Chapter 83: “too Thorough”
“Daddy, I want to get out of the car!”
Seeing his good brother, Da Zai Er Zai immediately couldn’t sit still and asked Gu Chenghuai to let them get out of the car.
This small request, Gu Chenghuai naturally wouldn’t refuse. He stretched out his sturdy arm and easily lifted the two kids to the ground.
“Thank you, Daddy!”
The two little brothers politely thanked him, then dashed toward Tie Chui. The three little friends made a commotion, chasing each other as they ran home.
Children always have inexhaustible strength.
“These three get along so well, like biological brothers.” The usually stern and serious officer comrade became much softer at home, his speech unconsciously following his wife—he even started using cute words like ‘ones.’
Lin Zhao’s tolerance for Little Tie Chui was exceptionally high.
The little guy lived up to his reputation as a good brother. In the original book, he wholeheartedly helped the two kids, honest and silly, but loyal and righteous, a genuinely good child.
“Children’s affection is rare and precious. Let them be.”
Gu Chenghuai nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the three kids and two dogs ahead, his stern brows softening with warmth.
Ahead.
Da Zai ran fast, not forgetting to bend down and scoop up Amber. His two short legs pumped quickly, streaking toward home like smoke.
“Da Huang, hurry up!” Er Zai waved his arms, calling back.
Da Huang didn’t rush to chase, circling the female owner’s ladies’ bicycle a few times. His fluffy big tail spun like a propeller, his big head affectionately rubbing Lin Zhao’s leg, barking twice before joyfully chasing his little owner.
On the back seat of the ladies’ bicycle, the child seat was firmly fixed.
Si Zai sat inside, her little feet fidgeting anxiously, bobbing up and down.
She clutched Lin Zhao’s skirt, her little milky voice urgent, “Mommy, Da Huang! Da Huang!”
“You’re anxious too.” Lin Zhao chuckled, touching her daughter’s little face. “Don’t be anxious, we’ll be home soon.”
Si Zai repeated eagerly: “Anxious, anxious, I’m anxious~~”
“Zhaozhao, you all go ahead.” Gu Chenghuai propped one foot on the ground, turning his head to his wife. “I’ll go return the bicycle.”
“Don’t delay, come back early. Eldest Sister must be anxious to see you.” Lin Zhao reminded the man.
“Okay.” Gu Chenghuai replied briefly, pedaled his long legs, and the bike shot forward two meters.
The army-green figure sped along the dirt road, wheels kicking up fine dust, vanishing around the bend in an instant.
“Mommy, home.” Si Zai urged impatiently, her tone rising, soft and glutinous like freshly opened cotton candy.
San Zai obediently stayed in Mommy’s bosom, his fair and cute little face gently against Lin Zhao’s chest, eyes clear and bright, quiet and well-behaved like a doll.
Lin Zhao pedaled once with one foot, and the bicycle glided lightly forward.
She looked down at the quiet little son in her arms, her voice unconsciously softening: “Is San Zai anxious?”
San Zai blinked his eyes, his little appearance serious. “Mm.”
“Sister wants to play with Da Huang, what about you?” Lin Zhao asked with a smile.
“Memorize dictionary.” San Zai spoke clearly, his dark eyes filled with seriousness beyond his years.
Memorize… memorize dictionary?!
How to put it.
This answer completely caught Lin Zhao off guard.
Her pedaling leg paused, the bike coasting a few meters by inertia.
She tried to use words a little cub could understand, saying softly: “Little friends can’t stare at the dictionary all the time; it’s bad for the eyes and you’ll see things blurry later.”
“Did you understand?”
Lin Zhao suddenly felt a wave of tenderness in her heart.
Raising children was far harder than she imagined—especially when the little friend was smart enough that ordinary methods didn’t work.
It made her feel powerless.
And anxious.
Afraid of wasting this heaven-sent intelligence.
San Zai seemed to sense Mommy’s mood. His soft little face rubbed against Lin Zhao’s neck, his curled lashes brushing her skin, slightly ticklish yet making her heart melt involuntarily.
