Chapter 149: New Member

Lin Zhao glanced at Gu Chenghuai. She didn't know how to answer this question, so she decided to leave it to the cubs' father.

Gu Chenghuai's broad, warm palm rested on the shoulders of Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao, who had been startled.

He brought out his universal line: "You are still young; don't concern yourselves with adult matters."

"Just remember, I will keep all danger at bay." As he said this, he was confident and composed.

Gu Hangbao was a bold cub with an amazing recovery, quickly returning to the vibrant child he was.

He still had the heart to ask for the reason: "Dad, did that person who was hit commit some kind of mistake?"

Gu Chenghuai patted his son's head, not even bothering to stall, and simply said: "The matters here are very complicated. You will understand when you are ten or so."

Gu Hangbao didn't press further because the screen directly in front of them lit up.

Children are quick to forget; once they had a movie to watch, they forgot the fright they had just received.

They were fully absorbed in watching the film.

It had to be said that the movie theater in the provincial capital was indeed better than those in small places; the seating was designed reasonably, spacious and comfortable, so one wouldn't get a sore back even after sitting for over an hour.

It was very large inside and filled with people.

Xiang Yubao observed his surroundings, firmly memorizing this scene, wanting to tell his little friends back home.

After the movie, they ate at a state-run restaurant, and Lin Zhao and her husband took the four cubs back to the guesthouse.

The family simply washed up and lay down on the beds.

The twins took one bed, and the couple took the other with the boy-girl twins.

It was quite late by now, and coupled with the tiring journey, Qian Bao and Seeing Yaobao were young and lacked energy, so they were already fast asleep.

Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao had unlocked a new map and were incredibly excited.

Lying flat on the bed, they crossed their little legs and hummed something.

Lin Zhao turned on her side, looking at the little brothers with a smile in her eyes: "Are you that happy to be in the provincial capital?"

"It's fun!" Gu Hangbao glanced at his sleeping younger brother and sister, lowered his voice, and spoke in a cheerful tone.

"The supply and marketing cooperative is so big, the movie theater is big too, the roads are wide, the houses are imposing, and there are so many bicycles." He listed everything different he had seen.

"Gu Hangbao observes things very carefully." Lin Zhao praised him. "What about you, Xiang Yubao? How do you feel?"

Xiang Yubao thought seriously for two seconds and replied with the attitude of answering a teacher's question: "It is very convenient for people living here to do anything."

Lin Zhao smiled: "Xiang Yubao's summary is also very spot on."

Xiang Yubao revealed a shy but happy smile.

Gu Hangbao changed his posture, lying on his stomach on the bed with his short legs kicked high: "Mom, are we going to the zoo tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, we were originally going to go today, but time was a bit tight, so we'll go tomorrow instead," Lin Zhao explained.

Gu Hangbao grinned: "As long as you take us, that's fine."

"Sleep early today; we have to get up early tomorrow," Lin Zhao said softly.

After taking the bus, then the train, and then going out to play, this day was truly fulfilling, and they all felt as if the day had become longer.

"Gu Hangbao, lie down properly." Xiang Yubao urged his younger brother. Once Gu Hangbao was lying down, he tucked the little quilt over his and his brother's bellies, then closed his eyes.

They were as worry-free as could be.

Gu Chenghuai looked at Lin Zhao: "Shall I turn off the lights?"

"Turn them off."

After the lights went out, the whole room plunged into darkness.

The little brothers held hands, cheering each other on.

Once the breathing from the other bed became heavy, Gu Chenghuai reached out his broad, warm palm and gently patted Lin Zhao's shoulder.

One pat after another, very rhythmic and slow, as if he were coaxing a child.

Lin Zhao opened her eyes, a smile flashing in them. She reached out to hug the man's waist, lifted her head to kiss his chin, and only then closed her eyes.

The corners of Gu Chenghuai's mouth curled up slightly.

The next day, morning.

The sound of a door opening.

Lin Zhao opened her eyes and saw Gu Chenghuai walking in carrying things.

"You're awake." Gu Chenghuai chuckled. The four cubs were still fast asleep, so he kept his voice very low: "Are you hungry? I bought steamed buns and soy milk."

