Chapter 142: “fixed”
“Mom, does the zoo have fierce animals?” Heng Bao spread his arms wide, making a huge circle, his eyes brighter than the stars in the summer night sky.
“Yes, tigers, lions, gorillas, they’re all very fierce.” Lin Zhao answered.
As she spoke, the Gu Family children all looked at Third Aunt, perking up their ears to listen, their eyes shining.
They had heard that tigers were called big cats in the village, and the older generation said there were man-eating terrifying beasts in the deep mountains, big enough to swallow a little friend in one bite.
Noticing the children’s gazes, Lin Zhao said regretfully, “It’s a pity the road is too far. If it were convenient, I’d want to take you all to see them.”
It’s good for little children to see more of the world.
Gu Lan could tell Third Aunt was serious, her heart warming as she said, “It’s fine. Yu Bao and the others can go see them and tell us about it when they come back.”
There were so many kids at home, Third Uncle and Third Aunt couldn’t take them all.
Yu Bao had a sudden idea, “We have a camera at home. I’ll have my dad take photos for you then. With photos, you can see them too.”
He didn’t forget to ask Lin Zhao’s opinion, “Mom, is that okay?”
“Of course.” Lin Zhao agreed, looking fondly at Gu Lan and the others, her voice gentle, “When we come back from the provincial capital, we’ll bring gifts for you.”
Tie Chui’s eyes sparkled.
The straightforward little cub didn’t know politeness. If Third Aunt said she’d give him a gift, he’d accept it.
“Third Aunt is so nice.”
Tie Dan didn’t know what happy thought he had, laughing out loud.
Lin Zhao was drawn by his laughter and looked down at him, “Does Zhi Xing want anything?”
The seven-year-old boy’s eyes lit up, a bit nervous yet expectant as he said, “I want a schoolbag, is that okay?”
“Of course.” Lin Zhao remembered there was still a kid-favorite army-green schoolbag in the storage ring and agreed immediately, her gaze carrying faint approval, “I didn’t expect Zhi Xing to be a little friend who loves to study too. Good job.”
Tie Dan felt a little guilty.
His wanting a schoolbag had nothing to do with studying; he just thought Yu Bao and Heng Bao looked so cool with schoolbags on their backs, and as a big brother, he wanted to look cool too.
“I’ll study hard.”
Lin Zhao knew of course that Tie Dan was naughty; playful was better than dull, a lively brain was good.
“Yes, you’re a big brother, with so many younger brothers and sisters below you. You have to set a good example.”
Tie Dan puffed out his chest and lifted his head, “Yes, yes, I will.”
As they spoke, Lin Zhao led a string of big and small children back home.
Gu Mu saw her third daughter-in-law holding the dragon-phoenix twins and was stunned for a moment before hurrying forward to take Yao Bao, laughing, “Why let your mom hold you? Your mom worked all day and is tired, and walked all the way back. Can’t do that anymore. If you want to be held, wait till your mom rests.”
Yao Bao looked at Grandmother, then turned her dark eyes to Mom, showing an irresistibly sweet and soft smile.
“Baby good.”
Her voice was milky and cute.
Facing her little grandson’s obedient and adorable face, Gu Mu couldn’t bear to say more and let her play on her own. She saw Gu Lan and the others each holding a small stack of books.
“Zhaozhao, you went to the recycling station to find books again. These books are so heavy, you must’ve been tired.”
The books were for all the Gu Family children to read. Gu Mu wasn’t shortsighted and accepted her daughter-in-law’s kindness.
Lin Zhao smiled lightly, “Not tired, I came back on an ox cart.”
“The neighboring brigade’s ox cart?” The nearby brigades all knew that ox cart since everyone had ridden it. Gu Mu laughed, “I didn’t expect Lao Zhuangtou to let his treasure ox out, not afraid his old ox brother would get heatstroke.”
She and Lao Zhuangtou were about the same age, so of course they knew each other.
