Chapter 222: “at Least That Guy Has A Conscience”
Gu Chan didn’t speak first but smiled.
“Zhaozhao, I can pay off the debt I owe you guys right away!”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but the smile on her face was extremely infectious, making people unable to help glancing at her face.
“Hm?” Lin Zhao made a puzzled sound, “What’s the situation?”
She got serious.
Mainly afraid that Elder Sister-in-law would be deceived by someone.
Although most people nowadays are mostly simple and enthusiastic, there are also black-hearted ones, and if you’re not careful, honest people will be eaten clean.
Gu Chan gave Lin Zhao a reassuring look and explained in detail: “The person Xiangdong saved has come back.”
“…The elderly person he saved is a researcher. He went into the mountains to find something, but unexpectedly went deeper and deeper, encountered danger, and luckily met Xiangdong to save his life.”
“That old mister was injured and unconscious. His son heard the news and in his concern became confused, quickly taking him to a big hospital for treatment. Once his injuries were mostly healed, he remembered the person who saved his life, so he came back.”
“That family will compensate for the medical expenses and also said they would arrange a job for Xiangdong. Xiangdong suggested exchanging the job for me, and that family agreed. Once Xiangdong’s body recovers, I can go to work.”
Lin Zhao hadn’t expected that the matter had a turn.
“Good people get good rewards. Congratulations, Eldest Sister.”
Just as the words fell, Qian Bao suddenly chimed in: “Congratulations, Elder Aunt.”
Gu Chan laughed uncontrollably, hugging her nephew and kissing him, “Do you even understand what we’re talking about? You say congratulations.”
Qian Bao’s gaze was calm, his black eyes exceptionally clear, “Elder Aunt is going to work, just like Mommy.”
Gu Chan widened her eyes, “Qian Bao is so smart.”
She held the little one, “He’ll definitely achieve great things in the future.”
“Um, achieve great things.” Qian Bao nodded like a little adult, “Support Mommy and Elder Aunt.”
Gu Chan’s heart nearly melted, “Good. Elder Aunt will work well and in the future support our Qian Bao and Heng Bao to go to university.”
Qian Bao hummed in agreement, lowered his head to look at his picture book, occasionally explaining to his little sister.
Both children were very well-behaved.
“Who’s taking care of Brother-in-law?” Lin Zhao saw that Gu Chan wasn’t in a hurry to go back and asked curiously.
“My mother-in-law came, Da Shitou and Xiao Shitou are also there, it’s fine.” Gu Chan smiled.
“Are Da Shitou and Xiao Shitou okay?” Lin Zhao asked again.
The two boys both didn’t like to trouble others. Back then, they only stayed at the Gu Family for a few days before insisting on leaving. With no other choice, she could only send them to the hospital.
Later, Da Shitou took his younger brother back to the village. Occasionally their grandmother came to the county hospital and would bring them along.
“They’re doing great.” Gu Chan said.
Knowing that Zhaozhao was worried about Wei Dasao hurting the two stones, she explained: “I instructed Da Shitou to stick with his grandma. With my mother-in-law protecting him, my eldest brother’s wife wouldn’t dare go too far.”
Gu Chan’s eyes were full of gratitude, “It was also thanks to Chenghuai going over once. Knowing my own brother is formidable, after that, my eldest brother’s wife hasn’t dared come to the door again.”
She would just say some unpleasant words, it was fine, as long as she didn’t say them in front of her, she could pretend not to hear.
“Eldest Sister, you’re being too polite.” Lin Zhao’s gaze was warm, “Gu Chenghuai is your own younger brother, supporting you is what he should do.”
Not to mention her man, even she herself, seeing Wei Dasao’s punchable face, wanted to give her a couple hits.
Too infuriating.
Gu Chan’s heart warmed.
“Zhaozhao, I haven’t visited for so many days, there must be a lot of laundry piled up at home. Once I have time, I’ll come over.” She said guiltily.
Lin Zhao: “…”
“No need, my cousin is at home. My uncle and aunt had him help take care of the four kids, and he does all the heavy and tiring work at home. Eldest Sister, you do your own things, there’s not much to do at my place.”
Gu Chan glared playfully at Lin Zhao, “How much could I have to do.”
Seeing Zhaozhao shake her head at her, she compromised: “Alright then, once I get all my matters sorted, I’ll go.”
