Chapter 332: The Drunkard

Gu Lan explained in a low voice, "I don't have the confidence to get first place again in the provincial capital, so isn't it wasting money? Dad earns money with difficulty, and I don't want to waste money."

Gu Yuanshan felt a sense of comfort in his heart, but disagreed, "What does it matter if you don't get first place? Getting second or third is also an honor. Even if you don't get anything, it's not a loss; at least you've gained experience."

He laughed, "Your mother and I preparing twenty yuan for you to go to the provincial capital might not even be enough. What a good thing; you've taken advantage. Silly girl, you don't know how to calculate at all."

Gu Lan: "..." Is that so?

Hesitating for a moment, she raised her eyes, "Then... I'll go?"

"That's right." Gu Yuanshan patted his daughter's head and called his wife and children to eat. Tie Dan had long been impatient, pulling his brother's arm to sit down.

"Your Third Aunt is going to accompany Yubao and Hengbao, and she wants you to go with her. With her taking care of you, I'm relieved," Huang Xiulan said, and then exhorted her daughter, telling her to follow her Third Aunt closely and not talk to strangers.

Gu Lan agreed one by one.

She was happy and expectant.

Tie Dan cast an envious look, "Sister, when you go to the provincial capital to play, bring me back some candy."

"It's not to play, it's to participate in a competition," Gu Lan explained, and then agreed to her brother's words, "I'll buy it for you."

She had pocket money and hadn't spent it.

"What candy, candy." Huang Xiulan scolded Tie Dan, "If you also get a first place, wouldn't it be more convenient to buy it yourself."

Tie Dan wasn't hit at all, eating the scrambled eggs with green onions deliciously, "Your son doesn't have this cleverness; Mom, you'd better rely on Li Bao."

He had self-knowledge; it had taken all his effort to just scrape by the passing line. Wanting to get first place was harder than ascending to heaven!

Li Bao patted his chest, his voice crisp, "Rely on me."

"I'm a big fool, you're a little fool. Don't forget, you didn't get first place either," Tie Dan was unhappy again, grunting.

As soon as the tail sound fell, he was lightly slapped by Gu Yuanshan.

"It's fine to say you're a fool, stop messing with your brother."

"Dad, you're biased." Tie Dan covered the back of his head, but didn't eat a mouthful less.

Gu Yuanshan looked speechless and said deliberately: "No way, who told you not to be the eldest, and not the youngest? You aren't liked by your mother and me; there's no way around that."

Tie Dan didn't even lift his head, his heart big enough to support a boat, "My Third Uncle is the same as me, not the eldest, and not the youngest. Grandpa and Grandma like my Third Uncle the most; Dad, you should learn from Grandpa."

"... Then why don't you say, your Third Uncle is the most capable, looks the best, and is filial? Which one do you occupy?" Gu Yuanshan didn't let his son off at all.

Tie Dan thought about it, and the result was of course that there was no result.

He didn't say a word and changed the subject, "Sister, when you get to the provincial capital, stroll around well. When you come back, tell me and Li Bao about it."

Huang Xiulan glared at him and said to Gu Lan: "Alan, your Third Aunt will bring a camera. She will take pictures for you. Don't be embarrassed then; let your Third Aunt take a few more for you. In a blink of an eye, you're almost a big girl; leave more photos of now."

"Listen to your mother, don't worry about the money," Gu Yuanshan smiled.

"I have proper business to do. Every time I go out with your grandpa, there's income. Our family isn't that difficult. Besides, earning money is the adults' business; you study well and strive to get into high school and become cultured people."

"What's the use of being a cultured person? Still have to farm," Tie Dan was older and loved to go against the adults in everything, "There are several high school students among the educated youth who also have to work."

"Stop the nonsense!" Gu Yuanshan glared at him coldly.

"If you're not willing to study, that's fine too. Come home, go farm, and earn your own rations."

After hearing his father's words, Tie Dan became honest immediately.

"Dad, I was just saying it; I want to study." Meeting Gu Yuanshan's disbelieving expression, he hurriedly explained, "I also asked my Little Uncle questions. Dad, believe me."

"Believe you, swallow your rice before talking; you sprayed it on my face." Gu Yuanshan said slightly speechless.

Tie Dan laughed and leaned over, "Dad, I'll wipe it for you."

Gu Yuanshan didn't refuse his son's filial piety and handed his face over.

Learning that Gu Lan would go to the provincial capital with them, Yubao and Hengbao smiled exceptionally brilliantly.

"Hengbao, we must be more careful and strive to bring three certificates home," Yubao said to his brother.

"Hey~!!!" Hengbao responded happily.

"Son, does Grandma know that we are going to the provincial capital in a while?" Lin Zhao remembered the most critical question, her gaze falling on the two cubs.

If the old house didn't know, who would take care of the two little ones?!

At her reminder, the twins reacted and forgot to tell Grandpa and Grandma that they had won first place in the abacus competition and were going to the provincial capital to continue competing.

The two children, who looked the same but had opposite personalities, looked at each other, their pupils slightly widened.