Lin Zhao told her mother-in-law about the Erhua Gouzi male educated youth incident.
Gu Mu’s brows furrowed tight enough to squash a mosquito.
“People should live their own honest lives. Staring at what doesn’t belong to you, you’ll just lift a stone to drop on your own foot.”
Lin Zhao washed her face with well water, feeling refreshed all over.
She nodded lightly in agreement with her mother-in-law’s assessment.
Who says otherwise.
Yao Bao looked down at her little feet, repeating in her soft cute voice, “No, no, smash foot.”
Her little panic was audible from far away.
Yu Bao patted his sister’s head and seriously cooed, “No smash, no smash, no smash Yao Bao’s foot.”
The little milk ball finally seemed relieved, patting her chest in aftershock, her little brows relaxing into a smile.
After coaxing his sister, Yu Bao looked at Lin Zhao, “Mom, can we open the meeting gift that Comrade Uncle gave us?”
“Open it.”
As Lin Zhao spoke, the Gu Family children all crowded around. Tie Dan used his fingers to prop up his eyelids, his tone light and playful with that special mischief of little boys, “Hurry and let me see what the biscuits look like…”
The twins opened the cloth bag and first saw the chocolate.
Heng Bao picked it up, happily saying, “Chocolate! So much chocolate! Comrade Uncle is so generous, I want a comrade too!”
Lin Zhao: “…”
Tie Dan and the others had heard him talk about chocolate before.
“So this is the bitter candy you mentioned.” Xingci said.
Lin Zhao finished applying skincare and came out of the room, saying, “Yu Bao, Heng Bao, open the chocolate and let your brothers and sisters all taste it.”
“Okay!” Yu Bao’s tone rose.
Together with his brother, he distributed chocolate to their brothers and sisters.
Gu Mu had no possessiveness over her daughter-in-law’s things. If her daughter-in-law was filial, she accepted it; if not, she didn’t pine for it.
Third Son’s Wife was willing to share good things with her nieces and nephews, which made her very pleased.
At her age, she just liked seeing harmony at home.
“Third Son’s Wife, you spent money again.”
Lin Zhao took a sip of sugar water, watching the children smile, “No expense, those things were sent by Cheng Huai’s comrade.”
Afraid her son would owe a favor, Gu Mu said, “Why did he send things to Cheng Huai? We’ve dried a lot of mountain goods. Why not mail some to Third Son’s comrade.”
It was pure intention from an elder. Lin Zhao didn’t refuse, “Good, mail tomorrow.”
Gu Mu perked up, “I’ll pack now.”
They had dried plenty of mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms at home, pack them all up, and if not enough, swap some in the village.
Every household had them.
After those hard years of going hungry, everyone was used to storing food.
In the yard.
The children happily tasted the chocolate, reluctant to finish it right away, breaking off a corner to try.
Some liked it, some found it bitter.
Yu Bao and Heng Bao were generous little friends, not stingy with food. They were willing to share goodies with their brothers and sisters.
After distributing the chocolate, they started handing out rice flower balls.
Heng Bao took a bite first, the round ‘little rice grains’ falling down, and he hurriedly caught them with his little hand and stuffed them into his mouth.
“Bro, this is good, a bit crunchy and very sweet, like rice.”
After sharing with his brother, he took another one and ran da-da-da to Lin Zhao.
“Mom, eat this, it’s good, you’ll definitely like it.”
Lin Zhao didn’t refuse her son’s filial piety, took it and ate, “Mm, it’s good.”
Seeing the dragon-phoenix twins reach out asking Yu Bao for it, she said, “Yu Bao, don’t give to your younger brother and sister. Give them the small animal biscuits instead, let them gnaw with their front teeth.”
“I know.” Yu Bao held his younger brother and sister’s hands, seriously explaining to the dragon-phoenix twins, “Qian Bao, Yao Bao, you can’t eat this, it’ll get stuck in your throat. Be good.”
The two little ones were good at reading faces and knew from big brother’s expression they couldn’t have it.
