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

Chapter 365 "A Family with a Sharp Tongue"

Aunt Song patted Gu Qingzhou's arm lightly and said with feigned displeasure, "You child, you speak too bluntly. Who likes to wash clothes by hand in the dead of winter? If we weren't short of money, who wouldn't want to buy a washing machine? It's normal for people to envy those who have and laugh at those who don't. Don't be so direct, or you'll easily offend petty people."

These words left no room for those who made sarcastic remarks.

She remembered very clearly that after her husband, Old Song, had his accident, this person was the most active! His words were like daggers to her and Yun Cheng and Yun Jin's hearts!

Aunt Song has held a grudge for a long time!

But when the formidable Engineer Song returned, attracting frequent visits from several factory leaders, she dared not show her face again. Terrified, she quickly retreated into her shell. For the next few months, she would lower her head and run away whenever she saw a member of the Song family.

The man who spoke had a face like a palette of colors. When he caught sight of Engineer Song pushing the cart, a guilty look flashed in his eyes, and he slipped away with his head down.

The Song family's neighbor thought to himself, "Serves them right."

He said to Aunt Song, "Ignore her. She's jealous of everyone who eats meat."

It's not just sour talk; she also plays the victim, telling her kids to knock on the door asking for food—it's incredibly disgusting.

"Today is a good day, let's not talk about her anymore." Aunt Song didn't want to bring it up again.

"Who are you not talking about?" Uncle Song stopped the cart, heard his wife's words, and asked in the direction of the voice.

"It's nothing, let's get the washing machine ready and take it to Zhaozhao as soon as possible." Aunt Song smiled, her eyes crinkling as she thought of Zhaozhao pouting as she washed the clothes. "She must be very busy these days."

“Dad, I’ll go with you!” Song Yunjin offered to help carry the washing machine, and Gu Qingzhou went along too. The men in the family building who could lend a hand helped to place the washing machine flat on the cart.

“You’ll definitely come along; I’ll be exhausted if I go alone,” Uncle Song said.

He turned to his apprentice, "Qingzhou, you too."

As previously agreed, once the washing machine arrived, Gu Qingzhou would finish her studies before the Lunar New Year and then discuss the rest of the year.

"Okay." Gu Qingzhou replied, "Master, I'll go back and pack my things first, and wait for you at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative later?"

"Go."

Gu Qingzhou jogged away, went to Lin Zhao's house in the county, went into the guest room, packed her luggage, cleaned the room, covered the firewood in the yard with oilcloth, locked the gate and left.

The three set off for the Harvest Brigade.

Uncle Song had visited Fengshou Brigade before, but this time he found that the village was very different from what he remembered.

"There have been many changes here."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingzhou said, "It's all thanks to Third Sister-in-law."

"You mean when she handed over the mushroom cultivation book to the brigade?" Before he could answer, Uncle Song's expression softened, and he said with pride, "Zhaozhao has always been like this. She can't bear to see people suffer, and her heart is as soft as cotton candy. When she was just a few years old, she told me that she wanted no one in the world to go hungry, that everyone had their own house, and that everyone had meat to eat... She is the best girl."

So even though Lin Zhao changed her personality during those years, he never doubted her in the slightest.

Since they were talking about her third sister-in-law, Gu Qingzhou knew it wouldn't be appropriate for her to say anything, so she just listened attentively and nodded from time to time.

In his heart, his third sister-in-law was very good.

Song Yunjin's eyes lit up with laughter. "I never imagined my sister had such a grand wish when she was little! I thought she would only care about whether the hair tie Dad bought was prettier or the one Uncle bought, or which outfit to wear today...?"

Uncle Song's gaze paused slightly.

Hair accessories and clothing are, of course, more commonly mentioned.

He kept a straight face and hummed softly, "...Your sister is different from other girls."

In his heart, his niece was very, very good.

Song Yunjin felt somewhat helpless.

He didn't say anything bad about his sister, so why get so worked up?

Two unfamiliar faces arrived in the village, pushing a cart with a large object on it, the contents of which were unknown.

"Qingzhou is back. This is...?" Changsheng's mother asked.

The brigade leader's wife approached with her hands tucked in her sleeves. "Why are you pushing a cart back? What is this thing? It looks really big."

Gu Qingzhou looked at her master and saw that Uncle Song nodded to her before she smiled and explained, "This is my master, who is also my third sister-in-law's uncle."

He patted Yun Jin on the shoulder again, "This is my third sister-in-law's cousin."

"As for what we're here for?" His smile widened. "My master got a washing machine and brought it specifically to my third sister-in-law."

The villagers were dumbfounded.

Uncle Song was wearing a cashmere sweater given to him by Zhao Zhao as his innermost garment, over which was a Zhongshan suit, a black mid-length cotton coat, dark blue trousers, and dark brown high-top cotton shoes. Standing there, he resembled a towering mountain, making people afraid to approach him.

The onlookers stared at the backs of the Song family and Gu Qingzhou for a long time before they could find their voices again.

