Chapter 256: Whose brother-in-law is so arrogant?

Gu Gu Chenghuai's little actions were all being carried out in secret; they were little surprises for Zhaozhao, and Lin Zhao knew absolutely nothing about them.

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve.

"Xiang Yubao, look, is it crooked?" Lin Zhao was standing on a stool, pasting up the couplets, and turned her head to ask Xiang Yubao.

Xiang Yubao pinched his chin with his fingers, examining it carefully.

"It's not crooked."

Just as the words fell, his head was ruffled by a large, warm hand.

"At such a young age, your eyesight is already failing. That's not crooked? It's almost crooked all the way to the south end." Meng Meng Jiusi's voice was tinged with a smile.

He looked at Xiang Yubao, seeing that his own nephew's face was a circle rounder than before, pinched his cheek, and laughed: "Do you need me to give you a few acupuncture needles and write you a few prescriptions while I'm at it?"

Xiang Yubao saw his little uncle and froze in place. Just as he regained his senses and was about to open his mouth to greet him, he didn't expect that his little uncle's 37-degree mouth would spit out such icy words.

The little boy's face changed slightly, and he shook his head like a rattle-drum.

"No, no, there's nothing wrong with my eyes, they're fine, I'm fine."

As he spoke, Xiang Yubao used his fingers to prop up his eyes, trying to prove that there was nothing wrong with them.

Over there, Lin Zhao hadn't heard from her little brother before that he was going to bring Meng Jingmo and Meng Xiaobai back.

She was stunned for a moment, then jumped off the stool holding the couplets, walked forward a few steps, her tone light and lifted, "Little brother, when did you get back? You didn't even say a word."

The moment Meng Meng Jiusi saw Lin Zhao jump off the stool, he hurriedly stepped forward and supported her arm.

"Slow down."

He took the couplets from his sister's hands and smiled: "I didn't tell anyone. Is it a surprise?"

Lin Zhao smiled, "A little."

Meng Meng Jiusi stepped onto the stool and began to paste the spring couplets, asking Lin Zhao a question from time to time.

"A bit to the left, yes." Lin Zhao directed.

Meng Meng Jiusi finished pasting one side and dragged the stool to the other; at the same time, Lin Zhao handed him the couplet coated with paste.

After finishing, she walked toward Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai.

Her beautiful eyes examined the two brothers.

"Momo and Meng Xiaobai have gotten a bit fatter; you haven't suffered while with your father in the army." Lin Zhao said with a beaming smile.

Having not seen them for a few months, the brothers weren't distant with their aunt; they leaned in affectionately, smiles hanging on their faces, which had developed baby fat.

"Meng Xiaobai and I are both well-fed." Meng Jingmo laughed very happily.

He had grown taller, wearing the cotton-padded jacket and trousers Lin Zhao had sent, looking like a round mailbox, with the leather lace-up cotton shoes Meng Meng Jiusi had bought him on his feet.

He looked polite and refined.

He was like a different person from when Lin Zhao first met him.

"Momo and Meng Xiaobai look really good in these clothes; they suit you very well." Lin Zhao's expression was full of praise.

Meng Xiaobai spoke, his voice still as soft and cottony as ever, "Thank you for the cotton jacket you sent, Aunt, it's very warm and very comfortable."

Meng Jingmo also said: "Thank you, Aunt."

"Why be so polite." Lin Zhao waved her hand, not caring at all.

At this moment, Gu Hangbao pointed at Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai's shoes, his tone excited, "... Your shoes are the same as ours."

Xiang Yubao looked at his younger brother helplessly, "Dummy, our shoes were sent by Little Uncle, of course they're the same."

"Oh, oh, I forgot." Gu Hangbao scratched his head and thanked his little uncle, "Little Uncle, my brother and I both really like the shoes you sent us."

"As long as you like them." Meng Meng Jiusi said warmly.

He only had these few nephews and nieces, and he wanted to give them all the best things.

"Are there any more to paste?"

