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

Chapter 306 "The Golden Rice Bowl"

The family returned home. Gu Chenghuai took Hengbao back to the children's room. "Yubao, your brother can't move his leg for the time being. During his recovery, can he sleep in the lower bunk?"

With a mother like Lin Zhao who respects her child's wishes, he, as a father, is not domineering and always consults his son's opinion on everything.

Yu Bao picked up the small blanket that was under the pillow and placed it at the foot of the bed. Hearing his father's words, he replied loudly, "Okay, I can do it. I'll take care of my little brother tonight too."

Gu Chenghuai patted his son's head and said, "You're really capable."

The little boy puffed out his chest, eager to show off, and asked, "Hengbao, do you want some water?"

"Yes!" Despite her injured leg, Hengbao became the center of attention in the family. Looking at her parents and brother who were surrounding her, her eyes were full of smiles. "I want to drink jujube water!"

The jujube water he mentioned... was made from jujube tea sent by Chef Han. It was clear that Lin Zhao and the twins liked it, so Old Han had someone send over a lot.

"I'll go make it for you!" Yu Bao said.

Lin Zhao raised his voice, "Slow down, be careful not to burn yourself."

"Yes," Yu Bao replied in a drawn-out tone.

Hengbao, lying on the bed, turned her little face to Lin Zhao and said sweetly, "Mommy, tell me a story, I want to hear it."

He was a very energetic kid, with endless energy. Suddenly, he could only lie in bed and couldn't go anywhere. He felt uncomfortable all over, and even his bones were itchy.

Lin Zhao glanced at Bai Hengbao, looked at her son's slightly pale face, sighed softly, picked up a storybook, and sat down on the stool by the bed.

"You're ordering me around now, you brat. I'll tell you now, and you can tell me when you're better. Is that fair?"

Hengbao leaned against his small pillow, straightened his little body slightly, and patted his chest like a gentleman, "Okay, I'll tell Mommy when I'm better, I'll tell her for a month."

"Only for a month?" Lin Zhao flipped through the book, a slight smile playing on her lips as she teased him, "What if I wanted to listen for a year?"

“Then let’s talk about it for a year,” Hengbao said without hesitation. “After all, you’re my mom. Mom can ask for anything.”

Wow, kids with sweet tongues always have such lovely voices.

"It's settled then. Don't run around again as soon as you get better." Lin Zhao affectionately pinched Hengbao's nose.

"I won't run, I won't run anywhere." Hengbao smiled brightly, "Mommy, tell me quickly."

"Wait for your brother," Lin Zhao said.

The injured boy had no objections. Seeing his brother enter the room, he waved and said cheerfully, "Brother, hurry up, Mom is about to start telling a story!"

"You're here." Yu Bao smiled broadly, placed the prepared jujube water beside her, and sat down on the small stool next to Lin Zhao.

Seeing this, Hengbao frowned and urged, "Brother, come to the bed."

Yu Bao shook his head and said seriously, "No, I'm afraid I'll kick your leg. We can share a bed after you're better."

Hengbao wanted to say something, but Lin Zhao reached out and covered his babbling mouth, "Listen to your brother, let's each sleep separately for now."

Yu Bao nodded and said to her younger brother, "Heng Bao, listen to Mom. I don't want you to become a cripple."

Hearing his words, Hengbao reluctantly said "okay," and then said, "I don't want to become a cripple either. I still need to drive a big truck. If my legs aren't flexible, I won't be able to drive a big truck!"

Lin Zhao: "..."

Erzai's dream is more solid than cement.

While other children may change their dreams a hundred or eighty times a year, he always remembers his original dream. He is truly a determined child.

"If you don't want to hear the story, why don't you lie down and take a nap?" Lin Zhao looked at Hengbao.

"I'll listen, I'll listen." Afraid that his mother would change her mind, Hengbao covered his mouth and quickly expressed his opinion, instantly putting the topic of driving a big truck out of his mind.

Lin Zhao spoke softly to her two sons as she told them a story.

As I spoke, I thought of my youngest son.

I wonder if Qianbao misses her?
When she was home, she told the twins bedtime stories almost every day. She's been gone for almost half a month now, and I wonder if Qianbao and Yaobao are getting used to it!
In the Fengshou Brigade, the twins were used to sleeping with their grandparents. They went to bed early and got up early every day, and they had no shortage of food and clothing. However, they would occasionally go to the fields with their parents, and their fair skin had become two shades darker from the sun.

They've gotten a bit darker, but with more space to run around in the field, they've become much stronger, and the two siblings have even grown taller!
If Gu's parents are busy, the two kids will follow Bangbang and the others, playing with everything. The only time they can think about their mother and brother is before bedtime.

At first, she would cry, but gradually she realized that crying wouldn't bring her mother and brother, so she stopped crying.

They adapted very well.

In the children's room, Lin Zhao was telling stories to the twins when a loud, energetic voice came from outside the door.

