Chapter 230: “a Touch Of Sweetness”
The twins’ words happened to be overheard by Lin Shichang, and that pair of pitch-black eyes flashed with deep amusement.
He didn’t disturb the children and turned to find Lin Zhao instead.
He told his sister about the casual chat between Yu Baoheng Bao.
Lin Zhao wasn’t surprised and even raised her eyebrow, saying somewhat proudly, “I know how to teach children, right?”
Lin Shichang nodded, his expression solemn and serious. “Yes, you’re teaching them very well. Keep it up.”
He was worried about his wife at home who was in the late stages of pregnancy and wanted to get back early. Lin Zhao asked the twins’ opinion—cut the cake first and let their great uncle take some back.
Yu Baoheng Bao had no objections and even reminded their great uncle to definitely share some with Da Dan Ge and the others.
Lin Shichang’s heart softened completely. He picked up the two kids and tickled them with his beard.
The two little friends screamed and struggled, giggling, their laughter loud enough to flip the roof.
…Their great uncle was teasing them like this, which made them think of Father.
Lin Zhao saw through the twins’ thoughts, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she glanced over, but she didn’t interfere. She went to the kitchen and then called for Yun Jin to move the cake.
Yun Jin was also full of expectation. He rolled up his sleeves and got to work nimbly.
The siblings walked out of the kitchen one after the other.
The little friends in the yard all looked over, their pairs of eyes clear and bright like the starry sky on a summer night, pure and clean.
“Is it cake?” Li Bao walked toward Third Aunt, peering through the finely woven bamboo cover at the thing Uncle Yun Jin was bringing out. Afraid of bumping into it, he didn’t get too close and tilted his little head up, his black eyes looking at her.
“Yes.” Lin Zhao looked at the chubby cheeks that had grown on the little guy’s face and smiled contentedly.
Little friends look good when they’re chubby. Their previous skinny, sallow appearance had been heartbreaking.
“I’ll cut a big piece for Li Bao later.”
Heng Bao poked his belly out and came over, boasting to Mother, “I’m the little birthday star, so you have to ask my opinion.”
Lin Zhao stepped back, extending her right arm forward to gesture “you do it.”
Seeing her like that, Heng Bao leaned in closer, nestling into Mother’s bosom like a little animal. “It’s fine! Whatever Mama says goes. Brother and I agree.”
Lin Shichang said warmly, “When you’re on winter vacation, I’ll take you two to see a movie.”
Yu Bao quickly calculated and said in a light, cheerful tone, “Soon?”
Lin Shichang was amused by his clever and smart nephew. “Yes, just a few days left.”
“Great Uncle, don’t forget.” Yu Bao grabbed Great Uncle’s hand and shook it gently.
“Something promised to the little birthday star, I definitely won’t forget. If I did, could Heng Bao hold back from complaining?” Lin Shichang pinched Heng Bao’s nose tip, teasing him.
The little friend wasn’t embarrassed at all and instead looked full of pride. “If Great Uncle tries to deceive me and Brother, I’ll definitely complain to Grandmother and Grandfather.”
“I wouldn’t dare deceive you or break my word. When you’re on vacation, I’ll pick you up to see a movie.” Lin Shichang said indulgently.
This was his plan all along.
Heng Bao clapped happily and then asked, “Will Da Dan Ge and the others go too?”
Lin Shichang certainly wouldn’t play favorites. He kept his thoughts hidden and continued teasing his nephew. “Do you want them to go? If you do, we’ll bring them. If not…”
Before he could finish, Yu Baoheng Bao shouted in unison loudly, “We do! We want to go with Da Dan Ge and the others!!”
Lin Shichang’s eyes deepened. “Alright, everyone goes.”
The twins felt a sense of accomplishment as if it was their doing, beaming with smiles and humming little tunes.
Yuan Bao and the other little friends heard that the twins’ uncle was taking them to see a movie, their eyes full of envy.
