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

Chapter 169 "Long Face"

Su Yi rushed to the educated youth settlement, ignoring the educated youth pulling each other in the yard, and pulled Guan, the educated youth, into the house.

She breathed softly and asked excitedly in a low voice, "Guan, how about we ask the brigade leader to approve a piece of land and build two mud-brick houses? Would you like to live with me?"

Guan's family was not poor, and within a month of arriving in the countryside, his family sent him things twice.

She brought a lot of money with her.

You won't starve even if you don't work.

The most distressing thing about going to the countryside for her was sleeping in a shared dormitory. Not only was there no privacy, but some people grind their teeth, some don't like to shower and have a strong body odor, and some like to take advantage of others, even trying on other people's socks...

Guan, a educated youth, felt unbearable suffering and was on the verge of collapse.

Upon hearing the news brought by Su Zhiqing, she thought it was a good idea and happily said, "Okay, I agree."

She was an impatient person and immediately said, "There's no time to lose, let's go find the captain now."

Su Yi also wanted to move as soon as possible, "Okay."

Without alerting the other educated youth, the two quietly approached the brigade leader.

The brigade leader tried to hide whenever he saw the educated youth, but this time he couldn't.

The wrinkles between the eyebrows can trap flies.

He didn't even ask them what was wrong, just looked at the two female educated youths with a worried expression.

Guan, a former educated youth, said, "Captain, Su and I want to move out of the educated youth compound..."

The captain's brows furrowed even more.

Before he could speak, Su Yi continued, "We'll pay you. Just tell us how much you need."

The captain wasn't tempted.

He didn't want to have too much contact with the educated youth!
Let's keep to ourselves!
Guan, the educated youth, saw through this and said, "Captain, the land still belongs to the brigade. We'll just build houses to live in, and when we return to the city, we'll give the houses to the brigade for free. Also, for the comrades who helped build the houses, Su and her family will give half a jin of flour. Is that alright?"

This was something she and Su Yi agreed upon on the way.

A glint of light flashed in the captain's eyes.

Half a pound of wheat flour.

That's enough for one of the members to have a bowl of noodles!

"Really?" He looked at the two female educated youths seriously.

He wasn't greedy; the things weren't for him. The villagers had worked hard, so they should expect something in return. The educated youth weren't close to the villagers; who would willingly help them if there was no benefit to be gained?
They were willing at first, but the educated youth made too many demands, and some even said harsh and unpleasant things, which angered the people in the brigade.

There are significant conflicts between the two sides.

“Of course it’s true!” Su Yi immediately replied.

Guan, the educated youth, also nodded.

The two girls looked at the captain nervously, their breaths catching in their throats, afraid that he would refuse.

This is a good thing, and the captain has no reason not to agree.

He asked, "Which plot of land do you two want?"

"Can we still choose?" Su Yi asked happily.

"Of course not."

Su Yi: "..."

The pretty young female educated youth choked on her words. Were they being played?
"We're willing to move out of the educated youth settlement as long as we can."

Guan, the educated youth, glanced at Su Yi and thought to herself that she wasn't afraid that the brigade leader might have bad intentions, such as plotting against them.

She knew the brigade leader was a good person, but she felt that Su Zhiqing was a bit... too unguarded!

This is dangerous; you'll suffer greatly if you encounter a malicious person.

Seeing Su Zhiqing smile at him with an innocent smile, Guan Zhiqing paused for a moment, then thought, "Fine, I'll keep an eye on her more from now on."

"Captain, thank you for your help."

The captain asked, "Is it just the two of you living here? Is there no one else?"

Su Yi nodded vigorously, "Yes, just the two of us. Guan Zhiqing and I get along well, just the two of us."

Two people can keep each other company; if there are too many people, what's the difference between this and living in a youth settlement?

She hates trouble the most.

"Okay, I'll discuss it with the other officers and give you an answer later," the captain said.

