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

Chapter 112 "The Bike Rider"

After saying goodbye to the enthusiastic street office staff, Lin Zhao returned to the supply and marketing cooperative with light steps.

Even Li Fen could tell she was in a good mood.

"What good thing happened?"

Lin Zhao smiled and didn't mention the house at all, saying, "It's a secret for now, we'll talk about it another day."

"Okay," Li Fen said with a smile.

Lin Zhao's smile lingered for a long time.

She sat down, took a sip of water to moisten her throat, and then asked, "My sister and the others haven't come back yet?"

Now, Li Fen smiled even brighter than her, "Yes, they haven't come back yet. It's a good thing they haven't come back yet, it means they have things to talk about, maybe it won't be long before our two families have a happy occasion."

Her brother is a quiet type, rarely exchanging more than a few words with women. The fact that he spent most of the day with Yuan Xiang shows that he was quite satisfied with her.

If the woman is satisfied with him, the wedding can be arranged in the next few months.

Lin Zhao knew what was going on.

Given my aunt's personality, there's a very good chance she'll marry off Xiangxiang before the new year.

No one wants to be a laughing stock forever, especially after their daughter has found a better path.

“Zhaozhao, you’re not an outsider, so I won’t mince words. My family has prepared the bride price: two hundred yuan, a watch for your sister, and a sewing machine.” Li Fen revealed the details to show her sincerity.

That's quite a big move!
Lin Zhao was stunned.

In the countryside, a bride price of 30 to 50 yuan is considered quite high. Not to mention, the Li family also offered a watch and a sewing machine – two of the three essential items (watch, sewing machine, and radio) – showing considerable sincerity!
Without saying a word, Lin Zhao gave a thumbs up.

Li Fen understood this way of praising someone and smiled broadly.

"You're just being mischievous." She pretended to hit someone and laughed, "I added the sewing machine; everything else was prepared by Xiao Song."

"After he gets married, I won't disturb them or do anything that would annoy others. As for my sister, don't worry, she's looking for a partner and won't stay home all the time. Besides, she's not the type to be jealous of her sister-in-law's happiness. My sister has a good personality. No matter how much I say, it will sound like I'm the older sister speaking up for her younger sister. I won't say anything. You'll understand everything when you meet her!"

Li Fen said all this mainly to use Lin Zhao's words to convey the message to Yuan Xiangniang and expedite the marriage.

Lin Zhao understood.

She felt that the Li family was very sincere, and she also became serious. "Don't worry, Sister Fen, I will tell my aunt about these words when I get back."

Li Fen thought to herself, "Talking to smart people is so much easier."

"Okay, then I'll trouble you."

As the two were talking, the curtain at the door was lifted.

Li Song and Yuan Xiang walked in one after the other.

Lin Zhao and the others looked over, their gazes burning with intense curiosity that they couldn't hide.

Yuan Xiang noticed several fiery gazes, paused slightly, her eyes darting around, and she seemed to be steaming.

Li Song noticed that his partner was uncomfortable, so he turned to the side to block the gossipy gaze that was coming his way.

“Don’t be afraid, no one means any harm,” he said.

Yuan Xiang blushed and whispered, "I know..."

She was just... a little uncomfortable.

She raised her hand to touch her burning face, took a deep breath, and walked towards Lin Zhao.

"Zhaozhao," Yuan Xiang called out.

Knowing her cousin's reserved nature, Lin Zhao suppressed her curiosity and said casually, "Sister Xiangxiang, please sit for a while. I'll be off work soon."

"Mm," Yuan Xiang replied.

She was about to go to the corner when she saw Li Song was still there, and she hesitated before looking at him again.

Li Song: It's rare that I can still think of him.

"Go and rest. I'll pick you up from the brigade the day after tomorrow," Li Song said in front of everyone.

The meaning behind the words is obvious.

Li Fen gasped in shock, covering her mouth, and pounded on the counter in agitation, "Xiao Song, you...you..."

She pointed to Li Song and Yuan Xiang.

Li Song smiled broadly and said frankly, "Sister, Comrade Yuan and I are dating."

Li Fen leaned forward, stood on tiptoe, and slapped her younger brother's strong arms a few times, her voice filled with laughter, "Well done! You've really lived up to expectations, you have good taste!"

She then looked at Yuan Xiang, her gaze immediately shifting to that of a younger brother or sister-in-law, and called out affectionately, "Xiangxiang, if Li Song bullies you, just tell me, and I'll take care of him."

Li Song hurriedly said, "Sister! Don't mess with me! What bullying? Who have I ever bullied? Don't ruin my reputation in front of me!"

He finally found a girlfriend, and he ruined it. Where is he going to find someone he likes again?

Li Fen pursed her lips.

Who have you bullied?

Weren't all the girls he went on blind dates with driven away by him?

He didn't hit anyone, but his mouth was like a knife, it was incredibly vicious.

The girl asked, "If we get married, will your family provide the 'three turns and one sound' (referring to a set of three-wheeled vehicles and a radio)? How much is the bride price?" I replied, "I only graduated from junior high school, so you should at least give me three to five hundred yuan..."

