Chapter 145: It

The telegram had only a few words: "Leg injury, come quickly." Lin Lin Lin Shisheng spoke rapidly, fearing his sister would panic.

Lin Zhao murmured, "Leg injury."

How terrified must Third Brother be, with no family beside him.

As a child, Third Brother was a little crybaby—a memory deeply rooted in Lin Zhao's mind.

Just imagining him hiding under the quilt and crying made her nose sting.

"Your father and mother have gone to see him. Don't worry too much—it won't help." Lin Lin Lin Shisheng spoke reasonably.

He was worried too; all morning he'd been distracted, wondering how Third Brother's leg was doing.

"Whether he can keep his military post is another matter—I'm afraid his leg injury is too severe for daily life."

"Third Brother isn't even married yet."

Her tone was full of sorrow.

Lin Zhao suddenly remembered something she'd drawn earlier.

Iron Bone Fern.

This item's use was precisely related to bones.

【Can treat broken bones, shattered bones… One-line description: any bone problem can be cured.】

It was time to take it out and try it.

Better safe than sorry.

Thinking this, her expression eased.

"Third Brother will be fine," Lin Zhao said.

Seeing his sister calmed down, Lin Lin Lin Shisheng smiled. "Yes, he'll be fine. Go rest. When your parents return, I'll let you know."

"Mm."

Lin Zhao and Gu Gu Chenghuai returned home.

The twins were about to head to the fields; even children could earn work points, and the brigade would give a token one or two.

When Xiang Yubao and Hengbao were just over four, they'd followed the Gu family into the fields and had become quite adept.

The two children were hardworking; even though Lin Zhao no longer neglected them, they still habitually joined the other kids in the fields.

Weeding, digging holes, sowing seeds, harvesting peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other low crops.

Seeing the two little heads wearing straw hats and carrying small bamboo baskets, Lin Zhao knew they were heading to the fields.

"Going to the fields again? Take water, and put some food in your bag—eat if you get hungry, then come home and let me know, alright? Don't be foolish and tough it out. Kids can't go hungry; hunger stunts growth."

At this,

Hengbao's eyes widened in horror.

What?

Stunt growth?!

"So all those times I didn't eat enough—I won't stay short, will I?!" The child's voice tightened.

He gestured at his and his brother's heights, his small voice trembling with tears as he clung to his brother, "Brother, we're gonna stay short, waaah, I'm this tall—will I ever drive a big truck, waaah, brother, no one will ever beat us again, waaaaah."

He sobbed after every sentence, each word punctuated by a wail, his face like the sky had fallen.

Xiang Yubao's eyes also filled with panic; he hadn't been worried until his brother's constant wailing made his heart race.

No way?!

Lin Zhao felt both heartbroken and amused, her stomach aching from holding back laughter.

Noticing her smile, the twins froze, lifting their straw hats slightly to glare at her.

"Mama!!"

The cry should have been indignant, full of anger—but the child's soft voice made it sound sweet and cuddly, like a plea for affection.

Lin Zhao adjusted their straw hats and hugged the twins; the two children instantly blushed, thinking they were big kids now and being hugged by Mama in front of Mao Dan'er and Yuanbao would make their friends laugh.

But.

Mama's arms were warm, soft, and fragrant—they couldn't bring themselves to push away.

"Don't worry. If you eat well, you'll still grow," Lin Zhao reassured them.

Xiang Yubao and Hengbao's eyes lit up instantly, turning to their father and asking eagerly, "As tall as Dad?"

"Yes," Lin Zhao planned to keep giving them milk powder, ensuring all four children got proper nutrition and grew tall.

Hengbao grinned broadly.

Lin Zhao patted her son's head. "Wash your face and put on baby cream before you go."

The twins obediently went to wash up.

After washing, they applied the cream with serious dedication.

Lin Zhao prepared milk powder, chilled it with well water, and poured it into a military canteen.

"Xiang Yubao, Hengbao—this canteen has milk powder. Drink if you're thirsty, then come home. Watch out for heatstroke."

Xiang Yubao said, "We won't. Heatstroke is awful—nobody should get heatstroke."

"Alright, alright, nobody will get heatstroke." This was just a child's sweet wish—of course people still collapsed every summer; some work had to be done under the sun.

Lin Zhao also packed some cookies, puffed rice balls, and dried meat into the twins' small shoulder bags for when they got hungry.

"Don't eat it all—share with Mao Dan'er," she said.

Mao Dan'er was always quiet, just like Big Cai used to be; she always felt compelled to treat him better.

Of course, his status as the child of a martyr was key.

What a precious little thing.

