Chapter 173: “your Third Son Is Missing”
Lin Zhao looked calm on the surface, but her heart was already clenched tight!
She picked up a small bamboo stool and quietly placed it at the door of Lin Shichang’s room, sitting there guarding it, perking up her ears to listen for sounds inside.
At first, it was dead silent inside, without the slightest sound.
Several minutes passed like torment.
“…Fuck!” A hoarse male voice, suppressed to the extreme, rang out.
Lin Zhao’s suspended heart settled a bit, and the corners of her mouth nearly curved upward.
He still had the strength to curse? Looked like he was fine!
She held her breath, her full attention on what was behind the door panel.
Da Dan and the others were hooked by the atmosphere here, curiosity piqued, craning their necks to come over, lifting their little feet to scoot this way.
Lin Zhao caught it with the corner of her eye and quickly waved them off.
The kids froze like little wooden puppets with a pause button pressed, standing stock-still in place, not daring to take another step forward, only those few pairs of bright eyes still fixed on their little aunt.
“…”
These little friends with curiosity bursting through the roof!
Time ticked by slowly, agonizingly.
The pained gasps from inside the room had completely stopped.
“?”
What was going on?
Lin Zhao’s heart suddenly tightened, and she sprang up from the stool with a “whoosh,” rushing to the door in a few steps, raising her hand to pound on the door panel.
At that moment, a “thud!” came from the door crack.
The sound of bone hitting something hard.
“Third Brother?” Lin Zhao called softly, “Are you okay?”
Lin Shichang steadied himself with the stool to stand, veins bulging on the back of his hand, movements slow and sluggish, as if his body weighed a thousand pounds. He released one whitened finger, then another… finally the last one, his full weight on his legs.
His leg bones felt no pain at all!!
His expression dazed, incredulous.
He tentatively stepped forward—one step, two steps… walking steadily.
Lin Shichang almost suspected his legs had been numbed with anesthetic—no, that wasn’t it, he didn’t need the crutch to stand, he was… truly healed!!
“Awesome!”
Outside the door, this shout made Lin Zhao’s mouth twitch.
Alright then, looked like no problem.
Lin Zhao nodded to the others at home, gave an OK sign, smoothly picked up her little bamboo stool, sat back down lightly, picked up the Eldest Brother’s Wife’s squeezed pomegranate juice, and gulped down a big mouthful.
“Your third brother is okay?” Lin Heling spotted some signs but hadn’t heard a solid answer, so he was still uneasy.
Lin Zhao set down the enamel mug, wiped her mouth, and nodded with utmost certainty.
“He’s fine!” She held up three fingers, raising them high, “I guarantee it. Third Brother’s leg is fine, he doesn’t have to retire, he can stay steadily in the troops, continuing to do what he loves.”
Lin Heling and Song Xiwei’s faces relaxed.
The worry cloud that had lingered between their brows for days dissipated in an instant.
During this time, old third had been forcing smiles, but really lacked energy for anything. He wasn’t without regrets in his heart—he wanted to stay in the troops, dreamed of it, how could his parents not see?
Now that he could stay, they were of course worried, but also happy for their son.
Just as she thought of this, the door creaked open slowly.
Lin Shichang walked out.
Seeing the family in the yard, he grinned, his smile brighter than the sunshine.
He walked toward Lin Zhao and the others.
Without that annoying crutch, yet walking steadily.
Step by step, solidly reaching the family.
“Dad, Mom, I’m good!” Lin Shichang’s voice boomed, and before Song Xiwei could complain he was too loud, his quick tongue quipped playfully: “I feel full of strength all over, especially my legs—they could kick a wild boar flying. Dad, Mom, I’m afraid I can’t stay home being the filial son anymore, don’t you think that’s a pity?”
Song Xiwei looked at his cheeky face, turned away, “Your dad and I have more than just you as a son. Worst case, there’s still Zhaozhao.”
Besides, she didn’t need anyone to take care of her.
Lin Zhao nodded eagerly, “Yes, yes, Dad and Mom live with me! I just love living with Dad and Mom together!”
Lin Father and Song Mother hadn’t yet agreed when Chen Yu chimed in, “No way. Da Dan and the others can’t bear to part with their grandparents, Zhaozhao’s little abacus is about to fall short.”
Other young wives didn’t like living with parents-in-law, but Chen Yu did—her parents-in-law were understanding, never meddling in their son’s family affairs, living in the same yard was pressure-free.
Lin Zhao changed the subject, asking Lin Shichang, “Third Brother, when does your leave end?”
“It was supposed to be a month, but I want to go back early.” Lin Shichang’s expression turned serious.
He wanted to go back early not for himself, “Little Fourth’s medicine is no ordinary thing, far from it! I want to report it up, he’s made such a big contribution, handle it right… it’s not impossible to de-categorize him!”
