Chapter 35: Loss-Maker

“I want to help Mama with her work,” Dacai said.

“Cold noodles are simple—no need for your help. Go play,” Lin Zhao said with a smile.

Dacai shook his head firmly. “I won’t go. I like working with Mama.”

“...Alright.” Lin Zhao ruffled his hair. “Are you thirsty? Want some milk powder? I’ll make some for you.”

Milk powder was usually for the twins; Dacai had never tasted it. Uncertainty, hesitation, and longing flickered across his face.

Got it.

“Wait here. I’ll make it for you. I’ll pour it into the thermos—you can take it out and share it with Ercai and Tiechui.” Lin Zhao fetched the milk powder from inside, mixed hot and cold water, prepared the drink, and poured it into a green military thermos, handing it to Dacai.

“The temperature’s just right. Drink it soon. I’ll rest for a bit—I’ll cook in half an hour.”

Dacai asked, “How long is half an hour?”

Lin Zhao remembered the letter her husband had sent—she hadn’t told the kids yet. “Your father wrote. He sent money and two tickets. I plan to buy a bicycle and a watch these next few days. When I get the watch, I’ll teach you to tell time.”

“A bicycle?” The child’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Mama’s buying a bicycle? Like the one the team leader has?!”

“Not the same. I’m getting a women’s model—the kind without a crossbar. Easier to ride,” Lin Zhao explained gently.

“Whatever Mama decides is fine.” Dacai didn’t understand women’s bicycles or crossbar bikes—he just knew what Mama liked mattered most.

He stared at Mama’s wrist—pale and clean, as his nanny said, whiter and softer than tofu.

“Mama will look beautiful wearing a watch.”

Mama in a dress looks beautiful too. When I grow up, I’ll buy her so many dresses.

Dacai’s eyes shimmered with light.

Lin Zhao pinched his nose with her fingertip, smiling warmly. “I’ll wear it for you when I get it.”

In good spirits, she wanted to spend some money. “Do you want anything?”

Dacai couldn’t think of anything right away. He had food, drink, new clothes, new shoes—he lacked nothing.

He stayed silent for a long while. Lin Zhao said, “Take your time. I go to town every day—it’s easy to buy things.”

“Mm!”

Outside the Gu household.

Ercai and Tiechui sat cross-legged on a stone, eating buns. Passersby kept glancing at them—even adults were tempted.

The two children had become the most noticeable presence.

The Bangbang kids couldn’t hold back—they came running.

“Ercai! Did Third Aunt buy you meat buns again?!!!” Laimei’s drool was impossible to hide.

“Mm-hmm.” Ercai bit into his meat bun, his mouth greasy. Laimei, beside him, wanted to cry. Their life was so good—egg custard for breakfast, thick rice porridge for lunch, meat buns from the state-run canteen for afternoon snacks. Waaah, he wished he were Third Uncle and Third Aunt’s child.

Seeing how pitiful his brothers looked, Ercai hesitated, then held up his half-eaten bun, grimacing as he turned away. “Bangbang, Laimei—take one bite each.”

“Ercai, you’re the best little brother.” Bangbang didn’t refuse—he leaned down and took a half-bite, barely tasting the meat. “I’ll bring you sweet fruits whenever I find them!”

Laimei took a tiny bite too, then hugged Ercai’s shoulder. “Ercai, if anyone bullies you, tell me—I’ll avenge you!”

Seeing Ercai share with Bangbang and Laimei, Tiechui generously shared with his own brother.

Tiedan’s eyes welled with tears—he bit down and swallowed half the bun in one go.

“So delicious!!” He chewed quickly.

Tiechui looked down and realized half his bun was gone. The child froze, eyes blank.

Moments later, he snapped back, ran home, and complained to his mother: “Mama, my brother bit off half my bun! Waaah—I didn’t even want to eat it!”

Tiechui, who had barely cried since birth, wept bitterly over losing half his bun.

Huang Xiulan looked bewildered. “Where did you get a bun?”

Tiechui wiped his tears, voice trembling. “My third aunt gave it to me.”

“Your third aunt is generous,” Huang Xiulan had long noticed her third sister-in-law favored Tiechui.

Seeing her little son’s tear-streaked face, she suppressed a laugh, then scolded sternly: “When your brother comes back, I’ll scold him. How dare he steal his brother’s bun? So unthinking.”

At that moment, Tiedan shuffled in, embarrassed.

“Tiechui...”

He called his brother.

Tiechui was still angry—he turned his back, giving Tiedan a sulky one.

He angrily gnawed the rest of the bun, devouring it in a few bites.

In a short time, the five-year-old gained one new life lesson: if it’s delicious, shove it into your mouth fast—or someone will steal it!

Huang Xiulan watched the brothers sulk but didn’t mediate—siblings’ conflicts were for them to resolve.

The meat buns nearly caused a fraternal feud—Lin Zhao didn’t know yet.

She summoned her lottery wheel and saw multiple tasks on the right-hand panel were completed.

[Congratulations! You’ve completed your work check-in. Gained a valuable life experience. Earned 100 points.]

