Chapter 398

Gu Chenghuai's facial injury really made his mother and daughter ache with heartache.

Gu Mu grabbed an old hen, picked up a knife to kill it, and intended to stew soup to nourish her son's body.

Seeing Yaobao stood in front of her father, pouted her little mouth, and blew on the red mark on Gu Chenghuai's face, her delicate eyebrows furrowed.

Her bright black eyes were teary.

"Daddy, does it hurt?"

Gu Chenghuai's heart felt warm and melted, and he chuckled, "It doesn't hurt, Dad doesn't hurt. It looks scary, but it doesn't hurt at all. It'll be fine in two days."

His daughter really was a "little cotton-padded jacket."

Seeing Qian Bao leaned in to look at the injury on his father's face, watching his sister with a focused expression, "I have medicine; I'll apply it for Dad tonight, and it will be fine very soon. It's nothing."

Lin Zhao didn't even know he was carrying medicine, "Why are you carrying medicine?"

Seeing Qian Bao's pitch-black eyes were full of seriousness, "Just in case."

"That's comprehensive," Lin Zhao rubbed her son's soft hair, sat down next to Gu Chenghuai, and applied medicine to his face.

"It's for removing scars."

Gu Chenghuai's brows furrowed slightly.

He, a grown man...

He moved his mouth, wanting to say something, but met his wife's smiling apricot eyes.

She paid attention to eye health daily, and after a few years, those bright, clear eyes were still glowing and beautiful, her gaze moving with a charming and moving grace.

Gu Chenghuai closed his mouth and took the initiative to lean his head over, facing his wife with the injured side of his face.

"Apply it."

Lin Zhao hummed lightly, opened the ointment box, and applied it carefully to the man's injury.

With her fingertips as smooth as silk moving across his face, Gu Chenghuai felt an itch and a tingling sensation.

His throat was slightly dry, and his gaze deepened.

"Daddy, does it hurt?" Seeing Yaobao suddenly opened her mouth.

The dark, gloomy emotions in Gu Chenghuai's eyes dissipated completely. He looked at his daughter, his tone light and slow, "It doesn't hurt."

Seeing Yaobao looked at Lin Zhao, "Mom, be gentle."

Lin Zhao: "..."

"You father and daughter are close, making me look like a bad person," Lin Zhao sighed helplessly.

Seeing Yaobao shook her head hurriedly, "No, no, Mom is a good person, the best person. I am closest to Mom, and I am Mom's little cotton-padded jacket."

Gu Chenghuai also said: "I am closest to my wife."

Gu Hangbao chimed in, "Mom and Dad are the best in the world!"

Gu Chenghuai nodded in agreement.

Yes, that's exactly it.

Lin Zhao couldn't help but smile.

"You only know how to coax me into being happy."

Xiang Yubao said solemnly: "Mom is happy, the whole family is happy. Mom is unhappy, the whole family suffers. Of course we hope Mom is happy every day."

The smile on Lin Zhao's face deepened, "You really know how to talk."

While talking, she finished applying the ointment to the man.

At this time, Gu Mu came out with a plate of dumplings.

"Chenghuai, eat first," she greeted, stuffing chopsticks into Gu Chenghuai's hand.

"If it's not enough, there's more."

Gu Mu looked at her son, feeling that his face had thinned a bit, and said: "Third son's wife, do you think Chenghuai has lost weight?"

Lin Zhao nodded without thinking, "He has lost weight."

Every pound of meat on the man was raised by herself; how could she not know?

"It's fine, gaining weight isn't simple; just nourish him for half a month and he'll gain it back."

"Mom, I want to buy a few chickens. Do you know who is selling them?!"

The third branch was back visiting relatives, so naturally, they didn't raise chickens at home.

Gu Mu said immediately: "I know, I'll go ask right now."

She walked out in a rush.

Just as she reached the door, she remembered something and stopped suddenly.

"Forgot to ask, how many do you want?"

Lin Zhao knew that Gu Chenghuai had a month of leave, so they could stay in their hometown for a few more days.

