Chapter 370: Completely let go of himself

Gu Chenghuai entered the room and saw this scene.

The beauty was more charming than the red plum blossoms.

In an instant, a burst of satisfaction surged in his chest, this was his treasure.

The corners of his mouth lifted involuntarily.

Walked over with light steps.

"Woke up, hungry?" His gaze locked on Lin Zhao's face, his low voice tinged with laughter, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Not bad." Lin Zhao withdrew her gaze from the plum blossoms and looked at him with bright eyes, "Where did you pick the plum blossoms, really bright."

"On the mountain." Gu Chenghuai replied simply, not mentioning at all that he went to the mountain early in the morning to find plum trees.

"I like it very much." Lin Zhao burrowed into his arms.

Gu Chenghuai only felt refreshed. Sending things to Zhaozhao really made him feel comfortable. After she received them, her eyes would be bright, expressing she liked them, praising them in all aspects... the emotional value was given fully.

The four cubs also learned the essence of this point.

He lowered his head to seek Lin Zhao's lips, but was dodged by her.

"You're so annoying, I haven

"I don't mind." Gu Chenghuai lowered his eyes and kissed her forehead.

"Oh, you! You dare to say you mind." Lin Zhao unreasonably sought out his faults, her hands restlessly pinching his waist.

Gu Chenghuai chuckled softly. He didn't argue, accepting her false accusation, and used his fingertips to lift her sweater, guiding that slender, jade-like hand to roam over the abdominal muscles his wife liked.

His expression was cold and stern, exuding an aura of someone who rarely joked, yet his secret movements never ceased.

Who would understand?

This appearance struck Lin Zhao's heart too deeply.

"Gu Chenghuai, you've changed." Lin Zhao's fingernails lightly scratched those well-defined muscles, her eyes sweeping over him as she hummed softly.

"How have I changed?" Gu Chenghuai's deep voice was tinged with a hint of hoarseness, his gaze darkening slightly.

"You used to be reserved, but now you're openly flirtatious." Lin Zhao found this word to describe him.

Gu Chenghuai laughed out loud, pulling her tighter and resting his chin on her shoulder. "That's a very incisive description. The old me was locked away; the current me is the real me. Zhaozhao, are you satisfied?"

Her ears felt tingly and numb. Lin Zhao tilted her head slightly, wanting to drive away that flirtatious air that made her whole body itch.

Ever since he got a vasectomy, this man had completely let himself go.

Yes, at a time Lin Zhao didn't know, Gu Chenghuai had secretly completed the vasectomy surgery.

"Satisfied." Lin Zhao answered frankly, giving him a charming look. "So, you weren't putting in full effort before?"

It is no exaggeration to say that the Gu Chenghuai who returned this time was like a peacock spreading its tail.

Gu Chenghuai pinched the bridge of his nose and said bitterly, "How could I dare."

He touched Lin Zhao's lower abdomen. "I don't want you to suffer the pain of childbirth again."

Even if he wanted to, he would endure it; he was afraid of another "hit," so he only acted when he couldn't help it or wanted to please his wife. There were family planning supplies, but those things were small in size and left one unsatisfied—how could they compare to the burden-free experience that made one feel like they were floating in the clouds?

Gu Chenghuai didn't dare say this; Zhaozhao would definitely get angry and scratch him.

"I suppose you have a heart." Lin Zhao was fairly satisfied with Gu Chenghuai's answer.

She tugged at Gu Chenghuai's ear. "But you were too impulsive about the vasectomy. You didn't even have anyone by your side—how could you be so daring? If something had gone wrong, what would I have done? You're so annoying!"

Gu Chenghuai lowered his head to make it easier for her to tug, saying gently, "Nothing would have gone wrong. Even if I were broken, I would still have a way to make you 'sex-fully' happy..."

He emphasized the word "sex" in a roguish way.

Under Lin Zhao's glare, he continued, "I had the surgery at the military hospital and found a professional doctor; safety was guaranteed. I care about that place even more than you do—after all, it concerns my own happiness."

