Chapter 122: Less Than Reunion

Lin Zhao had no objections, "Fine."

She drew another pie in the sky, "If there's another chance, I'll keep an eye out for Second Brother."

Her luck was quite good; if she put her mind to it, she would definitely be able to find one.

Lin Shisheng draped his arm over his sister's shoulder and said with a grin, "Then I'll have to trouble you, little sister."

Lin Zhao said nonchalantly, "What's this? It doesn't take much effort for me anyway."

"It's best if it doesn't take effort," Lin Shisheng said. He would feel bad asking if it took a lot of hard work.

After the sky darkened, the Lin family, plus Gu Chenghuai, the son-in-law, walked toward the foot of the mountain.

They took a small path, and there was no one else on the road.

The Lin family was shaken because of Meng Jiusi, and the shock this matter brought to Meng Jiusi was also far from ordinary.

He didn't even have the heart to eat. He went to the foot of the mountain to gather firewood, his head a chaotic mess. Many thoughts flashed through, yet it seemed as if he hadn't thought of anything at all. His heart was empty, his mind was empty, and he felt completely dazed.

Could he be the child of the Lin family from the East Wind Brigade in the same commune?

Having a biological father and mother, having older brothers, and even having a younger sister...

He wasn't abandoned; he had been kidnapped by human traffickers right after birth. His family hadn't given up on him and had been looking for him all along.

Meng Jiusi felt he should be happy, but thinking of his displaced and wandering youth, he couldn't bring himself to smile.

Actually, no one was to blame for this.

He was considered lucky; there were other children who were intentionally abandoned by their families, or given away, or even sold for grain. His family... at least they missed him and hadn't forgotten to look for him.

Meng Jiusi had two bundles of firewood placed beside him. He sat on the yellowing grass, his long legs stretched out, and looked up at the sky.

Like a lost child.

Calling it "lost" was accurate; he had been lost ever since he was born.

When the Lin family saw Meng Jiusi, they froze for a moment, then walked toward him.

Meng Jiusi also noticed the Lin family. His gaze swept over Lin Heling and Song Xiwei, and his hands tightened.

He moved his mouth, just about to stand up.

Lin Heling gently pressed the young man's shoulder and sat down beside him. With a gentle gaze, he opened his mouth and asked, "On the left side of your right big toe, is there a black spot?"

When Song Xiwei gave birth to the children, the first person to hold them was Lin Heling. He had checked both the third and fourth child over and over. The third child was born fair and clean, without even a small mole on his body, while the fourth child had a small leaf-shaped birthmark behind his ear and a small black spot on the left side of his right big toe.

If the young man before him even had that black spot, it would further prove that he was their fourth child.

Lin Zhao and the others subconsciously looked at Meng Jiusi.

Meng Jiusi's pupils dilated.

He moved his lips, his voice slightly hoarse, "Yes."

As he spoke, he took off his shoe, and that black spot was revealed.

"It really is." Lin Heling laughed out loud. He looked up at Song Xiwei, his tone joyful, "Xiwei, it's Little Four, it's our Little Four."

Song Xiwei looked at Meng Jiusi; the young man looked thirty percent like his father, "Mm, he looks like you."

Just a bit darker, a bit rougher.

Lin Zhao half-squatted, staring fixedly at Meng Jiusi, staring until the other party embarrassedly looked away.

Seeing her Fourth Brother's embarrassment, she beamed and called out, "Fourth Brother."

This two-word "Fourth Brother" made Meng Jiusi's heart tremble violently.

He glanced at the bright-eyed young woman, lowered his eyes, and didn't respond, but he didn't push her away either.

He... had a younger sister, a biological younger sister from the same father and mother. She was his kin, and when everyone else was calling for him to be beaten, his sister hadn't looked down on him.

A few seconds later, his dazed brain finally turned the corner, "Mm."

He responded.

Joy flowed in Lin Zhao's eyes as she grabbed Song Xiwei's arm, "Mom, Fourth Brother responded!"

