Chapter 9: “imagining Mom”
Da Zai Er Zai brought the small pillow. This pillow was also made by Gu Mu. The fabric was old, with heavy patchwork traces, but this was already very good.
After all, countryside people have no income sources, and cloth coupons are just that little amount. Whose clothes aren’t layered with patches? Many people don’t even have pillows, and they have them all because of their milk’s favoritism toward them.
“San Zai, Si Zai, lie down obediently and don’t disturb Mom.” Da Zai educated his younger brother and sister seriously.
The dragon-phoenix twins showed obedient and soft smiles and lay down obediently.
Da Zai Er Zai were afraid Mom would chase them to the next room, so they also lay down obediently. Four pairs of eyes looked at Lin Zhao in unison.
“What are you looking at me for? Can’t sleep?” Lin Zhao asked amusingly.
“I’m so full today; my belly doesn’t feel uncomfortable at all.” Er Zai touched his full belly, his short legs crossed together, like a little old man.
Lin Zhao raised her eyes. “Usually not full?”
Er Zai hugged her waist and whined pitifully: “Not full! Not full at all! It’s all soup water; it doesn’t fill you up!”
Lin Zhao didn’t suspect Gu Mu of abusing the two kids because the old house’s meals were like that. The noon meal was okay, but the dinner was so thin you could see your face in it.
“In the future, Mom will cook and make sure you eat your fill and grow tall.” Lin Zhao cooed softly.
Er Zai suddenly looked up and grinned. “I believe you. Mom has to keep her word.”
Da Zai watched his younger brother nestle in Mom’s bosom, his eyes full of envy.
San Zai Si Zai also sat up, wanting Mom to hold them.
Lin Zhao made them sit obediently and patted Er Zai’s shoulder, saying: “Get up quickly. Mom will measure your sizes.”
She took out the soft tape measure and waved her hand.
“Mom’s making clothes for me?!” Er Zai pressed down his younger brother and sister who wanted Mom to hold them, his eyes shining unbelievably.
Da Zai was also a bit excited.
“Yes, making a few pieces of clothes for you two brothers.” Lin Zhao smiled and said: “I bought fabric.”
Er Zai stood up, arms spread open. Under the dim yellow light, his smile was as brilliant as the sun.
Lin Zhao quickly measured the sizes and noted them in the notebook beside her. Then she beckoned to Da Zai. “Da Zai, your turn. Er Zai, watch San Zai Si Zai.”
Er Zai responded energetically: “Got it!”
Da Zai walked to the bedside, looking at his mom with eyes full of childlike attachment. “Thank you, Mom.”
Lin Zhao measured him with the same process and smiled: “I accept your thanks. Go lie down quickly. It’s late; kids can’t stay up.”
After speaking, she took out the fabric from the cabinet and started cutting.
Countryside girls all knew how to make clothes. Lin Zhao had strong learning ability from a young age and mastered it after learning for half a month.
“Mom, you know how to make clothes?” Er Zai, lying on the outermost side, smiled at his mom.
Lin Zhao gave him a glance and said: “I already knew how.”
“Has Mom made clothes for me and my brother before?” Er Zai asked again.
“No.” Lin Zhao paused. “Couldn’t bear to spend the money and ration coupons.”
Er Zai’s little face stiffened.
After a moment, he asked eagerly: “Does Mom not mind spending now?”
Lin Zhao cut the fabric by candlelight. She hadn’t made clothes for years, but her skills hadn’t rusted.
“Of course I don’t mind.” She smiled. “I suddenly remembered that you four kids are the treasure eggs I finally gave birth to. You’re so obedient it’s excessive, and I want to be a good mom.”
Er Zai heard Mom say they were treasure eggs, and dense joy surged from the bottom of his heart.
“Mom is also our treasure egg.”
“…”
Lin Zhao was helpless and changed the topic: “Go to sleep quickly. Don’t you have to get up early tomorrow morning?”
Er Zai closed his eyes, but opened them again soon, asking expectantly: “Will Mom cook tomorrow morning too?”
“Of course.” Lin Zhao chuckled softly. Her jade-white face under the dim yellow light was beautiful and gentle, leaving a deep impression in Da Zai’s heart that he never forgot even after having his own children.
“I already said I will from now on.”
Da Zai was afraid Mom would be tired and volunteered: “I can learn to cook. Once I learn, I’ll cook for Mom.”
Lin Zhao’s motherly heart melted into a puddle of water, and she smiled in agreement: “Good, you’re really Mom’s good Da Zai.”
Er Zai was a little friend with big ambitions and immediately said: “When I grow up and make big money, I’ll buy Mom a big restaurant and hire the best chef to cook for Mom, making Mom the young mistress.”
“!”
The front part was fine, but that last sentence—you’re trying to get your mom locked up!
Lin Zhao frowned.
“Where did you learn that from?”
Er Zai was good at reading people and immediately knew he’d said something wrong. He said obediently: “I heard it from Aunt in the village.”
Just as she guessed.
Lin Zhao looked at him seriously. “From now on, no more learning how villagers talk. If I hear you mimicking that messy stuff again, no more candy for you at home.”