Yu Bao noticed and walked over to his good friends, saying, “After we see the movie, Heng Bao and I will tell you all about it.”
He gently coaxed the little friends.
Heng Bao quickly followed up, “My mama said that in a little while, our brigade will show an outdoor movie. Everyone can watch, and it won’t cost money. Then you can all see it.”
Yu Bao’s words were certainly exciting, but Heng Bao’s were even more thrilling.
“Heng Bao, is it true? Our brigade is showing a movie?” Tie Niu asked excitedly. “I haven’t even heard Grandpa mention it.”
Yuan Bao was so happy he almost jumped up. He grabbed Yu Bao’s hand and swung his arm high. “Yu Bao, what movie will they show? Is it the one about the female pilot you told us about? I want to see it. I want to know what an airplane looks like.”
He firmly believed what the twins said about the brigade showing a movie.
Yu Bao shook his head. “I don’t know what movie it’ll be. Uncle Yang didn’t say.”
“Who’s Uncle Yang?” Tie Dan asked.
“Uncle Yang is my dad’s comrade. Comrades are even better than good friends.” Yu Bao explained.
“Then I want to be your comrade, okay?!” Yuan Bao looked at Yu Bao eagerly.
He felt like the twins knew everything.
Adults admire strength, and little friends do too. They play with whoever is awesome, even more straightforward than adults.
“No.” Yu Bao said.
Yuan Bao felt disappointed, but he added, “Only soldiers can call each other comrades. We can’t, but we’re good brothers, just like comrades.”
His words were a bit uncertain.
His eyes glanced toward Lin Shichang.
Great Uncle nodded at him, and the little guy straightened his shoulders again.
“Good brothers are just like comrades.” He said confidently.
Yuan Bao grinned foolishly. “Then let’s be good brothers!”
“Mm.” Yu Bao said solemnly.
Tie Dan saw the topic veering off and sighed wearily.
He cupped Yu Bao’s cheeks with both hands and asked the key question. “When will our brigade show the movie? Do you know? We need to reserve spots in advance.”
He had heard from Dad that a long time ago, the brigade had shown movies too, with so many people that if you arrived late, you couldn’t squeeze in and had to climb a tree to see… and even then, you might not see anything.
“I forgot to ask.” Yu Bao scratched his face.
Tie Dan was a bit disappointed.
His mood affected the other kids, and the atmosphere grew gloomy. Their bright, flower-like little faces seemed hit by frost, looking all pitiful.
“Don’t be like that. Which one of us villagers isn’t good at reserving spots? Your movie-watching experience won’t be bad. Put your hearts back in your bellies. Little kids worrying too much… won’t grow tall.” Lin Zhao comforted them.
The kids’ faces were like May skies, cloudy one moment and sunny the next. Hearing her, they perked up again.
Thinking that they could see a movie in a little while, they couldn’t suppress the smiles on their lips.
Da Zhuang asked Heng Bao, “Heng Bao, will you come back to watch then?”
“Of course! How could I miss something this fun? Brother and I want to watch with you all!” Heng Bao bumped Da Zhuang’s shoulder, his tone excited. “It’ll definitely be more fun watching with you guys.”
Lin Zhao nodded.
Of course they had to come back.
This was a memory unique to their generation—bringing little stools, everyone squeezing together to watch a movie. If anyone stood up and accidentally blocked the screen, they’d get a good scolding. The hot-tempered ones would even throw their stinky cloth shoes to vent their anger…
It was normal.
Anti-Japanese sentiment was running high. Not just blocking the view—even farting would feel excessive.
Next, the little friends chattered on, guessing what movie it would be.
Some of the younger kids didn’t even know what watching a movie meant, but they excitedly joined the conversation.
Lin Zhao listened to their dialogue, feeling both pity and heartache.
Sigh.
She clapped her hands to draw the children’s attention.
“The movie will be in a while. Today’s task is to celebrate Yu Baoheng Bao’s birthday. Time to cut the cake.”