Meng Jiusi turned his head uncomfortably, not looking at the expectant eyes of Lin Heling and Song Xiwei.

He said, "The Meng family has the grace of raising and teaching me; I don't want to change my surname."

Lin Heling said, "Not changing it is right. Your mother and I won't force you to change your surname. As long as you don't push us away and are willing to accept us being good to you... that's enough."

Meng Jiusi was stunned for a moment, turned back to look at him, and met a pair of gentle, regretful eyes.

He was silent for a moment, then said, "I... I don't blame you."

Just knowing that the father and mother who gave birth to him didn't abandon him on purpose was enough to comfort his half-lifetime of suffering.

Lin Heling's heart trembled.

He thought to himself, if it were him, after suffering so much, it would be hard not to hold a grudge.

Little Four had grown up very well.

His broad hand gripped Meng Jiusi's, gently stroking the thick calluses on his hands. Lin Heling's eyes were slightly moist.

"You've suffered; it's Dad who didn't watch over you well."

His voice carried a faint tremor.

Meng Jiusi hurriedly said, "It's not your fault."

As soon as he finished speaking, his stomach let out a rumbling sound.

"Fourth Brother is hungry. It just so happens I brought food." Lin Zhao curled her lips, silently giving herself a thumbs-up, and took the bamboo basket from Gu Chenghuai's hand.

She opened the lid of the bamboo basket.

Inside was a full bowl of dumplings.

The fragrance of white flour wafted out, making the hungry person even hungrier.

Meng Jiusi hadn't eaten a decent meal in over a month; seeing these white flour dumplings, it was hard not to crave them.

He was astonished; he hadn't expected Lin Zhao to bring food when she came.

Lin Zhao took out the dumplings from the bamboo basket, stuffed them into Fourth Brother's hands, and gave him the chopsticks, "Fourth Brother, hurry and taste them. I made the dumpling filling myself; the taste is especially great. It's leek and meat filling. We've all eaten, and I specifically saved these for you."

Lin Shisheng teased, "So you brought dumplings. I was wondering why you and your brother-in-law were being so mysterious."

Seeing Meng Jiusi look at him, he straightened his expression, "I am Lin Shisheng, your Second Brother."

After finishing, he nudged Lin Shichang with his elbow and introduced, "This is our eldest brother, Lin Shichang. You also have a twin brother named Lin Shifan."

"If you were at home, you'd be called Lin Shirong. The four of us brothers together represent prosperity and flourishing."

A twin brother?

Meng Jiusi heard this news for the first time and asked curiously, "Do I look like him?"

Lin Shisheng looked at him several times and shook his head, "At first glance, not that much, but if you look closely, there's about thirty percent resemblance."

Seeing Little Four just sitting there foolishly without eating the dumplings, he urged him, "Eat the dumplings. Aren't you hungry? Don't be a stranger; everyone here is family."

"Right, everyone is family." Lin Zhao hooked Gu Chenghuai's hand, shook it gently, and introduced him to Fourth Brother, "This is my husband, Gu Chenghuai. We've been married for several years. We also have four cubs. You should have seen the big cub and the second cub; they are that pair of brothers who look very much alike. It was because the second cub drew a small leaf behind his brother's ear that I suspected you were my Fourth Brother."

Gu Chenghuai's deep, pleasant voice sounded, "Fourth Brother."

Meng Jiusi nodded, "Treat my sister well."

"Fourth Brother, rest assured," Gu Chenghuai said.

Lin Zhao held her head high, looked at the man, and her words were full of bossiness, "Look, there's another person to protect me now. You have to let me have my way even more in the future."

Gu Chenghuai's eyes were soft, "I will."

Meng Jiusi smiled. Although he wasn't familiar with these people yet, his heart felt very warm.

The silt and filth covering his chest seemed to dissipate slowly with every word they spoke. Sunlight shone in, and his stiff limbs were all softening.

He ate a dumpling.

It was very fragrant.

It was the best dumpling he had ever eaten.

His sister brought it for him, his... biological sister.

His eyes were hot, but the corners of his mouth were curled up.

