Chapter 391: See you next time

"You have brothers, right?" Lin Zhao's tone was almost certain.

"How did you know?" Xie Baiwei felt that Zhaozhao was truly divine. She hadn't said it, had she? She hadn't said it, right?

She looked at Su Jingqiu, who shook her head.

She hadn't said it.

"What's hard to guess about that?" Lin Zhao smiled helplessly. "Just like you, when I was in school, no one confessed to me. I only found out later that my brothers had threatened the male classmates in our class. They said... whoever dares to delay my sister's studies, I'll break his legs! I didn't have any close male classmates in middle school or high school."

She had received love letters, but that person was overly cautious; there wasn't even a signature on the letters.

To this day, she still doesn't know who the person who wrote her love letters back then was.

"Then how did you and your man get together?" Xie Baiwei was full of gossip. "Could it be... you took the initiative?"

"How is that possible? I was quite proud back then. In my uncle's words, the probability of me stepping in poop while walking was higher than anyone else's because I held my head too high." Lin Zhao touched the tip of her nose. "Gu Chenghuai pursued me first. I happened to think he was decent—he was handsome, a soldier, and had plenty of strength—so we just walked together."

Xie Baiwei cupped her face. "How romantic."

She looked at Lin Zhao.

She was wearing a rose-red mid-neck sweater and had her hair in a low bun. Her skin was white with a rosy tint, revealing a mix of intellect and brilliance.

"Deputy Regiment Commander Gu has such good taste! If I were a man, I would pursue you too."

After becoming familiar with Xie Baiwei, Lin Zhao learned the extent of her being a face-con, just like her own Yaobao.

She only made friends with good-looking people.

A dark and sturdy soldier came to confess to Su Jingqiu.

"Comrade Su, are you willing to establish a revolutionary friendship with me?" The tall, sturdy man's face turned bright red, and he stuttered nervously.

Due to family reasons, Su Jingqiu had a good impression of men with his physique, especially since he was wearing a military uniform, which gave people a strong sense of security.

"We can get to know each other," Su Jingqiu said, not locking the door, her eyes clear and bright, speaking generously.

Xie Baiwei's hand gripped Lin Zhao's arm, applying slight pressure, while the little person inside her heart kept screaming.

Is Jingqiu going to have a partner too?

The soldier who confessed hadn't expected success; he stood frozen in place for a long time, unable to recover, like a wooden goose.

"Comrade Su, you... you agreed?" he asked blankly.

He had noticed this girl with the exceptionally beautiful smile last year. He wanted to confess but was beaten to the punch by someone else. He saw Comrade Su reject that person, saying she had no plans to find a partner for the time being, so he didn't dare to step forward.

He came this year because he didn't want to leave any regrets.

He didn't expect... didn't expect... he wasn't dreaming, right?!

"I said we can get to know each other," Su Jingqiu said seriously. "Let's correspond first, and after we have a relatively deep understanding, we can talk about establishing a revolutionary friendship. Is that okay?"

"Okay!" The man's voice was sonorous and powerful. His already large eyes were even brighter and more spirited now, and the corners of his mouth couldn't stop rising.

"Comrade Su, can I make an appointment with you tomorrow? I want to introduce myself properly."

Lin Zhao looked over. Tsk tsk, he looked honest, but he was actually a black sesame filling.

You said deep understanding, so I'll make an appointment with you so you can understand deeply.

Who said these people were straight-forward?

Su Jingqiu nodded. "Okay."

The man stuffed a few candies into her hand and left excitedly.

Su Jingqiu was stunned for a moment, then shared the candies with Lin Zhao and Xie Baiwei.

Meeting Xie Baiwei's resentful gaze, she couldn't help but want to laugh.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Congratulations, Jingqiu." Xie Baiwei put away the expression on her face and expressed her congratulations to her friend. She leaned toward her side and asked longingly, "What does it feel like to be confessed to?!"

Su Jingqiu thought for a moment. "My heart is beating a little fast, and I'm also a bit happy."

