Chapter 212: “off To School”
After Mao Dan’er left, the twins took several days to recover.
They had no choice but to recover.
—Because school resumed classes, Lin Zhao sent the two of them to school.
Originally, because Yu Bao and Heng Bao were not yet six years old, the school thought they were too young and was not very willing to accept them, but because the school had few students, and plus the twins were not troublemakers, the school made an exception and accepted them.
Thus, the twins began their learning career.
On the first day of school, Lin Zhao sent the two sons to the school gate.
Actually, with the old house’s Bang Bang and others to lead them, there was no need for adults to pick them up and drop them off, but since it was just starting school, Lin Zhao felt she couldn’t miss it, so she brought the camera over.
Qian Bao and Yao Bao insisted on following, their two chubby little hands clutching the door, opening their big black-and-white eyes, looking aggrieved and pitiful at Mama.
Lin Zhao couldn’t refuse, so she took them along.
The two white and tender little dumplings happily showed their little rice teeth.
Their walking posture was clumsy yet with a bit of liveliness.
The little brother and sister didn’t like to run around wildly, both grown fair and tender, little faces white with a rosy glow, chubby and plump, wearing the brother-sister outfits made by Mama, like the little attendants under Guanyin, when they looked up at people, who wouldn’t want to pinch their little faces.
“Run slower, be careful not to fall.” Lin Zhao shouted to the dragon-phoenix twins.
With big brother going to school, the two little ones didn’t know what they were excited about.
Qian Bao slowed his running speed, standing in place waiting for Mama, seeing Yao Bao still running, he hurried to chase after his little sister.
Lin Zhao: “…”
She didn’t manage to call out to one.
See, she didn’t like taking the two little ones out, no problem at all.
It was fine if someone helped watch the children, but taking them alone was a big headache, the faster the children walked, the wilder they got.
Fortunately, there were the capable twins.
The two of them chased up, Yu Bao holding Yao Bao’s hand, Heng Bao holding Qian Bao’s, slowing down as they walked forward.
“…When out, don’t run too fast, what if bad guys carry you away?” Yu Bao’s little face was full of seriousness, looking at Yao Bao: “Yao Bao, Heng Bao and I are going to school, you have to listen to Mama.”
Heng Bao also said: “Exactly. If you don’t listen to Mama, you’ll suffer right away, scraping your skin hurts a lot, you won’t be able to walk, you’ll have to lie down all the time.”
“I won’t run.” Qian Bao’s brows and eyes were serious, his voice milky, yet carrying a little adult tone.
Yu Bao smiled and praised his little brother: “Qian Bao is the most obedient.”
Qian Bao showed an especially obedient and soft smile.
“I won’t run either!!” Yao Bao looked up, blinking her purple grape-like eyes, trying hard to act cute.
Yu Bao took the chance to educate his little sister, “You ran. Just now Mama called you, you ignored her, that’s a bit impolite.”
Yao Bao’s long eyelashes drooped, “…I didn’t hear.”
Well-nourished, the dragon-phoenix twins spoke more fluently, quite showing a trend toward Er Zai, very good at quibbling.
Heng Bao grinned and exposed his little sister: “Did you not hear… or was it on purpose?!”
Yao Bao got angry from embarrassment, huffing and pushing her big brother, loudly denying: “I didn’t hear, I just didn’t hear.”
“Gu Zhiyao.” Lin Zhao’s voice sounded, gentle yet serious, “You can’t push brother.”
Yao Bao quickly withdrew her hand, standing obediently, unwilling to look at brother, the little one standing there waiting for Mama.
Lin Zhao walked over, fiddling with her daughter’s braids, “…Your temper is bigger than mine.”
“Brothers are doing it for your own good, why be fierce.”
Yao Bao didn’t like being criticized, her mouth pouting, “Bao isn’t fierce, not fierce.”
She emphasized it twice.
“You just pushed brother.” Lin Zhao reminded.
Seeing Mama not hugging her, Yao Bao felt aggrieved and wanted to cry, knowing coquetry wouldn’t work, she looked at Heng Bao, milkily apologizing: “Sorry…”
When doing something wrong, you have to apologize, this was what she learned from Heng Bao.
