Chapter 146: Go Eat Shit

The woman surnamed Sun was driven back by the newcomer's gaze and hid behind Zheng Yue, secretly sizing up Lin Lin Heling and Song Xi, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

Who is this?

Song Xi held her satchel in one hand, set it down casually, then walked to the bedside and looked at Lin Lin Shifan.

She frowned.

"Wasn't it just your leg injured? Why… does your brain seem dim too?"

Lin Lin Heling glanced at her helplessly, gently tapped Lin Lin Shifan's head, his voice soft with amusement.

"Call your mother. Or she'll go fetch a doctor to check your brain."

Feeling the touch on his head, Lin Lin Shifan snapped back to awareness, his eyes shining with disbelief.

His voice, usually booming, trembled.

Full of shock.

"Father?!"

"Mother?!"

He stared at his parents, delighted, eyes locked on them.

Song Xi nodded. "Looks like your brain's fine."

Lin Lin Shifan's face stiffened.

His brain was never faulty to begin with.

"Father, why are you here too? How's your health? Are you in pain? Should you lie down…"

As he spoke, Lin Lin Shifan studied his father and noticed Lin Lin Heling's ruddy complexion, not a trace of illness—he froze, expression strange.

Huh?

After years apart, why does Father seem younger?!

People his age usually start hunching over—how is he still so… upright?

Lin Lin Shifan touched his own face—yes, rough from wind and rain—his father truly looked younger. Did he eat tonic pills?

Lin Lin Heling, being his real father, could read his son's facial expressions clearly.

He patiently and gently answered each of his third son's questions.

"Zhaozhao found a good medicine. After I took it, my body recovered well—I'm full of energy, no discomfort. I lay on the train for days, but now I don't want to lie down."

Lin Lin Shifan sat up straight, eyes bright with joy, voice trembling with excitement. "Father, you're healed?!"

"Yes." Lin Lin Heling smiled. "Before coming, your mother and I visited a physician. The old doctor said I'm fully recovered."

What he didn't say was that the old doctor had been stunned, pressing him repeatedly: What medicine was this? How could it be so miraculous?

Do you have more?

I want to buy some!

Not much—even a tiny bit would do.

They politely refused.

"That's wonderful!!" Lin Lin Shifan exclaimed happily.

He was handsome, full of martial vigor, his features like his father's, naturally charismatic. He usually kept a cold expression, rarely smiled—but now, his grin melted like snow, bright and open.

Lin Lin Heling glanced at his son's leg. "What did the doctor say about your leg?"

Lin Lin Shifan's smile faded slightly.

"Not good. Recovery will determine everything."

He didn't dwell long on it, flashing his father a radiant smile. "Father, if I can't serve as a soldier anymore, will you be disappointed?"

"Snap!"

A long, jade-like finger flicked Lin Lin Shifan's forehead.

"If you can't be a soldier, come home. Your father and mother can support you."

For some reason, Lin Lin Shifan's eyes stung, tears welling up.

What's happening?

He was a warrior with iron will—vulnerability had nothing to do with him.

Lin Lin Heling pretended not to notice. "Your mother and I brought a ginseng root. Once we're settled, I'll stew it with chicken for you. The doctor hasn't given a final verdict—don't lose heart yet."

If Western medicine can't cure it, there's still Chinese medicine.

Perhaps we could take Lin Shifan home and let Meng Gu Laoyezi examine him. Word is the old man is an exceptionally skilled physician.

And while we're at it, let third son meet his twin brother.

"Ginseng?" Lin Lin Shifan only caught that word. "Ginseng root?"

"What else would it be?" Song Xi thought her third son had lost his mind—look at the questions he was asking.

"You hurt your leg and lost a lot of blood—you definitely need toning up, to avoid leaving behind any chronic illness."

Of course, how to use the ginseng must be confirmed by the doctor.

Lin Lin Shifan was overwhelmed, nearly suffocated by the weight of his parents' love.

He waved his hands frantically.

"No need—I'm as strong as an ox, no need for tonics. Save the ginseng for Father."

Lin Lin Heling smiled. "I don't need it anymore. But you—your lips are pale. You need toning."

The three of them chatted idly.

The other two in the ward were ignored.

The woman surnamed Sun didn't leave immediately. After listening to the Lin family's conversation, her eyes gleamed.

Ginseng?

Her gaze flickered subtly toward Lin Lin Heling and Song Xi, her expression complex.

Lin Lin Shifan's family actually had ginseng—how wealthy were they? Thinking this, regret surged in her chest. Maybe she shouldn't have accepted Zheng Yue's advances so hastily.

Thus, her gaze toward Lin Lin Shifan grew slightly resentful, faintly tinged with blame.

She blamed him for not accepting her advances sooner, and for being too cautious, never revealing his family's wealth.

