Chapter 143: “injured”
Xi Bao saw her mother crying and rushed over like a little firecracker. “Mom, why are you crying? Don’t cry, don’t cry. If you have any requests, just make them, Dad and I will both agree. If you cry, Younger Brother and Younger Sister will turn into little crybabies too.”
Thinking of having an extra crybaby Younger Brother and Younger Sister, the little girl frowned tightly, her face full of worry.
Chen Yu wiped the corners of her eyes. Her eyes, forbidden by tears, were very bright. “Mom is happy. Your dad has work now.”
Iron Rice Bowl ah.
She had never thought of it.
Never thought the child’s dad could have a job.
“It was your aunt who helped your dad find the job. Remember her kindness. When you grow up and make something of yourself, you must also be filial to your aunt, got it?” Chen Yu instructed Xi Bao, then looked at Da Dan and Er Dan who were grinning foolishly. “And you two, got it?”
Da Dan put away his foolish grin and said seriously: “We’re both so old now, how could we not know to be filial to our own aunt! Mom, you tell Xi Bao!”
Of course he knew his aunt was good to them.
He would also be filial to his aunt. He only had that one blood aunt—who else would he be filial to if not her?
Chen Yu laughed in anger.
“Stinky boy!”
Xi Bao raised a brilliant smile. “Mom, don’t worry about Older Brother. I’m obedient. I will definitely be filial to Aunt.”
“Good girl.” Chen Yu touched Little Cotton-padded Jacket’s head and, supporting her belly, returned to the kitchen.
Yuan Xiang worked nimbly. She had already chopped the vegetables and was about to stir-fry them. Seeing her cousin-in-law, she smiled. “Sister-in-law, you sit and rest. It’ll be ready soon.”
Chen Yu smiled. “I’m so happy I can’t sit still. I’m here to tend the fire.”
Yuan Xiang didn’t persuade her further. Thinking of something, her face was also full of smiles.
Having a worker in the family was indeed worth being happy about. After she just got engaged to a worker, her mom straightened her back, and even had confidence when talking to Aunt.
She knew, others having it was not as good as herself having it. If she could really find a job in the future, she would definitely do it well, making her mom’s back straight for a lifetime!
Outside the yard.
Da Dan and the others were looking at the good things Yu Baoheng Bao brought them, chattering noisily, lively to the point of being a bit rowdy.
The Lin Family had good news, the adults were in a good mood and didn’t restrain them, letting them play noisily.
Lin Shisheng was washing his face and felt someone staring at him.
He looked up and met his parents’ faces.
He shook his head vigorously twice, flinging off the water from his face.
Knowing what his parents wanted to ask, he wisely said:
“Zhaozhao said Little Four is already treating his own foot injury. When we see him again, Little Four will be a healthy Little Four.”
Lin Heling and Song Xiwei were very worried about their youngest son, to whom they owed the most. Unfortunately, they weren’t in the same brigade, so they couldn’t visit often.
Hearing their second son mention Little Four’s condition now, they were barely relieved.
“Did you deliver the things?” Lin Heling asked.
“Delivered.” Lin Shisheng’s face was full of helplessness. Was he such an unreliable person?
Sure enough, concern makes one muddled.
Song Xiwei thought of the third son who still had no news, her brow slightly furrowed. “I don’t know if Little Three received the telegram.”
Lin Heling patted his wife’s hand, his voice soothing. “Little Three will reply if he receives it. No reply means he has a task.”
Did he miss his son? Of course he did. But he knew even better that the child had grown up, had his own beloved career, and was no longer a little child trailing behind him and his wife, making one request after another.
Just as the Lin Family was talking about Lin Shichang, a thousand miles away, the young man on the white hospital bed slowly opened his eyes.
“Battalion Commander, you’re awake!” The orderly’s excited voice rang out.
The soldiers who came to see Lin Shichang heard this and exchanged a glance, quickening their steps into the hospital room.
“Shichang! You’re awake!”