She knew everything, but relied on being cute to “bully” brother.
All spoiled.
Little sister apologizing to him! How could Heng Bao hold it against her, definitely not.
“Okay, forgive you, you have to listen to Mama, if you don’t, brother and I will still discipline you.”
Yao Bao hugged big brother, her chubby little face rubbing against Yu Bao’s arm, eyes wet and glistening, like an injured little milk cat.
“Yao Bao knows she was wrong, she’ll change later, don’t say it anymore, little sister is still small, we’ll teach her slowly.” Yu Bao put his arm around his little sister’s small shoulders, like a big elephant protecting its cub.
Heng Bao widened his eyes, shocked: “Bro, you said to teach little brother and sister well.”
His eyes accused, “You also said, if Qian Bao and Heng Bao become bad kids, Dad and Mom will worry a lot. Teaching little brother and sister well is lightening their burden, wasn’t that what you said?”
Yu Bao was at a loss for words.
“It was me who said it, but… Yao Bao already admitted her mistake, what more do you want?” Er Zai was really hard-hearted, why be so strict with little sister.
Heng Bao was speechless, “I didn’t want anything.”
So serious!
Lin Zhao didn’t interfere in the children’s matters, silently following behind them.
While talking, they arrived at the school gate.
The commune had only this school, built with all the county’s efforts, a brick-concrete small building.
Classrooms arranged neatly, few and small windows, average lighting, on cloudy days classes needed kerosene lamps or candles.
Each classroom front had a blackboard, right above hung the slogan “Study hard every day and make progress,” behind was the propaganda column.
Desks and chairs were uniformly procured, painted dark red, due to long use, the marks were very obvious.
Before, when Lin Zhao registered her sons and got textbooks, in a certain classroom, she saw a desk with her own mark, and also saw many familiar names.
Yu Bao and Heng Bao had come to the school when registering, coming again was still novel, eyes sparkling bright, like about to join the Young Pioneers.
“Dare to go in by yourselves? Want me to take you to the classroom door?” Lin Zhao spoke up.
The moment the words left her mouth, complex feelings arose, in the blink of an eye the two big ones were going to school, elders always said kids grow seeing the wind, she suddenly deeply understood.
Yu Bao wasn’t panicked, “Heng Bao and I know the way, we’ll go ourselves.”
Just as he finished speaking, Bang Bang and others came out from school.
“Yu Bao, Heng Bao, you’re finally here! Quick, I’ll take you to the classroom, waited for you two half a day.” Lai Mei called loudly.
Seeing his cousin, Heng Bao excitedly ran over.
“You came really early, what time did you arrive?”
Bang Bang answered: “I don’t have a watch, not sure what time, we wandered inside and outside the school two or three times?” He looked at Lai Mei and others, eyes asking.
Gu Lan said: “Three times.”
“Then three times.” Bang Bang’s face was full of smiles.
Going to school every day would feel annoying, because of early wake-ups, not enough play.
After school stopped, they stayed home too long, Dad annoyed Mom annoyed, scolded ten times a day, they even started missing school days.
Sure enough, first day of school, Bang Bang and others got up before dawn, ran to school very early.
Lin Zhao was surprised, “Why come so early?”
“Bang Bang and them insisted on coming early.” Gu Lan said.
She smiled uncomfortably, “They said… at home always nagged, ears almost grew calluses, they’d rather squat at school gate waiting to open.”
Gu Lan was the only girl from Gu Family going to school, adults weren’t at ease, let her go to and from school with the boys at home, she was pestered by Lai Mei helplessly, could only agree.
“Eaten yet?” Lin Zhao asked.
Tie Dan was telling the twins about school, hearing Third Aunt, looked over, “Hey, no! My mom said no need to eat breakfast, save it to eat together at noon.”
Lin Zhao: “…” Could this be saved?!
“No breakfast, how to grow tall!”
Tie Dan nodded vigorously.
Yeah yeah, not eating enough turns into short winter melon, can’t marry a wife later.
