Chapter 80

Mommy's daddy...?

Quiet San Zai blinked his thick, curled eyelashes, pondered for two seconds, and led his sister over.

"Grandpa." He called out in a soft voice.

Lin Heling took out candy and gave it to the two little ones, "Good."

"Thank you, Grandpa." Quiet San Zai had been taught very well by Lin Zhao; for a child not yet two years old, he was very polite.

Sizai imitated her brother and also thanked him: "Thank you, Grandpa~"

She was a little girl, and her voice was sweet and soft, like a cloud.

Lin Heling touched the little granddaughter's head, not hiding the love in his eyes, turned back to look at Song Xiwei, and smiled: "Xiwei, look at Sizai, isn't she exactly the same as Zhaozhao when she was little?"

"Looking at her, I thought I saw Zhaozhao; she's really cute."

"Daddy, Mommy," Gu Chenghuai called out, put down the things, held his wife's hand as they sat down, and hearing his father-in-law's words, his stern eyebrows and eyes bloomed with a smile.

He liked hearing about Zhaozhao's childhood.

Lin Mu's aura couldn't be described as gentle; knowing she wasn't liked by children, she feared the grandson and granddaughter would feel uncomfortable, so she didn't get too close.

She nodded, "They look alike, but their temperaments aren't."

"Sizai looks soft, but Zhaozhao's temperament is stubborn and domineering."

"?"

"Mommy." Lin Zhao feigned anger, her tone tinged with resentment, "Your son-in-law is here, give me some face."

Lin Mu laughed, "Alright, alright, alright, I won't say anymore."

What Zhaozhao is like, the son-in-law clearly knew long ago.

"Chenghuai, how long are you staying this time?"

Lin Heling also looked over.

"A little over a month," Gu Chenghuai said.

"That's fine, spend more time with the four cubs." Just as Lin Mu's words fell, a dark, thin, tall young woman entered from outside the door.

She was carrying a wooden basin, and the basin was full of wet clothes, as if she had just come back from washing them.

As if she hadn't expected people to suddenly come to the house, she stood frozen in place, not knowing what reaction to make.

"Zhaozhao, this is your eldest aunt's cousin, Yuan Xiang." Lin Mu didn't ask if her daughter remembered her cousin, to avoid Zhaozhao saying she didn't remember, which would make both sides awkward.

"Xiangxiang Jie." Lin Zhao called out politely, her gaze lingering on her for a moment.

She had an impression.

Her eldest aunt's eldest cousin, one year older than her, 24 years old this year.

She heard she was getting married soon, why would she be at her house?!

Yuan Xiang moved her mouth, just about to say something—

When she saw Qiu Lian walk out with her arms crossed.

She squinted at Yuan Xiang, her words tinged with some schadenfreude, "Little sister-in-law probably doesn't know what's going on, your cousin here was dumped by her fiancé and has become an old maid that nobody wants."

Qiu Lian sized up Yuan Xiang with a look of disgust, her words very impolite, and she was still sowing discord.

"Speaking of which, you're twenty-four, right? Zhaozhao is younger than you and has already given birth to four, yet you haven't even gotten married; the gap is really big, tsk tsk."

"You've lost face in your own village, yet you have the nerve to run to our brigade. Do you know that in the few days you've been here, many people have come to the house to inquire, and now people outside are laughing at our family."

Her speaking speed was fast, and within the half-minute before others could react, she had finished spewing her filth.

The atmosphere suddenly stagnated.

Lin Zhao clearly felt Yuan Xiang's body stiffen slightly, and a look of embarrassment appeared on her face.

"Is the second sister-in-law comfortable staying at her maiden home?" Lin Zhao changed the subject.

Her eyes were slightly cold, brimming with blatant disdain and mockery.

"Second sister-in-law looks darker and thinner; you're so sensitive, feeling like everyone is talking behind your back—was it because you were gossiped about when you went back to your maiden home? No wonder you came back after only staying a few days."

She hated the style of taking others' suffering and wantonly stabbing at their wounds the most; she would tear apart anyone she saw doing it!

Qiu Lian's face turned black.

Wasn't it all exactly as she said!?

In front of her fierce mother-in-law, she wanted to scold people but didn't dare; she wanted to return to her room, but feared that the things Lin Zhao brought back wouldn't include a share for her, so she endured her anger and stayed.

Her skin is really thick!

Lin Zhao ignored her and looked at Yuan Xiang with a relaxed expression, "Xiangxiang Jie, my daddy and mommy manage the house, and my brothers and I all welcome you here; don't take those unpleasant words to heart."

Chen Yu affectionately patted her sister-in-law's arm and chided, "Zhaozhao, I have nothing to say either."

