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

Chapter 347 "A Huge Pit at the Front of the Mountain"

Hengbao squatted down to help.

After finding them, the two children ran over and presented the cotton shoes they had bought with their prize money to their grandparents.

"Grandpa, the leather cotton shoes I bought for you didn't cost Mom and Dad any money; I used the prize money from the competition."

"Grandma, this is what I bought for you!"

The elderly couple looked at the new shoes in front of them, their eyes burning with anger.

Father Gu's rough, large hand landed on Yu Bao's shoulder, patting it gently a few times, his eyes slightly moist.

Hengbao placed the shoes in his hands, her eyes brighter than the stars in the summer night. "Sir, try them on. The salesperson said we can return them if they don't fit."

Yu Bao also urged him to breastfeed.

"Oh my, you can return it after trying it on?" Gu's mother suppressed the warmth in her eyes, a smile blooming on her face. She touched the shoes her grandson had bought for her with both hands, her heart overflowing with warmth she couldn't describe.

"Grandma, I bought you a gift too." Gu Lan took out some face cream and handed it to her mother with a smile. "I bought face cream, do you like it, Grandma?"

"I love it. I love it. Even if you bring a stone for Grandma, she'll love it." Grandma Gu's heart was filled with joy as she hugged her eldest granddaughter, her eyes filled with loving affection.

"I'm sorry you had to spend so much. You haven't spent all your bonus, have you? I'll make it up to you when you do." Gu's mother looked at Gu Lan with affection.

Father Gu was skilled at growing mushrooms, becoming the commune's mushroom cultivation "expert." The commune paid him a salary, though not as much as city workers, but still twelve yuan a month. For country folk, that was quite a lot! A stable income, enough to live on in the countryside, something many people envied.

With ample funds, Gu's mother was even more generous to her grandchildren.

Gu Lan shook her head. "No need to replenish, there's still some left."

After saying that, she took out a pack of cigarettes from her small bag and handed it to Gu's father, "Grandpa, these are cigarettes I bought for you. My third aunt gave me cigarette coupons, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to buy them."

Mr. Gu was overjoyed, his only hobby being smoking. “Why did you buy me cigarettes? How much of your bonus could you possibly have? You could save it to buy stationery.”

He was already thinking about what excuse he could use to go and chat with his second brother and his old buddies.

“I have thirty yuan in prize money, and I still have plenty left, enough for me to buy stationery,” Gu Lan said.

Father Gu: "!!!"

"What?! Thirty yuan?! That much?! Are you participating in an abacus competition?!" Mr. Gu asked in shock.

“Yes,” Gu Lan replied.

"It has to be a big city, where there's money." Gu's father said absentmindedly, "This money is too easy to earn, it's almost as much as three months of my wages."

He was very happy when his granddaughter won the prize money and praised her, saying, "Well done, better than your father."

Seeing Grandpa praising Sister Alan, Hengbao jumped out, not wanting to be left out. Her little face was full of energy, and she said in a cheerful tone, "My brother and I also got a prize. We were the first place winners, and the first place winners get fifty yuan."

He held out his right hand, making a big five, "Fifty, so much money."

A smile instantly spread across Mr. Gu's eyes. "You are all excellent, the good children of the Gu family."

"You're number one, but what about Yu Bao?" Gu's mother asked.

Yu Bao tilted her cute little face up and said, "I'm also number one. Heng Bao and I are tied for first place."

Mother Gu cupped her grandson's round little face in her hands, rubbed it gently, and beamed with pride. "You two even beat the kids from the provincial capital?! That's amazing! The Gu family's ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke; this is going to produce several college graduates!"

"The teacher said we can't take the college entrance exam anymore," Yu Bao reminded her.

"Isn't there another recommended school?" Gu's mother said. "You two study hard and keep your grades at the top. When you get to high school, the family will try to get you places."

Zhao Liuniang glanced at her two sons with a sour look, her eyes filled with displeasure. Such delicious pancakes, yet those two good-for-nothing boys were so disappointing; their studies were mediocre at best. Going to university would be so much better—guaranteed job placement!

How could she have given birth to two pig-brains? They must have taken after their father!

Gu Yucheng: "??"

He at least graduated from junior high school, while his mother probably didn't even finish elementary school...

Zhao Liuniang didn't care about that; she felt she had no chance, otherwise she would have at least graduated from junior high school.

Yu Bao seemed to understand but not quite what Gu's mother was saying.

He recalled what Lin Zhao had once said: her mother said that her exam score was of high quality and that the people she recommended were all people with connections.

The young but precocious child knew that being a "connected person" was not a good thing, and he didn't want to be one.

With a serious expression, the ambitious Yu Bao said, "When I grow up, I'll take the exam myself."

Hengbao always followed his older brother's example, and then said, "I'll take the test myself too."

Gu Lan is thirteen years old this year. She understands everything she should know. She knows how rare university spots are, and if there are any, everyone will fight tooth and nail for them.

