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

Chapter 230 "A Touch of Sweetness"

Lin Shichang overheard the twins' words, and a deep smile flashed in his dark eyes.

Without disturbing the children, he turned to find Lin Zhao.

Tell your younger sister what Yu Bao and Heng Bao were chatting about.

Lin Zhao wasn't surprised. She even raised an eyebrow and said with a hint of pride, "I know how to teach children, don't I?"

Lin Shichang nodded, his expression serious and earnest. "Yes, you've taught very well. Keep it up."

He was worried about his wife, who was in late pregnancy, and wanted to go home as soon as possible. Lin Zhao asked the twins for their opinions—to cut the cake first and let their eldest brother-in-law take some back with him.

Yu Bao and Heng Bao had no objections, and even instructed their uncle to make sure to share some with Da Dan and the others.

Lin Shih-chang was too soft-hearted to resist, so he picked up the two children and pricked them with his beard.

The two children screamed and struggled, giggling so loudly they could lift the roof off.

...When their uncle teased them like that, they thought of their father.

Lin Zhao saw through the twins' thoughts, glanced at them with a smile, but didn't pay much attention. She went to the kitchen and then asked Yun Jin to move the cake.

Yun Jin was also looking forward to it, so she rolled up her sleeves and got to work quickly.

The siblings walked out of the kitchen one after the other.

The children in the yard all looked over, their eyes clear and bright, like the starry sky of a summer night, pure and clean.

"Is it a cake?" Li Bao walked towards his third aunt and looked at the things that Uncle Yun Jin had brought out through the finely woven bamboo cover. Afraid of bumping into them, he didn't dare to get close and tilted his little head up, looking at her with his dark eyes.

"Yes." Lin Zhao looked at the little guy's chubby face and smiled with relief.

Children look better when they're chubby; his previous thin and sallow appearance was heartbreaking to see.

"I'll cut it into big pieces for Li Bao later."

Hengbao, her belly sticking out, came over and said to her mother proudly, "I'm the birthday girl, you have to ask for my opinion!"

Lin Zhao stepped back, stretching out her right arm to indicate, "You come here."

Seeing her like that, Hengbao snuggled closer and nestled into her mother's arms like a little animal, "Yes, that's fine! Whatever Mom says goes, my brother and I agree."

Lin Shichang said gently, "I'll take you two to the movies when you have your winter break."

Yu Bao quickly did the calculations and asked in a light tone, "Soon?"

Lin Shichang was amused by his clever and quick-witted nephew. "Yes, it won't be long."

"Don't forget, Uncle." Yu Bao took her uncle's hand and shook it gently.

"I definitely won't forget what I promised the little birthday boy. If I forgot, would Hengbao be able to resist telling on me?" Lin Shichang pinched Hengbao's nose and teased him.

The child wasn't embarrassed at all; instead, he was beaming with pride. "If my uncle had lied to me and my brother, I would have definitely told my grandparents."

"I wouldn't dare to lie to you, nor would I dare to break my promise. I'll take you to the movies when you have your holiday," Lin Shichang said indulgently.

This was his original plan.

Hengbao clapped happily, then asked, "Are Big Egg and the others going too?"

Lin Shichang certainly wouldn't show favoritism. His true intentions remained hidden as he continued to tease his nephew, "Do you want them together? If you do, bring them; if not..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yu Bao and Heng Bao shouted in unison, "Yes! We want to be with Brother Da Dan and the others!!"

Lin Shichang's eyes darkened. "Alright, go all of them."

The twins felt a sense of accomplishment, as if it were their own doing, and smiled broadly, humming a little tune.

Yuanbao and the other children looked on with envy when they heard that the twins' uncle was going to take them to the movies.

After Yu Bao noticed this, she walked over to her friends and said, "After we finish watching the movie, Heng Bao and I will tell you the story."

He gently coaxed the child.

