Chapter 105: “is It Possible”
“Why?”
Lin Zhao imitated her son’s manner, tilting her head slightly, her eyes brimming with rich amusement, as if she really didn’t know the reason.
Er Zai saw that his mother was teasing him, his right toe tapping on the ground, quietly drawing circles, uncomfortably saying: “Mom~~!” with a drawn-out tone.
His childish voice was soft and glutinous, soft and sweet and cloying.
The clever little friend didn’t stop thinking, and soon figured out why Wang Family grandma wasn’t settling accounts with them. “Wang Family grandma wants the defective products Mom brought back, so she doesn’t care about me and Brother. I know.”
He looked at Lin Zhao. “But why? The supply and marketing cooperative also has these things. I saw them. Right, Brother?”
Da Zai nodded.
He boldly guessed, “Could it be because defective products are cheaper?”
Lin Zhao shook her head. “Not just cheaper; the key is they don’t require tickets.”
“No tickets!” The twins’ eyes lit up.
Don’t think the two little brothers are young; they also know that no matter what you buy, you need tickets.
Mom buying a bicycle also required a ticket.
“Defective products are also precious resources. Plus, Er Zai and Wang Yaozu fighting was just kids’ play, without particularly serious consequences, so his grandma chose not to hold a grudge.” Lin Zhao’s smiling eyes gazed at the two boys, her voice softening. “You two don’t need to lay low anymore. How do you feel?”
Er Zai’s eyes darted, pretending to ponder, and said: “Like a sigh of relief.”
“This needs thinking?” Lin Zhao tapped his nose tip.
Er Zai touched his nose, his smile brilliant. “This makes me look serious.”
“And Da Zai?” Lin Zhao didn’t forget her eldest son. “Were you scared?”
Da Zai was also smiling. The same two faces, but just by their smiles, one could easily tell him apart from Er Zai.
His younger brother’s smile was unrestrained, extremely dazzling, like the sun hanging in the midday sky, radiant and full of vitality.
His older brother’s smile lingered in his brows, eyes, lips, and teeth, subtle and clean. In his small heart was a pure and vast world.
“No, I wasn’t scared because I know Mom and Dad will protect us.” Da Zai always put Mom first in his speech before everyone else.
Lin Zhao kneaded her eldest son’s cheeks. “Right, we’ll all protect you well.”
Si Zai gave a bear hug to big brother, saying in a milky voice: “Protect…… Big Brother.”
“Sister, it’s not protect, it’s protection.” Er Zai, this little obsessive-compulsive, couldn’t help correcting.
“Pro……tect!” Si Zai obediently imitated, her tone rising high, enunciating forcefully, but still wrong.
Er Zai imitated an adult, wearily holding his forehead.
Even Mao Dan’er couldn’t help laughing.
He thought the Gu Family was really great, then began imagining that if his dad hadn’t sacrificed, his family would be like this too.
As he thought, the little friend’s mouth corners lifted in a small arc.
Lin Zhao beckoned to Mao Dan’er, her voice gentle. “Mao Dan’er, you come pick too. If there’s something your family needs, take it back. I’ll give it to you.”
Mao Dan’er was stunned, waving his hands in a blur, hurriedly saying: “No, my grandma says I can’t take others’ things randomly. Thank you, Aunt.” He didn’t forget to politely thank her.
Lin Zhao’s heart softened; sensible children always make people feel heartbroken.
She said: “It’s fine. These leftover things aren’t worth much.”
The Ning Family was the village’s glorious family. The brigade leader had called on members several times to look after the Ning Family. Some took it to heart, some didn’t care, some forgot after hearing, and some felt their own families couldn’t even eat enough, so how could they worry about others…
Gu Mu had a son who was a soldier; her awareness went without saying. For the Ning Family’s matters, she helped as much as she could.
She knew a lot about the Mao Dan’er family’s situation.
“Third son’s wife, before it gets cold, find a way to get a thermos for them. The Ning Family lacks one; your Aunt Ning has a hard time getting hot water in the big winter.” Gu Mu said.
Lin Zhao had received three thermoses this time; the other two weren’t taken out, saved for family. Hearing her mother-in-law’s words, she said: “There’s an extra one in the house; give it to the Ning Family first. If Mom and sisters-in-law want one, when there are more later, I’ll bring them back.”
The reason she could bring back three thermoses was that Li Fen and Wang Ju had given her their shares, giving her face.
Upon hearing this, Da Zai and Er Zai exchanged a glance and quietly slipped back into the house.
They slipped out again; Da Zai was carrying an iron thermos in his hand.
“Alright, give it to the Ning Family first. I don’t need one; the thermos Old Three bought still insulates well.” Gu Mu laughed, then said to Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang: “You two don’t worry either. Anyway, the salesperson is from our family; you can buy whenever you want.”
Lin Zhao nodded; yes, yes.
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang smiled and agreed.
The weather was hot; they could get by without a thermos.
After they finished talking, Da Zai carefully set down the thermos and smiled at his mom. “Mom, is this the one?”
