Chapter 299

The impression Gu Chenghuai gave the family quarters was that he was stern and unsmiling, cold and distant; with him there, no one dared to stick their head out to speak.

Lin Zhao showed a polite smile, nodded to the sisters-in-law, and followed her husband and sons through the crowd.

"Battalion Commander Gu's wife is truly outstanding; no wonder he was so active in sending money. If I looked like that, do you believe my man would be like that too?" This was said by those who hadn't seen Lin Zhao.

The twins were generous and polite, greeting people with brilliant smiles, calling everyone 'Auntie' this and 'Auntie' that, their mouths were very sweet, and no one had the heart to glare at them.

"Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao are truly generous; Battalion Commander Gu's wife really knows how to teach children."

"This family is truly good-looking!" A sister-in-law who was a fan of good looks pulled a loud voice, "I heard Battalion Commander Gu also has a pair of twins, I wonder when we'll be able to see them."

Knowing that Lin Zhao was only visiting relatives and not joining her husband, many military wives couldn't understand.

Until Sister Zhang said that Sister Lin had a job in her hometown, and was a salesperson at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Now, no one found it strange!

A job is important; if it were them, they wouldn't be willing to give it up either.

The military also has jobs, but not many; they have to be arranged in a queue, and there are few wives who have jobs.

Lin Zhao held her twin sons' hands and followed Gu Chenghuai to Sister Qian's house.

Qian Guiying was busy in the kitchen; hearing a sound, she put down her things and came out, glaring at the dignified man who had just come out of the room, "I'm busy, why don't you know to go take a look."

One of the top leaders of the military district looked innocent.

Wasn't he just about to go take a look?

Knowing it was best to be silent at this time, he didn't speak.

"Go do your work, I'll go take a look." Qian Guiying took the towel off the hanger, wiped her hands, smoothed her hem, and walked out quickly.

Seeing the person outside, the smile on her face faded slightly.

"... Why did you come?"

Bai Taohua smiled, "I heard you were hosting Battalion Commander Gu's family today, so I came to bring some vegetables."

Qian Guiying's brows furrowed slightly, "We aren't short of vegetables at home."

Bai Taohua put down the basket, "I know, it's just a little gesture from me; you know, I don't have a man at home, and I can never finish the vegetables."

This was a lie; how could one never finish vegetables? Every household only had the problem of not having enough to eat.

"Your family's life isn't easy, take the vegetables back for the children to eat, we have enough vegetables at home..."

Lin Zhao and the others saw this scene of pushing and pulling when they arrived.

She didn't notice that Gu Chenghuai's brows tightened slightly when he caught a glimpse of Bai Taohua's figure.

He withdrew his gaze calmly and called out, "Sister."

Qian Guiying looked over upon hearing the sound and came to welcome them enthusiastically.

"... Finally waited for your family to arrive!" she said.

The twins looked up, their identical little faces revealing brilliant smiles, and they greeted her generously, "Grandma Qian."

They were tiger-headed and tiger-brained, with fair faces, wearing identical short sleeves and shorts, and stepping on brightly brushed white sneakers, looking spirited and good-looking.

"Oh my, are these your twins?" Qian Guiying looked at Gu Chenghuai and asked a question she knew the answer to, "They look truly spirited, their eyes and noses are like yours, and their mouths and skin are like your wife's; they look truly good! Truly good!"

Her son and daughter weren't married yet, and she couldn't hold a grandchild even if she wanted to; Sister Qian loved children the most. Although she was strict, the children in the military didn't fear her; they all knew Grandma Qian was a very kind person and would give them good things to eat.

Qian Guiying didn't ignore Lin Zhao either, "Is this Comrade Lin? Quickly come into the house, let's talk inside."

Bai Taohua was left behind, ignored by everyone, her eyes full of gloom.

These people all looked down on her.

Did she want to be a widow?

She wouldn't give in; she must live better than everyone else!

The others present didn't know that in just a short while, this person had associated so much.