"Sorry, eldest sister-in-law, I forgot you, hahaha." Lin Zhao chuckled.

Her eyes glanced at her belly, and she asked, "Eldest sister-in-law, how have you been feeling lately? I brought you red dates and brown sugar; you should take some every two days to supplement yourself, I guarantee you'll give birth to the child safely."

Lin Shichang smiled, "Zhaozhao is thoughtful; your eldest sister-in-law felt dizzy a few days ago, and after seeing a physician, they said she needed supplements; the things you brought are just in time to be used."

Hearing this, Lin Zhao glared at her eldest brother angrily and said fiercely, "Eldest brother, why didn't you come find me? Are you being distant with me, not treating me like your own sister anymore!?"

Seeing Dadan's daddy stunned by his own sister, Chen Yu hurriedly spoke up for her husband.

"Zhaozhao, you misunderstood your eldest brother; we originally planned to go find you in a couple of days."

The anger on Lin Zhao's face dissipated; she changed her expression faster than turning a page.

"Fine, I work at the supply and marketing cooperative; things that are hard for you to buy are a piece of cake for me, just send word if you need anything."

Ercai mimicked her, raising his little hand, "A piece of cake."

"Gu Ercai, you're imitating adults again." Lin Zhao scraped the bridge of his nose with her finger.

The clingy child snuggled up to his mommy, smiling very softly and cutely.

On the side, Qiu Lian waited for a long time without hearing her sister-in-law say she brought anything for her, her face twisted in anger, crawling in the dark corner.

... Lin Zhao is also a snob!

Seeing she didn't give birth to a boy, she didn't even bring her a piece of candy, really stingy!!

No one cared about the troublemaker's emotions.

The embarrassment on Yuan Xiang's face gradually faded, and she looked at her cousin with gratitude, the warmth returning to her stiff, cold limbs.

"Zhaozhao, thank you."

She originally didn't want to come to her aunt's house, but the people in the village spoke really harshly, and her mommy feared she would be stimulated and do something foolish, so she begged her to come and avoid it, leaving her no choice but to bring her rations and come over.

The people in her aunt's house were all good, only the second sister-in-law spoke harshly, but it was fine, she would just endure it and it would pass.

"It's nothing." Lin Zhao waved her hand.

Yuan Xiang smiled sincerely and took the basin to the backyard to hang the clothes.

"Mommy, what's going on?" Lin Zhao moved her stool closer to Lin Mu, lowering her voice, "How do I remember you saying before that Xiangxiang Jie was getting married soon?"

As soon as the mother moved, Ercai also moved his little stool over, with Gu Da Cai following closely, revealing a shy and bashful smile.

Gu Chenghuai couldn't laugh or cry, picked up Sizai who wanted to imitate her two brothers, and put the cub on his lap, "What are you joining in the fun for, can you understand?"

Sizai tilted her pink, tender little face, revealing an innocent and pure smile, making people's hearts soften.

She didn't make a fuss, leaning her little head on her daddy's chest, her eyes curving into crescents.

Just as Lin Zhao's question was asked, Xibao brought a stool and sat in front of her, saying, "Auntie, I know."

"What happened?"

Lin Xibao, like a little marmot that had fallen into a melon field, said with a sense of secrecy and excitement: "Xiang Auntie's short and ugly fiancé took a fancy to another girl and insisted on breaking off the engagement; he didn't want to bear the bad name himself, so he spread rumors everywhere that Xiang Auntie was old and unchaste, which ruined Xiang Auntie's reputation, making it impossible for her to stay in their village, so she came to our house to avoid the limelight."

Chen Yu's vision went black, she almost fainted, and the usually gentle person was so angry she gritted her teeth, "Lin Xibao!"

"Where did you hear these things from?!"

"How old are you, why is your mouth so loose."

And "short and ugly fiancé," she was really almost laughing from anger!

Xibao shrank her neck, hid behind her aunt, and looked at her for help.

Lin Zhao touched the little girl's messy hair and gently smoothed things over, "Eldest sister-in-law, Xibao has discretion; she only says it in front of family, she won't spread it outside, right?"

"Yes, yes, yes." Xibao nodded like a garlic masher, looked at her mommy's protruding belly, and said worriedly: "Mommy, don't be angry, and don't shout with a loud voice, otherwise the sister you give birth to will have a big temper and a coarse voice."

Chen Yu inhaled.

Lin Zhao covered Xibao's mouth, "Xibao, say less, look at how angry you made your mommy."

She said to her eldest sister-in-law: "Eldest sister-in-law, don't be angry, watch your belly, I'll educate Xibao."

