Chapter 397

The days as an educated youth were not just easy and happy; there was also endless farm work.

Nan Qiao did not hide anything and told everything to her parents.

"The farm work in the countryside never ends: transplanting rice seedlings, weeding, breaking corn, digging sweet potatoes, harvesting peanuts... Every summer, regardless of whether they were male or female comrades, everyone would get sunburned. In winter, it was cold and there wasn't as much work, so we learned to grow mushrooms, and an extra dish would appear on the dining table."

"Every winter there was pig-slaughtering feast to eat, the big-pot meals made by the older aunts and sisters-in-law: big slices of meat, tofu, cabbage, carrots, vermicelli... meat and vegetables stewed together; serving a big bowl could make a person dizzy with delight."

Nan Yi nodded several times.

"I want to eat it." He swallowed his saliva.

Nan Mother's gaze was soft, "I'll make it for you when we get back."

She didn't know how, but she could learn.

"I want to eat two bowls. Add a spoonful of chili oil to the rice; it's so fragrant. By the way, I also want to have the pickled radishes and pickled cabbage that Sister Zhaozhao made." Nan Yi's mouth was constantly watering.

It was mouth-watering.

Meeting Nan Mother's puzzled gaze, Nan Qiao explained, "We didn't finish the side dishes Zhaozhao gave us, so we brought them back. When we get home, Mom and Dad can taste them; they really are very unique."

"Alright, Mom will taste them." Nan Mother had an extremely good impression of Lin Zhao, whom she had never met.

Grateful for Lin Zhao's care for her two children, she took the initiative to say, "Tomorrow, let's go to the store and look around to buy some thank-you gifts."

Nan Yi volunteered, "I'll go too."

Knowing that her son was not the type to enjoy shopping, Nan Mother looked over in surprise, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes looking like overlapping petals, "Yiyi really likes Comrade Lin."

Nan Yi was silent for a few moments; his closest kin were in the car, so there was nothing to hide.

He said, "When I first arrived, Sister Zhaozhao gave me malted milk powder, and later she sent appetizing side dishes. It was only with Sister Zhaozhao's help that I was able to nurse my body back to health."

"She saved my life."

What Nan Yi didn't say was that when he first started drinking the malted milk powder, he felt a warmth that made his body, which had been cold for years, greedy. At first, he thought it was an illusion, but later he discovered it wasn't.

He hadn't even told Nan Qiao about this.

Although he didn't know what was strange about it, he knew it was good for him.

Regarding Nan Yi's physical improvement, Nan Qiao and the people in the Harvest Brigade only thought that exercise had strengthened his body.

Nan Mother knew how terrible her son's health used to be; she and her husband had raised him carefully, fearing that if they were not careful, their son would be gone.

When they were forced to leave home, both sides actually held a pessimistic sorrow that they would never be reunited. Even if they were lucky enough to return to the city and get in touch with their children, learning from the letters that Nan Yi's health had improved, they couldn't have imagined that the "good" Nan Qiao spoke of was... truly improved.

The current Nan Yi was healthy, vibrant, and bright—the way the Nan couple had dreamed of seeing him.

Nan Mother hugged Nan Yi's arm tighter, a wave of lingering fear followed by a wave of relief.

"Thanks to Comrade Lin, our family is really lucky," she said, "The ancestors are watching over us."

Only in the car did she dare to say this.

"Your grandparents are right; people must do good deeds. Doing good deeds can accumulate blessings, which will eventually benefit oneself. It's really good that our family can be reunited."

Nan Qiao leaned on her mother's shoulder, smelling the scent on her, her eyes burning.

"It's really good..."

Over these years, she would also get tired and feel self-loathing. If it weren't for those students from the Gu family and receiving letters and packages from Lin Zhao from time to time, Nan Qiao's mindset would have collapsed long ago.

"You've worked hard," Nan Mother said, looking at Nan Qiao's crown with heartache.

