Chapter 151: “new Member”
Lin Zhao glanced at Gu Chenghuai. She didn’t know how to answer this question, so she left it to the cubs’ dad.
Gu Chenghuai’s broad palm rested on the shoulders of the startled Yu Bao and Heng Bao. That hand was both large and warm.
He brought out the ultimate words, “You’re still young. Don’t worry about adult matters.”
“As long as you remember, I will keep all dangers away.” When he said this, he was confident and composed.
Heng Bao was a bold cub with amazing resilience. He soon turned back into that energetic little friend.
He even had the mind to ask further, “Dad, what mistake did that beaten person make?”
Gu Chenghuai patted his son’s head. He didn’t even make excuses, just saying, “The things inside are very complicated. You’ll understand when you’re around ten years old.”
Heng Bao didn’t ask further because the screen right in front lit up.
Children forget quickly. With a movie to watch, they forgot their previous fright.
They focused entirely on watching the movie.
It had to be said that the provincial capital’s movie theater was indeed better than those in small places. The seats were reasonably designed, spacious and comfortable, and sitting for over an hour wouldn’t cause back or waist pain.
It was very large inside, full of people.
Yu Bao observed the surroundings, firmly imprinting this scene in his mind, wanting to tell his little friends when he got back.
After watching the movie, they ate at the state-run restaurant. Lin Zhao and her husband took the four cubs back to the guesthouse.
The whole family simply washed up and lay on the beds.
The twins shared one bed, and the couple took the dragon-phoenix twins on another bed.
It was already quite late, and after the tiring journey, Qian Bao and Yao Bao were young and low on energy, already snoring soundly.
Yu Bao and Heng Bao had unlocked a new map and were extremely excited.
They lay flat on the bed, legs crossed, humming something in their mouths.
Lin Zhao turned sideways, her eyes smiling as she looked at the two little brothers, “So happy to come to the provincial capital?”
“Fun!” Heng Bao glanced at his sleeping younger brother and sister, lowering his voice, his tone cheerful.
“The supply and marketing cooperative is so big, the movie theater is big too, the roads are wide, the houses are grand, and there are so many bicycles.” He listed everything different he had seen.
“Heng Bao observes very carefully.” Lin Zhao praised, “What about Yu Bao? What do you think?”
Yu Bao thought seriously for two seconds, replying with the attitude of answering a teacher’s question, “People living here find everything very convenient.”
Lin Zhao smiled, “Yu Bao sums it up very well too.”
Yu Bao showed a shy but happy smile.
Heng Bao changed positions, lying prone on the bed with his short legs kicked up high, “Mom, zoo tomorrow morning?”
“Yes, we were originally going today, but time was tight, so tomorrow.” Lin Zhao explained.
Heng Bao grinned, “As long as you take us, it’s fine.”
“Go to sleep early today; we have to get up early tomorrow.” Lin Zhao said softly.
After taking the car and then the train, and going shopping and playing, the day had been truly fulfilling. It felt like the day had stretched longer.
“Heng Bao, lie down properly.” Yu Bao urged his brother. Once Heng Bao lay down, he covered both their little bellies and then closed his eyes.
It was as worry-free as could be.
Gu Chenghuai looked at Lin Zhao, “Shall I turn off the light?”
“Go ahead.”
After the light went out, the whole room fell into darkness.
The two little brothers held hands, encouraging each other.
Once the breathing from the other bed grew steady, Gu Chenghuai extended his broad, warm palm and gently patted Lin Zhao’s shoulder.
One pat after another, very rhythmic, slow and leisurely, like coaxing a child.
Lin Zhao opened her eyes, a smile flashing in them. She reached out to hug the man’s waist, kissed his chin, and then closed her eyes.
Gu Chenghuai’s lips curved slightly.
The next day, early morning.
The sound of the door opening.
Lin Zhao opened her eyes and saw Gu Chenghuai coming in with things in hand.
