Chapter 102: “glorious Family”
Lin Zhao looked at Gu Chenghuai in surprise. She hadn’t heard the cubs’ dad mention it.
The man shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.
The two cubs might have been mindful of their pride during the day and were secretive. He asked, but they wouldn’t say. But facing their wife, they were proactively eager.
In an instant, they exchanged glances. Lin Zhao calmly withdrew her gaze and looked back at Er Zai, asking curiously, “Why?”
“Did someone bully you?”
She thought no one would bully Er Zai. His temperament was fierce, and with Bang Bang and the others, they weren’t the type to be easily bullied.
Who knew…
“Yeah.” Er Zai actually puffed his cheeks and nodded resentfully.
Huh?
Lin Zhao grew even more curious.
She set down her needlework and asked seriously, “Who bullied you?”
“How did they bully you?”
“If it was on purpose, your dad and I will hit back. We can’t let our Er Zai feel aggrieved.”
Er Zai felt a strong sense of security. His little mouth grinned wide, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Lin Zhao, like she was his whole world, full of her in his heart and eyes.
“Mom, and brother.” He whined coquettishly.
“Yes, and Da Zai. You four cubs are the hearts and livers of Mom and your dad.” Lin Zhao guided him patiently, her voice gentle. “As long as it’s not your fault, Mom and your dad will protect you. No one can let my little ones feel aggrieved.”
Er Zai instinctively looked at Gu Chenghuai, wanting to see if his unsmiling dad felt the same.
Gu Chenghuai noticed his wife tugging his clothes. A smile flashed in his eyes, and he nodded at Er Zai, saying deeply, “You are the ones your mom suffered to birth. Of course I’ll protect you.”
But in his heart, his wife was always the most important.
Er Zai was overjoyed.
Lin Zhao saw her clever Er Zai grinning foolishly and reminded him, “You haven’t said who bullied you yet.”
“Oh oh.” Er Zai came back to his senses, his delicate cute little face serious as he said, “It was Mao Dan’er! He snatched the bird egg that brother and I found!”
“Mao Dan’er?” Lin Zhao didn’t go out much after marrying over and wasn’t familiar with the villagers.
Gu Chenghuai heard the unfamiliarity in his wife’s words and explained, “It’s the Ning Family.”
There was only one Ning family in the village, a glorious family.
Mao Dan’er was their only child.
Lin Zhao had heard a bit from Zhao Liuniang.
“How did Mao Dan’er snatch your bird egg? Did he take it from your hands?”
Er Zai hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “Not from our hands, but we saw it first. While brother and I went to call Brother Bang Bang, he climbed the tree and grabbed it first!” He was very angry.
Lin Zhao set aside the half-altered clothes on her knee and looked at him seriously. “Er Zai, that doesn’t count as snatching.”
“Things on the mountain are ownerless. It’s always first come, first served. You can’t claim it just because you saw it first. That’s a bit domineering.”
The little friend’s expression stiffened, his little mouth pouting, a bit unconvinced and a bit aggrieved.
She continued, “Mom will give an example. Suppose one day Mom hunts a wild chicken, and Chang Sheng’s mother suddenly says she saw it first, so the wild chicken is hers. Does Mom give it to her or not?”
Chang Sheng’s Mother: I didn’t provoke you! (◣_◢)
Er Zai clenched his hands into fists, his little face red with anger. “No! Mom hunted it, so the wild chicken is Mom’s!”
Lin Zhao smiled, her eyes soft as she looked at him, letting him think it over without saying more.
Da Zai thought thoughtfully, raised his head, and concluded, “Mao Dan’er didn’t snatch our bird egg. The bird egg should be his.”
Er Zai finally got it, and after a while, he mumbled, “…I was mad for nothing all day!”
He muttered again, “Bird eggs are tasty. I finally found one. I wanted to roast it for Mom.”
Lin Zhao’s gaze paused, her heart sinking a bit.