“Third Brother and I are thinking the same.” Gu Chenghuai’s steady voice cut in timely.
“Hm?” Lin Shichang made a puzzled hum.
“I’ve already taken care of what needs doing.” Gu Chenghuai was concise, “I sent an urgent telegram. Afraid someone might snatch the credit midway, I sent another to the capital.”
Old Master Yun held a high position, with him watching, things would go smoothly.
Guard against petty people, not gentlemen. There were plenty of fair and selfless people in this world, but no shortage of petty schemers abusing power. Especially now, with eyes from across the strait and the West watching domestically, infiltrators inside and out—had to guard against it.
“Who did you find? Reliable?” Lin Shichang pressed.
He was loyal, had plenty of good comrades, not lacking those with top-notch backgrounds.
“Yun Family.” Gu Chenghuai spat out two words.
At “Yun Family,” Lin Shichang’s pupils shrank slightly, instantly understanding.
Yun Family—renowned!
Old Master Yun was an idol worshipped by countless little soldiers, his name alone inspired awe and respect.
A true old revolutionary who waded through gunfire and bullets!
A legendary hero with illustrious war merits!
With Old Master Yun as the stabilizing force, Lin Shichang felt reassured.
He looked at Gu Chenghuai with surprise, “Didn’t expect you to have connections to the Yun Family…” His tone carried a bit of envy—not for anything else, such a hero wouldn’t pull strings anyway, but envying that his brother-in-law’s name was noted by the old hero, what glory!
Tsk, so envious.
Gu Chenghuai’s expression remained composed, his handsome face upright as ever, modestly saying: “Just got lucky. Shared a dormitory with Old Master Yun’s grandson, and happened to save Yun Jian’s life once, he sees me as a life-and-death friend.”
So smug.
Really so smug.
Lin Shichang felt indignant inside, pursed his lips, muttering under his breath so only he could hear: “Who doesn’t have a few life-and-death best friends…”
This bragging wasn’t important—what mattered was his leg injury was healed, completely healed, not even a trace of stiffness or weakness left!
His heart warmed, heroic spirit surging, he bent down, hooked under Xi Bao’s armpits, easily hoisted her overhead, laughing loudly: “Xi Bao, Third Uncle can toss you high again!”
Xi Bao giggled, tossed nearly two meters off the ground yet fearless, joyful as a little fish.
The little girl was clever, sensing Third Uncle’s arms unusually strong, calling out repeatedly: “Third Uncle is so awesome! Toss higher! Not high enough, not high enough!”
Lin Shichang happily obliged, laughing as he tossed her higher.
When it came to this tigerish courage, it had to be their family’s Xi Bao.
The yard was lively when a little head quietly poked in from the door.
Da Ya, the little girl from the village, stood timidly at the door, wanting to say something, mouth opening and closing, hesitating several seconds without speaking.
Xi Bao spotted her on landing, immediately hugged Lin Shichang’s neck tight, “Third Uncle, I don’t want to play anymore. Big Sister Da Ya is calling us to play.”
Lin Shichang patted his niece’s head casually, setting her down, “Little bridge-burner!”
Xi Bao giggled, darting to Da Ya, asking crisply: “Big Sister Da Ya, where are we playing?”
Da Ya whispered: “Not playing, there’s big excitement at Liu Family, wanna go?”
The Lin Family juniors all knew their family had nearly been harmed by the Liu Family, they held grudges—now with excitement to see, how could they miss it!
“Let’s go, let’s go.” Xi Bao’s little head nodded rapidly, saying it three times.
She immediately rallied her siblings, shouting for big brother and big sister, and off they ran pattering out the door.
Lin Zhao heard the commotion, puzzled: “What’s up with the Liu Family?”
“Without that impressive son-in-law, days aren’t easy, right? Bellies need grease, no grease means bad temper, bad temper means yelling and shouting.” Chen Yu’s tone was still gentle, but laced with chill.
She was angry too at the Liu Family’s scheming. So close, so close—her children would have been de-categorized!
Lin Zhao had just asked casually, calm about the Liu Family’s situation, no ripples in her heart.
Chen Yu stroked her big belly, thinking of Li Song’s legs recovering well, changed tack: “Xiang Xiang’s city boyfriend’s legs are nimble now, will he look down on us country girls, aim for higher connections, and dump Xiang Xiang?”
Xiang Xiang had broken off an engagement before—if it happened again, Aunt would go mad.
The others’ faces paused slightly, atmosphere tensing.
Song Xiwei said: “That young man has upright features, doesn’t look like a climber.”
“Xiwei, don’t expect good character from others.” Lin Heling spoke, cold glint in his eyes, “Especially someone you’ve only met once.”
Before huge interests, even close relations turn stranger, stabbing you hard without mercy.
