Chapter 361: Those With the Perseverance to Innovate Will Succeed at Anything

Gu Gu Qingzhou followed his master, bustling about every day with boundless energy, even eating meals at the Song family's home. There was no helping it—such a thoughtful, considerate young man was impossible not to like.

Gu Qingzhou didn't refuse; he delivered rations to the Song household and did whatever small tasks he could spare time for, earning deep goodwill from even the Song family's neighbors.

With less than half a month left until the New Year, Uncle Song asked Lin Zhao for her women's bicycle, saying he wanted to make some modifications.

"Do you trust me?"

Lin Zhao pulled her scarf tighter against the wind and stamped her foot. "Of course I do. If I can't trust my uncle, who else can I trust?"

Seeing her so cold, Uncle Song said, "Go inside and get to work. Fetch some hot water to warm up. I'll bring the bike to you just before you're off duty."

"Let Gu Qingzhou bring it. You don't need to run back and forth," Lin Zhao said.

Uncle Song's heart warmed, but his expression remained exasperated.

His injury had long healed, yet Zhaozhao still couldn't let go of her worries!

He could understand.

They'd heard how he'd appeared before Zhaozhao with a severed arm, drenched in blood—no wonder she was frightened.

He'd have to show her clearly that he was truly fine, so she could finally rest easy.

Lin Zhao: "?"

That afternoon, just before the supply and marketing cooperative closed, Uncle Song rode her bicycle back to the cooperative.

He was taller than most men, and sitting on the women's bike looked awkward. He himself was fine with it, but Lin Zhao, used to seeing him ride a men's bicycle, found it strangely unsettling.

Gu Gu Qingzhou jogged behind him.

The moment Lin Zhao stepped out of the supply and marketing cooperative, she looked up—and saw it.

She couldn't help laughing.

Her gaze kept flicking to Uncle Song's prosthetic arm; seeing his calm expression, she finally felt the real, undeniable truth—he was fully recovered, with no lingering damage.

"Uncle!" Lin Zhao adjusted her shoulder bag and walked briskly toward him.

In a few breaths, Uncle Song stopped smoothly right in front of her.

"Zhaozhao, I've modified your bicycle. Try it out—see if it meets your needs," he said with a smile, stepping aside to let her take it.

Lin Zhao gripped the handlebars, eyes wide with surprise, wondering what secret his modification held.

She glanced at Gu Qingzhou—and saw his eyes brighter than sunlight, his handsome face flushed faintly, lips curled upward, desperately trying to stay composed but radiating uncontainable excitement.

Huh?

Strange.

Gu Qingzhou admired Gu Chenghuai's habits; his in-laws said he'd started learning at a young age, much like Gu Zhiqian. The difference? One pretended to be mature; the other was naturally cut out for scientific research.

After observing him, Lin Zhao concluded her third younger brother had a very high chance of becoming a scientist.

So young, already showing a passion for learning, endlessly curious and exploratory, yet patient enough to endure solitude—someone like this, if not dedicated to the nation, would be a waste of heaven's gift.

Lin Zhao's thoughts shifted; she swung her right leg over and sat on the saddle, giving a light push.

The bike glided forward ten meters instantly.

"!!!!"

Startled, she gripped the brakes tightly.

She turned back, bewildered, toward Uncle Song.

"Uncle?!"

Uncle Song ran toward her, his calm heart softening further at the rare sight of Zhaozhao's helpless panic.

"What's there to fear? Didn't I say I made modifications?"

Lin Zhao frowned. "Modifications?"

"My master added a gear system to this bicycle," Gu Gu Qingzhou interjected, beaming with pride.

"Gear system?" Lin Zhao understood at once, from the name alone.

She looked down at the bicycle, her eyes blazing with wonder.

"So I won't have to strain myself cycling to and from work anymore?"

Uncle Song nodded with a smile. "Exactly. We can't let our Zhaozhao tire herself out. It's already so cold—watching you pedal back and forth exhausts me."

He'd wanted to make something simple to ease cycling; after weeks of research, he'd finally created this gear system. Even the first prototype wasn't crude—it blended seamlessly with the bike, never feeling useless or half-baked to Zhaozhao.

"Thank you, Uncle. You're amazing," Lin Zhao cooed, gazing at the bicycle like a treasure. "My bicycle is surely the first of its kind in the whole world! I'm so happy! You're truly incredible—the number one!"

She let go of the handlebars, raised both hands, and gave a thumbs-up.

Uncle Song was utterly delighted, his smile never fading.

"As long as you like it."

Lin Zhao nodded vigorously. "I love it. I love it so much."

With Uncle's determination for innovation, how could he fail at anything?

"Uncle, is this gear system the first of its kind in the whole country?" Her eyes sparkled with an unusual light.

"What's your idea?" Uncle Song asked gently.

He didn't stand still while speaking; he walked beside her, planning to escort her a little way.