“Mom received your intention.” She ruffled her son’s hair top. Little kids’ hair grew fast; Er Zai’s head was no longer prickly but somewhat soft. “Mom wants to praise you.”
The twins’ eyes lit up as they looked over.
“You saw the bird egg but didn’t climb the tree overconfidently. Very obedient. Mom is happier than eating the roasted bird egg you brought her.” Lin Zhao said.
Da Zai smiled and promised, “We won’t climb trees, won’t play in water, won’t go into the mountains, won’t do any dangerous things. Mom would worry.”
People worry a lot and cry. He didn’t want Mom to cry; he liked Mom smiling.
Lin Zhao kissed each cub’s forehead one by one, delighting the two little brothers like they’d drunk fake liquor.
“Mom, I won’t climb trees!” Er Zai’s voice rang out loudly.
Da Zai said, “Mom, brother and I wronged Mao Dan’er. Can we take fried dough twists tomorrow morning to apologize to him?”
He loved fried dough twists and wouldn’t even eat them himself, but to apologize sincerely, you needed to bring something valuable.
And Mao Dan’er was so pitiful, even more than when their mom didn’t care for them. He had to work every day—picking firewood, picking leaves, digging wild veggies, cutting pig feed, watering the vegetable patch, washing clothes, and taking care of his grandma…
“Sure.” Lin Zhao not only had no objection but supported it. “The Mao Dan’er family is a glorious family. Don’t bully them. You can’t bully, and if other little friends bully him, you have to help him as much as you can.”
Da Zai bit the pencil lead, blinking his round eyes, and suddenly asked, “Mom, what’s a glorious family? Is our family a glorious family?”
Lin Zhao hurriedly spat on the ground virtually, “Ptoo ptoo ptoo! Children’s words are innocent, children’s words are innocent!”
Da Zai followed suit consciously: “Ptoo ptoo ptoo!”
He’d seen the village aunts do this when little friends said something bad.
Gu Chenghuai’s eyes deepened with amusement.
“Do you remember the tunnel war Mom took you to see?” Lin Zhao asked.
The two identical-looking little boys nodded.
“Those who protected our country, beaten down by bad guys and never came home—those heroes’ families are glorious families.” Lin Zhao’s tone was heavy, guiding patiently.
“Glorious families are heroes’ families, meaning someone in that family gave their life to protect us. So we must respect them and help them as much as we can. Got it?”
The twins saw their mom’s seriousness and nodded solemnly.
“Got it!” Two clear childish voices rang out together.
Er Zai suddenly grabbed Gu Chenghuai’s hand, looking serious as he said, “Dad, you have to exercise well in the future, defeat the enemy. We’ll wait for you at home.”
Gu Chenghuai felt a warm current surging through his body, his voice steady and gentle. “Mm.”
Er Zai was satisfied.
He looked at Lin Zhao again, his gaze firm like he was joining the party. “Mom, I won’t bully glorious family kids, and I won’t let others bully them. From today, Mao Dan’er is my brother. Whoever bullies him bullies me. I’ll protect him.”
“You have to protect yourself too.” Lin Zhao reminded.
“We know.”
The family chatted about trifles. The dragon-phoenix twins fell fast asleep. Gu Chenghuai picked up San Zai and Si Zai, signaling the twins to follow him out.
Er Zai pouted and whispered, “Dad, can brother and I sleep with Mom tonight?”
Gu Chenghuai looked down at him. His tall frame seemed like one finger could poke the little friend over.
“No.” He said flatly.
“No it is.” Er Zai took his brother’s hand and walked out, giving up decisively.
He still wanted Dad to teach him swimming tomorrow noon.
Lin Zhao’s gaze was odd. “He compromised just like that?”
“He still wants me to teach him swimming.” Gu Chenghuai answered his wife.
“Then you have to teach him well, and remind him: without adults, he absolutely cannot go in the water.” Drownings happen to good swimmers.
“Don’t worry, I know.”
