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

Chapter 164 "Letting Out for Breathing"

Lin Zhao looked disgusted, clearly feeling quite nauseous.

Gu Chenghuai assumed she was annoyed by the little girl from the Lu family and said, "Lu Baozhen is going to join the army."

Lin Zhao looked up, "With Su Yuxian?"

“Aunt Lu is going too,” Gu Chenghuai said.

Where is Lu Yizhou's father?

"I haven't heard that Uncle Lu is going," Gu Chenghuai guessed. "He should go after Aunt Lu is settled."

"Lu Yizhou's allowance probably can't support such a large family." The deputy battalion commander's salary is several tens of yuan, but his parents, wife, and daughters don't receive any food. He has to buy every bite of food, so the pressure is really considerable.

Gu Chenghuai knew his wife was a clean person, so he found a clean rag, wrung it out after washing it, and used it to wipe the new sewing machine.

Not forgetting to answer Zhaozhao's question: "You can grow vegetables in the family compound too. If you work hard, you won't starve."

Lin Zhao chuckled. "I don't think the Lu family just wants to stay alive, do they? They want to eat meat, and they want bicycles, sewing machines, watches, and televisions."

Gu Chenghuai remained silent.

After a long pause, he finally said, "...Just dream about it."

As far as he knew, Lu Yizhou spent a lot of money and couldn't save much. He used the tickets to do favors, so he didn't have much money left. He could barely make ends meet, let alone "wear gold and silver."

Lin Zhao could hear the reluctance in the man's words and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Let them be, it's none of our business."

Gu Chenghuai suddenly asked, "Do you want to go with the army?"

Lin Zhao shook her head, "I don't want to."

She looked at the man and said, "It's not that I don't want to be with you, but I know you have great ambitions. If I go with the child, I won't be able to help you and you'll have to worry about it. It's better to stay here for now and go over when you're ready."

This was also Gu Chenghuai's idea.

just.

Upon learning that the Lu family was going, her calm heart was stirred.

"...I'm sorry to have troubled you." His voice was slightly hoarse.

"I'm not wronged." Lin Zhao cupped the man's handsome face in her hands, her clear eyes reflecting his image, and said gently yet firmly, "I'm waiting for you to come and pick me and the child up."

Gu Chenghuai lowered his head, his straight nose brushing against his wife's, his eyes filled with a gentle smile. "Okay."

Yu Bao looked up and saw his father whispering to his mother again, and the little boy frowned.

Dad is so attached to Mom, he's starting to hate Dad.

Gu Chenghuai: Your mother is so attached to me, didn't you see that at all?

Lin Zhao was unaware of her son's thoughts. She was preoccupied with what had happened at the foot of the mountain. "Now that Fourth Brother has appeared in public, he probably won't be able to keep a low profile from now on. I hope nothing bad will happen."

“Something’s wrong, but it’s a good thing.” Gu Chenghuai’s face was calm and composed, as if he had everything under control. “The villagers aren’t stupid; they know what a highly skilled doctor means.”

"I hope so," Lin Zhao said, wondering how the Iron Bone Hemp seed was progressing.
That night.

Lin Zhao carried the villagers to the courtyard at the foot of the mountain.

Upon seeing Meng Jiusi, she immediately reminded him, "Fourth Brother, please hide the things we brought carefully. Xiaoxiao has some candy in her hand, and quite a few people have seen it. There's no guarantee that someone won't try to take advantage of her. It's better to be careful."

"Don't worry, Comrade Tian made those two." Meng Jiusi was very cautious. He deliberately pointed it out in front of everyone that afternoon, and no one questioned it.

“I also reminded others to hide anything that shouldn’t be out in the open.”

"As for my things..." he smiled, "Uncle Gu taught me how to hide them. They're very secure. I never thought I could hide them like that."

Uncle Gu here refers to Gu's father.

Meng Jiusi remarked with emotion, "The wisdom of the masses is boundless."

