Chapter 14: “it’s Her! It’s Her!”
“My mother isn’t lazy!” Da Zai was very angry, his voice doubling in volume.
Er Zai glared even more fiercely.
Lin Zhao smiled slightly, “Can’t be helped, who told you to marry a man who can earn money.”
Chang Sheng’s Mother: “…” What a shameless person.
Seeing that his mother wasn’t angry, Er Zai’s eyes cleverly darted around, and he said loudly, “Yes, my father can earn money and support us, so my mother doesn’t need to earn work points. Auntie isn’t lazy, Auntie just needs to earn more work points.”
Da Zai chimed in, “My mother doesn’t need to earn now because of my father. When my brother and I grow up, we’ll give all the money we earn to our mother, and she still won’t have to earn.”
Lin Zhao didn’t expect her children to be so young and already know how to earn money for their mother. Her heart softened, and she looked touched.
Chang Sheng’s Mother was very angry, feeling that Lin Zhao and the little rascals she gave birth to were all bad sorts, each more sharp-tongued than the last.
She pouted and blurted out, “It’s true that Gu’s Third Son can earn money now, but who knows about the future…”
Lin Zhao took two steps forward, a chill in her eyes, and stared at her intently, “What about the future?”
Her jawline was tense, her face very cold, and the people around dared not make another sound.
Chang Sheng’s Mother, unafraid of death, said, “Do I need to say what about the future? Everyone knows that being a soldier is glorious, but a soldier’s head is on their belt. It’s possible that one day…”
Before she could finish speaking, Lin Zhao slapped her and simultaneously kicked her into the river.
“Ah—!” Chang Sheng’s Mother was caught off guard and sat down with a splash, instantly soaking through. Her summer clothes were thin, revealing the entire outline of her body. It was unbearable to look at.
She scrambled ashore like a madwoman and lunged to hit Lin Zhao.
“Lin Zhao, I’ll beat you to death!”
Lin Zhao delivered another flying kick.
Chang Sheng’s Mother fell into the river again, landing even farther than before.
If the first fall was a sneak attack, the second time being kicked in was a sign of her weakness.
The woman’s swollen face was bruised and purple, looking unsightly.
“It’s only been a few years since the founding of the country, and you’ve already forgotten who brought you good days. People like you… deserve to be beaten.” A fire burned in Lin Zhao’s chest, and her voice was cold and stern.
Da Zai and Er Zai didn’t understand Chang Sheng’s Mother’s curse, but the two little friends were their mother’s most loyal supporters. Seeing their mother fighting with someone, they picked up stones and threw them at Chang Sheng’s Mother in the river.
They hit the mark with every throw.
San Zai and Si Zai also wanted to join in, their mouths emitting angry hisses, fierce yet adorable. Lin Zhao, fearing the dragon-phoenix twins would fall into the river, quickly grabbed them.
In the river.
Chang Sheng’s Mother, narrowly avoiding being hit by stones, hugged herself and dodged, yelling, “Oh, you damned little rascals, when I get ashore, I won’t let you go, you just wait.”
Da Zai and Er Zai were about to throw more stones, but their mother stopped them.
She had a point, she could hit people, but for her sons to hit people would be wrong.
The two little friends obediently put down the stones and stopped throwing.
Hearing Chang Sheng’s Mother’s scolding, Er Zai snorted, put his hands on his hips, and said, “We’ll wait, we’re not afraid of you.”
Gu Mu, hearing that the Third Son’s wife was fighting with someone, hurried over, along with Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang.
“Da Zai, Er Zai, are you alright?” Gu Mu’s loud voice arrived before she did.
Er Zai, with his sharp tongue, loudly complained, “Grandma, someone bullied my mother, bullied me, and said that our family’s children would look good!”
Chang Sheng’s Mother trembled with anger: “…” Nonsense! When did she say their children would look good!?
Gu Mu rushed over furiously, her eyes sharply scanning everyone, “Who?”