“You’re awake.” Gu Chenghuai chuckled softly. The four cubs were still snoring soundly; he kept his voice very low, “Hungry? I bought buns and soy milk.”
Lin Zhao sat up, her jet-black long hair disheveled, strands falling on both sides of her cheeks, making her face look even smaller.
Her appearance didn’t quite fit the aesthetics of this era. At this time, rounder faces were favored by elders, but her face was overly small and delicate. Raised by Lin Heling from a young age, even if her experiences weren’t vast, she was full of confidence, exuding a nobility unlike that of a country girl, not very down-to-earth.
But in Gu Chenghuai’s heart, Zhaozhao was perfect everywhere—her looks, which he liked, and her temperament, which he also liked.
Thinking of how his wife had a headache from the car ride yesterday, he set down the things, sat on the bed’s edge, and asked warmly, “Does your head still hurt?”
Lin Zhao used him as a cushion, “No more pain.”
As they spoke, the twins woke up too.
Heng Bao flipped a somersault on the bed, his eyes darting around, then remembering this was the guesthouse.
Recalling they were going to see the big tiger today, he immediately perked up.
“Off to the zoo!” he said loudly.
His loud voice startled the dragon-phoenix twins, who were tangled in each other’s limbs.
The two little dumplings opened their eyes, bright and lively. Seeing Mom and Dad beside them, they grinned with their rosy little mouths.
Qian Bao felt his little belly bloated and reached for Gu Chenghuai, his tone milky and cute, “Pee pee.”
Gu Chenghuai quickly picked up his younger son and headed to the toilet.
Lin Zhao held Yao Bao, her gaze gentle, “Does Yao Bao want to pee?”
“Mm hmm.” Yao Bao nodded her little head.
Lin Zhao got out of bed without a word, slipped on slippers, picked up her little daughter. After the cubs’ dad brought Qian Bao out, she quickly took Yao Bao out too.
The whole family bustled to relieve their bloated bellies, ate breakfast, then went to the post office to mail yesterday’s purchases home, afterward heading lightly to the zoo.
It was a weekday; most people had to go to work, so the zoo wasn’t crowded.
After buying tickets, Lin Zhao and her husband took the cubs into the park.
Heng Bao was like a wild horse off the reins. Seeing novel animals, he ran over da-da-da to look, turning to Lin Zhao, “Mom, what is this?”
Lin Heling had found picture books in the children’s early years to teach them various “common knowledge.” Lin Zhao had seen animal illustration books.
Looking at the animal with unusually brilliant feathers, she explained to the children, “That’s a peacock.”
“Peacock! So pretty!” Heng Bao exclaimed in awe.
He looked a few more times, turned back, his face beaming with a brilliant smile, “Mom, I want a photo, with the peacock in it. I want to show Li Bao.”
Hearing this, Yu Bao ran over too, standing beside his brother.
“Me too.”
Heng Bao adored his brother. Seeing Yu Bao come, he didn’t feel offended and grinned even wider.
“Great, we’ll take one together and save film.”
Yu Bao seriously patted his brother’s head, pleased, “Heng Bao knows to be thrifty now. That’s very good.”
“Pfft…” Lin Zhao couldn’t help laughing.
She cleared her throat, raised the camera, “Cough… Look here.”
The twins pressed their heads together, showing happy smiles.
Lin Zhao pressed the shutter, about to put away the camera, when she saw the beautiful peacock open its tail.
“Don’t move, one more!”
She quickly took another.
Seeing their brothers taking photos, Qian Bao and Yao Bao ran over too, standing in front of the twins. The four siblings got a new group photo, with the open-tailed peacock as the backdrop.
“Beautiful!” Lin Zhao gave a thumbs up, “Good luck. I hear seeing a peacock open its tail is rare.”
Yu Bao and Heng Bao were both very happy.
Yes, they were the fortunate little friends.
Next, they saw many other animals, and the children’s excited cries never stopped.
Before leaving the zoo, not just the twins—even Qian Bao and Yao Bao didn’t want to go.
Near the exit, a few people were talking.
