Chapter 27: The Sky Has Fallen (Bonus Chapter Added)

Dacai glanced quietly at the door; it was silent, Sansai and Sisai still asleep. He let out a soft breath. “Can San and I eat outside?” His voice was hushed.

It wasn’t an exaggeration—these days, the twins had been especially restless. It wasn’t their fault; everyone else had meat, but they got nothing but wheat milk powder, and little hearts held such deep grievances.

“Go ahead,” Lin Zhao waved. “Don’t forget to share with the little friends who helped you dig.”

“Got it!” Ercai’s voice rang with pure joy.

He’d barely finished cheering when his brother snapped at him: “Lower your voice—Sansai and Sisai are still sleeping.”

Ercai slapped a hand over his mouth.

Dacai and Ercai carried out a full bowl of fried cicada nymphs and generously shared them with the kids. Tie Niu and Yuanbao and the others went wild with delight.

“Dacai, Ercai, from now on you’re my brothers—blood brothers!” Yuanbao, his mouth greasy, shouted loudly.

Tie Niu pressed close to Ercai and yelled even louder: “Ercai, I’m your best friend!”

Other children surged forward, spouting every sappy thing they could think of.

“Dacai, I want to be your number one friend in the whole brigade!”

“Ercai, I’m your absolute best!”

…

Dacai and Ercai instantly became the kids’ kingpins—the kind who commanded instant obedience.

The two little brothers grinned until their eyes crinkled shut.

That evening.

The Gu family elders were savoring the meat and soda from today.

Huang Xiulan wiped the bamboo mat with a damp towel, reminding Gu Yuanshan: “Don’t forget to fetch water for the third family tomorrow morning.”

Thinking of how delighted her daughter had been with the lunchbox, she felt the third sister-in-law’s gift had struck straight at her heart.

Gu Yuanshan said: “I remember.”

Tiedan rubbed his full belly and sighed: “If only we could eat meat every day.”

Huang Xiulan slapped the brat hard, sending him tumbling to the other end, then kept wiping the mat. “Think you’re a city person now? Eating meat every day? Dream on.”

Gu Yuanshan: “Even city people don’t eat meat every day. One meal a month is already a luxury.”

Tiedan groaned: “Still way better than us! At least they get to eat once. The last time I had meat was three months ago.”

Tiechui grinned foolishly: “I did! Third Auntie treated me to dumplings.”

Huang Xiulan patted her second son’s cheek and told the first: “Other families in the village get meat only once every six months. We’re doing fine—don’t be ungrateful.”

Tiedan had nothing to say.

Gu Mu and Gu Fu were also whispering quietly.

“Third daughter-in-law brought fabric today and asked Second daughter-in-law to make me an autumn jacket—said it was thanks for looking after the four kids. But they’re my own grandchildren—why thank me at all…?”

Gu Fu was easygoing. He believed if the younger generation gave, you accepted; if they didn’t, you held no grudge. “If she gives it to you, take it.”

“I know. I’m just telling you. Honestly, when I heard her say that, I felt so warm inside.” Gu Mu’s heart was deeply soothed.

Gu Fu shook his head and smiled.

Second household.

Zhao Liuniang lit a lamp and sewed her mother-in-law’s autumn jacket.

Gu Yucheng worried she’d ruin her eyes. “Do it in daylight. Go sleep first—the jacket isn’t urgent.”

“I’m not tired,” Zhao Liuniang said without looking up, a smile on her lips. “Once I finish Mom’s, the leftover fabric can make a pair of pants for Yuyu. I’ve got energy to spare.”

Gu Yucheng sighed, adjusted the lamp brighter, and sat beside her.

“What are you doing? Go sleep—you have to wake up early tomorrow. I’ll sleep soon,” Zhao Liuniang frowned at him.

“I’m not tired either,” Gu Yucheng smiled.

Zhao Liuniang shot him a look, but warmth swelled in her chest, and she stitched faster.

A good marriage meant a husband who was considerate. He might not earn as much as Third Brother, but he respected her, treated her well, and cared for the family—she was content.

And at a house by the village entrance.

Gu Er’s wife felt the sky had collapsed—she could no longer find joy.