After Meng Jiusi finished the dumplings, he put down the bowl and looked at Lin Heling beside him. He still couldn't call him "Dad." He pursed his lips and asked, "... The person who is my twin, why haven't I seen him?"

Lin Heling didn't force him to call him Dad; the child had just learned of their existence and needed time to adapt.

"Little Three is a soldier, serving in the army away from home. He hasn't been back for several years. Finding you is a good thing. Your mother and I will write him a letter, and when he returns, we will bring him to see you."

Meng Jiusi: "Okay."

It's really good. The brother who descended into this world with him grew up by his father and mother's side and even became a glorious soldier.

Lin Zhao sat on Fourth Brother's other side, asking about his affairs in a casual tone.

"Fourth Brother, were you from the capital before?"

Meng Jiusi nodded, "Yes."

His family was curious about his affairs, and he didn't deliberately hide them.

"The Meng family that adopted me practiced medicine for generations, and my grandfather is also a very formidable traditional Chinese medicine practitioner."

The grandfather he spoke of was the old man, Meng Yiheng, who came to the countryside with him.

Lin Zhao asked, "Does Fourth Brother also know traditional Chinese medicine?"

"I do," Meng Jiusi answered, a bitter smile appearing on his face, "Now it has all become feudal remnants."

Lin Zhao's delicate brows furrowed slightly, "What's wrong with medical skills?"

"What's wrong is not traditional Chinese medicine," she emphasized.

Not wanting to say things that would affect Fourth Brother's mood, she smiled and said, "Fourth Brother, I have a copy of 'The Green Bag Book', a pure gold-handled willow-leaf knife, a set of dragon-tiger medicine mortars, a sandalwood medicine scale, and the Nine Needles of the Spirit Pivot. Do you want them? Consider it a gift from your sister for coming home."

Meng Jiusi was full of shock, frozen in place.

He wanted to pinch himself.

Did he hear that right?

"Do you know how valuable these things are?" Meng Jiusi's expression was complex.

The things his sister listed, no matter which one, would be priceless treasures if put out there, especially that book, which had been missing for so many years.

"No matter how valuable the things are, they don't compare to our family reunion," Lin Zhao said casually.

"Fourth Brother, we have been hoping for you to come home, always and forever."

Meeting his sister's earnest eyes, Meng Jiusi's gaze warmed. He realized that not only was he suffering, but his family had also been suffering through torment.

"I'm back. From now on... our family will never be separated again."

Lin Zhao's heart relaxed, and she asked happily, "Fourth Brother, are you willing to acknowledge us?"

The rest of the Lin family also looked at him expectantly.

Meng Jiusi's jaw tightened under their gaze.

"With my status, you all don't look down on me..."

Song Xiwei interrupted him, "What status? We are a family."

"Your mother means that a family will never look down on each other," Lin Heling added.

Meng Jiusi said, "As long as you aren't afraid of me bringing trouble, we are a family."

This was in response to Lin Zhao's words.

"I'm not afraid," Lin Zhao said with a smile, "Fourth Brother, our family has no cowards. We aren't afraid. You should slowly get used to the existence of us, your relatives."

Meng Jiusi had a very good attitude toward Lin Zhao; he responded to everything she said, "I will."

"Fourth Brother, if you lack anything, just say it, and we'll prepare it and send it to you," Lin Zhao said enthusiastically.

Before Meng Jiusi could answer, she asked with concern, "Fourth Brother, I heard from the twins that your foot is injured. Can it be treated?"

Meng Jiusi's heart felt warm and fuzzy. He wanted to stroke his sister's hair, but he wasn't used to this kind of warmth. He rubbed his fingers and said, "It can be treated. I need silver needles."

Lin Zhao asked, "Will the Nine Needles of the Spirit Pivot work?"

"The Nine Needles of the Spirit Pivot are very precious. It's too wasteful to give them to me; you keep them. Ordinary silver needles will do." Meng Jiusi didn't want to take advantage of his sister.

