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

Chapter 117 "Redwood Coffin"

“Wang Yaozu is not a good child. You can’t bully other children who don’t have brothers just because you have more brothers, understand?” Lin Zhao led the twins back.

Beside her, Gu Chenghuai casually held the twins, letting the two children do whatever they wanted to him, pinching his cheeks and touching his chin.

The older boy said earnestly, "I'm a good boy, I won't bully others."

"I won't bully them either!" Erzai tried his best to show off, jumping up and down, crushing the dry fallen leaves on the ground. Hearing the leaves make a cracking sound, he smiled with his eyes crinkling. "Not only will I not bully them, but I will also protect them. I am a soldier's child, and it is my duty and mission to punish evil and promote good."

Lin Zhao: "..."

That sounds just like what the father of the child said.

He must have been learning from Gu Chenghuai.

"Alright, alright, it's your duty and mission. Comrade Gu Erzai, you should also take care of your own safety," she instructed.

Erzai grinned, "Yes, I know."

"Your grandparents asked me to bring you some pomegranates. You can share them after dinner," Lin Zhao told the greedy boy.

Iron Hammer turned his head and asked rudely, "Third Aunt, do you have any for me?"

“Yes, your brother and the others have them too.” Lin Zhao smiled.

She likes children who are outgoing and can ask for food without hesitation; she'll definitely give it to them, after all, they're her own children.

The Gu family children were overjoyed and thanked Lin Zhao profusely.

The little girl patted her father's shoulder and moved her pink little mouth, "I want it! I want it!"

Her voice was soft and gentle, yet it carried an undeniable air of domineering authority. It was all because her father spoiled her.

Lin Zhao glared at the man. Look, she knew men couldn't be relied on when taking care of a child. It's only been a few days and he's already become incredibly capable!
Thinking this, his gaze toward his daughter was full of tenderness.

The third child nestled obediently in his father's neck, blinking his long eyelashes and frowning, seemingly unaware of what his little sister was up to.

Gu Chenghuai pressed down on the back of his daughter's head, directly suppressing her, "Be good."

His good daughter really stopped making a fuss, nuzzling her head against his neck and letting out a soft hum through her nose.

Lin Zhao: You really know what's good for you.

The second son is talkative, especially fond of showing off how good his mother is to him and his brothers. Remembering something, he said to his mother, "Grandma, I want to get a cat, and my mother agreed!"

"Get a cat? Why did you suddenly think of getting a cat?" Gu's mother had no objection, but was curious about where her idea came from.

"I want to sleep while being held," Erzai said.

"Then let's raise it."

The second child seized the opportunity, "Grandma, do you know where I can find cute cats? I can't find any cats."

Mother Gu immediately said, "Grandma will find it for you."

The second son, with his sweet tongue, showered her with compliments, "Grandma is so good! Grandma is better than all the other kids' milk. I love Grandma the most! Grandma, when I grow up, I will definitely take good care of you and give you endless meat to eat and endless new clothes to wear."

Gu's mother smiled so broadly that she couldn't close her mouth for a long time.

She has many grandsons, but few of them are sweet-talking. Everyone loves to hear nice things, and she loves to hear them too.

"Alright, alright, Grandma is waiting for our second son's filial piety. Grandma will find you the best-behaved and most beautiful tabby cat."

Second son: "I want the best!"

Mother Gu laughed and said, "What tabby cat isn't fierce?"

"Alright, Grandma, you can choose whatever you want." The second child couldn't stay quiet. Without the leaves to step on, he started kicking pebbles. He didn't kick one away, and the pebble got into his sandal. He stood up on his toes and tried to knock it out, then kicked it again.

"Don't kick the stones." Lin Zhao squeezed her son's hand. "If the stones are sharp, your foot will get cut and bleed. If it bleeds, you'll have to go to the hospital. If it's serious, you'll need stitches. Do you know what stitches are?"

The second child had seen his mother sew clothes, stitching the fabric together stitch by stitch. He imagined a doctor sewing up his own flesh, and immediately became well-behaved.

The eldest son had mentioned his younger brother before, and he would listen at the moment but forget it immediately. Seeing that the second son remembered it, he curled up the corners of his mouth, remembered something, and asked, "Mother, does Cat Egg need stitches?"