Qian Bao obediently withdrew his hand.
Yao Bao pouted, looking aggrieved, instinctively looking left and right for Dad. Not finding Dad, her mouth puckered enough to hang an oil bottle.
Just about to cry, her hand was stuffed with a tiny biscuit no bigger than a fingernail by big brother.
“Yao Bao eat biscuit, also yummy, be good, don’t cry, crying isn’t pretty.” Yu Bao bent down and made a funny face at his sister.
The little milk ball burst out laughing, revealing her tender little teeth.
At that moment, Heng Bao used a colorful mask to half-cover his face, saying in a rough voice, “Guess who I am?”
Yao Bao forgot to cry even more, reaching for the mask, “Want, Bao pee!”
In her excitement, she mispronounced ‘want’ as ‘pee’.
Heng Bao nearly laughed out loud but thought of his sister’s growing temper and didn’t dare tease, clearing his throat and giving the mask to Yao Bao.
The little kids were playing when Lin Shisheng entered the yard, carrying a bulging snakeskin bag.
“Yo, putting on a face-changing show?”
Heng Bao laughed openly, “No, we’re playing with the gift from Comrade Uncle.”
Yu Bao called to Second Uncle, eagerly stuffing chocolate, biscuits, rice flower balls, dried meat into his uncle’s hand, filling it up.
“Second Uncle, eat candy.”
Lin Shisheng was stunned, then smiled with full gratification, “Thanks Yu Bao, you eat it, Second Uncle doesn’t want any.”
Yu Bao stepped back half a step, “Second Uncle worked hard building our house, eat it, we have lots more.”
Lin Shisheng had no choice but to accept, his mouth corners nearly flying to the sky.
He gave Lin Zhao a moved yet helpless smile.
See, his nephew was too enthusiastic, what could he do.
“…”
Lin Zhao ignored Second Brother’s smugness and asked, “Did Big Brother go to the motor factory?”
“He did.” Lin Shisheng answered.
He came first to tell Zhaozhao about it, second to deliver things; the snakeskin bag was all for Little Four.
“Brought grain?” Lin Zhao asked again.
Originally she planned to go with Big Brother, but Lin Shichang didn’t want to delay her work, so he said he’d go. He’d return to Dongfeng Brigade at noon, take the grain, and go to the county.
“Don’t worry, that person gave you the receipt slip, the owed grain, and the brigade’s letter of introduction are all there. Big Brother’s not a kid, he knows what’s up. It should all be settled by now.” Lin Shisheng chuckled.
These days, having a worker in the family was a great honor, even if it wasn’t him, he was happy.
Once, villagers laughed at his parents, saying they had money to burn supplying their siblings to study, ending up the same as their kids, going to the fields to earn work points.
When Big Brother transferred his grains and oils relations, villagers’ jaws would drop in shock.
Lin Shisheng couldn’t wait to see it.
Lin Zhao noticed Second Brother’s odd expression, like he was scheming against someone again.
“Second Brother, who provoked you?”
Lin Shisheng eased his expression, his dark eyes spilling light laughter, looking all gentle, “No one.”
He changed the subject, “Zhaozhao, Mom and Dad had me bring grain and eggs. Take them to Little Four later.”
“Good.” Lin Zhao said, “Fourth Brother has me, so Mom and Dad don’t need to worry. Oh, the acupuncture needles were sent to Fourth Brother, he’s already started treating his foot. When Mom and Dad come again, they should see Fourth Brother all healthy.”
She knew Fourth Brother limping hurt Mom and Dad’s hearts.
Lin Shisheng’s mouth corners lifted, “Good news, I’ll tell them when I go back.”
It wasn’t early, he didn’t stay long and said goodbye to leave.
At that moment, the twins who’d been muttering on the side came over.
Yu Bao stuffed a cloth bag into Second Uncle’s hand.
He stepped back.
Looking up at Lin Shisheng.
“Second Uncle, this is for Da Dan Ge and them. Help us take it back to them.”
