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

Chapter 146 "The Promise"

These days, phone calls are charged by the minute and are quite expensive. Unless it's an extremely urgent matter, most people can't afford to make a phone call, and some can't even afford to send a telegram.

Each person can only talk for a maximum of one minute.

Soon it was Lin Zhao's turn.

Gu Chenghuai dialed the phone.

Yun Jian woke up very early and stayed in the living room.

The phone rang.

He sprang up from the sofa, rushed over to answer the call, "Cheng Huai?"

"it's me."

Lin Zhao heard an extremely young voice, clear and full of energy.

I wonder if all soldiers are like this.

Always upright, always full of passion.

Yun Jian immediately asked, "Who are those two children to you?"

Gu Chenghuai looked at Lin Zhao and said in a deep voice, "My own child."

understood.

But I don't understand it all.

It's their own family, which means they have a connection with Cheng Huai, but... how could Cheng Huai be related to the child of an ordinary worker in the capital?
Strange.

Yun Jian didn't press further and told him what he had found out.

“Those two children are not in a good situation. The woman who gave birth to them is a pushover with no temper, and her family is difficult to deal with. They are the kind of people I don’t want to associate with.”

He frowned slightly and said incisively, "That woman can't protect those two children. Even the house they live in has been taken over by her family. I'm certain that if those two children continue to live in that house, they will suffer endlessly."

Lin Zhao listened on tiptoe, her smile vanishing and her expression turning ugly.

He had absolutely no goodwill towards his former fourth sister-in-law, whom he had never met.

She couldn't help but grab Gu Chenghuai's arm.

Without Zhao Zhao even mentioning it, Gu Chenghuai knew what she was thinking.

A strong hand gently patted the back of Lin Zhao's hand.

Yun Jian continued, "Cheng Huai, what are your plans next? Will you take the two children with you?"

"You must answer it." Gu Chenghuai's voice was steady and powerful.

"Do you need any help?" Yun Jian asked, then added after a moment's thought, "Shall I take the person there for you?"

He added, "Make a decision as soon as possible; those two children are no longer going back to that home."

A flash of annoyance crossed Lin Zhao's eyes, not at her comrade-in-arms Cheng Huai, but at her former fourth sister-in-law whom she had never met.

She rarely feels ill will towards people she has never met.

This is the first one.

Those are her sons. When they needed their mother the most, she didn't protect them. Who are the two children supposed to rely on?
Lin Zhao remained calm and quietly observed Gu Chenghuai. Whether or not he needed Yun Jian's help was up to him. It was fine if Yun Jian didn't send it over; her family could simply pick it up.

Gu Chenghuai gave Lin Zhao a reassuring, calm look and said into the microphone, "Are you available?"

"Hey, what's inconvenient about it?" Yun Jian shifted his position, leaning lazily against the wallpapered wall, his tone casual. "My job takes me all over the country, so it doesn't matter. If it's inconvenient for you, I'll send the two boys over."

In a joking tone, he continued, "I hope they don't think I'm a villain who traffics children."

Since his comrades had said so, Gu Chenghuai didn't stand on ceremony and said on the spot, "I'm taking my wife and kids to the provincial capital the day after tomorrow. We'll meet there then, how about that?"

Yun Jian quickly set the route and time in his mind.

"to make."

The two confirmed the meeting place before hanging up the phone.

Gu Chenghuai led Lin Zhao out of the post office.

The young couple walked to a shady spot.

Seeing that his wife wasn't smiling and seemed quite angry, Gu Chenghuai patted her head and said in a gentle voice, "Don't be angry. It'll be my heartache if you hurt yourself."

“I asked Yun Jian to take Jing Mo and Guang Bai to the provincial capital. We can bring them back after we’ve finished sightseeing.”

Lin Zhao's brows remained furrowed. "I hope that family won't cause any trouble."

“Yun Jian is reliable and won’t make mistakes.” Gu Chenghuai had great confidence in Yun Jian. “That kid is dependable. Otherwise, I wouldn’t always be looking for him.”

"Comrade Yun has helped our family a lot, we must thank him properly." Lin Zhao was grateful that her husband had such a reliable and close comrade-in-arms.

If it weren't for Yun Jian, they wouldn't have found out about the two children so quickly.

