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

Chapter 298 "Whose Side Are You On?"

That afternoon.

The Gu family welcomed their first guest.

It's Sister Zhang.

She brought a bunch of chives and a cabbage with her.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Sister Zhang said in a cheerful voice, "Yu Bao's mother, did I disturb you?"

Lin Zhao was slightly taken aback, then came to her senses and said, "I won't disturb you. Yu Bao, pour some water and put a spoonful of honey in the cup."

"Yes," Yu Bao replied, and ran to the kitchen to pour water.

"Oh, no need to trouble yourself." Aunt Zhang waved her hand hurriedly, her face full of smiles. "You've just arrived, you probably don't have any vegetables at home yet, right? I'll bring you some."

Actually, the reason she came to his house was because she heard from her own son, Heidan, that the twins had given him jujube cake and peanut candy.

Jujube cakes aren't cheap, and peanut candy is even cheaper. Sister Zhang isn't the type to take advantage of others, so she immediately came to give a thank-you gift.

Lin Zhao was unaware of the background, but she didn't refuse. They were from the same military region, and she could repay the favor sooner or later.

"Thank you, Sister Zhang."

"Don't mention it," Sister Zhang said with a hearty smile. "Just tell me if you need anything. Everyone in the whole residential compound knows I'm the best at growing vegetables."

Just as she finished speaking, Yu Bao came over with a bowl of honey water.

"Auntie, have some water."

Aunt Zhang took it with both hands and praised, "Good girl."

"My son Heidan said you gave him some jujube cake and peanut candy. Thank you, Auntie."

Seeing that Lin Zhao's expression was normal and she was still smiling, Zhang's wife knew that she was truly magnanimous and not pretending, and her goodwill towards her immediately increased.

Yu Bao said, "It's okay, Hei Dan took us to play."

After saying that, he sat down next to his younger brother to read a comic book.

Aunt Zhang took a sip of honey water, and her slightly weathered brows relaxed. It was so sweet.

"How can your two children sit still? How did you teach them? Teach your sister-in-law." Looking at the well-behaved and sensible children of the Gu family, her eyes were filled with envy.

"My child is too naughty and can't sit still at all... It worries me just thinking about it."

Lin Zhao smiled and comforted her, "Children have different personalities. Quiet ones have their advantages, and naughty ones have theirs. Naughty children are quick-witted."

In her eyes, twins and fraternal twins are all easy-going kids.

Zhang's smile deepened. She thought Lin Zhao's words were really pleasing to the ear, unlike some people who, just because they came from the city, looked down on them, who came from the countryside, and always looked at people with the eyes of someone looking at trash. They were so annoying.

"That's true." Aunt Zhang took another sip of sweet water before saying, "My Black Egg may be mischievous, but he's certainly quick-witted..."

In a mother's eyes, her own child is the best, even if he is naughty, doesn't do well in school, or is of average appearance... he is still her little darling.

Lin Zhao smiled and didn't interrupt, giving Zhang's wife plenty of time to speak.

After Zhang's wife finished speaking with satisfaction, she asked, "Yu Bao's mother, have you heard about what happened at the family dormitory building?"

Ironically, the military wives in the family compound all call Lin Zhao the same as those in the Fengshou Brigade; they are all Yu Bao's mother.

Lin Zhao shook her head. "I haven't heard anything. What happened?"

“It’s still the Lu family,” said Sister Zhang. “Ever since that family came to join the army, there’s never a shortage of excitement to watch over the family quarters.”

"What happened to the Lu family?" Lin Zhao asked with great interest.

Zhang's wife was very satisfied with her reaction. She moved her stool closer and said, "Deputy Battalion Commander Lu's wife took Baozhen to the city and didn't come back for a whole day. Deputy Battalion Commander Lu's mother was unhappy and cursed her horribly. Deputy Battalion Commander Lu's father said a few nice words for his wife, but somehow that touched a nerve with Deputy Battalion Commander Lu's mother, and she started going crazy, cursing him with all sorts of foul language..."

