Chapter 40: “double Standards”
Da Zai gave a shy smile.
“I and my older brother are the most awesome little friends in our brigade,” Er Zai said, tilting his head up, proud like a peacock.
Lin Zhao shouldered half a bag of rice and walked out of the room. Seeing Yun Cheng getting along happily with the two kids, she thought to herself that it was no wonder they were uncle and nephews—they got familiar after just a few words.
“Yun Cheng, help me take the ration back.”
Song Yuncheng took the bag and secured it to the front of the bicycle. When he exerted force, he felt something in his pocket.
Remembering he had forgotten to give the things to his two nephews, he took out the candy from his pocket and gave it all to Da Zai Er Zai.
“Da Zai, Er Zai, this is the candy I brought for you.”
Da Zai and Er Zai looked at Lin Zhao. Only after their mother nodded did they accept it.
“Thank you, Uncle.” Two childish voices rang out.
“No need to thank me.” Song Yuncheng pushed the bicycle out the door, smiling as he said, “Someday come with your mom to the county, and I’ll take you to play.”
Er Zai’s tone was cheerful, “Okay~!!”
The two of them also saw the new uncle off to the door.
Only now did Song Yuncheng truly feel like an uncle. Satisfied, he rubbed the two kids’ heads and looked at Lin Zhao. “Sis, I’ll head back first. When you have time, bring Da Zai Er Zai home to visit.”
“Got it, be careful on the road,” Lin Zhao instructed.
Song Yuncheng waved his hand and pedaled away on the bike.
The young man was full of vigor, doing everything in a rush, freely shedding sweat.
He left facing the last ray of the setting sun and disappeared at the village entrance in the blink of an eye.
“Mom, when will you take me and Older Brother to Uncle’s house?” Er Zai’s little hand nestled in Lin Zhao’s palm as he lifted his head, looking at her eagerly.
Lin Zhao thought for a moment and said, “When I have a day off work, I’ll take you two.”
“Yay.” Er Zai’s eyes lit up instantly. He bumped heads with his brother and whispered something quietly.
Lin Zhao looked down at them, her eyes filled with smiles.
She led the two kids to the old house to pick up the dragon-phoenix twins.
The bumpy dirt road stretched into the distance. Without the sun, it was still bright.
Kids in the village ran everywhere. Adults sat on stools at their doorways chatting, each holding a palm-leaf fan, occasionally swatting to kill mosquitoes.
Several large tables coated in red paint were set up at the Lu Family doorway. The red paint on the tables was mottled, looking quite old.
The ground was uneven, with a piece of wood padded under one table leg.
Noticing Lin Zhao’s gaze, before she could ask, Da Zai took the initiative to say, “It’s that soldier uncle from the Lu Family who’s getting married. His partner is that little Su who came to our house to stir trouble.”
Gu Mu called Su Yuxian little Su, and the two kids followed her example.
“Those are elders. Isn’t calling her little Su impolite?” Lin Zhao didn’t get angry and instead smiled as she asked her son.
Er Zai crossed his arms and huffed, kicking a small stone by his foot away and pouting. “She curses people. Cursing is impolite.”
Da Zai was afraid Mom would get mad at his younger brother and hurriedly explained, “Mom, we only call her that in front of you. When outsiders are around, Er Zai and I call her Aunt Su.”
He didn’t like Su Yuxian either.
She said they could, but they couldn’t say Mom didn’t teach little friends well!
“As long as you know better,” Lin Zhao said without scolding her sons. She actually hoped the whole family would stay far away from the Su Family and Lu Family.
Her slender, soft fingers pinched Er Zai’s cheek.
The little friend applied baby cream morning and night every day, making his face much more delicate and smooth, soft and fluffy to the touch, like pinching cotton.
Lin Zhao changed from pinching to rubbing.
After rubbing for a good while, she smiled and said, “When I’m not home, stay away from that family. If you go play, take Da Huang with you.”
She felt very reassured about Da Huang.
“Mom, don’t worry.” Er Zai’s face was rubbed into all sorts of strange shapes, but the little friend loved being close to Mom and didn’t mind at all. He grinned, “Older Brother and I don’t play with that Lu Baozhen.”