Every extra day they stay means one more day of danger for Jingmo and Guangbai.

If that family were any more ruthless, they might have sold them to human traffickers...

"There's still a long way to go." Gu Chenghuai was confident that he would be able to stand at a high position in the future. He was not afraid of owing favors and would always be able to repay them.

For those in high positions, personal relationships are both valuable and worthless.

"Tell me Comrade Yun's address, and I'll send him some things when I have the chance," Lin Zhao said.

She's accumulated a lot of points from the lucky draw, and she's sure to win something good when she starts the draw. She'll send some of them as a thank-you gift.

"I'll write to you about what you sent."

Gu Chenghuai understood Zhaozhao; she didn't want him to repay the favor alone.

Her cold eyes softened into a tender smile.

He gave Yun Jian's address.

Lin Zhao had a good memory and memorized the address.

"You've worked hard," Gu Chenghuai said.

"It's alright. We're husband and wife, and besides, Momo and Xiaobai are my nephews. I shouldn't make you repay the favor." Lin Zhao understood perfectly well.

Gu Chenghuai frowned slightly. "You say husband and wife are one, so why are you being so formal with me?"

He gazed at Lin Zhao and said, "We are husband and wife. Your problems are my problems. I enjoy solving your troubles."

Lin Zhaoying's face was adorned with a sweet and gentle smile.

"Know it."

Gu Chenghuai's expression softened slightly. "Come on, I'll take you to the supply and marketing cooperative."

He reminded him, "Don't forget to ask for leave when you go to the provincial capital the day after tomorrow."

Lin Zhao nodded.

After walking a few steps, he said again, "What do you think about me asking my older sister to cover my shift?"

Taking leave doesn't pay, but covering shifts does. My sister-in-law has few ways to earn money, so she'd definitely be happy to do it.

A hint of tenderness flashed in Gu Chenghuai's eyes. "It just so happens that I'm going to deliver ping-pong balls to Xiaoshitou this afternoon, and I'll pass on a message to my older sister while I'm at it."

His wife's willingness to think of his sister shows that she cares about him, which makes him happy.

Lin Zhao was unaware of men's imaginations.

She chuckled, "Okay, the job of a sales clerk is simple, and with Sister Fen's help, I'm sure I can do it."

My sister-in-law is literate and efficient, so I believe there shouldn't be any major problems.

As they were talking, the two arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Li Fen arrived early and saw Gu Chenghuai seeing Lin Zhao off. She laughed and joked, "It has to be a young couple, they're so lovey-dovey. Unlike my family, they treat each other like brothers."

"Pfft—" Lin Zhao was amused by Li Fen's description and said with a wry smile, "How can it be so exaggerated? My lover and I rarely see each other. Distance makes things better, so it's not surprising that we look more harmonious."

Thinking that her husband would soon be returning to his unit, she felt a pang of reluctance. But there was nothing she could do; after all, the man she had married had lofty ambitions. Now that she had accepted the fact that Gu Chenghuai couldn't be by her side often, she would make sure to take care of herself and her four children in the years to come.

He protected the country, and she guarded their home.

Lin Zhao was always easygoing; the feeling of reluctance didn't occupy her mind for more than a few seconds before she forgot about it.

"Sister Fen, I'll work one more day tomorrow, but my older sister will be taking over my shift the day after tomorrow. If there's anything she's not familiar with, could you help her out?"

Li Fen's expression changed slightly, "...And what about you?"

She got along well with Lin Zhao and was reluctant to part with such a reliable colleague.

Wang Ju also looked over, her eyes filled with reluctance.

Lin Zhao noticed their mood and smiled, "Don't worry, I'll only take a few days off, I'll be back."

Li Fen patted her chest, "It's good that you're back. I thought you were going to join the army. I was so scared!"

At this point, I can't help but ask a few more questions, "When do you plan to go and join the army?"

Wang Ju also looked at Lin Zhao curiously.

"It's not certain yet, it depends on Comrade Gu's arrangements." Lin Zhao wasn't in a hurry.

The fact that the father of the child didn't mention it means it's not the right time yet.

She knew that Gu Chenghuai wanted her and the children by his side more than anyone else.

However, for him, his selfish desires could never outweigh their desire for comfort.

Li Fen didn't pry into other people's private affairs any further, only saying, "Don't worry, I'll take care of your older sister."