Lin Shichang had just woken up, his mind not yet clear, his head dazed. He stared blankly at the several heads above him.
The scene before he passed out appeared in his mind, and his dark eyes instantly cleared.
He struggled to sit up.
Realizing he couldn’t feel his legs, Lin Shichang’s pupils contracted sharply.
“My legs…” He subconsciously reached for his legs.
One of the soldiers helped him sit up, comforting him verbally: “Your legs are still there, perfectly fine.”
No amputation.
Just…
Shichang would probably have to leave the troops.
Everyone thought of this point and looked at each other, their eyes flashing with heaviness.
Lin Shichang wasn’t blind. He keenly caught his comrade’s small movements, lowered his eyes, stared at his legs, his gaze stagnant for a moment, his mind blank.
He was going to leave the beloved troops!?
That was his first reaction.
Then, thick reluctance spread in his heart.
The hand resting on the blanket involuntarily tightened, veins bulging on the back of his hand and arm.
“The doctor said that, but exactly how it goes depends on the subsequent recovery. Shichang, you’re a warrior with firm willpower. You absolutely can’t be defeated by such a small difficulty. Giving up easily isn’t your character. Don’t rush to give up.” The soldier with dark skin tone and defiant eyes said.
Lin Shichang didn’t emo for too long.
He raised his eyes. “Right, it depends on the recovery. Giving up now isn’t my character.”
His comrade gently patted his shoulder. “That’s right.”
No one said anything about other paths after leaving the troops—everyone understood the reason. It was just that after entering this place, no one was willing to leave.
At this time, the orderly brought over a piece of paper. “Battalion Commander, a telegram from your family.”
Telegram?
Lin Shichang was stunned, quickly took it, and scanned the words on the paper.
Little Four was found?!!
The heavy expression on his face relaxed, blooming into a thick smile.
“What’s the good news? Tell us so we can be happy too.” A comrade asked curiously.
Lin Shichang happily said: “My younger brother who was abducted as a child has been found!”
“Didn’t your family have three brothers?” The orderly poured a cup and handed it to the battalion commander.
Lin Shichang’s legs were injured, but his arms were fine. He took the water and took a small sip, not daring to drink more, afraid he’d always want to go to the toilet.
“Not three, four.” He said, “I have a twin brother, my family’s Little Four. He was stolen right after birth. My family says they’ve found him.”
The comrades present were all happy for the Lin Family.
Finding someone lost for over twenty years—truly unbelievable.
“This is great news! Shichang, hurry and recover well. When you’re better, you have to treat us to a meal. Your family has such big good news, and you’ve earned merit too. You can’t refuse.”
These words almost confirmed that Lin Shichang’s legs wouldn’t have major issues and he would definitely stay in the troops.
Lin Shichang smiled, his dark complexion making his teeth look white.
“Sure.”
Thinking of the comrade he protected, he asked: “Is Zheng Yue okay?”
The young soldiers’ faces turned ugly.
Zheng Yue, that heartless one.
Shichang saved him and injured his own legs, future uncertain. But he just came perfunctorily once, brought some rotten apples, then acted like he was dead, never caring about Shichang’s life or death again. Truly heartless. How could the troops have such a cold-hearted person?
Truly contemptible!
“He’s fine. Don’t bother with that guy anymore, disgusting.” The straightforward young man said.
The person next to him elbowed him. “Watch your words.”
“What kidney inflammation or whatever, I’m a rough man, I don’t understand any of that! Shichang saved that bastard Zheng Yue, and that bastard only came once, never asked after that. If that’s not disgusting, what is? I say, Shichang shouldn’t have saved that bastard. He was reckless himself, made a mistake rushing for quick success—why should Shichang pay for it? Spoiling him!”
The police officer said: “Exactly, a few rotten apples worth what, a few cents? The battalion commander injured his legs so badly saving him, whether he can…”
Stay in the troops or not is uncertain.
Afraid of stimulating the battalion commander and affecting his recovery, he didn’t finish the words.
