Chapter 166: “he’s Really Good At Playing Both Sides Now”
Lin Shichang was helped into the new yard by his sister, and as soon as he sat properly, an enamel mug was stuffed into his hand.
Before he could speak, he heard Lin Zhao’s voice, full of concern and worry.
“Third Brother, drink some water. Is it okay for you to sit like this? Will it touch your wound? By the way, are you hungry? Tell me what you want to eat, I’ll make it, very quickly.”
His sister cared about him so much.
Lin Shichang grinned.
He looked over.
His sister’s cheeks were fair with a rosy glow, her eyes bright and spirited, prettier than the female comrades in the cultural troupe, and she didn’t look aggrieved.
As a big brother, he was very satisfied.
“It’s fine! Not hungry, just ate.”
His words had just fallen.
Gu Chenghuai came out from the backyard carrying a small pot.
“Yu Bao, Heng Bao, get bowls.” He instructed his sons, then said to his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and third brother-in-law: “Mung Bean Lily Soup that’s been chilling in the well, Zhaozhao made it, great for beating the heat. Dad, Mom, and Third Brother, try some.”
Lin Shichang was young and strong, full of fiery energy, and every summer was hard to endure, his body sweaty, sweatshirt soaked.
He didn’t stand on ceremony, picked up the bowl, and gulped it down.
Soon.
A cool sensation spread in his mouth, gradually swallowing the heat in his body.
“Not bad.” Lin Shichang thanked his brother-in-law, praised him, and seeing Heng Bao nearby, smiled and said: “Do you want some?”
Heng Bao quietly looked at Lin Zhao, met his mom’s smiling eyes, waved his little hands several times, “No, I don’t want any.”
He explained, “Mom says little friends can’t drink too much cold stuff, it will make their tummy hurt.”
Lin Heling pulled his grandson into his bosom, his voice warm and clear, “Your mom is right, little children can’t drink too much cold stuff.”
Heng Bao’s face leaned on his grandfather’s shoulder, not looking at the sweet mung bean lily soup emanating coolness, as if not looking would stop him from craving it, his little appearance clever and mischievous.
Lin Shichang felt sorry for his nephew and said: “It’s okay to have a couple sips, right?”
“Drink yours.” Song Xiwei glanced at him, “Would Zhaozhao mistreat her own son?”
Then she turned to Lin Zhao: “Zhaozhao, go to your room.”
Lin Zhao still wanted to chat with her third brother, but hearing her biological mother call her, she felt a bit puzzled but got up without hesitation, told Gu Chenghuai to take good care of Dad and Third Brother, and took her mom into the room.
The twins wanted to follow but were stopped by Gu Chenghuai.
The brothers’ eyes pleaded.
“No.” Gu Chenghuai still didn’t agree.
Heng Bao puffed his cheeks, “Daddy is biased.”
Gu Chenghuai raised his brow, “How am I biased?”
“If Yao Bao begged you, you’d definitely agree.” Heng Bao’s face full of scorn; in this short time, he saw through his biological father completely.
“No.” Gu Chenghuai shook his head.
Looking at Heng Bao’s half-believing eyes, he said: “I’ll take her out to pick flowers. Everything at home listens to your mom.”
Little friend Yao Bao had lately loved picking flowers, picking pretty ones to give to mom; the little girl would smile with crinkled eyes and brows from one compliment, and even kick with vigor.
Heng Bao put hands on hips, “Not fair!”
First expressing his dissatisfaction, he made a request: “I want you to coax me too.”
Gu Chenghuai didn’t refuse right away, asked: “How do you want me to coax you?”
Heng Bao’s eyes turned, said: “Take me and my brother to the county to buy soda.”
Knowing Daddy doted on them, he was bold, always the one haggling with Gu Chenghuai.
Lin Shichang hadn’t seen his nephews for years, seeing Heng Bao like this for the first time, watched with interest, didn’t speak.
What a little clever one; this negotiating stance was just like his sister, from the same mold.
Gu Chenghuai said: “Yao Bao is how old, you’re how old? Didn’t you say you’re a big friend? Why compare with your sister?”
