Chapter 153: “ride The Wind And Soar”
Meng Jingmo said sensibly, “I’ll follow Uncle and Aunt’s arrangements.”
Lin Shichang rubbed his greasy hair, then turned to pick up Meng Guangbai and put him on his shoulders for a piggyback ride.
Xiao Bai was a little scared, his small body stiff. Seeing his older brother smile at him, he relaxed a bit, held onto his uncle’s head, and looked around. Before long, his mouth curved into a sweet smile.
Dad used to give him piggyback rides too!
The State-run Restaurant was about to close, and there wasn’t much food left inside. Lin Zhao and the others ate a quick bite before heading to Fengshou Brigade.
Lin Zhao was used to riding a bicycle. After walking for only two li, her legs felt sore. Feeling sorry for her older brother’s hard commute to work, she said, “Brother, should we buy a bicycle? It’s too hard for you to walk back and forth to work. It’s fine now in the hot weather, but what about when it gets cold?”
“That’s the plan,” Lin Shichang said, his heart warming. “I’m waiting for a bicycle ticket. I’ll buy one when I get it.”
Gu Chenghuai offered, “I’ll ask around when I get back to the troops. If there’s one, I’ll send it back.”
Lin Shichang didn’t want to take advantage of his brother-in-law and said directly, “I’ll pay for it. If you don’t want money, then I don’t want it.”
Even close brothers settle accounts. It would be a favor to get a bicycle, and he couldn’t accept it for free.
Gu Chenghuai knew his brother-in-law’s character. A hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes, “Whatever Big Brother says. Just give it to Zhaozhao.”
“Alright,” Lin Shichang smiled in agreement.
He wouldn’t let his own sister suffer.
If it were before, he wouldn’t have the confidence, but now, he was full of it.
“Brother, are you used to your job?” Lin Zhao asked casually.
“I’m used to it. What’s there not to be used to? It’s much easier than working in the fields.” Lin Shichang felt that it wasn’t strange for everyone to want to be a worker. It was indeed good. They received a salary, ration coupons, gifts for holidays, and had days off each month. Overtime even came with extra pay. It was nothing like being a farmer, working all year round, earning very little money, and not even having enough to eat.
The Lin family’s conditions were considered good, but they still didn’t live very comfortably.
Many things were not easy to obtain.
“If you have a chance, learn a skill,” Lin Zhao suggested.
Working in the warehouse seemed good for now, but there wasn’t much room for advancement. Learning a skill would be different; they would always find a way to make a living afterward.
Lin Shichang understood, “I know. Don’t worry, I went to see Uncle this morning and asked him for a few books. I plan to study more.”
“Before, I didn’t have the opportunity. Now that the opportunity is in front of me, if I still don’t make progress, then I’m truly hopeless.”
He looked at Lin Zhao, “Don’t worry, Sister. Big Brother won’t waste the opportunity you’ve given me.”
Lin Zhao didn’t say any more, “It’s good that Brother knows what he’s doing. I was just being superfluous.”
Look, she was right about her brother.
He just lacked an opportunity.
With the wind, he could fly.
Lin Shichang lightly patted Zhaozhao’s head, “It’s not superfluous. Brother knows your intentions.”
He was truly ashamed! He was the eldest son in the family, and he should have set a good example for his younger siblings, but he still had to rely on his sister to get to the city!
Lin Zhao had no idea what her brother was thinking. If she knew, she would surely laugh at him for overthinking.
To get a job, one had to consider all sorts of things, such as having access to information, having bargaining chips that those who sold jobs wanted, and of course, the most important thing… luck!
Chatting and laughing, they returned to Fengshou Brigade.
By this time, it was already getting dark.
There was no one at the village entrance anymore.
Walking into the village, they didn’t encounter anyone. Passing by a few houses, the sounds of women scolding their children were quite loud.
The Dragon-Phoenix twins were asleep on Gu Chenghuai’s body.
