Chapter 58: “good News”
“So money-obsessed?” Lin Zhao walked into the kitchen, talking to Da Zai and Er Zai through the window.
In the yard, Si Zai was chasing Da Huang’s tail everywhere, while San Zai squatted in the corner, drawing with a branch, able to stay alone for half a day.
Er Zai burst out laughing, accepting his mom’s evaluation, and even feeling proud.
“Yeah, I’m a money grubber, Tie Niu, Yuan Bao, Tie Chui, Da Zhuang…”
He listed a string of names.
“We’re all money grubbers.”
Finally, his tone turned old-mannish, “Having money is good, with money you can buy meat and candy, buy new clothes.”
Even at this time, he didn’t forget to flatter: “And buy skirts for Mom, buy a hundred of them.”
A hundred was a lot to him!
Da Zai looked at his younger brother seriously, “Er Zai, buying a skirt for Mom is my goal, why are you competing with me, you buy something else.”
He was so angry, unusually not yielding to Er Zai, and said loudly: “I’ll buy Mom an airplane’s worth of skirts.”
Er Zai felt a bit aggrieved too, saying: “…But Mom likes skirts the most, I don’t know what else to buy?”
Lin Zhao hesitated.
Did she like skirts the most? She didn’t even know.
Da Zai wavered.
He frowned in distress, propping his arms on the windowsill, jumping up hard, half his body stretching in.
“Mom, besides skirts, is there anything else you like most?”
Wait a minute.
Lin Zhao’s expression was a bit subtle, “Who told you I like skirts the most?”
Da Zai carefully glanced at his mom and said: “Aunt said so.”
Of course not just that one sentence, he didn’t remember the others.
“Doesn’t Mom like skirts?”
Lin Zhao figured Gu Xing’er definitely wasn’t just talking about skirts, probably using skirts to curse her.
The thought flashed in her mind and she tossed it aside.
Irrelevant people, why care.
“It’s not that I don’t like them, but they’re not my favorite.”
“Then what does Mom like most?” Da Zai stuck out his little buttocks, keeping the pose of stretching his body inward.
Er Zai nearby imitated him.
Two identical faces looked at Lin Zhao eagerly.
What could Lin Zhao say? She had a flash of inspiration and said: “I like myself the most.”
Da Zai and Er Zai had no objections.
They thought it should be that way.
Lin Zhao glanced at the two little brothers’ expressions with her peripheral vision, seeing them both nodding, and felt quite surprised.
She thought the two kids would be disappointed.
Da Zai smiled at his mom, happily saying: “I’m like Mom, I like Mom the most too.”
Lin Zhao believed this.
A little friend’s world is so small, Mom weighs the heaviest.
Er Zai also said: “I like Mom the most too, more than liking White Rabbit Toffee.”
“…Thanks.” Lin Zhao thanked insincerely.
“No need to thank, so what’s Mom’s second favorite?” Er Zai continued asking, his eyes full of expectation, burning with flames.
Lin Zhao said warmly: “Of course it’s your dad.”
Without their dad, where would the four kids come from, right.
Hearing this, the two kids felt the treasure in their hearts shatter again and again, the light in their eyes suddenly vanishing, adding some sadness.
“Why?” Er Zai asked in shock.
“What why.” Lin Zhao was amused and helpless, Comrade Gu Chenghuai hadn’t done anything, how did he upset the two kids like this.
Er Zai still couldn’t accept it, not daring to believe, “Why does Mom like Dad second?”
“Your dad is my husband, it’s perfectly reasonable for me to like him, why can’t I?” Lin Zhao smiled and asked back, her hands not stopping, lifting the pot lid and putting small wontons into the pot.
“Dad doesn’t help Mom with work, why does he get second place, my brother and I didn’t even get second.” Er Zai complained aggrievedly, dragging out his tone, “Mom, don’t, move Dad down and put me up, I’m Er Zai, I should rank second.”
Before Lin Zhao could respond, Da Zai argued reasonably, “Er Zai, I’m older than you, second place should be mine.”
