Chapter 244: “show-off King Is Back, Run!”
“……fell off the cliff and died.” After all, they were husband and wife, so Lin Shisheng’s mood was complicated and hard to describe at this moment.
He truly had little feeling for Qiu Lian, but she was still the biological mother of their two daughters. No matter how much he resented her, he wouldn’t wish for her to die.
Lin Shisheng rubbed his face hard, his voice low, “I don’t even know……how to break it to Xuanxuan and Zheng Zheng.”
“Just say it straight.” Lin Zhao’s tone was very calm.
“She wasn’t good to the two children. Most of Xuanxuan’s grievances came from her. The two children not resenting her already shows they’re sensible.”
Lin Shisheng was silent for a moment, then sighed, “But in the end, she’s still their biological mother.”
Lin Zhao sneered lightly, a trace of cold mockery flashing in her eyes, “She’s the biological mother, sure, but how did she treat Xuanxuan and Zheng Zheng?”
She couldn’t forget the original book’s ending where Xuanxuan desperately lay on the tracks.
Qiu Lian bore at least half the responsibility.
“When has she ever seen herself as the mother of those two children?”
Lin Zhao’s words came one after another, slightly cool.
“My two nieces have never eaten a meal she fed them, never worn more than a few clothes she made, and instead suffered endless beatings and scoldings from her. Our family’s conditions aren’t the best, but they’re not bad either, right? Second Brother, look at Xibao and then at Xuanxuan. I don’t believe they have much feeling for Qiu Lian.”
Without Xibao as a comparison, it might be fine, but once there was a reference, Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng would always feel—their biological mother didn’t like them.
Lin Shisheng looked helplessly at Lin Zhao.
He reached out and pinched her perky nose.
“You’re too sharp-tongued.”
One sentence after another, leaving him unsure how to respond.
Lin Zhao slapped away her second brother’s hand, rubbed her nose, and huffed lightly.
She gave Lin Shisheng a sidelong glance and raised an eyebrow, “Second Brother, you’re not here because of this little thing making you unable to stay at home, are you?”
Lin Shisheng was choked speechless again.
If this were when they were kids, he’d tickle her until she begged for mercy!
How does she talk in such an infuriating way!
Unfortunately, Zhaozhao was now a big girl, and she wouldn’t even let them call her “Zhaobao” anymore, so the siblings couldn’t be too intimate.
He could only pretend to be angry, “The way you put it! I’m about to go out on a run again, and it’ll be a month or so away. I came specifically to see you all before leaving.”
Being annoyed about Qiu Lian was one thing; coming to see his sister and nephews and nieces was genuine.
“Is your injury healed?” Lin Zhao’s words were caring.
“It healed long ago.” Lin Shisheng smiled and flexed his arm, “Dad makes me all kinds of good food every day; that little injury healed cleanly ages ago.”
He swung his arm, moving flexibly, looking completely recovered.
“I’m really envious of you.” Lin Zhao said sourly.
This reminded her of the time before she was married, when every weekend she went home, Dad would always make her good food.
Of course, Qiu Lian would always glare angrily and mutter curses behind her back.
But after getting a cold glare of displeasure from her mother-in-law, she would behave for a while.
Lin Shisheng couldn’t help laughing, “If you want to eat, just go home. No one’s stopping you.”
Lin Zhao glared at him in anger, “You go to work for me then!”
Lin Shisheng touched the tip of his nose.
“I didn’t approve of you going to work before, and I disapprove even more now.” His tone was serious.
“Work is so tiring and not free at all. Why don’t you sell your job and stay home to focus on raising the four kids. Don’t worry about money either; Brother has salary. I’ll give you ten yuan a month, and Eldest Brother, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother can each give you ten, so forty yuan a month in hand, way more than what you earn at work!”
As he spoke, he really pulled out two Da Tuan Jie notes and stuffed them into Lin Zhao’s hand.
“Here, take it, for you to spend.” He raised an eyebrow, beaming with pride, “Brother is fulfilling the old promise.”
What old promise?
Earning money to spend on his sister.
A few years ago his life was a mess, and he couldn’t give much to Zhaozhao, but now no one was in charge, he earned more, and he could give his sister as much pocket money as he wanted without anyone gossiping!
Lin Zhao didn’t stand on ceremony and happily accepted, “Thanks, Second Brother!”
Lin Shisheng was immensely proud and waved his hand dashingly.
“Why be polite with your own brother? I’m not like the eldest ones who forget their own sister after getting married. Tch, I sincerely scorn them.”
Lin Shichang and his brothers all sneezed at the same time, inexplicably feeling a chill.
Who’s plotting against him?
Lin Zhao said something fair, “Eldest Brother and them are pretty good too.”
Her several brothers were all very good to her.
Even the newly recognized Fourth Brother was the same.
He was in the military region, so busy with work, yet he sent her several packages.
No need to say more about Third Brother; every few months a package would arrive, all local specialties or things he thought she’d like.
Lin Shisheng huffed, “You’ll know later that I’m the best second brother to you.”