"No need. Stitches are only necessary for large and deep wounds. Cat Egg doesn't have any wounds, so it doesn't need stitches. I don't know if it needs a blood test." Lin Zhao wasn't a doctor and couldn't be sure.

"Hiss! Blood draw?" The eldest child was shocked.

The second child was so frightened that his face turned into a meme, his eyes wide open, "Huh?"

"Drawing blood is a necessary procedure, and it is sometimes used," Lin Zhao explained.

"It must hurt so much." The eldest son frowned, his eyes filled with worry for his good brother, Cat Egg.

It definitely hurts.

"Mom, I'm going to take good care of myself, eat well, and never go to the hospital," Erzai said fearfully.

The lawless Gu Erzai finally has something to fear.

“If you’re not sick, you definitely don’t need to go to the hospital. But if you’re feeling unwell, you still have to go. You can’t just tough it out.” Lin Zhao added earnestly, afraid that the children would avoid seeking medical help.

“…Alright.” Erzai reluctantly agreed.

"No, you have to remember this. A minor illness can turn into a major one, so you can't let it drag on." Lin Zhao thought that she had to instill the principle of going to the hospital when you're sick into her son's mind.

"Yes, yes." The eldest son said solemnly, "Mother, I will keep an eye on the second son."

The second child thought his older brother was silly. "Brother, Mom is here. If we get sick, she'll definitely take us to the hospital. You don't need to watch me. Whatever Mom says goes. If Mom takes me, I won't be afraid no matter where we go."

That's how mothers spoil their babies.

Lin Zhao felt a warmth in her heart; children have an innate closeness and trust in their mothers.

She gently squeezed her son's soft little hand, her eyes softly gazing at her second son's tiny hair whorl.

The older son said to the younger son, "I'll keep an eye on you. If you get sick, I'll tell Mom right away."

Erzai suddenly realized, "Okay then."

Even the most eloquent child can only be persuaded by his own brother.

"Mom, are there any more cat ears at home? I haven't had enough." Erzai shook Lin Zhao's arm, drawing out his words in a coquettish tone.

Seeing his wife being pestered by their son the whole way, Gu Chenghuai looked at Lin Zhao with heartache. Raising a child is really tiring, even more tiring than when he goes out on missions. Zhao Zhao is really having a hard time.

"What do you think you can eat?" Lin Zhao asked with amusement, but she didn't think there was a problem. It's normal for a child to be a little greedy, especially since food is scarce these days. It's only because she has a very useful lottery system that it's not easy to get some good stuff.

Second son: "Mommy!"

“There are still some at home,” Lin Zhao said.

Zhao Liuniang asked curiously, "Did you buy that in the county? It looks like a pasta dish, it's crispy and a little sweet, is it deep-fried?"

“Yes, I bought it in the county.” Lin Zhao remained completely calm.

She did encounter people secretly selling various snacks. They didn't sell cat ear-shaped snacks, but they did sell similar ones. They would walk around the streets and alleys with a small basket, trying their luck. She was even stopped by someone once.

There was nothing they could do; Lin Zhao didn't seem to lack money and looked like she knew how to make purchases.

This is why she dared to take out this snack; she wouldn't do anything that would be risky.

Zhao Liuniang wasn't surprised. "People in the county really know how to eat."

"Mom, can we eat after we finish eating?" Erzai asked.

“Yes, one person can eat a maximum of three slices. It’s not good to eat too many before bed,” Lin Zhao said.

"Okay." The second son wasn't greedy.

It's good enough that they have anything to eat; Yuanbao and the others haven't even had anything to eat yet.

When they got home, the Gu family children immediately spotted the pheasant hanging on the handlebars of the bicycle.

"There's a chicken on the front of the car!" Tie Dan and Lai Mei rushed over and took the pheasant off the front of the car.

The chicken had been shaken and jostled all the way and had become dizzy. It took a while for it to wake up, and it flapped its wings, startling the two adults.

"Alive!" Tie Dan exclaimed in surprise.

"It's alive, isn't it? Her mother would never give her a dead chicken to eat," Lin Zhao thought proudly.

"Dad, go kill a chicken."

Without saying a word, Gu Chenghuai went to sharpen the knife.