Just as Meng Meng Jiusi's words fell, the neighbors to the left and right also came out to paste couplets, and they were all stunned when they saw him.

Wang Wang Chunhua spoke first: "Dr. Meng? Oh, Dr. Meng is back!"

She walked up, looked Meng Meng Jiusi over a few times, her voice hearty, "You've changed so much, I almost didn't recognize you."

"Dr. Meng, Happy New Year."

Meng Meng Jiusi's brows and eyes held a smile, and he said modestly: "Same to you."

He took candy out of his pocket and distributed it to the Wang family children.

The Wang family children were familiar with him and knew he was generous, so they didn't stand on ceremony. After taking it, they said with beaming smiles: "Thank you, Uncle Meng."

"Uncle Meng is so good!"

"Don't worry, Uncle Meng, we'll look after Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao." This was the eldest child of the Wang family.

Wang Wang Chunhua hadn't recovered yet, watching as the very expensive candy was stuffed into her grandchildren's pockets.

She: "??"

At this point, there was nothing to say.

She glared at the senseless brats and smiled awkwardly at Meng Meng Jiusi, "You've spent money again, Dr. Meng."

Meng Meng Jiusi didn't mind.

"It's nothing."

Smiling at Wang Wang Chunhua, he followed Lin Zhao into the courtyard.

Meng Jingmo saw the swing that had appeared in the courtyard and happily ran to greet it.

"It's a swing."

He grabbed the rope of the swing and looked back at the twins, seeking Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao's opinion.

"Xiang Yubao, Gu Hangbao, can I play for a bit?"

Xiang Yubao nodded, "Sure. My grandpa tied this for us at our request. Isn't it fun?"

"It's fun," Meng Jingmo said affirmatively.

Swings were not a pleasant memory for him. There was a swing at the Yuan family home, and when he wanted to play, Brother Yuan Jin Bao would hog it and even push him down. His grandmother wouldn't blame Brother Yuan Jin Bao, but instead blamed him for snatching Brother Yuan Jin Bao's swing. He hadn't snatched it; he had only touched the swing rope.

Meng Xiaobai also saw the swing.

He looked at Meng Meng Jiusi and whispered, "Dad, I want a swing."

It was rare for his youngest son to make a request, so Meng Meng Jiusi felt pleasantly surprised and said, "Alright, I'll make one for you as soon as we get back."

The short, round little boy's face lit up with joy.

He said to Meng Meng Jingmo, "Brother, Dad is going to make us a swing. We can play on a swing at home now. We won't play on Brother Yuan Jin Bao's swing; we have our own swing."

Yuan Jin Bao?

Yuan Yuan Jin Bao?

A flash of obscurity crossed Meng Meng Jiusi's eyes.

He lowered his head and asked his son in a gentle tone, "Yuan Jin Bao doesn't let you play on the swing?"

Meng Xiaobai lowered his eyes, his lashes blinking lightly a few times, and said slowly, "Yes. Brother Yuan Jin Bao pushes my brother, and Grandma scolds my brother."

Meng Meng Jiusi had no idea that in corners he hadn't noticed, his two sons had suffered so many grievances.

He bent down and picked up Meng Xiaobai.

His tone was patient.

"Dad needs to apologize to you and your brother." Meng Meng Jiusi didn't care if his son understood or not; he apologized solemnly.

"It's my fault for not noticing and letting you suffer."

Meng Xiaobai looked into his father's eyes and suddenly smiled. He wrapped his arms around his father's neck, his voice sweet and well-behaved.

"It's okay, neither my brother nor I blame Dad."

He looked up, saw his brother on the swing, and added, "Brother said Dad works hard, and it's normal not to see Grandma's little tricks. We'll just be more careful ourselves and not touch Brother Yuan Jin Bao's things anymore, so Grandma won't have a chance to scold us."

Meng Meng Jiusi's eyes stung.

No wonder.

No wonder there was a period of time when Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai were unwilling to go to the Yuan family home.

"... From now on, if anything happens, you must tell Dad." He carried Meng Xiaobai toward Meng Jingmo and said to his two sons, "You two will always come before work. I work hard to give you the best life."

