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

Chapter 316 "Reluctant to Close My Eyes"

This is the first time that Lin Zhao and Gu Chenghuai have disagreed on the issue of their child's education.

"Who's in charge in our family?" Lin Zhao looked at her husband with a smile in her beautiful eyes, her voice gentle and soft.

“…Wife.” Gu Chenghuai answered without hesitation.

"Then...?" Lin Zhao hesitated, a faint smile playing on her beautiful face.

"I'll listen to you. We'll keep things on track and ensure the children have a happy childhood," Gu Chenghuai readily agreed.

"It seems we've reached an agreement." Lin Zhao's eyes softened even more.

"Yes." Gu Chenghuai chuckled softly, rubbing his forehead. "I've seen many women in the family compound who are extremely strict with their children, demanding that they study hard so they can go to worker-peasant-soldier schools and become cadres. Don't you want that?"

Lin Zhao smiled and said, "As long as the child is healthy, nothing else matters."

She couldn't say it directly, but that her four children were all very lucky, and that they would have plenty of opportunities to soar when they grew up.

They belong to the group of people who can fully enjoy the benefits of the times.

Even if one doesn't achieve great success or a high position, being a wealthy man is still quite easy.

Lin Zhao knew what would happen afterward, but she was not worried.

"Okay, I know how to ask them for help from now on, now that you've given me your permission," Gu Chenghuai said.

He was extremely busy and rarely home. His wife mainly raised the children, so he had no right to refute Lin Zhao's words; they were all just like her.

Zhao Zhao's words make sense.

Children's happiness is more important than anything else.

Lin Zhao said, "You decide what to do."

After saying that, he added, "Your second son is the type to take advantage of others, so be careful with your approach."

Gu Chenghuai raised his right hand slightly, touched his temple, and then put it down in an instant, as if it were a very serious matter.

"Comrade Lin, rest assured, we will ensure that they are upright and politically sound, and become the best successors."

Lin Zhao laughed.

Once she and her children officially join the military, the responsibility of raising their three sons will fall on their father.

Boys probably won't be able to thrive without an adult male to guide them.

……

That afternoon, the food in the cafeteria was slightly different from usual.

The difference may be small, but it's obvious to anyone with eyes to see.

"Is this cured meat?" The young soldier picked up a thin strip of meat with his chopsticks, held it up to his eyes, stared at it intently, and said uncertainly.

"There really is meat! No wonder the dishes smell better than usual today. Turns out there's oil in them. What's wrong with the canteen? Are they giving us a special meal even though it's not a holiday?!" another officer muttered.

Those who knew the inside story said, "I know. This matter is related to the wife of Battalion Commander Gu of the First Battalion."

He explained in detail what he had heard, "You've all heard about our military region's cooperation with surrounding brigades in planting medicinal herbs, right?"

The people who were busy eating nodded.

"I know, what next?"

The person in the know continued, "The cured meat we eat was a gift from the villagers of the brigade that grows medicinal herbs."

Someone asked, "Why would a fellow villager send you cured meat for no reason?"

"Hey, you think they're sending this to our military region? Dream on! Don't you know how many people are in our military region? Even if the villagers brought all their meat, it wouldn't be enough for just one company." After retorting, the young soldier who knew the situation continued, "The villagers are sending it to Battalion Commander Gu's family. His wife said that soldiers can't accept even a needle or thread from civilians, so she refused." At this point, his tone was a mixture of admiration and envy.

He admired Lin Zhao; how could he not admire such a high level of awareness from a military wife from the countryside? He envied Battalion Commander Gu; who wouldn't want a wife who was so sensible?
As the saying goes, a good wife is hard to find, especially in arranged marriages.

The young soldier suppressed his jumbled thoughts and continued, "The villager was genuinely grateful to our military region. He gave the local specialties he had picked out to the comrades on duty and ran off quickly. After a discussion among the leaders, they decided to accept them. They'll collect more herbs later to give that villager what she needs. Look, we've gotten a good deal..."

A naive young soldier, caught up in the gossip, voiced everyone's thoughts: "I really envy Battalion Commander Gu. I wonder if his wife has a younger sister. I'm missing a girlfriend."

The words "well-informed person" dispelled everyone's doubts. "No, my sister-in-law doesn't have any sisters, but she does have four brothers. The youngest brother is that highly skilled doctor, Dr. Meng."

"Wow, Battalion Commander Gu is a true warrior!" exclaimed the cultured officer in astonishment.

The naive young man asked, "Why do you say that?"

"It's not easy to marry a girl who has brothers. Just think, it's already hard to win over the father-in-law, right? If you add another brother-in-law or something, getting a wife is like Tang Sanzang's journey to the West. You get through one hurdle, and then another, and every hurdle is difficult to overcome..."

The rest of the conversation was unnecessary, but it made the straightforward young man's face change drastically.