Hearing the sound, Gu Chenghuai went over and opened the courtyard gate.

Outside was a young soldier wearing a green military uniform.

"Battalion Commander Gu!" He stood ramrod straight, saluted Gu Chenghuai, and said, "You have a phone call."

Gu Chenghuai said, "I understand. I'll let my family know."

He nodded to the young soldier who was delivering the message, turned and went into the courtyard. He went to his two sons' room and said he was going out to answer a phone call and would be back in a little while.

"What's up? Do you want me to come along?" Lin Zhao was worried it was a call from his hometown.

"No need." Gu Chenghuai shook his head and guessed, "It should be about Coach Xiaoshitou."

"Then hurry up and go. If it's confirmed... send a telegram to your older sister. Don't delay Little Stone's important life event," Lin Zhao reminded him.

"Okay," Gu Chenghuai replied, and then left.

As soon as he left, Lin Zhao was met with two identical puzzled faces.

"Little Stone? My Stone Brother?" Hengbao blurted out first, "What's Stone Brother's big life event?! A blind date?!"

"..." Lin Zhao choked, her eyes filled with helplessness, "What blind date? Little Stone is only a few years old, not even as old as you. What kind of blind date is this? You're just talking nonsense."

Yu Bao also thought about the blind date. Hearing her mother's words, her face burned, and she whispered, "Isn't there a childhood betrothal?"

Lin Zhao was speechless for a moment.

I can't argue with that, I really can't argue with that.

"...It's not a blind date, nor is it a marriage arranged since childhood!"

Hengbao's curiosity deepened. "What's that?"

Fearing that Lin Zhao would say again that children shouldn't concern themselves with so much, he quickly added, "Shitou is our younger brother, just like Qianbao. It's normal for us to ask him about things, isn't it?"

Those bright, dark eyes darted around, clearly saying, "You can't say 'Don't ask such nonsense' anymore."

“…Normal.” Lin Zhao laughed out loud, his eyes filled with endless indulgence.

"Little Stone's major life event has nothing to do with what you two are thinking. What I'm talking about is... his potential to learn from a professional table tennis coach."

Yu Bao grasped the key point: "Where is the table tennis coach? If I learn from the coach, will I be able to represent the country and win championships when I grow up...?!"

He bombarded me with a series of questions, and they were all meaningful and not just random.

Hengbao also said, "Why is it possible for him to go and learn with the coach? Doesn't the coach want Xiaoshitou?"

Before Lin Zhao could answer, he muttered with a hint of dissatisfaction, "If the coach doesn't think much of Xiao Shitou, it's because he has no taste! Xiao Shitou plays very, very well."

Yu Bao agreed, "If this coach doesn't want Xiao Shitou, can Mom find him a new coach?" Lin Zhao shook her head and said regretfully, "No, I don't know any table tennis coaches."

Upon hearing this, the twins frowned.

"Is there no other way?" Hengbao scratched his head and muttered to himself, "I'm sure I can think of a way. Dad says there are always more solutions than problems."

Yu Bao wasn't one to give up easily. After a few moments of thought, his eyes lit up and he came up with an idea: "Let's give the coach a gift and ask him to accept Xiao Shitou. Let's learn from the story of the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage. As long as we are sincere and persistent, the coach will definitely be willing to accept Xiao Shitou."

While the two boys were discussing their strategy, Lin Zhao didn't interrupt them, nor did he mention that the coach was eager for Xiao Shitou to leave with him immediately.

She wanted to see just how far her two sons' brains could go.

As it turns out, the new brain really works.

They even came up with ways to give gifts, though it's not advisable.

"Alright, you two stop racking your brains for a solution. That coach doesn't look down on Xiao Shitou. On the contrary, he really likes Xiao Shitou and can't wait to take him away. It's just that your aunt and uncle are not comfortable with the coach's identity. They asked your father to investigate him..." Lin Zhao explained in a few words.

"He's taking Little Stone away?" Yu Bao exclaimed. "Where is he taking him? Can't Little Stone go home?"

“We’ll take him to the provincial capital first, and then it depends on the arrangements. I can’t say for sure,” Lin Zhao said. “If he goes to participate in formal training, he definitely won’t be able to come home.”

Hengbao exclaimed, "Little Stone is so timid. Without Big Stone to protect him, he'll be scared. How can he go to the provincial capital alone? If he's taken there, he'll definitely cry every day."

“Yes,” Yu Bao thought so too. “Mom, can my aunt, uncle, and Brother Shitou go to the provincial capital with him?”

“No.” Lin Zhao shook her head. “Xiao Shitou can’t see outsiders when he’s training. Even if your aunt and uncle go together, they won’t be able to see him.”

Hengbao is still a child who can't be separated from his parents. Hearing this, he said, "Then why go? I won't go. I'll practice at home."

“It’s different.” Lin Zhao didn’t treat her two sons as clueless children. Since she had nothing else to do, she told them some things she knew.

