Chapter 14: It

“My mom isn’t lazy!” Dacai was furious, his voice doubling in volume.

Ercai glared at her with blazing eyes.

Lin Zhao smiled faintly, “What can I do? I married a man who can earn money.”

Changsheng’s mother: “...” What an audacious, shameless person.

Ercai, seeing his mother wasn’t angry, darted his eyes around cleverly and shouted, “That’s right! My dad earns money, he supports us, so Mom doesn’t need to work for points. Auntie isn’t lazy—Auntie should work more points!”

Dacai chimed in, “Mom doesn’t need to work now because she has Dad. When my brother and I grow up, we’ll give all our earnings to Mom—she won’t need to work at all.”

Lin Zhao hadn’t expected her little ones to be so young yet already knew to earn money for their mother; her heart softened, her face filled with emotion.

Changsheng’s mother was furious, convinced Lin Zhao and her little brats were both no good—each more cutting than the last.

She sneered and blurted out, “Now Gu Laosan can earn money, but who knows what’ll happen later...”

Lin Zhao stepped forward two paces, coldness rising in her eyes, fixedly staring at her. “What will happen later?”

Her jaw tightened, her face icy; everyone around dared not speak.

Changsheng’s mother, fearless of death, said, “Do I need to spell it out? Everyone knows soldiers are honorable, but their heads are strapped to their waists—who knows when they might...”

Before she finished, Lin Zhao slapped her, then kicked her into the river.

“Ahh—!” Changsheng’s mother, caught off guard, sat down hard and was instantly soaked; her summer clothes were thin, revealing every curve of her body—too grotesque to look at.

She scrambled ashore, lunging to attack Lin Zhao.

“Lin Zhao, I’ll kill you!”

Lin Zhao delivered another flying kick.

Changsheng’s mother tumbled into the river again, landing farther than before.

If the first fall was due to surprise, the second meant she was just weak.

The woman’s face, swollen from the slap, was bruised purple and blue, hideous to behold.

“The country’s only been established a few years—you’ve already forgotten who brought you this good life. People like you... deserve to be beaten.” Lin Zhao’s chest burned with fire; her voice rang cold and stern.

Dacai and Ercai didn’t understand Changsheng’s mother’s curse, but the two little ones were their mother’s most loyal supporters; seeing her fight, they picked up stones and hurled them at Changsheng’s mother in the river.

Each throw hit true.

Sancai and Sicao wanted to join in, letting out angry little grunts, fierce and tiny; Lin Zhao feared the twins would fall in, so she grabbed them quickly.

In the river.

Changsheng’s mother dodged the stones, hugging herself, shrieking, “Ouch! You little bastards, wait till I get out—I’ll make you pay! Just you wait!”

Dacai and Ercai were about to throw more stones, but their mother stopped them.

She had reason to strike, but if her sons threw stones, that would be wrong.

The two little ones obediently stopped.

Hearing Changsheng’s mother’s curses, Ercai snorted, hands on hips: “Fine, I’ll wait. I’m not scared of you.”

Gu Mu rushed over, having heard her daughter-in-law was fighting; Huang Xiulan and Zhao Yuan came too.

“Dacai, Ercai, are you okay?” Gu Mu’s loud voice preceded her arrival.

Talkative Ercai shouted loudly, “Grandma, someone bullied Mom, bullied me, and said she’d make our kids suffer!”

Changsheng’s mother trembled with rage: “...” Liar! When did she ever say that?!

Gu Mu stormed over, eyes sharp as blades sweeping across everyone. “Who?”

“Who dares bully my Gu family’s daughter-in-law and my grandchildren?!”

Zhao Yuan planted her hands on her hips, fierce and loud: “Who is it? Step forward, let Old Lady see if I don’t smash your head!”

Huang Xiulan stood beside her mother-in-law, scanning the crowd, finally fixing her gaze on the drenched woman.

Changsheng’s mother, seeing so many from the Gu family arrive, wished she could dive into the river and swim away—but she couldn’t swim, dared not go into deep water, and now regretted provoking Lin Zhao.

At that moment, Ercai pointed at her: “It’s her! It’s her! Changsheng’s mother!”

“Changsheng’s mother bullied Mom, bullied me and my brother!”

Sancai and Sicao, feeling left out, added in their tiny, squeaky voices: “Wǒ!”

“Wǒ!!”

Lin Zhao laughed helplessly: “...” These two can’t even speak properly—why are they joining in?

She turned to Gu Mu, her expression serious. “Mom, Changsheng’s mother cursed soldiers! Her thinking is flawed—she needs deep, soul-deep ideological reformation!”

Changsheng’s mother’s face turned pale; she hurriedly denied it: “I didn’t! I just wanted to tell you not to be so lazy—why won’t you accept good advice?!”