"Three for now."

Gu Mu responded and soon left the house.

Gu Chenghuai ate one dumpling after another, dipping them in vinegar from time to time, eating very quickly.

As he ate, he picked up a plump dumpling with his chopsticks, dipped it in vinegar, and sent it to Lin Zhao's mouth.

"Taste it?" His deep voice carried a teasing smile.

Lin Zhao opened her mouth and ate the dumpling, "Delicious."

She always felt that the food made by elders had a special taste; it seemed to be peace of mind, a warmth easily captured in ordinary life.

Gu Chenghuai continued to feed her.

"Eat another one?"

Lin Zhao shook her head, "No, I've eaten, I'm very full."

Seeing Yaobao moved her stool closer to her father, grabbed Gu Chenghuai's hem with her little hand, looked up with a beautiful smiling face, and gave a sweet smile, "I want to eat."

Gu Chenghuai raised his sword-like brows, "Dip in vinegar or not?"

Seeing Yaobao looked at her mother and said crisply: "Want to dip."

Her father followed her lead.

The little girl usually ate light food and didn't eat anything with heavy flavors. She had never dipped dumplings in vinegar before. Trying it for the first time, the vinegar brewed by the country people themselves made Seeing Yaobao put on a "mask of pain."

Although she couldn't accept the taste, the little girl didn't waste food and swallowed it down.

"So sour~" After rinsing her mouth with the water Xiang Yubao sent to her hand, Seeing Yaobao's eyes were wet, and her soul seemed to have drifted away.

Lin Zhao curled her lips, "Your dad dips heavily, and you don't eat it often, so of course you'll feel it's sour. Don't force yourself if you don't like it."

Her Seeing Yaobao was truly lovable when she acted like a spoiled child.

She was beautiful, had a soft personality, spoke softly, and didn't even know how to scold people. Such a little girl was truly likable.

Lin Zhao and Gu Chenghuai raised their only daughter with abundance. Whatever other little girls had, she had; whatever other little girls didn't have, she also had. She lacked nothing materially; she was loved by her father and mother, spoiled by her three older brothers, pampered by several uncles, and indulged by a crowd of cousins—she was a veritable "little group pet."

Pampering children is one thing, but Lin Zhao taught her what needed to be taught.

A little girl can be innocent, but she cannot be naive. Especially since her father was capable and her brothers were visibly talented, it was too easy for "phoenix men" (men who marry up) to target her.

Seeing Yaobao looked like it, all soft and fluffy, but in fact, she was very clear-headed and very sober about right and wrong.

"Hmm~" Seeing Yaobao snuggled into Lin Zhao's arms and hugged her waist, "I know."

Mom smelled good.

She couldn't sleep with Mom now that Dad was back, which was a bit depressing.

However, she was very happy that Dad came back safely.

"Mom, can I sleep with Sister Yu Yu tonight?" Seeing Yaobao looked up from Lin Zhao's arms.

Yu Yu, who had delicate features, looked over, "Third Aunt, I can sleep with Seeing Yaobao, I will take good care of her."

She was two years older than Seeing Yaobao and was almost ten years old; in a few years, she would be a big girl.

Zhao Liuniang liked her daughter the most, carrying her on her back wherever she went when she was little. Yu Yu was worthy of her mother's love, not at all arrogant, diligent, sensible, and had a particularly good personality.

Lin Zhao smiled: "You and Seeing Yaobao are not many years apart, you should take care of each other."

Yu Yu nodded, "Take care of each other."

Seeing Yaobao ran to Yu Yu's side and held her hand, "Sister Yu Yu, can we sleep together tonight?!"

"Sure." Yu Yu planned to hang up the mosquito net Third Aunt had given her later; Seeing Yaobao was delicate, so she shouldn't be bitten by mosquitoes.

That mosquito net was pink, and she couldn't bear to use it, so she had kept it stored away. She would burn insect-repellent herbs in the room before going to bed.

