Chapter 50: “you Think I’m Dead?”
Gu Chan brought back so many good things, and Wei Dasao felt sour inside like she had eaten wild hawthorn.
Her eyes flashed with cunning, and she took the initiative, “The family hasn’t separated households yet, so the things the second sister-in-law brought should go to the commune, right?”
Though it was a question, her tone was very affirmative.
Wei Xiangdong sneered, his sweeping gaze full of attack.
“The things big sister-in-law brought back from her maternal family don’t belong to the commune, but the ones my wife brought do. Where does she get such a thick face!”
“Big sister-in-law is so skilled at taking advantage, was her ancestor in the logistics department of the Eight-Nation Alliance?”
“Bullying my wife right in front of me, do you think I’m dead?”
Wei Dasao had only said one sentence when she was retorted back, her mouth twitching in anger, and she had never been able to outtalk him, so she angrily returned to her room, slamming the door with a bang that made it shake.
“Tch!” Wei Xiangdong snorted disdainfully.
What kind of thing dares to bully his wife.
Gu Mu had a headache and said to Gu Chan, “A Chan, ignore them, go back to your room and rest.”
After speaking, she turned and went back to her room.
“Ignoring big sister-in-law is right, but you can’t ignore me, I’m your man.” Wei Xiangdong took the cloth bag from Gu Chan’s hand and led her into the room.
After entering, he closed the door smoothly.
Feeling resistance, a trace of surprise appeared in his pitch-black eyes, and his arm exerted a little force.
Da Shitou’s helpless voice sounded from outside the door.
“Dad, my brother and I haven’t entered the room yet.”
Wei Xiangdong let go, the wooden door was pushed open, and the stone brothers stepped forward to stand on the threshold.
Countryside land wasn’t precious, every household enclosed a large homestead. Wei’s father and mother had worked hard for most of their lives to build these five yellow mud houses and marry wives for their sons.
The five rooms were not small in area, but the simple wooden lattice windows were narrow, the door was a double narrow door that two people couldn’t walk through side by side.
The most eye-catching was the camphor wood threshold at knee height below the door, solidly blocking there, able to prevent mice from scurrying into the room, worn shiny and black over the years.
“You two aren’t going to catch cicada monkeys?” The biological father said disdainfully.
Gu Chan lightly patted the man’s arm.
Wei Xiangdong worked all year round, his arm was sturdy, and patting it hurt her hand.
She said, “Catch what cicada monkeys, it’s time to prepare for bed.”
With their biological mother supporting them, the two stones smugly passed by Wei Xiangdong.
“Mom, I want to see what the canned meat looks like.” Da Shitou said straightforwardly.
Wei Xiangdong lit the lamp.
The family of four sat around the bedside, the warm yellow light halo spreading, figures of varying heights projected on the window, exuding a special warmth.
Gu Chan took out the things she brought back.
“Look. These are all things your third aunt asked me to bring back, saying to give them to you to eat.”
“Da Zai and Er Zai also said welcome you two to come play at Fengshou Brigade.”
She knew Da Shitou had a grudge against his third uncle’s family and tried her best to comfort her son.
Da Shitou turned his face away, his tone stiff, “I’m not so easy to buy off.”
Immediately after, he muttered, “No one can bully my Da Shitou’s mom!”
Wei Xiangdong heard this, heavily patted his son’s shoulder, “Your awareness is very good, a real man has to protect his own mom well.”
Da Shitou pursed his lips, not wanting to pay attention to his dad.
Wei Xiangdong saw it, pinched his son’s mouth, shaping it like a duck’s beak.
The youth got angry, pushed his hand hard, and glared at him fiercely with his eyes.
“Little brat, pretending to be an adult.” Wei Xiangdong teased his son.
Da Shitou rescued his mouth, not wanting to pay attention to his dad.
He moved the stool farther from Wei Xiangdong.
He asked Gu Chan, “Mom, how did you fall for my dad, he’s so childish, except for being able to work, looks okay, protects his wife, he has no other merits.”
Gu Chan was amused and helpless.
“What you said are already amazing merits, what more merits do you want.”