"Mommy, I listen to Auntie." Xibao propped up her chin, looking at her aunt with glowing eyes; her aunt was beautiful, everything she said was right, and she listened to everything she said.

The little girl's expression was so straightforward that one could see through it at a glance.

"Lin Xibao."

Fearing his wife would be angered into something bad, Lin Shichang hurriedly helped Chen Yu back to the room, temporarily separating the mother and daughter.

Once people left, Lin Zhao pinched her niece's thin little face, "Where did you hear those things again?"

Xibao blinked her eyes.

Lin Zheng exposed her, "Xibao sister climbed into the basket to eavesdrop."

Xibao reached out to cover her face, revealing only a pair of clear eyes, secretly looking at her aunt.

"Basket?" Lin Zhao was puzzled, "Which basket?"

"The big bamboo basket in the corner of the kitchen, she hid inside." Lin Zheng's smile was subtle, his mouth didn't stop, "Xibao sister suddenly made a noise and was almost knocked unconscious by Grandma with a stick."

"When she was just pulled out, she couldn't move, and it was my eldest uncle who carried her back to the room."

Lin Xuan also curved her eyes, pursing her lips and smiling.

"Xibao, why were you hiding in the basket?" Lin Zhao asked amusedly.

"We were playing hide-and-seek, I hid inside and accidentally fell asleep." Xibao felt ashamed, her voice muffled in her palms, no longer as clear as usual.

She leaned into Lin Zhao's ear and whispered: "Auntie, I hid inside, and no one could find me."

"..." So you waited for people to find you until you fell asleep!

"You're really something." Lin Zhao couldn't laugh or cry.

Xibao smiled like a flower, "That's right, I'm the best at playing, the older and younger sisters in the brigade all love playing with me."

She was lively and cheerful, and also loyal, like a little sun; adults and children all liked her.

Lin Zhao took out a shuttlecock and sent it to the little girl, "Here, for the little Xibao who is best at playing."

Xibao's eyes lit up, "Wow, such a beautiful shuttlecock, thank you Auntie."

"I'll play with Xuanxuan sister and Zhengzheng."

After saying that, she called the two little sisters to play in the yard.

After sending the children away, Lin Zhao finally had time to show her daddy and mommy the things Gu Chenghuai had carefully prepared.

"Daddy, Mommy, these were all prepared by your son-in-law; I looked at them, they are all useful, Mommy, you put them away, you and Daddy use them."

Lin Mu touched the animal skin; it was rare to see one so big, is it a bear?

"Where did such a big animal skin come from?"

Gu Chenghuai sat upright, his expression serious, "It was a gift from my comrade-in-arms, obtained through regular channels, please rest assured."

"I have nothing to worry about with the things you do," Lin Mu said, "Your daddy can use this animal skin in the winter; you are thoughtful."

"Not just the animal skin, there's also a wild mountain ginseng," Lin Zhao interjected softly.

She looked at her daddy with concern and asked eagerly: "Daddy, is the wild mountain ginseng good for your body?"

The corners of Lin Heling's eyes bloomed with smiles; those fine lines didn't affect his refined gentleness, but instead made him even more elegant and composed.

"It is." His speaking speed was slow, never unhurried.

"Sorry to trouble Chenghuai."

Gu Chenghuai said steadily: "Daddy, no need to be polite with me, it's all what I should do."

Lin Zhao's words continued, "Mommy, the fabric is for you, the cigarettes and alcohol are for my eldest brother and second brother."

A laughing voice rang out from behind: "Filter tips? For me and eldest brother?"

It was Lin Shisheng.

Lin Zhao turned her head to meet her second brother's smiling face, "That's right, Gu Chenghuai said so."

Lin Shisheng walked over, patted his brother-in-law's shoulder, "Thanks, Chenghuai, I really didn't misjudge you."

It wasn't in vain that he cast his supporting vote at the beginning.

Lin Mu was too lazy to divide it for the two brothers and stuffed the bag of things to the second one, "You guys divide it yourselves."

"Alright." Lin Shisheng's tone was light.

Put it aside first.

He looked at his sister, "Zhaozhao, has the construction on your house started? I was just planning to go take a look."

"Everything that needed to be demolished has been demolished, construction starts tomorrow," Gu Chenghuai answered.

Lin Shisheng said: "That's fine, eldest brother and I will go over to help tomorrow morning."

Seeing it was getting late.

Lin Mu and Chen Yu went into the kitchen to cook, and Lin Zhao followed them in.

"Mommy, I'll come help."

Lin Mu glanced at her, her eyes were calm and insightful of everything, "You want to ask about your Xiangxiang Jie's matter, right."