Qiaoqiao had to take care of her younger brother; she was the one who suffered the most.

Nan Qiao leaned on her mother's shoulder and accidentally fell asleep.

Sensing that her daughter was asleep, the other three in the car stopped talking. Nan Father saw Nan Qiao's exhausted face through the rearview mirror, and his heart felt waves of bitterness.

Qiaoqiao didn't have to go to the countryside originally. She had graduated from university and had a job; her teacher had fought to keep her. She originally wouldn't have been affected by the family, as long as she cut ties with the Nan family. But this silly girl wasn't willing, wasting these years, not even getting married, suffering great hardship, and losing her job.

It was they, as parents, who had implicated their daughter.

Nan Father drove the car more and more smoothly.

The half-hour Nan Qiao dozed in the car was the most comfortable sleep she had had in years.

When she got out of the car, the once high-spirited "Demon King" Nan Qiao was back.

"Sister Qiaoqiao?"

"It's Sister Qiaoqiao who's back!"

"... And Nan Yi!? Nan Yi is back too!!!"

……

The Nan family was afraid of mishaps and had kept the news of their children's return to the city a secret. Seeing the Nan siblings return, the residential compound was in an uproar.

The wicked people who had added insult to injury when the Nan family had their trouble panicked!

"What to do, what to do? Nan Qiao and Nan Yi are back! Will they tell the Nan family what we did?! I told you, don't burn all bridges, but you wouldn't listen. Now it's good, retribution has come..."

The woman was also afraid, her face full of panic.

Hearing the man's complaints, she scratched his face with her claws.

"Hindsight!" In her panic, she used the man as a punching bag, "Why didn't you say that when we were taking advantage of them? You spineless man, marrying you is worse than marrying a log."

The man took a few hits and was also annoyed, but didn't dare to fight back, only grumbling in his heart.

Can a log get you pregnant? Shrew, just a shrew, not a bit as gentle and virtuous as Sister Chun.

The woman bit her nails, as if comforting the wooden man, and also comforting herself, saying: "It's been so long since things happened, who would keep remembering? It's fine, don't scare yourself, just do what you need to do."

"……"

The Nan family didn't notice or care about the thoughts of the neighbors in the compound.

Returning home, the Nan siblings felt their hearts settle. They looked at each other and smiled.

"Sister, thank you," Nan Yi said earnestly.

Nan Qiao curled her right hand slightly and flicked her brother's forehead, saying huffily, "I'm your sister."

After finishing, her expression became serious, "Your brain is smart, you learn everything quickly, and every teacher who has seen you says you are suitable for a path in scientific research. I have always felt that not handing you over to the country is the country's loss. You don't need to thank me; once you enter the research institute, work hard for the country. Sister will be proud of you."

In the past, whenever teachers spoke of Nan Yi, while sighing at his talent, they always regretted his poor health, which prevented him from engaging in research work.

Nan Yi stood straight at the door of the Nan house and gave a not-quite-standard military salute to Nan Qiao—the sister who had given him a second life.

"I will."

"Do my utmost to serve the country."

Nan Qiao's expression was gratified.

……

Nan Yi held a grudge; those who had humiliated Nan Qiao back then met with bad luck one by one.

Some lost their jobs, some met with misfortune due to conduct issues, and some families were visited by the Educated Youth Office, requiring them to go to the countryside according to policy...

The compound was very lively.

Everyone knew it was the Nan family taking revenge.

No one said anything; who told them to be so excessive?

Seeing others in trouble and rushing to step on them, they deserved the retaliation!

After Nan Yi finished what he had to do, he was picked up. Next, he would begin his learning career, following his mentor to conduct research.

Research Institute.

The wise and kind old man heard the news about Nan Yi settling scores with people.

He paused for a moment, then laughed, "He certainly holds a grudge."

"Chief Engineer, aren't you angry?" the person who delivered the message asked.