She didn’t seek anything else, just that the person was diligent, clear-headed, and protective of the family, that was enough.
Wei Xiangdong slanted a glance at his son, leaned against the cabinet, lazily said, “You know nothing, your mom and I are a match made in heaven, otherwise with so many people in the county, how did I spot her at first glance.”
“What nonsense are you saying.” Gu Chan hit him angrily, her face burning, and said to the two sons, “Don’t listen to your dad’s nonsense.”
Xiao Shitou pursed his lips smiling, “But dad told us long ago.”
Gu Chan looked at Da Shitou.
Da Shitou nodded, “I can almost recite it, dad and mom first met in the county, the two took a liking to each other, then dated, talked for half a year and married, then had me.”
“…”
Gu Chan looked at Wei Xiangdong with a subtle gaze, “Is that what you said?”
“Condensed version, not wrong.” Wei Xiangdong said calmly.
Just after speaking, he was spat at by his wife.
“Shameless.” Gu Chan laughed and scolded, “Why don’t you say at first I thought you were a rogue, saw you and wished I had eight legs to run away.”
Wei Xiangdong laughed, “Just omitted the process.”
“…” Gu Chan gave him face and didn’t retort further.
She was in a very good mood, her mouth corners upturned even when wiping the straw mat.
This was the first time she came back from Fengshou Brigade so happily.
Wei Xiangdong hoped that family would behave and not torment his A Chan anymore.
–
Gu Family’s Third Branch.
Er Zai hadn’t slept yet, avoiding his sleeping younger brother and sister, rolling around on the bed.
“You’re not planning to sleep?” Lin Zhao asked with a smile.
Er Zai flipped over and sat up, “Mom, the bed smells nice, it’s Grandpa Sun’s scent.”
“…You can smell it through the straw mat, your nose is really sharp.” Lin Zhao teased.
Er Zai knew how to climb the pole, “Yeah, my nose is as sharp as Da Huang’s.”
Lin Zhao found him especially excited today, excited to nearly ten o’clock, still not a bit sleepy.
No good.
She still wanted to do the lucky draw.
“Er Zai, if you still have energy, why not practice two pages of writing.” The mom proposed seriously.
The invisible tail behind Er Zai exploded up, his smiling eyes instantly vigilant, without hesitation he lay down, flipped over, hugged San Zai, hooked his index finger on the thin blanket, covering their little bellies.
The next second, he started snoring.
Lin Zhao laughed in spite of herself, “You’re asleep just like that?”
No one answered.
As if regretting, she sighed lightly, “If you’re asleep, then it can only be that way, Er Zai’s writing can’t catch up to Da Zai, needs more practice.”
A rustling sound, someone’s heart shattered.
The pretending-to-sleep Er Zai’s body stiffened, his little brows furrowed, he didn’t like writing!
Da Zai knew mom was teasing his brother, stealthily smiling put the pillow properly.
Seeing this, Lin Zhao blew out the lamp, lay on the bedside, lightly fanned with the palm-leaf fan.
The wind blew over, the dragon-phoenix twins slept more soundly, Da Zai and Er Zai unknowingly fell asleep too.
After hanging the drawn mosquito repellent sachet on the wardrobe handle, there were far fewer mosquitoes in the room, and at night sleeping, no annoying buzzing sounds could be heard.
Didn’t know if it had a time limit, if not, even the mosquito net wouldn’t be needed!
The children were all asleep, Lin Zhao put down the palm-leaf fan, called out the lucky draw turntable.
Last time she drew the little red rope, put on the children’s wrists, she could go to work much more at ease.
Because of this, confirmed this lucky draw wheel from who knows where wasn’t a pretty waste, very useful.
Task bar on the right side of the turntable, a series of tasks checked off, then disappeared, at the same time, points rose and rose.
【Entertain the best elder sister-in-law for the whole commune, gain Da Shitou’s forgiveness, reward 100 points.】
Seeing this task completion reminder, Lin Zhao realized Da Shitou resented her.
Not strange.
These past years she really hadn’t been human.