According to the book’s plot, things were about to get chaotic soon. Saying words like young mistress would bring bad luck.
She couldn’t directly tell Er Zai what was coming next, so she threatened him with his favorite candy.
Er Zai nearly jumped up and agreed immediately: “I won’t learn it! I won’t ever learn it again!”
Joking aside, compared to learning gossip, candy was more important than anything.
Lin Zhao wasn’t entirely reassured and turned to instruct Da Zai: “Da Zai, keep an eye on your younger brother.”
Da Zai loved helping his mom and nodded solemnly. “Mm.”
In the time they spoke, Lin Zhao had cut the fabric, ready for sewing tomorrow. She had no watch and couldn’t tell the time exactly, feeling sleepy, so she put away her things.
“Go to sleep.”
The dragon-phoenix twins were sprawled out in deep sleep, their little bellies rising and falling, little feet sticking up, faces flushed red.
Lin Zhao adjusted the sleeping positions for the two little ones, covered their little bellies with the new blanket, and said to Da Zai Er Zai: “Da Zai Er Zai, lie down properly. Mom’s blowing out the lamp.”
“Lying down.” Da Zai said.
Lin Zhao blew out the lamp and lay down. Soon, the two big friends also fell into deep sleep.
Once the children were all asleep, Lin Zhao rubbed her hands and started the lucky draw.
The red pointer spun and spun, finally stopping.
It stopped on the bathing and skincare set section.
【Laundry Soap×2】
【Shampoo×1 bottle】
【Rose-Scented Body Wash×1 bottle】
【Conditioner×1 bottle】
【Baking Soda Whitening Toothpaste×1】
【Soft Toothbrushes×5】
【Whitening Moisturizing Body Lotion×1 bottle】
【Moisturizing Face Cream×1 bottle】
【Children’s Hydrating Face Cream×1 bottle】
【Facial Cleansing Soap×1】
All things the family urgently needed.
Lin Zhao quietly got up, silently chanted to extract, put the newly drawn items into the cabinet, yawned, and went back to bed to sleep.
–
Gu Family Old House, the room where First Branch was.
Tie Dan tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and asked his younger brother: “Tie Chui, did you really eat eight whole dumplings today?”
“Mm-hm.” Tie Chui lay straight, his right hand touching his bulging belly, his thin, dark face full of satisfaction.
“Third Aunt’s dumplings were fist-sized. One bite and it’s all meat, with white flour wrappers. They tasted so good.”
Tie Dan was so envious he wanted to cry.
“Why didn’t you save one for me?” he complained.
Tie Chui looked puzzled. “Didn’t brother say only what’s in your belly is truly yours?”
Tie Dan wanted to slap himself; asking was regretting it.
“Next time there’s good food, save some for brother. If brother has good food, I’ll save some for you too.”
“No.” Little Tie Chui shook his head in refusal. “I want to save for Da Zai Er Zai.”
“Not giving to you; you eat too much.” He even considerately gave an explanation.
Tie Dan could almost hear his heart breaking, his tone forlorn: “Tie Chui, I’m your brother, your real one.”
What’s wrong with saving a bite for your real brother?
Tie Chui turned over, not hearing this, mumbling: “Da Zai Er Zai are also my brothers, the best brothers.”
Tie Dan was both angry and hurt, saying: “I washed diapers for you for nothing!”
After speaking, he also turned over.
Brother washed diapers for him?
Little Tie Chui instantly couldn’t lie still and wriggled like a worm to his mom Huang Xiulan’s side, whispering: “Mom, did brother wash diapers for me?” The little friend was full of distress.
Huang Xiulan thought her son’s little expression was adorable and teased him on purpose: “If he did, what would you do? If he didn’t, what do you plan to do?”
Tie Chui glanced at his brother’s resentful back and already had a plan in mind.
“If brother washed diapers for me, I’ll save good stuff for brother. If he didn’t, I’ll still save for Da Zai Er Zai.”
Huang Xiulan originally didn’t like her younger son getting too close to Third Branch’s kids. Those two were too shrewd, and Third Son’s Wife didn’t care for their eating, drinking, or anything. She was afraid Tie Chui would suffer.
She hadn’t expected Lin Zhao to treat Tie Chui to dumplings.
Strange.
But her son got benefits, so shrewd Gu Da Sao naturally wouldn’t say anything.
Tie Chui poked Huang Xiulan’s arm and asked seriously: “Mom, did brother wash diapers for me?”
The youth behind him stiffened.
He’d washed halfway and cried from the stink, but it still counted as washing, right?!
Huang Xiulan glanced at Tie Dan and smiled: “It counts as washing.”
Tie Chui was puzzled. What did “counts” mean?
“Why do you smell a bit fragrant?” Huang Xiulan had smelled fragrance on Tie Chui long ago but hadn’t asked. Now close up, the scent was even stronger.
Tie Chui grinned foolishly. “Third Aunt put cold cream on me. Me, Da Zai Er Zai, and the dragon-phoenix twins are all fragrant little friends.”
