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

Chapter 267 "They're all so good at it"

Seeing that Hengbao hadn't stopped talking, Lin Zhao couldn't help but ask, "Hengbao, are you thirsty?"

Hengbao paused her instruction, puffed out her cheeks, and said in a sweet, whiny voice, "Mommy."

"Don't think I don't know you think I talk too much."

Lin Zhao: You know that too?

"How could that be?" she denied immediately. "I was just worried about your dry throat. Don't be ungrateful."

Hengbao was half-believing and half-doubting, and a hint of suspicion appeared in his eyes.

Really?

"You don't believe me?" Lin Zhao narrowed his eyes.

The little one became obedient instantly.

But his eyes were bright and lively, making him seem hard to fool.

"Yes, I believe everything Mom says." Hengbao walked over and kissed his mother, rested his head on Lin Zhao's shoulder, and smiled at Yun Jin, "Uncle Yun Jin, take a picture of me and my mom."

Yun Jin satisfied him.

There was a click.

Yu Bao's eyes widened in surprise. Heng Bao, that cunning little devil!
He rushed over, saying, "I also want to take a photo with my mom."

Lin Zhao put her arm around Da Bao's little shoulder and said, "Okay, let's take a group photo."

Hengbao obediently made way.

“Since we’ve already taken the photos, Qianbao and Yaobao can’t miss out either, so they won’t say I’m biased as their uncle later,” Yunjin said. “Sister, I’ll take another group photo of you, Qianbao, and Yaobao.”

Lin Zhao had no objection.

Yun Jin is a natural photographer; she can take pictures with just a few strokes of her hand.

His sister was satisfied with every single photo taken.

The little boy, Qianbao, in her arms had a serious face, a charming contrast to his earnestness. Lin Zhao kissed her youngest son, and the little guy's eyes lit up with a smile.

That smile was just the right amount of cute.

Yun Jin quickly pressed the shutter.

"Qianbao is so cute," he praised.

Qianbao looked over blankly.

Yao Bao tiptoed, hugged Lin Zhao's knees, turned to look at Yun Jin, and smiled.

Yun Jin exclaimed, "Sister, how did you teach them? They're all so good at it!"

Before Lin Zhao could answer, she looked at Da Dan and the others and said, "You all need to learn from this. It looks better when you're natural. It's not comfortable to take pictures that are awkward."

Actually, the big eggs are not bad, but compared to the four cubs, they are still not as natural.

Big Egg chuckled and said, "...Okay, take more pictures of us and we'll feel more natural."

Yun Jin agreed, "Okay, I'll take pictures for you when I visit my aunt."

"It's settled then." Big Egg clenched his right fist and slammed it into his left palm, looking very expectant.

My parents said they also want to make a growth album for them, which requires lots of photos.

Uncle Song made ample preparations to entertain his nephew and niece, with plenty of candy and meat.

A table full of dishes, by today's standards, is considered quite lavish.

There are both cool and hot places.

The living room wasn't very big. The Song family emptied their belongings, moving anything they didn't need to the house for the time being. Now, there were two round tables in the living room, one for the adults and one for the children.

Since Yun Jin had not yet graduated, he was relegated to the children's table to look after the children.

Before the meal, Uncle Song inevitably had to say a few words.

"Apart from San'er, our family is all together today. The house looks a bit cramped, but it's very lively. The children are here too; they are all the hope of the family. The Lin and Song families will be doing well in the future. Let's raise a glass and toast on this day of reunion." He picked up his small glass and raised his arm high.

Aunt Song also raised her glass.

Even during the Lunar New Year, Yun Cheng was allowed to drink alcohol. His eyes were excited as he happily raised his glass.

Lin Zhao was drinking soda, but she also clinked glasses with the others. Noticing Yun Cheng's slightly hurried movements, she laughed and said, "Yun Cheng likes this too?"

"It's alright," Yun Cheng said. "I'm not addicted. I'll drink a little when it's cold to warm myself up."

Aunt Song looked at him and said, "Your father and I don't care how you usually behave, but you can't drink while working and you can't let it interfere with your work."

“I know,” Yun Cheng said solemnly.

"Why bring this up during the New Year?" Uncle Song muttered. "Yuncheng's already at work, doesn't he understand any logic?"

In front of such a junior, Aunt Song didn't argue with him. "Alright, alright, I won't say anything more about your son. Let's eat."

"Zhao Zhao, try this minced meat and tofu, it's your favorite." She scooped a spoonful of tofu for Lin Zhao.

Fearing that Meng Jiusi would feel uncomfortable, she said to him, "Jiusi, help yourself to whatever you like. I don't know what you like to eat, so I won't cater to you."

Meng Jiusi swallowed the food in his mouth and replied earnestly, "Your cooking is excellent, I love everything you eat."

These words made Aunt Song beam with delight. "Eat as much as you like. You can come back anytime you want to eat it again."

"The chili sauce used in that Mapo Tofu is homemade. I'll give you a jar if you like."

When Meng Jiusi was in the army, he didn't forget to send local specialties to Uncle Song and Aunt Song, which made them very proud. Sincerity begets sincerity, and Aunt Song was also willing to treat him well.

