly are you talking about? I haven’t heard Lu Aiguo mention it before.” Xia Yuan’s curiosity was instantly piqued.

“It’s no wonder you don’t know. This is a long story that goes way back before the liberation. Lu Aiguo’s uncle became the village chief secretary right from liberation, and for so many years, his word is law here. You might see those rogues and ruffians in the village acting like they fear neither heaven nor earth, but in front of Lu Chaoqun, which one of them dares to mess around? Aren’t they all as timid as mice in his presence?”

Aunt Tian squinted as she reminisced, she and Lu Chaoqun were of the same generation, both from the same village, and somewhat related. However, she was over a decade younger than him, and these stories were mostly what she had heard from the older generation.

“I reckon those people thought that Lu Chaoqun wouldn’t actually consider you and Xiaoyun as his own, which is why they dared to take favours from the Su Family. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have the guts to speak out of turn.”

The name Lu Chaoqun was unfamiliar to her, maybe that was the uncle’s full name? Xia Yuan looked at Aunt Tian but didn’t interrupt, just instinctively guessing.

“Before liberation, Lu Chaoqun personally killed some Japanese soldiers. It was said that on his way back to the village, he encountered a whole squad of enemy soldiers by himself. How fierce were those Japanese soldiers? They were all armed with guns. Despite this, he was brave enough not to be afraid and even dared to approach them. He devised a way to separate them and lead them into traps for catching wild animals that had been set up in the mountains.”

Aunt Tian looked up at Xia Yuan as she showed her confusion and couldn’t help but laugh, “You don’t know, do you? Lu Chaoqun is the full name of Lu Aiguo’s uncle.”

Xia Yuan nodded, understanding that she truly hadn’t known until Aunt Tian told her.