Chapter 75: Resentment

"Mother?" The second cub turned on his side, looking at Lin Zhao with expectant eyes.

"Lie down properly." Lin Zhao straightened his sleeping posture. "Children can't sleep on their sides."

"We'll definitely take you; we'll go back together."

"Go to sleep quickly."

Gu Chenghuai was young and had good physical strength, getting up very early in the morning. Blindly guessing, the first and second cubs might be woken up just past five o'clock to exercise.

"Oh." The second cub replied obediently, sleeping head-to-head and shoulder-to-shoulder with his brother.

Not long after closing his eyes, he opened them again, his eyes bright, not a hint of sleepiness.

"Your father is back, so excited you can't sleep?" Lin Zhao smiled.

Not to mention the children, even she couldn't sleep a little.

On the other hand, the twins, the little brother and sister, were young and fast asleep.

The second cub pulled the blanket up to block his mouth, deliberately lowering his clear voice, smiling, and whispering: "Mother, can you play ping-pong?"

"No, when I was young, where did I have such good conditions as you? Do you know how much a pair of ping-pong paddles costs?" Lin Zhao sat cross-legged on the bed, supporting her chin, speaking softly.

Gu Chenghuai leaned lazily against the head of the bed, a pair of long legs with amazing presence, changed into a military green vest, and wore shorts below the knees. The tight muscle lines were faintly visible, and his whole body exuded a sense of power.

Lin Zhao was afraid she couldn't control her evil hands, so she didn't dare to look more, putting all her attention on the children.

"Don't know." The second cub shook his head and looked at his father. "Father, how much money is it?"

"Five yuan," Gu Chenghuai said concisely.

To a five-year-old child, cents were a big unit, let alone yuan!

The second cub's pupils shook.

Father was so willing to spend on them!?

"Father, you really are a biological father!" he blurted out, his emotions excited, his voice rising again.

Five yuan.

It could buy many, many things; Father was willing to buy them toys, he was definitely a biological father.

Gu Chenghuai was silent.

He would definitely not say that the money spent on his daughter was ten times that of the three cubs.

The fourth cub was a girl and the youngest, so it was normal to favor her a bit more.

Lin Zhao looked at the excitement on the twin sons' faces; knowing the truth, she didn't poke at the two little ones' happiness.

The first cub covered the second cub's mouth and subconsciously looked at his brother and sister. "Second cub, keep your voice down, if you wake up the fourth cub, don't sleep!"

The fourth cub had a bad temper when waking up; if she was woken up just after falling asleep, her temper would be even worse.

"Oh, oh." The second cub covered his own mouth.

The little brothers ran wild all day, it wasn't that they weren't sleepy.

Talking about this and that, ten minutes later, they yawned in sync and fell asleep in a daze.

When the children were all asleep, Gu Chenghuai dimmed the kerosene lamp and hugged Lin Zhao into his arms, sighing lightly: "Raising children is really tiring, it's been hard on you."

Lin Zhao played with Comrade Chenghuai's good-looking fingers, her eyebrows soft. "It's okay, our family's four cubs are considered obedient, they listen to whatever I say, very easy to manage."

If there was one as naughty as Lai Mei or Tie Dan, she would definitely have a headache.

Gu Chenghuai leaned his handsome face toward his wife's neck and asked in a low voice: "Is Father naming the four cubs?"

"Yes." Lin Zhao's expression was a bit complicated.

"Has Father always been so... conflicted?" She deliberated on her wording.

Seeing Gu Chenghuai a bit confused, Lin Zhao rested her chin on his chest, looking at him with curved eyebrows. "A week ago, the matter of naming the children fell on Father. Many days have passed, and he still hasn't picked good ones."

"I heard from the second sister-in-law that the light in Father and Mother's room has been on until very late for several consecutive days, and Father also gets up earlier. As soon as he gets up, he flips through that precious dictionary, mutters to himself while working in the fields, and his brows are twisted enough to pinch a fly to death, looking very worried."

"Is Father okay like this?"

Gu Chenghuai didn't rush to answer and asked: "Why did you suddenly want Father to name the four cubs?"

"Not just the four cubs, but also Lai Mei and the others," Lin Zhao corrected.

She secretly inquired about the situation from her mother-in-law; Gu Mu was afraid Father would be under pressure, so she didn't dare ask.