“Who dares to bully my Gu family’s daughter-in-law and my Gu family’s children!”
Zhao Liuniang put her hands on her hips, looking fierce, and roared from behind, “Who is it? Stand out for me, and let me see if I don’t smash your head!”
Huang Xiulan stood beside her mother-in-law, her gaze sweeping over everyone, finally landing on the soaking wet woman.
Seeing so many people from the Gu family, Chang Sheng’s Mother wished she could dive into the river and swim away. Unfortunately, she couldn’t swim and dared not go into the deep water, regretting provoking Lin Zhao.
Just then, Er Zai pointed at her, “It’s her! It’s her! It’s Chang Sheng’s Mother!”
“Chang Sheng’s mother bullied my mother, bullied me and my brother!”
San Zai and Si Zai felt that their second brother hadn’t mentioned them, and they followed with their milky voices, “Me!”
“Me!!”
Lin Zhao was amused and exasperated: “…” These two can barely speak, why are they joining the commotion.
She looked at Gu Mu, her expression serious, “Mother, Chang Sheng’s Mother cursed the soldiers! She has ideological problems and needs a thorough ideological reform from the inside out!”
Chang Sheng’s Mother’s face changed drastically, and she quickly denied, “I didn’t, I just wanted to advise you not to be so lazy. Why don’t you appreciate my good intentions?”
“Tch.” Lin Zhao scoffed, “You think you’re so great. It has nothing to do with me what I do. If you dare to speak, you should dare to take responsibility. The children are all here, don’t let them look down on you.”
Gu Mu doted on Gu Chenghuai, who had left home at a young age. Hearing Chang Sheng’s Mother curse the soldiers and her son, her face showed a slight displeasure.
“Da Zai’s mother is right. People with low awareness should indeed undergo profound ideological reform.”
“I’ll go talk to the Brigade Leader later,” she said through gritted teeth.
Chang Sheng’s Mother’s expression became flustered.
Gu Mu continued, “Whether Da Zai’s mother is diligent or lazy is our Gu family’s business. I, as the mother-in-law, don’t say anything, and Chenghuai doesn’t mind. Chang Sheng’s Mother, you should stop being a busybody and mind your own business. Clean the shit off your own backside first!”
She had vaguely heard that Chang Sheng’s Mother was always badmouthing the Third Son’s wife. She had intended to talk to her after things settled down, but who knew she would become even more outrageous.
Gu Mu had many sons, and one outstanding officer son. Her status in the entire Fengshou Brigade was special.
When she spoke to report it, the Brigade Leader naturally paid attention.
Afterward…
Chang Sheng’s Mother was punished with two months of shoveling manure and copying quotations. This greatly troubled the illiterate woman. She spent her days awkwardly holding a pen to draw characters, so tired that she didn’t even have time to listen to gossip.
Because of this, there was much less gossip about Lin Zhao in the Fengshou Brigade.
At this moment, in the Su Family.
Su Yuxian heard about the commotion by the river and smiled, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.
Lin Zhao was truly lucky. She had a loving maternal family, a protective paternal family, and her children were sensible. It was truly enviable.
Liao Hongjuan looked at Su Yuxian and said sternly, “I heard that the Lu family’s boy is coming back soon. You must seize the opportunity. If this marriage doesn’t work out, you’ll have to listen to me.”
“I know. Yi Zhou and I have already agreed. We’ll get married when he comes back.” Su Yuxian lowered her eyes, her emotions unreadable.
Liao Hongjuan was displeased with her attitude. Thinking that her daughter was about to get married, and she wasn’t as fierce as when she was a child, her tone was relatively gentle.
“Don’t dislike that I speak harshly, but our family is poor. Your father isn’t very capable. Your two younger brothers are so young, school costs money, and when they grow up and get married, it will cost money too. Mother just hopes you marry into a good family to help support the family.”
“If your brothers are well, then you can be well. You know what it’s like for a daughter who marries out without a maternal family to support her. Mother is doing this for your own good. You’ll understand when you have children.”
