Chapter 23: Making Good Things Happen

It was still early, so Lin Zhao chatted a while longer with her old classmate, eating an ice pop to beat the heat and standing in the shade—she could barely endure it.

“You’ve changed a lot since before,” Lin Zhao said, her expression admiring, her tone light and rising.

Faced with the beauty’s admiration, Guo Meizhu didn’t know where to put her hands or feet.

“Really? Really?” said the girl, usually sharp and efficient at work, now awkward.

“Yes—you’re glowing with confidence now,” Lin Zhao said, her eyes serious.

Guo Meizhu’s face burned hot.

Confidence?

…Did she really have any?!

“Thank you,” she said, blushing, her whole face glowing.

It was Lin Zhao who praised her!

Guo Meizhu remembered back to school days—

Her father had been transferred here, and she’d followed, transferring schools; when she first arrived, she had an accent and couldn’t even understand lessons. Other students clustered in threes and twos, and since she wasn’t outgoing, she had no one to talk to, always walking alone.

But back then, Lin Zhao—though a country girl—was beautiful, excelled in studies, had a good personality, could chat with anyone, and was especially popular, a radiant presence.

Later, she was lucky enough to become Lin Zhao’s desk partner and received much help from her.

For a long time, their relationship was very good.

After high school graduation, her family arranged a job for her—she became a movie ticket seller—and Lin Zhao returned to the countryside, and their meetings grew fewer.

Now, looking at her, Zhaozhao was already a mother—but her skin was still fair and smooth, her smile warm and bright, just like in school; she hadn’t suffered.

Guo Meizhu was happy for her.

“If you want to watch a movie later, come find me—I can still save you a few tickets.”

Lin Zhao didn’t know her old classmate had just recalled school days; she smiled and said, “Sure, thank you.”

“It’s getting late, go on in.” Guo Meizhu glanced at her wristwatch—the screening was about to start—and urged them inside.

“Alright, we’ll go in first. Let’s chat again another time.” She’d have work too; chances to meet would be plenty.

“Alright!” Guo Meizhu replied cheerfully.

Lin Zhao led her two sons to the screening hall.

The younger one chattered nonstop, his lively eyes darting everywhere, his mouth never still.

But the elder one sat quietly, making not a sound.

Lin Zhao sensed her eldest had something on his mind and asked, “Why aren’t you speaking?”

The elder boy looked up at her. “Mama, was that lady’s wrist accessory just now a watch?”

“Yes, that’s a watch,” Lin Zhao said.

Speaking of watches, her expression turned complicated.

Once, a watch had appeared before her, and she hadn’t cherished it—she’d even scolded Gu Chenghuai for wasting money. Now she truly regretted it: money meant nothing without a ticket.

Don’t think about it—thinking only burned her with regret.

“How did you know it was a watch?”

The younger boy answered for him: “Little Aunt kept nagging Grandma to buy her one. Me and Brother heard it many times.”

Lin Zhao’s eyes turned sarcastic, but she said nothing.

Gu Xing’er truly had a young lady’s heart but a servant’s fate.

But wasn’t all her mischief made possible by her soldier brother?

Now that Gu Chenghuai had abandoned her, let’s see how she’d carry on.

“Why don’t you have a watch, Mama? Did Dad refuse to buy you one?” The elder boy’s face was solemn, his expression displeased.

“No, I didn’t want one—I thought I didn’t need it,” Lin Zhao explained. Gu Chenghuai was generous with spending on her; she wouldn’t let her sons misunderstand their father.

She’d been too stingy before, only thinking of saving money.

So their household savings account held a substantial sum.

“You need it, Mama—you’re beautiful, and a watch would make you even more beautiful,” the elder boy said seriously. “When you start work, a watch will be very useful.”

Little Aunt had lied to Grandma, saying she needed a watch for school to check the time.

Mama needs to check the time too when she works.

“You need a watch ticket to buy one. I’ll get one and buy it when I can,” Lin Zhao said, stroking her elder son’s now slightly plumper cheek, her heart softening.

People say some children come to repay kindness—her sons were both like that.

The elder boy relaxed. “Mm.”

Lin Zhao led her two sons to their seats and sat down.

The children had never been to a cinema before; their eyes darted everywhere, unable to look away.

They were well-behaved—even in awe, they didn’t shout or scream, only gazed with bright, clean eyes at everything around them.

Until…

The lights around them dimmed.

In the instant the lights went out, Lin Zhao turned, half-hugging her two sons, gripping their hands tightly, whispering, “Don’t be afraid—the movie’s about to start, so they’re turning off the lights.”