One had a very small golden snub-nosed monkey, only as big as a little friend’s arm, with a rope tied around its neck, obediently sitting on the ground, its eyes lively as it looked at people.
“Director, can’t the zoo really take Little Gold? It doesn’t eat much; it’s very well-behaved…” The man holding the rope had red eyes, pleading, “Our circus was smashed, and those people are watching us. We can’t keep going. I’m going to beg for a living too and can’t take Little Gold. It’s too small; releasing it is a death sentence. I want to find it a good place for you to take it.”
Little Gold was raised by him. If there was any way, he wouldn’t bear to part with it.
Lin Zhao, passing by, heard this.
She looked at the little monkey. Its fur was a bit dull but not skinny, with clever, spirited eyes.
Yu Bao’s excited voice rang out, “It’s Little Monkey Brother!”
Though excited, his volume wasn’t loud, just filled with doubt and heartache, “Why is Monkey Brother tied up? Where’s his somersault cloud? Why doesn’t it fly away?”
Lin Zhao: “…”
The director shook his head, sighing softly, “It’s not that I won’t take it; it’s… I won’t hide it from you—those people have come here too. Whether this zoo can stay open or how long, I don’t know. I’m already worried about handling all these animals. I can’t help with another tiny monkey.”
With that, fearing the man would beg relentlessly and he’d soften, the director found an excuse and slipped away quickly.
The young man lowered his head in despair.
Heng Bao idolized Monkey Brother. He approached, squatted to look at the little golden snub-nosed monkey, took out a small piece of pastry to feed it. The monkey was truly clever; it jumped onto Heng Bao’s foot, took the food with both hands, and clasped them in thanks.
“Mom, Monkey Brother is saying thank you to me.” Heng Bao said loudly, delighted.
Lin Zhao knew little golden snub-nosed monkeys ate leaves, tender buds, and seasonal fruit—not human food, which wasn’t good for their bodies.
“Heng Bao, don’t feed it casually. Golden snub-nosed monkeys can’t eat pastry.”
Heng Bao’s mouth gaped, panicked, “What then?”
After asking, he reached for the little golden snub-nosed monkey, urging anxiously, “Give it to me; you can’t eat it.”
Seeing no reaction from the little golden snub-nosed monkey, he hurried, “You can’t eat this; it’ll upset your stomach.”
As if sensing the two-legged cub’s worry, the little golden snub-nosed monkey reluctantly gave it back.
It got angry, turned its back, leaving a chubby, puffed-up round silhouette.
Lin Zhao was surprised by the little golden snub-nosed monkey’s intelligence.
“Comrade, you don’t want this monkey anymore?” She looked at the man who wanted to send the golden snub-nosed monkey to the zoo.
Hearing this, Yu Bao and Heng Bao’s eyes lit up.
“!!”
Why was Mom asking this?
Guessing something, they didn’t dare ask, but their bright eyes sparkled.
“You want it?” the man holding the rope asked.
He sized up Lin Zhao’s family, seeing they could afford to raise Little Gold, his eyes flashing.
Lin Zhao said, “The children like it.”
Little Gold hadn’t lacked takers before; the young man just wanted a good home and hadn’t sold it. Now seeing two little boys who looked alike truly liking Little Gold, he had an idea.
“Can you guarantee you’ll take good care of Little Gold?”
The twins covered their mouths, afraid to cry out.
They looked down at the cute little monkey, mouths nearly splitting to the back of their heads.
Was a new family member coming home?!!
Gu Chenghuai saw Zhaozhao wanted the little monkey. He took out his officer ID, steady, “We will. I guarantee it with this military uniform on me.”
He knew Zhaozhao and the children well—none were the type to give up halfway. Just look at the two dogs at home, growing sleeker and glossier.
The young man’s heart eased halfway.
Lin Zhao took out the letter of introduction, saying, “Our place is near the mountains. We can occasionally take this little monkey to play in the mountains. If you’re at ease, entrust it to us.”
