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

Chapter 354 "Wrong Makeup? Double the Punishment"

Her father said to wait, so there's at least a 50% chance.

Lin Zhao pressed her face against Lin Heling's arm. "Then I'll wait. Dad is so good, and Mom is so good too."

"Is Second Brother not good?" Lin Shisheng leaned over, tugged at Lin Zhao's braid, his eyebrows raised, looking quite unrestrained. "I'll help pay half the money."

Lin Zhao patted his hand but missed, she held back, "If you have a lot of money, why don't you buy one for the family? Mother and sister-in-law work very hard washing clothes."

Previously, the Lin brothers were the main people doing the laundry, but now they both have jobs, so they have to squeeze in time to do the laundry, which falls on the women in the family.

“Okay, I’ll save up and buy one for our family too.” Lin Shisheng agreed without hesitation.

"Washing machine?" Chen Yu interjected with a smile, telling the children to slow down before continuing, "A machine that can wash clothes? That sounds like it would save a lot of trouble."

“Yes, with a washing machine, we don’t have to wash clothes by hand,” Lin Zhao agreed.

Lin Shisheng: "Making a washing machine is much more difficult than making a radio or a bicycle. It requires industrial coupons, and there are quite a lot of them. My uncle is a technician, and he probably doesn't have many."

He had an idea, and looked at his younger sister with shining eyes, "Zhao Zhao, instead of waiting for our parents to buy one, why don't we ask Uncle to develop a washing machine?"

Lin Zhao: "..."

"Isn't this question beyond the scope of the curriculum?"

"What's the big deal?" Lin Shisheng said casually. "Who are you? You're my precious Zhaobao. If you ask, I'll overcome all difficulties to make it happen. This is what he studied, so it's not like he's switching fields. If he really encounters a problem, he can write to his old friend to discuss it. Maybe it can even help my uncle improve. It's killing two birds with one stone."

"Your uncle didn't do anything to you, did he? Why are you doing this to him..."

Before Lin Zhao could finish speaking, Lin Shisheng's voice suddenly rose, and he hurriedly said, "How is this a trap? I don't admit it. Don't you think this is a win-win situation? By the time we save enough money to buy a washing machine, who knows how many years will have passed. By then, Yu Bao and Heng Bao will have grown up. When they grow into young men, the ones doing the laundry will be them."

Hearing this, Yu Bao turned his head and said, "Sure, I can do the laundry. I can do the laundry and get it clean. Mom, just leave it to me. I can also cook. Mom can stay home and read, draw, and play with Coal Ball."

Lin Zhao's heart softened like water, and her gaze towards her eldest son was like spring water in March.

“My son is so filial. But I can’t bear to make my eldest son work so hard, so we still need to buy a washing machine. Once we have a washing machine, we can both be free to use our hands.”

Yu Bao knew that her mother cared about her, so she curled up the corners of her mouth and smiled exceptionally brightly.

Song Xiwei reached out and gently poked Lin Zhao's forehead. "You can't bear to make your eldest son do what you want, but you're willing to make me and your father do what you want? You heartless little rascal."

Despite saying that, his eyes were filled with laughter, as gentle and doting as could be.

I don't know what He Ling is thinking, but for a highly energetic person like her, the more dependent her child is on her, the happier she is.

"Oh dear, I didn't." Lin Zhao took her mother's arm and tightened her grip slightly, her beautiful face full of natural affection.

"The reason I turn to my parents when I encounter problems is because I trust their abilities. With my parents working together, they can solve any trouble for me."

"You have such a big mouth," Song Xiwei said.

Thinking about how to borrow money, she said seriously, "I'll figure out a way for you. I'll save up enough to buy it for you in Haicheng."

Lin Zhao thought about the Lin family's dire situation, and how their enemies might still be searching for information about them.

So he said, "Let's not go back to Haicheng for the next two years. I'm afraid something might happen to my parents."

Lin Heling nodded, "No, we'll wait until we've saved up enough industrial vouchers, then your mother and I will go to the capital to buy you the best one."

I'll take Xiwei to climb the Great Wall then...

Lin Zhao's face lit up with joy. "Then I'll be waiting!"

"Wait." Lin Heling realized that his wife was going to make use of the network of connections that had been inactive for a long time, so he gave his daughter a definite answer.

If Xiwei needs tickets, he will pay for them.

We need it at home too, but let's wait and buy it for Zhaozhao first.

Lin Zhao laughed out loud, thinking that she wouldn't have to boil water to wash clothes anymore.

“The washing machine is the greatest invention of all time!” she said.

"I'm going to join the military next year, and I want to take the washing machine with me."

Song Xiwei: "Of course we have to bring them. You'll be even busier with work if you go with the army. You'll be taking care of four children by yourself, with neither your in-laws nor your own family around. How will you manage?"

Imagining Zhao Zhao's helpless situation in the army, the Iron Lady felt a pang of anxiety, and her brows furrowed with worry.

“…There’s something I forgot to mention.” Lin Zhao’s eyes swept over Song Xiwei, a hint of guilt flashing in them.

"Speak," Song Xiwei uttered a single word.