As she explained, beams of light flared, the screen lit up, and everyone in their seats fell silent—even the most lively children stopped talking, eyes shining as they stared at the screen.

This movie was called “Tunnel Warfare,” 96 minutes long, newly released on New Year’s Day this year.

At the same moment, at the Lin household.

In the room occupied by the second branch.

It was rest time, but Lin Shi Sheng hadn’t lain down—he sat on the edge of the bed, watching the woman mending clothes, and said, “I noticed Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng’s clothes are in tatters. Mother gave you cloth—make them new outfits.”

Hearing this, Qiu Lian’s hand trembled; the needle pierced her left index finger, sharp pain stabbing through.

She hissed, lowered her eyes, hiding guilt, forcing a calm smile: “No rush—we’ll make them when it gets cold.”

“Make them now,” Lin Shi Sheng said. “I remember their winter coats still fit, but their summer clothes are ruined—and that cloth isn’t enough for winter coats anyway.”

“Make them these few days. Mother wants to see them,” he said firmly.

Qiu Lian’s face turned pale.

She’d given the cloth to her nephew in her natal family—what could she make with?

Mother-in-law would inspect it…

Fear made her heart pound wildly; despite the sweltering heat, she shivered violently.

“Is there a problem?” Lin Shi Sheng’s eyes flashed cold as he pressed.

Qiu Lian hurriedly said, “No, no—I’ll make them, I’ll make them.”

Lin Shi Sheng had checked last night—his mother’s cloth for the two girls had vanished. Because of Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng, he couldn’t act against this woman yet—but whatever she stole, she’d have to return.

Time slipped by.

The movie ended; people in the cinema rose and began leaving.

Lin Zhao didn’t rush to exit with the crowd—she waited until most had gone before leading her sons out.

On this not-too-long walk, neither boy spoke—they were still lost in the movie’s plot, unable to snap back to reality.

So adorable—just like her own first movie experience.

Dazed, in a daze

“It’s late, the road’s far—we need to hurry home,” Lin Zhao said.

The elder boy snapped back: “Alright.”

The younger boy’s eyes sparkled; he softened his voice, whining: “Mama, I didn’t get enough—can we watch it again tomorrow?”

“No!” Lin Zhao hadn’t spoken yet, but the elder boy cut in. “Mama has work tomorrow!”

His expression was stern. “Mama’s job is important—you mustn’t cause trouble!”

The younger boy remembered his mother had work tomorrow; he stopped begging to watch again tomorrow, lifting his cute little face, pleading: “Mama, when you have time, can you take me and Brother again? I didn’t get enough.”

It was a small thing—Lin Zhao was a doting mother; she wouldn’t refuse.

“Sure, I’ll take you again when I have time. Don’t rush—there are plenty of good movies. If you’re good and don’t cause trouble, I’ll take you to the first new one that comes out.”

The younger boy happily threw his arms around his mother.

“Mama’s the best～ Mama’s the very best mama in the whole brigade～～” His voice soared with joy.

The elder boy also wanted to hug his mother, but his ears turned red before he could—so he didn’t hug at all.

Lin Zhao led her two sons back to the brigade. When they arrived, the sun was sinking slowly, the western sky blazed red with fiery sunset—breathtakingly beautiful.

At the village entrance, several aunts and uncles were gossiping loudly, each one animated, clearly discussing someone’s scandal.

Seeing Lin Zhao and her two sons, the chatter paused; they smiled and greeted her.

“Chenghuai’s wife’s back from the county.”

“Big Boy, Little Boy—was the county fun?”

“You were gone all day—must’ve wandered everywhere!”

“Did your mama take you to the state-run restaurant for a meal?”

“Lin family’s third branch’s two boys look so clean-cut in their new clothes—just like their father.”

…

Fengshou Brigade wasn’t far from the county, but not close either—a trip took half a day; few went. When things were needed, people asked acquaintances to bring them.

Humans were naturally curious—they were all curious about everything in the county.

Facing the barrage of questions, the younger boy wasn’t shy at all—he smiled and answered each one: “The county was great! Mama took me and Brother to the state-run restaurant and to the movies—the movie was amazing!”

The elder boy added: “We also talked to Dad on the phone—we talked a lot!”

As for what was said on the phone, Lin Zhao had warned both boys not to blab, and of course they listened to their mother.

“Our mom bought us ice pops—do you even know what an ice pop is?”

He gestured with his hands to show the size: “About this big. When you first take it in your hand, it’s steaming, but once it’s in your mouth, it’s icy cold—suddenly, you’re not hot anymore.”

Lin Zhao’s gaze was exasperated.

She knew Erzai loved to show off, but how had her steady Dacai caught the same habit?