“Yes, thank you, Da Zai.” Lin Zhao praised, then said: “In a bit, you take Mao Dan’er back, and bring Da Huang.”
To avoid Mao Dan’er being bullied by the brigade’s naughty children.
Gu Mu strongly approved, then looked at Mao Dan’er and said: “Mao Dan’er, the thermos is for your grandma. The defective products aren’t worth much; don’t take it to heart.”
“Your Uncle Cheng Huai is a soldier like your dad; us looking after you is only right.”
Mao Dan’er, a child not yet ten, couldn’t outtalk an adult. Besides, the Gu Family members were all kind; the little friend hesitated, unable to say words of refusal.
Just kept thanking.
“Thank you, Aunt Ning, thank you, Aunt…”
Lin Zhao grabbed his arm. “No need to be so polite.”
The arm in her hand was thin as a bamboo pole, without an ounce of meat on it.
She naturally withdrew her hand and, seeing Mao Dan’er’s hair grown long enough to cover his eyes, asked in a tone seeking his opinion: “Your hair is covering your eyes. How about having your uncle trim it for you?”
“Yes, yes, it needs trimming. It’s hot; long hair makes you hotter. Mao Dan’er, if you don’t mind, let your uncle trim it for you.” Gu Mu also said. “Your uncle used to always trim for your aunts; his hair-cutting skill is good, comparable to a barber.”
Children from poor families mature early. Mao Dan’er had no dad or mom and was most sensitive to others’ emotions.
Knowing the Gu Family aunt and Aunt Ning were thinking for him, he nodded. “Okay, thank you.”
“You kid are surprisingly polite. We’re all villagers; why be so polite.” Gu Mu laughed, then went to the kitchen. Hearing the twins say their mom made something good, she went to see.
With his wife and old mother speaking, Gu Chenghuai had no objection. Without another word, he went back to the house to get scissors and oilcloth.
Lin Zhao looked at Bang Bang and ordered: “Bang Bang, bring a low stool.”
“Okay!” Bang Bang responded and went to work.
Er Zai clung to Lin Zhao’s arm, eyes full of curiosity. “Mom, Dad can cut hair too?”
Da Zai also looked suspicious.
“He can!” The speaker was Zhao Liuniang.
As if recalling something, her expression was complex. “What can’t your dad do?”
“Before you were born, every time your dad came back, he trimmed your mom’s hair. That skill was better than a barber’s!”
Whatever was trendy, Old Three trimmed for his wife that way. She’d never seen anyone so indulgent to a daughter-in-law in her life.
Da Zai quietly listened and nodded in full agreement.
“The county is far from the brigade. It takes Mom a long time to go once. Dad can trim hair, so Mom doesn’t have to go so far.”
“?”
Zhao Liuniang didn’t expect Da Zai’s reaction to be this; she nearly cried.
What kind of son is this? She wanted to raise one too!
Er Zai cupped his face, smiling slyly: “Before we were here, Dad was already helping Mom with things. Worthy of praise!”
Now, the envy in Zhao Liuniang’s eyes was about to overflow.
“Third sister-in-law, how did you raise such kids?” she asked.
Lin Zhao smiled at the twins and said: “Bang Bang and Lai Mei are great too.”
All raised by Gu Mu; how could they not be.
Zhao Liuniang knew that too.
But.
People fear comparison the most.
Bang Bang brought the low stool.
“Third sister-in-law, how about having Old Three trim for Bang Bang and Lai Mei too?” Zhao Liuniang said.
Kids’ hair grows fast; it was trimmed last time but was about to cover eyes again.
“Sure, trim for whoever thinks it’s long.” Lin Zhao laughed, pressed Mao Dan’er onto the low stool, took the oilcloth from Gu Chenghuai’s hand, and wrapped it around the little friend’s neck.
“Your uncle’s hands are very steady; don’t be afraid. If you’re really scared, just close your eyes.”
Gu Chenghuai stared at his wife’s face, helplessness showing in his brows and eyes, yet also indulgence.
“Mmm, I’m not afraid.” Mao Dan’er’s voice was crisp.
He boldly looked at Gu Chenghuai; his eyes, blocked by scattered hair, showed no dodging.
—Gu Family uncle was a soldier like his dad; he wasn’t afraid!
Gu Chenghuai’s view of this child changed in his heart. This was the first kid to look straight at him for so long without his body trembling—not unworthy of being a hero’s descendant.
His slender fingertips deftly twirled the scissors; he withdrew his deep gaze and began acting as barber.
Lin Zhao felt this scene was rare, went back to the house to get the camera, and found an angle to take a photo.
Mao Dan’er heard the click but wasn’t not curious; however, he endured without moving.
Da Zai saw his toe twitch and super warmly said: “Mao Dan’er, don’t be afraid. The click is my mom taking a photo.”
“You know photos, right? It’s like printing you on a little piece of paper.”
Mao Dan’er had heard of it; a few days ago, Aunt Lin took photos for Yuan Bao and them; he had glanced from afar.