Hengbao followed up, saying, "My mom said that in a while, our brigade will be showing an open-air movie, and everyone can watch it for free. You guys will be able to watch it then."

While Yu Bao's words were pleasing, Heng Bao's words were even more inspiring.

"Hengbao, is it true? Our brigade is going to show a movie?" Tie Niu asked excitedly. "I didn't even hear my grandpa mention it."

Yuanbao was so happy he almost jumped for joy. He grabbed Yubao's hand and swung his arm high. "Yubao, what movie are you going to show? Is it the one about the female pilot you told us about? I want to see it. I want to know what a plane looks like."

He remained steadfast in his belief that the village was going to show a movie when the twins mentioned it.

Yu Bao shook his head. "I don't know what movie they'll be showing. Uncle Yang didn't say."

"Who is Uncle Yang?" Tie Dan asked.

"Uncle Yang is my dad's comrade-in-arms. Comrades-in-arms are even more powerful than good friends," Yu Bao explained.

"Then I want to be your comrade-in-arms, okay?!" Yuanbao looked at Yubao expectantly.

He thought the twins knew everything.

Adults admire strength, and children admire strength too. They will play with whoever is stronger, even more directly than adults.

“No, that won’t work,” Yu Bao said.

Yuanbao felt disappointed, but he added, "Only soldiers can be called comrades-in-arms. We can't. We're good brothers, just like comrades-in-arms, right?"

The words were somewhat uncertain.

He glanced in Lin Shichang's direction.

His uncle nodded at him, and the little guy straightened his back again.

“Good brothers are like comrades-in-arms,” he affirmed.

Yuanbao grinned foolishly, "Then let's be best buddies!"

“Yes.” Yu Bao said solemnly.

Tie Dan sighed wearily as he realized the topic had gone off track.

He cupped Yu Bao's face in his hands and asked the crucial question: "Do you know when our brigade is showing a movie? We have to reserve a spot in advance."

He had heard his father say that long ago, the brigade used to show movies, and a lot of people would watch them. If you arrived late, you couldn't squeeze in and had to climb a tree to watch... but even then, you might not see anything.

"I forgot to ask." Yu Bao scratched his face.

Tie Dan was somewhat disappointed.

His mood affected the other children, creating a somber atmosphere. Their bright, beautiful faces looked as if they had been hit by frost, making them appear pitiful.

"Don't be like that. Everyone in our village is a master at reserving a good spot. Your movie-watching experience won't be bad. Relax. If kids worry too much... they won't grow tall," Lin Zhao comforted them.

The child's face was like the May weather, sometimes cloudy and sometimes sunny. Hearing her say that, he became happy again.

The thought of being able to watch a movie soon makes me smile uncontrollably.

Dazhuang asked Hengbao, "Hengbao, will you come back to see us then?"

"Yes, of course I'll join in this fun! My brother and I will watch it with you guys!" Hengbao nudged Dazhuang with his shoulder, his voice beaming. "It'll definitely be more fun watching it with you guys."

Lin Zhao nodded.

Of course I have to go back.

This is a unique memory for this generation—everyone would grab a small stool and squeeze together to watch a movie. If anyone stood up and accidentally blocked the screen, they would get a severe beating. Those with short tempers would even throw out their smelly cloth shoes to vent their anger…

Very normal.

With the anti-Japanese sentiment running high, people felt it was unnecessary to even fart, let alone block someone's view.

Next, the children started chattering and speculating about what movie would be shown.

Several children, who were too young to even understand the concept of watching a movie, enthusiastically joined the conversation.

Lin Zhao listened to their conversation, feeling both pity and heartache.

Ugh.

She clapped her hands to bring the children's attention back to her.

"The movie won't be showing for a while. Today's task is to celebrate Yu Bao and Heng Bao's birthday. Time to cut the cake!"

Upon hearing this, the children in the yard immediately forgot about watching the movie, lined up in a row, stood obediently, and their eyes lit up.

