Chapter 68: He Is My Beloved

Gu Chenghuai frowned, pressing his long, clean fingers against Lin Zhao’s red lips.

“Zhaozhao!” His voice was slightly sharp, black eyes flickering with visible pain, “You’re tearing out my heart.”

Every word Zhaozhao spoke, he dared not ponder—just thinking about it made him unbearable.

It felt as if a hand had pierced his chest, cold and relentless, dragging his heart back and forth.

Over and over.

Worse still.

What she said… it felt as if it had once happened.

It shattered him inside.

Just thinking about it drained him of all strength.

Those deep black eyes locked onto his wife, as if trying to bury her into his heart.

He was truly, utterly terrified.

Lin Zhao felt his tone was harsh; she lifted her gaze to him, eyes clear and calm, “Gu Chenghuai! Are you yelling at me?”

She only called him by his full name when angry; otherwise, she used a dozen nicknames—Comrade Gu, Camp Commander Gu, Daddy of the Kids, Father of the Children, Gu San… all at her whim.

Gu Chenghuai placed his hands on his wife’s shoulders, gazing down at her with focused, burning eyes, voice steady yet tinged with gloom, “I’m not yelling at you. I’m just…”

He paused, voice slightly hoarse, “What you said—I can’t bear it, Zhaozhao.”

They saw each other so rarely; Lin Zhao refused to waste time on petty quarrels. If he was willing to soothe her, she’d instantly calm down.

Her eyes softened; she hooked her fingers around his, her right hand enveloped in his palm.

“Fine, I won’t say it anymore!” She’d only spoken out of frustration—she never meant to hurt Daddy of the Kids.

Gu Chenghuai’s tense expression instantly eased, his gaze never leaving his wife, gentle and tender, “Still hurting?”

“If it hurts, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Lin Zhao’s expression softened as she studied him, reluctant to look away, “It hasn’t hurt for a long time!”

He was her man—after so long apart, how could she not miss him?

Even a hint of distance was crushed beneath the overwhelming emotion of wanting to cherish every second with him.

Noticing his hands were empty, not even a cloth bag, she asked curiously, “You didn’t bring any luggage?”

“I did,” Gu Chenghuai replied, always gentle and patient with his wife, speaking slowly and calmly, “It’s at Yang Jun’s.”

He glanced again at her forehead—no red mark remained. She must be fine.

“You borrowed money for the bicycle, watch, and work supplies?” Lin Zhao frowned slightly, worried he owed someone.

“No,” Gu Chenghuai shook his head. “I withdrew it from my mission bonus savings book.”

He had two savings books—one for allowances, one for mission bonuses. When they first married, he voluntarily handed both to his wife. Lin Zhao accepted only the allowance book; she refused the bonus one, telling him to keep it himself.

She felt this money was earned through his blood and sweat—she shouldn’t take it.

“Good. At least you don’t owe anyone,” Lin Zhao said.

Gu Chenghuai’s deep black eyes fixed on her, holding quiet hope, “You’re not afraid I’ll give money to Gu Xing’er—why not take the other savings book too?”

Lin Zhao’s expression softened with resignation. “Whether you hold it or I hold it—it’s the same. Who ever complains about having too much money? Keep it handy—you can take it whenever you need.”

“I don’t need it,” Gu Chenghuai said firmly.

He didn’t want Zhaozhao to treat him as an outsider.

He worked hard outside—wasn’t it all to give her and the children a better life? Allowance or bonus—it was all the same to him. Just numbers meant to make his family live better.

“You brought it back?!” Lin Zhao raised her eyebrows.

Gu Chenghuai immediately pulled the savings book from his pocket and offered it to her.

Proactive. Willing.

“You’re the head of this household. You keep it.”

“You put the savings book in your pocket!” Lin Zhao scolded him in surprise, snatched it without a second glance, and shoved it into her bag, “Don’t you worry about losing it?!”

This was Daddy of the Kids’ blood and sweat money!!

Gu Chenghuai’s brow relaxed, black eyes brimming with laughter, his whole body light.

His gaze at his wife grew even more adoring.

He truly loved it when Zhaozhao took charge of him.

It made him feel she cared—she wasn’t the type to take his body and then deny him.

“What are you smiling at?!” Lin Zhao slapped his arm—his arm was like iron, strong enough to lift her single-handedly, carry her from the county back to the brigade, then all the way to Dongfeng Brigade.

“I’m happy,” Gu Chenghuai replied, voice laced with laughter.

His voice was already deep and pleasing; when warmed by laughter, it became low, seductive, making her ears burn.

“You’re silly—giving money makes you happy?” Lin Zhao’s heart swelled, but she teased anyway.

