Chapter 306: “golden Rice Bowl”
The family returned home. Gu Chenghuai took Heng Bao back to the children’s room. “Yu Bao, your younger brother can’t move his foot for now. During the time he’s recovering, let him sleep on the lower bunk, okay?”
With Lin Zhao as a mother who respected the children’s wishes, he as a father wasn’t domineering either. He always consulted his son’s thoughts on everything.
Yu Bao picked up the small blanket pressed under the pillow and placed it at the foot of the bed. Hearing his father’s words, he responded loudly, “Sure, that’s fine with me. I’ll take care of younger brother at night too.”
Gu Chenghuai ruffled his son’s head. “Such a capable kid.”
The little friend puffed out his small chest, eager to show off even more. “Heng Bao, do you want some water?”
“Yes!” Heng Bao, with his injured leg, became the center of the family’s attention. Looking at his father, mother, and older brother circling around him, his eyes sparkled with joy. “I want red date water!”
The red date water he mentioned… was red date tea brewed by Chef Han that had been sent over. Seeing that Lin Zhao and the twins liked it, old Han had someone deliver plenty more.
“I’ll go brew it for you!” Yu Bao said.
Lin Zhao called out, “Slow down, be careful not to scald yourself.”
“Okay.” Yu Bao drew out his tone in response.
Heng Bao on the bed turned his little face toward Lin Zhao and whined coquettishly, “Mom, tell me a story. I want to hear one.”
He was an energetic cub with endless energy all day. Suddenly being confined to the bed, unable to go anywhere, he felt uncomfortable all over, with even his bones itching.
Lin Zhao gave Heng Bao a glance, seeing her son’s slightly pale little face. She sighed softly, picked up a storybook, and sat on the stool by the bed.
“You’re bossing me around now, you little rascal. I’ll tell you one now, and when you’re better, you’ll tell me one. Fair and reasonable, right?”
Heng Bao leaned against the small pillow, straightened his little body slightly, and patted his chest gentlemanly. “Sure, when I’m better, I’ll tell Mom stories for a whole month.”
“Only a month?” Lin Zhao flipped open the pages, her lips curving slightly as she teased him with a smile. “What if I want to hear them for a year?”
“Then a year it is.” Heng Bao said without thinking. “Who asked you to be my mom? Mom can make any request.”
Tsk tsk, a sweet-talking little friend sure knew how to say nice things.
“Deal then, don’t go running off everywhere once you’re better.” Lin Zhao pinched Heng Bao’s nose tip indulgently.
“No running, I won’t go anywhere.” Heng Bao grinned brightly. “Mom, start telling it quick.”
“Wait for your brother.” Lin Zhao said.
The little patient had no objections. Seeing his brother enter the room, he waved eagerly, his tone cheerful. “Bro, hurry up. Mom’s about to start the story!”
“Coming!” Yu Bao beamed, placed the brewed red date water nearby, and sat on the small stool next to Lin Zhao.
Seeing this, Heng Bao frowned and urged, “Bro, come up on the bed.”
Yu Bao shook his head solemnly. “No can do. I’m afraid I’ll kick your leg. Once you’re better, we can share a bed again.”
Heng Bao wanted to say more, but Lin Zhao covered his chatty little mouth. “Listen to your brother. For now, we’ll each sleep in our own bed.”
Yu Bao nodded and said to his younger brother, “Heng Bao, listen to Mom. I don’t want you to become lame.”
Hearing this, Heng Bao reluctantly agreed, “Okay then.” Then he added, “I don’t want to become lame either. I still want to drive a big car. If my foot doesn’t work right, I can’t drive a big car!”
Lin Zhao: “…”
Er Zai’s dream was more solid than cement.
Other little friends could change dreams a hundred or eighty times in a year, but he always remembered his original dream. Truly a determined little friend.
“If you don’t want to listen to the story, lie down and sleep for a bit?” Lin Zhao looked at Heng Bao.
“I’ll listen, I will.” Afraid his mom would change her mind, Heng Bao covered his mouth and quickly agreed, instantly tossing the big car topic to the back of his mind.
Lin Zhao softly told the story to her two sons.
During the telling, she thought of her younger son.
Did Qian Bao miss her?
At home, she had told bedtime stories to the dragon-phoenix twins almost every day. She’d been away for half a month now. She wondered if Qian Bao and Yao Bao were still used to it!?
In Fengshou Brigade, the dragon-phoenix twins were used to sleeping with their grandparents. They went to bed early and got up early every day, never short on food or clothes. They just occasionally went to the field with Gu Fu and Gu Mu, and their fair tender skin had tanned two shades darker.
A bit darker, but the field offered plenty of space to run around in. Their bodies had grown much sturdier, and the little siblings had even grown taller!
When Gu Fu and Gu Mu were busy, the two cubs followed Bang Bang and the others, playing at everything. The time they thought of Mom and older brother was left only for bedtime.
At first, they would cry. Gradually, they realized crying wouldn’t bring back Mom and older brother, so they stopped.
They adapted very well.