“If he goes to the provincial capital, he will train in a stadium with professional coaches, and his food and lodging will be taken care of by someone. He will also have an additional identity, which is called an athlete. If he is talented enough, he will have the opportunity to be sent out to win glory for the country in the future. At that time, he will be able to secure a golden job.”

Although the sports industry is currently facing suppression and its future is uncertain, Xiao Shitou is still young and can wait.

He only needs to quietly take root deep within, and one day he will blossom.

It won't be too late; it seems like there will be an opportunity in three years, around the World Table Tennis Championships.

With three years of training, it's not impossible for him to shine.

Even more so, if you get into the sports team, your future will be even brighter.

You'll never have to worry again!

"Wow!" Hengbao exclaimed, "A golden job, and he can even bring glory to the country! My little brother Shitou has made something of himself!"

Lin Zhao: "..."

"He hasn't gone yet. We don't know what your aunt and uncle's decision is." Lin Zhao looked at the excited Heng Bao, her lips twitching slightly.

They were just saying they weren't going, but as soon as they heard about the "golden rice bowl" and "bringing glory to the country," they forgot everything else.

Patriotism is ingrained in these two kids' bones.

Yu Bao suddenly asked, "Mom, if I were the one going to the provincial capital, would you take me?"

“Yes, I will.” Lin Zhao had thought about it before, so she didn’t need to think about it. “But I will go with you. I will find a job in the place closest to you and visit you from time to time. If you have time, I will pick you up and take you to see the sights. I will cook delicious food for you… I must be involved in my son’s growth. Otherwise, I will have so many regrets. No amount of money can make up for that.”

Of course, all her assumptions are based on the premise of having a sufficiently ample economic foundation.

It was also the support from her family and Gu Chenghuai that gave her confidence.

Hearing Lin Zhao's unwavering words, Yu Bao smiled brightly and hugged his mother's waist.

"Mom, you are so kind."

Hengbao wanted to hug her too, but Lin Zhao stopped her with one hand, saying, "You should rest, or you'll hurt yourself."

"Mommy!" Hengbao twisted her body in protest.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore," Lin Zhao said quickly, afraid that he would ramble on again.

Hengbao then stopped and steered the conversation back to the topic, "Are my aunt and uncle going to the provincial capital?"

"They're not going." Lin Zhao thought to herself that moving the whole family to the provincial capital wasn't a simple matter; it required connections and money... Her eldest sister's family had only recently escaped poverty, how could they possibly go?!

"Why?" Hengbao asked again, "What about my brother Stone?"

Lin Zhao was overwhelmed by his questions, one after another.

Taking a deep breath, she remained patient. "What else could it be? Do you think getting a household registration is so easy? What will the whole family eat and drink in the provincial capital? Where will they stay? These are all problems."

Hengbao sighed, her tone sympathetic, "Little Stone is in trouble."

He could almost picture Stone Brother burrowing into his blankets and sobbing every night.

Yu Bao said, "To win glory for the country, one must put in some hard work..."

Noticing Lin Zhao's slightly surprised look, he continued, "My father said that the path of a hero is always arduous, and he will inevitably lose something. There is no such thing as having it all in the world; you can't have your cake and eat it too."

Lin Zhao praised, "Yu Bao's words are so well said."

Yu Bao blushed and said, "It wasn't me who said it, it was Daddy who said it."

"But Yu Bao remembered it, that's great." Lin Zhao still praised him, her son's intelligence and wit made her, as his mother, very proud.

Hengbao tried his best to make his presence known.

He didn't remember, afraid of being called out.

Every child has a different personality, and we don't necessarily have to use the same standards to judge them. Yu Bao has his strengths, and Heng Bao has his merits as well.

Lin Zhao didn't deliberately make things difficult for Hengbao, and changed the subject, "Let's not talk about Little Stone anymore, we'll find out what happened when we get back."

"Mmm." Hengbao's droopy eyebrows and eyes suddenly brightened.

After he finished speaking, he yawned, his eyes looking rather listless.

"Are you sleepy? If you are, take a nap," Lin Zhao said.

Hengbao didn't move his injured foot. He slid down and lay down obediently, turning his head to look at Lin Zhao. "Mom, can you wait until I'm asleep before you leave? I want you to stay with me."

"Sure." Lin Zhao sat down on the edge of the bed, gently patted the wounded man's back, and coaxed him softly, "I'll stay here, I won't go anywhere."

Upon hearing this, Hengbao's lips curled up, and he closed his eyes.

He suffered today and fell asleep within minutes.

Lin Zhao withdrew her hand, put her arm around Yu Bao, and whispered, "Why don't you go upstairs and get some sleep? You've worked hard taking care of your brother today, so get some sleep. I'll look after Heng Bao."

Ever since her younger brother got injured, Yu Bao had been on edge and definitely needed rest. Without saying no, she took off her outer clothes and climbed onto the top bunk, where she fell asleep in no time.

The two brothers had just fallen asleep when Gu Chenghuai returned.

(End of this chapter)