Qian Guiying welcomed Lin Zhao's family into the house, and finding Bai Taohua was still there, she picked up the vegetable basket she had brought, stuffed it into her hand, and sent her to the door.

"There are things to do at home, I won't entertain you for now, go back, take the vegetables back for the children to eat."

After saying this, she patted Bai Taohua's shoulder and turned to go home.

Bai Taohua's face was like a palette, indescribably ugly.

Seeing this, those who were at odds with her laughed out loud.

"Hahaha... that bootlicking routine doesn't work anymore! Sister Qian has sharp eyes, she knows the vegetables someone sent have a fox-like stench, she doesn't want them!"

Bai Taohua's eyes turned into knives as she looked at the person speaking, "Zhang Ping!"

The tall and sturdy woman called Zhang Ping picked at her ear with her finger, her movements uninhibited, and the words she said were very harsh, "Don't call my name! Such a proper name, coming out of your mouth... the taste is so foul it makes one want to vomit."

The grudge between Zhang Ping and Bai Taohua had a long history, and the root lay with Zhang Ping's man—

This man's brain wasn't clear; when it came to his own wife and Bai Taohua, he would always choose Bai Taohua.

Zhang Ping's hands and feet were swollen terribly when she was pregnant with her youngest son; it was the middle of winter, she wore many clothes, and her movements were inconvenient. When she needed her own man, Bai Taohua would have her daughter ask her man for help every few days.

The lightbulb was broken, there was no water at home, the child had a fever... there were countless favors to be done.

Originally, knowing Bai Taohua had lost her man at a young age, Zhang Ping was quite sympathetic and helped her out a lot, but who knew this person had no conscience at all; she didn't know how to be polite when using her man. The day before she gave birth, this person could still call her man over to help, causing her to almost lose her life and the child's. She was lucky to survive, but the child in her belly was pitiful, sickly, and it was unknown if he could grow up. Because of this, Zhang Ping and Bai Taohua had a falling out.

Zhang Ping had no heart, and coupled with a brain-damaged man who protected other women, even though she made a big scene, Bai Taohua wasn't driven out of the military district.

This was her obsession.

Seeing Bai Taohua suffer a setback, Zhang Ping was so happy her face was almost smiling to pieces.

Every word in Zhang Ping's mouth was a thorn, piercingly harsh; Bai Taohua couldn't take it, didn't argue with her, and quickly left the spot.

Zhang Ping had the upper hand for the first time, her face full of satisfaction; she spat fiercely in the direction her mortal enemy left, and also left the spot.

Thanks to Battalion Commander Gu's wife today.

Zhang Ping planned to send Lin Zhao a big pumpkin in a while.

Qian Guiying's husband was one of the top leaders of the military district, and the house they were assigned was quite large, similar to the Ning family's.

The master of the house had graying hair, looked neither fat nor thin, his eyes like an eagle's, and he sat there with an air of dignity.

His attitude was gentle, especially when facing the Gu family's twins.

"Chenghuai has good fortune."

When talking about work, this leader was very strict, but in private, he was the gentlest person.

Gu Chenghuai smiled, his gaze sweeping over his wife, "Yes, I indeed have good fortune."

Lin Zhao signaled him with her eyes to restrain himself a bit and said to Qian Guiying, "Sister, I'll help you."

"No need, how can I let a guest help? The meal will be ready soon, you sit." Qian Guiying took out candies and greeted the twins, who were sitting obediently, to eat.

"Thank you, Grandma Qian." A tender and clear voice rang out.

Grandma Qian was almost confused.

"Be good, call me if you need anything."

There was still soup stewing on the stove; she smiled at Lin Zhao and hurried to the kitchen.

Lin Zhao followed to help, "I'll come help, there's nothing to do outside anyway."

Qian Guiying had an even better impression of her.

Chenghuai had a good eye; the wife he married was a good one. With a virtuous wife at home, a man can go further.

"Are those two of yours used to it?" Qian Guiying was busy with her hands, casually assigning Lin Zhao the task of peeling scallions, not making her feel awkward, and finding things to talk about.

