Chapter 158: “gifts”
In the children’s room, there were excited yet deliberately hushed children’s voices. Lin Zhao curiously walked over.
Leaning against the doorframe.
She saw the room packed full of little friends.
“What are you talking about? Why is it so lively?”
Her smiling voice rang out.
Yu Bao saw Mama, his little face blooming into a brilliant smile first. He toddled over pattering, held Mama’s hand, his little expression full of pride and adoration, his voice soft like cotton. “Thank you, Mama, for setting up the room for us. We super like it.”
The little friends gestured hard with their small hands.
Lin Zhao’s gaze softened. She gently rubbed her son’s hair top; it felt very soft. This was an angel baby.
“You like it, that’s good. Once the brigade gets electricity, I’ll buy you a desk lamp.”
Heng Bao held Mama’s other hand, looking up. “What’s a desk lamp? Is it the light on the roof?”
“No, a desk lamp can be placed on the desk, for reading and practicing calligraphy. It doesn’t strain the eyes.” Lin Zhao explained softly.
“I like desk lamps. Mama is so good.” Heng Bao’s eyes and brows curved happily.
Yu Bao rubbed his head against Mama’s arm, like a harmless little milk beast.
At this time, Yuan Bao spoke up in his childish voice. “Aunt Lin, the twins say their bed has drawings. Can I borrow them? I want my mom to make this bed for me too.”
Lin Zhao was slightly stunned.
Then she smiled. “No need to borrow. The brigade’s carpenter knows how. Whoever wants one, have your parents go find him.”
The little friends noted her words and politely thanked her.
“Thank you, Aunt Lin.”
Before, the brigade’s little friends didn’t know to say thanks. After spending time with the twins, they subconsciously learned polite words.
With new beds on their minds, they didn’t forget the main task. They helped the twins move everything before dispersing.
Lin Zhao didn’t let the kids work for nothing. She gave each two fruit candies, which thrilled the little friends.
The twins’ mom was giving them candy!
Two pieces!
They spun in happy circles.
“Aunt Lin is so good.”
“Yu Bao, call me next time something happens. No need for two candies; one is enough.”
“Heng Bao, me too. I have strength; one of mine equals two.”
“My strength is bigger.”
“Mine is bigger.”
“Hmph.”
“Hmph hmph!”
The little boat of friendship capsized just like that.
Lin Zhao chuckled. Little friends were like this; they didn’t hold grudges. They could make up after half a day of quarreling.
With everyone from the Gu Family Old House helping, Third Branch’s things were quickly moved to the new home.
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang were helping… organize the kitchen things. Both were diligent people with quick hands, and soon everything was neatly arranged.
Gu Mu nodded repeatedly.
Her family’s daughters-in-law were all good.
She completely forgot how much she regretted it before, when Lin Zhao had thrown a tantrum to separate households, and after separating, didn’t care for the four cubs!
One could only say people were forgetful.
Since the Gu Family mother-in-law and daughters-in-law could help organize the kitchen, they didn’t interfere with Third Branch’s rooms. They told Lin Zhao and offered to leave.
With home needing tidying, Lin Zhao didn’t stand on ceremony. She just said tomorrow she’d host at the new home and invited them all over.
Xing Ye and the others were overjoyed.
Third Aunt hosting meant definitely meat; meat again, so good!
Thinking of tomorrow’s meal, their steps were light when leaving.
Little Libao didn’t leave; he was sleeping with Heng Bao tonight.
Lin Zhao intentionally cultivated the children’s self-reliance. She only helped make the beds; the desks were for the cubs to tidy themselves.
The dragon-phoenix twins, who couldn’t help yet, had just been brought by Gu Lan. They were lying on their low beds, their lively black eyes looking around, obedient and cute.
The low beds had quilts laid, topped with deep blue bed sheets. Against the wall at the bed heads were two patterned small pillows. At the foot of the bunk bed… a red thin blanket was folded.
Lin Zhao quickly made Yu Bao’s bed too.