"It's quite sudden, I think Father names things well. Gu Chenghuai, Gu Qingzhou, the names of the eldest brother and second brother, Bang Bang's name are all quite good. Helping you reduce the burden and entrusting this bitter task to Father, I'm good to you, right?"

She raised her eyebrows and smiled, looking exceptionally beautiful under the dim candlelight.

Gu Chenghuai looked at his wife deeply, suddenly leaned over, sealed her lips, and the hot breath drove straight in, domineering and lingering.

After a long time, he slowly retreated, his breathing unchanged.

"Good." His voice was low and hoarse, carrying a trace of restrained desire, and those deep eyes like ancient wells were coated with dark surges.

Lin Zhao's chest heaved, her fair face looked like it was painted with rouge, crimson like clouds, and her lips were glistening with water.

Gu Chenghuai pinched her waist, let Zhao Zhao lie on his chest, his hand gently stroked her back, his movements were gentle, answering her question: "It's okay, Father is a conflicted person, just wait."

"How long to wait?" Lin Zhao grabbed his hand, interlacing her fingers with his, her posture intimate.

"At least a few months. But I'm back, I think Father will have named the four cubs before I leave."

Gu Chenghuai wished he could rub her into his flesh and blood, his Adam's apple rolled lightly, and he leaned over to kiss her brow.

The warm breath sprayed on her earlobe.

"Miss me?" he asked with a smile.

Lin Zhao didn't answer.

Her eye tails lifted, smiling cunningly and vividly, leaning over slightly, kissing his Adam's apple, her movements so gentle as if spring water brushed past, carrying a bit of teasing meaning.

Gu Chenghuai's gaze sank suddenly, his body tightened instantly, and his breathing couldn't help but quicken a bit.

Just about to lean over—

"Mother, are you and Father going to have a fifth cub?" A childish, slightly hoarse child's voice rang out abruptly, breaking the room's beauty.

"!"

Instantly, the air seemed to freeze.

The young couple separated quickly as if electrocuted.

Lin Zhao was guilty and panicked, her hands pushing hard.

Gu Chenghuai was pushed off the bed by her, almost falling heavily to the ground. Fortunately, he was agile and reacted quickly, adjusting his posture rapidly, landing steadily, with a bit of helplessness on his face.

"Zhao Zhao."

Just as he was getting hot, not only was he splashed with a basin of cold water, but he almost fell off the bed!

It had been nearly two years since they met, he just wanted to be close to his wife, why was it so difficult!!

The young officer was full of resentment (﹁"﹁)

Lin Zhao ignored him and looked at the first cub who had suddenly woken up. "Why did you wake up?"

The first cub sat up, took out the handkerchief from under his little pillow, and wiped the sweat on his head. "Too hot." It was also because Mother wasn't by his side, he couldn't sleep well.

After answering the question, he hadn't forgotten what just happened.

"Mother, what were you and Father doing?"

Lin Zhao had a flash of inspiration. "Your father's heart hurts, Mother is blowing on it for him."

The first cub's brows furrowed slightly, his gaze looking at his father with worry.

"Father, does it still hurt?"

Gu Chenghuai: "..." The wound doesn't hurt, the other place hurts.

"Doesn't hurt anymore."

The first cub was half-believing, his knees dragging the cool mat, slowly moving toward the edge of the bed, his gaze locked tightly on his father.

He stretched out his little hand and tapped lightly on Gu Chenghuai's chest.

"Grandma and Mother said, Father has wounds on his body, I want to see." The first cub's voice was childish and firm.

Gu Chenghuai was a brave soldier, always charging at the front during missions, his military merit medals were all earned with blood and sweat, his body had many scars, the one on his chest was the most ferocious and terrifying, Lin Zhao couldn't help but tremble the first time she saw it.

"First cub..." Lin Zhao was a bit worried, afraid the scar would scare the child.

The first cub interrupted her concerns, "Can I not?"

"Mother is worried you'll be afraid." Lin Zhao pinched the child's neck; the child's skin was tender, feeling soft and smooth, like tender tofu.

"I'm not afraid." The first cub's gaze was clear and bright, still insisting, "I want to see."

Gu Chenghuai smiled, rubbing his son's head messily. "Curiosity is so heavy?"

The first cub smiled shyly and said: "Mother said, children have super much curiosity, this is very precious. Adults should protect it like protecting a little flower, carefully care for it, let it grow up!"

