Chapter 265: “filling In For You”
“Here we are.” Xi Bao’s cheerful voice rang out, greeting everyone like a little sun to wash their hands.
Lin Zhao rubbed her face, earning the little girl’s smile blooming like a flower.
The New Year’s Day meal was still as good as ever, making one’s mouth water just looking at it.
It was all Lin Heling’s handiwork.
Two dishes that Song Xiwei particularly loved, two that Lin Zhao particularly loved, two sweet dishes that the children loved, and two crowd-pleasers that would fit in any home.
“It’s all Dad’s handiwork.” Lin Shisheng said.
He looked at Meng Jiusi, “Fourth Brother, you’re the one with the big face. We never had this treatment in previous years.”
Back then, Lin Heling had health issues and no strength to cook. Lin Shisheng knew, but just wanted to express that the parents really valued the youngest brother!
Meng Jiusi could feel the family’s thoughtfulness, his smile open and bright.
Seeing the smile on Daddy’s face, Jing Mo and Guang Bai also curved their eyes; they were really happy.
This was Daddy’s home, also their hometown; they really liked it.
“What are you spacing out for? Eat.” Lin Zhao picked chicken legs into Jing Mo and Guang Bai’s bowls—their favorite.
One for each.
The other children didn’t get any, but Da Dan and the others didn’t mind; they knew Uncle and the two cousins had just returned home, so the chicken legs went to them first.
Even the youngest Qian Bao and Yao Bao didn’t fuss.
Yu Bao and Heng Bao had no reaction; to them, any meat was fine.
“Grandpa’s cooking is so fragrant, just as good as my mom’s.” Heng Bao’s eyes shone like lights, his tone exaggerated to the extreme, full of emotional value.
Lin Heling’s gaze softened.
Seeing this, Da Dan and the others thought they couldn’t let Heng Bao take all the spotlight.
They swallowed the meat in their mouths and tacitly started flattering.
“Grandpa, you must be a chef god reborn—how can you make such delicious food!”
“The chicken is so good, spicy, not tough at all, tastier than the state-run restaurant’s head chef.”
“The braised pork is delicious too; with this sauce, I could eat another bowl of rice!”
“Oh my god, the chicken soup egg is so tasty; those chewy bits inside are mushrooms? Too delicious~~!!”
…
The little ones took turns blowing rainbow farts, exaggerating as much as possible.
Lin Heling thought his grandsons and granddaughters were so noisy, remembering how New Years past weren’t this lively, and just smiled, saying: “No more praising, eat quickly. All learn from Heng Bao; look how enjoyably he eats.”
Everyone looked over.
Heng Bao speared dumplings with chopsticks, stuffing one after another into his mouth, eating with such relish.
His deft manner made the dumplings seem incredibly delicious.
Da Dan and the others stopped eating meat and tacitly went for the dumplings.
After stuffing them in their mouths, their eyes lit up.
“Today’s filling is even tastier.” Da Dan exclaimed in surprise.
Song Xiwei gave him a sidelong glance, “Your mouth is sharp.”
She explained, “Used the oil your aunt brought.”
Da Dan smiled, his eyes squinting together, and said: “Made Aunt spend again.”
Xi Bao piped up: “Aunt is the best.”
Chen Yu wiped the crumbs from her face from eating, “This morning you said your dad and I were the best.”
“Seeing lucky money, you spit out all the sweet words; after getting the money, you forget everything.”
Xi Bao shouted unhappily: “Mom!”
Chen Yu glanced at her and said no more.
Her daughter was growing up, starting to care about face!
Yu Bao immediately looked at Lin Zhao, pursed his lips, his expression hopeful and nervous.
Lucky money?! Heng Bao also realized they hadn’t gotten theirs yet, moved his mouth to ask Lin Zhao, but heard her say: “Eat first; after eating, lift the pillows you slept on last night.”
Heng Bao couldn’t wait and stood up impatiently.
“Eat first.” Lin Zhao looked at him.
The little friend obediently sat down.
“Bro, let’s eat fast; it’s my first time getting lucky money from Mom at five years old—I’m so anxious.” Heng Bao leaned toward Yu Bao, whispering conspiratorially.
Unfortunately, with his loud voice like his grandma’s, everyone heard as soon as he opened his mouth.
Lin Zhao patted Er Zai’s back, “Alright, we’ve made it up to you; from now on, don’t use that to taunt me.”
She firmly wouldn’t admit that bewitched person from before was herself.
“Made it up?” Heng Bao asked uncertainly, his eyes sparkling, “How much?”
“See for yourself after eating.” Lin Zhao slanted her eyes at him, “Who asks directly?”
No surprise at all.
Heng Bao giggled, buried his head, and ate seriously.
Lin Zhao noticed the nephews’ and nieces’ gazes and said: “Don’t envy; you have some too!”
Da Dan and the others showed surprise.
“Thanks, Aunt.”
Lin Zhao reminded: “Your grandpa, grandma, and uncles all gave; everyone has some. Your lucky money this year should be quite substantial.”
The two Dans were so happy their legs felt like stepping on cotton.
