Chapter 73: “you’re Always Special”
In an instant.
The twins seemed to see the ice and snow melting.
Their stern-faced dad smiled!
The two little brothers keenly noticed the subtle difference, exchanged a glance, and their lively eyes flashed with mischief.
Hehe.
Dad was so gentle with Si Zai. So if they accidentally caused trouble, they could ask Si Zai to plead with dad, kissing him.
That way, he dad would definitely not get angry at them again.
Gu Chenghuai didn’t know the twins’ calculations. After being kissed by his daughter, his cold sharp black eyes instantly softened with laughter. “Good girl.”
Si Zai also giggled.
It was almost eight o’clock.
Lin Zhao went to take a bath.
She took her time, using half an hour.
During that time, she also casually summoned the Lucky Draw Wheel.
The Task Bar had an update.
She glanced at the total points in the upper right—
Among them, one task’s text was two sizes larger than the others, and that line had a shadow effect, shining brightly.
【Warmly welcome the banknote-level pillar home, let the banknote-level backbone feel the warmth of home and the wife’s sincere care, earn 1000 points.
Note: 1000 is the maximum points reward, take note.】
“！！”
1000 points, the maximum task reward.
And Gu Chenghuai brought her 1000 points just by showing up.
As expected of the banknote-level pillar.
Lin Zhao seized the chance to draw.
Very boldly, she used the 1000 points.
With the cubs’ dad at home, earning points was easy.
No rush.
The pointer stopped, the wheel emitted a bright light, like getting gold in a game.
「Iron Bone Reishi（ji）, Miracle Grass Seed, becomes invisible in light, appears at night, thin and long, emits firefly light, odorless.
Notes: Weak, very weak, extremely weak, needs careful nurturing.
Rarity: Extremely rare.
Uses: Can heal broken bones, shattered bones… In short, can heal any bone problem.」
Lin Zhao’s evaluation: A bit interesting.
However.
In the blink of an eye, she shut it in the little black room.
The notes there were marked in bold black, so big: weak, very weak, needs careful nurturing.
She couldn’t even take care of four cubs, how could she manage a grass?!
She’d deal with it if needed.
Lin Zhao walked out of the bathroom, unhurriedly returning to the room.
At that moment, Gu Chenghuai was leaning against the bedhead reading, Da Zai practicing calligraphy, Er Zai sitting next to his brother, scribbling and drawing, ostensibly writing but actually doodling.
The dragon-phoenix twins and their dad were all on the bed, San Zai lying quietly and obediently beside his dad, his little head against his dad’s arm.
And Si Zai? As if knowing her dad was lenient with her, she was extremely bold, crawling all over Gu Chenghuai, pinching dad’s face, touching dad’s high nose bridge, her mouth emitting cheerful laughter.
If Gu Chenghuai’s comrades saw this scene, their jaws would drop.
Who was Gu Chenghuai? The sternest officer in the entire Military Region, the man who scared all the kids in the Family Courtyard to tears—no one dared climb on his head!
Lin Zhao lifted the bamboo curtain, and light footsteps sounded.
The one big and four small in the room immediately looked over.
Gu Chenghuai held Si Zai under her armpits with both hands, gently lifted the little milk lump high, placed her aside, then got off the bed.
Si Zai was a good baby, didn’t fuss, lay down smoothly, and played finger games with her little brother.
Here, Er Zai saw Lin Zhao enter, jumped off the stool fiercely, and grumbled, “Mom, you’re so slow.”
Dad said to wait for mom to come back to distribute gifts; he was dying of impatience.
Da Zai was also expectant, but he could hold his temperament.
Hearing Er Zai urging his wife, Gu Chenghuai’s expression was displeased, coldly rebuking, “Gu Er Zai, have some patience.”
Er Zai had a bewildered face, babbling complaints, “Dad, you’re unreasonable. Earlier you made me write, I was just a tiny bit slow, just that little bit, you said I was dawdling. Now it’s mom’s turn, and you say be patient.”
“I’m really having it too hard!”
Lin Zhao burst out laughing.
Gu Chenghuai took the half-wet towel from her hand, wiped his wife’s hair tips, glanced at Er Zai, “In our home, female comrades have privileges.”
Lin Zhao was facing the vanity mirror, slowly unscrewing the face cream cap.
Hearing this, her fingertip paused, she turned her head to look at him.
The warm yellow light fell in her eyes, rippling with fine shards of light.
“Comrade Gu…” She deliberately dragged out the tone, teasing, “I seem to remember someone saying they hate special treatment the most?”
Gu Chenghuai’s expression unchanged, “With me, you’re always special.”
Lin Zhao laughed so hard she shook like flowers in the wind.
As the couple chatted, they forgot the four cubs.
Er Zai pouted, climbed onto the bed, played with his younger brother and sister, while Da Zai silently practiced calligraphy.
When Lin Zhao’s hair was mostly dry, Gu Chenghuai stopped, walked to the door, hung up the towel, and opened the luggage.
