Chapter 168: “i’ll Be Watching”
「Interstellar Plane · Myriad Growth Nutrient Solution（Advanced）
Appearance: Deep blue translucent liquid with countless golden light spots suspended inside, flowing like a galaxy, producing a layer of lustrous spiritual energy glow when gently shaken.
Effects: Sprouting Activation（ Activates any dormant seeds, accelerates germination, shortens growth cycle）
Root Strengthening（ Promotes robust plant root systems, enhances nutrient absorption, makes plants sturdier）
Others. No need to elaborate, explore on your own.
Usage: Dilute before use（1 drop of nutrient solution to 1 liter of water, irrigate soil, avoid direct contact with seeds）」
What I wanted has arrived!
Lin Zhao’s eyes and brows were full of smiles.
She was thrilled for half a minute, then left with light footsteps.
Seeing her return, Gu Chenghuai withdrew his glance toward the outhouse direction. Noticing Zhaozhao’s unusual joy, he lightly raised his brow, not intending to probe, pretending not to know.
“Fourth Brother, can I take the ceramic pot? I want to try it myself.” Lin Zhao approached Meng Jiusi, asking with a beaming smile.
Meng Jiusi had no objection. The seeds hadn’t sprouted after days, probably dead. He’d tried every method, even consulted Mr. Qiao and those two university professors, all to no avail.
“Okay.”
Lin Zhao curved her eyes. “Thanks, Fourth Brother.”
“No need to thank me, I couldn’t help you.” Meng Jiusi was very annoyed, wishing time could rewind to a few years ago so he could learn horticulture.
“It’s not your fault, it’s the seeds.” Lin Zhao shifted the blame to the speechless seeds.
Miracle Grass Seed: You low-plane human don’t even spare grass, you’re rotten!
Seeing it was getting late, Lin Zhao and the others left the foot of the mountain.
No one mentioned Lin Shichang’s leg injury. Lin Heling, Song Xiwei, and Gu Chenghuai thought that since it had come to this, no need to rub salt in the wound; he knew what to do.
Lin Zhao was confident.
With the Myriad Growth Nutrient Solution, the Iron Bone Reishi would definitely sprout, and Third Brother’s leg would heal. He would stay in the troops, continuing the career he loved.
Being a soldier was indeed dangerous, but one couldn’t shrink from it. She would always remember when she learned there was a spot for her in the enlistment quota… the touching smile on Third Brother’s face.
He worked so hard, never complaining no matter the hardship, with more medals of honor than many people’s lifetimes combined. He’d longed for troop life since childhood and was now accustomed to it; stripping it away would be as painful as breaking his bones.
How could Lin Zhao bear it.
If she had no ability, fine, but with her treasure, she had to make Third Brother’s wish come true.
Lin Shichang noticed his younger sister’s gaze on him—was it pity? Encouragement?
He felt somewhat helpless.
Not offended, but deeply warmed.
This girl.
His leg injury was so severe that walking hurt, but his willpower was strong, very enduring, showing no sign on his face.
Lin Zhao and the others walked slowly, chatting casually in bits.
Lin Heling and Song Xiwei talked about the troop visit, mentioning Lin Shichang’s comrades, inevitably bringing up Comrade Sun.
Parents had already settled it; this one was just a passerby in Third Brother’s glorious life.
Lin Zhao cursed inwardly a few times, then threw it to the back of her mind.
“Third Brother, out with the old, in with the new, don’t be sad.” She patted Lin Shichang’s arm.
Lin Shichang: “…”
Lin Shichang was like a cat whose tail was stepped on, mumbling, “This isn’t even old.”
“Zhaozhao, take back what you just said!” His tone was aggrieved.
Lin Zhao made a zipping motion across her mouth. “Okay, I take it back.”
So Third Brother really had no feelings for that pragmatic Comrade Sun.
Great!
Gu Chenghuai carried the ceramic pot and walked side by side with Lin Zhao, his slender beautiful fingertips lightly tapping the rim, speaking up: “What is this?”
“Herbs with miraculous effects.” Lin Zhao was mysterious but couldn’t hold back, whispering very softly, “If it grows, Fourth Brother will likely change his situation, and Momo and Baibai can go to school like Yu Bao and Heng Bao.”
Gu Chenghuai lowered his gaze, looking at the soil in the pot, unsure where his wife’s confidence came from.
“…How sure are you?” he asked.
“Nine points.” Lin Zhao was full of confidence.
Gu Chenghuai: “…”
If she said three or four points, he’d believe it; her confidence made him hesitate.
“You don’t believe me?” Lin Zhao slanted him a glance.
“…I believe.”
The tone sounded so reluctant.
Lin Zhao wasn’t angry. “Don’t force yourself. Wait till I grow it, Fourth Brother experiments successfully, you’ll be surprised.”
She knew that every year, many excellent soldiers were forced to retire due to arm or leg injuries.
Medicine made from Iron Bone Reishi as main ingredient would surely keep many outstanding fighters.
Gu Chenghuai didn’t dampen her spirits. “I’ll wait and see.”