Gu Chenghuai saw through her false protest; his mood lifted further. “I’m happy to give it to you.”

“Camp Commander Gu, you’re hopeless!” Lin Zhao took his hand and strode forward.

Gu Chenghuai watched her profile, smiling silently.

He’d been hopeless since the first moment he saw Zhaozhao.

After walking a little further, Lin Zhao suddenly stopped, slapping her forehead, “...I forgot the bicycle!!”

Gu Chenghuai caught her hand, gently stroking her forehead, voice resigned, “Forget it. No one would dare steal it.”

Bicycles were all registered and licensed back then—stealing one meant jail.

Before Lin Zhao could speak, Gu Chenghuai volunteered, “It’s still early. Want to watch a movie?”

Lin Zhao suddenly remembered—when they first started dating, he’d said the same thing.

Back then, it was winter. Comrade Gu wasn’t the stern, commanding man he was now—he was still a little shy, couldn’t even look at her directly, only stealing glances.

When she caught him looking, he’d blush, ears bright red, pretending calm as he answered her questions.

“Of course!” Lin Zhao smiled. “It’s been so long since we watched a movie together!”

“Then let’s go.” Gu Chenghuai took her hand and headed for the cinema. He let go whenever they passed someone, but pulled her hand back the moment they were alone—his eyes clung to his wife, never satisfied.

“What if the kids are waiting for me at the village entrance?” Lin Zhao hesitated, a pang of guilt.

“Don’t worry. Family’s watching them,” Gu Chenghuai said, unconcerned.

He’d never thought of using the four kids to bind his wife. Zhaozhao was Lin Zhao first—then his wife, then mother of four, then Gu family’s daughter-in-law.

“You don’t miss them at all,” Lin Zhao said casually.

“Of course I miss them,” Gu Chenghuai replied openly, never holding back words for fear she’d think he blamed her for neglecting the children. “They’re your priceless treasures—born after so much pain and blood. How could I not miss them?”

“We have plenty of time tonight to bond with them. Right now, I just want to be alone with you.” His gaze was focused, earnest.

In the sunlight, he glowed.

Lin Zhao tilted her head slightly, catching sight of his sensual, attractive Adam’s apple, his lips made for kissing.

She smiled, voice bright and happy, “...I miss them too.”

Gu Chenghuai lowered his eyes, wanting to kiss her—but he couldn’t.

He reluctantly looked away, still holding her hand, walking toward the cinema.

“The day I called you, I took Dacai and Ercai to the movies. They were overjoyed—talked about it for days with the kids in the brigade.” Lin Zhao recalled the last time she’d taken the boys to the cinema and shared the story with Daddy of the Kids.

Gu Chenghuai’s mind conjured a scene.

His gentle, beautiful wife holding both sons—eldest son calm and quiet, rarely speaking, smiling sweetly at his mother; second son bouncing, chattering nonstop, asking questions about everything, eyes bright, just like Zhaozhao’s when she first saw him.

His heart instantly melted, softened.

“You’ve worked so hard,” he said seriously, tightening his grip on Lin Zhao’s hand, guilt and tenderness flickering in his eyes.

He couldn’t be beside them—he felt guilty toward Zhaozhao, the four kids, and his parents.

Lin Zhao shook her head, smiling sweetly. “It’s fine. You know Dacai and Ercai are good—they never give me trouble. You’re the one who’s worked hard.”

After so long apart, the couple had endless things to say. Especially Gu Chenghuai—he had countless questions about his wife’s changes, but feared stepping on a landmine, making Zhaozhao think he blamed her for neglecting the children. He held his tongue, choosing to observe first.

“Are you used to your job? Is it tiring?”

Lin Zhao’s eyes softened with delight. “You know what being a salesclerk is like—it’s easy. We finish work early. I love it.”

She tugged his arm, voice light and cheerful. “Daddy of the Kids, you don’t know how much I envied salesclerks when I was in school.”

“I thought—how could anyone have such a comfortable job? Just arrange goods, greet customers when they come, and when no one’s around, you can nap or knit. Great pay too. It’s heaven.”

“I never thought I’d get one.”

“Don’t laugh at me—but the night before my first day, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep. I wanted to talk to someone, but…” no one.

Gu Chenghuai caught the unspoken meaning in her words—his heart clenched sharply.

Lin Zhao didn’t want his guilt. When she accepted his proposal, she already knew—he was a soldier, unlike other husbands and fathers, he couldn’t stay by their side.

The words just came out like this.

She smiled, subtly shifting the topic, voice bright: “Chenghuai, I’m happy.”

Gu Chenghuai’s eyes stirred with emotion. “As long as you’re happy.”

