Chapter 42: “kissable”
Old house.
Gu Fu was still flipping through the dictionary.
He struggled a lot with naming. He first found characters with good meanings, combined them, made sure they sounded smooth, and after deciding, he still had to ask cultured people for their opinion.
Back then, naming his several sons took over half a year.
Gu Mu sat down beside him. The densely packed characters on the dictionary made her eyes sore. “Eldest son’s wife and second son’s wife mean that since you’re naming the four kids anyway, you might as well name Lai Mei and the others too.”
Gu Fu was silent for a full ten-plus seconds, his fingers pinching the dictionary trembling.
His brain spun rapidly.
Lai Mei.
Tie Dan.
Tie Chui.
Yu Yu.
Four kids.
Needing eight names.
“Eight?” He gulped, his voice tight.
Gu Mu nodded. “Take your time.”
A grave expression appeared on Gu Fu’s face. “The task is heavy. I need to flip through carefully.”
After saying that, he started flipping through his tattered dictionary again.
“Flip tomorrow. Go to sleep early. You have to be busy early tomorrow morning.” Gu Mu urged the old man to sleep.
“You sleep first.” Gu Fu didn’t turn his head, waved his hand, and adjusted the position of the kerosene lamp so the light wouldn’t shine on the bed, directing it all onto that shabby dictionary.
“I’ll look a bit longer.”
“Fine then. Watch the time. You’re not young anymore. Don’t wear out your body.” Gu Mu nagged a few sentences, then lay down.
No one likes to admit they’re old. Gu Fu’s hand flipping the dictionary paused. He wasn’t convinced. He felt he was still hale and hearty.
This flip lasted a whole hour.
Finally, at the very end, he wrote down a few characters on paper.
The characters weren’t particularly pretty, but the brushstrokes were forceful, and the handwriting neat.
After writing, he folded the paper neatly and put it away. Gu Fu went back to bed to sleep.
The last lamp in the old house went out.
The entire village slumbered peacefully under the moonlight, quiet and warm, occasionally accompanied by the chirps of crickets and cicadas on a summer night, along with a few owl hoots.
Gu Family’s Third Branch. The light in one room was still on.
The big turntable in front of Lin Zhao stopped, the pointer landing on a narrow slot.
Quick, let me see what I drew!!
Her excited gaze looked over.
「Divine Blessing·Little red rope（6）
Appearance: Three strands of red silk woven in a herringbone pattern, looking quite ordinary on the surface.
Effect: Prevents evil spirits from approaching, can block one fatal attack.
Usage: Wear on the wrist」
Lin Zhao thought of the wicked Lu Baozhen.
Prevents evil spirits from approaching—super practical thing.
Click to claim.
She put them one by one on the wrists of the four kids.
Then she wore one herself, stacking it with her watch. It looked pretty good.
The last one she saved for Gu Chenghuai.
She hadn’t forgotten—in the original book, the kids’ dad went on a secret mission and ended up dead without a whole corpse.
She didn’t want to change men, so Gu Chenghuai had to stay alive for her, living a long and healthy life.
Da Zai woke up groggily from the heat and saw Lin Zhao hadn’t slept yet. He fully woke up. “Mom?” He sat up, rubbing his eyes.
“Why are you up? Need to use the toilet?” Lin Zhao wiped the sweat from her eldest son’s forehead.
“No.” Da Zai’s eyelashes trembled lightly a few times. His two hands clasped together, and he scooted his buttocks toward his mom. “Why isn’t Mom sleeping?”
“Going to sleep now.” As she spoke, Lin Zhao turned her head to look. “Lie down properly. I’m blowing out the lamp.”
Da Zai scooted back and obediently lay down.
The dragon-phoenix twins slept deepest inside.
Next over was Er Zai, sprawled out in all directions.
Further over, Da Zai lay straight as a board, arms on his belly, looking very well-behaved.
Those clear, bright eyes looked at her, shining under the dim yellow lamplight.