“Mm.” He puffed his little milk pouch, nodding seriously. “Eyes need rest, cub go play.”
“So smart.” Lin Zhao leaned down and kissed San Zai’s forehead.
San Zai froze for a moment, his little hand slowly touching the kissed spot, then his mouth curved into a small arc, eyes bending into little crescent moons, filled with sparkling light, looking at his mommy obediently and softly.
As they spoke, the bicycle stopped at the Gu Family courtyard door.
Bang Bang stepped forward, lifted Si Zai from the child seat, put the chubby little dumpling on the ground, and said to Lin Zhao: “Third Aunt, I’ll push the bike for you. Elder Aunt is inside the room.”
Lin Zhao handed him the bike, untied the cloth strap, and set San Zai down, squatting to rub her little son’s legs in case the blood didn’t circulate.
“Can you ride a bike?” She looked up at Bang Bang.
Bang Bang guessed something, his eyes lighting up instantly, looking at Third Aunt eagerly. “Not yet.”
Third Aunt meant what he was thinking, right?!
Look at his sincere big eyes!
“If you can’t, go learn.” Lin Zhao said.
If she didn’t say it, the Gu Family kids wouldn’t bring it up themselves.
“Thank you, Third Aunt.” Bang Bang jumped up happily.
Imagining riding in front of his classmates once he learned, he nearly let out an excited weird laugh.
No way around it; at his age, he loved showing off.
Lin Zhao waved it off, letting him fuss, and led the dragon-phoenix twins home.
Gu Family Courtyard.
The adults were all there.
Gu Chan and Wei Xiangdong sat in the corner, talking to Gu Mu.
Seeing Lin Zhao, Gu Chan stood to greet her. “Zhaozhao’s back.”
She came over to hug Si Zai, eyeing her little niece’s outfit, liking it more the more she looked.
Gu Chan’s face was full of smiles as she said: “Whose little girl is this, so pretty, even wearing a pink skirt.”
Si Zai remembered Elder Aunt.
The little clever one stayed softly in Gu Chan’s arms, understanding she was being praised. Her brows and eyes curved, she tilted her little head slightly, showing the hairpin fully to Elder Aunt, blinking her clear and pure big eyes with obvious expectation.
Gu Chan got it, praising: “Oh, and a pretty…”
She didn’t know what it was, so she trailed off.
Si Zai said in her milky childlike voice: “Hairpin.”
“Right, hairpin, so pretty, really pretty.” Gu Chan picked up, praising several times.
Si Zai happily swung her feet, her little voice full of delight. “Daddy gave it to cub.”
“Your daddy bought it?” Gu Chan was genuinely surprised. “Didn’t expect your daddy to have such taste. Sure enough, having a little cotton-padded jacket makes a difference.”
She knew her third brother too well; he was only attentive and thoughtful to Zhaozhao, thinking of everything, but rough with kids.
After praising her cute niece, she looked up, glanced toward the door, then quickly looked back, meeting Lin Zhao’s eyes. She said: “Zhaozhao, where’s Chenghuai?”
“Went to return the bicycle, back soon.” Lin Zhao answered.
“Mommy, the water’s ready, come wash up.” Er Zai called out.
The mom was particular, so the two kids had formed the habit of washing after sweating, even thoughtfully fetching water for their mom.
“Coming.” Lin Zhao said, smiling at Eldest Sister-in-law.
She walked to the side.
Da Zai held her towel in his hands, Er Zai held the face soap, even Tie Chui was roped in as manpower to wash faces and hands for San Zai and Si Zai.
So capable, not like kids just over five.
Too all-around; she as an adult had nothing to do.
“Thank you, Da Zai Er Zai and Little Tie Chui, you’re all so capable.” Lin Zhao cooed softly.
The three little friends were cooed into bliss, grinning and getting even more enthusiastic.
“Mommy, can you reward capable cubs with a fried dough twist? We’ll share.” Er Zai grabbed Lin Zhao’s skirt with his little hand, tilting his face up coquettishly.
“Didn’t you just eat not long ago, hungry again?” If her hands weren’t wet, Lin Zhao would have touched his little belly.