In fact, he could make a decision on this matter immediately, but he couldn't give people the impression that he could handle it casually, lest those educated youth take advantage of him.

Su Yi's face lit up with joy.

"Thank you!"

She took Guan Zhiqing's arm and said, "Guan Zhiqing, I told Comrade Lin that if we can move out, I want to treat her to candy. When you go to the county tomorrow, can you bring me something?"

The educated youth took turns going out; Su Yi had just been to the city a few days ago and couldn't go tomorrow.

"can."

As soon as Guan Zhiqing finished speaking, the brigade leader, who was about to leave, stopped, looked at Su Yi, and asked, "Was it Yu Bao's mother's idea for you two to come to me?"

Su Yi explained, "I was the one who came to them. I thought the Gu family had extra rooms and I wanted to rent one. Comrade Lin said her cousin was coming to stay, so she refused me. She saw that I really wanted to move out, so she gave me this idea."

The captain narrowed his eyes, feeling a pang of emotion.

They have to be high school students; their minds are quick and sharp.

Look at the idea that came up; it not only solved the problem for the brigade but also generated revenue.

What a wonderful woman! She has such high awareness. He was blinded by greed before... which is why he let the gossips in the village talk behind his back.

I regret it now.

The captain left with mixed feelings.

Su Yi was bewildered: "What's wrong with the captain? Did he agree?"

Guan Zhiqing said calmly, "You'll be able to pack your things in a few days."

It only takes a few days to build an adobe house.

Su Yile spoke up.
-
While Gu's father was working in the fields, the team leader walked up to him and showered him with praise—no embellishment, just straightforward compliments.

"?" Mr. Gu was bewildered.

Only after asking did I learn that the third brother's wife had given the educated youth a suggestion, which solved the brigade's problem.

He smiled and said with pride, "It's nothing, it's good that the problem is solved."

The captain sincerely said, "The Gu family's awareness goes without saying; they are all highly educated. No wonder your third son climbed the ranks so quickly; his awareness far surpasses that of others."

Mr. Gu humbly replied, "The country's education is excellent."

"Yes," the battalion commander agreed. "Even scoundrels can be transformed in the army. Xinhua is a good country indeed."

After chatting for a few more minutes, he wandered off to another place.

As soon as the brigade leader left, Gu's mother came over and asked, "Old man, what did the brigade leader want to see you about?"

Mr. Gu told his wife about their casual conversation.

"The third son's wife helped the brigade?" Mother Gu said happily. "That's great! We wouldn't have known if the brigade leader hadn't told us. Yu Bao's mother is too modest!"

The reputation of the third wife is getting better and better, which is great.

The commotion outside is huge, and that bad influence hasn't reached the brigade yet, but who knows what will happen in the future? A good reputation is better than a bad one!

Father Gu's dark face was full of smiles, sweat dripping down his cheeks. He wiped the sweat away and continued working.

After a while, she ran into Gu Chenghuai in the field and told her son what Lin Zhao had done.

"I know about this." Gu Chenghuai smiled. He hadn't been in the sun for nearly half a month, and his handsome face had turned much paler. Today, after going out in the field, his face was red from the sun, and his forehead was covered in sweat.

Mr. Gu was a very traditional father. He could endure hardship himself, but he couldn't bear to see his children suffer.

“Chenghuai, go back after working for a while. I can do these jobs. I’m used to doing them. You haven’t done farm work for years, don’t suffer like this.”

Looking at his father's aged face, Gu Chenghuai felt a surge of bitterness in his heart.

"Dad, go and rest. I'll do the rest."

Besides building houses, picking up and dropping off Lin Zhao, and taking care of the children, he also did a lot of farm work. His parents were still working hard, and he couldn't just stand by and watch.

Mr. Gu couldn't dissuade his son. He sighed softly, didn't rest, and sped up his work.

This month is for preparing for autumn sowing: weeding, hilling, fertilizing, and pest and disease control... No one is slacking off when it comes to the autumn harvest.

