Chapter 46: “anything But Auspicious”
“Thank you, Mom.” Da Zai tightly clutched the things Mom gave him, and together with Er Zai, they took out all the sugar they had saved, put it inside, and sent it to the old house.
Gu Mu had many small wounds on her body, on her chest, neck, both arms, and belly.
The wounds weren’t particularly deep, but they hurt with the slightest pull.
After drinking a few sips of water, she leaned against the bed, chatting idly with Gu Fu.
“Aren’t you going to name the children? Have you done it? Let me see.”
Gu Fu said, “Names aren’t urgent. Your health is the most important now.”
“How is it not urgent!” Gu Mu sighed softly. “When I collapsed today, I thought I was going to leave my life at the Lu Family.”
“I thought then, I still don’t know what Da Zai and the others’ official names are, I haven’t seen Da Zai and them go to school, I don’t know what the third branch’s brick and tile house will look like, I haven’t seen old three for the last time, closing my eyes like that, I couldn’t rest easy…”
Before his old wife’s words finished, Gu Fu interrupted with a stern face.
“What last time! What closing eyes! Don’t say such inauspicious words! We still have to watch our grandson marry a wife, our granddaughter marry out, don’t overthink it. The work at home is on us, you rest easy and heal.”
As his words fell, two familiar footsteps stopped at the door.
“Thump! Thump! Thump!”
Then came three rhythmic knocks.
Immediately after.
Da Zai and Er Zai lifted the bamboo curtain, poking in two identical little heads.
Fair and tender, little faces with baby fat, clever and cute.
“Grandpa, Grandma, can we come in?” Knowing Gu Mu was injured, Er Zai little friend wasn’t so boisterous, his voice unconsciously softened.
“Of course, what’s not allowed.” Gu Mu smiled lovingly, beckoning to her two grandsons.
Da Zai and Er Zai carried the familiar small bamboo basket, slowly entering the room.
“What did you bring?” Gu Fu, afraid of tiring the grandsons, got up to take it.
Da Zai raised his eyes, seriously saying, “Eggs, meat, brown sugar, and malt extract.”
“My mom prepared it for Grandma, said to let Grandma heal well. If not healing well, take Grandma to the county to see a doctor.”
What a doctor is, the little friend didn’t know either, he thought it was a more skilled doctor.
Gu Mu felt warmth in her heart, “Your mom said that?”
Er Zai nodded quickly, “I heard it too! It was my mom who said it!”
The little friend leaned by the bed, eyes full of worry looking at his grandma, saying, “Grandma, you have to eat well, get better soon.”
Both boys were raised by their grandma with shit and urine, their feelings for Gu Mu were very deep.
At noon seeing their grandma injured, they shed many golden beans.
Gu Mu felt a wave of warmth quickly spreading through her body, her face full of smiles, saying, “Good good good, Grandma listens to our Da Zai and Er Zai, will definitely get better soon.”
She didn’t expect Lin Zhao to send so many good things with the two boys.
Gu Fu and Gu Mu had lived more than half a lifetime, inseparable, both hoping more than anyone for her to recover quickly.
Seeing the third son’s wife send brown sugar, he directly made a bowl for the old woman.
The brown sugar was a full half spoon, the sugar water red red.
“Drink some brown sugar water, replenishes blood.” The temperature of the brown sugar water was just right, not too hot. Gu Fu handed it to Gu Mu’s hand, urging her to drink, and said, “Third son’s wife sent quite a bit, I’ll make you a bowl every day from now on.”
Gu Mu saw the sugar water so red, her heart ached terribly.
“A little is enough, why so much!”
Gu Fu said, “Too little is useless. You bled so much today, need to replenish more.”
“If we finish it, I’ll go buy from third son’s wife.”
“…” Is this about money?
Such waste!
A little could last a long time.
Da Zai held Gu Mu’s rough hand, little face serious: “Grandma, listen to Grandpa.”
He lowered his eyes, trembling eyelashes revealing fragility.
“I have only one grandma. Grandma don’t get injured, don’t get sick, I’m scared.”