Lin Zhao’s eyes bloomed with a warm, gentle smile. She bent down to blow out the lamp and got into bed to sleep.
She loved cleanliness, with a faint fragrance on her body. Da Zai’s nose twitched lightly a few times. He pursed his lips in a smile, then was pulled into her bosom.
“Sleep.” Lin Zhao patted the little friend’s back and softly told a bedtime story.
Tonight, even after Da Zai fell asleep, the smile at his mouth didn’t fade.
Somewhere, troops dormitory.
The desk lamp on the wooden desk was still on.
On the bed not far away, Sun Yeli’s snores rose and fell, spreading to every corner.
Gu Chenghuai was reading a letter. The repeated “snore-gurgle-puff puff” sounds made it impossible to settle his mind.
The handsome young officer frowned tightly, found a piece of grass paper, crumpled it into a small ball, and stuffed it into his ears.
The snoring weakened a bit. His brows relaxed, and he settled down to read the letter.
【Kids’ dad, I went to work!!!】
That was the first sentence.
Three exclamation marks, enough to show her excitement, thrill, and joy.
Gu Chenghuai chuckled lightly.
If you wanted to work, why not say so earlier.
【You were right. To get work, you need to take the exam first. Luckily, I’m battle-hardened and not panicking at all. After the exam, I smoothly transferred my grains and oils connections. From now on, I’m city household registration, and the four kids are city kids too!】
【Da Zai and Er Zai were so happy they showed off in the village for two full days!（With scissor-hands doodle）】
The kids’ mom showed off too, right.
A deeper smile appeared in Gu Chenghuai’s eyes as he continued reading.
【Oh right, I sent gifts of gratitude to your comrades…】
It wasn’t written directly here, but doodled with just a few strokes.
Ordinary people couldn’t tell what the drawing was.
Gu Chenghuai knew.
A chicken, a fish, a can of malt extract, a box of cigarettes, a pack of candy.
Waves rose in his eyes, every sharp edge softening.
He would repay this favor. He didn’t know how much effort Zhaozhao had put into getting so many good things.
【Comrade Gu, you’re awesome! Married 6 years, I’ve never regretted it for a moment. My marriage partner is you… that’s just too great!】
“?”
Gu Chenghuai: No, who else did you want to marry?!
【If you have leave, come back and see. Today I saw the sunflowers by the roadside blooming. They’re missing you too.】
Lin Zhao never wrote letters formally or by set format. She wrote whatever came to mind, just like her—free, bright, passionate.
Gu Chenghuai’s heart felt struck by something, the curve of his lips rising higher and higher.
He looked at the calendar on the wall straight ahead of the desk.
Soon.
–
Next day.
Lin Zhao woke up, raised her wrist to check the time: 6:Still early.
She changed position to laze in bed, got bored, and summoned the lucky draw wheel again.
233 points left.
Pretty good amount, right.
She immediately spent 30 points for three draws.
【Mosquito net×1】
【Mosquito repellent sachet×3】
【Silver Needle（White Tea）×1 box】
【Swiss roll×1 box】
【Instant noodles×10 packs】
【Pure milk×10 cases（24 boxes）】
【Spicy strips×2 packs】
【Small tangerine×1 jin（12）】
【White Rabbit Toffee×1 pack（50 pieces）】
【Chocolate×1 box（9 pieces）】
【Army green kids’ plastic sandals×2 pairs（25 size）】
【Big black umbrella×1】
【Spray pain reliever×1 bottle】
【Cotton cloth×20 feet】
【Army green khaki fabric×20 feet】
【Braised chicken leg×3】
Good luck today.
Lin Zhao was very satisfied.
She glanced at the four soundly sleeping kids, got out of bed lightly, hung the mosquito repellent sachets on the cabinet handles, and put away things that could fit into the cabinet.
“Mom~~?” Er Zai woke up, dragging out his tone in a shout. His clear voice carried the hoarseness of just waking.