Mao Dan'er felt a warm joy spread through him—not greed for the twins' food, but pleasure at Lin Lin Shengsheng's care.

"Thank you, Lin Lin Shengsheng," he whispered shyly.

Lin Zhao smiled gently, her expression soft. "No need to thank me. Come over this afternoon—I'll teach you how to cook."

Mao Dan'er's eyes brightened. "Okay."

"Mama, I want to learn too," Xiang Yubao clung to her arm, looking up with his small face. "When I learn, I'll cook for you."

Lin Zhao rubbed his cheek. "Alright, I'll teach you."

Hengbao remembered his mother had planned to visit her parents. "Mama, why did you come back? Did you forget something?"

"We're not going. Your grandparents went to the military base to see your Third Uncle—they won't be back for at least a month." Lin Zhao didn't mention Third Brother's injury.

Xiang Yubao's eyes widened. "The military base? The one Dad's at? Can we go?"

"No, they're not in the same place," Lin Zhao smiled softly, explaining, "In our country, there are military bases everywhere. All the soldiers—like your Dad and Third Uncle—are there, protecting our homeland, keeping danger outside so adults can work and live in peace, and so children can grow up happily."

Xiang Yubao and Hengbao's eyes sparkled, their gazes fixed on Gu Gu Chenghuai with deep admiration.

Their little chests puffed out instinctively.

"When I grow up, I'll join the military," Mao Dan'er suddenly said.

Lin Zhao and the others turned to him; the boy's shy face was filled with determination. "My father was a great soldier. I want to follow in his footsteps."

He had no memory of his father. The brigade leader and villagers said his father was great, a hero, a model for the people. He never resented him—but he always missed him.

What was his father like? How tall was he? Did he like a son like him? Would he love him the way the twins' father loved them?

So many questions he wanted to ask.

Winter passed, spring came.

Year after year passed.

His questions still had no answers.

Lin Zhao encouraged Mao Dan'er. "You have ambition. If your father knew, he'd be proud."

"Really?" Mao Dan'er's eyes shone with hope.

"Of course."

Mao Dan'er smiled.

After the children left, Lin Zhao returned indoors, lay on the bed, and propped her legs up to read the newspaper.

Yes, she subscribed to newspapers—many of them. In this era, newspapers were a vital source of information.

She started with the provincial paper.

The headline on the front page made Lin Zhao sit up sharply.

"Advocacy | Break Ignorance! Eliminate Superstition! Three Principles for the Safety of the Sent-Down Youth Group."

The article's title was blunt, but its content was soft—it began with individual sent-down youth experiences, then described the group's struggles, urging all levels of authority to take their legitimate demands seriously.

The writing was powerful.

It felt like a clarion call.

Gu Gu Chenghuai entered the room. "What are you reading? So serious."

Lin Zhao looked up, holding up the paper. "An article about safety principles for sent-down youth groups."

"Aren't you not fond of dealing with sent-down youth? Why are you reading this?" Gu Gu Chenghuai walked over, sat beside the bed, and took the paper to read quickly.

"I'm not against them—depends on the person. I don't dislike those who work hard," Lin Zhao said coolly. "But if someone treats me like a fool, don't expect me to give her a good face."

Gu Gu Chenghuai loved this stubbornness of hers—no one dared give his wife a hard time. He lowered his head, pressing his forehead to hers, his voice warm with amusement. "That's right. No one gets to make my wife suffer."

Lin Zhao's nose tingled. She smiled and pushed him gently.

"Have you heard about the neighboring brigade?"

Gu Gu Chenghuai looked puzzled.

"About Erhua, Gouzi, and the male sent-down youth!" Lin Zhao reminded him.

Gu Gu Chenghuai thought for a moment and guessed where she had heard the news.

A faint smile curled his lips.

"I heard."

Lin Zhao's slender fingers tapped lightly on the newspaper's headline. "The source of this article is the neighboring brigade."

"More than that," Gu Gu Chenghuai's gaze deepened—he knew more.

"Hmm?"

Gu Gu Chenghuai explained patiently, "Someone is stoking the flames—one of our sent-down youths."

"Song Xi?" Lin Zhao guessed.

"You knew?" This time, Gu Gu Chenghuai was surprised.

"Just a guess," Lin Zhao smiled.

No wonder she'd felt it was too smooth.

"How fortunate Song Xi is, to earn such high praise from Zhaozhao," Gu Gu Chenghuai said, tone flat.

His voice held no ripple, yet Lin Zhao caught a hint of sourness.

"Jealous?" She sat up straight, cradling his face, grinning.

Gu Gu Chenghuai said nothing, only gazed at her with his deep, affectionate phoenix eyes—utterly focused.