As he spoke, the little friend shed tears, silently, teardrops falling one by one.
Er Zai rushed up wanting to hug his grandma and act spoiled, but barely remembered Gu Mu had injuries, turned and bear-hugged his brother, instantly turning into a little train: “Wah wah wah I’m scared too, wah wah wah I don’t want grandma to become a little dirt mound!”
Gu Mu hurriedly comforted her grandsons: “Don’t be afraid don’t be afraid, Grandma won’t become a little dirt mound, Grandma will get better right away.”
“Grandma has to listen to Grandpa, drink the brown sugar water well.” Er Zai’s crying stopped abruptly, face stern making demands, no tears in his eyes, not even a redness.
He was scheming his grandma.
“Good good good.” Gu Mu touched the two boys’ heads, agreeing repeatedly, her heart warm like drinking mutton soup in the cold winter, her whole body warmed up.
Er Zai finally satisfied, took a big breath and settled down, as if the stuffiness in his chest had dissipated.
Like a little adult, he instructed Gu Mu to rest well, held his brother’s hand, and left.
Seeing Tie Chui squatting at the door, Da Zai curved his eyes, proactively inviting: “Tie Chui, Er Zai and I are going to see the bicycle Mom bought, you coming?”
The home atmosphere was heavy, Tie Chui had nothing to do and no one paid attention, stood up: “Going!”
The three little friends hand in hand, returned to Gu Family’s third branch.
Lin Zhao was in the yard making bibs for the dragon-phoenix twins. San Zai obediently sat on the small stool playing with the small cloth ball she gave, Si Zai couldn’t stay quiet, running around the yard, happily playing alone.
“Mom!” Er Zai’s loud voice rang out.
Lin Zhao looked over, “Back, Tie Chui came too.”
“Mom, I brought Tie Chui to see the bicycle.” Da Zai’s little eyes glanced at the spot against the wall, where a brand new bicycle was parked.
“Go ahead, it’s ours, look however you want. In a few years when you’re taller than the bicycle, I’ll teach you to ride.” Lin Zhao smiled and promised.
With the two boys back, she could relax, no need to watch Si Zai every moment.
“You three help me watch little sister.”
Taking care of kids really isn’t easy.
“Okay!” Er Zai cheerfully agreed, squatted in front of the bicycle, touched the pedals, bumped the wheels, eyes brighter and brighter.
“Our family’s bicycle!” His tone excited.
Da Zai was happy too, looked at Lin Zhao, asked: “Mom, can Er Zai and I sit on it?”
Lin Zhao wanted to agree, but with San Zai and Si Zai these two little clever ones here, if big brother does something, they want to imitate, the bicycle has no child seat, what if legs get caught in the wheels.
She gave Da Zai a look.
Da Zai got it, curved his eyes in a sneaky smile.
Time flew by.
After dinner, Lin Zhao brought several boys to the old house.
When they arrived, the Gu Family was eating.
On the table were stir-fried bok choy with little oil, cold radish shreds, small pickled vegetables, the only meat was a pitifully small plate of scallion scrambled eggs, sorghum flour wowo tou, sweet potato rice.
This was considered good in the entire Fengshou Brigade—after all, Gu Family had many strong laborers, all earning full work points, getting lots of grain at year-end.
Some families in the village couldn’t fill their stomachs, drinking water to stave off hunger at night.
Huang Xiulan saw Lin Zhao, stood up and asked: “Younger brother’s wife, have you eaten?”
Before Lin Zhao spoke, Tie Chui with his oily little mouth, grinned: “Mom, we ate!”
Tie Dan knew his brother must have eaten meat, knowing he shouldn’t ask but couldn’t hold back, “What did you eat?”
“There was twice-cooked pork, mapo tofu, cold cucumber, Third Aunt also made fragrant thick white porridge, Er Zai and I shared a white steamed bun.” Tie Chui counted on his fingers, sharing with his brother.
Bang Bang, Lai Mei, and Tie Dan were drooling, could only turn resentment into appetite, fiercely biting their sorghum flour wowo tou.
