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

Chapter 366 "Will She Agree?"

“That’s right, this machine costs several hundred yuan! Do you even have a hundred yuan? You just ask to use other people’s things. Why don’t we ask for that? Don’t you know that washing machines are easier than hand washing? You’re so young, you should be more down-to-earth and stop thinking about getting something for nothing,” the team leader’s wife couldn’t help but say.

She's good at praising the powerful but not belittling the weak, so her reputation isn't bad.

The young wife had never seen Lin Zhao get angry since she married into the family. She thought Lin Zhao had a good temper, was thin-skinned, and couldn't refuse others. But she didn't realize that with the Gu family members around, there was no need for Lin Zhao to say anything.
"I heard from Zhaozhao... that he wanted to get his money's worth, just kidding..."

Wang Chunhua laughed, "It doesn't sound like a joke, it sounds like they're trying to get us started, to make a fuss and force Zhaozhao to agree."

Seeing that the young woman's face was flushed, he added, "Country folks speak their minds, don't take it to heart."

The young wife gave an awkward smile, feeling both embarrassed and angry.

Their gaze fell upon Lin Zhao, who had ignored the farce.

"Zhao Zhao..."

Lin Zhao raised her hand. "Call me Comrade Lin. Zhao Zhao is what close people call me. I don't even know your name. We're not close enough to call each other by nicknames."

“I knew it…” Yun Jin couldn’t help but interrupt, “My sister wouldn’t have a friend who is so clueless and tries to take advantage of me.”

Lin Zhao gently tapped his forehead, "You speak so rudely."

Yun Jin chuckled and muttered to herself, "I didn't say anything wrong. Of course I misunderstood when she called me by my name."

Gu Qingzhou agreed, "It is indeed easy to misunderstand."

The young woman felt everyone's gazes on her, her face flushed even redder, and she left angrily, determined to break off all ties with Lin Zhao!

He was inwardly cursing Lin Zhao for being stingy!

She just wanted to wash a few diapers in that old washing machine, what a fuss.

Lin Zhao had no idea about this. If she had known, she would have thrown the diaper in the other person's face. How could he be so shameless!

This little incident created an awkward atmosphere. Gu's father gave the brigade leader a few meaningful glances, and the brigade leader understood.

People were driven away from the exit.

"Go do what you're supposed to do, don't just stand there. Have you cleaned the house? Have you done the laundry? Have you prepared all the New Year's goods you need...? There's so much to do, why are you getting involved!"

The crowd dispersed, glancing back every few steps.

The team leader's wife nudged her husband's arm with her elbow, "Why are you talking so much! We haven't even finished washing a single item yet. I wanted to check if anyone had cleaned the washing machine properly. It's all your fault!"

The captain had a blank expression.

Please God, distinguish between loyalty and treachery!
Is it that he doesn't want to see it? Old Gu's face was practically twitching!
Within two minutes, the yard was empty.

Lin Zhao: "Finally, I can breathe freely again. This reminds me of the time when Gu Chenghuai bought back the sewing machine; it was just as lively then."

She looked at her mother and said, "It was also Mother who drove away some people who wanted to take advantage of me, giving me peace and quiet. Thank you, Mother."

"What's the big deal?" Mrs. Gu waved her hand. "Most people know their limits. Those who like to take advantage are a minority. Don't take it to heart."

Lin Zhao hummed in agreement.

Uncle Song rarely saw Zhao Zhao and her mother-in-law interact. Seeing that Gu's mother was very protective of her Zhao Zhao, he felt very happy.

Zhao Zhao is so wonderful, she deserves all the love and attention.

"It's getting late, Yun Jin, we should go home."

Yun Jin clung to Lin Zhao like a bear, saying, "Dad, I don't want to leave. I want to stay. I'll help my sister wash the sheets, blankets, and curtains!"

Uncle Song had guessed this would happen. "Alright, you stay. Listen to your sister and be obedient."

He walked toward the cart, which he had borrowed and needed to push back to return it.

Lin Zhao couldn't bear to see her uncle push the cart back alone. The thought of him walking alone on the road was unbearable for her.

"Uncle, you ride my bicycle home, and Yun Jin and I will push the cart back tomorrow morning."

Yun Jin said excitedly, "Sure, I'll push my sister to work."

Uncle Song agreed.

Lin Zhao went to the kitchen, took out a small bowl of fried food, secured it with a net bag, and hung it on the front of the car. "Uncle, this is the fried food I made. Please take some back with you. Aunt can just heat it up and eat it directly."

"it is good."

After Uncle Song left, the Gu family elders also returned to their old house. Gu Qingzhou was left behind, and his father asked him to lend Song Yunjin a hand, worried that the young man wouldn't be able to handle such a large appliance as the washing machine.

Yu Bao and Heng Bao stood in front of the washing machine, heads close together, whispering as they tried to figure out where the rumbling sound was coming from.

Curious as they were, they didn't reach out and touch anything, showing a maturity beyond their years.