Seeing Yaobao and Yu Yu sat together, and the difference in their skin color was even greater: one was white, like a sticky rice ball, and the other was dark and glowing, darker than Gu Chenghuai, who was exposed to the sun all year round.

Lin Zhao was puzzled and asked: "Does Yu Yu not use vanishing cream?"

Zhao Liuniang sighed, "Of course she uses it, the vanishing cream at home has never run out."

She also knew that Third Sister-in-law thought Yu Yu was dark, so she explained: "Yu Yu was quiet when she was little, but she couldn't sit still when she grew up. In the middle of summer, she would follow those mud monkeys in the village to catch fish, go to the fields to weed... running all over the mountains and plains, and she got tanned like this."

Yu Yu lowered her head shyly.

"Mom~!!" She stomped her feet, dissatisfied that her mother had exposed all her secrets.

Zhao Liuniang looked over dotingly, "I won't say it, I won't say it."

"The little black fish even knows how to be embarrassed..." Gu Yucheng said with a smile.

Yu Yu was speechless.

"Dad, why are you like this," she protested.

"How am I?" Gu Yucheng raised his eyebrows. A man approaching forty, making fun of his own daughter, didn't hold back at all.

Yu Yu bit her lip and pulled Seeing Yaobao to her room to talk.

Zhao Liuniang glared at Gu Yucheng, "You won't die if you don't talk."

What "little black fish," how ugly! How could anyone give their own daughter such a nickname? He really was a weirdo!

Gu Yucheng shrugged lazily, "For me, I would."

"..."

Lin Zhao: This father is too relaxed; he is worthy of being a father.

Gu Chenghuai was speechless.

Second brother hadn't changed a bit; he had been a rascal since he was little, saying shocking things, and he was still like this even in his forties.

Gu Chenghuai finished his meal and went home with his wife and children. The chickens he bought were raised at the old house, and they would pick them up when they wanted to slaughter them.

Over the next few days, Lin Zhao stewed soup at home every day. Gu Chenghuai's injuries recovered quickly, and he was vigorous and robust.

When she stewed nourishing soup, she naturally didn't leave out the children, nourishing Xiang Yubao and the others until their cheeks were red and glowing, looking very healthy.

Li Bao also benefited.

The teenager, who was still a bit slow when he grew up, scratched his head, "Third Aunt, I haven't woken up because of leg cramps these past few nights after drinking the soup, I slept so soundly."

"You get leg cramps at night?" Lin Zhao's expression was serious.

Li Bao's heart tightened, thinking he had some serious illness. His heart thumped, and he was so nervous he forgot to breathe.

"Third Aunt, what, what's wrong with me?"

"Nothing's wrong, it's just that you're growing, and your nutrition needs to keep up," Lin Zhao said.

Regarding Li Bao's healthy growth, she took it very seriously and went to find Huang Xiulan to explain the situation.

Huang Xiulan was startled, "That kid has leg cramps? He didn't tell me a word, that slow kid!"

Lin Zhao said hurriedly: "Li Bao thought his leg cramps were caused by running and jumping, and he didn't tell you because he was afraid you'd scold him."

Huang Xiulan thought, no wonder.

"Third Sister-in-law, did Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao have cramps? What should I do about Li Bao's situation?! Do I need to take him to see a doctor?!" Regarding the matter of her child's growth, she didn't dare to be careless.

Only tall people are easy to find partners.

Her own Li Bao was slow, always retorted when he spoke, and wasn't very popular with girls. If he grew to be the size of a potato, what would he do in the future?

Huang Xiulan was worried, her brows furrowed tightly.

Lin Zhao said: "Eat something good, nutrition will keep up, it's not a big problem. I'll give you a few recipes, Sister-in-law, you follow them and nourish both Zhihang and Li Bao."

She just liked her own children to grow tall and look spirited.

"If you don't have enough meat coupons, I'll exchange some for you."

Huang Xiulan's eyes lit up, and she said gratefully: "That would be great. If you have extra, exchange some for me."

