Chapter 287: “no Idea What They’re Hyped About”
“Not bad, even better than what Elder Brother and Second Brother make.” Lin Zhao was very supportive, her words of praise nonstop.
Meng Jiusi felt even better.
“Eat quickly, you must all be hungry.”
The topic of the bitterness meal was skipped over, and the happiest was Heng Bao. He pinched his little mouth, and his whole person became much more restrained.
Lin Zhao saw through his little thoughts, leaned her body toward Gu Chenghuai, and said softly, “Look at your second son, he hasn’t made a sound for half a day! Afraid I’ll make him eat a bitterness meal!”
Gu Chenghuai was especially willing to spend on his wife but frugal with himself. He had never bought a meal on the train, always eating his own dry rations, but at least he had seen the train meals, which looked pretty good. Even such good meals were “despised,” showing that this little sapling Heng Bao wasn’t growing straight and needed some pruning.
“No escaping it!” he said flatly. “When I’m on leave, I’ll take both of them to dig wild vegetables, eat a few meals of vegetable dumplings… then they’ll know how good the days are now.”
“Where to dig wild vegetables? Does the military region have them?” Lin Zhao’s eyes sparkled.
Gu Chenghuai stuffed chopsticks into her hand. “There are plenty of places to dig. If you’re curious, come along too.”
“Okay.” Lin Zhao was very interested.
“Tomorrow I’ll take you all around, and add whatever things need adding.” Gu Chenghuai said thoughtfully.
“What else to add? I think home has everything it needs.” Lin Zhao said, holding her chopsticks.
“Sun hats, you and the two kids all need them. What if you get sunburned?” Gu Chenghuai said whatever came to mind, adding everything he could think of, though surely there were things he hadn’t thought of.
“Oh right, I almost forgot if you didn’t say. Yes, we need to get them.” Lin Zhao was very vain about her looks and took her face very seriously; she’d wail if sunburned.
“Alright, tomorrow we’ll go shopping. We haven’t been to the supply and marketing cooperative here anyway.”
Gu Chenghuai picked up a chopstickful of stir-fried pork with chili that his wife loved and said gently, “The troops have a supply and marketing cooperative too, which you can go to anytime. Tomorrow we’ll go to the one in the city first, okay?”
The things outside were more complete than inside.
“Okay.” Lin Zhao agreed.
“No more talking, eat.” Gu Chenghuai’s attention was all on his wife. Whenever she took a few bites of a dish, he’d automatically pick more for her, serving her very attentively.
Meng Jiusi watched in admiration.
With a sigh, he looked after the children.
Old Master Meng looked at his grandson, eyes excited. “Envious? If you are, I’ll find someone to arrange a match for you?”
Meng Jiusi looked at him. “I don’t have time.”
“How no time!” Old Master Meng moved his stool closer to his grandson. “No matter how busy, can you not even have time to meet a girl? Who’re you fooling? You have a good job, and you’re top-notch looking; it’s no good staying single forever.”
“Staying single is pretty good.” Meng Jiusi didn’t engage.
Old Master Meng brought out the ultimate weapon. “Your parents haven’t nagged you?”
“No!” Meng Jiusi smiled. “My parents said it’s up to me, and I… go with fate.”
“Go with fate, go with fate, go with fate… You stay home all day or at the hospital; where’s the fate coming from? Dropped from the sky?” Old Master Meng scolded.
“While Jing Mo and Guang Bai are still young, hurry up and build a complete family. Not only will someone care for the kids, but when you get off work, there’ll be someone to leave a light on for you…”
Meng Jiusi was unmoved. “There’s already someone leaving a light on for me. You do it, and my two sons do too.”
He looked at his grandfather who raised him, amused and helpless. “I don’t lack that one light.”
“…” Old Master Meng had a bellyful of persuasion, but it was all blocked by him.
Everyone was amused to anger.
“Grandpa, didn’t you say before you wouldn’t nag? Why suddenly start now? Who approached you?” Meng Jiusi knew exactly what was up.
Old Master Meng’s old eyes flickered, and he said stubbornly, “I’m just an old man; who would approach me! I see you all alone and lonely, and it pains me.”
Indeed, someone had approached him to arrange a match for Jiusi. He’d met a few girls, all very nice, and wanted his grandson to meet them. His grandson was capable, good at everything inside and out, but… seeing Jiusi with no one around who knew cold from hot, busy with work and then home too, it pained him.
Meng Jiusi continued, “I don’t feel lonely. I like this lifestyle; it’s fulfilling, peaceful, and enjoyable.”
He said it casually, but his expression was extremely serious.
Old Master Meng was silent for a few breaths, then asked again, “… Really don’t want to meet?”
“Don’t!” Meng Jiusi answered decisively.
A sigh rose.