"This is Cheng Huai's wife's powerful uncle, a leader in the city?! He's really impressive!"

"Cheng Huai's wife's uncle is spoiling his niece too much! He even came to give her gifts. Who is the elder here?"

"Hey, did you see what he was wearing underneath? It looks like a Zhongshan suit. Leaders all wear these. They look really smart."

"Her uncle is really different from the men in the village. He's really tall, but a bit thin. He probably can't carry corn."

"Get lost! He's an educated person. He can make money just by holding a pen and sitting in an office. Why would he carry corn?"

The brigade leader's wife remembered what was on the cart. "What did they say they were bringing? A washing machine?! What's this?! Shouldn't we go and see what's going on?!"

Everyone regained consciousness.

"Makes sense."

So the group went to the third house of the Gu family.

Some overly enthusiastic people even made a special trip to the Gu family's old house to tell the elderly couple about it.

Upon hearing the news, the Gu family members rushed over.

……

Lin Zhao was lying in the room, telling stories to the children who were massaging her shoulders and legs.

Hearing the commotion outside, she raised an eyebrow. "Someone has come to the door. That's all for today. We'll talk about the rest another day. Let's go see who it is."

Yu Bao and Heng Bao slid off the bed, put on their cotton shoes, and ran out.

Upon seeing their great-uncle at the door, they both rubbed their eyes in unison.

"Uncle?!" The voice was filled with disbelief.

It's not surprising that the two brothers were so surprised, as they had never met Uncle Song at their own home.

Yu Bao was the first to react, shouting towards the door, "Mom, my great-uncle is here!"

Hearing her son's bright and cheerful voice, Lin Zhao quickly put the tiger-head shoes on the twins and led them out the door.

Uncle Song stepped forward and picked up Yu Bao and Heng Bao one by one.

"You've gained weight again after not seeing me for a while," he laughed.

"Because I eat a lot," Yu Bao said with a bright smile.

"Uncle, please put me down. I'm afraid I'll tire you out." He looked at Uncle Song's injured arm with concern in his eyes, his brows furrowed tightly. "Uncle, does your arm still hurt?"

Uncle Song felt a warmth in his chest, and his smile deepened. "It doesn't hurt anymore, you're completely healed."

Yu Bao smiled.

"very nice."

Lin Zhao stepped out of the room, called out "Uncle," and saw Gu Qingzhou calling out to the men in the village who were carrying something. His eyes lit up immediately.

"Uncle, what's that?!"

She had a guess in her mind, and was too excited to speak.

It's been cold these past few days, and the curtains and bed sheets haven't been washed. Although the well water is hot, washing so many things is still a hassle, and Lin Zhao hadn't made up her mind for several days, planning to wait until she couldn't put it off any longer before washing them. Unexpectedly, her uncle came over at this time.

Is it a washing machine?!
"The washing machine you've been longing for," Uncle Song said indulgently.

Lin Zhao's eyes widened suddenly, and she gasped in a low voice, her face flushed with excitement.

She grabbed her uncle's arm and shook it a few times, her voice filled with excitement, "You got it so quickly! Thank you, Uncle! My uncle is the best in the world! I don't have to wash the curtains, sheets, and duvet covers by hand anymore!!!"

Hearing the joy in her voice, Uncle Song was also happy.

“Your aunt was absolutely right when she said you were waiting for the washing machine to wash these big items. She really knows you.”

Lin Zhao nodded and led her uncle to the washing machine.

"Uncle, how do I use this? Teach me," she said in a coquettish tone.

Uncle Song's face was full of doting smiles. He said "good" twice and instructed Yun Jin to insert the wire.

Yun Jin immediately took action.

There are many electrical outlets in this yard; it's one of the few houses in the village that even has lights in the yard. The washing machine is placed under the eaves on the left side, close to the well and the sink, and there's a power outlet conveniently located on the wall.

Lin Zhao said with a smug look, "I'm really a living Zhuge Liang. I left a socket that just happens to work, otherwise I would have had to run a cable."

Uncle Song laughed when he heard the little girl boasting, "Yes, you're the cleverest."

Looking at Lin Zhao with a smile, she said, "I bet you were already thinking about getting home appliances back when the village got electricity, weren't you?"

Lin Zhao showed no shame whatsoever, her eyes crinkling with a smile, "Mm."

"You little rascal." Uncle Song's eyes were full of indulgence.

At this moment, the equally clever Yu Bao and Heng Bao brought over the laundry basket from home.

"Everything you need to wash is here!" Yu Bao grinned.

He was happy just thinking that his mother wouldn't have to do the laundry anymore.

"Uncle, teach me how to use it, and I'll wash our clothes from now on."

Uncle Song's face turned serious. "This thing is dangerous. Children shouldn't use it. We'll talk about it when you're in junior high."

"Huh?" Yu Bao was disappointed; he had wanted to wash it himself.

"Okay," the child obediently agreed.