"The adults were arguing so loudly that, without noticing, either the mother-in-law or the daughter-in-law bumped into Baozhen. The little girl tumbled down the stairs, her head bleeding profusely. This incident even alarmed the women's director. Alas, Deputy Battalion Commander Lu's wife is going to be punished again."

Poor Deputy Battalion Commander Lu and his daughter, having such troublesome parents and a wife who's always causing trouble.

Even before the Lu family was coming to join the army, Lin Zhao had guessed that the Lu family would be in a lively atmosphere.

She was not surprised by this.

only……

"Again?" Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow, his tone questioning. "Was Deputy Battalion Commander Lu's wife punished before?"

"You didn't know?" Sister Zhang asked in surprise. "Didn't Battalion Commander Gu mention it?"

Lin Zhao's eyes flickered a few times, vaguely sensing that there was something she didn't know.

"...I might have mentioned it, but I was in the car for so long and my head was spinning, so I suddenly couldn't remember!" she mumbled.

Without much thought, Sister Zhang replied, "Deputy Battalion Commander Lu's wife wrote a letter to Dr. Meng's ex-wife and recruited him to the military region. During that time... Dr. Meng and his two sons were really put through the wringer."

Lin Zhao's lips suddenly straightened, and the smile in his eyes vanished completely, replaced by a faint chill.

"At first, no one knew why Dr. Meng's ex-wife would suddenly show up. It wasn't until the leaders received a letter from the capital that they found out. It turned out that Deputy Battalion Commander Lu's wife had sent a letter to Dr. Meng's former unit, in which she described his current situation and that of his two sons."

"Dr. Meng's ex-wife was unemployed and her family was difficult to deal with. Knowing that Dr. Meng's salary and benefits were so good, how could she not be tempted? That's why she came to us..."

Sister-in-law Zhang wasn't surprised how Su Yuxian knew. It wasn't a secret that Dr. Meng had previously worked at the same place; if someone wanted to know, they would find out anyway.

Lin Zhao's eyes remained calm.

What punishment did Su Yuxian receive?

Sister Zhang said, "The punishment was severe; they fined me three hundred yuan!"

"...That's it?" Lin Zhao said indifferently.

Sister Zhang's eyes widened. "This isn't heavy?! It's three hundred yuan! Deputy Battalion Commander Lu's wife is heartbroken. She's been crying for days and is still doing odd jobs in the canteen to pay back the money."

"Huh?" Lin Zhao was puzzled.

Knowing that she was new and didn't know anything, Sister Zhang continued, "The trouble was caused by Deputy Battalion Commander Lu's wife. Deputy Battalion Commander Lu paid back the money for his wife, but he was very unhappy. He went to the organization and found his wife a job in the canteen."

“That job looks like it's in the cafeteria, but it's actually incredibly tiring. You can't earn much money even after a month of hard work. She wants to pay off that 300 yuan, but she'll have to endure it.”

Lin Zhao felt a little better.

“That’s how it has to be punished!” she said. “If everyone follows suit, what will this place look like? How will those men’s safety be guaranteed!”

Aunt Zhang slapped her thigh, "...Oh my, they really have to be educated, that's what the boss said too!"

Since they had only known each other for a short time, Sister Zhang didn't stay long; she left after finishing her honey water.

As soon as she left, Hengbao went to wash the enamel mug, and then scalded it with boiling water.

This keeps things clean and prevents cross-infection.

Not long after Aunt Zhang left, Gu Chenghuai returned with the food.

Seeing the dishes on the table, he asked, "Who's here?"

Lin Zhao didn't answer, but stared at him.

"Gu Chenghuai, are you hiding something from me?"

Hearing his wife call his name in a calm tone, Gu Chenghuai was terrified.

He put down his lunchbox and sat down in front of Lin Zhao.