Lin Zhao covered her mouth and laughed, "I heard from Cheng Huai that his parents used to kill a lot of Japanese soldiers with that skill, so they are very experienced in this area."

"Uncle Gu and Aunt Gu are both very good people." Meng Jiusi felt very lucky. He had been unlucky for more than 20 years, and fate was finally willing to favor him.

Lin Zhao did not comment.

Thinking of the Iron-Boned Houttuynia cordata she had been longing for, she asked, "Fourth Brother, how is my Iron-Boned Houttuynia cordata? Has it sprouted any shoots?"

Meng Jiusi shook his head, his tone regretful: "...Not yet."

Lin Zhao frowned. "Not yet?! Fourth Brother, did you look at it at night? It's transparent where there's light."

"Yes." Meng Jiusi said helplessly, "I remember everything you said, and it really hasn't grown yet."

He guessed, "Maybe... the seed is buried deep, and it might sprout in a couple of days." His tone was uncertain.

Lin Zhao, however, was confident: "It must be!"

Meng Jiusi: "..."

"Is Xiaoxiao alright?" Lin Zhao wanted to confirm whether the original plot could really be changed.

Meng Jiusi was slightly taken aback, but didn't hide anything. "It's nothing. I lost quite a bit of blood, but the wound wasn't deep. I stopped the bleeding in time and applied medicine. It will be fine in a few days!"

"It's good that you're alright." Lin Zhao smiled.

Meng Jiusi didn't think much of it, only that her younger sister was genuinely kind.

"How are Jingmo and Guangbai? Are they settling in well?" Lin Zhao asked, concerned about her two nephews.

"They're doing great," Meng Jiusi smiled. "They're learning from those two teachers, and their days are very fulfilling. They're adapting quickly."

Their lodgings were poor, but their food was good. With the help of the Lin family, they were not only able to eat their fill, but also received eggs and sugar, so they didn't suffer much.

"They can still study? That's great!" Lin Zhao said with a smile. "If they keep at it, Jingmo and Guangbai will definitely amount to something when they grow up."

Those two teachers have impressive backgrounds; their students will definitely learn a lot from them.

Upon hearing their aunt mention their names, Jingmo and Guangbai, who were squatting in the corner writing and drawing with wooden sticks, looked up.

"My aunt called me?" Jingmo asked, puzzled.

Lin Zhao couldn't help but laugh, "It's nothing, you keep writing and study hard."

“…Hmm.” Jingmo’s little face was serious.

Guangbai, who was causing trouble, paused for a moment after hearing his aunt's words, then picked up a stick and started poking the ground like his brother.

Jingmo: "..."

Meng Jiusi's gaze softened. With the child beside him, the weight on his heart was lifted, and a sense of openness emanated from his brows, making him appear more enlightened.

"Zhaozhao, didn't your parents say when they'll be back?"

Lin Zhao withdrew his gaze and shook his head: "They didn't say. I sent a telegram, but they didn't reply. I don't know what's going on with Third Brother?"

Meng Jiusi comforted him, saying, "No news is good news."

"Or perhaps, they're on their way back."

Lin Zhao thought it was very likely; her clear black and white eyes seemed to reflect the moonlight.

"Yes. If Third Brother finds out about you, he definitely won't stay still and will be anxious to come back to see you. There's a high chance they're on their way."

Fourth Brother, you'll be meeting Third Brother soon. Third Brother is rather...enthusiastic, so I suggest you prepare in advance.

enthusiasm?

What kind of enthusiasm?

Meng Jiusi was very much looking forward to it.

His twin brother... The thought that such a person existed in this world filled him with warmth.

Lin Zhao noticed her fourth brother's emotional fluctuations and sighed inwardly. Her fourth brother was truly a soft-hearted person.

"Fourth Brother, are you getting used to it?"

Meng Jiusi smiled gently, "For me, the days are no different, it's just that I have to work, so I'll treat it as training."

He looked at his sister with gentle eyes, "You don't need to worry about me. I'm almost thirty, I can take good care of myself."

He had suffered hardships since childhood, so his current life was nothing to him.

