Chapter 54: “received”
“I want to take a photo with Da Huang under the Big Banyan Tree, okay?” Yuan Bao’s face was beaming with a brilliant smile, politely asking.
“Okay.” Lin Zhao’s gaze was gentle.
Several people walked to the Big Banyan Tree.
Yuan Bao straightened his Patched Clothes, called Da Huang, and stood under the tree.
The little friend was taking a photo for the first time, inevitably flustered and at a loss, not knowing where to look, his whole body radiating awkwardness and tension.
“Don’t be nervous, look here, it’ll be done soon.” Lin Zhao said with a smile.
Yuan Bao still smiled awkwardly, his facial features each harboring their own thoughts.
Lin Zhao spoke up to guide him, “You can pet Da Huang and play with him.”
She wasn’t in a hurry, waiting patiently for the little friend to relax.
The photographer neither disliked nor rushed him, so Yuan Bao gradually became less tense, followed Aunt Lin’s suggestion, and began interacting with Da Huang.
Seeing the child’s face bloom with a natural, innocent smile, Lin Zhao called out: “Yuan Bao, look here.”
He looked over, the smile still on his lips.
Click.
“Done.”
Yuan Bao ran over and thanked Lin Zhao, “Thank you, Aunt Lin.”
“No need to thank.”
Er Zai picked up Amber, looked up at Lin Zhao, “Mom, can I hold Amber and take a group photo with Yuan Bao?”
“Okay, does Da Zai want one?” Lin Zhao turned to ask Da Zai.
“Yes.”
Several little friends stood under the banyan tree.
Yuan Bao stood in the middle, Er Zai draped his right arm over his shoulder, held Amber with his left arm, Da Zai stood on Yuan Bao’s other side, his lips slightly curved, eyes bright and spirited.
Lin Zhao really liked the children’s vibrant and energetic appearance, which made people see hope.
She quickly pressed the shutter, capturing the little friends’ smiles.
The commotion here caught the attention of passersby, who gathered around.
“Chenghuai’s Wife, what are you doing?!” Wang Chunhua asked curiously.
Er Zai raised a smiling face and said loudly: “My mom is taking photos for us.”
“Taking photos?” Wang Chunhua’s tone rose in surprise, “Don’t you have to go to the county for photos? Can you take them with that black thing?”
“This isn’t a black thing, it’s a camera.” Lin Zhao explained with a smile.
Wang Chunhua exclaimed in shock, “A camera? Don’t only photo studios have cameras? Can individuals buy them too?”
“Yes, as long as you have money and coupons, you can buy one.”
Wang Chunhua gasped.
It really was bought, probably several hundred yuan.
Da Zai’s mom just bought a watch and a bicycle, and now a camera too. Chenghuai’s allowance must have been spent clean.
Looking again at the clothes on the four cubs, not even a patch, they looked grand at first glance, never seen them worn before, probably new too.
Heavens, how much did this cost!!
Er Zai shook Lin Zhao’s hand, big eyes looking at her, “Mom, I still want to take a group photo with Grandpa, Grandma, and Tie Chui. Can we go to the old house?”
“Okay.” Lin Zhao, immersed in her electronic gadget, agreed without thinking.
She was addicted to taking photos now, wishing to snap everything under the sun, even the production team’s pigs.
“Let’s go to the old house.” Lin Zhao raised her arm, and the four cubs and two dogs sped forward.
Villagers saw the four cubs wearing new clothes again, military green new clothes at that, both adults and children envious in waves.
The clueless little rascals hung on their parents wailing.
“I want the twins’ clothes too, Mom buy them for me, the twins have little green satchels and green military uniforms, I want them too waaah.”
Where would his parents get the money and coupons, they smacked his buttocks twice in anger.
“I’ll give you what you want! I’ll give you what you want! You think money grows on trees, you clueless brat, get home now!”
After a scolding, grabbed his ears and dragged him home.
Lin Zhao didn’t know about this.
She brought the cubs to the Gu Family.
Er Zai rushed in first, Da Huang following behind.
“Grandpa! Grandma! Tie Chui!” Er Zai shouted loudly, “Come out quick, my mom is taking photos for us.”
Tie Chui was Da Zai and Er Zai’s good brother, the twins just needed to call once and he’d appear immediately.
A little friend rushed out from the backyard.
“Er Zai what did you say, what photos?”
Er Zai knew cameras were expensive, never asked to touch or hold it, just pointed, “The one in my mom’s hand is the camera, it can take photos for us.”
Tie Chui looked up sharply at Lin Zhao.
Lin Zhao shook the camera in her hand, “Yes, for you all to take photos, I have new film, today anyone in the family who wants can take one.”
Er Zai shouted this out loud, and all the Gu Family Members heard it.
