Chapter 71: Will It Kill You to Soothe Me Just Once? (Monthly Ticket Bonus Chapter 5??)

Behind.

Er Zai covered his mouth but couldn’t suppress his laughter.

“Hehehe…”

The couple turned to look at him.

“What are you laughing at?” Gu Chenghuai looked down at his son.

Er Zai tilted his head up sharply, meeting his father’s gaze with a radiant smile, “Dad listens to Mom too—Mom’s the boss of this family.”

Gu Chenghuai made no comment on what Er Zai said.

“So you both must listen to your mother.”

He never missed an opportunity to teach his sons to obey their mother.

“Of course, my brother and I listen to Mom all the time,” Er Zai declared loudly.

He couldn’t resist kicking Si Zai under the table, “Sister doesn’t listen.”

Si Zai stared blankly at her second brother—hmm? What did she do?!

The little schemer wasn’t one to take abuse—she dashed over and shoved her second brother hard, but couldn’t move him, her little face flushing red with frustration.

She puffed out her cheeks, sulking.

A moment later.

She lifted her chubby arms, touched the pigtails on her head, and soothed herself.

Seeing this, the old father’s heart melted.

Like Zhao Zhao’s daughter—how adorable she is!

The stoic, iron-willed officer now felt his heart swell with one after another praise for his daughter.

#Little Sweet Bean#

#Angry But Adorable#

#No Wonder She’s Zhao Zhao’s Daughter#

#She’s My Precious Jewel#

#I Must Protect Her at All Costs#

…

“What are you thinking?” Lin Zhao guessed her husband was imagining something strange, poking his arm.

Her hand was seized in return.

“Our daughter is so adorable—just like you,” the man turned his body, his low, husky voice brushing against her ear.

Lin Zhao pulled her hand back. “Stop casually radiating charm, okay?”

Gu Chenghuai’s brow was full of amusement, his tone unconsciously softening. “So… did it attract you?”

His appearance was too outstanding, his demeanor too upright and solemn—only his wife ever saw this side of him that could charm.

Fresh.

Lin Zhao’s expression was complex beyond words. “Comrade Gu, I’m starting to feel like I don’t know you anymore.”

She smiled warmly, reached up, and tugged at his handsome face, wanting to see just how thick his skin had become.

Gu Chenghuai bent down slightly, making it easier for his wife to act.

“How could you not know me!” He pressed his lips tightly, his face stern, speaking with serious, domineering conviction: “I’m your husband—we’re the closest, most intimate people in this world. You may forget anyone, but never me.”

Lin Zhao smiled but said nothing.

Gu Chenghuai was deeply dissatisfied with her reaction—he gripped her chin, gently tilting it up, his deep black eyes nearly piercing into her soul.

“What does your smile mean?” he asked.

Lin Zhao kept smiling.

Still smiling!

What does it mean?

Does she have other plans? Does she no longer want to be his closest, most intimate person?

Gu Chenghuai’s expression shifted slightly.

“Zhao Zhao!”

Lin Zhao blinked, her expression innocent—still silent.

She was just being bad—she wanted to see Gu Chenghuai flustered because of her.

The man’s expression shifted unpredictably; suddenly he removed his military cap, took a deep breath, looked away, and thrust his fingers into the bristly short hair at his forehead, dragging them from front to back.

The motion was casual, yet carried an effortless, elegant charm.

Lin Zhao’s admiration nearly overflowed from her eyes.

Her husband was becoming more and more captivating.

Gu Chenghuai caught it instantly—his gaze paused, his dark eyes revealing helplessness. “Is this fun?”

“Will it kill you to soothe me just once?” He ground his teeth inwardly in frustration.

When they first started dating, he never stopped showering her with sweet words. After marriage, she ignored him, never wrote letters, and now this—no wonder he felt… that being easily won meant being unappreciated.

Lin Zhao beamed, hooked her hand through his, and gave it a gentle shake. “Chenghuai, you’re back—how wonderful. This surprise—I love it so, so much.”

Suddenly.

The hardness in Gu Chenghuai’s eyes melted, his dark gaze rippling with warmth.

He was about to say something when Er Zai stepped forward, his face dropping, interrupting the couple’s quiet moment.

Er Zai crossed his arms, unhappy. “Dad, can you stop clinging to Mom the moment you get back?”

“You made Mom come home two hours late, and now she hasn’t eaten a bite—you’re still dragging her into conversation. You really…”

He couldn’t find the right word and stalled.

Before his father could react, he continued his accusation: “Dad, you’ve got a mom too—go find her!”

“I haven’t spoken to Mom all day—can you please do something important first?” He even added politely at the end, offering his father advice.

One after another, his little mouth chattered nonstop.

Gu Chenghuai’s lip twitched.

Such a lively, clever child—why did he have to have such a big mouth?

Lin Zhao couldn’t hold back: “Puh—!”

Her laugh triggered a chorus of laughter.

“Pfft!”

“Hahaha, Er Zai, you’re such a treasure!” Gu Yucheng roared with laughter, clutching his stomach.

