Chapter 94: “i’ll Teach You”
What shouldn’t be touched refers to that, those who know understand.
Lin Zhao responded and took the children inside.
Inside, it wasn’t as dirty and messy as imagined; it was unexpectedly tidy. Yes, tidy—this word described it without exaggeration.
Upon entering, there was a row of sheds, under which stood individual wooden racks taller than a person. On the wooden racks, various things were arranged in perfect order.
Clearly, everything before their eyes had already been carefully sorted.
Da Shitou looked around.
Under the wooden shed, the racks on the right were full of books.
He quickly walked over.
Bang Bang and the others also stepped forward.
Lin Zhao didn’t go over; she stood in the yard waiting quietly. “This is different from what I imagined.”
Because he had a chatty, socially adept comrade, Cheng Huai knew a bit about everything.
He said, “A while ago, the ‘National Economic and Social Development Plan’ was just issued. The country is implementing unified purchase and sales for all kinds of materials, including waste materials.”
“Scrap recycling is an important channel to supplement industrial raw materials, and detailed classification is also to serve production needs.”
Lin Zhao looked at Cheng Huai in surprise; it was hard to believe he paid attention to this.
His wife’s expression was too easy to read, so the man explained gently, “Sun Yeli said it.”
“That comrade in your dormitory?” Lin Zhao asked casually.
“Mm.” Cheng Huai didn’t say more.
He was a man who loved his wife and was strongly possessive; even when Zhaozhao mentioned another man, he had to mull it over in his heart.
So he subtly shifted the attention.
“Are you tired? Shall I find you a stool?”
As he spoke, he was about to go out and find that female comrade at the recycling station.
Lin Zhao grabbed his hand and shook her head. “No need, I don’t want to sit. Sitting for the movie for nearly two hours made my whole body ache; standing is just right.”
Cheng Huai worried his wife would go hungry and said, “Are you hungry? If so, eat a few pieces of peach crisp to tide you over?”
The peach crisps were ready-made ones Lin Zhao bought at the supply and marketing cooperative.
“Not hungry; we’ll eat when we get back. There’s spicy rabbit meat at home. I told Eldest Brother’s Wife the recipe word for word; she has good cooking skills, so it’ll definitely be delicious.” Lin Zhao was full of expectation.
Cheng Huai’s lips curved up involuntarily. “You like rabbit meat?”
“I do; our Da Zai and Er Zai like it too.” Who could forget that meal of rabbit meat at her maternal family—it was so tasty that the two kids had been talking about catching rabbits every day.
Lin Zhao couldn’t help telling the man, “Before you came back, once I took the twins back to my maternal family and we ate spicy rabbit meat; it made the two little friends so happy, and they’ve mentioned it several times.”
While she spoke, those deep black eyes stayed fixed on her, his gaze focused and affectionate.
“I’ll catch a few more another day,” he said.
Lin Zhao pinched the man’s arm and smiled brightly. “Then it’ll be hard work for Comrade Gu. I’ll make it myself then, guaranteeing it’s so delicious you’ll swallow your tongue.”
Anticipation showed on Cheng Huai’s face, his brows full of smiles.
“Everything you make is delicious; the spicy rabbit meat will surely be great too. I’m already looking forward to it. Then I’ll kill the rabbits and assist you; I’ll learn along the way. If one day you want to eat it but don’t want to cook, I can make it for you.”
He didn’t know many dishes, but they were all ones his wife liked.
Lin Zhao steered away from the children under the shed and rested her head against the man’s chest, her eyes curving in laughter. “Sure, I’ll teach you.”
Cheng Huai lowered his gaze to his wife’s hair whorl, his right arm around her waist, giving Lin Zhao support.
“Is your waist tired?” His voice was low and gentle.
Lin Zhao caught his implication and flushed, pinching the flesh at the man’s waist—only Cheng Huai’s waist and abs were taut muscle, impossible to pinch.
“Shut up!”
Cheng Huai looked innocent and indulgent. “…Okay.”
Lin Zhao ignored him and looked at the children, saying, “You have half an hour; we’ll go home after that.”
“Okay.”
The big friend and little friends immersed in the sea of books looked up briefly to respond, then continued seriously searching for books.
“Do you think… we can find treasure here?” Lin Zhao turned her head to look at Cheng Huai.
Cheng Huai raised a brow. “Like?”
“Gold bars or something.”
“…” Cheng Huai rubbed his brow, unable to hold back a laugh.
“How could that be?” he said helplessly. “Even without that female comrade outside, there couldn’t be gold bars here.”