Little friend Yu Bao liked plain colors. She laid light green printed bed sheets for her son; it looked fresh and suited the season.
After making the lower bunk, Lin Zhao stepped on a small wooden ladder to make the upper bunk.
Seeing this, Yu Bao set down what was in his hands, furrowed his little brows, walked over, looked up at Lin Zhao, eyes full of worry.
“Mama, step steady; don’t fall.”
The mama’s boy little friend could endure not crying when he himself scraped his skin but couldn’t bear seeing his own mama hurt.
Heng Bao and Tie Chui ran over too, eyes fixed on Lin Zhao’s cloth slippers feet, expressions tense.
“…”
It wasn’t that high; falling wouldn’t matter.
Lin Zhao paused her hands slightly. Looking down at them from up high, the little friends not yet six were so small, but they were already so sensible and good at expressing care.
Her heart melted a bit; her brows and eyes softened.
“Don’t worry; I’m stepping steady. I won’t fall.”
“Go tidy your little desks.”
The three cubs looked worriedly once more, then obediently tidied their desks.
They glanced at Lin Zhao from time to time.
Small hands smoothed the books flat, placed them on the shelf one by one, very seriously.
Calligraphy copybooks and notebooks for practicing calligraphy were placed on the table for easy access.
The desks had drawers, one per person, engraved above with “Da, Er, San, Si”.
Yu Bao saw the characters first, turned to Lin Zhao. “Mama, there are characters on the drawers. Does ‘Da’ stand for me?”
“Yes.” Lin Zhao finished the bed, jumped down from the ladder, explained softly. “Originally was going to engrave your full names, but…”
She paused, then said, “Your full names have too many strokes, so still using your old little names.”
The old carpenter found it troublesome; no choice.
“‘Da’ is Da Zai’s ‘Da’, ‘Er’ is Er Zai’s ‘Er’, ‘San’ is San Zai’s ‘San’, ‘Si’ is Si Zai’s ‘Si’.”
“Four drawers, one for each. Use your own. Big brothers can’t take little brothers’ and sisters’, got it?”
Heng Bao was thrilled to have his own drawer.
He said loudly and excitedly, “I know. My drawer is ‘Er’. I can put my things in the ‘Er’ drawer, can’t put things in big brother and little brothers’ and sisters’ drawers.”
Lin Zhao cupped the little clever one’s cheeks with both hands. “Smart.”
Envy showed in Yu Bao’s eyes; he wanted Mama to touch him too. His eyes flashed as he said, “I’ll supervise little brothers and sisters.”
“Good, Yu Bao is the most obedient. With you this big treasure, I save so much worry. So awesome.” Lin Zhao praised nonstop.
Yu Bao’s mouth corners couldn’t be pressed down.
Mama said he was the most obedient! He was Mama’s most obedient son!
Heng Bao wasn’t happy, clung to Lin Zhao. “Mama, what about me? What about me?”
“You’re second in rank, so second most obedient.” Lin Zhao said with a squinty smile.
Heng Bao’s brain was quick. He immediately said, “Qian Bao third most obedient, Yao Bao fourth most obedient, right?”
“…Right.”
Hearing this affirmative, Heng Bao laughed out loud.
Lin Zhao changed the topic. “The tables are tidied well. You three are awesome. Libao helped Yu Bao and Heng Bao tidy the room; eat here tonight.”
Libao happily agreed. “Okay.”
Heng Bao hugged Libao, smile brilliant. “We’re good brothers. If Libao moves house, we’ll help too.”
Lin Zhao smiled. “Yes, you’re good brothers. So, three good brothers, are you hungry?”
She checked her watch; a bit past four.
Little friends liked running all over the village, full of energy, got hungry fast.
Heng Bao touched his belly. “Hungry.”
“Mama, what are we eating today?” he asked expectantly.
“Eating cold skin noodles, how’s that?”
Heng Bao looked blank. “What’s cold skin noodles? Is it good? I haven’t eaten it. Better than small wontons?”
