Chapter 18

Inside the room.

Lin Xuan's tears rolled down, crying with a suppressed voice, while Lin Zheng's eyes were slightly red but she didn't cry.

From this, one could see the difference in the two little girls' personalities.

Lin Zhao asked Lin Xibao to take her washbasin out to get water, took the two little girls into her arms, and asked softly, "Has your mother always been like that? Does she give the fabric that belongs to you to your cousin?"

"Yes, I saw it," Lin Zheng said.

Lin Xuan nodded along.

The sisters were nine and seven years old, yet they were excessively sensible. Clearly, they were born into the Lin family, which didn't favor boys over girls, so their situation should have been very good.

Lin Xuan was older than Lin Zheng, but her personality was soft, and she didn't dare to speak up like her younger sister.

She lowered her head, silent.

Lin Zhao asked, "Does Second Brother know?"

Lin Zheng looked at her sister Lin Xuan, shook her head, "Father is too tired from work, and my sister and I don't want to bother him."

Actually, she wanted to tell her father, but her sister was afraid that their parents would argue, so she gave up.

"You should say something," Lin Zhao said clearly, "If you two don't say anything, aren't you indulging your mother? If this continues, she will become even worse and move the Lin family's things to her maiden home."

The two little girls had been raised by Qiu Lian without a shred of innocence, especially Lin Zheng, who was much more mature than her peers. She lowered her head, pondering what her aunt had said.

Lin Xibao carried the basin into the room, placed it on the stand next to the door, and said with her chest puffed out, "Aunt, the water is here."

"Xibao is very capable," Lin Zhao praised, soaking a towel to wipe Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng's faces.

She then magically produced the vanishing cream she had brought and applied it to the two nieces' faces.

"Look at your faces, tanned dark. You are little girls, try not to go out if the sun is strong; it won't look good if your faces get sunburned."

Xibao looked enviously at her aunt applying the vanishing cream to Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng.

Hearing her words, she whispered, "Aunt, it's not that Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng want to go out in the heat, it's Second Aunt. Second Aunt doesn't let them be idle, making them go pick firewood, dig wild vegetables, and pick mushrooms in the heat. My mother tried to persuade Second Aunt, but Second Aunt said..."

Xibao put her hands on her hips and, imitating Qiu Lian, said in a sarcastic tone, "Eldest sister-in-law, I'm not like you, having two sons to rely on. I only gave birth to two little girls; if they aren't diligent, who can I count on? Besides, will they get heatstroke from the sun? They aren't that delicate."

Lin Zhao's mouth twitched.

I let you learn, not surpass me.

This little drama queen.

"Does your Gu Gu Ershu know?"

Xibao shook her head quickly, "No, Second Aunt acts very well in front of Gu Gu Ershu, she's a total two-faced person."

Lin Zhao had been very angry at her second sister-in-law's actions, but hearing the term "two-faced person," she almost laughed out loud.

"Who did you learn the term 'two-faced person' from?"

A blush appeared on Xibao's face, and she said, "I heard it from an educated youth sister."

The educated youth movement to the countryside had been going on for a few years; there were some in the East Wind Brigade and the Harvest Brigade as well.

"How are the educated youths behaving? Are there any troublemakers?" Lin Zhao asked curiously.

"Yes! There are many!" Xibao said, full of excitement, "The educated youth point is super lively. Those educated youths cause trouble every day, complaining about the food one moment and the living conditions the next. They are very troublesome. The brigade leader says they are a bunch of troublemakers, and now everyone avoids them when they see them."

She went to watch the fun every day and knew everything.

"You go to watch the fun every day, don't you?" Lin Zhao laughed.

"Eh?" Xibao was puzzled, "How did Aunt know?"

How did she know?

Of course, it was because Lin Xibao loved to join in the fun even before she could walk; wherever there was movement, the child's eyes would look, and if she didn't get to eat the melon, she would definitely wail.

Lin Zhao didn't answer, but said to Xibao, "Xibao, if your Second Aunt bullies your Xuanxuan sister and Zhengzheng again in the future, shout loudly for your grandmother or your Gu Gu Ershu, understand?"

Xibao looked at Lin Xuan; she had wanted to shout before, but Xuanxuan sister wouldn't let her.

The little girl wrinkled her face, looking troubled.

Although Lin Zheng was young, she knew her aunt was considering things for her and her sister, and said earnestly, "Thank you, Aunt! If Mother takes things from home again in the future, I will tell Grandma!"

Lin Xuan was having an internal struggle.

She had been brainwashed by Qiu Lian and was weak-willed, not daring to resist.

Only.

Seeing her younger sister's bright eyes, she didn't say anything to make her unhappy.

Lin Zhao noticed Xuanxuan's unease and sighed in her heart; this personality was too weak, she hoped it wasn't too late.

She let the three little girls stay in the room until mealtime, then went out to stroll and, after finding Lin Shisheng, said a few words.

Lin Second Brother's expression turned cold upon hearing that Qiu Lian was constantly making small moves behind his back and secretly mentally abusing his daughters.

