Chapter 152: “finally Meeting”
Yun Jian eyed Meng Jingmo, his tone carrying a bit of playful irreverence, “Now you know to be afraid?”
“…I’m not afraid.” Meng Jingmo was stubborn, “I’m worried about my father.”
Yun Jian snorted lightly, “A little guy who could only keep his mouth afloat if he fell into the water.”
“What does that mean?” Xiao Bai’s eyes were blank.
Yun Jian laughed, “Saying your brother is stubborn-mouthed.”
“My brother doesn’t have a hard mouth.” Meng Guangbai’s voice rose a bit, “My older brother is the best older brother, his mouth is the softest.”
Meng Jingmo: “…”
He looked at his younger brother’s angry little head, sighed, Xiao Bai was so silly, what would he do without him.
But this interruption dispersed most of the unease and anxiety in his heart.
“Beep beep beep—”
The train whistle sounded.
They had arrived.
After getting off, the Meng brothers pretended to be calm but were actually bewildered as they followed closely behind Yun Jian, not missing a step.
Not long after.
They saw a family, and… a cute little golden monkey.
This family had so many people— that was the Meng brothers’ first impression.
Yun Jian spotted Gu Chenghuai, his eyes lit up, and he strode forward, hugging him and patting his back heavily a few times, his voice clear and full of joy, “Chenghuai, long time no see.”
Gu Chenghuai patted him back and laughed: “Come on, I’ll treat you to a meal.”
Yun Jian released him, “Next time, I took emergency leave and need to hurry back, I’ve already bought the return ticket, got to go soon.”
The purpose of this trip was for business, and seeing his old friend was just a bonus.
“These are your four children, right?” He looked over the four little ones one by one, then at Lin Zhao, made a fist and thumped Gu Chenghuai’s shoulder, saying with deep feeling: “You’re so lucky.”
Gu Chenghuai neither confirmed nor denied, his eyes smiling.
Yun Jian pulled out four red envelopes and gave them one by one to the four Gu family little ones.
“Take them, meeting gifts from your big brother.”
Luckily he had prepared, Yun Jian thought he was as clever as Zhuge.
The four little ones didn’t take them but looked to their father; only after Gu Chenghuai nodded did they accept.
“Thank you…” About to thank him, they hesitated on the address, Yu Bao looked at Yun Jian, thought for a moment, and still called him uncle, “Thank you, uncle.”
Heng Bao and the others followed their older brother.
“Thank you, uncle.”
Yun Jian: “…”
“I’m not married yet, you should call me older brother.” He insisted.
Yu Bao looked up, staring oddly at the strange uncle, and insisted: “Uncle.”
Heng Bao listened to his brother and grinned: “Uncle.”
The dragon-phoenix twins also called him uncle.
Yun Jian pinched his brow, these uncle calls giving him a headache.
Chenghuai’s four little ones were really hard to fool.
He looked at Gu Chenghuai, “What’s the next plan? When are you heading back?”
Gu Chenghuai didn’t answer, but looked to Lin Zhao, “Want to see anywhere else?”
Yun Jian just felt his teeth ache.
He hadn’t expected his usually stern comrade to be… like this in front of his wife.
“No need.” Lin Zhao shook her head.
She had bought everything she wanted, and with so many children it wasn’t good to delay further, better to head back early.
Gu Chenghuai had no objection and said to Yun Jian: “No need to host us, we’ll head straight back.”
Yun Jian rarely saw his old comrade and had lots of updates on mutual friends to ask about, he checked his watch, there was still time, so he said: “I have a bit more time, I’ll see you onto the train before I go.”
“Thanks.” Gu Chenghuai knew his comrade was worried about him traveling with so many children.
Though he didn’t really need it, he wouldn’t refuse his comrade’s kindness.
Gu Chenghuai went to buy several train tickets, checked the departure time, over forty minutes away, time was fairly ample.
After properly settling Lin Zhao and the children, he and Yun Jian went to the guesthouse to pick up the luggage.
Once the two left, in a certain resting room at the train station, only Lin Zhao and the six little friends remained.
“You’re Jingmo, you’re Guangbai?” Lin Zhao pointed at Meng Jingmo, then at Meng Guangbai.
Xiao Bai’s eyes widened round, seeming a bit surprised, his voice soft and glutinous, “How do you know my brother and my names?”
These two Meng family children had many Lin family characteristics, especially in their brows and eyes; after all, they were city-raised kids, with an air of upbringing, refined and polite.
“Guess.” Lin Zhao teased her nephews.
Xiao Bai smiled shyly, “Did my father tell you? Aunt, can you take my brother and me to my father?”
Aunt?
Lin Zhao shook her head with a smile, “I’m your real aunt, your father is my real brother, you should call me aunt.”
“?”
Upon hearing this.
Meng Xiaobai’s little face was dumbfounded.
Meng Jingmo’s expression was dazed.
Real… aunt?
