Chapter 234: “five Workers”
Regarding his son’s words, Gu Chenghuai had no way to respond.
Fortunately, Yu Bao was considerate and very understanding of Father. He immediately said, “Even if you can’t come back, it’s fine. We’re all good, Mom is good too. Heng Bao and I help Mom take care of Younger Brother and Younger Sister. Da Huang and Amber help too!”
Gu Chenghuai listened patiently.
After Yu Bao finished speaking, he imitated his young wife’s tone, with a gentle voice: “You’ve done very well.”
“Your mom works hard and has to take care of you four. You and Heng Bao are older brothers, so you need to be sensible.” He instructed word by word.
When struggling outside, what he worried about most was his wife and children.
Yu Bao nodded solemnly. “We know!”
At this time, Yao Bao grabbed Big Brother’s arm, wrapped her right leg around him, in a pose like climbing a tree. “Big pot pot, I, I~~”
The little girl had never made a phone call, but that didn’t stop her from joining in the fun. She reminded her brother in her milky voice.
Yu Bao reluctantly moved away, listening to Heng Bao talk to Father while exerting effort to pick up his little sister.
It made the little friend’s face turn red from exhaustion.
As for Yao Bao, upon hearing the voice from the receiver, her petal-like pink lips opened wide, her eyes full of confusion.
That look was very amusing.
Lin Zhao: “Pfft!!”
There weren’t many people making calls in the morning, so she didn’t urge the children. It was rare to get through to Gu Chenghuai, so she let them talk more.
“It’s Daddy.”
Seeing Yu Bao struggling, she picked up the dragon-phoenix twins, letting the two little cuties listen to the phone together, and softly explained to them—the voice from the receiver was Daddy.
Qian Bao’s eyes lit up slightly, his black eyes staring at the receiver full of curiosity, as if pondering why it made sounds.
Yao Bao tilted her head. “Daddy?”
This word was caught by Gu Chenghuai. The steady and experienced soldier comrade instantly turned into a silly dad, a faint smile appearing on his angular face.
“Yao Bao, it’s Daddy.”
Even across the phone line, Lin Zhao could hear the happiness in his words.
She shook her head.
Unfortunately, Comrade Gu didn’t know that after he left for half a month, his pearl in the palm had forgotten him!
Yao Bao was startled by the unfamiliar voice and squeezed her little body into Lin Zhao’s bosom.
“Mommy, there’s a monster.” She said words that chilled her biological father’s heart in her milky voice.
“?” Monster?!
Gu Chenghuai was a bit confused, but soon came back to his senses, a flash of helplessness in his eyes.
Wanting to say again that he was Daddy, not a monster, he heard Fourth Brother-in-law burst out laughing.
Gu Chenghuai looked over.
Meng Jiusi not only didn’t restrain himself but laughed even harder.
He was almost dying of laughter!
This kid had been showing off to him for half an hour, but Yao Bao didn’t remember him, huh?!!
Lin Zhao heard this laugh and leaned her head over, astonished. “Fourth Brother? Is that Fourth Brother?”
“It’s me.” Meng Jiusi snatched the phone.
“I heard Yu Baoheng Bao had their birthday yesterday. I didn’t know and didn’t prepare a gift in advance. I made up for it yesterday. Remember to collect it and wish Yu Baoheng Bao a happy birthday for me.”
These few words from Fourth Uncle went into the twins’ ears.
The two kids excitedly said in unison: “Fourth Uncle, we can hear you!”
“Fourth Uncle, how are Momo and Baibai?” Yu Bao spoke quickly, asking curious questions nonstop. He had written about these in the letters he sent. “Heng Bao and I are going to school now. Are they going to school?”
The children were about the same age and called each other by name.
Meng Jiusi smiled very mildly. “Momo is going to school, Baibai is not old enough yet. He’s going to work with me now.”
Heng Bao said loudly: “Same as Qian Bao and Yao Bao. When my mom goes to work, she takes them along too.”