Heng Bao had his own logic chain, mouth still babbling: “Daddy, you’re wrong like this.”
“My mom says no matter how big we get, we’re her treasure cubs, so even if I grow as old as grandpa, with white hair, I’m still your son. How can’t I compare with Yao Bao? We’re both your cubs, you can’t… can’t favor… that thing…”
Yu Bao knew what his brother wanted to say, supplemented for him: “Favor one and discriminate against the other.”
The idiom he just learned last night, Heng Bao forgot again; tonight he’d be punished to write it twenty times.
“Yes, yes, favor one and discriminate against the other.” Heng Bao didn’t know he’d be punished to write, looked at his brother adoringly.
Gu Chenghuai pinched his brow, “Tomorrow I’ll buy for you.”
“And…” he emphasized, “I think I pour water evenly, don’t talk nonsense, especially you, Gu Zhiheng.”
Ever since Zhaozhao talked to him, he’d become a master at being fair!
Heng Bao didn’t dare poke the tiger’s whiskers again, stood straight, imitating his dad with a non-standard military salute, “Got it.”
Having secured his legitimate rights, he went to pester Lin Heling again, wanting grandpa to tell a new story.
Lin Heling touched his grandson’s head, smiled and nodded, but didn’t rush to tell, asked: “How did your mom’s birthday go? Did you have longevity noodles?”
Yu Bao sat obediently by grandpa’s side, articulate: “Daddy took us to the provincial capital, we shopped at the state-run store, bought lots and lots of things, also went to the zoo… Daddy made longevity noodles for mom, and poached eggs too. Mom said it was delicious.”
Hearing this, Lin Heling was even more satisfied with this son-in-law.
Good, quite thoughtful.
Even knew Zhaozhao’s habit of eating longevity noodles on her birthday.
Heng Bao added: “Grandpa, the train was super long, you could even lie down. The provincial capital was so fun, we even brought back Xiao Jin. Xiao Jin is a golden snub-nosed monkey. Do you know golden snub-nosed monkeys?”
“Golden snub-nosed monkey?” Lin Heling was surprised.
Hearing grandpa’s curiosity, Yu Bao stood up, ran da-da-da into the room, soon came out hugging a lively-eyed, sleek-furred little monkey.
“Grandpa, Third Uncle, this is Xiao Jin.” He rubbed his face against Xiao Jin’s head, tone cheerful.
“It used to belong to a circus troupe, the troupe was disbanding, its owner wanted to send it to the zoo, the director didn’t want it. My dad and mom saw me and Heng Bao liked it, so they took Xiao Jin. Now it’s our family member.”
Xiao Jin jumped onto Lin Heling’s knee, squatted, looked up at him, looking obedient, not at all like a wild-raised monkey.
“Looks very obedient.” Lin Heling touched Xiao Jin’s head gently.
Village kids had no entertainment, raising a monkey was pretty good.
“Mm-hm, Xiao Jin is super obedient.” Long-mouthed Heng Bao spoke fast, “My uncle said they saw big monkeys on the mountain when they were kids. Mountain monkeys are fierce, love baring teeth to scare people, and throw stones at heads.”
Lin Heling spoke patiently, “Wild ones, not familiar with humans, have aggression, very normal. If you encounter that kind, stay far away.”
Heng Bao nodded solemnly, “We know.”
After instructing his grandson, Lin Heling looked at Gu Chenghuai, “Provincial capital is chaotic, next time bring the kids, call more people. You and Zhaozhao alone, hard to look after four children.”
Hearing this, Gu Chenghuai knew his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and third brother-in-law hadn’t returned to Dongfeng Brigade yet, and didn’t know Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai had been picked up by them.
So.
In a few words, he told them about it.
Didn’t mention much about the Yuan Family, just said he entrusted his comrade in the capital, sent Jingmo and Guangbai to the provincial capital, and he and Zhaozhao picked them up.
Lin Heling was meticulous, immediately sensed something off.
His brow furrowed slightly, “What’s the deal with the Yuan Family?”
Asked straight to the point.
Since father-in-law spoke, Gu Chenghuai didn’t deliberately hide, told Lin Heling and Lin Shichang everything he knew.