In the children’s room, Lin Zhao was telling a story to the twins when a loud, vigorous voice full of vitality came from outside the gate.
Hearing the voice, Gu Chenghuai went over and opened the yard door.
Outside was a young soldier in a green military uniform.
“Gu Commander!” He stood straight and saluted Gu Chenghuai. “You have a telephone call.”
Gu Chenghuai said, “Got it. I’ll tell the family.”
He nodded to the messenger soldier, turned and entered the yard, went to his two sons’ room, and said he was going out to take the call and would be back soon.
“What’s the matter? Should I come with you?” Lin Zhao worried it might be a call from hometown.
“No need.” Gu Chenghuai shook his head, guessing, “It should be about Xiao Shitou’s coach.”
“Then go quick. If it’s confirmed… send a telegram to Eldest Sister. Don’t delay Xiao Shitou’s major life event.” Lin Zhao reminded.
“Mm.” Gu Chenghuai acknowledged and left.
Once he left, Lin Zhao met two identical puzzled little faces.
“Xiao Shitou? My Shi Tou Di?” The quick-mouthed Heng Bao asked first. “What’s Shi Tou Di’s major life event?! A blind date?!”
“…” Lin Zhao choked, her gaze helpless. “Blind date what? Xiao Shitou is only a few years old, not even as big as you. What kind of blind date? All you do is talk nonsense.”
Yu Bao had also thought of blind dates. Hearing his mom’s words, his little face flushed hot. He said softly, “Isn’t there a childhood engagement?”
Lin Zhao was momentarily speechless.
Couldn’t argue with that, really couldn’t.
“…Not a blind date, and not a childhood engagement!”
Curiosity deepened in Heng Bao’s eyes. “Then what is it?”
Afraid Lin Zhao would say kids shouldn’t meddle, he quickly added, “Shi Tou Di is our younger brother, same as Qian Bao. It’s normal for us to ask about his matters, right?”
Those clever black eyes spun around, full of “You can’t say not to ask random stuff anymore.”
“…Normal.” Lin Zhao laughed helplessly, her brows and eyes full of endless indulgence.
“Xiao Shitou’s major life event has nothing to do with the blind dates you two are imagining. It’s about… him possibly going with a professional ping pong coach to learn.”
Yu Bao seized the key point. “Where is the ping pong coach? If he learns with the coach, when Xiao Shitou grows up, can he represent the country and win championships…?!’
He blurted out a bunch of questions, all substantial, not just random asking.
Heng Bao said, “Why is it ‘possibly’ going with the coach to learn? Doesn’t the coach want Xiao Shitou?”
Before Lin Zhao could answer, he grumbled a bit dissatisfied, “If the coach doesn’t want Xiao Shitou, it’s his lack of vision! Xiao Shitou plays ball really really well.”
Yu Bao agreed. “If this coach doesn’t want Xiao Shitou, Mom, can you find him a new coach?”
Lin Zhao shook her head regretfully. “Can’t, I don’t know any ping pong coaches.”
Hearing this, the twins frowned.
“No way then?” Heng Bao scratched his ear and cheek, muttering, “There must be a way. Dad says there are always more methods than difficulties.”
Yu Bao wasn’t one to give up easily. His mind turned a few times, eyes lighting up with an idea. “We give the coach a gift and ask him to take Xiao Shitou. Like the story of three visits to the thatched cottage. If we’re sincere and persistent, that coach will definitely take Xiao Shitou.”
While the two little brothers discussed strategies back and forth, Lin Zhao didn’t interrupt or mention that the coach was eager for Xiao Shitou to go with him right away.
She wanted to see how sharp her two sons’ minds could be.
Facts proved the new brains were indeed useful.
They could even think of sending gifts, though not advisable.
“Alright, no need to rack your brains. That coach doesn’t dislike Xiao Shitou at all. On the contrary, he likes him a lot and can’t wait to take him away soon. It’s just that your aunt and uncle aren’t too reassured about the coach’s background, so they asked your dad to check him out…” Lin Zhao explained in a few sentences.
“He’s taking Xiao Shitou away?” Yu Bao said in surprise. “Taking him where? Can’t Xiao Shitou come home anymore?”
“First to the provincial capital. What happens after depends on the arrangements. I don’t know either.” Lin Zhao said. “If he goes for formal training, he definitely can’t come home.”
Heng Bao let out an “ah.” “Xiao Shitou is so timid. Without Da Shitou bro to protect him, he’ll be scared. How can he go to the provincial capital alone? If he’s taken there, he’ll cry every day for sure.”
“Right.” Yu Bao thought the same. “Mom, can my aunt and uncle and Shi Tou bro go with him to the provincial capital?”
“No.” Lin Zhao shook her head. “Xiao Shitou going for training means no outsiders allowed. Even if your aunt and uncle go, they won’t be able to see him.”
Heng Bao, still a kid who couldn’t leave his parents, said upon hearing this, “Then why go? Don’t go. Just train at home.”
