Chapter 95: “digging A Pit”
Gu Fu and Gu Mu saw everyone return safely and secretly breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts.
They heard that the county was in chaos with students causing trouble, and Old Third Son and Third Son’s Wife had taken so many children there, so they were very worried, afraid something might happen.
Gu Mu scanned each person one by one and saw that everyone was holding books in their hands. She asked curiously, “Why did you bring back so many books?”
Lin Zhao spoke up: “We picked them up at the Recycling Station. The children can use them.”
Useful for the children, Gu Mu had nothing to say. “Looks like a lot, must be expensive, right?”
She thought, if it was expensive, she and her husband would contribute some; they couldn’t let Third Branch pay for everything.
“Not expensive, just five bucks.” Lin Zhao’s tone was casual.
“!”
So much money?
Gu Mu felt like her ears were broken. Five bucks?! Not expensive?!!
No wonder people in the past couldn’t afford school; books were so expensive, who could afford it.
She worked full work points every day, and even after a whole month, she couldn’t earn five bucks.
Even though the amount was unexpected, Gu Mu still said, “My husband and I have to chip in some of this money.”
“No need.” Lin Zhao waved her hand, refusing directly.
With such a big family, the parents-in-law couldn’t have much saved.
Her conditions were good; she wouldn’t quibble over this bit.
Gu Chenghuai poured warm water for his wife to wash her face and said to his biological mother who still wanted to say something, “Mom, listen to Zhaozhao. It’s not a big deal.”
With her own Old Third Son speaking, and seeing that the daughter-in-law truly didn’t mind, Gu Mu didn’t say anything more.
Ever since taking the deworming medicine, the Gu family children had been quite attentive to hygiene; washing hands before meals was a must.
The twins took their younger brother and sister to wash hands. Da Zai suddenly looked at Lin Zhao and said, “Mom, Stone Bro and Stone Di haven’t taken deworming medicine yet. Do you have more?”
“Yes, we’ll give it to them after dinner.” Lin Zhao said.
She gazed warmly at her eldest son and praised, “Da Zai is such a careful little friend. Thanks to your reminder, or I almost forgot.”
Da Zai was secretly delighted inside, his little face flushed with happiness.
Xiao Shitou scrunched his face and said softly, “Da Zai Bro, I don’t want to take medicine.”
Medicine was bitter.
“Deworming medicine isn’t bitter; it’s sweet. Don’t believe me? Ask Tie Chui. Don’t be scared.” Da Zai placed his hand on Stone Di’s shoulder and said seriously, “If you eat it and think it’s not tasty, I’ll give you a White Rabbit Toffee.”
Tie Chui nodded. “Not bitter, sweet and yummy.”
Not as good as White Rabbit Toffee, but not hard to eat.
With the friendship from watching the movie together as a foundation, Xiao Shitou built trust with his maternal cousin. The little friend perked up. “Okay.”
After washing hands, Lin Zhao and the others started eating.
Gu Chenghuai mixed milk powder for his dragon-phoenix twins. When the temperature was right, he poured it into one blue and one pink milk bottle for San Zai and Si Zai.
The milk bottles were bought by him at the Friendship Store in Haishi.
The two little friends took the milk bottles with both hands, sat on stools to drink milk. San Zai was quiet and well-behaved; Si Zai swung his two lotus-root-segment-like legs, occasionally grinning, looking adorably soft.
At the dinner table.
“So tasty. Eldest Uncle’s Wife makes meat so good.” Er Zai ate the meat, pushed the bone out with his little tongue, and didn’t forget to praise the cook.
Tie Chui also thought it was super tasty. His eyes curved up, head down eating without looking up, imitating Er Zai insincerely: “Yeah yeah, Eldest Uncle’s Wife’s meat is really tasty!”
“…”
Silence.
Silence was Fengshou Brigade tonight.
“Pfft—!” Zhao Liuniang finally couldn’t hold it in, bursting into laughter. The needle almost poked through her finger. She stopped sewing shoes and said while laughing, “Eldest Sister-in-law, half a day apart, and your Tie Chui has become Third Branch’s!”
