Chapter 100: “lin Jiu”
2:30 p.m.
Song Yunjin returned to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, holding several popsicles in his hand.
He distributed them one by one to the salespeople.
“…Thank you for speaking up for my sister. Please have some popsicles.”
He had already bought them, so Li Fen and the others didn’t refuse and smilingly accepted them.
“Thank you.”
Song Yunjin lightly waved his hand and returned to Lin Zhao’s counter, reporting what he had learned to her.
“Sis, that yard is unoccupied. The roof and courtyard wall are all broken, and the weeds in the yard are half my height… The comrade from the Neighborhood Committee said the homeowner is called Lin Jiu, who hasn’t appeared for a long time. If no one claims it, the yard will be taken over by the Housing Management Office.”
It hadn’t been taken over yet because the county’s current work focus was elsewhere for the time being, with a certain fervent movement in full swing.
Lin Jiu.
The name on that land property ownership certificate was indeed this one.
Same surname as her.
“No one has lived there all along?” Lin Zhao felt curious and asked one more question.
“Yeah, it’s been many years with no one living there, otherwise the yard wouldn’t be in such a state of disrepair.” Song Yunjin had seen the yard with his own eyes; even the roof was gone—it was truly dilapidated, and whoever moved in would have to renovate it thoroughly.
“Thanks for your hard work. I got it,” Lin Zhao said with a smile.
She felt relieved too. When she first drew it, she couldn’t help but wonder if she had unfairly taken someone else’s property. Since it was unclaimed, that was fine—the lucky draw wheel was quite reliable.
“Sis, what exactly are you planning to do?” Song Yunjin asked, full of curiosity.
Lin Zhao smiled brightly and said, “You’ll find out later.”
“…That sounds just like an adult coaxing a child! Sis, you wouldn’t treat me like Da Zai and Er Zai, would you?”
Song Yunjin looked at her with eyes full of suspicion.
Lin Zhao shook her head. “Kids aren’t that easy to fool.”
Anyone who thought little friends were easy to brush off would be mistaken!
The twins were growing up slowly, and sometimes the questions they asked made her feel at a loss for how to respond.
Song Yunjin’s attention span was pretty good; he wasn’t distracted from the topic. “Sis, are you thinking of buying a house in the county?”
“If you want one, I can ask my dad to find a way. Maybe he can get one for you before the policies are fully implemented. Old Song is somewhat of a local snake with connections. If luck is on our side, it should work out.”
“Calling him Old Song again! If Uncle finds out, your buttocks are going to bloom again!” Lin Zhao flicked his forehead with her finger and shook her head in refusal. “No need.”
She already had one; she just couldn’t claim it openly yet. Once she got a new certificate and changed the homeowner’s name, she would take root in the county.
Her four cubs would be proper city little friends!
Song Yunjin clutched his head, his eyes full of laughter.
“Alright.” He said, “If you need help, you must tell me. If you have something and don’t tell me, my parents won’t scold you—they’ll definitely blame me.”
Lin Zhao smiled slyly. “Don’t worry. Sis will put in a good word for you. Uncle and Aunt definitely won’t scold you.”
Song Yunjin didn’t mind at all that his sister had turned the tables on him; he chuckled.
Sitting there with nothing to do, he looked around here and there.
As closing time approached, fewer and fewer customers came to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Seeing her little cousin bored, Lin Zhao looked at him and said, “Yunjin, I’m off work soon. Your brother-in-law will come pick me up. Why don’t you head back first?”
Song Yunjin wanted to wander around the recycling station, so he didn’t refuse.
“Okay, Sis. You have to tell brother-in-law about you being reported today.” His expression was serious. “If you don’t, when you go home this weekend, I’ll say it in front of everyone!”
His brother-in-law was capable. If he knew about this, he would definitely stand up for his sister. He was just a junior high student with no real skills, but his brother-in-law had so many comrades-in-arms; a little effort from them could make the Liu family pay the price.
Not that he was petty—Song Yunjin didn’t think he was petty. His sister had nearly been taken away!
His sister was just a girl—what good could come of her going to that place?!
“Threatening me? I’ll give you something!” Lin Zhao gave Yunjin a glare, though her eyes were gentle. “Got it. I’ll tell your brother-in-law.”
She really found it puzzling and muttered, “Before, you couldn’t stand your brother-in-law no matter what. After just watching one movie, your attitude did a complete one-eighty. Unbelievable.”
Song Yunjin didn’t say it outright, but he had changed his attitude because he saw that his brother-in-law truly cared for his sister.
The youth didn’t answer and calmly changed the subject. “As long as you remember, Sis. I’m heading back first.”
With that.
He waved to Lin Zhao, slung his cloth bag over his shoulder, and left with light steps.