"Why didn't Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng tell me?" He regretted being busy leaving early and returning late during this period, not keeping an eye on that thoughtless woman.

Lin Zhao didn't blame the two nieces; they were still young, what did they understand? It was all due to the influence of adults.

Thinking of her second sister-in-law's actions, cold light flashed in her eyes, "It must be something Gu Gu Ersao said. Sensible children keep their grievances to themselves; they probably didn't dare to speak."

Lin Shisheng's brows knit tightly.

"I know, I will pay attention," he said.

Lin Zhao knew her second brother had his own ideas and would definitely have a way, so after telling Lin Shisheng, she didn't bother anymore.

She had no good feelings for Qiu Lian or their family.

In the original book—

A few years later, Qiu Lian had an affair with a widower in the same village as her maiden family and accidentally became pregnant with a bastard child. She even wanted her second brother to be a cuckold. Her second brother discovered it, crippled the adulterer, and divorced the woman.

The Lin family hadn't done anything yet, but Qiu Lian felt Lin Shisheng disregarded their marital bond and trampled her face into the dirt. She gave the adulterer ideas and accused her second brother of intentional injury.

That adulterer found connections and caused her second brother to serve two years in prison. After her second brother came out, Qiu Lian used the two sisters, Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng, to cause her second brother a lot of trouble.

The book even said something about the Lin family being heartless; after all, Qiu Lian had been married into the Lin family for several years, given birth to children for Lin Shisheng, and wasted her youth, so it was only right for Lin Shisheng to give Qiu Lian alimony.

This was the original text in the book.

Lin Zhao almost vomited.

What kind of bizarre values!

If the green hat isn't worn on your own head, you have no idea how disgusting it is.

Watching his younger sister's angry back as she left, Lin Shisheng's angry eyes were tinged with a smile.

Thinking of Qiu Lian and the Qiu family, his expression darkened again.

Just as Lin Zhao was stirring up trouble in the Lin family, Gu Chenghuai received a letter from his wife.

He had just returned to the dormitory when a comrade-in-arms threw him a letter.

"Chenghuai, your letter."

Gu Chenghuai's brows moved slightly, as if surprised at who would send him a letter. He took it, caught a glimpse of the familiar handwriting on the envelope, and his pupils shrank.

His wife's handwriting.

She actually thought of writing him a letter; how rare.

"Thanks."

Thanking his comrade, Gu Chenghuai sat on the edge of the bed, tore open the envelope, and began to read.

【Gu Chenghuai, I'm so angry I could die!】

This was the first sentence.

One sentence whetted Gu Chenghuai's appetite.

The young officer, as handsome as a pine on a cliff, had his eyes suddenly freeze.

His comrade watched curiously, wanting to know what was written in the letter that made a comrade who was usually as calm as Mount Tai change his expression.

【I was pushed to the ground by your sister and hit my head, and a bump the size of a bowl appeared on it. I almost died!】

This was the second sentence.

Gu Chenghuai's heart jumped heavily, his brows knit tightly, and he suddenly had an impulse to call Lin Zhao to ask how badly she was hurt. It was only when he remembered that it was inconvenient to make calls back home that he suppressed his worry and continued reading.

【Your sister said I rely on you for support and am a freeloader! She said I suck your blood! Gu Chenghuai, am I a freeloader? Did I suck your blood? You tell me, you tell me, tell me right now!】

Seeing this, Gu Chenghuai seemed to see his wife's fiery eyes, and a smile flashed in his deep black eyes. The corners of his mouth lifted, and his aura of decisiveness and killing intent softened.

I'll tell you, I'll tell you.

A real man should support his wife and children; all that talk about freeloading and blood-sucking is nonsense.

This was Gu Chenghuai's thought.

His wife took care of four children, which was also very tiring.

Sun Yeli kept glancing at Gu Chenghuai, and seeing this scene, he became even more curious.

With Gu Dog like this, the sender must be his wife, right?

【Gu Chenghuai, let me tell you, I want to find a job! I want to go to work! I want to earn my own money! When I earn money, I'll spend it however I want!】

Go to work?

Gu Chenghuai's thoughts flew. He had a comrade who transferred back to their hometown, and he could ask if there were any job opportunities. Although it was hard to find, he could always find one if he looked slowly.

He didn't care if Zhaozhao worked or not; his monthly allowance was 85 yuan, plus mission bonuses, which was enough for the family to spend. However, since his wife wanted to work, he wouldn't oppose it.

Gu Chenghuai continued reading.

Next, Lin Zhao said he was not allowed to continue paying for his sister Gu Xing'er's tuition and living expenses.

Regarding this, the young officer's expression was calm, and he had no objections.

With parents around, Gu Xing'er's schooling expenses shouldn't have been his responsibility in the first place. The reason he took on more was just because he hoped the family would treat his wife and children well for the sake of the money.

Now it seemed Gu Xing'er wasn't grateful but instead full of complaints, so it was better to just stop caring.

The letter also said to find a way to get bricks and tiles, as the house was shedding dust and was filthy.