Lin Zhao's heart trembled slightly, as if brushed by the softest feather.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, voice light and tender, "In my heart, no one compares to you."

The words faded.

Gu Gu Chenghuai's brow relaxed, his eyes blazing as he pulled Lin Zhao tightly into his arms, laughter rich and warm in his voice, "Me too."

Lin Zhao thought this man was ridiculously easy to soothe.

How lucky she was.

To meet someone who believed everything she said and gladly fulfilled every request.

Song Xi led Lin Lin Heling onto the train—she had connections and had secured berths.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Song Xi always worried about the man's health.

There was no helping it—Lin Lin Heling's frailty was deeply rooted in her mind.

Even though his health had improved greatly lately, it made no difference.

Lin Lin Heling turned his gaze from the window and smiled. "Not at all. The things Zhaozhao sent worked wonders—I'm much better. No more weakness, no more shortness of breath. I'm fine."

"It's the first time I've traveled with you. I'm happy," he emphasized.

After boarding, he felt an odd sense of familiarity—as if he'd once ridden trains often.

"I'm happy too," Song Xi handed him an enamel cup. "Drink more water. The kids are growing up—we can travel more often from now on."

She could read, was strong, and wasn't afraid of long journeys. Seeing the country's grand landscapes made her more comfortable than staying in her hometown.

Lin Lin Heling nodded with a smile.

The moment he saw the train, a scene flashed in his mind—he seemed to have buried something golden beside the station. Gold bars, probably.

Dig it up when we return.

Very likely true.

With that box of gold bars, he and Xiwēi could live comfortably in retirement!

He couldn't let Xiwēi hear him say "retirement"—she hated aging. If he dared mention it, she'd pick him up and carry him herself.

Lost in idle thoughts, Lin Lin Heling's eyes flickered with resignation.

The train clattered forward.

After days and nights, they finally reached Lin Shi's location.

The couple disembarked and headed straight for the military unit, and with the guard's help, arrived smoothly at the military hospital.

At this moment, in a certain ward, the following scene unfolded.

Lin Shi leaned against his pillow, expressionless, staring at the man and woman before him.

Utterly bewildered.

?

Zheng Yue was now with the woman who had almost been his match?!!

…And they'd already submitted their romantic relationship report!

What an obscure phrase.

"... Oh." Not wanting to deal with them, Lin Shi uttered a flat "oh," then calmly looked at them. "Finished?"

"If you're done, leave. I need to rest."

The woman, for reasons unknown, grew angry seeing not a trace of sorrow on Lin Shi's face.

This man was about to go back to farming—what was he so proud of?

Shouldn't he be begging on his knees, pleading for her to stay? Without her, he'd never find anyone better.

Did he still think he was that mighty, favored young officer?

Lin Shi's expression was one of utter incomprehension.

Too bad his leg was injured—if it were his arm, he'd walk out right now, without giving these two actors a second glance.

You think losing a match means he's heartbroken?

No.

Not at all.

This Sun had chased him for a full year. He'd been driven to distraction, and with his superior's urging, he'd finally agreed to give it a try.

Now it was over—he could barely contain his sigh of relief.

Relationships only slowed his training, hindered him from becoming a better People's soldier—he never wanted one!

Inside, Lin Shi was chuckling; outside, his face showed nothing.

"Lin Shifan, you're not angry, are you?" Zheng Yue forced a fake smile. "I know Sun's past behavior was misleading, but now she's mine—we've already submitted our report. No matter what feelings you still harbor…"

He paused, eyes apologetic yet defiant. "I'm sorry—I won't give her up."

Lin Shi was numb.

When you're utterly speechless, you laugh.

"I'm not asking you to give her up. I wish you and Sun a long, lasting union," Lin Shi said, just wanting to get rid of them.

His expression was calm. "Is that enough?"

"Or should I bless you again?"

Zheng Yue felt like he'd punched a sack of cotton—furious and powerless.

His entanglement with Lin Shi stretched back too far.

Maybe their energies were naturally incompatible, or maybe he resented how much better Lin Shi's popularity was, and how he'd been promoted first.

Same starting point—why should Lin Shi get ahead?

The woman sniffled. "Don't speak so sarcastically. Chasing you for a whole year was exhausting too. Zheng is willing to respond to me—what's wrong with choosing him? We've known each other so long—we came here sincerely to see you…"

Lin Shi's face was full of question marks.

He'd been sarcastic?

Just as he was about to speak, the ward door opened, and two people with unmistakable presence entered.

Lin Shi froze.

Song Xi's gaze swept over the couple by the bed—her expression held condescending disdain.

What trash!

It made her want to vomit!!