“Yes, the same.” Meng Jiusi answered patiently.
Yu Bao squeezed his head over. “Fourth Uncle, how is Mao Dan’er? Is anyone in the military region bullying him?”
The only child of Leader Ning’s family—who would dare bully him.
“No, he’s doing great. He’s already the king of the kids in the military region compound. He said to wait until you come to accompany the army, and he’ll protect you.” Meng Jiusi picked and chose a few sentences to say.
Yu Bao grinned from ear to ear.
Heng Bao clapped his hands. “Great, great. When my brother and I go over, we’ll protect him too.”
“Good.” Meng Jiusi’s smiling voice came through the phone.
He couldn’t withstand his brother-in-law’s icy glare like knives, so he instructed his dear nephews to pay attention to the things he sent, told them to obediently listen to their mom at home, and then handed the phone back to Gu Chenghuai.
Gu Chenghuai felt depressed inside and decided that next time he called his wife and children, he wouldn’t call Fourth Brother-in-law along.
As soon as he came, he had no chance to speak himself.
“Zhaozhao?”
Lin Zhao: “I’m here.”
“I received all the letters you wrote. I read them one by one when I got back to the military region and learned about your recent situation, which put my mind at ease.” Gu Chenghuai’s tone was gentle.
Lin Zhao smiled and said, “What about the things? Did you receive them?”
“Yes. Received them. I tried on the wool sweater. It fits perfectly. Thank you for the hard work.” Sweetness welled up in Gu Chenghuai’s heart, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose.
“As long as it fits.” Lin Zhao responded.
Thinking that the man had just returned from a mission, her words were concerned. “…Didn’t get injured on the mission, right?”
“No.” Gu Chenghuai said calmly, his tone without any fluctuation.
But for some reason, he didn’t dare look at Fourth Brother-in-law and turned his body sideways, blocking the receiver.
Meng Jiusi twitched the corner of his mouth.
Lin Zhao didn’t hear any issue. Thinking of the “red string” on the man’s wrist, she knew his life was always safe, so she felt relieved.
“Good as long as not injured. If you are, apply medicine on time, don’t delay, be careful a small injury turns serious.”
Gu Chenghuai’s brows and eyes softened. “I know. You and the children pay attention to safety at home…”
The couple chatted a few sentences. After Gu Chenghuai said a couple more words to the twins, the call ended.
When paying, as expected, it cost several yuan.
Yu Bao still thought it was expensive, but thinking that he had talked to Daddy, he felt it was acceptable.
…
Motor Factory.
Lin Shichang was changing his work uniform when he remembered that Zhaozhao had stuffed something into his pocket yesterday.
He quickly took it out.
At a glance, it was a bicycle ticket.
Someone walked by. “Bicycle ticket? Shichang, you got a bicycle ticket?! Where did you get it?!”
His words were full of envy.
His family had always wanted to add a bicycle but couldn’t get a ticket.
“Sell it? I’m willing to buy it at a high price!” The young man stared eagerly at the ticket in Lin Shichang’s hand. If not for his remaining reason, he would have reached out to grab it.
“No.” Lin Shichang shook his head.
“My little sister felt sorry for me going back and forth and exhausted every method to get it for me. If I give it away, wouldn’t I be letting down her intention? Sorry.” His heart felt warm, and the smile on his face was exceptionally bright.
The young man was disappointed and unwilling to let go of the opportunity. He said, “Does your little sister have any extra? If so, I want it.”
He knew the possibility was slim but still harbored a sliver of hope.
Lin Shichang didn’t agree, not wanting to cause trouble for Zhaozhao.
“You think bicycle tickets are like bok choy? I don’t even know how much effort she put into this one. Where would there be extras?”
The young man drooped his head, his eyes glancing at the ticket in Lin Shichang’s hand again and again.
The workers from the countryside all had bicycles, but he hadn’t even seen one. Sigh.
“Alright.” His whole body felt listless.