"Stop talking, it's terrifying! So, what if I marry someone who only has one daughter?" He immediately changed his criteria for choosing a partner.

The educated officer scoffed, "What do you think? Forgive my bluntness, but putting aside the fact that it's not common for a family to only have one daughter, just consider marrying a wife like this. Can you handle the gossip and pointing fingers behind your back?"

What he said made sense, and he knew a lot of information. The young people in the cafeteria liked to listen to him talk, and people at the surrounding tables unconsciously pricked up their ears.

The naive young man scratched his head, puzzled, and asked, "What's so unbearable about it?"

"Heh..." A cold sneer rang out from the other party, "What's so unbearable about it? How would you feel if your neighbors and friends all said you were a live-in son-in-law?"

Upon hearing this, the straightforward young man's face turned as black as charcoal. He huffed and puffed, "I, of course I'm not willing! My mother raised me with so much effort, I have to be filial to her and take care of her in her old age. I can't even joke about not being a live-in son-in-law!"

After saying that, he tugged at his hair in frustration, "This won't do, that won't do, why is it so hard to find a wife!"

This promising young man has been so frightened that he's almost afraid of marriage!

"What are you saying?" A powerful and authoritative voice rang out from behind.

The lively atmosphere instantly froze.

The group stood up in unison and saluted.

"Hello, Chief."

The middle-aged man pressed his palm down twice, saying, "No need to get up, just eat your food."

After everyone was seated, he asked again in a calm tone, "I thought it was quite lively just now, what were they talking about?"

The comrade who was talking so eloquently was sweating profusely.

He suddenly realized that if his comments, which were not conducive to the soldiers finding a partner, were found out by his superiors, he would probably be criticized.

"He didn't say anything..." He suddenly had a bright idea, pointing to the half-eaten lunchbox, "He said the food was really delicious today!"

The leader who came to inspect the canteen glanced at him, then looked away and said, "Do you know where the cured meat and eggs you eat come from?"

Everyone said in unison, "We know, it was a gift from a fellow villager."

"Yes, it was a gift from a fellow villager." The leader said with some emotion, "I only learned today that the military region and the surrounding brigades have been able to cooperate and achieve a win-win situation."

"This is good."

"If you encounter similar cooperation opportunities when you go out, you can bring them up. It doesn't matter if you're not sure if they're feasible or not; you'll know once you try."

The soldiers responded as if they had received a mission order.

"Yes."

The news about the canteen reached the family compound.

Sister-in-law Wang had also heard about it, and when she thought about her sarcastic remarks to Lin Zhao, her face burned with embarrassment.

She didn't think it was her fault, and she resented Lin Zhao, feeling that Lin Zhao had deliberately lied and made her lose face.

"She's got a real knack for it! Even a hornet's nest couldn't outdo her in cunning!" A child playing in the yard looked over. "Mom, who are you talking about?"

Sister-in-law Wang said, "What's it to you? Go do your thing."

"Fine, don't tell me then, why are you taking it out on me?" The child's face was full of dissatisfaction.

"...I am your mother. I carried you for ten months, went through three days and three nights of hardship, and finally gave birth to you. I provided you with food and drink, and this is how you repay me? How can you be so ungrateful!" The woman began to grumble, saying the words she always liked to say.

The child found her nagging and didn't want to listen, so he covered his ears and ran out of the house.

……

News travels fast in the military region.

The other residents of the family compound also found out that there was meat and eggs in the canteen today, and the improved meals were all thanks to Lin Zhao. Whether they knew her or not, they couldn't help but feel a little grateful to her.

—Improved meals go into the men's stomachs, they're all rich and nutritious, how could women not be happy?!

Zhang Ping, accompanied by several familiar sisters-in-law, visited Lin Zhao and introduced her to the family compound, helping her integrate into the community.

Several women sat in the Gu family's courtyard chatting about what had happened in the cafeteria.

Feelings deepen while gossiping.

Lin Zhao doesn't talk much, but she loves to listen. For sisters-in-law who are eager to express themselves, she's just so endearing!
In less than half a day, the group had established a preliminary foundation for their relationship.

Everyone who came today is someone who gets along well with Zhang Ping.

As the conversation went on, it was inevitable that questions would be asked about her family.

"Hasn't your dad come home yet?"

Zhang Ping's smile faded slightly, and a shadow of gloom flashed in her eyes. "No. Why talk about him? He's so annoying."

“Your avoidance isn’t a solution. Bai Taohua has been kicked out of the military region, but... her workplace isn’t far from the military region. If you don’t hurry up and win your husband’s heart back, aren’t you giving Bai Taohua an opportunity?” Sister-in-law Hua said worriedly. “Ping, if you don’t want a divorce, you still have to take it seriously.”

Zhang Ping felt bitter. "How much more do you want me to care? I've finally figured it out. Once a person's heart has strayed, there's no way to pull them back."

