Chapter 156

The children's room was full of excited and deliberately hushed childish voices, and Lin Zhao walked over curiously.

She leaned against the doorway.

She saw the room was packed with children.

"What are you talking about, why is it so lively?"

Her smiling voice rang out.

Xiang Yubao saw his mom, his small face first bloomed with a brilliant smile, he ran over, took his mom's hand, his small expression proud and affectionate, his voice as soft as cotton, "Thank you Mom for decorating our room, we like it super much."

The little friend tried hard to gesture with his small hands.

Lin Zhao's eyes softened, she gently rubbed her son's hair, it felt very soft, this was an angel baby.

"As long as you like it. When the brigade gets electricity, I'll buy you a desk lamp."

Gu Hangbao held his mom's other hand, looking up, "What's a desk lamp, is it the light on the ceiling?"

"No, a desk lamp can be placed on the desk for reading and writing, it won't hurt your eyes." Lin Zhao explained softly.

"I like desk lamps, Mom is really great." Gu Hangbao's eyes and brows curved with happiness.

Xiang Yubao rubbed his head against his mom's arm, like a harmless little milk beast.

At this time Yuan Bao spoke, his childish voice saying: "Third Aunt, the twins said their bed has a blueprint, can I borrow it? I want to ask my mom to make me this bed too."

Lin Zhao was slightly stunned.

Then she smiled: "No need to borrow it, the brigade's carpenter knows how, if any of you want it, just ask your mom and dad to go find him."

The children noted her words and thanked her politely.

"Thank you, Third Aunt."

In the past, the children in the brigade didn't know how to say thank you, but after staying with the twins for a long time, they had subtly learned polite terms.

Thinking about the new bed, they didn't forget their business, helping the twins move everything before dispersing.

Lin Zhao didn't let the children work for nothing, giving them each two fruit candies, which surprised the children.

The twins' mom gave them candy!

And two of them!

They spun around happily.

"Third Aunt is really great."

"Xiang Yubao, if you have anything to do in the future, call me again, you don't need two candies, one is enough."

"Gu Hangbao, I can too, I have great strength, one of me is worth two."

"I have greater strength."

"I have greater."

"Hmph."

"Hmph hmph!"

The boat of friendship capsized just like that.

Lin Zhao laughed, children are just like that, they don't hold grudges, and they can be fine again half a day after falling out.

With everyone in the Gu family helping, the third branch's things were quickly moved to the new home.

Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang were helping... organize the things in the kitchen; both were diligent people, and their hands and feet were nimble, so everything was soon arranged neatly.

Gu Mother nodded repeatedly as she watched.

The daughters-in-law in her family were all quite good.

She had completely forgotten how much she regretted it when Lin Zhao was making a fuss about dividing the family, and then ignored the four cubs after the division!

One can only say that people are forgetful.

The Gu family daughters-in-law could help organize the kitchen, but they couldn't intervene in the third branch's rooms, so they told Lin Zhao and proposed to leave.

There was a lot to tidy up at home, so Lin Zhao didn't stand on ceremony, only saying she would treat them at the new home tomorrow and asked them all to come over.

Xingye and the others were incredibly happy.

Third Aunt was treating them, there would definitely be meat, getting to eat meat again, how great!

Thinking about that meal tomorrow, their steps were light when they left.

Little Li Bao didn't leave, he was going to sleep with Gu Hangbao tonight.

Lin Zhao intended to cultivate the children's self-care ability, she only helped make the beds, and let the cubs tidy up the desks themselves.

The twins who couldn't help had just been sent over by Gu Lan, and were lying on their low bed, their lively black eyes looking around, obedient and cute.

The low bed was covered with a mattress, on top was a dark blue bed sheet, two small patterned pillows were placed at the head of the bed against the wall, and next to the foot of the bunk bed... a small red thin blanket was folded.

Lin Zhao quickly made Xiang Yubao's bed again.

Xiang Yubao liked plain colors, so she made her son's bed with light green printed sheets, looking very refreshing and suitable for the season.