"Used to it!" Lin Zhao's mouth lifted slightly, "With Mao Dan'er, Jingmo, and Xiaobai here, they had been looking forward to coming for a long time, and they play until they can't be found every day."

Qian Guiying had an incredibly good impression of the twins; substituting herself into the role of a grandmother, she protected them, "It's good for children to be lively, their brains are active, and their bodies are good too. Keeping children confined at home all day is actually bad for them."

Fearing Lin Zhao would mind her saying too much, she showed embarrassment on her face, "I'm just saying whatever, don't mind me if I say something wrong."

"No, Sister Qian, what you said makes a lot of sense, I think so too." Lin Zhao agreed very much.

Qian Guiying's eyes became even softer.

The two women were busy in the kitchen for a while and soon finished the meal; before Qian Guiying could call anyone, Gu Chenghuai took the initiative to come and serve the dishes.

Qian Guiying teased, "Chenghuai has an eye for work, unlike my man, who has never even washed a pair of socks."

Gu Chenghuai smiled, "The Chief has great responsibilities and is busy with work; he always says you are his virtuous helper. Because you take good care of the home, he can better complete his work."

After saying this, he carried two plates of dishes out of the kitchen.

"Since you arrived, Chenghuai has become a bit more cheerful." Qian Guiying said to Lin Zhao, "He didn't have this much to say before."

Gu Chenghuai was a soldier under her husband, a soldier she thought highly of, and he and several others were often invited by her to eat; in private, they were all very close.

Truly like her own children.

Lin Zhao feigned surprise, "Is that so?"

"Yes." Qian Guiying said, "Before you came, he had very little to say; every day he only knew how to train, go on missions, eat in the cafeteria, and live in the dormitory. His whole person looked like he had no vitality, but once you came... everything is different."

She also carried dishes out of the kitchen.

Lin Zhao was slightly stunned.

She thought Gu Chenghuai was like her third brother, training and living with a group of like-minded comrades, being very free, but she didn't know he was like this in the military.

It's not strange either; Battalion Commander Gu never liked meaningless socializing, and a life as dull as this fits his personality very well.

It seems that only such focused people can succeed better?

Otherwise, he wouldn't have become a battalion commander at such a young age.

Don't you see Lu Yizhou trying his best and still not being able to keep up with him?

Originally, he was supposed to be promoted at the end of last year, but the leadership considered it repeatedly and said to wait a bit longer, mainly fearing that he was too young to suppress the people below him.

This time, after finishing his further studies, his promotion to regimental commander is a certainty.

Gu Chenghuai had hinted at this to Lin Zhao; she understood in her heart, but on the surface, she acted as if she knew nothing.

She carried the last two plates of dishes from the stove, and just as she reached the door, the plates were taken by Gu Chenghuai.

"I'll take them."

Lin Zhao followed with light steps.

At the dining table, looking at the twins eating in big mouthfuls, their two identical little faces were full of satisfaction, and they were very good at praising people; their words were so sweet.

"Grandma Qian's cooking is truly fragrant, I can eat two bowls of rice."

"Mm-hmm, fragrant, as fragrant as what Mother makes."

Qian Guiying beamed with joy.

"If it's delicious, eat more." she said, "Gu Hangbao, eat as many bowls as you want, there's enough rice. If it's not enough, Grandma will steam some egg custard for you."

"No need to trouble yourself, there's enough rice for them." Lin Zhao said hurriedly.

"It's no trouble, what trouble is there." Qian Guiying smiled indifferently, she looked at the twins, "Tell Grandma Qian if you're not full."

Xiang Yubao said sensibly, "Thank you, Grandma Qian, there's enough rice, no need to trouble yourself."

Qian Guiying's heart almost melted, her face full of maternal love.

The desire to be a grandmother reached its peak at this moment.

After the meal.

Lin Zhao helped wash the pots and bowls, sat and talked for a while, and the family left.