Lin Zhao didn't deny it.

"Look, I said Xibao is like her aunt," Lin Mu said.

Xibao leaned against the door frame, poking in a little head, "It's good to be like my aunt, I like being like my aunt, if my looks could also be like my aunt, that would be too great."

After saying that.

She retracted her head and ran away.

Chen Yu: "..."

"Mommy, how did Xiang Auntie's marriage suddenly disappear?" Lin Zhao pursued the question, her face full of incomprehension, "Wasn't it said they were preparing for the wedding? Xiang Auntie delayed several years because of that man, and it just ended like this?"

Lin Mu nimbly washed the cucumbers and handed them to her eldest daughter-in-law to cut.

"The man's side paid two hundred yuan, and both sides reconciled."

Lin Zhao frowned, "Just this?"

"It's not a small amount. An ordinary family would have to save for two years without eating or drinking to save two hundred." Lin Mu felt her daughter was working slowly, pushed her away, and sat down to burn the fire herself.

Her mouth didn't stop, clearing up her confusion.

"Your eldest aunt said, knowing the true face of that family before marriage is a good thing, saving your Xiang Auntie from suffering grievances after marrying over."

"Her meaning is, the two hundred yuan will all be put in your sister's dowry chest, and after this matter passes, she will find someone else to propose to Xiang."

Gu Da Cai took a small wooden stool, and Ercai came over with a cattail-leaf fan in his hand.

"Mommy, you sit," Gu Da Cai said.

Ercai said diligently: "Mommy, you fan yourself."

Lin Zhao sat down comfortably and took the fan, "Thank you, cubs, go play."

"Mommy, call us if you need anything," Gu Da Cai said, pulling his brother away.

Chen Yu cut the vegetables with a thumping sound and couldn't help but say: "Zhaozhao, Gu Da Cai and Ercai are really well-behaved, how did you teach them?" Her tone was indescribably envious.

"I didn't teach them much, they're just well-behaved," Lin Zhao said without false modesty.

"Sigh, sensible children are born that way," Chen Yu said with a face full of emotion.

She touched her slightly protruding belly, hoping the one inside would be a sensible one.

Lin Zhao remembered Fen Jie's entrustment and said: "Mommy, an older sister at the supply and marketing cooperative said she wanted to find a partner for her younger brother, a rural household registration is also fine."

Lin Mu's hand paused slightly, becoming serious, "Tell me in detail."

Her niece is diligent and sensible; after coming, she wasn't willing to take advantage of anything, cleaning the vegetable garden, carrying water, washing clothes, braiding hair for Xibao and the others... she did all the work.

Such a good girl, she also hoped her niece could have a good destination.

"The man's legs have some problems," Lin Zhao said straight to the point.

Lin Mu's eyebrows wrinkled slightly, but she didn't speak.

"He served in the army, the injury to his legs was left on the battlefield, he is twenty-eight this year, has a formal job, earns quite a bit, has an independent small courtyard at home, his parents are both gone, he has an older sister above and a younger sister below; the older sister married well, she is my colleague Fen Jie, the younger sister hasn't married yet and is currently being proposed to, that's it," Lin Zhao said all the information in one breath.

"These conditions are not bad, why do they want to find someone in the countryside?" Lin Mu asked worriedly.

"They asked people to propose to several, but none succeeded. His legs aren't good, and there's no mother-in-law to help, so it's indeed not easy to find," Lin Zhao also understood; if they could find a better one, who would be willing to settle?

"Fine, I know, your eldest aunt is coming tomorrow, I'll ask her opinion then," Lin Mu had discretion and wouldn't take everything upon herself.

"Alright, I'll also ask Fen Jie tomorrow, if both feel it's fine, let them meet," Lin Zhao said casually.

She positioned herself as an intermediary who introduces both sides to know each other.

As for the rest, she wouldn't interfere.

"Fine."

Lin Mu and Chen Yu went into the kitchen to cook, and Qiu Lian immediately turned around and returned to her room, without even saying a greeting, nor thinking of helping, and hadn't appeared until now.

After asking about Yuan Xiang's matter, Lin Zhao whispered to inquire about the second branch's matter.

"Mommy, my second brother and..."

She pursed her lips in the direction of her second brother's room, "What happened?"

"Who knows, I didn't ask," Lin Mu felt that her son was already an adult, and even had two children, so he should know what he should and shouldn't do.

Chen Yu scanned outside the window, didn't see her second brother-in-law's figure, and her voice was very low, "One day I saw the second uncle come back from outside, his face was very ugly, as if something had happened."

Lin Zhao's clear, bright black eyes suddenly flashed.

Could it be, second brother he...?!