Chapter 6: “too Bad He Has A Lovesick Brain”
The little friend’s hand was warm and toasty, still soft and small. Lin Zhao held it in her palm, feeling like a piece of her heart had melted, her eyes involuntarily lighting up with a smile.
Da Zai looked enviously at his younger brother, wishing he could be led by hand by his mom too.
Lin Zhao saw Da Zai’s thoughts and offered her other hand to him: “Mom will lead you too.”
Da Zai’s dim eyes instantly brightened. Without a word, he took his mom’s hand, and the corners of his mouth curved up afterward, the smile never fading.
The Gu Family mom and her two boys left, while the big friends and little friends left behind chattered noisily.
“My mom lied. The twins’ mom likes them.” Little friend Yuan Bao was very angry.
Thinking of something, he added both angrily and aggrieved: “When the twins fight, their mom doesn’t even scold them and still leads them home. When I fight, my mom hits my buttocks hard. If I ask my mom to lead me, she won’t. I must be picked up from somewhere.”
The little guy’s expression drooped, like a homeless puppy.
In the field, Yuan Bao’s Mother sneezed. She had no idea that refusing to hold her son’s little dirty hand, which had been mixed with boy’s urine and mud, had led him to imagine this whole drama of being picked up. If she knew, she’d definitely think she hadn’t hit him enough.
“The twins’ mom is a lazy wife, but she buys meat buns for the twins.” Tie Niu’s face was full of envy. “I want to eat meat buns too.”
Chang Sheng snorted coldly and said in a confident tone: “What’s so great about that? Wait till tomorrow, their mom won’t pay attention to them anymore!”
“How do you know?” Yuan Bao scratched at the dirt with a wooden stick, still sulking, clearly immersed in that sorrowful emotion he couldn’t vent.
“I just know!” Chang Sheng was stumped by the question and walked away unhappily.
Once the child king left, the other little friends patted the dust off themselves and left from under the old banyan tree.
From afar, a few milky voices could still be heard.
“It’s all Chang Sheng brother’s fault. I was going to ask the twins to let me smell the meat buns, but now no chance.” Yuan Bao said glumly.
Another little girl sighed: “I want to smell too.”
Passersby didn’t understand, seeing the little kids with sad faces, and couldn’t help but chuckle.
Lin Zhao brought her two sons to the Gu Family. Just as they entered the door, two soft little guys hugged their legs.
It was the dragon-phoenix twins.
San Zai and Si Zai were calling mom, but not standardly—they called mom as “liang.”
Da Zai steadied his younger brother and patiently taught Si Zai: “It’s mom, not liang.”
“Liang~~” Si Zai called again, still liang. She lifted her little face, smiling sweetly, revealing her little millet teeth.
Er Zai teased his little sister: “Si Zai is a little dummy. Even calling mom she gets wrong, little dummy.” He gently scraped his little sister’s cheek.
Si Zai saw the bun in Er Zai’s hand and reached to grab it.
Er Zai quickly dodged. Si Zai got anxious, let go of Lin Zhao’s leg, and chased him with her little short legs, shouting for it in her mouth.
“Want~ want~~” Milky and cute.
Er Zai wasn’t stingy; he just worried his sister couldn’t eat it. He hurriedly asked Lin Zhao: “Mom, can Si Zai eat buns?”
At that moment, Gu Mu came out from inside the room upon hearing the noise.
Er Zai shouted loudly: “Grandma, my mom bought us buns, meat buns, super delicious meat buns!” Those who didn’t know might think he was showing off.
Si Zai was still wobbling as she tried to reach for the bun in Er Zai’s hand. She was short and stout; even on tiptoes she couldn’t reach, but she wasn’t anxious, steadily climbing her brother’s arm with stable emotions, her little face flushed red from effort, like a red apple.
Her sister’s entire body weight was on Er Zai, who was tired and shouted again: “Grandma, can Si Zai eat meat buns?”
Gu Mu replied: “Give her a fingernail-sized piece to taste the flavor.”
Er Zai tore off a bit of bun skin for his sister. Si Zai stuffed the bun skin into her mouth, sucking on the flavor with her four little baby teeth top and bottom, eyes curving up, saliva dripping from the corners of her mouth.
“Drooling again, little dirty doll.” Er Zai mimicked adults educating his sister while pulling out a little handkerchief to wipe the saliva from Si Zai’s face.
Si Zai was very obedient, cooperating with Er Zai’s actions. When Er Zai wiped her face, she lifted her little face, her emotions stable beyond words.
San Zai was even quieter than his sister, staying by Da Zai’s side without fuss. When his big brother gave him bun skin, he took it and stuffed it in his mouth to gnaw.
Seeing this scene, Lin Zhao felt complicated. As expected of the cannon fodder supporting female character excellent in every way—just over one year old and already so special, but unfortunately grew a love brain.
With her in this life, how would these kids develop their love brains?
Her gaze passed over the children one by one.
Da Zai and Er Zai felt a chill all over, looked around, found nothing, and the two little brothers relaxed.
Lin Zhao withdrew her gaze, looked at Gu Mu, and handed over the things she brought: “I have something I want to ask dad to help with. This is a gift of gratitude.”
