Chapter 235: “messing Around”
Gu Chan washed the bed sheet, hearing her younger brother’s wife’s words, pondered for a moment, and didn’t stand on ceremony with her, “Alright, I’ll use it within the week, and save it for you on the weekend.”
She wouldn’t use it for nothing; she would express her gratitude in other ways.
From now on, she would be someone with a job, and buying anything would be convenient.
Thinking of this, Gu Chan was full of strength, shaking the bed sheet, making rustling sounds.
“Eldest Sister, how is Brother-in-law?” Lin Zhao asked about Wei Xiangdong’s condition.
“The doctor said he’s recovering very well and needs to rest properly.” Gu Chan’s face no longer showed worry, her eyes bright; one could only say that having a job gives people courage.
“Rest slowly, and he’ll definitely recover.” She gratefully looked at Zhaozhao, “The medicine you sent works very well.”
Not to mention, her younger brother’s wife also sent nutritional items from time to time.
With such care, it would surely be effective.
“It’s also because Brother-in-law has a good constitution.” Lin Zhao said sincerely.
Gu Chan smiled; all that’s left is his good build.
She quickly finished washing the bed sheet, and while there was still sun, hung it to dry in the yard, looking at Lin Zhao, “Zhaozhao, any more dirty clothes?!”
As soon as she asked, her eyes glanced at the bamboo basket by the washbasin, lifted it open, and saw the clothes inside were full, looking like they were all the children’s.
“These all need washing?”
Lin Zhao didn’t deny it, “Yeah. Changed yesterday, but it was too late when I got back, so I didn’t wash them.”
“I figured.” Gu Chan said, “Was yesterday smooth? I didn’t go over; Yu Baoheng Bao didn’t say anything, right?”
She casually threw the dirty clothes into the basin and started rubbing them, chatting with Lin Zhao.
“They asked about you.” Just one question, and the two little brothers were distracted by other things.
Gu Chan’s face was full of smiles, “I had something yesterday, and knowing your maternal family was helping, I didn’t go back. Yu Baoheng Bao’s birthday gifts I didn’t forget; I brought them today, hope it’s not late.”
“Not late.” Lin Zhao thought of the twins’ reaction and couldn’t help laughing, “No matter when they receive the gifts, it’s not late for them.”
“Hahaha, good as long as it’s not late.”
As they spoke, a clear child’s voice came from outside the home door.
“Mom, we’re back!!”
The people hadn’t entered, but the voices came first.
Xiao Shitou rushed to the door, seeing Yu Bao and Heng Bao, his face bloomed with a smile.
“Yu Bao bro, Heng Bao bro.” He called softly.
Heng Bao was stunned for a moment, “Shi Tou Di, you’re here. Did Stone bro and Elder Aunt come too?”
While saying, he pulled Xiao Shitou into the home door.
As soon as they entered, they saw Gu Chan washing clothes, and it was theirs.
He immediately showed a brilliant smile.
“Elder Aunt, thank you for washing clothes for us.”
Her own nephew’s smiling face warmed the heart of the elder aunt.
Gu Chan said indulgently: “Why be so polite? In the future, save the dirty clothes; Elder Aunt will come once a week to wash them for you.”
She knew Zhaozhao didn’t spoil the children; whatever they could do, she let them do it themselves, and she felt heartbroken seeing that.
Yu Bao washed his hands, took a fried dough twist to share with Er Zai, and waved his hands busily, “No need, no need, Heng Bao and I can wash our own. Mom says do your own things yourself.”
After saying, he looked at Lin Zhao like seeking praise.
Lin Zhao gave a thumbs up, encouraging her son.
The little friend beamed with joy.
Gu Chan didn’t insist, stepping back: “Then thin clothes and light clothes, you wash yourselves; thick clothes and heavy clothes, leave them for me to wash.”
“Okay, I’ll help Elder Aunt boil hot water.” Yu Bao said sensibly.
Gu Chan: “Boil what hot water? It wastes so much firewood. The well water is warm; not cold at all.”
The well water was much warmer than river water.
She changed the topic, “Aunt brought gifts for you two; originally should have given them yesterday, but something came up and delayed it.”
Lin Zhao gently added, “Your aunt transferred her grains and oils relations; she’s now a worker in the cotton textile factory canteen, eating commodity grain.”
The two kids understood very well what eating commodity grain meant.
Two pairs of identical eyes lit up instantly.
No mind to look at the gifts; their heads were full of the news that Elder Aunt became a worker.
“Elder Aunt doesn’t need to work in the fields anymore?” Heng Bao said.
Yu Bao blinked his eyes, asking urgently: “Does Elder Aunt live in the city too?”
“Yes, I don’t need to work in the fields anymore, but I don’t live in the city.” Gu Chan answered every question without missing any.
“Why not live in the city?” Yu Bao scrunched his little face.
Gu Chan was always patient with children, answering: “If living in the city, it would be dormitory only, and we’d have to separate from your uncle and Two Stones; Elder Aunt doesn’t want that.”
“Why separate? Can’t everyone live together?” The little friend’s brain had no concept of collective dormitories; thoughts were innocent.