The battalion commander loved the troops so much, loved being a soldier. If forced to leave, he would definitely be very upset.
Thinking of what the doctor said, only a fifty percent chance for the battalion commander’s injured leg to recover fully, the guard felt indignant for him.
Only now did Lin Shichang learn Zheng Yue’s true character.
He lowered his eyes, saying indifferently: “No need to talk about it. We’re all comrades. Soldiers wouldn’t abandon someone dying.”
Regret it? No.
Even though Zheng Yue was impulsive, brainless, and now seemed to have bad character, it was still a life. He couldn’t not save him.
The soldiers fell silent.
They all knew in their hearts that Zheng Yue was not someone to befriend.
Don’t worry, Shichang’s injury wouldn’t be in vain. They would help spread Zheng Yue’s “good reputation” well.
Don’t blame their mouths for being loose. Zheng Yue could do shameless things—why couldn’t they talk about it?
Can’t bully honest people.
Lin Shichang didn’t know his comrades were planning to avenge him. He looked at the police officer. “Does my family know about my injury?”
The police officer answered: “The troops sent a telegram to your hometown.”
The battalion commander always needed someone to care for him.
Lin Shichang: “…”
He missed his family too, but his troops were far from his hometown. He didn’t want his family to go to trouble. Besides, he looked down at his legs—if unhealable, he’d be sent back home anyway. Why make his family come.
“Go send another telegram. Say my recovery is going well, no need for anyone to come care for me.”
The police officer looked troubled, hesitated a moment, and agreed.
He’d send it first. If the battalion commander’s family cared, they’d come.
–
Fengshou Brigade.
Lin Zhao saw the bamboo basket in the yard was full of wild hawthorns.
“These wild hawthorns were all picked by you guys?”
Yu Bao was eating small animal biscuits, popping one after another into his little mouth, crunching loudly. “Yes, Yuan Bao knew where they were. He led us to pick them.”
“Very sour, so sour my teeth nearly fell out.” Heng Bao thought of that sourness and fearfully covered his cheeks.
Tie Chui tapped the little head, saying honestly: “Very sour. After eating hawthorn, you can’t bite anything else. So uncomfortable, so uncomfortable.”
Lin Zhao found it amusing. “You dislike the sourness, why pick so many?”
The family didn’t lack food for them now.
Yu Bao looked serious, speaking formally: “All the little friends picked. If we didn’t, it feels like we suffered a big loss.”
“Right, though sour, eating one occasionally is okay.” Heng Bao held a rice flower ball in his right hand, stuffing it into his mouth, using his left hand to catch the falling ‘little rice grains’. He said: “Before, Brother and I were always hungry. Eating one wild hawthorn made our stomachs not hurt!”
Lin Zhao’s heart ached sourly.
She rubbed the two cubs’ chubby little faces. “I’ll make jam for you. Jam isn’t sour. You can soak it in water to drink, or dip steamed buns—it’s delicious.”
The twins let Mom rub their faces, their pitch-black bright eyes full of dependence.
Heng Bao asked: “What’s jam?”
“You’ll know when it’s done.” Lin Zhao teased, picking up the bamboo basket full of hawthorns.
She went into the kitchen, poured the hawthorns into the vegetable washing basin to clean them, removed the pits, cut into small pieces, poured into the iron pot, added water, added sugar…
Gu Mu saw Lin Zhao pour in so much white sugar, her heart ached with distress, not daring to look more, and quickly left the kitchen.
Seeing the expression on her face, Gu Lan who was tending the fire stole a laugh.
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang also felt heartbroken.
That white sugar was enough for them for a year.
“With Third Sister-in-law, those naughty children never lack good eats.” Zhao Liuniang even envied the few children for their good fortune.
Huang Xiulan said: “Yeah, no wonder they’re close to Third Sister-in-law. Eating people’s food makes your mouth short. If it were me, I’d be close to her too.”
Third Sister-in-law was very generous, especially to the children—particularly willing to spend.
