Chapter 228

The twins' words were just heard by Lin Shichang, those dark eyes flashing with deep amusement.

He didn't disturb the children, turning to find Lin Zhao.

Telling his sister what Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao chatted about.

Lin Zhao wasn't surprised, even raised her eyebrows, saying somewhat proudly, "I know how to teach children, right?"

Lin Shichang nodded, his expression also solemn and serious, "Mm, taught very well, keep it up."

He was worried about his wife in the late stage of pregnancy at home, wanting to go back early. Lin Zhao asked for the twins' opinion—cut the cake first, let their eldest uncle take some back.

Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao had no opinion, even instructing their eldest uncle to definitely, definitely share it with Tie Dan and the others.

Lin Shichang's heart softened, picking up the two cubs and poking them with his beard.

The two children screamed and struggled, giggling, their laughter able to lift the roof.

... Eldest uncle teasing them like this made them think of their father.

Lin Zhao saw the twins' thoughts, glanced at them with smiling eyes, didn't manage them much, went to the kitchen, and then called Yunjin to move the cake.

Yunjin was also looking forward to it, rolled up her sleeves, and worked efficiently.

The sister and brother walked out of the kitchen one after another.

The children in the yard looked over one after another, pairs of eyes clear and bright, like the starry sky on a summer night, pure and clean.

"Is it cake?" Li Bao walked toward Third Aunt, looking through the finely woven bamboo cover at the thing Yunjin Uncle brought out, afraid of bumping into it, not daring to get close, looking up with his little head, dark eyes looking at her.

"Yes." Lin Zhao looked at the flesh growing on the little guy's face, smiling with satisfaction.

Children look good when they are chubby, the previous thin and sallow appearance made people's hearts ache.

"I'll cut a big piece for Li Bao later."

Gu Hangbao leaned in with his belly out, proudly saying to his mother, "I'm the little birthday star, you have to ask for my opinion."

Lin Zhao stepped back, stretched her right arm forward, signaling "you go ahead".

Seeing her appearance, Gu Hangbao leaned in again, nestling into his mother's arms like a little beast, "It's okay! Whatever Mother says goes, my brother and I agree."

Lin Shichang said warmly, "Wait until your winter break, I'll take you two to see a movie."

Xiang Yubao calculated quickly, his tone light, "Soon?"

Lin Shichang was amused by his clever and smart nephew, "Yes, not many days left."

"Eldest uncle don't forget." Xiang Yubao pulled his eldest uncle's hand, shaking it gently.

"I definitely won't forget what I promised the little birthday star. If I forget, can Gu Hangbao hold back from complaining?" Lin Shichang pinched Gu Hangbao's nose, teasing him.

The child not only wasn't embarrassed, but was full of pride, "If Eldest Uncle tricks my brother and me, I'll definitely complain to Grandma and Grandpa."

"I wouldn't dare trick you, nor would I dare break my word, wait until your break, I'll pick you up to see a movie." Lin Shichang said indulgently.

This was his original plan.

Gu Hangbao clapped happily, then asked, "Are Tie Dan and the others going together?"

Lin Shichang naturally wouldn't favor one over the other, his thoughts not showing, continuing to tease his nephew, "Do you want them to go together? If you want, take them, if you don't..."

Before he could finish, Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao shouted in unison, "Want! We want to go with Tie Dan and the others!!"

Lin Shichang's eyes deepened, "Done, all go."

The twins had a sense of accomplishment that it was their own credit, smiling, humming a little tune.

Yuan Bao and the other children, hearing that the twins' uncle was going to take them to see a movie, looked envious.

Xiang Yubao noticed, walked toward his good friends, and said, "After we finish watching the movie, Gu Hangbao and I will tell you all about it."

He coaxed the children gently.

Gu Hangbao followed up, "My mother said, in a while, our brigade will show outdoor movies, everyone can watch, and it's free, then you can watch it too."

Xiang Yubao's words were certainly pleasing, but Gu Hangbao's words were even more exciting.

"Gu Hangbao, is it true? Our brigade is going to show movies?" Tie Niu asked excitedly, "I didn't even hear my grandpa say so."

Yuan Bao was so happy he almost jumped up, grabbed Xiang Yubao's hand, his arm shaking high, "Xiang Yubao, what movie are they showing, is it the female pilot you told us about, I want to watch, I want to know what an airplane looks like."

Regarding the twins saying the brigade was going to show movies, he was actually unwavering.

Xiang Yubao shook his head, "I don't know what movie they'll show, Uncle Yang didn't say."

"Who is Uncle Yang?" Tie Dan asked.

"Uncle Yang is my father's comrade-in-arms, comrades-in-arms are even more powerful than good friends." Xiang Yubao explained.

"Then I want to be your comrade-in-arms, is that okay?!" Yuan Bao looked eagerly at Xiang Yubao.

He felt the twins knew everything.

Adults admire the strong, children also admire the strong, playing with whoever is powerful is more straightforward than adults.

"No." Xiang Yubao said.