Hearing her little son ate so well, Huang Xiulan smiled embarrassedly, “Made younger brother’s wife spend again.”
“Little kids can’t eat much.” Lin Zhao waved her hand nonchalantly.
Little Tie Chui grinned foolishly.
“…” This is what they call the fool’s luck.
Huang Xiulan ruffled her little son’s head.
“Eldest sister-in-law eat first. After dinner I have something to say.” Lin Zhao said.
Her expression quite serious, making the Gu Family members a bit panicked.
They ate a tense meal, washing dishes suddenly became hot potato. Gu Yuanshan won by bloodline suppression, squeezed out Gu Yucheng, stacked the bowls and chopsticks, carried to the kitchen.
Huang Xiulan laughed in anger.
The honest man knew to play tricks now, usually not so proactive!
She could feel third sister-in-law changed, actually no need to panic, maybe Da Zai’s mom was saying something good.
Huang Xiulan took a stool planning to sit, somehow her hand shook, stool fell to the ground, clanging loudly.
“…Didn’t hold steady.” Huang Xiulan’s smile stiffened.
Lin Zhao glanced with her eyes, saw eldest sister-in-law’s hand seemed to be shaking?
What situation, she… hadn’t spoken yet?!
Over there, Zhao Liuniang wiped the pitted table, quietly trying to slip away to pee.
Before leaving, gave eldest sister-in-law a well-wishing look.
But just a few steps, got called.
“Second sister-in-law.”
Zhao Liuniang’s body stiffened, couldn’t laugh now.
At this time, Bang Bang considerately handed his mom a stool.
“Mom, stool.”
Zhao Liuniang gritted her teeth, it’s you showing off, usually not so considerate!
Snatched the stool heavily, she walked over sullenly, sat next to eldest sister-in-law.
Second sister-in-law unhappy, Huang Xiulan was happy, at least had company.
If faced with a tough problem, at least someone to discuss with.
“…Third sister-in-law, what do you want to say?” Huang Xiulan asked nervously.
Lin Zhao wanted to take a mirror to check if her face was really ugly, how she scared two honest people into psychological shadows.
Sin sin.
Previous interactions weren’t like this!
If Gu Da Sao and Gu Er Sao knew Lin Zhao’s doubt, they’d definitely argue.
Previous times had mother-in-law fronting!!!
“Eldest sister-in-law, second sister-in-law don’t be nervous, I’m talking about the four boys.” Lin Zhao said directly.
Huang Xiulan let out a big sigh of relief, wiped her forehead, smiled: “Just this matter.”
Thought it was something big.
“I agreed with Liuniang, while Mom is healing these days, we’ll take turns watching the four boys. You go to work with peace of mind, kids hand over without worry.”
“Thank you eldest sister-in-law, second sister-in-law.” Lin Zhao didn’t expect the two sisters-in-law so agreeable, sincerely thanked, her pupils like sprinkled with moonlight, gentle and clear.
Her smile bright and charming, dazzling Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang.
Third sister-in-law doesn’t look like countryside person, whiter and prettier than educated youth point’s female educated youths.
Facing such a face, who could refuse her request.
Lin Zhao unaware she conquered two sisters-in-law with her face, took out prepared things, smiled: “Eldest sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, this is my thank you gift, small mirror and cold cream.”
Work points concern rations, Gu Da Sao and Gu Er Sao definitely wouldn’t skip work, so watching four boys is extra work, of course can’t let them help for nothing, Lin Zhao understood this worldly wisdom.
Zhao Liuniang took it first, face blooming with smile, patted chest: “Thank you, I guarantee to watch the four boys well, not let them lose a single hair.”
As she spoke, held the small mirror and cold cream carefully.
She picked up the mirror to look, her face clearly printed in it.
“So clear!” Zhao Liuniang exclaimed, “First time seeing my face so clearly.”
Hand touched the wrinkles at eye corner, she stunned, bitterly smiled: “Old, old! Have wrinkles…”
Lin Zhao said: “Skin dry, using cold cream will improve it.”
