Chapter 137: “inquiring Around”
“Why are you calling for my dad?” Heng Bao asked directly. “Do you know my father?”
Meng Jiusi hummed in affirmation. “Yes, I know him. Just say it’s the lame man at the foot of the mountain calling for him. There’s something very urgent.”
The twins didn’t take it upon themselves, like directly refusing for their dad.
They agreed. “Wait here. We’ll go call him.”
“Don’t let anyone hear.” Meng Jiusi cautioned.
Yu Bao thought he was acting all secretive, but didn’t go against him, nodded, and holding hands, they ran down the mountain with pattering footsteps.
Back home.
“Dad, someone’s looking for you!” Heng Bao’s loud voice rang out.
Yu Bao covered his younger brother’s mouth. “Lower your voice!”
Gu Chenghuai walked over and looked toward the door, seeing no one, then looked down at his two sons. “Who’s looking for me?”
“The lame man who lives at the foot of the mountain, the one with the little leaf on his ear. He says there’s something very urgent for you.” Yu Bao told his dad.
Hearing this, Lin Zhao looked up.
So early in the morning, why would Fourth Brother call for the kids’ dad? There must be something going on, and not a small matter.
“I’ll go with you.” She stood up.
Gu Chenghuai said, “No need. Eat first. I’ll come back and take you to work.”
With that, his long legs strode out the home door.
The twins wanted to follow, but Lin Zhao thought of something and quickly called out to the two kids. “Yu Bao, Heng Bao, I can’t finish this fried egg. Can you two little men help Mom eat it?”
The brothers slammed on the brakes.
Fried egg.
“Okay.” Yu Bao’s voice was sweet.
Heng Bao grinned carelessly and sat next to Lin Zhao, his face full of confusion. “Mom, fried egg is so delicious. Brother and I can never get enough. Why can’t you eat it? Such a waste.”
Lin Zhao smiled. “Because I’m full from eating other things. The fried egg can only count on the super awesome twins for help.”
The two little brothers were coaxed by Mom into their mouths corners curving up wildly.
Yu Bao said, “Mom, you divide it for us.”
Heng Bao added, “Mom, be fair. Don’t make one big and one small. Brother and I want to split it equally.”
“Don’t worry. When have I not divided fairly?” Lin Zhao used chopsticks to split the fried egg in two, giving each kid half. “Same size, right?”
The two little brothers said in unison, “Same. Mom is amazing.”
“Eat up.”
Leaving the twins behind, Lin Zhao finally had time to think about Fourth Brother’s matter. She guessed various possibilities, wondering why Fourth Brother was looking for Gu Chenghuai, but couldn’t figure it out no matter how she thought.
Gu Chenghuai had long legs and walked swiftly, soon arriving at the foot of the mountain and finding Meng Jiusi.
“Fourth Brother, you looking for me?”
Meng Jiusi asked directly, “Chenghuai, I need your help with something.”
“Tell me.” Gu Chenghuai said steadily.
“Do you have comrades in the capital?”
“Yes, good relations.”
Meng Jiusi’s eyes lit up, a bit embarrassed. “I’m worried about my two kids at home. I want to trouble you to ask someone to inquire about them.”
Just this matter.
Gu Chenghuai smiled. “Zhaozhao already told me. I was planning to inquire anyway.”
Meng Jiusi was slightly stunned. “Zhaozhao already said?”
“Yes, early this morning.” Gu Chenghuai said.
What he didn’t say was that Zhaozhao had muttered a few words, seeming somewhat worried about the two nephews’ situation.
Meng Jiusi felt an indescribable surge of emotion.
He blinked hard.
His voice slightly hoarse from intense emotions. “Sorry to trouble you.”
“No trouble.”
Gu Chenghuai returned to the village and saw the educated youth leaving his home from afar.
He narrowed his long, cold eyes and quickened his pace home.
Once home, he looked at Lin Zhao. “The educated youth came to our home?”
“Yes, asked me to help carry something.” Lin Zhao said.
She was the kind of person who respected others as they respected her. If the educated youth politely asked for help, she’d help.
For those clearly trying to take advantage, don’t blame her for putting them on the blacklist.
Meng Xiaoying: “……” Say my name.
“Take it if you want, refuse if you don’t.” Gu Chenghuai said.
Lin Zhao took out the things the kids’ dad was to bring to his mother-in-law’s hometown and said, “I know. It’s about time. Let’s go.”
Gu Chenghuai took the things, hung them on the bike, and pushed it out the door.
After they left the village, Lin Zhao asked, “What did Fourth Brother want with you?”
“Asked me to help inquire about Jing Mo and Guang Bai’s news.” Gu Chenghuai said.
Lin Zhao quickly reacted, smiling. “My two nephews, one called Meng Jingmo, one called Meng Guangbai?”
“Yes.” Gu Chenghuai nodded.
“Seems like both are herbs?” Lin Zhao wasn’t too sure.
“Yes, Fourth Brother said Grandpa Meng gave them those names.”