Tie Chui reacted, his little face instantly flushing red.
“…Mom.” The little guy called out embarrassedly.
Huang Xiulan didn’t know what to say. “…Eat your meal.”
Little Tie Chui grinned sheepishly.
Er Zai was spiced out, his little mouth bright red, hissing nonstop, and protectively said, “Second Aunt, little friends need face too.”
At that, Zhao Liuniang couldn’t hold back even more, her shoulders shaking, tears coming out from laughter. She wiped the tears and said, “…Then I won’t say it.”
Only then did Er Zai stop minding.
Zhao Liuniang lowered her voice, looking at Eldest Sister-in-law. “Er Zai is still protective. The two little guys get along like real brothers.”
Huang Xiulan smiled. “After all, they’re good brothers who’ll ride the big car together someday.”
The others laughed.
Er Zai heard the laughter, looked over puzzled, and joined in giggling, his laugh crisp.
“Er Zai, careful not to choke.” Lin Zhao reminded gently.
“Got it.”
…
While Lin Zhao and the others were eating, Gu Fu sorted the books they brought back and placed them on the table.
After eating, the little friends cleared the bowls and chopsticks themselves. After washing the pots and bowls, they started dividing the books.
The several half-grown boys discussed and agreed they could swap readings, quickly allocating them.
Seeing this, Lin Zhao looked at Gu Chenghuai beside her and said, “I think I might need to go to the Recycling Station now and then to pick books. The children seem to really like them.”
The Recycling Station was very proper, so Gu Chenghuai wasn’t worried about his wife going there being dangerous; he just feared she’d pick too many and tire herself out, since the county was not close to the brigade.
“You can go if you want, but don’t pick too many each time. Books are heavy.”
Lin Zhao smiled. “I have strength.”
“Even with strength, you’ll get tired.” Gu Chenghuai said warmly. “I’m not around; I’ll worry about you.”
“I’ll pick 5 books each time, okay?” The man’s work was dangerous; Lin Zhao didn’t want him worrying about home. Her voice softened.
She glanced at the little red rope on his wrist, a smile playing on her lips.
Having the little red rope did make her feel much more at ease.
Gu Chenghuai’s expression eased.
…
Da Shitou selected his books. Gu Yucheng helped tie them with hemp rope. Just as he said he’d send them back, Wei Xiangdong arrived.
Da Huang barked woof woof woof. Little Amber also bared her teeth milk-fiercely.
Everyone immediately looked toward the door.
“Dad!” Xiao Shitou rushed over.
Wei Xiangdong rubbed his youngest son’s head like petting a puppy, then greeted his in-laws.
“Dad, Mom, Big Bro… I’m here to pick up the two Stones.”
With that, he returned the flashlight he’d borrowed last time to Father-in-law.
Gu Fu said nothing and just took it.
Da Shitou walked over carrying the books.
“Where’d the books come from?” After a quick look, at least six or seven books. Wei Xiangdong took the books, easily like picking up a few sheets of paper.
Da Shitou said, “Third Maternal Uncle and Third Maternal Aunt took us to the Recycling Station. We picked them ourselves.”
“Did you say thanks?” Wei Xiangdong didn’t stand on ceremony. Anyway, A’chan agreed he could go hunting; he’d send some wild game later.
“Said it.”
Wei Xiangdong patted his son’s head. “Let’s go home. Your mom is waiting.”
Half a day without seeing the two cubs, A’chan missed them a lot.
“Okay!”
Xiao Shitou waved to the twin brothers. “Da Zai Bro, Er Zai Bro, I’m heading back first. Come play with you guys when I have time.”
“Okay.” Er Zai said reluctantly. Thinking of how good Xiao Shitou was at ping pong, he turned to Lin Zhao. “Mom, Xiao Shitou plays ping pong super super well. He’s the kind you mentioned, with exceptional talent. Can he go compete in the World Table Tennis Championships and bring glory to the country?”
