Chapter 161: “plenty Of Superstitious Intellectuals”
“How did they think of giving me a gift? Did you suggest it to them?” Lin Zhao picked up the scarf, her movements gentle and cautious.
This was the birthday gift her sons had prepared for her, the most precious thing in the world, something she wouldn’t trade for a fortune.
“I didn’t say anything; they thought of it themselves.” Gu Chenghuai said.
A smile flashed in his eyes, all satisfaction with the twins, “When they came to me, I was very surprised too.”
“They love you very much.”
These words made Lin Zhao’s eyes sting.
She closed her eyes, suppressing the urge to cry, “When did they come to you?”
Gu Chenghuai put his arm around his wife’s shoulders, soothing her emotions, “When buying the train ticket.”
“My sons are so thoughtful.” Lin Zhao said.
As their mother, she hadn’t even celebrated the twins’ birthdays, so she wasn’t a qualified mom.
Gu Chenghuai subtly changed the subject: “Whose kids celebrate birthdays with just a boiled egg? Didn’t you promise too much just now? If you really do it like that, those two boys will brag all over the world.”
Lin Zhao spoke slowly, “Let them brag, as long as they’re happy.”
Not wanting Zhaozhao to sink into a bad mood, Gu Chenghuai furrowed his brows, looking stumped, “The twins’ birthday isn’t far away. What should I give them? Zhaozhao, do you have any suggestions?”
Lin Zhao’s attention was diverted, and after thinking for a moment, she seriously suggested: “Something made from bullet casings—they should like that.”
“What a coincidence, I happen to have some. I’ve done two-thirds, should finish by their birthday.” Gu Chenghuai confided in his wife.
“What is it?” The words had just left her mouth when Lin Zhao reached out to cover his, “Don’t say it, keep it secret first. I’m afraid I’ll accidentally spill it.”
Gu Chenghuai kissed her palm, got glared at, his eyes full of laughter, “I don’t mind.”
“I do.” Lin Zhao was principled, “That’s your intention for the children; you have to give it to them yourself.”
Thinking of the twins’ birthday when the man should be with the troops, “If you can’t come home, mail the letter and gift back.”
“The twins didn’t celebrate birthdays the first few years; I feel very guilty.”
“Who says they didn’t.” Gu Chenghuai just wanted to see Zhaozhao happy; his expression serious, “No matter which junior in the family has a birthday, Mom will cook red eggs for them.”
So even if Zhaozhao didn’t pay attention, the twins weren’t neglected.
Knowing his father-in-law’s family valued family members’ birthdays, with longevity noodles a must, he added: “In the village, having red eggs for a birthday is pretty good.”
Lin Zhao knew too, “Mom is so thoughtful.”
She took out the comb, smoothed her hair, and used the scarf her sons bought to tie a low ponytail.
“Good-looking?”
Gu Chenghuai’s eyes deepened slightly, turmoil brewing in them, “Good-looking.”
His voice was slightly hoarse.
“This color really suits you, with an intellectual beauty, very… elegant.” Gu Chenghuai loved reading, had plenty of ink in his belly, praising people was easy for him.
Especially.
In front of Zhaozhao.
He didn’t need techniques; his words came straight from the heart.
“Red makes you look fair.” Lin Zhao looked at herself in the round mirror, smiling with crinkled eyes, “This scarf is really nice. Yu Bao and Heng Bao chose well, just like you, good taste. I plan to wear it every day.”
Gu Chenghuai thought his wife was the most beautiful, “You’re already very fair, no need for contrast.”
“No sun exposure, and I take good care of my skin.” Actually, even without skincare, Lin Zhao’s skin was great; she was born not tanning, no pimples, no spots, fair and delicate, just like Lin Heling.
Gu Chenghuai only knew about cold cream, nothing else, “Buy more when it’s used up.”
Lin Zhao finished applying her face and walked out slowly.
Lifting the bamboo curtain, the twins were standing outside.
The two little brothers saw the ornament on Mom’s hair and smiled so happily.
“Mom, do you like the gift Heng Bao and I gave you?” Yu Bao asked on their behalf.
“I like it, super super super like it.” Lin Zhao said “super” three times.
She lowered her head, looking seriously at her two sons, expressing her liking, “I’ll wear it every day from now on.”
“This is the best gift I’ve ever received.”
One of them.
The two handsome little boys had their mouths curving up, unable to suppress it.
Mom really likes the gift we gave her.
Yu Bao’s face flushed with excitement, “Mom, next year I’ll buy you a new one, a different color, so you can switch them.”
Heng Bao raised his right hand, “I’ll give all my pocket money to Brother.”
Lin Zhao’s heart felt like it was soaking in warm water.
She bent down to hug her two cubs.
Kissed the two sons’ little faces.
“Thank you, my treasures. How are you two so good, hmm? Any gifts you want?”
Yu Bao felt elated, like he’d drunk a few sips of fake liquor.