No one was a fool.
Things sent here had gone through who knows how many hands; how could there be something good like gold bars?!
Lin Zhao also thought it impossible, but remembering in the original book how Bao Zhen casually found blue-and-white porcelain vases, gold bars, and calligraphy paintings, she wondered if there might be a surprise.
“Okay then.”
Cheng Huai somehow heard regret in her words; he stroked the top of his wife’s head, his smile gentle and tender. “If you like gold bars, I’ll figure out a way to get you some. Don’t think about picking up bargains here.”
What kind of place was this? A scrap recycling station.
Full of scrap!
Take their home as an example: when the broken pot lid at home was too worn to use, even Mom couldn’t bear to sell it as scrap. One could imagine what good things a scrap recycling station could have.
The most valuable were probably just those books.
And the books needed careful selection to pick useful ones.
“I have some.” Lin Zhao smiled mysteriously.
Cheng Huai thought for a moment, realization flashing in his eyes. “From your father-in-law?”
“Mm.”
A real man didn’t covet his wife’s good things. Cheng Huai smiled. “Keep them safe.”
He said, “Later, I’ll get you some too.”
Lin Zhao didn’t doubt the sincerity of his words; this man was willing to give her anything.
“Sure.”
Half an hour later.
Two big piles of books appeared before Lin Zhao and Cheng Huai— at least twenty books.
Da Shitou felt very embarrassed and was about to speak when Lin Zhao said, “Just these?”
Bang Bang said, “These first; too many and we can’t carry them.”
Hearing that, Lin Zhao knew there were more.
It was a rare trip, so she waved her hand, letting the children take as much as they wanted.
“Get everything you want; with me and your Third Uncle here, this is a piece of cake.”
The children’s eyes lit up, and they turned and ran back.
Even the dragon-phoenix twins joined in carrying books; the two little ones smiled, showing their baby teeth, so cute.
Lin Zhao squatted to look at the books on the ground.
Mechanical ones, medical books, famous people’s manuscripts and letters… the children knew how to pick; they chose all useful ones.
“Oh, there’s even a calligraphy copybook in running script; this handwriting is quite nice. What book to pick—you reminded them?” Lin Zhao looked up at Cheng Huai.
From Cheng Huai’s view, his wife squatting on the ground was still petite; her eyes curved, her smile more beautiful than anything in the world.
He squatted too, meeting Lin Zhao’s eyes levelly, his steady voice rising. “Just mentioned it briefly.”
Finally, he stacked the books and went to call the staff.
During this, the children brought over more books.
The female comrade dozing at the door came in and, seeing how many they’d picked, froze in place.
“So many?”
Lin Zhao looked over and asked puzzledly, “Is there a quantity limit?”
“No.” The staff said, taking a scale from a nearby basket.
The recycling station sold books by the jin; acquisition price was 5 fen per jin, selling price a bit more, 8 fen per jin.
After weighing, it was 63 jin, that is, 5 yuan and 4 fen.
Lin Zhao gave 6 fen, making it an even amount, and asked, “Do you have hemp rope?”
“Yes.” The female comrade took the money and walked toward the shed; soon she came back with hemp rope.
“Thanks.” Lin Zhao thanked her, took the hemp rope, and handed it to Cheng Huai. “You tie them; you’re the pro.”
“Of course it’s me.” Cheng Huai tidied the books on the ground a bit and tied them up deftly. At home, this kind of work was definitely his to do.
Da Shitou watched his Third Uncle in surprise.
Third Uncle was very different in front of Third Aunt.
Coming to the recycling station was Da Shitou’s idea, making Third Uncle and Third Aunt spend money; he felt bad and said proactively, “Third Uncle, Third Aunt, the money just now…”
As soon as he opened his mouth, Lin Zhao guessed what he meant and interrupted, “No need to be polite; your own uncle giving you some books—you can use them, that’s good.”
Cheng Huai glanced at his wife, then quickly looked at his eldest nephew and smiled. “Listen to your aunt.”
With both adults saying so, Da Shitou couldn’t refuse without seeming distant.
He blushed embarrassedly and thanked them. “Thanks, Third Uncle, Third Aunt.”
Lin Zhao smiled. “No need to take it to heart.”
Cheng Huai finished tying the books; the several young boys each took a bundle, and he took the most himself.
Lin Zhao said, “Give me some.”
“At home, how could I let you carry? You take San Zai and Si Zai.” Cheng Huai said firmly.
