Chapter 399: The Child

Lin Zhao hadn't expected her aunt to be so forward-thinking, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

"That's great—you and my uncle live in a big house, earn good wages, have harmonious neighbors, and living alone saves you so much trouble. I support it."

In today's world, distant relatives are no match for close neighbors; the Song family's neighbors on all sides had known each other for decades. Though there were occasional squabbles, whenever someone had trouble, neighbors always stepped in willingly—no need to worry about accidents.

Song Song Yuncheng walked in carrying a six-pack of soda, and at Lin Zhao's words, he immediately realized what they were talking about.

He efficiently opened the sodas, set them on the table, and invited Yu Bao and the others to help themselves.

After finishing, he tilted his head back and gulped down a soda, then sat beside Lin Zhao.

"Sis, I was hoping you'd help me persuade Mom—but you? You're outright supporting her in kicking me out of the house." Song Song Yuncheng's tone was plaintive, his usually spirited face brimming with accusation.

"Sis, which side are you on?!"

Lin Zhao remained calm. "Do you even need to ask? Of course I'm on my uncle and aunt's side."

Song Song Yuncheng dragged out the word. "Sis…"

Seeing Yaobao glanced over curiously, her voice light and tinged with delighted surprise. "Big Yun Uncle is this old and still pouting? Even my little brother doesn't pout anymore."

"Your little brother doesn't pout anymore—do you?" Song Song Yuncheng grinned at Seeing Yaobao without the slightest embarrassment.

Seeing Yaobao's lovely face flushed pink. She whispered, "I do."

Song Song Yuncheng burst out laughing. "You're the baby of the family—you can pout however you want."

His Seeing Yaobao was beautiful, with a sweet voice; being pouted at by her was pure pleasure.

Seeing Yaobao's face turned even redder. She turned slightly, facing her older brother.

Yu Bao looked at Song Song Yuncheng. "Uncle, Seeing Yaobao's grown up now—she gets shy. Don't tease her."

"Alright, alright, no more teasing." Song Song Yuncheng beamed, picked up the reddest watermelon slice from the table, and handed it to Seeing Yaobao. "Eat this—it's the sweetest."

"Thank you, Big Yun Uncle." The girl's voice was sweet and soft. She didn't bite into the watermelon right away—instead, she held it to Lin Zhao's lips, letting her take the first bite before eating herself.

Lin Zhao didn't refuse her daughter's thoughtfulness, taking a small bite. "Your stomach's weak—only one slice, okay?"

Seeing Yaobao ate the sweet, juicy watermelon and nodded obediently. "Mm-hmm, I won't eat more."

Lin Zhao stroked her daughter's thick, black braid, her voice gentle. "If you like it, buy it often."

Seeing Yaobao leaned her small head against Lin Zhao, nuzzling affectionately.

"Big brother will buy it for you—Big Brother has money." Yu Bao, charmed by his sister, leaned in and whispered.

"I have money too—I can treat my brothers." Seeing Yaobao replied softly.

She wore two braids, a pale yellow pinafore with a doll collar, and well-fitting white leather shoes. She sat properly, like a delicate porcelain doll—and her words were unusually heartwarming.

Yu Bao smiled. "Keep your little savings for yourself—we're your brothers. We can't use your money."

"Spending on my brothers doesn't hurt my heart," Seeing Yaobao murmured, shifting closer to her big brother.

Gu Gu Chenghuai's eyes flickered with amusement.

All four children had been raised well by his wife—each one sensible, none of them spoiled. They were a joy to have around.

Song Song Yuncheng suddenly chimed in, teasing, "You don't mind spending on your brothers—so… when you get a boyfriend, will you spend on him too?"

At this, Commander Gu's stern face darkened like ancient, unmelting snow—chilling.

The old father, imagining some brat eyeing his daughter, felt his hands itch fiercely, unconsciously reaching for his waist.

He'd already treated the nonexistent son-in-law as an enemy.

Hmph. Whoever tried to steal his daughter was asking for death.

Seeing Yaobao blinked her big eyes earnestly. "Nope. A man who spends a girl's money is a pretty boy—must be avoided."

Song Song Yuncheng burst into laughter.

Uncle Song and Aunt Song also couldn't help smiling.

"Seeing Yaobao, who taught you that?" Aunt Song gazed at her with tender affection, as if seeing the mischievous little Zhao Zhao again.

"Second brother said it." Seeing Yaobao didn't lie—she immediately betrayed her brother.

Gu Hangbao wasn't fazed at all. He sat straight, radiating the confident air of a courtyard boy. "I said it." He admitted calmly, then added, "Was I wrong?"

"Nope." Song Song Yuncheng gave a thumbs-up. "Absolutely right."

He turned to Seeing Yaobao again. "Seeing Yaobao, your brothers are all sharp as knives. If anything comes up, tell them—they'll give you advice. You won't get cheated."

