Chapter 261: “the Difference Between One And Many”
“I said, it’s your own efforts, it has little to do with me.” Lin Zhao’s tone was flat.
Lao Zhuangtou didn’t mind, he knew Comrade Lin was a good person, and all the brigades in the commune thought so too.
Pride flashed in Meng Jiusi’s eyes, and he looked at him apologetically, “My sister is a bit shy.”
“No big deal, Comrade Lin is from the city, not used to the way things are done in the village, understandable.” Lao Zhuangtou waved his hand.
Lin Zhao: Ha?
What was he saying?!
She really didn’t think she had much credit. The mushroom planting technology was hard-earned through practice by Gu Fu, she only provided a paper guide, it didn’t count for much.
What Grandpa Zhuang said, about owing her a debt of gratitude? That was too exaggerated!
Meng Jiusi helped Lin Zhao onto the ox cart and sat up himself.
They chatted idly with Lao Zhuangtou.
“Uncle Zhuang, have you prepared all your New Year goods at home?”
Lao Zhuangtou looked back, saw everyone on the ox cart was seated steadily, cracked the whip with a snap in the air.
The ox hooves left the spot.
He replied to Meng Jiusi, “Prepared them, all prepared!”
“With some spare money at home, every household has bought meat!”
Lao Zhuangtou’s old face was full of smiles.
“It’s New Year, my family has meat too.” Heng Bao scooted forward, initiating conversation.
“Right, New Year means everyone gets meat. After a hard year, adults need to treat themselves, and the kids need to taste meat too.” Lao Zhuangtou agreed.
“Little friends all like meat.” Heng Bao said something obvious before getting to the real point.
“Grandpa Zhuang, is it hard to drive the ox cart?”
Lao Zhuangtou turned to look at him, his kind old face creasing with smiles.
“What? You want to learn?”
Heng Bao didn’t expect his intention to be seen through so quickly, and laughed awkwardly.
He stretched out his hand, putting his thumb and pinky together, giggling, “A little bit.”
“No can do even if you want to.” Lao Zhuangtou shook his head refusing him, afraid the child would be upset, and explained: “You’re too small, can’t learn yet. Wait a few more years, if you still want to learn, I’ll teach you.”
Heng Bao looked at the white hair on his head, and after a good while, said: “Then eat well and drink well, stay healthy, and wait for me to come find you.”
No wonder Heng Bao said that, after the weather turned cold, Fengshou Brigade had an elderly person pass away, the twins understood for the first time that old people would leave.
Because of this, Yu Baoheng Bao and Li Bao huddled together and quietly cried once.
Those few days they were especially clingy to their grandparents.
Lao Zhuangtou didn’t know about this, only feeling warmth in his heart.
“Good, I’ll eat well and drink well, stay healthy waiting for you to grow up… and come find me to learn driving the ox cart.”
Heng Bao beamed with joy, “Then we have a deal.”
“Deal.” Lao Zhuangtou indulged him too.
Such a clean-looking, outgoing and generous, polite child, no one could dislike.
Heng Bao was full of curiosity about the ox cart, and as he talked, he scooted to sit beside Lao Zhuangtou, side by side.
“Grandpa Zhuang, is driving an ox cart the same as driving a car?”
Lao Zhuangtou: How would he know?
But he figured it should be the same reason?!
“…Grandpa doesn’t know this, wait till you grow up, learn to drive the ox cart, then learn to drive a car, and you’ll know if they’re the same.”
Heng Bao thought Grandpa Zhuang made sense, and said: “Mm-hmm, when I find out, I’ll tell you.”
Hearing him use “you” one after another, Lin Zhao said to Yu Bao obediently sitting beside her: “Bao, when talking to someone as old as your grandpa, you can’t say ‘you’ like that, you have to say ‘you’ formally, saying ‘you’ like that is impolite, when we get off the cart, repeat what I said to Heng Bao, got it?”
“Got it.” Yu Bao nodded obediently.
“Just like giving things to grandpa with both hands, right?” He looked at mama seeking praise.
“Right.” Lin Zhao praised him as Da Zai wished, “Good memory, good habits should be cultivated from young, Yu Bao you did very well.”
Yu Bao smiled happily, eyes curving, imitating mama’s tone softly: “I’ll supervise little brother and little sister, make them polite little friends too.”
“I believe you.” Lin Zhao put one arm around his shoulders, casually ruffling his hair.
Jing Mo and the others on the cart looked thoughtful, and took it to heart.
Meng Jiusi watched his sister teach the children, pride appearing in his dark eyes with a smile.
Zhaozhao teaches the children really well.
Noticing Meng Jiusi’s gaze drifting over, Lin Zhao looked back, “What’s up?”
“You teach the children very well.” Meng Jiusi gave praise.
That expression, like looking at some parenting expert.
Lin Zhao was silent for a moment.
“I don’t have much parenting experience, however my parents taught me, that’s how I teach them.”
Meng Jiusi was slightly stunned.
Did dad and mom teach Zhaozhao and them the same way?
Somehow, scenes flashed in his mind, and suddenly he felt that with such open-minded parents, big brother, second brother, third brother and Zhaozhao’s childhoods must have been good.