Lin Zhao was a bit stunned.
“Xiao Shitou is really good at ping pong?”
Er Zai nodded firmly. “Yes.”
“Don’t believe me? Mom, ask my bro. Bro never lies.” He tugged his brother’s hand. “Bro, you say.”
Da Zai testified: “Yes, Xiao Shitou is awesome at ping pong, better than Brother Bang Bang.”
Bang Bang: (_)→
He hadn’t provoked anyone!
Lin Zhao pinched Er Zai’s little face, rubbing gently. “Mom believes your brother and believes you too. Our Er Zai is also an honest little friend.”
Er Zai’s heart pounded. His mouth grinned wide, laughing happily.
“So Mom, can Xiao Shitou play ping pong and bring glory to the country?”
Lin Zhao wasn’t quite sure.
She carefully recalled the original book’s content. It seemed they had to wait until ’71, the 31st World Table Tennis Championships, for domestic ping pong to shine again.
That way, there should be ping pong training in the next few years.
She looked at Gu Chenghuai, eyes questioning: “Cubs’ Dad, what do you think?”
Gu Chenghuai’s lips curved up slightly.
He turned to Xiao Shitou, gaze serious: “You really like playing ping pong?”
The timid Xiao Shitou wanted to hide, but he held back. Meeting Da Zai and Er Zai’s encouraging eyes, he mustered courage and nodded to Third Maternal Uncle: “Like… like.” His voice was mosquito-soft but firm.
Playing ping pong.
He liked it.
The timid little nephew’s eyes sparkled; you could tell he really liked it. Of course Gu Chenghuai would figure something out for him. “I’ll call my comrade tomorrow morning and ask around first.”
His words just fell when the twins rushed to Xiao Shitou like two little cannonballs.
Er Zai cupped his face, bouncing excitedly: “Play ping pong, bring glory to the country! Stone Di, when you compete, I’ll have Mom take me to watch!”
Da Zai was also thrilled, patting Xiao Shitou’s shoulder like a little adult. “Xiao Shitou, you’ll definitely make it.”
Gu Chenghuai: “…”
Lin Zhao caught the helplessness on Cubs’ Dad’s face and laughed. “Da Zai Er Zai, your dad said he’ll ask around; nothing’s settled yet. Aren’t you celebrating too early?”
Without a reminder, these two little loudmouths would spread the news across the entire production team.
Da Zai froze. “Huh? But Dad said he’d ask, doesn’t that mean it’s basically guaranteed?” In the little guy’s heart, biological father was omnipotent.
Er Zai blinked his big bright black eyes, mouth babbling: “Yeah yeah! My grandma says Dad is smart and awesome, Old Gu Family’s pride! Anything Dad wants to do, he succeeds!”
Gu Chenghuai narrowed his eyes.
Was this praising him or digging a pit?
Gu Yucheng, watching the fun and stirring trouble, teased his nephew on purpose: “What if it doesn’t work out?”
“Doesn’t work out?” Er Zai tilted his head, then had a sudden idea. “Then Dad must not have tried hard! I’ll tell Mom to scold Dad!”
“Pfft—” Gu Yucheng laughed out loud, then deliberately asked: “Why not tell your grandparents?”
Er Zai gave a ‘Second Uncle you’re so dumb’ look. “Because Dad is grandparents’ pride! They wouldn’t bear to scold Dad!”
Zhao Liuniang found it funny and teased Er Zai slyly. “How do you know your mom would scold your dad?”
Er Zai was stumped, stomping to Lin Zhao, his pitch-black bright eyes staring at her. “Mom, would you?”
The pressure was on Lin Zhao.
“I side with reason, not family.”
Afraid the cubs wouldn’t get it, she switched to plain words. “Whoever’s right, I side with them.”
The twins thought Mom made sense.
Er Zai grinned cheekily. The super confident little friend said: “Mom will definitely side with me.”
Lin Zhao: “?”
Did she say that!?