What she said, the family children all listened. If she said something, the stinky boys wouldn’t listen at all.
Lin Zhao busied herself. It was her first time making jam, so she was cautious with every step.
Hearing the sisters-in-law’s conversation, her voice carried a smile. “Our family’s children have no disobedient ones. Each is likable. The older ones know to look after Younger Brother and Younger Sister, the little ones don’t fight or grab—all good children.”
With the Gu Family’s children, she didn’t need to manage her own four cubs much.
Glancing at the quietly tending-fire Gu Lan. “Alan is also good, both obedient and careful. Thanks to Alan for helping me look after Qian Bao and Yao Bao. When your Third Uncle and I return from the provincial capital, I’ll bring you a sundress.”
The dragon-phoenix twins were the smallest and received the most care from Alan. She saw it all.
Gu Lan was very like her elder aunt—diligent, careful, not petty. A very good girl.
“Third Aunt, no need.” Hearing Third Aunt wanted to buy her a sundress, Gu Lan quickly waved her hand to refuse.
She didn’t know what a sundress was, but things from the provincial capital—how could they not be expensive? It must cost a lot of money.
Lin Zhao said: “Needed, of course. Our Alan is grown up now too, needs a sundress. What color do you like? Never mind, I don’t know what colors there’ll be either. I’ll buy looking at them, hope you like what I bring back.”
Huang Xiulan felt very embarrassed and quickly said: “Third Sister-in-law, don’t spend that money. Alan doesn’t lack clothes. Didn’t you just give her a few last time? Enough to wear.”
Lin Zhao smiled and said no more.
After making the hawthorn jam, she diluted several bowls of jam water. “Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, Alan, all taste it, see how the flavor is. Alan, bring a bowl to your grandparents.”
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang thanked Third Sister-in-law.
They could taste this sweet water too. Wonder if this jam water or soda was tastier?
“Okay.” Gu Lan carried the bowl to the main house.
Lin Zhao also carried a bowl out of the kitchen and sat under the tree in the yard.
As soon as they saw her, the four cubs rushed over.
Seeing the red water in the bowl, four pairs of eyes lit up like stars.
“Taste it, hawthorn jam diluted in water.” Lin Zhao handed it to Yu Bao for him to share with his Younger Brother and Younger Sister.
She went to the bathroom to bathe, came out with damp black hair, casually wiping it with a towel in her right hand.
Fortunately, the weather was very hot with wind, so her hair dried quickly.
Yu Bao saw Lin Zhao come out and stuck close like a clingy bun, his little voice joyful. “Mommy, the jam water is really delicious, a different delicious from soda. Can we drink it tomorrow too?”
“Yes.” Lin Zhao agreed, sitting on the wide rocking chair.
Qian Bao was a particularly thoughtful little dumpling. Seeing Mom resting, he went back to the room, fetched a book, and handed it to her.
“Want me to read it to you?” Lin Zhao didn’t understand and asked directly.
The little friend curved his eyes and nodded gently. “Mm.”
He had gained flesh and didn’t like going out, standing there like a large glutinous rice dumpling, yet with a steady and calm temperament—contrastingly cute, adorably melting.
Lin Zhao picked up Qian Bao, held her son, opened the book, and read softly.
The other three cubs wouldn’t be left out. They brought little stools and gathered by Mom’s side. Yao Bao, the smallest, knew she had privileges and squeezed into Mom’s bosom.
Lin Zhao chuckled lightly, letting her daughter climb onto the lounge chair.
The little milk dumpling huffed and puffed, wiped sweat after climbing up, and even let out a small sigh, as if exhausted.
The smile deepened in Lin Zhao’s eyes, but her mouth didn’t stop, reading the story to the four cubs.
Time flew by, and tinkling sounds came from the main gate.
The people in the yard were startled, the twins’ eyes lighting up slightly.
Heng Bao shouted loudly: “It’s Daddy! Daddy brought Little Uncle back!”
