Chapter 17: Sick to the Core

Lin Erdan didn’t explain why, only muttered, “My brother’s just talkative.”

Actually, after Lin Mother and Lin Shisheng went to visit Lin Zhao with gifts yesterday, the villagers started gossiping that Lin Mother favored her married daughter, hoarding meat and eggs for her instead of giving them to her own sons and grandchildren.

It was nasty talk.

The Lin children overheard it and burned with anger inside.

Seeing their aunt bring back gifts, they couldn’t wait to parade them from one end of the village to the other.

The eldest nephew talked too much; Lin Zhao couldn’t wait and left with Erdan first.

As for Dacai and Ercai, they were busy dividing candy among their older siblings.

Lin Heling sat in the courtyard waiting for his daughter to return.

Spotting Lin Zhao’s figure, he turned his face toward the main house and said, “Zhaozhao’s mother, our daughter’s back.”

Lin Zhao stepped inside just as he spoke, her steps light as she ran over and sat on the small wooden stool beside her father.

“Dad, how are you feeling?”

Lin Heling smiled, his gaze gentle as he studied Lin Zhao’s complexion—she looked fine—and nodded inwardly before answering, “I’m fine.”

Lin Mother stepped out, smiling. “Your father’s cured the moment he sees you.”

Hearing the noise in the courtyard, Lin’s eldest and second sons emerged with their wives.

“Zhaozhao’s back,” Lin the eldest beamed.

He walked toward Lin Zhao, staring at her forehead. “The bump’s gone—still have headaches?”

“Not at all,” Lin Zhao replied, then greeted the others in turn: “Big brother, Big sister-in-law, Second brother, Second sister-in-law.”

Big sister-in-law Chen Yu was diligent, kind-hearted, and gentle.

She smiled. “Have you eaten?”

“Yes.”

Second sister-in-law Qiulian glanced at her little sister-in-law’s empty hands, sneered, then quickly lowered her head—afraid of offending her in-laws—hiding her unwelcoming thoughts.

The little sister-in-law’s back again, begging for handouts—when will it ever end?

Lin Zhao knew her sister-in-law’s nature well; she matched her attitude with hers, ignoring her sour face entirely.

Lin Shisheng frowned, his gaze cool as he flicked a glance at his wife’s head, then quickly looked back at Lin Zhao, his expression softening: “Zhaozhao, I caught a rabbit. You love spicy rabbit meat—let Mother cook it for you this afternoon.”

“Great! I haven’t had rabbit meat in ages—thanks, Second Brother.”

Hearing their exchange, Qiulian secretly rolled her eyes. Her husband was clueless—favored his sister over his own wife. How stupid.

Though seething inside, she dared not utter a word—Lin Mother ruled the household with her temper. She could only vent silently in her mind.

Lin Mother said, “I know you’re hungry—I’ve already prepared it. Whenever you’re ready, just say the word, and I’ll cook it.”

“Alright,” Lin Zhao replied without hesitation.

Lin Heling hadn’t seen his grandsons. He asked, “Where are Dacai and Ercai? You didn’t bring them?”

“I did. They’re playing with Dadan and the others.”

No sooner had Lin Zhao spoken than a group of children burst into the house—the courtyard instantly came alive.

“Mom, Dacai gave me two candies—they’re so sweet! I saved one for you,” Lin Xibao told her mother.

Chen Yu’s eyes flickered with surprise. She glanced at Lin Zhao, saw no sign of discomfort on her little sister-in-law’s face, realized Lin Zhao knew about Dacai giving the candy, relaxed, then turned back to her daughter and said softly, “Keep it for yourself—I don’t need it.”

Lin Xibao beamed. “One’s enough for me. Mom, you’ve got a baby inside you—you should have one too.”

At this, Lin Zhao’s face lit up in surprise. “Big sister-in-law’s pregnant again?”

Chen Yu playfully scolded her daughter, then looked at Lin Zhao, blushing slightly. “Over two months now.”

Lin Zhao said, “Congratulations, Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law. When you give birth, I’ll bring you a pig’s trotter.”

“Talking big—do you think pig’s trotters are easy to get?” Lin Mother lightly tapped her daughter’s forehead, fearing the eldest son’s wife might get her hopes up, and added quickly, “Just do your best. If you can’t get one, it’s fine—your big brother will find a way.”

Lin Zhao didn’t elaborate. Whether she could or not would be clear in a few months—she’d studied in the county, and her education wasn’t wasted; she had plenty of connections.

“I know.”

When the elders finished speaking, Dadan placed the net bag full of goods on the table and told Lin Father and Lin Mother, “Grandpa, Grandma, these are the things my aunt brought.”

As he set it down, the contents were instantly visible.

