Chapter 317

Gu Chenghuai agreed and didn't delay, leaving the military region that day and boarding the train to the capital.

Lin Zhao returned to her hometown, sent a telegram with one word—【Arrived】, and bought several newspapers along the way.

Subsequently, she saw the report that a certain human trafficking organization had been wiped out and everyone had been caught.

Sister Xia's name was prominently on the list, and she had been sentenced to death.

Seeing this news, Lin Zhao was full of joy, shouting that it was very satisfying.

Lin Shichang, who came to pick up his sister and biological nephew, only thought his sister hated evil and followed up, "It is indeed satisfying! Human traffickers deserve to die!"

"Deserve to die!" Gu Hangbao said it very loudly and fiercely.

Lin Shichang wrapped his free arm around Gu Hangbao's head and reached out to pinch his small mouth, "Children shouldn't learn to talk like adults."

"Hmph, I wasn't wrong." Gu Hangbao didn't care, saying indignantly, "Human traffickers are the most annoying people in the world! When I grow up, I'll beat one every time I see one."

Afraid he would reveal the fact that her arm had been slashed by a knife, Lin Zhao spoke up, "Don't say that; I don't want any of you to run into such insane people!"

Gu Hangbao was like a cat being stroked the right way, his appearance instantly becoming obedient.

The things sent back from the military region were still on the way, and after sending the telegram, Lin Zhao planned to return to the village first.

After sitting on the train for several days, she was not only sore all over but also greasy.

Several people walked out of the post office.

Lin Shichang said, "Originally, Yuncheng and Yunjin were also going to come pick you up, but both of them had temporary matters, so they had to let me tell you and say they would apologize to you another day."

"..." Lin Zhao said, "Why is it so exaggerated, apologizing... I didn't bring many things, no need to pick me up."

"Regardless of whether there are many things or not, you must be picked up." Lin Shichang's tone was unrefusable; others had people to pick them up, so his Zhaozhao must also have someone to pick her up; he couldn't let Zhaozhao fall behind others in any aspect.

Lin Zhao's heart felt warm, and she said, "Still have to ask for leave, what a bother."

"Not a bother," Lin Shichang said lightly, "Knowing you were coming back, I asked for leave early; it doesn't delay anything."

"Big Brother is so good." Lin Zhao was very sweet-mouthed, and getting such a sentence made Lin Shichang smile worthlessly.

Several people walked toward the direction of the Harvest Brigade.

Seeing the dilapidated ox cart from afar, Lin Shichang opened his mouth to ask, "Want to take the ox cart?"

The twins looked at their mother, looking obedient as if listening to their mother's words.

Lin Zhao shook her head, "No. I've been swaying on the train for several days; I don't want to ride in a vehicle for a short time!"

Lin Shichang's eyes were full of irrepressible smiles, "Then don't ride."

"I don't want to ride either," Xiang Yubao said obediently.

Gu Hangbao was jumping up and down, finding everything rare, "I'm the same as everyone else. It's so good to be home."

Lin Zhao: "..." Who was just crying and whining when they got on the train?!

Now it's so good to be home again...

The person driving the cart was still Old Man Zhuang. Seeing Lin Zhao and the others, he stopped the cart, pulled his loud voice, and shouted enthusiastically, "Comrade Lin is back, want a ride? There are still empty seats."

Lin Zhao refused softly, "Thank you, Uncle, we won't ride. We've been on the train for several days and feel uncomfortable, so we'll walk."

Old Man Zhuang saw her expression was serious, so he didn't say more, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and drove the cart away first.

On the cart, chattering sounds arose.

"Captain, who was that just now?"

"First time seeing the Captain so polite, even taking the initiative to invite people to ride."

People from the same village joked.

Old Man Zhuang turned his head, his voice loud and full of energy, "Didn't you see those two little dolls who looked exactly the same?"

Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao were very famous, and people in the surrounding ten miles and eight villages all knew them.

Someone immediately said, "You mean... those are the twins from the Gu family of the Harvest Brigade?"

Before Old Man Zhuang could speak, someone slapped their leg hard, "They are benefactors, oh my, why didn't you say so earlier? I happen to have candy on hand; if I had known those were the benefactor's children, I would have given them the newly bought candy."

Someone on the cart laughed slyly, "Are you willing? Aren't you afraid your little Shu will make a scene with you?"

"What's there to make a scene about? If it weren't for the Gu family, the family wouldn't even have the money to buy him grid paper and pencils. If he doesn't care about anything and only knows how to make a scene, I have to reflect on whether the way I'm educating my child has gone astray..."

These words were not ordinarily cultured.

It caused Old Man Zhuang to turn his head.

"How come a rough person speaks so reasonably?" He was quite puzzled.

The person speaking had a proud expression, "The literacy class wasn't attended in vain."

She wouldn't say that she learned it from the educated youth.