Gu Chenghuai took the two little ones back to the room, not forgetting to wet a towel and wipe them down, and change their clothes.
As soon as he stepped out of the room, he saw Gu Mu coming out of the main house. His elderly mother’s face was full of joy, “Third child, you’re back. Was the journey smooth? Where are your wife and the four little ones?”
She wouldn’t be at ease without seeing her four grandchildren.
She hadn’t slept well for the past few days.
She wanted to peek into the room of the third branch, but knowing that the third son’s wife didn’t like others entering her room, she didn’t go in.
Gu Chenghuai replied, “It was very smooth. Qian Bao and Yao Bao are asleep. Yu Bao and Heng Bao went to find Li Bao, and Zhaozhao is outside talking with my elder brother. She’ll be back later.”
“Big Brother Zhaozhao is here?” Gu Mu was stunned for a moment and glared at her son, “Why didn’t you invite him in?”
“…”
Gu Chenghuai was silent for a moment, “Mother, you should rest. I’ll go take a look.”
Later, he would tell his parents about the Meng family’s affairs. After he returned to the troops, Zhaozhao would be working, and someone needed to look after Meng Jiusi in the brigade. His parents had considerable prestige in the brigade, so entrusting them with this was appropriate.
As for others, he wouldn’t mention them for now.
Gu Mu snorted and turned to look at Yu Bao and Heng Bao.
Before entering the room of the first branch, they heard two exclamations.
“What is this?! A little monkey!! Yu Bao, Heng Bao, where did this come from?” Tie Dan’s voice, filled with excitement, trembled.
“Wow…!” Little Li Bao softly exclaimed, his voice soft, “Yu Bao, Heng Bao, is this your new friend?”
“Yes!” Heng Bao answered loudly, stroking the little golden snub-nosed monkey’s tail. His movements were so gentle, completely unlike his usual boisterous self.
Yu Bao said, “It’s a new member of our Old Gu Family! Just like Da Huang and Amber.”
The two loyal dogs in the house, Gu Chenghuai had trained them like military dogs in the army, and they were becoming increasingly smart. They knew not to enter the house when their master didn’t allow it and were squatting by the door.
Now, they heard their young master, the first one, call their names.
Amber extended a front paw, lifted the bamboo curtain, and entered the room, standing by the door. He tilted his head to look at Yu Bao and wagged his tail with a soft “woof.”
Young Master, why are you calling “woof woof”?
Huang Xiulan was sewing clothes nearby. Seeing the dog at the door, she smiled, “This dog is really smart.”
Heng Bao’s face was full of pride, “My dad trained him. My dad is amazing.”
Behind Gu Chenghuai’s back, his little mouth was very sweet. If his father were present, he would be more inclined to argue with people. This was a boy who said one thing but meant another.
“Yes, yes, your dad is the most amazing,” Gu Mu said with a smile. She looked at her two grandsons. Seeing their rosy cheeks and energetic spirits, she knew they had had a great time. Still, she asked, “My two treasures, quickly tell Grandma, where did you go?”
Before her grandsons could speak, she said with emotion, “I’m old and haven’t even left our commune, yet you two, at such a young age, have already been to the provincial capital!”
Yu Bao said sensibly, “When I grow up, I’ll take Grandma to the provincial capital, to the capital, to see the Great Wall, to see the flag-raising ceremony…”
These were all promises Lin Zhao had made to him, and he was now making them to Gu Mu.
Gu Mu was deeply moved and hugged Yu Bao, calling him her “little darling.”
“Oh my, Grandma’s filial grandson, Grandma will wait for you to take me. If I can go to the provincial capital, to the capital, my life will be complete.”
Heng Bao also wanted to show off and rushed into Gu Mu’s arms, waving his short arms. “Grandma, when I grow up, I’ll buy a big car and take everyone in our family to play. We’ll go wherever you want.”
“My darling…” Gu Mu’s cheerful voice even cracked.