Xi Bao tilted her head, “Aunt, what’s substantial?”
“…Substantial means quite a lot; you’ll be thrilled.” Lin Zhao explained.
“Wow!” Xi Bao was so happy she wow-wowed.
After eating, the children rushed into their sleeping rooms, lifted the pillows, and cries of excitement rose one after another.
“Aaaah, so much money, I’m rich, I’m rich.” As someone whose pocket money never exceeded fifty cents, Da Dan bounced excitedly in the room.
Er Dan’s personality was steadier; his face flushed with excitement, clutching the money tightly, eyes scanning around, thinking where to hide it.
—This year, he absolutely couldn’t let Mom take it away!
He was thirteen after New Year; he could manage this much money, right?
In the next door room, Xi Bao was also excited to scream.
She was still little, didn’t know to hide lucky money, and rushed out holding the money to Lin Zhao, “Aunt, you gave me so much lucky money.”
Lin Zhao: “Not just from me; also from your grandparents, Second Uncle, and Uncle. Third Uncle gave too; he asked me to wrap it for you.”
Xi Bao cupped her face, rubbing it against the money, dramatically shaking her body like drunk on fake liquor, “I’m so happy.”
“Aunt, hold me; I’m fainting from happiness…”
Lin Zhao chuckled helplessly.
Chen Yu silently turned away.
Lin Shichang saw it was really a lot, several bucks; many young men in the village who married couldn’t come up with this much.
“Why wrap so much for them?” He frowned, “They’re still small; a token is enough.”
The two Dans coming out of the room exchanged glances.
Reminded by their dad, the brothers also felt embarrassed.
Meng Jiusi spoke first: “Not much. I didn’t give before; making up this year.”
“Yeah, same meaning for me.” Lin Zhao followed up.
Lin Shisheng smiled smugly, “I earned money; for my own niece and nephews, I’d give however much. Da Dan and them are big now; they should have money on hand early.”
Not much, one buck for the older, fifty cents for the younger.
He said to his nephews and nieces: “Keep it safe; buy what you want yourselves. If you can’t buy it, tell me; I’ll get it for you.”
The way he said it, he must’ve earned quite a bit at year-end?!
“Speaking with such confidence.” Lin Zhao smiled brightly at him.
Lin Shisheng feigned modesty, “Not bad.”
After showing off, he got Zhaozhao’s eye-roll as desired.
He laughed heartily, “Not going to see your lucky money?”
“I really have some?” Lin Zhao’s eyes sparkled with unusual light.
“Why wouldn’t you?” It was Lin Heling speaking, “I said, no matter how old you are, you’re still me and your mom’s youngest daughter. As long as we’re here, we’ll give you lucky money every year.”
Song Xiwei nodded, “As for whether your brothers give, it’s up to their intention.”
Though saying so, her pitch-black sharp eyes swept over her sons, quite oppressive.
Lin Shichang said: “I’m used to giving; if not… I feel unaccustomed. Better keep the habit.”
“No opinion from me.” Chen Yu didn’t mind; sister-in-law wasn’t just a taker; she never returned empty-handed from her maternal family, always kind to them as a couple and Da Dan and the others. If she quibbled over this, what would that make her?
Before she even entered the Lin Family, sister-in-law had been her man’s sister for years.
Quibbling too much would just make things hard for the man and embarrass their own children.
Why bother?
Lin Shisheng cheekily tugged Lin Zhao’s braid, “Even less opinion from me. My earnings, except for raising Xuan and Zheng, can all go to Zhaozhao.”
Meng Jiusi’s gaze serious, followed: “Same for me. With my salary, I can raise my sister very well.”
Lin Zhao: “???”
“…You forgot I’m already married? Not a student anymore?!”
She felt her three brothers lived in a fantasy.
“I have work; Gu Chenghuai sends allowance every month; I don’t lack money that much.”
Lin Zhao looked at Meng Jiusi.
Youngest Brother should know best; when picking her and the kids up, he even said it was too much—two hundred bucks.
Many people couldn’t earn that in two years!
“I know; so what?” Lin Shisheng raised his chin confidently: “We give you money so the Gu Family won’t one day nitpick, saying you spent this much or that from brother-in-law.”
“You have several brothers; even if you didn’t marry or work, we could support you.”
He didn’t dare say this before; now he did.
Meng Jiusi didn’t want Zhaozhao to feel pressure, his voice gentle: “With the prescriptions you gave, I got quite a few bonuses; sharing that money with you is only right.”
Lin Zhao’s eyes lit with surprise, her smile uncontainable, “As long as it helps Youngest Brother.”
“I don’t know pharmacology anyway; holding those prescriptions would be wasteful. Giving to Youngest Brother was worth more than paid!”
Meng Jiusi looked at his sister moved, warmth unspeakable in his heart.
Only from family could he get warmth without any ulterior motive.
The prescriptions Zhaozhao gave helped him integrate into the new job fastest, aiding him greatly.
He could never do enough for his sister.
Lin Shichang patted Lin Zhao’s head, “Go back to your room and see your lucky money.”
“Got it!” Lin Zhao returned to her room with light steps.