Lin Shichang’s brows knotted into lumps.
Burst out a curse.
“Damn it!”
“Fucking Yuan Family, bullying our Lin Family’s juniors, courting death!”
Lin Heling rarely didn’t scold his hot-tempered third son, because he wanted to curse too.
The usually good-tempered Lin Dad’s face lost its smile, anger rising, a vein bulging on his forehead, seeming furious.
Good thing years of self-cultivation were still there.
He steadied himself, asked: “The two kids are okay?”
“They’re fine.” Gu Chenghuai told his father-in-law about the two biological grandsons’ situations.
Learning the grandsons were doing well, Lin Heling’s expression eased.
Lin Shichang had many questions.
“My two nephews… from now on following their dad to receive education?”
His tone full of disapproval: “They’re not even ten, no more school? All about farm work?”
He thought sending the kids to Meng Jiusi was too impulsive.
Gu Chenghuai’s tone calm, “Fourth Brother insists, Jingmo and Guangbai have no sense of security, also insist on following Fourth Brother.”
Understanding flashed in Lin Heling’s eyes.
With biological mom’s that deathly state, no good ones in Yuan Family, Jingmo and Guangbai wanting to follow Jiusi wasn’t strange.
“Let them be.” he said.
Father-in-law’s words were all within Gu Chenghuai’s expectations; he was just like that, a broad-minded elder who never forced anyone.
“Fourth Brother and the two kids are quite accustomed, Dad don’t worry.”
Lin Heling chuckled lightly, “With your family here, I’m very relieved, thanks for the hardship.”
“Dad is too polite.”
Lin Shichang didn’t speak again, imagining his twin younger brother’s appearance, he looked forward to the evening meeting.
Did that Meng Jiusi feel the same?
Inside the room.
Lin Zhao saw those gold bars, her eyes dazzled.
What was going on?
More than last time her parents secretly stuffed her with!
“Mom?” she asked puzzled.
Song Xiwei said straightforwardly: “Your dad remembered he buried a box of stuff near the train station, we tried digging, dug up these, total twelve gold bars. You siblings two each, Mom and Dad keep two, and some jewelry all to you. Don’t you like old things? If you like this box, take it too.”
Her parents had given her plenty before, five gold bars alone, plus emerald necklace, bracelet, jade bracelet, earrings, etc., worth a lot.
She didn’t plan to take these now.
She said: “Give me the box, you and Dad keep the rest.”
“Take it if I give it.” Song Xiwei said in an uncompromising tone.
“Mom and Dad have elder care money. You and son-in-law have four children, schooling, buying house, finding job, marriage… all need money. Not for yourself, think for the four cubs.”
Clearly, the four cubs were her responsibility, yet making her parents worry again.
Lin Zhao’s heart warmed unusually, she scooted over, hugged her mom, rested her head on Song Xiwei’s shoulder.
“My husband and I can earn money.”
Song Xiwei laughed unceremoniously.
Her index finger poked her daughter’s nose tip, “I believe Chenghuai can earn, you? Spend faster than earn by several times.”
Lin Zhao wasn’t convinced, “Mom…”
Her tone aggrieved, with a little wave of accusation.
Song Xiwei held Zhaozhao, talked heart-to-heart with her daughter, “Your four brothers are my and your dad’s biological sons, we won’t ignore them. You take yours.”
Words said to this point—
“Then I’ll take it.” Lin Zhao like a little money-grubber, took the pretty wooden box, looked closely, eyes brightened slightly, “This box is huanghuali wood?”
“Your eye is good.” Song Xiwei said.
Lin Zhao raised her chin, smug: “I learned from Dad since little, know a bit.”
“True, you’re curious about everything, unlike those boys, always thinking of sneaking out to play.” Song Xiwei complained.
Lin Zhao thought her brothers were a bit wronged; they were clearly finding sweets everywhere.
Couldn’t help saying good things.
“Big Brother they found me sweet fruit.”
Song Xiwei said no more; the family kids had deep feelings, she and the kids’ dad were both happy.
“Mom came specially today to see the biological grandsons, right?” Lin Zhao changed the topic.
Only then did she realize Dad, Mom, and Third Brother still didn’t know… about picking up Jingmo and Guangbai.