He sharpened the knife, grabbed the chicken with his left hand, and swung the knife with his right, slitting open the pheasant's throat to give it a quick death. Mother Gu came over with a porcelain bowl of salt, saying, "Don't waste the chicken blood, make some chicken blood tofu."

"What is chicken blood tofu? I've never had it before." Erzai walked over and watched the adults kill a chicken, showing no fear whatsoever. Little Hammer, on the other hand, ran fast, facing the corner of the wall, covering his eyes with his hands.

"I'll make milk for you," Gu's mother said with a smile.

"it is good."

Lin Zhao went to the kitchen to prepare the chicken for today; she was going to cook it herself.

She plucked a few tendrils from the ginseng she had sent back to her parents' home, intending to add them to the soup later.

Gu Chenghuai had served in the army for many years and had suffered many injuries, so he needed to take care of his health.

Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang were also busy cooking. Luckily, the Gu family's kitchen was quite large, otherwise it would have been inconvenient.

The third son brought the pots back to the old house, so there was no shortage of pots. Two stoves were lit at the same time, and Gu Lan was tending the fire, glancing at Lin Zhao from time to time.

Seeing that she was eager to learn, Lin Zhao didn't hide anything and taught the girl.

"Today we're going to cook chicken two ways: make chicken soup and braised chicken pieces..." As Lin Zhao spoke, everyone in the kitchen subconsciously swallowed their saliva.

Although the Gu family eats meat frequently, they still lack oil in their diet. After all, there are many people in the family, and the meat in the dishes is just a taste; no one can eat to their heart's content. So they look forward to every time they eat meat.

Gu Chenghuai took the prepared meat into the kitchen, but didn't rush out. He walked over to Lin Zhao and asked his wife's opinion: "Chop it into pieces?"

Seeing that he offered to help, Lin Zhao didn't refuse, "Yes."

The man picked up a knife and chopped the chicken. He was strong, and with a few quick chops, the meat was chopped up.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" Gu Chenghuai asked his wife.

"No need, you can go out now. I'll do it, it'll be quick. If you're hungry, go back inside and find something to eat to tide you over." Lin Zhao dismissed him and got busy.

She was used to rinsing the meat in water to wash away the fishy smell.

The kitchen was burning, so it must have been stuffy. Gu Chenghuai opened all the windows to let in some fresh air before going outside.

Zhao Liuniang said enviously, "They're all brothers, how come my third brother is so perceptive? He can see everything."

Thinking of her husband's character, she said angrily, "If it were my husband, do you believe he would just throw the chicken at me, turn around and leave, and mutter something like, 'It's so hot in the kitchen!'"

Huang Xiulan said, "Why don't you believe me? These men rarely have eyes for life."

Her man is alright; although he's not very attentive, he'll do what you ask him to do.

Lin Zhao couldn't help laughing.

"Just say what you need," she said. "Let them get used to it, and they'll do it on their own without you having to tell them." This is like boiling a frog in lukewarm water.

Is Gu Chenghuai's ability to see life in people something he was born with? Of course not, it was taught to him by her.

When they first started dating, Gu Chenghuai was very innocent and naive. He told her to just tell him what she wanted, and he would remember it every time she mentioned it. He didn't want her to guess, because he had never been in a relationship before and didn't understand girls' thoughts. He was afraid that he would guess wrong and make her angry.

What's remarkable is that he remembered everything she said.

Zhao Liuniang looked at Lin Zhao with interest, "Useful?"

"Whether it works or not, let's give it a try." Lin Zhao didn't give a guarantee.

"That makes sense. If it works, I'll treat you to candy." Zhao Liuniang decided to give it a try.

"Okay," Lin Zhao replied without hesitation.

Gu Lan chuckled to herself.

Time flies.

An intoxicating aroma wafted from the Gu family's kitchen. A bunch of little heads popped out from the doorway and windows, several pairs of bright eyes fixed on the source of the fragrance, their mouths tightly shut, afraid of drooling.

Amber had been trained by Gu Chenghuai and no longer barged into the kitchen. Instead, it kept scratching at the door with its front paws, making a grating, cracking sound.

Even the usually composed Big Yellow couldn't resist. He squatted down by the door, staring at the stove, sticking out his tongue.