Lin Zhao got up, her long, jet-black hair messy, strands falling on both sides of her cheeks, making her face look even smaller.

Her appearance didn't quite fit the aesthetics of this era; at this time, the rounder the face, the more elders liked it. Her face was a bit too small and exquisite, and having been taught by Lin Heling since she was young, even if her experience wasn't vast, she was full of confidence, exuding a nobility different from country girls, looking not quite so down-to-earth.

But in Gu Chenghuai's heart, Zhaozhao was perfect in every way; he liked her looks, and he liked her personality too.

Thinking of his wife having a headache from the car ride yesterday, he put down the things, sat on the edge of the bed, and asked softly: "Does your head still hurt?"

Lin Zhao used him as a backrest: "It doesn't hurt anymore."

Just as they were talking, the twins woke up.

Gu Hangbao did a somersault on the bed, his eyes darting around before he remembered this was a guesthouse.

Recalling that they were going to see the big tiger today, he immediately became spirited.

"We're going to the zoo!" he said loudly.

The voice was loud, startling the boy-girl twins who were "entangled" in their limbs.

The two little buns opened their eyes, their eyes dark, bright, and lively. Seeing their mom and dad beside them, they grinned with their rosy little mouths.

Qian Bao felt his little belly was bloated, opened his arms toward Gu Chenghuai, his tone milky and cute: "Pee-pee."

Gu Chenghuai hurriedly picked up his little son and went to the bathroom.

Lin Zhao held Seeing Yaobao, her gaze gentle: "Does Seeing Yaobao want to pee-pee?"

"Mm-hmm." Seeing Yaobao nodded her little head.

Lin Zhao got out of bed without a word, slipped on her slippers, picked up her little daughter, and as soon as the cubs' father came out with Qian Bao, she hurriedly took Seeing Yaobao out.

The family busily emptied their bloated bellies, finished breakfast, first went to the post office to mail back the things they bought yesterday, and then walked lightly to the zoo.

Today was a weekday, and most people had to work, so there weren't many people in the zoo.

After buying tickets, Lin Zhao and her husband took the cubs into the park.

Gu Hangbao was like a wild horse that had broken its reins. Seeing a novel animal, he ran over to look, then turned his head to look at Lin Zhao: "Mom, what is this?"

When the children were young, Lin Heling had found ways to get picture books to teach them various "common knowledge," and Lin Zhao had seen the animal introduction picture book.

Looking at the animal with exceptionally gorgeous feathers, she popularized it for the children: "That is a peacock."

"Kong Que! It's beautiful!" Gu Hangbao exclaimed.

He looked at it several more times, turned around, and a brilliant smile rose on his face: "Mom, I want to take a photo. I want to get the peacock in the photo. I want to show Li Bao."

Hearing this, Xiang Yubao also ran over and stood next to his younger brother.

"I'll join too."

Gu Hangbao liked his older brother the most. Seeing Xiang Yubao run over, he didn't feel offended, and the corners of his mouth split even wider.

"Great, let's take it together; we can save film too."

Xiang Yubao touched his brother's head with a straight face and said with gratification: "Gu Hangbao knows how to be frugal too; this is very good."

"Pfft..." Lin Zhao couldn't help but laugh.

She cleared her throat and raised the camera: "Ahem... look here."

The twins put their heads together and revealed happy smiles.

Lin Zhao pressed the shutter, and just as she was about to put the camera away, she actually saw that beautiful peacock spread its tail.

"Don't move, take another one!"

She hurriedly took another one.

Seeing their older brothers taking photos, Qian Bao and Seeing Yaobao also ran over and stood in front of the twins. The four siblings had a new group photo, the kind with the peacock spreading its tail as a background board.

"Beautiful!" Lin Zhao gave a thumbs up. "Our luck is pretty good; I heard that seeing a peacock spread its tail is very rare."

Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao were both very happy.

That's right, they were children who were blessed.

Next, they saw many other animals, and the children's excited "wowing" sounds never stopped.

Before leaving the zoo, not to mention the twins, even Qian Bao and Seeing Yaobao were reluctant to leave.