"Jingqiu, you have to examine him carefully; don't agree to him too quickly," Xie Baiwei said. "Marriage is a matter between two families. You have to look not only at that person just now but also at his family members—this is what my aunt said. I'm just a porter, don't think I'm being long-winded."

"I won't." Su Jingqiu was all smiles. "I know you want me to be well. Don't worry, it's just getting to know each other. If I find something wrong, I will stop the loss in time. Let's be pen pals first."

Lin Zhao nodded.

"Don't worry, Weiwei. Jingqiu is rational and smart; she knows what she's doing."

Su Jingqiu smiled, her slender body leaning toward Lin Zhao, her gaze sincere. "Zhaozhao, it's settled. We must keep corresponding. We will write to you when we encounter fun things, and you must write back to us."

Xie Baiwei followed up: "Right, you must write back to us. We will come again sooner or later; you must not forget us."

"How could I forget?" Lin Zhao said seriously. "The first time I learned to dance in my life, you were my dance teachers. I can't forget. Don't worry, I will write back to you. I'm the fastest at writing back; you can put one hundred hearts at ease about this."

It's just that writing letters is a bit hard on the hands.

But she likes having pen pals; every time she receives a letter, she feels very surprised.

"Okay." The two beautiful girls laughed.

"When are you leaving?" Lin Zhao asked.

"Tomorrow noon," Xie Baiwei said reluctantly.

After completing this performance, they should also be on vacation, going home to gather with their families, and continuing to perform in various places after the New Year.

"So urgent? I can understand; you also have to spend the New Year with your families," Lin Zhao said. "Shall I make you something to eat on the road? Do you have any dietary restrictions?"

The two had tasted the small cookies, scorched rice, and red date cakes Lin Zhao brought them... knowing Zhaozhao's cooking was good, hearing her words, the foodie duo's eyes lit up.

"Is it convenient?" Xie Baiwei tugged at her sleeve, blinking her eyes a few times.

It was the New Year, so she was a bit embarrassed, but to be honest, she was a bit greedy.

"It's not troublesome; I have to eat too, and someone is helping me," Lin Zhao said.

Xie Baiwei and Su Jingqiu's smiles were as bright as flowers.

Early the next morning, the two specially took a car to the supply and marketing cooperative. Xie Baiwei bought a light bean-green silk scarf, the scarf surface dotted with light beige fine vine patterns, interspersed with small white daisy buds, the patterns distributed sparsely and not densely.

"This scarf makes one look fair; it suits Zhaozhao."

Su Jingqiu nodded. She didn't have much money on hand, so she bought a fountain pen.

"Zhaozhao often has to write letters, so I'll give her a fountain pen to use interchangeably."

The two girls looked at each other, their eyes full of satisfaction with the gifts they had chosen.

Lin Zhao brought the prepared food and arrived at the place where Xie Baiwei and the others were gathering. She handed the bag in her hand to Su Jingqiu, feeling quite reluctant.

There weren't many people she could talk to in the military region, and Xie Baiwei and Su Jingqiu were the most compatible.

"Have a safe journey."

"Thank you." Su Jingqiu looked at Lin Zhao, a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. "Zhaozhao, it's really good to know you. I hope our friendship lasts forever, and I also hope you have a happy New Year and everything goes as you wish."

Lin Zhao gave her a hug.

"Friendship lasts forever."

Catching a glimpse of the dark and sturdy soldier comrade on the side scratching his head in anxiety, she let go and signaled Su Jingqiu to look over there.

Su Jingqiu was slightly startled, then smiled and walked toward the man.

The man was a head and a half taller than her, and the military uniform couldn't hide the solid muscles on his body. The female comrade looked as slender as a willow in front of him.

The comrades from the cultural troupe turned their backs silently.

The nature of their work determined that they were not traditional virtuous wives and good mothers, and it was not easy to find partners. If someone in the troupe became single, they would only be happy for their good sister and would not cause trouble.

Xie Baiwei's mood was complicated, a bit of loss appearing on her face.

Lin Zhao saw it and smiled. "Are you feeling bad?"