Er Zai thought his brother made sense, pouting, muffled: “…Okay, then I’ll be third, no one will fight me for third.”
The two little friends ranked themselves in Mom’s heart, both satisfied, happy enough that their invisible tails behind their buttocks were wagging wildly.
Lin Zhao was speechless.
Fine.
As long as you two brothers are happy.
The topic passed just like that.
The two kids slid down from the windowsill, patted the dirt off their clothes and pants, and ran into the kitchen clatter clatter.
“Mom, we’ll help you watch the fire.” The two little brothers said in unison.
Lin Zhao didn’t stop them.
Not long after the water boiled.
She said: “Almost done.”
“So fast!” Er Zai blurted out.
“Because they’re small wontons, very thin skin, one bite each.” Lin Zhao said.
The wontons were drawn last night before bed.
Considered a noodle food big gift package.
Small wontons, large wontons, steamed buns, flower rolls, pot helmets, sesame cakes, brown sugar steamed cakes…
Good thing they got 200 points from the family photo earlier.
Closer to the 500-point lucky draw.
“Small wontons?” Er Zai tiptoed to look, seeing the steaming misty bowl, mist floating as the small wontons’ shape reflected in his pupils, “Mom, I haven’t eaten small wontons, are they good?”
“Delicious, with noodle and meat, how could they not be.” Lin Zhao quickly served the small wontons and carried them to the yard.
The dragon-phoenix twins were still small, needed care, she mashed the meat and dough skin, making sure it was cool before letting the two little ones eat by themselves.
Things from lucky draws were always good quality, the small wontons tasted great, the family ate happily and satisfied.
After eating, Da Zai went to wash dishes, Er Zai wanted to follow to help, but was stopped by Lin Zhao.
“Er Zai wait, let me check your hand.”
Er Zai turned back, walked to Lin Zhao, stretched out both hands, “Check what?”
Lin Zhao ignored him, carefully looking at the tooth mark on his hand.
After a night, the little tooth mark hadn’t faded, and it still looked a bit swollen, with dark blue bruises.
“Bitten really hard.” Lin Zhao frowned tightly, feeling impatient even at the mention of Lu Baozhen.
What grudge what resentment, so ruthless at such a young age, her values twisted who knows where!
“Stay away from Lu Baozhen from now on.”
Er Zai nodded obediently, not forgetting to explain: “We already are, my brother and I run when we see Lu Baozhen, Tie Chui runs when he sees us run. None of us play with Lu Baozhen.”
Lin Zhao’s expression paused slightly.
Not wanting her son to become a bully who torments the weak, words about to come out turned twice at her lips, after weighing, she said warmly: “Tie Chui learning from you is one thing, you three good ones can share pants, but others…”
She placed her hands on Er Zai’s shoulders, full of seriousness, “If other little friends play with Lu Baozhen, don’t sabotage it.”
Er Zai grinned, “My brother already said.”
“My brother said little friends can’t be too domineering. And if I target Lu Baozhen, I’m a bad little friend, Mom won’t like it.”
At this point, his smile faded, puzzled: “Mom, I don’t have needles, why does brother say I’m targeting Lu Baozhen with one?”
“Pfft—” Lin Zhao burst out laughing.
Er Zai looked at her accusingly.
His voice wavy.
“Mom~~~” He called resentfully.
“Targeting doesn’t mean holding a needle at someone, targeting means deliberately picking on one person…” Lin Zhao explained holding back laughter.
If he didn’t listen well again, there’d be more chances for jokes.
After speaking, she went back to the room for ointment, shoulders shrugging.
Er Zai’s expression more resentful.
Feeling he’d lost face, while Lin Zhao applied the ointment, his little brain spun fast, forcibly saving face, “I know what targeting means, I was just teasing Mom to make you happy.”
Lin Zhao didn’t expose him, pretending surprise, “Oh really.”
“Yeah yeah, that’s it.” Er Zai emphasized.