Lin Zhao leaned her head on the man’s back, chuckling softly. “As expected from someone who studies traditional Chinese medicine.”
“Then leave little Mo and little Bai’s matter to you to inquire.”
Gu Chenghuai said warmly, “Small matter.”
“Not small. It’s about favors.” Lin Zhao muttered. But no worries, they’d definitely go to the capital later, and find an opportunity to repay the owed favors.
“No problem. I’ll handle repaying it.” Gu Chenghuai didn’t mind.
Among his comrades, they were closer than real brothers, didn’t fuss over these things. To put it shamelessly, his value was high. Those comrades were happy for him to owe favors, so they could ask him later if needed.
Lin Zhao didn’t pursue the topic.
She knew Gu Chenghuai would call and then go pick up Gu Qingzhou. Afraid he wouldn’t have time to pick her up from work, she said, “Don’t pick me up this afternoon. I’ll come back myself. Stay longer at Uncle’s. Rare chance to go.”
“Okay, take the ox cart back. Too far and too hot. Don’t get heatstroke.” Gu Chenghuai worried about his young wife.
Zhaozhao got off at three, the hottest time.
Lin Zhao puzzled. “Ox cart is running today?”
The neighboring brigade to Fengshou Brigade had an ox cart, but it was precious. Rarely used except for picking up educated youth.
“Yes.” Gu Chenghuai answered.
“Alright, I’ll take the ox cart back.”
Gu Chenghuai arranged for his wife, then felt relieved. A moment later, he said again, “Buy a few popsicles after work.”
“Okay.”
Gu Chenghuai dropped Lin Zhao at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative entrance, watched her go in, then turned to the post office.
Called his comrade in the capital.
Yun Jian was on leave today, just gotten up, planning to go out for food, when the phone rang. He picked up directly.
“Where?”
Gu Chenghuai: “Gu Chenghuai.”
“Chenghuai?” Yun Jian’s happy voice came through the line to Gu Chenghuai’s ears. “Did you get the ping pong balls? Capital local specialty. Do your four kids like them? If they do, I’ll send more.”
Gu Chenghuai just learned his comrade sent other things too. “Not yet. Thanks.”
Yun Jian raised a brow.
Not received? Then he must need something.
“Business?”
Gu Chenghuai got straight to the point. “Want to trouble you to inquire about two people.”
“Address?” Yun Jian wasted no words, asked directly.
Gu Chenghuai gave a string of addresses, plus Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai’s names.
Yun Jian, afraid of misremembering, grabbed paper to note it down. Comrade repeated it. “Right?”
“Yes, sorry to trouble you.” Gu Chenghuai thanked steadily.
“No need to be polite. I’ll call you back tomorrow afternoon.”
They agreed on the call time, then hung up.
Gu Chenghuai didn’t rush off, asked the post office staff if there was a package for him.
Liang Yi checked the list. Yes, there was. Saw the address was Lin Zhao’s home.
She quietly glanced at the upright man, probed, “Lin Zhao comrade’s family?”
Gu Chenghuai liked this female comrade’s address. A faint softness flashed in his eyes. Even mentioning Lin Zhao, his voice was that cold.
“Yes, I’m Lin Zhao’s husband.”
Liang Yi’s mouth corners lifted, revealing shallow dimples. “I’ve heard Zhaozhao mention you. You two really match.”
While talking, she called the number. Another staff member went to the side room to fetch the package.
Big package from the capital. Post office folks remembered it well. They’d guessed what was inside back then.
Target clear, quickly brought it out.
The male comrade brought the package, put it on the counter. “Comrade, this is your package. Please sign here.”
Gu Chenghuai glanced, signed his big name.
The handwriting was dashing and flowing, strokes continuous and swirling like clouds and water, extremely handsome.
Liang Yi subconsciously thought of Lin Zhao’s handwriting, a thought popping up: Do good-looking people all write pretty handwriting?
Her heart felt complex indescribably.
Gu Chenghuai took the package to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, brought it in, told Lin Zhao it was from his comrade.
Lin Zhao gained new understanding of the man’s comradeship.
“What is it?”
Gu Chenghuai said, “Xiao Shitou’s ping pong paddle, and local specialties for the four kids. Give some to Yun Jin and have him take you to the ox cart stop.”
Song Yunjin: …?
Lin Zhao couldn’t help laughing. Yun Jin was arranged clearly.
She agreed. “Got it. You go on.”
Gu Chenghuai acknowledged and left.
After busying a bit and it quieted down, Lin Zhao opened the package.
First saw a set of ping pong paddles, then a row of ping pong balls in a tube.
Next was meeting gifts for the four kids.
Two boxes of animal crackers, one jar of preserved fruit, several bars of chocolate, one bag of rice flower balls, one pack of dried meat, four colorful small masks.
Really generous. As expected from capital high official’s child.
Lin Zhao thought to herself.
Before she could do more, Song Yunjin came to bring her meal.
