Chapter 203: “taken A New Wife Yet?”
Heng Bao’s eyes darted, imitating his grandpa by clasping his hands behind his back, and said in an old-mannered tone, “How could that be? We’re good brothers who grew up together. My brother and I won’t forget you no matter what we do.”
Li Bao was instantly coaxed happy, grinning foolishly as he went to pull the twins’ hands.
“It’s a deal, we’ll do everything together.”
Yu Bao patted Li Bao’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll definitely take you.”
The little cubs’ voices weren’t loud at first, but as they spoke, they gradually got louder, not escaping the ears of several adults.
“Who is Wang Yaozu?” Leader Ning asked his biological mother.
Ning Lao Tai answered, “The family that gave birth to a bunch of golden flowers and silver flowers.”
She wasn’t afraid her son wouldn’t understand. Ming De knew.
The Wang family was very strange. Every generation only produced one male child, and that male child would first have several daughters.
“Did that family bully you?” Leader Ning’s gaze chilled slightly.
“Can’t say they bullied us.” Ning Lao Tai said, “Kids are ignorant. The Jin Dan from the Wang family was spoiled rotten and bullies kids from every family in the village. Mao Dan’er has no older brother and gets bullied the most, but he’s not easy to bully either…”
Leader Ning pursed his lips slightly.
Seeing her son was upset, Ning Lao Tai patted his arm. “The past is the past. No one can go back. There are still long days ahead. Take good care of my grandson.”
As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something.
The old lady sat up a bit straighter, staring at her son who was sitting upright.
“You didn’t marry a new wife, did you?”
Her expression was as if Ning Mingde nodded, and the old lady would jump up and give him eight or nine big slaps.
“…No.” Leader Ning said helplessly.
Where would he find a new wife?
A man with a blank mind—where would he get the thought to marry a wife? Wasn’t he afraid of having a wife and kids at home?!
“Good that there’s none.” Ning Lao Tai breathed a sigh of relief.
She squinted at her son. “Good thing you only lost your memory, not your wits.”
If Ming De had a family outside, how bitter would Mao Dan’er feel? He and his dad would have an unresolved knot for life…
Leader Ning fell silent.
Although Mao Dan’er was talking to the twins, his ears were perked up. Hearing this conversation, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved up.
Stepmoms were all bad. He didn’t want a stepmom.
Yu Bao hadn’t returned to the village last night and missed his younger brother and sister a lot. After staying a bit, he couldn’t stay still and said to his little friends, “I want to go back. Do you want to come play?”
Heng Bao and Li Bao naturally agreed with him.
Mao Dan’er hesitated.
“Go on.” Ning Lao Tai saw her grandson wanted to go out and waved at him. “There are so many people at home. I have people to take care of me. Go have fun.”
Mao Dan’er glanced at his dad, then went out with Yu Bao and the others.
Once he left, Ning Lao Tai pointed to an empty room and said to her son, “That room is empty. It was just cleaned a few days ago, but the bedding hasn’t been aired out. The weather’s good today. Take it out to air, and let Comrade Sun and Little Zhuang stay there.”
Leader Ning’s work wasn’t finished, and Ning Lao Tai’s body hadn’t fully recovered. They couldn’t leave yet and had to wait until everything was ready.
“Okay.” Ning Mingde walked toward that room.
The guard wouldn’t let the leader help clean the room and hurried after him. “Leader, let me…”
After watching the excitement, the people from Fengshou Brigade dispersed, but their hearts stayed here.
One by one, they grabbed Old Mr. and Mrs. Gu and the others, asking eagerly.
They asked him about the process of the Ning family mother and son recognizing each other.
Then asked why Ning Mingde hadn’t come back all these years, if he had become a high-ranking leader, if he had married a wife outside, if he was going to take the Ning family ancestors and grandson away…
Whatever came to mind, they asked, chattering noisily, making Old Mr. and Mrs. Gu’s heads buzz.
But they couldn’t speak carelessly.
Villagers were all big loudspeakers, especially good at imagining things. Even hearing something vague, they could spread it as if it were true, making it sound real.
So Gu Fu and Gu Mu could only patiently tell them.
“…Where did they recognize each other? Where else but the hospital.”
“Has Ming De become a high-ranking leader? Duh, does that even need asking? Of course. If not a high-ranking leader, why would he have a jeep?”
“Is the jeep comfortable to ride in? What do you think? Definitely comfortable. More comfortable than a bicycle, and fast too. From the county hospital to our brigade, it arrived in no time!”
“Are Mao Dan’er and his grandma leaving? Definitely. From now on, Mao Dan’er and Eldest Sister Ning will have endless good days.”
“You’re asking why Ming De didn’t come back all these years?! It’s fate. His head was injured, and he couldn’t even remember who he was. All these years, he had no idea he even had family. It was only when he saw Eldest Sister Ning at the hospital that he remembered.”
…
Throughout, Gu Mu did the talking, Gu Fu nodded, occasionally adding a few words, thoroughly satisfying the brigade members’ curiosity.
One by one, when they went to work, they were full of energy.
