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

Chapter 359 "Who sees you as a potential enemy?"

Lin Zhao sat down without ceremony, glanced at her uncle's injured arm, and stretched out her slender, fair fingers to gently, very gently touch the cotton coat he was wearing.

"Uncle, how's your arm...recovering? Can you move it now?"

Looking at the genuine concern in Zhao Zhao's eyes, Uncle Song felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He stretched out his arm and made a gesture of opening his hand, clenching his fist, and then opening his hand again.

"Look how well I'm recovering!" he asked, his voice light and cheerful.

"Almost done." Lin Zhao's lips curled up, a bright smile blooming on her face. "Uncle can continue working as a technician."

Her eyes were serious. "I like to see my uncle full of vigor and capable of doing anything with ease."

Uncle Song's gaze softened even more as he stroked her hair. How could he not be soft-hearted and kind to a girl like her?

"Yes, the doctor said the recovery is going very well and it won't affect my work or life."

Lin Zhao clapped her hands lightly, "That's great!"

Uncle Song smiled gently, not ignoring Yuan Xiang, "Xiangxiang, are you getting used to living in the county? Your aunt and I are back. Come visit us when you have time, and come over if you encounter any problems. I'm your uncle, so don't be so formal."

Yuan Xiang smiled and said, "Okay."

She lived a happy life after marriage. Her husband handed over the financial power to her, and the wages of the transport team were high. She could eat meat from time to time, and she inevitably gained weight on her body and face. Her skin was fair with a rosy glow. Just one look was enough to tell that she was living a very happy life.

"Xiangxiang seems a little plumper, that's better, it makes her look healthier," Aunt Song said.

She took out the things she had brought for Lin Zhao and Yuan Xiang.

"I bought you both a sweater. The size should be just right. Zhaozhao, Xiangxiang, do you like them?"

"The red one is for Xiangxiang. You just got married, so you should wear something festive. The yellow one is for Zhaozhao. You have fair skin, and yellow will make you look even fairer and prettier." Aunt Song arranged where the two sweaters should go.

Lin Zhao stood up, took the sweater, spread it out, and held the shoulder seam of the sweater with her fingers, gesturing in front of her, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

"Auntie has such good taste! This color is so lovely, I love it! Isn't it beautiful? I'll wear it for Chinese New Year." Her voice was soft and filled with joy.

"So beautiful, Zhao Zhao is so beautiful, she looks good even in a bed sheet." Aunt Song's eyes were full of smiles as she recalled the scene of little Lin Zhao dressed as a princess in a bed sheet, ordering Yun Cheng and Yun Jin around as guards.

Time flies.

She brought in the biggest mirror in the house so that Lin Zhao could look at herself to her heart's content.

Yuan Xiang wasn't as outgoing as Lin Zhao. Holding the sweater her aunt had given her, she sat on the sofa, thanked her obediently, and after admiring it, she quietly refilled her uncle's water when she saw he had finished it.

Uncle Song's eyes softened, and he asked gently, "Xiangxiang, you've been married and living in the city for a month or so now. You should be familiar with things by now. Is there any kind of job you'd like to do?"

This is to keep an eye out for her job.

Lin Zhao folded the sweater and interjected with a smile, "My brother-in-law found my sister a job. She works in the county government building as a broadcaster. There's no need for my uncle to help look for her."

"Oh my, what a wonderful thing! The job of a broadcaster is great, have you started work yet?" Aunt Song said with a smile.

Yuan Xiang replied, "Not yet, I've completed the onboarding process."

In the past month, she has been learning standard Mandarin and reading books and newspapers to improve herself, fearing that she might not be able to keep her secure job.

"Ask us if you don't understand anything," Aunt Song said warmly.

Yuan Xiang responded, "Zhao Zhao helped me a lot; she helped me choose books and newspapers."

Not only that, she also talked about many things to pay attention to at work, such as how to get along with colleagues, what to say, and what not to say...

"Zhao Zhao is very thoughtful; it was the right decision to ask her." Aunt Song patted Lin Zhao's hand.

People's hearts are naturally biased. Zhao Zhao is a girl she watched grow up, so her heart is with her. She brought Zhao Zhao a whole set of new clothes, but only took out two sweaters, and gave her the rest privately.

Lin Zhao ate the candies and cookies that her uncle and aunt had brought back from the provincial capital. This one was delicious, and that one was delicious too.

He fed his aunt while they ate.

“You eat it yourself, and Xiangxiang eats it too,” Aunt Song said with a smile.

"Aunt, Uncle won't be working before the New Year, right? His injury hasn't fully healed yet." Seeing that his aunt didn't want to eat anymore, Lin Zhao ate by herself. After finishing the biscuits, she ate sunflower seeds. When her mouth got dry from eating sunflower seeds, she started drinking tea.

"You don't have to do anything, but you have to use your mouth and give some guidance," Aunt Song said.

Uncle Song laughed and said jokingly, "After all, he gets a high salary."