He told his mom, got beaten.
“Wait till I go back, I’ll talk to your mom.” Lin Zhao seeing Tie Dan’s aggrieved look, felt this kid was quite pitiful.
A few days no see, skinnier.
Gu Chan had to care for Wei Xiangdong, no time to glue matchboxes anymore, proposed transferring to Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang, she agreed, told them upon return.
Tie Dan blurted out: “Third Aunt, you’re really the fairy saving the suffering!”
Words just out, covered mouth by Gu Lan, “Stinky boy, mouth without a gate again, want to get our family killed?!”
She carefully looked around, seeing no one heard, then put her heart back.
Tie Dan remembered Dad and Mom’s repeated warnings, face paled.
“I… I forgot.” He said guiltily, very scared after.
Lin Zhao gave him a chocolate, softly comforting: “Making mistakes is fine, just don’t do it again next time.”
“Chocolate, take it, eat when hungry. Up so early, going to school on empty stomach won’t do.”
She also came from student days, studying was physical work, hungry stomach can’t read, only thinking about food.
“Breakfast must be eaten, even half a sweet potato.”
“Thanks Third Aunt.” Tie Dan took the chocolate, cherished it away, humming: “Too many sweet potatoes make you fart.”
Lai Mei was also one to tease, immediately: “Last semester Tie Dan farted in class, mocked by teacher and classmates.”
Lin Zhao: “Pfft…”
Before she could comfort the little boy whose self-esteem was hurt, Tie Dan with red face said: “Not only me farting in class, many did, Chen Erniu even pooped his pants.”
Lin Zhao: Chen Erniu classmate didn’t deserve this, dragged out to say.
She raised the camera in hand.
“Today is Yu Bao and Heng Bao’s first day of school, I’ll take photos of you all, for memory.”
Bang Bang and others all happy, busily straightened clothes.
Gu Lan asked little brother: “Tie Dan, check my hair, messy? Need re-tying?”
Tie Dan glanced casually, “Fine, not messy, super neat, photos will look awesome.”
“Get lost.” Gu Lan spat at him.
Tie Dan innocent face.
His dad was right, female comrades are hard to serve, whatever said is wrong!
The children stood at school gate, the school plaque on their right.
Lin Zhao directed poses, “Look at me, expressions natural, smile or not fine, don’t awkward smile, Alan, legs bend a bit, like me.”
Seeing Tie Dan holding up chocolate, smiling brightly, she laughed: “Tie Dan’s pose very natural, smile looks good, not bad, others… relax more, not first time shooting, why nervous.”
Lai Mei hands on hips laughing, showing a mouthful of big white teeth, “Still different, this is at school gate.”
Someone watching, impossible not to be nervous.
Lin Zhao hands kept moving, click click photos, mouth saying: “I didn’t see you nervous.”
“Little Uncle says I’m thick-skinned, nothing bothers me.” Lai Mei took it as praise, very proud, “I’m only a little nervous.”
Dragon-phoenix twins rushed over, squeezed to brothers’ middle, tilted heads to Lin Zhao… the camera in hand, smiling, poses and expressions very natural.
“You two what are you doing, you not going to school.” Lin Zhao laughed helplessly.
“I want to go to school.” Qian Bao’s white tender little face all serious, stretched out short soft hand pointing school, “I want to go inside to school.”
Lin Zhao chuckled.
This child…
Know what school is, yet wants to go.
“You’re too small, they won’t take you, wait till you’re big brothers’ age, then come to school.” She patiently told Qian Bao.
Hearing this, Qian Bao slightly lowered head, little milk pouch quivering lightly, peach blossom lips pursed tight, the smart hair on head drooping.
So cute.
Lin Zhao’s heart awwed inside.
Wanted to satisfy the cub right away.
But can’t, he too small.
Yu Bao couldn’t bear little brother disappointed, bent down, hugged Qian Bao’s head, whispering.
After he finished, Qian Bao’s eyes shone bright.
“Really?”
