Chapter 263: I

"Here we go!" Xi Bao's cheerful voice rang out, greeting everyone to wash their hands like a little sun.

Lin Zhao rubbed her face, earning a blooming smile from the little girl.

The New Year's Day meal was still excellent, making one's mouth water at the sight.

All of it was He He Lingling's cooking.

Two dishes Song Xiwēi especially loved, two Lin Zhao especially loved, two sweet dishes the children adored, and two universally popular ones that would fit anywhere.

"All of this is Father's handiwork," Lin Lin Lin Shisheng said.

He looked at Meng Jiusi. "Little Four, you really have the clout. We never got this treatment before."

Back then, He He Lingling was ill—how could she have had the strength to cook? Lin Lin Lin Shisheng knew full well, but he wanted to show how much the parents valued their youngest son!

Meng Jiusi felt the family's thoughtfulness and smiled warmly.

Seeing their father's smile, Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai also curled their eyes, truly delighted.

This was Father's home, their hometown—they loved it so much.

"What are you standing there for? Eat!" Lin Zhao plopped chicken legs into Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai's bowls—their favorites.

One each.

The other children got none, but Da Dan and the others didn't mind—they knew their little uncle and two cousins had just returned home, so the chicken legs went to them first.

Even the youngest, Song Qian Bao and Yao Bao, didn't complain.

Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao showed no reaction at all—for them, any meat was fine.

"Grandpa's food is so delicious, just like my mom's!" Gu Hangbao's eyes sparkled like lanterns, his praise exaggerated to the extreme, pouring on all the emotional value.

He He Lingling's gaze softened.

Seeing this, Da Dan and the others thought they couldn't let Gu Hangbao steal all the spotlight.

They swallowed their meat and silently began to flatter.

"Grandpa, you must be a kitchen god reincarnated—how could you make food this delicious?!"

"The chicken is amazing, spicy and tender, tastier than the chefs at the state-run canteen."

"The braised pork is great too—just this sauce, I could eat another bowl of rice!"

"Oh my god, this chicken soup with egg is so good—the chewy little bits inside—are they mushrooms? So delicious～～!!"

…

The little ones tossed out compliments one after another, each more extravagant than the last.

He He Lingling thought her grandchildren were too noisy, remembering how quiet past New Years had been—she just smiled and said, "Stop praising, eat quickly. Learn from Gu Hangbao—look how happily he's eating."

Everyone turned to look.

Gu Hangbao skewered dumplings with his chopsticks, shoving them into his mouth one by one, eating with mouthwatering delight.

His swift, eager manner made the dumplings seem utterly irresistible.

Da Dan and the others stopped eating meat and silently reached for the dumplings.

After swallowing, their eyes lit up.

"The filling's even better today," Da Dan exclaimed.

Song Xiwēi glanced at him. "Your tongue's sharp."

She explained, "We used the oil your little aunt brought."

Da Dan grinned, his eyes crinkling shut. "Little Aunt's spending again."

Xi Bao called out, "Little Aunt is the best!"

Chen Yu wiped the crumbs from her face. "This morning you said your mom and dad were the best."

"As soon as you see your lucky money, you spill all the sweet words—once you've got it, you forget everything."

Xi Bao pouted. "Mom!"

Chen Yu glanced at her and said no more.

Her daughter was growing up—now she cared about face!

Xiang Yubao immediately turned to Lin Zhao, lips pressed together, eyes hopeful yet tense.

Lucky money?! Gu Hangbao also remembered they hadn't received theirs yet—he opened his mouth to ask Lin Zhao, when she said: "Eat first. Afterward, lift up the pillows you slept on last night."

Gu Hangbao jumped up, already impatient.

"Eat first," Lin Zhao said, looking at him.

The child sat down obediently.

"Brother, let's eat fast—I'm five years old and this is my first time getting lucky money from Mom—I'm so excited!" Gu Hangbao leaned toward Xiang Yubao, whispering slyly.

Too bad his voice, inherited from his grandmother, was loud enough for everyone to hear.

Lin Zhao patted Er Zai's back. "Enough. I've made up for it. Don't ever use that excuse to shame me again."

That person who was so foolish back then—she firmly refused to admit it was herself.

"Made up for it?" Gu Hangbao said uncertainly, eyes flashing with excitement. "How much?"

"See for yourself after eating," Lin Zhao shot him a sidelong glance. "Who asks directly like that?"

No surprise at all.

Gu Hangbao grinned and buried his face in his food.

Lin Zhao noticed the nephews' and nieces' glances and added, "Don't envy them—you all have yours too."

Da Dan and the others looked astonished.

"Thank you, Little Aunt."

Lin Zhao reminded them, "Your grandparents, uncles, and aunts all gave too—everyone got some. Your lucky money this year should be quite substantial."

The two boys felt like they were walking on cotton.

Xi Bao tilted her head. "Little Aunt, what's 'substantial'?"

"... Substantial means a lot—you'll be overjoyed," Lin Zhao explained.

"Wow!" Xi Bao squealed with delight.