“Pfft.” Lin Zhao scoffed. “You think you’re so special? What I do is none of your business. If you’re going to say it, own it—kids are watching. Don’t let them look down on you.”

Gu Mu adored her son Gu Chenghuai, who left home young; hearing Changsheng’s mother curse soldiers—and by extension, her son—her face darkened.

“Dacai’s mother is right. Those with low awareness truly need profound ideological reformation.”

“I’ll go speak to the team leader right away,” she gritted her teeth.

Changsheng’s mother grew panicked.

Gu Mu continued, “Whether Dacai’s mother is diligent or lazy is my Gu family’s business. If I, as mother-in-law, don’t complain, and Chenghuai doesn’t mind, Changsheng’s mother, stop meddling like a dog chasing rats. First, wipe the shit off your own ass!”

She’d heard rumors Changsheng’s mother constantly badmouthed her daughter-in-law; she’d planned to speak with her after this busy stretch—but now the woman had grown even more brazen.

Gu Mu had many sons, including one outstanding officer son, giving her a unique status in the entire Fengshou Team.

If she filed a complaint, the team leader would take it seriously.

After that...

Changsheng’s mother was punished by cleaning manure for two months and forced to copy quotations—this was torture for a woman who couldn’t read; she clumsily held her pen, drawing characters all day, too exhausted to gossip.

Because of this, idle talk about Lin Zhao in Fengshou Team dwindled significantly.

Meanwhile, at the Su household.

Su Yuxian heard of the commotion by the river and laughed it off—but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Lin Zhao is so lucky—her natal family dotes on her, her in-laws protect her, and her children are well-behaved. Truly enviable.

Liao Hongjuan looked at Su Yuxian and said gravely, “I heard Lu’s boy is coming home soon—you must seize this chance. If this marriage falls through, you’ll do as I say.”

“I know. I’ve already made plans with Yizhou—he’ll marry me when he returns,” Su Yuxian lowered her gaze, hiding her emotions.

Liao Hongjuan was displeased with her attitude, but thought her daughter was about to marry and no longer screamed like a child—her tone was almost gentle.

“Don’t hate me for speaking harshly—we’re poor. Your father has no talent, your two younger brothers are still small, school costs money, and later, marriage costs money. I just want you to marry well, to help support the family.”

“If your brothers do well, you’ll do well. You know how a daughter fares when she has no family behind her. I’m only looking out for you—you’ll understand when you have children.”

Su Yuxian’s heart stirred slightly. “Mom, I know. If I marry into the Lu family, I’ll help my brothers.”

A faint smile appeared on Liao Hongjuan’s weary face. “You’ve always been sensible—I trust you completely.”

Lu Yizhou was the most accomplished man in the entire team, after Gu Chenghuai, the third son of the Gu family.

Though he was remarried and had a little “money-losing girl,” he was a soldier with monthly allowances—rumored to be an officer who could rise further, earning even higher pay. Lu Yizhou was a prized catch, watched by dozens of aunts and mothers.

Fortunately, her daughter Yuxian was clever—she’d built ties with the Lu family by helping write and deliver letters, and had won the favor of Lu Yizhou’s mother.

Now, the opportunity was at hand.

Su Yuxian imagined Lu Yizhou’s square, dignified face, and smiled, her eyes filled with longing.

She was over twenty—finally, she was going to marry.

She was so hardworking—she’d live better than Lin Zhao!

Su Yuxian firmly believed it.

Speaking of which.

After Changsheng’s mother slunk away, Dacai and Ercai squatted again to wash clothes.

Seeing the two boys using soap so lavishly—foam piled high on the clothes—Gu Mu and her two daughters-in-law looked pained.

How could soap be used like this? Such waste!

Gu Mu said, “Dacai, Ercai, use less soap. Your clothes aren’t that dirty.”

Huang Xiulan stepped forward and said to the boys, “Let Auntie wash them for you. You’re wasting so much foam—it could clean plenty of clothes.”

Ercai looked at his brother; Dacai refused. “No, we’re almost done.”

“Neither do I,” Ercai always chose the same as his brother.

Huang Xiulan felt disappointed but didn’t press; her heart ached with pity.

Dacai and Ercai rinsed the foam off thoroughly, wrung the clothes dry, placed them in the wooden tub, carried it over, and looked up at their mother.

“Mom, done washing.”

“Dacai and Ercai are so capable—you’re the best role models for your little brothers and sisters, and my most worry-free sons,” Lin Zhao praised sincerely.

The two boys floated with pride, their energy soaring.

Gu Mu, having witnessed her third daughter-in-law lavishing praise on her grandsons, twitched her lips.

“...” Third son’s wife is unbearable!

As mother-in-law, she dared not say more—her own daughter’s recent misdeeds had just been settled; she feared Lin Zhao might remember and cause trouble again.

