Good Man Operation Guide

The time on the train is still very difficult, especially in this era, the train is not as strict as later generations. The middle aisle is full and crowded with people. Sitting across from them on the floor, Lin Shiheng could see an elder sister carrying a live chicken in her hands.

All kinds of smells mixed together, which made he Xuezhu, who was already uncomfortable while she was pregnant, even more uncomfortable. Her pale face desperately endured nausea, and was putting up with it. A pair of hands suddenly and gently leaned her head on his shoulder. He Xuezhu raised her eyes to see Lin Shiheng’s caring gaze.

“Sleep on me for a while. It should feel much better.”

During this period of time, He Xuezhu was taught to write by her husband every day. He became Xuezhu’s most trusted person a long time ago. Now she relaxed and leaned her head on the shoulder of the man next to her.

Lin Shiheng loves cleanliness. She can smell the soap at the tip of her nose right now. He Xuezhu’s body has been uncomfortable during this period of pregnancy, but her heart is a hundred times more peaceful than before.

She used to live with her mother-in-law after marriage. She used to secretly comfort herself in the bottom of her heart. He never took her to the army base because he was worried that her mother-in-law was at home alone. In fact, he loved her very much, otherwise he wouldn’t have sent half of the allowance every month.

(allowance = this is different from his monthly salary. An allowance is a subsidy the government gives soldiers for food and other things.)

She wants to think so, from the bottom of her heart, but she always has a bit of an inferiority complex.

She was afraid that when she felt too comfortable, he would suddenly find out how useless his wife was, and she was afraid that in the end she would be abandoned.

He Xuezhu is not afraid to bear hardships, nor is she afraid of being scolded. Even if she is beaten, she just wants to stay in this family.

Her husband’s cold attitude and her mother-in-law’s disdain made her tremble and work hard as soon as she opened her eyes every day; hopefully to express that she was useful.

If she is really abandoned, He Xuezhu has nowhere to go.

But now, leaning against her husband’s broad shouldersー the tip of her nose was familiar with this smell of soap, her eyes closed, her hands gently resting on her slightly protruding abdomen, her lips had a slight smile with peace of mind. She went to sleep in the midst of all the noise.

He Xiaobao still had some fresh energy when he got on the train. When he sat around for hours with people and bad smells, his back ached and his stomach hungry and grumbling, the novelty of the idea had long been forgotten.

Before, when He Xuezhu wasn’t asleep, he could still talk to his sister and brother-in-law about how much he could win in a game by playing cards with his friends in the village. When He Xuezhu fell asleep, Lin Shiheng wouldn’t let him talk.

He wanted to go home, eat what his mother cooked, and sleep on the warm quilt that his wife took out to sun every time there was sunshine.

He Xiaobao held back for hours and became more and more annoyed. He couldn’t help saying, “Brother-in-law…”

“Shh…”

The handsome man, dressed in military uniform, who remained upright even after sitting for several hours, quickly responded, “keep your voice down and don’t disturb your sister.”

If it’s noisy, its noisy!

Mother said, the sisters are all unimportant girls. They have to take care of this brother.

He Xiaobao’s heart was full of condescension. He watched his capable brother-in-law carefully take care of his Third Sister. He did not dare to ignore He Xuezhu’s feelings like when he was at home. He could only lower his voice. He felt wronged and whispered, “Brother-in-law, I’m hungry.”

“There is food in the bag.”

Lin Shiheng frees up one hand and throws the bag to He Xiaobao. “Take two steamed buns to eat.”

He Xiaobao opened it and saw steamed buns. He was hungry and was about to take it out to eat. Suddenly he saw two apples underneath. His eyes lit up immediately.

Although he is much loved, the family is still poor. Good things like apples can only be eaten once in a long time.

He didn’t intend to ask. He took it out and directly put it in his mouth. Before he could put it in, Lin Shiheng held out his hand to grab it.

He Xiaobao stared at him with his mouth open, he was stunned. “Brother-in-law?”

Since they agreed to go to the army together, shouldn’t brother-in-law take special care of him?

“This is for your sister to eat.”

Lin Shiheng took the bag in one hand, put the apples back, and threw the two steamed buns to He Xiaobao.