"...What's wrong with you?" he asked, and seeing that Lin Zhao didn't answer, he quickly explained, "I didn't hide anything from you."

Lin Zhao wasn't one to keep things in suspense, so she got straight to the point: "What did Su Yuxian say about writing a letter to Xiao Ge's former workplace?"

Gu Chenghuai suddenly realized, "You mean this..."

He looked at his wife intently, "The whole military region knows about this, it can't be hidden anymore, but Fourth Brother said... I shouldn't say anything more."

Meng Jiusi said that it's better to avoid trouble, and besides, the matter is over, his family has received the punishment they deserved, so there's no need to bring it up again.

Lin Zhao smiled, but still said, "What's the difference between this and deliberately hiding it from me?" She softly expressed the man's dissatisfaction, "Whose side are you really on?"

“It’s on your side.” Gu Chenghuai said without hesitation.

"I just felt that this matter was in the past and there was no need to upset you, so I didn't bring it up specifically. I will always be on your side," he said vow-like.

"Do you think I believe you?" Lin Zhao glanced away.

"Of course I believe you. We're husband and wife. If you don't believe me, who will?" Gu Chenghuai touched his wife's hand, which was slapped away. He took her hand again, until Lin Zhao looked over helplessly.

"Are you hungry? Shall we eat now?" the man asked in a deep voice.

Lin Zhao did not answer, and Yu Bao and Heng Bao ran over.

"Do you want to eat?" Hengbao asked.

"Smiling so brightly, do you want to go out and play?" Lin Zhao pinched her son's soft cheeks, and her annoyance gradually dissipated.

Hengbao opened her bright eyes and said, "Yes, I made plans with Maodan and the others."

"Then don't keep them waiting too long, let's eat quickly." Lin Zhao led the two kids to wash their hands.

Gu Chenghuai breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the matter was over.

pity……

He let his guard down too soon!
The next day.

On her way to get food from the cafeteria, Lin Zhao ran into Su Yuxian.

She was wearing a dark smock, carrying groceries from a shopping cart, her short hair greasy and shiny, covered in sweat, looking utterly disheveled.

The Gu family also had their own plot of land, which no one had been farming before, so they had to buy vegetables for themselves. Gu Chenghuai asked the canteen's purchasing agent to help him buy some.

At this moment, Lin Zhao handed the note to the comrade in charge.

The man pointed to a large basket in the corner.

“They’re all over there, and they’re a bit heavy. Sister-in-law, don’t bother. I’ll bring them to you after I’m done with what I’m doing here.”

Before Lin Zhao could refuse, the dark-skinned, thin young man picked up a basket of vegetables and walked into the canteen.

Su Yuxian said sourly, "Vixen!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhao walked straight to her, grabbed her collar without saying a word, and lifted her up with a forceful lift.

“It’s not good for you to do this here, don’t make me slap you.” He patted Su Yuxian’s face with his free hand. “Don’t push your luck. You messed with my brother… I haven’t settled accounts with you yet. Don’t worry, you’ll get what’s coming to you.”

Before the last word had even faded, he shoved Su Yuxian in the back of the hand and then threw her aside.

Lin Zhao picked up her own vegetables, smiled at the soldiers leaving the mess hall, and said, "I can carry them, so don't trouble yourself, young comrade. Thank you. The vegetables are very fresh."

The young soldier chuckled, "I'm glad you're satisfied, sister-in-law. Just tell me what you want next time."

Lin Zhao nodded.

Look at them, what lovely people they are.

As soon as Lin Zhao left, Su Yuxian sat on the ground and howled, telling everyone she met that she had been bullied...

Without a picture, there's no proof. And with a young soldier who had a good impression of Lin Zhao as a witness, no one believed Su Yuxian's words. Instead, she was criticized by her superiors and had several days' wages deducted, causing her already ordinary reputation to plummet.

"Did you stand up for Fourth Brother today?" Gu Chenghuai asked with a smile as soon as he got home after training.