What did he do? Transportation Team! Running all over the province, encountering all good things and bringing them to Zhaozhao. He didn’t believe he couldn’t be Zhaozhao’s number one brother.
Lin Zhao: What’s there to compete over.
“……Fine, I’ll wait and see.”
Lin Shisheng asked again, “When are you coming home? Mom and Dad told me to ask; it’s been a while since they saw you, and they miss you.”
“Tomorrow.” Lin Zhao answered.
“Okay, I’ll go back and tell Mom and Dad; they’ll definitely be happy.” Lin Shisheng said.
After speaking, he sighed lightly again, “Too bad I have to go out early tomorrow morning, so you won’t see me when you get home.”
“So soon……” Lin Zhao stood up and went inside the room, “Second Brother, wait, I have something for you.”
Soon, she came out with things in hand.
“What’s all this?” Lin Shisheng asked while reaching to take them.
Lin Zhao introduced them one by one.
“These are common medicines: for fever, diarrhea, coughs, mosquito bites, and disinfectants……”
“Besides the usual medicines, there are long-lasting foods. This flatbread can be eaten dry; if there’s hot water, soak it for two minutes and add the seasoning packet—it’s hot and warming.”
“This is a box of fried dough twists, sweet and salty ones; good for padding the stomach when hungry.”
“And this insulated water kettle holds hot water for a long time, so with this……you won’t worry about not having hot water to drink……”
She carefully explained the use of each item.
Lin Shisheng felt an indescribable surge of emotion in his heart, like his whole heart was soaking in warm water, incredibly warm.
“Zhaozhao……” he called moved.
Lin Zhao rolled her eyes at her second brother, “Cut it out; you just said no need to be polite between siblings, and now you’re being all sentimental! Take it or not; if not, give it back!”
Lin Shisheng quickly hugged the cloth bag tightly, his solid arm muscles bulging.
“I want it!” he said, grinning to show his big white teeth, “Only a fool wouldn’t.”
“These things must be hard to get, for sure. That insulated kettle, I heard only big cities have them, and even money can’t buy them.”
Lin Shisheng felt a bit guilty, “Zhaozhao, you must have spent a lot; Brother made you spend too much.”
The twenty he gave was nothing.
He had to keep working hard!
Lin Zhao really hadn’t spent money; all from the lucky draw.
This lucky draw wheel’s tasks were everyday ones; she got points almost every day, at least a hundred or eighty, up to two or three hundred. After saving for so long, points had broken ten thousand, and the storage ring had……all sorts of random things.
“Not bad, didn’t spend much.”
Lin Shisheng took it as Zhaozhao comforting him and was even more touched.
It had to be his Zhaozhao.
Hugging the things, he left with a face full of emotion.
Even the cold wind blowing on his face didn’t feel cold.
……
The next day.
The sky wasn’t fully bright yet.
Lin Shisheng arrived at the Transportation Team full of energy.
He was now a formal worker in the Transportation Team, walking with his chest puffed out high, feet light and swift, that proud air impossible to hide.
Wu Guodong and the other two were huffing and puffing moving goods. Seeing their brother, Jianjun waved his arm from afar, “Lin Er!”
Lin Shisheng walked over quickly, grinning, “How is it? Used to it?”
The temporary job moving goods was something Lin Shisheng had pulled for his brothers. Though only two months, one, it earned money; two, broadened horizons; all three were happy and grateful to him as a good brother.
Especially Wu Guodong and Jianjun.
They were from the same brigade as the Qiu Family, had helped Lin Shisheng keep watch before, aiding their good brother in divorcing, and got hated by the Qiu Family plenty; later the two families clashed with the Qiu Family several times.
The two young men were righteous, no complaints, but their families were somewhat dissatisfied to varying degrees.
However.
This resentment mostly vanished after Lin Shisheng called them to work at the Transportation Team.
The originally listless families instantly straightened their backs, even going to the Qiu Family door to mock loudly, and finally getting physical; it was said Old Woman Qiu’s hair was yanked out in a clump.
These were things that happened in the village; Wu Guodong and Jianjun hadn’t mentioned to Lin Shisheng, so he didn’t know.
Hearing Lin Shisheng’s words, Wu Guodong answered loudly, “Used to it; what’s there not to get used to.
We don’t have anything else, but we have strength; carrying a hundred jin grain sack is no problem, moving goods is nothing, easy peasy.”
Jianjun smiled and punched Lin Shisheng’s shoulder, “Thanks, brother; this job’s fun haha.”
Lin Shisheng punched back and laughed too, “Work hard; if there’s more good stuff later, I’ll call you.”
Nearby, the Dongfeng Brigade youth said, “I’ll remember that.”
“Don’t worry, won’t forget you!” Lin Shisheng replied.
He didn’t forget his purpose in coming over.
He casually pulled out the insulated water kettle and shook it proudly in his hand.
“Guess what this is?”
Wu Guodong and the other two really didn’t know.
They also didn’t know the severity, didn’t know how infuriating and obnoxious someone showing off could be.
“What is it?” Jianjun asked curiously.
“Can’t tell? Water kettle.” Lin Shisheng’s smugness was practically overflowing, “My sister saw me working hard driving and specially bought this for me!”