Gu Chenghuai had no objections either. He had originally suggested building a brick house, but his wife hadn't been willing at the time. Now that she had figured it out, they would build it; he would get the bricks and tiles!

The young officer's gaze continued to slide down.

It was the last paragraph of the letter.

【... Forget it after reading the letter, especially don't think about home affairs when on a mission. Mother is on my side, and I can solve it myself. You take care of yourself; the four cubs and I are waiting for you to come home.】

In the end, what she cared about was fearing it would affect Gu Chenghuai.

Sweetness poured into Gu Chenghuai's heart, his brows curved downward, and his black eyes, dark as cold stars, flowed with gentle smiles.

He put the letter away, placing it together with the ones Lin Zhao used to send every few days when they were first married. Not having added any new ones for several years, the young officer had complained about Lin Zhao being heartless in his heart quite a bit.

When they were first dating, she wished she could turn into the red star on his military cap, sticking to him at all times. After she became pregnant, he didn't know if it was because she felt she had confidence, but he didn't see a letter for half a year, and later there wasn't even one.

At that time, he always went to the mailroom and never received a letter; that feeling of disappointment was still fresh in his memory.

From this letter, Gu Chenghuai saw the Comrade Lin from their dating period, and happiness spread in his heart, not surging but impossible to ignore.

Seeing Gu Chenghuai's light footsteps, as if he were about to go out, Sun Yeli followed him, winking, "Wife's letter?"

"Yes." Gu Chenghuai didn't deny it.

"I guessed as much," Sun Yeli said again, "Where are you going?"

"To make a call." Leaving these three words behind, Gu Chenghuai quickened his pace and rapidly disappeared from Sun Yeli's sight.

Sun Yeli still wanted to say something, but could only watch that tall and sturdy figure go far away, "Is there a need to be in such a hurry?" he muttered, but didn't chase after him, returning to the dormitory to lie down.

Gu Chenghuai arrived at the mailroom.

"Battalion Commander Gu." The soldier on duty stood up and saluted.

Gu Chenghuai returned the salute, his voice cold, "I'm here to make a call."

Calls at this time required a transfer, and the soldier on duty went through the motions, and Gu Chenghuai contacted the person he wanted to reach.

"Hello?" A clear, young voice came from the other end of the line.

"Junjhi, it's me, Gu Chenghuai," Gu Chenghuai said.

Yang Junjhi smiled in surprise, excitedly saying, "Chenghuai? How do you have time to call me? What's the matter? I definitely won't refuse anything I can do."

He and Chenghuai were comrades-in-arms and friends, with the friendship of having carried guns together.

"I really do have something to ask you," Gu Chenghuai's low, pleasant voice came through the phone line.

"What is it?" Yang Junjhi asked curiously, waiting at ease.

Gu Chenghuai said, "I want to ask you, are there any job opportunities over there?"

Yang Junjhi worked at the county government to which the Harvest Brigade belonged; he was well-informed and had a large network of connections, so asking him about finding a job was definitely right.

"A job?" Yang Junjhi understood in a second, asking curiously, "Who are you asking for? Is it for your wife? By the way, when are you coming home to visit your relatives? We haven't seen each other for several years."

"I'll contact you when I get back," Gu Chenghuai said, "Please keep an eye out for jobs."

Thinking of Lin Zhao's letter, his cold, sharp brows softened, "My wife feels stifled at home and wants to find something to do. I thought of you. Money is no problem, please help me keep an eye out."

"Small matter," Yang Junjhi said with a smile, "You're asking at just the right time. The supply and marketing cooperative is recruiting two sales clerks. The work is easy and decent. I remember your wife is a high school student, so she can give it a try."

This was also a coincidence. The county's supply and marketing cooperative was expanding and needed to add a few counters, just in time to need people. It only needed two people, and usually, it would be digested internally; the exam was just a formality. His brother-in-law was the director of the supply and marketing cooperative and had a spot in his hands. It was originally meant to be sold, but since his comrade had spoken, of course, he would prioritize him.

"Good, consider it a favor I owe you. Tell me how much money you need, and I'll remit it to you," Gu Chenghuai thought the sales clerk job was good; she only needed to sit and sell goods, which was quite easy.

If she went to the factory to be a female worker, he would definitely have to consider it; his wife had little strength and couldn't bear that hardship. A sales clerk was better; a sales clerk was easy.

Yang Junjhi didn't say he didn't want money and immediately said, "We're our own people, just give me six hundred."

The sales clerk job was very popular; outside, some people would even buy it for seven hundred. The price he mentioned was really very fair.

Gu Chenghuai planned to remit eight hundred; he knew how valuable a job was, and he couldn't let his comrade lose money while doing him a favor.

"There's one more thing. The family wants to build a brick house and needs a permit. You..."

Before he could finish, Yang Junjhi took over, "That's simple, a matter of a hand's turn. I'll handle it and guarantee it'll be done properly for you."

"Thanks, I'll treat you to a meal when I get back."

Yang Junjhi's voice carried a smile, "Done, I'll be waiting for you."

After hanging up, he took some things to find his brother-in-law and set the spot.