…
Exactly 3 p.m. Gu Chenghuai appeared right on time at the entrance of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
Lin Zhao packed her things. Thinking of the arrangement with Sister Fen, she looked at her and confirmed again. “Sister Fen, I’ll pass the message to my sister to bring her to the county the day after tomorrow—no changes, right?”
“No, no changes. My brother is still used to the soldier’s way of doing things; he’s very punctual. He said the day after tomorrow to meet, and barring any emergencies, he’ll make time.” Li Fen said confidently.
She knew her brother’s style well.
Lin Zhao admired comrades who were organized and planned.
Sister Fen was a good person; her brother was family, and a retired soldier at that. Plus, from what Sister Fen had told her about her brother, Lin Zhao had a good impression of him—responsible, steady, emotionally stable, able to support a family… No parents-in-law to rely on, but on the flip side, no worries about getting along with a mother-in-law. Perfect for her Sister Xiangxiang.
“That’s good. I’ll pass the word when I get back,” Lin Zhao said.
She waved her hand and walked out of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
Gu Chenghuai was waiting at the door. Seeing his wife, the cold sharpness in his eyes instantly softened, his voice low and gentle.
“Smooth day?”
Lin Zhao hooked her slender, delicate fingers onto the corner of his clothes, her cheeks puffing up slightly as she complained. “Not at all! I was reported!”
If the man were with the troops, she wouldn’t even mention it for fear of worrying him; but since he was home, she definitely would tell him.
The smile on Gu Chenghuai’s handsome face vanished abruptly, his dark eyes darkening, his gaze turning cold enough to freeze.
Rage surged in his heart, but he suppressed it promptly.
He parked the bicycle steadily, cupped Lin Zhao’s face with both hands, and examined her carefully.
“You’re not hurt, are you?”
Lin Zhao grabbed his hand and quickly said, “Not hurt. It’s a society governed by law; everything requires evidence. They can’t just arrest people on the spot. I’m fine—the one in trouble is the person who reported me.”
“Who reported you?” Gu Chenghuai’s brows furrowed slightly, his voice calm—scarily calm.
“They accused me of embezzlement and taking kickbacks. Isn’t that ridiculous?” Lin Zhao found it absurd.
On second thought, Liu Chunhong looked down on countryside people from the bottom of her heart, thinking they loved petty gains, so writing such a report made sense.
Seeing that Zhaozhao wasn’t affected, the creases between Gu Chenghuai’s brows smoothed out. He pushed the matter to the back of his mind for now, standing firmly on his wife’s side and joining her in condemning the ridiculous reporter.
“Right, with me here, you never lack for money anyway. Why would you care about such trifling gains? They really underestimate you.”
Sometimes, complaining or venting didn’t mean the speaker wanted the listener to do anything specific—a clear, unwavering show of support was enough to soothe them.
Lin Zhao hadn’t taken it to heart anyway, and Gu Chenghuai’s blind praise made her burst out laughing.
Her laughter was light and cheerful, without a trace of gloom.
Seeing his wife unaffected, Gu Chenghuai’s lips curved up. He said, “Enough about that. Let’s go home. Before I left, Da Zai and Er Zai specially reminded me not to take you wandering around—come home early. They miss you.”
He lightly lifted his right leg onto the pedal. In that turning moment, frost covered his gaze.
Lin Zhao didn’t notice, hopped on, and wrapped one arm around the man’s waist.
“Home!”
Gu Chenghuai pushed off with his leg, and the bicycle glided forward.
His right hand gripped the handlebars, his left holding Lin Zhao’s hand, his thumb circling her fingers, his eyes very cold.
His mind flashed to what he had seen in Haishi… the fate of those reported people. Gu Chenghuai couldn’t help but feel anger.
The girl he carefully protected—he feared her suffering any grievance in places he didn’t notice. He wanted to stand higher, blocking all darkness from her, yet someone still…
“Why aren’t you talking? You wouldn’t be secretly plotting something, would you?” Lin Zhao poked Gu Chenghuai’s solid waist.
“No.” Gu Chenghuai denied outright.
His voice showed no fluctuation.
Before Lin Zhao could press, the man said steadily, “I passed on your message to Elder Brother. The mung bean lily soup was simmered by Mom and has been delivered to the new house. Da Zai and the others drank it too—they all liked it a lot.”
Lin Zhao rested her head against Gu Chenghuai’s broad back, listening carefully and occasionally asking, “What did you find out about Xiao Shitou’s matter?”
Gu Chenghuai said unhurriedly, “Ping pong can be learned, and doing well could be a path. The problem is, the sports committee system is in chaos too, with two factions fighting and all training suspended. Yun Jian’s suggestion is to send Xiao Shitou to the children’s palace to learn first, but as you know, there’s only one in the provincial capital. Eldest Sister and brother-in-law have never been there—they’re all confused…”
He told his wife everything he had learned, in full detail.
