Chapter 66: “hero”
“Study hard. As long as you keep studying, the family will support you.” Gu Mu saw the unlimited potential of high school students from Third Son’s Wife and strongly supported her grandsons and granddaughters studying.
At worst, they could tighten their belts to get by.
They couldn’t let them suffer the disadvantage of being uneducated like the older generation.
At that moment, Da Zai Er Zai came out, holding the breakfast their mom left them in their hands.
Five small steamed buns, one can of braised pork belly can, three boxes of milk.
Originally, Tie Dan and the others felt their lives had reached a new peak, but when they saw what the twins had, they instantly felt the world’s disparities.
In that instant, their eyes all went vacant.
Sigh.
Lai Mei looked at the twins resentfully, “Da Zai Er Zai, can’t you two let our happiness last a little longer?”
Comparing people is infuriating.
Tie Dan carried his bowl over, eyeing the iron box in Er Zai’s hand, “Er Zai, what’s that you’re holding? It looks a bit like a can.”
“Canned meat. My mom said it’s called…” Er Zai suddenly couldn’t remember the name and cast a seeking gaze at his brother.
Da Zai supplemented as if it were routine, “Braised pork belly can.”
“Wow!” Tie Chui slightly opened his mouth, cupping his face and exclaiming in awe, “It’s meat.”
“Meat can be made into a can, so amazing.” His tone rose lightly, chattering on.
“Mm-hmm.” Er Zai responded, reaching out to touch his good brother’s belly, seeing it wasn’t bulging, and said: “Yours isn’t bulging, so eat a bit more.”
He gave Tie Chui a small steamed bun and pushed over a box of milk.
“This milk is for you too. It’s a reward from Mom for me and my brother.” To his good brother, Er Zai was overly generous.
Little friends don’t understand politeness. Da Zai Er Zai shared their good stuff, and Tie Chui didn’t refuse, accepting it directly and thanking him politely, “Thank you, I’ll take it. We’ll drink it together this afternoon.”
“Sure.” Da Zai patted the can lid twice, twisted it with his hand, but couldn’t open it.
He could only ask Gu Fu for help.
“Grandpa, help me open it.”
Gu Fu took the can with his rough hand.
He had never even seen such a thing before and didn’t want to show timidity in front of his grandson. After a good while of studying it calmly, he found the way, looped his index finger into the ring, gave a slight pull, and opened the lid.
Suddenly.
A rich meat fragrance wafted out.
Even adults couldn’t resist drooling, let alone the little kids.
Bang Bang and the others suddenly felt that Third Branch moving back brought nothing but benefits. If Da Zai Er Zai ate like this every day, how were they supposed to live?
“Da Zai Er Zai, you two don’t eat meat every day, do you?” Lai Mei finished her last sip of clear soup without looking at the canned meat, afraid she’d get greedy. That was for the two boys.
“Not every day, every other day or so.” Er Zai held the canned meat with both hands and said loudly.
Da Zai steadied his younger brother’s hands and clumsily picked up meat with chopsticks.
His hands were short and small, not gripping steadily, his fingers trembling as he carefully caught it with his other hand, placing the meat slice onto the coarse grain wowo in Gu Fu’s hand.
In the blink of an eye.
On top of Gu Fu’s half-eaten wowo, two slices of meat were placed, oil seeping into the wowo, making the coarse grain wowo look several times more delicious.
“Grandpa eat meat.” Da Zai said seriously.
After giving to Grandpa, he gave to Grandma.
Gu Mu wanted to refuse, but faced two identical disapproving little faces. The two little brothers’ eyes accused her.
“My mom said when juniors take the initiative to be filial, elders should gladly accept it. Gladly means happily. Adults can’t dampen the mood, or little friends will be unhappy.
If little friends are unhappy, they’ll quietly remember it in their hearts forever, and once remembered, they’ll never share again. Grandma, are you sure you don’t want me and Er Zai’s filial piety?” Da Zai spoke logically, every word clear.
These words were indeed said by Lin Zhao.
It started when Er Zai proactively shared his saved candies with Mom. Lin Zhao ate one in a bite, leaving the little friend stunned by her decisiveness.
“Mom, why didn’t you say you don’t like candy and save it for me?! Eldest Uncle’s Wife and Second Aunt would do that.”
Lin Zhao chewed the candy, the rich milk fragrance spreading in her mouth, her voice gentle and soft, “Do you think candy is tasty?”
“Tasty.” Er Zai nodded like pounding garlic.
Lin Zhao countered, “Why would I not like tasty things? Am I silly?”
“Mom isn’t silly. Mom is the smartest mom.” Er Zai first praised his mom lavishly, not letting any of her words fall, then said: “Grandma, Eldest Uncle’s Wife, and Second Aunt all say they don’t like candy.”