Having found her family, the grandfather who raised her, and with both of her sons by her side, Meng Jiusi didn't feel tired at all; she was very content.

Lin Zhao smiled and said, "You'll get used to it. Just let me know if you need anything."

"it is good."

After checking on her fourth brother, Lin Zhao quietly left the foot of the mountain and walked slowly towards the village.

They hadn't gone far when they saw Gu Chenghuai waiting under the lush green elm trees.

Lin Zhao jogged over, "Why are you waiting here?"

Gu Chenghuai stepped forward, took his wife's hand, looked down at her, and smiled through his deep, cold eyes. "Let her out for some fresh air."

Lin Zhao was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter, "...Thank you for your hard work, Battalion Commander Gu."

"It's not hard work," Gu Chenghuai said, leading her home.

"Are the children asleep?" Lin Zhao turned her head to look at the tall, spirited man, her eyes filled with love.

Gu Chenghuai met his wife's eyes, his hand tightened slightly, and he chuckled softly, "Mm."

"Yaobao didn't cause any trouble?" Lin Zhao asked, puzzled.

Yao Baojiao has a bit of a temper; she needs to be coaxed to sleep, otherwise she'll be all puffed up with anger.

“She didn’t cause any trouble,” Gu Chenghuai said. “She listens to Yu Bao very well.”

Lin Zhao's eyes were warm. "Yu Bao has always been wonderful."

The couple returned to the village and didn't encounter anyone. They went into the courtyard and locked the door.

I went to the children's room first to check on them. Seeing that they were sleeping soundly, I quietly left.

Hearing the door close, Yu Bao, who was on the lower bunk of the bunk bed, opened his eyes. His eyes were clear and there was no sign of sleepiness. He touched the blanket that his mother had covered his belly, grinned, and his eyes were like stars. He was secretly happy for a while, then yawned and closed his eyes to sleep.

Another day.

Lin Zhao was writing and drawing in the courtyard when she heard someone calling her, so she got up and went out.

There were post office staff at the entrance.

“Your package and telegram are here,” the dark-skinned, thin but healthy man said.

Lin Zhao stepped forward, took the package, signed it with practiced ease, thanked the other party, and carried the package home.

Hengbao rushed over, "Mommy, is this something Daddy sent?"

Before Lin Zhao could speak, Yu Bao blurted out, "Silly boy, Daddy's home, how can he send it!" Heng Bao scratched his head, stood on tiptoe to look, but couldn't see anything. He tilted his little head and asked Lin Zhao, "Mommy, who sent it? What's inside?" He reached out his little hand and poked the package.

"It was sent by your third uncle. We'll only know what's inside once we open it. Could you please get me some scissors?" Lin Zhao said with a smile.

“Sure!” Hengbao went to get the scissors.

"Slow down, don't run!" Lin Zhao hurriedly shouted.

Hengbao obeyed and immediately slowed down to get the scissors.

Lin Zhao took the scissors and said, "You can't run with something in your hand, especially scissors or an axe. You'll hurt yourself if you fall."

"Mmm-hmm." Hengbao replied earnestly, beaming with a smile, "Grandma taught us, I remember."

Yu Bao quickly replied, "I remember too."

Qianbao glanced at his mother quietly and nodded obediently.

The youngest sister reached out and rummaged through the package, saying in her childish voice, "I remember!"

Yu Bao grabbed her little hand, her innocent face serious. "Yao Bao, don't make trouble. Let Mommy take it apart. We'll see later."

The little bundle of milk stopped fussing.

Lin Zhao praised her son, saying, "Yu Bao really has the air of an older brother."

Yu Bao couldn't stand his mother's praise the most, and upon hearing this, he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

Lin Zhao affectionately patted Yu Bao's head, then cut open the package and took out the contents one by one.

There was a large bag of herbs, milk tablets, dried dates, walnuts, dried fruit, and a piece of leather that was hard to identify, along with some money.

She took out a milk tablet, tasted it, and the rich milky aroma filled her nostrils.