Gu Chenghuai took the four cubs to the main house. Lin Zhao packed the clothes for Yuan Xiang, then casually pulled a nightgown from the wardrobe.
Her peripheral vision caught a black cloth bag with patches. Curiosity drove her to open it.
—Inside were three neatly folded underwear, with crooked patches sewn unevenly on the crotches, stitches thick like centipedes crawling.
Lin Zhao was stunned. “Squeak,” the door opened.
She turned, waving the “masterpiece” in her hand, eyebrow raised. “You patched it yourself?”
This was asking despite knowing.
Gu Chenghuai frowned, looking perfectly matter-of-fact. “Of course. Can you let others patch your underwear?”
He wasn’t picky about food or clothes, as long as he looked decent outwardly.
As he spoke, the man approached.
His gaze burned on his wife’s slender fingers holding the fabric, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
He suddenly grabbed her wrist and flung the bothersome patched clothes aside.
He pinned her against the wardrobe with his body, hot breath spraying her ear: “Waist still sore?”
His intent was obvious.
That thing, wanted again.
Lin Zhao tiptoed, wrapped her arms around Gu Chenghuai’s neck, and nipped his lip corner. “Come.”
Almost the instant the words fell, her body lifted off the ground, scooped up at the waist, and placed on the big bed.
Weight pressed down, hot lips and tongue assaulted.
…
First rest.
Lin Zhao nestled in Gu Chenghuai’s bosom, cheeks flushed pink.
Her fingertip lightly tapped the bulging vein on the man’s neck, thinking this man really couldn’t handle teasing. If she took a bit of initiative, he couldn’t hold back at all.
A hand with thin calluses roamed her butterfly bone, like measuring some treasure.
“Zhaozhao, I’m planning to go back to the troops for a vasectomy.” Gu Chenghuai suddenly said.
Lin Zhao jerked her head up. “Vasectomy?”
“Yeah, you don’t like contraceptives? Neither do I. Get it done, permanent solution.” Gu Chenghuai explained.
“No!” Lin Zhao said quickly, worry gathering in her brows. “You’re a soldier. Your body is more important than anything. Don’t!”
Gu Chenghuai kissed her brow, his voice gentle with a hint of post-climax hoarseness and satisfaction. “Don’t worry. I won’t joke with my body. I’ll ask clearly.”
“As long as you know what you’re doing.” Lin Zhao trusted him.
“I made you underwear. It’s in the bottom of the cabinet. Remember to get it tomorrow and throw out all the old ones.”
Gu Chenghuai listened to his wife. “Okay.”
…
Lin Family.
Lin Heling sat on a wooden stool with a soft cushion. On the table before him were a mortar and pestle, and in the iron box beside, a root-like thing.
Oddly.
It was pale cyan and semi-transparent, with silver patterns flowing on the surface.
Entering the nose, a scent that cleared the mind and banished body fatigue assaulted him.
“Do you smell it?” Song Xiwei stood nearby and spoke after smelling it.
“Mm.” Lin Heling nodded, eyes fixed on it. “This thing isn’t ordinary.”
Song Xiwei only cared about one thing. “Good for your body?”
Long illness makes a doctor. Lin Heling had tried many medicines and vaguely felt it had great benefits. “Should be.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Grind it. Or should I?” Song Xiwei said eagerly.
Lin Heling pressed her hand. “You rest. I’ll do it.”
He didn’t dare let Xiwei do it. Her strength was too great; that agate mortar and pestle shattered into pieces with a light tap from her.
Song Xiwei recalled the past incident and didn’t insist. She turned to get an enamel mug and added some honey, preparing it.
“Did Zhaozhao say how fine to grind it?”
Lin Heling shook his head, hands moving steadily, grinding leisurely, his demeanor relaxed and composed.
“Shi Sheng didn’t mention, so Zhaozhao probably didn’t say. No matter. Grinding a bit will show.”
“Got it.” Song Xiwei fetched a fan and fanned slowly.
Lin Heling smiled faintly.