The dignified man caught sight of his wife's beaming face and spoke, "You have a very good impression of Chenghuai's wife?"

"That goes without saying." Qian Guiying lifted the oil paper in her hand, "This is what she brought. I heard from Chenghuai that it's mung bean cake his wife made herself. I've invited so many people over, and she's the only one who thought to bring something. You tell me, can my impression be bad?"

It's not that she was short of this bit of mung bean cake, but there's a big difference between having heart and not having heart.

In short, Chenghuai's family is a decent one; this is an indisputable fact.

"With a mother like that, it's no wonder the two children are so sensible." Qian Guiying was incredibly envious, "If only they were my grandchildren! I won't even ask for two, even just one would be good."

The man sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper: "..."

The daughter-in-law doesn't even know where she is, and you're talking about grandchildren?!

Thinking truly too much and too far.

"No, I must send a telegram to urge them..." Qian Guiying muttered.

"Don't, don't, don't." her man said hurriedly, "Have you forgotten that you are a woman of the new era? How can a woman of the new era do something like urging marriage? Let the children decide their own affairs."

Qian Guiying looked at him, "I don't believe you don't want to hold a grandchild."

Man: What's the use of wanting one, the son isn't capable.

As an enlightened father, he didn't want to force his son to make decisions he didn't want, so he said casually, "What's the rush, there's always a time when the revolution wins."

"... You just have a hard mouth." Qian Guiying ignored him.

"If you like Chenghuai's twins, why don't you just have them come over often? Raising children is exhausting; I'm busy with work, and your work isn't easy either. If a child were really dumped on you, could you put down your work?" the man asked calmly.

"That won't do, others can't suppress the people." Qian Guiying said.

She wasn't greedy for power, but there really wasn't anyone suitable to take over. If it weren't for her own man, she wouldn't be able to manage those people either.

The man shrugged.

Qian Guiying's peak desire to hold a grandchild receded, and she became calm immediately.

Lin Zhao returned home, just finished bathing and was thinking of going back to the room to lie down for a while, when someone came to the house.

"Battalion Commander Gu's wife?" It was a bright female voice.

Zhang Ping entered the courtyard.

She put down the big pumpkin she had brought.

"It's a big pumpkin I grew, please have some, Sister."

Lin Zhao had a question mark over her head, "Which family is Sister from? I don't seem to have seen you."

"My name is Zhang Ping, it doesn't matter if you haven't heard of me, don't you know now?" Zhang Ping didn't mention her man.

If it weren't for the children and having to rely on a man to support the family, she would have liked to kick her man away with one foot.

Lin Zhao remembered that she had made an acquaintance with a Sister Zhang before, and said, "I'll call you Sister Ping, to distinguish you from Hei Dan's mother. My name is Lin Zhao."

"Lin Zhao... I'm illiterate, I don't know how to write those two characters, your name sounds truly nice." Zhang Ping said without showing any inferiority.

There was no contempt in Lin Zhao's eyes; she smiled and thanked her.

Zhang Ping saw that she didn't look down on her, her tense body relaxed, and she smiled even more genuinely.

"This pumpkin is very sweet, it's delicious in porridge or made into pancakes; tell me when you've finished it and I'll pick more for you, I've grown quite a lot."

Lin Zhao was a decent person; if someone respects me a foot, I respect them a yard. Since this sister was so polite and even brought a pumpkin for her family, she wasn't stingy either; she went into the kitchen and took out an oil paper package.

"Thank you for the pumpkin, Sister. This is mung bean cake I made myself, take it back for the children to eat, Sister."

Zhang Ping took it nimbly and smiled, "The children at home will be crazy with joy."

She didn't stay long, and didn't even say the reason for her visit; she came in a rush and left in a rush.

It left Lin Zhao confused, but she had a good impression of Zhang Ping; she was a straightforward and decisive sister.

When Gu Chenghuai returned home, Lin Zhao asked him, "Do you know Sister Zhang Ping?"

Gu Chenghuai's expression was subtle.