Chapter 102: Honor House

Lin Zhao looked at Gu Gu Chenghuai in surprise; she hadn't heard a word from the kids' father.

The man shook his head, indicating he didn't know.

The two boys probably held back out of pride during the day—secretive, refusing to answer him—but with their mother, they were eager to talk.

In an instant, their eyes exchanged silent understanding; Lin Zhao calmly withdrew her gaze and turned back to the second boy, curiously asking, "Why?"

"Did someone bully you?"

She thought no one could bully the second boy—he had a fierce temper, and with Bangbang and the others around, he wasn't easy to pick on.

Yet…

"Mm." The second boy puffed out his cheeks and nodded fiercely.

Huh?

Lin Zhao grew even more curious.

She set down her sewing and asked seriously, "Who bullied you?"

"How did they bully you?"

"If it was intentional, your father and I will make them pay—we won't let our second boy be wronged."

The second boy felt a deep sense of safety; his mouth spread into a wide grin, his eyes shining brightly at Lin Zhao, as if she were the entire world to him.

"Mom, and Brother too," he whined.

"That's right—your big boy too. All four of you are my and your father's treasures," Lin Zhao coaxed gently. "As long as it's not your fault, your father and I will protect you. No one gets to make my boys suffer."

The second boy instinctively glanced at Gu Gu Chenghuai, wondering if his stern father felt the same.

Gu Gu Chenghuai felt his wife tug his sleeve; a smile flickered in his eyes as he nodded to the second boy and said firmly, "You're the ones your mother suffered to give birth to—I'll protect you."

But in his heart, his wife would always come first.

The second boy was overjoyed.

Seeing his clever boy grinning like an idiot, Lin Zhao reminded him, "You haven't told me who bullied you yet."

"Oh, right." The second boy snapped back, his delicate little face serious. "It's Cat Egg! He stole the bird eggs from me and Brother!"

"Cat Egg?" Lin Zhao rarely went out after marrying in and didn't know the villagers well.

Gu Gu Chenghuai heard the unfamiliar tone in his wife's voice and explained, "It's the Ning family."

There was only one Ning family in the village—the Honor House.

Cat Egg was their only child.

Lin Zhao had heard a few words about him from Zhao Zhao Liuniang.

"How did Cat Egg take your bird eggs? Did he snatch them right out of your hands?"

The second boy hesitated, then shook his head. "No, he didn't take them from our hands—but we saw them first. While we went to call Bangbang, he climbed the tree and grabbed them first!" He was furious.

Lin Zhao set aside the half-mended clothes on her knees and looked at him seriously. "Second boy, that's not stealing."

"Things in the mountains are ownerless. Whoever finds them first gets them. Just because you saw them first doesn't mean they're yours—that's being selfish."

The child's expression froze; his lips puckered, clearly resentful and a little hurt.

She continued, "Let me give you an example. Suppose one day I hunt a wild chicken, and Hearing Changsheng's mother suddenly says, 'I saw that chicken first—it should be mine.' Would I give it to her?"

Hearing Changsheng's mother: I didn't even bother you! (◣_◢)

The second boy clenched his fists, his face flushed with anger. "No! It's Mom's chicken—it belongs to Mom!"

Lin Zhao smiled, her eyes soft as she watched him, letting him think it through without pressing further.

The first boy thought deeply, then raised his head and concluded, "Cat Egg didn't steal our bird eggs. They're his."

The second boy finally understood; after a long pause, he muttered, "... I was mad all day for nothing!"

He added under his breath, "Bird eggs are delicious. I worked so hard to find them—I wanted to roast them for you, Mom."

Lin Zhao's gaze paused; her heart suddenly cracked open a little.

"I received your heart, my boy," she rubbed the top of his head. His hair had grown fast—no longer prickly, but soft now. "I'm proud of you both."

The twins' eyes sparkled as they looked at her.