She glared furiously at her snoring husband, teeth clenched, wanting to kick him into oblivion—and maybe, while she was at it, crush Gu Xing’er next door.

What rotten people—always tormenting her!

Gu Er’s wife’s resentment was so deep it could spawn ten thousand evil sword immortals. Gu Er felt a chill crawl over his skin, slowly opened his eyes, and met her furious gaze.

Gu Er sat up immediately, his face marked by bamboo mat lines, confused. “What’s wrong? Did I offend you?”

Offend?

It was more than offense!

Gu Er’s wife pinched him hard, cursing: “You’re asking me what’s wrong?”

“Why did you agree to let Gu Xing’er stay?”

Gu Er saw no issue. “Let her stay. Yuanshan, Yucheng, and their wives all brought bedding—they can’t be thrown out. Besides, Ma agreed too.”

Gu Er’s wife felt rage boiling to her scalp, hair swelling with fury. “She’s taken over one of our rooms!”

“She won’t stay long. She’ll marry soon enough,” Gu Er said.

“She’s a household wrecker! You letting her come means you think our life’s too good, right?” Gu Er’s wife hissed, voice low but fierce. “Her own parents reject her, but you’re such a soft-hearted fool, picking up every stray. Is your head full of shit?”

Gu Er frowned. “Talk, don’t curse.”

“I’m not just cursing—I’m hitting you too.” She pinched him again, several times.

Gu Er dodged aside. “She’s already moved in. Even if you kill me, she’s still here. Just accept it. She lived here before, anyway. And Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law still provide grain.”

Precisely because Gu Xing’er had lived here before, Gu Er’s wife resented her return.

That girl had no shame, took every advantage, and Ma always protected her—she couldn’t scold or hit her. Just remembering it made her seethe.

“I don’t care about the grain.” She did care—but it wasn’t worth it.

Seeing his wife couldn’t accept it, Gu Er yawned and said: “Let her stay a few days. If you still can’t stand it, I’ll find a way to send her back.”

“You promise?” Gu Er’s wife took him seriously.

“I said it. Go to sleep—I’m exhausted.” Gu Er flopped down and fell asleep instantly.

Gu Er’s wife spat toward the room where Gu Xing’er slept, then lay down.

Around the circle of kerosene lamp light, moths danced their endless loop.

Beneath the dim glow, Lin Zhao watched the bonus points added to her lottery system and smiled.

Today, two beautiful tasks had appeared: the exam, and breaking the ice with the old compound.

The exam granted 50 points; the latter, completed beyond expectations, granted 100.

Plus assorted small tasks—totaling 220 points.

Still 280 points short of 500.

The revolution isn’t complete—keep striving.

Next day, morning.

A four-wheeled truck rolled into Fengshou Brigade.

It rumbled like a monstrous beast—grand, imposing, utterly shocking the country folk.

The driver stuck his head out the window and shouted: “Where’s Gu Chenghuai’s house?”

“Keep going,” someone at the village entrance called.

He ran into the village, spotted Bangbang, and yelled: “Bangbang, a big truck’s here—driver’s looking for your third uncle’s family!”

Bangbang bolted home and told his grandparents.

Gu Fu and Gu Mu hurried to the village entrance.

The road was too narrow for the truck. The driver had stopped, surrounded by children—rowdy kids climbing the vehicle, unafraid of anything. The brigade chief scolded the troublemakers.

Seeing Gu Fu and Gu Mu, the brigade chief said: “It’s for delivering bricks and tiles to Chenghuai’s family.”

Lin Zhao had mentioned this—Gu Fu knew the transport team was helping deliver materials.

He stepped forward warmly. “Thank you, comrade. Come in for a drink—we’ll get people to unload right away.”

“No need,” the driver politely declined. “Unloading first—I’ve other duties.”

Gu Fu didn’t press. He called his two sons to unload; the brigade chief summoned several strong lads to help.

The bricks and tiles were piled in front of the third family’s door.

As the driver prepared to leave, Lin Zhao appeared and tossed a cloth sack through the window.

“Thanks for your trouble. A small token,” she said.

The driver blinked, thanked her, and drove off.

With bricks and tiles delivered, construction could now be scheduled—key was waiting for the double harvest to end and free up labor.