Gu Chan continued: “Because the dormitory houses eight people, one bed each, and all female comrades; male comrades can’t enter.”
Yu Bao got it now, “Like boys can’t enter girls’ rooms, or it’s being a hooligan.”
Mom taught that.
“…Right.” Gu Chan chuckled helplessly.
“Elder Aunt works hard.” Yu Bao felt sorry for his aunt commuting back and forth, head drooping.
Gu Chan’s heart felt hot, laughing: “Not hard; your mom lent me the bicycle, I ride back and forth, saves a lot of time. Once your uncle fully recovers, he’ll pick me up and drop me off.”
Yu Bao nodded like a little adult, expression relaxing.
Heng Bao chuckled: “With Elder Aunt, our Old Gu Family has three workers now.”
“Mm.” Yu Bao agreed strongly.
After finishing the main talk, the two kids went to see the gifts from Elder Aunt.
They were two handmade schoolbags embroidered with Da Huang Amber and Xiao Jin.
The needlework was fine and dense; the little animals embroidered were lifelike, vividly cute.
“Wow, schoolbags, with Da Huang Amber and Xiao Jin on them! Elder Aunt, I love this gift!!” Yu Bao’s eyes sparkled, tone rising, full of happiness.
Gu Chan knew her nephew would like it, “As long as you like it.”
She put quite some effort into making these two schoolbags.
Heng Bao liked it too.
He took the new schoolbag to Lin Zhao, “Mom, look at my new schoolbag. Can I carry it to school tomorrow?”
His little hand touched Da Huang on the schoolbag, eyes full of liking.
“Sure, alternate carrying them; just right to wash the other one.” Lin Zhao agreed.
Gu Chan: “Yu Bao, Heng Bao, bring your schoolbags that need washing; I’ll wash them along the way.”
The twins looked at Mom, eyes seeking permission.
Lin Zhao nodded, and the two children took things out of the schoolbags, handing them to Gu Chan.
“Thank you, Elder Aunt.” The twins thanked politely.
Gu Chan smiled; Zhaozhao taught the children to be too polite.
She busied herself washing and rinsing; once done, Lin Zhao had made dinner, and they—the mother and sons three—ate before she left.
Gu Chan said she still needed to go back to Fengshou Brigade to repay the money; Lin Zhao didn’t say much, just asked: “How to go back?”
“Ox cart; it’s arranged, full of people on the train, no problem.” Gu Chan said.
Hearing this, Lin Zhao felt relieved.
…
Meanwhile, Gu Fu was with the Brigade Leader, meeting the Commune Secretary.
Hearing that Fengshou Brigade members successfully grew mushrooms, the Commune Secretary abruptly stood up from the table, his stern face rarely showing joy.
“Really?”
Gu Fu put down the bamboo basket he brought, “These are just harvested; Secretary, take a look.”
The Commune Secretary didn’t stand on ceremony, directly touching them; it was the feel of freshly picked.
“You grew these mushrooms?” He looked at Gu Fu.
The Brigade Leader stepped forward, saying: “It’s him; he’s been trying for a long time, didn’t dare announce for fear of failure; now… as soon as there was success, he came to report to you, Secretary!”
The Commune Secretary worried about the whole commune; all brigades were poor, and he was anxious. Seeing Fengshou Brigade find a way, he was instantly delighted.
“Good, good, good!” He praised.
“I’ll report this upward; the rewards due will be sent to Fengshou Brigade soon.” The Commune Secretary promised.
The Brigade Leader was overjoyed, “Thank you for your concern, Secretary.”
Though the reward wasn’t for him, for the brigade he managed, he could get some benefits too.
The Commune Secretary waved his hand, “I’d love to see more brigades like yours…”
Much less hassle.
No need for him to rack his brains finding ways for each brigade.
It was his responsibility, but with so many brigades, one or two was fine, but ten or so, how?
No way out was one thing; if there was, which brigade to give it to?
Giving to any would stir criticism.
Inevitably, some would mutter, why did the Commune Secretary put ** in that brigade? Did that brigade give him benefits?!
Never underestimate rumors; they pack a punch.
Fengshou Brigade was perfect; the way out was thought up by brigade members themselves; no one could sourly complain!
Want it? Figure it out and try yourselves!!
Seeing the Commune Secretary very optimistic about their project, the Brigade Leader immediately asked: “Secretary, can we plant on a large scale now?”
He rubbed his hands, embarrassed: “You know, the members are all waiting; I need to give them a definite message.”
“Do it!” The Commune Secretary replied with one word.
Now, the Brigade Leader’s heart was set.
“Alright, back home I’ll rally everyone to grow mushrooms and find ways to increase income.”
The Commune Secretary gave them the go-ahead, “I’ll keep an eye on the process; go ahead boldly!”
The Brigade Leader and Gu Fu were both beaming.
Everything was public; they didn’t dare act on their own, lest big hats be put on them.
Now it was good; with the Commune Secretary’s word, they could boldly proceed.
The two men’s departing figures exuded vigor.