"Right, Mother?" He looked at Lin Zhao.

"Yes." Lin Zhao found that the cubs had good memories, and they would definitely be relaxed when they went to school in the future.

Gu Chenghuai faced his son's stubborn little face, no way, pulled his vest casually, and covered it again quickly.

"Alright, just one look is enough, I am entirely your mother's, only your mother can see." He twisted his brows, looking impatient as if you kid were taking advantage.

Lin Zhao just felt she couldn't bear to look, twisting the meat on his arm, it was hard, couldn't twist at all.

Gu Chenghuai's speed was indeed fast, but... the first cub was staring at him the whole time.

The child's eyes were good, seeing the terrifying raised scar at a glance.

The sensitive and delicate first cub's eyes suddenly turned red.

Lin Zhao guessed he would cry.

The first cub was such a soft-hearted child.

She hugged the child into her arms and patted his little shoulders.

"Your father is fine, he still has to watch you grow up, and grow old with Mother, walking slowly and sunbathing, if you make mistakes, your father still has to carry a stick to beat you... don't be afraid, baby, Mother and your father will always be with you."

The first cub had red eyes, revealed the little red rope on his wrist, and asked sincerely: "Mother, can I give the little red rope to Father?"

This was the second time.

He gave his red rope to his family.

He clearly knew it was for protection, but he was still willing.

Lin Zhao would always be moved by the child's pure love.

Her heart was burning.

She pulled up the first cub's hand and, as if performing magic, placed a little red rope in his palm.

"Mother prepared one for your father, First cub, you go, put it on for your father."

The first cub's gaze was brilliant.

Glancing at Mother's empty wrist, his head lowered slightly, and he whispered: "Mother still doesn't have one."

His appearance of feeling aggrieved for her made Lin Zhao wish she could just find a red yarn and tie it on.

But she couldn't.

The material and color of the little red rope she took out were different.

"The little red rope is a protective rope, I have you, I have your father, you are all my protective ropes."

The first cub couldn't stand Mother's sweet words, his earlobes dyed crimson, and he picked up the little red rope and tied it to his father's wrist.

"Cub's father, wear it well, not allowed to take it off," Lin Zhao said.

The first cub nodded in agreement.

He said to his father: "Father, you have to listen to Mother."

Gu Chenghuai's black eyes rippled with a smile, and the veins on his sturdy forearm bulged slightly, the lines distinct.

His slender fingers fiddled with the red rope a few times; the wheat-colored, extremely powerful hand and the bright red rope had a prominent color contrast.

"... Why suddenly superstitious?" He looked at Lin Zhao, not caring about any protective rope.

Lin Zhao's eyebrows lifted slightly, not saying anything.

Whether it's superstitious or not, it will be proven later!

But she hoped Gu Chenghuai would never need it.

Gu Chenghuai raised his eyebrows, looking down at the little red rope on his wrist, a strange feeling crossing his heart.

Lin Zhao stuffed the cattail leaf fan into his hand, hugged the first cub, and lay down. "Hot."

"Heh—" Gu Chenghuai laughed low, resigned to fanning his wife and son.

"Gu Chenghuai, tell your son a story." Lin Zhao changed to a comfortable posture, closed her eyes, and let the cub's father coax his son to sleep.

The first cub looked at Gu Chenghuai expectantly.

"Okay." Gu Chenghuai replied, pulling the blanket on Lin Zhao up a bit.

The weather was hot, but the little belly had to be covered.

Gu Chenghuai walked to the bed lightly, took the "Crossing the Chishui River Four Times" comic book, and read it in a low voice.

Halfway through reading, Lin Zhao's breathing was even and slow; she had actually fallen asleep.

Gu Chenghuai's eyes overflowed with a smile; the cattail leaf fan in his hand didn't stop, and his mouth didn't stop either.

After the first cub fell asleep, he put the book down.

He discovered a strange thing; there didn't seem to be a single mosquito in the room.

Was the mosquito repellent bag on the wardrobe so powerful!?

Lin Zhao turned over, hugging the fourth cub in a daze, touched a big fire stove, the person in the dream frowned slightly, withdrew her arm, and turned over again.

The disgust was obvious.

Gu Chenghuai laughed in anger.

He got out of bed, wet a towel to wipe his wife's sweat, then went out to take a bath, and didn't come back for a long time.

The next day.