At these words, the kids in the yard instantly forgot about the movie, lining up neatly with obedient postures, their eyes shining.
Song Yunjin timely lifted the bamboo cover.
A white cake dotted with colorful flowers appeared before everyone’s eyes.
After making the cake, Lin Zhao had stored it in the storage ring under the pretext of hiding it in the cupboard. She’d just taken it out not long ago, so it hadn’t collapsed at all and looked just like when freshly made.
Everyone smelled a sweet fragrance. The little friends’ expressions turned mesmerized, their noses twitching, eyes especially bright.
The twins stood at the front, hit the hardest by the “impact.”
Heng Bao uncontrollably stuck out his index finger, dipped some cream, and popped it into his little mouth.
In an instant.
His pupils dilated, and he looked at Brother and Li Bao and the others in surprise.
“So sweet!!”
He wanted to dip more to let them try too, but Lin Zhao grabbed his wrist.
“That’s enough.” Lin Zhao said. “Did you wash your hands?”
Heng Bao came back to his senses and smiled at her ingratiatingly. “…Forgot.”
He twisted his body. “Mama’s cake is too fragrant. I couldn’t help it. So fragrant!”
As he spoke, those eyes stayed fixed on the cake, gaze determined. “This must be the best-tasting thing!!”
Lin Zhao reminded him mildly, “Last time you ate roast chicken, you said roast chicken was the best-tasting thing.”
Heng Bao retorted, “It’s different. Roast chicken is meat, cake is sweet.”
Lin Zhao: You’re the birthday star, you have the final say.
“…Let’s cut the cake, little birthday star.”
Heng Bao’s laugh threshold was super low today. Whoever called him little birthday star made him laugh cheaply.
Right now too.
“Hee hee hee, how do we cut it?” He asked with a laugh.
Yu Bao looked at his brother helplessly, really wanting to ask if his cheeks weren’t sore anymore?!
“With a knife.” Song Yunjin took out the kitchen knife.
Yu Bao reached to take it, but Lin Zhao grabbed it first. “I’ll do it. You two don’t touch it.”
As her words fell, Gu Mu arrived.
Seeing the yard bustling with excitement, her face was full of smiles.
“Grandma!” Li Bao spotted his grandma first and shouted.
Yu Bao said, “Grandma came at just the right time. We’re about to cut the cake.”
He peeked behind Gu Mu. “Where’s Grandpa?”
Gu Mu remembered the mushy words from the old man, a hint of embarrassment flashing on her face. “…Your grandpa has something to do. Don’t mind him. Cut it if you need to.”
Yu Bao said somewhat disappointedly, “Okay,” then added, “Heng Bao and I will bring cake to Grandpa later.”
Heng Bao said loudly, “I just tasted it. The cake is super sweet and fragrant.”
“Your mom got up early this morning and made it specially for you two, using plenty of good ingredients. How could it not be fragrant?” Gu Mu smiled, her rough hand stroking her grandson’s face. “Your mom is good to you two. You both have to be obedient.”
The twins had heard this so many times their ears were calloused, nodding their heads. “Mm-hmm.”
Once everyone was more or less gathered, Lin Zhao was surrounded by the little friends as she cut the cake. Nothing fancy, just straightforward cake-cutting.
After cutting, she set aside a quarter for the Lin Family, left a piece for Gu Fu, and divided the rest among the children.
Not too big, but not small either.
Yuan Bao and the others had brought bowls and chopsticks when they came, so the distributed cake was placed into each family’s bowl. The little friends looked at the cake in their bowls, delighted beyond measure.
“Such a big piece!!”
“So much, I could eat it for days.”
“I’ll save mine and eat it with Brother later.”
…
Chattering voices rose.
Lin Zhao listened to the soft, cheerful voices, smiling at the corners of her mouth. Kids’ happiness is so simple.
She felt that all of this was worth it.
