Chapter 426: You Really Think Highly of Me

After communicating with Gu Chenghuai, Lin Zhao withdrew eight thousand from her savings and gave it to Lin Shisheng.

This sum was substantial, but certainly insufficient to set up a factory.

She took out three gold bars she had saved.

“You’re willing to give me gold bars?” Lin Shisheng’s lips curled high—how could he not be delighted that his sister trusted him so deeply?

“They’re just inanimate objects; what’s there to be reluctant about?” Lin Zhao retorted.

Lin Shisheng swiftly wrote out an agreement by hand, signed his name, and stamped it with his personal seal.

“Zhaozhao, sign here.”

Lin Zhao glanced at it and exclaimed: “You even have a seal? This is seriously professional.”

She read through the content—it was thorough.

Lin Shisheng beamed, his thick eyebrows nearly dancing.

“Of course.”

“I’m serious. Even though we now lack nothing, with how fast things are developing, I’ve already heard people buying refrigerators, and wedding dowries are changing too—who knows what new things will appear next? So I need to earn well, so I can provide whatever comes along.”

He was with the transport team, which was always in demand. He traveled everywhere and felt the pace of development more clearly.

“Alright then, I’ll be waiting,” Lin Zhao said bluntly, picking up the watering can on the windowsill and beginning to water the flowers.

After watching his sister sign, Lin Shisheng took one copy of the agreement.

“Keep the agreement safe,” he stepped forward, snatched the watering can from Lin Zhao’s hand, and urged her to put the documents away first.

“It’s worth a lot—show a little care.”

Lin Zhao muttered, “It’s our own home—why bother being so careful?”

Still, she obediently tucked the agreement into the drawer.

Lin Shisheng brushed his fingers against the petals of the pink peony and said without turning around: “Zhaozhao, call your sister-in-law and say a few good words for me.”

Lin Zhao remembered—right, if her second brother hadn’t reminded her, she’d have forgotten.

“Alright, I’ll call right now.”

While the two women talked, Lin Shisheng didn’t eavesdrop; after watering the flowers, he went to the back to play with Dahuang and Hupo.

Taotao wasn’t surprised her husband would seek out his little sister.

Her first words were: “Your second brother told you he wants to quit, right? I didn’t agree at first, but after thinking for days… let him go.”

“No matter what happens, he’ll always have food to eat. If he fails, he can start over—tell your second brother not to worry, say I approve of him running a factory and doing business…”

Lin Zhao shifted her posture, leaning against the cabinet, her laughter bright and clear: “Got it. Don’t worry, sister-in-law—your man knows what he’s doing. Whatever he sets his mind to has potential; if he’s careful, he won’t go wrong.”

Hearing this, Taotao smiled.

“Zhaozhao, with your words, I feel at ease.”

The two women chatted a few more minutes; Taotao mentioned she had sent something to the capital and told Lin Zhao to watch for it, then hung up.

Lin Zhao walked up to Lin Shisheng with a smile.

“Second brother, sister-in-law says she agrees with you quitting to start a business. She said even if you fail, she’ll start over with you—what a wonderful wife! You’ve got to be careful, don’t get cheated, don’t let her suffer.”

Taotao was an impeccable wife, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, and mother—everyone in the Lin family had seen it for years and was deeply satisfied. Lin Zhao always sent good things back home, and Taotao, grateful in return, occasionally sent things back to her.

Lin Shisheng beamed: “Really?”

“Of course. I’ll work hard—I won’t let you down.”

Lin Zhao cheered him on: “Go for it—I believe in you.”

Lin Shisheng swelled with energy.

He deposited the money Lin Zhao gave him at the bank, exchanged the gold bars for cash, and drove back home with over ten thousand in savings.

He traveled with the convoy, which had many people, and with the crackdowns intensifying over the past two years, highway robbers had long lost their boldness—transport work had become far safer.

After completing this major task, Lin Zhao took a car to the military district.

Seeing her cheerful, Gu Chenghuai sat beside his wife and smiled: “Finished your big task?”

“Yes,” Lin Zhao shifted closer to him, her eyes bright with joy. “Second brother’s plan has real potential—he’s going to make hair and body care products: shampoo, conditioner, body wash… huge market. I’m very optimistic.”

Gu Chenghuai listened patiently, then offered his opinion: “Indeed excellent. There’s a massive gap in this field domestically. If your second brother enters now, even a small profit would last him a lifetime.”

“You’re that optimistic? Sharp eyes—you’re truly the kind of man who rises to division commander.” Lin Zhao praised without hesitation.

Gu Chenghuai had smoothly taken over affairs in the capital military district. He rose through military merit and ability—he had fought on the battlefield, his achievements were real, his conduct impeccable, and no one could find fault with him. His position as division commander was firmly secured.

