The mother of the era is reborn to support her cannon fodder children!

Chapter 101 "Holding a Grudge"

Lin Zhao said, "Grind this into powder and mix it with honey; it will be good for Dad's health."

Lin Shichang was an honest man. He did whatever his sister told him to do and wouldn't ask questions he shouldn't.

He agreed, "Okay, I'll tell Dad."

Lin Shisheng was skeptical. It wasn't that he didn't want his father to be healthy, but his father had been like that ever since he could remember. They had tried good medicine, like Ganoderma lucidum, but it didn't seem to work.

"Zhaozhao, where did you get this? Is it reliable?" He was afraid his sister would be fooled.

Lin Zhao, of course, wouldn't tell the truth, only answering half the question, "He's reliable, Second Brother, don't worry, that's my own father, I wouldn't harm him."

Lin Shisheng smiled helplessly, "Am I afraid you'll harm Dad? I'm afraid you'll be deceived!"

"Don't worry, no one can fool me!" Lin Zhao said, then looked at Lin Shichang and reminded him again, "Big brother, there's only one portion, don't lose it. The honey is in the bag. Give the rest to Da Dan and a few others."

Lin Shichang didn't stand on ceremony, "Okay."

Lin Zhao saw her two brothers to the front gate, then, remembering the agreement she had made with Sister Fen, she stepped forward and said to Lin Shichang, "Big brother, what about Sister Xiangxiang..."

Upon hearing this, the two Lin brothers stopped, turned around, and looked at her with undisguised curiosity.

"How so?" Lin Shisheng couldn't help but ask.

Lin Zhao smiled, her clear eyes revealing a delighted expression. "The meeting date is set for the day after tomorrow."

"Big brother, second brother, don't forget to tell Sister Xiangxiang when you get back."

Lin Shichang thought it was a good thing, and his smile deepened on his tanned, masculine face. "I won't forget."

He looked more like Lin's mother, with spirited features and a tall stature. He seemed capable and was very popular when he was young. He was not only liked by unmarried girls, but also kept an eye on by the aunties in the village. He was their number one choice for a good son-in-law.

Unexpectedly, he secretly started dating someone and got married as soon as he reached the appropriate age, which broke the hearts of many people.

Lin Shisheng rode his bicycle back to the Dongfeng Brigade with his elder brother on the back.

The two had just arrived at the village entrance when they saw the Lin family's children.

When Lin Xibao saw the bicycle, her eyes widened suddenly, her pupils shining brightly. She ran forward at lightning speed, her two braids bouncing, full of energy.

"Father, Second Uncle, you're back!"

Looking at the smile on his daughter's face, Lin Shichang felt all his fatigue disappear.

In a short while, Big Egg and the others also came running over.

The boys stared intently at the cloth bag in Lin Shisheng's hand.

My aunt gave them nice things again!
Their eyes burned like puppies seeing a bone, and Lin Shisheng's lips twitched.

He took out the things his sister had given to their father and gave the rest to Big Egg.

“Your aunt gave these to you, Big Egg, you can divide them up.”

Big Egg accepted it with a grin.

With a wave of his hand, he led his younger siblings back to the village.

Back in the village, the two brothers deliberately strolled through the crowd, walking slowly as if taking a leisurely walk.

The first time I passed by, the women who were gossiping didn't even look up.

Big Egg and Second Egg exchanged a glance, neither of them uttering a sound, and retreated, retreated further...

Then Da Dan took out a piece of sponge cake from the cloth bag, cut it in half, and gave one half to himself and one half to Er Dan.

The two brothers wandered back to the crowd.

Erdan suddenly raised his voice: "Brother, the sponge cake is so delicious!"

"Absolutely!" Big Egg took a bite and mumbled in agreement, "It's sweet and soft, and smells wonderful! It's made with eggs and sugar, both good things, of course it's delicious!" Actually, he didn't know how it was made, but eggs and sugar couldn't be wrong, and it smelled sweet, so it couldn't be wrong.