【Treat the best elder sister-in-law to meat, reward 20 points.】
【Use the supply and marketing cooperative platform to buy defective coarse porcelain bowls, help solve mother-in-law’s family problem, reward 60 points.】
And before when Gu Mu was injured, Lin Zhao had Da Zai and Er Zai send supplements to the old house, also got points reward.
Plus some miscellaneous small rewards.
Total 568 points.
Looking at this points number, Lin Zhao directly drew the 500 points one.
Same as before.
The pointer turned as if provoking patience.
Finally.
Slowly stopped.
「Camera」
Three words, extremely simple description.
Lin Zhao had been taken by Gu Chenghuai to take photos, so she knew this thing.
Quite satisfied to draw this.
Originally planned to take the four cubs to the county to take photos in a while.
Now with the camera, she could take them herself, however she wanted, as many as she wanted.
Lin Zhao got happier the more she thought.
When the lucky draw turntable flashed ‘whether to extract’, sure enough she chose yes.
Black Seagull brand camera, buying outside would cost one hundred eighty, and need to save coupons.
Heard cameras need film, one roll of film costs enough money for dozens of meals, shows how expensive.
Extracted together with the camera, also one roll of film, one instruction manual.
Lin Zhao completely couldn’t sleep now.
She got up, tiptoed to the desk, lit the lamp, adjusted the light, sat down to read the manual.
Read ten lines at a glance, then took the camera to study.
Her learning ability wasn’t just talk.
In less than half an hour, she played with the camera in hand thoroughly.
Just lacking practical experience.
The charm of electronic products was self-evident.
Lin Zhao turned to look at the four cubs snoring on the bed, her gaze bright.
Wasn’t this ready-made.
She readjusted the light, letting the warm yellow light illuminate the whole room.
Took the camera and walked over.
On the wooden bed.
Er Zai hugging Da Zai, his right leg domineeringly draped over his brother’s belly, Da Zai’s sleeping posture obedient, lying straight, arms on chest, not sure if dreaming or pressed by brother, little brows lightly furrowed.
Sight moved up, to the dragon-phoenix twins side.
San Zai hugging Si Zai from behind, two white tender faces red and plump, chubby cheeks bulging, making one want to kiss.
Lin Zhao’s heart melted, her mouth corner arc higher and higher.
Grabbed the camera, found angle, click click two shots.
After shooting still not satisfied, repositioned, a few more shots.
Dragon-phoenix twins group photo.
Twins group photo.
Various angles.
When she came back to senses, lifted wrist to check time.
23:
“?”
Lin Zhao sobered from the excited mood.
Put away the camera.
Back to bed, closed eyes.
Stayed up wildly at night, could foresee how hard it would be to leave her beloved bed the next morning.
Next day.
Da Zai opened eyes, turned head, saw Lin Zhao’s figure, he was stunned, calmly moved Er Zai’s foot draped on his neck, sat up, took the watch mom placed on the big cabinet.
The night Lin Zhao bought the watch, she taught the two cubs to tell time.
At this time, watch showed: 7:
Da Zai widened eyes, back to bedside, shook Lin Zhao’s arm, anxiously shouted, “Mom, you’re going to be late for work! Wake up quick.”
Lin Zhao groggily opened eyes, “What time?”
“Past seven.”
“!!” Lin Zhao jolted awake, took the watch, almost late!
Quickly got up, went next door to change clothes, quickly washed face brushed teeth, applied face cream in half a minute, combed braids, instructed Da Zai to feed Da Huang, pushed bike hurriedly out.
Once out, legs pedaled almost blurring, straight to county.
35 minutes later, stopped at supply and marketing cooperative entrance, Lin Zhao checked watch, not late!
Locked bike, she entered the supply and marketing cooperative.
“Sister Fen, good morning.”
“Comrade Wang Ju, good morning.”
Lin Zhao greeted the two.
Li Fen saw the dark circles under her eyes, teased, “Went thieving last night?”
She pointed to her own under-eye.
“Yesterday my elder sister-in-law came home, the several cubs couldn’t sleep, made a fuss late.” Lin Zhao said casually.