“Xiao Shitou is your own nephew—put some heart into it.” Lin Zhao’s voice rang out, clear and soft.
“If he really achieves something, it’s good for the country. Even if he doesn’t, that’s fine—he can at least do what he loves. When he grows up and looks back, he won’t have regrets.”
Gu Chenghuai’s stern brows suddenly softened, like a mirror-still lake rippled by spring breeze.
“I’ll do as you say.”
The young couple chatted as the bicycle rode into the brigade.
The twins and Da Huang and Amber surprisingly weren’t waiting at the village entrance.
Lin Zhao was stunned for a moment, a suspicious look on her face. “Da Zai and Er Zai aren’t at the village entrance?”
As an adult, of course she didn’t need the cubs to pick her up every day. But she was used to seeing them every time she got off work, so suddenly not seeing them felt unaccustomed.
Gu Chenghuai’s eye corner drooped slightly, a hint of helpless ripple in his eyes. “They’re moving bricks at the new house.”
“?”
Lin Zhao pictured in her mind the twins huffing and puffing while moving bricks, and a string of crisp laughter spilled from her mouth.
“Moving bricks? Hahaha, don’t tell me they’re causing trouble.”
Gu Chenghuai fully agreed. “Definitely causing trouble. Those two want to touch everything, and they’re quite the talkers too. They asked the old master if they could put a big tiger on the roof, then why the walls stand so steadily without falling… The old master’s face turned green.”
“Pfft—!” Lin Zhao laughed until her cheeks ached.
Her face was full of indulgent surrender. “Little friends are all like that—so full of childlike innocence.”
“I don’t mind.” Gu Chenghuai said.
Lin Zhao affirmed him. “I know. You’re a really great dad.”
Tenderness welled up in Gu Chenghuai’s eyes.
The bicycle entered the village, and the villagers all looked over in unison, sighing inwardly.
Da Zai’s mom marrying Gu San was truly marrying into a blessed nest.
With a bicycle, and the man still uneasy, picking her up every day—which daughter-in-law lived such a life.
Lin Zhao could guess what the villagers thought of her—nothing more than envy. She didn’t care, smiling and nodding to those she saw.
The bicycle passed the new house.
The sharp-eyed Er Zai spotted his mom right away.
“Mom!” His voice rang out loud and clear.
Instantly.
Everyone working turned their gazes over.
“Chenghuai’s wife is back from work.”
“Seeing Mom, Er Zai can’t work anymore!”
…
Er Zai was a strong-willed cub. Hearing someone belittle him, he followed the gaze, hands on hips. “Not true! I’m not unable to work! I’m Gu Er Zai! Like my mom, my strength comes from Grandma. I can work straight through to tomorrow in one go!”
“Right, Er Zai can do it!” Da Zai backed up his brother.
But he knew deep down that his brother didn’t have much strength; he felt both nervous and shy, his face quietly turning red.
Lin Zhao laughed. “Da Zai and Er Zai, let’s go home. I brought you vegetable boxes.”
Aunt Song, like her mom, feared she wouldn’t eat enough and made plenty of food. She couldn’t finish the vegetable box from Sister Fen, so she brought it back.
The two identical little boys obediently ran over.
Er Zai looked up. “Mom, what’s a vegetable box? Is it tasty?”
“It’s tasty.” Lin Zhao saw sweat on her son’s forehead and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it.
Da Zai pulled his brother back.
He said, “Mom, we’ll wash our faces when we get back. Don’t want to dirty your handkerchief.”
“Okay, then let Mom hold your hands?” Lin Zhao reached out to the twins.
The two little friends’ faces bloomed with brilliant smiles.
Er Zai had a helpless yet sweet little expression as he offered his hand and left the new house with his mom.
“Where are little brother and sister?”
Da Zai said, “When we went out, San Zai was reading, and Si Zai was catching chickens.”
Lin Zhao’s brows furrowed slightly. “Da Zai, little friends can’t stare at books all the time—it’s bad for their eyes. If San Zai reads too long, remind him.”
“We and brother remind him— we’ll remind him in a bit, remind him again soon. Mom, don’t worry. We’re San Zai’s own big brothers.” Er Zai’s voice was loud. “Own big brothers have to look after their own little brother!”
Lin Zhao’s expression relaxed, and she leaned down slightly, shaking the little brothers’ hands. “My sons are so great—how are you all so capable? What reward do you want?”
Da Zai knew earning money was hard and said sensibly, “We don’t want anything. We have everything we need.”
But Er Zai looked up grinning from ear to ear. “Mom, I want money. Will you give it?”
Lin Zhao gently scraped her son’s little nose and laughed. “Didn’t your dad just give you two a yuan? That’s a lot. Greedy little friend.”