He even whispered a complaint, “She’s a crybaby. We don’t like playing with crybabies.”
“Then, if Si Zai became a crybaby, you wouldn’t like Si Zai either?” Lin Zhao asked with a smile.
“It’s different.” Er Zai was full of responsibility and said loudly, “Si Zai is our little sister. I like little sister no matter what. I’m the older brother. Older brothers have to protect younger brothers and sisters.”
Lin Zhao recalled a term she had learned in the original book that perfectly fit Er Zai’s current facial expression: “Double standard.”
Just like Gu Chenghuai.
Er Zai’s eyes were full of confusion. “Mom, what’s a double standard?”
“Double standard is your just-now facial expression—treating other little friends one way and your own little sister another,” Lin Zhao said, unable to suppress her smile.
“That’s totally normal. Compared to outsiders, of course I like family more, like… Mom more.” Er Zai flashed her a brilliant smile that melted her heart.
“Is that so? I’ll remember that. If someday you like outsiders more than family, I won’t want you as my son anymore.” Thinking of how Er Zai turned into that brain-dead state in the book and even went down a criminal path, Lin Zhao nearly spat blood.
If Er Zai really became like that, she truly wouldn’t recognize him.
The little friend was scared into making an emoji face. He hugged his mom tightly and said urgently, “Why would I like outsiders? I only like Mom, like Older Brother, like younger brothers and sisters, like Tie Chui, like…”
He listed a string of people, his throat going hoarse, just wanting to show loyalty to his mom.
“Okay, okay.” Lin Zhao patted his head to calm him down. “As long as you remember it in your heart.”
“Mm.” Er Zai’s cheeks were puffed up as he nodded seriously.
Da Zai patted his chest. “Mom, I’ll keep an eye on Er Zai.”
“Good.” Lin Zhao smiled in agreement.
As they spoke, they arrived at the Gu Family old house.
Seeing Lin Zhao and her three kids, Gu Mu came forward and said, “Third Son’s Wife is back.”
Lin Zhao hugged the dragon-phoenix twins who rushed up to her, smiling and nodding. “Mm, did San Zai and Si Zai behave?”
“No, they were all good.” In their dear grandma’s heart, the four kids were the most obedient in the whole commune—no other family’s children could compare.
Si Zai’s soft little hand grabbed Lin Zhao’s arm. Her short legs struggled to climb her mom’s leg, trying to clamber up. Her little milky hands were sticky, like melted sugar.
Lin Zhao’s germophobia flared up, and her brows furrowed imperceptibly.
At that moment, Da Zai pulled a ragged handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around Si Zai’s hand.
Si Zai looked up blankly, her big eyes full of confusion and dissatisfaction.
“You can’t touch Mom with your dirty little hands,” Da Zai said seriously, teaching his little sister.
The little milk dumpling pursed her lips and looked at her big brother aggrievedly, milkily spitting out two words, “Bao, good.”
“I didn’t say you weren’t good.” Da Zai hurriedly coaxed his little sister, glanced at Lin Zhao, then quickly looked away. To his sister, he said, “Mom likes cleanliness. Big Brother will take you to wash your hands, then you can hug Mom, okay?”
Si Zai looked at her big brother, then at Mom, and nodded her little head.
“Okay~~”
Da Zai took his little sister to wash her hands and face. San Zai was also dragged off by Er Zai.
Once the children left, Gu Mu had Bang Bang fetch a stool for Lin Zhao and had Gu Lan pour water for her third aunt.
“Thank you, Mom.” Lin Zhao sat down and thumped her calves with her hand.
“Tired?” Gu Mu asked with concern. “The brigade is far from the county. You must be exhausted walking back and forth. Write a letter to Old Three and ask if he can get a bicycle ticket. If he can, buy a bicycle. With one, going to work will be convenient.”
Lin Zhao’s lips curved up. She lifted her wrist to show her watch, her voice tinged with laughter. “Zai’s dad sent the ticket. I’ve already ordered the bicycle—it’ll arrive in a couple days. Today I bought the watch first.”
Her skin was fair, and with the watch on, they complemented each other beautifully.