Aunt Song glanced at her husband, wondering who was so restless, reading every day despite being injured.

"Zhaozhao, I heard from your mother that you want a washing machine?"

Yun Jin sat obediently next to Lin Zhao. Seeing the small cut on Lin Zhao's finger, she said confidently, "It's normal for my sister to want a washing machine. It's cold, and washing clothes is too hard on the hands. There are five people in her family, and my sister has to wash all the clothes that Yu Bao and Heng Bao take off. She comes every few days, which is annoying for anyone."

Not to mention, his sister isn't good at enduring hardship.

Of course, there's no need to suffer.

"Dad, do you have any ideas? If so, could you get a washing machine for my sister?"

Lin Zhao looked over with expectant eyes.

My sister-in-law has to go to work and doesn't have time to wash her sheets, blankets, and clothes anymore. She washes them all herself, which is so painful. Just thinking about having to endure the cold for several more months makes me feel dizzy.

She glanced at the large bag she had brought, her eyes flickering a few times.

Uncle Song glared at Yun Jin, "If I had a way, would I not get it for your sister?"

That little rascal, he always bosses his dad around.

"What should we do?" Yun Jin held Lin Zhao's hand, looking at the small cut that was about to scab off, her brows furrowed in worry. "Sister, how did you hurt your hand? No doubt, it must have been from doing housework. I'm graduating soon and I still don't have a job. How about I work as a nanny for a few months and then we can talk about it when it gets warmer?"

Yuan Xiang was dumbfounded.

"??"

Lin Zhao slapped Yun Jin's hand away and said irritably, "If you had come back a few days later, this wife wouldn't have been able to see her anymore."

"Even though I can't see anymore, it still hurt when I was first injured," Yun Jin said earnestly.

He looked at Lin Zhao with a worried expression, "Sister, you didn't cry when you were first injured, did you?"

Lin Zhao lightly flicked his forehead. "I'm not a child. Why would I cry over such a small injury? You're underestimating your sister. Don't talk nonsense about being a nanny. Finding a proper job is the real thing. You wanted to work at a newspaper, but we don't have any connections. It'll be very difficult. Don't waste your time on me."

Yun Jin scratched her head and muttered to herself, "How is this a waste of time?"

My sister is raising four children all by herself, and he has to take care of everything at home. It must be so hard for him. I wonder if she cries when she encounters something she can't handle. I'm very worried about her.

“We made it through last year’s cold, why can’t we do it this year?” Lin Zhao said with a serious expression, trying to dissuade Yun Jin from packing her things and becoming her nanny.

That kid is really capable of doing it.

When she was little, she went back to Dongfeng Brigade for winter vacation. This boy made a fuss about not letting her leave. One day, he secretly went to find her and almost scared the whole family.

Yun Jin could tell that Lin Zhao was unhappy, and said with a regretful expression, "Alright."

Then he turned his gaze to Uncle Song, "Dad, if there's really no other way, why don't you do some research and try to make one yourself?"

Lin Zhao looked at his younger cousin in surprise, "You and your second brother are really in sync, you say exactly the same things."

Yun Jin's eyes gleamed with pride. "Great minds think alike, Dad. You really should give it a try."

Aunt Song spoke up, "Otherwise, what do you think your dad is busy with every day? Isn't he researching washing machines?" She and her husband even made a special trip to the Friendship Store to look at the imported washing machines.

After reading it, my husband became even more determined to make washing machines. Heaven knows how difficult it is to start from scratch with no information and no spare parts.

She couldn't dissuade him, so she could only support him. He went to the scrap metal recycling station several times after he got back, just to collect parts.

Lin Zhao's eyes lit up with surprise, "Really?"

"Of course it's true. It's my fault for not thinking about this sooner, otherwise you might already be using a washing machine," Uncle Song said.

During this period, he frequently corresponded with his classmates, who were in the same major as him and were mostly engaged in research. After exchanging ideas, he received many useful books and benefited greatly from them.

"Great, Uncle, I want to order one." Lin Zhao's face lit up with joy.

Aunt Song said, "Your uncle said the first one is yours."

"Uncle is so good to me." Lin Zhao moved closer, nuzzled her head against her uncle's arm a few times, and smiled brightly. "It's okay to use the washing machine later, Uncle, you should recover from your injury first."

Uncle Song patted Zhao Zhao's forehead affectionately, "I know what I'm doing."

Lin Zhao, holding a few small hands, pointed to the large bag he had brought, "Uncle, among the things I brought are several technical books, which I acquired by chance. I thought you would like them, so I brought them all for you."

Uncle Song was delighted at the sight of the hunt, his eyes lighting up. "That's thoughtful of you."

Zhao Zhao had previously given him several books, all of which he had never read before, and they were of great benefit to him.

"Sister Xiangxiang is so thoughtful; she brought Uncle an old hen to help him recover," Lin Zhao said.

Yuan Xiang quickly replied, "Compared to the wedding gifts my uncle and aunt gave me, this is nothing."