When Lin Zhao woke up, Gu Chenghuai and the twins weren't in the room, the fourth cub was lying on the bed playing with the cloth doll, and the third cub was sitting there flipping through the dictionary.

Seeing Mother wake up, he smiled, leaned his little face over, held up the dictionary, and his milky voice rang out: "Mother, teach."

Lin Zhao was stunned for a moment, rubbed her youngest son's head. "So eager to learn? The third cub will definitely be a cultured person in the future, just like your grandfather."

"Mm." The third cub nodded heavily. "Like Grandfather."

Footsteps came from the doorway.

Gu Chenghuai walked in front, holding a red-and-white plaid dress in his hand.

The twins followed behind him; the brothers, who were always full of vitality, looked like wilted eggplants this morning, looking listless.

"Mother." The first and second cubs said in unison.

Lin Zhao was about to speak, but Gu Chenghuai took a step ahead of her and said: "Zhao Zhao, the dress has been rinsed, you can wear it today."

"You washed it last night?" Lin Zhao was surprised.

"That's not important." After finishing, the man picked up the twins and called the first and second cubs out of the room.

Lin Zhao changed into the dress, put on new leather shoes, and her hair was still in loose braids in front of her chest.

Her eyes were dark and spirited; when she smiled, her eyes seemed to be filled with spring water, sweet and vivid.

She walked out of the room.

Everyone in the courtyard looked over, stunned, unable to speak for a long time.

After a while.

Zhao, really festive, better looking than educated youth Meng's."

The first cub reminded the second aunt, "Second aunt, my mother is a city person."

"Right, right, I forgot again, your mother is a city person, and you four cubs are also city people," Zhao Liuniang said with envy.

"Which one is educated youth Meng?" Lin Zhao didn't know all the educated youths at the educated youth point.

"Mother, I know, educated youth Meng is the one who was beaten by the little aunt and reported to the public security bureau," the second cub said. "Educated youth Meng also has a dress, but her dress isn't as good-looking as Mother's!"

He sat obediently, not as energetic as usual.

Gu Fu & Gu Mu: "..."

"Second cub is tired?" Lin Zhao asked with amusement.

The second cub showed off, saying strongly: "Not tired at all, this is the first day, I'm getting used to it, it'll be fine once I'm used to it!"

"Mother, don't dislike me, I will definitely become as powerful as Father."

Only a short morning had passed, and the little child's hostility toward his father had completely disappeared, and there was even a billion points of worship in the corners of his eyes and brows.

Lin Zhao: "..."

Sure enough, whether it's a big man or a small man, they all admire the strong.

"Not disliking you, in my heart, no matter what, you are all powerful," Lin Zhao answered her son while washing her face.

The twins grinned.

The first cub pestered Gu Chenghuai, "Father, we want to play ping-pong!"

Gu Chenghuai was cold on the surface, but actually pampered the children, saying immediately: "I'm going to send your mother to work, I'll fix it for you when I get back."

Gu Yucheng asked curiously: "What thing?"

The second cub's little mouth could talk, "The gift Father brought us, ping-pong paddles, and small yellow balls, Tie Chui, Bang Bang brother... wait until Father fixes a place, let's play together."

There was no entertainment in the countryside; Gu Yucheng was told by his nephew, and even he wanted to play a bit.

"Chenghuai, how to do it? You say it, I'll do it," he offered proactively.

Gu Chenghuai nodded, his voice steady. "The standard size of a ping-pong table is... 2.74 meters long, 1.525 meters wide, 0.76 meters high, with a 15.25 cm net in the middle of the table. Based on this data, use the old door panel removed from our house for the table."

Gu Yucheng didn't expect it to be so particular. "Such detailed numbers."

He couldn't remember it at all, looked at his eldest son, and said: "Bang Bang, take out your paper and pen to record it, I'm afraid I'll forget it in a while."

Bang Bang mocked, "Father, you've already forgotten it now."

Gu Yucheng threatened with a cold face, "Do you believe I'll beat you up now!"

The half-grown boy pouted and went back to the room to get paper and pen.

"Third uncle, can you say it again?" Bang Bang said embarrassedly.

He didn't remember it either, *hehe*.

The third cub, who hadn't let go of the dictionary, spoke, his tone slow, with that softness unique to a child.

"Length, 2.74 meters, width, 1.525 meters, height 0.76 meters, there's a net in the middle, 15.25 centimeters." ===== CHAPTER 76 =====