"Exchange it for foreign currency," Lin Zhao said.

Born in this era, she'd seen her motherland endure hardship, rise up, and breathe again—and she carried the era's unique, unshakable patriotism.

Uncle Song had thought of this too.

"I haven't ignored it."

He clenched his fists. The West looked down on them, imposed layer upon layer of blockades, and sold obsolete machinery at exorbitant prices. As a technician, he felt humiliated—and longed to earn their money!

"Zhaozhao, I plan to hand over the technology. Whatever you want, I'll get it for you."

Lin Zhao blurted out: "A washing machine!"

Uncle Song: "..."

"I'll try my best. Anything else?" he said.

"No. Right now, besides a washing machine, I don't want anything."

Gu Gu Qingzhou knew his third sister-in-law hated laundry; privately, he told Xiang Yubao and Hengbao to put their dirty clothes and shoes in the laundry basket, and he'd wash them on weekends.

The twins were embarrassed, but their pity for Lin Zhao outweighed their reluctance, and they agreed. After that, they always washed with their little uncle.

Of course, their little uncle never let Xiang Yubao and Hengbao lift a finger—he always assigned them the task of tending the fire.

Uncle Song patted the top of Zhaozhao's head. "I'll try."

He couldn't estimate the gear system's value, but asking for nothing but a washing machine—surely that wasn't greedy?

"Uncle, this really saves so much effort! If you hand over the tech, the organization won't let you lose out!" Lin Zhao said confidently.

Uncle Song: "I don't care about losing or gaining—I just want to get you a washing machine. I'd even pay for it myself."

As long as there's a chance!

"Uncle is the best in the world," Lin Zhao smiled like spring blossoms.

"Go home now. Watch your step," Uncle Song warned.

Lin Zhao waved goodbye, kicked off—and the bike glided far ahead. "Hahaha, so much easier!"

Her voice faded into the distance.

Uncle Song watched Zhaozhao leave, tightened his Lei Feng cap, and said, "Gu Qingzhou, go on ahead. I'm going to the post office to make a call."

Gu Gu Qingzhou guessed what was coming and left without a word.

Uncle Song dialed the number of a senior comrade. "It's me, Song Liu."

Hearing the self-identification, the person on the other end instantly knew who it was.

"Little one, what's up?" came a strong, resonant voice.

Uncle Song said bluntly: "I modified a bicycle with a gear system. After modification, it's much easier to ride and speeds up two to three times. If you're interested, come see me!"

The caller was Xue Rui, Uncle Song's old college roommate. They'd been from different regions, gathered in the same school, brimming with youthful ambition and confidence, yet anxious from being far from home—so they became each other's "family."

Later, bound by mutual admiration, the young men became sworn brothers by age.

Uncle Song was the sixth, affectionately called "Little Liu" by his dorm brothers.

Youthful bonds are the truest; no matter how the world changed, the friendship among the boys of Dorm 202 never faded.

Xue Rui knew Little Liu never spoke lightly. He leapt to his feet. "I'll book a ticket right away."

He paused, then asked: "What do you want?"

Uncle Song didn't hesitate. "A washing machine!"

Xue Rui: "..."

Standing before the factory director, having outlasted many rivals, Xue's heart had long turned hard—but now he froze, then burst into laughter.

"It's Zhaozhao who wants it, isn't it?"

Everyone in their cohort knew Uncle Song had a beloved niece named Lin Zhao.

When Lin Zhao was born, Uncle Song had been overflowing with joy, unable to contain it—he'd dug out his phone list, rushed to the post office, and called everyone one by one to announce the news. Xue Rui still remembered his excited state vividly.

"Yes," Uncle Song replied, then added with shame, "It's just that I'm not capable enough to get a washing machine—otherwise, my Zhaozhao wouldn't have to suffer."

Xue Rui: "..."

After years apart, this man had become even more extreme.

"I'll keep an eye out," he said, planning to ask others too.

If Little Liu could think of himself after inventing a gear system, he'd surely fulfill his request.

"Thank you," Uncle Song said.

He timed it perfectly, then hung up the phone.

Exactly one minute.

Xue Rui smiled and had his secretary buy the tickets for him.

……

Lin Zhao didn't yet know her long-awaited washing machine was about to arrive; less than half a month remained until the New Year, and the village was already thick with holiday spirit.

Far off, they saw Lin Zhao appear at the village entrance; Xiang Yubao and Hengbao ran to meet her.

Mom said she'd fry oil today; they'd been eagerly waiting since early morning.

"Mom, Hengbao and I washed the sweet potatoes clean." Xiang Yubao tilted his head up, his rosy little face turned toward Lin Zhao, as if begging for praise.

"Did you use hot water?" Lin Zhao stepped off the bicycle and looked at the child beside her.

"Yes, Ah Lan helped us light the stove." Xiang Yubao answered obediently.