Still not giving up, he said, “If there is, remember to find me. I guarantee you won’t lose out.”
This time Lin Shichang didn’t refuse. It was just passing a message—why make relations stiff with a comrade.
“Sure.”
That afternoon.
Lin Shichang went to the Song Family, took money, rode a bus to buy the bicycle.
After buying it, he rode it back and parked it at the entrance of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
Qian Bao was the first to see Great Uncle, his voice soft and glutinous. “Great Uncle!”
Lin Zhao followed her son’s gaze and saw the 28-inch bicycle parked at the door.
“Big Brother, you bought the bicycle?” Her words were full of joy.
Lin Shichang locked the bike and walked in. “Bought it, using the ticket you gave me. Zhaozhao, thank you. Otherwise, I don’t know how long it would take to buy one.”
“It was just luck.” Lin Zhao smiled and said, “If you’re thanking, thank Sister Fen. The source of the bicycle ticket is with her.”
Lin Shichang looked over and thanked her. “Thank you, Sister Fen.”
“You siblings are just too polite.” Li Fen waved her hand. “We’re family. I heard someone wanted to sell—how could I not tell you?”
Her smile was straightforward. “Besides, I just passed the message. The money was from Zhaozhao. I didn’t do much.”
Lin Shichang thought, how could that be?
Connections were more important than anything!
Like his workmate, who had saved money for years but still couldn’t even buy wheels. Why? Because no ticket.
He noted Li Fen’s help in his heart, planning to give them a big gift when Xiang Xiang and Li Song got married.
Lin Zhao had already thanked Li Fen with twenty eggs and two jin of Fuqiang Flour.
So there was no awkwardness.
She changed the topic. “Big Brother, it’ll be convenient for you to go back and forth from now on!”
Lin Shichang nodded. “Much more convenient.”
“Having a bicycle at home is convenient too. Parents can use it for errands.” Lin Zhao already had her own bicycle, tasted the sweetness, and had always been thinking of getting one for her maternal family.
Now that she got it, her eyes and brows were full of smiles.
“Yes.” Lin Shichang smiled, his eyes glancing at his beloved bike from time to time, so happy he didn’t know what to say.
He didn’t mention giving money to Lin Zhao. If he was too formal, Zhaozhao would get angry. There would be plenty of opportunities later; he would make it up to his little sister.
“Big Brother took the afternoon off?” Lin Zhao saw Big Brother was unhurried and spoke up.
“Took half a day off, specially to buy the bicycle.”
Lin Zhao didn’t think it was exaggerated. Adding a bicycle to the family was a top matter; taking half a day off was nothing.
At this time, the off-work bell rang.
“Off work? I’ll take you back.” Lin Shichang suggested.
Home wasn’t far from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative; they could walk. Lin Zhao felt no need for a ride and just said, “Big Brother, why not pick up Yu Bao and Heng Bao.”
Lin Shichang agreed, instructed Qian Bao and Yao Bao to follow their mom obediently, and then left.
He arrived at the school gate.
School had just let out; big kids and little kids surged out.
The new bicycle at the gate was particularly eye-catching, causing the children to stop and watch.
Da Dan and Er Dan were tall like their grandparents, and with enough to eat, they were taller than peers.
The brothers spotted their biological father at a glance.
“Dad??!” Da Dan half-disbelieving, half-excitedly shouted.
Lin Shichang waved to the children.
The Lin and Gu families’ children came forward.
“Dad, where did the bicycle come from? Ours?” Da Dan asked.
Er Dan scratched his head. “Can our family afford a bicycle?”
Da Dan gave his brother a headlock, dissatisfied. “Why can’t our family afford a bicycle? We have five workers. Buying a bicycle is a piece of cake.”
Er Dan blinked. “Where are the five?!”
The Gu family children were also dumbfounded.
Five workers?!!
Before Da Dan could speak, clever little Heng Bao said, “Great Uncle is at the motor factory, Second Uncle is at the transportation team, Third Uncle is a soldier, Fourth Uncle is a doctor, my mom is at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Five, no mistake.”