Even the quiet Gu Fu was smiling broadly.

Er Zai finally realized he’d embarrassed himself—his ears turned red, and he stammered, “W-what are you laughing at?”

“Exactly! Mom hasn’t eaten yet, right, Mom?” He looked at Lin Zhao earnestly.

“Yes, it’s all your dad’s fault,” Lin Zhao replied with a soft smile.

The shy little brat instantly beamed, striking a triumphant “I told you so” pose.

…

Gu Mu’s wound had split open; she felt uneasy and went inside to apply ointment.

She instructed her eldest and second daughters-in-law to cook for the third couple.

Smoke curled from the chimney, rising slowly into the air. The sun had fully set, yet the sky still glowed; Da Huang, the amber-colored dog, lay curled in his kennel.

Quiet and warm.

…

After dinner, Gu Chenghuai opened one of his bags and took out a packet of White Rabbit candy, a jar of wheat milk essence, a bottle of medicinal wine, and a flashlight, handing them to Gu Mu.

“Mom, divide the candy among the kids. The wheat milk essence is for you and Dad to replenish your strength. This medicinal wine eases muscle soreness—you can use it daily. The flashlight is for Dad, for lighting.”

Seeing their third uncle had brought candy—precious White Rabbit candy—the Gu children went wild with joy.

So much White Rabbit candy—how many pieces could each of them get?

Bang Bang and Gu Lan bowed formally. “Thank you, Third Uncle.”

“Third Uncle is so nice~” Tie Chui always said the same thing—simple, sincere, clearly a good-natured boy.

Lai Mei stared at his third uncle’s uniform, eyes full of envy, a soldier’s dream forming in his heart. “Third Uncle, I want to join the army too! Do you think I can?”

Gu Chenghuai paused slightly, didn’t crush his nephew’s hope, and patted his shoulder encouragingly. “Yes. Eat well, study hard, and when you’re old enough, you can try.”

Lai Mei, thin and bony, stood ramrod straight, face solemn, nodding fiercely. “Mm.”

Zhao Liuniang beamed, slapped his shoulder, and pumped him up. “Lai Mei, you’ve got to work hard—being a soldier brings honor. Just look at your Third Uncle!”

“Once you wear his uniform, you can eat as much meat as you want, as much candy as you want.”

…Not that extreme.

The army was short on meat too.

Gu Chenghuai internally objected but kept his face calm, not interfering in his second sister-in-law’s parenting.

Zhao Liuniang leaned close to Lai Mei’s ear and whispered, “Lai Mei, your brother’s a troublemaker. Our second branch depends on you. If you rise, our branch rises. If you’re honored, our branch is honored. Your mother’s future rests on you!”

Lai Mei shook his head and waved his hands frantically. “No no no no—I can’t handle that!”

“You should rely on my brother! I can’t carry that burden!”

Bang Bang stood behind him, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Mom, didn’t you just say last night that our second branch depends on me, that your whole life depends on me? You forgot already?”

He couldn’t resist the barb: “Is your memory bad—or is your memory bad?!”

Zhao Liuniang didn’t see Bangbang get this close—who could’ve expected him to trip right on the spot?

She gave a sheepish smile.

After a brief awkward silence, she straightened up again, utterly unrepentant.

“You two are my sons—what’s wrong with me relying on you?”

Bangbang rolled his eyes.

Laimei: “...”

Rarely did his mother ever ask him for anything—Laimei’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he instantly put on a dignified air.

“Mom, if you want to rely on me, it’s not impossible—you and Dad have to agree to let me change my name.”

“Gu Bawang?” Zhao Liuniang’s expression gave nothing away.

“Mmm-hmm.” Laimei scooted his small wooden stool closer to his mother, his face full of anticipation.

“Bwang your head!” Zhao Liuniang flicked his forehead with her finger, making Laimei jump up in pain.

“What kind of stupid name are you changing to? Your grandpa’s already picking one for you—go away, go away, you unlucky kid.”

Tiechui thought his second aunt was calling him and looked over curiously.

“Hm?”

Zhao Liuniang switched expressions instantly—from stern and sharp to soft and gentle—“Nothing, I wasn’t calling you. Keep playing, keep playing.”

“Oh.” Tiechui replied, returning to play ball with the Long Fengtai.

Dacai and Ercai were there too.

“Tiechui, what do you want to be when you grow up?” It was Ercai who asked.

Hearing his brother’s question, Dacai turned to look at Tiechui.

Tiechui scratched his head and grinned foolishly: “I haven’t thought about it. Dad says to wait until I’m older to decide—just focus on getting strong.”

He wasn’t quick-witted, but he always listened to his best buddies Dacai and Ercai, so he asked: “Dacai, Ercai—what do you two want to be when you grow up?”

Dacai’s small face grew serious. “I’m going to fly a plane!”

Tiechui’s mouth dropped open, awestruck but clueless.

“I’m going to make a ton of money!” Ercai declared loudly. “I’m going to buy a big car—and drive it!”

Tiechui gasped: “Wow!!”