“Because I’ll definitely be the most reasonable.” Er Zai added.
Tie Dan looked baffled. “Does being reasonable depend on what you say?”
Er Zai was even more baffled.
“If not you, then who decides?”
Tie Chui thought his good bro made sense, like a chestnut just fallen from a tree, all spiky. “Whatever Er Zai says goes. Bro, you’re not as smart as Er Zai. Dumb-headed little friend… has to listen to the smart-headed little friend!”
Tie Dan didn’t think Er Zai was smarter than him. He pinched his brother’s face in anger. “Where am I not as smart as Er Zai! I’m older than Er Zai, know more than him, I’m very smart…”
Was this guy his brother or Er Zai’s brother? He was pissed!
Tie Chui wailed from the pinch, but his mouth didn’t spare his bro.
“You’re just not as smart as Er Zai. Er Zai knows more characters than you!”
Thunder from a clear sky.
“…” Tie Dan was speechless.
Seeing Tie Chui pinched, the twins went to rescue their good brother. Tie Chui was successfully saved.
“Tie Dan Bro, you’re shy-faced, bullying a little friend!” Er Zai scrunched his face, rubbing his finger on his cheek to shame Tie Dan.
Xiao Shitou was about the same age as the twins and Tie Chui. The original good trio of brothers, unnoticed by everyone in a corner, quietly became a quartet.
“Shy shy shy!” Xiao Shitou, who rarely spoke loudly, suddenly raised his volume.
Tie Dan was struck by his own brother’s words. Er Zai knew more characters than him? No way, he was the big brother!
“Brother Bang Bang, lend me your language textbook. I want to learn!”
With that, he rushed into the room.
Huang Xiulan was shocked. Her worrywart eldest son knew about learning?!
Good thing.
She knew how to handle her playful Tie Dan now!
Wei Xiangdong learned from Da Shitou what ping pong was. As a native country bumpkin, he racked his simple brain but couldn’t imagine what it was or what use hitting it back and forth had.
Seeing Xiao Shitou liked it, he didn’t say anything discouraging.
“Chenghuai, trouble you to ask about that ping pong thing.” Wei Xiangdong planned to inquire at home too, but his brothers were all country folk, probably didn’t know either.
Gu Chenghuai nodded. “Don’t worry.”
At that moment, Lin Zhao remembered something. From the nearby bamboo basket, she took out the cloth bag with matchbox materials and walked to Da Shitou, giving him the cloth bag and the money for the previous 500 qualified products.
“This is the new materials, and the settlement money. Give it to your mom when you get back.”
Da Shitou took it solemnly. “Mm, thanks Third Maternal Aunt.”
“Tell your mom to glue slowly, don’t rush. Health is important.” Lin Zhao said worriedly, not at ease.
“Mm, we’ll all supervise Mom!” Da Shitou’s heart warmed.
Lin Zhao smiled. “You’re sensible. With you watching, I’m at ease.”
The careful Da Zai reminded: “Mom, deworming medicine! You forgot to give it to Stone Bro and Stone Di.”
She really had forgotten.
“Forgot again. I’ll go get it.” Lin Zhao went back to the room for show, took two deworming pills from the storage ring, and came out.
Handed them to Da Shitou and told him the precautions.
“Thanks Third Maternal Aunt.” Da Shitou thanked.
Business done.
Wei Xiangdong didn’t linger, taking his two sons and leaving Fengshou Brigade.
After they left.
Gu Mu looked at Lin Zhao, face full of excitement she couldn’t suppress. “Third Son’s Wife, that gluing matchboxes job isn’t a one-time deal, right?!”
Lin Zhao knew her mother-in-law was thrilled and smiled. “Yes, as long as no accidents, it’ll keep going.”
At least steadily for the next five or six years.
“Good thing.” Gu Mu slapped her thigh, looking gratefully at Third Son’s Wife. “Zhaozhao, A’chan’s not here, so I’ll thank you for her.”