Li Bao: “Wow!!”
Tie Dan said, “No, Third Aunt is from the Gu family.”
Yu Bao said with a serious little face, “No, my mom was first the Lin family’s girl, later the Gu family’s young wife.”
These words made Lin Shichang very comfortable.
He laughed loudly. “Yu Bao is right.”
He bent down to pick up Yu Bao and placed him on the front basket of the bicycle.
The little friend smiled shyly.
Xi Bao also wanted to ride the bicycle and opened her arms to her biological father. “Dad, I want to ride too!”
Lin Shichang didn’t refuse, picked up his daughter by the waist, and placed her on the back seat.
“No cushion yet. Make do for now. When we get back, have your mom make a cushion and tie it on.” He said.
Then he looked at Xuanxuan and Zheng Zheng sisters. “Uncle took the afternoon off. I’ll take you back soon. Everyone will get a chance to ride. Don’t rush.”
Xuanxuan nodded with a smile.
Zheng Zheng’s eyes softened upward. “Okay.”
“Dad, can Er Dan and I ride?” Da Dan’s eyes were expectant.
“Of course, it’s our own bicycle. Ride it however you want.” Lin Shichang said.
He wasn’t stingy. A bicycle was for use. If you couldn’t bear to use this or that, why buy it.
The two Dans jumped in place.
“Bro, from now on we can ride the bicycle all over the village!” Er Dan’s tone rose.
Once they got skilled, it would be easy to find Little Aunt.
After walking a bit, Lin Shichang had the children wait in place while he went to drop off Yu Bao and Heng Bao.
As for the Gu family children, they went back to Fengshou Brigade.
…
Lin Zhao had just brought the dragon-phoenix twins home when Gu Chan brought Two Stones over.
She brought a bag of things.
“Eldest Sister.” Lin Zhao greeted Elder Sister-in-law.
Gu Chan saw her sister-in-law washing bed sheets, put down the things, walked over, and took over the task.
“Why are you washing the bed sheet yourself? It’s so heavy. Let me!” She chattered on. “Didn’t I tell you? Leave the dirty clothes and dirty bed sheets to me. I have strength and am used to doing work. I can finish quickly. Why waste your time?”
She squeezed Lin Zhao away. “Go go, go play with the children.”
Lin Zhao was full of helplessness.
“At least let me rinse the foam off my hands, my good Eldest Sister.” Her voice was soft.
One “good Eldest Sister” almost made Gu Chan’s mouth split to the back of her head.
“Sis will rinse for you.” She scooped a ladle of water from the side and rinsed her sister-in-law’s hands.
Lin Zhao dried her hands, turned to go into the room, and took out lots of snacks.
Fried dough twists, sunflower seeds peanuts, and red shrimp crisp candy…
“Da Shitou, Xiao Shitou, come eat candy.” She called the two stones.
Da Shitou and Xiao Shitou were very familiar with Third Aunt and didn’t stand on ceremony. The two split a fried dough twist and didn’t forget to take care of the younger brother and sister nearby.
“Eldest Sister, how’s your work?” Lin Zhao asked about Gu Chan’s most important current matter.
Gu Chan immediately smiled like a flower. “Settled. The connections were just transferred to the factory today.”
“Congratulations, Eldest Sister.” Lin Zhao was happy for Elder Sister-in-law and smiled with congratulations.
Thinking of practical issues, she asked, “Eldest Sister, are you living in the dormitory?”
“No.” Gu Chan had discussed with her man; they didn’t plan to live in the dormitory. She couldn’t rest assured leaving the two stones. “I’ll live at home.”
This was troublesome.
The commute was very long; no one could stand it.
Lin Zhao pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, “Eldest Sister, use my bicycle to go to work.”
Now Bang Bang and the others went to school with other village kids. The bicycle wasn’t used much at the old house, so better to give it to Elder Sister-in-law.
