Chapter 216: “li Bao Is Scared”
Qiao Lu was full of anger, her face full of malice, “Did you bump into me?”
“I’ll compensate if you cripple me!” These words were truly full of malice.
Lin Zhao gave her an elbow.
“Having a mouth to spew shit, what do you need that mouth for!” Her eyes shot out chilling cold intent. The child was her reverse scale; anyone who touched him would have bad luck.
Qiao Lu’s face turned pale.
She saw that the person in front of her, who looked easy to bully, was actually a tough one, and didn’t dare to be rampant anymore.
She said cowardly, “You were the one who spoke about me first…”
“That was also because you nearly bumped into my family’s child!” Aunt Song frowned tightly, “And how does this girl talk? Your words are too vicious. My family’s child didn’t offend you.” Aunt Song frowned.
She looked at Song Yuncheng, her tone scolding, “Look at what kind of person you brought back. No politeness, no insight, that’s one thing, but even before anything happened… you can’t tolerate your younger brother, you’re petty-minded, are those two bumps on your head just for show?”
“If you make more messy friends, get out to the dormitory!”
Song Yuncheng gloomily glanced at Qiao Lu, and when he looked at Aunt Song, a flattering smile appeared on his face.
“Mom, sorry, it’s all my fault. I was blind and couldn’t distinguish loyalty and treachery.”
Lin Zhao couldn’t help but laugh.
Distinguishing loyalty and treachery, hilarious.
Aunt Song was also amused, almost unable to hold back the anger on her face.
“…Get lost.” She laughed and cursed.
“Alright!” Song Yuncheng responded, smoothly picking up Yu Baoheng Bao, “I’ll get lost right now. Yu Bao, Heng Bao, Uncle will open canned food for you.”
Heng Bao made a request, “Is there cherry ones?”
“There is.” Song Yuncheng smiled brightly, “I know you like them, I specially saved them for you.”
Hearing this, Qiao Lu, who was about to leave, puffed up with anger like a pufferfish.
She also liked cherries. Before, when she asked her boyfriend for them, he said they had a use and couldn’t give them to her. She didn’t expect they were for this little brat.
It infuriated her!
Qiao Lu turned back, glared fiercely at Song Yuncheng, and strode away, her steps heavy.
Aunt Song stared at Song Yuncheng’s back, angrily saying, “Look at what kind of person you brought back! It really infuriates me!!”
Song Yuncheng felt very guilty and quickened his pace, taking the twins back to the room.
It’s over, it’s over, his ears won’t have any peace next!!
Yu Bao covered his mouth and laughed.
Song Yuncheng felt the vibration from his arm and eyed him with his eyes, “What are you laughing at?”
“Uncle, you fear Aunt!” Yu Bao said.
“Aren’t you afraid of your mom?” Song Yuncheng retorted. As a son, who isn’t afraid of their own old mother.
“I’m not afraid, I like my mom!” Yu Bao’s brows and eyes were full of seriousness.
Song Yuncheng fell silent.
He forgot again that these two kids were mom-blown…
“Pretend I didn’t say that.” He said.
The complexity in Yu Bao’s eyes couldn’t be described in words.
“…Alright, whatever Uncle says.”
Song Yuncheng found it funny.
Why does he talk like a little adult?
Uncle Song had just returned and happened to hear his wife’s words, “What are you talking about, what infuriated you?”
His words were full of bewilderment.
“Ask Song Yuncheng!” Aunt Song said.
Oh dear, calling full name, looks like it’s a big issue.
Uncle Song looked around, “Wasn’t it said there was a precious guest at home, where is the person?”
“Ask Song Yuncheng!” Aunt Song repeated.
Uncle Song was very puzzled.
What’s the situation?
He looked at Song Yunjin, “Yun Jin, what happened?”
Song Yunjin told his dad everything he knew, from start to finish.
Without emotional color, in a narrative tone, almost 100% restoring Qiao Lu’s words.
Finally stating his position.
“Dad, if my brother marries that person, I’ll live in the dormitory. I won’t be that eyesore.”
Uncle Song’s face showed sternness, “Who says you’re an eyesore. You’re my and your mom’s own son. This home will always have a place for you. If Song Yuncheng dares to marry those messy people without my and your mom’s agreement, no need for you to say, he’ll have to get out.”
What kind of nonsense, getting married himself and disrupting the whole family’s life rhythm, no such thing.
Song Yunjin was really afraid his brother was poisoned in the brain, insisted on marrying that girlfriend, making him have no place in this home, and ending their brotherly feelings.
Hearing his dad’s words, the youth who hadn’t entered society yet breathed a sigh of relief.
His voice was muffled, “Dad, I don’t like that female comrade. She’s impolite, and a troublemaker. If my brother marries her, our home won’t have peace in the future.”
Lin Zhao patted Yun Jin’s back, “Yun Cheng has broken up with that female comrade. I see he’s serious. Don’t mention this anymore.”
Yun Jin muttered, “Who knows if it’s true or fake.”
The room wasn’t soundproof, so Song Yuncheng naturally heard this, pushed the door out, and seriously said, “It’s true. Broken up means broken up, no fake about it!”