“Your son-in-law said I should find someone to live with us so we can take care of the kids and cook… Mom, do you have anyone suitable? If so, please recommend them to me,” Lin Zhao said with a smile.

"Cheng Huai asked you to say this? You made this decision when you went to visit your relatives?" Song Xi narrowed her eyes.

Lin Zhao blinked. "...Yes, I forgot to mention."

Song Xiwei was about to flick her forehead with her finger when Lin Heling quickly covered Zhao Zhao's forehead.

The man smiled gently, his voice unhurried, "It has nothing to do with Zhaozhao. At that time... we came back late. When she saw us return, Zhaozhao was only happy, so it's normal that she didn't remember anything else."

Lin Zhao nodded vigorously, feigning grievance, "Yes, yes, I hadn't seen my parents for several months. I've never been separated from my parents for so long in my life. When I saw you, I didn't remember anything."

Song Xiwei: "So it's my fault now."

Lin Zhao said in a coquettish tone, "That's not what I meant."

Before her mother could say anything more, she asked again, "Mother, do you have a suitable candidate?"

“Yes, there is.” Song Xiwei thought of her friend’s unfortunate daughter who had been divorced and said, “If you can really take her away, it will be a great opportunity for her. Saving a life is a great achievement.”

Lin Zhao asked curiously, "Who is Mother talking about?"

Lin Shisheng interjected, "Who else could it be? You can count the number of people who are close to Mother on one hand. Of course, Mother is talking about Aunt Qiao's daughter, Huihui."

"What's wrong with Sister Huihui?" Lin Zhao asked.

She hadn't been back to her parents' home for a while, so she genuinely didn't know.

“Huihui’s husband is gone. She was kicked out of her husband’s family and sent back to her parents’ home. There are a lot of people gossiping in the village, and she… I don’t know how to say it. You’ll know when you see her.” Lin Shisheng didn’t know how to say it, so he stammered and spoke vaguely.

Lin Zhao: “?”

Song Xiwei said, "Huihui has been tormented by the family she married into. Her personality has changed a lot compared to before she got married. She doesn't like to talk, doesn't like to go out, and is afraid of people."

"But she's very efficient at doing housework."

Chen Yu also sympathized with Huihui. They were only a few years apart in age, but because of the husband's family's attitude, the two of them were like people from two different generations.

She couldn't help but speak well of Huihui, "Sister Huihui is clean, cooks well, doesn't talk much, and is honest and hardworking. If you really want to find someone to take care of the house, why not take her with you?"

Lin Zhao didn't rush to express her opinion, but looked at her parents.

When it comes to judging people, she trusts Lin Heling and Song Xiwei more.

“Huihui is like a daughter to your mother. She’s reliable and trustworthy,” Lin Heling said.

When looking for someone to stay with, you must find someone with reliable character, otherwise, if they report you, you'll have no one to blame but yourself. Song Xiwei nodded, "I can vouch for Huihui's character, but there's no rush to settle this. Anyway, there's still some time before you join the army. You can try getting along with Huihui first and see if you can get along with her. You'll be the one paying, so everything should be based on meeting your needs."

Lin Zhao hummed in agreement, "I know, we'll talk about it later."

Song Xiwei didn't say anything more. In her heart, she still hoped that the girl she had watched grow up would leave the brigade and live a free life.

The family chatted and laughed as they hurried to the Yuan family's house.

Since Uncle Song didn't come, the Lin family became the main force in supporting the event.

While her parents were exchanging pleasantries with others, Lin Zhao, led by the Yuan family's daughter, arrived at the room where Yuan Xiang was.

The Yuan family was of modest means and had many members, so it was impossible for each person to have their own room, especially for the girls, as several girls in the Yuan family slept in one room.

Red "double happiness" characters were pasted on the doors and windows, and people came and went in the courtyard.

Lin Zhao stepped through the door and looked up to see a red face. It was Yuan Xiang, whose face had been made up to look like a monkey's bottom by the makeup artist.

"..."

All these years later, the makeup artist's skills remain as bad as ever.

Her expression was slightly complicated.

"Zhao Zhao, you're here." Yuan Xiang, sitting on the bed, waved to Lin Zhao.

“My parents and brother are all here.” Lin Zhao stepped forward with a smile. “My uncle is still recovering and is worried about him getting hurt on the way, so he’s still in the provincial capital and hasn’t come back yet. My aunt asked my parents to apologize to you and said they’ll invite you and your brother-in-law to their home for dinner when they get back.”

Yuan Xiang quickly waved her hand, "It's alright, it's alright, I understand, Uncle's health is important."

She pulled Lin Zhao to sit next to her.

"Zhao Zhao, look... isn't my face too red? Isn't that strange?" Yuan Xiang felt a little nervous, her heart pounding as if it was about to jump out of her mouth.

"I'm too famous." Lin Zhao didn't deny it.

Xiangxiang's original beauty was seven points, but with this makeup, it was reduced to only four points, which shows how devastating it was.

Wrong makeup can make you look much older.

"Ah? What should we do?!" In her anxiety, Yuan Xiang rubbed her cheek with the back of her hand, leaving a red mark on her hand.

"..."