Hengbao clung to Lin Zhao's arm, fussing, "Mommy, I want some too!"

"I have them all." Lin Zhao gave some to her child.

"It tastes milky, so fragrant, just like White Rabbit milk candy. Mom, what is this?" Yu Bao asked curiously as he ate slowly.

"Milk tablets." Lin Zhao opened her third brother's letter and read it slowly.

Lin Shifan had a lot to say; the letter was three whole pages long. He talked about his life, asked how his sister and four nephews were doing, told her to let him know if she needed money, and to write to him if she wanted anything, and he would try to find a way. He expressed his regret at not being able to come back for his sister's birthday and promised to come back next year...

"Mom, what did Uncle write?" Yu Bao asked. Seeing Yao Bao eating on her chin, she lifted the floral bib on her chest and wiped her sister's mouth.

Lin Zhao didn't try to fob off the children; instead, she started reading the letter to them.

She read slowly, and the four little ones listened attentively.

“Third Uncle is so nice,” Yu Bao said. “Mom, will Third Uncle be able to come back next year? I can’t even remember him.”

Not to mention the children, even Lin Zhao has almost forgotten what her third brother looks like. Lin Shifan has sent a lot of things over the years, but he has never had time to come back.

"No need to wait until next year, your third uncle should be back soon," Lin Zhao said with a smile.

I was thinking about getting something good.

The army's food was mediocre, consisting of steamed buns made from two kinds of flour and cornmeal. Occasionally there would be meat, but it was very little, and you could barely taste it.

It was very tough.

"When?" Hengbao asked, her eyes wide.

Lin Zhao patted her son's forehead, "How can I say for sure? Just wait and see."

“…Alright.” Hengbao reluctantly agreed.

She was quickly drawn to the dried dates again. "Mom, I want to eat these."

"Just dates? Do you want walnuts and dried fruit too?" Lin Zhao smiled.

Hengbao licked his lips and chuckled, "I want it."

Lin Zhao was very generous; she shared some with the twins and gave each of the boy and girl a milk tablet, but didn't dare give anything else.

After distributing the dried dates to the children, she took out a bag of dried dates and locked the rest in the kitchen cabinet.

"Yu Bao, Heng Bao, give this packet of dried dates to your grandma so she can soak them in water and drink it."

Yu Bao, Heng Bao, and Gu's mother went to run the errand without saying a word.

The twins were being lazy and didn't want to move. They sat next to their mother, swinging their short legs and eating milk tablets, looking very content.

Little Jin didn't go out either, nestled on Lin Zhao's lap, its slender tail gently wrapped around her wrist.

Lin Zhao smiled at the well-behaved twins and opened the telegram from the capital.

then.

I learned about the Yuan family's affairs.

As she quickly scanned the words above, the smile on her lips grew wider and wider.

Her muddle-headed ex-sister-in-law lost her job, and the Yuan family is planning to marry her off and get another dowry...?
Why can't I feel sympathy?

When Gu Chenghuai returned home after exercising, he saw that Zhao Zhao's smile was too bright. He raised an eyebrow and pulled up a chair to sit down.

"What good news is there?"

Lin Zhao remained silent and handed over the telegram.

"You'll understand once you see the telegram sent by Comrade Yun!"

After speaking, she slumped onto the clean stone table as if she had no bones, her bright eyes fixed on the man.

He was wearing a dark green training uniform, his forehead was slightly damp with sweat, and his whole body seemed to be radiating heat and full of vitality. His arms were strong, and when he raised his hands slightly, they were bulging, looking very powerful.

His facial features are clean and sharp, with a kind of fierceness and determination unique to soldiers.

Gu Chenghuai wasn't dead. Sensing his wife's gaze, he unusually became concerned about his image and regretted not having gone to the river to dry off.

He calmly finished reading the telegram and said, "Yun Jian is very thoughtful."

"It's not just thoughtful, it's incredibly thoughtful!" Lin Zhao was deeply moved by this camaraderie.

The bond forged through shared experiences is truly unbreakable.