Yuan Bao felt lost, he added, "Only between soldiers can they be called comrades-in-arms, we can't, we are good brothers, same as comrades-in-arms."

The words were a bit uncertain.

His eyes looked toward Lin Shichang's side.

Eldest uncle nodded at him, and the little guy straightened his shoulders and back again.

"Good brothers are the same as comrades-in-arms." He affirmed.

Yuan Bao smiled foolishly, "Then let's be good brothers!"

"Mm." Xiang Yubao was solemn.

Tie Dan saw the topic go off track, sighed tiredly.

He held Xiang Yubao's face with both hands, asking the key point, "Do you know what day the brigade shows the movie? We have to occupy seats in advance."

He had heard his father say that in the past, the brigade also showed movies, with a lot of people watching, if you went late, you couldn't squeeze in at all, only able to climb a tree to watch... and that didn't guarantee you'd see it.

"I forgot to ask." Xiang Yubao scratched his face.

Tie Dan was a bit disappointed.

His emotions infected the other children, the atmosphere was dull, their bright, flower-like little faces seemed to be hit by frost, looking pitiful.

"Don't be like that, who in our village isn't an expert at occupying seats? Your viewing experience won't be bad, put your heart back in your belly. Children worrying too much... will stop growing." Lin Zhao comforted them.

Children's faces are like the sky in May, cloudy one moment and sunny the next, hearing her say this, they became happy again.

Thinking of being able to watch a movie in a while, the arc of their mouths couldn't be suppressed at all.

Da Zhuang asked Gu Hangbao, "Gu Hangbao, will you come back to watch it then?"

"Yes, how could I not participate in such excitement, my brother and I are going to watch it with you!" Gu Hangbao bumped his shoulder against Da Zhuang's, his tone cheerful, "Watching it with you guys will definitely be more interesting."

Lin Zhao nodded.

Of course they have to come back.

This is a unique memory of this generation—taking a small stool, everyone squeezing together to watch a movie, if someone stood up and accidentally blocked the screen, they would be scolded severely, and those with a hot temper would even throw smelly cloth shoes to vent their anger...

Very normal.

Anti-Japanese sentiment was high, let alone blocking people's view, even farting felt redundant.

Next, the children were chattering and discussing, guessing what movie would be shown.

Several children were young, didn't even have the concept of watching a movie, and also joined the topic excitedly.

Lin Zhao listened to their conversation, her heart full of pity and sadness.

Sigh.

She clapped her hands, focusing the children's attention.

"Showing movies will be in a while, today's task is to celebrate Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao's birthday, it's time to cut the cake."

Once this was said, the children in the yard immediately threw watching movies to the back of their minds, standing in rows, their posture obedient, their eyes bright.

Song Yunjin lifted the bamboo cover at the right time.

A white cake dotted with colorful flowers appeared before everyone's eyes.

After the cake was made, Lin Zhao borrowed the excuse of hiding it in the cupboard, put it into the storage ring, and only took it out not long ago, so the cake hadn't collapsed, looking the same as when it was just made.

Everyone only smelled a fragrance, the children's expressions became intoxicated, their noses twitching, their eyes especially bright.

The twins stood at the very front, receiving the biggest "impact".

Gu Hangbao uncontrollably stretched out his index finger, dipped some cream, and put it into his little mouth.

In an instant.

His pupils dilated, looking at his brother and Li Bao and the others in surprise.

"So sweet!!"

Wanted to dip some more, let them taste it too, Lin Zhao pinched his wrist.

"That's enough." Lin Zhao said, "Did you wash your hands?"

Gu Hangbao came back to his senses, smiling ingratiatingly at her, "... Forgot."

He twisted his body, "The cake Mother made is too fragrant, I couldn't hold back. So fragrant, so fragrant!"

While talking, those eyes were always fixed on the cake, his expression firm, "This must be the most delicious thing!!"

Lin Zhao reminded him lightly, "Last time you ate roast chicken, you said roast chicken was the most delicious thing."

Gu Hangbao refuted, "It's different, roast chicken is meat, cake is sweet."

Lin Zhao: You're the birthday star, you have the final say.

"... Cut the cake, little birthday star."

Gu Hangbao's laughter threshold was extremely low today, whoever called him a little birthday star, he would laugh very cheaply.

This was the moment.

"Hehehe, how to cut?" He asked with a smile.

Xiang Yubao looked helplessly at his brother, really wanting to ask him, aren't your cheeks aching again?!

"Use a knife." Song Yunjin took out a kitchen knife.

Xiang Yubao reached out to take it, Lin Zhao took it first, "I'll do it, you two don't touch."

Just as her words fell, Gu Mu came over.

Seeing the yard was lively, her face full of smiles.

"Grandma!" Li Bao saw his grandma first, shouted.

Xiang Yubao said: "Grandma came just in time, we're about to cut the cake."

He looked behind Gu Mu, "Where's Grandpa?"

Gu Mu remembered the mushy words the old man said, a look of embarrassment flashing on her face, "... Your grandpa has something to do, don't worry about him, just cut it."