After the meal, the children rushed into their rooms, lifted their pillows, and a chorus of shouts erupted.

"Aaaahhh! So much money—I'm rich! I'm rich!" Da Dan, who'd never held more than fifty cents in his life, bounced around the room in excitement.

Er Dan, slightly more reserved, blushed with excitement, clutching his money tightly, eyes scanning the room, thinking where to hide it.

—This year, no way would he let his mom take it away again!

He was thirteen now—surely he could manage this much money?

In the next room, Xi Bao was shrieking with joy too.

She was too young to know how to hide lucky money—she grabbed the cash and ran out to Lin Zhao. "Little Aunt, how much lucky money did you give me?"

Lin Zhao: "Not just from me—your grandparents, Second Uncle, and Little Uncle all gave you too. Third Uncle gave as well—he asked me to wrap it for you."

Xi Bao cupped her face, rubbing her cheeks against the money, swaying dramatically like she'd drunk fake wine. "I'm so happy."

"Little Aunt, hold me—I'm going to faint from happiness…"

Lin Zhao laughed.

Chen Yu turned away silently.

Lin Shichang saw the amount—several yuan each, more than many married young men in the village could afford.

"Why give them so much?" he frowned. "They're still kids—a little is enough."

Da Dan and Er Dan stepped out of the room and exchanged glances.

Their father's reminder made them feel embarrassed too.

Meng Jiusi spoke first. "It's not much. I never gave before—I'm making up for lost years."

"Yes, that's exactly my thought," Lin Zhao followed.

Lin Lin Lin Shisheng grinned proudly. "I've earned money now—I'm happy to give my nieces and nephews as much as I want. They're growing up—they should have money of their own."

Not much—just one yuan for the older ones, fifty cents for the younger.

He told his nieces and nephews, "Keep it safe. Buy whatever you want. If you can't find something, tell me—I'll buy it for you."

The way he said it—surely he'd made a lot this year?!

"You sound awfully confident," Lin Zhao smiled over at him.

Lin Lin Lin Shisheng feigned modesty. "Not bad."

After showing off, he got the white eye he wanted from Zhao Zhao.

He laughed heartily. "Aren't you going to check your lucky money?"

"I really got some?" Lin Zhao's eyes gleamed strangely.

"Why wouldn't you?" said He He Lingling. "I've always said—you're my and your mother's youngest daughter, no matter your age. As long as we're alive, we'll give you lucky money every year."

Song Xiwēi nodded. "As for your brothers giving you—well, that's up to them."

Though she said it lightly, her dark, sharp eyes swept over her sons, carrying quiet pressure.

Lin Shichang said, "I've gotten used to giving—I'd feel strange if I didn't. Let's keep this tradition."

"I have no objections," Chen Yu said calmly. Little Aunt never just took—she never came home empty-handed, treated them and the boys with utmost kindness. If she held a grudge over this, what kind of person would she be?

Remember, before she even married into the Lin family, Little Aunt had already been their husband's sister for years.

Being too petty would only make her husband uncomfortable and make her own children feel ashamed.

Why bother?

Lin Lin Lin Shisheng playfully tugged Lin Zhao's braid. "I have no objections either. My earnings, aside from Lin Xuan and Zheng, are all for Zhao Zhao."

Meng Jiusi's gaze turned serious. "Same here. I can support my sister well on my salary alone."

Lin Zhao: "???"

"... Have you forgotten I'm already married? I'm not a student anymore?!"

She felt her three brothers lived in a fantasy.

"I have a job. Gu Gu Chenghuai sends me allowance every month. I'm not that short on money."

Lin Zhao looked at Meng Jiu.

Little brother should know best—he took me and the kids, and even slipped me two hundred yuan himself.

Many people can't earn that much in two years!

"Of course I know. So what?" Lin Lin Shichang tilted his chin, speaking with full confidence: "We give you money so Gu family won't one day complain you spent too much of your husband's money."

"You have several brothers. Even if you never married or worked, we could still support you."

He never dared say this before, but now he dared.

Meng Jiu didn't want Zhaozhao to feel psychological pressure; his voice was soft and gentle: "Thanks to the medicine formulas you gave me, I've earned quite a few bonuses. Those funds belong to you."

Lin Zhao's eyes sparkled with delight, her smile refusing to fade: "As long as it helps little brother, that's all that matters."

"I don't understand pharmacology. Keeping those formulas would just waste them. Giving them to little brother is more than worth it!"

Meng Jiu looked at his sister, moved, warmth swelling in his heart he couldn't put into words.

Only from his family could he receive warmth without any hidden agenda.

The medicine formulas Zhaozhao gave him helped him integrate into his new job at the fastest possible speed, aiding him immensely.

He could never be too good to his sister.

Lin Lin Shichang patted Lin Zhao's head. "Go back and check your New Year's money."

"Got it!" Lin Zhao skipped happily back inside.

Her parents were right—even if she were eighty this year, she'd still be their good girl.

Hehe.

Back in the room she'd lived in since childhood, she lifted the buckwheat hull pillow and found four red paper packets underneath.