Gu Mu woodenly took the paper package that Third Son’s Wife stuffed into her hand, not reacting.
What was going on?
Third Son’s Wife actually brought things when visiting? First time ever, like a big girl getting on the sedan.
Gu Mu didn’t feel happy; instead, she panicked, her mind a mess.
What did Da Zai’s mom want to do!?
“Looking for your dad? What’s the matter?”
Before Lin Zhao could speak, talkative Er Zai said loudly: “My mom wants to build house!”
“Build house?” Gu Mu’s voice rose slightly, full of confusion. “Why suddenly think of building house?”
Now Er Zai didn’t know. He followed his grandma’s gaze to Lin Zhao.
“That earthen house drops dust everywhere; no matter how you sweep, it doesn’t get clean.” Lin Zhao’s expression showed disgust.
Gu Mu choked, her mouth twitching. Never seen you sweep it.
Besides, back then she had suggested maybe build a brick and tile house, and Third Son’s Wife flatly refused, muttering about no money, saying she was talking without backache.
Just a few years later she changed her mind, with a face full of disgust…
Gu Mu was used to Third Son’s Wife’s whims. Afraid Lin Zhao would make a fuss, she didn’t say more: “Your dad is lying inside the room. I’ll go call him.”
With that, she clutched the small paper packet and went back inside.
Gu Fu was lying on the bed. He had vaguely heard the sounds in the yard, but after bustling all morning he wanted to lie down, so he didn’t go out.
Seeing Gu Mu come in, he opened his eyes: “Da Zai and Er Zai came?”
“They came, not just the two boys—Third Son’s Wife came too.” Gu Mu opened the paper package for a glance, saw the meat buns and brown sugar inside, stunned, and blurted out: “Meat buns and brown sugar!”
Gu Fu sat up. Seeing the meat buns, his throat involuntarily swallowed. White flour meat buns—back when he sent old third to enlist, he bought two, and old third insisted on giving him one. That taste was so fragrant.
He missed old third a bit.
“Where’d the meat buns come from?”
Gu Mu said: “Third Son’s Wife brought them. She wants to ask you for help; she wants to build a brick and tile house, dislikes the current room dropping dust.”
Building house was ultimately good; she had no opinion.
Gu Fu was very happy to hear about building a brick and tile house, but there was a problem: “Build now? Everyone’s busy with double harvest rush; hard to find people.”
“Also, where do the brick and tile come from?”
Brick and tile weren’t easy to get; getting them was troublesome.
“Third Son’s Wife is outside; you ask her.” Gu Fu’s questions Gu Mu couldn’t answer either, so she sent him to ask Lin Zhao.
Gu Fu thought of dealing with Third Son’s Wife and felt a massive headache, so worried.
With old third not home, he couldn’t ignore it. He slipped on straw sandals and went out.
In the yard, Gu Fu shed his usual reticence and discussed with Lin Zhao: “Third Son’s Wife, I heard from your mom you want to build a brick and tile house? It’s double harvest rush now; people hard to find. How about wait till this period passes? Also brick and tile—what’s your method?”
“Later is fine too; I just wanted to tell you in advance. You don’t need to worry about brick and tile; I’ve written to Gu Chenghuai. He’ll find a method.” Lin Zhao had great confidence in her man—no matter what she wanted to do, Gu Chenghuai always had a way to satisfy her.
Gu Fu fell silent.
Ask old third, that works.
He had confidence in old third too.
“Alright, I’ll remember. Build after double harvest rush ends.”
Lin Zhao thanked him: “Thank you, dad.”
Gu Fu didn’t speak, thinking: Fewer antics in the future would be thanks enough.
Just then, Gu Xing’er and others returned home.
“Why are you here?” Gu Xing’er glared at Lin Zhao upon seeing her, full of disgust.
Da Zai and Er Zai thought little aunt was fierce like she wanted to eat people, hurriedly blocked in front of their mom, looking warily at Gu Xing’er.
Lin Zhao placed her arms left and right on Da Zai and Er Zai’s shoulders, pulling her sons to her side, and smiled at Gu Xing’er: “This is my home too; I can come whenever I want.”
She casually glanced at the firewood Gu Xing’er picked, reminding her: “Right, little sister-in-law forgot to deliver yesterday’s firewood. Don’t forget to make it up today.”
“Bang!”
Gu Xing’er angrily dropped the firewood, glaring at Lin Zhao: “Lin Zhao, don’t go too far.”
Lin Zhao ignored her and turned to Gu Mu who had just come out, saying softly: “Mom should still manage little sister-in-law a bit, lest others think all Gu Family daughters are so unruly and chattery. Gu Family isn’t just her one girl.”
These words reached the ears of Gu Da Sao and Gu Er Sao who had just returned home; their faces slightly changed.
They both had daughters; if Gu Family reputation was ruined by little sister-in-law, their kids wouldn’t fare well either.
“Lin Zhao!” Gu Xing’er gnashed her teeth, about to curse, but was scolded by Gu Mu: “Xing’er, that’s your third sister-in-law. Who taught you to call sister-in-law by name directly!”