She never expected such a windfall; "I'll take the exam myself."

It's okay if you don't get the chance to go. After graduating from high school, keep an eye out for factories that are hiring. It doesn't matter what kind of job you're looking for, even temporary work is fine, as long as they have openings.

Mr. Gu looked at his grandson and granddaughter with satisfaction, "They have ambition."

Yu Bao thought of her uncle, who was in high school and about to graduate, and said, "If there's any, Grandpa and Grandma can get it for Uncle. He's graduating soon, he can't just go back to farming, he's not even as strong as my mom, how can he farm?"

Gu Qingzhou, who was caught in the crossfire: "..."

The boy looked innocent. His sister-in-law's strength was innate; no one could compare to her, right?
Gu's mother was worried because her youngest son was about to graduate, but he couldn't go to university and had no news about finding a job.

"Isn't it because there's no news? If there were news, wouldn't we try to help him? It's rare that you still care about your uncle. Your uncle hasn't spoiled you for nothing."

Yu Bao frowned slightly. "What about Uncle?"

"Are you coming back to farm?" Hengbao asked.

Gu Qingzhou looked helpless, feeling guilty for making his six-year-old nephew worry about him.

"There's always a way out," he said.

Hengbao blurted out, "There's a big ditch in front of the mountain."

Gu Qingzhou: "..."

Zhao Liuniang chuckled, "Hengbao's little mouth is getting sharper and sharper. Even Qingzhou, a cultured man, was speechless."

"I am also a cultured person," Hengbao emphasized.

“Yes, you are also a cultured person, and a cultured person who will become a college student in the future,” Zhao Liuniang chimed in.

After showing off, Hengbao worried about his uncle, "What will happen to my uncle?"

He looked so bitter and resentful, it really worried him.

Lin Zhao ruffled Erzai's hair. "Don't worry, it's an adult's business, kids shouldn't concern themselves with it. I've been asking around about your uncle's job."

Her brother on her mother's side all have jobs, and three of her uncles' families have formal employment. These are all connections, making it much easier for her to find out about jobs than her in-laws.

Gu Qingzhou's eyes brightened slightly, revealing surprise. She clearly hadn't expected her third sister-in-law to care about her affairs.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law."

Lin Zhao waved her hand, "There's no need to thank me. It's just a matter of opening your mouth. I haven't heard anything about the job yet. You can thank me when you do."

My brother-in-law is not as physically strong as his older brothers. He is quite tall, but thin. He has a handsome face, looks gentle and refined, and doesn't seem very strong.

How could he earn work points in the fields?! Every year during the double harvest season, he would get sunburned. The worst time, he even fainted. After that, he was only assigned some light work, like picking wheat with Yu Bao and the others.

You can't support yourself by working in the fields.

Gu Qingzhou smiled and said sincerely, "Whether there is news or not, I should thank Third Sister-in-law."

The elderly couple were also surprised that Lin Zhao had asked someone to find a job for their youngest son.

Father Gu moved his lips slightly, "Third son's wife is very thoughtful."

Mother Gu's gratitude was simple. Knowing that her daughter-in-law liked her pickled vegetables, she said, "Third son's wife, take a jar of pickled vegetables back with you later. You like them."

"Thank you, Mother," Lin Zhao replied with a smile.

She looked at Gu Qingzhou again, "What do you want to do after graduation, Qingzhou?"

Gu Qingzhou was slightly taken aback. "There's still a choice?"

"Why not?" Lin Zhao asked, amused.

"Your first job is very important. If you're on the right track, your future won't be bad. You won't be motivated to do something you don't like."

She didn't have much experience, but she knew that people need to do what they love to have motivation and not feel like the days are dragging on.

If you work a job that brings you no joy just to make a living, isn't that a drain on a person?
So tiring.

Most people in this world live such lives, but Lin Zhao thought that when she had the ability, she would help those around her to embark on the path they liked, the path that could be called bright.

Gu Qingzhou had already considered the path she wanted to take: "I want to study mechanical repair."

Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow. "That's a good idea. Once you learn it, you'll never have to worry about anything again. My uncle and cousin are both technicians. If you really want to learn, I'll talk to them and they'll teach you."

Gu Qingzhou's heart skipped a beat, and his handsome face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Third Sister-in-law. I will definitely study hard."

"You're welcome." Lin Zhao rarely saw his brother-in-law so excited. He was always quiet and indifferent, so it was rare to see him so emotional.

"Technicians are invaluable. If you learn the skills, you can get a job at an agricultural technology station or a motor factory. You won't have to worry about finding a job. However, this takes time, perseverance, and the ability to endure hardship. You should be mentally prepared."

Gu Qingzhou's eyes were firm. "I'm mentally prepared."

He looked a little embarrassed and said, "Third Sister-in-law, there were books on mechanical repair among the books you brought back from the recycling station. I read them... and found them very interesting. Later, I had the idea of ​​studying mechanics."