Yun Jin put her arms around the shoulders of the two boys and said to Lin Zhao, "Sister, I'll take my time washing. You go back to your room and rest. What would you like to eat? Qingzhou and I will cook later."

It was windy outside, and Lin Zhao was indeed unwilling to stay any longer.

"You do it as you see fit, call me when you're done." With that, she took Qianbao and Yaobao's slightly cool hands and led them into the house.

They came out again very quickly.

When she came out again, she was carrying two woolen hats.

He said to Yun Jin and Qing Zhou, "You two take turns and discuss how to divide it among yourselves."

After saying that, he turned and went back into the house.

"I want the black one," Yun Jin said first.

"Then I want the gray one." Qingzhou didn't care and put the hat on, and her head immediately felt less cold.

“It’s very warm,” he said.

With his third sister-in-law by his side, he hasn't felt cold at all this winter, from last year to this year.

Gu Qingzhou was filled with gratitude towards Lin Zhao. She clenched her fist secretly and vowed to make something of herself to repay her third brother and sister-in-law for their kindness.

"Sister, did you knit this hat? It's so warm." Yun Jin called out, facing the house.

Before Lin Zhao could answer, Yu Bao straightened up and said, "Yes, my mom knitted it while she was at work. Isn't it pretty? I have one too."

"It looks good, even better than the ones I bought." Yun Jin touched the hat on her head, feeling warm inside.

At this moment, the washing machine stopped running. It was clean, but the foam hadn't completely dissipated. He opened the lid, put the hose connected to the faucet into the drum, and poured in water.

"Turn this button." Gu Qingzhou studied the instruction manual and turned the round button on it.

Yun Jin closed the lid, frowned, and said, "Won't stirring it like this tear the clothes?"

"Probably not. The person who develops this will test it out, and only sell it if there are no problems," Gu Qingzhou said calmly.

"That makes sense. No wonder you're destined to be a mechanic." Yun Jin reached out and patted his shoulder.

Gu Qingzhou's handsome, fair face flushed slightly. "What kind of Engineer Gu am I? I'm far from that level," he said embarrassedly.

“Not at all!” Yun Jin’s voice rose slightly. “My dad said you have a lot of talent and you will definitely succeed in time.”

His father regretted that his apprentice hadn't taken the college entrance exam; if he could have gone to university and received systematic training, his apprentice would have had a much higher starting point.

Hearing her master praise her from Yun Jin, Gu Qingzhou's eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

"I will continue to do my best."

Yun Jin clenched her right fist and gently tapped his shoulder. "Let's cheer each other on."

Two clear, melodious voices drifted into the room from outside, and Lin Zhao's lips curled into a smile.

"Mom?" Qianbao asked in a puzzled voice, wondering why his mother had stopped telling the story.

"It's alright, continue." Lin Zhao rubbed her son's soft hair and continued reading.

Qianbao is sleeping so sweetly, his long eyelashes fluttering, he looks both adorable and cute.

Outside, Yun Jin and Qing Zhou had been busy for several hours, washing the large items of clothing at home and spreading them out to dry on the clothesline in the yard.

"It's so clean! Yao Bao's pee stains are all gone!" Heng Bao exclaimed in amazement as she checked the sheets and couldn't find the yellowish stain.

Yu Bao wrapped his arms around his neck and covered his mouth. "Keep your voice down, don't let Yao Bao hear you. Little girls care about their image. If you don't save her face, she'll cry, and if she cries, you'll be in trouble." He reminded his younger brother, "Don't forget, Dad will be back soon!"

Hengbao pinched her mouth shut, "I didn't say anything."

Yun Jin laughed so hard. "Are you that afraid of your dad?"

"Uncle, don't laugh. You're afraid of your great-uncle too. Why are you making a fuss over nothing?" Hengbao retorted.

Yun Jin stopped smiling and pinched his cheek. "I wasn't afraid, I was respecting him, respecting him! You know that? You actually know how to laugh at someone who's just as bad as you!"

Gu Qingzhou smiled, "I taught them."

Hengbao pulled Yunjin's uncle's hand away and snorted, "If you respect me, then I respect you too."

Yun Jin: "..."

The new brain reacts quickly!
……

The news that the Gu family had bought a washing machine spread throughout the village and even reached the educated youth settlement.

The educated youth from the city were all shocked.

The group visited Lin Zhao's house briefly, then left with mixed feelings.

After Gu's mother's argument with the villagers, they didn't make any excessive demands; all they felt was pure envy.

Why?

Why is it that someone from the countryside lives a more comfortable life than those from the city?

God is truly blind!
Wen Huaiyuan looked at Song Qian and said, "Brother Qian, Comrade Lin's uncle is just a technician at a cotton mill. How come he can even get a washing machine? Isn't that something very hard to get? My mom has wanted one for a long time, but she hasn't been able to get it yet."

Song Qian said, "I don't know."

These two receive subsidies from their families and don't need to work in the fields for a living. They live a good life and go to state-run restaurants for a nice meal every few days. They are in much better shape than others.