Before Lin Zhao could ask, Gu Mu volunteered: “Double harvest ends in another week. We can start right after.”

Lin Zhao eagerly anticipated the new home. “I probably won’t have time then—please rely on you two.”

Gu Mu waved her hand, smiling. “No trouble at all.”

Building a house was a major matter—tiring, but worth it.

Gu Fu agreed. How long could it possibly take? At most two months.

With bricks and tiles delivered, construction was now scheduled—just one more week to wait. Lin Zhao eagerly began sketching plans.

She wasn’t an architect and couldn’t draw professional blueprints—but she could sketch simple ones. Lucky she had a multi-talented father. As the only daughter of the Lin family, she’d been raised beside him since childhood, learning a little.

According to Lin Zhao’s idea, the front yard needed a modernized toilet—one with flush capability. She’d had enough of dry latrines. The toilet must also serve as a bathing area.

She had a rough concept—she’d need to discuss it with the builders later.

On the other side, build a kitchen with a smokeless stove that doesn’t need a bellows; the stove top must be brick-built, not mud, because mud sheds dirt.

Finally, the sleeping rooms: keep them the same as now—build four rooms. Not enough for everyone to have one, but when the children grow up, they won’t live in the village anyway.

As for the backyard, no major changes needed—just lay a stone path.

When Dacai and Ercai finished playing and came home, Lin Zhao told her two sons her ideas and asked for their opinions.

Dacai had no objections. “Fine, I’ll follow Mother’s plan.”

But Ercai frowned, looking deeply troubled.

Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Speak your mind—we don’t gag people here.”

Ercai said: “Four rooms aren’t enough.”

“Why not?” Lin Zhao asked.

She smiled and explained, “You, your brother, and your younger brother share one room; your sister gets one; the last one has another use. Perfect.”

Ercai frowned, shamelessly asking: “Where will my wife sleep?”

His words stunned everyone.

Lin Zhao nearly laughed herself to death. “Have you even grown pubic hair yet, and you’re already thinking about a wife?”

Ercai grinned. “Nai said every boy grows up to marry a wife.”

Dacai looked serious. “Mother, I don’t want a wife—I want you. When I grow up and earn money, I’ll give it all to you.”

Lin Zhao stroked Dacai’s head and said to Ercai: “Your father and I raising you is already enough. You expect us to build you a wedding room and find you a wife? Dream on! Earn it yourself when you’re adults—don’t think about leeching off us!”

When I buy a sihe courtyard later, it’ll be for Sici. Dacai, Ercai, and Sancai—whatever they want, they must earn it themselves. When they grow up, gold will be everywhere. I’ll give them capital; even a little profit will let them live comfortably.

Of course…

Provided I first lay a solid foundation.

“Dacai, Ercai, starting tomorrow, you’ll learn characters and math with me…”

Both boys had no objections to what their mother said.

But…

Ercai pouted at Lin Zhao. “But other kids’ parents give their sons wives.”

He was only five, couldn’t read a single character, didn’t understand what marrying a wife meant—but everyone in the village said it, so he thought he must marry one too.

“But other kids’ parents don’t give their children meat or soda either,” Lin Zhao replied lightly.

Then she smiled sweetly, like the wolf grandmother luring Little Red Riding Hood to open the door.

“If you demand I treat you like other parents treat their children, don’t blame me for treating you like other children are treated.”

“You want me to save up for your wife? Fine. Starting today, you eat meat only once every six months. No meat buns, no sour cabbage fish, no shredded pork noodles… no soda. Just wild vegetable dumplings and sweet potato porridge. Live like that for ten years, and I’ll find you a wife.”

Hearing this, Ercai’s eyes widened in horror—he felt the sky had fallen.

He immediately hugged Lin Zhao.

His voice trembled with sheer terror: “Mother, Mother, no! I don’t want a wife anymore! I want meat! I want sour cabbage fish! I want shredded pork noodles! I want soda…”

Truly, with such a threat, the five-year-old lost all his earlier thoughts.

“Study hard. When you learn how to earn money and get high wages, what can’t you buy?” Lin Zhao was a practical woman with no grand ambitions—she just wanted her children to live comfortably, free from hardship.