Red marks from the straw mat pressed on his right cheek. He crawled to the bed’s edge, lowered his head, saw the red rope on his wrist, paused, tugged it with his fingers, raised his wrist to show Lin Zhao.
“Mom, what’s this? Did you put it on me?”
“Yeah.” Lin Zhao was braiding her hair. “All four treasures have one. Mom and Dad have them too. It’s a symbol of our family. You have to wear them properly, got it?”
Symbol of our family…?
Er Zai loved that phrase.
Complex emotions welled up in his little heart, full and swelling.
“Mm!” His eyes brightened, nodding seriously.
Da Zai was woken by his younger brother.
“Bro, you’re awake. Look at your wrist—Mom put red ropes on us.” The talkative Er Zai chattered nonstop right after waking. “Mom says it’s a symbol of our family. Dad has one too.”
“Mm.” Da Zai nodded, no surprise on his face. Clearly he’d heard Lin Zhao and Er Zai’s conversation.
He looked seriously at Er Zai. “Er Zai, be careful when playing from now on. Don’t get Mom’s red ropes for us dirty or broken.”
“Mm mm, I know.” Er Zai said loudly.
The dragon-phoenix twins slept like little pigs, not woken.
“Shh.” Da Zai raised his index finger to his lips, telling his brother to be quieter.
At that moment, Lin Zhao walked over carrying two pairs of plastic sandals.
“Sandals I bought for you. Try them quick, see if they fit.”
Da Zai and Er Zai’s eyes lit up instantly. They both covered their mouths, suppressing the surprised squeals rising to their throats.
“Mom, you bought us shoes again?” Er Zai’s voice couldn’t hide his wild joy.
Lin Zhao didn’t explain much, smiling as she asked: “Yeah, like them?”
The shoes were in the army green the kids loved most, made of material they’d never seen. The uppers were open and breathable, with two crossing plastic straps over the instep, metal eyelets to adjust tightness.
Just looking made one feel happy.
“Like, like, like them so much.” Er Zai repeated it several times.
Lin Zhao looked at her eldest son.
Da Zai nodded too, hugging the new sandals tightly to his chest. “I like them too. Thanks, Mom.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Er Zai thanked his mom too.
Lin Zhao accepted the thanks, squatted down to put the new shoes on the two kids.
First, Da Zai.
She wiped his feet with a damp cloth, picked up the shoe, adjusted the size, and put it on him.
Da Zai stared dazedly at the crown of his mom’s head.
He felt his mom’s love more clearly than ever.
Suddenly, the little guy’s eyes welled up with tears instantly. Afraid Lin Zhao would see, he quickly lowered his head and wiped them away. His teary eyes were bright as a mirror lake. He grinned, smiling especially brilliantly.
Mom liked them.
He was sure now—they were little friends who had a mom that liked them.
He liked Mom so much.
“Get up and walk around, see how they feel.” Lin Zhao didn’t notice her eldest son’s brief emotional shift and patted his head.
Da Zai gave a heavy “mm,” jumped off the bed, walked back and forth, and lifted his little face. “Mom, so cool and refreshing.”
Cooler than warrior shoes.
“Because they’re called sandals.” Talking to the cute little kids, Lin Zhao’s voice softened involuntarily.
Er Zai sat on the bed edge, sticking his foot forward eagerly. “Mom, help me put them on, help me.”
While Lin Zhao put them on for him, Da Zai watched seriously from the side.
Seeing this, she slowed down, teaching him how to do it.
Da Zai stuck close to his mom. After learning, he glanced at her, his smile growing bigger.
“What’re you smiling at?” Lin Zhao said. “Smiling so much it makes me want to kiss you hard.”
Hearing that.
Da Zai’s face flushed bright red instantly, steam practically rising from his head.
He clenched his little fists, didn’t think much, lifted his little face—with his bright red face and ears, shyness hidden in his eyes, his clear voice trembling—”You can kiss.”