Years had passed; his aura had grown even more imposing. Outside, he rarely smiled, appearing increasingly inscrutable.

But before Lin Zhao, he remained the man who always kept her at the center of his heart.

Outside the courtyard, flowers bloomed brilliantly, the warm breeze gentle.

At some point, rain began to fall.

Raindrops tapped against the glass window, making crisp, rhythmic patters.

“It’s raining,” Lin Zhao rose, looked outside—there was nothing to bring in—then turned back and sat down.

She nestled into her husband’s warm, broad embrace. The TV played softly; their childless world was quiet and tender.

“Won’t you go back today?” Gu Chenghuai asked.

Before Lin Zhao could answer, he continued: “Don’t just focus on the kids—pay attention to me too.”

Over the past few years, they had shuttled back and forth; Lin Zhao had to study while watching the children, spending little time living in the military district.

Lin Zhao lifted her gaze: “I haven’t seen you yet? I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“You know, the kids are at critical stages. The second one’s fine—he’s right here with me; I know if he’s misbehaving, what he eats, whether he’s warm. But the first and third are both in closed environments—I have to schedule visits just to see them, afraid they’ll suffer…”

“Now it’s better—they’re almost done with school. I’ll have plenty of time to shuttle back and forth, and I’ll get to see you more often.”

Gu Chenghuai asked: “What do you plan to do after graduation?”

Lin Zhao’s eyes shimmered: “I’ve been offered a contract as an illustrator by a publishing house—introduced by Yunjin. I sent them my sketchbook; they said they’ll send the contract.”

“Will the work be heavy?” Gu Chenghuai asked.

“Don’t overwork yourself. Your salary is enough for household expenses—your health and mood matter most,” he emphasized.

“Not heavy at all,” Lin Zhao said.

“It’s just drawing—plenty of time given. No pressure for me. You know me—I won’t push myself.”

Drawing was what she loved.

Passion could withstand the long passage of time.

She could do it.

Besides, the job paid well and offered freedom—it was exactly the career she wanted.

“If you like it, that’s all that matters,” Gu Chenghuai said.

Listening to the rain, Lin Zhao truly didn’t want to go through the trouble. She said: “I’ll call Jie-jie tomorrow afternoon—we’ll go back. The rain’s too heavy, and most importantly… I want to spend time with my Gu Mr..”

Gu Chenghuai’s lips curved slightly.

He stood up: “I’ll make the call.”

Perfect—he could soothe his daughter and prevent her from being upset.

Yaobao was indeed unhappy. She loved falling asleep to the sound of rain, especially curled in her mom’s warm, soft arms.

She had looked forward to returning home, only to learn her mother had gone to the military district and wouldn’t be back today.

Her plans disrupted—she felt miserable.

“I know you’re hungry…” the girl muttered.

“Not happy?” Gu Chenghuai chuckled. “Alright—I’ll grant you one request. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. Still not happy?”

Yaobao’s eyes sparkled.

“A little better,” she said bluntly. “I need time to think what I want—I’ll tell you later. Okay?”

“Of course,” her father agreed.

After hanging up, Lin Zhao turned, draped her right arm over the back of the sofa, and teased: “What did you promise your daughter this time?”

“One small request,” Gu Chenghuai said.

“A small request…” Lin Zhao muttered. Who believed that? Yaobao, that little schemer, was surely planning something big.

…

After Lin Shisheng left the capital, Taotao, fearing he’d get bored or drowsy driving, bought him a radio to keep in the truck, so he could listen to broadcasts for stimulation.

The drive became more enjoyable.

Now, he hummed revolutionary songs, his lips curled high in delight.

The man in the passenger seat looked at Lin Shisheng: “Brother Lin, what’s so good? Why are you smiling like that?”

Lin Shisheng glanced at him, then quickly returned his gaze to the road.

“Liu, I’m planning to leave the transport team…”

Before he finished speaking, the young man named Xiao Liu perked up instantly: “What?! Brother, don’t be impulsive!!”

Lin Shisheng’s ears rang from the boy’s loud shout.

“Lower your voice—I’m about to go deaf from your yelling.”

Xiao Liu sheepishly grinned.

But he quickly recovered and pressed: “Brother Lin, you’re doing great—why quit? You’re already team leader. Leaving’s such a waste—it’s a golden bowl you can pass down to the next generation!”

“Brother, I don’t want you to go.”

Lin Shisheng winced.

“Enough with the sappiness. If you want to leave, just leave. If I go, when will you get promoted? You’ll be permanent next month—happy?”

Xiao Liu’s eyes lit up: “Really? So happy!”