Lin Mother’s brow furrowed. “Zhaozhao, why did you bring so much?”

“If you won’t take them, I’ll just have to bring them back,” Lin Zhao replied casually.

She untied the net bag and pulled out its contents one by one.

As she removed each item, she said:

“This is canned meat.”

“This is two pounds of meat.”

“This is dried noodles—cook a handful for Dad and yourself every few days. It’s white flour, soft and gentle on the throat, not like coarse grains that scratch your throat—even plain broth tastes good.”

“A small jar of oil—this oil’s fragrant, perfect for stir-frying.”

“These salted duck eggs—poke them and oil oozes out. Perfect with congee.”

“Lastly, soda—I bought a lot. Try some.”

The Lin family stared at the table, stunned.

Each of these items was hard to come by—where on earth had Zhaozhao gotten them?

Lin Mother grabbed Lin Zhao’s wrist and pulled her inside, away from everyone. Her expression turned grave, her gaze locked on her daughter. “Did you go to the black market?”

Lin Zhao shook her head firmly. “Of course not! I don’t even know which way the black market’s door faces!”

“Then where did you get these things?” Lin Mother still wasn’t convinced—she feared her daughter was risking the law.

“I already told you—my classmates,” Lin Zhao said, deliberately putting on a smug expression. “You don’t think I wasted my high school years, do you?”

“Some of my classmates work at grain and oil stations, others at meat processing plants, some at supply cooperatives. Buying things from them is the easiest thing in the world.”

“Mom, don’t worry—I’m not stupid. I’d never go to the black market.”

She’d never been there—so of course she spoke with perfect confidence.

“Good,” Lin Mother said. “Never go again. The black market crackdowns are strict. If you get caught, it won’t be a joke.”

Lin Zhao’s expression was as resolute as a Party oath: “I’m not stupid. Only people with no connections go to the black market. I’ve got connections—why would I go? No way.”

She hadn’t gone to the black market, yet Lin Mother scolded her for over ten minutes.

“Why bring so much back? Didn’t I tell you not to bring anything? All these good things—save them for your nieces and nephews. You’re married into the Gu family now—stop thinking about your birth family. Your father and I have several sons—do you think we’ll starve? Ungrateful girl.”

Lin Zhao bristled. “We won’t starve, but there’s nothing good to nourish the body.”

Lin Mother had no reply.

Everything required coupons—even if she had the ability, she couldn’t get dried noodles or canned meat…

“This world… it’s getting harder and harder to understand,” Lin Mother sighed heavily.

Lin Zhao linked arms with her mother, resting her head on her shoulder. “It’ll get better slowly. Until then, you have to accept these things I’m giving you—otherwise, I won’t come back again.”

Lin Mother turned to look at her, meeting Lin Zhao’s beautiful eyes—filled with earnestness.

“I’m serious!” Lin Zhao emphasized, her voice soft but her stance firm.

Her father’s health had been ruined during his flight from danger; her mother looked strong, but she’d overworked herself.

In the original novel, after she died, her father passed away the next year. Soon after he died, her mother followed—less than six months later.

Thinking of it, Lin Zhao’s heart clenched as if gripped by giant hands, suffocating.

She would never forgive Gu Xing’er!

Lin Mother sighed helplessly. “Fine. Your father and I will take them.”

Lin Zhao’s face brightened.

Good.

This lifetime, her father and mother would live to be a hundred.

Outside the courtyard.

Lin Heling called his two grandsons over and asked them questions—mostly about their daily lives.

Dacai and Ercai were familiar with this routine. They sat upright and began chattering.

They told how much good food they’d eaten, then stood up to show off their new clothes and shoes, their smiles brighter than the sunrise.

“How are Sancai and Sicao?” Lin Heling asked about the twins.

“They’re fine too,” Ercai said. “Mom gives them wheat milk powder and steamed egg custard.”

Dacai added: “Mom made them new clothes too. And she said she’ll take me and Ercai to the movies!” His voice, young and pure, brimmed with joy.

“Why are your heads shaved?” Lin Father gently touched each grandson’s bald scalp and asked with a smile.

“Yesterday a barber came to the village. Mom made me and my brother shave our heads,” Dacai said.

“Mom says it’s cooler!” Ercai rubbed his prickly scalp and grinned. In front of his gentle grandfather, even his usual loud voice had softened considerably.

Lin Heling didn’t believe his daughter’s excuse about coolness—he suspected Lin Zhao feared something terrible might grow on their heads and shaved them preemptively.

“Bald heads suit you—make your skulls look rounder,” he said, pleased. Seeing his daughter grow up filled him with quiet pride.

He was gentle by nature, never raised his voice, out of step with the whole village—yet all the children loved him and loved listening to him.