"What do you mean? His father is having an affair?!" Sister Hua's face was full of anger, and she looked fierce, as if she was about to tear someone apart.

“…No, not at all.” Zhang Ping looked at her expression, the bitterness replaced by helplessness, and her gloomy mood improved slightly.

"What happened?" Sister Hua pressed.

"No, I don't want to talk about it, my mind is in turmoil," Zhang Ping said.

She herself didn't understand it.

Marriage is very complicated.

"Then let's not talk about it anymore," Sister Hua said understandingly. "But if you need anything, you have to come to us. Two heads are better than one, and many hands make light work. It's better than you trying to figure it out by yourself."

Zhang Ping's eyes were stinging. "Okay."

Coming to the military isn't all bad; meeting these compatible sisters is a great gain.

Lin Zhao never pried into other people's private affairs, so she didn't interrupt and instead invited the women in the family compound to have some tea.

"Is Lin going back to her hometown soon? When are you leaving?!" Zhang Ping asked.

Lin Zhao paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's time to go back. Tickets for three days from now."

"So soon!" Zhang Ping blurted out. "I'm so reluctant to part with you. Lin, when are you planning to bring the child to join us in the army?"

Lin Zhao didn't hide anything or give a perfunctory answer. He said seriously, "I estimate that I will join the army next year. The exact month is still uncertain and depends on the arrangements."

"Will your Yu Bao and Heng Bao be transferring schools then?" Zhang Ping asked expectantly.

Before Lin Zhao could answer, she said frankly, "Yu Bao and Heng Bao are both sensible. When my child plays with them, I don't have to urge him to do his homework. I'm thinking that when they come to the military region to study, they can help my child improve."

Lin Zhao: I see.

"I'll definitely have to transfer schools."

It's hard to guarantee that I can help people improve.

Zhang Ping didn't mind, and she had no intention of asking the Gu twins to help her take care of the children. She just thought that Yu Bao and Heng Bao were self-disciplined and capable in everything they did. They should study when they should study and play when they should play. She hoped that her own children could learn from them.

“That’s great,” Zhang Ping said. “My kids don’t know that Yu Bao and Heng Bao are going back to their hometown. If they did, they would definitely make a fuss.”

Lin Zhao smiled understandingly, "Kids are all like that."

After talking for a while, Zhang Ping and the others left the Gu family.
-
Over the next two days, Lin Zhao took some time to throw the metal detector he had previously tested into the river near the medicinal herb fields in the military region.

He calmly washed his hands and left without making a sound.

It went unnoticed.

Everyone knows that Dr. Meng's sister often comes to the medicinal herb field to help tend to the herbs. The iron-bone houttuynia cordata she grows is exceptionally good. Even the director of the military hospital wanted to hire her... specifically to grow iron-bone houttuynia cordata, the kind with a permanent position and a salary.

Unfortunately, Comrade Lin's ambitions lay elsewhere.

With the metal detector removed, the weight on Lin Zhao's heart was lifted, and she felt completely relieved.

In this way, she can easily go back to her hometown.

"Wife." Gu Chenghuai's deep voice rang out.

Lin Zhao turned around. "Are you done with your work?"

"That's it. I'll accompany you from now on. Where do you want to go?" the man asked.

"I don't want to go anywhere. Let's go home and have some peace and quiet," Lin Zhao said softly.

Gu Chenghuai's eyes softened suddenly, and he took her hand. "Okay, let's go home."

The couple walked side by side, leisurely heading home.

Halfway there, they encountered the twins.

"Yu Bao, Heng Bao, isn't it time to go home?" Lin Zhao called softly.

The two little brothers replied "Yes," said goodbye to their friends, and ran over to take their parents' hands, one on each side.

Hengbao shouted, "Let's go home!"

Yu Bao thought about how by this time tomorrow, they would have already left the military region and be on the train. His eyes stung and his nose tingled.

She looked at her father again and again, her eyes filled with reluctance.

Noticing his eldest son's gaze, Gu Chenghuai tightened his grip on his son's hand slightly.

Yu Bao looked up, meeting her father's comforting dark eyes, and involuntarily moved closer to Gu Chenghuai, pressing her body against him as clingy as could be.

A bittersweet feeling welled up in Gu Chenghuai's heart, like biting into an unripe persimmon.

almost.

That night, the couple told their son stories together to lull the two brothers to sleep before returning to their bedroom.

Gu Chenghuai held Lin Zhao's soft body tightly in his arms, buried his face in the crook of her shoulder, and his emotions remained unsettled for a long time.

"Can't sleep?" Lin Zhao was so hot that she wanted to shake off his arm, but thinking that he would definitely make a fuss, she had to hold back and asked in a low voice.

"I can't sleep," Gu Chenghuai replied in a muffled voice. "The thought of being all alone tomorrow night makes me reluctant to close my eyes."

(End of this chapter)