On this matter, she was very stubborn.
If she wasn’t allowed to help, she felt uncomfortable all over.
With Chenghuai not at home, Younger Brother’s Wife taking care of four children, how hard it must be. She could help, it was just spending some stamina.
As long as Chenghuai’s family was happy, she felt it was worth it!
Lin Zhao was speechless.
Just then, the off-work bell rang.
Gu Chan looked at Lin Zhao inquiringly, “Go back together?”
“Sure.”
Hearing this, Gu Chan reached out to Yao Bao, who opened her little arms.
Lin Zhao put the dragon-phoenix twins’ little stools into the cabinet, packed up her carried items, and led Qian Bao out from behind the counter.
They left the supply and marketing cooperative.
She lowered her head to look at Qian Bao, “Want a hug?”
Qian Bao shook his head.
“Then walk, if you get tired tell me, I’ll carry you.” Lin Zhao’s voice was gentle.
“Um!” Qian Bao agreed obediently.
Soft affection welled up in Gu Chan’s eyes.
“Zhaozhao, are you holding Yu Bao and Heng Bao’s birthday this year?”
Lin Zhao nodded, “Yes, and it has to be done properly. We never held one before, so we’ll make up for it.”
Gu Chan paused her steps slightly, her face full of joy.
“Yu Bao and Heng Bao will definitely be happy.”
“Where are you planning to hold it?” she asked again.
In previous years for the twins’ birthday, her mom would boil eggs for them as usual, and she would use saved sugar tickets to buy some maltose to share with Yu Bao and Heng Bao.
Actually, this was considered pretty good in the village, but Gu Chan still felt her nephews were wronged.
Their biological father was so capable, with such high allowance, the kids only had one birthday a year, eating some pastries sold at the supply and marketing cooperative… wasn’t too much, right.
But there were none.
Of course.
Gu Chan wouldn’t blame Younger Brother’s Wife either. The third branch had split off, Zhaozhao was the shopkeeper, how they lived was up to her.
Lin Zhao replied: “Hold it in the village.”
She smiled and explained: “Yu Bao and Heng Bao know more people in the village, it can be done very lively, and they’ll be happier.”
Gu Chan couldn’t help laughing, “Yes, Heng Bao loves excitement the most. Holding it in the village, he’ll definitely be thrilled and able to show off until New Year.”
At this point, Lin Zhao realized with a start that New Year was less than two months away.
“New Year is coming soon.”
Gu Chan turned her head to look at her, hesitated for a moment, and asked: “Did Chenghuai say he’s coming back?”
“Not coming back.” Lin Zhao shook her head.
Pain flickered in Gu Chan’s eyes, and she said dryly: “You’ve been wronged.”
“Not wronged at all. Aren’t you all here? Him not being here… doesn’t affect us celebrating the holiday lively and happily.” Lin Zhao pretended to be cheerful.
Gu Chan said: “You’re right, we’ll celebrate lively and happily. Zhaozhao, does the supply and marketing cooperative have defective products? I want to make a cotton-padded jacket for Mom, but I don’t have cloth coupons.”
“Not yet for now.” Lin Zhao said, “It’s not time yet. In another half month there might be, I’ll keep an eye out, and if there are, I’ll save some for you.”
“Trouble for you.” Gu Chan felt a bit embarrassed.
“No trouble, it’s on the way.” Lin Zhao didn’t mind, her tone light and cheerful, “I knitted a wool sweater for Mom. Once Eldest Sister’s cotton-padded jacket is done, Mom will have a full new outfit.”
Gu Chan was shocked, “You knitted a wool sweater for Mom?”
Biological mother, or mother-in-law?
The expression on her face was too easy to read.
Lin Zhao paused for a moment and said: “Whoever Eldest Sister’s cotton-padded jacket is for, that’s who my wool sweater is knitted for.”
They didn’t have much to do at work in the afternoon, so when idle, she learned from other comrades to slowly knit wool sweaters.
In this time, she first knitted for herself and Gu Chenghuai, then for the four kids, last week finished for her own parents, and now was knitting for her mother-in-law.
To be fair, knitting wool sweaters was really great for passing time.
Gu Chan smiled awkwardly, “Got it, I’ll thank you on Mom’s behalf. Did you knit one for yourself?”