What was Li Song's response?
"Tch," came first as a sneer, followed by a light click of the tongue.

"Three or five hundred? Who do you think you are, some kind of pampered princess, asking for three or five hundred like that? If you're short of money, why don't you rob a bank! And 'three turns and one ring' (referring to a radio, a bicycle, and a watch)? How dare you ask me for one? I haven't even said anything yet, and you still dare to ask me for that. I'm speechless. And so what if you're only a junior high school graduate? A high level of education doesn't mean high moral character. Just based on the questions you ask, we can't be a couple. We're not compatible."

When he speaks, he doesn't even bother to hide the disgust, condescension, and greed on his face... Do you think he's some kind of stupid, resentful wretch?
He has a limp, but he's not blind!
After a string of words, the girl blushed and wanted to slap him.

Li Song quickly dodged, but continued babbling, "What? You can't win an argument so you resort to violence? It's a good thing we're not dating, otherwise I'd have no peace!"

Upon hearing this, the girl stomped her feet, cursed "crippled bastard!" twice, and ran away in tears.

Because of this, Li Song's reputation worsened, transforming him from a lame veteran into a vicious cripple.

These two are worlds apart.

After that, none of the people introduced to me were worthy of my attention.

Last night, Li Fen repeatedly told Li Song to watch his mouth and not to speak so bluntly. She told him that if he was really unhappy, she would go back to him and not make things difficult for him in front of his colleagues.

Li Song agreed to them all.

Li Fen, who knew his true nature, was not entirely at ease. Xiao Song was usually quiet and reserved, but when he really wanted to argue with someone, his words were like poison, capable of making someone faint.

Hearing Li Fen's words, Yuan Xiang shook her head and spoke up for her partner, "No, Comrade Li is very...respectful to me."

Yes, respect—the kind of respect she had never felt from her ex-fiancé.

Li Song's mouth almost stretched into a wide grin.

His eyes were full of smugness as he looked at his older sister. Did you see what his girlfriend said? He said that his previous failed blind dates weren't his fault, but that it wasn't meant to be.

Li Fen saw the sincerity on Yuan Xiang's face and was very happy.

She raised her younger brother; praising him for respecting others is also praising her.

"As long as you two get along well, that's fine." She grabbed Yuan Xiang's hand, patted the back of her hand, and her eyes showed undisguised affection.

Lin Zhao thought to herself that she no longer needed to worry about Xiangxiang and her sister-in-law not getting along, as Fen liked her very much.

Yuan Xiang is straightforward and doesn't have many hidden agendas. She says earnestly, "Don't worry, sister, we'll handle things well."

Li Song is now her boyfriend, so it's only right that she calls Li Fen "sister".

……

It was 3 p.m. before we knew it.

Lin Zhao took Yuan Xiang away from the supply and marketing cooperative.

Just as they were about to leave, Li Fen came over carrying a cloth bag and stuffed the contents into Yuan Xiang's arms without saying a word.

"Xiangxiang, here's a gift I prepared for you. Please accept it."

He left after saying that.

In the instant Yuan Xiang was stunned, Li Fen's figure disappeared without a trace.

"Zhaozhao, this...?" she asked hesitantly.

Lin Zhao said nonchalantly, "Keep it. Sister Fen said it's a gift." Hearing this, Yuan Xiang didn't feel awkward, so she accepted the gift and got on the back of the bicycle.

The bicycle slid off the spot.

Lin Zhao took a moment to ask, "Sister Xiangxiang, where did you go today?"

“We went to see a movie and had a meal, which included meat.” Yuan Xiang lowered her eyes, a hint of shyness in them, and said, “Comrade Li said that he would hand over his salary after we got married. If I want to work, he will help me find a job; if I don’t want to work, he can support me.”

Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow. "This is the most basic thing."

Handing over one's salary is basic, and helping one's wife find a job and supporting her are also normal.

"..."

Yuan Xiang remained silent.

Where is the basics? Not many men have that kind of awareness, okay?

Thinking about how her brother-in-law spoiled Zhao Zhao, it didn't seem strange anymore.

She still said, "Zhao Zhao, not everyone can talk about money directly."

A cold sneer flashed in Lin Zhao's beautiful eyes, "If you can't even talk about money directly, what kind of family are you?"

Both her family and her husband's family are very open about money; they say what it is and there's nothing they can't talk about.

She hates families who treat their daughters-in-law like outsiders.

Yuan Xiang's eyes flashed, and she reached out her arm to pat Lin Zhao's shoulder, saying, "You're right, I agree. Don't be angry, Zhao Zhao, these things aren't worth getting upset about."

"I'm not angry, what's there to be angry about? It's just that I'm angry at some people for not standing up for themselves." Lin Zhao has seen a lot of people who are bullied. Some people have no way out, and that's fine, but some people have choices, yet they choose to block their own path. It's really frustrating.

You have to stand up for yourself.

Yuan Xiang, carrying a large cloth bag, sat much more comfortably than when she arrived.

She laughed and said, "If I insisted on fulfilling the previous marriage agreement, I would probably be the one who makes you angry at my lack of self-respect."