“Wash up and go home.”

She walked ahead.

“Mom,” Lin Zhao called.

At that single word, Gu Mu froze—her whole body stiffened, her heartbeat slowed.

“Third daughter-in-law, your father and I have scolded Xing’er. As an elder, hitting a younger one is disgraceful—we won’t indulge her anymore. We’ll correct her character. Don’t be angry.”

Huang Xiulan felt pity for her mother-in-law—this old woman had to bow to her daughter-in-law for her unruly daughter.

Gu Xing’er truly had no conscience.

Lin Zhao blinked, then uttered a single “Oh.”

Speaking of this topic, she couldn’t help but add: “Mother and Father know what’s what—Gu Xing’er isn’t a child anymore; her behavior brings shame to the Gu family’s name.”

Gu Mu knew her words made sense, but… it was hard.

“Mother, tomorrow I want to take Dacai and Ercai back to see my father. Please watch over Sancai and Sicao for me—I’ll have Dacai bring you their rations later.” Lin Zhao spoke without ceremony.

“Alright.” Gu Mu agreed without hesitation.

Of all the mothers-in-law in the brigade, Gu Mu was the best—she cared for every daughter-in-law during her confinement and never refused to babysit.

“Thank you, Mother.”

Gu Mu rarely heard such soft words from Lin Zhao, and her heart swelled with mixed emotions.

“Caring for my own grandchildren—what’s troublesome about that? There are plenty of people at the old homestead to look after them.”

Even though Gu Dasao and Gu Ercao had petty thoughts, they weren’t cruel people. Babysitting was no burden, especially since Lin Zhao provided rations—they both offered kind words.

“Go ahead, Third Sister-in-Law,” Huang Xiulan smiled. “I’ll have Tiedan watch over the younger ones.”

As the eldest daughter-in-law of the Gu family, she was generous—so long as no one took advantage endlessly, she rarely held grudges.

Zhao Liuniang added: “Yes, I’ll have Bangbang lend a hand too.”

After her awakening, Lin Zhao thought: I really did pick a good in-law family.

“Thank you, Big Sister-in-Law and Second Sister-in-Law.”

Lin Zhao returned home with the four children, hung up the clothes Dacai and Ercai had washed, then went inside to prepare the rations for Sancai and Sicao to take to the old homestead tomorrow.

There wasn’t much milk powder left, so she packed it all—plus a handful of tangerine candies from the supply store and five sesame crisps. That should be enough.

“Mother, you’re so good to Sancai and Sicao,” Ercai said enviously.

When he and his brother went to the old homestead, their mother never prepared anything for them.

Dacai lowered his eyes, head drooping, like a homeless puppy.

Lin Zhao hugged both children, her voice gentle: “I’ll prepare things for you too from now on.”

Dacai was easily comforted—he nestled into his mother’s arms, forgetting all sorrow, his little heart pounding happily. Mom smells so good. (★?★)

“Okay.”

Ercai hugged his mother and said, "I like it when Mom holds me."

The child’s voice was soft, tender, and pure.

Lin Zhao lowered her gaze, her tone warm: “Then I’ll hold you more often from now on.”

Both children grinned.

Lin Zhao handed the items to Dacai and Ercai and instructed: “Give the soap to Grandma—say it’s a thank-you gift. The candies and sesame crisps, share them with Tiedan and the others.”

Dacai tried to suppress the curve of his smile, but couldn’t hide it. “Alright.”

As the two boys stepped out the door, Lin Zhao remembered something and called out: “Stay away from your little aunt.”

Ercai called back: “My brother and I know—if Little Aunt bullies us, I’ll call Grandma!”

Next door, Wang Chunhua couldn’t help but laugh at Ercai’s words.

What a clever little boy.

The Gu family’s old homestead.

When Gu Mu first heard that her third daughter-in-law had sent a thank-you gift, she glanced toward the setting sun—yes, it was the west, correct.

“Your mother told you to bring this?” Her expression was complex.

“Mom said it’s a thank-you gift—for Grandma,” Dacai replied firmly.

Ercai, who was handing out candies to his older siblings, nodded along: “My brother didn’t misremember—Mom really said that.”

Bangbang unwrapped a candy, popped it in his mouth, and sucked hard. “Are the candies also from your mom, meant for us to share?”

“Yes! Mom said my brother and I should share them with you!” Ercai shouted.

For the first time in his life, he was giving candies to the older siblings at the old homestead. Seeing how happy they were, he felt wonderful.

Bangbang smiled: “Third Auntie is so generous.”

Tiechui grinned foolishly: “Third Auntie is great.”

Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang stood beneath the eaves, watching the scene, their hearts swirling with countless emotions.

“I feel like Third Sister-in-Law’s changed completely,” Zhao Liuniang muttered.