Song Yunjin lifted the bamboo cover at the opportune moment.

A white cake decorated with colorful flowers appeared before everyone's eyes.

After the cake was finished, Lin Zhao used the excuse of hiding it in the cupboard to put it into her storage ring. She had only taken it out recently, which is why the cake hadn't collapsed and looked just like it was made.

Everyone smelled a sweet aroma, and the children's expressions became intoxicated, their noses twitching and their eyes shining brightly.

The twins, standing at the very front, received the greatest "impact".

Hengbao uncontrollably stretched out his index finger, dipped it in the cream, and put it in his little mouth. In an instant.

Her pupils dilated, and she looked at her brother and Li Bao with surprise.

"It's so sweet!!"

Lin Zhao wanted to dip it again so that the two of them could try it too, but she grabbed his wrist.

"That's enough," Lin Zhao said. "Did you wash your hands?"

Hengbao snapped out of her daze and gave her a fawning smile, "...I forgot."

He twisted his body, "Mom's cake smelled so good, I couldn't resist. It smells so good!"

As she spoke, her eyes remained fixed on the cake, her gaze unwavering. "This must be the most delicious thing ever!!"

Lin Zhao casually reminded him, "Last time you ate roast chicken, you said it was the best thing to eat."

Hengbao retorted, "They're different. Roast chicken is meat, while cake is sweet."

Lin Zhao: You're the birthday girl, so you get to decide.

"...Let's cut the cake, little birthday star."

Hengbao's threshold for laughter was unusually low today; if anyone called him "Little Birthday Star," he would laugh in a very cheap way.

This is it.

"Hehehe, how do I cut it?" he asked with a laugh.

Yu Bao looked at his brother helplessly, wanting to ask him, "Isn't your cheek sore again?"

"Use a knife." Song Yunjin took out a kitchen knife.

Yu Bao reached out to take it, but Lin Zhao took it first, saying, "I'll take it, you two don't touch it."

She had barely finished speaking when Gu's mother came over.

Seeing the lively scene in the courtyard, their faces were full of smiles.

"Grandma!" Li Bao called out as soon as he saw his grandma.

Yu Bao said, "Grandma arrived just in time; we were just about to cut the cake."

He glanced behind Gu's mother and asked, "Where's my grandfather?"

Remembering the old man's mushy words, Gu's mother's face showed a hint of embarrassment. "...Your grandfather has something to do, don't worry about him, just cut it if necessary."

Yu Bao said "okay" with a slightly disappointed look, and then said, "Heng Bao and I will bring the cake to my grandpa later."

Hengbao exclaimed, "I just tasted it! The cake is so sweet and delicious!"

"Your mother got up early this morning to make this especially for you. She used a lot of good ingredients, of course it smells delicious." Gu's mother smiled and touched her grandson's face with her rough hands. "Your mother is good to you, so you two must be good to her."

The twins were so used to hearing this that they nodded repeatedly, "Mhm."

Once everyone was finally gathered, Lin Zhao was surrounded by a group of children cutting the cake. There was nothing fancy about it; it was just a simple cake-cutting process.

After cutting it, a quarter was set aside for the Lin family; another piece was left for Gu's father; and the rest were distributed among the children.

It wasn't a very large portion, but it wasn't small either.

Yuanbao and his friends brought bowls and chopsticks with them. The cakes were put into each family's bowls, and the children were overjoyed to see the cakes in their bowls.

"Wow, that's a huge piece!!"

"There's so much, it'll last me for several days."

"I'm not going to eat yet. I want to go back and eat with my brother."

……

A chattering sound arose.

Lin Zhao listened to the soft, cheerful voice and smiled. Children's happiness is so simple.

She felt that it was all worth it.

At least it leaves a bright spot in the children's childhood. When they look back on those difficult years in the future, what they will think of will not only be the endless firewood and wheat, the endless wheat to dig, and the never-ending hunger... but also this bit of sweetness.