She paused for a moment, then said resentfully, "I told you I was too famous, but my mother said everyone is like that."

"Sister Xiangxiang, you trust me, so why don't you wash off your makeup and I'll redo it for you?" Lin Zhao suggested. She had never done makeup before, but she thought that even if her skills weren't great, it would at least look better than this red-bottomed makeup.

"I believe you! I believe you!!" Yuan Xiang got up to wash her face, sneaking around like a ghost, afraid of being caught by her mother.

She quickly washed her face, sat back down, and praised Lin Zhao, "Zhao Zhao, you're the best at dressing up. I feel so relieved that you did my makeup."

Lin Zhao didn't dress up much for the wedding banquet today. She tied her hair in a very ordinary braid and didn't wear any bright-colored clothes. She just picked out something that wouldn't be inappropriate.

The small bag she carried contained cosmetics, not as complicated as in later generations, just a few items, but all the necessary ones.

First, I used a small knife to shave off the excess eyebrows of Yuan Xiang and wipe away the stray hairs. Then I applied my usual face cream to her face, and Yuan Xiang's fair skin immediately brightened up and became radiant. Next, I applied blush to her cheeks and gently patted it in. I then used an eyebrow pencil to slightly shape her eyebrows and finally applied a lipstick that brightened her complexion without being over the top.

"Alright." Lin Zhao was quite satisfied.

Girls of this age are radiant and charming even with just a little makeup, let alone Yuan Xiang, who is a bride and naturally exudes joy. Today, she is the most beautiful girl.

Yuan Xiang looked at herself in the mirror. It was a wedding gift from Lin Shisheng, and she liked it very much.

Looking at the person in the mirror, she froze, touching her face blankly, feeling so unfamiliar.

"this is me?"

"If it's not you, then who is it?" Lin Zhao asked back with amusement.

"Zhaozhao, you did a really good job with the makeup. I've never looked so good before," Yuan Xiang said gratefully.

"You're naturally beautiful; you look good even with minimal makeup," Lin Zhao said earnestly, standing behind Yuan Xiang and casually re-arranging her hair.

After it was finished, I looked at it several times and said, "It looks really good. My brother-in-law will probably stare at it."

Yuan Xiang's face flushed, "Zhao Zhao."

"What's there to be shy about? Everyone goes through this," Lin Zhao said with a smile, knowing her cousin was shy, and didn't say anything more.

He casually handed her the lipstick that he had given to Yuan Xiang, saying, "Here, take this lipstick. You know how to use it now, right? Apply it thinly, it will really brighten your complexion. The color suits you perfectly. Keep it, I have more."

Hearing that Zhaozhao still had some, Yuan Xiang didn't refuse, "Thank you."

Just after I said thank you, Aunt Song went inside.

Seeing Yuan Xiang's face, he froze for a moment, then his face lit up with a smile, and he exclaimed, "Beautiful! Xiangxiang looks beautiful in this outfit!!"

Yuan Xiang held Lin Zhao's hand, "Zhao Zhao did my makeup and even styled my hair."

"Thank you for your hard work, Zhao Zhao." Aunt Song said to Lin Zhao, her smile becoming much more sincere. Although Zhao Zhao was lazy, she was really skillful with her hands, and she was also good at studying, so she had her merits.

"It's not hard work," Lin Zhao said.

The girl from the Yuan family approached Yuan Xiang, staring at her face, trying to figure out exactly where the problem lay.

"Sister Xiangxiang, I only realized today how beautiful you are. I used to think you were the least... beautiful one in our family."

"Indeed, clothes make the man. If you dress up properly, even a toad can turn into a swan," Yuan Duo said sarcastically, her eyes filled with hatred.

Lin Zhao: "?" Is this something a cousin would say?

She glanced over, her voice light and mocking, "Look at what you're saying..."

Attracting the attention of the Yuan family's daughters, she said, "My mother and my eldest aunt are sisters. It is said that they looked very alike when they were young and were known far and wide as the twin beauties. Xiangxiang is my eldest aunt's daughter, and I am my mother's daughter. Xiangxiang and I must look alike. You say that my Xiangxiang is not pretty... that means I am not pretty. Open your eyes and look at me. Am I not pretty?"

The Yuan sisters saw a face with beautiful features.

Her face had extremely smooth contours, bright and clear eyes, and she stood there gracefully. Even with a simple braid, she was still strikingly beautiful.

At this moment, the forced smile made me feel no joy at all, but instead gave me the feeling of "I'm so damn stupid, how could I say such unpleasant things."

It's like seeing a ghost.

"Hmm?" Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow.

Yuan Xiang's little cousin, who is only ten years old, nodded and said, "It's beautiful."

“You have good taste,” Lin Zhao said. “Sister Xiangxiang and I are sisters. She is not associated with words like ‘not good-looking.’ Anyone who says she is not good-looking is either blind or jealous.”

Yuan Duo's face turned ashen. She could imagine that from now on, not only the Yuan family, but also the villagers would no longer say that Yuan Xiang was ordinary-looking.

The thought that she could no longer join forces with others to suppress Yuan Xiang filled her with hatred.

(End of this chapter)