"Ah Lan was afraid you'd accidentally set the kitchen on fire," Lin Zhao said.

She reached out her left hand and touched Xiang Yubao's cheek—it was slightly cold. She frowned. "Why aren't you wearing a hat or scarf? Don't let your face freeze. You know frostbite is awful—it itches and hurts."

"I'm hot—I just took them off," Xiang Yubao hurried to say, adding, "I'm not cold."

Hengbao chimed in: "Me and my brother aren't Seeing Yaobao's cloth dolls—we know when to add clothes if we're cold."

"You're just a contrarian."

Lin Zhao ignored him, leapt onto the bicycle, and sped off far ahead.

The two identical little faces showed the same shock.

Xiang Yubao, baffled, broke into a run to catch up.

"Mom, slow down! I can't keep up!" he called out.

He ran fast, but still couldn't catch her.

The twins stared, utterly bewildered.

At home, Xiang Yubao stopped beside the bicycle and stared at it for a long time.

"What's the problem exactly?" he scratched his head, expression full of curiosity.

"Xiang Yubao, come in and tend the fire!" Lin Zhao called from the window.

The wind outside was sharp as blades against the face; she couldn't bear letting her two kids linger out there.

"Coming!"

Xiang Yubao took his brother's hand and walked into the kitchen.

"Mom, you rode so fast today," Hengbao said—he had to voice his questions, or he'd feel uneasy.

Lin Zhao was kneading dough, planning to fry twisted dough sticks, fried noodles, meatballs, sweet potatoes, and tofu—nothing could be missing for the New Year.

"Because your uncle just modified the bicycle for me—it's much faster and easier to ride now."

Uncle said his modifications cost little. She thought—the bicycle was about to enter its first revolution!

A quiet step forward in transportation truly made her happy.

Xiang Yubao cupped his face. "Uncle is so amazing!"

"Of course—he's a precious college student! College students are rare—they're all top talents!" Lin Zhao spoke with pride.

Just having an uncle like him let her look down on all her peers!

"Wow!" Hengbao exclaimed in perfect sync, fist clenched. "I'm going to learn from Uncle!"

"Go for it," Lin Zhao encouraged.

"Mm-hmm!" Hengbao nodded several times, puffed out his cheeks to blow the small flame in the stove, then quickly added thin sticks as sparks flared.

Lin Zhao glanced at the adorable profile of her second son, a soft smile spreading in her eyes.

"Mom, what can I do? I want to help," Xiang Yubao tugged at her sleeve, eager to prove himself.

"Wait till I finish kneading the dough—can you shape the dough balls?" Lin Zhao asked gently, her voice soft.

"Sure! Should I go pick up Seeing Song Qian Bao and Seeing Yaobao?" Xiang Yubao asked.

"Not yet. I told your grandma to let them stay longer at the old house—we'll pick them up after we're done," Lin Zhao called out, stopping the child from leaving.

Xiang Yubao thought for a moment and guessed the reason: "Mom's afraid Seeing Yaobao will cause trouble."

"Exactly. If I bring them back now, one of you two will have to stay with the little ones. I don't want that—I'm preparing things for the New Year, and I want you and Hengbao right here helping me. When your father comes home, let him taste what his sons made." Lin Zhao's eyes sparkled with warmth.

In just a few sentences, the two boys' mouths curled upward; inside, their little hearts flipped joyful somersaults.

Ah, Mom really does love them the most!

Thinking this, Xiang Yubao's eyes gleamed, though he tried to keep his expression calm.

"Fine," he said. "Grandma says I'm dexterous—I'm better than girls at this. Mom, don't envy Auntie Da."

"... Huh?" Lin Zhao made a puzzled noise. "When did I ever envy Auntie Da? I don't remember saying that!"

Xiang Yubao sighed. Mom had such a bad memory.

He didn't mind—after all, she was Mom.

"Ah Lan learned sewing from Auntie Da," Xiang Yubao reminded her seriously.

Then he repeated Lin Zhao's exact words in a flat, childlike tone: "Auntie Da has Ah Lan to make her cotton coat—so lucky. No matter what she does, she's got a little shadow trailing after her. So warm. Unlike my kids—they used to call for Mom all the time, now they're gone all day."

Lin Zhao: "..."

No wonder the two boys had become clingy lately—it was her casual words that had done it!

"I didn't envy..."

Seeing Xiang Yubao's look—"Don't bother explaining, I know everything"—Lin Zhao swallowed her attempt to clarify.

Now she sounded like a clingy mom. Annoying!

?? Last year, thank you for your overwhelming love.

?? This new year, may my little readers find all they wish for, turn every path smooth, stay forever lovely, and forever be loved!

? ……

?"I just saw a reader on Qidian asking for a fan title, so I rushed to figure it out—and finally set it up for everyone! A bit late, sorry for the wait~ (??????????????????)"