[You sent letters and packages to your husband, actively deepening your marital bond. How thoughtful! Earned 200 points.]

[Wow! On your first day at work, you brought the kids gifts—meat buns, their favorite! So incredibly gentle! Earned 3 points.]

Some minor tasks too insignificant to mention.

Current total points: 393.

Suddenly wealthy with so many points, Lin Zhao waved her hand and spun five times at once—

[Dried noodles ×5 packs]

[Cotton ×20 jin]

[Double-handled iron pot ×1]

[Green small shoulder bag with five-pointed star (children’s version) ×5]

[Workwear pants (men’s, labor cloth) ×2 pairs]

[Milk powder with wheat ×1 can]

[Authentic farm chicken eggs ×50]

[Soap ×2 bars]

[Red medicine water ×1 bottle]

[Cotton ×30 jin]

[Military green cotton cloth ×10 bolts]

[Soft cotton gloves ×1 pair]

[Baota candy ×10 pieces]

[Farm-raised pork ×20 jin]

[Apples ×5 jin]

[Spicy cured sausage ×2 links]

[Peach canned in syrup ×2 jars]

[Honey ×1 bottle]

[Braised beef noodles ×2 packs]

These were all the prizes obtained after spending 50 points.

Some items repeated, like cotton—but it didn’t matter.

Think of it another way: free stuff. Extremely valuable.

Tomorrow, I’m going to my uncle’s house to collect these!

Lin Zhao stored most items in her storage ring, locked the less conspicuous ones in the cabinet, and hummed as she cooked.

Morning was hot, but now the temperature was bearable—still stuffy. Cold noodles would feel refreshing.

She’d just finished making the noodles and was about to boil them when Dacai ran home.

“Mama! The team leader’s calling you! The thief who stole our bricks and tiles was caught—come quick!”

Hearing this, Lin Zhao stepped quickly out of the kitchen. “Who is it?”

“Changsheng’s mother!” Dacai said angrily, repeating it. “Changsheng’s mother! Changsheng’s a bad egg, and their whole family’s no good!”

“Dacai.” Lin Zhao’s voice, usually gentle, turned slightly stern. She frowned. “Don’t curse people. Changsheng’s mother is wrong, but children shouldn’t curse—others will think you’re uneducated, and that your father and I can’t raise you properly.”

Dacai immediately apologized, his face tense. “I won’t curse anymore. Don’t be mad, Mama.”

“I’m not mad. Just fix it.” Lin Zhao took Dacai’s hand and walked out, asking as they went, “Where’s the commotion?”

“By the big banyan tree,” Dacai answered.

Mother and son hurried toward the scene.

The team leader was scolding Changsheng’s mother in a tone of disappointed fury, his voice booming, startling the sparrows into flight.

“What are you going to do with a few bricks? Huh? What can you even do?! You can’t use them, and now Changsheng can’t even hold his head up in the village. You’re just... you’re just idle!”

Changsheng’s mother hadn’t expected to be caught—her face was filled with regret.

“I didn’t mean to steal. I was just angry. Lin Zhao and her brats made me dig manure and copy books—my hands swelled up. I just wanted to teach her a lesson, show her I’m not to be trifled with. I didn’t plan to steal.”

Changsheng, shunned by the children, couldn’t lift his head. He hated his mother fiercely, refused to let her touch him, and slumped in sullen silence.

Changsheng’s mother was heartbroken, filled with remorse.

Lin Zhao walked over. The onlookers parted to make way.

“You stole my bricks and tiles?” She stopped before Changsheng’s mother, her red lips parting.

The rival’s face showed no expression—but Changsheng’s mother still couldn’t meet her eyes. Her face darkened, and she turned away.

“Quite the bully,” Lin Zhao said coolly.

Chang Sheng’s mother’s eyes blazed with fury. “...What do you want from me?”

Hey, this thief’s got guts!

“Why are you yelling so loud?” Lin Zhao frowned, stepping half a pace back with Dacai to avoid her spittle, “What else is there to do? Pay up. Stealing and still acting tough? Do you think I won’t report you to the Public Security Bureau?”

The team leader feared she’d actually report it. “Chang Sheng’s wife, don’t you dare report her. If this blows up, it’ll ruin our team’s chance at being rated exemplary—this won’t do.”

“So what?” Lin Zhao remained unmoved, her expression haughty and unyielding. “To be blunt, whether your team gets rated exemplary has nothing to do with me. But for me to take a loss? Impossible.”

...Wait, when have you ever taken a loss?

The team leader knew Lin Zhao had a bad temper, so he soothed her gently. “Of course.”

“Chang Sheng’s wife, shut your mouth!” The team leader was at his wit’s end.

“Stealing is wrong to begin with. Apologize properly, pay up, and don’t drag the team down. If your actions cost our team the exemplary title, you’ll be the whole team’s traitor.”

Hearing this, the onlookers—whose own interests were at stake—changed their expressions and began urging Chang Sheng’s wife to comply.

“Chang Sheng’s wife, you’re clearly in the wrong. Just listen to Dacai’s mother—do whatever she says. Get this settled quickly. This standoff won’t work. We all have things to do.”