Wang Ju also said, "...I can do that too."

"Thank you all. I'll treat you to candy when I get back from the provincial capital."

Li Fen asked in surprise, "You're going to the provincial capital?"

"Yes," Lin Zhao said with a smile, "Let's take the children to see the sights and broaden their horizons."

Li Fen: "It's good to let the children see the world; the provincial capital is much bigger than here."

Lin Zhao smiled and said, "Yes, while my husband Gu is here, I wouldn't dare to do it alone."

Li Fen pursed her lips, suppressing a smile, "Yes, yes."

Having spent so much time together, Li Fen knew that Lin Zhao was not someone to be trifled with.

She looks frail, but she is actually very strong and knows some martial arts.

Earlier, a man tried to take advantage of a young girl in the chaos at the counter. When she noticed, she grabbed his arm and, with a quick pull, dislocated it with a snap. The scoundrel, crying and screaming, was taken to the police station by concerned onlookers.

the other side.

Gu Chenghuai went home, picked up the things for Da Shitou and Xiao Shitou, and went straight to the Wei family.

We've just arrived at the village entrance.

I saw Sister-in-law Wei in the distance.

Sister-in-law Wei also saw her sister-in-law's brothers. Having been warned by this plague god last time, she dared not cause trouble again. When she saw him coming, she ran away in a hurry like a mouse seeing a cat.

Gu Chenghuai remained unmoved by this.

He rode his bicycle to the Wei family's house.

Gu Chenghuai had visited once, and all the children in the village knew that he was the third uncle of the Stone Brothers.

They took the initiative to run out and deliver the message.

"Big Stone, Little Stone, your uncle is here again!!"

Big Stone was leading his younger brother to dig bamboo shoots when he heard shouts from his peers, so he immediately packed up his things to go home.

Little Stone's eyes lit up. He couldn't wait for his brother and hurriedly ran home.

Upon arriving home, she saw Gu Chenghuai and called out "Uncle" in a clear, crisp voice.

Gu Chenghuai ruffled his nephew's hair and handed him the ping-pong set, saying, "Here's what I promised you. Go play."

Little Stone really looked forward to it every day.

Holding the racket, the corners of his mouth were almost turned up to the sky.

"Thank you, Third Uncle!" he exclaimed.

"Practice hard, and if you ever bring glory to our country, I will be proud of you," Gu Chenghuai encouraged.

Little Stone nodded solemnly.

Just then, Big Stone carried the heavy bamboo basket home and glared angrily at his brother who had cheated him. Unfortunately, Little Stone didn't even look at his brother, as he was immersed in the joy of getting his beloved possession and couldn't pull himself away.

Gu Chan poured a bowl of sweet soup. "Cheng Huai, you must be hot. Drink some water. Why didn't you wait until the sun went down a bit before coming? What if you get heatstroke?"

"It's not that fragile." Gu Chenghuai smiled.

"Where's my brother-in-law?" he asked.

"I'm at work, I'll cook when I get back," Gu Chan explained.

Then, looking forward to it, he said, "We're not in a rush to go back today, are we? Why don't you stay and eat before you go back?"

Gu Chenghuai didn't refuse again, "Okay, thank you for your trouble, elder sister."

"What trouble? You're being too polite." Gu Chan glared at him, feigning anger, then glanced at the cheerful little stone and said, "I'm the one who's bothering you. Little stone, you've gone to so much trouble."

My son looks forward to his third uncle's visit every day.

Gu Chenghuai shook his head.

Remembering what they had talked about before, he asked, "Big sister, has your husband asked around about the Children's Palace?"

"I've inquired about it." Gu Chan's face was a mixture of joy and sorrow. "The provincial capital's children's palace has specialized places to teach children to play table tennis. You can learn by paying money, and if you learn well, you can even win glory for the country. But that was in the past. I heard that things are a bit chaotic now."

She looked at Gu Chenghuai.

“Your brother-in-law and I thought that since there was potential before, maybe it can be revived in the future. We support Xiao Shitou’s studies. It’s rare to see him like something so much, and we’d sell everything we own to support him.”

"Fortunately, Xiao Shitou is still young. Perhaps when he gets older, the country will pay attention to him again."

