Chapter 260: “i Haven’t Forgotten Your Kindness”
“Isn’t it real, could it be fake?” Lin Zhao asked in reply instead of answering, smiling at him.
Heng Bao jumped three feet high, let out a sharp cry, and excitedly said, “I want to bring my new clothes and new shoes.”
“Hat, gloves, and scarf, and bag.” Yu Bao added.
“Right, right, right.” Heng Bao agreed, spinning in place, somewhat unsure where to start.
“Don’t panic first, let’s get the clothes first.” Yu Bao was very calm and said to his younger brother.
“Mm-hmm.” Heng Bao saw his older brother was very calm and was influenced to calm down as well.
Lin Zhao ruffled Er Zai’s short hair, “When something happens, you’re like a headless fly, learn from your older brother, how steady he is.”
Heng Bao stood next to his brother, proudly puffing out his chest.
“My brother is the best.”
After praising his brother, he said without any inferiority, “I’m the younger brother, it’s nothing if I’m not steady, my brother will remind me, right, bro?”
Yu Bao was busy but didn’t forget to respond to his brother, “Yeah, who told you to be my younger brother.”
With that one sentence from his older brother, Heng Bao was so happy he could fly to the sky.
Lin Zhao saw Heng Bao sticking to Yu Bao, patted his head, “Alright, don’t bother your brother anymore, you help pack too, don’t just stand there.”
Heng Bao hurried to help.
“Don’t bring things that shouldn’t be brought.” Lin Zhao was afraid they’d move the whole house to Dongfeng Brigade and reminded them.
Yu Bao looked up, “What do you mean by things that shouldn’t be brought?”
“For example, the football.” Lin Zhao stared at the football the twins had packed into the bag.
Yu Bao frowned, “The football is useful, we’re going to play with Da Dan Ge and them?”
“Right.” Heng Bao backed his brother, looking at Lin Zhao seriously, “Da Dan and them haven’t played before.”
“It’s the New Year, where do you two have time to kick the football? Leave it at home, after the New Year you can play with Da Dan Ge and them.” Lin Zhao said.
“No!” Heng Bao hugged the football, his face full of unwillingness.
He was so anxious his hair stood on end.
“Kicking for an hour would be good too, I want to bring it.” His eyes pleaded.
Yu Bao wavered, seeing his brother really wanted to bring it, swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue, hesitated, and said, “If we play ball outside, it won’t be that cold.”
He even knew to take a roundabout way.
Both sons wanted to bring it, what could Lin Zhao say, “If you want to bring it, bring it, you two carry your own things.”
Heng Bao’s face fell.
The look in his eyes toward Lin Zhao turned resentful.
“Mommy～～！！！”
Lin Zhao made a stopping gesture, “Calling your grandparents and daddy won’t help, I have a lot of things to bring too.”
After saying that, she turned and left.
Heng Bao was stunned in place.
“Bro, look at Mom!” He stomped his foot, his words revealing dissatisfaction.
“Mom didn’t say anything wrong, carry your own things yourself.” Yu Bao looked serious.
Heng Bao didn’t say anything more and obediently packed his own things.
Not long after, he looked at Yu Bao, “……Bro, you’re not helping me?”
“I will.” Yu Bao said, “We’ll help each other.”
Heng Bao breathed a sigh of relief, his original intention was—if the things were too heavy, have his brother help carry some.
Lin Zhao had just left the children’s room when she remembered something and turned back.
“Yu Bao, Heng Bao, your daddy prepared new clothes for you two, do you want to see?”
Hearing this, Yu Bao and Heng Bao put down their things and came over, their identical faces showing the same expectation.
“We want to see.” The two little brothers said almost in unison.
“They’re in my room.”
The two little friends rushed out, and at the door, the two little brothers’ shoulders bumped, both their bodies swaying.
“Bro, you bumped into me!” Heng Bao said.
Yu Bao retorted, “You bumped into me too!”
“Then we’re even.” Heng Bao grinned, looking very good-tempered.
Yu Bao pulled him, and the two brothers went out one after the other, straight into daddy and mommy’s room.
Lin Zhao: “……”
Gu Chenghuai had the things Fourth Brother-in-law brought back placed on the table in the main house.
After the twins went in, they could see them at a glance.
“Wow, pink cotton skirt!!” Heng Bao’s slightly raised tone rang out.
Yu Bao also let out a wow, “There’s fuzz on it too, little sister will definitely like it.”
The clothes for his wife and children were made by Gu Chenghuai through a specialist.
—The tailor was a military wife, both she and her husband were from the rural area, both sides’ original families had great pressure, many children at home, hard days, but luckily that military wife knew clothing manufacturing and some embroidery, occasionally took in sewing to earn some ration for the family.
After learning from Gu Chenghuai what kind of person Lin Zhao was, she immediately pictured how to make the five sets of clothes, told her idea to Gu Chenghuai, got his agreement, and started making them.
The final products were naturally satisfactory.
Otherwise, Gu Commander wouldn’t have eagerly had Fourth Brother-in-law bring them back.
All these things were told to Lin Zhao by Meng Jiusi.