“Go pick firewood!” She said it was not to be refused, her eyes full of warning..
Gu Xing’er hadn’t eaten a bite since yesterday afternoon; even chugging water on an empty stomach didn’t help. She thought after picking a bundle she’d have food, but ran into Lin Zhao this nemesis at home, so angry tears streamed out.
“I’ll tell my third brother…” Her voice carried a cry.
“Whatever you want.” Lin Zhao’s tone was indifferent.
She had already written first to tell the kids’ dad. Gu Chenghuai was a reasonable man and knew whose words to believe.
Gu Mu didn’t want to watch them argue and said to Gu Xing’er: “Xing’er, go pick another bundle of firewood and deliver to your third sister-in-law, or you won’t eat today.”
Gu Xing’er felt extremely aggrieved, thought her life bitter, glared fiercely at Lin Zhao, and rushed out the home door.
With little sister-in-law full of malice toward her, Lin Zhao wasn’t at ease leaving the dragon-phoenix twins at the old house. She said to Da Zai Er Zai: “Da Zai Er Zai, take your younger brother and sister home.”
Gu Mu stepped forward two steps, worriedly: “Third Son’s Wife, what’s this about again?”
“Isn’t it double harvest rush? Mom has lots going on; I’ll take the children myself.” Lin Zhao didn’t say she worried Gu Xing’er might stupidly hurt her own kids.
Gu Mu: “…” She had lots going on not just one or two days; Third Son’s Wife just realized?
“Alright then. If something, have Da Zai Er Zai come find me.” Gu Mu couldn’t say more, could only remind like this.
Da Zai smiled brightly: “Er Zai and I will help mom take care of younger brother and sister.”
Er Zai nodded along.
Lin Zhao took the children away from the old house. Just out the door, she glimpsed the task bar to the right of the lucky draw wheel flash, bursting with pretty fireworks.
It said:
「The children’s wish to eat buns has been fulfilled. You successfully completed the task. Reward: 2 points. Save 8 more points and you can do lucky draw. Go go go!」
Lin Zhao knew about the task bar, but she was lazy. Thinking of doing tasks felt troublesome; she hadn’t even looked. Who knew completing it would be this easy!
If it’s this simple, these tasks aren’t impossible.
“Mom?” Da Zai saw Lin Zhao freeze and called puzzledly.
Lin Zhao ruffled his hair top: “Let’s go, home.”
“What do you want to eat this afternoon?”
Er Zai was a little friend good at expressing. Hearing his mom, he rushed over and said loudly: “Mom, I want to eat meat!”
As soon as he said meat, the dragon-phoenix twins followed: “Meat, meat~~”
Lin Zhao felt something tugging at the hem under her white top. Looking down, she met two little faces with very sweet smiles.
It was San Zai and Si Zai shouting “meat, meat.”
“What are you two shouting? How much can you two eat?” Lin Zhao said amusedly.
The dragon-phoenix twins didn’t understand her words, giggling and showing their little tender teeth.
Er Zai saw his mom was easygoing and pulled his younger brother and sister to his side: “Mom, San Zai and Si Zai want to eat meat too.”
Lin Zhao pinched his face: “It’s Er Zai who wants to eat most, right?”
Er Zai grinned, pulling in Da Zai: “My brother wants to eat meat too, right bro?”
Da Zai nodded heavily: “Yeah.”
“Want to eat dumplings?” Lin Zhao asked.
Er Zai answered loudest: “Yes!”
Da Zai had eaten dumplings at New Year, made by his grandma, radish filling. Very curious, he also said: “Want to eat.”
The dragon-phoenix twins didn’t understand what they were saying but followed happily.
Lin Zhao took the children home. On the way, they met brigade people who were stunned seeing them. After they passed, couldn’t help muttering.
“Cheng Huai’s family okay? She’s actually taking care of kids?” A village aunt was full of surprise.
Another aunt’s gaze lingered on Lin Zhao, sourly: “Who knows. Already married but dresses so flashy, prettier than big girls. Don’t know who she’s showing for.”
The first aunt thought her words harsh, about to ruin reputation, said: “Can’t say that casually! Cheng Huai’s family is lazy sure, but she’s honest.”
Seeing the other still dismissive, continued: “Cheng Huai’s family is a military wife. Slandering soldiers’ families means jail time. Watch your mouth.”
The gossipy aunt’s heart tightened, cautiously looked around, saw no one and relaxed: “Just saying casually; don’t spread it.”
The aunt advising her said faintly: “I’m not the gossipy type, but you watch it in future. No Gu Family member is easy to provoke. If Cheng Huai’s mom hears you spreading gossip about her daughter-in-law, she’ll come to your house with a hoe.”
The gossipy aunt slapped her own mouth: “Won’t say, never again.”
…
Lin Zhao didn’t know about this.
Near home, they ran into village kids running around.
Tie Niu called to Da Zai Er Zai: “Da Zai Er Zai, come play.”
Er Zai wanted to play, but wanted dumplings more.
He said: “Not playing today. My mom is making dumplings for us; my brother and I have to help.”
His words just fell when Si Zai’s milky voice rang out: “Help……busy……” One word at a time popping out.
