Chapter 21: “zhao Zhao, Be Reasonable”
“Mom doesn’t know?” Er Zai’s face was full of disbelief, as if something had shattered.
Lin Zhao nodded calmly, “…I really don’t know how.”
She pinched Er Zai’s cheek and gently pulled it outward, “Not many high school students know how to make cameras.”
High school doesn’t teach that.
Er Zai’s expression was solemn, “Then what do we do?”
“Study hard, get into university, and have great teachers teach you.” Lin Zhao said happily.
Thus, Er Zai had his first ideal in life.
The five-year-old little friend grinned, his tone excited: “I want to take the college entrance exam, make cameras, one for Mom, one for big brother, one for grandparents, one for Tie Chui, one for each of us.”
Lin Zhao was silent for a moment, then said: “You go for it.”
“Mm-hmm.” Er Zai nodded his head very quickly.
Da Zai saw that his younger brother had a goal, but he didn’t, so his little face scrunched up.
The expression on his face was all too easy to read.
“You’re still little, don’t think too much yet, you’ll know when you start school.” Lin Zhao touched her eldest son’s prickly bald head and comforted him softly.
Da Zai was a sensitive and thoughtful little friend, but he was obedient and stopped overthinking after hearing her words, his expression relaxing.
Just then, the server called Lin Zhao to pick up her meal.
She had her two sons hold the seats while she went to get the food.
The food at the state-run restaurant wasn’t top-tier delicious, but they used generous ingredients and portions.
The mother and sons shared a bowl of shredded pork noodles; they barely touched the other two dishes before their stomachs were stuffed.
Fortunately, Lin Zhao was prepared and brought lunchboxes. She packed the mostly untouched pork stew with vermicelli into one lunchbox, and the radish and bone soup into another, then walked out with her two sons.
“The afternoon meal is taken care of, we’ll heat it up and keep eating when we get back.”
Er Zai took the initiative to help his mom carry the lunchbox, saying nice words: “Cooking is tiring, Mom rests for a day.”
Da Zai strongly agreed, “Mom has been cooking for several days straight, it’s very tiring. When we get back, Er Zai and I will heat the food, Mom rests.”
Lin Zhao was deeply moved.
What does it feel like to have two little sweet pepper sons?
Warm!
So warm!
Two extra-thick little cotton-padded jackets.
“Good, then I’ll trouble you two little men.”
Da Zai was very happy to do things for Mom, “I’m not tired, I like helping Mom.”
“Such a good son for Mom.” Lin Zhao took the initiative to hold Da Zai’s hand.
Da Zai stared at the hand Mom was holding, his smile even brighter.
Mom’s hand was so soft; he liked being led by Mom.
Seeing this, Er Zai went to Lin Zhao’s other side, held her other hand, his mouth curved up, that smile especially innocent and bright.
Lin Zhao looked at the sun, estimated the time, felt it was about right, and took her two sons to the post office.
Twelve o’clock.
Gu Chenghuai’s call came as promised.
Lin Zhao answered the phone, her slender white fingers curling slightly, and heard a low, pleasant male voice, “Comrade Lin.”
The familiar voice traveled through the current to her ears, a bit unfamiliar, yet with a touch of novelty.
This was Lin Zhao’s first phone call with Gu Chenghuai.
“It’s me, Comrade Gu.” She imitated him, saying it seriously.
Gu Chenghuai’s deep black eyes showed a barely perceptible smile.
He got straight to the point:
“There’s a salesperson job at the supply and marketing cooperative, it’s basically settled, just needs to go through the process. Find time to go through it…”
Before he finished, Lin Zhao interrupted the kids’ dad in shock, “Work?”
A salesperson at the supply and marketing cooperative?!
It felt like a big pie had fallen on her head.
Gu Chenghuai heard the doubt in his wife’s tone and immediately guessed she’d forgotten what she wrote in the letter again. Helplessness appeared in his eyes as he explained: “Didn’t you say you wanted to work? Changed your mind now?”
As he spoke, his tense body relaxed, leaning against the counter.
Lin Zhao recalled her mood when writing the letter; she was very angry then, wrote whatever came to mind, several pages, then gnawed on a braised chicken leg afterward and didn’t check. She did mention wanting to work, so it was possible.
“I want it!”
“Gu Xing’er said I eat free rice, that I suck your blood. I want to work, so when I work, I can support myself and the four kids.”
Gu Chenghuai’s clear brows furrowed slightly, “Then what do you need me for?”
Lin Zhao pursed her lips and fell silent.
“Don’t take it out on me.” Gu Chenghuai’s voice carried a hint of helplessness.
Lin Zhao’s grip on the phone tightened slightly, unhappily saying: “That’s your sister, from the same mother’s belly.”
“You said it yourself, she’s my sister, just a sister.” Gu Chenghuai pinched his brow, saying deeply: “You can’t punish me for her mistakes, Zhaozhao, be reasonable.”
His voice was superior, even more alluring when deliberately lowered.
Lin Zhao’s jade-white ears grew hot; this guy was deliberately teasing again.