A bit envious, a bit regretful.
“Really good.”
Lin Zhao sensed her little brother’s emotions surging, and changed the topic, “Little brother, who’s making our family’s New Year’s Eve dinner this year?”
“Dad said he’ll do it.” Meng Jiusi thought of how dad and mom cared for him too, the regret in his heart gradually faded, leaving only joy.
“Dad also said he’ll make what we like.” He added.
Lin Zhao was very expectant, “It’s been a long time since I ate dad’s cooking, I really miss it, tonight I’ll definitely eat a few more bites.”
Before New Year the supply and marketing cooperative was so busy she had no time to go back to her maternal family!
“Eat boldly, I prepared digestive aids.” Meng Jiusi said.
“I forgot to ask, how’s your work, little brother?” Lin Zhao asked caringly.
As soon as she asked, she remembered Meng Jiusi worked at the military region hospital, work should be confidential.
She quickly added: “I forgot your work changed, pretend I didn’t say anything.”
Meng Jiusi was amused, “It’s not that you can’t mention anything at all.”
“I’m doing pretty well, more comfortable than previous jobs. The troops are very quiet, I adapted quickly, no need to worry.”
He volunteered: “My education is decent, medical skills passable, salary quite good, rewards for new drugs too. The place I live isn’t far from the hospital, troops have a school, Jing Mo and Guang Bai go to school conveniently, there’s a supply and marketing cooperative too, can buy basic things…”
To buy rare stuff, have to take the cart to the city.
Like the cowhide soft fur cotton shoes he got for the four kids, snatched up in the city.
Meng Jiusi told Lin Zhao in more detail the things he had written in letters to his sister.
After all, Zhaozhao would eventually accompany the army too.
Jing Mo and Guang Bai chimed in from time to time, telling many interesting things.
Talking animatedly later, Heng Bao who was chatting with Lao Zhuangtou couldn’t sit still and scooted back.
From time to time asking about his dad and Mao Dan’er.
Hearing Jing Mo say the troops had retired military dogs, the twins’ pupils widened.
“You’ve seen them?” Yu Bao asked Jing Mo.
“Seen them.” Jing Mo said calmly.
“Xiao Bai and I want to adopt one, but my dad’s work is too busy, can’t keep it for now.” Disappointment overflowed in his words.
Meng Jiusi patted his son’s shoulder, comforting: “There’ll be a chance to adopt one for you later.”
He had concerns, “Adopting a military dog isn’t simple, if adopting them, must be fully prepared, it’s a life, a life entrusted to us humans for life and death, can’t decide lightly.”
“My work and your great-grandpa’s are busy, you and Xiao Bai are in school, our family rarely even lights a fire, how to keep a dog?”
Meng Jiusi listed the difficulties of keeping a dog one by one to his two sons.
Xiao Bai pointed at Da Huang and Amber freely running alongside the ox cart, no need to say anything, Meng Jiusi could guess what he meant.
Meng Jiusi helplessly said: “If your aunt and them are busy, Gu Family people take care of Da Huang and Amber.”
Their family’s roots in the troops weren’t deep, when he and grandpa were busy, even Xiao Bai had no one to watch, let alone a dog.
Xiao Bai lowered his eyes, “Oh.”
Could only hug the little golden monkey tightly, drawing warmth from it.
He really wanted a little companion too.
Yu Bao patted Xiao Bai’s head, comforting his little cousin, “When we go accompany the army too, you can keep one. If you’re busy, Heng Bao and I can help.”
Xiao Bai lifted his head, dark eyes bright.
Knowing dog matters need asking parents, he looked at Lin Zhao.
Jing Mo pretended calm, but couldn’t help looking at his close aunt.
Lin Zhao nodded, “Sure, then you two can each keep one.”
Getting a definite answer, Jing Mo and Guang Bai both got happy.
The brothers shoulder to shoulder, discussing which hero dog to keep.
Heng Bao grabbed Lin Zhao’s arm.
As soon as he did, Lin Zhao guessed Er Zai wanted to make a request again.
“What mischief now? Little friend Gu Zhiheng.”
Heng Bao giggled, “Mama, can we keep another military dog?”
Lin Zhao knew early on, keeping pets is the difference between one and N.
Family members would surely increase.
“Sure.” She said, “One sheep is herded, a flock is herded too.”
Moreover, she had a good impression of dogs that had made contributions, willing to “provide elder care” for these cute heroes.
“Yay!!” Heng Bao was so happy he wanted to stand up, the ox cart jolted, his body tilted to the side, Meng Jiusi quickly steadied him.
“Slow down.”
Heng Bao scratched his head, “I was too happy.”
Meng Jiusi didn’t approve, “Happy doesn’t mean ignoring your safety, your mama has it hard enough alone with you four, less worry for her.”
Heng Bao took it to heart, sat properly, hand gripping the handrail.
He smiled at his little uncle, making excuses for himself: “Uncle’s here though.”
Meng Jiusi’s expression relaxed, “I know you’re sensible.”
All the way chatting and laughing, even the bumps could be ignored.