Gu Chenghuai also felt that Yun Jian was thoughtful.

He discussed it with Lin Zhao, "Zhao Zhao, the meat sauce you sent me before was pretty good, how about we make some and send some to Yun Jian?"

“Okay,” Lin Zhao agreed, then added, “Isn’t this gift too meager? He’s from the capital; what hasn’t he seen?”

Gu Chenghuai laughed, "People in the capital need meat coupons to eat meat."

"Yun Jian eats meat a couple more times than us at most, but he's not to the point of eating meat as much as he wants or getting tired of it. After all, there are only so many meat ration coupons for a month."

Lin Zhao agreed, "Mother sent over a lot of shiitake mushrooms. What do you think about making a shiitake mushroom and meat sauce?"

“Sure.” Remembering that the Second Battalion Commander was thinking about the meat sauce Zhao Zhao had sent, Gu Chenghuai added, “A few of my comrades also want some, and they said they could trade for it. Do you have anything you want?”

Lin Zhao really wanted something; her eyes sparkled. "I heard that wool sweaters are warm and lightweight, and more comfortable than regular sweaters. I want one, is that okay?"

"I'll go back and ask," Gu Chenghuai said, unable to guarantee anything.

"Never mind if you don't have it," Lin Zhao said again.

She can enter a lottery, giving one set each to the man and his four children, as well as her parents and third brother.

"Third brother sent a lot of medicinal herbs. I'll give them to fourth brother tonight so he can make some commonly used medicines. Take them with you when you leave."

Gu Chenghuai's expression was gentle. "Okay."

As they were talking, the twins came bouncing back, along with Xiao Libao and Maodan'er.

"Third Uncle, Third Aunt." Li Bao held a dried date in her hand and nibbled on it.

Cat Egg also politely greeted them: "Uncle Gu, Aunt Lin."

"Li Bao and Mao Dan'er are here." Lin Zhao smiled, took out some snacks, and poured some sugar water for the children.

The two children thanked them.

"Thank you, Aunt Lin."

"You're welcome," Lin Zhao said with a smile. She really liked children, especially well-behaved and sensible ones.

She looked at Cat Egg and said, "I'm going to make mushroom and meat sauce later. You can learn how to make it."

Cooking may vary, but the basic principles remain the same. If you learn how to make meat sauce, you can also make stir-fried noodle toppings.

Cat Egg looked expectant and said, "Okay."

After receiving guidance from Aunt Lin last time, his grandma said that his cooking skills had improved, and he felt the same way.

Deciding to make meat sauce, Lin Zhao didn't delay long. She called Cat Egg into the kitchen, and the twins followed.

Gu Chenghuai settled the twins in the yard, called Dahuang to watch the babies, and then went into the kitchen to help.

Lin Zhao: "..."

I'll give Dahuang a chicken leg tonight.

Gu Chenghuai washed the shiitake mushrooms, chopped the meat, and prepared various ingredients, all of which were diced. Then Lin Zhao took over the work, while Hengbao tended the fire...

Cat Egg and Yu Bao observed and learned.

In the small kitchen, the division of labor was clear.

Before long, an overpowering aroma wafted out.

"It smells so good!" Hengbao stood up and looked into the pot.

Lin Zhao smiled and said, "How about we use this sauce for noodles this afternoon?"

“Okay!” Hengbao exclaimed.

Yu Bao nodded.

"I'll take some cat eggs back with me later, so your grandma can have some too." Lin Zhao looked at cat eggs gently.

Cat Egg looked surprised and quickly waved her hands, "No, no need..."

“You can’t say no.” Lin Zhao interrupted him and asked, “Did your grandmother ever say that one cannot refuse a gift from an elder?”

"I did," Cat Egg replied honestly.

"So don't say no, just take it if I give it to you." How many bottles of meat sauce could Grandma Ning exchange for the jade gourd she gave the twins?

"Thank you, Auntie," Cat Egg said.

　1.2k extra chapters~

　　(End of this chapter)