Near the entrance, a few people were talking.

One of them was carrying a very small golden monkey. The monkey was only the size of a child's arm, with a rope tied around its neck, sitting obediently on the ground, its eyes lively, sizing people up.

"Director, can the park really not take in Little Jin? It doesn't eat much, it's very obedient..." The man holding the rope had red eyes and pleaded: "Our circus was smashed, and we were targeted by... by those people. It looks like we can't keep going. I have to go out and make a living, and I can't take Little Jin. It's too small; letting it go is a dead end. I want to find a good place for it; please just take it in."

Little Jin was raised by him; if it weren't for having no other choice, he wouldn't be willing to part with it either.

These words were just heard by Lin Zhao as she passed by.

She looked at the little monkey; its fur was a bit dull, but it wasn't thin or small, and its eyes were clever and spirited.

Xiang Yubao's excited voice rang out: "It's Little Monkey Brother!"

Although excited, the volume wasn't high, just filled with doubt and heartache: "Why is Monkey Brother tied up? What about the somersault cloud? Why doesn't it fly away?"

Lin Zhao: "..."

The director shook his head and sighed lightly: "It's not that I won't accept it, it's... I won't hide it from you, those people here have also been here. Whether this zoo can keep running, and how much longer it can run, I can't say clearly either. I'm already worried about how to deal with so many animals in the park; if another monkey this small comes, I can't help you."

After the words fell, fearing that this person would pester him and he would soften his heart, the director found an opportunity to slip away quickly.

The young man lowered his head, looking dejected.

Gu Hangbao worshipped Monkey Brother to no end. He approached, squatted down to look at the little golden monkey, and took out a small piece of pastry to feed it. This monkey was truly spirited; it jumped onto Gu Hangbao's feet, took the food with both hands, and put its hands together to thank him.

"Mom, Monkey Brother is saying thank you to me." Gu Hangbao said loudly and happily.

Lin Zhao knew that golden monkeys feed on tree leaves, tender buds, and seasonal fruits; they don't eat human food well, and it's not good for their bodies.

"Gu Hangbao, don't feed it casually; golden monkeys can't eat pastries."

Gu Hangbao opened his mouth wide, panicked: "Then what should we do?"

After asking, he reached out toward the little golden monkey, urging it with an urgent tone: "Give it to me, you can't eat this."

Seeing the little golden monkey didn't react, he hurriedly said: "You can't eat this; it will make your tummy sick."

Seeming to see the anxiety of the two-legged little beast, the little golden monkey reluctantly returned it.

It was angry, turned its back, and left behind a pouting, round back.

Lin Zhao was surprised by the little golden monkey's intelligence.

"Comrade, you don't want this monkey anymore?" She looked at the man who wanted to send the golden monkey to the zoo.

Hearing this, Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao's eyes shone brightly.

"!!"

Why is Mom asking this question?

Guessing something, they didn't dare to ask, but their dark, bright eyes were glowing.

"You want it?" the man holding the rope asked.

He sized up Lin Zhao's family and saw that this family could afford to raise Little Jin, and his eyes flashed.

Lin Zhao said: "The children like it."

It wasn't that Little Jin hadn't been wanted before, it was just that the young man wanted to find a good place for it and hadn't sold it. Seeing the two little boys who looked the same sincerely liking Little Jin, he had a plan in his heart.

"Can you guarantee to take good care of Little Jin?"

The twins covered their mouths, fearing they would cry out.

Looking down at the cute little monkey, their mouths were almost splitting to the back of their heads.

Is a new member coming to the family?!!

Gu Chenghuai saw that Zhaozhao wanted this little monkey, took out his military officer ID, and said steadily: "We will. I guarantee it with the military uniform on my body."

He understood Zhaozhao and the children; none of them were the type to give up halfway. Just looking at the two dogs at home that were getting glossier and glossier, he knew.

The young man's heart settled halfway.

Lin Zhao took out the introduction letter and said: "Where we are is near the mountains; we can occasionally take this little monkey into the mountains to play. If you are at ease, you can hand it to us."