The brothers were quite loud, and the people gossiping among them weren't deaf, so they heard everything clearly.

The group all turned their heads to look.

Big Egg was carrying a large cloth bag, which was bulging and filled with all sorts of good stuff.

They were enjoying something when the aroma wafted over, making one's mouth water.

"Big Egg..." someone finally couldn't help but shout.

Big Egg seemed to only just notice them, and slapped his forehead in annoyance, "Oh dear! What was I thinking! I didn't even notice the aunties were here!"

Erdan immediately chimed in, "Exactly, I didn't notice."

Several women: "..."

There are two grown men right here, and they just didn't notice them. Maybe their eyesight is bad? Maybe they should get some glasses like those worn by educated youth sent to the countryside?

Erdan took a small bite of the chicken cake, squinted his eyes, and looked thoroughly enjoying himself.

"What are you eating?" the woman couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing this, Da Dan straightened his back instantly, raised his chin slightly, and said with a hint of smugness, "What? You're asking what this is? It's food! What else could it be? Where did it come from? Well, our brigade definitely doesn't have any, so it must have been given to me by my sales clerk's aunt."

"..." The group was completely taken aback by the display of power.

The man who spoke gave a fake smile, "Big Egg, are you still holding a grudge? We were just chatting casually, why are you taking it to heart?"

Gossip is rampant behind her back; Lin Zhao can still make a living even without returning to her parents' home.

Big Egg pretended not to understand, and greeted people with a smile, "No, I forgot about it a long time ago."

Nobody believes it.

If I had forgotten long ago, why would I have to show it off so many times?

Showing off in front of them is one thing, but deliberately provoking their child and making their kid cry all the time—isn't that holding a grudge?

The Lin family's children are cunning and wicked, with a hornet's nest of schemes.

"We misspoke. Your aunt is a good person, okay?" The woman glanced at the large cloth bag in Da Dan's hand and finally gave in.

She didn't want the children to make a fuss every day for the next few days.

Da Dan was satisfied, but his expression remained unchanged. "My aunt has always been a good person."

After saying that, she took her younger brother home.

Under a certain tree.

Xi Bao and her siblings Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng were also surrounded by several little girls, with many pairs of fiery eyes staring at what they were holding.

"Xi Bao, what are you eating?" A seven-year-old girl with dark skin wiped her mouth and looked at Lin Xi Bao.

"Chicken cake, my aunt bought it for us." Xi Bao said with a beaming smile.

Lin Xuan nodded silently.

Lin Zheng said seriously, "My aunt is very good to us. She always thinks of us when she gets something good."

"I love my aunt the most!" Xi Bao added with a big smile. "The shuttlecock we play with was also a gift from my aunt. Isn't it fun?"

The little girls nodded in agreement, "It's fun."

A girl picked at her hands and said sullenly, "I also have an aunt. My aunt is not nice to me. She likes to take my things and always argues with my mother. They argue so fiercely, and I am always scared."

Xi Bao, quick-witted, immediately said, "Let adults handle their own affairs. Children shouldn't interfere. If they ever fight again, come out and play with us. That way, by the time you get home, they'll be done fighting."

This is a principle her aunt taught her.

The girl hesitated. "Isn't this a bad idea?"

“What’s wrong with that?” Lin Zheng said calmly. “You can’t help much at home anyway, so you might as well go out. My aunt said that bad moods are contagious, and smart people will stay away from them.”

Xi Bao and the other girls' aunt was a saleswoman and the most accomplished educated person in the whole brigade. The girls felt a mixture of envy and admiration for Lin Zhao.

The girl looked convinced and said, "Xibao, Zhengzheng, I'll listen to you. Your aunt is a high school graduate, which is better than many educated youth. What she said is right. I'll go further away from home in the future."

Lin Zheng nodded in agreement, broke off a piece of sponge cake for her, and said, "Here you go."

The little girl hesitated to take it, stammering, "Is it...for me?"

"Yes, listen to my advice." Lin Zheng said calmly.

"Thank you, Zhengzheng. You're just as good as your aunt."