"Hmph, it's just a small warning, what's the big deal about sticking your neck out?" Lin Zhao said.

Gu Chenghuai smiled.

……

With his wife's consent, Wei Xiangdong didn't delay and, while the iron was hot, called on Dali from the same village to go up the mountain. The two arrived at his secret base one after the other.

“This…” Dali stared blankly at the hidden valley in front of him, frozen in place. “How did you find this place? It’s too well hidden.”

"I found it by chance; I was looking for food back then," Wei Xiangdong said simply.

Dali understood.

During the famine, when everyone was starving, they searched for food all over the mountains. This place was deep in the mountains, and the villagers didn't dare to come here. But Brother Wei had a hunter master, and his master had a hunting rifle, so everyone dared to come in.

Reasonable.

"Brother Wei, what do we do now?"

Wei Xiangdong probed around with his long stick, and a flower snake darted away from the grass.

He cautiously continued exploring, saying, "First clear the grass, then fence this place off and build a pigsty."

"Done!" Dali responded, stepped into the haystack, and quickly started pulling up the grass.

"It's okay to go a little slower, just be careful of snakes," Wei Xiangdong warned.

"Hmm," Dali muttered, showing he was paying attention as he moved.

Two strong men cleared a patch of land in just one night, and also cleared a path that led to the entrance of the valley. Outside, the vegetation was lush, and the valley was hidden under the verdant weeds.

Wei Xiangdong and Dali were both capable, and they built the simple pigsty in just half a day.

After finishing their work, the two went down the mountain and each picked up a bundle of firewood along the way.

It didn't attract much attention.

Gu Chan waited at home, glancing outside every now and then. She was paranoid about any movement, her body tensing up as if she were seeing a snake in a cup.

"A-Chan, I'm back." Wei Xiangdong's voice came in before he even appeared.

Gu Chan put down her things and went to greet them.

Go and collect the firewood from the man.

Wei Xiangdong dodged, saying, "It's so heavy, I can't let you carry it."

Gu Chan looked worried. "Are you feeling alright?"

"No!" Wei Xiangdong laughed. "You were there when I went for my follow-up check-up. The doctor said I'm recovering well and it won't affect my ability to do heavy work. I know what I'm doing."

Gu Chan pulled him into the house and asked, "Was everything alright?"

"My heart has been pounding ever since you went into the mountains. I was so afraid you'd run into a wild animal, so maybe..."

Before she could finish speaking, Wei Xiangdong guessed what she was going to say, his expression changed slightly, and he quickly interrupted, "I'll be careful."

He put down the firewood and shared the situation in the valley with his wife, "It's been several months since we last went there, and the grass at the entrance of the valley is even thicker and more abundant. Dali and I spent a lot of effort clearing the grass, and the pigsty has been rebuilt..."

Hearing that the pigsty was already built, Gu Chan couldn't bring herself to back out. She only asked, "Where will we get the piglets?"

"I've already found everything, I'm just waiting to pick it up tonight." Wei Xiangdong didn't say much more.

Snakes have their ways, rats have their ways, and of course, he also has some relationships that no one knows about.

Gu Chan frowned and said, "We need to buy a flashlight."

"No need, I can walk the village roads with my eyes closed." Wei Xiangdong was reluctant to talk about the money.

He hadn't earned any money for several months, and his wife earned all the money for the household expenses. How could he possibly ask for a flashlight? It cost several yuan, not even counting the fare.

Gu Chan glared at him, "I'm going to buy it, so stop talking nonsense."

Looking at Achan's face, Wei Xiangdong smiled with a roguish grin, "Alright, buy it if you want. My wife cares about me, and I'm overjoyed."

"Get lost." Gu Chan pushed him away and went inside to count the money.

A few days later, the Wei family acquired an extra flashlight, making it much easier for Wei Xiangdong and Dali to go into the mountains.

(End of this chapter)