“What thanks? True heart for true heart. Big Sis quietly helped me for years; if I did nothing, I’d be embarrassed to face her.” Lin Zhao truly didn’t think it was a big deal; it was just coincidence. As for what she gave Big Sis, that was Big Sis’s accumulated blessings.
“With Chenghuai away, A’chan helping you is what she should do.” Gu Mu said.
This was her sincere thought.
This was how she taught her sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons, and granddaughters. Even after separating households, they were family; must help where they could.
Being a military wife was tough.
Gu Mu didn’t think Lin Zhao giving the gluing matchboxes job to A’chan was obligatory. Third Son’s Wife was kind-hearted to give it; she’d remember the favor and was happy for A’chan.
Daughter and son-in-law had just split off, short on money. Every bit extra earned counted.
And.
A’chan quietly told her it earned quite a lot.
Even said, once the money came, buy her third sister-in-law a city girl’s scarf as a gift of gratitude.
…
Wei family father and sons were worried about Gu Chan alone at home and walked fast.
Da Shitou walked head down silently. Xiao Shitou was even less talkative.
Finally.
Before dark, the Wei family father and two sons got home.
Da Shitou was in front. Upon arriving, he knocked on the door.
“Mom!”
Gu Chan wasn’t asleep yet. Hearing her eldest son’s voice, she hurried out of the room and opened the decorative yard door.
“Back. Nothing happen on the road?” She asked a redundant question.
Wei Xiangdong didn’t think it redundant; it was his wife’s concern for him.
“No issues, smooth all the way.”
Gu Chan wasn’t asking him; clearly concerned for her two sons. “Da Shitou, Xiao Shitou, how was your day? Movie good?”
Da Shitou nodded. “Good.”
Xiao Shitou, half a day without Mom, stuck close, whispering: “Movie was good, about a female pilot. Mom, do you know airplanes? They’re iron birds. Da Zai Bro said… he wants to fly an iron bird into the blue sky someday.”
“Third Maternal Aunt bought us soda. Mom, soda is so tasty, but hard to carry.” Or he’d have brought some back for Mom!
“Third Maternal Aunt asked what place we wanted to go. Bro said Recycling Station, so Third Maternal Aunt took us to find books. We got lots of books for five bucks. We told Da Zai Bro and Er Zai Bro we’d swap to read.”
“Mom, I also played ping pong with Da Zai Bro and Er Zai Bro. I like ping pong.”
“Before coming home we ate spicy rabbit meat, made by Eldest Maternal Aunt. So tasty.”
…
The power of role models is tremendous.
Timid and shy Xiao Shitou, after just one afternoon with chatty Er Zai, talked more than twice as much.
Gu Chan was dumbfounded.
Was this still… her Xiao Shitou?
Even Da Shitou was astonished.
He looked at his brother strangely. “Er Zai’s charm that strong? Just one afternoon, and you talk so much?!”
“I used to beat you and scold you to say more, and you never listened a bit?”
Xiao Shitou lowered his head, eyes dodging, back to the silent little turtle.
After a long while, he mumbled: “N-nothing worth saying.”
“…” Da Shitou smacked his tongue. “Just send you to Fengshou Brigade then.”
Xiao Shitou looked up, eyes expectant.
His little face slightly red, shyly rubbing his hands: “Can we? Send me there daytime, pick me up at night, okay?”
Gu Chan couldn’t help laughing. Little friends were like that, ideas changing every minute. If really sent, he might fuss to come home.
Wei Xiangdong bent down, big hands forking under his youngest son’s armpits, arms exerting force. The not-heavy little guy was tossed out and caught steadily.
Xiao Shitou instantly forgot what he was saying, laughing crisply. “Dad, again!”
Wei Xiangdong, who meant it as punishment: “…”
Instantly deflated.
No way he’d indulge him. He put the kid down.
Da Shitou thought his biological dad was as childish as his brother. He gave the hard-earned money from gluing matchboxes that Third Maternal Aunt gave to Gu Chan.