Dacai and Ercai were very close to their grandfather, clinging to him, begging for stories.

Lin Heling didn’t refuse—he began telling them a tale.

Dadan and the others, hungry for the meat and candy Lin Zhao brought, noticed their grandfather telling stories and immediately shifted attention, lining up to listen.

Lin Zhao finished speaking with her mother and stepped outside to find her father telling a story. She hurried over and sat on the wooden rocking chair beside him. The chair rocked slightly, making Lin Father dizzy—he reached out and gripped the armrest to steady it.

But he was used to it. He didn’t scold her, continuing his slow, calm voice as he told a tale about a lawless monkey.

Lin Zhao had heard it since childhood and never grew tired—sometimes, when her father said the first line, she could recite the next.

This scene made Lin Mu and Lin Shichang, Lin Shengsheng feel as if they had returned to the time before Zhaozhao married.

After listening to nearly an hour of stories, Lin Mu noticed Lin Heling’s voice was hoarse and interrupted them.

“That’s enough for today. Dadan, Erdan, take your younger siblings outside to play.” Lin Mu distributed the candy Zhaozhao had brought to her grandchildren, then sent the children off.

Such a racket at home!

The children were reluctant to leave but dared not protest; they grabbed the candy and ran out the door.

Dacai and Ercai, like little birds just flown from their cage, chased after their cousins in wild runs.

The three girls of the Lin household—Lin Xibao, Lin Xuan, and Lin Zheng—did not go out.

Lin Zhao said, “Why aren’t you going out to play?”

“Auntie hardly ever comes back; we’re staying to keep you company,” Lin Xibao said earnestly, leaning close to her aunt.

An eight-year-old girl putting on the air of an adult—laughable.

Sisters Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng stood a little way off, not approaching.

Lin Zhao waved to the two girls. “Xuanxuan, Zhengzheng, come here. Auntie has gifts for you.”

The two girls smiled, their eyes bright.

Lin Xibao feigned disappointment, pouting. “Auntie gave gifts to Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng—what about me? What about me? Is there nothing for me?”

Chen Yu looked at her daughter, a tiny schemer, and couldn’t bear to watch. “Lin Xibao!”

“Big sister, it’s fine. It’s good for a girl to be open and bold,” Lin Zhao waved it off carelessly; she loved Xibao’s personality—always cheerful, like a warm little sun.

“Hehe, Auntie, what did you get us?” Lin Xibao beamed.

Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng were also curious.

Lin Zhao pulled out three hair ties from her shoulder bag. “Hair ties. One each.”

“I like it! Thank you, Auntie!” Lin Xibao took the hair tie and asked her mother to tie it for her.

Chen Yu glanced at the hair ties—they were better than those sold at the county supply store, probably worth two or three mao each. She felt embarrassed. “You’ve spent too much, little sister-in-law.”

Lin Zhao smiled. “It’s nothing.”

At that moment, Lin Er’s wife, Qiulian, hurried over and snatched the hair ties from Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng.

“What do little girls need hair ties for? Give them to me—I’ll keep them safe until you’re older.”

Chen Yu stared at the domineering sister-in-law in utter disbelief.

Has Second Sister-in-law stopped even pretending now?!

Lin Zhao also looked stunned. “?”

What’s going on…?

The smiles vanished from Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng’s lips; they looked heartbroken.

Those were Auntie’s gifts to them!!

“I don’t want you to take them!” Lin Zheng snatched back the hair tie, gathering courage to refuse. “Mom says she’ll keep them safe—but in the end, they always go to Cousin! I won’t let you take them!”

Qiulian, furious, jabbed her finger hard into the girl’s forehead, her long nails leaving a red scratch.

She scolded angrily: “What nonsense are you spouting? I keep everything safe for you—when did I give anything to your cousin? Now you’ve learned to tattle? You’ve been spoiled!”

Lin Zheng snapped back: “Mom’s lying! My sister and I saw it! You gave the fabric Grandma made for us into clothes to Cousin! I’m not tattling—you did give it!”

Qiulian’s temper flared; she raised her hand to strike—but Lin Zhao blocked her, coldly saying: “You can scold, but Second Sister-in-law, are you going to hit her? Are you even a real mother?”

Not wanting to argue with Qiulian in front of her two nieces, Lin Zhao ignored her and took the three girls to her room.

Qiulian felt wronged. She hadn’t borne a son, so she had no standing in her in-laws’ home—her natal family was her only support. Giving fabric to her niece was meant to strengthen her family’s backing. How could these little brats not understand her good intentions?

Chen Yu saw right through Second Sister-in-law’s thoughts and thought she was truly ill.

Lin Fu closed his eyes, offering not even a glance. For fools, even one extra look was a waste.