Her mouth curved up involuntarily, but she said: “Then you can’t secretly give money to Gu Xing’er, or else… or else I’ll take the four kids back to my maternal family!”
Gu Chenghuai said: “You’ve always managed the family accounts, I don’t keep money on hand, what would I give? Besides, I listen to my wife.”
He said it seriously, and Lin Zhao’s mood improved.
“Is the job you mentioned real?”
“Aren’t jobs hard to find now? How did you find it? What do I need to do?” Lin Zhao thought about the job and couldn’t help feeling nervous; questions popped out like spilled beans.
Gu Chenghuai didn’t mind the phone bill at all, patiently and carefully explaining the situation to her.
“I’ve already sent the money. Go directly to the county government building to find Yang Junzhi; he’s my comrade-in-arms and will take you through the whole process. It’ll be fine, just a formality. You’re a high school student; a salesperson job should be a piece of cake for you. You’ll definitely have no problem.”
His wife was good-looking and a high school student; a mere salesperson job was easily within reach!
“Good.” Lin Zhao heard that Gu Chenghuai had arranged everything perfectly; the salesperson job was basically a done deal. Her brows and eyes relaxed.
“Thank you, kids’ dad.”
Gu Chenghuai chuckled lowly, “No need to be so formal, kids’ mom.”
Lin Zhao saw her two sons clinging to her arm, tiptoeing high to hear their dad’s voice, so she said to the person on the other end: “Da Zai and Er Zai are here too; say a few words to them.”
“Okay.”
Lin Zhao handed the phone to Da Zai; Da Zai’s expression tightened, holding it with both hands, tense all over.
“Don’t be so nervous, it won’t break. I held it for a while fine.” Lin Zhao said softly.
Her voice reached Gu Chenghuai’s ears; the young officer raised a brow.
Da Zai held the phone, moved his mouth, but before he could speak, a voice came from the receiver.
“Da Zai.”
The current altered the voice; adults could vaguely recognize it, but to a little friend, the voice on the other end was extremely unfamiliar.
Da Zai was nervous and shocked, stammering: “Th-there’s a voice?”
“That’s your dad.” Lin Zhao said amusedly.
“Dad?” Da Zai hesitated, tentatively calling out.
Gu Chenghuai seemed to see his son’s face: eyebrows and nose like him, eyes like his mom, quiet and well-behaved temperament, shy and cute when smiling.
“It’s Dad.” Gu Chenghuai responded, then asked: “How’s everything at home?”
“Very good.” Talking about home, Da Zai had things to say, “Mom took Er Zai and me to Grandmother’s house. Second Uncle caught a wild rabbit, and Grandmother made spicy rabbit meat for us; it was so delicious.”
Gu Chenghuai gave timely feedback, “When Dad comes back, Dad will take you to catch rabbits.”
“Dad knows how to catch rabbits?” Da Zai asked with wide eyes.
In a little friend’s mind, knowing how to catch rabbits was super cool.
Sharpshooter Gu Chenghuai: “…” You’re underestimating your dad!
“Yes.” He said, “Next time Dad comes back, I’ll teach you to use slingshots.”
Da Zai’s eyes lit up, but then dimmed thinking he and his brother had no slingshots, “We don’t have slingshots.”
“Dad will make them for you.”
In just a few words, father and son grew closer; Da Zai gradually relaxed, his eyes shining with joy, “Thank you, Dad.”
“Dad, Mom said we’re building a brick and tile house. Have you gotten the bricks and tiles?”
Gu Chenghuai’s voice was gentle, “Got them.”
Da Zai looked up at Lin Zhao, his brows and eyes dancing, “Mom, Dad says he’s gotten the bricks and tiles!”
“I heard.” Lin Zhao’s gaze was warm.
At this moment, Er Zai stared at Da Zai eagerly, his voice pitiful: “Brother, my turn now?”
Da Zai showed reluctance but didn’t hog the phone; he said something to his dad and passed it to Er Zai.
After handing it over, he imitated Er Zai’s earlier pose, perking up his ears to listen to Dad’s voice from the receiver.
“Dad!” Er Zai said loudly.
As soon as Gu Chenghuai heard this lively voice, Er Zai’s mischievous little face seemed to appear before him.
“Mm.” He responded.
“Dad, when are you coming back?” Across the phone line, Er Zai showed no estrangement, talking very naturally to his dad, while using his sparkling eyes to observe the phone in his hand. So magical.
“If you don’t come back soon, Brother and I will forget what you look like!”
Gu Chenghuai’s expression unchanged, “It’s fine, Dad remembers you.”
Er Zai chuckled, whispering: “I remember Dad too. Mom made Brother and me look at your photo last night.”
Gu Chenghuai guessed his wife had the two kids look at the photo on the marriage certificate.
“When Dad comes back, our whole family will take some photos.”
Er Zai happily said: “Great.”
“Mom made new clothes for Brother and me; we’ll wear the new clothes to take photos!”
“I’ll wear my little military cap too!” He excitedly added.
Remembering his dad didn’t know they were getting little military caps soon, Er Zai continued: “Mom said for New Year, she’ll give Brother and me each a little military cap!”