“Mom, Third Maternal Aunt told me to give you this money.” He handed over the material cloth bag. “This is new materials.”
“Third Maternal Aunt said to supervise you, don’t neglect your health for earning money.”
Gu Chan first took the material bag, placed it carefully, then said: “I know.”
Then she counted the money. Not that she distrusted third sister-in-law; her third sister-in-law was upright, wouldn’t take others’ money.
Besides, it was Zhaozhao who introduced the job; even if she took half, Gu Chan wouldn’t complain.
She counted because she liked counting.
Gu Chan counted: total nine bucks ninety-nine cents and eighty fen.
Minus the one Wei Xiangdong ruined, not a fen short.
“Xiangdong, we earned nearly ten bucks in two days!” She said happily, sharing the joy with her man.
Xiao Shitou saw the family had money, eyes lighting up, whispering: “Mom, I want a ping pong paddle.”
He was just over five, well-protected by dad, mom, and bro, didn’t know earning was hard. Seeing money, he asked.
Gu Chan turned to him, didn’t scold the child, but asked: “Did your Third Maternal Uncle bring toys for Da Zai and Er Zai?”
“That’s not a toy.” Xiao Shitou corrected his mom.
Er Zai said something about competitions; he didn’t remember, just that it wasn’t a toy.
“Okay, not a toy.” Gu Chan went along with her youngest. “Don’t know if the Supply and Marketing Cooperative has the ping pong paddle you want. If they do, Mom will buy it.”
Before, she definitely wouldn’t buy; money had to be spent wisely. Now with the gluing matchboxes job, monthly income. Xiao Shitou rarely wanted anything; she wanted to fulfill him. Worst case, she and the child’s dad work harder.
“Supply and Marketing Cooperative doesn’t have.” Da Shitou said. “Ping pong paddles were bought by Third Maternal Uncle in Haicheng.”
Gu Chan looked troubled. “That’s tricky.”
Didn’t know if Chenghuai passed Haicheng going back to troops…
“Mom, Da Zai and Er Zai taught us ping pong this afternoon. Xiao Shitou is really good at it. Er Zai said if you’re good at ping pong, you can compete later and bring glory to the country.” Da Shitou said.
This afternoon, he first saw his brother like something so much; the kid changed completely, eyes unbelievably bright.
He didn’t want to disappoint his brother, so wanted to fight for Xiao Shitou.
Even if his brother didn’t achieve fame later, if it made Xiao Shitou more confident and outgoing, he’d think it worthwhile.
Xiao Shitou didn’t get his bro’s good intentions, just grinned silly. “Er Zai Bro said competitions have prizes, like worker pay.”
“Mom, if I win, all the prize money goes to you.”
Da Shitou’s mouth twitched.
Whoa, thinking long-term.
Gu Chan pieced together her two sons’ words and finally understood. “Buy it. Mom and Dad will figure out a way to get it for you.”
As for the rest, wait for Chenghuai to inquire.
As biological mom, how could she not see Xiao Shitou’s… love for ping pong.
Child likes it; as mom, she had to create conditions no matter what.
Gu Fu and Gu Mu never mistreated Gu Chan; Gu Chan didn’t want to fail her own son.
…
Gu Family.
Da Zai and Er Zai dawdled finishing their bath. Gu Chenghuai thought after a whole tiring day, the two cubs should go to bed.
But the two little brothers didn’t.
The little bros changed into tank tops and shorts, feet in cloth shoes.
Da Zai hugged the clothes he, Er Zai, and the dragon-phoenix twins wore to the county. Er Zai carried his and his bro’s plastic sandals…
The two little friends were going to wash clothes in the yard.
Gu Chenghuai’s gaze swept over his two sons. “Now, washing clothes?”
“Yeah, Mom says do today’s things today.” Er Zai glanced at his dad, eyes seeming to say Gu Chenghuai was making a fuss.
Casually replying to biological dad.
He put the sandals aside, and with his bro lifted out the big wooden basin, using the gourd ladle to scoop water in one by one.
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