It was just dating someone. If not suitable, why can’t they break up? Besides, Qiao Lu agreed, he and her had no relationship anymore. Seeing each other in the future would just be as ordinary comrades.
Yun Jin didn’t say anything more, lightly pursed his lips, his eyes full of worry looking at his brother.
“Bro, are you feeling bad?”
Song Yuncheng didn’t know how to say it, pondered for a moment, and said, “Feeling bad is definitely a bit there. After all, I spent so much energy and money. When dating… I was aiming for marriage. Saying I’m not upset would be lying.”
“But if not suitable, then not suitable. Better to stop loss in time before the next step, good for both me and her.”
He was very rational and wouldn’t value personal feelings above everything. In life, there were many more precious things, like his parents, Yun Jin, Sister Zhaozhao, and the four kids…
Originally dating Qiao Lu was because he reached the age to find a partner, and secondly, Qiao Lu’s looks and conditions matched him well.
Actually, when visiting Qiao family before, Song Yuncheng vaguely felt uncomfortable, thinking he was overthinking, didn’t take it to heart. Today Qiao Lu came, showed excessive possessiveness toward his parents’ house, and then he felt he and Qiao family weren’t the same kind of people.
“Bro…” Yun Jin didn’t know what to say.
“Enough.” Song Yuncheng interrupted him, “It’s nothing.”
Uncle Song said, “Don’t talk about this anymore. Yun Cheng’s matter, let him handle it himself.”
Aunt Song said to Yun Jin, “How old are you? Don’t worry about so much. Your brother is an adult, knows what should be done and what shouldn’t.”
As she spoke, she eyed Song Yuncheng sideways with her eyes.
Song Yuncheng: “…”
Dating someone, and almost becoming a loner.
He looked pleadingly at Lin Zhao who was watching the show.
Sis, don’t just watch, say something, save your younger brother.
Lin Zhao met Yun Cheng’s pitiful face, her voice gentle, “Uncle, Aunt, my third brother sent a package. I’ll borrow flowers to offer Buddha, bring you some. Take a quick look.”
She called Yun Jin to open the brought cloth bag.
Top-quality red dates, honey, and beautifully patterned blankets…
“All good things.” Aunt Song touched them, “Why bring them all? Keep them for yourself. These dates you and Yu Baoheng Bao can eat. Take the honey to your parents. This blanket…”
She paused, really liked it in her heart, didn’t stand on ceremony with Lin Zhao, and directly said, “I like this blanket.”
“I knew Aunt would like it.” Lin Zhao smiled brightly.
Aunt liked colorful things the most. This blanket had many colors, beautifully matched, of course she liked it.
“The dates and honey, my third brother definitely won’t forget to send to my parents. Aunt, don’t worry, just accept them. My third brother sent so many to me, definitely with the intention for me to pass some to you. He’s lazy to divide, so sent them all to me at once.”
The fact was just as Lin Zhao thought.
Lin Shichang found it troublesome, stuffed everything for Uncle’s family into the cloth bag, and sent it to his younger sister.
Uncle Song felt warmth in his heart, “Good, we’ll accept it. Filial piety from own nephew, what’s not to accept.”
“Yes, yes.” Lin Zhao agreed repeatedly.
Aunt Song didn’t say discouraging words anymore, gave her a playful glare, and put the things into the cabinet.
“Why bring meat too? What do you want to eat?” She asked.
With one glance, Aunt Song knew Zhaozhao was ordering dishes.
“Guo Bao Rou!” Lin Zhao’s voice was light and cheerful.
Aunt Song: “I’ll make it for you.”
With that, she dragged Song Yuncheng to help.
Before leaving, she said to Lin Zhao, “Zhaozhao, you rest. Today Yun Cheng will help me.”
It was also because she spoiled him too much, daring to bring a female comrade home without a word, really deserved a beating.
“Alright.” Lin Zhao didn’t stand on ceremony, slumped on the sofa, and rested with narrowed eyes.
Uncle Song smiled, took out the candied chestnuts from his briefcase, opened the seal, and the soft glutinous sweet fragrance wafted out.
“Candied Chestnut!” Lin Zhao suddenly opened her eyes, her tone happy.
It was her favorite snack when going to school. Every year at this time, Uncle bought it for her.
“Yes, knew you love it, saw it and bought it for you on the way.” Uncle Song’s eyes were full of indulgence.
Originally planned to have Yun Cheng deliver it to his sister, but Zhaozhao happened to come.
“Thanks, Uncle.” Lin Zhao smiled like a flower, ate two in a row, and called her twin sons to eat.
The two boys ate candied chestnuts for the first time, the sweet glutinous texture made them squint their eyes.
“Delicious.”
Uncle Song reminded, “Delicious doesn’t mean eat too much. Meat is coming soon. Your aunt’s Guo Bao Rou is delicious. Once you eat it, you’ll want a second serving.”
Heng Bao was a clever one, understood candied chestnuts could be stored, but Guo Bao Rou was rare.
He only ate two to taste and stopped.
He patted his little belly, “My stomach is empty.”