The azure vine root wasn’t long, just that much. A little grinding turned it into pale cyan powder.
He picked up the small spoon, scooped half a spoonful, and poured it into the enamel mug.
Song Xiwei added water.
The powder hit water and instantly became colorless, the shocking scent gone.
“No color left.” Song Xiwei was surprised.
Lin Heling leaned down to smell. “Scent faded too. Only honey left.”
Song Xiwei poured the ground azure vine root powder into a small porcelain jar, sealed the stopper, and locked it in the drawer. “Heard of this thing?”
“No memory of it.” Lin Heling said slowly.
“What if drinking it all makes you remember something?” Song Xiwei’s thoughts opened up.
Lin Heling blew the steam rising from the enamel mug, not denying hastily. Pondering, Xiwei had reminded him.
When he first smelled that scent, the stone wall in his mind separating past memories seemed to shake, faintly loosening.
“Possible.”
Song Xiwei was happy for her husband. “If it restores you, good. Your head won’t hurt all the time.”
“Mm.” Lin Heling looked forward to that day. If it came, he could help Xiwei with things. His current sickly body had no past memories, but luckily his wife didn’t mind.
Lin Heling suddenly remembered Xiwei came back with a cold face before dark and asked caringly, “Did the Liu family cause trouble again?”
“The Liu family didn’t. I did.” Song Xiwei answered, a dangerous glint in her eyes.
She hated most when people talked about her man.
The Liu family was asking for it.
“…About me?” Lin Heling knew well.
“What could it be about you.” Song Xiwei denied flatly. “Nothing. The Liu family’s son-in-law who works at the county government was demoted for embezzling public funds for personal gain. They can’t pit people anymore.”
And this is nothing…?
Lin Heling smiled at Song Xiwei and said, “You smashed the Liu family?”
“Didn’t smash. I demolished their courtyard wall.” The brigade leader came to persuade, so she gave face and didn’t lift the roof.
Lin Heling didn’t ask half a word about the Liu family’s state, only saying, “You’ve worked hard.”
Song Xiwei thought to herself, she wasn’t tired, the Liu family was heartbroken.
At that moment, Liu family.
Old Mrs. Liu sat on the ground, crying heavens and earth. “That thousand-knives Song Meihua—”
Song Meihua was Song Xiwei’s name before changing it. Villagers all called her that.
Hearing her dare curse the tigress, Old Man Liu hurriedly covered her mouth.
“Keep your voice down. If you alarm the Lin family, even the house beams won’t be safe. You think the Lin family is easy to bully?”
Old Mrs. Liu scratched a red mark on his face with one swipe, raging, “…Can’t even beat Song Meihua. What use are you!”
She looked at the ruined courtyard wall, grinding her teeth in fury.
A Liu neighbor munched a cucumber and said, “You plotted against Zhaozhao’s dad. Who would Meihua target if not you? Speaking of, your courage is huge. How many years passed, and you forgot her temperament?”
“Daring to tamper with people’s class labels, your family deserves this.” Another said.
An old woman who knew some past events looked disapproving.
“Liu family, decades passed, you married, yet still eyeing the pot while eating from the bowl. I remember clearly, you begged Zhaozhao’s dad to be a son-in-law… He refused without thinking, and you still pine?”
Lin Heling was so handsome young, like a fairy prince from plays. He drew many girls scheming encounters. This Liu one was just one.
But over thirty years, those girls let go, living honest little lives. Only this Liu one always secretly compared with Meihua…
The more she compared, the more she fumed at losing.
Even schemed to harm villagers.
The elderly person shook his head, sighing inwardly.
See who dares get close to her now.
Old Mrs. Liu, exposed, flushed red, about to retort when a girl in her twenties rushed in from outside.
She ran over, questioning fiercely:
“Mom, what exactly did you do? Why did my husband’s job vanish!!!”
Fever over 38 degrees, can’t add updates for now, treasured ones. Whole body hurts (﹏)