This compliment struck a chord with Lin Zheng, and his eyes lit up with a smile even more than usual.

Da Dan and the others didn't stay outside for long. After showing off, they went home, arriving home one after the other, along with Lin Shichang and Lin Shisheng.

Lin Shisheng told his family what his sister had asked him to do.

Upon learning that her daughter had brought her something, Lin Heling smiled warmly, took the item, and placed it beside her.

"Tell your sister I'll use it." His voice was clear and gentle, his tone unhurried.

"Hmm." Lin Shisheng responded, then looked at Song Xiwei and said, "Mother, there's also Xiangxiang's matter. Zhaozhao said she and her colleague have arranged a meeting time, which is the day after tomorrow."

Song Xiwei thought to herself that Zhaozhao was like herself in this respect, and neither of them liked to procrastinate on anything.

"understood."

Just then, Xiangxiang's mother arrived again.

The Lin family was somewhat surprised when she appeared at the door.

It's not that we don't welcome her, but she just came yesterday, said everything that needed to be said, and now she's here again today. The two families don't live very close to each other.

"Aunt."

"Auntie!"

A string of younger members of the Lin family called out.

"Yes!" Xiangxiang's mother responded with a smile, put down the things she brought, sat down next to Song Xiwei, and said to her, "I brought Xiangxiang some clothes and a jar of pickled vegetables."

"Thank you so much, sister." Song Xiwei poured her a bowl of cool boiled water and added some sugar. "You've come at the perfect time. Zhao Zhao sent word that she and her colleagues have arranged a time for Xiangxiang and that young man to meet, which will be the day after tomorrow."

Xiangxiang's mother was overjoyed. "Zhaozhao is so efficient! It's kind of her to think of her sister. I really don't know how to thank her."

Song Xiwei didn't say that her family didn't need to thank her, but her daughter had indeed gone to great lengths. "Zhaozhao likes the pickled vegetables you make. When you have time, please pickle more for her. There aren't many vegetables in winter, and pickled vegetables are good with rice."

Aunt Zhao Zhao is a master at making pickled vegetables. Using the same process, hers are even more fragrant. The radish strips are crisp and juicy, and biting into them feels like eating some kind of fruit. The cabbage is also delicious, sour and spicy, and very appetizing.

Xiangxiang's mother readily agreed, "It's no trouble at all. I'll make extra and send it to her later."

Zhao Zhao is her own niece. Even if the marriage she introduced to Xiang Xiang doesn't work out, can she still refuse to make pickled vegetables?
"Ah."

After speaking with her younger sister, Xiangxiang's mother went to find her own daughter.

As soon as I saw her, I said:
"Xiangxiang, the date for the matchmaking has been set for the day after tomorrow."

"When you meet him, get up early, take a bath, change into decent clothes, and comb your hair neatly. When you get to the county, listen to Zhaozhao in everything. Zhaozhao is familiar with the county and is very thoughtful. If you have any questions, just ask her. Don't be shy. She is your cousin. If you meet the young man and you think he's alright, take the initiative. If you don't think he's alright, don't force it. You are my only daughter, and I hope you live a good life."

Even though her husband's family felt that Xiangxiang had brought shame to the family, Xiangxiang's mother didn't blame her daughter. She blamed herself for not standing up for herself and letting her father-in-law arrange that heartless marriage for her.

She ruined her own daughter.

Xiangxiang understood everything in her heart. "I'm not stupid, Mother, don't worry."

“I know what’s good and what’s bad,” she emphasized.

Xiangxiang's mother stroked her daughter's rough hair and said, "I brought you some clothes. Wear something nice when you go to the matchmaking event the day after tomorrow."

Cloth coupons were precious, and the country girl didn't have many clothes. The clothes she brought were patched, but only a few.

"Okay," Xiangxiang agreed.

Xiangxiang's mother needed to get back before dark, so she didn't dare to linger. After talking with her daughter, she quickly said goodbye and left.

Song Xiwei looked at Lin Shisheng, "Second brother, see your aunt off."