“Candy is good stuff. Eating it makes your heart sweet. Who wouldn’t like it?” Lin Zhao hugged Er Zai, lightly pinching his little nose, her tone gentle, “Adults say they don’t like it because they can’t bear to eat it and want to save the good stuff for little friends.”
“Then why did Mom…” Er Zai mimicked Lin Zhao, pinching air with his little hand and tossing it into his mouth like a candy, seriously asking: “Why did Mom eat my candy?”
“Why do you think? Why?!” Lin Zhao tickled the soft flesh on her son’s little belly.
Clear, crisp laughter spilled from the little friend’s mouth.
“Because this is Er Zai’s filial piety to Mom. Of course I’ll accept it. Adults can’t always dampen the mood, or little friends won’t like sharing. I like you sharing with me, no matter what it is.”
Mom likes them sharing with her.
Da Zai Er Zai firmly remembered it in their hearts.
That’s how they had these words to say to Gu Mu now.
Gu Mu listened in a daze.
She quickly came back to her senses and smiled, “Yes, yes, yes. Grandma wants it. Why wouldn’t I want filial piety from my dear grandsons? I’m blessed to enjoy my grandsons’ fortune.”
As she spoke, she handed over her steamed corn bun.
Da Zai curved his eyes, placed meat on it, two slices just like for his grandpa.
He gave one slice to Tie Chui, and the remaining little brothers ate themselves.
The bottom of the can bottle was all oil, which could be used to stir-fry vegetables at noon. Even the bok choy stalks would have meat flavor. The Gu Family Members all liked it.
In the county.
At 11:30, a clear-featured youth entered the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
His gaze quickly scanned the counters. Seeing Lin Zhao, he carefully protected the lunchbox in his hand and trotted over.
“Sis.” Song Yunjin’s eyes had the unique cleanliness of a youth, his tone cheerful as he happily looked at Lin Zhao, smiling to reveal eight teeth.
Lin Zhao was slightly stunned and took the lunchbox casually, asking in surprise: “Why are you the one delivering?”
She hadn’t seen her little cousin for years; he’d grown a lot taller. This height was about 78 meters, right?
Probably because of not eating enough, people these days weren’t generally tall. 75 meters was considered very tall, 78 was uncommon, and over 8 meters was like standing out from the crowd.
“My brother has something at the factory.” Song Yunjin looked around. Clearly not his first time at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, but after having family working here, coming in suddenly felt like coming home.
What he didn’t say was that this lunch was originally for his dad to deliver, but he snatched the errand, jumped on the bicycle, and pedaled fast, leaving his dad behind.
He could hear Old Song’s angry roar from far away.
He’d probably get a beating when he went back.
No big deal.
“Already busy on Monday, really tough.” Lin Zhao sincerely sighed, “Sure enough, factory work isn’t for me.”
Three shifts a day—thinking about it was suffocating.
Song Yunjin knew his sister and instantly understood what she was thinking. With people around, he didn’t dare agree, lest he accidentally say something inappropriate, making people think his sister couldn’t handle hardship and pinning a label on her.
“Learning a skill, busyness is expected. At least no going to the countryside. Several people in our staff dormitory have no work and were required by the street to go to the countryside. They cried their hearts out at home, miserable.”
Lin Zhao was eating and glanced at her cousin, asking: “What are your plans? Continue high school or find a job?”
“I’m telling you, farm work isn’t for your little arms and legs. If you went to the countryside, you wouldn’t last half a month before crying your heart out too. Plan ahead, arrange ahead.” As she said this, she slightly lowered her voice.
“High school, then work after high school.” Song Yunjin was very happy his sister cared about him, his smile widening, “Dad wants me to go to university, says I have the potential, but now…”
Just this year, universities suddenly stopped admissions. Wanted to go but couldn’t.
“Work is fine too. Don’t give up learning. There will always be a chance later.” Lin Zhao thought her cousin was young; in ten years he’d only be in his twenties. Retaking the college entrance exam wasn’t impossible, provided he didn’t give up learning.
Song Yunjin smiled, his puppy eyes misting with warmth, “Sis, you and my dad are worthy cousins. You say exactly the same things.”
Lin Zhao haughtily glanced at him, “I was raised by Uncle too, so being like him isn’t strange.”
Besides, nephew resembles uncle, and niece does too.
After eating, Lin Zhao gave the lunchbox back to Song Yunjin.
“Yun Jin, help sis with something.” She suddenly remembered something and called to her little cousin.
Song Yunjin stopped, turned around, stepped forward in two or three strides, waist against the counter, “What?”
“Help sis pick up photos from the photo studio, and drop off a few films for the master to develop.” Lin Zhao took out the receipt, films, and money from her shoulder bag—actually the storage ring.
Song Yunjin’s eyes lit up with excitement, “Sis, did you… buy a camera?!!”