“Alright, Grandpa will turn them all down.” Old Master Meng’s face was full of regret. He’d met that girl; she had a gentle temperament, was educated, her family was very approachable, and she had a good impression of Jiusi too. Such a pity.
“If you suddenly change your mind, don’t forget to tell Grandpa!”
Even if he had to set aside this old face, he’d fight for it again.
That girl was really good, very compatible with Jiusi. Otherwise, Old Master Meng wouldn’t be so conflicted, trying every way to get the two kids to meet.
Such a pity.
No fate, no way around it.
“…Okay.” Meng Jiusi agreed.
Jing Mo heard the conversation between his great-grandfather and dad. The youth’s expression didn’t change, very calm. He picked food for his younger brother, then for Yu Bao and Heng Bao, his brows and eyes serene and composed.
Lin Zhao was puzzled, lightly biting her chopsticks with her lips, eyes curious. “Why isn’t Momo talking?”
“Talk about what?” The boy named after medicinal herbs looked over in surprise.
“What your great-grandfather said…” Lin Zhao said halfway.
Jing Mo wiped his mouth, smiled slightly. “I have no opinion; as long as Dad is happy.”
His gaze full of affection toward Meng Jiusi, the little youth’s smile exceptionally bright. “Whether my dad remarries or not, my brother and I will always be his most loved sons. That won’t change. I trust my dad.”
After saying that, he looked at Lin Zhao. “Even if Dad doesn’t care for us, it’s fine. Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt will. My brother and I aren’t afraid of anything.”
This was the confidence Jing Mo had only recently built.
It took just a short year.
His previous unease, panic, fear… all dissipated.
Because he had someone to rely on now, Jing Mo no longer saw Meng Jiusi as his only lifeline. He started thinking from his dad’s perspective and gradually realized—Dad should have his own life too, not just revolve around him and his brother.
Xiao Bai was young but sensible, knew good from bad, and chimed in: “Trust Dad. Xiao Bai trusts Dad. Dad loves Xiao Bai, and Xiao Bai loves Dad. Support Dad…”
“Support Little Uncle!!” Heng Bao swallowed the meat in his mouth, raised his right arm high, and shouted to join in the fun.
“I support too.” Yu Bao clenched his little fist, giving his little uncle an encouraging thumbs-up expression.
“Then… I support too.” The freeloading Mao Dan’er felt it odd not to say something, so he chimed in without knowing what the fuss was about.
Not knowing what these people were fired up about… φ(ω*)`
Lin Zhao ignored the extra statements from the little friend and looked approvingly at Jing Mo and Guang Bai. “Momo and Xiao Bai are so smart and sensible! You’re right to think that way; it’s great. Clearer than many adults. No wonder you’re my own nephews; I must reward you two. What do you want?”
Momo’s steady little appearance crumbled, his tender little face flushed hot and spicy. “I, I don’t want anything.”
Evidently, he was made hot all over by his close aunt’s enthusiastic straightforwardness.
“No need to be polite with me; it’s a reward for you two being sensible. Anything you want!” Lin Zhao decisively decided. “How about this: tomorrow you and Xiao Bai go to the supply and marketing cooperative too. Get whatever you like!”
“Okay?” She looked to Gu Chenghuai for approval.
Not knowing how the military region’s transportation worked?
“Sure.” Gu Chenghuai had no objection.
He was also quite shocked by Jing Mo and Guang Bai’s reactions.
Zhaozhao was right; many adults weren’t as good as these two kids.
There were plenty of gossips in the military region compound, and no shortage of busybodies whispering in the two children’s ears: “If your dad marries, he won’t care for you anymore,” “With a stepmom comes a stepdad,” “Heard your dad’s close with xxx; soon you’ll be sent away…”
Jing Mo wasn’t swayed and could say such things—much sharper than ordinary kids!
Worth rewarding.
“We’ll all go.” Gu Chenghuai said.
Jing Mo didn’t refuse again and happily said, “Okay, thank you Little Aunt and Little Uncle.”
After the meal, the family sat in the yard chatting for a bit before Lin Zhao’s family of four left.
Mao Dan’er glanced at Lin Zhao and Gu Chenghuai again and again. Just before parting, he couldn’t hold back and hesitantly spoke up. “Aunt Lin, can Yu Bao and Heng Bao stay over at my house?”
He had finally waited for his twin little playmates, and one afternoon wasn’t enough to play.
Lin Zhao was slightly stunned, then smiled with crinkled eyes. “You’ve been agonizing over this all afternoon? What’s to agonize? Sure, I don’t mind, as long as Yu Bao and Heng Bao are willing.”
“I’m willing!” Heng Bao had never stayed over at a little friend’s house before. Hearing Mao Dan’er say he had his own room on the second floor made him very curious.
“Me too!” Yu Bao shook Mao Dan’er’s hand a few times, his little face excitedly flushed.