Only at times like this did he show his domineering side.
The dragon-phoenix twins sensibly went to hold Lin Zhao’s hands; their similar little faces showed matching smiles, like two glutinous rice dumplings.
Fine.
She’d take the kids then.
Lin Zhao helplessly held the dragon-phoenix twins’ hands and walked ahead; behind, Bang Bang and the others laughed out loud.
They should head back to the brigade; Song Yunjin needed to go home too. The youth’s face was full of reluctance; it was his first time watching a movie with so many people and coming to the recycling station for books—all novel experiences.
“Sis, I’ll head back first.”
As he spoke, he hugged Da Zai and Er Zai one by one, full of reluctance.
Song Yunjin chattered, “Da Zai, Er Zai, if you miss Uncle, have your mom bring you two to the county; Uncle will take you ice skating.”
He liked the dragon-phoenix twins too, but San Zai and Si Zai were young, feeling all soft and fluffy; he didn’t dare hold them too hard and didn’t know what to say to them.
Da Zai and Er Zai’s age was the most fun—full of energy, curious about everything, and they hit it off with him right away, so interesting.
Da Zai and Er Zai also liked this Uncle Yun Jin, who was about the same age as their little uncle; the two little friends nodded.
“Got it!” Er Zai’s voice was loud.
Da Zai said, “Wait till our house is built, Uncle can stay at the brigade; Er Zai and I will take you to catch cicada monkeys.”
Tie Dan reminded him, “Da Zai, by the time your house is built, the cicada monkeys will be long gone.”
Tie Chui grinned goofily, dismantling his brother’s point in a completely non-aggressive tone. “No cicada monkeys, we can take Uncle Yun Jin to catch something else.”
“…”
No matter what they caught, Song Yunjin accepted the intention and was unusually expectant; he waved to the Gu family members and left dashingly.
After parting with him, Lin Zhao and the others walked back to the village.
The children were all excited, as if they didn’t know fatigue, hopping and skipping along.
“Da Zai, Er Zai, you’ve come to the county several times; if I let you two go back alone, would you know the way?” Lai Mei was also carrying books, swinging them lightly, asking the beaming twins.
“Of course! Just walk it once, and we remember!” Er Zai didn’t slow his short legs at all.
Who was he? He was Mom’s son, a super smart little friend—definitely knew the way.
“Why are you walking so fast?” Lai Mei looked at Er Zai’s little short legs, annoyed.
“Mom said Eldest Uncle’s Wife will make spicy rabbit meat.” The gluttonous Er Zai swallowed saliva and finally gave Lai Mei a look. “Brother Lai Mei, have you eaten spicy rabbit meat?”
His expression was so readable.
Lai Mei could imagine how delicious the spicy rabbit meat was just looking at his face.
“No, is it good?”
Their conversation reached the others’ ears; Bang Bang and the rest quickened their steps and gathered around.
“So good.” Er Zai licked his lips, eyes sparkling. “Spicy and numbing, delicious, but… sigh.”
“Mom says little friends can’t eat too much; too much hurts the stomach.”
Tie Dan asked, “Little friends can’t eat much; can big friends like me eat more?”
He was only two years older than the twins; for a bite of meat, he tried to rank himself with the big friends.
Er Zai didn’t know. “Mom, can Brother Tie Dan eat more?”
“No.” Lin Zhao’s lips curved in a smile. “I had Eldest Uncle’s Wife make some not-so-spicy too; you can eat that—still very delicious.”
Kids’ stomachs were weak; best not to eat too spicy.
Er Zai didn’t doubt it was delicious—meat, how could it not be.
“Mom, can Brother and I have one more piece of the spicy one?” The little friend could taste that the spicy was even better; he wanted spicy, so he negotiated with Mom in advance, thumb and pinky together.
One more piece was fine; Lin Zhao nodded. “Yes.”
Er Zai grinned at his brother. “Bro, we can have one more spicy piece!”
“Mm, I heard.”
Thinking of meat to eat, the children’s legs had more strength; they walked home with the wind at their feet.
…
A little after six, just as the little friends started feeling tired, they finally saw the familiar village entrance.
Da Huang with its glossy fur waited at the village entrance, beside it the lively little Amber.
“Da Huang!” Da Zai spotted the two dogs from afar; his voice was louder than usual, and he ran ahead excitedly.
Er Zai followed his brother.
“Da Huang, Amber, we’re back!”
As he spoke, Da Huang rushed over, circling its little masters, big tongue licking them, tail spinning like a propeller, barking now and then, as if asking ‘why are you back so late.’
