Chapter 146: “as Promised”
In these times, phone calls are charged by the minute and are very expensive. Unless it’s extremely urgent, ordinary people can’t bear to make phone calls; some even hate to send telegrams.
Each person can talk for at most one minute.
Soon it was Lin Zhao’s turn.
Gu Chenghuai dialed the phone.
Yun Jian got up early and waited in the living room.
The phone rang.
He bounced up from the sofa and rushed over to pick it up. “Chenghuai?”
“It’s me.”
Lin Zhao heard an extremely young voice, clear and full of vigor.
She wondered if all former soldiers were like this.
Always standing straight, always full of hot blood.
Yun Jian immediately asked, “What relation are those two kids to you?”
Gu Chenghuai looked at Lin Zhao and said gravely, “Our own children.”
He understood.
But not fully.
“Our own” meant they had ties to Chenghuai, but… how could Chenghuai have relations with kids from an ordinary worker family in the capital?
Strange.
Yun Jian didn’t press further and shared what he had learned.
“Those two kids are in a bad situation. The woman who gave birth to them is a spineless bun. Her maternal family is all difficult to deal with, the kind of people I don’t even want to associate with.”
He frowned slightly and got straight to the point: “That woman can’t protect those two kids. Even the house they live in has been taken over by her maternal family. I’m certain that if those two kids continue living in that home, they’ll suffer endlessly.”
Lin Zhao stood on tiptoe listening, her smile disappearing from her face, her expression ugly.
She had no goodwill left for the unseen former fourth sister-in-law.
She couldn’t help but grip Gu Chenghuai’s arm.
Without Zhaozhao mentioning it, Gu Chenghuai knew her thoughts.
His strong hand gently patted the back of Lin Zhao’s hand.
Yun Jian continued, “Chenghuai, what do you plan to do next? Take the two kids over?”
“Yes, we’ll take them.” Gu Chenghuai’s voice was steady and strong.
“Need help?” Yun Jian offered proactively, then added after thinking, “Want me to send them over?”
He supplemented, “Decide soon. Those two kids are already not going back to that home.”
A flash of annoyance crossed Lin Zhao’s eyes, not at Chenghuai’s comrade-in-arms, but at the unseen former fourth sister-in-law.
She rarely felt aversion toward people she hadn’t met.
This was the first.
Those were her sons. At the time they needed their mother most, she didn’t protect them. Who were the two kids supposed to rely on?
Lin Zhao didn’t get anxious. She quietly watched Gu Chenghuai. Whether Comrade Yun helped or not was up to him. If Yun Jian didn’t send them, no problem; her family could go pick them up.
Gu Chenghuai gave Lin Zhao a steady, reassuring look and said into the receiver, “Are you convenient?”
“Hey, what’s inconvenient about it.” Yun Jian shifted posture, leaning lazily against the wallpapered wall, his tone casual. “My work has me running all over the place. No big deal. If it’s inconvenient for you, I’ll send the two boys over.”
In a joking tone, he continued, “Hope they don’t think I’m some child trafficker.”
Since his comrade-in-arms said so, Gu Chenghuai didn’t stand on ceremony and said right then, “The day after tomorrow, I’ll bring my wife and kids to the provincial capital. We can meet there then. How’s that?”
Yun Jian quickly settled the route and time in his mind.
“Sure.”
The two confirmed the meeting place and then hung up.
Gu Chenghuai took Lin Zhao out of the post office.
The young couple walked to a shady spot.
Seeing no smile on his wife’s face, seeming quite upset, Gu Chenghuai rubbed the top of her head, his voice mild and natural. “Don’t be mad anymore. It’ll hurt your health, and I’ll be the one heartbroken.”
“I’ll have Yun Jian send Jingmo and Guangbai to the provincial capital. After we finish our errands, we can bring them back just in time.”
Lin Zhao’s brows didn’t relax. “That family won’t cause trouble, will they?”
“Yun Jian handles things without mistakes.” Gu Chenghuai had great confidence in Yun Jian. “That kid is reliable. Otherwise, I wouldn’t always turn to him.”
“Comrade Yun helped our family big time. We must thank him properly.” Lin Zhao felt fortunate that her man had such a reliable, close comrade-in-arms.