"You saw the bird eggs and didn't climb the tree recklessly—you were good. I'm happier than if you'd brought me roasted bird eggs," Lin Zhao said.

The first boy smiled and promised, "We won't climb trees, play in water, or go into the mountains. We won't do anything dangerous—you'll worry."

He especially didn't want her to cry—he loved seeing her smile.

Lin Zhao kissed each boy's forehead, leaving them beaming as if they'd drunk fake wine.

"Mom, I won't climb trees!" the second boy declared loudly.

The first boy said, "Mom, we wrongly accused Cat Egg. Can we take him some flower buns tomorrow morning to apologize?"

He loved flower buns—he wouldn't even eat them himself—but when apologizing, you brought something valuable to show sincerity.

Besides, Cat Egg was pitiful—more pitiful than when their mother didn't care. He had to work every day—gathering firewood, collecting leaves, digging wild vegetables, cutting pigweed, watering the vegetable patch, washing clothes—and still care for his grandmother…

"Of course," Lin Zhao not only agreed but supported it wholeheartedly. "Cat Egg's family is an Honor House. Don't bully them. If you don't, and other kids do, you must do everything you can to protect him."

The first boy chewed on his pencil, blinking his round eyes. Suddenly he asked, "Mom, what's an Honor House? Is our family an Honor House?"

Lin Zhao quickly spat three times into the air. "Pee-pee-pee! Children's words, children's words!"

The first boy followed along: "Pee-pee-pee!"

He'd seen village aunts do this when children said something unlucky.

Gu Gu Chenghuai's eyes softened with amusement.

"Do you remember the trench warfare I showed you?" Lin Zhao asked.

The two identical boys nodded.

"Those who died protecting our country, who fell to the enemy and never returned home—those heroes' families are Honor Houses," Lin Zhao said solemnly, guiding him gently.

"An Honor House means someone in that family gave their life to protect us. We must respect them. If we can help, we must help. Do you understand?"

The twins sensed their mother's seriousness and nodded seriously.

"We understand!" Two clear, bright voices chimed together.

The second boy suddenly hooked his hand around Gu Gu Chenghuai's, his expression earnest. "Dad, you have to train hard, defeat the enemies, and we'll wait for you at home."

Gu Gu Chenghuai felt a warm current flow through him; his voice remained steady and gentle. "Mm."

The second boy looked satisfied.

He turned to Lin Zhao, his gaze as determined as if he were joining the Party. "Mom, I won't bully kids from Honor Houses, and I won't let anyone else bully them either. From today on, Cat Egg is my brother. Whoever bullies him bullies me—I'll protect him."

"But protect yourself too," Lin Zhao reminded.

"We know."

The family chatted about small things; the twins fell fast asleep. Gu Gu Chenghuai picked up the third and fourth boys, gave the twins a look, and signaled them to follow him out.

The second boy pouted. "Dad, can Brother and I sleep with Mom tonight?"

Gu Gu Chenghuai looked down at him, his towering frame making the child seem like he could be knocked over with one finger.

"No," he said flatly.

"Fine, fine." The second boy grabbed his brother's hand and walked out, giving up without fuss.

He still wanted his dad to teach him swimming tomorrow noon.

Lin Zhao gave him a strange look. "He just gave up like that?"

"He still wants me to teach him swimming," Gu Gu Chenghuai replied.

"Then you'd better teach him well—and remind him, never, never go in the water without an adult. Those who drown are the ones who can swim."

"Don't worry. I know."

Gu Gu Chenghuai carried the four boys to the main room. Lin Zhao packed up the clothes for Yuan Xiang, then absentmindedly pulled a nightgown from the wardrobe.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a black cloth bundle with patches. Curiosity got the better of her; she opened it.

Inside, neatly folded, were three pairs of underwear—each with crooked patches sewn over the crotch, stitches thick as crawling centipedes.

Lin Zhao was still staring, dumbfounded, when the door creaked open.