“Really smart.” Uncle Song praised, “After dinner, take the candied chestnuts home to eat slowly.”
“Alright!” Heng Bao happily agreed, “Thanks, Great Uncle.”
Yu Bao moved his body closer to Uncle Song, softly said, “Thanks, Great Uncle.”
“No need to be polite with me.” Uncle Song smiled and rubbed their heads.
The two kids giggled.
Yu Bao slowly finished the chestnut in his hand and looked at Lin Zhao, “Mom, can Li Bao eat chestnuts?”
“Yes.”
“Can I save some for him?” Yu Bao asked embarrassedly, and explained, “Li Bao is sick, has no appetite, can’t eat anything. Grandma said he’s lost two pounds.”
Lin Zhao frowned, “Li Bao isn’t better yet? It’s been so long.”
Yu Bao’s brows and eyes were full of worry, “Not yet. Grandma said he still coughs, throat hurts, hurts so much he can’t eat.”
“If it doesn’t get better, go to the hospital.” Lin Zhao said.
Heng Bao’s voice was loud, “Li Bao refuses, he’s afraid of injections. Grandma said to take him to the hospital, he got scared and ran back to the room crying, cried until his throat was hoarse, in the end didn’t go.”
Lin Zhao pinched her brow, “This won’t do. If sick and not getting better, how can he not go to the hospital? The longer it’s dragged, the worse it gets.”
The twins went to school, but their good brother Li Bao didn’t come along, all because Li Bao was sick, suddenly got a fever, too ill to get up, so he fell behind.
“Grandma said the same.” Yu Bao said, “But Li Bao is afraid.”
Lin Zhao knew why Li Bao was afraid. He went to the hospital with his parents to visit Gu Chan family, encountered a patient at the hospital, that patient’s cries were miserable, scaring the little friend.
“Fear or not, it needs treatment. Can’t not treat it.”
Heng Bao’s face was full of conflict, “I’ll go back and persuade him.”
Lin Zhao said, “I’ll go back with you. I have something to say to Eldest Uncle’s Wife and Second Aunt.”
Heng Bao’s mouth was quick, “What matter?”
“About the matchbox matter. Do you want to hear, Gu Heng Bao.” Lin Zhao’s eyes were helpless. Curiosity was too strong.
Heng Bao quickly shook his head, “No, no.”
After saying that, he went to stick to Yun Jin.
Song Yunjin: What a worldly little guy! Sticks to him when there’s something, stays far away when nothing.
…
After dinner, Lin Zhao took the two kids and left Song family.
On the way home, they ran into Diao family.
Diao Tuozi’s second son saw them, slightly stunned, hesitated for a moment, and walked over.
He bowed to Lin Zhao.
“…Sorry.”
“Qian Bao’s matter was my dad’s fault. I apologize to you on his behalf. Sorry.”
Lin Zhao thought he was going to do something, took the two kids back a few steps. Hearing the apology, complexity flashed in her eyes.
“Where’s your dad?” She asked one more time.
Pain appeared on the young man’s face, his voice trembling, “…My dad is gone.”
His dad starved to death.
He carried such a crime, locked inside, fed irregularly, forgotten by the on-duty person, finally…
Thinking of his dad’s emaciated appearance, tears appeared in Diao Family’s Second Son’s eyes.
No matter how wrong his dad was, he was good to them. He must have suffered.
Lin Zhao fell silent.
The person was dead, past matters were wiped clean, her resentment was gone.
“What are your plans?” Lin Zhao looked at the Diao family not far away.
“We plan to go to the border region.” Diao Family’s Second Son said.
They planned to do something meaningful, to redeem his dad’s sins, lest his dad couldn’t rest in peace below.
Lin Zhao nodded, “Good decision.”
Diao Family’s Second Son smiled, walked toward his family, shouldered the luggage, and left without looking back.
This departure, probably never coming back.
Lin Zhao saw the twins had questions, smiled, “Want to ask what, go ahead?”
“Gone means what?” Yu Bao asked.
Heng Bao followed, “Where is the border region?”
Lin Zhao explained to the two little brothers in words they could understand.
While talking, the mother and sons returned home.
Lin Zhao pushed out the bicycle, locked the gate, and took the two kids back to Fengshou Brigade.
First checked on Qian Bao and Yao Bao, then they went to Gu Family’s Eldest Branch.
Huang Xiulan saw Lin Zhao, her tired face lit up, “Third brother’s wife.”
“Eldest Brother’s Wife.” Lin Zhao looked at Eldest Brother’s Wife’s sallow and thin face, the dark circles under her eyes, and frowned, “Eldest Brother’s Wife, how many days haven’t you slept? Your eye bags are almost dragging to the ground.”
Huang Xiulan touched her eyes, smiled bitterly, and said, “Third brother’s wife, do you have meat there? If yes, give me a few ounces.”
“Li Bao has no appetite for anything. I think he likes meat. If I make meat, he might eat some.”
Lin Zhao: “Yes. Isn’t Li Bao’s throat still hurting? Don’t make anything too complex. How about making him vegetable and lean meat congee? Healthy and tasty.”