“What biological grandsons?” Song Xiwei didn’t react.
Lin Zhao blinked, “Jingmo and Guangbai. Mom didn’t go back to the brigade?”
“No. This year your birthday, your dad and I didn’t celebrate with you, he was afraid you’d be sad. After getting off the train, barely ate, we came. He said he’d make you longevity noodles this afternoon, to make up.” Song Xiwei said.
Lin Zhao’s mouth corners lifted, but she said: “I’m so old, missing once is fine.”
Song Xiwei brushed her glossy long hair, gaze gentle, “No matter how old, still Dad and Mom’s daughter.”
Deeply influenced by Lin Heling, her man favored daughters over sons, always said daughter is obedient, daughter is cotton-padded jacket; over the years, doting on daughter became her instinct.
Lin Zhao didn’t know her mom’s thoughts, smiled brightly.
Seeing Song Xiwei slightly tired, said: “Mom, I’ll make the bed, you lie down and rest a bit. When it’s dark, we’ll go see Fourth Brother. Fourth Brother misses you and Dad, he even asked when you’d come back.”
Song Xiwei surprised, “Your Fourth Brother asked about me and your dad?”
“Yeah.”
Words fell, Lin Zhao went to the next door room to make the bed.
Song Xiwei followed.
Mother and daughter walked out of the room, the dragon-phoenix twins slowly crossed the threshold, followed by Da Huang and Gu Lan.
They entered the yard.
Seeing strangers, Yao Bao quickly burrowed into Gu Chenghuai’s bosom, her pink tender little face buried in daddy’s chest, secretly peeking at Lin Shichang, noticed by him, panicked and buried her head again.
Repeated like this.
She wore a pink skirt, two little tufts tied on her head, double eyelids, very long lashes; blinking eyes showed innocent cuteness, little face round and fair, with cute little milk pouch, so tiny, adorably killing.
Lin Shichang adored her endlessly, reached to hug his treasure niece.
Little dumpling wrinkled her little face, pushed his hand, “No, no, don’t…” crisp refusal.
Third Uncle wilted, his high-spirited head drooped.
Then, Qian Bao walked to Lin Shichang, opened arms, brows calm: “Third Uncle.”
He said it word by word, slowly.
Lin Shichang like injected with chicken blood, shoulders instantly straightened, “Yep!”
Reached to hug little nephew, arm swatted away by Song Xiwei, who snatched Qian Bao.
“Don’t want your leg?”
Lin Shichang really forgot.
He scratched his head, “Too excited seeing nephew!”
“Excited doesn’t mean ignore your wound.” Song Xiwei glared at her son, explained to Qian Bao why Third Uncle couldn’t hold him.
Injured = bleeding = ouchie.
Third Uncle’s leg ouchie.
With this, Qian Bao understood, his dark eyes fell on Lin Shichang’s leg.
Lin Zhao finished making the bed, Lin Heling and others freshened up briefly, returned to the room to rest.
Yu Bao was sensible, knew grandma, grandpa, and Third Uncle were tired, took initiative to bring younger brother and sister back to the room, arranged dragon-phoenix twins to play with toys, took Heng Bao to practice calligraphy.
Yu Bao was a persistent little friend; with a calligraphy copybook, he persisted in practicing, assigned tasks to himself, played only after finishing.
He not only strictly required himself, but also Heng Bao and Li Bao, so the three little ones recognized many characters, not just recognized, but wrote better than peers.
Especially Yu Bao, most serious and hardworking, wrote most neatly.
Rag curtains fully opened, at the table by the window, two identical little boys sat side by side, holding pencils writing, the older one occasionally turned to check younger brother and sister, seeing them obedient, turned back to continue writing.
Lin Zhao watched a while, eyes full of smiles, went to backyard picked two tomatoes, washed clean in kitchen, cut into small pieces in a bowl, sprinkled white sugar, passed in through the window.
Yu Bao and Heng Bao’s eyes lit up.
The person outside finger to lips, signaling them not to shout, lest disturb dragon-phoenix twins.
Heng Bao pinched his mouth with hand, dark eyes full of laughter.