“My grandma says, half-grown lads eat up their dads. Brother and I and Tie Chui are half-grown lads, get hungry fast.” Er Zai argued convincingly.
Seemed nothing could stump him.
“You’re not quite that age yet.” Lin Zhao said smiling. “Besides, don’t worry, no matter how much you eat, you won’t eat up me and your daddy.”
The family savings were plump.
Just his daddy’s allowance passbook had nearly 4000 yuan, the task bonus passbook even more, not to mention the little yellow croaker her dad gave her.
Really not short of money.
“If you want to eat, go get it, grab some biscuits and soda too, share with Dog Dan and them.”
Er Zai hugged Lin Zhao tightly. “Mommy, you’re the best.”
Gu Chenghuai’s tall figure appeared at the door, spotting at a glance his second son hugging his wife.
He started wondering if tonight he could trick this clingy little guy into sleeping at his grandparents’ room.
Gu Chenghuai quickly looked away, his gaze landing on his biological sister and Wei Xiangdong, calling in a low voice: “Sis, Brother-in-law.”
He was very tall, straight as a pine, exceptionally handsome face, sword brows and starry eyes, outstanding and imposing.
Not the first time seeing him, but no matter how many times, it made Gu Chan feel proud from the heart.
“Chenghuai’s finally home. How’s it at the troops, all smooth?”
Gu Chenghuai smiled: “Mm, and Sis?”
“Sis is good, everything’s good.” Gu Chan’s smile deepened. Hearing her little brother speak, the initial strangeness vanished, leaving only closeness.
“How long staying back?” She asked again, pouring him a bowl of water.
Gu Chenghuai took it, drank a few sips to moisten his throat, steadily saying: “Over a month. Originally planned to visit you and Brother-in-law tomorrow, didn’t expect you came.”
He didn’t know yet that Lin Zhao had given Eldest Sister the gluing matchboxes job.
Thought Gu Chan returning to maternal family was coincidence.
“No need for you to make a special trip. Rest well when back, send word, I can come back that day, worst case half-day leave.”
Gu Chenghuai smiled, said nothing.
……
Lin Zhao washed off the road dust, twisted back to the room, and came out with ointment in hand.
She stood in the yard, calling to Er Zai: “Er Zai, come here, Mommy apply medicine for you.”
Applying diligently, the tooth mark on the little guy’s hand was no longer as ugly as when fresh, but not fully gone. Keep at it, hoping no trace left.
Er Zai was circled with brothers and sisters, excitedly playing with the tin frog, eating candy while playing, not even lifting his head.
Suddenly called, Er Zai’s little face fell, but he didn’t throw a tantrum.
Like a frog squatting there, he turned back, looking at Mommy pitifully, negotiating softly: “Can we do it tonight? I want to play.”
“Apply now, later I’ll give you something more fun.” Lin Zhao said smilingly.
Er Zai’s eyes lit up suddenly, bouncing up from the ground, running over pattering, full of expectation. “Mommy, what’re you giving me? For playing?”
“For playing.”
Lin Zhao had just agreed when a slender strong hand reached out, palm holding an unfamiliar ointment.
“Use this.” Gu Chenghuai said warmly. “I asked the doctor; Er Zai’s hand won’t scar.”
Though he didn’t know why Zhaozhao minded so much about Er Zai’s hand scarring, he still specially consulted the doctor.
Lin Zhao was slightly stunned, taking the ointment, somewhat puzzled: “The county hospital doctor said? Different from what the clinic doctor told me. I asked when buying medicine; he said based on my description, very likely to scar.”
Had she exaggerated?
But when Er Zai was just bitten, the tooth mark was bluish-purple with red blood streaks, didn’t look light.
Otherwise, how could she wish every day to draw scar removal ointment!?
Gu Chenghuai’s mouth curved slightly, gazing warmly at his wife.
“Because you cared, applied diligently, wound healed fast. County hospital doctor’s conclusion based on that—you took good care of Er Zai, thanks for the hard work.”
“Apply this ointment a few more days, no scar, don’t worry.”