After Gu Chenghuai was promoted, his allowance rose to over 150, and he had more coupons. Lin Zhao's work as a propaganda officer was going well, and her salary and benefits were also good, so the couple didn't lack coupons.

Lin Zhao exchanged some for her sister-in-law.

When she saw Li Bao again, she repeatedly urged him that if he felt unwell again, he couldn't hide it from the adults and had to take the initiative to tell his parents.

Li Bao listened to Lin Zhao the most, acknowledged his mistake, and indicated that he would tell them in the future.

……

When Uncle Song learned that Lin Zhao had returned to her hometown, he finished his technical guidance work and immediately booked a train ticket home, meeting his niece before she returned to the military unit.

Lin Zhao was the younger generation, so she took the initiative to bring her husband and children to the Song family.

"Uncle, Gu Chenghuai and I have come to see you," Lin Zhao called out lightly as soon as she entered the door.

They hadn't broken contact over these years.

Uncle Song and Aunt Song's love for Lin Zhao remained the same; no matter what good things they had, they would send her a portion.

Their feelings hadn't faded because of the distance.

Uncle Song didn't mention that he had rushed on his way, fearing he wouldn't be able to see Zhaozhao, and smiled to greet Lin Zhao's family to sit down, took out snacks and candies bought from Haicheng, and cut a sweet watermelon.

"Eat melon, Yuncheng, go buy a few bottles of soda."

Song Yuncheng went out the door without a word.

Aunt Song held Lin Zhao's hand and looked at her carefully, "Zhaozhao hasn't changed a bit, still so beautiful. No, even more beautiful than before she followed the army. It shows that life is good. You are doing well, and your uncle and I are relieved!"

In the past, Zhaozhao still had a childish air, but this time she looked changed, like a peony that had just bloomed—atmospheric, bright, and beautiful.

"Aunt doesn't look like she's changed either," Lin Zhao held Aunt's arm, full of sincerity, "The new hairstyle suits Aunt very well, it's beautiful."

Aunt Song beamed, "Our Zhaozhao still has the sweetest mouth. Your uncle and Yuncheng are really..."

Unable to find an adjective, she simply didn't say it.

Heaven knows she went home beautifully after cutting her hair and asked her husband and son if there was anything different about her. Both men praised the lunchbox she brought back, but failed to notice the difference in her, which was stifling.

Lin Zhao could imagine the scene Aunt Song described and laughed until her eyes curved like crescent moons.

She didn't want to comment, so she naturally changed the subject, "Aunt, does Yuncheng have a partner?"

Aunt Song's joy was unstoppable, "Yes, yes, they've been talking for half a year. I've met the girl; she's delicate, her personality is gentle, and her family is also easy to get along with. Yuncheng has finally done something satisfying."

It didn't fall into her and Old Song's hands.

When she first learned that Yuncheng was talking to someone, Aunt Song was very nervous, fearing it would be like the one who came to the door many years ago; after all, her son's taste was truly not good.

Who knew the surprise would come so suddenly.

Hey, Yuncheng's eyes weren't blind, and he found a pretty good girl.

"As long as Aunt is satisfied," Lin Zhao smiled.

Aunt Song smiled, "Whether I'm satisfied or not isn't important, as long as your cousin is satisfied. Anyway, we won't live together in the future."

Lin Zhao was surprised, "Yuncheng was allocated a house?"

"Allocated, it's a two-bedroom, and the area isn't small," Aunt Song was full of spring breeze, looking very satisfied, "When Yuncheng gets married, your uncle and I plan to let him take his wife to live in the new house. We live our lives, they live theirs, and we won't interfere with each other."

Not to mention that a new daughter-in-law wouldn't want to live with her parents-in-law, she didn't want to live with her daughter-in-law either. How comfortable it was for her and Old Song to live together! If they didn't want to cook, they could go out to eat, and they wouldn't have to cook or wash clothes for their daughter-in-law... If they were bored, they could go out to watch a movie or stroll in the garden. Wasn't that better than staring at each other with their daughter-in-law?