"Angry? Why be angry?!" the old man called Chief Engineer asked back, "Youthful spirit is a non-renewable resource. I was worried that he had lost his youthful spirit during his years as an educated youth. It's good that he still has it."

Thinking of the little gadgets Nan Yi had sent, he couldn't wait to see what heights this intelligent youth could fly to?!

Young people are the hope of the country.

Nan Yi entered the research institute, and Nan Qiao also resumed her work. At the same time, a package from the Nan family was mailed to the military region where Lin Zhao was located.

……

After Gu Chenghuai finished his mission, he learned that Old Lady Gu had passed away and that his wife and children had returned to their hometown. Without a word, he requested leave and boarded the train home to visit his relatives.

This mission was difficult, and he had suffered some injuries. Added to the leave he had accumulated previously, it was enough for him to return to his hometown.

However, when he came out of the leader's office, a look of resistance appeared on his face, which usually had no expression.

In order to pick up his wife and children, he had no choice but to accept the order.

Passing through the provincial capital, Gu Chenghuai stopped by the gymnasium, intending to see Little Stone.

—In '71, Little Stone participated in his first table tennis competition in his life and achieved good results. Afterward, he continued to participate in competitions and achieved excellent results in all of them.

Later, he entered the sports team managed by the military, received a subsidy, and secured an "iron rice bowl."

At Little Stone's first competition, Lin Zhao and the twins appeared at the scene to cheer for him.

In that match, Little Stone played very fiercely and won beautifully.

The twins also watched a sports event live for the first time, excitedly showing their half-grown teeth, laughing excitedly, and clapping their palms until they were swollen.

All these things appeared in Gu Chenghuai's ears through Lin Zhao's mouth.

The third uncle came suddenly. Wei Yan was stunned for a moment, thanked the person who delivered the message, and trotted to the door.

"Third Uncle?!" The young boy showed a brilliant smile, rushing over like a little calf, looking up at his uncle, never expecting that the one who came would be his very busy uncle.

"Why did you come?" He looked behind Gu Chenghuai, "Did my third aunt and Brother Yu Bao and the others come?"

"No, they went back to their hometown first," Gu Chenghuai explained briefly.

Wei Yan misunderstood, thinking that his third aunt had been angered home by his uncle, and looked over suspiciously, "Third Uncle, did you make my aunt angry?!"

Gu Chenghuai: "..."

He looked over with cold, deep eyes, "Nonsense. How could I possibly make your aunt angry?!"

"Do you have time? Shall I take you for a good meal?" Gu Chenghuai stated his intention.

Wei Yan thought about the fact that he had a few days of leave, and his eyes shone brightly.

"Third Uncle, why don't you take me home? I've saved up a lot of leave, I can take time off."

Gu Chenghuai: "I'll wait for you, go ask for leave."

Wei Yan was about to leave, but stopped, looking at the scar on his third uncle's cheek, his tone full of worry, "Third Uncle, why is your face injured? Does it hurt? I have medicine there, I'll get some for you in a while."

"I scratched it by accident," Gu Chenghuai said lightly, "It doesn't hurt. I have medicine, no need to get any."

"Oh, I'll go ask for leave first. Third Uncle, you must wait for me," Wei Yan said uneasily.

"If you talk nonsense again, I'm leaving," Gu Chenghuai threatened.

As soon as the threat landed, Wei Yan ran away in a flash.

A flash of helplessness crossed Gu Chenghuai's eyes. He was like a quiet mushroom when he was a child, but he had become a chatterbox when he grew up. His brother-in-law's genes were indeed powerful.

……

Gu Chenghuai brought his nephew back to his hometown, handed Wei Yan over to his eldest sister, and went to the commune to complete the order temporarily issued by the leader—to give a speech as a military representative.

This was a political task of the military, and no one was willing to take it; Gu Chenghuai just happened to run into it.