An ordinary afternoon, little Jingmo was struck dumb by this news, his head spinning, mind in chaos. This state lasted until the two who went to fetch luggage returned.
When Gu Chenghuai and Yun Jian returned, both were smiling, the faint unfamiliarity from their initial meeting completely gone.
“Sister-in-law, sorry for the wait.” Yun Jian said apologetically.
Lin Zhao didn’t mind, “You haven’t seen each other in a long time, talk more.”
Yun Jian laughed, “Sister-in-law is so understanding, Chenghuai is so lucky.”
Lin Zhao smiled reservedly.
As they spoke, Yun Jian saw his comrade’s family onto the train, only stopping after escorting them to the carriage.
“Zhaozhao, you all stay in the carriage first, I’ll see Yun Jian off the train, be back soon.” Gu Chenghuai said to Lin Zhao, seeing his wife nod, then to the twins: “Yu Bao, Heng Bao, watch your younger brother and sister, don’t let them go out.”
“Okay.” Yu Bao responded seriously.
Gu Chenghuai and Yun Jian left, talking just outside the carriage where Lin Zhao and the little ones were; the window showed two standout figures.
Meng Jingmo and his brother sat on the lower bunk bed, their gazes following Lin Zhao to the four little ones, then landing on that little golden snub-nosed monkey, eyes stunned.
Is this really his aunt?
His father has family?!
Later, little Jingmo wrote a short essay in his diary.
「When I was six, I was forced to grow up. The father who loved me most suddenly lost his little Xi, mom let laolao’s family move into our home, ba took our place, that’s when I knew my brother and I had no home left.
I promised dad to take good care of my younger brother. I knew if we stayed in that home, we’d be bullied to death, so I took my brother and escaped, living in a broken factory building.
As I thought, the first night, the person I called mom didn’t come looking for us. It was the hottest time of the year, but that night I felt very cold. I knew I could no longer see her as my closest person.
That day, someone came to find my brother and me. At first glance, he seemed like a street thug. He said he’d treat us to a meal. I asked to see his work permit, he agreed. Turns out he was…
After that, that person took my brother and me straight to the capital. Along the way, I was very scared. I didn’t know what awaited my brother and me.
After getting off the train, I saw so many people: dad, mom, and… four little friends, and a very small, very cute little monkey…
When we got on the train to see dad, I finally came to my senses. This big group of people might really be my aunt’s family.（Because of our family’s situation, no one would come claim kinship proactively）
I actually have an aunt???」
The young child knew few characters, half in Chinese characters, half in pinyin, with many wrong characters.
When Gu Chenghuai boarded, Lin Zhao saw her nephew still dazed, not saying a word, somewhat worried.
She nudged the man sitting beside her, asking softly: “Is our new nephew okay?”
Don’t scare the child into something bad.
If so, how would she explain to Fourth Brother.
“He’s fine.” Gu Chenghuai was steady, “Fourth Brother just learned of our existence and is stunned, let alone a child. They’ll be fine once they process it.”
Lin Zhao nodded.
As Gu Chenghuai said, soon after the train started moving, Meng Jingmo finally snapped out of it.
“You’re our aunt? Real aunt?” Meng Jingmo looked at Lin Zhao, trying to spot any sign of lying on her face.
“Yes, if you still don’t believe… ask your father yourselves when you see him.” Lin Zhao didn’t try more to prove it.
Meng Jingmo wanted news of his father, the wariness in his eyes faded, and he asked: “Is my father okay?”
“He’s good, with your grandfather.” Lin Zhao said.
Meng Jingmo’s eyes widened round, his face full of surprise, “Great-grandpa is there too??”
Only at this moment did Lin Zhao see the look of a six-year-old child on him.
She smiled happily, “Yes, your great-grandfather is doing well too.”
Meng Jingmo was overjoyed.
Yu Bao and Heng Bao understood mom’s words; these two unseen little friends were like Da Dan Ge and the others, their brothers.
The blood-related kind.
“Mom, why haven’t I seen them before?” Long-mouthed Heng Bao asked.
“Because your Fourth Uncle, that is, Momo and Xiao Bai’s father, was stolen away when he wasn’t even as big as Yao Bao. Your grandparents searched a long time but couldn’t find him. Not just you, I hadn’t seen them before either.” Lin Zhao explained.
“Huh?” Heng Bao said oddly, “We have a Fourth Uncle? Who?!”
Yu Bao also looked at mom puzzled.
Lin Zhao knew the twins kept their mouths shut, never spilling family matters outside, so she spoke very softly, “Remember when you two drew on ears before?”
The two little friends smiled embarrassedly.
Heng Bao hugged Lin Zhao’s arm, shaking it, his tone wavy, “Mom~~”
Don’t mention the kids’ embarrassing stories.
Lin Zhao smiled, “The person at the foot of the mountain, with a little leaf birthmark behind the ear, that’s your Fourth Uncle.”
