Chapter 23: “make It A Success”
It was still early, so Lin Zhao chatted a bit more with her old classmate. With popsicles to beat the heat and standing in the shade, it was barely tolerable.
“You’ve changed a lot compared to before,” Lin Zhao said with an appreciative look, her tone light and upbeat.
Facing the beautiful woman’s admiration, Guo Meizhu didn’t know where to put her hands and feet.
“Have, have I?” the girl who was sharp and bold at work said uncomfortably.
“Yes, you’re glowing with confidence now,” Lin Zhao said earnestly, her eyes serious.
Guo Meizhu’s face flushed hot.
Confidence?
…Did she?!
“Thanks.” She said with a red face, her whole face shining.
It was Lin Zhao praising her!
Guo Meizhu recalled things from school days—
Her dad had been transferred here, so she transferred schools too. When she first arrived, she had an accent and couldn’t understand the lessons. The other classmates were in groups of three or two, but she wasn’t outgoing, had no one to talk to, and was always alone.
Lin Zhao back then, though a countryside girl, was pretty, good at studies, had a good personality, could chat with anyone, was especially popular, and was a shining existence.
Later, she was lucky to become Lin Zhao’s deskmate and received a lot of help from her.
For a long time, they had a good relationship.
After high school graduation, her family arranged a job for her, and she became a ticket seller at the movie theater, while Lin Zhao returned to the countryside, so they met less.
Now looking at her, Zhaozhao was already a mom, but her skin was still fair and delicate, her smile warm and bright, just like in school days; she probably hadn’t suffered.
Guo Meizhu was happy for her.
“If you want to watch a movie later, come find me. I can still save a few tickets.”
Lin Zhao didn’t know that in those few moments, her old classmate had recalled school days. She smiled and said, “Sure, thanks in advance.”
“It’s not early anymore; you should head in.” Guo Meizhu glanced at her watch; the screening time was approaching, so she urged them inside.
“Alright, we’ll go in first. We’ll chat another time.” She would have work too, and there would be plenty of chances to meet.
“Hey!” Guo Meizhu responded lightly and cheerfully.
Lin Zhao led her two cubs to the screening hall.
Er Zai chattered nonstop, his lively big eyes darting around, mouth going nonstop.
Da Zai, on the other hand, was quiet and still, without a sound.
Lin Zhao saw that her eldest had something on his mind, so she asked, “Why aren’t you talking?”
Da Zai looked up at her. “Mom, was that thing the auntie was wearing on her hand a watch?”
“Yes, that’s a watch,” Lin Zhao said.
Speaking of watches, her expression grew complicated.
There had once been a watch right in front of her, but she hadn’t cherished it and even angrily scolded Gu Chenghuai for having money to burn. Now she truly regretted it—having money but no ticket meant she couldn’t buy one.
No more thinking; one thought and the fire of regret burned.
“How did you know it was a watch?”
Er Zai explained for him. “Little Aunt always nags Grandma to buy her one. Bro and I heard it several times.”
Lin Zhao’s eyes flashed with sarcasm, but she said nothing.
Gu Xing’er really had the heart of a young lady and the fate of a maidservant.
But wasn’t her spoiled behavior all thanks to that soldier third brother of hers?
Now that Gu Chenghuai had washed his hands of it, let’s see how she could keep acting up.
“Mom doesn’t have a watch? Did Dad not buy you one?” Da Zai asked with a serious face, looking displeased.
“No, I just didn’t want one. I don’t think I need it,” Lin Zhao explained. Gu Chenghuai was very willing to spend money on her; she wouldn’t let Da Zai and Er Zai misunderstand their dad.
She had been too stingy before, only thinking about saving money.
So the number in her family’s passbook was quite impressive.
“You do need one. Mom is pretty; a watch would make you even prettier,” Da Zai said seriously. “When Mom goes to work, a watch will be very useful.”
When Little Aunt tricked Grandma into buying her a watch, she said she really needed it for school to check the time.
Mom would need to check the time for work too.
“Buying a watch requires a watch ticket. We’ll buy one when we get a ticket,” Lin Zhao said, touching Da Zai’s somewhat softer white little face, her heart softening.
People say some children come to repay kindness, and her cubs all were.
Da Zai relaxed. “Mm.”
Lin Zhao led her two sons to their seats.
It was the little friends’ first time at the movie theater; their eyes looked everywhere and couldn’t be reined in.
They were very well-behaved. No matter how amazed, they didn’t shout or yell, just watched everything around with their bright, clean eyes.
Until…
The lights around them dimmed.
The moment the lights went out, Lin Zhao turned sideways, half-embracing her two sons, holding their hands tightly, and said softly, “Don’t be scared. The movie is about to start, so they turn off the lights.”
As she explained, several beams of light came on, the screen appeared, and everyone in their seats instantly quieted down—even the most lively and active children stopped talking, their eyes bright as they watched the screen.