It was tiring, but the work points were plentiful. Work points were linked to food rations, so even the children on holidays didn't slack off, let alone the adults. Mr. and Mrs. Gu were both under sixty and still able to work. They didn't want to burden their children, so they continued to earn work points. Mr. Gu earned seven or eight work points a day, and Mrs. Gu did well too. It was enough to support themselves and even help out their grandchildren.

Gu Chenghuai had tried to persuade them to stop working in the fields several times, offering to give them twenty yuan a month as a token of his respect, but the old couple were not happy about it.

"Dad, slow down," Gu Chenghuai said, seeing his father swinging the hoe with great force.

Father Gu waved his hand, "I'm used to it, I can even close my eyes."

"..."

Gu Chenghuai said no more and sped up.

"Third brother, wait for me." Gu Qingzhou glanced enviously at his father's bulging muscles, then compared them to his own thin arms, and fell into extreme inferiority.

How can he train to be like his brother?!
Gu Chenghuai looked in the direction of the sound and offered his help; the two brothers walked forward side by side.

Half an hour passed.

Several familiar figures appeared on the ridges of the field.

Hengbao's loud voice rang out.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Uncle...we've brought you some plum juice! Come and have a drink!"

Gu Chenghuai: Hengbao is perfect for shouting slogans, his voice is really loud!

The people in the field stopped, lifted the tattered towels hanging around their necks to wipe their sweat, and all looked over at the same time.

A person not far from Gu's mother said, "Chenghuai's mother, your third son's wife has sent Yu Baoheng to deliver water again."

"That's not water, it's plum juice. Plum juice needs sugar, right?" The other person licked his lips. There was no water nearby, so he couldn't even moisten his mouth.

"Yu Bao's mother is so generous, she must have added sugar!"

“Chenghuai’s mother, you are blessed to have such wonderful daughters-in-law.”

Gu's mother was happy.

The third son's wife really brings honor to her and her husband.

She happily walked towards the twins with the Gu family.

Some people who disliked Lin Zhao scoffed, "If her third son's wife was so kind, why didn't she deliver it herself? She's overjoyed by the smallest favors people do for her; she's really sick."

Those who were on good terms with Gu's mother sneered, "So you're hoping for some small favors too? Do you have any?"

After finishing speaking, he went to the side to get a drink of water.

People with sharp tongues like to pour cold water on others, so nobody likes talking to them and everyone pretends to be very busy.

Enraged, she kicked the hoe on the ground. Her foot was no match for the hard iron, and she hadn't released her full force, so she winced in pain.

At the edge of the field.

The Gu family tasted the sweet and sour plum juice, and the heat in their bodies instantly dissipated.

Huang Xiulan said, "This plum juice smells so good! It's like... osmanthus?"

“Yes! It’s osmanthus!” Yu Bao’s voice was light and cheerful. “My mom put osmanthus in the air.”

Hengbao added, "Adding osmanthus makes it smell nice and tastes even better. I drank half a bowl; it smelled wonderful and tasted delicious."

He took the fan his grandfather had made for him and fanned his father.

"My mother said it's hot and you're working hard to earn work points, so she put the plum juice at the bottom of the well to chill it. Grandpa, when you drink it, is it cold?"

Father Gu smiled and said, "Yes, your mother is very thoughtful."

The third son's family is very good at cooking, and he and his wife have tasted many delicious dishes.

The twins are very happy.

They like it when others praise their mothers.

Gu Chenghuai took his straw hat and put it on Hengbao's head. His straw hat was big, and it fell down and covered the child's entire face.

"Dad, I don't want to wear a straw hat!"

“If you don’t wear it, you’ll get a tan, and you’ll become the darkest person in our family,” Gu Chenghuai said deliberately.

He didn't care whether the child was black or white, but Zhao Zhao cared a lot; she liked fair-skinned children.

"Your mother likes people with fair skin."

Hengbao's eyes lit up. "Dad, you're not fair-skinned."