“…Then I’ll have to trouble you, Auntie.” Meng Jiusi said without any hesitation.

Lin Zhao interjected, "Auntie, I want your chili sauce too!"

She spoke very comfortably with her uncle and aunt, just as she spoke with Lin Heling and Song Xiwei.

"Okay, I'll bring it for you. You'll definitely get your share." Aunt Song's expression softened.

"Don't eat too much, or you'll get an upset stomach," she cautioned, glancing at Meng Jiusi.

Meng Jiusi nodded, "I won't eat much."

After a lively meal, Lin Zhao and his brothers called the children and left.

The Song family escorted them downstairs.

"Drive carefully on the road," Uncle Song said worriedly.

"Shichang, Shisheng, if Qianbao and Yaobao are tired, you two carry them."

The two Lin brothers nodded.

They brought so much stuff with them, yet they were able to carry Qianbao and Yaobao all the way back, so it goes without saying that they came back feeling light and carefree.

Aunt Song said, "Alright, you can go back first, it's getting late."

Lin Zhao and the others left.

The Song family didn't rush home; instead, they sat downstairs and chatted with their neighbors in the apartment building.

"Old Song, we saw your nephew and niece coming over with lots of bags. What did they bring you? Can you tell us?"

Uncle Song smiled but said nothing.

He shouldn't flaunt his wealth; if he did, wouldn't everyone be envious?

Aunt Song said, "They're just some mountain produce. They look like they take up a lot of space, but they're nothing special."

"What do you mean 'nothing'? Isn't there a chicken? That's meat." The speaker was a woman, the most gossipy one in the apartment building. She loved to talk about others and take advantage of them. If anyone did something good, she'd practically climb up their chimney.

"What's wrong with talking about it? We're not going to ask for it. You two are so stingy."

Yun Cheng looked over, smiled, and said lightly, "I heard that your son-in-law brought a lot of things with him when he came. Why don't you tell us about them?"

The woman's face immediately fell.

The tone was reproachful: "If you don't want to talk about it, then don't. Why are you being so serious?"

“This isn’t about being serious.” Aunt Song rolled her eyes. “You’re asking about my family, and Yuncheng is asking about yours. What’s this about being serious? It’s just reciprocity.”

The woman said: "Ghosts are bound by custom; why should she tell others about her family's affairs?"

She snorted in dissatisfaction and turned to talk to someone she knew.

"Ignore her, she's just being sarcastic." Someone who was on good terms with Aunt Song pulled her aside and whispered words of comfort.

"Why would I be so sour? They're living better than my family. How can she be so sour?" Aunt Song said helplessly.

"She doesn't know anyone else."

Aunt Song: So they're all suckers?
Her emotions are too outwardly displayed; they're easy to read. "It's people like you who are even more jealous."

Aunt Song frowned. "What kind of person am I? Someone who lives a down-to-earth life?! Who doesn't live a down-to-earth life?"

Female neighbor: "..."

"You're not having a good life?" She almost rolled her eyes. "You haven't been tormented by your wicked mother-in-law, your sisters-in-law are easy to get along with, your nephews and nieces are close to you, and your two sons are both successful. What do you have to worry about?"

"Of course I have some!" Aunt Song said. "Everyone has their worries. I worry when I can't buy meat and vegetables."

Life in the city is better than in the countryside, but there are still difficulties. You have to fight to buy a few vegetables, and meat is even more so; you can fight tooth and nail to buy half a pound of meat.

If it weren't for Yuncheng's dad's skills, he wouldn't have been able to cook those dishes today.

To be honest, after entertaining this group today, we're completely out of meat at home.

At this time, Aunt Song was unaware that Lin Zhao had brought cured meat, smoked chicken, and other meats that could be preserved. She knew that her aunt... would definitely cook the chicken for them.

The female neighbor thought of a phrase her son often muttered: "Why not eat meat porridge?"

That's exactly how Yun Cheng's mother is.

So annoying.

"Stop talking."

She was afraid she would feel sour too.

Aunt Song had never suffered much hardship in her life. She knew that being a daughter-in-law was difficult, but that understanding only existed in her actions, such as the lack of money or the mother-in-law's many demands. She didn't really understand that what wore her down was the daily grind.

"Okay, that's all for now. Shall we take the kids upstairs and sit for a bit?"

Aunt Song is a generous person who loves children. During the Chinese New Year, she would bring food to the children who came to visit. All the children in the apartment building liked her.

As soon as she spoke, the little one's eyes lit up, and he looked at his grandma expectantly.

The female neighbor said, "Come on, as long as you don't find us annoying."

Aunt Song gave her a disapproving look, saying, "We've been neighbors for years, saying such formal things will hurt our feelings."

“I’m just being polite verbally. Every time you call me, I’ll come to your door,” the female neighbor replied.

She wasn't one to take advantage of others. If she did something to the Song family, she would always give them something back. For example, she would send a bowl of her family's stewed pork ribs to the Song family.

Aunt Song led the way, and the two of them went upstairs one after the other, with two little boys following behind with bright smiles.