After making the lower bunk, Lin Zhao stepped on the small wooden ladder and began to make the upper bunk.

Seeing this scene, Xiang Yubao put down what was in his hand, frowned, walked over, and looked up at Lin Zhao, his eyes full of worry.

"Mom, step carefully, don't fall."

The little friend who was a "mom-follower" could endure not crying even if he scraped his own skin, but couldn't bear to see his mom get hurt.

Gu Hangbao and Tie Chui also ran over, their eyes fixed on Lin Zhao's feet wearing cloth slippers, their expressions tense.

"..."

It was only this high, falling down wouldn't do anything.

Lin Zhao's movements paused slightly, looking at them from above; the children who were not even six years old were only so big, but they were already very sensible and knew how to express concern.

Her heart collapsed a bit, and her eyes and brows softened.

"Don't worry, I'm stepping very steadily, I won't fall."

"You go tidy up the small desk."

The three cubs looked over worriedly, then obediently tidied up their desk.

From time to time, they would glance at Lin Zhao.

Their small hands flattened the books and put them on the shelves, one by one, very seriously.

The copybooks and notebooks for practicing calligraphy were placed on the table for easy access.

The desk had drawers, one for each, with "Big, Two, Three, Four" carved on them.

Xiang Yubao saw the characters first and turned to look at Lin Zhao, "Mom, there are characters on the drawers, does 'Big' represent me?"

"That's right." Lin Zhao made the bed, jumped down from the wooden ladder, and explained softly: "Originally I wanted to carve your full names, but..."

She paused before saying: "Your full names have too many strokes, so I used your old nicknames."

The old carpenter found it troublesome, there was really no other way.

"'Big' is for Big Cub's Big, 'Two' is for Second Cub's Two, 'Three' is for Third Cub's Three, and 'Four' is for Fourth Cub's Four."

"Four drawers, one for each of you, use your own, as the older brother you can't grab the younger brother and sister's, do you know?"

Gu Hangbao was very happy that he had a drawer.

He said excitedly and loudly: "I know, my drawer is Two, I can put my own things in the drawer marked Two, I can't put things in the older brother or younger brother and sister's drawers."

Lin Zhao held the little smarty's face in both hands, "Smart."

Xiang Yubao's eyes showed envy, he also wanted his mom to touch him, his eyes flashed, and he said: "I will supervise my younger brother and sister."

"Alright, Xiang Yubao is the most obedient, with you as the big treasure, I can save a lot of worry, you're really great." Lin Zhao praised him a lot.

Xiang Yubao couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth.

Mom said he was the most obedient, he was Mom's most obedient son!

Gu Hangbao wasn't happy, pestering Lin Zhao: "Mom, what about me, what about me?"

"You are ranked second, so you are the second most obedient." Lin Zhao said with a smile.

Gu Hangbao's brain was flexible, and he immediately said: "Qian Bao is the third most obedient, Yao Bao is the fourth most obedient, right?"

"... Right."

Hearing this affirmative answer, Gu Hangbao laughed out loud.

Lin Zhao changed the subject, "The table is tidied up quite well, you three are really amazing, Li Bao helped Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao tidy up the room, eat here tonight."

Li Bao responded happily, "Okay."

Gu Hangbao hugged Li Bao, his smile brilliant, "We are good brothers, if Li Bao moves, we will help too."

Lin Zhao laughed: "Yes, you are good brothers. Then may I ask the three good brothers, are you hungry?"

She raised her wrist to look at her watch, it was just past four.

Children like to run around the village, they are full of vitality, and get hungry quickly.

Gu Hangbao touched his stomach, "Hungry."

"Mom, what are we eating today?" He asked expectantly.

"Eating cold noodles, how about that?"

Gu Hangbao's eyes were blank, "What are cold noodles, are they delicious? I haven't eaten them, are they as delicious as small wontons?"

Wontons were a food the twins liked very much.

Lin Zhao said: "They are delicious, very suitable for eating in summer, sour and spicy, very appetizing."

"I want to eat them!" Gu Hangbao said loudly.