Back home, Lin Zhao placed the ceramic pot with the miracle grass seeds in the corner, and when no one was paying attention, diluted the Myriad Growth Nutrient Solution and poured it in.
Done!
It should sprout tomorrow…
Looking forward to it!!
That night, Lin Heling, Song Xiwei, and Lin Shichang stayed in the Gu family’s new brick and tile house.
They had planned to return to Dongfeng Brigade but were persuaded by Lin Zhao. She thought there were enough rooms at home, Third Brother had a leg injury, returning to the village late at night was troublesome, and what if something happened on the road… no need.
Gu Chenghuai also persuaded them.
Hearing daughter and son-in-law say so, the Lin couple stayed.
–
The next day, early morning.
The twins stood side by side in front of the washbasin in the yard, brushing teeth and washing faces.
The washbasin was built by Gu Chenghuai with leftover red bricks and cement from house building. The village had no running water or electricity, couldn’t install faucets like in the city.
Gu Chenghuai used connections to dig a well in the family yard. Yes, at this time, digging a well required connections; the well-digging department was busy, without connections, they barely acknowledged you.
It was a pump well—
Press the long handle down, the air valve goes up, draws air from the pipe, and water gushes out from the bottom.
Effortless, even slightly bigger kids could pump water.
Solved the water issue, washing anything convenient, and the water was icy cool.
Seeing the two coming out of the guest room, Heng Bao was shocked and accidentally swallowed toothpaste foam.
“Pah, pah…” The little boy frowned, hurriedly rinsing his mouth.
After the discomfort passed, he spat out the water and looked at Lin Heling and Song Xiwei.
“Grandpa, Grandma, you didn’t go back?”
He didn’t mean they weren’t welcome; purely surprised.
“Yes, stayed at your house one night, heading back soon.” Lin Heling explained with a smile.
From childhood habit, he loved cleanliness, changed clothes every two days at most. He wore a cotton-linen short-sleeved shirt on top, dark green cloth long pants below, creased pants straight, ankles properly cuffed, neat in sitting or standing.
These clothes were made by Lin Zhao for her biological father.
Without spare clothes, Lin Heling would have returned to Dongfeng Brigade no matter what.
Yu Bao curved his eyes in a smile, affectionately sticking by Grandpa.
“I like Grandpa and Grandma staying at my house. First time waking up in the morning to see you, super happy.”
“I’m super happy too!” Heng Bao said loudly.
The sound reached the children’s room. Yao Bao scratched her face, rolled over and slept. Qian Bao opened his eyes, wanted to laze more, not in a hurry to get up, closed his eyes again.
Morning temperature hadn’t risen yet, room windows open, wind blowing curtains rustling, suddenly came a few snippets of voices, very sleep-inducing.
Soon, the little friends fell asleep again.
Two cheerful child voices entered his ears, Lin Heling’s gaze gentle.
Song Xiwei also wore clothes Lin Zhao made for her.
Plain cotton short-sleeved shirt, no collar, simple edging, black twill long pants, straight legs.
Very ordinary style, but on the upright Song Xiwei, it looked crisp and neat.
She took the new towel and new toothbrush Lin Zhao offered, smiling: “Why does the house have new toothbrushes ready?”
Stocking towels wasn’t strange, hard to buy but practical, for self-use or gifting, many grabbed them when available.
Lin Zhao smiled. “For eventual needs, now using them.”
She glanced at Lin Heling. “If I hadn’t prepared ahead, Dad wouldn’t stay even one night.”
Song Xiwei explained for her man. “Your dad has that habit since childhood, lived half his life that way, can’t change.”
“So I prepared in advance.” Lin Zhao gave herself a thumbs up, eyes showing pride.
“I’ve decided, no matter if you come or not, the house will always have a set of daily necessities for you.”
“Zhaozhao is thoughtful.” Song Xiwei smiled, then started brushing teeth.
Lin Heling stayed silent. No choice, he’d upset his daughter last night.
After breakfast, the Lin family of three left, returning to Dongfeng Brigade.
Lin Zhao and her husband didn’t stop them again.
Gu Chenghuai biked to the neighbor, invited the stingy Lao Zhuangtou. The old man drove the ox cart, sending the Lin family of three back to the brigade.
Lin Zhao watched the ox cart go far, turned to Gu Chenghuai: “How did you invite him? Isn’t it said… outsiders can’t borrow the ox cart?”
“Depends on who.” Gu Chenghuai was calm, smiling at his wife like a peacock fanning its tail.
“…” Lin Zhao walked toward the village.
Gu Chenghuai touched his nose, strode long legs to catch up.
The couple passed the brigade headquarters, hearing quarreling voices inside.
Voices male and female.
Somewhat familiar.
It was the brigade’s educated youth.
“What’s the situation?” Lin Zhao stopped, elbowing Gu Chenghuai.
“Go in and see.”
“Convenient? I just want to watch the fun, not cause trouble.” Lin Zhao was a bit bored, strangely wanting to watch, but not wanting trouble.
“With me here, what to fear.”
Since he said so, Lin Zhao gave him the chance to show off, quietly entering the brigade headquarters, standing in the corner, unobtrusive.