Seeing his actions, the four cubs’ eyes lit up, they slid off the bed, slipped into their cloth shoes, and ran over pattering.
They lifted their little heads, faces full of identical expectation.
As expected from crawling out of the same mom’s belly.
Gu Chenghuai first took out a dress and presented it to Lin Zhao, warmly saying, “Zhaozhao, this is the skirt I bought you at the department store in Haicheng. See if you like it. I thought it suited you the moment I saw it.”
“You’ll look great in it.”
Lin Zhao took it, pinched the collar and shook it out.
The full view of the long skirt appeared before the family.
This skirt was a classic red-and-white plaid style.
Peter Pan Collar design, bubble short sleeves, with a retro playful feel, red waist belt perfectly outlining the waistline, making the skirt look neat and sharp.
“Cubs’ dad, you have great taste. I really like it.” Lin Zhao held it against herself, liking it more the more she looked.
Her seaweed-like long hair draped down, thick and dense, shining, skin fair, eyes clear and bright, holding the stylish long skirt in front, lips curved in a shallow smile, like a pretty lady from a pictorial.
“Mom looks good.” Da Zai said smiling, eyes full of admiration.
Gu Chenghuai, who was preempted in praising first by his son: “……”
He really!
“Very suitable for you.” Gu Chenghuai sincerely praised.
Of course, he thought his wife looked pretty even in a sack.
“Too bad it hasn’t been washed; otherwise I’d wear it to work tomorrow.” Lin Zhao said regretfully.
Gu Chenghuai didn’t say anything, continued rummaging in the luggage, and took out a pair of beige small leather shoes, also classic style.
“You bought me leather shoes again.” Lin Zhao’s eyes sparkled, voice joyful, giving the man the reaction he wanted.
Sure enough.
Gu Chenghuai’s brows and eyes grew even softer.
“Your leather shoes are worn out, this style is the latest, very popular in Haicheng.” His tone was gentle.
Er Zai waited half a day, all gifts were for mom, none for them, he took the initiative to ask, “Dad, what about ours?”
“What’s the rush.” Gu Chenghuai frowned, saying righteously, “Er Zai, you really should exercise some patience. I’m not favoring one over the other, look at your big brother.”
Da Zai quietly straightened his back.
Er Zai: “……”
“I’m just asking.” The little friend wasn’t discouraged, muttering.
He was super depressed inside, took half a step back, slightly bent, extended his right arm forward, making a “please continue” gesture.
Lin Zhao could die laughing from Er Zai.
Seeing his second son had insight, Gu Chenghuai gave him an approving look, continued rummaging the luggage.
“Zhaozhao, this is wool yarn, see if you like it? If not, give it to the cubs, I’ll buy new for you.”
Er Zai didn’t mind, mouth grinning wide.
Whatever, he wasn’t picky!!
“This color isn’t that great, I originally wanted red, but red was sold out, only this left.” In Gu Chenghuai’s heart, his wife deserved the best.
If wife didn’t like it, it wasn’t Zhaozhao’s fault, it was lack of choices, his wife was really aggrieved.
“It’s good, light gray is fine too, I like it.” Lin Zhao genuinely thought it was okay.
The furrow between Gu Chenghuai’s brows smoothed out, “As long as you like it.”
Now it was their turn, the four cubs thought.
Staring at Gu Chenghuai’s movements, gazes hot with expectation.
Who knew.
Gu Chenghuai took out a black wool coat.
“!” Still mom’s!!
The four cubs’ eyes instantly dimmed.
What about theirs?
Theirs… where!!!
Gu Chenghuai didn’t notice the four cubs, he thought take it one by one, what’s the rush.
The young officer full of refined air looked at his beloved wife, said, “You don’t like cotton-padded clothes being too bulky, like wearing a bear, I bought you a coat, wear it over sweater when it cools, won’t look bulky.”
The wool coat was mid-long, double-breasted, comfortable and structured, classic style, timeless even in later years.
“This… expensive, right?!” Lin Zhao touched the fabric, soft and light, definitely not cheap.
“Not expensive, your happiness matters most.” Gu Chenghuai said lightly.
“You look pretty in nice clothes, happy mood, I want you happy every day.” In his heart, Zhaozhao worked hard, spending most of half month’s allowance to make her happy, he was willing.
Gu Chenghuai continued rummaging the luggage.
The four cubs stood in a row, eyes lighting up again.
Their turn now.
The little ones rubbed hands in anticipation, eyes following their dad’s hand.
Lin Zhao caught the kids’ cute looks from the corner of her eye, smile uncontrollably wide, gaze infinitely gentle.
Gu Chenghuai took out a pretty retro wide-brimmed hat, presented to her.
“Wife, you get home from work at peak sun time, I bought you a hat to block the sun.” Gu Chenghuai really put Lin Zhao first, thought of everything.
“See if you like it?”
Before Lin Zhao answered, he continued seamlessly, “If not, make do for now, when opportunity comes I’ll take you to Haicheng, buy you several more.”