Yu Bao put index finger to mouth, “Shh, secret first, brother will think of a way, if not… I’ll be your little teacher, whatever school teaches us, I’ll teach you when back, okay?”
“Good~!”
Lin Zhao was farther, now more kids coming to school, some noisy, she didn’t hear what Yu Bao whispered to little brother.
“Ding ling ling ling!!”
Bell rang.
Children didn’t dare delay, legged it into school.
Bang Bang Lai Mei and others grabbed Yu Bao and Heng Bao’s hands, running into campus.
“Brother?” Yao Bao pointed where brothers disappeared, eyes blank, pulled Lin Zhao to find brothers.
“Your brothers went to school, noon we’ll bring them food, go back with Mama to work first, okay?” Lin Zhao softly coaxed the cub.
Qian Bao obediently agreed, “Good.”
Yao Bao glanced at him, also nodded, “Mm, bring brothers food, bring meat.”
She small age, but knew brothers liked meat.
Lin Zhao led dragon-phoenix twins back, “Good good good, bring meat.”
Noisy as they were, hearts still loved brothers, sibling feelings like this for sure.
School close to city, far from various brigades, kids had to leave very early for school, some walk over ten li, farther places, no one to send kids, adults to earn money, can’t pick up drop off, kids go alone, adults uneasy, simply don’t let go.
Fengshou Brigade not close to school either, one way over forty minutes.
To let Yu Bao and Heng Bao sleep more in morning, Lin Zhao brought kids to live in city, school convenient, no want to cook… directly go state-run restaurant, time and effort saving.
…
Other side.
Meng Jiusi and others arrived at military region.
Leader Ning indeed reliable, his work relations transferred over, settle in then start job.
Military region assigned them a yard, yard not new, area not big, but three rooms, enough.
Toilet public.
Meals at big canteen, nearby schools, supply and marketing cooperative, close to work place, very convenient.
Meng Family very satisfied.
This condition, much better than they imagined.
Room just cleaned, very clean, Meng Jiusi with son sorted luggage, bought some old furniture, added essentials, then rested.
Then wrote letter to family.
Jing Mo and Guang Bai wrote to twins.
Big ones knew more words, wrote smoothly. Little ones many words not known, many replaced with pinyin, writing was pure torment.
Ning Family.
Mao Dan’er finished letter early, asked his grandma for money and stamps, Ning Lao Tai to create chance for father-son bonding, told him to ask his dad, this stumped Mao Dan’er bad.
Little boy struggled, mental prep over and over, finally approached Ning Mingde.
Leader Ning this hometown trip delayed much work, back swamped, over ten hours no bonding with son, thought previous efforts wasted, full of melancholy.
Now, seeing Mao Dan’er come find him, face lit up joyful.
“Mao Dan’er?”
Leader Ning stood, walked to Mao Dan’er, handed him opened yellow peach canned food, “Your grandma says you love canned food, just bought, try if like.”
Mao Dan’er originally didn’t plan stay long, met Dad’s shining eyes, moved lips, didn’t say discouraging words, sat obediently eating canned food.
Dad watching son, felt his son perfect everywhere.
“…”
Mao Dan’er finished canned food, hesitated, spoke: “…I want to mail letter to Yu Bao and Heng Bao, do you have stamps?”
Leader Ning slapped forehead, “My oversight, forgot to give you.”
Mao Dan’er puzzled.
Hm?
Leader Ning went to cabinet, took out a green small shoulder bag, gave to son.
“Shoulder bag is schoolbag I prepared for you, same as twins’, inside I put money and ration coupons, to make up your lucky money, and money for birthday gifts, you can use freely.”
He knew son envied twins’ bags, got it right upon return, wanted to give Mao Dan’er… but work delayed.
Mao Dan’er indeed liked green satchel, especially same as Yu Bao and Heng Bao’s, liked even more.
“…Thanks.”
Mama said, Dad very patient and open-minded man, he half-believed before, now believed.
Leader Ning didn’t want son say thanks, wanted him call Dad.
“Why polite with me, need anything come find me, just like today.” His eyes expectant.
Mao Dan’er pursed lips, said: “Got it, Dad.”