The young man glanced at the place on the introduction letter; it was indeed near the mountains.

At this moment, he was completely at ease.

He gave the rope tying the golden monkey to Gu Chenghuai.

He said reluctantly: "I'll leave Little Jin to you."

He squatted down, held the little golden monkey with both hands, rubbed its head with his face, his voice filled with tears: "Little Jin, from now on you'll follow this family. Be obedient, don't hit people, and get along harmoniously with the little masters, you know? I have no choice; if I had a choice, I would definitely raise you myself. Don't blame me."

After saying this, he wiped his face and ran away quickly.

The little golden monkey understood human nature and understood that it had changed owners. It climbed onto Xiang Yubao's shoulder without ceremony, squatted obediently, and turned its eyes to look at the others curiously.

Xiang Yubao's body stiffened.

"Dad?" he called.

A smile flashed in Gu Chenghuai's deep black eyes. He reached out and untied the rope on the golden monkey's neck. The rope was tied loosely and would fall off with a light rub, showing that the young man was a very kind person.

"Don't be afraid, this little guy is showing closeness. From now on, it's a new member of our family."

Hearing his father say this, Xiang Yubao smiled, revealing his white teeth.

Gu Hangbao also wanted to get close to Monkey Brother and opened his arms toward Little Jin: "Little Jin, come here to me."

The little golden monkey turned away and ignored him.

Lin Zhao laughed out loud: "The little guy is still angry."

She touched the little monkey's head; it was furry, and the touch was better than usual. Little Jin lifted its little head, its eyes round and bright, full of liveliness.

"So cute," she said.

She looked at Gu Chenghuai: "Is it okay for our family to raise a monkey?"

"What could be wrong with it? No one manages this; just raise it." Gu Chenghuai said.

He had even seen people raising wolves and snakes; the country had no heart to manage this now. People couldn't even get enough to eat, so where would they have the heart to manage small animals?

Lin Zhao's brows relaxed, and a smile pulled at the corners of her mouth: "It's fine if it's fine; our family has one more mouth to feed."

"It's fine, I can afford to raise you all." Gu Chenghuai didn't say that he was about to be promoted; by the end of the year at the latest, he would be a Gu Regiment Commander, and his allowance would increase by several dozen.

Let alone one more mouth, he could afford to raise several more.

The little golden monkey didn't stay on Xiang Yubao's shoulder for too long. When Lin Zhao touched it, it jumped into Lin Zhao's arms without ceremony and didn't forget to change into a comfortable posture.

"..."

Xiang Yubao smiled: "Little Jin also knows who is the boss in our family; it's really smart!"

"Little Jin is Monkey Brother, it learns everything fast, of course it's smart." Little Jin ignored him, but Gu Hangbao wasn't angry: "Mom, what does Little Jin eat? When we go back, I'll feed it delicious food; will it play with me then?"

"Yes." Lin Zhao didn't discourage her son and told him the food golden monkeys love to eat.

"It loves to eat tree leaves and tender buds?" Gu Hangbao was stunned, but he didn't dwell on it: "I will find it the tenderest, tenderest leaves and buds."

"Good." Lin Zhao stroked the little monkey's long tail, her eyes always curved; she really liked this obedient and smart little cutie.

In the blink of an eye, it was afternoon, and the time agreed upon with Xiang Yunjian was drawing ever closer.

Lin Zhao began to worry in hindsight, "Gu Chenghuai, what if Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai aren't willing to come with us?"

"Do you think that's possible?" Gu Chenghuai smiled, his voice patient, "They can't go on living in the capital; if they have someone to rely on and can be with their father, they will only be happy. Those two children are smart; they won't refuse to come with us."

To put it bluntly, the Meng brothers had no choice.

"That's true." Lin Zhao retied her braids and took her lover and children to the station to pick them up.

On the train.

The closer he got to the destination, the more nervous Meng Jingmo became, his face pulled tight.

He didn't know if the decision to take his younger brother and flee was right. He hoped fate would favor them once more; he asked for nothing else, only to see their father. As long as he could see their father, he would be content even if they ate wild vegetables for every meal.