Gu Mu wasn’t disappointed and immediately praised, “It looks good. Having a watch makes checking the time convenient for work.”
Gu Lan poured the water and placed it in front of Third Aunt, sneaking a glance at Lin Zhao’s wrist.
The little girl’s eyes were full of stars.
Third Aunt looked so good wearing a watch.
Noticing Lin Zhao’s gentle, smiling gaze, she blushed and hurriedly lowered her head.
“Thank you, Third Aunt, for giving me the lunchbox,” Gu Lan said softly.
Lin Zhao smiled. “No need to thank me. We happened to have an extra one, and you just happened to need it.”
Seeing the little girl still embarrassed, she said, “If you really feel bad, when I’m not home, help me keep an eye on Da Zai and the others more.”
Gu Lan nodded solemnly. “I will!”
Lin Zhao stuffed her with a handful of shrimp crisp candy. “Go play.”
Gu Mu was pleased—not because of the candy, but because she felt Third Son’s Wife truly saw herself as part of the Gu Family, which made her happy.
“By the way, Third Son’s Wife, I heard Da Zai and Er Zai say you gave them deworming candy? Where did you buy this candy? Can Bang Bang and the others eat it? If they can, I’d like to buy some for them too.”
Knowing Lin Zhao was particular, she didn’t mention seeing worms in the outhouse.
“No need to buy. I have extras. I’ll give five to the kids at home,” Lin Zhao said.
Gu Mu immediately said, “How can we let you spend money…”
Before she could finish refusing, Lin Zhao interrupted, “One candy is just five cents. I’m not short three mao.”
Gu Mu was at a loss for words.
Three mao was still money.
“Fine, then I’ll thank you on behalf of Bang Bang and them.”
Lin Zhao waved her hand and said directly, “Mom, you’ve raised the Gu Family kids very well. I like them a lot. No need to thank me for this small thing.”
Thinking that the pagoda sugar didn’t have a share for Yu Yu, worried that Second Sister-in-law might overthink and cause a misunderstanding, she added, “Pagoda sugar isn’t for little friends over two years old, so I didn’t prepare any for Yu Yu.”
Zhao Liuniang hadn’t thought much of it to begin with. Hearing Lin Zhao’s explanation, she smiled. “Younger Brother’s Wife is so considerate. If you hadn’t said, we really wouldn’t have known that candy isn’t for Yu Yu.”
“Yeah.” Huang Xiulan chimed in. “I didn’t even know there was deworming candy.”
She was full of confusion. “Candy that deworm? Who could’ve thought of that.”
“With candy to eat, the little kids at home will go wild with joy.”
Gu Lan handed Lin Zhao a palm-leaf fan. Lin Zhao smiled at her and fanned idly.
San Zai and Si Zai finished washing their hands and faces and wobbled toward their mom, crashing into Lin Zhao’s bosom.
“Mom!”
The little dumpling called out happily, her voice soft and sweet, extremely clingy.
Lin Zhao put the dragon-phoenix twins on her lap and fanned mosquitoes for them. She didn’t forget to call to Da Zai and Er Zai, “You two come closer. I’ll fan for you too, so you don’t get bitten all over.”
Da Zai didn’t want Mom to tire herself and took the palm-leaf fan, waving his arm to fan toward Lin Zhao.
“Mom, I’ll fan.” He didn’t feel tired at all and was actually very happy inside.
Dad said when he wasn’t home, he and Er Zai had to protect Mom, help Mom with things, and be filial to her. He remembered Dad’s words!
Zhao Liuniang glanced at her two sons, who had spread out the straw mat in the yard, legs crossed as they lay there swinging their legs. Her eyes hurt.
They were all sons, so why were other people’s so considerate?
Two-year-old Yu Yu imitated Da Zai and fanned her, her little appearance extremely serious.
The old mother’s heart melted. She hugged her little daughter close, calling her “good girl” nonstop.
“Daughters are still the best. What’s the use of sons? Except for bulking up courage in fights, they’re useless normally. Not like daughters—my Yu Yu.”
Zhao Liuniang was as fierce as could be to Bang Bang and Lai Mei, but that gentle to Yu Yu.