Su Yuxian was a little moved. “Mother, I know. As long as I successfully marry into the Lu family, I will help my brothers.”
A hint of a smile appeared on Liao Hongjuan’s worried face. “You’ve been sensible since you were young. Mother is very relieved about you.”
Lu Yizhou was the most accomplished person in the entire brigade, besides Gu Chenghuai, the Gu family’s third son.
Although he was divorced and had a little “money-loser,” he was a soldier with a monthly allowance. He was said to be an officer and could be promoted further, earning an even higher allowance. Lu Yizhou was a hot commodity in the surrounding villages, eyed by dozens of aunts and elder women.
Fortunately, her daughter Yuxian was smart. By helping him write letters, she established contact with the Lu family and greatly pleased Lu Yizhou’s mother.
And now, the opportunity was coming.
Su Yuxian thought of Lu Yizhou’s regular, upright face, her lips curved, and her eyes filled with longing.
She was already over twenty and finally getting married.
She was so diligent; she would definitely live better than Lin Zhao!
Su Yuxian firmly believed this.
–
Speaking of which.
After Chang Sheng’s Mother slunk away, Da Zai and Er Zai continued to squat and wash clothes.
Seeing the two cubs using laundry soap to wash clothes, with an alarming amount of foam on them, Gu Mu and her two daughters-in-law felt pained.
How could they use soap like that? What a waste!
Gu Mu said, “Da Zai, Er Zai, use less soap. Your clothes aren’t even dirty.”
Huang Xiulan stepped forward and said to Da Zai and Er Zai, “Why don’t Big Aunt wash them for you? You’re wasting so much. All that foam could wash many clothes.”
Er Zai looked at his brother. Da Zai refused, “No need, we’ll be done soon.”
“Then I don’t need it either.” Er Zai always chose the same as his brother.
Huang Xiulan was disappointed but didn’t insist, her heart aching.
Da Zai and Er Zai were very capable. They rinsed the foam from the clothes, wrung them out, and placed them in the wooden basin. They carried the basin over and looked up at their mother.
“Mom, we’re done washing.”
“Da Zai and Er Zai are so capable. They are the best role models for their younger siblings and the most worry-free sons for their mother.” Lin Zhao praised them sincerely.
The two little friends felt proud and were even more motivated.
Witnessing the Third Son’s wife “hypnotizing” her grandsons, Gu Mu’s mouth twitched.
“…” The Third Son’s wife is really too much!
As a mother-in-law, she didn’t dare to say much. Her own daughter’s recent trouble had just subsided, and Gu Mu was afraid Lin Zhao would bring it up again.
“Wash up and go back,” she said, walking ahead.
“Mother,” Lin Zhao called out.
Hearing this, Gu Mu, not exaggerating, froze all over, her heartbeat slowing a few beats.
“Third Son’s wife, your father and I have reprimanded Xing’er. It was indeed improper for an elder to lay hands on a junior. Your father and I will absolutely not indulge her anymore, and we will discipline her properly in the future. Please don’t be angry,” she said hurriedly.
Huang Xiulan felt sorry for her mother-in-law, who, at her age, had to bow her head to her daughter-in-law for her unfilial daughter.
Gu Xing’er was truly ungrateful.
Lin Zhao was stunned and let out an “oh.”
Speaking of this topic, she couldn’t help but want to say more, “It’s fine as long as Mother and Father have it in mind. Gu Xing’er is not a child. Her actions only tarnish the Gu family’s reputation.”
How could Gu Mu not know she was right, but… it was difficult.
“Mother, I want to take Da Zai and Er Zai back to see my father tomorrow. You can look after San Zai and Si Zai for me. I’ll have Da Zai bring you their rations later,” Lin Zhao said without hesitation.
“Okay.” Gu Mu agreed without a second word.
