Chapter 103

"That's right, it was me!" Ercai repeated twice; the little kid thought he had done a good deed and was worth being proud of.

That little neck was held up like a proud swan.

"Wow, you're so amazing, Ercai," Tie Chui regretted not seeing it with his own eyes.

He also wanted to be that amazing, so he asked curiously: "Ercai, is it the 'hng-hng-ha-he' that Third Uncle takes you and Dazai to practice every morning?"

"Mm-mm." Ercai's strength lay in the element of surprise, but he didn't know it himself; he still felt it was because his dad taught well, and he was very proactive in recruiting students for his dad: "Tie Chui, my dad is super amazing, he's especially good at fighting; he can fight ten or so people alone. I only became this amazing because I learned from my dad."

"If you want to become amazing, get up earlier in the morning and practice with me. Anyway, Grandma says, one sheep is driving, a flock of sheep is also driving."

Lin Zhao's expression was subtle.

That Gu Chenghuai was especially good at fighting was certain, but fighting ten or so people? That wasn't scientific.

She didn't tear down his stage; which kid didn't brag about their dad and mom? Some kids even told people their dad dared to eat poop; at least Ercai didn't compare himself to that.

Tie Chui said 'wow' again and nodded repeatedly: "I'll learn, I'll learn."

After saying 'I'll learn' twice, his thin, sallow little face wrinkled, and he said in a tangled way: "But I can't get up."

Dazai and Ercai got up so early; he didn't want to get up that early, he wanted to sleep a while longer.

"What's there to not be able to get up? You'll get used to it slowly," Ercai the Great Deceiver came online. "If you get up half an hour earlier in the morning, you'll have half an hour more time to play than others; you've earned it."

Tie Chui scratched his head: "How long is half an hour?"

Ercai was choked by the question.

He didn't know how long half an hour was either.

Just as he wanted to ask his mom, he saw Lin Zhao go to the kitchen.

"Ask your dad and mom, such a simple question, adults must know, right?"

Tiedan asked: "You say it's simple, then why don't you know?"

Ercai's mouth was too glib: "I'm not an adult," he replied quite righteously.

He felt he was a kid, so it was fine if he couldn't answer; once he grew up, he would definitely know.

Tiedan was speechless; it seemed that no matter how he asked, Ercai could refute him.

He often felt annoyed in the middle of the night because his glibness couldn't beat his younger brother—

I could have clearly replied like that at the time, why didn't I think of it, ah ah ah! Next time, next time I must react faster!

Things like that.

Tie Chui disliked his brother for talking too much and hurriedly replied to his good brother: "Ercai, I'll get up early, I want to learn too."

He even thought about the future: "When I grow up, I want to drive big trucks with you; if we encounter bandits, it won't do if we don't have some real kung fu on our hands."

Lin Zhao carried a basin out of the kitchen and heard Tie Chui's words; her impression of him as honest and simple seemed like a piece of glass, cracking right down the middle with a 'crack'.

"Tie Chui, who taught you those words?"

Tie Chui revealed a simple, honest smile: "My dad."

Lin Zhao: Oh, then that's not strange.

Dazai smelled the fragrance, walked over proudly, and said with feigned indifference, but actually showing off: "Mom, did you make vegetable boxes?"

As his voice rang out, the eyes of the Gu family's cubs lit up instantly.

Maodan also smelled the fragrance; he wanted to leave, but was afraid the Wang family would come looking for him while he wasn't there.

The twins protected him, so he couldn't be disloyal.

"Maodan, have some too," Lin Zhao greeted with a smile.

Looking at the kid's thin, sallow little face, her heart felt sour.

The children in the brigade weren't plump; they were all thin and sallow, but none were as thin as Maodan. His tattered clothes hung on him, there was no meat on his face, which made his eyes look even bigger, looking just like a little beggar.

Maodan hurriedly waved his hands: "No, no, I won't eat."

He knew the preciousness of grain.

"It's fine, how much can a child eat? You're Dazai and Ercai's good brother; it's only right for us to host you on your first visit, don't feel uncomfortable," Lin Zhao said softly.

Then she gave the twins a look: "Dazai, Ercai, take your good brother to wash his hands."

Dazai was happy to host a friend for the first time and pulled Maodan to wash his hands.

Maodan had endless work to do every day; when kids asked him to play, he always had things to do, and slowly, kids stopped asking him to play. Later, he was a loner, and Wang Yaozu discovered he could always catch fish and pick bird eggs... he brought his little lackeys to snatch his things several times.