Without Yun Jian, they wouldn’t have learned about the two kids so quickly.
One more day of delay meant one more day of danger for Jingmo and Guangbai.
If that family got even more ruthless and sold them to human traffickers…
“There’s still a long way to go.” Gu Chenghuai was confident he could rise high later. He wasn’t afraid of owing favors; he could always pay them back.
For those in high positions, favors were valuable, yet not.
“Tell me Comrade Yun’s address. When there’s a chance, I’ll send him some things.” Lin Zhao said.
The lucky draw wheel had accumulated lots of points. When she started drawing, she could definitely get good stuff and send some as a gift of gratitude.
“Whatever you send, I’ll write to tell you.”
Gu Chenghuai knew Zhaozhao; she didn’t want him owing favors on her behalf.
His cold eyes softened into a smile full of tenderness.
He told her Yun Jian’s address.
Lin Zhao had a good memory and committed the address to heart.
“You’ve worked hard.” Gu Chenghuai said.
“It’s nothing. Husband and wife are one. Besides, Momo and Xiao Bai are my own nephews. You shouldn’t have to owe favors for them anyway.” Lin Zhao was still very clear-headed.
Gu Chenghuai’s brows furrowed slightly. “You say husband and wife are one, so why be distant with me?”
He gazed at Lin Zhao. “We’re husband and wife. Your matters are my matters. I like solving troubles for you.”
Lin Zhao’s fair face was full of sweet, soft smiles.
“Got it.”
Gu Chenghuai’s gaze softened a bit. “Come on, I’ll take you to the supply and marketing cooperative.”
He reminded her, “The day after tomorrow to the provincial capital. Don’t forget to ask for leave.”
Lin Zhao nodded.
After a few steps, she said, “What if I ask Eldest Sister to cover my shift?”
Asking for leave meant no pay, but covering a shift did, and Eldest Sister-in-law had few ways to earn money. She’d surely be willing.
A trace of tenderness flashed in Gu Chenghuai’s eyes. “Perfect. This afternoon I’m going to deliver ping pong balls to Xiao Shitou anyway. I can pass the word to Eldest Sister on the way.”
That his wife thought of his biological sister showed she had him in her heart. He could only be happy.
Lin Zhao didn’t know her man’s overthinking.
She smiled lightly. “Good. Salesperson work is simple, and with Sister Fen’s help, Eldest Sister will definitely manage.”
Eldest Sister-in-law was literate and quick at tasks. Nothing major should be a problem.
As they spoke, the two arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative.
Li Fen had come early and saw Gu Chenghuai dropping off Lin Zhao. She smiled and teased, “Young couples are still the best. Look how lovey-dovey they are. Not like mine. They see each other like brothers from the same family.”
“Pfft—” Lin Zhao was amused by Li Fen’s description and said with a mix of laughter and exasperation, “It’s not that exaggerated. My husband and I rarely see each other. Absence makes the heart grow fonder; it’s no surprise we seem more harmonious.”
Thinking that soon her kids’ dad would return to the troops, she felt waves of reluctance, but there was no way around it. Who let her marry a man with lofty ambitions? Since she’d accepted from the start that Gu Chenghuai couldn’t always be by her side, in the years ahead, she’d coax herself and the four kids well.
He defended home and country; she guarded their home.
Lin Zhao was always open-minded. The reluctant mood didn’t occupy her mind for a few seconds before she cast it aside.
“Sister Fen, I’ll work one more day tomorrow. The day after, my Eldest Sister will cover my shift. If she’s unfamiliar with anything, help her out.”
Li Fen’s expression changed slightly. “…What about you?”
She got along harmoniously with Lin Zhao and hated to lose such a chatty colleague.
Wang Ju also looked over, her eyes full of reluctance.
Lin Zhao saw their moods and smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m just taking a few days off. I’ll come back.”
Li Fen patted her chest. “As long as you come back. I thought you were going to accompany the army. You scared me to death!”
At this, she couldn’t help asking more. “When do you plan to go accompany the army?”
Wang Ju also looked at Lin Zhao curiously.
“Not certain yet. Depends on Comrade Gu’s arrangements.” Lin Zhao wasn’t in a hurry.
Her kids’ dad hadn’t mentioned it, so the time hadn’t come.