At least she’d left a splash of color in the children’s childhood. In the future, when recalling these hard times, they wouldn’t just think of—endless firewood and wheat to pick, endless wheat to dig, bellies that could never be filled… but also this bit of sweetness.
“If you want to save yours, take the cake home first, then come back. There’ll be food later too, all from the vegetables you brought. Don’t be shy.” Lin Zhao said.
The villagers were poor but particular. Hearing that Yu Bao’s mom would provide food, no family let their kids come empty-handed. Even the poorest brought rations.
—A special courtesy of this era.
“Thanks, Aunt Lin!!” The children thanked her obediently.
They said goodbye to Yu Baoheng Bao, each holding their bowl carefully as they went home, not as reckless as usual.
Once they left, the yard seemed bigger.
Lin Shichang looked at his dear nephews stuffing cake into their mouths and smiled. “Eat a little less. There’s more good food coming.”
Heng Bao patted his little belly. “My belly can hold it.”
Tie Dan agreed. “Yeah, it could hold twice as much.”
“What’s twice as much?” Heng Bao looked at him.
Qian Bao, with some cream on his cheeks, looked over too.
“Twice as much is like the cake in your hand… but bigger by that much.” Tie Dan used the cake as an example directly.
Heng Bao thought Tie Dan Ge was speaking a tongue twister. Not understanding and not dwelling, he kept eating cake.
Ah, if only they could eat this every day. Too bad Mama said only on birthdays.
Lin Shichang didn’t dawdle anymore. He took the cake and the wool sweaters his sister had knitted for Dad and Mom, planning to leave.
Before he could leave the Gu Family Courtyard, Lin Zhao suddenly called out to him.
She trotted over.
She took something out of her pocket and stuffed it into his pants pocket.
“What?” Lin Shichang reached for his pants pocket.
Lin Zhao pressed his arm, warning, “Don’t touch it. Look when you get home. It’s something precious. I won’t be responsible if you lose it.”
Lin Shichang laughed, meeting his sister’s serious eyes, and promised, “Okay, I won’t look. I’ll check when I get home.”
“Alright, you go back.” Lin Zhao waved backward, then remembered Lin Shisheng and added, “If Second Brother comes back, have someone pass a message to me.”
She was quite worried about Second Brother.
Things were unstable outside, with bandits rampant. They’d even heard those people dared to kill public officials.
“No need to tell me. That’s a given.” And with Old Second’s temperament…
Lin Shichang said confidently, “When your Second Brother gets back, he’ll definitely come see you first.”
He was 100% sure.
Old Second rarely went out, but whenever he had channels, he’d bring plenty of good stuff for Zhaozhao.
Lin Zhao’s brows lifted slightly. “True.”
…
As soon as Lin Shichang stepped through the home door, he received the family’s “staring welcome.”
“How was it? Did Zhaozhao celebrate Yu Baoheng Bao’s birthday this year?” Lin Heling asked warmly.
“She did, and quite grandly.” Lin Shichang drank the water his daughter Xi Bao brought to his hand and continued, “She made cake herself, not to mention inviting all the kids close to Yu Baoheng Bao over… celebrating the two treasures’ birthday. Very lively. Dad, rest assured.”
Lin Heling felt gratified. “What do I have to worry about? Zhaozhao’s grown up. She knows what she’s doing.”
Lin Oldest only listened to this.
Before he left, his dad had clearly said that if Zhaozhao didn’t care, he should bring Yu Baoheng Bao back and he’d make them longevity noodles.
How long had it been? Not even half a day? People change fast.
Song Xiwei looked at the things her eldest son brought back and asked, “What did you bring?”
“Cake, and the wool sweaters Zhaozhao knitted for you and Dad.” Lin Shichang said.
Lin Heling immediately stood up and accurately found the two wool sweaters he’d brought back.
Both black, with slight differences in stitching, extremely soft to the touch.
“Zhaozhao is thoughtful.” Lin Heling’s lips curved slightly as he glanced at the ragged cloth bag his son used to carry the sweaters, his brows furrowing slightly.