To become the pride of his sons, his parents, and his sister.

Lin Zhao felt that Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai were a bit too honest.

She smiled and said, "Momo, believe it or not, if Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao encountered the situation Meng Xiaobai described, they wouldn't even wait until nightfall before they'd be howling loud enough for the whole village to hear."

"If you encounter something that makes you uncomfortable, you have to say it."

Lin Zhao gave Meng Jingmo's back a light push, making him swing on the swing.

"You're still young; it's perfectly normal to go to your parents when something happens. Your father is the... closest person to you in this world. What could there be that you can't tell him?"

"If you two act like strangers with him, he's the one who will feel hurt."

Meng Jingmo looked at Meng Meng Jiusi hesitantly.

Is that so?

"Isn't it said that adults only like sensible children?"

"Not at all." Lin Zhao shook her head. "To me, even if the four treasures aren't well-behaved, I still love them because they are my children."

Regardless of how other mothers are, she loved her children deeply.

Even if they were very naughty, not smart, lazy, or playful...

Meng Jingmo seemed deeply moved, his expression complex and difficult to describe in words for a moment.

That wasn't what his mother said.

His mother wanted them to be sensible, to be well-behaved, not to make requests of their father, and not to bother their father with annoying things!

So, Mother knew that what happened at Grandma's house was bothersome.

"I know now," Meng Jingmo said.

Meng Meng Jiusi ruffled his hair, "Know what?"

Meng Jingmo glared at him with dissatisfaction and said awkwardly, "If something happens, I have to tell the adults."

He felt he was already a big kid, yet he was still being treated like Meng Xiaobai by his father, so he was quite dissatisfied and raised his volume, "From now on, I'll tell you everything, big or small, down to the last detail, okay?"

Meng Meng Jiusi chuckled, "Down to the last detail? That idiom is used very well. A man must keep his word; you'd better do it."

"Of course I will," Meng Jingmo said, holding his head high.

It was rare to see this side of him, and a faint smile overflowed in Lin Zhao's eyes.

Very good, the little quiet gourd has become lively.

"Xiang Yubao, Gu Hangbao, Maodan wrote you a letter, I brought it back, do you want to see it?" After Meng Jingmo had played enough on the swing, he jumped down and asked the twins.

"Yes, yes, we want to see it!" Gu Hangbao said, pulling him and Meng Xiaobai to their room.

Meng Meng Jiusi didn't see Song Qian Bao and Yao Bao, so he asked the two little ones.

"They went to the old house." One went to find her sister Yu Yu, and the other went to the mushroom room, squatting next to Gu Father to watch him grow mushrooms.

"What about Grandpa Meng? Didn't he come back?" Lin Zhao didn't see Grandpa Meng, so she asked curiously.

A flash of helplessness crossed Meng Meng Jiusi's eyes, "Grandpa didn't want to come back. He said this year is our family's first reunion, and as an outsider, it wouldn't be convenient for him to join in the fun, but he'll come again when there's an opportunity."

"Grandpa Meng is a benefactor to our family; he's not an outsider," Lin Zhao said sincerely.

"Old people always have their concerns," Meng Meng Jiusi said.

"How will Grandpa Meng spend the New Year alone?"

Meng Meng Jiusi's eyes were gentle, "The military camp is full of people, and I heard there are activities; Grandpa said he'd go join in the fun."

Lin Zhao's brows relaxed.

"That's alright then," she muttered, and then immediately asked, "Did you go home?"

"I did," Meng Meng Jiusi replied.

Looking at his sister's slightly thinner face, "Mom and Dad said the supply and marketing cooperative is very busy at the end of the year, and I see you've lost weight; is work very hard?"

Lin Zhao said casually, "It's alright, it's a bit busy, but not tiring."

"As long as it's not tiring." Meng Meng Jiusi's tightly furrowed brows relaxed.

He took out a stack of 'Big Unity' bills and stuffed them into Lin Zhao's hand.

"New Year's money."