Lin Zhao didn't know about this yet.

Lin Zhao lived a "salted fish" life at home: no need to go to work, no need to manage the children, going to see the medicinal fields, checking the warehouse where mushrooms were stored in the village, making an appointment with her sister-in-law from her maiden home to watch a movie, chatting with her sister-in-law at the textile factory... Her days were very fulfilling.

Until she saw Gu Chenghuai in the commune's main hall.

He was sitting on the stage, his back straight, his sharp face revealing a cold solemnity. It looked like he was speaking; his deep voice was sonorous and powerful, his articulation was clear, and he spoke with substance.

This was the first time Lin Zhao had seen this side of the man, and it was quite impactful.

Strange and fresh.

"When did Gu Chenghuai become a military representative?" she muttered.

Chen Yu, who worked at the supply and marketing cooperative, also came to join the fun. Hearing Lin Zhao's words, she looked over in disbelief, "You didn't know?"

"How would I know?" Lin Zhao acted particularly calm, "Gu Chenghuai didn't say, so of course I didn't know. I went back to my hometown, how would I know what his situation is."

When she set off to return to her hometown, this person was still out on a mission.

This person, why didn't he know how to send a telegram.

Gu Chenghuai had an innocent face; he was thinking about going home after finishing the mission, how would he know he would run into Zhaozhao?

However.

Her little life was quite comfortable...

Regiment Commander Gu, whose aura on stage was becoming increasingly cold and majestic, narrowed his eyes, his speech unaffected.

Lin Zhao inexplicably felt her back go cold, rubbed her itchy nose, and sat down obediently, putting on an attitude of listening to the lecture.

Chen Yu stifled a laugh, gave her sister-in-law a "you're on your own" look, and left.

Lin Zhao reached out.

(??? ヮ??)

Gu Chenghuai's voice was pleasant, and his speech was logical, not a lullaby that would make people sleepy. After listening for only a few sentences, Lin Zhao was drawn in. Looking at her husband on stage with his extraordinary aura and handsome, compelling appearance, her eyes were bright, and her glowing face was full of pride.

This was her man.

Sorry, she was a fan of the strong; her man was truly handsome to the point of breaking the heavens!

From far away, Gu Chenghuai sensed that gaze that made his mouth dry, cleared his throat, quickly adjusted his emotions, and did not lose his composure in front of everyone.

The speech ended.

The people off stage stood up one after another, and applause thundered.

Gu Chenghuai saluted the fellow villagers, walked off the stage, and walked to Lin Zhao with his long legs.

"Wife, I'm back."

With this sound of his, the restless hearts of several girls whose hearts were budding with love were sealed with cement.

Hehe, high-quality young men will not flow into the market; the words of the elders are the absolute truth.

"How did your face get injured?" The smile on Lin Zhao's face faded a little, and she frowned, looking him over, asking with concern: "Are there any other injuries?"

Lin Zhao had learned of Gu Chenghuai's previous concealment of his abdominal injury, and the consequences were disastrous; he didn't dare to hide any more injuries from his wife.

"There's also my arm," Gu Chenghuai reported his injuries honestly, "The wound has already healed, it's nothing. If you don't believe me, I'll let you check when we get back."

After following him to the military, Lin Zhao learned that every step this man took was not easy. Others could only see his fast promotion, but didn't know that every year he would add a few scars to his body. Those first-class, second-class, and third-class merit medals all had his blood and sweat on them.

"Let's go home, the children are missing you," Lin Zhao held his hand and took her man home.

Gu Chenghuai's deep black eyes bloomed with a smile.

"Alright, let's go home."

The couple's backs receded into the distance.

There was whispering at the scene.

"A combat hero whose hands can carry a gun, speaking softly to his lover—I can't take it! Is this the tenderness of an iron man? They are truly a perfect match."

"Such a young Regiment Commander, I heard he has been on the battlefield many times; it's truly admirable!"