Next, the twins chattered about their experiences in the provincial capital.
Meanwhile, a warm scene was unfolding. At the foot of the mountain, Meng Jiusi met his two sons.
He seemed surprised. Upon seeing Jing Mo and Guang Bai, he froze, and a bitter expression appeared on his face.
Another dream…?
As soon as the thought arose.
“Daddy!” Little Jing Mo ran over quickly, hugged his father’s waist tightly, and tears streamed down his face. His voice was full of grievance, “Daddy, I finally found you! You can’t abandon us again!”
Meng Jiusi stared blankly, then lowered his head and touched his son’s head. It was warm, and his hair pricked his finger. It was… his Jing Mo.
“Momo?”
Jing Mo nodded in his father’s arms, his arms clinging tightly to Meng Jiusi. Tears flowed like a faucet, and soon his eyes were red, and his eyelids were swollen.
“It’s me, I came to find you, woo woo!”
Meng Jiusi’s current appearance was far from the glamorous man he was in the capital. Four-year-old Xiao Bai stared at him for a few moments. After confirming this was his father, he let out a loud cry and stumbled towards him.
“Daddy…”
Meng Jiusi stepped forward a few paces, picked up his younger son, and embraced both his sons.
He bombarded them with questions.
“How did you get here?”
“How have you been during this time?”
“Why do I feel like you’ve lost so much weight? Didn’t you eat? Didn’t I leave you money and ration coupons?”
“What happened to Momo’s face? Who hit you?”
…
Listening to his father’s words, Xiao Bai hugged Meng Jiusi’s neck, as if seeking a safe haven, but he couldn’t stop complaining.
“Brother and I had no food to eat. Grandma and Uncle… and Jin Bao Ge, they beat Brother and me. Mom didn’t care.”
The child’s voice was soft, and every word was filled with unspoken grievance.
“Jin Bao Ge took Brother’s and my room. He wouldn’t let Brother and me sleep in the bed, nor would he let us eat. He threw the steamed buns on the ground and made Brother and me pick them up…”
These were things they had just experienced. Little Guang Bai remembered them very clearly. He had been thinking about telling his father on the way, so he spoke smoothly.
Listening to each word, Meng Jiusi’s face became cold. He was so angry that he trembled all over, his teeth chattering.
Clearly.
He was enraged.
The Yuan Family!
The Yuan Family!!!
Meng Jiusi’s eyes were bloodshot, filled with hatred.
Because he was an orphan, he had never mistreated the Yuan family after marrying a girl from a big city family. He sent generous gifts every year, hoping that… if something happened to him, the Yuan family would, out of respect for him as their son-in-law, give his two sons a meal. He never expected that after he had been gone for such a short time, the Yuan family would treat Momo and Xiao Bai like this!
Were they still family?
Meng Jiusi’s heart grew cold.
His eyes were full of heartache, “Dad made you suffer.”
Little Jing Mo sniffled, his expression stubborn. “As long as I’m with Dad, even eating wild vegetables won’t be bitter.”
The children were raised by Meng Jiusi, and he knew that Momo was speaking the truth.
He lowered his head and nuzzled his son’s hair, ignoring the sour smell of the child’s hair, and said with relief, “Thank you for taking care of your brother, Momo. You are Dad’s pride.”
Meng Jiusi had never received fatherly love since he was young. In raising his sons, he gave them everything he had lacked.
Little Jing Mo handed the worn, patched bundle he had been carrying to Meng Jiusi.
He said earnestly, “Dad, this is the money I brought, and the ancestral needles that Great-grandfather gave me. It’s all for you.”
Meng Jiusi accepted it with surprise.
He opened the bundle.
He first looked at the set of acupuncture needles.
His expression softened slightly, and he smiled, “I didn’t expect you to keep them. Your Great-grandfather will be very happy.”
His gaze shifted, and he saw the money.