The three little friends looked over expectantly.
Lin Zhao spoke. “Alright, let’s take you over.”
The little kids were thrilled, holding hands as they walked ahead, bouncing and jumping, their backs radiating joy.
Passing a five-story building, Mao Dan’er quickened his pace a bit.
“… Hurry past here; the pest you two don’t like is here! If he sees us, he’ll stick to us again!”
He never spoke ill of people; even with those he disliked, he at most ignored them. Lu Baozhen was the first little girl to make Mao Dan’er feel he couldn’t be too light or too heavy with her. After being harassed a lot, his indifferent impression of that little girl turned to pure annoyance.
Yu Bao followed Mao Dan’er’s pace and guessed who he meant.
“Lu Baozhen lives here?”
“Mm.” Mao Dan’er hummed. “Her family’s on the fourth floor.”
“Higher than Great Uncle’s house.” Heng Bao tried hard to crane his little head up.
“Heng Bao, hurry! What if Lu Baozhen sees… and pesters us again!” Yu Bao’s little brows furrowed tight.
In Yu Bao’s small heart, all the world’s girls fell into three categories—one represented by his mom: pretty, good-tempered, highly educated, great cooking skills… almost no flaws; another was all others, various kinds; the last was ones like Lu Baozhen: clingy, crybaby, tattletale, unhygienic, annoying like a butt sticker.
The last category, he wanted no part of!
Reminded by his brother, Heng Bao reacted and ran like he had wind-fire wheels on his feet. “Right right, hurry! Careful Lu Baozhen bites again!”
“…” Lin Zhao watched the three little boys dash off like smoke, her mouth twitching. “This is… once bitten by a snake, afraid of ropes for ten years, huh.”
“How not?” Gu Chenghuai shrugged.
After commenting, he narrowed his deep black eyes. “Scared by a little girl, no backbone. Fist skills learned in vain; needs extra training.”
Lin Zhao elbowed him. “The boys are still so young; don’t always think of messing with them.”
“They’re my own sons; I know the measure.” Gu Chenghuai didn’t admit it.
“Normal training’s fine; abusing power for private ends, no.” Lin Zhao gave him a look.
“Definitely.”
Arriving at the Ning Family, after visiting Ning Lao Tai, Lin Zhao and Gu Chenghuai didn’t stay long, instructing the twins to behave before the couple returned home.
By now the sun had fully set, sky darkening. Lights were on in the family courtyard homes, not very bright. Not many adults out strolling, but groups of small children running around everywhere, like a gust of wind; spotting Gu Chenghuai, they’d scamper off.
“No one watching these kids?” Lin Zhao withdrew her gaze.
“Military region’s safe; adults are at ease. Come time, they’ll go home.” Gu Chenghuai explained unhurriedly.
“Pretty good.” Lin Zhao said. “Unlike the village, where if a child’s late back, adults search the whole village, afraid something happened.”
There were goods and bads; like how quite a few kids couldn’t fit in. Where there were people, there were conflicts; nothing perfect.
Gu Chenghuai didn’t say this for now.
His wife was smart; she’d figure it out in a few days.
Back home, Lin Zhao plopped onto the double sofa next to the wardrobe, stretching lazily. “Finally completely resting. Tonight no need to watch Yu Bao and Heng Bao’s every move; can sleep soundly!!”
Gu Chenghuai leaned against the doorframe, eyes smiling as he watched his wife.
“Want to soak your feet?”
Lin Zhao sat up a bit straighter and immediately said, “Yes!”
“I’ll get the water.” Gu Chenghuai responded and headed to the yard.
Watching the man’s sturdy back through the window, Lin Zhao hugged the cushion, eyes bending into crescent moons.
Visiting relatives is great!
After being served a foot soak, Lin Zhao comfortably got into bed, rolling around freely a few times to find a comfy position.
“You not sleeping?”
Gu Chenghuai didn’t answer, just said, “You sleep first; I have some things to handle.”
Lin Zhao assumed it was confidential business and didn’t ask more. “Alright, I’ll sleep then. You too, soon.”
“Okay.”
Weather warming, mosquitoes inevitable in the room. Gu Chenghuai lit mosquito repellent herbs, and once his wife was asleep, quietly left.
By moonlight, his figure soon faded into the distance.
…
Gu Chenghuai bumped into Meng Jiusi at the communications room door and was slightly taken aback.
“So late, why’s Fourth Brother here?” he asked.
Meng Jiusi stepped up the stairs, tone flat. “Whatever reason you’re here for, that’s mine.”
“Truly in sync.” Gu Chenghuai smiled.
Meng Jiusi didn’t comment.
His sister’s injury couldn’t be in vain, and… human traffickers deserved death, didn’t they?
Inside the communications room, he sent a letter, thought a moment, then sent an urgent telegram.