……

Gu family.

Lin Zhao sat in the room altering clothes.

Gu Chenghuai adjusted the wick to brighten the light and said, "The commune will have electricity in the second half of the year."

"Power on? Ouch!" Lin Zhao was so excited that he pricked his finger with the needle and hissed in pain.

"Are you alright?" Gu Chenghuai nervously grasped her hand and looked at her fingers. There was a shallow hole in her left index finger, but thankfully it wasn't bleeding.

He said apologetically and regretfully, "I shouldn't have brought this up while you were doing your needlework."

"It's nothing, I was just too excited." Lin Zhao smiled at him. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

"Are you really going to turn on the electricity? Did you ask Comrade Yang?"

Gu Chenghuai gently massaged his wife's fingers, his movements light and quick. "Yes, the entire commune will be electrified in the second half of the year; it's all in the plan."

Lin Zhao's dark eyes shone brightly. "This is a good thing. It will be much more convenient to have electricity."

She leaned forward, her clear and beautiful eyes fixed on the man, a sweet, happy, and delightful smile on her lips.

"You only went to ask because Erzai told you I bumped my leg?"

Gu Chenghuai did not deny it, "Yes, there are many children in the family, and they can be very noisy when they make a fuss. You will inevitably get anxious. It will be very convenient to have electricity."

Lin Zhao leaned in and kissed the corner of his lips.

Take a sip.

Gu Chenghuai's lips curled into a smile, his gaze softened like spring water in March, his voice slightly hoarse, tinged with laughter, "Be careful with needles."

"I'm watching," she said in a light voice.

The topic is temporarily suspended.

Gu Chenghuai stared at his wife for a while, then suddenly said, "How about we buy a sewing machine?"

Lin Zhao thought for a moment and said, "That works too. We have four kids, and making clothes takes a lot of time. A sewing machine will save me a lot of trouble."

"I'll get the tickets," Gu Chenghuai said gently.

Lin Zhao's eyes curved into a smile, "Alright, then I'll trouble you, my capable baby's father."

"It's no trouble at all." He's part of the family too.

Gu Chenghuai watched as his wife altered one garment after another. He recognized the first few as alterations for Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng, but the one she was altering was simply a matter of slimming the waist.

Who is this altered for?

Lin Zhao said, "I'll alter it for Sister Xiangxiang. I don't wear this outfit much. I'm doing needlework anyway, so I'll alter it for her while I'm at it. I want her to look presentable when we meet. First impressions are quite important."

Comrade Gu made a very good first impression on her. He was dressed in military uniform, with a military cap pressing down on his eyebrows. He had deep, dark eyes, a tall and straight figure, and was as handsome as someone who had stepped out of a black and white movie.

Gu Chenghuai thought his wife was wonderful; she was beautiful and kind. How could there be such a perfect girl? He really liked her very much.

"Dong, dong, dong——"

Three regular knocks sounded on the door.

"The door's open, come in," Lin Zhao said, facing the door.

The eldest and second sons led the twins in.

"mother."

"Mother~"

Four children's voices, each with a distinct intonation, rang out.

"Why are you all here?" Lin Zhao stopped what she was doing and looked at the four children.

Erzai pulled up a stool and sat down next to her. "I haven't seen Mom all day, so I came to chat with her."

Lin Zhao couldn't help laughing.

The eldest son opened the drawer, took out a grid paper, sat under the lamp, and practiced writing with a pencil, glancing at his mother every now and then with a smirk.

As for the twins, the four little ones nestled in their father's arms, wanting to swing on a swing. Gu Chenghuai held the little cotton-padded jacket, swaying his arms from side to side, and the little milk bundle giggled.

The third child sat obediently next to his father, quietly watching Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao touched her youngest son's face, wrinkled her nose at him, and the little boy smiled sweetly.

After teasing the overly quiet third child, she took a moment to ask the second child, "What do you want to talk to me about? Tell me, I'm listening."

Erzai said, "Mom, my brother and I suffered a great loss today, and I'm a little angry."