Wontons were the twins’ favorite food.
Lin Zhao said, “It’s good, very suitable for summer. Sour and spicy, very appetizing.”
“I want to eat it!” Heng Bao said loudly.
Yu Bao stood obediently in place. “Whatever Mama makes, I eat. Whatever Mama makes is good.”
Full of emotional value.
Little Libao nodded. “Yeah, Third Aunt cooks better than my mom.”
Lin Zhao was almost floating.
Her face full of smiles. “You three tidy the toys properly. I’ll call you when rice is ready.”
This room even had a play corner. The cement floor laid with an artistic straw mat woven by Gu Fu; the mat wasn’t small, one point eight by one point eight meters. On the wall was nailed a cat-head shaped pegboard, specially for the children’s toys.
The twins and Libao put tin frog, cloth doll, ping pong paddle, cloth ball and other toys up there.
Then swept the floor clean.
This way, the whole room was refreshed.
Simple and pretty.
Better than what city little friends lived in.
Later, when the four cubs went to accompany the army, facing those compound-raised, big city-raised little friends, they weren’t inferior.
When the teacher had them write compositions, Yu Bao wrote the following passage.
「My mama is a different kind of mama. She has many ideas; she lives freely and unrestrained. Many people can’t understand, but this kind of mama gave us a different childhood. I went to the provincial capital at five, and with little brothers and sisters shared a… one-of-a-kind radio in the world. When other little friends were happy over one candy, Mama gave us chocolate, soda, ice cream… Whatever city little friends had, we had. She taught us to study and practice calligraphy, personally took us to measure this world. Mama loves us very attentively, and I… love my mama very much too.」
That said—
Lin Zhao left the children’s room, slipped into her and Gu Chenghuai’s living room. In this room, things were mostly tidied.
The whitewashed walls were bright; the cement floor had little dust, very clean.
Gu Chenghuai heard familiar footsteps, slightly turned his head. “The four cubs’ room tidied?”
“Still a little left. They’re all hungry; I’m making rice.”
Hearing this, Gu Chenghuai finished laying the bed sheet in three moves, walked to Lin Zhao, held her hand, pressed her onto the stool.
“You’re the birthday star today. Don’t bustle. Sit and rest; I’ll do it.” The man said unquestioningly.
Lin Zhao’s gaze warmed; smile lines bloomed in her eyes. “Okay, I’ll lie down a bit. Call me when done. Your son wants cold skin noodles. Do you know how? If not, ask Mom.”
“Cold skin noodles? Simple.” Gu Chenghuai didn’t do complex; this simple one he knew, had seen his mom make.
“Wait.”
He walked out, gently closed the door after.
Before closing, he slightly hooked his lips, gaze extremely gentle.
Lin Zhao smiled. She changed into clean clothes, lay on the bed.
The bed sheet was new; lying on it smelled nice.
The quilt was soft too. Window wide open, afternoon sun had a soft quality. Wind blew in, bamboo curtain moved lightly; perfect for sleeping. Lin Zhao slowly fell asleep.
She slept forty minutes.
When she opened her eyes again, she heard Lin Shichang and Lin Shisheng’s voices.
Lin Zhao blinked, listened carefully; yes, they had come.
She threw off the thin blanket, sat up, casually gathered her black long hair, slipped on cloth slippers, opened the door and walked out.
“Zhaozhao, you’re awake. Slept enough? Was it us brothers too loud, disturbing you?” Lin Shisheng said apologetically.
Lin Shichang also said, “If sleepy, sleep more. We won’t talk.”
Lin Zhao walked over, took the water Gu Chenghuai handed her. She habitually drank half a cup upon waking, to moisten her throat.
“I woke up myself; nothing to do with you.”
She set down the enamel mug, looked at the Lin brothers. “Why did Big Brother and Second Brother come?”
Lin Shichang smiled. “Still groggy from sleep? Today is your birthday. Dad’s not here, and you didn’t come. Big Sister-in-law even said she’d make you longevity noodles.”