“We think… let him practice on his own first. Your brother-in-law has asked someone to keep an eye on the situation at the provincial children’s palace. If they start recruiting again, your brother-in-law and I will send him there so he can learn from professionals.”

Gu Chenghuai listened patiently and finally responded, "Okay."

Gu Chan became happy.

Of all the people she knew, her third brother was the most capable; his statement proved that he truly was capable.

When Gu Chenghuai learned that his sister and brother-in-law had plans, he stopped talking about it and instead brought up the matter his wife had entrusted to him.

"Big sister, I'm taking my wife and four kids to the provincial capital the day after tomorrow. Zhao Zhao needs someone to cover her shift at work. Can you do that?"

Gu Chan stood there, stunned.

Substitute, stand-in?

Is that what she meant?

She nervously gripped her pants.

“Cheng Huai…”

Gu Chenghuai said, "I originally told Zhaozhao to take leave, but she thought of you and said that you work hard to earn work points and earn little, so why don't you work for her for a few days and I'll give you all the wages for those days."

Gu Chan hurriedly waved her hand, "No, what would I do with the money? Zhao Zhao needs help, of course I'm willing. It's just that I don't know if I can do the job of a sales clerk."

"Zhao Zhao said you can do it." Gu Chenghuai's eyes were encouraging.

Gu Chan blushed with excitement.

Does Zhao Zhao really think so highly of her?!
“…Okay, I’ll do it!” she blurted out.

Wei Xiangdong had just entered the yard when he heard his wife's question, and he looked completely bewildered. "What?"

Gu Chan got up and rattled off what had happened.

Finally, he asked, "Do you think I'm capable?"

"Why not!" Wei Xiangdong had an inexplicable confidence in Gu Chan, thinking she could do anything.

"You're good-looking, literate, kind, and efficient. The job of a sales clerk will be very easy for you. Just relax and go for it."

He smiled at Gu Chenghuai and continued, "The fact that Chenghuai's wife thought of you means she thinks you can do it. Why doesn't she ask Gu Xing'er or anyone else? Isn't it because she thinks the others are unreliable? Don't overthink it, you can do it."

Encouraged by the speech, Gu Chan felt even more confident.

"Okay, I'll go."

Wei Xiangdong nodded, "You're used to being a worker, so I asked around about jobs... I have some news."

Originally, I planned to keep it a secret, but to encourage my wife, I had to let it slip first.

Gu Chan's eyes suddenly lit up. "There's news? What kind of job? How much does it cost? What's the salary?"

She rattled off a string of questions.

Wei Xiangdong pressed down on his wife's shoulder, "Don't get excited yet. We're still inquiring, and it's not certain if this will work out. Don't get too excited for nothing. Let's keep a calm mind. If it works out, you can go to work. If it doesn't, I'll look for another one."

He saved up a few hundred yuan in half a month by hunting, which gave him confidence.

Gu Chan tried to stay calm, "Okay, calm down, calm down."

Gu Chenghuai knew Wei Xiangdong's brother-in-law well, and he was confident that he could make the offer. "Brother-in-law, just say so if you don't have enough money."

Wei Xiangdong smiled and said, "Okay."

"Can you ride a bicycle?" Gu Chenghuai asked, meeting his questioning eyes, and explained, "We'll leave a bicycle when we go to the provincial capital. If you can ride, you can pick up and drop off my sister."

The road is quite long and the security isn't great; he was worried something might happen to his sister.

No real man wouldn't want to ride a bicycle with his wife, Wei Xiangdong grinned, "I can't, but I can learn."

The matter was settled.

Half past three in the afternoon.

Lin Zhao planned to go back to her parents' home to tell them about Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai's current situation. Before she even left the village, Lin Shisheng, covered in lime plaster, ran up and stopped her and Gu Chenghuai.

"Zhaozhao, don't go back. You won't see your parents for the next month."

Lin Zhao blinked, completely bewildered. "Why?"

“This morning, we received a telegram from the army saying that Xiao San was injured. My parents were worried, so they packed their things and went to see him early this morning,” Lin Shisheng explained.

Thinking of his third brother, whose situation was unknown, he frowned, very worried.

Lin Zhao felt as if she had been hit on the head with a hammer, her head buzzing. When she came to her senses, she asked anxiously, "Is Third Brother alright? Where is he injured?"