"If you want to save them, put the cakes at home first, then come back. There will be food later, all of which were delivered by you, so don't be shy," Lin Zhao said.

Although the villagers were poor, they were not uncouth. Hearing that Yu Bao's mother would provide meals, they did not let their children come empty-handed. Even the poorest families brought their own food rations.

—Etiquette unique to this era.

"Thank you, Aunt Lin!!" the children said obediently.

After telling Yu Bao and Heng Bao, they each took their bowls and went home, walking cautiously, unlike their usual reckless manner.

After they left, the yard seemed much bigger.

Lin Shichang watched his nephew stuffing cake into his mouth and said with a smile, "Eat less, there's more good food coming later."

Hengbao patted her tummy, "My tummy can hold it all."

Tie Dan agreed, "Yes, even if we bring twice as many, they can still fit."

"What does 'twice' mean?" Hengbao looked at him.

Qianbao, whose cheeks were stained with a few specks of cream, also looked over.

"A doubling is a much larger cake than the cake in your hand," Tie Dan said, using a cake as an example.

Hengbao thought Tiedan was reciting a tongue twister, but didn't understand it and didn't delve into it, continuing to eat his cake.

Oh, I wish I could eat this every day, but unfortunately Mom says I can only eat it on my birthday.

Lin Shichang didn't linger any longer. He took the cake and the sweater his sister had knitted for their parents and prepared to leave.

Before he had even left the Gu family's courtyard, Lin Zhao suddenly called out to him.

Jog over.

He took something out of his pocket and stuffed it into his pants pocket.

"Huh?" Lin Shichang reached into his pocket.

Lin Zhao held his arm and warned, "Don't touch it. Look at it when we get home. It's precious. I won't be responsible if you lose it."

Lin Shichang smiled, met his sister's serious eyes, and assured her, "Okay, I won't look. I'll look when we get home."

"Alright, you can go back now." Lin Zhao waved as she backed away, then, remembering Lin Shisheng, added, "If Second Brother comes back, ask someone to pass on a message to me."

She was quite worried about her second brother.

It's not peaceful outside; highway robbers are rampant. I heard they even dare to kill public officials.

"You don't need to tell me, that's for sure." And the second son's personality...

Lin Shichang said confidently, "Your second brother will definitely come to see you first as soon as he gets back."

He was 100% certain.

The second son rarely goes out, but whenever he comes across a channel, he gets a lot of good things for Zhao Zhao.

Lin Zhao's eyebrows twitched slightly. "That's true."

……

As soon as Lin Shih-chang stepped into his home, he was greeted with stares from his family.

"So? Is Zhaozhao celebrating Yubao and Hengbao's birthday this year?" Lin Heling asked gently.

"Yes, it was quite a big celebration." Lin Shichang said as he drank the water his daughter Xibao handed him. "Not only did he make the cake himself, but he also invited the children who are close to Yubao and Hengbao to our house... It was a big birthday celebration for the two of them. It was very lively, Dad, don't worry."

Lin Heling felt relieved. "What do I have to worry about? Zhaozhao is so grown up now, she knows what she's doing."

Boss Lin will only listen to those words.

Before he went, his father clearly said that if Zhaozhao didn't take it seriously, he should bring Yubao and Hengbao back, and he would make longevity noodles for them.

How long has it been? Less than half a day, right? Things have changed so quickly.

Looking at the things her eldest son brought back, Song Xiwei asked, "What did you bring?"

"The cake, and the sweaters Zhaozhao knitted for you and my dad," Lin Shichang said.

Lin Heling immediately got up and accurately located the two sweaters he had brought back.

They are all black, with slight differences in the stitching, and feel extremely soft to the touch.

"Zhao Zhao is so thoughtful." Lin Heling smiled slightly, glanced at the tattered cloth bag her son used to carry his sweaters, and frowned slightly.

(End of this chapter)