Not to mention, listening to stories to pass the time is really useful.

Old Man Zhuang praised, "Not bad, slowly becoming like a cultured person."

The woman speaking held her chest high.

Others looked at her with envy.

"Hey, that pair of twins from the Gu family and their mother are back from the military."

Someone then said, "School is about to start, how can they not come back? Their mother is still a worker at the supply and marketing cooperative; they can't just lose their job!"

"Yes, yes, what you said makes sense!"

The lively ox cart gradually drifted away.

Lin Zhao felt a sense of intimacy and hummed a song.

Seeing her in a good mood, the twins were also happy, and the little brothers went to pick wildflowers by the roadside and wove them into wreaths.

"Mom, here's a wreath for you." Xiang Yubao handed the wreath he had woven to Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao thought they were a little surprise prepared for Seeing Yaobao, not expecting to have a share, and showed surprise, "For me?"

"Yes, for Mom." Xiang Yubao had a bright smile on his face, his eyes as if studded with broken stars.

"Thank you, baby, it's really beautiful." Lin Zhao accepted the wreath, not willing to wear it, and said, "My hair is dirty, I won't wear it yet. I'll wear it after I take a bath. It's beautiful; my son's hands are really skillful, just like mine."

Xiang Yubao's smile became even brighter, "Mom, feel free to wear it; if you wear it out, I'll weave another one for you!"

"I'll weave one for Mom too!" Gu Hangbao wasn't happy about lacking a sense of presence and also wanted to give the wreath intended for his sister to Lin Zhao.

"Thank you too, Gu Hangbao, I have one and that's enough. Yours is for your sister; if Seeing Yaobao receives a gift from her brother, she will definitely be very happy." Lin Zhao smiled gently.

Gu Hangbao listened to the advice but still said, "Mom, I'll go find the most beautiful flowers tomorrow and weave a super big one for you."

"Okay, I'll wait." Lin Zhao smiled.

Speaking of Seeing Yaobao, she thought of her pair of children, wondering what kind of reaction Qian Bao and Seeing Yaobao would have when they saw them return.

"Big Brother, did Mom and Dad send back any news?"

Lin Shichang seemed surprised and asked back, "You didn't receive news from Mom and Dad?"

"Received a postcard, it's the beautiful scenery of Haicheng, very lively, very luxurious." Lin Zhao said, then said with a resentful expression: "Mom and Dad are probably enjoying themselves so much they've forgotten home, even forgetting their own daughter completely!"

Lin Shichang smiled, "It's rare to go out, at least they sent you a postcard; they only sent us two words. Having said that, do you feel any better?"

"Two words?" Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow.

"Arrived," Lin Shichang said the content of the telegram, satisfying his sister's curiosity.

"Pfft..." Lin Zhao couldn't help but laugh, "I guess Mom sent it; if it were Dad, there would definitely be a few more words."

"I think so too." Lin Shichang agreed, "When has Mom ever given us a good look? Being able to send two words is not bad."

He had no opinion.

"I sent a telegram to Mom and Dad before I came back; I don't know if they can receive it." Lin Zhao restrained her smile and worried, "I don't know if Mom and Dad know I'm back."

"They can definitely guess." Lin Shichang comforted his sister, "Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao have to go to school; if you don't look, you might not come back. Don't worry, Dad is careful; with Dad's reminder, Mom will know."

Lin Zhao thought so too and felt relieved.

Haicheng.

Lin Heling and Song Xiwei were just talking about the children.

"Don't know if Zhaozhao has returned to the brigade; Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao are about to start school." Song Xiwei muttered.

Lin Heling patted his wife's hand, his voice light and slow, with a kind of peace that could soothe people.

"Either on the road, or already arrived; Zhaozhao is careful. Although she doesn't value Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao's studies much, she won't delay the children's schooling."

"What you said makes sense." Song Xiwei's brow relaxed.

The couple lived in the best guesthouse in Haicheng, with bright lights, a large room, a bathroom in the house, a large bed, and a large balcony by the window. On the balcony were soft sofas, with a small tea table on the side, a teapot on the tea table, and a teacup in front of each of them.

Opening the window, outside was the most prosperous street, with people coming and going during the day, tall plane trees, and under the sunlight, they cast patches of shadows on the ground.

The pedestrians on the street had high spirits, with a kind of vitality that made people's eyes shine.

Lin Heling picked up his teacup and drank tea, his behavior casual but elegant.

He looked out the window, an indescribable feeling surging in his heart.

"Small places still can't compare to big cities; Zhaozhao originally should have had a very high starting point."

Song Xiwei turned to look at him, "Do you regret it?"

Lin Heling's gaze was full of confusion, "What does this mean? What do I have to regret?"

"Regret meeting me, marrying me." Song Xiwei said.

"How could that be!" Lin Heling denied, "The happiest thing in my life is meeting you, marrying you. What regret, I have never thought that way."