Gu Mu was helped out by Gu Fu.
“Third Son’s Wife, you’re taking photos for everyone?” she confirmed.
“Yes.”
With confirmation, Gu Mu patted Gu Fu’s arm, “Let go, we’re taking photos, I need to change into clothes with the fewest patches. You hurry too, don’t delay, it’ll be dark soon.”
“Take it slow.” Gu Fu’s helpless voice rose.
The old couple went inside, and people in the yard could still hear them bickering.
“I’m fine, that injury healed long ago, don’t nag, don’t hold me back. Half a lifetime with you and never had a photo, finally daughter-in-law is willing to help, don’t make me miss it.” Gu Mu grumbled irritably.
Gu Fu helpless, cried injustice, “I told you to go, you wouldn’t spend the money.”
“It sure is expensive, heard one photo costs nearly a yuan, that’s enough for several meat meals.” Gu Mu thought taking photos really burned money.
Directing the old man, she started looking for clothes.
These days few people had clothes without patches, fabric was limited, kids took turns getting new clothes, adults just layered patches.
The most decent clothes she found still had two patches, luckily on the elbows, not too obvious.
Gu Fu rarely took something seriously, dug out Third Son’s old gray short-sleeve.
“This’ll do.”
Other Gu Family members also changed into their most decent clothes.
Da Zai saw the big patch on Tie Chui’s chest and offered: “Tie Chui, when you take yours alone, wear my clothes.”
The twins’ clothes, even in the city lots of kids would want them, naturally no village kid wouldn’t want, even just trying on, having once owned it, that made one happy.
“Can I?” Tie Chui’s dirty face lit up.
Da Zai nodded, “Yes.”
Tie Chui grinned, looking simple and honest, “Thanks Da Zai.”
“No need, we’re good brothers.” Da Zai said seriously.
Tie Chui shoulder to shoulder with Da Zai, “When I bring back raspberries from Grandma’s house, all for you.”
“We eat together.” Da Zai wasn’t greedy, he liked sharing with family.
“Okay.”
With light still good, Lin Zhao started taking photos for the Gu Family.
Each took turns standing in the yard, yellow mud house behind, corn cobs hanging under the eaves, clothesline on one side with a few clothes, Da Huang and Amber curled in a corner, just in frame.
Solo shots.
Group shots.
Lin Zhao was busy and delighted.
The Old Gu Family was full of joy, like New Year.
“Thanks Third Sister-in-law.” Huang Xiulan called warmly.
She held Gu Lan’s hand, full of heartache, “This is Alan’s first photo, I’ve long wanted to take her for one, but never had the chance.”
“The camera is the family’s, from now on one each year, when kids grow up they can see what they looked like small.” Lin Zhao smiled.
This was also her original intention.
“The camera… was… bought?” Gu Mu’s face full of shock.
Remembering Third Son’s Wife had a bad temper, quick to sour face especially if taught how to do things, quickly changed: “Good to buy, family needs it.”
Words slipped out without thinking, but heart bled.
Bicycle + watch + camera… that’s nearly five hundred!
Gu Mu wanted to advise but didn’t know how.
Old man’s constant “separate households” three words suddenly rang in ears.
Gu Mu suddenly calmed.
…Whatever, never mind.
Couldn’t control anyway.
“Third Son’s Wife, tell me how much photos cost, can’t let you pay all.”
“Mom’s right, I want Sister-in-law to wash several photos for Yu Yu too, does cost money.” Zhao Liuniang followed up.
Huang Xiulan nodded too.
In front of the kids, she had to set example, not let them develop cheapskate habits.
Lin Zhao agreed.
Lai Mei walked to Zhao Liuniang’s side, cheekily pinched Yu Yu’s cheek, asked her mom wistfully: “Me and brother only have one?”
Yu Yu pulled down brother’s hand, opened mouth and chomped, leaving a wet shallow tooth mark.
“Bad brother.”
Lai Mei disgustedly ewwed, “Little dirty kid.”
Yu Yu knew he was disliked, angrily kicked his brother, lost balance, wobbled about to fall, steadied by Zhao Liuniang.
“Gu Lai Mei!” Zhao Liuniang wanted to hit the kid, raised hand, “How old are you, how old is Yu Yu.”
“Who’s Gu Lai Mei! I unilaterally renamed, now I’m Gu Bawang!” Lai Mei fearlessly declared, bolted to run.
At that moment, click.
The little boy startled, left foot tripped right, splat fell, ignored it, turned back to the click’s direction, saw Third Aunt just putting away camera.
He made a bitter face.
“Third Aunt.” Lai Mei looked aggrieved, “Why’d you capture me getting hit, seeing it later will lose so much face.”
He got up, patted dirt off pants, sighed.