The ox cart entered Dongfeng Brigade.
Meng Jiusi gave directions, Lao Zhuangtou drove straight to Lin Family’s door.
At this time, every household was busy pasting couplets, the village full of lively New Year atmosphere everywhere, children running and jumping, laughter rising and falling.
“Zhaozhao, bringing the kids back to maternal family for New Year?” Neighbor aunt greeted from afar.
Lin Zhao carried Qian Bao and Yao Bao off the ox cart, worried their legs were numb, massaged them.
Hearing the question, she looked up and smiled: “Yeah, my little brother’s first year back home for New Year, we’ll have a reunion dinner.”
“Indeed should, pity Shifan didn’t come back.” Neighbor aunt felt sorry for Lin Family.
This was Lin Family’s rare reunion dinner in decades.
“Your man didn’t come back either?”
Lin Zhao smiled, “Wearing that uniform, body not his own, can’t come back.”
“You have it hard too.” Neighbor sighed.
Villagers saw Da Huang and Amber so majestic, looking chubby, curiously crowding close to look.
“These two dogs are raised so well, how do you feed them?”
“The little one grew so fast, how long since we saw it, shot up this tall! Wow, look at its little appearance, smarter than the big dog.”
“What’s moving in Yu Bao’s bosom, a feather duster come alive?”
A crowd surrounded the ox cart, chattering, exclaiming in wonder.
Lin Heling and Song Xiwei heard movement outside, the couple came out.
Song Xiwei gave a flat sweep of her gaze, the originally noisy crowd quieted a bit, villagers embarrassed to linger, quickly dispersed.
Lin Zhao gave her mom a thumbs up, “Mom, still you, impressive.”
A bit of smile appeared in Song Xiwei’s eyes, she gave her a reproachful glance, took Qian Bao and Yao Bao.
Yao Bao eagerly showed off her new clothes to grandma, little voice crisp and loud, “Grandma, look!”
That expression, desire for praise undisguised.
“Good-looking, Yao Bao looks really good in this.” Song Xiwei went along with her granddaughter, but didn’t forget Qian Bao, “Qian Bao looks spirited too.”
Qian Bao’s little expression calm.
Lin Heling didn’t stand idle, took Qian Bao, talked with Lao Zhuangtou.
Da Dan and the others were pasting window flowers inside, heard the movement and came out to greet aunt, saw things on the ox cart, helped carry them home.
Soon, the ox cart was empty.
Lao Zhuangtou had things at home too, didn’t linger, prepared to take leave.
Lin Family didn’t insist on keeping him. Lin Shisheng ignored his refusal, stuffed the gift of gratitude to him, turned and ran home.
“It’s a gift of gratitude, not pulling connections or bribing you, what’s not to accept.” Lin Shisheng said while running, “Uncle, careful on the way back, I won’t see you off.”
Words said, person already ran into the yard.
Lao Zhuangtou couldn’t refuse, had to drive away.
Back home, opened the gift from Lin Family, found it was a pack of fried balls.
He sighed, Lin Family people are really generous.
In Lin Family main house, warmth filled the room.
Lin Zhao felt her legs cold, unceremoniously got on the kang, hands holding a hot enamel mug, leaning comfortably, as free as can be.
This kang was originally made for the frail Lin Heling back then, burned as soon as weather turned cold each year, hot now too.
Meng Jiusi was slightly stunned, clearly didn’t expect his sister to be this relaxed at her parents’ place.
“Really warm.” Lin Zhao sighed contentedly.
At maternal family, she was a child herself, no need for her to watch kids, Da Dan and them helped take good care of them.
“Little aunt, want a thermos?” Xi Bao came over, considerately asked.
“No need. I’m a bit hungry, anything to eat?”
Xuanxuan immediately chimed in: “Yes! Grandpa just fried balls, want some?”
“Get me a few.” Lin Zhao said unceremoniously.
“Little aunt wait, I’ll get them.” The little girl went out.
Song Xiwei saw Lin Zhao sitting without decorum, didn’t say anything, just said: “If legs and feet cold, soak them in herbal water.”
“It’s okay, my body’s fine.” Lin Zhao said beaming, “Just sat on the cart without moving, got winded, a bit chilly.”
Meng Jiusi stepped forward, gripped his sister’s wrist and carefully took her pulse.
Indeed no issues.
Not exaggerating, Zhaozhao’s body was sturdier than many people’s.
“Body’s good.”
Lin Shisheng interjected: “Zhaozhao’s been healthy since little, never even caught a cold, she cherishes her life, yells early if a bit unwell.”
Lin Zhao righteously, “If sick, must treat promptly, concealing illness and avoiding treatment won’t do.”
Meng Jiusi agreed with this.
However—
“It’s New Year’s, no talking this…” He gave his sister a red shrimp crisp candy, “Eat a candy to sweeten your mouth.”
Lin Zhao really liked red shrimp crisp candy, thought it better than big white rabbit.
She also felt the previous topic inauspicious, happily took it, popped it in her mouth, mumbling: “You eat too, New Year eat candy, sweet sweetness all year.”