“I’ll study hard,” Ercai declared, cheeks puffed out, genuinely frightened by his mother.

“Me too!” Dacai echoed.

That night, Dacai and Ercai began their journey of learning characters.

The two brothers had opposite temperaments: Dacai could sit still and focus intently on learning characters; Ercai was restless, fidgeting like his seat was full of needles—still learning, but constantly shifting.

Fortunately, he was a good boy who listened to his mother—he didn’t run off before finishing his lessons, making things easy.

Tonight, teach five simplest Chinese characters and recite one poem.

Lin Zhao was pleasantly surprised: both boys had excellent memories, learned characters quickly, and after a few repetitions, could recite the simple five-character regulated verse.

With no one to compare them to, the mother didn’t notice anything unusual and continued teaching at this pace.

“Recite it and go to sleep,” Lin Zhao whispered, afraid of waking the Long Fengtai.

“Since you’ve behaved well, tomorrow morning I’ll reward you—what do you want to eat?”

Dacai spoke up: “I want something sweet.”

“Alright.”

Ercai said: “I want meat!”

Lin Zhao pinched his little nose. “Fine. I’ll make meatball soup—Sanci and Sici can have some too.”

Though their stomachs were full, the greedy little boys still looked forward to it, sleeping with sweet smiles on their faces.

There was no mosquito net, but burning wormwood kept the mosquitoes from being too aggressive—though the room was stuffy.

Lin Zhao couldn’t sleep right away, fanning the four children with a reed fan.

Again and again.

Dacai opened his eyes briefly, then quickly shut them again before his mother noticed, his long eyelashes trembling, his small fists clenched.

When the fan stopped, he opened his eyes, pulled up his little blanket, and covered his mother’s stomach. He curled his body toward Lin Zhao, smiled with closed eyes, and soon fell into deep, even breathing.

The next day was Lin Zhao’s last day to sleep in late, aside from Sundays.

She woke up late.

When she opened her eyes, it was already nine.

Just as she was about to get up, hurried, chaotic footsteps approached, followed by Ercai’s angry shout.

“Mother! Someone stole our bricks and tiles!!!”

Hearing this, Lin Zhao quickly put on her clothes and stepped out in her cloth slippers.

“What happened?”

“Mother, the bricks and tiles outside the gate are gone,” Dacai said angrily, his face flushed with rage.

Lin Zhao walked out. “Let’s see.”

At the gate, she confirmed it—some were missing, but not many, just a corner, about ten or so.

But…

No matter how few, sneaking and stealing was despicable.

When Gu Mu learned that the third family’s bricks and tiles had been stolen, she rushed over—and seeing it was true, was furious.

She comforted Lin Zhao and the two boys, then skipped work entirely, starting from the village head and cursing all the way to the tail.

“Who’s this vile, rotten thing that dares steal my daughter-in-law’s bricks and tiles?! Born a thief, is your poverty driving you mad, or are your hands just itching? You wretched soul—stealing a few bricks, are you trying to build a doghouse or pile your own grave?”

“You shameless wretch—if you’re smart, return the bricks and tiles right away, or I’ll dig up the whole village to find you! Don’t blame me later if I’m not gentle…”

Her shouting spread through the whole village: the Gu family’s third household had been robbed of bricks and tiles.

Everyone began discussing it.

“Stole bricks and tiles? Who’s that foolish? Bricks and tiles are hard to get—you need money and connections. Even if you steal them, you can’t use them openly. What’s the point?” The team leader’s wife came over to gawk and loudly commented.

“Who knows? Some people just can’t stop grabbing advantages,” Yuan Bao’s mother scoffed.

Dacai and Ercai had shared fried cicadas with Yuan Bao yesterday—the child had been overjoyed, even giggling in his sleep. She held Lin Zhao in the highest regard and naturally defended her.

In the corner, Changsheng’s mother looked uneasy, her eyes darting as she heard the villagers’ scorn.

When the team leader learned of the stolen bricks and tiles, he was furious too.

Theft in his jurisdiction was a slap in the face.

Lin Zhao said: “Team Leader, this matter can be big or small—ask the Public Security Committee to investigate.”