“Yeah, yeah. The bricks were stolen by you—you’re the one who owes.”

“And the proof? All the bricks from the Gu household were produced by your family’s Chang Sheng. You can’t deny it. If Dacai’s mother really reports you to the Public Security Bureau, it’ll be you who suffers.”

The more she heard, the more panicked Chang Sheng’s wife grew. She glared fiercely at Lin Zhao. “I’ll pay you five jiao. No—two jiao...”

Lin Zhao lifted her eyelids and looked at her—pure mockery in that glance.

“Two jiao? Go buy a few bricks with two jiao and see what happens.”

Her expression turned icy. “If you’re not sincerely apologizing and paying, I won’t waste my time. I’ll report you to the Public Security Bureau.”

Seeing Lin Zhao was serious, Chang Sheng’s husband jumped out, shot his wife a furious glare, then forced a smile at Lin Zhao. “Dacai’s mother, we’ll pay. We’ll pay two yuan. Is that enough? Don’t report us—look, we’re all from the same team. Don’t report us.”

Two yuan?

More than enough.

“Fine,” Lin Zhao agreed.

She didn’t care about burning bridges, but she still had to live in the village. Better to let things go when you can.

Chang Sheng’s wife clawed at her husband’s face, her voice suddenly shrill. “Are you crazy? That’s two yuan!!!”

“Then what do you suggest? Who told you to be so careless?” He shook off her arm, went home, and returned with two yuan to give to Lin Zhao.

Chang Sheng’s wife’s eyes bulged with rage, trying to snatch the money back—but she was forcibly pulled away.

The couple fought all night.

For over half a month, they became the village’s main gossip topic.

After this incident, Chang Sheng’s wife—who had always loved gossiping about others—stopped going out.

Lin Zhao took her two sons home. Ercai grumbled, “I’ll never play with Chang Sheng again!”

“We never played with him anyway,” Dacai corrected him. Chang Sheng had always mocked them for having no father and no mother—so they never played with him.

“Never, ever again!” Ercai was stubborn and held a grudge.

“Mm-hmm.”

Lin Zhao laughed at their conversation. Five-and-a-half-year-olds talking about “forever”? Too funny.

Remembering she hadn’t seen the Long Fengtai all day, she told Dacai and Ercai, “Go get Sancai and Sicao from the old house. I’ll cook dinner. By the time you get back, it’ll be ready.”

“Alright!”

Before the two boys could leave, Gu Mu walked over, holding a short, wobbly toddler. She handed the child over and vanished without a word.

The Long Fengtai hadn’t seen their mother in a day. Seeing Lin Zhao, they burst into wails, big tears rolling down their cheeks.

“Bad! Mom’s bad!” Sicao clung tightly to her neck, screaming loudly, his soft face pressed against her neck as droplets slid down her skin. His tiny voice wailed, “Mom... not... take... Bao.”

She accused her, word by word.

Sancai wailed, hugging her leg.

Lin Zhao’s head throbbed. She hurried to soothe them. “Okay, okay, Mom’s bad, Mom’s bad. Stop crying. I’ll steam you delicious egg custard—with two drops of sesame oil. Deal?”

It didn’t work. The one-year-olds kept crying.

For days, they had been with their mother every day. This morning, waking up without her, the two little dumplings were filled with a sense of grievance.

“I’ll give you candy. Sweet candy. Want some?” She had to soothe her own children.

Ercai sidled up, eagerly asking, “Mom, what kind of candy are you giving Sancai and Sicao? Is there any for me and my brother?”

“If you two help me calm down your younger siblings first, then yes,” Lin Zhao said.

Hearing this, Ercai’s eyes darted cleverly. He fetched the Long Fengtai’s towels and wiped their faces, blew their noses.

The Long Fengtai were confused—stopped crying.

When they tried to cry again, the mood was gone. They didn’t cry.

Lin Zhao: “...” Like they were acting.

Sancai lifted his tear-washed eyes and chirped, “Mom, candy.”

“You won’t miss out,” Lin Zhao tapped his nose, then went inside to get the candy.

All four children trailed after her.

Lin Zhao opened the cabinet. The shelves were packed with food: milk powder, wheat essence, shrimp crackers, rock sugar, apples, watermelon, canned peaches...

So much food!!

Seeing all this, Dacai and Ercai—who’d grown up hungry—felt deeply satisfied, their eyes shining like stars.

“Mom, what’s that?” Ercai stood on tiptoe, pointing at the canned peaches, drool nearly dripping to the ground.

“Canned peaches. Want some?” Lin Zhao smiled.

“Mm-hmm-hmm!” Ercai nodded frantically.

“Dinner’s coming soon. Eat them tomorrow. I’ll put them on the table in the morning—you can have them when you wake up.”

“Okay,” Dacai said. “Can the little ones eat them too?”

Lin Zhao gave candy to all four children. For the Long Fengtai, she crushed it finely so they wouldn’t choke.

“No. They’re too young. Not until they’re older.”

Ercai looked pityingly at his younger siblings, then happily munched on the shrimp crackers.

Thank goodness he wasn’t a one-year-old—he felt relieved.