“It’s cute, so lively.” Lin Zhao put the camera in her bag, tone certain, “When you grow up you’ll cherish these times, this photo will be your absolute favorite.”
At the moment, Lai Mei was half believing half doubting.
The future, time would tell.
Time past five pm.
Lin Zhao called the four cubs, “Time to go home, not hungry yet?”
“Hungry hungry, starving flat, Mom what we eating today?” Er Zai pulled San Zai over.
Da Zai pulled sister behind.
“Anything’s fine, what do you want?” Lin Zhao asked.
Er Zai said: “I want noodle dough soup, best with meat.”
Don’t see Si Zai small, she craved meat too, hearing second brother’s words, parroted: “Meat! Meat!”
Lin Zhao gave the camera bag to Da Zai, bent to pick up daughter, smiled: “Si Zai speaks clearly now, not lisping.”
Gently coaxed: “Open mouth, let Mom see if those coming teeth grew.”
Si Zai opened wide, showed tender gums, several new teeth.
Little milk baby opened mouth and saliva flowed.
Lin Zhao quickly wiped, “Growing so fast.”
Si Zai pressed soft little face to her neck, nuzzled, smiled milky.
“Then noodle dough soup it is.” Lin Zhao agreed.
Then to Gu Fu and Gu Mu: “Dad, Mom, tomorrow I’m off, let’s talk building house.”
Gu Fu nodded, “Yes, time to prepare.”
With that settled, Lin Zhao took four cubs home, two dogs followed like guardians.
No sooner home five minutes, Brigade Leader came with grandson Tie Niu.
“Brigade Leader Grandfather, Tie Niu?!” Er Zai surprised at their arrival.
Hearing, Lin Zhao came out kitchen, gaze puzzled at Brigade Leader.
Before she spoke, Brigade Leader nervously rubbed hands, pushed Tie Niu forward.
“Er Zai’s mom, heard you bought a camera, please take one for Tie Niu too. He’s this big never had a photo. Don’t worry, I’ll pay. Whatever county photo studio charges, I’ll pay.”
“Just this, okay.” Lin Zhao smiled agreement.
Then, “I’m making dinner, tomorrow.”
“Good good good, Tie Niu come tomorrow morning.” Brigade Leader found Da Zai’s mom easygoing, left chuckling with grandson.
Watching grandsire leave, Lin Zhao back to kitchen cooking.
Her noodle dough soup different from others, just ingredients many: tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, plus eggs and meat bits.
Plus full seasonings at home, aroma wafted to yard before done.
Even calm Da Zai couldn’t resist, arm over window, tiptoed peeking kitchen.
Beside him, Da Huang sat squat, ears perked, drooling, Amber pawed door, couldn’t push scratched, scratched door panel clack clack.
“It’s noodle dough soup smell, and meat.” Er Zai sniffed, “Mom’s better than Grandma’s.”
When Lin Zhao not minding kids, Da Zai Er Zai ate at old house, old house meals lacked oil, only this noodle dough soup had dough, veggies, scrambled eggs, fragrant enough to stave hunger.
Lin Zhao shook head helplessly, “If your grandma hears that, she’ll be heartbroken.”
Er Zai laughed super loud, smug clever mischief face.
“I’m not dumb, of course I won’t say in front of Grandma, who smashes own rice bowl.”
“Little Comrade Er Zai so clever.” Lin Zhao praised along kid’s wish, heard clack clack clack on door, guessed Amber and dragon-phoenix twins scratching, voice smiling, “Can clever Little Comrade Er Zai take away little brother sister and Amber? I’ll bring food out.”
Kids love being treated adult, Er Zai chest out head high, like spirited little soldier.
“Okay!”
First picked up Amber, pulled dragon-phoenix twins from kitchen door.
Family of five at table, Er Zai first bite noodle lump, exclaimed, “Yummy!”
He gripped spoon, arm swept forward, “I solemnly declare, Mom’s noodle dough soup number one in whole brigade.”
Da Zai lowered eyes, blew on spoon’s noodle lump, ate, body warmed, very comfortable.
“…Number one in whole commune.” He corrected brother.
Er Zai nodded agreement, “Yes, number one commune, number one county, all number one.”
Words done, head down eating.
Dragon-phoenix twins clumsily self-fed with spoons, faces all mess, Lin Zhao tied bibs on little siblings, let little milk babies happy.
Some troops.
Gu Chenghuai day before home visit relatives, received package from hometown.
Sun Yeli helped bring to dormitory.
Door in, shook package in hand, bluntly: “Chenghuai, package for you, I fetched on way, no thanks needed, if food share couple bites.”
Gu Chenghuai rarely got packages from home, first stunned, then ink-black eyes full of warmth.
“Thanks.”