This movie was called “Tunnel War,” 96 minutes long, just released on New Year’s Day this year.
–
At the same time, at the Lin Family.
In the room of the second branch.
It was rest time, but Lin Shisheng didn’t lie down. He sat on the edge of the bed, looked at the woman mending clothes, and said, “I see the clothes on Xuanxuan and Zheng Zheng are worn out beyond repair. Mom gave fabric; make clothes for them.”
Hearing this suddenly, Qiu Lian’s hand trembled, the needle pricking her left index finger, a sharp pain shooting through.
She hissed, her downcast eyes flashing with guilt. She tried to stay calm and forced a smile. “No rush; make them when it gets cold.”
“Make them now,” Lin Shisheng said. “I remember their cotton-padded clothes can still be worn, but the summer ones can’t anymore. Besides, that bit of fabric wouldn’t make cotton-padded clothes anyway.”
“Do it these next few days. Mom said she wants to see,” he said firmly.
Qiu Lian’s face paled.
She had given the fabric to her maternal family’s niece. What would she use to make clothes?
Her mother-in-law wanted to see…
Her heart pounded wildly; even in the great heat, she shivered hard.
“Is there a problem?” Lin Shisheng’s eyes flashed coldly as he pressed.
Qiu Lian hurriedly said, “No, no, I’ll do it, I’ll do it.”
Lin Shisheng had checked last night; the fabric his mom gave the two daughters was indeed gone. For Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng’s sake, he couldn’t do anything to this woman yet, but whatever she stole, she had to return that much.
–
Time passed in a flash.
The movie ended, and people in the theater got up one after another to leave.
Lin Zhao didn’t rush out with her two children. She waited until most people had left before leading her sons out of the theater.
On this not-too-long, not-too-short road, Da Zai and Er Zai didn’t speak; the two little friends were still immersed in the movie plot, unable to snap out of it for a while.
So cute, just like her after watching her first movie in life.
Dazed and dazed.
“It’s not early; the road is long, so we need to hurry back,” Lin Zhao said.
Da Zai snapped out of it. “Okay.”
Er Zai’s eyes were very bright; he softened his voice and wheedled, “Mom, I didn’t watch enough. Can we watch it again tomorrow?”
“No!” Before Lin Zhao could speak, Da Zai rejected his brother’s request first. “Mom has things to do tomorrow!”
His expression was extremely serious. “Mom’s work is important; you can’t make trouble!”
Er Zai also remembered his mom had something tomorrow and didn’t fuss about watching then. He tilted up his cute little face and pleaded, “Mom, when you have time, can you take me and Bro to watch it again? I didn’t watch enough.”
It was a small thing; Lin Zhao doted on her cubs and certainly wouldn’t refuse.
“Sure, I’ll bring you when I have time. Don’t rush; there are plenty of good movies. As long as you’re good and don’t cause trouble, I’ll bring you to see new releases right away.”
Er Zai happily hugged his mom.
“Mom is the best~ Mom is the best mom in the whole brigade~~” His happy voice floated up.
Da Zai wanted to hug Mom too, but his ears reddened first, and in the end, he didn’t.
Lin Zhao led her two sons back to the brigade. By the time they arrived, the sun was gradually setting, and they could see the western sky dyed half red by the fiery sunset—stunningly beautiful.
At the village entrance, several aunts were chatting animatedly, all looking impassioned, who knows what family’s gossip they were on.
Seeing Lin Zhao and her three sons, the topic paused, and they greeted with smiles.
“Cheng Huai’s wife is back from the county.”
“Da Zai, Er Zai, was the county fun?”
“You went for a whole day; must’ve visited lots of places!”
“Did your mom take you to that state-run restaurant for a meal?”
“Lin Family third branch’s these two cubs look clear-eyed and handsome in new clothes, just like their dad.”
…
Fengshou Brigade wasn’t too far from the county, but not close either. A trip took half a day, so few people went. If the family needed something, they’d ask an acquaintance to bring it.
People are naturally curious; they were very curious about everything in the county.
Facing the crowd’s questions like scattered beans, Er Zai wasn’t shy at all. Smiling, he answered one by one. “The county is super fun! Mom took me and Bro to the state-run restaurant and to watch a movie. The movie was really good!”
Da Zai added, “We also talked on the telephone with Dad and said lots!”
As for what was said on the phone, Lin Zhao had reminded the two cubs not to spill it outside, so Da Zai and Er Zai naturally obeyed Mom.
“Mom also bought us popsicles. Do you know what popsicles are?”
He gestured with his hands. “This big. When you first hold it, it’s steaming, and when you eat it, it’s ice-cold and cools you right down.”
Lin Zhao’s eyes showed helplessness.
She knew Er Zai loved showing off, but how come steady Da Zai loved showing off too?