News spread fast in the brigade. Soon, all the surrounding brigades knew—
In Fengshou Brigade, the Ning family, that glorious home, their son had come back alive and become a high-ranking leader even bigger than the county head!
The news even reached the commune.
Sure enough, during a meeting of over ten brigades, Fengshou Brigade’s Brigade Leader suddenly became the focus, surrounded by people, questions splashing at him like sprayed beans.
What a moment in the spotlight.
Even the usually low-key Brigade Leader couldn’t help but puff up with pride.
…
Lin Zhao only learned about it when she got off work and went home.
Mao Dan’er’s biological father had come back alive?!!!
The original book didn’t mention it.
It must be hidden plot then.
She was happy for Mao Dan’er. “That’s great.”
Mao Dan’er met Aunt Lin’s smiling face and blushed to his ears, showing a shy smile.
Yeah, it was great.
He was still little and couldn’t take good care of his grandma. With that big guy there, his grandma could enjoy happiness!
Ning · Big Guy · Mingde: “…”
A father full of guilt toward his son wouldn’t mind being called big guy—even being called by his full name, he’d happily respond.
Before coming back, Lin Zhao had gone to the state-run restaurant and seen pig head meat for sale. With a grand wave, she bought two jin.
That morning at the supply and marketing cooperative, Li Fen had stuffed her with two beltfish, saying her eldest son had grabbed them early from the food store. Since he bought extra, she shared two.
Lin Zhao accepted without politeness, planning to bring a jin of apples over tomorrow morning.
Beltfish were valuable, and apples were in short supply.
“…Three treasures, you look after Mao Dan’er. Get food if you’re hungry. I’m going to pick up the other two treasures.”
Li Bao’s heart was bubbling with joy, his tone rising. “Okay!”
He liked being grouped with the twins.
Yu Bao and Heng Bao had their good brother spot taken first and weren’t too thrilled, casting a resentful glance at Li Bao before agreeing.
Heng Bao eyed the lunchbox and asked Lin Zhao, “Mom, did you bring food?! I smell something fragrant.”
Lin Zhao was about to leave but stopped at his words, gently scraping Er Zai’s nose. “Do you have an amber nose? Even with the lid on, you can smell it.”
Heng Bao grabbed the hem of her shirt, shaking it a few times, softly coquettish. “Mom~~”
“…Bought pig head meat.” Lin Zhao smiled.
Heng Bao licked his lips, looking greedy. “It’s something I haven’t eaten.”
The other little friends looked the same.
“Go get a few pairs of chopsticks and a small bowl.” Lin Zhao instructed the twins.
As soon as she spoke, Yu Bao rushed into the kitchen.
Seeing this, Lin Zhao’s eyes deepened with amusement.
Da Zai was getting more lively!
She opened the lunchbox, and a meat fragrance wafted out.
This meat fragrance was different from usual—somewhat unfamiliar, but inexplicably appetizing.
Li Bao kept swallowing saliva.
The lunchbox was packed full of sliced meat, and the little friends’ eyes sparkled.
He looked at Lin Zhao, his gaze full of worship.
In Li Bao’s little heart, Third Aunt was the most amazing person. In this planned economy era, Third Aunt always managed to get meat.
Yu Bao came out with bowls and chopsticks.
Lin Zhao portioned some meat into the small bowl. “You few share this. When I come back, I’ll fry beltfish for you. Li Bao and Mao Dan’er, stay and eat together.”
As she finished speaking, she gently looked at the several obedient cubs and turned to leave.
Li Bao tasted the pig head meat, and his big shiny black eyes went straight!
Mao Dan’er was the same.
“Yu Bao, what is fried beltfish?” Li Bao was reluctant to swallow the meat in his mouth, licking the meat fragrance with his tongue until the flavor faded before slowly biting with his teeth and swallowing.
“Don’t know. Probably tasty fish.” Yu Bao guessed.
Li Bao grinned foolishly. “Everything Third Aunt makes is delicious.”
After saying that, he looked at the twins and confirmed, “Third Aunt said to let me eat fried beltfish, right?”
“Yeah, and Mao Dan’er too.” Yu Bao didn’t forget the other good brother.
Mao Dan’er was a bit older and felt very embarrassed. “I don’t need to. I’ll eat at home…”
“No way. My mom said to stay.” Yu Bao’s little face was serious.
Heng Bao tapped his little head. “Mao Dan’er, don’t you want to know what fried beltfish tastes like?”
Mao Dan’er: “…”
He did.
…
Lin Zhao arrived at the old house and saw two white and tender little dumplings playing in the corner of the yard. She called out in a not-too-loud voice.
“Qian Bao, Yao Bao…”
Hearing mom’s voice, the two little ones paused, turned their heads, suddenly stood up, trotted to Lin Zhao, pounced, hugged her legs, their chubby little hands using big strength.
“Mom!”
Two childish voices rang out.
Lin Zhao half-squatted, arms around the little siblings, kissing the two little cubs’ faces. “Did you miss me?”
“Missed!” Yao Bao buried her head in mom’s neck, again and again, her words carrying a milk fragrance, so cute it softened hearts.
“Mom missed you too.” Lin Zhao’s voice was gentle.