“Brigade Leader, the new educated youth point is crowded enough, we’ve finally gotten used to it, adding four more, how are we supposed to live? We disagree!”
“Yeah, more people more conflicts. Brigade Leader, if you don’t want us troubling you constantly, better build another. I don’t want to fight, but if provoked, I won’t endure, I’ll teach her a lesson, then you’ll be in a bind.”
“Hot summer, cramming so many in one room, stifling.”
…
Lin Zhao understood: the brigade was getting more educated youth again.
Same old routine.
Nothing interesting.
So she pulled Gu Chenghuai away.
Just at the door.
Heard the Brigade Leader roar, “Build what? Where’s the money!”
His rough hand pointed at each: “You pay? Or you?”
Fuming, “The expanded rooms can hold eight, now only five or six, and you say not enough, crowded?”
“Where crowded? How? You came down to build the rural area!! Not for enjoyment!”
The Brigade Leader saw educated youth as troublemakers, giving him headaches worse than the most unruly members.
He retorted fiercely, not waiting for rebuttals, left an angry back, storming off.
These educated youth could write and complain, no background like him couldn’t afford to provoke, better stay away.
As for agreeing? No way.
Reasonable requests he’d meet, unreasonable ones no, or they’d get spoiled?
Members were exhausted from production, no energy for their fussing.
The educated youth fussed to no avail, even angering the brigade’s big boss, all dejected.
“Guo Zhiqing, didn’t you say the brigade fears educated youth fussing, they’d agree if we demand? Now Brigade Leader’s mad, what now?”
“I said not to fuss, can’t beat local snakes, opposing brigade hurts us. You didn’t listen.” The recently arrived female educated youth said discontentedly, feeling wronged, harmed by these stupid old educated youth.
Words done, she stormed off angrily.
Third batch of educated youth not yet arrived, educated youth group splintered.
Some scheming educated youth started thinking of partnering with villagers.
Lin Zhao thought it unrelated to her family.
Until…
That afternoon.
Female educated youth Su Yi came to the Gu house behind others’ backs.
She said she wanted to board at the Gu house, willing to pay two yuan a month.
Lin Zhao refused without thinking. “We don’t take outsiders.”
Su Yi was stunned, tried again. “Is the money too little? I’ll add one, three yuan a month okay?”
She really didn’t want to stay at educated youth point, constant bickering over trifles, so annoying.
“Not about money, I don’t like outsiders at home.” Lin Zhao still refused.
“I’m very quiet, don’t make noise, walk softly, no coughing no farting, even breathing can be quiet, you…” Su Yi pleaded persistently, looking pitifully at Lin Zhao.
Lin Zhao was firm. “Sorry.”
“You have several rooms, wasting them empty. Let me stay, extra income of a few yuan a month, buy candy for the twins.” Su Yi knew Gu family status high, Lin Zhao military wife, no one in brigade dared provoke. Living here had many benefits, unwilling to give up, continued: “If I move in, I can help you. Your dragon-phoenix twins are still small, I can help care for your children.”
“Comrade Gu goes back to troops morning and night, you alone with four children not easy. With me different.”
“I have younger brother and sister at home, I raised them, good at childcare, I can help.” Here she felt a bit guilty, as she was pampered growing up, never cared for siblings.
Lin Zhao didn’t believe.
She’d seen this Su Zhiqing upon arrival, so fair and delicate, hands without calluses, not a laborer.
Lying.
“No need, I can manage.” She refused politely again.
“My cousin is moving in soon, he’s a young man, inconvenient for you to stay.” Lin Zhao considerately explained.
Of course, that was true.
Real reason: didn’t want self-imposed trouble, outsider at home, even eating meat troublesome.
Hearing this, Su Yi gave up.
Full of disappointment. “…Okay, sorry to bother.”
Seeing Su Zhiqing had good reputation in village, no troublemaking, Lin Zhao suggested, “…Never thought of asking brigade to allocate a piece of land, build a yard?”
“Build a yard?” Su Yi was tempted.
Lin Zhao countered: “Do you have a compatible female educated youth?”
“Yes.” Su Yi said, “I get along well with Guan Zhiqing who just arrived, she doesn’t take advantage, not a pushover, we click.”
Her mind quick, immediately got Lin Zhao’s implication.
“You mean, me and Guan Zhiqing build a yard and move out?” As she said it, Su Yi calculated the benefits, eyes brighter.
Lin Zhao nodded.
“Yes.” She said, “Build an adobe house, doesn’t cost much, conditions average but quiet, two people comfortable. When you return to city, sell the house to villagers, no loss.”
Lin Zhao meant well. These flower-like girls, rooting here over a decade, few chances to return midway.
Return to city distant, better move out early, adapt soon.
Su Yi listened, eyes lit up. “Good method!”
Gratefully: “Got it, I’ll discuss with Guan Zhiqing now, thanks Lin Comrade, troubled you today. If I move out successfully, I’ll treat you to candy!”
Words done, waved vigorously at Lin Zhao, quickly ran out of Gu house.