"Good boy." Uncle Song patted the top of his head, his voice softening. "Your desire to help your mother is good, but your safety is the most important thing, understand?"

"I know, I'll listen to Mom," Yu Bao said earnestly.

Uncle Song's expression relaxed even more. "You have to be careful with anything that uses electricity. Don't touch it when the adults aren't around."

"Mmm." Hengbao and his brother nodded together.

Beside them, Yao Bao, wearing a red embroidered cotton-padded jacket, puffed out her cheeks and nodded her little head, looking so adorable it melted anyone's heart.

Uncle Song bent down and picked up Yaobao, his voice unconsciously becoming higher, "Yaobao, this outfit is really beautiful."

Yao Bao's eyes crinkled into a smile, revealing her white teeth, and she sweetly said, "Daddy's!"

Uncle Song thought to himself that his nephew-in-law's taste was as good as ever.

How can you say it's bad? Finding a wife like Zhaozhao means I have absolutely no worries, it's so reassuring!

Yun Jin and Gu Qingzhou unpacked the washing machine, carried it under the eaves, and placed it there. Qingzhou held down one corner and gently shook it. When she noticed the machine wobbling, she readjusted its position until it stopped shaking.

The blue and white washing machine stood out prominently, becoming the only bright spot in the yard.

Washing machines at that time were still in their infancy and did not have as many functions as those in later generations. Lin Zhao was not greedy; as long as they could wash clothes clean, that was enough.

Yun Jin studied the buttons on it and poured water into the rotating drum.

Yu Bao hugged the dirty bed sheet and looked at him longingly.

So adorable, she's perceptive.

Yun Jin pinched Yu Bao's cheek, took the bed sheet, threw it into the washing machine, and poured in some laundry detergent.

Lin Heling and Song Xiwei bought this laundry detergent in Haicheng. They bought a lot and gave half to Lin Zhao. Lin Zhao liked it very much because it cleaned clothes and left a faint fragrance.

"I'm starting now," Yun Jin announced, giving everyone a heads-up.

Close the lid and turn the button.

A rumbling sound rang out.

There were quite a few people in the courtyard who had come to watch the commotion, and they were all startled by the sound.

"It's terrifying, and you can't even see how it was washed."

"Can it be washed clean?"

"Qingzhou, what are those white things you put in there?" The question came from the captain's wife.

The brigade leader also arrived, along with the other brigade officers, all looking on with curiosity.

There's nothing I can do, I've never seen anything like it before.

Gu Qingzhou said, "Laundry detergent. It's only available in Haicheng, not in the provincial capital."

Yu Bao told him all of this.

"Oh, oh." Everyone nodded blankly.

Don't people usually use soapberry to wash clothes? Those with a little money use regular soap. What's so special about washing clothes? It looks like salt.

No wonder they're city folks! I don't understand, but it sounds impressive.

The people from the old house arrived late, and were quite bewildered to see so many people in the courtyard, including several brigade cadres.

"What are you doing?" Gu's mother asked.

Gu Qingzhou stepped forward to explain.

The Gu family came to understand the cause and effect.

"A washing machine?" Gu's mother stared intently at the machine under the eaves, finding it incredibly novel. "Such a big machine can be brought into the house? It's like aliens speaking dialects, so absurd it's out of outer space. This thing... can it even clean clothes?"

She looked at her daughter-in-law.

Lin Zhao was amused by her mother-in-law's words and laughed out loud, "Sure, if it can't be washed clean, it's a defective product, and defective products can't be sold."

"Mom, from now on, if you have any big clothes at home, bring them over to wash instead of washing them by hand. A washing machine costs several hundred yuan, so we need to make the most of it, don't you think?"

Several hundred?!
Gu's mother's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and her liver ached.

Nodding in strong agreement, "Yes, yes, we have to use it enough to get our money's worth, otherwise it'll be a huge waste! You should talk to your mother and ask her to bring it over to wash too. If we use it frequently, we should be able to get our money's worth, right?"

"Yes," Lin Zhao replied with a smile.

"Won't it fall apart if you use it so often?" Gu's mother worried about something else.

"No, my uncle can fix it, and in a few years, Qingzhou will be able to fix it too. But by then, our washing machine will probably need to be replaced, since these things are updated so quickly," Lin Zhao said.

Gu's mother seemed to understand but not quite. She didn't know what "upgrading and replacement" meant. She only felt a little relieved when she heard that Uncle Song could fix it, which made her feel that the washing machine was particularly high-end and that she didn't dare to touch it.

Just then, a young woman who had been married for less than six months suddenly spoke up, "Zhaozhao, if you want to get your money's worth, that's easy! We, the neighbors, will help you use it too, and we guarantee you'll get your money's worth quickly..."

Uncle Song frowned.

Mother Gu's face hardened, and she spoke first: "What are you doing? What are you doing? Taking advantage of my daughter-in-law right in front of me, do you think our family is made of wood? Such a nice young woman, how can you be so shameless!"

(End of this chapter)