Among the gossiping crowd, an old woman in a patched gray shirt exclaimed: “Your mom actually took you to the state-run restaurant for a meal—and even to the movies?! How much money must that have cost!!!”

Erzai, the big-mouthed one, shouted: “My dad said a man must be able to support his wife and kids—he can support us!”

At this, Lin Zhao’s mind filled with question marks.

Did her boys’ father really say that?!

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dacai’s small face stern and serious as he nodded—was she missing a sentence?

Hearing Erzai’s reply, the gossiping aunts and uncles had nothing left to say.

They cast complex glances toward Lin Zhao.

He was one of our brigade’s finest young men—how did some outsider from another village get to him first?!

The older women regretted not having arranged their own daughters for Gu’s third son long ago.

Lin Zhao was eager to see the twins, so she ignored the two boys’ endless boasting and headed straight for the old homestead.

Halfway there, she met Su Yuxian.

Su Yuxian walked briskly, lips curled upward, cheeks flushed, eyes brighter than ever, her whole being humming with excitement.

Lin Zhao had never seen her like this—was she about to get together with the male lead?

Su Yuxian looked up and noticed Lin Zhao.

She walked over with a smile, her voice calm: “Lin Zhao.”

“You’re going home?” Lin Zhao smiled politely, offering courteous small talk.

“Mm,” Su Yuxian said.

As if suddenly remembering something, she smiled shyly: “I’m getting married soon.”

Lin Zhao: “??”

Why was the female lead telling her about her wedding?

They weren’t that close.

“Oh, congratulations,” Lin Zhao said, politely declining any interest in Su Yuxian or the Lu family, wanting nothing more than to stay far away from them.

“Will you come that day?”

Lin Zhao certainly wouldn’t go.

She was a disposable character—why would she willingly walk into danger?

“...I’ll come.” As if.

Su Yuxian smiled. “That’s good.”

She wanted Lin Zhao to witness the beginning of her happiness.

At that moment, Gu Mu approached.

She hadn’t seen Dacai and Erzai all day and was too worried to focus on anything.

“Third daughter-in-law, you’re back! Where are Dacai and Erzai?”

“They went to play with the other kids,” Lin Zhao said, nodding to Su Yuxian before turning to her mother-in-law. “Did Sanzai and Sizai cause trouble?”

“No,” Gu Mu smiled.

Tie Dan had been thoroughly scolded yesterday; today he remembered his lesson. Not only did he misbehave less, he even helped look after the two little ones.

Gu Mu and Lin Zhao walked toward the old homestead.

Seeing her third daughter-in-law’s faint smile and good mood, Gu Mu hesitated a moment before asking: “...Did that Su girl come to see you for something?”

“Nothing important—she just said she’s getting married and invited me,” Lin Zhao didn’t hide it.

“Will you go?” Gu Mu asked.

Lin Zhao sensed her mother-in-law didn’t want her to go. “You don’t want me to go?”

“Not exactly,” Gu Mu softened her tone, fearing a harsh reply might backfire. “I just think that Su girl has bad intentions.”

How could someone like Liao Hongjuan raise a daughter with a good heart? She didn’t believe it for a second.

Lin Zhao smiled. “I didn’t plan to go—I’m busy.”

Gu Mu: “...” What could you possibly be busy with? That excuse wasn’t even necessary.

“Mm,” she replied, her expression odd.

Lin Zhao didn’t explain.

She planned to wait until her job was confirmed before saying anything, to avoid complications.

Don’t blame her for being cautious—in this era, people turned against each other over jobs all the time. One had to be careful.

“Mom, who is Su Yuxian marrying? I didn’t hear she had any matchmaking meetings.”

From the book, she knew Su Yuxian married a future military big shot—excellent conditions, handsome, the only flaw being a stepchild.

But she didn’t know any of this in reality.

Gu Mu said: “The Lu family’s soldier boy—the one whose first wife died in childbirth.”

“How did they meet?” That part wasn’t in the book—Lin Zhao truly didn’t know.

“It’s not respectable,” Gu Mu said, seeing her third daughter-in-law’s curiosity. “I heard that Su girl chased after him, writing letters for years...”

Lin Zhao understood.

She went to the old homestead to pick up the twins and returned home.

At home, she bathed and changed the little brother and sister.

After showing off in the village, Dacai and Erzai rushed straight to the old homestead to share their county adventures with Tie Dan and the others.

“What?! Third Auntie took you to the state-run restaurant for meat noodle soup and two other dishes?!” Tie Dan gasped, drool dripping from his mouth in envy.

“That’s the state-run restaurant!!! I don’t even know what it looks like!!!”