She turned, waving the "masterpiece" in her hand, eyebrow slightly raised. "You patched these yourself?"

This was a question she already knew the answer to.

Gu Gu Chenghuai frowned, looking utterly reasonable. "Of course. Who else would patch your underwear?"

He didn't care much about food or clothes—as long as he looked presentable.

As he spoke, the man drew close.

His gaze burned on the slender fingers holding the patched fabric; his Adam's apple moved.

In one motion, he seized her wrist and flung the offending garment aside.

He pinned her against the wardrobe, his hot breath brushing her nape: "Still sore?"

His intent was obvious.

That thing again—he wanted it.

Lin Zhao rose on her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and lightly bit his lip corner. "Come."

Almost the instant the word left her lips, her body lifted off the ground—he swept her up and laid her on the bed.

Weight settled over her; hot lips and tongue claimed her.

…

The storm subsided.

Lin Zhao nestled in Gu Gu Chenghuai's arms, cheeks flushed pink.

Her fingertip traced the bulging veins on his neck, thinking: this man truly couldn't resist her—just a little initiative, and he lost all control.

A hand calloused from labor glided over her butterfly bones, as if measuring a treasure.

"Zhaozhao, I'm planning to go back to the unit for a vasectomy," Gu Gu Chenghuai said suddenly.

Lin Zhao snapped her head up. "Vasectomy?"

"Yes, you don't like contraceptive products, and neither do I. After the procedure, it's one and done," Gu Gu Chenghuai explained.

"No!" Lin Zhao hurriedly said, worry knitting her brows. "You're a soldier—your body matters more than anything. Don't do it!"

Gu Gu Chenghuai kissed her forehead, his voice soft and slightly hoarse with post-coital satisfaction. "Don't worry. I won't risk my health. I'll ask for details first."

"As long as you know what you're doing," Lin Zhao trusted him.

"I made you some underwear. They're at the bottom of the cabinet. Remember to take them out tomorrow and throw away all the old ones."

Gu Gu Chenghuai obeyed his wife. "Alright."

…

The Lin household.

Lin Lin Heling sat on a wooden stool padded with soft cushions. Before her on the table lay a mortar and pestle; beside them, in an iron box, rested a piece of something resembling a tree root.

Strangely,

it was pale green and semi-translucent, its surface shimmering with silver veins.

A scent drifted into her nostrils—clearing the mind, instantly dissolving all fatigue.

"Did you smell that?" Song Xi stood beside her, speaking after catching the aroma.

"Mm." Lin Lin Heling nodded, eyes fixed on the fragment. "This thing isn't ordinary."

Song Xi cared only about one thing: "Will it help your body?"

Having been ill so long, Lin Lin Heling had taken many fine medicines; he faintly sensed great benefit. "Probably."

"Then why are you just sitting there? Grind it! Or I'll do it," Song Xi urged impatiently.

Lin Lin Heling pressed her hand down. "Rest. I'll do it."

He dared not let Song Xiwei handle it—her strength was too great. She'd once crushed the agate mortar and pestle with a single light tap, shattering them into pieces.

Song Xi remembered the incident and gave up, turning to fetch an enamel mug, placing honey inside and setting it aside.

"Did Zhaozhao say how fine to grind it?"

Lin Lin Heling shook his head, his hands moving slowly, grinding with calm, unhurried motions.

"Lin Shengsheng didn't mention it. Probably Zhaozhao didn't say. Doesn't matter—we'll know by grinding."

"Alright." Song Xi brought a fan and began fanning gently.

Lin Lin Heling smiled faintly.

The Qingluo root wasn't long—just a small piece. A little grinding turned it into pale green powder.

He picked up a small spoon, scooped half a spoonful, and poured it into the enamel mug.

Song Xi automatically poured water in.

The powder vanished upon contact with water—no color remained, and the scent that had once shaken the body was gone.

"It's colorless now," Song Xi exclaimed.