For example, the fuzz on her and Yao Bao’s clothes was rabbit fur personally hunted by Gu Chenghuai.
“My clothes have it too.” Lin Zhao said to the twins.
Yu Bao spread out his clothes and said, “Mine doesn’t.”
“Mine doesn’t either.” Heng Bao wouldn’t let a sentence drop, immediately chimed in, pouting his little mouth, and said, “Daddy is biased!”
“?”
Lin Zhao even wanted to confiscate his new clothes.
Yu Bao defended his biological father, “We two are towering men, what fuzz sewn on clothes, I don’t want it.”
Hearing this, Heng Bao chuckled, scratched his head, “Right oh.”
The attack was too swift!
But when he saw the fuzz on his younger brother’s clothes, he questioned, “Why does Qian Bao’s clothes have it too?!”
Yu Bao said dryly, “……Because Qian Bao is little.”
“No.” Jing Mo glanced at him, shattering his illusion, “Because there wasn’t enough rabbit fur, so you two don’t have it.”
Meng Jiusi came back holding the dragon-phoenix twins, and just at the door heard this, his steps paused slightly, and only after a moment did he steadily enter the room.
“Yu Bao, Heng Bao, if you two like fuzz, little uncle will give you some.”
He explained, “Your daddy didn’t hunt many rabbits, the rabbit fur was only enough for your mommy and younger brother and sister, he prepared something else for you two, look further down.”
A few words soothed the twins’ scattered hearts.
The two little brothers went to rummage through the luggage.
Then took out a wooden toy.
The two cubs looked closely, it was a wooden gun.
“Gun! It’s a gun!!” Heng Bao’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Right, wooden gun, your daddy made it for you personally.” Meng Jiusi said.
He had watched his brother-in-law make it with his own eyes.
No way, that guy made it in his family’s yard, a little each day, and after finishing, he mooched meals.
Heng Bao held the wooden gun in his right hand, shooting biubiu at the wall, simulating sounds with his mouth.
“I like this gift, Daddy is great.”
Lin Zhao pinched his face, gently pulling to both sides, “Worldly Gu Zhiheng, lacking a bit of rabbit fur from you, you say Daddy is biased, he prepares a separate gift for you, you say Daddy is great.”
“How are you such a realistic little friend?”
Heng Bao tilted up his little face, speaking eloquently, “It’s what Mommy said, to treat everyone equally.”
“Good, treat everyone equally, if there’s rabbit fur at home, I’ll sew it on your collar for you and your brother, want it?” Lin Zhao looked at him with a half-smile.
“No, no, I have a scarf, I don’t want that, little friends like that, I’m a big friend now!”
Heh.
Then you make a fuss.
Lin Zhao’s gaze shifted to Yu Bao’s face, Yu Bao shook his head, “I don’t want it either.”
He emphasized, “I didn’t want it in the first place!”
Yao Bao loved bright colors, saw that red skirt, hugged it and wouldn’t let go.
“I want it!!” She suddenly spoke up.
Lin Zhao looked at her, and saw the little milk dumpling trying to put the clothes on herself, a child not even to her knee, short arms and legs, struggling to wear it.
“Pfft……” Lin Zhao couldn’t help laughing.
“Yao Bao, you want to wear the new skirt?”
Yao Bao nodded her little head several times, in her milky voice, “Want to wear, wear……”
She gave the clothes to Lin Zhao, and consciously stretched out her two arms.
Lin Zhao was helpless, “You want to change now?”
This skirt was thick, slightly long, collar and cuffs fluffy, slanted placket, buttons were red bow ties, a bit like disc fasteners, besides this top, there was a bright red padded pants, very soft to the touch, tightened at the bottom, like little lanterns.
Just looking at the clothes, one could imagine how cute the little girl would be wearing it.
Yao Bao urged, “Want to change.”
While speaking, her arms stretched even wider.
Lin Zhao didn’t persuade more, “Alright then.”
She neatly changed Yao Bao into the cotton outfit her daddy had someone make.
This outfit really suited her, making the already delicate and pretty little girl even cuter.
“Good-looking, little sister looks good in this outfit.” Yu Bao was the first to praise.
He reached out to touch the fuzz at the collar, smiling as he teased his little sister, “Yao Bao, is the fuzz comfortable?”
“Mm-hmm.” Yao Bao clearly liked it, her mouth corners turning up.
Meng Jiusi said, “This outfit suits Yao Bao.”
The little girl was still suited to such tender colors, that black, gray, blue, men could wear them fine, but for girls, wearing them lacks vibrancy.
“It’s good-looking, but kids grow fast, by next year she probably won’t fit into this outfit.” Lin Zhao said.
“If she can’t fit, then can’t fit, buy new ones then.” Meng Jiusi said indifferently, “Just consider it supporting that military wife.”
He pinched the little tuft on Yao Bao’s head, his voice extremely gentle, “In the future, every year I’ll have someone make an outfit for Yao Bao.”
Heng Bao asked without holding back, “Little uncle, do we have ours?”
“Yes.” Meng Jiusi’s eyes were gentle.
He teased his nephew, “I wouldn’t dare not prepare for you, if I didn’t, I’d be that biased uncle!”