Lin Zhao: "..."

This man was so flirtatious she didn't want to talk.

"I don't care. From now on, if there's anything like this, I must be present."

Just thinking about him having surgery alone and resting alone made her heart feel like it was being gripped by a hand.

Gu Chenghuai knew Zhaozhao felt sorry for him, and the corners of his lips immediately curved into an arc. "Okay."

"Are you hungry now? Do you want me to help you get dressed?" The body in his arms was soft and tender, carrying a fragrance; he couldn't bear to let go.

"No need." Lin Zhao shot him a look. Was that helping her get dressed? That was taking advantage of her.

I don't know who it was that said before, "Zhaozhao, I'm not a person driven by lust."

Pfft.

A man's mouth is a lying ghost.

Lin Zhao got dressed and saw Gu Chenghuai take two infusion bottles out of her cotton shoes.

"Wife, I'll help you put on your shoes while they're still hot." Gu Chenghuai crouched halfway, picked up the shoes from the floor, and put them on for Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao's tone was light. "Ah Hang, where did you get these infusion bottles? The inside of the shoes is very warm, not cold at all. You're so good; I like you so much."

Gu Chenghuai's mouth curled up from being praised. "I bought them this morning."

Infusion bottles cost money too.

"You don't mind the trouble." Lin Zhao said this, but her face was filled with smiles.

"It's not trouble. Things that are good for you are never trouble," Gu Chenghuai said as a matter of course.

He held Lin Zhao's hand as they went out.

The thermos was filled with hot water, there was hot water in the pot, and the food was being kept warm.

After Lin Zhao finished washing up, she ate lunch.

The village was bustling with activity, filled with groups of children paying New Year's calls; one could hear those joyful sounds even from inside the house.

"Where are my red paper envelopes?" Lin Zhao asked.

Gu Chenghuai took a stack of red paper envelopes out of his overcoat pocket, all filled with little bits of money.

"What about the fruit tray? Everything is prepared, right? I hear there seem to be quite a few children coming." Lin Zhao said. She wasn't short on money or supplies, and being one of the most generous people around, she had prepared plenty of candies and cookies to treat the children coming to pay their respects.

"Everything is prepared." Gu Chenghuai nodded.

"Go back inside and comb your hair first." He added.

Lin Zhao hadn't combed her hair yet; it was simply pulled back with a wooden hairpin, looking gentle and pretty.

"You braid my hair for me." Lin Zhao tilted her head.

"I can do that." Gu Chenghuai didn't feel it was difficult; on the contrary, he was looking forward to it.

He really liked it when Zhaozhao asked him to do things, no matter what it was.

He never felt it was a burden, nor did he ever feel it was difficult.

If he didn't know how, he was willing to learn.

The two returned to the room.

Lin Zhao told him what to do, and Gu Chenghuai braided.

The man could even weave complex bamboo baskets, build simple houses, make dog kennels, set traps... he was full of skills and was a person with exceptionally strong hands-on ability.

Braiding hair was certainly not difficult for him.

Very quickly, Lin Zhao's hair was tied up in double braids, looking lazy yet exquisite.

"It looks good. Gu Chenghuai, your hands are truly skillful."

Gu Chenghuai put down the comb. "I'll learn a few more styles later and braid other things for you."

He was single-mindedly focused on his career when he was out and never glanced at female comrades. However, he couldn't help having the gossipy Sun Yeli by his side; that man could chatter on and on, and he vaguely remembered him saying... that the braids of the female comrades in the Art Troupe were all better looking than those of ordinary comrades...

Next time there's a performance, he'd take Zhaozhao to see it. He wouldn't go to watch it alone—what kind of performance would a married young man watch!

He only wanted to show off in front of his own wife.

"Okay." Lin Zhao had an expression that said she would give him a chance.

The two walked out of the room one after the other.

The courtyard gate was knocked on.