“It’s not the same.” Lin Zhao didn’t treat her two sons as kids who knew nothing. Since there was nothing going on now, she told them what she knew.
“If he goes to the provincial capital, he’ll train in a venue with professional coaches, specialized people handling food and lodging… He’ll also gain an identity called athlete. If his talent is good enough, there’ll be a chance in the future to be sent out to win glory for the country. At that point, he’ll even hold a golden rice bowl.”
Though currently, sports were facing suppression with an uncertain future, Xiao Shitou was still young and could wait.
He just needed to quietly take root deep down, and one day he would bloom.
The time wouldn’t be too far off, maybe three years later there would be a chance, with a world table tennis championship.
Train for three years, and shining brightly then wasn’t impossible.
Even more, if he joined the sports team, his future would be bright.
He’d never have to worry in this lifetime!
“Wow!” Heng Bao exclaimed in awe. “Golden rice bowl, winning glory for the country. My Shi Tou Di will make it big!”
Lin Zhao: “…”
“He hasn’t gone yet. We don’t know what your aunt and uncle will decide.” Lin Zhao looked at the excited Heng Bao, her lips twitching slightly.
He’d just said not to go, but at the mention of golden rice bowl and winning glory for the country, he forgot everything.
Patriotism was carved into these two cubs’ bones.
Yu Bao suddenly asked, “Mom, if it was me going to the provincial capital, would you send me?”
“Of course.” Lin Zhao had thought about it before, so no need to hesitate. “But I’d go with you. I’d find a job in the closest place to you, visit you now and then. If you have time, I’d pick you up to go out, show you around, make you good food… I have to be part of my son’s growth, or how many regrets would there be? No amount of money can make up for that.”
Of course, all her assumptions were based on having a sufficiently solid economic foundation.
It was also the support from her maternal family and Gu Chenghuai.
Hearing Lin Zhao’s unquestioning words, Yu Bao grinned brightly and hugged his mom’s waist.
“Mom, you’re the best.”
Heng Bao wanted to hug too, but Lin Zhao held him back with one hand. “You rest. Careful with your pig trotter foot.”
“Mom!” Heng Bao twisted his body unhappily.
“Fine fine, no more.” Lin Zhao said quickly, afraid he’d start chattering again.
Heng Bao finally settled and steered the topic back. “Are my aunt and uncle going to the provincial capital then?”
“They won’t.” Lin Zhao thought to herself that moving the whole family to the provincial capital wasn’t simple—it required connections and money… Eldest Sister’s family had just escaped poverty not long ago. How could they go?!
“Why not?” Heng Bao asked again. “Then what about my Shi Tou Di?”
Lin Zhao’s head throbbed from his one question after another.
She took a deep breath, still patient. “Why else? You think household registration is that easy to change? The whole family going to the provincial capital—what to eat, what to drink, where to live… all problems.”
Heng Bao sighed sympathetically. “Xiao Shitou’s doomed.”
He could almost picture Shi Tou Di burrowing in the covers crying every night.
Yu Bao said, “To win glory for the country, you have to sweat for it…”
Noticing Lin Zhao’s slightly surprised gaze, he continued, “Dad said heroes’ paths are all arduous. You’ll definitely lose something too. There’s no such thing as having it both ways in the world. You can’t have both the fish and the bear’s paw.”
Lin Zhao praised, “Yu Bao said that so well.”
Yu Bao’s little face reddened. “It’s not me who said it. It’s Dad.”
“But Yu Bao remembered it. Good job.” Lin Zhao still praised. Her son being so smart and quick-witted made her as a mom truly proud.
Heng Bao tried to minimize his presence.
He hadn’t memorized it, afraid of being called on.
Every child had a different personality. No need to hold them to the same standards. Yu Bao had his strengths, and Heng Bao had his merits too.
Lin Zhao didn’t deliberately make things hard for Heng Bao and changed the subject. “No more about Xiao Shitou. We’ll know the situation when we get back.”
“Mm mm.” Heng Bao’s drooping brows and eyes instantly lit up with energy.
After saying that, he yawned, his eyes looking a bit unfocused.
“Are you sleepy? If sleepy, sleep for a bit.” Lin Zhao said.
Heng Bao didn’t move his injured foot and slid his body down, lying obediently. He turned his head to look at Lin Zhao. “Mom, can you wait until I fall asleep before you go? I want you to stay with me.”
“Sure.” Lin Zhao sat by the bed, gently patting the little patient’s back and coaxing softly, “I’m right here. Not going anywhere.”
Hearing this, Heng Bao’s lips curved up, and he closed his eyes.
He’d suffered today and fell fast asleep in minutes.
Lin Zhao withdrew her hand, pulled Yu Bao close, and said softly, “You go up and sleep too? You took care of your brother all day, that was hard work. Sleep. I’ll watch Heng Bao.”
Since his brother’s injury, Yu Bao had been tense. He did need rest. He didn’t refuse, took off his outer clothes and pants, climbed to the upper bunk, and soon fell asleep too.
Just as the brothers fell asleep, Gu Chenghuai returned.