If she had known…

"Lieutenant Lin, are these your father and mother? Why haven't you introduced us?" The woman surnamed Sun spoke, smiling at Lin Lin Shifan as if they were close.

Lin Lin Shifan was baffled: "?"

Is he mentally ill?

Lin Lin Heling frowned but said nothing.

He was a refined, gentle man who could never say anything harsh to anyone.

Song Xi turned around, as if only now noticing Zheng Yue and the woman surnamed Sun. "Why are you still here?"

Her face radiated clear disapproval.

The woman surnamed Sun's smile froze.

"Mother-in-law…"

Before she finished half a sentence, Song Xi raised her hand in a sharp stop gesture, blunt and uncouth: "Who's your mother-in-law? Don't you dare cling to us. I heard every word you and your lover said outside the door. I didn't react because I didn't want to scold the young. Don't push me to slap you."

"Get out. Your fake concern makes me sick."

The guard standing like a statue stared, dumbfounded.

!!

He looked at the lieutenant's mother with admiration.

So bold.

So well said!

So satisfying!

The heavy gloom in his chest instantly dispersed.

That's how you should respond!

Both Zheng and Sun are bad people—they've both bullied our lieutenant.

The woman surnamed Sun stood frozen, unable to react.

Zheng Yue's hand curled into a fist at his side, but his face remained calm, even forcing a smile. "Lieutenant Lin was injured because of me—it has nothing to do with Miss Sun. Mother, treating a young girl like this—isn't that disrespectful to your age?"

These words enraged Song Xi.

She shot up, stormed toward Zheng Yue, grabbed his collar, clamped her hand around his throat, and hauled him toward the door.

Zheng Yue instinctively resisted but couldn't pry her hand loose—his face flushed crimson.

"What are you—"

Before he finished speaking,

Song Xi flung him two meters away.

Zheng Yue stumbled backward, his back slamming into the wall, face contorted.

He stared at Song Xi as if she were a monster.

He was in his prime—how could he not break free from a woman's grip?

Zheng Yue, who had always held himself in high esteem, was utterly shattered.

At that moment, Lin Lin Heling appeared at the doorway, speaking before all the onlookers: "Comrade, if you truly appreciate my son for saving your life, please don't come again. As his parents, we simply can't bear to watch."

His words instantly fueled the crowd's curiosity.

"I've never seen someone constantly tormenting a wounded man—especially when that man is your savior. Your behavior… is simply too much."

Some things Lin Shi couldn't do himself—his parents stepping in was perfect.

And sometimes, all you need is a tiny spark—the fire can spread across the land.

Everyone: …ssss!

Provoking the injured?

And it's your own savior.

Those present exchanged glances; two or three huddled together whispering.

"What's going on?" someone asked, grabbing a passerby for an explanation.

Someone there actually knew: "I know, I know."

"That ward holds Lin, company commander of the Third Company—he was injured on a mission. I heard one of his squad members, Zheng Yue, acted recklessly and nearly caused a disaster. At the critical moment, Commander Lin turned the tide—he was shot in the leg saving Zheng Yue. The doctor says his leg… probably won't recover well. He'll have to leave the army."

People back then were simple; those with no conscience were extremely rare.

Upon hearing the insider's account, the concerned citizens became furious.

One woman, hating evil with a passion, even threw her baby's diaper onto Zheng Yue's head, shouting: "Disgusting! You're not even human! Go eat shit!"

Someone started throwing things—others joined in the chaos.

"Ungrateful bastard, you don't deserve to wear that uniform."

"Pah!"

In an instant, all kinds of filth flew toward Zheng Yue.

"... What are you doing!" Zheng Yue fumed.

He felt something sticky on his face, wiped it—and saw golden-yellow gunk. The stench nearly made him faint.

He looked down at the diaper on the ground—he understood everything.

He gagged several times, his face turning green.

But the law didn't punish crowds—he couldn't hold a grudge against these people. When Zheng Yue tried to leave, the upright citizens blocked him.

A fierce older woman raised her arm: "This piece of shit doesn't deserve military green! I'm going to report this to leadership—who's coming with me?"

"I'm coming too! My son's just like Commander Lin—a good boy. He's a country kid who made it this far—it's hard. If the army has this kind of poison, I'm terrified my son might be targeted someday."

Everyone in the military hospital had someone in the service—they found this reasonable and joined in.

"I'm coming too!"

"Me too!!"

…

And so, Zheng Yue was detained and dragged before his superiors.

Sun Zhi hid in the corner, watching the whole scene. The power of the aunts and mothers was too strong—she dared not approach, only watched as her partner was taken away.

Once everyone left, she rushed out of the hospital, requested leave from her direct superior, and didn't leave her dorm for days.

When she finally emerged again, Zheng Yue had already been sent back to his hometown.

But now, Sun Zhi's reputation was utterly ruined.

The cultural troupe's leadership shook his head at her; other female comrades refused to associate with her.