"You can understand it?" Lin Zhao asked in surprise.

She flipped through those books; they were all theoretical and extremely dry. Most people wouldn't even finish half a page before giving up. It was remarkable that Qingzhou had the patience to read them.

"Yes," Gu Qingzhou said.

In mechanical matters, no matter how solid your theoretical knowledge is, it's useless; practical experience is the key.

Mother Gu said, "The cat-shaped radio that Yu Bao and the others had broke down a few days ago, and it was Qingzhou who fixed it!"

Hearing the pride in his mother's voice, Gu Qingzhou blushed slightly and quickly explained, "It's just a small problem, nothing to worry about."

He didn't think it was a big deal, since it was just a simple connection.

Gu's mother thought to herself, "How can it be nothing?" Before she could speak, she heard Qianbao's childish voice.

"Uncle is amazing."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingzhou blushed even more and said to Qianbao, "I've only learned a little bit, it's nothing."

Qianbao looked up at Lin Zhao with her little face and emphasized, "She's really amazing."

Lin Zhao's eyes were warm as she gently pinched her son's cheek.

"Yes, your uncle is amazing."

Qianbao was satisfied. He swung his short legs, his eyes crinkling with laughter, his dark eyes seeming to hold a thousand stars.

He and his uncle actually have a lot in common.

“Since you’re interested, then go ahead and learn,” Lin Zhao said to Gu Qingzhou. “My uncle is in the provincial capital and can’t teach you right now, but Yuncheng has been learning from my uncle since he was little, so I can have him teach you some basics, like where beginners should apply their strength…”

Gu Qingzhou learned the ropes without any formal instruction, so his methods were haphazard and fragmented, and his foundation was weak. What he lacked was a teacher who could guide him through the basics.

"Okay, thank you for your trouble, Third Sister-in-law."

Gu's mother even took Lin Zhao's hand and said, "You've gone to so much trouble."

Learning skills definitely requires tuition fees; they wouldn't take advantage of the third brother's wife's uncle.

"Qingzhou, you must learn your skills well. This is a rare opportunity, so cherish it. Lay a solid foundation, don't have any burdens in your mind, and don't always think about making money. If you learn your skills well, there will be plenty of opportunities to make money in the future," Father Gu said seriously.

He didn't understand the principles of martial arts, but he knew that learning any skill was not easy. He had to calm down, work hard, and build a solid foundation in order to go further.

Gu Qingzhou replied solemnly, "I will."

Technicians are highly valued; ordinary people don't even have the chance to stand before them. Since he has this opportunity, of course he will cherish it.

Thinking about it this way, the boy felt a surge of excitement, his chest pounding with emotion.

Just then, Qianbao grabbed Lin Zhao's hand, shook it gently twice, and said with a serious expression, "I want to learn too."

Lin Zhao cupped her son's face in her hands and kissed his cheek affectionately.

“You’re too young. It’s too boring to learn this. How about you learn it when you’re ten?” She looked into her son’s eyes with a smile and spoke gently.

Qianbao covered his face with his hands, his clear black and white eyes were wet, and the tips of his ears were tinged with red, he was actually shy.

I've temporarily forgotten what I just said.

"Are you shy?" Lin Zhao asked, amused.

She knew how smart and calm Qianbao was, and that she couldn't judge him by conventional standards. But she was his mother, and she wanted her child to have a carefree childhood—ordinary, but wonderful enough.

Yao Bao climbed onto Lin Zhao's legs, reaching up with her strong arms to touch her neck, offering her face while repeatedly saying, "Bao, don't be shy, kiss me, kiss me."

Lin Zhao readily agreed and kissed her soft cheek.

Several lively voices came from the gate; it was the eldest son's family of four who had arrived.

"I knew you'd all be here." Huang Xiulan's cheerful voice rang out. As she spoke, she glanced at her daughter and saw that Alan was alright, and even a little plumper. Her worried heart finally settled down.

"I heard you all won awards?"

Gu Lan walked to her mother's side and handed her the face cream she had bought for her, saying, "Mom, I bought this face cream for you with my bonus."

Huang Xiulan was stunned.

"This..." Just before I could blurt out, I remembered what my third sister-in-law had said: adults should support their children's decisions and not spoil their fun. Spoiling adults will dampen the children's enthusiasm. So I swallowed my words and smiled with satisfaction.

"I gave birth to a good daughter! She always thinks of her mother when she goes out." Huang Xiulan praised her daughter, then rolled her eyes at her husband, "You're even better than your father."

Gu Yuanshan: "??"

what's the situation?
He hands over all the money he earns, keeping not a penny for himself. What more do you want from him?! Can you please stop putting him down?

Gu Yuanshan, thick-skinned as ever, pretended not to see his wife's glare and pulled Gu Lan down to sit. "Quickly tell your father about what's happening in the provincial capital..."

(End of this chapter)