Besides the money, there was nothing else.
“You’re carrying so much money with you!” Meng Jiusi felt a pang of fear, his face turning pale. “You’re so young, this is too dangerous!”
Little Jing Mo tugged at the clothes he and his brother were wearing. “Dad, my brother and I look like little beggars. I put the money in a ragged cloth bag, and no one paid attention to me along the way.”
“That’s because you’re still young, and no one would expect you to be carrying so much money. If people knew, you would be in danger!” Meng Jiusi was not comforted. His heart was pounding. Just thinking about his two sons being targeted by villains made him unable to calm down.
Little Jing Mo was bold and meticulous. He had thought about all the things his father was worried about.
“I know. It’s precisely because I’m young and dressed in rags that I dared to carry the money out,” he stood on tiptoe to comfort his father, patting his chest. “Dad told me so many stories; I understand.”
Meng Jiusi sighed, “Oh you, it’s a good thing nothing happened, or what would I do?”
Hearing the father and son’s conversation, Lin Zhao and her elder brother exchanged glances. Neither sibling had expected that the tattered bundle contained so much money.
Lin Zhao smiled, her eyes full of admiration, “Momo is truly brave, but it was indeed unexpected. I didn’t see any problem at all.”
He had been so composed the whole way; who would have thought that a child dressed in rags would be carrying “gold bricks”?
He was truly a clever child.
After finishing his conversation with his two sons, Meng Jiusi walked towards Lin Zhao, “Zhaozhao, thank you.”
“Fourth Brother, you are my real Fourth Brother. Don’t be so polite. We are family. Family doesn’t stand on ceremony.” Lin Zhao’s face showed clear disapproval.
“Alright, I won’t say it then.” Meng Jiusi’s brows relaxed into a smile.
He took out the ancestral acupuncture needles.
He shoved the ragged cloth bag full of money into Lin Zhao’s hand.
“Take this money.”
Lin Zhao was stunned and quickly tried to return it, “What do I need this money for…”
Meng Jiusi held her hand and interrupted her, using her own words to silence her, “Family doesn’t stand on ceremony.”
Lin Zhao: “…”
“Zhaozhao, my current situation…” Meng Jiusi paused slightly, his unspoken words understood.
“The money is useless to me; it will only bring trouble. Who knows when it might be searched for. It’s better to give it to you. You’ve given me so many things, and I can’t possibly repay you, which makes me uneasy. Keep half of this money, and use the other half to give to Father and Mother, as my filial respect as a son. Please accept it.”
Little Jing Mo saw this and said nothing.
The money belonged to Dad, and Dad could give it to whomever he wanted.
Giving it to his aunt was much better than giving it to the Yuan family!
No, no, the Yuan family didn’t deserve to be compared to his aunt!
Seeing that Lin Zhao was about to say something, Meng Jiusi’s expression became serious, “If you don’t accept it, it means you don’t truly consider me your Fourth Brother.”
With the conversation reaching this point, what else could Lin Zhao say?
She didn’t dislike it either and tucked the dirty, old cloth bag under her arm.
Her voice was crisp, “I’ll take it!”
Lin Zhao’s eyes were clean and bright, and she chuckled, “So much money, only a fool wouldn’t take it.”
“I’ve made a fortune this trip. Not only have I broadened my horizons, but I’ve also gained so much money for free. Who is luckier than me?”
Meng Jiusi also smiled, “I’m glad you like it.”
Lin Zhao’s eyes softened, “For Father and Mother, for Fourth Brother to call them Mom and Dad sooner is more precious than money.”
Meng Jiusi’s face showed helplessness. He had already called them Mom and Dad countless times in his heart, but he just… wasn’t used to it yet.
Next time Mom and Dad come, he would surely be able to say it.
Lin Zhao sensed something and didn’t bring it up again, casually changing the subject.
“Fourth Brother, how do you plan to arrange things for Momo and Xiao Bai?”