"Forgot..." Yubao said sheepishly, looking at Lin Zhao for consultation, "Should Hengbao and I go tell them now?"

Lin Zhao waved her hand, "Go, take that piece of meat in the kitchen."

"Hey!" As Hengbao responded, his body had already rushed toward the kitchen. After getting the meat, he put a hat on Lin Zhao, "Mom is so good; I'll be filial to you in the future too."

"I thank you..." Lin Zhao closed her eyes to rest, not wanting to look at the second cub who was drawing big cakes at any time.

"No need to thank, hehe."

The little kid who was laughing carelessly was pulled away by his brother.

Old house, Grandpa and Grandma Gu just learned that their grandsons had won first place in the abacus competition and were going to the provincial capital to continue competing.

Grandpa Gu went back to the room and came out with a large unity note, stuffing it into Yubao's hand.

"This money is a reward for you two!" he said.

His gaze shifted to Bangbang and Laimei, "You two are the same. No matter what you get an award for, Grandpa has a reward."

Bangbang and Laimei's eyes shone.

"Grandpa, is there one for getting first place in the final exam too?" Laimei's eyes had light flowing through them, finding a way to increase pocket money.

Grandpa Gu nodded, "There is, but not much."

Laimei wasn't greedy for more, "As long as there is one. Grandpa, prepare the money; I will definitely get first place in the final exam!"

"Okay."

"Good."

Yubao took the reward Grandpa gave and thanked him in a clear voice.

He also reminded: "Grandpa, Sister Alan is the first place in the higher grades; she is going too."

"Alan is also first place? She didn't say anything." Grandpa Gu was both surprised and happy.

Learning the reason from Yubao, Grandpa Gu felt heartache that his granddaughter was too sensible, "What's this, two yuan... just scrape it together and it'll come out. What's there to be reluctant about? What matter can be more important than your future."

Bangbang felt it was exaggerated and laughed, "It's not as exaggerated as the future. The teacher said it counts as an opportunity at most."

"Various opportunities in life are hidden in every opportunity," Grandpa Gu sighed with emotion, "Just like your grandpa me..."

Next, he talked about his experience of changing his life trajectory after meeting a noble person.

The things he said, the Gu family cubs could recite backward; there was nothing fresh, but every time Grandpa talked about it, the children listened very seriously, giving face, and not one said anything unpleasant.

Grandma Gu cut the sweet melon her daughter sent and distributed it to her grandsons, not forgetting the eldest branch's, going specifically to send it, and by the way, stuffing five yuan to Gu Lan.

Gu Lan refused in a panic. Grandma Gu used a bit of force on her hand and stuffed it into her pants pocket, "Not only you have it, Yubao and Hengbao have it too; Grandpa asked to give it."

She also told her the new rules that came out of the Gu family.

"Compete well. If you get first place again, Grandpa has a reward. If you don't get it, it's nothing; just treat it as going to see the world. Grandpa said, whether it's a boy or a girl, seeing more of the world is a good thing."

Gu Lan was an introverted person and couldn't compare to her grandma's social butterfly nature. Except for nodding, she didn't know what to say.

The money in her pants pocket was burning hot, and the heat was transmitted to her heart.

How lucky she was to be born into the Gu family.

After Grandma Gu left, Gu Lan took out the money in her pocket and looked at Huang Xiulan helplessly, "Mom?!"

"Keep it yourself." Huang Xiulan's eyes were full of complexity. She had lived to this age and hadn't received so much money from her elders, "Grandpa and Grandma treat you well; you must be filial to them in the future."

Her parents-in-law treated the daughters-in-law like their own daughters and didn't favor the grandchildren, treating them all equally. No wonder she valued the Gu family's good family style and begged her parents to speak for her marriage. Worth it!

"I will," Gu Lan said seriously, looking at her mother's wrinkled face. The young girl's heart was slightly sour, and she couldn't help but say: "Mom, when I start working and earn money, I'll buy you a floral shirt to wear, and you must match it with a skirt and small leather shoes."

Huang Xiulan was slightly startled, her face piled with smiles, "By then I'll be an old woman. Wearing a floral shirt and a skirt, people will think I'm an old demon."

"Not an old demon, it will definitely look good," Gu Lan retorted.

Looking at her daughter's face full of seriousness, Huang Xiulan loosened her mouth and said: "Good, Mom will wear it. Even if you buy Mom a bright red one, Mom will wear it. Who told it to be bought by my daughter."

No one could say for sure about the future, but at this moment, her heart was very warm, very warm.

Before Lin Zhao and the school teachers set off for the provincial capital, Gu Chan finally sent the things she asked her younger brother to send to her youngest son.

It wasn't a small net bag, bulging, and it couldn't be seen what it was.

"What is all this, so much," Lin Zhao said.

"The sauce I stewed, the pancakes I griddled, the sweet potato dried for teething, and the fried small fish..." Gu Chan explained one by one, "I don't know if Little Stone can eat them. Keep that small cloth bag inside for him; the rest you eat on the road, eat it as soon as possible, don't let it go bad."