“Ox cart back; my treat!” The Brigade Leader waved generously, rare for him.
Gu Fu followed, “Old fellow being generous for once; I won’t stand on ceremony!”
“…”
Not long after they got on the ox cart, the Brigade Leader nudged Gu Fu’s shoulder, “Hey, your A Chan?”
Gu Fu looked where he pointed; sure enough, it was his Chan.
He quickly stood up, going forward a few steps to meet her.
“A Chan, why are you here?” His words carried a barely detectable worry; fearing something happened to the son-in-law again.
Gu Chan walked over, leading her two sons.
“Dad.” After greeting, she explained: “Going back to maternal family.”
Afraid her biological father wouldn’t understand, she added: “Something came up.”
Hearing this, Gu Fu immediately realized what.
—The big matter of repaying money.
He didn’t say much, “Alright, go back with Dad.”
Two Stones called out Grandfather.
Gu Fu touched his grandsons’ heads, words full of heartache, “Look thinner; once home, have your Grandmother make you good food.”
Da Shitou smiled, “We ate at Third Aunt’s.”
Hearing this, Gu Fu was instantly speechless.
He couldn’t claim his family’s food was better than Old Third’s.
Not to mention else, Old Third’s treated home children generously, surely stuffing them full.
“A Chan, your mom swapped for a chicken; take it later, stew soup for son-in-law; injured people need good food, good food heals wounds fast.” Gu Fu changed topic, mentioning another thing.
Gu Chan was deeply moved.
“Dad…”
Gu Fu patted her shoulder, “A dad always wants to support a sky for his children; what your mom and I can do, we won’t stint; what we can’t, don’t resent us for being useless.”
“Dad!” Gu Chan said loudly, dissatisfied.
Dad’s words cut her heart.
How could she think that!!
“Dad won’t say it, Dad won’t say it.” Gu Fu quickly said.
The Brigade Leader laughed on the side.
Gu Fu ignored him.
“Dad, I transferred my grains and oils relations to the factory.” Gu Chan casually dropped the big news.
The Brigade Leader’s smile vanished, staring at her in shock.
“Into the factory?” He exclaimed loudly.
Gu Chan was startled.
Da Shitou frowned at the Brigade Leader.
Gu Fu elbowed the Brigade Leader, “What big voice? Scared my daughter.”
Brigade Leader: “…” Your daughter isn’t made of glass.
He rubbed his bumped sore arm, looking at Gu Chan, “A Chan, what you just said, grains and oils relations transferred to the city, what does that mean?”
Gu Fu knew; he lifted his chin slightly, that face full of years’ vicissitudes full of pride.
“What else? Our A Chan became a worker!”
The Brigade Leader was shocked.
“Real or fake? Wasn’t work hard to get? Even temporary worker couldn’t be had?!”
He was puzzled.
“Is this work hard to get or easy?”
All good things go to old Gu; jealousy killing him!!
Gu Fu met the Brigade Leader’s fiery eyes, almost grinning ear to ear, “No fake.”
“It’s also good luck.” He explained, “Xiangdong got injured saving someone, right? The family he saved found them, said they’d arrange work for Xiangdong as gift of gratitude. Xiangdong thought of A Chan, didn’t take it, discussed with the family to arrange for A Chan instead; they agreed, so A Chan got this fortune.”
Knowing the cause and effect, the Brigade Leader’s heart calmed a lot.
It was what they deserved.
He had heard before, Gu Family’s son-in-law was badly injured, borrowed money everywhere to save life.
“Good people get good returns! Xiangdong is good, A Chan has good fate too.”
These words hit Gu Fu’s heart.
He laughed: “Who says not.”
When Xiangdong was first injured, village had plenty of gossip; wait till A Chan becoming worker news spreads in village, old Gu couldn’t describe how satisfying those long-tongued women’s reactions would be.
Fengshou Brigade people were indeed dizzy from this news, running to Gu Family Members to ask.
Learning the Brigade Leader wasn’t talking nonsense, a crowd pulled relations with Gu Chan.
“A Chan, Aunt watched you grow up; Aunt knew from small you were promising.” Flatter one, state purpose, “If the factory you’re at recruits people, don’t forget to tell Aunt.”
Another pushed her aside, “What good to tell you? When Xiangdong just had accident, you watched plenty jokes; you even said… introduce a lame to A Chan, let her remarry; how, forgot your own words?”
Da Shitou’s face darkened.
Remember the face of the one who wanted to introduce a lame to Mom.
Gu Chan quickly covered her son’s ears, angrily looking at the guilty aunt, “How can you be like this? If Uncle Laogen had something happen, would you remarry too?”
Just saw treasured ones gave author alliance leader rewards at start, thanks “Full of Water”, also saw treasured ones’ several encouraging comments, feels super heartwarming, very thankful!
Also thanks Q Read and other platform reader friends’ rewards, thanks everyone!
This time due to body discomfort, update time not stable, caused inconvenience to treasured ones’ reading, feel very sorry.（Bowing）
Will update late but try not to break; if break will say in advance, thanks everyone’s understanding and support~(ε｀)