Hearing this, Heng Bao rarely felt embarrassed, his toes drawing circles on the ground.
Twisting his body, his tone wavy as he shouted, “Little uncle～～！！”
“Good good good, I won’t say it.” Meng Jiusi looked doting.
He looked at Lin Zhao, “Zhaozhao, how’s the packing going?”
“I’m almost done here.” Lin Zhao answered.
She asked the twins, “Yu Bao, Heng Bao, what about you two? Time to set off.”
“Right away right away, wait two minutes for us.” Yu Bao said quickly, pulling Heng Bao out of daddy and mommy’s room, back to their room to continue packing.
The two cubs didn’t dawdle anymore, packed very quickly.
Not long after, each dragged out a big bag.
Lin Zhao: “……”
What’s the difference from moving house?!
Noticing her gaze, Yu Bao felt very guilty, his eyes darting.
“Little uncle, how are we going back?” He pretended to be calm and asked Meng Jiusi proactively.
“By ox cart.” Meng Jiusi took Yu Bao’s bag, then picked up Heng Bao’s.
He said, “I arranged for the ox cart from the neighboring brigade, the grandpa driving it is waiting at the village entrance.”
Hearing there was an ox cart, the two little brothers immediately relaxed.
With an ox cart, bringing more stuff is fine.
“Have you ridden an ox cart before?” Meng Jiusi asked the two cubs.
“Yes.” Yu Bao said.
“You two hold your younger brother and sister and walk to the village entrance.” Meng Jiusi instructed the twins.
Yu Bao gave Heng Bao a look.
The two held their younger brother and sister and went out the door.
Da Huang carried Xiao Jin on his head, and Amber followed.
Heng Bao turned his head, “Mommy, Da Huang……?”
“Coming with us.” Lin Zhao said, “For the reunion dinner, of course we want as complete as possible.”
The careful Yu Bao asked, “Did we bring food for Da Huang and them?”
“……Brought it.” What a worrywart cub.
Yu Bao relaxed, called out to Da Huang and Amber in a light tone, and made a departure gesture.
The two dogs’ tails spun like crazy, and they rushed out.
The little golden monkey on Da Huang’s head almost got flung off.
Luckily, the little golden monkey’s body was flexible and steadied itself.
“Xiao Jin is awesome!!” Heng Bao thought Xiao Jin’s move just now was so cool and praised loudly.
The little golden monkey heard the sound, turned its head, eyes clear and lively.
“This monkey’s courage has grown.” Meng Jiusi said.
He looked at Lin Zhao, smiling as he praised, “Whatever you raise, you have a knack for it.”
Lin Zhao didn’t hold back, “Of course.”
“Auntie, when will Xiao Jin let me hold him?” Jing Mo looked at the little golden monkey that jumped onto Yu Bao’s shoulder, extremely envious.
“When we get home, feed it some, and it should be happy to let you hold it.”
Jing Mo’s eyes lit up, “Really? I fed it every day before, but it wouldn’t let me touch it.”
Only occasionally could he touch it.
“Really.” Lin Zhao said, “Xiao Jin used to have little courage, didn’t like strangers touching it. Now its courage is a bit bigger, if it’s in a good mood, it’ll agree if you want to hold it.”
“Great, I’ll feed it when I get back.” Jing Mo clenched his fists, hyping himself up.
“Don’t feed too much, Yu Bao and Heng Bao always secretly feed it, I see its weight is a bit overweight.” Lin Zhao reminded.
Jing Mo agreed.
The group arrived at the village entrance, the ox cart from the neighboring brigade was parked there, and Lao Zhuangtou who drove it was there too.
He was speaking to the twins with a face full of affection.
Meng Jiusi looked apologetic, “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No problem.” Lao Zhuangtou waved his hand a few times, “It’s only right.”
He looked toward Lin Zhao, eyes grateful, “Thanks to Comrade Lin, our brigade earned quite a bit from selling mushrooms, everyone can have a bountiful New Year.”
Lin Zhao was slightly stunned.
How was there something about her?
“I didn’t do anything, it’s your diligence and steadfastness……that let you live good days.” She said earnestly.
“No no no, you started it, your dad told us all. You’re a good comrade, accomplished yourself and didn’t forget the villagers, our brigade’s members all say they want to thank you.” Lao Zhuangtou said.
The “dad” here referred to Gu Fu.
Lao Zhuangtou proactively helped, put Lin Zhao’s things properly, and helped Yu Bao, Heng Bao, Jing Mo, and Guang Bai sit down.
“Thank you, Grandpa Zhuang.” The children thanked politely.
Lao Zhuangtou grinned from ear to ear, “Good kids.”
Too bad he had no candy in his pocket, otherwise he’d want to give each doll a few pieces.
Seeing the children sit down, Lao Zhuangtou said again, “The ox cart was just washed, the straw laid is all clean, won’t dirty your clothes.”
Lin Zhao: “Thank you for the trouble.”
“No trouble, no trouble.” Lao Zhuangtou chuckled.
“Heard I was picking you and your family’s four children, the villagers washed it proactively, even the straw was laid by them at dawn, no one forgot your kindness.”