In the gossip crowd, an aunt in a gray patched jacket said in surprise, “Your mom actually took you to eat at the state-run restaurant and watch a movie? That must cost so much money!!!”
The long-mouthed Er Zai said loudly, “Dad said men have to be able to support a wife and kids. He can support us!”
Hearing this, a string of question marks popped up in Lin Zhao’s mind.
Did the cubs’ dad say that?!
With a sidelong glance, she saw Da Zai with his little face straight, nodding solemnly. Did she miss hearing that line?
Hearing Er Zai’s answer, the gossiping aunts had nothing to say.
They cast complicated looks at Lin Zhao.
He was clearly their brigade’s good man, how did an outsider snag him first?!!
The aunts regretted not introducing their own girls to Gu Family’s Third Son earlier.
Lin Zhao was eager to check on the dragon-phoenix twins and ignored the two cubs who were showing off endlessly, heading straight to the old house.
Halfway there, she ran into Su Yuxian.
Su Yuxian walked lightly, corners of her mouth upturned, cheeks flushed, eyes brighter than ever, surrounded by excitement.
Lin Zhao had never seen her like this. Was this… about to become a couple with the male lead?
Su Yuxian looked up and noticed Lin Zhao too.
She walked over smiling, voice calm. “Lin Zhao.”
“Are you heading home?” Lin Zhao smiled politely, making small talk.
“Mm.” Su Yuxian said.
As if just thinking of it, she smiled shyly and said, “I’m getting married soon.”
Lin Zhao: “??”
Why tell her about the female lead getting married?
They weren’t that close.
“Oh, congrats.” Lin Zhao wanted nothing to do with Su Yuxian or the Lu Family she was marrying into; she just wanted to stay far away.
“Will you come that day?”
Lin Zhao certainly wouldn’t go.
She was cannon fodder; who rushes to crash into trouble.
“…Yes.” As if.
Su Yuxian smiled. “Good.”
She wanted Lin Zhao to witness the start of her happiness.
Just then, Gu Mu came over.
She hadn’t seen Da Zai and Er Zai all day and was too worried to do anything.
“Third son’s wife, you’re back! Where are Da Zai and Er Zai?”
“Off playing with little friends.” Lin Zhao nodded to Su Yuxian, walked to her mother-in-law, and asked, “Did San Zai and Si Zai cause trouble?”
“No.” Gu Mu smiled.
Tie Dan had been harshly disciplined yesterday and learned his lesson today. Not only did he not make trouble, he even helped look after the two cubs.
Gu Mu and Lin Zhao walked toward the old house.
Gu Mu saw the faint smile on her third son’s wife’s face; she was in a good mood. After hesitating a moment, she asked, “…Did that Su Family girl want something from you?”
“Nothing big; she just said she’s getting married and wants me to come.” Lin Zhao didn’t hide it.
“Will you go?” Gu Mu said.
Lin Zhao sensed her mother-in-law didn’t want her to go, so she said, “Mom doesn’t want me to?”
“Not exactly.” Gu Mu feared being too forceful would backfire and softened her tone. “I just think that Su Family girl isn’t right in the head.”
How could someone like Liao Hongjuan raise a good-tempered daughter? She didn’t believe it.
Lin Zhao smiled. “I wasn’t planning to go; I’m very busy.”
Gu Mu: “…” What are you busy with? That explanation wasn’t necessary.
“Mm.” She responded with a strange expression.
Lin Zhao didn’t explain.
She planned to talk about the job after it was settled, to avoid any mishaps.
Can’t blame her for being cautious; these days, too many people fell out over jobs. Had to guard against it.
“Mom, who’s Su Yuxian marrying? I haven’t heard she’s been matchmade.” Lin Zhao asked knowingly.
From the book, she knew Su Yuxian married a future military bigshot—good conditions, handsome, only flaw was a drag-along kid.
But in reality, she didn’t know these things.
Gu Mu said, “That soldier boy from the Lu Family, the one whose previous wife died in difficult childbirth.”
“How did they meet?” The book didn’t say this; Lin Zhao really didn’t know.
“It’s not decent.” Seeing her third son’s wife curious, Gu Mu said, “I heard that Su Family girl chased after him, borrowing writing letters to keep contact with the Lu Family boy. It’s been years…”
Lin Zhao understood.
She went to the old house to pick up the dragon-phoenix twins and took them home.
At home, she bathed and changed clothes for the little brother and sister.
Da Zai and Er Zai, after showing off in the village, went straight to the old house to share their county experiences with Tie Chui and others.
“What? Third Aunt took you to eat at the state-run restaurant, shredded pork noodles plus two other dishes?!” Tie Dan exclaimed, envious drool practically flowing from his mouth.
“That’s the state-run restaurant!! I don’t even know what it looks like!!”