She knew Gu Chenghuai wanted her and the kids by his side more than anyone.
Just…
For him, his selfish wishes would never override their comfort.
Li Fen didn’t pry further into private matters and just said, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of your Eldest Sister.”
Wang Ju also said, “…Me too.”
“Thanks. When I get back from the provincial capital, I’ll treat you to candy.”
Li Fen was surprised. “You’re going to the provincial capital?”
“Yeah.” Lin Zhao smiled brightly. “Taking the kids to see the world, broaden their horizons.”
Li Fen: “Good to take the kids to see the world. The provincial capital is much bigger than here.”
Lin Zhao’s brows and eyes held smiles. “Yes. With my family’s Comrade Gu here. If it were just me, I wouldn’t dare.”
Li Fen pursed her lips to stifle a laugh. “Yes, yes.”
After so much time together, Li Fen knew Lin Zhao wasn’t to be trifled with—
She looked delicate and fragile, but actually had great strength and knew some martial arts.
Once, a man at the counter tried to take advantage of a little girl amid the chaos. She spotted it, grabbed his arm, and with her slender arm exerting force, there was a click. The thug’s arm dislocated. He wailed as enthusiastic onlookers twisted him over to public security.
Meanwhile.
Gu Chenghuai went home briefly, picked up the things for Da Shitou and Xiao Shitou, and headed straight to the Wei family.
He’d just reached the village entrance.
From afar, he saw Wei Dasao.
Wei Dasao also saw her brother from her sister’s maternal family. After the last warning from this plague god, she didn’t dare cause trouble anymore. Seeing him was like a mouse seeing a cat; she hurried away.
Gu Chenghuai’s expression didn’t change.
He rode his bicycle to the Wei family.
Gu Chenghuai had come once before, and the village kids all knew he was the Stones brothers’ third maternal uncle.
One ran out proactively to pass the message.
“Da Shitou, Xiao Shitou, your uncle’s here again!!”
Da Shitou was leading his brother digging bamboo shoots. Hearing the shout from the peer, he quickly packed up to go home.
Xiao Shitou’s eyes lit up. Impatient to wait for his brother, he hurried home.
At home, seeing Gu Chenghuai, he called out crisply, “Uncle.”
Gu Chenghuai ruffled his own nephew’s hair and handed him the ping pong ball set. “The thing I promised you. Go play.”
Xiao Shitou had been looking forward to it every day.
Hugging the racket, his mouth curved almost to the sky.
“Thanks, Third Maternal Uncle!” he said loudly.
“Practice well. If there’s a day you bring glory to the country, I’ll be proud of you too.” Gu Chenghuai encouraged.
Xiao Shitou nodded solemnly.
At this moment, Da Shitou came home carrying a heavy bamboo basket and glared angrily at his brother who ditched him. Unfortunately, Xiao Shitou didn’t even look at his brother, immersed in the joy of getting his beloved item, unable to extricate himself.
Gu Chan poured a bowl of sugar water. “Chenghuai, it’s hot. Drink some water. You didn’t have to come before the sun went down. What if you get heatstroke?”
“I’m not that fragile.” Gu Chenghuai smiled.
“Where’s brother-in-law?” he asked.
“Out working. I’m back to cook.” Gu Chan explained.
Then expectantly, “Not rushing back today, right? Stay for dinner?”
Gu Chenghuai didn’t refuse again. “Okay, sorry to trouble Eldest Sister.”
“What trouble? You’re being distant.” Gu Chan pretended to glare angrily, glanced at the delighted Xiao Shitou, and said, “I’m the one troubling you. Xiao Shitou’s been on your mind.”
Her son looked forward to his third maternal uncle’s visits every day.
Gu Chenghuai shook his head.
Remembering the earlier matter, he asked, “Eldest Sister, about the youth palace, has brother-in-law asked around?”
“Yes.” Gu Chan’s face held mixed joy and worry. “The provincial capital’s youth palace has special ping pong classes for kids. Pay money to learn. Learn well and you can bring glory to the country. But that’s before. Heard it’s chaotic now.”
She looked at Gu Chenghuai.
“Your brother-in-law and I think, since it worked before, maybe it will again later. We support Xiao Shitou learning. Rarely see him like something so much. We’d sell the pot and iron to support him.”