Xiang Yubao stood obediently in place, "Whatever Mom makes I'll eat, whatever Mom makes is delicious."

The emotional value was given fully.

Little Li Bao nodded his head, "Hmm, Third Aunt cooks better than my mom."

Lin Zhao was almost floating.

Her face was full of smiles, "You three tidy up the toys, I'll call you when the food is ready."

This room also had a play corner, the cement floor was covered with an artistic straw mat made by Gu Father, the straw mat was not small, it was 1.8 meters by 1.8 meters, and a cat-head-shaped pegboard was nailed to the wall, specifically for putting the children's toys.

The twins and Li Bao put the tin frogs, cloth dolls, ping pong paddles, cloth balls, and other toys on it.

Then they swept the floor clean.

In this way, the whole room took on a new look.

Simple and beautiful.

Better than what children in the city lived in.

Later, when the four cubs went to follow the army, facing those children who grew up in large compounds and big cities, they didn't feel inferior.

When the teacher asked them to write an essay, Xiang Yubao wrote the following paragraph.

【My mom is a different kind of mom, she has many ideas, she lives wantonly and freely, many people cannot understand, but such a mom gave us a different childhood, I went to the provincial capital at five, and shared a... unique radio in this world with my younger brother and sister, when other children were happy because of a piece of candy, Mom gave us chocolate, soda, ice cream... whatever children in the city have, we have, she taught us to read and write, personally took us to measure this world, Mom loves us very carefully, and I... also love my mom very much.】

Back to the point—

Lin Zhao left the children's room and wandered into the living room she shared with Gu Chenghuai, where things had also been tidied up quite a bit.

The whitewashed walls were very bright, the floor was also cement, there was no dust, and it was very clean.

Gu Chenghuai heard the familiar footsteps and turned his head slightly, "Is the four cubs' room tidied up?"

"Just a little bit left, they're all hungry, I'm going to cook."

Hearing this, Gu Chenghuai quickly made the bed, walked toward Lin Zhao, took her hand, and pressed her onto a stool.

"Today is your birthday, don't be busy, sit and rest, I'll go do it." The man said unquestioningly.

Lin Zhao's eyes were warm, and smiles bloomed in the corners of her eyes, "Alright, I'll lie down for a while, call me when you're done. Your sons want to eat cold noodles, do you know how to make them? If not, ask Mother."

"Cold noodles? Simple." Gu Chenghuai didn't know how to make complex things, but he knew how to make simple things like cold noodles, he had seen his mother make them.

"Wait."

He walked out of the room, and after going out, gently closed the door.

Before closing the door, he curled his lips slightly, his eyes extremely tender.

Lin Zhao smiled, she changed into clean clothes and lay on the bed.

The sheets were new, and they smelled very good.

The mattress was also soft, the windows were wide open, the afternoon sun had a soft taste, a breeze blew in, the bamboo curtains moved slightly, it was very suitable for sleeping, and Lin Zhao slowly fell asleep.

Forty minutes passed in this sleep.

When she opened her eyes again, she heard the voices of Lin Shichang and Lin Shisheng.

Lin Zhao blinked, listened carefully, it was indeed them.

She lifted the thin blanket, sat up, gathered her long black hair, slipped on her cloth slippers, opened the door, and walked out.

"Zhao Zhao, you're awake, did you sleep enough? Was it because Eldest Brother and I were too loud and disturbed you?" Lin Shisheng said apologetically.

Lin Shichang also said: "If you're sleepy, sleep a while longer, we won't talk anymore."

Lin Zhao walked over and took the water Gu Chenghuai handed her; she was used to drinking half a cup of water after waking up to moisten her throat.

"I woke up by myself, it has nothing to do with you."

She put back the enamel mug and looked at the Lin brothers, "Why did Eldest Brother and Second Brother come?"

Lin Shichang laughed: "You're confused from sleep, today is your birthday, Father isn't here, and you didn't come, your Eldest Sister-in-law even said she wanted to make you longevity noodles."

Thinking that he forgot to remind Zhao Zhao when picking up the two nephews from the Meng family, he felt a burst of annoyance.