Lin Lin Heling leaned down and sniffed. "The scent's faded too. Only the honey remains."

Song Xi poured the ground Qingluo powder into a small porcelain jar, sealed it with a stopper, and locked it in a drawer. "Have you ever heard of this before?"

"I don't recall it," Lin Lin Heling said slowly.

"Do you think, once you've drunk it all, it might help you remember something?" Song Xi's thoughts opened up.

Lin Lin Heling blew on the steam rising from the mug's rim, not immediately denying it—he considered. Song Xiwei had reminded him.

When he first smelled that scent, the stone wall in his mind that had long sealed off his past memories had trembled—just slightly, but unmistakably loosened.

"There's a chance."

Song Xi was delighted for her husband. "It'd be wonderful if you recovered. Then your headaches wouldn't keep coming."

"Mm." Lin Lin Heling looked forward to that day. If it came, he could finally do something for Song Xiwei. Now, with this sickly body and no memories, he was lucky she didn't abandon him.

Lin Lin Heling suddenly remembered: before dark, Song Xiwei had returned home with a cold expression. He asked gently, "What did the Liu family do now?"

"The Liu family didn't do anything—I did," Song Xi replied, a dangerous glint flashing in her eyes.

She hated most when people used her husband as a target.

The Liu family had asked for it.

"…Was it about me?" Lin Lin Heling knew the truth.

"What could you possibly have done?" Song Xi denied outright. "Nothing. Her son-in-law, who works at the county government, was dismissed for embezzlement. His family can't scheme against people anymore."

That's nothing…?

Lin Lin Heling smiled at Song Xi. "You tore down the Liu family's house, didn't you?"

"I didn't tear down the house. I knocked down their courtyard wall." The team leader came to mediate, so she gave him face—she didn't pull up the roof.

Lin Lin Heling asked nothing about the Liu family's condition. He only said, "You worked hard."

Song Xi thought: she wasn't tired—the Liu family's hearts were.

At that moment, the Liu household.

Old Lady Liu sat on the ground, wailing. "Damn Song Song Meihua—"

Song Song Meihua was Song Xi's name before she changed it; everyone in the village still called her that.

Hearing her dare to curse a tigress, Old Man Liu quickly clapped his hand over her mouth.

"Lower your voice! If the Lin family hears, they'll take your roof beams. Do you really think they're easy to bully?"

Old Lady Liu scratched a red mark across his face. "If you can't even beat Song Song Meihua, what good are you!"

She stared at the ruined courtyard wall, teeth clenched in fury.

A neighbor, chewing on a cucumber, said, "You were thinking of targeting Zhaozhao's father? Who else would Song Meihua go after? Honestly, you've got guts—how many years have passed? Have you already forgotten what she's like?"

"You tampered with someone's class status record—you deserved this," another added.

An elderly woman who knew the past shook her head in disapproval.

"Liu family, it's been decades. You're married now. Why are you still coveting what's in the pot while eating from the bowl? I remember clearly—you begged Zhaozhao's father to become a son-in-law. He refused without hesitation. Why do you still cling to it?"

When Lin Lin Heling was young, he was stunning—like a celestial prince from a play. His appearance made many girls dream of bumping into him daily. Old Lady Liu was just one of them.

But over thirty years, those girls had all let go, settling into quiet, ordinary lives. Only Old Lady Liu kept secretly comparing herself to Song Meihua…

The more she compared, the more she realized she couldn't match her—and the angrier she became.

Until she devised a poisonous scheme to harm her neighbors.

The elders shook their heads, sighing inwardly.

Who would dare get close to her now?

Old Lady Liu, exposed, flushed crimson, about to retort—when a young woman, about twenty, burst in from outside.

She ran forward, furious, demanding:

"Mom, what did you do? Why did my husband lose his job?!"

Feverish at over 38 degrees, I can't add more tonight, babes. My whole body aches (﹏)