Yun Cheng and Yun Jin glanced at each other from afar, then dispersed.

Some are looking for friends, others are playing with cameras.

The camera hanging around Yun Jin's neck was valuable and easily targeted by bad guys, so Uncle Song followed him intentionally or unintentionally.

They didn't explain the reason, only saying it was to aid digestion.

The boy, not understanding why, called his father to join him, and the two went for a walk, taking many memorable photos.

……

After visiting relatives with her brothers, Lin Zhao took her four children back to her own home.

With Gu Lan around, there's never any worry about the third family's courtyard.

The yard was clean, the bed sheets were clean, there was no dust on the cabinet, and there was even more firewood, covered with oil paper.

"It seems we're not needed." Lin Shisheng concluded after examining the situation.

Lin Zhao casually placed the items on the cabinet, her expression gentle. "It must have been A-Lan who cleaned it."

"The eldest daughter of the Gu family?" Lin Shichang asked. He wanted to sweep away the leaves and dust on the ground, but the ground was clean and there was nowhere to start.

"Correct."

Lin Shih-chang: "She is a meticulous and diligent girl."

Lin Zhao agreed.

Alan is indeed sensible.

Meng Jiusi lit a fire and boiled water in the kitchen. He had stayed at his sister's place before, so he knew where everything was.

Black smoke billowed from the chimney and slowly rose into the air.

Upon seeing this, Li Bao abandoned his friends and ran towards the third room.

The person hadn't even arrived yet, but their voice rang out first.

"Yu Bao, Heng Bao!!"

This sound was filled with longing and joy, and a little bit of anxiety for fear of being disappointed.

"Woof woof..." Amber barked excitedly when she saw Ribao, whom she hadn't seen for several days.

The twins rushed out of the yard.

"Libao!!"

The three children hugged each other and chatted affectionately.

They were all asking about my recent situation.

Hearing that Yu Bao and Heng Bao had eaten a lot of meat, Li Bao became envious, "You guys eat meat every day, you're so lucky."

"Didn't you eat?" Yu Bao asked with a serious expression.

"I've eaten," Li Bao said. "I ate meat dumplings and stir-fried potato slices with meat. The meat smelled so good."

"You didn't eat chicken?" Hengbao asked.

Li Bao shook his head. "No, chickens need to lay eggs, so we can't kill them."

"The chicken was so delicious." Hengbao said with a regretful look. "I should have saved you some chicken. My grandpa and aunt's chicken is tied for the best."

Lin Zhao, who had just stepped out of the room, happened to hear this.

Wow, kids who go to school are different now; they even know how to stand side by side.

"Third Aunt," Li Bao called out obediently to Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao gave him a red paper packet, "New Year's money, it's a little late, but it doesn't matter, keep it safe."

Li Bao had received many red envelopes during the Chinese New Year and was very familiar with the process. He accepted the lucky money from his third aunt with both hands and said earnestly, "Thank you, third aunt. I wish you a happy new year, success at work, good health, and all the best."

"Li Bao has learned so many words! That's amazing!" Lin Zhao praised.

Little Li Bao's face was flushed.

Since there was nothing for their sister to help with, the Lin brothers left first.

After watching them leave, Lin Zhao stuffed a stack of red paper packets into his pocket and headed towards the Gu family's old house.

When they arrived at the Gu family home, they gave each child a handout, not even sparing Gu Qingzhou.

"Third Sister-in-law, I guess I won't need it," Gu Qingzhou said apologetically, the red packet in her hand feeling inexplicably hot.

“You’re not married yet, why don’t you use it! Keep it, consider it a gift from your third brother. You’re a grown man now, buy whatever you need yourself,” Lin Zhao said calmly.

"Third Aunt, can we open it and take a look?" Tie Dan couldn't help but ask.

"can."

Then came an excited exclamation.

"So many!!" Tie Dan covered his mouth, unable to hide the surprise in his eyes.

Bangbang and Laimei also unwrapped the red paper packets. Upon seeing the money inside, the two brothers rewrapped them in unison, stuffed them into their pockets, and even pressed them down carefully.

"Thank you, Third Aunt! You're the most generous Third Aunt in the whole brigade!" Lai Mei said sweetly, then patted her chest. "Third Aunt, I'll cover your firewood needs next year."

Bangbang quickly replied, "I'll still pick up and drop off Yubao and Hengbao at school next year!"

Tie Dan followed closely, saying, "I gave all the wheat and peanuts I picked to my third aunt."

Alan pursed her lips and said, "When Third Aunt is busy, I can take care of Qianbao and Yaobao. I'm a year older now, so I can take good care of them."

Lin Zhao was both amused and exasperated.

These little guys, if they didn't know better, would think she had given her 50 cents or a dollar.

In reality, she gave 50 cents to the older children and 20 cents to the younger ones.

Gu Qingzhou was different; he got five yuan. He was still in high school, and he couldn't do without money.

Gu Yuanshan and Gu Yucheng also gave the four children lucky money, patted their heads, and wished them lots of meat and new clothes in the new year...

(End of this chapter)