She worked in the cafeteria, and her cooking skills were growing. The food she made was gradually approaching deliciousness.

Lin Zhao's eyes were surprised, "There's ours too? Just right, no need to buy it. Thank you, Big Sister."

"Thank for what? You still have to work hard to go see Little Stone." Speaking of her youngest son, Gu Chan's face revealed worry and longing, "Zhaozhao, if he's living badly and has suffered grievances, help me bring him back."

"Understood, I won't let him suffer grievances," Lin Zhao's eyes were serious, very solemn.

"Big Sister, don't worry. I brought a camera; when the time comes, I'll take many photos of Little Stone, and when we come back, you can look at them yourself."

Joy appeared in Gu Chan's eyes, "It would be great to have photos to look at! Zhaozhao, take many, I'll pay for the film and the photo developing."

"What's this."

Saying goodbye to her sister-in-law, Lin Zhao followed the school's large troop.

There were twelve students going together, and three teachers accompanying them.

The school paid for the train tickets, naturally all hard seats.

There were many children, and the teachers took turns watching them.

It was rare to go out with classmates, and most of them were children who hadn't been far away. They were nervous and excited. Even though they all lowered their voices to talk, the carriage was chattering. However, everyone in the whole carriage was chatting, so the children's voices didn't seem noisy.

Lin Zhao sat by the window, stuffed two balls of cotton in her ears, looked at the tree shadows retreating outside the window, and fell into meditation.

The difference between a sleeper and a hard seat was really big.

She yawned, and her eyes gradually lost focus.

"Mom, are you sleepy?" Yubao noticed Lin Zhao yawning and leaned his little head over.

Lin Zhao took out the cotton, thinking to herself it wasn't of much use, "A little, are you hungry?"

Yubao answered, "I am a little too."

"Your Big Aunt prepared quite a bit to eat, there are pancakes she griddled, dried sweet potato, and fried small fish... what do you want to eat?" Lin Zhao asked.

Hengbao answered for his brother: "I want to eat all of them."

Lin Zhao looked at him, "Little greedy."

Although she said so, she still satisfied the two cubs.

"Alan, are you hungry?"

As soon as she entered the train, Gu Lan was stiff all over, her eyes revealing awkwardness.

Hearing Lin Zhao's question, she withdrew her gaze and shook her head, "Not hungry."

Inexplicably, she didn't dare to eat, and even less dared to drink water. She was afraid she would want to go to the bathroom, and didn't know where to go, how to go... many, many problems troubled her.

Lin Zhao said: "Then drink some water, otherwise it's too dry, be careful of a sore throat."

Looking at the little girl's upright sitting posture, she could guess that Alan was a stranger to everything here, afraid she was very uneasy, still not familiar.

"I'll take you around to see in a bit."

Gu Lan was stunned, "Can we walk around?"

"Yes," Lin Zhao nodded.

Yubao said: "Is Mom going to take Sister Alan to see the sleeper?"

"Since we're going to see, we definitely won't miss anything," Lin Zhao smiled, "You two stop talking, eat quickly."

Hengbao's eyes were aggrieved, "I didn't talk!"

Yubao covered his mouth and giggled, eating the pancake obediently, and then tasted a bite of the fried small fish, delicious until his eyes shone.

"Mom, aren't you eating? The fried small fish is delicious," he said in surprise.

"Don't want to dirty my hands."

Yubao: "I can feed Mom."

As soon as he finished speaking, he clamped the fried small fish steadily and sent it to his mother's mouth.

Lin Zhao opened her mouth to receive it, chewing and tasting, "Not bad, your Big Aunt's craftsmanship is getting better and better! Don't just eat it yourself, let your Sister Alan eat too."

Hearing this, Yubao stuffed a pair of chopsticks into Gu Lan's hand, sharing the delicacy with his cousin.

Knowing that Third Aunt would take her around in a bit, Gu Lan's attention shifted. Her body wasn't as tense now, and she started to eat.

After eating, after tidying up a bit, she handed the twins to the teacher to watch, and Lin Zhao held Gu Lan's hand, taking her around according to a plan.

After walking a circle like this, the more Gu Lan knew, the brighter her eyes became, and the unease and tension in her heart slowly dissipated, instead giving birth to a feeling of "it's nothing more than this."

"Thank you, Third Aunt," she thanked Lin Zhao in a low voice.

Lin Zhao shook her head with a smile, "It's nothing, everyone is nervous when they come into contact with new things for the first time, just get familiar with it."

"Mm." Gu Lan's heart settled down.

The train rattled along, and before nightfall, the group arrived at the provincial capital.

Everyone stayed in the guesthouse with an introduction letter. Lin Zhao stayed with the three children. There were two beds in the room, and the bathroom was also independent. After teaching Alan how to bathe and use the bathroom, she tidied up her luggage and fiddled with the camera.

"Mom, when are you going to see Little Stone?" Hengbao sat next to Lin Zhao, the drunkard's heart not in the wine. ===== CHAPTER 333 =====