Seeing the ointment on his hand, he frowned, “Mom, I don’t like applying medicine, can’t do anything with it on.”
“What do you still want to do?” Lin Zhao glared, “Rest it well, don’t dig everything with your hands.”
Er Zai’s sitting posture instantly straightened, obediently: “Got it.”
At this time, Da Zai came out of the kitchen.
“Mom, dishes are clean.”
“So capable.” Lin Zhao praised, to Er Zai: “Er Zai, this morning your brother washes dishes, at noon you do.”
Er Zai never shirked work, “Okay!”
“Woof…” Da Huang suddenly barked.
A clever-eyed little boy stood at the door.
“Tie Niu!” Er Zai shouted running to the door, not forgetting to say to Da Huang: “Da Huang, this is my good buddy, an acquaintance.”
Da Huang knew Tie Niu, barked once to remind the owner, then lay in his luxury wooden kennel closing eyes to rest.
Lin Zhao had already gone back to the room to get the camera.
“Where does Tie Niu want to take the photo?” She asked softly.
Tie Niu had thought long ago, “Under the big banyan tree.”
Fine.
Lin Zhao had no objection, “Let’s go.”
The group went out to under the big banyan tree, and upon arrival, found it full of people.
Unlike usual, not just aunts and big sisters, but also grandpas and uncles. Plus a row of young lads, hair washed, combed neatly, wearing clothes with fewest patches, unusually no dirt on bodies, no mud on faces.
“…What’s this?” Lin Zhao asked surprised.
Brigade Leader’s Wife occupied the best spot, ensuring she’d be in the photo.
She smiled: “Oh, you take yours, ignore us.”
What, just me taking mine!
Lin Zhao’s speechless expression was huge.
She stared at the front row people, staring at each over two seconds.
Those specially noticed by her showed brilliant smiles, buttocks not moving an inch, so calm, overly calm.
Joking!
Knowing photos were being taken here, they hurried over, even washing hair instantly before coming, didn’t some have half-wet hair!
Yuan Bao didn’t get in his photo, must get in Tie Niu’s.
Photos are expensive, better buy meat with that money, they couldn’t bear to spend, so came to mooch luck.
Tie Niu: “…”
Lin Zhao withdrew her gaze, to Tie Niu, “Tie Niu, do you want… so many people behind you in the photo?”
Tie Niu looked over.
A sea of people, some he couldn’t even name, they looked at him fervently, scaring the kid into a shiver, almost blurting “Grandpa, human traffickers want to kidnap Niu’er” in a broken voice.
Barely remembering this was in the brigade.
“…I want to be alone.” Tie Niu said.
Grandpa said it costs money, must take the best one.
He glanced at the people under the big banyan tree, full of reluctance, “Too many people, I want to stand out.”
Hearing this, people under the big banyan tree started showing off skills.
A uncle with dog-chewed short hair stepped forward, pulling out a palm-sized pink embroidered ball from somewhere, tying it to Tie Niu’s chest.
“Oh wanting to stand out is easy, tie you a red ball, guarantee you’re the most eye-catching.”
He stretched rough hands, warmly rubbing Tie Niu’s head: “Niu, any other requests say it, want to climb the banyan tree top, uncle will help…”
Tie Niu touched the embroidered ball, flattered.
Another tall grandpa stepped out, without a word lifted Tie Niu onto his neck, “This eye-catching enough? Grandpa carrying you.”
Tie Niu hadn’t reacted, his view changed, the little friend looked confused.
“These people!” The aunts saw these big men break their word, surprisingly crowding forward to surround Tie Niu.
An eldest sister even held out a broken-and-retied red hair tie, “Tie Niu, Aunt will tie you a chirp chirp, tie a chirp chirp guarantee you stand out.”
Tie Niu’s expression terrified, quickly dodging, “I don’t want it, I don’t want girl hair ties.”
“Hahahahaha…” Da Zai, Er Zai, and Tie Chui laughed loudly.
Tie Niu heard his little pals laughing, face flushed red with shame.