When they first dated, Zhaozhao casually saw a pictorial, a lady on it, he forgot her look, only remembered the hat, Zhaozhao seemed to like it a lot, he thought then, must buy her one someday.
“I like it, didn’t expect you remembered.” Lin Zhao stroked the big bow on the hat, smiled brightly.
Gu Chenghuai thought, everything Zhaozhao says, he remembers.
“Want me to put it on you?” He lowered his eyes to Lin Zhao, asking her opinion.
“Sure.” Lin Zhao agreed openly.
Gu Chenghuai smoothed her draped long hair, put the hat on his wife, conveniently took the mirror for her to see.
“Really pretty, Gu Chenghuai your taste is getting better.” Lin Zhao tilted head left and right, looking at herself in the mirror.
Pretty and stylish.
Indeed, clothes make the man.
Gu Chenghuai smiled without speaking.
He had times of questionable taste too, like first buying wife pink sandals, pink scarf, got disliked thoroughly, observed secretly for half year, gradually learned Zhaozhao’s preferences.
The four cubs saw mom wear hat for first time, four pairs of eyes bright like summer night stars.
Outputting rainbow farts in childlike words.
“Wow!” Er Zai cupped face looking at Lin Zhao, tone light and fast, full of pride, “Mom so pretty! Mom is fairy? Mom, when I earn money, buy you lots and lots of hats too!”
Saying lots and lots of hats, he spread arms wide, drawing big circle with arms.
Da Zai hooked his mom’s clothes corner with finger, sincere and direct, “Mom prettiest. Mom, tomorrow let dad take your photo. Wear new clothes must take photo.”
Turned head to Gu Chenghuai: “Dad, will you take photo for mom?”
Gu Chenghuai thought Da Zai meant take Zhaozhao to county studio, gave big son approving look, happily said, “Yes.”
Dragon-phoenix twins hugged Lin Zhao’s legs, faces up, voices crisp and bright.
“Mom pretty.” Soft cute Si Zai.
San Zai noticed mom’s seeking praise gaze, followed with, “Mom good-looking.”
Little expression serious and proper, just like biological dad.
Er Zai suddenly noticed something off, walked to brother, cupped San Zai’s face in palms, moved left and right, gaze increasingly weird.
Withdrew hand, looked up at Gu Chenghuai.
Expression serious.
“Mom, I think I saw little dad!!” Little friend’s voice loud, full of incredulity.
He looked at dad, then brother, more alike the more he saw, dumbstruck.
Like this, he wouldn’t dare bully brother anymore.
“San Zai is dad’s biological son, like dad what’s strange.” Lin Zhao took off hat, no need to say, Gu Chenghuai took it, hung it up smoothly.
“I’m dad’s son too, why don’t I look like dad?” Er Zai eyes turned, tilted head, full of doubt.
Da Zai didn’t understand either.
“Because you two look like dad and mom.” Lin Zhao smoothed hair with fingers, comforting twins verbally, “This way when we go out, others know we’re family.”
Five-year-old little friends happy again, thought this was great too.
Two little brothers satisfied.
Seeing this scene, Gu Chenghuai’s brows and eyes softened.
Then, Si Zai toddled to him, hugged dad’s leg tight, craned neck hard, chubby hand tugged dad’s clothes hem.
“Dad, cub, cub~~” Baby voice soft, crescent eyes smiling, long curly lashes trembling lightly, sweetness off the charts.
While babbling milkily, little finger pointed at Gu Chenghuai’s gift luggage, reminding dad, there’s Si Zai too.
Lin Zhao saw it daily, still melted by daughter.
She picked up Si Zai, kissed daughter’s soft fragrant little face, laughed, “Don’t rush, definitely gift for you little imp.”
“Mom, ours brothers too?” Er Zai raised paw weakly asking.
“Of course.” Lin Zhao answered son, turned to urge cubs’ dad, “Quick give kids, Er Zai waiting till not confident!”
Wife spoke, Gu Chenghuai had to give sons first.
No suspense, dug from luggage bottom, thick hardcover thing, handed to Er Zai.
“Yours, use well.” Gu Chenghuai said.
Er Zai flipped quickly, tilted head slightly, looked at dad’s superior profile with depressed absurd gaze.
“What is this?” Little friend mouth drooped, eyes lost light.
“For fighting?!”
One sentence after another, refusing to admit… this was literacy dictionary.
Gu Chenghuai rubbed brow.
Fighting again?
Gu Er Zai too wild!
“Er Zai, this is dictionary.” Da Zai beside brother, pointed at top words, small face serious.
“Has words, ‘dian’ you don’t know, ‘zi’ you should. Er Zai, learn words well, else how drive big car grown up, you can’t even read roads.”
Er Zai shattered, bitter face, “I know words! Know it’s dictionary, but I don’t want it!”
What use dictionary, can’t eat, can’t drink.
Shoved dictionary to San Zai, turned away, out of sight out of mind.
San Zai curiously opened book, clearly understood nothing, but eyes brighter and brighter.