Lin Zhao's eyes widened slightly, "Giving it now?"

"Does it make a difference when I give it?" Meng Meng Jiusi asked with a smile.

"Of course it does," Lin Zhao's brows curved into crescents.

"That's fine, I'll make it up when the time comes."

Lin Zhao looked at Meng Meng Jiusi, "Fourth Brother, you want to subsidize me, right?"

"Isn't it only natural for a brother to subsidize his own sister?" Meng Meng Jiusi added.

"It's so thick, how much money is this! Where can I find a brother like you? I'm too happy. But why do my brothers all love stuffing money at me? Eldest Brother and Second Brother stuffed some at me too, I'm not short of money, I'm the richest person in our family." Lin Zhao was also puzzled.

She had a job, and her husband was a glorious and high-earning military officer; everyone knew she wasn't short of money to spend, so why did her brothers keep stuffing money at her?

What gave them that misconception?!

"Money is something you can never have too much of. If you're not short of it, just keep it, buy whatever you want, and if you can't buy it, tell me, and I'll find a way," Meng Meng Jiusi said.

Lin Zhao actually did want something, "Brother, I want a hair dryer, that thing you plug in that blows hot air."

"A hair dryer?" Meng Meng Jiusi asked.

As someone who had been to a Friendship Store, he certainly knew what a hair dryer was.

"Yes, yes, yes, that's it, a hair dryer, I want one," Lin Zhao requested without hesitation.

She swung her thick braids a few times, feeling a bit annoyed, "Washing my hair in winter is so troublesome, it never dries, I have to bake it for so long!"

When Gu Gu Chenghuai was at home, he would help her wipe it dry; when he wasn't, she had to wipe it herself, and her hair was so thick and heavy that it always made her arms sore.

To get a hair dryer, Lin Zhao had spent 3,000 points on a lucky draw, but didn't get one, instead drawing things she couldn't take out, like a refrigerator, a color TV, a washing machine...

Meng Meng Jiusi looked at his sister's scrunched-up face, and a sense of heartache appeared in his eyes.

He said, "I'll find a way."

"But it will take time, you'll have to bear with it for now."

Lin Zhao's eyes brightened, "Alright! Brother, you try, if you can't get one, forget it."

"I know." Meng Meng Jiusi still had some confidence in his heart.

He was a doctor, and a highly skilled one at that; he knew quite a few capable people, and just buying something at a Friendship Store wasn't difficult.

The prescription his sister gave him was worth a thousand gold, and at the same time, his own value was immeasurable.

Meng Meng Jiusi remembered the matter of his sister's article being in the newspaper, specifically mentioned it, and congratulated her.

He was so solemn about it that Lin Zhao felt inexplicably embarrassed, "It's nothing, I was just writing for fun."

"That's not writing for fun." Meng Meng Jiusi disagreed, "I studied that article; the wording is concise and refined, and the emotional expression is moving. I didn't participate in the mushroom planting work at the Harvest Brigade, yet I could still feel that vibrant atmosphere. It was written really well, don't be so self-deprecating."

Lin Zhao was praised until she held her head high.

"Mom and Dad said the same!" Meng Meng Jiusi emphasized again, "Zhaozhao, you wrote really well."

Lin Zhao cupped her face and smiled.

Meng Meng Jiusi's eyes were soft, and he suddenly remembered what Gu Gu Chenghuai had entrusted to him, saying, "Your husband couldn't come back, he asked me to bring some things back."

He pointed to a large bag on the table.

"Those are all it."

"There are some others mailed back, they should be on the way." Speaking of this, a trace of complexity appeared in Meng Meng Jiusi's black eyes; his brother-in-law thought mailing was too slow and even wanted him to bring everything back, simply not treating him like a human being.

Whose brother-in-law is so arrogant?

It's truly speechless.

"What are they all?" Lin Zhao opened them to look without hesitation.

Well, nothing more than some food and daily necessities, as well as new clothes for her and the four cubs.

"There are even new clothes..." This was a first.

"Where did he get the fabric and cotton?"