Fengshou Brigade, Da Zai who just dressed rubbed his itchy nose, sneezed.
Li Fen seemed deeply empathetic, “Your few children are at the hard-to-manage age, endure these years and it’ll be good.”
“…”
Actually her cubs were all very well-behaved, not hard to manage at all.
Lin Zhao smiled without speaking.
Li Fen knew she was an admirable military wife, both in-law and maternal families countryside, must have tough days, remembered the news heard last night, leaned toward Lin Zhao, whispered, “I have a job here, gluing matchboxes, 2 cents per box, does your family have someone to do it, if…”
Words not finished, Lin Zhao immediately said, “Yes! Someone!”
This job even city people scrambled for, opportunity right there, missing it would be stupid!
She happily gripped Li Fen’s hand, “Sis, you’re like my biological sister, thank you.”
Li Fen smiled, “Revolutionary families are one family, mutual help is only right.”
“My man is at the match factory, just a word.”
Gluing matchboxes earned hard-earned money, required high concentration, tiring hands, tiring eyes, after long time gluing, at night things look double, tiring to death and one evening might not even earn 5 mao.
Family pressure not big, no one wanted to do it.
“This afternoon…” Li Fen said halfway, saw Liu Chunhong come, stopped, gave Lin Zhao a ‘wait’ look, back to her counter.
Lin Zhao gratefully smiled, also got busy.
–
Fengshou Brigade.
Dragon-phoenix twins taken by Huang Xiulan to the field, Da Zai and Er Zai happily played hide-and-seek with village little friends.
The two little brothers hid behind the century-old camphor tree at the foot of the mountain.
Hid a long time without being found.
Er Zai scratched the mosquito bite bump on his neck, looked down saw a plump mosquito on his arm, mercilessly slapped it dead, threw the corpse on ground.
“Bro, let’s go home, so many mosquitoes here.”
Da Zai originally didn’t agree to hide here, hearing brother, nodded, “Okay.”
Brothers circled the thick tree trunk, walked toward the main road.
No one tidied at mountain foot, thick branches and leaves accumulated under tree, stones hidden in leaves, some little stones unwilling to stay quiet poking out.
“Splat!”
Er Zai’s sandal front caught by something, whole person fell on blanket-like fallen leaves, kneeling.
He was dumbfounded.
After reacting, stubbornly wanted to see what dared trip Gu Er Zai.
Squatted there, parted the ginger-yellow leaves on ground, this place long untouched by people, lots of worms under leaves.
Er Zai not afraid at all, didn’t kill them, calmly pushed aside, continued finding the culprit that tripped him.
Da Zai didn’t like worms, saw brother busy, lightly sighed, squatted to help.
“Found it! Must be this protruding stone that tripped me.” Er Zai found a not-small stone, hatefully threw it away.
Stood up, patted dirt off hands.
But Da Zai ignored, still digging something with hands.
“Bro, what are you digging?” Er Zai curiously squatted over.
Da Zai kept moving, said, “…Seems like a box.”
After speaking, he looked up, “I feel this is a good thing.”
Good thing?!!
Er Zai full face surprise, ran over, picked up the previously thrown stone, ran back, “Bro, I’ll help, this stone tip can dig holes.”
Da Zai made way, let brother come.
Er Zai raised arm, hammered down heavily, one after another.
Using tool indeed faster.
Soon, a small pit appeared on site, in pit a rectangular wooden box.
Brothers together lifted the box out.
“So heavy.” Er Zai said while looking everywhere for way to open box, always unsuccessful.
“Can’t open.”
Box ochre color, just over one foot long, box body carved with delicate exquisite patterns, though pattern gaps stuffed full of dirt, didn’t affect its beauty.
“Mom can open.” Da Zai said, “We’ll take it back, this box pretty, mom will like.”
“Okay.” Er Zai no objection.
Didn’t know what was in this wooden box, very heavy, two cubs had to carry it to walk forward.
Circled past old camphor tree, then saw road to village, suddenly a person appeared ahead.
Wearing big red round-collar shirt, two small braids, smiling at them.