These relatives live far away. Only her brothers can truly protect her.

Seeing Yaobao set down the watermelon rind, wiped her hands with a small handkerchief, and answered seriously. "I tell my brothers everything."

Earlier, Jiang Rong had come secretly to speak with her, saying strange things. She didn't want to listen, but he came again. Seeing Yaobao found it annoying and told her brothers.

Yu Bao and Gu Hangbao didn't go looking for Jiang Rong—just took a few minutes on the way home from school to calmly and coolly tell him to stay away from their sister. If he did it again, they wouldn't be so polite this time. Out of respect for their childhood friendship, they'd given him face.

Seeing Yaobao didn't know any of this.

After that, Jiang Rong never approached her again.

She'd been too young to realize she'd been bullied by Lu Lu Baozhen. Now that she understood, she didn't want revenge. First, so much time had passed; second, her current situation was vastly different from Lu Lu Baozhen's. Seeing Lu Lu Baozhen doing well was already the best revenge… Jiang Rong was close to Lu Lu Baozhen, so she didn't want to get near them. No harm in that.

Hearing Seeing Yaobao say she told her brothers everything, Song Song Yuncheng couldn't stop smiling. "That's smart. Use your own brothers like that."

"Look at me—I've been using Little Yun Uncle so naturally."

For years, the four kids had always called them "Big Yun Uncle" and "Little Yun Uncle." The habit stuck, and Song Song Yuncheng and Song Song Yunjin were used to it too.

"Big Yun Uncle, don't bully Little Yun Uncle," Seeing Yaobao pleaded, watching him with careful concern.

Song Song Yuncheng froze.

His head felt heavy. Oh—turns out he was carrying a giant pot on his head.

"Did Song Song Yunjin write you another letter?"

"Don't listen to him! That kid never tells the truth—he's got zero journalistic integrity. He'll sink his own brother without a second thought. You've got to judge for yourselves—don't let him mislead you."

He looked serious. "Even if you get misled sometimes, just correct it quickly."

Seeing Yaobao's face was blank with confusion.

Gu Hangbao grinned. "Got it! Don't worry, Big Yun Uncle—we've got our own judgment. If we're unsure, we'll write to you. We won't overthink."

Song Song Yuncheng ruffled his hair. "Now I'm relieved…"

Song Yunjin, that brat, takes advantage of the distance to screw over his own brother without mercy.

Speaking of Song Yunjin, Lin Zhao asked Uncle Song, "Has Song Yunjin's job been settled? Will he stay at the provincial newspaper?"

Uncle Song replied, "You know Song Yunjin—he likes it. Your aunt and I didn't argue. We let him do as he pleased."

In this era, newspaper offices were top-tier units. Without connections, getting in was impossible. Luckily, Uncle Song had spent years building a web of relationships through his technical skills, pulled strings, and got Song Yunjin placed inside.

"Then you and Aunt won't see Song Yunjin for a long time," Lin Zhao said.

"It's fine," Aunt Song patted Lin Zhao's hand. "Your two cousins are adults now. They can make their own decisions."

She smiled. "Your uncle and I worked hard raising them. Our job's done—we can rest now!"

Song Song Yuncheng watched his mother's relaxed smile, as if they were burdensome leftovers, and deliberately said, "Mom, you won't rest long. Once I get married and you have grandchildren, I don't believe you'll be able to let go."

In truth, he had no intention of letting his mother raise the kids—he planned to hire someone.

Raising children was exhausting. Helping out was fine, but doing it constantly? He feared his mother would hurt her back.

If that happened, his sister would definitely come back by train to beat him up. If she got really angry, she might even cripple his third leg.

She'd say: "If you can't raise them, don't have them! My sister-in-law raised you—now she's supposed to raise your kids too? How dare you?"

He was just thinking this.

Lin Zhao gave him a sidelong glance. "My aunt said she wants to rest—yet you still want her to raise kids? What, you can give birth but not raise them? Need me to help you permanently solve the problem?!"

Song Song Yuncheng was delighted.

See? He'd guessed right—exactly as predicted.

"No, no, I was joking!" Song Song Yuncheng quickly backed down, afraid of being beaten. "She's my own mother—I care about her. I never meant for Mom or your aunt to raise the kids. I'll hire someone. If Mom misses the grandchildren, she can just visit."

He was now a Level 11 technician, earning seventy-three yuan and fifty fen a month. He could support his family—and support them well.

Uncle Song also had no intention of making his wife raise the grandchildren. He gave his eldest son a satisfied look and volunteered, "I'll pay for the caregiver."

His salary was more than double Song Song Yuncheng's.

He occasionally received bonuses—his wallet was always full.

When his son eventually had children, the financial pressure would be heavy. As parents, helping within their means was only natural.