He’d heard from Da Zai, when Er Zai was just bitten… the wound looked serious for a kid.
Heard Er Zai secretly cried like a little train, afraid Mommy laugh at him for not being brave, didn’t say ‘ouch’ in front of Zhaozhao, only whined to his brother.
Lin Zhao lowered her head to apply on Er Zai, feeling relieved upon hearing, smiling at the corners of her mouth.
Gu Commander sure knew how to talk.
She thought so too!
“There’s a wooden spinning top in the desk drawer inside, get it. Your son wants to play.”
Gu Chenghuai turned and went inside without a word.
Less than two minutes, his hand held a delicate wooden spinning top.
Shaped like an inverted cone, flat top sharp bottom, smooth rounded body, coated in rainbow-like circles of color, especially bright.
“You bought this top? Even colored, quite fancy.” He examined it, commenting casually.
Lin Zhao smiled without speaking.
Lucky draw got it, no choice.
Er Zai saw the top, stars seeming to sparkle in his eyes, urging impatiently: “Daddy, how to play this? Teach me.”
Gu Yucheng walked over, took the top from third brother, smiling: “I’ll teach you, let your daddy chat with your Eldest Aunt and them.”
Er Zai had no objections, hopping away with Second Uncle.
Lin Zhao worriedly instructed: “Wait till medicine dries before playing.”
“Got it.” Er Zai waved casually, his little back view dashing and carefree.
Da Zai seeing, volunteered: “Mommy, I’ll watch little brother.”
“Then trouble Da Zai.”
Lin Zhao then relaxed, sitting beside Gu Chenghuai.
Somehow, the man had a palm-leaf fan in hand, gently fanning, bringing wisps of coolness.
Gu Chan watching this scene was truly happy, her smile never fading.
“Zhaozhao, Xiangdong and I came today to deliver the glued matchboxes. The ones you sent last time, we finished gluing.”
“So fast?!” Lin Zhao was surprised.
Five hundred matchboxes, even skilled workers needed two or three days.
Eldest Sister-in-law first time gluing, finished so quick?!
“Did it overnight?” She frowned lightly.
Gu Chan, afraid Zhaozhao angry, explained quickly: “Just the first night stayed up, after that mornings and noons, didn’t glue much evenings. Xiangdong said it strains eyes.”
Lin Zhao didn’t want Eldest Sister-in-law harming her health, looking straight at her seriously: “Brother-in-law’s right, best not glue evenings, bad for body.”
“I know, just wanted to finish first job quick to hand in.” Gu Chan smiled.
After they finished, Gu Chenghuai spoke, his low voice with surprise: “What matchboxes?”
“Chenghuai doesn’t know?” Gu Chan’s tone rose puzzled, then smiling broadly: “Zhaozhao found gluing matchboxes work for your brother-in-law and me.”
Eldest Brother’s Wife and Second Sister-in-law sat nearby, she couldn’t mention earnings, just looked apologetically at sister-in-law.
Gu Chenghuai looked at his wife, touchedness flashing in his deep black eyes.
Lin Zhao casually said: “Sister Fen’s connections, she asked if I knew anyone willing, of course I said yes.”
Gu Chenghuai still felt Zhaozhao was thoughtful.
Gu Chan patted the cloth bag holding matchboxes. “Zhaozhao, the glued ones are here. Your brother-in-law and I checked, should be no rejects. Tomorrow help hand them back.”
“Okay.” Lin Zhao agreed.
Wei Xiangdong elbowed his wife, signaling the main point unsaid.
Gu Chan then remembered the forgotten item.
She got up, went aside, picked up the bamboo basket carried all the way, returned to Lin Zhao smiling: “Zhaozhao, inside two rabbits and one wild chicken, your brother-in-law caught at noon, take them.”
Originally planned maternal family tomorrow, these wild things prompted early return while fresh.
“No shortage of meat at home, Eldest Sister should keep for Two Stones.” Lin Zhao disapproved.
“They have some!” Gu Chan laughed. “Their dad hunts, how could they go hungry?”
“Family separated households, we moved out too. Meat easier now than before, don’t worry, won’t shortchange those two.”