Huang Xiulan hadn’t expected such a big change in Lin Zhao; her mind was full of doubts.
What was wrong with Third Son’s Wife?
The next day.
Lin Zhao woke up groggily, feeling hot and breathless. Opening her eyes, she saw the dragon-phoenix twins sleeping on her with strange positions.
Da Zai Er Zai were also squeezed beside her.
She picked up San Zai Si Zai and put them aside, sat up, used her hand as a fan to fan randomly, still sleepy-eyed and not fully awake.
So hot.
Da Zai Er Zai were also woken by the heat. The two little friends’ slightly longer hair was damp, their faces marked with straw mat imprints, red from the heat.
“Mom.” Da Zai’s steady voice finally showed a child’s childlike innocence at this moment.
Lin Zhao spoke very softly: “Still sleepy? If so, sleep more.”
“What about Mom?” Da Zai rubbed his eyes, more awake now.
“Not sleepy. It’s too hot. I’ll go wash up and make breakfast for you. What do you want to eat?” Lin Zhao asked.
“Whatever Mom makes is delicious.” Da Zai thought of yesterday’s dumplings and swallowed.
Lin Zhao’s heart bloomed with joy from the praise. She pondered and said: “I’ll make steamed egg custard for you. San Zai Si Zai can eat it too. Okay?”
“Good.” Da Zai said happily.
Mother and son quietly got out of bed and went to the yard.
There was wind outside, and early morning temperatures hadn’t risen yet. Outside was much more comfortable than inside the room.
Lin Zhao opened the window to let air circulate in the room.
“Da Zai, we’ll wash first.” She took out face soap and four soft toothbrushes, introducing them one by one to Da Zai: “This is face soap. You and your siblings can use it for washing hands too. These are toothbrushes I bought for you. When Er Zai and the others wake up, you’re in charge of distributing them.”
Da Zai held out both hands to receive the items from Lin Zhao, carefully placing three toothbrushes back on the table and taking his own to brush.
It was his first time brushing teeth, feeling very novel. He imitated his mom: brush left, brush right, brush up, brush down, and occasionally met Lin Zhao’s smiling eyes, curving his own eyes in a smile.
Lin Zhao spat out the mouth rinse and reminded her son: “Don’t swallow the toothpaste water; spit it out.”
Da Zai’s cheeks were puffed, a circle of white foam around his mouth, and he nodded.
Lin Zhao tried washing her face with the drawn face soap. It smelled great, felt very refreshing, not drying at all, skin moist and comfortable. But she was used to applying cold cream after washing.
Back in the room, she remembered the face cream from last night. Instead of cold cream, she applied the drawn one.
Outside, Da Zai washed his face with face soap for the first time. The little friend was so tempted by the fragrance he wanted to bite the soap.
Lin Zhao leaned half her body out the window and whisper-shouted to him: “Da Zai, after washing, come inside. I’ll apply some face cream for you.”
Hearing this, Da Zai rinsed the foam off his face, dried it with the towel, and ran inside da-da-da. The moment he stepped through the door, he instinctively lightened his steps.
Lin Zhao’s expression softened, and she applied face cream to Da Zai.
“Fragrant, right?” she asked.
“Fragrant.” Da Zai softly answered his mom’s question, puzzled: “It’s different from last night’s scent.”
Lin Zhao felt no guilt and raised her brow: “You wouldn’t understand. Female comrades like all kinds of skincare products. This is still few.”
Da Zai suddenly understood and said: “When I grow up and become a worker, I’ll buy Mom lots of cold cream.”
Whether true or not, it warmed the heart.
“Good, I’ll wait.” Lin Zhao pointed to the jar of children’s face cream and said: “This is for little friends. After you and your siblings wash your faces, remember to apply it.”
Da Zai asked: “Will it make me as white as Mom?”
Lin Zhao nearly laughed out loud. “You want to get whiter?”
Da Zai looked up at her and smiled shyly. “I want to be like Mom.”
“Hm?” Lin Zhao didn’t understand.
But Da Zai lowered his eyes and didn’t answer.
Villagers said they were too dark to look like Mom.
Lin Zhao didn’t press her son and just said: “You and Er Zai are tanned black from the sun. Look at San Zai Si Zai—they’re fair and tender. After some time recuperating, you and Er Zai will become fair and tender little friends too, just like me.”
Da Zai brightened up and said seriously: “I’ll remind my siblings to apply it.”
Lin Zhao hugged her son’s thin shoulders and led him outside.
“Come on, let’s steam the steamed egg custard for you.”
“Besides steamed egg custard, what else do you want?”
“I’ll help Mom with the fire.” Da Zai said, then answered her: “Steamed egg custard is enough.”
“That works. Lunchtime isn’t far anyway.”
Mother and son busied themselves in the kitchen.
Gu Da Zai sat on the small stool helping watch the fire. He kept glancing at his mom, his smile never fading from his lips.
Soon, an enticing fragrance came from the pot.
“Mom, smells so good.” Da Zai sat on the small stool, nose twitching, taking a big sniff, nearly dazed by the aroma.
Mom had beaten a full four eggs.