"A little." Xie Baiwei showed three parts embarrassment, three parts shame, and five parts self-loathing on her face.

"It's very normal." Everyone has possessiveness; not causing destruction for one's own selfish interests makes one a good treasure.

"Is it normal?" Xie Baiwei looked at Lin Zhao.

"It's normal. You're just not used to it at the beginning. After you do the psychological construction, you won't feel anything," Lin Zhao said with a certain tone.

She had also had similar feelings. When her brother was dating, there was a feeling of... a stranger intruding into her territory. It was so uncomfortable, but it was fine once she adjusted her mindset.

"I believe you," Xie Baiwei said. "I will adjust as soon as possible."

"Mm."

Regiment Commander Xie stood at the door of the Songhua River brand large passenger bus and blew a whistle. Xie Baiwei stuffed a small bag into Lin Zhao's arms and ran over quickly.

Su Jingqiu also ran over, smiled when passing Lin Zhao, and followed the main force.

The comrades from the cultural troupe boarded the bus one after another.

Xie Baiwei sat by the window, poked her head out, and waved vigorously at Lin Zhao.

"Goodbye."

The bus drove away.

Lin Zhao sighed softly and walked home slowly.

After walking a few steps, Gu Chenghuai's figure appeared.

"Going to see a movie?"

Lin Zhao perked up. "Isn't it showing tonight?"

"If you're unhappy, I'll take you to the cinema," Gu Chenghuai said.

"I'm not unhappy," Lin Zhao chided him with a look. "How could I be so fragile?"

She pulled Gu Chenghuai's sleeve and quickened her pace.

"Weiwei stuffed something for me; I want to go back and see what it is..."

Gu Chenghuai looked at his wife's spirited appearance and smiled.

Back home.

Lin Zhao opened the small bag Xie Baiwei had stuffed for her, took out the things inside, and saw it was a silk scarf and a fountain pen, and there was also a handmade card inside.

"New Year gift (smiley face) Wish you more and more beautiful in the new year, we, see you next time."

See you next time.

After reading the card, Lin Zhao's mouth was filled with smiles; girls are too wonderful.

She put the card into the box specially for letters, her mood not affected, but rather even better.

Lin Zhao stood in front of the dressing mirror, tied the light bean-green silk scarf in front of the mirror, looked at it, and raised her eyebrows at Gu Chenghuai in the mirror.

"Does it look good?"

Gu Chenghuai took a few steps forward, hugged her from behind, pressed his face against Lin Zhao's face, locked his gaze on the beautiful eyes in the mirror, deliberately lowered his voice, and said in the tone his wife liked most: "Good-looking."

Lin Zhao was about to speak when a few knocks on the door sounded.

She pushed the man away.

"Come in."

Xiang Yubao poked his head out. "It's us."

"Come in." Lin Zhao beckoned to her sons.

Xiang Yubao and the others entered the room.

"Mom, are you in a good mood? My brother was afraid you would cry, so he called us to come in together to comfort you," the little straight man Gu Hangbao said straightforwardly.

Lin Zhao's heart warmed slightly, and she asked with a smile, "How do you want to comfort me?"

Gu Hangbao spoke first, "I can play a clown to amuse Mom."

His eyebrows danced, very proud. "Every time I amuse Yaobao, she laughs."

Xiang Yubao took out the candy he had saved. "Eating candy will make you happy."

Li Bao struggled for a long time, thought of something, turned around blankly, stuck his butt out, twisted his head to look at Lin Zhao, and said, "Third Aunt will be happy if she kicks me."

Lin Zhao had a head full of question marks.

She quickly helped him up.

"Who said you'd be happy if you kicked someone?"

"My dad," Li Bao replied. "My dad said my brother is annoying, and he'd be happy if he kicked him!"

Gu Chenghuai: "..."

Lin Zhao: "..."

Lin Zhao couldn't laugh or cry. "That's angry talk; don't take it seriously."

Li Bao scratched his head embarrassedly. "Oh."

Qian Bao took Lin Zhao's hand, raised his little face, and said seriously, "I'll tell Mom a story to coax Mom to sleep."