He Xiaobao was startled, holding the steamed buns.

“Brother-in-law, how could you do this to me? I’m your brother! An apple is such a good thing, why should I give it to sister?”

He takes things for granted. After all, from childhood to this big, his mother instilled in him the habit of seeing the girls eat poorly; or not eating at all, while he; the boy, got the best food.

” Xiaobao…”

Lin Shiheng put the bag on his knee. His slender hands fell on his wife’s head acupuncture points, not light nor heavy, he massages to ensure that she will sleep more heavily. Looking at his brother-in-law straight in the eyes, he asked:

“Did your brother-in-law give you the money to marry your wife?”

He Xiaobao thought about it and nodded, “Yes.”

Although the first two brothers-in-law also gave them some, he still gave them the most. Otherwise, his mother would not ignore Elder Brother-in-law and Second Brother-in-law and go to Third Brother-in-law’s house every day.

“Every time you come to my house, do I treat you well?”

He Xiaobao chuckled: “Brother-in-law, you are good to me. I know that.”

Although Aunt Li always glared at him, when brother-in-law came back he would still get something good.

Seeing his smile, Lin Shiheng continued to whisper softly: “Do you know why I am so nice to you?”

He Xiaobao couldn’t answer. He thought about it for a long time, and asked cautiously, “Because we hit it off?”

Lin Shiheng smiled and shook his head. His voice was still gentle. Only the two of them could hear him whisper: “Look at you, Xiaobao. Such a big man has no courage and has never gone to work.”

“I know. Every day playing cards doesn’t mean caring for your wife who has just given birth to a child, being ungrateful to your friends, being unfilial to your mother, and not caring for your child. Although you are timid and you have never done any ‘real’ crime, you still owe a lot in the village. To be honest, I am surprised that you can live so long without being killed.”

He Xiaobao looked at the person who smiled gently in front of him in a daze: “Bro… brother-in-law…”

Lin Shiheng smiled and released a hand. Like a good brother, he gently touched He Xiaobao’s head: “I’m good to you because you are Xuezhu’s brother.”

“Xiaobao, when your sister is happy, then your brother-in-law is happy.”

“When your sister is not happy, then your brother-in-law will make you unhappy.”

His smile was still very mild, but He Xiaobao’s face was pale with fear. His good brother-in-law had suddenly become like this, it even made him slightly shiver.

“I… I want to go home.”

“I want to get off this train!”

Lin Shiheng took back his hand, and wiped his fingers on He Xiaobao’s new clothes in disgust before returning it to He Xuezhu head; who had fallen asleep because of the massage.

The handsome man spoke with a faint voice: “Xiaobao, you told brother-in-law that you and the two muddlers in the village play cards every day, right? They’ve also opened a small gambling house?”

“What if, I went to the public security and told them that you were the source…”

He Xiaobao’s mind went blank.

Those two bastards are powerful people in the village, he will die, he’s bound to die…

Despite what Xiaobao is doing at home, all he could depend on was his mother’s favor. As Lin Shiheng said, Xiaobao is a coward who never dares to talk back when he is scolded face to face.

Facing a man who said such terrible words; with an unchanging smile, He Xiaobao’s eyes were red.

“Brother-in-law, I was wrong…”

He confesses.

wu wu wu wu… he cried.

He Xuezhu slept so sweetly that even her uncomfortable stomach relaxed. She opened her eyes and found that she was still leaning on her husband’s shoulder and straighten her waist.

“Shiheng, how long did I sleep? Are your shoulders uncomfortable?”

“It’s nothing, It’s fine.”

Lin Shiheng smiled and took the apple and water out of the bag and handed it to her. His eyes were gentle: “Don’t dry your mouth, drink some water…”

He Xuezhu took it; her face flushed after a deep sleep, smiled and said to him, “I didn’t know trains would be so crowded and hot.”

“Sister, are you hot?”

He Xiaobao; sitting opposite side, grabbed a book Lin Shiheng had read before from the table and fanned her.

He Xuezhu looked at her younger brother in shock, “… Xiaobao?”

It would be good if he didn’t only fan himself. But, what’s happening here? He is only fanning her?!