“How can it not count? The doctor said your uncle needs extra nutrition, and I was originally planning to find a way to get an old hen in return. Your delivery came at just the right time.” Aunt Song took Yuan Xiang’s hand, her eyes gentle.

Yuan Xiang looked a little flustered, but her heart was filled with joy. Looking at her aunt, her cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice was soft and gentle, "It's only right. My mother also exchanged two old hens for my uncle, as well as about a hundred eggs, saying that she would bring them over when my uncle and aunt came back."

Uncle Song's eyes held a complex expression.

His older sister is quick-witted and often says things that are unpleasant to hear, but she has good intentions and cares about him and his younger sister.

“Your mother is so thoughtful. When she arrives, I’ll have Yun Jin call you. You can bring Li Song along and have a meal together,” Aunt Song said considerately.

Yuan Xiang looked at her uncle and, seeing no sign of rejection on his face, agreed.

Her mother will definitely be happy.

Yun Jin had been Lin Zhao's little shadow since childhood, always sticking to her and telling her about their time in the provincial capital.

After a while, she asked Lin Zhao about her brother-in-law, "Sister, I heard that your husband became a regimental commander?"

"Your brother told you that?" Lin Zhao said knowingly, "You should add the word 'deputy' before it."

When Uncle Song heard that his nephew-in-law had been promoted, he was delighted and said loudly, "Cheng Huai is just young, otherwise he would have been a regimental commander long ago."

In other words, with the border unstable and the domestic environment unsettled, there are more opportunities to make meritorious contributions. Only capable young people like him can get promoted easily. In peacetime, it would be much slower.

Aunt Song said, "Chenghuai is a capable man. Our Zhaozhao is good; she should marry such an outstanding young man."

She then looked at Yuan Xiang, "Li Song is a veteran who has been tempered by the country and is a good person. The work in the transportation team is very good, and if he works hard, he will have a bright future."

"Your job is good, easy and respectable, your mother must be overjoyed."

Yuan Xiang said, "My mother doesn't know yet. I plan to tell her next time I go back."

"Your mother wants you to be happy. She would be overjoyed if she knew you had a job."

Just then, there was a series of knocks on the door.

Yun Jin opened the door, and Yun Cheng was standing outside.

"Brother, why are you back now? Did you get fired?"

"Pah!" Song Yuncheng flicked his finger and tapped his head. "You're the one who got fired, you brat who doesn't wish me any good."

He walked past his younger brother into the room, picked up his enamel mug and drank all his tea, explaining, "My master has something to do, so he gave me half a day off."

Lin Zhao asked, "Where is Qingzhou?"

"I'm home." Yun Cheng said honestly. Thinking about how the boy seemed a bit off today, he said to Lin Zhao, "Sister, I felt he was acting strange. I asked him why, but he wouldn't tell me. Go back and ask him, see if he'll tell you."

"Hmm?" Lin Zhao asked in confusion.

"Have you suffered some injustice?"

"No, I don't think so." Yun Cheng was busy at the factory and couldn't be by Qingzhou's side all the time, so he didn't know much.

"I'll go back and ask."

Lin Zhao didn't linger, saying she needed to go back to cook for the children, and left the Song family first, leaving Yuan Xiang behind.

She put on a mask and scarf, jumped on her bicycle, and headed towards the harvest brigade, braving the cold wind.

Halfway there, I spotted a familiar figure ahead.

"Qingzhou, get in the car."

Hearing her sister-in-law calling, Gu Qingzhou jumped onto the back of the bicycle.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law."

Lin Zhao went straight to the point, "Yun Cheng said you were acting strange. What's wrong? Tell me."

Gu Qingzhou didn't hide anything and said, "Third Sister-in-law, I don't want to go to the motor factory anymore."

"Why?" Lin Zhao asked calmly.

"...It feels terrible to be seen as a potential enemy," Gu Qingzhou said softly.

Despite the whispers, Lin Zhao still heard the boy's words.

She was completely confused. "??"

"imaginary enemy?"

"Who considers you an enemy?!"

Gu Qingzhou pursed her lips, which were slightly paler than those of a normal person, and said, "Yun Cheng's master's daughter."

He didn't say what his name was.

She was a lesbian, and he always had to consider her reputation. In fact, if Lin Zhao hadn't asked, he wouldn't have said anything. This was a kind of innocence unique to Gu Qingzhou.

"I see. Have you told Master Yan about this?" Lin Zhao didn't press further, nor did she think it was anything significant.

Yun Cheng said that Qingzhou was extremely talented, so she begged her uncle to take care of him for a few years, and then her brother-in-law would rise to prominence.

"I already said that," Gu Qingzhou said. He had learned a lot in the past few months and was already able to do simple repair work independently.

“It’s alright, my uncle needs a helper, you can be his assistant,” Lin Zhao said.

Gu Qingzhou had heard a lot about Uncle Song and felt admiration for him. She asked with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, "Would Engineer Song be willing to let me be his assistant?"

(End of this chapter)