“Ka-da!” A sound.
“Done.” Lin Zhao put away the camera, calmly said.
This one free, just felt it had life, so pressed the shutter.
Hearing the “ka-da”, everyone turned to look at Lin Zhao.
All knew Chenghuai’s Wife wasn’t to be trifled with, didn’t dare complain loudly, muttering under breaths, all sorts of things.
“Ah? Already done? I didn’t even fix my hair.”
“Me too, my collar is crooked.”
“I’m worse, just blocked, tiptoeing couldn’t see Da Zai’s Mom, I couldn’t see her, camera definitely didn’t get me, sigh, first photo of my life, opportunity missed.”
…
Several people annoyed thumped thighs.
Hearing about this, Brigade Leader hurried over, seeing his grandson’s dead-fish face, what wasn’t clear.
“No wonder you worked so nimbly today, minds all here! What’s it your business, go go go.” Brigade Leader irritably shooed them.
Brigade members knew they were in the wrong, awkward smiles, quickly left.
In a few breaths, people under the banyan tree vanished clean.
Brigade Leader knew Lin Zhao had bad temper, busily explained: “Village folks never taken photos in life, wanted to mooch a face, sorry for the laugh.”
“Nothing.” Lin Zhao casually replied, gestured to Tie Niu to stand under the tree, “Tie Niu, you can go stand now.”
Gloomy Tie Niu instantly cheered up, bouncing to under the banyan tree, stood well, face blooming brilliant smile.
“Ka-da!” A sound.
“Done.”
Tie Niu politely thanked: “Thank you Aunt Lin.”
“No need.” Your Brigade Leader Grandfather pays, Lin Zhao added in her heart.
After Tie Niu’s photo, Lin Zhao had Da Zai and Er Zai take care of little brother and sister, she went straight to Gu Family Old House.
When she arrived, Gu Mu was directing Gu Da Sao and Gu Er Sao to clear a room.
“Third Son’s Wife is here, you stay a bit farther, too much dust, don’t dirty your clothes.”
The room they were clearing was originally third branch’s, that is Gu Chenghuai and Lin Zhao’s wedding room, after separating households Lin Zhao insisted on living alone, now Gu Qingzhou lived there.
“Clearing room for what?” Lin Zhao just asked, Gu Lan moved the best stool to Third Aunt.
Lin Zhao sat, didn’t offer help, watched from afar.
Gu Family three women didn’t think anything of it, Third Son’s Wife loved cleanliness and beauty, wouldn’t touch such dirty work, they all knew.
“First move things out, tidy later.” Gu Mu instructed the two daughters-in-law in the room, explained to Lin Zhao: “Cleared for you and the four kids, aren’t you building house? Thought about it, still think you and four kids better live at home.”
Finally, not forgetting to confirm: “Okay?”
Living in old house convenient indeed, Lin Zhao nodded, “Sure.”
“When planning to move?” Gu Mu pursued.
“After lunch.” Supply and Marketing Cooperative work only one day off a week, tomorrow go to work, after work no mind for other things, just want to lie down.
“Okay.” Gu Mu replied, to Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang: “Eldest Daughter-in-law, Second Daughter-in-law, after eating take Eldest Son and Second Son to help. Third not home, family must help more.”
Huang Xiulan smiled: “No need to say, helping out, after meal we’ll go.”
“No rush, I have business with Eldest Sister at noon, probably going out.” Lin Zhao tone light.
“Achan?” Gu Mu showed hesitation.
“Yeah.”
“You find Achan…” Gu Mu wanted to say something but stopped.
Lin Zhao drank cool boiled water poured by Gu Lan, casually: “Not bad thing.”
So no need to be so nervous.
“What good thing?” Gu Mu racked her brains, couldn’t think what good thing Third Son’s Wife finding Achan would be.
Treasured Ones, bow!
Extra from monthly ticket promise, definitely make up this weekend.
Thanks everyone’s monthly ticket support, extra though late will arrive, quality no watering down.