"Gu Chenghuai said he would make them for me." Lin Zhao said.

Lin Shichang looked at his brother-in-law unexpectedly, "Chenghuai knows how to make longevity noodles?"

"I do." Gu Chenghuai nodded.

While his wife was asleep, he tried it, and he really did know how, and it tasted pretty good.

Lin Shichang patted his brother-in-law's shoulder, "You have heart."

After praising his brother-in-law, whom he used to dislike but now found pleasing in every way, he gave the things he brought to Lin Zhao, "Zhao Zhao, Eldest Brother bought you a silk scarf, the person said it came from Shanghai and is very popular with young girls, I hope you like it."

Before Lin Zhao could speak, he added: "Inside there are also clothes your Eldest Sister-in-law made for you. Your Eldest Sister-in-law asked me to bring you a message, saying happy birthday, she's heavily pregnant and it's inconvenient for her to come, please don't mind."

Lin Zhao wasn't the coy type.

She accepted the gift generously, her eyes curved into smiles.

"It's fine! Thank you Eldest Brother, please thank Eldest Sister-in-law for me."

Lin Shichang: "Alright."

Lin Zhao reached out to Lin Shisheng and said righteously: "Where's Second Brother's gift, give it to me."

"Who acts like you, asking for gifts right away, not reserved at all." Lin Shisheng's eyes were full of smiles.

But his body was honest, taking out a square box and putting it in his younger sister's palm.

"What is this, even in a box, mysterious." Lin Zhao's curiosity was fully aroused, her mouth stubborn.

"Open it and see." Lin Shisheng's expression was confident, he knew Zhao Zhao would definitely like the gift he sent.

Lin Zhao opened it without ceremony, inside was an emerald green jade bracelet.

Her expression changed slightly, she slammed the box shut, and subconsciously lowered her voice.

"Did you engage in speculation and profiteering??"

It wasn't that Lin Zhao was timid, but in the original book, many people in their commune were executed for speculation and profiteering; Wei Xiangdong's case was considered light, but he still ended up with a tragic fate.

This line of work was really dangerous, especially where they were, the plot was such that the probability of being caught and sentenced for speculation and profiteering was very high.

As Lin Zhao's voice fell, Lin Shichang began to roll up his sleeves, and Gu Chenghuai's eyes darkened slightly as he looked at his second brother-in-law.

Lin Shisheng felt something was wrong and quickly said: "I didn't."

He was full of helplessness, "I got this by accident, I don't even go to the black market, how could I do illegal and criminal things? Mother would break my legs, how would I dare to test the law with my body."

Lin Zhao knew too well that Second Brother wasn't an honest person.

She stared at Lin Shisheng, but didn't see a hint of guilt in him.

He was pretending really well.

"Our family doesn't lack that little bit, don't take risks."

Lin Shisheng was very calm, as honest as could be, "I know, I didn't engage in speculation and profiteering."

At most, he collected some things in the village and earned some price difference, hiding it very deeply; even the people who took goods from his hands didn't know his identity.

Although he had only been doing this for a short time, he had known the ins and outs for a long time.

He had a friend in the county with a protective umbrella who had always wanted him to join.

He felt the other party's stall was too big, and plus Qiulian was short-sighted and couldn't keep her mouth shut, so he refused.

After Qiulian rolled back to her maiden home, Lin Shisheng started doing it; he knew it was dangerous and was very careful.

He planned to wait until he saved enough money to buy a job in the transport team.

Eldest Brother already had a job, he had to get moving!

Lin Zhao didn't delve into it; she had given all the reminders she could, Second Brother was already a father of two, he knew what he was doing.

She raised the box in her hand, dispelling the seriousness on her face, and laughed: "Second Brother, this bracelet will be very valuable in the future, are you really giving it to me?"

"Otherwise, it's your 24th birthday gift." Lin Shisheng said indifferently, "You are my own younger sister, I give you a gift, could I regret it? Do I still want this face? You keep it, if you like it, I'll get you more."

For some people, these old things weren't as good as a catty of meat.