He hugged Lin Zhao’s waist, “No gifts. When Heng Bao and I have our birthday, we want to eat longevity noodles made by Mom.”
“With poached eggs too!” Heng Bao added.
For her sons’ small wish, Lin Zhao naturally fulfilled it.
“Okay.” She said, “Remember what I said before? From this year on, your birthdays will be like that.”
Heng Bao was a little social butterfly, could chat even with earthworms on the ground, friends all over the village.
Thinking that on his and brother’s birthday, he could invite little friends home, he bounced in place excitedly a few times.
“Mom, will there be soda then?” Heng Bao wanted soda, licked his red lips.
He’d eaten a bit too much chili just now; Heng Bao’s mouth looked like it had lipstick on, bright red.
“Yes. Whatever you want, there’ll be.” Lin Zhao smiled.
Heng Bao was even more expectant.
He stretched out his little hand, counting on his fingers.
Just raised his thumb, looked up at Lin Zhao, “Mom, what month is it now?”
Lin Zhao didn’t think much; it was normal for little friends not to know the month, “August.”
“September, October, November…” Heng Bao raised three fingers, “In two more months, the third month will be me and brother’s birthday, right?”
That “la” at the end rose, like a little wave, very cute.
“Yes, it’s soon.” Lin Zhao said softly.
This year was the first time she was celebrating the twins’ birthdays; she had to think carefully about what gift to give them.
Yu Bao’s eyes full of expectation.
“Where are Qian Bao and Yao Bao? In the room?” Lin Zhao realized she hadn’t seen the two little ones for a while and asked.
“Li Bao is playing with them.” Yu Bao answered.
Lin Zhao took his hand, reached out to Heng Bao too. The energetic Heng Bao trotted over, put his face in Lin Zhao’s palm, tilted his head smiling foolishly.
Lin Zhao was charmed by her son’s cuteness, pinched Heng Bao’s soft little face, took his hand, and went into the children’s room.
By now, the sky had darkened.
Gu Chenghuai lit the kerosene lamp, casually placed it on the table.
Li Bao and the dragon-phoenix twins were on the low bed; Yao Bao was already fast asleep, a blanket covering her white tender little belly.
The other two little friends weren’t asleep, sprawled on the bed flipping through a picture book.
“The room is so dark, how can you read? Lying down too—you don’t want your eyes anymore?” Lin Zhao’s smiling lips turned down.
Her brows furrowed slightly, she walked over, took away the picture book, handed it to Gu Chenghuai, and massaged Li Bao and Qian Bao’s eyes.
“Little friends need healthy eyes. Don’t read in strong light or dim light; it will ruin your eyes. Be careful in the future, okay?”
Li Bao nodded obediently.
“Got it.”
Qian Bao gave Mom a super cute and obedient smile, stood up on the bed, opened his arms to Lin Zhao, wanting a hug.
Lin Zhao was surprised and delighted.
Her youngest son was very quiet, not very clingy, preferred doing things alone, like flipping books or squatting in the corner watching ants; he never got bored, could watch all afternoon.
She picked up Qian Bao, voice gentle, “What’s up?”
Qian Bao buried his head in Lin Zhao’s neck, didn’t speak.
Lin Zhao gently patted his back; the little dumpling yawned, closed his eyes.
He was sleepy.
No wonder so clingy.
She smiled, patting even more gently.
The little guy fell asleep quickly.
Li Bao covered his mouth laughing, “Qian Bao falls asleep so fast.”
“Younger brother is still small, needs more sleep than you, sleeping helps him grow better. You were the same at this age, falling asleep instantly.” Lin Zhao’s voice was soft and slow.
Heng Bao covered his mouth, voice muffled in his throat, “I won’t disturb them.”
“Heng Bao is a good big brother who takes care of his younger siblings.” Lin Zhao praised.
After coaxing the four cubs to sleep, the room’s kerosene lamp was blown out, the room plunged into darkness. The curtain wasn’t fully drawn, moonlight crept onto the desk, like a thin layer of silver frost.
Lin Zhao and Gu Chenghuai returned to their room by moonlight. The latter lit the lamp; he felt without an electric light it was really inconvenient, easy to bump into things at night.
“We need a flashlight at home.” Gu Chenghuai said.
“Didn’t you say electricity is coming soon?” Lin Zhao looked at him in surprise, “If there’s an electrification plan, no need to buy one; it won’t get used.”
Gu Chenghuai set the lamp down, wiped the straw mat with a clean towel, said: “Of course it’ll get used, handy for going out at night.”
“No streetlights when electrified?” Lin Zhao asked.
“Probably not.” Gu Chenghuai glanced at her, his brows clear, “Electrification costs money, streetlights even more. Village has no other income, members reluctant to spend.”
“Some families might even refuse electrification.”
Soldiers did everything efficiently, worked nimbly; he quickly wiped the straw mat, washed the towel, wrung it dry, and hung it up.
Lin Zhao knew too; for some villagers, spending money was like taking their life.