It was light, obedient, and well-behaved.

Lin Zhao pursed her lips and smiled; even the boisterous children were gentle when paying New Year's calls.

She stopped Gu Chenghuai, fearing he would scare the children into running away, and went to open the door herself.

Gu Chenghuai: Was he really that scary?

Lin Zhao opened the door. Leading the group were Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao, and Qian Bao and Gu Hangbao were also there. Their Red Star bags were bulging, stuffed full of things.

"Mom, we're paying New Year's calls. Happy New Year." Xiang Yubao said first.

The children followed suit.

"Aunt Lin, we've come to pay you a New Year's call. Happy New Year."

Those who couldn't speak clearly bowed like little penguins, their round bodies swaying and nearly falling over, only to be steadied by the older children.

They said in a milky, cute voice: "Happy New Year~"

Lin Zhao liked obedient and polite cubs, her gaze softening. "Happy New Year to you all, too. Come in quickly, I'll get you some candy."

Everyone came into the courtyard.

Gu Chenghuai came out of the kitchen carrying candies and cookies, placing them casually on the table.

He was tall and had been on the battlefield; even when he deliberately restrained his aura, adults felt flustered, let alone small children, who didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

The older children took the initiative to greet Gu Chenghuai and wish him a Happy New Year.

"... Happy New Year to you all, too." Gu Chenghuai was a bit unaccustomed to receiving New Year's blessings from cubs, but he still replied.

When he was at the military district, those children would run away as soon as they saw him, as if he were some kind of flood dragon or wild beast.

Heaven is my witness, he was a good person; he was ruthless toward enemy spies, but he treated his fellow countrymen with great courtesy.

"Come over and have some candy." Lin Zhao took the initiative to greet the children.

The children here had all received candy from her hands and liked this aunt who brought so much sweetness to their childhood, so they gathered around with smiles.

"Xiang Yubao, Gu Hangbao, you distribute them. It doesn't matter if all these candies are given out; there are more at home." Lin Zhao gave the power of distributing candy to the twins.

It wasn't certain whether they would be able to come back next year, so let the children be happy.

"Thank you, Mom." Xiang Yubao's eyes were bright.

He happily began to distribute candy to the children.

Many were things the children hadn't seen before, and they bloomed with bright, radiant smiles.

"Thank you, Aunt Lin. Wishing you a wonderful life and may all your wishes come true." The children who could talk well said sweet things.

Lin Zhao smiled, and worried that the children would feel uncomfortable, she pulled Gu Chenghuai back into the room.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Gu Chan brought her husband and children back to her maiden home.

Seeing Little Shi Tou, the Gu family members were all very fond of him, pulling him aside to ask endless questions.

"Little Shi Tou, you're a city person now. Practice your ball skills well; we're looking forward to the day we can go to the scene to watch your match." Bang Bang patted his cousin's shoulder to show encouragement, looking very much like a big brother.

Lai Mei asked excitedly: "Little Shi Tou, is the provincial capital fun? What interesting places have you been to? Tell your brother quickly."

Tie Dan said: "Do you not have to go to school? You don't have to get up early, you have meat to eat every day, and you live in a building? Just thinking about it makes me feel so happy." Before Little Shi Tou could answer, he was already envious.

Little Shi Tou answered their questions softly, his speaking speed slow and steady, not at all like the ferocity he showed when playing ball.

Gu Mu was fond of her little grandson who had left home at such a young age, pushing the talkative grandsons aside. "Little Shi Tou just arrived, let him rest for a bit and drink some water. Why don't you know how to feel sorry for your younger brother?"

Bang Bang & Lai Mei & Tie Dan: "..."

Li Bao laughed honestly. "Grandma dislikes that brothers talk too much."

Xiang Yubao pulled his hand. "See through it but don't say it."

Li Bao covered his mouth with his hand, shook his head, and didn't say it; he wouldn't say it.