Lin Zhao smiled slightly at the kids, "Wait a little longer, it'll be ready soon."

The kitchen was warm, and her cheeks were flushed. Her slight smile was like pear blossoms kissed by a gentle mist, incredibly beautiful.

The second son said proudly, "Mom is so beautiful."

Then, in a pleading tone, she asked, "Mom, when I grow up, can you be my wife?"

Lin Zhao nearly twisted her ankle.

It's not surprising that a five-year-old might have a different idea every now and then, so stay calm!

Bangbang patted her younger brother's head, "No! People who are related by blood can't get married."

The second child seemed to understand but not quite; what does a little kid know about blood relations? He just wanted to stick close to his mother.

"Fine, then I don't want a wife. All the money I earn goes to my mother!"

Upon seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gu, she added, "We also need to buy a mahogany coffin for Grandpa and Grandma."

"..."

"!"

silence.

Dead silence.

The only sounds were the wind and the boiling water on the stove.

"Gu Erzai!" Lin Zhao nearly dropped the iron spoon in his hand, his head throbbing with pain. "Who taught you this?!"

The second child noticed the seriousness on his mother's face and was somewhat frightened. His smile disappeared, and he weakly said to his little hand, "I... I heard it from the villagers."

The child looked aggrieved. "The old man in the village said that if he could get a mahogany coffin to send him off, it would be a very prestigious thing. I also want my grandparents to have prestige. Why is Mom so fierce? What did I say wrong?"

Before Lin Zhao could speak, Gu's mother felt sorry for him, "Third son's wife, don't be so harsh on Second son. Second son is just being filial. What grandson would think of his grandparents when something good happens to him? What does a child know? Don't take it to heart."

She didn't feel it was bad luck at all; on the contrary, her heart was warmed beyond belief. She hugged her second son and cried out, "Oh, my precious second son! Our second son is so filial. I only hope that you will be successful and live well. I don't ask for anything else."

The love of elders is always simple and selfless.

The second child was instantly appeased by Gu's mother, and no longer felt wronged, he smiled.

The eldest son looked at Gu Chenghuai and asked, "Dad, was there something wrong with what the second son just said? Why was everyone acting so strangely?"

What's wrong with buying a mahogany coffin? All the old men in the village want one.

Gu Chenghuai was pondering how to reply.

Bangbang said, "Because of what he said, people could easily misunderstand it as him cursing his grandparents."

“The second child would never curse Grandpa and Grandma. We all love Grandpa and Grandma, and we want to be filial to them,” the eldest child said hurriedly.

The child's earnest expression warmed even Gu's father's heart.

"Grandpa knows our eldest and second sons are filial children." Like an old woman, he didn't care about his grandsons' childish words. Everyone dies, so what's there to be afraid of? With such good grandsons, he felt that death was nothing to be afraid of.

"Third son's wife, children speak without thinking, please don't blame the second son." Gu's father, who was usually silent and rarely spoke more than a few words to his daughter-in-law, spoke up for his beloved grandson.

What else could Lin Zhao say? "Okay, I won't say it anymore. Second son, you can't say things like that again." She reminded Second son.

"Mom, you just yelled at me," the child complained, feeling wronged.

Before Lin Zhao could speak, he gripped the door, his little finger digging into the wood, and said earnestly, "Mom, I'll listen to whatever you say. Can you please not be so fierce? It'll break my heart."

Lin Zhao was taken aback. "I didn't yell at you. I was just a little excited. Was your voice a bit loud and scared you?"

Seeing her son nodding his little head, she softened her voice: "I apologize to you, I shouldn't have raised my voice so loudly."

The second child was immediately appeased, his eyes crinkling into a smile, "I don't blame Mother."

He feared nothing and no one, except that his mother disliked him the most.

Lin Zhao smiled and said, "Thank you for being so generous, Second Brother. You can have one of the chicken legs today."

The children laughed even harder, "Great!"

The matter of the redwood coffin was dropped. Children speak without thinking, and after the family spat and said "pui pui pui," no one paid any attention to it.

After the meal, Lin Zhao served a bowl of chicken soup with a few pieces of chicken in it and asked Gu Chenghuai to take it to the Ning family. The twins, who were thinking about Cat Egg, skipped and jumped after him.