“Sis, I’m here.” Song Yunjin greeted, came to his sister’s counter, saw the chocolate in the package, eyes went straight.
“Sis, chocolate?!!” He rubbed his eyes, looked again. Those chocolate bars were still there.
Lin Zhao took a bar of chocolate and stuffed it in his hand, laughed. “Your brother-in-law’s comrade sent for the four kids. One bar for you.”
“It’s for the four kids, how can I take…”
Before Song Yunjin finished, Lin Zhao cut him off. “Your brother-in-law said to share with you. You gotta be my labor, help carry the stuff to the ox cart parking spot.”
Song Yunjin decisively pocketed the chocolate, stood straight, saluted militarily, said seriously, “Sis, rest assured. Guarantee to get you to the ox cart.”
Lin Zhao opened the lunchbox and started eating.
“Sis, why did you put money yesterday? Mom and Dad went back, saw the big stack of Da Tuan Jie stuffed in the sofa seam, got a scare.” Song Yunjin lowered his voice, looking sneaky.
“I asked Uncle to help renovate the yard. Of course I should give money. Otherwise what would I be?” Lin Zhao, afraid Yun Jin would drool on her food, pushed his face away. “That money was stuffed to me by my parents, said it’s for renovating the yard. They told me to give it to Uncle. I’m just the messenger, no soul involved.”
“…”
“Sis, you’re really good at making stuff up.” Song Yunjin didn’t believe it at all.
“You don’t believe? Don’t believe, go back to Dongfeng Brigade and ask your aunt.” Lin Zhao didn’t bother proving it, let him ask himself.
“Fine, fine, I believe you.” Song Yunjin brushed it off, grumbled unwillingly. “Even renovating the yard wouldn’t take that much money.”
“What do you know? I have lots of demands. That money is the bare minimum. Your brother-in-law even said he’d buy me a television.” Lin Zhao slightly raised her chin, very smug.
Song Yunjin’s eyes widened. “Brother-in-law can get the tickets?”
“Don’t know. But your brother-in-law said he’d find a way. He has many comrades. Asking around should get it.” Lin Zhao had great confidence in the man. Since marriage, every word he said came true, all had follow-through.
Song Yunjin’s brows lifted, tone full of admiration. “Brother-in-law is awesome!”
His dad wanted a TV for a long time, couldn’t get tickets. Had money but couldn’t spend.
Lin Zhao eyed him, teased. “If I remember right, you didn’t look favorably on your brother-in-law before?”
Song Yunjin raised hands over head. “I was wrong.”
He said dispiritedly, “I was just afraid brother-in-law would treat you bad before. Now know he treats you well, of course I have no malice. Sis, can we drop this?”
Lin Zhao laughed. “Sure. No more talk. Want dried meat?”
Song Yunjin licked his lips, didn’t stand on ceremony with sis, grinned. “Then… two pieces?”
Lin Zhao gave him the dried meat pack. “Get it yourself.”
“Okay.” Song Yunjin took two small ones, tasted the salty spicy meaty flavor, eyes lit up. “Sis, this dried meat is really good!”
Lin Zhao knew how to make dried meat, said, “Like it? I’ll make some for you when free.”
“Sis, you can make dried meat too?” Song Yunjin’s face was full of surprise.
“Hmph hmph.” Lin Zhao was very proud.
What couldn’t she make? Not to mention, in making food, she had exceptional talent.
–
Capital.
Yun Jian ate breakfast, took transport to the place Chenghuai mentioned.
The Meng Family matter wasn’t secret in the lighting factory staff dormitory. With almost no effort, he learned about brothers Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai.
“…Really two poor little things.” Yun Jian murmured.
The lighting factory aunt nearby heard, nodded. “Who says not. Back when Meng Family’s two boys’ biological father was still around, they were the cleanest, most decent kids in our staff dormitory. Everyone liked them. Not long after Doctor Meng was taken away, the two kids’ biological mother went muddled!”
“Heard Yuan Qin’s maternal family all moved to Meng Family. Those two boys got beaten badly last night. Two kids full of bruises on faces. Their biological uncle even said the boys fell. Pfft, fooling idiots. Those injuries clearly from slaps. Think everyone’s blind?”
Even the aunt couldn’t help sympathizing with Meng Family’s two boys.
“Doctor Meng was a good man. Such a pity.”
She shook her head. “Before, saw Yuan Qin speak softly and politely to everyone, thought she was a nice young wife.
After Doctor Meng was arrested, we all wished we’d gouged our own eyes. Really misjudged!
She’s just clueless. If she were my second daughter-in-law, I’d give her a few slaps no matter what. Too infuriating!”
Poor kids.
She saw this morning, Jing Mo that child’s face all red and swollen, eyes dark and gloomy, like a changed person.
Yun Jian noted it all down, asked the aunt about possible places the two kids might go, then left unhurriedly.
The aunt stood still for a while, watching the decent young man’s departing back, hoping he could help Meng Family’s two kids.
Doctor Meng was a good man. Those two kids did nothing wrong.