"I'm exceptionally talented," Gu Chenghuai said without a hint of modesty, his dark eyes glancing at the little guy. "I can whiten my skin in a couple of days, what about you?"

Hengbao: He's no good.

He paused in returning the hat, put it on, his little face scrunched up, and looked pitifully at Yu Bao, pretending to cry: "Brother, I didn't wear it when I came, I'm going to be darker than you, boohoo!"

Yu Bao pinched the bridge of his nose like a little adult, "I told you to wear it, but you wouldn't, and you even said the hat would slow you down when you run."

"...I was wrong." Hengbao was filled with regret.

Yu Bao asked, "Will you still throw hats in the future?"

"I'm not throwing it away," Hengbao said, her head drooping.

"Don't be discouraged." Yu Bao said seriously, "If you're darker than me, I'll stay tanned the whole way, and we'll still be the same."

Hengbao's eyes lit up slightly. "Brother is so smart."

Yu Bao's lips turned upturned.

Yes, he's smart.

Gu Chenghuai: "..."

The Gu family: "..."

"You two should go back early, be careful not to get heatstroke," Gu Chenghuai said.

"Yes." Hengbao responded, grabbed his brother's hand, and ran away. They were so small, but they ran fast and disappeared in an instant.

Gu Qingzhou remarked, "Children have so much energy."

After drinking the sweet, sour, and fragrant beverage, the Gu family members were full of energy. They rushed back to the fields and worked very quickly, finishing almost an hour earlier than expected.

The other commune members in the field cast envious glances at them.

Gu Chenghuai gets a meal as soon as he gets home, while the people in the old house can't even get a sip of cold boiled water.

Gu Xing'er didn't get out of bed, nor did she think about boiling water or cooking. She ate the eggs she had snatched from Tie Dan that morning while she was still hungry.

She heard voices coming from the courtyard and opened the door to come out.

"Sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, hurry up and cook! I'm starving!"

Huang Xiulan & Zhao Liuniang: They were almost laughing in anger.

The two sisters-in-law couldn't even manage a polite, distant smile.

Gu's mother looked unpleasant and said, barely containing her anger, "...You've been lying at home all afternoon?"

“Yeah.” Gu Xing’er didn’t think much of it. “I wanted to go play with my girlfriends, but they’re all busy. It’s so hot in the fields, I’m not going. What if I get a tan?”

Mother Gu gritted her teeth, "Where's the cooled boiled water from the stove?"

"I finished drinking it. It's so hot, I drank it because my throat was dry." Gu Xing'er felt that her mother's expression was strange, and after figuring out what was wrong, she became a little unhappy. "Mom, what's with that expression? I'm also a member of the Gu family. Can't I even drink water?"

Mother Gu ignored her words, took a deep breath, and clenched her fist.

If she hadn't never hit or scolded the child, she would have slapped him twice already!
That debt collector!

"We're all busy working in the fields, haven't you even thought about cooking?"

Gu Xing'er said confidently, "I don't know how!"

"Can't you learn it?" Gu's mother was furious. "With your lazy and good-for-nothing attitude, what decent young man would want to marry you? You want to marry into the city? You're dreaming."

"So what if I'm lazy and good-for-nothing?" Gu Xing'er said without a hint of shame. "I'm not going to marry someone who looks down on me. I want to marry into the city to enjoy life, not to work. Why should I study?"

That's damnably true, it's all fallacious reasoning!
After a busy afternoon, Gu's mother was exhausted and hot, and now she was upset, making her head feel dizzy.

"Don't eat tonight!"

Gu Xing'er's face turned cold, and she was about to make a scene when Gu Ershen entered the courtyard.

Unaware of the awkward atmosphere, she cut to the chase: "Xing'er, your grandma wants you to come over."

After delivering the message, he turned and left.

Distracted by someone, Gu's mother's anger subsided, and a thought flashed through her mind: Had there been any news about what the old man and mother-in-law had been talking about?

(End of this chapter)