It was rare for him to show such strong curiosity about anything.
“Yeah. If you want to learn, I’ll bring it to your house this weekend and teach you.” Lin Zhao smiled.
Intense joy burst on Song Yunjin’s face.
“Okay!”
With that.
The youth took the things Lin Zhao gave him and left the Supply and Marketing Cooperative with light steps.
As soon as he left, Li Fen came over.
“Still your cousin?”
Her expression showed admiration, “Looks pretty spirited.”
Lin Zhao knew Li Fen was looking for a match for her own younger sister and eyed every young man like a brother-in-law. She smiled, “Still in school, not suitable.”
“Get out.” Li Fen bumped her arm and spat at her, eyes full of laughter.
“Can’t I tell? That student is different from working youths. His eyes are clean, face tender—one look and he’s a student. Even if I’m not picky, I wouldn’t pick a student.”
Her sister was in her early twenties, that youth not yet eighteen. Not suitable.
Lin Zhao protested, “Not my fault. Who made Sister Fen so urgent that the whole Supply and Marketing Cooperative knows.”
She was already pretty, standing at the counter fresh like a blooming peony. Even without smiling she was good-looking; making a fuss like this, she was bright and vivid, stirring complex feelings in Li Fen’s heart.
If her sister looked like this, she’d have found a good match long ago!
City youths now all look at faces. Diligent and capable isn’t enough; gotta be good-looking. Not necessarily fairy-like beautiful, at least clear and lovely.
Her sister was neither fairy nor clear, tall and sturdy. Even if capable, not easy to match.
Of course, more importantly, her sister had no formal job.
“Can’t not be urgent.” Li Fen sighed.
Lin Zhao looked up, gaze puzzled, “What’s up? Some performance target? Can’t wait half a year or a year?”
Li Fen was amused by her words, the thick fog in her heart lifting a bit.
She explained, “I have a younger brother who was in the army outside, came back two years ago. He was wounded on the battlefield, leg injury, walks with a limp. He’s twenty-eight this year, still unmarried. I found people to introduce, met several girls, but as soon as they heard there’s an unmarried sister at home, they backed out.”
“This…?” Lin Zhao’s face was full of complexity, not quite understanding.
Just having a sister, and with good arms and legs, she’d marry out sooner or later. What kind of issue was that?
“Maybe fate hasn’t arrived.” She advised dryly.
When irritable, people find things to do. Li Fen wiped the counter with a rag, from one end to the other, then back to continue wiping.
Passing Lin Zhao, she continued: “I haven’t said the reason yet.”
“My brother said he wants my sister to marry grandly, prepare a watch as her dowry.”
Here, she paused, then continued: “Also said he’d prepare a bicycle for me. Said when I got married he wasn’t there, didn’t give anything, wants to make it up to me.”
Li Fen knew her brother wanted to support her.
Not to mention, ever since her brother said he’d give her a bicycle as dowry, her parents-in-law treated her more politely. Any good things, they’d call Fenfen.
Lin Zhao was pampered by parents and brother at her maternal family, and after marriage no one dared bully her. As someone who got all the benefits, she didn’t see a problem.
“That’s your own younger brother, your sister’s own older brother. If he’s capable and willing to provide dowry for you, no problem.”
She knew Li Family parents died early; brother and sister were all raised by Li Fen.
The three depended on each other.
So her brother being good to his own older sister was fine.
Li Fen’s expression was complex, “If only everyone thought like you. Those girls heard my brother giving us sisters bicycles and watches, and they demanded three turns and one sound as betrothal gifts, or no marriage.”
Did they think she was some golden egg? Three turns and one sound—even the factory director’s biological daughter wouldn’t dare ask that.
“Three turns and one sound isn’t easy to gather. Adds up to nearly 1,800, and gotta find a way to get tickets. My brother refused on the spot. That girl said whatever, said our family isn’t sincere, said my brother is… a sis-con, brother-con.”
Even after half a year, Li Fen still trembled with anger recounting it.
Lin Zhao patted Li Fen’s hand, silently comforting her.
Pretty speechless.
“Don’t be mad. That sharp-tempered one isn’t worthy of entering your home, unworthy of being a hero’s wife. Take it slow. I believe your brother will definitely find a good match.” Lin Zhao’s voice was gentle, expression serious.
He was an unnamed hero who shed blood for the country, left with injuries. He deserved happiness, a lifetime of painless, worry-free happiness!
Li Fen hadn’t told these words to others, afraid of being laughed at. Knowing Lin Zhao wasn’t gossipy, and plus… thinking of the two jin of coarse grains she stuffed her that morning, she felt even closer to this girl.
A girl who repays kindness, good character, worthy of trust.
“Zhaozhao.” She called, her straightforward voice uncharacteristically softening.