“Good thing Xiao Shitou’s still young. Maybe when he’s older, the country will value it again.”
“We want… to let him practice on his own first. Your brother-in-law’s asking around about the provincial capital youth palace. If they recruit again, your brother-in-law and I will send him, let him learn from professionals.”
Gu Chenghuai listened patiently and finally responded, “That works.”
Gu Chan brightened up.
Among people she knew, her third brother was the most capable. If he said it works, it really does.
Learning that his sister and brother-in-law had plans, Gu Chenghuai didn’t say more on it and mentioned the task his wife entrusted.
“Eldest Sister, the day after tomorrow I’m taking my wife and four kids to the provincial capital. Zhaozhao’s job needs someone to cover. Can you?”
Gu Chan froze in place.
Cover, cover the shift?
Did she mean what she thought?
She nervously gripped her pants.
“Chenghuai…”
Gu Chenghuai said, “I originally said let Zhaozhao take leave. She thought of you, said you work hard earning work points for little pay. Better to cover her shift for a few days; all that pay goes to you.”
Gu Chan waved her hands hurriedly. “No, what do I need money for? If Zhaozhao needs help, of course I’m willing. It’s just… I don’t know if I can do salesperson work.”
“Zhaozhao says you can.” Gu Chenghuai’s gaze was encouraging.
Gu Chan’s face flushed with excitement.
Zhaozhao thought that highly of her?!
“…Okay, I’ll do it!” she blurted out.
Wei Xiangdong had just entered the yard and heard his wife’s words, looking baffled. “Do what?”
Gu Chan stood up and explained the matter in a rush.
Finally, “Do you think I can do it?”
“What’s not to do!” Wei Xiangdong had blind confidence in Gu Chan, thinking she could do anything.
“You’re good-looking, literate, friendly, quick at work. Salesperson job is simple for you. Go relax and bold.”
He smiled at Gu Chenghuai, then continued, “That Chenghuai’s wife thought of you means she thinks you can handle it. Why not Gu Xing’er or others? Because others aren’t reliable. Don’t overthink. You can do it.”
Gu Chan was boosted by the encouragement, her confidence surging.
“Okay, I’ll go.”
Wei Xiangdong nodded. “Perfect chance to get used to being a worker. I asked around about the job… got news.”
He’d planned to keep it secret, but to encourage his wife, he let slip a hint.
Gu Chan’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Got news? What job? How much to secure it? What’s the salary?”
She fired off questions like a machine gun.
Wei Xiangdong pressed his wife’s shoulder. “Don’t get excited first. Still inquiring. Not sure if it works out. Don’t get hopes up for nothing. Stay calm. If it works, you go to work. If not, I’ll find another.”
He hunted, saving a few hundred in half a month. That was his confidence.
Gu Chan tried to steady herself. “Okay, stay calm, stay calm.”
Gu Chenghuai knew his brother-in-law Wei Xiangdong. If he mentioned it, there was a good chance. “Brother-in-law, if money’s short, say so.”
Wei Xiangdong smiled. “Sure.”
“Can you ride a bicycle?” Gu Chenghuai asked. Meeting his puzzled eyes, he explained, “We’re leaving the bicycle in the provincial capital when we go. If you can ride, you can pick up and drop off my sister.”
The road was fairly long, and security wasn’t great. He worried about his sister having an accident.
No real man doesn’t want to ride a bike carrying his wife. Wei Xiangdong grinned. “Can’t yet, but I can learn.”
And so the matter was settled.
Three thirty in the afternoon.
Lin Zhao planned to go back to her maternal home to tell her parents about Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai’s situation. She hadn’t left the village when Lin Shisheng, covered in lime slurry, ran up and stopped her and Gu Chenghuai.
“Zhaozhao, don’t go back. You won’t see Mom and Dad for the next month.”
Lin Zhao blinked, baffled. “Why?”
“This morning, we got a telegram from the troops saying Little Three was injured. Mom and Dad were worried and left early this morning to see him.” Lin Shisheng explained.
Thinking of his third brother in unknown condition, his brows locked tightly, very worried.
Lin Zhao’s mind felt like it was struck by a hammer, buzzing. Coming back to herself, her tone urgent, “Is Third Brother okay? Where was he injured?”