Lin Zhao nodded inwardly, but said aloud, "No, you must have your reasons for wanting to marry me. If you encounter any injustice, I will help you."

Whether or not this is true, it warms people's hearts.

Yuan Xiang's heart felt like it was being soaked in warm water. "Zhao Zhao, thank you."

Xie Zhaozhao did not look down on her after she thanked her. She helped her pick up her broken self-esteem at the Lin family home and also went to great lengths to introduce her to potential partners.

It has to be said that the whole "introducing someone to me" thing... was a beautiful misunderstanding.

It would be nice if this misunderstanding could develop into a happy ending.

"No need to thank me, you're my sister," Lin Zhao said casually.

Yuan Xiang was deeply moved. Zhao Zhao truly treated her as an older sister, and from now on, Zhao Zhao would be her only younger sister.

Lin Zhao pedaled his bicycle with heavy breaths, thinking that he could rest for another day after working one more day. He felt full of energy, and his smile was extremely bright.

"Sister Xiangxiang, after you get married, will you go back to work?"

Hearing this, Yuan Xiang was slightly taken aback.

She certainly wanted to work.

but……

"I don't have a high level of education, will I be able to find a job?" she asked hesitantly.

"Of course you can." Lin Zhao was happy to hear that Xiangxiang wanted to work. For women to truly stand up and walk confidently on the road to success, having a job that can support them is essential.

She said, "There are so many jobs, there must be some that don't require a degree. Sister Fen and her family are all factory workers, they have a lot of connections, if they help you find a job, you'll definitely find one."

It's just a matter of spending some money.

"Sister Xiangxiang, if the Li family says they'll find you a job, just accept it without feeling indebted to them. Giving away your dowry and the money your aunt gave you as a dowry isn't being smart; it's being foolish. You need to keep your dowry and dowry safe; they're your capital to deal with any risks."

That was indeed Yuan Xiang's original plan.

She felt that the Li family had already given her a bride price, and now they were going too far by buying her a job.

Lin Zhao was adept at manipulating people's hearts; after a brief moment of silence from Yuan Xiang, she immediately guessed what she was thinking.

"Don't you put in any work when you go to work? Or do you not use the money you earn for family expenses?"

"Sister, think about it carefully."

Lin Zhao didn't say much, lest she annoy people.

She has said everything she needed to say; it's up to Yuan Xiang to decide what to do next.

Anyway, if it were her, she would never return the betrothal gifts, not in any form.

Yuan Xiang wasn't ungrateful; she knew Zhao Zhao was thinking of her. "Zhao Zhao, I will seriously consider what you said. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Just don't think I'm being too talkative."

……

Before I knew it, the bicycle had reached the entrance of the village.

The two people in the car hadn't gone far into the village.

Lin Zhao saw from afar that on the dirt road, a little baby, just over a year old, was sitting on a small wooden cart, its two short legs propelling it forward.

Two dogs, one large and one small, followed beside him.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the third child.

The child's delicate and adorable face flushed slightly, and his usually calm black eyes sparkled with joy as he smiled, his eyes crinkling into crescents.

He also saw Lin Zhao riding up on her bicycle.

His eyes suddenly lit up.

She stretched out her little hand to greet her mother.

The little legs flapped even faster.

"mother!"

"mother!!"

He shouted twice.

Her voice was also childish and sweet.

You can imagine that the child smells like milk all over.

He was tiny, and sitting on the little wooden cart, he looked even smaller, such a small bundle, so cute it made people laugh.

Lin Zhao jumped off the bicycle.

Bangbang stepped forward on her own initiative, her face full of smiles, "Third Aunt, let me help you push the cart."

He had only recently learned to ride a bike and was very addicted to it, so he would wait for his third aunt to come home at the same time every day.

Lin Zhao was also generous, lending her bike to any family member who wanted to ride it.

The Gu family members are very particular; when returning the item, they even wiped and washed it, showing more care than the owner herself.

"Sanzai's riding his bike." Lin Zhao wiped the sweat from her son's forehead. The little baby drank formula every day, so his sweat had a sweet smell.

"Daddy made it for his son~!" The third son patted the front of the wooden cart, his voice sweet and soft.

The wooden cart was made by Gu Chenghuai himself. Every piece of wood was polished to a smooth, rounded finish. While considering practicality, he didn't forget aesthetics either. A large, eye-shaped basket was placed at the front of the cart, and the basket contained the dictionary that Sanzai loved.

Lin Zhao touched the wooden cart; it was very smooth.

"It's the first time your dad has made a wooden cart, and it's for you. Aren't you happy?"

The third child nodded vigorously, finally showing some of the childlike innocence that should be present in someone his age.

"Uh-huh."

Seeing that its owner was ignoring it, Da Huang, unwilling to be ignored, nudged Lin Zhao's leg with its head.

"I see you! I see you!"

Lin Zhao smiled and patted Da Huang's head. He bent down and hugged Amber, who was climbing on him, and scratched its neck. The puppy, which had become twice as fat, made a comfortable purring sound.

She walked forward, and the three children used their legs to push the little wooden cart home.

"Third son, where are your brother and sister?"