“He’s mom’s brother?” Yu Bao’s mind worked fast.
“Yes.” Lin Zhao nodded.
Her expression serious, she said solemnly: “This is a secret, no one can know your Fourth Uncle is your Fourth Uncle, or all our family’s things will be taken away, our whole family bullied. Got it?”
Then to Meng Jingmo: “I have to look after you secretly; it’s better if the relationship stays hidden.”
Meng Jingmo understood, “I know.”
Yu Bao nodded seriously, responding to mom, “Mom, got it. I’ll watch Heng Bao… and the younger brother and sister.”
The dragon-phoenix twins weren’t even two, couldn’t speak clearly yet, no worry there.
Only Heng Bao, fast-mouthed, needed special watching.
But.
Mom said not to tell outsiders, he could remember.
“I won’t say either.” Heng Bao declared loudly, “My mouth is sealed tight!”
“Mom believes you.” Lin Zhao flattered her son, coaxing: “Besides your dad, our family relies on you two.”
The two boys ran all over the village, got along well with village kids; she still wanted the two little brothers as her “eyes.” Telling them Meng Jiusi was Fourth Brother… benefits outweighed risks.
And even if they told, no one would believe.
Hearing mom, the twins puffed their chests, a sense of responsibility rising.
Heng Bao was a little social butterfly, could chat with old grandpas; he pulled the smaller Guangbai, “Baibai, my mom is your real aunt, I’m older than you, you gotta call me brother, got it? I’m Gu Zhiheng, call me Heng Bro, say it.”
Xiao Bai, well-protected by his brother, was unguarded with anyone, obediently called: “Heng Bro.”
Jingmo: “…”
Heng Bao grinned happily, patted his new brother’s shoulder confidently: “Don’t worry, Heng Bro’s got you. In the brigade, I call and a hundred respond; with me here, no one dares bully you.”
Lin Zhao heard him bragging, just smiled, didn’t expose.
Not really bragging, Heng Bao did command a crowd.
With the little golden snub-nosed monkey, the dragon-phoenix twins were easier to manage; the three little ones lying together playing with hands could play a whole day.
Now they lay on the lower bunk, giggling.
So cute it melted hearts.
Xiao Bai gnawed his hand back, hesitated long, politely asked Yu Bao and Heng Bao’s permission, “Can I play with monkey bro?”
“Sure.” Yu Bao said generously, “We’re family, no need to stand on ceremony. My big aunt and I don’t either.”
Family… Xiao Bai glanced at him, lowered his head, said softly: “Then why did grandma and uncle hit my brother and me?”
Lin Zhao’s smiling eyes flashed cold, but her voice stayed gentle, “Yuan family hit you too?”
She thought the Yuan family at most wouldn’t feed the two nephews, didn’t expect they’d dare hit!
“Yes.” Xiao Bai recalled being hit with his brother, trembled in fear, “Grandma hit brother’s face, pinched us. Jin Bao Ge made us pick up steamed buns from the ground to eat, I was so scared wuwuwu.”
Lin Zhao saw her nephew’s shoulders shaking as he cried, heart aching, hugged Xiao Bai, patted his back gently.
“No fear, no fear, your brother got you out. With aunt here, no one will dare hit you again.”
Damn Yuan family!
When she went to the capital, that family was done for!
Xiao Bai nestled in Lin Zhao’s bosom, thought of mom, sadder, recalled his brother’s words, just wuwuwu teary, said nothing.
Jingmo’s eyes reddened too, he turned his face to the window, sniffed.
After the train, they took a car.
Back to the place, Lin Zhao thought, never bringing so many little friends out again, really too tiring.
“Zhaozhao!”
Lin Zhao looked, saw Lin Shichang, “Big Brother! Why is Big Brother here?”
Gu Chenghuai explained: “I sent a telegram.”
With many children, county far from brigade, and how to arrange Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai next, better if Lin family knew.
Lin Shichang ran over, gaze pausing slightly on the Meng brothers—this was Little Fourth’s two sons, his two nephews?
Afraid the kids would feel awkward, he casually shifted his gaze.
“Back, trip smooth?” He said something obvious.
As they spoke, Yu Bao bounced over with little golden snub-nosed monkey on his head.
“Great Uncle, look!” The little friend shook his head, showing off his new pal.
Lin Shichang was stunned, “This is… little golden snub-nosed monkey?”
“Where’d it come from?”
Gu Chenghuai spoke: “Provincial capital circus, ended up in our hands by chance.”
Lin Shichang: “The four little ones must be thrilled.”
Responding were four happy smiling faces.
The group headed to the state-run restaurant; Lin Zhao introduced Lin Shichang to the Meng brothers.
“Jingmo, Xiao Bai, this is your father’s eldest brother, your great uncle.”
Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai obediently greeted, “Great Uncle.”
Lin Shichang gave the two nephews red envelopes, said: “Let’s eat first, after I’ll take you back to Fengshou Brigade.”