Dad and Mom were right; even at eighty this year, she’d be their good girl.
Hee hee.
Back in the room she’d lived in since childhood, she lifted the buckwheat hull pillow; below were four red paper packages.
Two were especially thick, nearly bursting the paper.
Lin Zhao guessed one from parents, one from youngest brother.
Eldest and Second Brothers had only worked a few months, of course not as well-off as youngest brother.
Parents gave her sixty-six bucks and sixty-six cents, youngest brother eighty-eight bucks and eighty cents; eldest and second about the same, a month’s salary for them.
So generous, her family.
Lin Zhao’s heart warmed immensely.
She took out the New Year’s gifts she’d prepared for the family and went out.
“Where’d the ginseng come from?” Song Xiwei looked at Lin Zhao.
“Got it by chance; for Dad to nourish his body.” Lin Zhao said vaguely.
Actually, drawn with points.
Lin Heling looked at the ginseng, then deeply at Lin Zhao, a flicker of thought in his eyes, but didn’t pursue, saying: “Zhaozhao’s intention; I’ll accept. Some day I’ll make ginseng stewed chicken; call Zhaozhao and the four kids back to eat together.”
Heng Bao slurped, “Yes yes, we’ll come back for chicken soup!”
The Lin Family children were all delighted. New Year not over yet, another chicken meal ahead; life was great.
Lin Zhao took out the watch bought for one point and stuffed it into Lin Shichang’s hand.
“Eldest Brother, your New Year’s gift.”
Lin Shichang felt coolness in his palm; looking down, it was a mechanical watch.
His eyes widened, pushing it back repeatedly, “I can’t take it; you wear it…”
Lin Zhao put her hands behind her back, “I have one. Defective product, not worth much. Eldest Brother, you’re working now; inconvenient without a watch.”
Lin Shichang looked at his parents.
Song Xiwei said: “A watch is a big item; we know it’s not cheap. Eldest won’t feel steady taking it; have him contribute a bit.”
If worthless, she wouldn’t comment.
But a watch? Over a hundred bucks; Eldest couldn’t accept it, would feel his wrist burn wearing it.
“Fine, twenty then.” Lin Zhao pursed her lips, a bit unhappy.
“Twenty’s too little.” Lin Shichang wasn’t pleased.
Hearing this, Lin Zhao reached out to him, “Never mind then, give it back; I’ll toss it in the well.” She said angrily.
That serious look.
Lin Shichang knew Zhaozhao’s temper was resolute when riled; didn’t dare give it back, just smiled bitterly: “I’m afraid you’ll lose out.”
Lin Zhao glared, “How would I know if it’s a loss?”
“No loss, just twenty; take it or not, if not, give back.”
Lin Heling saw Zhaozhao really upset, looked at Lin Shichang, feigning displeasure: “Eldest, take it; why be polite with your own sister? New Year’s, don’t upset your sister.”
Lin Shichang: “…Fine fine fine, I’ll take it.”
Seeing his sister ignore him, he sweated anxiously.
“Zhaozhao, whatever you say; Eldest Brother listens. Don’t be mad; bad to be angry on New Year’s.”
Knowing daughter’s face mattered more, he looked pleadingly at Xi Bao.
Xi Bao stepped forward decisively, arms around Aunt’s waist, shaking, voice soft: “Aunt, don’t be mad; Dad’s dumb, don’t mind him.”
Lin Shichang: “…”
His cotton-padded jacket was leaking air!
Lin Zhao’s temper came fast and went fast; she reached out to rub Xi Bao’s cheek, tsundere: “I’m not mad; being mad ages you fast.”
“I won’t be mad anymore either.” Xi Bao had an “I’ve learned” expression.
Lin Zhao continued distributing gifts; for Lin Shisheng, a flashlight with super long battery life and super bright light.
“Second Brother, for you.” She said, “Flashlight; your truck often stops in remote wilderness, for lighting.”
Lin Shisheng was smooth, didn’t mention money, took it smiling, studied it, and said: “Not quite like the ones I’ve seen.”
Lin Zhao raised her chin slightly, “Mine, of course the best.”
Lin Shisheng flattered a couple times, coaxing Lin Zhao to beam.
Da Dan and Er Dan listened with perked ears nearby, also with “learned it” expressions.
Chen Yu: “…”
What Lin Zhao gave Meng Jiusi was still medical books.
The medical fanatic little Meng treated it like treasure.
“Thanks, sister.” Meng Jiusi’s happiness showed openly.
Lin Zhao was thorough, didn’t forget her eldest sister-in-law, gave Chen Yu fabric and cold cream.
Chen Yu surprised and touched, “Prepared for me too?”
“Eldest Sister-in-law is family too; how could I forget you.” Lin Zhao said righteously.
“You went to trouble.” The softest corner of Chen Yu’s heart was lightly bumped, unspeakably warm.
Taking the fabric and cold cream, she said: “This fabric is really good.”
They could afford cold cream as a couple, husband willing to buy for her, but she was reluctant to spend; many kids at home, big expenses; she wanted to save.
Lin Zhao knew all this, so prepared it.
Little things that boost happiness should be bought.