Seeing the books in the little masters’ hands, it bit one with its mouth and walked forward wagging its tail.
After a few steps, it stopped, waiting for Lin Zhao and the others.
“Mom, Da Huang is helping me and Bro carry stuff!” Er Zai said excitedly.
The twins were still young; their biological father wouldn’t disregard their bodies. The brothers’ books weren’t many; better to carry them.
Lin Zhao pretended to be surprised. “I saw. Da Huang is such a good helper!”
She’d discovered a few days ago that her family’s Da Huang was very capable.
Da Zai patted Da Huang’s head, face full of smiles. “Da Huang, you’re such a good helper.”
As if knowing it was praised, Da Huang barked.
Da Zai turned to Lin Zhao. “Mom, Da Huang is replying to me!”
Lin Zhao smiled.
Er Zai clapped, proud. “Our family’s Da Huang… is the smartest dog in the whole commune.”
Amber was unconvinced; its short, round body stood up, front paws on Er Zai’s leg, barking.
“Er Zai, Amber is unhappy, hahaha.” Tie Chui giggled.
Er Zai hurriedly picked up Amber, rubbing his face against the puppy’s legs. “Amber is smart too, the smartest little puppy.”
Amber licked its little master vigorously.
Chatting and laughing, the group entered the village.
The villagers had finished dinner; some were chatting outside.
Seeing the Gu family kids with flushed faces, they greeted them.
“You finished the movie; was it good?”
“What’s the county movie theater like?”
…
Yes, the entire brigade knew that the Gu Family’s Third Branch couple had taken their nephew and others to the county to watch a movie!
Er Zai dashed to the front like an arrow, little chest puffed high, just like a triumphant little rooster.
“So good! It’s about a heroic woman pilot!”
As he spoke, he spread his arms and ran a wobbly flight path down the dirt road “whoosh whoosh,” sandals kicking up dust.
Da Zai not to be outdone added, “That screen was as wide as a room!”
“Right, super big!” Tie Chui spread his arms, proud. “My good brother Da Zai will fly iron birds too someday!”
Da Zai blushed shyly.
Er Zai’s stomach growled; feeling hungry, he said, “Not now, we haven’t eaten yet. I’ll tell you after dinner.”
“Your parents didn’t take you to eat in the county!” an adult teased.
“The state-run restaurant was closed.” Er Zai said loudly.
Next moment, his little face grinned. “We have spicy rabbit meat at home today; I love eating bunny!”
The people enjoying the cool: “…”
Who didn’t like meat? They did too.
Wait, the Gu family eating meat again?!
No wonder that aroma in the afternoon was killing.
“Er Zai, did your dad catch the rabbit?” Brigade Leader’s Wife couldn’t help asking curiously.
“No, Uncle sent it.” Er Zai made a V-sign. “Two of them.”
With that, unable to hold back his meat craving, he hopped home.
Entering home, he saw Gu Lan and Yu Yu.
Like a little firecracker, he rushed over. “Sister Alan, Yu Yu, we’re back.”
The little friend looked at Sister Alan and Sister Yu Yu regretfully. “The movie was so good; too bad you didn’t go.”
Gu Lan felt regret too, but no way around it; she had something more important than watching a movie.
“It’s okay; after dinner, tell me about it. Hearing Er Zai tell it is almost as good as seeing it; you tell it interestingly.” Gu Lan’s delicate face smiled.
Er Zai was greatly encouraged, grinning. “Of course; I’m the best at telling stories! Mom says in storytelling, I take after Grandfather!”
He really talked a lot; once started, he wouldn’t stop.
“Sister Alan, do you know my grandfather? He’s super awesome, knows every story. Do you know Great Sage Sun? Grandfather tells it too.”
“My grandmother is awesome too; she can punch a wild boar to death.”
It wasn’t the first time Gu Lan heard this, but she listened patiently to her little brother, showing surprise now and then.
“Really? Your grandfather and grandmother are both amazing; no wonder Third Aunt is so capable.”
Lin Zhao entered and heard Er Zai boasting about his parents.
“Cheng Huai, your son is such a chatterbox,” she said.
Cheng Huai nodded, fully agreeing. “Very much so.”
He could go on forever; who knew where he got so many words.
As a mom, she thought her kid was perfect everywhere; she changed tone. “Being so open and frank is great.”
“Mm.”
Da Shitou heard the exchange and was speechless.
Third Uncle was so different from what he thought.
Extra 1k~