With that, Yu Bao looked at Lin Zhao again, “Mom, you said our things can be freely disposed of, right?”
Kids’ confidence is built by parents.
He already had a little master’s awareness.
Lin Zhao ruffled her son’s hair, “Yes.”
Yu Bao beamed, patting his uncle’s arm, “See, my mom says we’re the little masters of the house, her word counts. Heng Bao and I want to share with Da Dan Ge and them. Second Uncle, you can’t refuse for little friends, or you’re not a good adult.”
Lin Shisheng found he couldn’t argue.
He bent down, wrapped his arm around Yu Bao’s neck, and poked him with his prickly stubble.
“Chatty mouth, poke you.”
Yu Bao dodged left and right, letting out a string of crisp laughter, “Second Uncle, I won’t say more, it prickles so much.”
Heng Bao hugged his uncle’s waist, using the move Dad taught to throw him. With his little strength, how could he topple an adult? Lin Shisheng laughed heartily.
After playing with his two nephews for a bit, Lin Shisheng let the little brothers go, waving the cloth bag at them, “I’ll take it. I’ll tell Da Dan and them it’s from you two.”
“Mm!” The twins said in unison.
When Lin Shisheng left the Gu Family, Lin Shichang had just come out of the motor factory.
He looked at the motor factory’s sturdy iron gate, holding his brand-new work permit, in an explosively good mood.
The doorman grandpa saw his look and knew he was a new worker, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan and striking up conversation, “New here?”
Though a question, his tone was absolutely certain.
Without waiting for Lin Shichang to answer, the old man continued, “Our factory has good efficiency, benefits and treatment are top-notch!” He gave a thumbs up.
“Do well once you’re in, you’ll be set later!”
Lin Shichang nodded, “Thanks, Grandpa.”
Bidding the doorman grandpa farewell, he left with light steps.
He jogged all the way back to Dongfeng Brigade.
By now, everyone in the brigade knew: Lin Family’s eldest got a letter of introduction from the brigade leader to transfer grains and oils relations and became a worker.
He suddenly appeared at the village entrance, and villagers enthusiastically crowded around.
“Xi Bao’s Father, heard you became a worker?”
“Xi Bao’s Father, Zhaozhao found this job for you, right? Your sister’s got real skill. She’s only been a worker not long and got a job for her maternal family’s big brother. Your family’s rising now.”
Lin Shichang just smiled without speaking.
Just as he was about to say something, Lin Shisheng appeared at the village entrance, spotting Big Brother and running straight over.
“Big Brother!”
Lin Shichang turned, saying, “Why back so early today?”
“Cheng Huai went to see his uncle, bicycle’s not here. Zhaozhao told me to come back early.” Lin Shisheng said.
Changing tone, he asked, “Big Brother, did you get everything done? Zhaozhao asked.”
Lin Shichang said, “Yes, start work tomorrow. You’ll have to look after home more from now on.”
“Why so polite? You just do your work well.”
“What’s that?” Lin Shichang glanced at Second Brother’s cloth bag and asked.
“Cheng Huai’s comrade sent some eats for the four cubs. Yu Bao and Heng Bao packed up half to give to Da Dan and them.” In front of the villagers, Lin Shisheng grinned ear to ear, as smug as could be.
One heart for another.
Outsiders only saw them good to little sister’s family, blind to how Zhaozhao’s heart was all for them too.
The onlookers felt both envious and sour.
The Lin brothers didn’t linger, excusing themselves to go tell the family the good news, threading through the crowd toward home.
Chen Yu had been uneasy all afternoon, her mind full of her husband being hassled and the grains and oils relations not transferring. Now she was absentmindedly cooking.
Hearing familiar footsteps, she put down her things, supported her belly, and came out of the kitchen.
“Husband, did it work out?”
Lin Shichang handed her the work permit, “Yes, here’s the work permit. Start work tomorrow morning.”
Chen Yu wept with joy.
“So good, so good.”