Tie Dan pinched his younger brother's cheek. "Do you know what 'covering one's ears to steal a bell' means? That's exactly what you're doing now."

"I'm not stupid, you're the stupid one." Li Bao said angrily.

He even complained to Gu Yuanshan. "Dad, brother says I'm stupid!"

"Don't listen to him, you're the smartest." Gu Yuanshan didn't turn his head, as he was having a drink with Wei Xiang Dong. Opportunities to drink were limited throughout the year, so they needed to cherish them.

Li Bao smiled proudly and said to Tie Dan: "Dad says you're stupid, I'm not stupid."

Tie Dan: "..." You even believe perfunctory words; if that's not stupid, what is?

He could guarantee his dad hadn't heard clearly what his brother said.

Gu Chan and Wei Xiang Dong were living better lives now, so they brought plenty of New Year's gifts, including ten pounds of fat pork, new clothes for the old couple of the Gu family, and candy for the children.

Of course, they didn't forget to prepare red paper envelopes for the children.

"Everyone come to Aunt's place to get your red paper envelopes." Gu Chan raised the red paper envelopes in her hand and shouted to the children.

Xiang Yubao and the other little ones ran over excitedly.

Gu Chan handed out the red paper envelopes one by one.

"This is Xiang Yubao's. Wishing our Xiang Yubao grows tall and has a strong body in the new year."

"This is Gu Hangbao's. Wishing our Gu Hangbao is happy in the new year."

Seeing this, Lin Zhao and the others also took out the red paper envelopes they had prepared and handed them out.

Mainly for the Shi Tou brothers.

The other children had already been given theirs yesterday.

With several uncles and aunts, as well as their grandmother and grandfather, the two Shi Tous received quite a few red paper envelopes. This was their private money, and the brothers were very happy, thanking them joyfully.

The two Shi Tous' personalities were becoming more and more generous.

Lin Zhao glanced at the Shi Tou brothers. Both were wearing cotton-padded jackets; the jackets were dark blue, made quite long, reaching their thighs, with black pants. Standing there, they looked like two white poplar trees of different heights.

Their whole bodies radiated confidence.

Look, parents' work is the children's courage.

Those two prickly, timid little boys from before had turned into this confident and generous appearance.

"What are you looking at?" Gu Chenghuai's voice sounded in her ear.

"Looking at the two Shi Tous." Lin Zhao tilted her head. "Haven't you noticed the brothers have changed a lot?"

"I noticed. It's a lot." Gu Chenghuai said.

He also discovered that his brother-in-law was acting strangely, seemingly doing something extraordinary.

Gu Chenghuai planned to talk to his brother-in-law in private.

He had no intention of interfering in other people's private affairs, just wanted to confirm some things.

After all... his brother-in-law concerned his sister's happiness.

"Mom, is there any news about Xing'er?" Gu Chan asked Gu Mu.

Gu Mu paused slightly. Thinking that Gu Xing'er hadn't returned to the brigade after getting married, and hadn't even sent back a scrap of paper, she couldn't describe the feeling in her heart.

She said with her mouth that she wouldn't care about that daughter in the future, but after all, she came out of her own belly—could she really not care?

It was just that she didn't expect that girl to be so heartless; after getting married, she hadn't sent back a single piece of news. She hadn't paid attention to them, nor had she visited her second uncle or her grandmother.

Truly heartless!

Gu Mu was clear-headed. Thinking about this in her heart, she had never mentioned it in front of her daughters-in-law, as she knew they didn't like Gu Xing'er.

"Why mention her? It just adds to people's distress. Your father and I will just pretend we don't have this daughter. Don't mention her again."

Gu Chan didn't believe her mother wasn't hurt at all in her heart, after all, it was rare to have a reunion this year.

She hesitated and said: "If Mom is worried, should I go and inquire about Xing'er's news?"

Gu Mu waved her hand. "Forget it, don't worry about her."

If something happened, Gu Xing'er would come back; she was so selfish, she wouldn't wrong herself.