Xiang Yubao said with slight disappointment, then said: "Gu Hangbao and I will send Grandpa cake later."

Gu Hangbao said loudly: "I just tasted it, the cake is sweet and fragrant."

"Your mother got up early, specifically made it for you, used many good ingredients, how could it not be fragrant." Gu Mu smiled, her rough hands touching her grandson's face, "Your mother is good to you, you two must be obedient."

The twins' ears were almost calloused from hearing this, nodding their heads, "Mm-hmm."

After the people were barely gathered, Lin Zhao was surrounded by a group of children cutting the cake, not doing any tricks, just cutting the cake normally.

After cutting, she separated a quarter for the Lin family; left a piece for Gu Father, and distributed the rest to the children.

Not very big, but not a small portion either.

When Yuan Bao and the others came, they brought bowls and chopsticks, the cake they received was put into their own bowls, the children looking at the cake in their bowls, happy and beaming.

"Such a big piece!!"

"So much, I can eat it for several days."

"I won't eat it first, I want to go back and eat it with my brother."

Chattering sounds rang out.

Lin Zhao listened to the soft and light talking, smiling, children's happiness is really simple.

She felt that all of this was worth it.

At least leaving a bright spot in the children's childhood. In the future, when recalling this difficult time, what they think of won't be all—endless firewood and wheat, endless wheat to dig, stomachs that can never be filled... but also this bit of sweetness.

"Those who want to save it, put the cake home first, come back after putting it away. There will be food later, all dishes you sent, don't be embarrassed." Lin Zhao said.

Villagers are poor, but they are particular, hearing that Xiang Yubao's mother would provide food, none of them let their own children come empty-handed, even the poorest families brought rations.

—A unique etiquette of this era.

"Thank you Lin Auntie!!" The children thanked obediently.

Saying a word to Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao, each took their bowls home, walking carefully, unlike their usual reckless appearance.

Once they left, the yard seemed bigger.

Lin Shichang watched his nephew stuffing cake into his mouth, saying with a smile: "Eat less, there's good food later."

Gu Hangbao patted his little belly, "My belly can fit it."

Tie Dan agreed, "Right, it could fit double."

"What is double?" Gu Hangbao looked at him.

Qian Bao, whose cheeks were stained with a bit of cream, also looked over.

"Double means more than the cake in your hand... that much bigger cake." Tie Dan used the cake as an example directly.

Gu Hangbao felt Tie Dan brother was saying a tongue twister, didn't understand and didn't delve into it, continuing to eat the cake.

Oh my, if only I could eat it every day, it's a pity Mother said only birthdays can eat it.

Lin Shichang didn't delay, took the cake, and the sweater his sister knitted for Father and Mother, planning to leave.

Before stepping out of the Gu family yard, Lin Zhao suddenly called him.

Ran over.

Took something out of her pocket and stuffed it into his pants pocket.

"What?" Lin Shichang went to touch his pants pocket.

Lin Zhao pressed his arm, warning: "Don't touch, look when you get home, valuable things, if you lose them I'm not responsible."

Lin Shichang smiled, meeting his sister's serious eyes, promising: "Good, I won't look, I'll look when I get home."

"Alright, you go back." Lin Zhao waved her hand while stepping back, thinking of Lin Shisheng, and added: "If Second Brother comes back, ask someone to pass a word to me."

She was worried about Second Brother.

The outside wasn't stable, highwaymen were rampant, heard those people even dared to kill public officials.

"No need for you to say, this is certain." And Second Brother's temperament...

Lin Shichang said firmly: "Your Second Brother will definitely come to see you as soon as he returns."

He was 100% sure.

Second Brother rarely goes out, as long as he encounters a channel, he will get many good things for Zhaozhao.

Lin Zhao's brows moved, "That's true."

Lin Shichang just stepped into the house, receiving the family's "attention".

"How is it? Did Zhaozhao celebrate Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao's birthday this year?" Lin Heling asked warmly.

"Yes, and it wasn't small." Lin Shichang drank the water his daughter Xibao sent to his hand, saying: "Not only did she make a cake by hand, but she also invited the children who have a good relationship with Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao to the house... to celebrate the two treasures' birthday, it was very lively, Father, rest assured."

Lin Heling felt satisfied, "What do I have to worry about, Zhaozhao is so old, she knows what she's doing."

Eldest Lin would only listen to this.

Before he went, his father clearly said, if Zhaozhao wasn't attentive, let him bring Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao back, he would make longevity noodles for them.

How long has it been, not even half a day? Changing really fast.

Song Xiwei looked at the things her eldest son brought back, asking: "What did you bring?"

"Cake, and the sweater Zhaozhao knitted for you and Father." Lin Shichang said.

Lin Heling stood up immediately, accurately finding the two sweaters he brought back.

Both were black, with slight differences in knitting methods, feeling extremely soft.

"Zhaozhao has heart." Lin Heling's mouth lifted, glancing at the broken cloth bag his son used to carry the sweaters, his brows slightly wrinkled.