Lai Mei flipped over, sprawled on the straw mat, swinging his legs. “Mom, I want to change my name!”
Zhao Liuniang glanced at him dismissively, then focused back on her daughter, casually saying, “Go ask your dad. Change it however you want.”
Anyway, she already had a daughter. Little Second’s name could be changed for all she cared.
Lai Mei bounced up excitedly and found his dad Gu Yucheng. “Dad, I want to change my name!”
Gu Yucheng asked, “Okay, what do you want to change it to?”
“Gu Bawang!” Lai Mei said forcefully.
His dad choked.
He turned his head away, ignoring him.
What did that mean?
Lai Mei was puzzled and chased after Gu Yucheng. “Dad, how about it? Talk to me. Will you let me change it or not?”
“Change a ghost. Bawang? I’ll beat you into a turtle.” Gu Yucheng pushed away his son’s little dark face and shooed him. “Go go go, go play somewhere! It’s rare to have some peace.”
“Tch.” Lai Mei fearlessly tsked at his dad and rolled his eyes. “Favoring girls over boys, biased.”
Gu Yucheng raised his hand, and Lai Mei hurriedly ran off, lying back on the straw mat, crossing his legs, humming unhappily.
He had wanted to change his name for a long time. He felt his name was no different from the Cun Di, Lai Di, Pan Di, and Wang Di in the village. Others sought brothers; he sought a sister.
But he already had a sister.
Thinking of how he was always teased about his name, Lai Mei stopped swinging his legs and sank into autism.
Er Zai was also on the straw mat and heard his sigh. He elbowed him. “Brother Lai Mei, what’s wrong?”
“If you still see me as your brother, call me by my new name,” Lai Mei said.
“… Bawang Brother?” Er Zai tried tentatively, his expression indescribable.
The word “ugly” nearly turned into confetti and pelted Lai Mei’s face.
“Sounds good, right?” Lai Mei didn’t notice and was smug. This was a super domineering name he had thought of for himself a long time ago.
Too bad his dad wouldn’t let him change it.
The brat drooped his head, exuding an aura of utter despair.
“Doesn’t sound good.” Er Zai shook his head like a rattle drum.
Lai Mei widened his eyes.
How was that possible?
He had learned these two words from the educated youth and thought they were super domineering.
Er Zai’s gaze was firm, and he repeated, “Really doesn’t sound good.”
Rip!
Lai Mei lay back down, body rigid, full of despair.
Lin Zhao couldn’t help laughing out loud, her tone soothing.
“Don’t despair yet. When you start school, you’ll definitely have to change your name. Lai Mei and Da Zai Er Zai’s names are all nicknames. Your mom and dad are teasing you.”
If she remembered correctly, Bang Bang had a formal name: Gu Xingye.
But he was used to the nickname, so few called him by his formal name. Most people thought he didn’t have one.
Light gradually returned to Lai Mei’s eyes. He bounced up. Not wanting to ask his parents again, he looked at Gu Fu and negotiated, “Grandpa, help me pick a formal name?”
“Whoever gave birth takes the name. Grandpa doesn’t care,” Gu Mu said, directly pushing the matter aside.
Unless her son and daughter-in-law spoke up, she didn’t want to interfere.
Lai Mei didn’t want his parents to name him.
Look at the names his parents gave: Bang Bang, Lai Mei, Yu Yu—which one sounded good?!
He gazed at Gu Fu with pleading eyes. “But Grandpa’s names sound good.”
Er Zai’s eyes turned. He ran clomp clomp clomp to Gu Fu and used his little arms to massage his shoulders and back, his little face full of smiles.
“Grandpa, you’ve been tired all day. I’ll give you a back rub.”
Gu Fu’s mouth nearly twisted into a grin.
“Good good good, give Grandpa a rub.”
His grandson was filial; he happily accepted.
Er Zai rubbed for a good while until his arms got sore and slowed down, clenching his little fist to thump slowly.
Seeing Gu Fu very satisfied with his service, he grinned and leaned his face close, stating his purpose.
“Grandpa, why don’t you also give me and Older Brother, and San Zai Si Zai, some names while you’re at it?”