Maodan had no dad or mom and didn't want his sick grandma to worry, so he didn't tell anyone outside and swallowed the secret loss. Today, Wang Yaozu came again and was stopped by the Gu family's twins.

For Dazai and Ercai's help, Maodan was very grateful.

He was stunned as he was taken to wash his hands, and then his hand felt hot.

A hot pancake was stuffed into it.

The pancake was very fragrant; Maodan had never seen anything so fragrant and instinctively swallowed his saliva.

Dazai took a bite of the vegetable box, so fragrant he wanted to shout, and seeing Maodan in a daze, urged: "Eat quickly, there's chives and eggs inside, the outside is crispy, the inside is soft, it's delicious."

He ate with his mouth full of oil, looked at Lin Zhao, and said: "Mom, the ones you make are even more delicious."

This was compared to what he ate yesterday.

Lin Zhao smiled without a word.

She was willing to use oil, so of course it was more delicious.

Maodan took a small bite; it was indeed as Dazai said, truly delicious.

He thought, he would never forget... the taste of this vegetable box for the rest of his life.

Dazai remembered his uncles: "Mom, are there any for my Big Uncle and Second Uncle?"

Lin Zhao was very gratified and smiled: "Yes, let them eat when they finish their work and come back."

"Has Dad tasted them?" Dazai asked again.

"No, your dad is also over at the new house. Let them eat when they finish their work, don't worry, Mom made a lot," Lin Zhao patted her son's head. After working all afternoon, it was hot as hell, so she went back to the room to get clothes, planning to wipe off her sweat.

"Mom, the vegetable boxes you make are really delicious, can I have another one?" Ercai called out to his mom and asked, acting spoiled.

He hadn't finished the one in his hand, but that didn't stop the greedy little kid from wanting another one.

"You can, if you can eat them, eat them, don't be afraid of finishing them, there are more in the kitchen," Lin Zhao smiled.

The Wang family was difficult to deal with; Ercai had beaten their golden grandson until his nose bled, so that family would definitely come looking for trouble.

She said again: "Don't go out, just play in the courtyard, and if the Wang family comes, call me."

"Hey!" the kids agreed.

……

Gu Mu's injuries were fully healed, and she took the twins out for a stroll, with Seeing Da Huang and Xiao Xiao Hu Po following.

The third branch moved back to the old house, handed in quite a bit of grain, and meat was often available. Plus the wild chicken and wild rabbit sent by Gu Chan and Wei Xiangdong, the Gu family's food was truly good during this period, and the Gu family members, from old to young, had ruddy complexions, losing their previous sallow look.

"Chenghuai's mother, I feel like you've gotten fatter and whiter?" Old Lady Li stared at Gu Mu, examining her carefully.

Gu Mu touched her face, then quickly put her hand down, sat the twins down, and said happily: "Is that so? It's so nourishing, it would be hard not to get fat."

Before anyone could ask, she took the initiative to share: "Third Son's wife sent me a can of malted milk, saying it's for me to nourish my body. Later, she sent me a box of snow cream; you know snow cream, right? It's for rubbing on your face."

Gu Mu's face was full of smiles, but she said: "I'm already at this age, where do I still need to rub snow cream? Isn't this a waste of money? But Third Son's wife said, let me use it without worry, and she'll buy me more when I finish it. Anyway, she works at the supply and marketing cooperative, so it's convenient to buy anything."

Several old ladies curled their lips.

Third Son's wife, Third Son's wife... their ears were almost calloused from hearing it.

And she wasn't even afraid of her daughter-in-law climbing over her head!

"Is that so?" Old Lady Li said coldly.

If it weren't for the fact that Gu Old Lady had just recovered from her injuries, she wouldn't bother to respond.

"Yes," Gu Mu still thought her old friend didn't believe her, her tone deepening: "True colors are seen at critical moments; Third Son's wife is a filial one."

After praising the Third Son's wife, she didn't forget to level the water: "Eldest Son's wife and Second Son's wife are also filial. During the days I was recovering from my injuries, all the work at home was done by them, and there wasn't a single word of complaint."

Hearing these words of showing off, the old ladies' moods were complicated.

The Gu family's daughters-in-law were indeed filial; not to mention Chenghuai's wife, Yuanshan's wife and Yucheng's wife had never made a mistake when it came to filial piety.

Unlike their own, let alone being filial to them, it would be good if they didn't covet what they had in their hands.

"We know your second daughter-in-law is filial, stop showing off, you're truly becoming more and more annoying," Old Lady Li complained unpleasantly.