The young man glanced at the place on the letter—indeed near the mountains.
At this point, he fully relaxed.
He gave the rope tied to the golden snub-nosed monkey to Gu Chenghuai.
Reluctantly, “Little Gold is in your hands.”
He squatted, cupped the little golden snub-nosed monkey with both hands, rubbed his face against its head, voice choked, “Little Gold, from now on follow this family. Be good, don’t hit people, get along with your little masters, okay? I have no choice. If I did, I’d raise you myself. Don’t blame me.”
With that, he wiped his face and ran off quickly.
The little golden snub-nosed monkey was sensible, understanding it had a new owner. It unceremoniously climbed to Yu Bao’s shoulder, squatting obediently, turning its eyes curiously at the others.
Yu Bao’s body stiffened.
“Dad?” he called.
Gu Chenghuai’s deep black eyes flashed with amusement. He reached to untie the rope around the golden snub-nosed monkey’s neck. The rope was loosely tied, slipping off with a gentle tug—clearly the young man was extremely kind-hearted.
“Don’t be scared. This little guy is showing closeness. From now on, it’s our family’s new member.”
Hearing Dad say this, Yu Bao smiled, revealing white teeth.
Heng Bao wanted to get close to Monkey Brother too, opening his arms to Little Gold, “Little Gold, come to me.”
The little golden snub-nosed monkey turned away, ignoring him.
Lin Zhao laughed out loud, “The little guy is still mad.”
She touched the little monkey’s head—furry, with an exceptionally good feel. Little Gold raised its little head, eyes round and bright, full of spirit.
“So cute.” she said.
Looking at Gu Chenghuai, “Is it okay for our family to raise a monkey?”
“What could be the problem? No one cares about this; raise it freely.” Gu Chenghuai said.
He’d even seen people raising wolves and snakes. The country had no mind for this now. With people not even full, who cared about small animals.
Lin Zhao’s brows relaxed, a smile tugging at her lips, “Good then. One more mouth to feed at home.”
“No problem; I can support you all.” What Gu Chenghuai didn’t say was he was about to get promoted—latest by year’s end, he’d be Commander Gu, with his allowance rising by dozens.
Not just one more mouth; several more would be fine.
The little golden snub-nosed monkey didn’t stay long on Yu Bao’s shoulder. When Lin Zhao touched it, it jumped into her bosom without hesitation, even adjusting to a comfy position.
“…”
Yu Bao laughed, “Little Gold knows who’s the boss at home. It’s so smart!”
“Little Gold is Monkey Brother; it learns fast, of course it’s smart.” Even though Little Gold ignored him, Heng Bao wasn’t mad, “Mom, what does Little Gold eat? When we get back, I’ll feed it goodies, and it’ll play with me, right?”
“Yes.” Lin Zhao didn’t discourage her son, telling him what golden snub-nosed monkeys liked to eat.
“It likes leaves and tender buds?” Heng Bao was stunned but didn’t dwell, “I’ll find it the tenderest leaves and buds.”
“Good.” Lin Zhao stroked the little monkey’s long tail, eyes curved happily. She really liked this obedient and clever little cutie.
In the blink of an eye, it was afternoon, nearing the agreed time with Yun Jian.
Lin Zhao belatedly worried, “Gu Chenghuai, what if Jing Mo and Guang Bai don’t want to come with us?”
“Do you think that’s possible?” Gu Chenghuai smiled, his voice patient, “They can’t stay in the capital. If someone comes for them to join their father, they’ll only be happy. Those two kids are smart; they won’t refuse to come with us.”
To put it bluntly, the Meng brothers had no choice.
“You’re right.” Lin Zhao re-braided her hair and took her husband and children to the station to pick them up.
On the train.
The closer to the destination, the more tense Meng Jingmo became, his face tight.
He didn’t know if bringing his brother to escape was right. He hoped fate would favor them once more—not asking for much, just to see Dad. As long as they saw Dad, he’d gladly eat wild veggies every meal.