“I am. Being a salesclerk was my ultimate goal in high school.” Lin Zhao tilted her head, gazing at the branches glittering in the sunlight, soft light falling across her cheek.

“I’m not like others with grand dreams. Is that strange?” She turned to him, voice lightly teasing.

“Not strange,” Gu Chenghuai shook his head, eyes clear and sincere. “Everyone has their own aspirations. Everyone has the right to choose their way of life. You’re perfect.”

Lin Zhao’s smile widened. “You always know how to make me happy.”

In Gu Chenghuai’s heart, she was perfect however she was.

“I’m not soothing you. I mean it,” Gu Chenghuai emphasized.

“I know.” That’s why it meant even more.

The two of them talked as they walked, heading straight for the cinema.

At the ticket window, the clerk was still Guo Meizhu.

Some people had no sense of queueing; seeing the crowd, they deliberately pushed forward, hands reaching through the window, making others furious.

Guo Meizhu, her pretty face cold, shouted loudly, “What are you doing? What are you doing? You’re all adults—don’t you know how to queue? Every single one of you is worse than a child! That hand with the mole—keep pushing? Are you trying to sneak in? I saw you!”

She scolded as she went on.

Her hands never stopped moving.

Her eyes were sharp—no one could cheat their way into a ticket.

Lin Zhao took in everything at the ticket window and couldn’t help smiling softly.

“You know her?” Gu Chenghuai asked.

“Mm, my junior high classmate,” she replied.

Seeing Guo Meizhu notice her, Lin Zhao waved toward the window, then pointed to the cinema’s seating area, signaling she wanted two tickets.

Guo Meizhu nodded, acknowledging her, then went back to work.

Gu Chenghuai noticed Lin Zhao’s lips were dry; he told her to wait in the shade and hurried off to buy soda.

Even after a long separation, their unspoken understanding remained—Lin Zhao knew exactly what he was doing, her eyes and brows sparkling with amusement.

After finishing her work, Guo Meizhu came over with two tickets.

“Zhaozhao, your tickets.”

Lin Zhao took them, handed over the money, and slipped a chocolate into Guo Meizhu’s hand.

“Chocolate?! Is this chocolate, Zhaozhao?!” Guo Meizhu had never tasted chocolate before; her city cousin had boasted about it, saying it was so delicious that all the candy at the supply cooperative combined couldn’t compare.

“Mm, it’s chocolate,” Lin Zhao nodded.

“I heard it’s expensive—the supply cooperative doesn’t even sell it. I never expected you’d have any, and that you’d give it to me so generously. Thank you!” Guo Meizhu smiled with gratitude.

“No need to thank me—you saved me the tickets,” Lin Zhao said.

Speaking of saved tickets, Guo Meizhu remembered the man she’d seen from afar, her eyes brightening. “Zhaozhao, who was the man beside you just now? Your third brother?”

Lin Zhao paused slightly, then shook her head. “No—he’s my husband.”

Gu Chenghuai happened to hear those words.

The young soldier, cold as a winter moon, instantly softened the chill in his dark eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Ah…?!” Guo Meizhu gasped, her expression suddenly complex, almost bewildered.

This was the country bumpkin everyone whispered about—ugly and uncouth?

Uncouth?

Ugly?

Everyone’s blind!!

“What’s wrong?” Lin Zhao frowned slightly.

Guo Meizhu didn’t want baseless rumors to spoil Zhaozhao’s mood; she shook her head quickly. “Nothing, nothing at all. Your husband is really handsome.”

No wonder he was Lin Zhao’s classmate.

She’d always said those four words—self-degradation—were far from Lin Zhao. She was always clear-eyed, always knew exactly what she was doing.

“Oh.” Lin Zhao didn’t press further; she bid Guo Meizhu farewell and entered the cinema with Gu Chenghuai.

Meanwhile, the newly reunited couple enjoyed their sweet, private world inside the cinema, while the four children at the village entrance and the two dogs waited anxiously.

“Brother, when’s Mom coming back?” Erzai asked impatiently.

He and his older brother had just finished washing clothes; their shirt hems and pant legs were damp, their sandals caked in mud.

Dazai kept his eyes fixed on the spot where Mom usually appeared, never blinking, his brow slightly furrowed.

Sizai tilted his head, blinking his large, clear, watery eyes, then suddenly uttered two puzzled words: “...Lost?”

Erzai grinned, bursting into loud laughter, dragging out his tone. “You think Mom’s like you…?”

“Hahaha!!”

“Mom’s an adult! An ADULT!! How could an adult get lost? You dummy, Sizai!”

The little dumpling’s face flushed red; his plump little arms whirled like tiny propellers as he launched himself forward with a yowl.

“Bad brother!”