Thinking that Brother Lin was leaving, his joy instantly halved, and his mood grew gloomy.

“Brother, I don’t want you to leave. If you stay, I don’t mind not becoming permanent.”

Brother Lin had always guided him; he’d learned so much from him, and with Brother Lin around, he had a sense of stability.

Lin Shisheng said nothing.

After so many years in the transport team and so many brothers bonded, he didn’t want to leave either.

“Brother Lin, what are you going out to do? You’re not thinking of going into business, are you?”

Lin Shisheng nodded. “I’ve been considering it.”

The plan hadn’t even started; no need to say too much yet.

Liu Er’s eyes shone with admiration. “Brother Lin, you’re sharp and capable—you’ll succeed for sure. I wish you great success ahead.”

He hadn’t been made permanent yet; when the real farewell came, he might not get a chance to speak.

“Thanks,” Lin Shisheng smiled. “Do well in the transport team—your future won’t be bad either.”

“Yes!” Liu Er nodded obediently.

After that, Lin Shisheng taught him some things to watch out for in dealing with people.

……

When the truck returned, summer had arrived.

Several men jumped down from the driver’s seat; their sweat stench could be smelled from far away.

Lin Shisheng and his coworkers took a quick battle shower in the water room and changed into clean clothes before feeling alive again.

They hadn’t seen their families in a long time; after taking care of personal hygiene, they headed home.

As soon as Lin Shisheng stepped out of the transport team’s gate, he saw his wife waiting beneath a lush tree by the roadside.

“Husband,” Tao Tao’s eyes lit up at the sight of him; she called out cheerfully and walked toward him.

She noticed the dark circles under his eyes and a flicker of pity crossed her gaze.

“Let’s eat first. After eating, sleep. We’ll talk when you wake up.”

Lin Shisheng agreed. He walked to the bicycle nearby and gave his wife a ride home.

“How’s everything at home?”

Tao Tao sat sideways on the rear rack, holding his cotton sweatshirt with both hands, answering softly, “Everything’s good. Father and mother are well, older brother and sister-in-law are well, and uncle and auntie are even better.”

Hearing her report-like answer, Lin Shisheng couldn’t help chuckling quietly.

“By the way, third brother called looking for you. He didn’t say what it was about—call him back when you get a chance,” Tao Tao remembered and added quickly.

Lin Shisheng gripped the brake. “Third brother? I’ll call him right now.”

Third brother was always busy; if he called, it must be something important.

He dropped his wife off at the small restaurant, told her to order first, then rode his bike to the post office.

He dialed the number, asked for Lin Shifan, and was told to wait. After five minutes, the phone rang.

“Third brother?” Lin Shisheng called out.

“Second brother, it’s me,” Lin Shifan’s voice rang out clearly.

“I just got back. Your sister-in-law said you called me,” Lin Shisheng got straight to the point.

Lin Shifan said, “Yes, I was looking for you. Second brother, I heard from Mother that you want to go into business. Do you need money? If you’re short, I’ll chip in.”

“I do. Any factory needs money. If you’ve got extra, lend me some—consider it an investment,” Lin Shisheng thought more was better and didn’t bother being formal with his own brother.

“Alright, I’ll transfer it to you right away,” Lin Shifan said promptly.

No wonder he had a soldier’s demeanor—no wasted words.

“Fine. I’ll send you the agreement later,” Lin Shisheng said, remembering his brother had his own family now. He added cautiously, “Tell your wife about this. If she’s not happy with it, forget it. Zhao Zhao contributed a lot, and with what I have, the initial funds are enough.”

Lin Shifan frowned. “What are you talking about? You’re my own brother. When you’re doing something legitimate, how could I not help? What kind of brother would I be?”

“Don’t worry. My wife knows—I told her. She’s not stingy.”

When he first courted his wife, his first requirement was that she not be narrow-minded—she had to be open-hearted.

He found someone with a good temperament; they’d never argued in all these years.

“Good,” Lin Shisheng relaxed.

He was about to leave when a postal worker told him he had a registered letter.

Lin Shisheng was surprised. When he went to collect it, he found Meng Jiu had sent him a large sum of money.

“!!”

He called Xiao Si next.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t reach him.

Helplessly, he called Lin Zhao.

“Oh, you mean that money? Little Brother paid for your capital. He said you don’t need to rush to pay it back—he’s not short on cash. He told you to focus on your business and buy your nephew a car later.”

Lin Shisheng’s mouth twitched. “A car? Jiusi really has faith in me.”

A car cost tens of thousands—money alone couldn’t even guarantee you could buy one.

“Second brother, you can do it. I believe in you,” Lin Zhao’s voice brimmed with encouragement.