Gu Mu smiled and finally stopped.

"Third Son's wife said she would bring back some imperfect items today..."

As soon as her voice fell, the old ladies stopped their work, looked up at her, their gazes burning.

The old lady wearing a gray patched short jacket said: "Really?"

"No wonder I saw Chenghuai's house returning with big bags and small bags, what are we waiting for, hurry up and go to their door to buy," Old Lady Li stood up and gave Gu Mu a look.

"What's the rush? Third Son's wife has to wash up, it's so hot, she's covered in sweat after riding her bike back, and she loves cleanliness. It's no use for you to go early," Gu Mu said unhurriedly.

"None of your business!" Old Lady Li retorted quite skillfully, then urged: "Hurry up, we'll go to your house and wait."

This was someone she had known since she was little; no matter how annoying her mouth was, she was one of their own. Gu Mu stood up helplessly and muttered: "My butt hasn't even warmed up."

"It's such a hot day, what's there to warm up? Hurry up, lest it be snatched by others," Old Lady Li was thinking about the imperfect items at the supply and marketing cooperative, urging her non-stop.

Gu Mu was even more helpless: "Can't be snatched, no one knows yet."

The twins didn't want to be held, broke free from their grandma's hand, and walked toward home with their fleshy little short legs, fast one moment and slow the next.

Seeing Da Huang and Xiao Xiao Hu Po followed behind the whole time.

Old Lady Li looked at the two children who looked like lucky dolls and said: "It's been a while since I've seen them, but Chenghuai's twins have gotten a circle fatter. I've lived until now and have never seen such round little babies."

She had never traveled far in her life, turning around in small places, and had seen quite a few little babies, but they were all children from poor families; of course, those children weren't fat.

"They've gotten fatter, that's good," Gu Mu saw it and was very gratified: "Little babies are only... cute when they're chubby."

The word 'cute' was learned from Lin Zhao.

If she had to say, it was definitely having good fortune.

But...

Words like 'having good fortune' couldn't be said anymore, it was easy to get a label put on you, so she could only say 'cute'.

Old Lady Li turned her head to look at Gu Mu; why was Yuanshan's mother talking so strangely?

As they were walking, they saw Old Lady Wang from far away, pulling her golden grandson and walking over in a rush.

The old lady who wasn't easy to mess with stopped in front of Gu Mu, her face cold, and said unkindly: "Yuanshan's mother, your Ercai beat my Yaozu until his nose bled, tell me how you're going to compensate!"

Gu Mu's first reaction was of course not to believe it: "You said Ercai?"

"How old is Ercai, he's that small, how could he beat your Yaozu until he bled?"

Old Lady Wang's voice rose: "What do you mean?!"

"You don't believe it, right? Fine, let's go to your house, you ask Ercai yourself."

She was a woman who had raised her sickly son with her own two hands and married a wife for him; she wasn't someone easy to get along with, and could stir up three points of trouble even when she was unreasonable. If it weren't for the fact that the Gu family was even harder to mess with, she would have already hit someone!

Gu Mu shifted her gaze to the Wang family's precious grandson.

Sensing her half-believing, half-doubting gaze, Wang Yaozu's hair stood on end, his face flushed red, his voice rising, sounding truly piercing.

"I didn't lie, it was Gu Ercai who hit me, he jumped up and hit me, hit my nose, not once, but twice, he hit me twice and made my nose bleed!"

Even so, he didn't really resent Ercai, but instead remembered all the hatred on Maodan—

He felt it was all Maodan's fault for not knowing what was good for him! He should have obediently given the fish to him; if he had given it early, nothing would have happened.

Gu Mu wouldn't listen to one side and believe it; that the Wang family said Ercai hit someone and she believed it was impossible.

If she were to believe anyone, it would be her own grandson.

Even if Ercai hit someone, there must be a reason; she knew her grandson, he wasn't a child who bullied people at will.

"Fine, let's go ask."

The group walked toward the Gu family's old house.

Just as they reached the door, they ran into Gu Chenghuai, who had just returned from the new house.

"Mom, what is this?" Gu Chenghuai's black eyes swept over each person's figure and asked casually.

Seeing him, Wang Yaozu was like a cat that sensed danger, all his hair standing on end, hiding behind his grandma in a panic and urgency.

Old Lady Wang felt heartache: "Precious grandson, don't be afraid, it wasn't us who hit someone, we're not afraid, if nothing else, there's still the brigade leader."

These words were deliberately said for Gu Chenghuai to hear.

Gu Mu looked at her and explained the matter caused by the two children.