"Why should I keep them? I don't know how to use needles on people. Fourth Brother, endure for one more night; I'll send them to you tomorrow, along with that set of things."

"Don't," Meng Jiusi refused, "I have nowhere to put them here. You keep them."

Seeing his sister unhappy, he hurriedly added, "Just lend me the needles for a while."

"I'm not being a stranger with you. You also know that my status is special now, and I have to deal with inspections from time to time. If they are discovered, those things will inevitably be destroyed."

Lin Zhao knew Meng Jiusi's reasoning was sound, so she didn't insist, "Alright, I'll keep them for now. When you clear your name, I'll give them to you."

Meng Jiusi was dazed for a moment.

Clear his name? Is there still hope?

Lin Zhao slapped Fourth Brother on the shoulder and stared at him, "Fourth Brother, don't think so much. The road is tortuous, but the future is bright. You will definitely be able to live with your head held high in the future. You must have confidence in yourself, you know?"

Meng Jiusi smiled, "Okay."

With family, it won't get any worse!

Seeing that it was getting late, Song Xiwei said, "Little Four, it's getting late. Let's stop here for today. I'll come again tomorrow and bring you some things."

Clothes to change into, grain, toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and towels, daily necessities like toilet paper... oh right, and a pot; without a pot, he couldn't even cook. As for others, she'd have to think about it.

Lin Zhao took the initiative to take on the task, "Mom, I'll prepare them for Fourth Brother. It's convenient for me to send things to Fourth Brother. If you and Dad come too often, it's easy to be watched."

Song Xiwei thought that was true, "If your Fourth Brother has any matters, don't forget to pass the word to me and your Dad."

"Mm-hmm," Lin Zhao raised her right arm, held up three fingers, and said, "I guarantee I'll tell you everything in detail, okay?"

Song Xiwei's brows relaxed, "Good."

Lin Zhao didn't come completely unprepared. Before leaving, she gave Meng Jiusi the things she had prepared casually, "Fourth Brother, inside here are peach blossom cakes, a can of fruit, and mosquito repellent... take them."

In a short time, Meng Jiusi had a preliminary understanding of his sister's temperament. He didn't stand on ceremony, accepted the things, and thanked her, "Thank you."

Lin Heling rubbed his daughter's hair and said gently, "Zhaozhao is becoming more and more thoughtful."

Lin Zhao lifted her chin slightly. She wouldn't say it was the cub's father's reminder, hee hee.

After saying a few more words, the Lin family left the foot of the mountain.

Meng Jiusi watched his family leave, then turned and returned to his residence.

The dilapidated house at the foot of the mountain had been repaired. The holes in the roof were filled, the doors and windows were replaced with new ones, and a two-meter-high courtyard wall was built around it, making it look less empty and dangerous.

Seeing Meng Jiusi return, Meng Yiheng looked at his grandson, "Why are you back so late? Didn't run into any trouble, did you?"

"No," Meng Jiusi sat opposite the old man, put down the things in his hand, and looked at the grandfather who raised him, hesitant to speak.

Gu Laoyezi Meng was curious and asked, "What's wrong? Between us grandfather and grandson, what can't be said?"

Meng Jiusi clasped his hands together, his whole body tense.

"Gu Laoyezi, if I said I found my biological parents, what would you think?"

Gu Laoyezi Meng was shocked, "You found your biological parents?"

It wasn't that he didn't want his grandson to acknowledge his biological parents, but he hadn't expected it to be such a coincidence. When he first picked up Jiusi, the Meng family had posted in the newspaper to help him find his relatives, but there was no news at all.

Meng Jiusi nodded.

"What was their attitude toward you?" Gu Laoyezi Meng was afraid his grandson's relatives would let him down, his heart hanging in the air.

Meng Jiusi's gaze softened, "They were very good. They didn't look down on my status. My sister even brought dumplings for me to eat. She made the dumpling filling herself, and the taste was very good."

He took out the peach blossom cakes like he was presenting a treasure, "These are the peach blossom cakes my sister gave me."

Gu Laoyezi Meng only cared about one thing, "How were you lost?"