He was annoyed thinking how he’d forgotten to remind Zhaozhao when picking up Meng Family’s two close nephews.
“Gu Chenghuai said he’d make for me.” Lin Zhao said.
Lin Shichang looked surprised at his brother-in-law. “Chenghuai knows how to make longevity noodles?”
“Yes.” Gu Chenghuai nodded.
While his wife slept, he’d tried; yes, he could, and it tasted good.
Lin Shichang patted his brother-in-law’s shoulder. “Thoughtful.”
After praising the brother-in-law he’d disliked before but now found pleasing everywhere, he gave Lin Zhao what he’d brought. “Zhaozhao, Big Brother bought you a scarf. That person said it came from Haishi; very popular with little girls. Hope you like it.”
Without waiting for Lin Zhao to speak, he added, “Inside there’s also clothes Big Sister-in-law made for you. She asked me to pass on: happy birthday. She’s big-bellied and inconvenient to come; don’t mind.”
Lin Zhao wasn’t pretentious.
She generously accepted the gift, eyes curving in smile.
“No problem! Thanks Big Brother; thank Big Sister-in-law for me too.”
Lin Shichang: “Okay.”
Lin Zhao reached toward Lin Shisheng, righteously. “Where’s Second Brother’s gift? Give it to me.”
“Who’s like you, asking for gifts outright, not reserved at all.” Lin Shisheng’s eyes full of laughter.
But his body was honest; he took out a square box, placed it in his little sister’s palm.
“What’s this? Even a box, so mysterious.” Lin Zhao’s curiosity was maxed; her mouth went click click hard.
“Open and see.” Lin Shisheng’s expression confident; he knew Zhaozhao would love his gift.
Lin Zhao unceremoniously opened it; inside was a bright emerald green jade bracelet.
Her face changed slightly; she snapped the box shut, instinctively lowering her voice.
“You speculated and profiteered??”
It wasn’t Lin Zhao being timid; in the original book, their commune had many executed for speculation and profiteering. Wei Xiangdong got off light but still ended tragically.
This line was really dangerous, especially here. The plot was like that; high chance of getting caught and sentenced for speculation and profiteering.
As Lin Zhao’s words fell, Lin Shichang started rolling up sleeves; Gu Chenghuai’s brows sank slightly, looking at Second Uncle.
Lin Shisheng sensed trouble, quickly said, “I didn’t.”
Full of helplessness. “This was obtained by chance. I don’t even go to black market; how could I do illegal crimes? Mom would break my legs; I wouldn’t dare risk it.”
Lin Zhao knew all too well; Second Brother wasn’t that honest.
She stared at Lin Shisheng but saw no guilt.
He faked it well.
“Our family doesn’t lack that bit; don’t take risks.”
Lin Shisheng was very calm, the picture of honesty. “I know; I didn’t speculate and profiteer.”
At most he collected some things in the village, earned a bit differential; hidden deep. Even those taking goods from him didn’t know his identity.
Though he’d just started this not long, he knew all the ins and outs early.
He had a friend in the county with protection; always urged him to join before.
He felt the other’s operation too big; plus Qiu Lian had shallow eyelids and couldn’t keep secrets, so he refused.
After Qiu Lian rolled back to her maternal family, Lin Shisheng started. He knew it was dangerous, was very careful.
He planned to save enough to buy a transportation team job.
Big Brother had work now; he should move too!
Lin Zhao didn’t probe deeper; reminders given, Second Brother was father of two, knew the score in his heart.
She raised the box in her hand, dispersed the seriousness on her face, smiled. “Second Brother, this bracelet will be very valuable later. You’re really giving it to me?”
“What else? Your 24th birthday gift.” Lin Shisheng said indifferently. “You’re my blood little sister; I give you a gift, could I regret? Would I have face left? Keep it. If you like, I’ll get more.”
To some, these old things weren’t as good as a jin of meat.