That's how he was; every time his brother made him angry, he would be fine after a sleep.

Lin Zhao pinched Qian Bao's chubby little face, her voice soft. "I'm not unhappy. Seeing my Qian Bao, all the unhappiness is gone."

Qian Bao showed a shallow smile.

The twins were unhappy.

"... Then what about us? Mom is still unhappy when she sees us? So we don't deserve it." Gu Hangbao's words were very resentful.

Lin Zhao laughed out loud. "Why are you so sour? I'm happy; I'm happy to see any of you."

"What about Yaobao?"

Gu Hangbao: "She's braiding Da Huang again."

Lin Zhao sighed. "Poor Da Huang, let's reward it with two meat bones later."

Her eyes were full of heartache for her Da Huang. "I don't know when Yaobao will end the game of braiding."

It's just that if you let Da Huang not indulge Yaobao, it won't listen.

"Hope so..."

In the afternoon, Meng Jiusi brought Gu Laoyezi Meng and his two sons over. He and Gu Chenghuai were busy in the kitchen, and Lin Zhao was called by Gu Laoyezi Meng to play Chinese chess.

Qian Bao watched from the side, and Xiang Yubao and the other three played with Jingmo in the yard.

"I heard there's news about your job?" Gu Laoyezi Meng looked at the chessboard and suddenly spoke.

Lin Zhao knew how to play chess, but only a little. Fortunately, Gu Laoyezi Meng's chess level wasn't very high either. Two stinky chess players playing against each other could be considered birds of a feather.

It was just hard on Qian Bao.

Seeing the chess piece dropped by Great-Gu Laoyezi Meng, the child frowned, and looking at the one dropped by his own mother, his brows furrowed even tighter.

"Sigh." He sighed a little, turned around silently, stared at the wall, and didn't look at the chessboard again.

Lin Zhao didn't notice her son's reaction and said, "There is news. I entered the propaganda system to draw propaganda posters. I don't need to sit in the office; I go wherever I'm needed. I'm very satisfied."

Gu Laoyezi Meng heard her straightforward words, his expression paused slightly, and he laughed out loud.

"You are quite direct."

Lin Zhao immediately said, "What's there to hide when talking to you?"

"The job is good; work hard. I can also say a few words in the military region. You are my granddaughter; don't be bullied." Gu Laoyezi Meng dropped a piece.

Never underestimate a master with superb medical skills; the speed at which he builds a relationship network is too fast.

Lin Zhao's tone was light. "Thank you, Gu Laoyezi Meng, for backing me up."

Gu Laoyezi Meng waved his hand. "When do you start work?"

"After the New Year."

Gu Laoyezi Meng continued, "I'll give you a bicycle then."

Lin Zhao knew Gu Laoyezi Meng's temper and didn't refuse. "Thank you, Gu Laoyezi Meng; I happen to be missing a bicycle."

Gu Laoyezi Meng smiled kindly.

After the New Year.

Li Bao had to go back to his hometown.

He was sent back by Meng Jiusi, who went to attend the "Academic and Training Symposium" and stopped by his hometown to see his parents.

Xiang Yubao and the others were very reluctant. It wasn't until Lin Zhao said that he would be picked up again in the future that the crying cubs stopped their crying.

Should have said so earlier; the twins drank a few sips of water to replenish their moisture.

Li Bao brought a bag of luggage when he came, and it became two bags when he arrived home. The Gu family was also surprised to find... he had become rounder.

Station.

Gu Yuanshan pinched his youngest son's cheeks and gave a light tug. "Your face is round?"

"Yeah, Third Aunt made a lot of meat." Li Bao rubbed his cheeks, which were a little painful, and looked at his dad accusingly.

"What? Old Three cooking?!" Gu Yuanshan was shocked. "Can he cook?"

Li Bao spoke for his third uncle. "Why can't he? It's even better than what my mom makes."

Gu Yuanshan said gloomily, "I'll go back and tell your mom you dislike her." ===== CHAPTER 392 =====