“I have them all.” Lin Zhao chuckled lightly, “I bought quite a bit of wool yarn, and Third Brother sent a lot more. Work is boring, just right to knit wool sweaters to pass the time.”
Gu Chan understood.
Salespeople at the supply and marketing cooperative really had it easy, it was the most comfortable job.
“Which factory will Eldest Sister go to later? Did that family mention it?” Lin Zhao asked.
“Not yet.” Gu Chan said, “No matter which factory, having a job is good.”
Even temporary worker was good, not to mention that family was formidable, so she’d go straight in as a formal worker.
Qian Bao’s hand tightened slightly. When Lin Zhao looked at him, he reached out to her.
“Want hug.” He tilted his head up, his jade-snow cute little face full of seriousness.
Lin Zhao bent down and picked him up, “Tired from walking?”
“Um um.” Qian Bao wrapped around Mommy’s neck, nodded, and yawned.
“Tired?” Lin Zhao patted her little son’s back, her voice soft and gentle.
The little friend rubbed his eyes, his long eyelashes drooping like little fans, fluttering up and down, making people’s hearts soften.
“Um.” He responded sleepily.
“Close your eyes and sleep, Mommy will take you home.” Lin Zhao gently stroked Qian Bao’s soft back, coaxing him to sleep.
Qian Bao rallied his spirits, pouted and kissed Mommy’s face, then buried into Lin Zhao’s shoulder, closed his eyes, and fell asleep in one second.
Lin Zhao was slightly stunned.
A soft smile colored her eyes.
How could he be tired? Her baby was always like this, silently healing her without a sound.
Gu Chan rarely showed a dazed look in her eyes.
This was Qian Bao? Not Yu Bao or Heng Bao?!
“Qian Bao is so clingy now?” Her tone was full of disbelief.
Lin Zhao supported Qian Bao’s buttocks with her left hand, his back with her right, patting occasionally, and said in a low voice: “Occasionally, very rare.”
“That’s still pretty good.” Gu Chan was very envious, “When he was little, I wiped his butt and washed his diapers, but he wouldn’t let me hold him. Hold a bit longer and he’d hum and want to cry. No one could touch him, like this from young, exactly like his dad.”
Lin Zhao said: “I didn’t notice, he’s been clingy with me since little.”
With her, he was a little friend who loved sticking to Mommy.
Gu Chan brainwashed herself, “You worked so hard to give birth to them, them being close to you is only right. Whoever isn’t close to you, Chenghuai will grab them up and beat them.”
“That’s true haha.”
As they spoke, they arrived home.
Gu Chan was eager to get back to the hospital and didn’t dare stay long. Before leaving, she asked Lin Zhao that if she went back to the village, to tell parents the family’s good news.
After saying that, she quickly left.
Time flew, three days passed.
Li Bao’s illness was better, but unable to withstand his pestering, Gu Yuanshan and Huang Xiulan sent him to school.
After paying those two mao in tuition, it hurt them to the core.
The little friend didn’t understand politeness. Li Bao remembered what Third Aunt said, that if he went to the city to visit and go to school with Yu Bao and Heng Bao, he clamored to go to Third Aunt’s house.
Huang Xiulan really had no choice, blushed and brought him to find the twins.
This was her first time coming to the third branch’s home in the city.
But it was a rare sight.
The yard in the city was clean and proper.
“Third Sister-in-law, Li Bao’s illness is better, he’s clamoring to go to school, I came to enroll him.”
Lin Zhao looked at Li Bao. The little guy was wearing thick clothes with patches, his face thin and small, somewhat sallow, and after being sick, his complexion hadn’t recovered yet.
“Does Li Bao still feel unwell?” she asked Li Bao.
“Not unwell anymore.” Li Bao showed a silly smile.
Huang Xiulan gave him a look, “How not unwell, he still coughs a bit.”
Lin Zhao gently touched Li Bao’s head and said: “Stay at Third Aunt’s for a few days. I have cough syrup here, drink it, a few times and you won’t cough.”
Li Bao smiled and said: “Good.”
Heng Bao clung to Lin Zhao, “Mommy, can I drink it?”
“You aren’t coughing, what do you drink it for? Medicine is three parts poison.” Lin Zhao pushed away his little face.
Heng Bao sighed and didn’t pester anymore.