A faint smile appeared at Gu Chenghuai’s lips, “Is that so? Your mom is good to you two brothers.” She never gave him a pair of socks.
“Yeah.” Er Zai glanced at Lin Zhao, his smile wide, “Mom is super good to us. Tie Chui is so envious; he even shed golden tears, saying why isn’t he Mom’s son.”
Gu Chenghuai listened patiently, “Since your mom is good to you, you two must listen to her.”
“We do! Grandmother says Brother and I are the most obedient! We help Mom take care of San Zai and Si Zai, pick firewood, light the fire, and even wash clothes!” Er Zai was radiant, his tone full of pride.
Gu Chenghuai’s eyes overflowed with laughter. He believed Da Zai was obedient, but Er Zai was mischievous; fortunately, he listened to Da Zai most.
“Great job! Mom works hard; you and your brother need to share the load. With Dad not home, you and your brother are the only two men in the family; protect your mom. If there’s trouble, go to the old house and call for people.”
He was far away and couldn’t help much.
Because of this, Gu Chenghuai couldn’t blame Lin Zhao at all, even if she hadn’t cared for the kids in the past few years.
Er Zai was like a pupil getting a little red flower from the teacher, thrilled, saying loudly: “I know! I’m a man; I’ll protect Mom!”
“Me too.” Da Zai, with his flushed little face, chimed in.
Gu Chenghuai chuckled lightly, “Er Zai, give the phone back to Mom.”
Lin Zhao took the phone, “What is it?”
Gu Chenghuai said: “For the slip needed for the bricks and tiles, I asked Yang Junzhi to help. Go to the county government building to find him; he’ll give it to you. Shipping the bricks and tiles is troublesome; let Dad, Elder Brother, and Second Brother help.”
“Okay.”
After agreeing, Lin Zhao suddenly didn’t know what else to say, so: “I’ve noted everything you said. Anything else? If not, I’ll hang up; I’ll write you a letter.”
“Mm, take ca…”
Gu Chenghuai had just said “mm,” and hadn’t finished the rest, when there was a clank, followed by the dial tone.
The other side hung up.
He put down the phone, helplessness flashing in his eyes. He had wanted to say he’d come home to visit relatives in a while.
Never mind, make it a surprise.
As soon as Gu Chenghuai left the mailroom, Sun Yeli appeared, catching the faint smile at his lips, and asked curiously: “I see you and sister-in-law have good feelings. Haven’t you thought of bringing your wife and kids over?”
“You wouldn’t be addicted to the canteen food, would you? You’re not like me, unmarried. You’ve been married for years and still haven’t brought them; is something really wrong?!”
Gu Chenghuai stopped, his deep black eyes falling on Sun Yeli, his expression somewhat puzzled: “What do you mean?”
“You haven’t heard at all?” Sun Yeli looked around, lowering his voice: “In the family courtyard, people have been spreading gossip about sister-in-law.”
Gu Chenghuai’s brows furrowed tightly, his expression displeased, “What gossip?”
Sun Yeli heard the chill in his words and didn’t dare hold back, quickly saying: “You don’t live in the staff dormitory, so no wonder you haven’t heard. Many in the family courtyard say… you and sister-in-law have a childhood engagement, no real feelings. Some say sister-in-law is from the countryside, no education, no looks; you’ll divorce her sooner or later.”
“Nonsense!” Gu Chenghuai couldn’t hold back and cursed.
“My wife and Zhaozhao fell in love at first sight; on the second meeting, we talked marriage! My wife is a high school student; who says she has no education!”
Gu Chenghuai found the rumors ridiculous.
Sun Yeli was dumbfounded.
After a stunned moment, the usually bold soldier stammered: “L-love at first sight?”
Gu Chenghuai’s eyes quickly flashed discomfort, but his face showed none, “What’s that?”
“Nothing, just… doesn’t seem like you.” Sun Yeli scratched his head.
Who was Gu Chenghuai? The iron-blooded tough guy least likely to be tender to women—fall in love at first sight with a girl?
Simply unbelievable.
Gu Chenghuai looked puzzled.
“Sister-in-law must be very pretty, right?” He couldn’t restrain his gossip heart.
The puzzlement in Gu Chenghuai’s eyes quickly dissipated; he glared at him, “You’re a resolute and upright soldier; how can you judge by appearance? Superficial.”
“…” So that’s judging by appearance?
Before Sun Yeli could retort, Gu Chenghuai asked coldly: “Do you know who’s spreading badmouthing about my wife?”
“No idea, I live in the dormitory too.”
“Then how do you know?” Gu Chenghuai asked again.
“Unlike you, I have my own sources of news.” Sun Yeli lifted his chin proudly.
Gu Chenghuai was the youngest battalion commander in the military region, excelling in every way, but he was overly handsome with few expressions, giving an unapproachable vibe, so no one dared gossip in front of him, and naturally it didn’t reach his ears.
“Is that why you keep advising me to bring my wife and kids to the military region?”
Sun Yeli countered: “What else?”
Was he bored out of his mind?