The Public Security Committee was a civilian organization for maintaining order, preventing theft, mutual aid, and patrolling—crucial in grassroots management during this era.

The team leader thought Lin Zhao’s suggestion reasonable. “Alright, I’ll discuss it with the committee members soon.”

Lin Zhao smiled. “Thank you, Team Leader.”

The team leader thought Chenghuai’s wife was too polite—it was only natural.

Soon, the Public Security Committee began their investigation.

The thief was terrified, secretly hiding the stolen bricks and tiles in the cellar, covering them with objects. Still not safe, he sealed the cellar entrance with oilcloth—only then did he sigh in relief.

The committee wouldn’t search every house—hiding them should be fine.

After finishing, she was drenched in sweat, her heart full of panic, anger, and regret—blaming Lin Zhao for overreacting, blaming the team for meddling, and regretting stealing those bricks last night: useless, why did she do it?

Gu Fu brought his two sons over and moved the bricks and tiles into the courtyard.

Originally, he planned to use them in a few days. He thought the bricks and tiles were safe in the village—no one would touch them. Who knew some madmen would steal anything?

After moving the bricks and tiles, Gu Yuanshan filled the third family’s water jars and left with his family.

Lin Zhao stayed home with the four children. With no man present, Gu Da and Gu Er came to help—but always brought their wives or children along, never staying alone with their sister-in-law. Village gossip was vicious; false rumors could become truth—better safe than sorry.

After the Gu family left, the two boys were still fuming.

Seeing their brothers pouting, the Long Fengtai puffed out their cheeks too, like two adorable little pufferfish.

Lin Zhao couldn’t help smiling.

“Still mad? The bricks and tiles are back inside—don’t be upset. Losing a few won’t affect building the house.”

Dacai said angrily: “Nai said bricks and tiles are hard to get. Those stolen bricks could’ve bought us a meat meal.”

Ercai nodded vigorously. “Exactly, exactly.”

He ground his teeth, scowling fiercely. “Don’t let me find out who stole our bricks and tiles—or else… I’ll call Nai Nai to settle accounts with them.”

He was still young—he couldn’t even beat Changsheng, so he had to call for backup.

Father said calling for backup wasn’t shameful.

The four children’s lips were tinged with pale yellow, fists clenched, their soft white faces set in determination: “Settle… settle accounts!”

The third child also sipped wheat milk powder, blinking his dark, bright eyes, quiet and well-behaved.

Seeing the children furious, Lin Zhao thought of an idea: “How about raising a dog?”

The second child’s eyes lit up instantly: “Can we have Da Huang’s little Huang?”

“Da Huang had a little Huang?” Lin Zhao rarely paid attention to village affairs and hadn’t known about this.

The first child nodded quickly, his expression identical to the second child’s eager anticipation: “Mm-hmm, Da Huang had a little Huang. Mama, are we really raising a dog?”

“Of course,” Lin Zhao smiled.

“Mama, I’m going to get little Huang!” the second child exclaimed excitedly, pulling the first child out the door.

The fourth child tried to follow, but Lin Zhao held her back.

“You don’t need to come along,” she said, lifting the fourth child and gently nuzzling her daughter’s nose, her eyes full of laughter.

The adorable little bundle grinned, revealing a few snow-white teeth, her smile sweet as honey.

When she opened her mouth, Lin Zhao spotted another half-tooth emerging and exclaimed in delight: “Baby, you’ve grown a new tooth. In a few months, you’ll be able to eat meat.”

The fourth child clapped her hands happily: “Meat, meat…”

Lin Zhao sat beside the third child with the fourth child in her arms and said to her younger son: “Good child, open your mouth, let Mama see if you’ve grown any teeth.”

The third child obediently opened his mouth for Mama to check his teeth.

He had grown them too.

Lin Zhao patted her younger son’s cheek: “You’ve both grown them. Tonight, you two can each have one meatball.”

The fourth child understood and beamed, her eyes crinkling: “Meat, meat.”

The third child smiled too, clinging to Mama, following her even when she went to the kitchen.

Seeing the Long Fengtai so well-behaved, Lin Zhao didn’t shoo them out; she efficiently prepared the meal.

(End of Chapter)