Song Xiwei saw her husband’s face and knew he’d thought of something bad again, some unpleasant memory.
“I’ll listen to you.”
Lin Heling never vented bad moods on loved ones—this was serious disgust for it to show.
He adjusted his mood, smile returning to his brows, gaze warmly turning to Gu Chenghuai: “Chenghuai, trouble you with Jiusi’s matter.”
Gu Chenghuai didn’t mind, “Dad’s too polite, no trouble.”
To him, anything settled with a favor wasn’t a big deal.
Business done, Lin Zhao didn’t linger, left the pot of oil and soap for her maternal family, but took all the zongzi and salted duck eggs… with her!
The twins hadn’t tried zongzi yet, taking it back for Da Zai Er Zai. As for salted duck eggs? For her kids’ dad. Gu Chenghuai came from hard times, liked heavy oily flavors—this salted duck egg oozed oil with a poke, he’d love it.
Da Dan and the others? Later, when she got more, she’d send some.
–
Sunset gilded the village entrance.
The bicycle carried the returning couple, just entering the familiar tree shade at the village entrance, Lin Zhao’s smile not yet faded, when she saw two people by the stone pier—village security team members, unusually grave.
Gu Chenghuai’s gaze sharpened like a hawk, instantly catching their anxious air, eyes narrowing, heart sinking.
…Something happened?
As he thought, his finger tinkled the bike bell.
The crisp bell shattered the stagnant air.
“Ding-a-ling!”
The two snapped out of it, looked over, saw Gu Chenghuai and his wife returning, faces lighting up.
But their mouths uttered words that shattered Lin Zhao and her husband’s hearts.
“Chenghuai, your old third is missing!”
Gu Chenghuai and Lin Zhao’s expressions froze instantly, minds buzzing blank.
Who would’ve thought—just an ordinary outing, and their child… gone?! With so many adults at home!
The bicycle stopped before them.
Lin Zhao’s legs went soft as she jumped off the back seat.
“What do you mean?” She stared at them, voice taut, “…The old third you mean—is my Qian Bao?”
Her mind was blank right now.
“Yes, your Qian Bao is missing!” Uncle Chang Sheng’s throat cracked in urgency, shouting: “Even your Da Huang is gone. Your Alan got his head smashed, blood everywhere. Hurry back and check.”
The young man with Uncle Chang Sheng added rapidly: “No need to panic too much, someone’s been guarding the village entrance, the bad guys probably haven’t left the village yet. Brigade Leader suspects your Qian Bao was taken to the mountains, he’s already taken men to search there!”
Thus, Lin Zhao learned the whole story.
Lin Zhao’s face drained of color, turning deathly pale.
She heard it clearly, understood it— all fluke hopes shattered!
Next second, she bolted home like mad.
First she saw Yu Bao and Heng Bao standing in the yard, souls seemingly lost.
The two little brothers were frightened by the home atmosphere, faces ashen white, eyes swollen like peaches.
Seeing Lin Zhao rush in, fearing Mommy’s scolding, they didn’t dare approach, heads down, tears plopping, splashing on the dirt ground, shoulders shaking, faces full of despair.
Done for…
They’d lost their little brother.
Mommy… would never like them again.
Lin Zhao’s heart felt hammered, dull pain.
She went forward, hugging the twins one on each side, arms trembling in panic, forcing calm, “Don’t be scared, it’ll be okay… Qian Bao will be fine, didn’t they say… Da Huang is with him, Da Huang is smart, it’ll protect Qian Bao, it’ll be fine… it’ll be fine…”
Not sure if comforting the kids or herself.
At that moment.
The original book’s icy description drilled into Lin Zhao’s mind, those words about third son’s ending.
「”Mommy, third son is so cold… so cold… third son… third son can’t find the way home…” The skinny boy, reduced to skin and bones, curled in the corner, snow falling, covering his tiny body, his breathing shallow, gradually, he didn’t move. Two days and nights later, snow finally stopped, families started clearing snow, someone found a child’s corpse in an overlooked corner, he was emaciated beyond recognition, not even a ragged cotton-padded coat on, he had frozen to death just like that on some snowy night. No one knew where he came from, whose child he was…」
Her emotions collapsed utterly, tear glands out of control, tears flowing uncontrollably.
Her Qian Bao…
Not time to cry now—calm down! Lin Zhao took a deep breath, steadied herself, voice striving for calm but still trembling, “Where’s little sister? Yao Bao okay?”
Yu Bao shook his head, choking.
“Yao Bao’s at Second Aunt’s.”
Lin Zhao said no more, calming herself, found Gu Fu and Gu Mu in the First Branch room.
“Dad, Mom, what exactly happened…” She burst in speaking, every nerve taut, “How did Qian Bao go missing?!”