He never let misunderstandings stay overnight, explaining: "I just feel sorry for Zhaozhao and the few sons; their lives have been too bitter..."

To tell the truth, his own children didn't live as comfortably as the playmates who were by his side when he was young.

His playmates could live in big villas, ride in small cars; have Zhaozhao and the others seen them, ridden in them?

Thinking about it made Lin Heling feel guilty.

Compared to what his father gave him, he wasn't a good father.

Song Xiwei was a girl who grew up in a poor family; even Uncle Song's tuition was earned by her hunting, so she couldn't really understand her husband's inexplicable guilt.

"Their lives are good enough." She said, "Besides, the bitter days of the past have long passed. Nowadays, Shichang and the others all have jobs; as long as they don't court death, they can live comfortably for the rest of their lives. Don't think too much."

Lin Heling suddenly pointed out the window and said, "Xiwei, do you know that the shops on this street were all properties of my Lin family back then."

Song Xiwei: "!!!!"

Song Xiwei was stunned.

A whole street of shops belonged to the Lin family?!

She really didn't know, and hadn't thought about it.

Uncontrollably, she stood up and looked from one end to the other, unable to see the end.

"How much money must this be worth." Song Xiwei said incredulously.

"It doesn't count for much." Lin Heling's tone was light; not only here, but the Lin family's business was everywhere. In the eyes of him, a young master of the Lin family, real estate was the least valuable, and he hadn't even looked at it straight.

What a pity.

The world changes really fast; the hometown in his memory had long been unrecognizable, unable to find a trace of what it once looked like.

"What's past is past; think of the good, it's a good thing it's gone." Song Xiwei wasn't greedy for wealth; although she felt it was a pity, she wouldn't treat those as things she had lost, so she spoke to comfort her husband.

Lin Heling nodded, "Yes, blessings and misfortunes are interdependent. It's all fate."

Money is an external object; he buried all the way for his family to spend. What he cared about was where his family members were and if they were safe.

They stayed in Haicheng; clearing their minds was one aspect, and there was another reason: they wanted to find people they were familiar with and inquire about the whereabouts of the Lin family members.

The whole family disappeared without a trace; there were only two possibilities: one was that they encountered a devastating disaster, and the other was that they fled.

Lin Heling hoped it was the latter.

He was at this age now; the grandparents who loved him were probably no longer around. He hoped his father and other relatives were all well.

Song Xiwei interrupted her husband's contemplation, "Where are we going today?"

Lin Heling regained his senses and consulted his wife's opinion, "How about taking you boating?"

"Okay."

Lin Zhao didn't know that her father's trip back to Haicheng had no harvest, but instead had a harvest full of disappointment.

The Lin family members were missing, and no one knew if they were alive or dead.

As the most favored young master of the Lin family, the pain borne by Lin Heling, who had regained his memory, was unknown to anyone.

She and her big brother and the twins approached the village entrance of the Harvest Brigade.

"Woof woof..." A high-pitched barking sound rang out.

Gu Hangbao's footsteps paused, his eyes instantly lighting up, and he shouted loudly, "Da Huang! Is that Da Huang!!?"

They were still some distance from the village entrance and could only vaguely see a lump of yellow sitting at the village entrance, unable to see clearly what it was, until a familiar dog bark made the twins shout out.

Xiang Yubao circled his mouth with both hands and also shouted loudly, "Da Huang!!"

The big dog at the village entrance heard Gu Hangbao's shout, wagged its tail hard, and tentatively walked forward a few steps, but didn't run over, as if confirming something.

Until Xiang Yubao shouted again.

It confirmed it.

It jumped high and ran toward Lin Zhao and the others.

Running fast, extremely excited, its paws kicking up dust on the ground.

Da Huang ran in front, and Xiao Xiao Hu Po, hearing its bark, popped out from somewhere, running forward with its dog mother.

A month later, Xiao Xiao Hu Po had grown a circle bigger, no longer tiger-headed, obviously grown up, with sturdy limbs, very majestic.

"Woof woof woof..." Da Huang pounced toward Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao, standing up like a human, its tail sweeping fast, whimpering toward its little masters, its tongue licking and licking, so excited it was almost about to speak human language.

"Da Huang, you've gained weight again." Gu Hangbao laughed, giggling, hugging Da Huang tightly, rubbing his head against its head, "Da Huang, I missed you so much, did you miss me too?"

"Woof woof!!"

"Hahahaha, Da Huang answered me, it missed me too."

Xiang Yubao hugged Xiao Xiao Hu Po, wanting to pick it up like before, but failed, falling on his butt.

The little child had a blank expression, somewhat incredulous.

Soon regaining his senses, he touched Xiao Xiao Hu Po from head to tail, exclaiming, "Xiao Xiao Hu Po, you're fat, I can't even pick you up anymore; you haven't eaten a single mouthful of food in vain."