“Tiechui, if you don’t know what you want to do yet, just join me,” Ercai said, looking at him earnestly.

Tiechui wasn’t sharp, but he listened—especially to Dacai and Ercai.

He nodded his little head. “Okay.”

“Then it’s settled!” Ercai’s tone lifted, as if his money-making venture was already starting tomorrow and turning a profit.

Tiechui reached out, making a gesture to pinky-promise.

Two tiny fingers hooked together.

The children’s clear voices rang out: “Pinky promise, never break it—not even in a hundred years.”

Tiechui said: “Ercai, ask me again.”

Ercai paused, then quickly caught on. He pulled a serious face and asked solemnly: “Tiechui, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Little Tiechui sat up straight and answered loudly and firmly: “I’m going to drive big cars and make big money with Ercai.”

“Exactly!” Ercai beamed.

Gu Chenghuai frowned slightly and spoke: “Ercai, don’t say this outside.”

“What?” Ercai turned to look at him.

“About making big money.”

“Why?” Ercai shot to his feet, his brows knitted tightly—he bore a striking resemblance to his father.

Lin Zhao recalled the original novel’s plot—she knew the entire country would soon descend into chaos; she had to be cautious, or she’d suffer, or worse, drag her whole family down with her.

“Ercai, listen to your father,” she said softly.

“But why?” Ercai was full of confusion.

Dacai, her most loyal supporter, said: “Ercai, whatever Mom says, you do.”

“...Fine.” Ercai agreed, then turned to Tiechui: “Tiechui, let’s just keep quiet for now. When we can talk about it, we’ll tell everyone—sigh.”

“...”

Tiechui followed Ercai’s lead. “Okay!”

Ercai regretted not being able to show off to his little buddy yet—then he remembered something and turned to Lin Zhao: “Mom, when can we talk about it? Let me know—I still need to recruit soldiers and buy horses.”

“?” Lin Zhao was constantly stunned by her sons’ learning ability. “When did you learn ‘recruit soldiers and buy horses’?”

“Hehehe.” Ercai grinned. “From Song Zhiqing—he tells us stories.”

Gu Chenghuai’s gaze paused slightly. His tone was light, almost casual: “Song Zhiqing?”

“Yeah, the male sent-down youth from the sent-down youth point,” Ercai said without thinking.

Male... sent-down... youth...

A man!

“From a big city?” he asked, casually.

Ercai didn’t know.

Lin Zhao didn’t think much of it and answered: “I heard he’s from Haicheng.”

“A real big city,” Gu Chenghuai said, unimpressed.

He wondered what he looked like.

He hadn’t forgotten—Zhaozhao had once wanted to marry into a big city.

Chatty Ercai kept talking, sketching characters on the ground as he spoke: “Yeah, super big city. Dad, ‘super’ means way bigger than ‘big’—a lot bigger!”

Gu Chenghuai: “...” He didn’t need to be this helpful.

He’d graduated high school—he was technically cultured.

He knew what “super” meant.

Ercai’s chatter continued, unintentionally pricking at his grandparents’ nerves.

“My little aunt fought with the female sent-down youth over Song Zhiqing, tried to win his favor—and got arrested by the Gongan Bureau!!”

Gu Fu and Gu Mu’s expressions darkened—not at their grandson, but at Gu Xing’er’s disappointment.

Lin Zhao reminded him: “Ercai, tone down your voice—don’t sound so gleeful.”

Ercai was rebellious, but he listened to his mother and brother, and obediently replied: “Okay.”

But he was still happy.

His bad little aunt got arrested!

Dacai noticed his brother’s expression was way too cheerful. He raised his right hand, placed his thumb and index finger on either side of Ercai’s mouth, and pulled firmly to straighten the grin.

“Keep your mouth still,” he instructed.

Ercai held his mouth tight.

“Good,” Dacai nodded solemnly.

Gu Fu and Gu Mu exchanged a look—wanting to say something, but holding back.

Thoughtful—but unnecessary!

Gu Chenghuai watched his two sons. The twins were far more intelligent than children their age—not only did they speak clearly, their minds were sharp.

Zhaozhao worked hard—she raised them so well.

He turned his head toward Lin Zhao, his eyes softening, glowing with tenderness.

Love-struck fools always convince themselves.

“What did Gu Xing’er do to get arrested?” The third brother asked politely, his tone as calm as if commenting on how nice the moon looked tonight.

The Gu family heard the indifference in his voice—and didn’t find it strange at all.

The third son was rational, detached, and wouldn’t tolerate nonsense. This reaction was expected.

Dacai spoke slowly and clearly: “My little aunt hit the female sent-down youth. The sent-down youth aunt reported it to the Gongan Bureau, and they came and took my little aunt away!”

Gu Chenghuai remained unmoved.

Xing’er’s arrogant nature had led to this outcome—he’d expected it.

“It’s a good thing.”

“It saves your parents from cleaning up her messes.”

“Someone in prison will teach Xing’er manners. A little punishment won’t hurt—it’ll show her what she can and can’t do.”

After this, he hoped she’d finally learn something.