Zhao Liuniang pinched the small cold cream, sighed lightly: “First time touching cold cream, thanks to sister-in-law.”
When young she wanted a box of cold cream, but countryside girls had no money to buy, just thought about it.
After marriage had some money, but couldn’t bear to buy anymore.
Receiving life’s first box of cold cream, Zhao Liuniang thought of her little daughter.
Yu Yu’s little face sunburned dry, far from Si Zai’s wateriness, with this cold cream, her Yu Yu could be fair and tender too.
Thinking this, she gratefully looked at Lin Zhao.
Huang Xiulan also smiled: “Yeah, we’re cold cream users now too.”
Originally felt watching four boys was duty, now not a bit of resentment.
That night.
Gu Mu just learned of this, “Third son’s wife is getting better at handling things!”
“Now eldest daughter-in-law and second daughter-in-law definitely have no reluctance, my heart can finally rest easy.”
Gu Fu turned up the lamp, took the ointment to bedside.
“Time to change dressing.”
This medicine stung and burned on wounds, took a while for the discomfort to fade. Gu Mu felt bad just seeing it, but had to change.
“Change it quick.”
Gu Fu agreed: “Mm.”
Here changing dressing, Lu Family was lively.
Su Yuxian longed to marry over, eagerly awaiting wedding night, outer clothes already off.
“Bang bang bang!!” Continuous knocks sounded.
She hurriedly put clothes back on, smoothed messy hair with hand, quickly went to door.
At eye level, no one.
Lowered head, saw Lu Baozhen hugging pillow.
“I want to sleep with Dad!”
Voice sweet and soft, yet shattered Su Yuxian’s heart into pieces.
She squeezed a smile: “Didn’t we agree, tonight sleep with Grandma?”
Lu Baozhen ignored stepmother, stepped into room, saw Lu Yizhou sitting on bed edge, ran over, hugged his leg, softly said: “Dad, I’m scared, I want to sleep with you.”
Sleeping with woman vs treasure daughter, of course the daughter bringing good luck was more important.
Lu Yizhou smiled: “Good.”
Got confirmation, Lu Baozhen giggled.
Su Yuxian couldn’t smile, really couldn’t.
She wanted to get pregnant with son soon, with this clingy tag-along, how to have?
This girl wasn’t so annoying before.
Just then, Lu Baozhen spoke: “Stepmother, I want to wash feet.”
Just married in, not consummated yet, Su Yuxian needed to please every Lu Family member, didn’t dare say half no, tugged corner of mouth, smiled: “Good.”
Words fell, she walked out room, the instant stepping out door, expression resentful.
Little tag-along!
Cursing in heart, went to kitchen.
Lit lamp, kitchen door a patch of mottled wood ash, Su Yuxian knew under wood ash was blood, Gu Mu’s.
Wedding good day, really unlucky.
Thinking, hand somehow bumped kitchen knife on cutting board edge, knife suddenly dropped, fell on her toes in straw sandals.
“Ah——!!”
A piercing scream rang out, spreading to neighbors.
Neighbor next door heard shout, jumped up, arms over short wall, shouted: “What happened what happened? Who’s screaming?!”
Lu Family rushed into kitchen.
Saw Su Yuxian bending holding foot, big toe smashed big gash by blade, looked like toe broken, bright red blood spurting, scene bloody, scarier than midday one.
“Aiyo, how so careless, on big joy day!” Lu Mu shrieked, voice full of resentment, casually grabbed handful wood ash sprinkled on Su Yuxian’s right foot.
Blood instantly stopped.
In new house, Lu Baozhen to left hand, softly called: “Carp carp.”
Words fell.
A small black carp pattern appeared at tiger mouth of her left hand.
It was abyss-deep like ink-dyed, gleaming metallic sheen, edges faintly dark red blood veins, as if solidified countless curses.
One look, absolutely not auspicious omen.
Black carp pattern as if printed into Lu Baozhen’s flesh and blood.
It swam, briefly appeared, vanished in instant.