In this regard, Gu Mu was better than all the mothers-in-law in the brigade. She had taken care of the confinement of every daughter-in-law, and she never shirked the responsibility of looking after children.
“Thank you, Mother.”
It was rare for Gu Mu to hear a soft word from Lin Zhao, and she was filled with mixed emotions.
“Looking after my own grandchildren is no trouble at all. There are many people at the old house, plenty of people to look after her.”
Although Gu Da Sao and Gu Er Sao had some reservations, they were not heartless people. Looking after children was a small matter, and Lin Zhao was even providing rations, so there was really nothing to complain about. Both of them said a few kind words.
“Third Sister-in-law, don’t worry, I’ll have Tie Dan watch the younger ones,” Huang Xiulan said with a smile.
She was the eldest sister-in-law of the Gu family, and she was generous. As long as it wasn’t about taking advantage, she usually didn’t fuss.
Zhao Liuniang also said, “Yes, I’ll ask Bang Bang to lend a hand too.”
After awakening, Lin Zhao felt that she had indeed found a good in-law’s family.
“Thank you, Big Sister, Second Sister.”
Lin Zhao returned home with the four cubs, hung out the clothes Da Zai and Er Zai had washed, and went into the room to prepare the rations to take to San Zai and Si Zai at the old house tomorrow.
There wasn’t much malt extract left, so she decided to take it all. She also packed a large bunch of orange candies bought from the supply and marketing cooperative, and five sesame crisps. That should be enough.
“Mom, you’re so good to San Zai and Si Zai,” Er Zai said enviously.
When he and his brother went to the old house, their mother didn’t prepare anything for them.
Da Zai lowered his eyes, his head drooping, like a lost puppy.
Lin Zhao hugged the two cubs, her voice gentle, “I’ll prepare things for you too from now on!”
Da Zai was a very easily appeased child. Nestled in his mother’s arms, he no longer remembered his feelings of loss. His happy little heart thumped with excitement. Mom smelled so good! (★★)
“Okay.”
Er Zai proactively hugged his mother and said, “I like it when Mom hugs me.”
The little one’s voice was soft, tender, and pure.
Lin Zhao lowered her gaze, her voice gentle, “Then Mother will hug you more often.”
The two cubs grinned.
Lin Zhao handed the prepared items to Da Zai and Er Zai and instructed, “Give the laundry soap to Grandma. Say it’s a gift of gratitude. For the candy and sesame crisps, you two can share them with Tie Chui and the others.”
Da Zai tried to suppress the smile at the corners of his mouth, but he couldn’t, “Okay.”
As the two boys stepped out the door, Lin Zhao remembered something and called out, “Stay away from your aunt.”
Er Zai shouted, “My brother and I know! If Auntie bullies us, I’ll call Grandma!”
Next door, Wang Chunhua heard Er Zai’s words and couldn’t help but laugh.
What a clever Er Zai.
Gu Family Old House.
Gu Mu, upon hearing that the Third Son’s wife had sent a gift of gratitude, looked in the direction of the setting sun. Yes, it was in the west.
“Did your mother ask you to send it?” she asked with a complex expression.
“My mother said it was a gift of gratitude and asked me to give it to Grandma,” Da Zai said with certainty.
Er Zai, who was distributing candy to his older siblings, nodded in agreement, “My brother remembers correctly, that’s exactly what my mother said.”
Bang Bang unwrapped the candy paper, popped the candy into his mouth, and sucked on it fiercely, asking, “Did your mother ask you to share the candy with us too?”
“Yes! My mother told me to share it with you all!” Er Zai said loudly.
This was the first time he had shared candy with his older siblings at the old house in his life. Seeing them all happy felt quite good.
Bang Bang smiled, “Third Aunt is truly generous.”
Tie Chui smiled foolishly, “Third Aunt is very kind.”
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang stood under the eaves, watching the scene, their hearts filled with a hundred emotions.
“Why do I feel like Third Sister-in-law has turned into a different person?” Zhao Liuniang mumbled.