She ruffled the children’s hair and said, “Did you cry last night?”
“…I didn’t cry. Sister cried.” Qian Bao opened his black-and-white eyes, speaking in a milky voice.
Sister had been coaxed by Xiao Jin.
Yao Bao was small but cared about face, angrily pushing her brother. “Bao didn’t cry…”
Lin Zhao held her little hand, eyes on her daughter. “Yao Bao, no hitting brother.”
Spoil the kids, but don’t spoil them too much.
Yao Bao was good at reading expressions and knew mom was angry. She paused, went to hug her brother, rubbing her head on Qian Bao’s neck like a little calf, nearly knocking her brother to the ground.
Lin Zhao couldn’t help laughing.
Zhao Liuniang had just eaten a big melon and shared it with Eldest Brother’s Wife during work. Now seeing Third Sister-in-law, she ran over excitedly.
“Third Sister-in-law, do you know about that thing?” She was mysterious, winking at Lin Zhao.
“?”
Lin Zhao was full of question marks. “What thing?”
“The Ning family thing?!” she guessed.
Today, in the whole brigade, the only thing worth talking about was Mao Dan’er’s dad coming back.
“No, no.” Zhao Liuniang plopped down next to Lin Zhao, glancing toward Gu Xing’er’s room. “It’s the sister-in-law thing.”
Thinking of Gu Xing’er’s room now occupied by Bang Bang and Lai Mei, her face bloomed with a brilliant smile.
“Hm?” Lin Zhao looked over puzzled.
What about Gu Xing’er now?
Hadn’t they separated households?
“I overheard parents say the sister-in-law published a notice to sever ties with the family!” Zhao Liuniang’s deliberately lowered excited voice rang out.
Hm?
Unsure, listen more.
Lin Zhao’s pupils widened slightly.
Zhao Liuniang met Third Sister-in-law’s gaze and nodded firmly.
“You heard right, it’s exactly that.” She said, “Parents said it. I heard clear as day. Seems like the Brigade Leader saw it first and told dad.”
Lin Zhao: “!!”
Seeing the surprise on Third Sister-in-law’s face, Zhao Liuniang was satisfied.
“There’s more. Dad moved the sister-in-law’s household registration out!”
They had separated households, so Gu Xing’er couldn’t affect them no matter what. But with the household registration moved out and the severance notice, they had no relation inside or out.
Walking on the road, even if she ignored Gu Xing’er, no one could say anything harsh.
Lin Zhao smiled and reminded, “With the household registration moved out, what sister-in-law is she anymore.”
Her gaze was meaningful. “Second Sister-in-law, from now on we only have Elder Sister-in-law, no sister-in-law.”
Zhao Liuniang slapped her thigh. “Right, right! Exactly. Only Elder Sister-in-law, no sister-in-law.”
Mentioning Elder Sister-in-law, she thought of the injured Wei Xiangdong. “Third Sister-in-law, is Brother-in-law okay?”
What kind of injury cost several hundred? If it were her, she wouldn’t treat it, just make a good coffin and be done.
“Can’t say he’s okay yet, just no life danger. Needs to stay hospitalized for the doctor to observe.” Lin Zhao said.
She had asked—Brother-in-law’s injury was internal, troublesome to treat, needed hospitalization and body tonics, so expenses were high.
Going to the hospital, how could it not cost money.
Zhao Liuniang’s face was full of complexity.
“That hospital place really isn’t for people.”
This was her first time seeing hospital expenses—scary enough to kill someone.
Didn’t know if Elder Sister-in-law could pay back their family’s money… Sigh.
Lin Zhao disagreed. “If sick, still gotta go. Major illnesses come from dragging out minor ones.”
“What’s that? Countryside has plenty of folk remedies. If one doesn’t work, try another. Always can cure it.” Zhao Liuniang didn’t take it seriously.
Not just her, nine out of ten people thought that way.
Lin Zhao knew this mindset was deep-rooted; her few words couldn’t change it, so she didn’t say more.
“Second Sister-in-law, you busy. I’ll head back first.”
Zhao Liuniang called after her. “…Third Sister-in-law.”
Lin Zhao turned back.
The dragon-phoenix twins imitated mom, turning their short little bodies, tilting heads to look at Second Aunt.
Two pairs of clear eyes looked at her, as if asking “What is it?”
Zhao Liuniang didn’t notice Qian Bao and Yao Bao’s cuteness, looking embarrassed at Lin Zhao. “Third Sister-in-law, do you have extra oil coupons?”
“Home out of oil?” Lin Zhao asked.
“Yeah, ran out yesterday.” Zhao Liuniang looked worried, being in charge was hard, everything to worry about. Separating households didn’t divide much stuff. Without Third Sister-in-law’s gifted pot, even meals would be a problem.
Lin Zhao: “I have quite a bit of oil left. I’ll give you a few liang.”
Zhao Liuniang’s face lit up. “…Third Sister-in-law is generous!”
“I’ll go to the room and get something.”
With that, she went to the room, picked up the bamboo basket full of vegetables, hugged a big pumpkin, carried the coarse pottery jar with oil, and came out happily.