“No, Dad’s money is for emergencies, for me and brother to call on the telephone. We can’t touch that.” Er Zai lightly shook Lin Zhao’s arm, his childish voice sweet like honey. “Mom, Dad has pocket money. I want pocket money too. Mom can’t play favorites.”
Lin Zhao chuckled. “Your dad hands over his entire salary—that deserves pocket money. What about you?”
Clever light sparkled in Er Zai’s eyes as he argued logically. “I’m still little. When I grow up, I’ll hand over everything too.”
Da Zai didn’t hesitate. “Me too!”
Were they drawing her a pie in the sky?
Lin Zhao’s eyes flashed, and she looked at Er Zai leisurely. “How much do you want?”
Er Zai’s eyes shone brightly as he stuck out his index finger. “…One fen, okay?”
“…”
Lin Zhao laughed.
She had thought he would ask for a yuan or ten fen, but just one fen.
“What do you want money for?”
Er Zai licked his lips expectantly. “I want to eat a popsicle. Buy one, and brother and I can share.”
Lin Zhao eyed him. “Dare to aim higher? Ask for ten fen, buy a few more.”
Er Zai suddenly hugged his mom tight, his dark grape-like eyes filled with stars.
“Then I want ten fen. Thank you, Mom.”
There was dust on his clothes, and he was sweaty; Lin Zhao’s clothes were light-colored, and the marks would show clearly.
Er Zai felt super guilty. “Mom, don’t be mad. I’ll wash it for you when we get home.”
“It’s fine—it needs washing anyway.” Lin Zhao wasn’t mad.
What could a little friend do wrong? He just liked his mom and wanted a hug. Her son being affectionate with her only made her happy.
Er Zai’s nervous look faded, his mouth curving up in a brilliant smile. “I dirtied it, so I’ll help Mom wash it!”
Today he saw a little friend playing with mud. When his mom came, that kid accidentally got mud on her, and she grabbed his arm, flipped him over, and spanked his buttocks hard—really hard, sounded painful.
His mom was the best; she never hit them.
Da Zai thought the same, sidling closer to Lin Zhao with an extra sweet smile.
Back home, Lin Zhao took the two cubs to wash off their sweat and kissed the dragon-phoenix twins’ soft little faces one by one.
Si Zai wrapped around her neck, burrowing his whole body into her bosom, calling “Mom” in his little milky voice—so soft, super healing.
“Were you good at home?” Lin Zhao asked with a smile.
The little milk ball’s chubby cheeks puffed out from effort, like stuffed with two small tangyuan.
“Good~”
“Cub good!”
Said with extra force.
Lin Zhao was utterly charmed by her daughter and leaned her face over. “Kiss?”
Si Zai was super cooperative, grinning to show her little baby teeth, smacking two kisses that slathered her mom’s face with saliva.
Seeing this, San Zai’s little face was solemn as he took a handkerchief from his bib pocket to wipe the saliva off Lin Zhao’s face.
His demeanor was so serious, like a little adult.
Lin Zhao’s heart nearly melted, and the annoyance from being reported vanished completely at this moment.
“Thanks, San Zai.” Her voice softened.
In the short time she chatted with the cubs, Gu Chenghuai came out of the kitchen carrying a plate.
There were several leek boxes on the plate, steaming hot.
Cubs’ dad had just reheated them.
“Blow on them before eating. Everyone try some. If you like them, our family can make them another day,” Lin Zhao said.
Just as she finished speaking, the dragon-phoenix twins excitedly lunged forward. She grabbed their napes like catching cats and held the two little ones back.
“You two can’t eat them.”
San Zai was obedient and stayed put. Si Zai turned his head, looking at his mom pitifully, saying word by word, “Cub wants… wants to eat.”
“Mom will make milk powder for you two.” Lin Zhao touched her daughter’s little topknot, soothing her softly.
“…No!” Si Zai crisply refused, saliva nearly dripping to her chin.
Gu Chenghuai stepped forward, picked up his daughter, and took her to the backyard, coaxing, “Dad will take you to feed the chickens.”
The pouting, teary-eyed little milk ball was distracted, her eyes brightening. “See cluck cluck~”
Er Zai said loudly, “That’s a chicken, not brother!”
“Mom, look at Si Zai?” He was puffed up with indignation.
“At your age, speech isn’t clear yet. Wait till little sister is bigger—hers will be clear,” Lin Zhao said.
Some kids talk early, some late—both normal.
“Fine.” Er Zai reluctantly forgave his sister.
Time flew, and the sun dipped west.
Work wrapped up at the Gu family new house, and the builders went home.
The Lin family brothers arrived at the Gu family old house.
“Zhaozhao, what do you want us to bring?” Lin Shichang asked.
Lin Zhao went into the room and came out with the big bag she had prepared in advance.
She pointed to one of the iron boxes, her expression serious. “Elder Brother, this one is for Dad.”
“What’s this?”
Extra 2k