In the end, with no other option, she seized a chance to transfer out of the military district, returning to civilian life—her salary and benefits halved.

That's the aftermath.

In the ward.

Lin Lin Shifan grinned, "Mom and Dad haven't changed—they're still as fierce as ever."

Before their parents, even the biggest adult becomes a child, slipping back into childishness.

Song Xi's face was cool. "Your father and I aren't the type to take abuse. Why didn't you learn a thing? Letting yourself be bullied like this—are you a dumpling? What did I teach you? Did you really sit there listening to them for so long? Didn't it bore you?"

Imagining how her third son had been mistreated before they arrived, she was seething.

Lin Lin Shifan stopped grinning, bowed his head, and took his scolding.

"Song Xiwei, drink some water, moisten your throat before you keep scolding." Lin Lin Heling smiled, diffusing the tension.

Lin Lin Shifan widened his eyes.

His own father.

"Dad, I want water too!" He took advantage of being the patient.

Lin Lin Heling poured water for his son, handed it to him. "Drink. Hungry?"

Lin Lin Shifan sipped, his heart bubbling with joy.

So happy.

"Not hungry. Dad, Mom—are you staying at the guesthouse?"

Song Xi had calmed after scolding her son. "Mm."

The guard, sharp-eyed, volunteered: "Commander, you talk with your parents first—I'll book the rooms and bring your luggage over."

Song Xi didn't refuse. "Alright, thanks. We'll treat you to dinner another day."

As she spoke, she handed the young man the introduction letter.

The guard picked up the luggage and hurried off toward the guesthouse.

After securing the rooms, he didn't rush back—he sneaked off to watch Zheng Yue's spectacle.

The ward was now only the Lin family.

Lin Lin Shifan asked the question he cared about most: "Dad, did you really find Little Four? What happened? The telegram didn't explain—it's driving me crazy, tell me!"

His own little brother.

The one born with him into this world—even though he'd never seen him, his heart already swelled with affection, eager to meet.

Lin Lin Heling was good at storytelling—he told his third son how they'd recognized Meng Jiu.

After listening, Lin Lin Shifan smiled.

"Zhaozhao is so thoughtful."

Thinking of his struggling little brother, he quietly calculated his money and coupons, wondering what to buy him.

"Dad, how are Zhaozhao and Gu Da Cai doing?"

Lin Lin Heling said: "Fine. Zhaozhao's now a sales clerk at the supply and marketing cooperative. We're building a new house too. Oh—Gu Chenghuai came home on leave."

"My brother-in-law came home…" Lin Lin Shifan's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Zhaozhao has someone to boss around now."

Song Xi thought: Even if her son-in-law hadn't returned, Zhaozhao wouldn't lack people to command.

Fengshou Team.

Lin Zhao's family was packing for their trip to the provincial capital.

First, change of clothes—now it was hot, they needed to change daily. Each person brought at least two outfits.

Toiletries were a must.

A camera.

Introduction letters were essential—losing them could cause serious trouble. They needed several copies from the team leader.

Food and drink too—the ride was long, the kids would get hungry.

Altogether, the packing wasn't small.

Time slipped by—then came the day of departure.

Four children of varying heights were thrilled.

They were going to explore the world.

The train station wasn't close—they needed to take a bus.

Xiang Yubao and Hengbao had never seen a bus before. Watching the massive vehicle approach, they gaped in shock.

"Mom, such a big car! It can hold so many people!" Hengbao clung tightly to Lin Zhao's hem, palms sweating but not letting go—he knew outsiders were child traffickers, and traffickers loved clever kids like him. He had to be careful.

Lin Zhao wrapped Seeing Song Qian Bao in a cloth sling on her chest, holding both twins' hands.

"Alright, we're boarding soon. Don't zone out—stay close to me."

"Mm." The twins nodded solemnly.

The bus stopped.

People waiting by the roadside surged forward.

Lin Zhao was strong. She didn't want anyone pushing past her—she bent her elbow, gripped Xiang Yubao and Hengbao under their armpits, lifted them off the ground, sidestepped onto the bus, and swiftly secured seats.

Gu Gu Chenghuai followed closely behind, ready to catch either twin if they got jostled.

The six of them sat down.

Xiang Yubao pressed his face against the window, eyes shining at the view outside.

"Brother, I want to see too." Hengbao whined to his brother.

The older boy shifted aside. "Can you see? If not, we'll switch."

"I can!" Hengbao shouted, voice full of energy. "Seeing the world from inside the bus is different from outside!"

Xiang Yubao nodded. "Mm."

The door slammed shut.

Lin Zhao hurriedly told her restless kids to sit still.

The twins finally settled.

Black smoke puffed from the bus's rear—it started moving.

Riding the bus was a novel experience for all four kids—they were all excited.

Unexpectedly, after just a few minutes, the energetic Hengbao wilted, his face pale as paper.