Wen Huaiyuan said enviously, "I also want a washing machine. Washing clothes is such a hassle. Brother Qian, do you think... if I go to Comrade Lin to borrow a washing machine, she'll agree?"

Song Qian looked over.

Wen Huaiyuan hurriedly said, "I'll borrow it with my own money, fifty cents a time. Is that alright?"

"I don't know," Song Qian replied. "However... since you're willing to pay, Comrade Lin probably won't kick you out with a broom."

"So there's a way?" Wen Huaiyuan's eyes were full of anticipation.

He's absolutely fed up with washing clothes! He'd rather carry manure than do laundry!

Song Qian's expression flickered. "You can ask him."

"Let's give it a try!" Wen Huaiyuan clenched his fist. "I'll ask in a few days."

Meng Xiaoying couldn't help but interject, "Fifty cents a time is too much! I think even one cent a time is too much! Nobody's money grows on trees!"

Wen Huaiyuan was most annoyed by Meng Xiaoying's scheming manner, as if she were the smartest person in the world and everyone else was a fool.

"I don't care what you think, I care what I think! How I quote is my business, what's it to you?"

Meng Xiaoying was furious, "I'm doing this for your own good..."

"Come on, I don't need it." Wen Huaiyuan curled his lips. "You're always saying this is good and that is good. Who do you think you are? Even the Bodhisattvas in the old temple would have to move their butts to make room for you."

"Pfft!!" Several educated youths couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Wen, the educated youth, is too mischievous. How can he be so good at arguing? I've learned nothing from him!

If Meng, the educated youth, ever meddles in other people's business again, they'll all retort like this, hehe!
Meng Xiaoying was furious, feeling that these people were bullying her. She stomped her foot angrily and ran away first.

No one cared about her feelings; in fact, the atmosphere of the conversation improved.

"That annoying guy is finally gone," Wen Huaiyuan said with a sigh of relief.

Song Qian glanced at him.

Wen Huaiyuan covered his mouth, "I won't say anything more. We must treat our revolutionary comrades with the warmth of a spring breeze..."

Even if that person is completely stupid.

"I know."

Song Qian said calmly, "Don't have any ulterior motives in your mind."

Wen Huaiyuan: "!!!"

……

The last day before Lin Zhaojie was a day of unease in the classroom.

I just feel like time is passing so slowly!
I didn't even want to touch the yarn, I just wanted the bell to ring.

Li Fen couldn't help but laugh, "Zhao Zhao couldn't hold back at all."

Lin Zhao rested his head on the counter and said in a muffled voice, "Yes, I can't hold back anymore. I just want to go home for the New Year."

The saleswoman, surnamed Qi, looked over and said, "Comrade Lin's behavior is making me restless too."

Li Fen, who is very patient, laughed and said, "You'll be able to sit still after working for a few more years. You young people are all so restless. If you can't sit still, stand up and move around."

Lin Zhao looked up, her expression melancholy.

Work a few more years? That's such a cold thing to say.

Li Fen gave Zhao Zhao a handful of sunflower seeds, "Have some sunflower seeds to eat, it'll keep you occupied and make the time less unbearable."

"Thank you, Sister Fen."

Just then, the supply and marketing cooperative's windproof curtain was lifted.

A toddler came in.

"Third Aunt!!"

The voice sounds familiar.

Lin Zhao spat out the sunflower seed shells and looked in the direction of the sound. It was Little Stone, with Gu Chan, Wei Xiangdong, and Big Stone standing beside him.

"Little Stone is back," she said happily as she stood up.

Little Stone trotted closer, his face beaming with joy, "Yes, I'm back for the New Year."

He glanced back and his smile widened. "My dad, my mom, and my brother picked me up."

Lin Zhao patted the little guy's head through the counter, "Aren't you surprised to see them?"

"What a wonderful surprise!" Little Stone exclaimed joyfully, like a fish leaping into the river.

Lin Zhao filled his pockets with sesame candy, saying, "Have some candy."

"Thank you, Auntie." The child said politely.

"Sis, how did you and brother-in-law bring such a big rock? I didn't hear you mention buying tickets." Lin Zhao asked Gu Chan.

Gu Chan replied, "Your brother-in-law used his connections to buy the tickets. He was in a rush and didn't have time to tell you."

"Did you ever carry big rocks around with you in the past?" Lin Zhao asked with a smile.

"Yes, the provincial capital is truly bustling." It was Big Stone who spoke. In him, Lin Zhao truly understood the meaning of "traveling ten thousand miles is worse than reading ten thousand books."
“Our Big Stone is a young man who has been to the provincial capital,” Lin Zhao said with a smile.

Big Stone scratched his head.

Gu Chan and her family didn't stay long. They just came in to greet Lin Zhao, ask when she would have her holiday so as not to delay her work, and then went home.

"We'll be able to have a family reunion dinner this year," Lin Zhao said gently, clearly in a good mood.

"Did your husband say when he'll be back?" Li Fen asked. "There are only two days left until Lunar New Year's Eve. If he doesn't come back soon, he'll miss his chance."

"They said it would be in the next few days, it should be soon..."

(End of this chapter)