“Xiaobao, we are out of water. You go get some hot water.” Lin Shiheng; without the slightest look of surprise, handed over the kettle while looking at his plump wife. Her brother hurriedly agreed and held the kettle and squeezed out. Looking at the surprise face on He Xuezhu, he said, “what’s the matter?”

He Xuezhu: “… Xiaobao. Why is he so diligent?”

Picking up water… When she was at home, he wished he could do everything from the bed.

“When kids grow up, they are all like this.”

Lin Shiheng held his wife’s shoulder gently. “Don’t you want Xiaobao to grow up sooner?”

He Xuezhu still can’t believe it. She leans in her husband’s arms and her voice is a little dream like: “I’m not hallucinating, am I?”

She had thought about how good it would be if Xiaobao could be sensible. He Xuezhu still has hope for her brother who had stolen food for her without telling her family at that time, compared with her mother who always scolded her.

But as He Xiaobao grew up, he might not even remember the things he did when he was a child.

The train stopped, and the people who came on with them went down to the station. Then, other people got on the train.

Lin Shiheng carefully guarded his wife beside him as the crowd surged. A figure took He Xiaobao’s seat.

He Xuezhu hurriedly said, “Sorry, this seat is occupied.”

The man in the seat didn’t raise his head and impatiently put down his things: “Can’t I buy it?”

“Deputy Zhang?”

Listening to the questioning voice, Zhang Yanming froze and raised his head quickly. It was just in time to see Lin Shiheng twisting his eyebrows slightly.

“Yanming, help me carry it…” Miao Xing’s voice also came from behind. She struggled to reach Zhang Yanming; who was sitting in the seat. She had two large bags in her hand. She saw his shocked expression and looked down. She also froze when she saw Lin Shiheng.

At this moment; because they almost missed the train and ran all the way, they were covered in sweat. But, looking at Lin Shiheng sitting opposite them, who was clean and neat in a military uniform. His clean and handsome face is refreshing and incomparable.

Whether it was Miao Xing; who still has some thoughts about Lin Shiheng, or even Zhang Yanming; who loves face and thinks he is a rival, both didn’t look good.

(face = pride/honor/respect etc.)

In particular, Zhang Yanming, who had some expectations when he visited Miao Xing’s family. He did not expect to see two elderly people in dirty clothes who kept asking about his salary and a younger brother who asked for money the moment he saw him.

What is even more outrageous is that the younger brother; who is nothing like Miao Xing, that was given money to buy train tickets, but spent it all. When Zhang Yanming went back to buy tickets, he actually lost his seat. And when they were about to leave, the younger brother came out and refused to let them go without giving some more money, almost causing the two to delay the train.

Zhang Yanming was so angry that he ran into Lin Shiheng at his worst moment.

In the past, this unruly guy used to have a sullen face but did not say a word.

He Xuezhu did not know the grievances between the three people and asked curiously, “Shiheng, do you know each other?”

“In the army. Deputy Zhang Yanming, next to him is his wife.”

Lin Shiheng seems to completely ignore Miao Xing’s line of sight while He Xuezhu took a gentle look. Then he added, “my wife; He Xuezhu, is going with me this time.”

Before Zhang Yanming spoke, Miao Xing said, “Hello.”

She looked at He Xuezhu, and saw that although her beautiful skin was a little yellow, her hands were not as tender and white as hers, and her abdomen even had a little belly. A sense of superiority immediately rose in her heart.

It’s just a woman like this. Where can she compare with her?

Just as she was thinking of this, the crowd squeezed out a white, fat young man holding a kettle. He put the kettle in front of He Xuezhu first, not considering anything else.

“Sister, if your still hot after drinking water? I’ll fan you.”

Lin Shiheng saw Zhang Yanming looking at him and said, “Deputy Zhang, this is my wife’s brother, He Xiaobao. Still a kid. This time I am going to take him to the army. You are sitting in his seat.”

Looking at He Xiaobao, who cared for his sister in every way, and recalling Miao Xing’s brother’s appearance that demanded money from him; Zhang Yanming’s face became even more somber.

He didn’t know what kind of luck Lin Shiheng has. He found himself a sensible wife and brother-in-law.

They are both younger brothers, but why are they so different?