Jianjun: “……”
Wu Guodong: “……”
The Dongfeng Brigade youth, who grew up with Lin Zhao, naturally followed up, “Looks not cheap; Zhaozhao’s really generous.”
Lin Shisheng nodded emphatically, “Not cheap; this thing’s priceless, hard to buy.”
He didn’t dare mention how well it insulated, afraid of trouble.
Water boiled last night was still scalding hot this morning, no different from the home water kettle!
The youth knew exactly how to scratch his itch, saying again, “Shichang Brother doesn’t have one, right?”
“Tsk, Zhaozhao’s still closest to you; you’re the brother she trusts and likes most.”
Hearing this, Lin Shisheng’s eyes lit up brightly.
“Has to be.” He deeply agreed.
“Zhaozhao really trusts me most; when she was dating……I was the first she told.”
Youth inwardly: emmm
If he remembered right, Zhaozhao hadn’t wanted to say; she was just caught by him and had no choice.
Moreover, when Lin Er went to grab Zhaozhao’s hand, her clueless boyfriend nearly broke his nose.
Lin Shisheng wasn’t done showing off yet and started bragging about the medicines and food his sister prepared.
“Having a sister is great! Look, this is the medicine my Zhaozhao prepared for me, all kinds, medicines are so expensive, but she didn’t blink. And food: dried meat, fried dough twists—my Zhaozhao really spends on me!”
Wu Guodong & Jianjun were wooden-faced.
The three exchanged glances, pushed aside the endlessly showing-off Lin Shisheng, each wiped sweat with the ragged towel hung around their necks, and continued moving goods.
They didn’t have such capable sisters; they’d earn money to buy for themselves!
Never seen anyone more showy than Lin Er; annoying!
Lin Shisheng didn’t mind their poor reactions, assuming they envied him.
He happily carried the things, humming a tuneless melody, and went to chat up the driving master.
After this, whenever Transportation Team people saw Lin Shisheng coming from afar with things in hand, they’d all find excuses to flee.
—The Show-off King is here again; run!
……
After the sun came out, Lin Zhao put hats and scarves on the children, fully armoring them, before taking the four kids back to her maternal family.
She rode the bicycle carrying the dragon-phoenix twins; Gu Qingzhou borrowed the Brigade Leader’s House bicycle to carry Yu Bao and Heng Bao.
“Going to see Grandmother and Grandfather!!” Heng Bao sat on the front bar, excitedly raising his arms and shouting.
But cold wind poured straight into his throat, making him cough violently.
“Cough cough cough……”
Lin Zhao frowned and reminded, “Heng Bao, cover your mouth with the scarf; don’t shout, or you’ll choke on the wind again.”
Sitting in front with no cover, opening his mouth definitely let wind in.
Even though the sun was out now, the wind was cold.
“Got it!” Heng Bao obediently covered his mouth with the scarf, wrapping his whole face tightly.
He wore black knee-length cotton-padded clothes, styled like a small woolen overcoat with double-breasted buttons, warm wool sweater inside, looking especially spirited and cute.
On his head a black woolen hat, setting off his clean and refined little face—a little boy who’d brighten anyone’s eyes.
Lin Zhao loved dressing them up; her four kids were always neatly and fashionably cute by her hand.
Gu Qingzhou was silent the whole way, dropping off the nephews at the Dongfeng Brigade village entrance, agreeing on pickup time, not even entering the village, and rode back to the brigade.
Da Dan and the others, knowing their aunt was coming back, had been waiting at the village entrance early.
Seeing them, they ran over.
“Aunt, Yu Bao, Heng Bao……you’re here; cold? Go home first. Aunt, I’ll push the bike.” Da Dan took Lin Zhao’s bicycle and strode home with Qian Bao and Yao Bao.
Er Dan made faces beside them.
Yao Bao giggled.
She wore red cotton-padded clothes, same-color woolen hat on her head, little face pinkish white, eyes curving when she laughed, sweet enough to melt hearts.
“Yao Bao’s even prettier.” Er Dan praised.
Yao Bao understood she was being praised and pulled a small biscuit from her bib to give him.
Er Dan took it, surprised, “For me?”
Yao Bao’s long lashes trembled lightly; she turned her face away, not looking at him.
Lin Zhao pinched the woolen ball on her daughter’s hat, “Yao Bao giving Er Dan Ge biscuits; so generous.”
Little Yao Bao covered her face with chubby little hands, peeking at Mom through finger gaps, like playing hide-and-seek with the cat.
“Yao Bao’s so fun.” Xibao exclaimed.
Xuanxuan and Zheng Zheng nodded, both wanting to touch Yao Bao’s face.
The group soon reached the Lin Family.
Chen Yu’s belly was big; seeing her sister-in-law back with kids, she stood up.
“Zhaozhao’s back.”
Xibao nervously rushed to support her, “Mom, don’t get up.”
“It’s fine.” Chen Yu looked helplessly at the little housekeeper, “I’ve given birth twice; I know my limits. Don’t be too nervous.”