“Thank you, Aunt.”
Lin Zhao was slightly stunned, curving her ink-black eyes, her tone light and cheerful. “No need to thank; I’m photographing your good brother’s dad, only your side profile is caught.”
This was wording to ease the little friend’s pressure; actually, she planned a separate photo for Mao Dan’er.
The skinny little friend sat on the low stool, hair half-covering his eyes, revealing only black and bright eyes.
Not gloomy at all.
He was bathed in sunlight.
Lin Zhao’s words could fool Mao Dan’er but not the perceptive Gu Chenghuai.
The man tilted his head to look at her and smiled faintly.
Mao Dan’er thought he was just incidental and indeed felt much more relaxed.
A photo was so expensive; he had no money.
Gu Chenghuai’s hands were fast; in less than five minutes, he finished trimming Mao Dan’er’s hair.
Cut very short.
Mao Dan’er touched his head, feeling very refreshed, his mouth corners lifting.
He looked up at Gu Chenghuai and seriously thanked: “Thank you, Uncle.”
Meeting his eyes, Gu Chenghuai’s expression froze slightly.
The little friend had a pair of phoenix eyes, small fan-shaped double eyelids, eye corners slightly upturned, very spirited.
Such stunning eyes were rare.
So one glance made it hard to forget.
Especially since he had just seen them.
The new military commander in the military region also had such eyes, almost identical to Mao Dan’er’s.
Only the former’s were more majestic and sharp, the latter’s clearer.
“Uncle?” Mao Dan’er puzzled.
Gu Chenghuai withdrew his gaze, suppressing the doubts in his mind, and faintly said: “It’s nothing.”
Then he beckoned to Bang Bang and the others. “You few, who first?”
Lai Mei stepped forward. “Me first.”
She plopped down on the low stool, not daring to make requests; whatever Third Uncle cut would be fine.
Free, what more bicycle did she need.
Da Zai and Er Zai were both energetic little friends; the two little brothers spoke sweetly too, surrounding the freshly trimmed Mao Dan’er with a barrage of praise.
“Mao Dan’er, you look so spirited after the trim, like a different person.” Er Zai’s eyes were clean and bright, expression sincere.
“Yeah, yeah, but no meat on you.” Da Zai looked at Mao Dan’er’s face and shook his head like a little adult.
“Mao Dan’er, my grandma says little friends are cute only with meat on them. Does your family lack grain? You don’t have meals?”
Mao Dan’er hurriedly said: “We have grain; the brigade divides grain to my family every year.”
The Ning Family was after all a glorious family, left with just an old one and a young one; the brigade definitely wouldn’t ignore them—grain when grain was due, meat when meat was due. No matter who was wronged, a hero’s family couldn’t be.
Moreover, the grandma and grandson had a pension from the commune—not much, but enough.
“Then eat more.” Tie Chui laughed cheerfully, his eyes full of innocent silliness—this was how kids should be.
He covered his mouth laughing. “After Third Aunt brought four boys back, I ate so much meat; I feel I’ve gained a circle. Look at me; am I much prettier now?”
Mao Dan’er was very obliging. “Mmm hmm.”
“So you eat more too.” Tie Chui advised.
“I do eat meals seriously!” Mao Dan’er said earnestly.
The Ning Family had only him as the sole sapling left; Ning Lao Tai gave him all the good stuff, but she…… had a bad body, couldn’t do heavy labor.
As for cooking, it was a disaster—broken bowls, exploded pots were minor; one slip and the kitchen could catch fire.
From when Mao Dan’er understood things, to live better, he took over cooking. With no one at home who knew how to teach him, he could only fumble himself—cooked was fine, taste? Don’t think about it.
The food eaten into his belly couldn’t even be called normal. Each meal, he barely ate until full and stopped, so of course he grew skinny and dry.
“Then why are you still so skinny? Skinnier than I was before; no meat on your face, eyes so big……” Er Zai gestured with his hands.
Afraid of hurting his good brother, he comforted: “Your eyes are really pretty, different from Yuan Bao and theirs.”
Little friends have aesthetics too and can tell beauty from ugliness.
Mao Dan’er was very happy to be praised. “My grandma says mine are phoenix eyes. I take after my dad, my dad after my grandpa; all the men in my family have such eyes.”
“Wow!” Er Zai exclaimed. “So cool!”
Da Zai also said: “Your family is magical. If someone got lost, you could recognize by the eyes.”
“My grandma says that too.” Mao Dan’er replied.
Hearing this dialogue, Gu Chenghuai slightly narrowed his eyes, thoughtful.
He vaguely heard Sun Yeli say that the new military commander had a legendary experience—came out alone from a ‘bandit den,’ achieved great merits, deeply trusted by the organization. Most dramatic was that the hero had lost memories of the first thirty years of his life……
Such a coincidence—could it be possible……?
Kitchen.
Gu Mu saw that ‘big basin’ of vegetable boxes, oily and golden, her eyes nearly popping out.
She subconsciously clutched her chest.
This must have, this must have used how much oil!!