Helplessness flashed in her eyes, she said: “No matter what others do, our home must get it.”
Gu Chenghuai had no objection; he wished it sooner.
By now, Lin Zhao was very tired; she took off her shoes, lay on the bed, yawned, her dark eyes tearing up, those eyes clear and bright like washed.
Gu Chenghuai pulled her into his arms, voice low: “Sleep.”
Lin Zhao’s body was tired, but her mind excited, probably because they just moved into the new home.
“Can’t sleep, talk with me a bit.”
Gu Chenghuai’s slender fingers like bamboo gently combed his wife’s black hair, tender and patient.
“What do you want to say?”
Lin Zhao thought about tomorrow’s invitation, “Tomorrow invite Eldest Sister’s family too.”
“Okay.”
“For those who helped build our house, what should the gift of gratitude be?” Speaking of this, Lin Zhao’s sleepiness faded a bit, “Half a jin of brown sugar per family?”
That was a heavy gift!
Everyone knew sugar tickets were rare; brown sugar kept a long time. If relatives visited at New Year, adding some to water was very face-giving.
For home matters, Gu Chenghuai listened to his wife.
He nodded: “Good, I’ll buy it.”
“Enough sugar tickets at home?” Lin Zhao said. She wanted to try the lucky draw for luck, but her man was sharp; any slip would be noticed, better not!
“Enough.” Gu Chenghuai said, “Before coming back, I traded with comrades for quite a few sugar tickets, bought candy for the four cubs, still plenty left.”
Lin Zhao relaxed.
“Right, didn’t we say to invite Comrade Yang and his wife for a meal? When?”
Things had piled up before, no time; Gu Chenghuai thought a moment, said: “Day after tomorrow, okay?”
“Sure.”
Gu Chenghuai: “Bring all four cubs then.”
“Hm?”
The man lowered his eyes, then smiled gently again, “Old Yang and his wife married years ago, no kids. Heard we have four cubs, all twins, he’s envious, wants to see the children, maybe attract some luck.”
Lin Zhao: Attract luck? What?
“Comrade Yang and Comrade Jiang are both educated people, right?”
Gu Chenghuai laughed, “Plenty of superstitious educated people.”
Lin Zhao neither agreed nor disagreed.
Remembered another thing.
Looked up.
“When buying brown sugar tomorrow, tell Eldest Sister for me, ask her to cover a few more days of work. I’m tired, want a few days off. As for when to go back to work, we’ll see.”
Work wears people out.
After the short holiday, developed aversion to work…
“You okay with that?” Lin Zhao gazed intently at Gu Chenghuai.
The handsome young officer lowered his head, kissed her forehead.
Tone clear and gentle.
“Whatever you want. Work if you want, have anyone cover if not, I said it before—I just want you happy.”
Smack!
Lin Zhao kissed back Gu Chenghuai’s smooth-lined chin, as a reward for being pleased.
“Gu Chenghuai, you’re so good.”
Gu Chenghuai’s eyes tender and lingering, lips curved up, lowered his head to her, blocking her mouth.
Soon, his eyes no longer calm, gaze showing leg-weakening heat.
…
The next day.
Those who came to build for Gu Family’s Third Branch successively received Lin Zhao family’s gift of gratitude.
Half a jin of brown sugar each, everyone delighted, praising Lin Zhao over and over.
“As expected of a high school student, so polite.”
“The child’s dad always rushes ahead helping villagers, first time getting something! Didn’t expect brown sugar, and plenty, so thoughtful, too thoughtful, thank you.”
“Hey, personally delivering gift of gratitude, too polite! Husband had mung bean soup and sour plum soup while building, sometimes brought back candy, already so good, and you bring brown sugar, really…”
……
Village women could talk more than anyone; Lin Zhao smiled politely, after delivering, pulled her man and children quickly home.
One round like this, head ached!
News of Gu Family’s Third Branch giving brown sugar quickly spread through the village.（
Some laughed happily, thinking of wife’s words, sweet water tonight, full of energy.
Some got resentment from wives.
“Everyone went to help, why didn’t you? That’s half a jin of brown sugar, wasted half a jin white white, ouch, heart aches to death!”
The man scowled, “If I wanted to help, you wouldn’t let me, said helping villagers worse than weeding at your maternal family. Wasn’t for your fuss, I’d have gone. Regret now? What were you doing early!”
This scene happened in more than one home.
Hearing this, the Brigade Leader was pleased inside.
In an era emphasizing dedication, pity some only want benefits, unwilling to labor, even balk at helping fellow villagers—regret now!
See who still nitpicks later!?
Thinking brigade atmosphere would improve, Brigade Leader especially happy, walked with wind.
Gu Fu and Gu Mu learned from villagers, the old couple surprised and happy at the praises.
Third Son’s Wife did great this time.（Heart aches too）
The old lady walked past the arch-rival who called Third Son’s family stingy, chin held high, feeling extremely satisfied.