Gu Chenghuai nodded and said without much emotion: "Let's go in and talk."

"Third Son, don't hit the child," Gu Mu was afraid her Ercai would be beaten by his own dad, so she grabbed her son's arm nervously.

Gu Chenghuai: "..."

Gu Chenghuai was helpless and speechless: "Why would I hit him? Besides, his mom is there."

If he dared to hit the child for no reason, Zhaozhao could ignore him for half a year; wouldn't that be the death of him?!

"As long as you don't hit him, as long as you don't hit him," Gu Mu let out a sigh of relief, pushed the door, but it didn't move, pushed again, still didn't move.

"Why is the door locked? Dazai, Ercai..." she called out several names.

Several faint footsteps came.

A 'click' sound.

The door bolt was lifted by a small black hand.

"Tie Chui, why is the door locked?" Gu Mu pushed the door open, saw Tie Chui, and asked.

Tie Chui was just about to answer when he happened to face Wang Yaozu's face.

He was so shocked his pupils shook, almost screaming.

So Dazai and Ercai's attempt to avoid the limelight failed?! His pitiful good brother!

"What are you dazed for, I'm asking you," Gu Mu patted her grandson's back.

Tie Chui came back to his senses, ran home like a monkey, his tone full of urgency.

"Dazai, Ercai, Wang Yaozu brought his grandma to the door!"

Dazai curled his eyes, not panicked at all: "It's fine, the adults are all here."

After comforting Tie Chui, he didn't forget to comfort Maodan: "Maodan, don't be afraid, it was wrong for Wang Yaozu to bully you, my dad and mom will protect you."

"... Protect me?" Maodan's eyes were filled with confusion: "Why?"

"Because you are a hero's child," Dazai said solemnly.

He was still young and didn't understand the weight of this sentence, but he firmly remembered every word his mom said.

"Hero's... child." Maodan lowered his eyes, water flashing in them, disappearing in an instant; he looked up and smiled at Dazai: "Thank you, Gu Dazai."

His grandma always said his dad was a hero who protected the country, but he felt no one remembered his dad, and sometimes he couldn't help but feel it wasn't worth it for his dad, feeling his dad's sacrifice was meaningless.

But now.

Someone remembered his dad's sacrifice.

And said they would protect him, just because... he was a hero's child.

Maodan's chest felt hot, and pride climbed into his eyes.

Dad, did you see? Someone remembers you; you protected the country and protected other people's children, and now someone is protecting me for you.

Dazai punched Maodan's shoulder, the force very, very light: "What are you thanking me for? We're good brothers."

Maodan nodded heavily, his eyes very bright: "Mm, good brothers."

……

Ercai saw Gu Chenghuai, rushed over with wind under his feet, and told his dad what happened at the foot of the mountain.

His face was full of 'I wasn't wrong, Wang Yaozu was wrong', his little expression very stubborn: "Dad, Wang Yaozu snatched Maodan's things, and he also pushed my brother; I didn't hit him wrong."

Gu Chenghuai rubbed his second son's head: "I didn't say you were wrong."

Ercai grinned.

Seeing so many people breaking into the house, Lin Zhao guessed what they were there for, turned back to the room, and took out the big bag brought back from the supply and marketing cooperative.

Placed it on the table.

Pulled the rope.

Iron-shell thermos, towels, cotton cloth, matches, rubber shoes...

How comprehensive.

Only the quantity was a bit small.

The eyes of the people present were almost blinded.

Old Lady Wang stepped forward first, grabbed a pair of peony-patterned pillowcases, her face full of smiles, and said politely: "Chenghuai's wife, how much for this pair of pillowcases? I'll take them."

Seeing this, Wang Yaozu ran away with a 'wah'.

The old lady took a look and didn't take it to heart.

Lin Zhao took a look and said: "80 cents."

Old Lady Wang's eyes were startlingly bright; it was so cheap, she had to know a pair at the supply and marketing cooperative cost more than a yuan.

"I'll take them, I'll take them."

"Chenghuai's house, you must save them for me, I'll go get the money right now."

Lin Zhao lightly tapped the bamboo basket beside her: "Put the ones you're sure you want in the basket, I'll save them."

As soon as the words fell, the thermos was put in by Old Lady Li, the towel was put in by Old Lady Guo...

After choosing what they wanted, the old ladies were afraid of twists and turns and hurriedly went to get money.

In just a few breaths, the people in the courtyard were gone.

Ercai was dumbfounded: "Mom, weren't, weren't they here to settle accounts with us?"