Lin Zhao was charmed by her son’s cuteness and bent down to kiss Da Zai’s little cheek.
In an instant.
The little friend’s face got even redder. He didn’t dare look at Mom anymore, feeling light as if stepping on clouds.
Er Zai saw Mom kiss his brother and couldn’t sit still. He hugged Lin Zhao’s waist, tiptoed hard, trying to shove his face to her mouth.
Lin Zhao’s brows and eyes held smiles as she gave Er Zai a kiss too.
The little guy felt blissful inside, his smile brighter than the sun. He looked at the new shoes again, feeling life had reached its peak.
“These days… are damn fine!”
Lin Zhao: “?”
She restrained her smile, her expression subtle. “Who’d you learn that from again?”
Er Zai reined in his smug look, arms at his pant seams, the flamboyance on his face vanishing instantly. He sneaked a peek at Mom’s face. “Educated youth from the educated youth point.” He said honestly.
Lin Zhao was even more puzzled. “Aren’t educated youth all self-proclaimed intellectuals? How could they say dirty words? Little Comrade Gu Er Zai, you sure you didn’t hear wrong?”
“No.” Er Zai said quickly, then pulled his brother. “Bro, you say.”
“Mm, Er Zai didn’t make it up. He heard it from the educated youth brother.” Da Zai said. “The educated youth brother also said they have to adapt to local customs, blend with the masses, and that talking like this is damn…”
He paused, then added: “Damn refreshing.”
Lin Zhao’s impression of the educated youth flipped completely.
“They’ve totally let loose.”
Seeing Mom somewhat interested, Er Zai blabbed on: “My grandma says those educated youth who’ve been down here over two years are getting more like villagers. Hopes the new ones adapt quick too, stop causing trouble all day. Annoying as hell.”
“The educated youth caused trouble again?” Lin Zhao walked out of the room to the yard to wash her face. Da Zai and Er Zai followed.
Morning outside was cooler than inside the room.
Da Zai opened the window for ventilation.
Er Zai told his mom about the brigade’s excitement. “The educated youth point was super lively. Yesterday morning lots of people went to watch, I went too. Those educated youth were fighting, fighting fierce. You scratch my face, I grab your hair, like this scratching, like this grabbing…”
He showed off his imitation skills again, performing without props. Short and stout, he flailed around busily.
Lin Zhao burst out laughing.
“Alright, got it. You’re busy with that.”
Er Zai grinned cheekily.
“Anything you want to eat today?” Lin Zhao asked.
Er Zai’s lively eyes turned, grinning. “Mom prepare for us. Whatever Mom prepares, Bro and I like.”
“Good.” Lin Zhao agreed, changed the water in the basin, urged the two kids to wash their faces. “You two wash first. I’ll go prepare your rations.”
Er Zai was tickled by “rations” from Mom’s mouth and laughed out loud, his laughter crisp.
“Er Zai, quieter. Don’t wake little brother and sister.” Da Zai reminded softly.
Lin Zhao, standing at the room door with one foot in, heard that. She smiled, but also felt a bit heartbroken.
At five and a half, other little friends rolled in the mud, but Da Zai had developed a sensible and steady temperament. Sensitive and delicate by nature, his tragic end in the original book was predictable.
New day. Lin Zhao prepared half a bag of rice for Da Zai and Er Zai—this was half a month’s amount, saving daily deliveries.
Half a jin of pork.
Plus ten pieces of White Rabbit Toffee.
Five small tangerines.
3 packs of instant noodles. The lucky draw wheel was considerate—all items came in this era’s packaging style, with origins, so Lin Zhao wasn’t worried about discovery.
Plus 3 boxes of milk.
That was about enough.
Da Zai and Er Zai saw what Mom prepared for them, eyes wide as saucers, whole bodies wrapped in indescribable happiness, mouths nearly splitting to the back of their heads.