Song Song Yuncheng didn't refuse his father's offer, teasing, "Song Gong, you're generous."

Song Gong gave him a look. "You're almost getting married and still have no sense of decorum. Afraid your fiancée will laugh at you?"

"She knows exactly what I'm like—she won't laugh." Song Song Yuncheng wasn't ashamed—he was proud.

This fiancée was his own choice. The girl was direct—she confessed to him. After being burned before, he'd hesitated at first, quietly inquired about her family background. Hearing she came from a decent, normal household, he finally agreed to date her.

There was no help for it.

The first one was so bad—it gave him child fear.

Lin Zhao watched her cousin's cheap, giddy smile and smelled the sour stench of romance.

Boys his age already had kids in elementary school. His late marriage was no surprise—old house on fire, indeed.

"Send me a telegram when the date's set."

Song Song Yuncheng was thrilled. "Sis, you, a busy person, are coming to my wedding?!"

"What else?" Lin Zhao punched him. "I only have two cousins—you and Song Yunjin. No matter how busy I am, I'll come."

Song Song Yuncheng's face lit up even more. "That's wonderful! I'll send you a telegram as soon as it's set."

He glanced at Gu Gu Chenghuai, who was talking to Uncle Song. "If your husband has time, he should come too."

Gu Gu Chenghuai smiled. "I'll try my best. If I can't make it, I'll send you a grand gift."

"My husband and sister coming together means more to me than any gift," Song Song Yuncheng said, dismissing the idea of presents.

Aunt Song pulled Lin Zhao aside. "Have you visited your Xiang Xiang sister yet?"

"I didn't realize Xiangxiang's kids were this big—scared me half to death," Lin Zhao said.

Yuan Xiang's womb proved fertile: she got pregnant three months after marriage, gave birth to a boy as her first child, then conceived again when her eldest was two, and bore another boy.

Li Fen, her sister-in-law, was overjoyed—

The very next day, she went to the graves to tell her deceased parents they now had heirs, begging them to bless the two boys with health, intelligence, and filial piety…

She had always been kind to Yuan Xiang, but after the two nephews arrived, she became even better—not only treating her sister-in-law well herself, but also ordering Li Song to treat her well and never make his wife angry.

Li Song looked utterly baffled.

"My wife is good!"

"She bears me children, washes clothes, cooks meals—how could I treat her badly?!"

Last year, Yuan Xiang gave birth to a daughter, finally completing her family with both sons and daughters.

Song's mother-in-law affectionately pinched Lin Zhao's nose. "The eldest is nearly ten—how could they not be big? You little scatterbrain, you've got your own kids and still had zero preparation."

Lin Zhao tugged on her mother-in-law's arm. "I haven't been home in years—I still remember when Xiangxiang just gave birth."

Song's mother-in-law hugged Zhaozhao and sighed. "Time flies so fast—in a few more years, Xiang Yubao and Hengbao will be ready for matchmaking… Time doesn't wait for anyone."

Lin Zhao's pupils suddenly contracted.

She shivered.

When Xiang Yubao and Hengbao get married, I'll be a grandmother… way up in the generational hierarchy.

A heavy, suffocating feeling.

The continuation of life brings joy, but also helplessness.

That night.

Lin Zhao lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

"Troubled?" Gu Gu Chenghuai stretched out his long arm, pulling his wife into his broad chest. As her soft body pressed against him, he felt whole, letting out a quiet sigh.

"Mom-in-law wasn't wrong—in a few years, when Xiang Yubao and Hengbao marry, I'll be a grandmother…" Lin Zhao bit her lip, nearly breaking down. "I can't accept it."

"I still feel young—how am I already going to be a grandmother?!"

Gu Gu Chenghuai: "???"

Gu Gu Chenghuai let out a muffled laugh, his solid chest trembling, his already deep voice even more alluring.

"It's still years away—aren't you thinking too far ahead?"

Knowing exactly what she was anxious about, he cupped Lin Zhao's face and began praising her. "You're already young—so fresh, your cheeks pink and pale, your skin fine and tender—you're still a girl. Don't overthink it. Isn't that what you said? Too much stress makes your face sag?"

Gu Gu Chenghuai deliberately put on his jealous, icy expression. "When you take the kids out, everyone thinks you're their older sister. Some people with no boundaries even try to befriend you, build revolutionary camaraderie."

Saying "revolutionary camaraderie," he couldn't help but sound sarcastic.

Lin Zhao's lips kept curling upward, soothed by his words.

She buried her face in Gu Gu Chenghuai's chest and laughed. "Gu Gu Chenghuai, you've gotten so good at soothing people—I'm fine now."

Gu Gu Chenghuai smiled in his eyes. "Good. That's all that matters."

He felt no resistance at all to becoming a grandfather and grandmother with Zhaozhao—it meant they had walked half their lives together, and just thinking of it made his heart tremble with happiness.