Two were especially thick, the red paper straining to hold them.

Lin Zhao guessed one was from her parents, the other from little brother.

Big brother and second brother had only worked a few months—they couldn't be as well-off as little brother.

Her parents gave her sixty-six yuan and six jiao; little brother gave eighty-eight yuan and eight jiao; big and second brother gave roughly their monthly salary.

How generous her family was.

Lin Zhao's heart felt warm beyond words.

She picked up the New Year gifts she'd prepared for her family and stepped outside.

"Where did you get this ginseng?" Song Xi looked at Lin Zhao.

"Accidentally came by it. For Dad's health." Lin Zhao dodged the truth.

In reality, she'd drawn it with points.

Lin Lin Heling examined the ginseng, gave Lin Zhao a long, thoughtful look, then didn't press further. "We'll accept your thoughtfulness. Next time, I'll make ginseng chicken—call you and the four kids back to eat together."

Gu Gu Guaibao slurped happily. "Great! We'll come back for the chicken soup!"

All the Lin children beamed. The New Year wasn't even over, and another chicken meal awaited—what a good life.

Lin Zhao pulled out a watch she'd bought with points and slipped it into Lin Lin Shichang's hand.

"Big brother, your New Year gift."

Lin Lin Shichang felt something cool in his palm, looked down, and saw a mechanical watch.

He widened his eyes and pushed it back immediately. "I can't take this—you wear it yourself..."

Lin Zhao tucked her hands behind her back. "I have one. It's defective, not worth much. You're working now—you need a watch."

Lin Lin Shichang looked to his parents.

Song Song Xiwei said: "Watches are big-ticket items. We know they're expensive. If you take it without paying, you'll feel uneasy. Make him pay something, just to make it fair."

If it were cheap, she wouldn't have said a word.

But a watch? That's a hundred or two hundred yuan—how could Boss accept it? He'd probably feel his wrist burn every time he wore it.

"Fine. Twenty yuan." Lin Zhao pouted, clearly annoyed.

"Twenty's too little," Lin Lin Shichang objected.

Hearing this, Lin Zhao held out her hand. "Fine, give it back. I'll throw it down the well." Her tone was deadly serious.

She looked utterly sincere.

Lin Lin Shichang knew how stubborn Zhaozhao could be when angry—he wouldn't dare take it back. He could only smile helplessly. "I'm just afraid you're getting ripped off."

Lin Zhao glared at him. "Do you think I don't know whether I'm getting ripped off?"

"I'm not getting ripped off. Twenty yuan. Take it or give it back."

Lin Lin Heling saw Zhaozhao was truly hurt. He looked at Lin Lin Shichang, feigning annoyance. "Big brother, take it. Brothers and sisters don't need to be so formal—it's the New Year, and you're making your sister cry."

Lin Lin Shichang: "... Alright, alright, I'll take it."

Seeing his sister ignore him, he broke into a sweat.

"Zhaozhao, whatever you say, big brother listens. Don't be mad—it's the New Year, being angry's bad luck."

He knew his daughter's dignity mattered more than his pride. He looked desperately at Lin Lin Xibao.

Lin Lin Xibao stepped forward immediately, wrapping both arms around his aunt's waist and swaying gently. "Auntie, don't be mad. Dad's dumb—don't hold it against him."

Lin Lin Shichang: "..."

His cotton coat was leaking wind!

Lin Zhao's anger flared fast and faded fast. She reached out and pinched Lin Xibao's cheek. "I'm not mad. Getting mad makes you age faster."

"I won't get mad anymore," Lin Xibao said, looking like he'd learned a great lesson.

Lin Zhao continued distributing gifts. To Lin Sheng, she gave a flashlight with ultra-long battery life and blinding brightness.

"Second brother, this is for you," she said. "It's a flashlight. You always park your truck in the middle of nowhere—this'll help you see."

Lin Sheng, ever smooth, didn't mention money. He took it with a grin, studied it, then said: "Looks different from any I've seen."

Lin Zhao lifted her chin slightly. "Mine? Of course it's the best."

Lin Sheng gave her a couple of compliments, making her beam with delight.

Da Dan and Er Dan stood nearby, ears perked, also looking like they'd learned something important.

Chen Yu: "..."

Lin Zhao gave Meng Jiu another medical book.

The book-obsessed Meng treasured it like a priceless relic.

"Thank you, sister," Meng Jiu's joy spilled out openly.

Lin Zhao was thorough—she didn't forget her sister-in-law. She gave Chen Yu fabric and cold cream.

Chen Yu was surprised and touched. "You got something for me too?"

"You're family too—how could I forget you?" Lin Zhao said matter-of-factly.

"You've thought of everything," Chen Yu felt a soft warmth brush against the tenderest part of her heart.

She took the fabric and cream. "This fabric is so fine."

She and her husband could afford the cream—he'd even bought it for her before—but she never dared spend it. Too many children, too many expenses. She saved every penny.

Lin Zhao knew all this. That's why she'd prepared it.

Small things boost happiness. When you can afford them, you should buy them.