He looked enviously at Li Bao, licked his lips, “Li Bao, the cough syrup my mommy gives is super super sweet. Brother and I drank it twice and didn’t cough anymore. I want to drink more, but Mommy won’t let me.”
He said it all aggrieved.
Lin Zhao: “…”
Li Bao didn’t believe there was sweet-tasting medicine and said: “If Third Aunt gives it to me, I’ll share with you.”
Lin Zhao gave Heng Bao a light sideways glance.
The little friend’s eyes darted, and he said to Li Bao: “No need, I aren’t coughing. You drink it yourself, drink the medicine and you’ll be better. Once you’re better, we’ll play.”
Li Bao agreed heavily.
He saw Da Huang and Amber and happily hugged them, “Da Huang, Amber, I haven’t seen you guys for so long, you’ve gotten fatter oh…”
The children chatted and laughed.
Lin Zhao and Huang Xiulan were also talking, finished with the lively village matters, then talked about Gu Chan’s matter.
Hearing that the person Wei Xiangdong saved came back and acknowledged it, Huang Xiulan was especially happy.
“That family has conscience!” Her laugh was hearty, “Now A-chan is relieved.”
Lin Zhao: “Yeah. That family is not only compensating medical expenses but also arranging a job.”
“!!!”
Huang Xiulan’s eyes went wide, dumbfounded.
“…A job?” Her voice rose, “What job??”
Lin Zhao: “Don’t know yet.”
Huang Xiulan swallowed, wishing the person saved at the cost of nine deaths was herself.
“No matter what job, having one is great. A-chan’s days are totally turning around now, no more worries ahead. She married a good man.”
Thinking of her own man not bad either, poor as the home was, her days were comfortable too, that complex feeling faded a bit.
“When I go back I’ll tell Mom, she’ll sleep soundly tonight too.”
Ever since son-in-law’s accident, Gu Mu had been worried too, every few days exchanging eggs in the village to send to the county hospital for A-chan to make for her son-in-law.
Every time mentioning Wei Xiangdong’s injury, she was very worried, worried about medical expenses, worried about what her daughter would do in the future…
“Eldest Sister-in-law, the money we borrowed… Eldest Sister said once that family pays, she’ll pay back.” Lin Zhao said.
Huang Xiulan waved her hand, “Tell her no rush, just consider it her helping us save it.”
“You’re not anxious but Eldest Sister is.” Lin Zhao laughed.
“True.” Huang Xiulan took a sip of water, moistened her throat, and continued: “…Borrowing others’ money, can’t even sleep well.”
After chatting, she remembered going to work, instructed Li Bao some words, and went back to the brigade.
Li Bao sat on the stool, swinging his legs, his face full of happy smiles.
He hooked arms with Yu Bao and Heng Bao, “We can play together again. Yu Bao, Heng Bao, did you meet new friends at school?”
“Yeah, lots…” Heng Bao listed several names.
Li Bao looked at him and Yu Bao, asked nervously: “Am I still your best friend?”
“Of course.” Heng Bao didn’t even think, “We’re good friends, also good brothers, the very very best, number one in the world.”
Li Bao’s tense little face bloomed into a smile.
Lin Zhao came to give Li Bao the cough syrup and heard this conversation, laughing until her stomach hurt.
She rubbed her cheeks and walked into the room.
“Li Bao, time for medicine, drink early and get better early.”
Li Bao slid off the stool, took the medicine with both hands, looked up at Lin Zhao, and said super bravely: “Third Aunt, I’m really strong now, not afraid of bitter at all, can gulp the medicine down in one go.”
He said this, but Lin Zhao could hear the tremble in his tone.
“Not bitter, it’s sweet. Didn’t Heng Bao tell you?” Her words soothed.
He had said it, but Li Bao didn’t dare believe.
The medicine he drank was always so bitter, bitter until his mouth couldn’t taste anything.
“Li Bao, you actually don’t believe me!” Heng Bao was greatly hurt.
Guilt flashed in Li Bao’s eyes, “I believe!”
“If you don’t believe… if you don’t believe… I’ll prove it to you!” He picked up the medicine and gulped it into his mouth.
Tasting the sweetness, bewilderment appeared in his black eyes.
It really was sweet!
In an instant, pity appeared on Li Bao’s face.
He drank too fast, didn’t even taste it wuwu.
