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

Chapter 396 "Two old men hugged each other and cried"

"Just like my great-uncle! My uncle is amazing!" Hengbao exclaimed.

Gu Qingzhou blushed with embarrassment, "I'm far inferior to my master..."

In recent years, Uncle Song has been on a roll, creating many novel gadgets, all used in industrial production. It is said that he has earned a lot of foreign exchange for the country and has been featured on the front page of national newspapers several times. He has been promoted to a top-level technical talent in the province.

I often have to travel for work, to conduct training, to provide technical guidance... I'm extremely busy.

Although busy, the busyness is very valuable, and my social status is rising rapidly, as is my personal treatment.

Lin Zhao always received new gadgets from her uncle, whatever was fashionable. Once, he even sent her a thick gold bracelet. When she tried it on, she found it particularly heavy.

“You and my uncle have different goals,” Lin Zhao comforted Gu Qingzhou. “You had better options, but you chose to stay and build your hometown. Don’t belittle yourself. You’re doing well now. Don’t fall behind in your studies. Keep learning. Maybe you can go to university for further studies in the future.”

This wasn't the first time Lin Zhao had said this.

The more they talked, the more the children of the Gu and Lin families remembered it.

Gu Qingzhou was the same.

"I have never given up on learning."

He still has all his high school textbooks, and he looks at them from time to time, waiting for the spring flowers to bloom, as his third sister-in-law had mentioned.

Lin Zhao smiled.

Those who heed advice will enjoy the world first, and Qingzhou's future will be bright.

The tractor was much faster than the oxcart. Qiao Hui was dropped off halfway, and the tractor headed towards the Fengshou Brigade.

Upon learning that Lin Zhao was bringing her child home, Gu's mother called on her eldest and second sons' wives to clean the third room inside and out, take out all the bedding to air it out, and fill the kettle with hot water.

The family waited at the village entrance, their eyes fixed on the distance, looking anxious.

"Why haven't they arrived yet? Is everything alright?" Gu's mother was so anxious that she was spinning around in circles, wishing she could teleport to the train station.

Huang Xiulan smiled and comforted her, "Third sister-in-law is brave and careful, nothing will happen. Yu Bao and Heng Bao are both young men now, they can be used like adults. The whole family is very careful, they will get home safely."

Gu's mother gave a vague reply, still staring into the distance.

“Mother won’t listen to anything right now.” Zhao Liuniang tugged at her sister-in-law’s arm, telling her not to bother.

The grandmother couldn't sit still after not seeing her grandchildren for several years.

Huang Xiulan smiled helplessly, and was about to say something when she saw a dark shadow appear in the distance, which seemed to be the brigade's tractor.

"It's back! The tractor! Mom, second sister-in-law, look! Isn't that our brigade's tractor? Aren't third sister-in-law and the four children sitting on it?!"

"Oh, it is, it really is, it's my third son's wife and four children, my grandchildren..." Mother Gu rushed forward uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.

Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang were afraid that their mother-in-law would fall and get hurt, so they supported her from both sides.

"Mom, we can't outrun a tractor on two legs, so let's just wait here," Huang Xiulan advised.

Gu's mother, who was being pulled back: "..."

As they were talking, the tractor drove up.

The first to rush up to the group were two large, burly dogs, Big Yellow and Amber.

"Wow, Big Yellow Amber looks bigger and more vibrant."

The two dogs understood that they were being praised and circled around the three people from their hometown.

On the tractor, Hengbao waved vigorously to the people on the roadside, "Grandma, Grandma, it's me, we're back."

In front of his grandmother, he didn't think his voice was unpleasant.

Fearing that her nephew would jump out of the car in a fit of excitement, Gu Qingzhou stopped the car and let her third sister-in-law, nephew, and niece get out first.

Yu Baoheng jumped out of the car and rushed towards Gu's mother.

They shouted in unison, "Grandma!"

Hengbao is quite outgoing. He hugged his grandma and whined in a very affectionate way, "Grandma, I missed you. Did you miss me?"

Mother Gu's gaze was fixed on her grandson, and she couldn't bear to blink.

The child was so small when they left, and now they're so tall...

Her eyes welled up with tears. "Of course I miss you, Grandma misses you all... You've all grown so tall, you look so good, just like your father..."

"Come on, come home with Grandma, Grandma will make you meat sauce noodles."

Hengbao exaggeratedly sucked his saliva, acting like a lively character, and was very obliging. "I love Grandma's meat sauce noodles the most. I've been craving them all the time in the military region. Grandma, I want to eat a big bowl."

Yu Bao glanced at his younger brother indifferently, already used to his quick wit and outbursts.

“Tell Grandma what you want to eat, Yu Bao, and Grandma will make it for you.” Mother Gu did not neglect her most sensible eldest son.

“I like everything Grandma makes,” Yu Bao said earnestly, holding onto his grandma’s arm.

Looking at his bright black eyes and handsome little face, Gu's mother felt that her grandson was perfect in every way.

“Our Yubao is growing up so well. He’s a real city kid now, handsome and energetic, even better looking than your dad was when he was a kid.”

Why did Gu's mother prefer the third son? One important reason was his handsome face with a nose and eyes. He was good-looking, capable, and filial. Since he was often not by her side, how could a mother not love him more?
Yu Bao blushed as his grandma praised him.

Fortunately, Gu's mother's attention was drawn to the twins again. Holding her beautiful and clean grandson and granddaughter, Gu's mother's cheerful voice became soft and gentle.

“Qianbao and Yaobao have grown up so much…” she gestured, “Your eldest and second eldest brothers were about the same height as you are now when they went to join the army, and they’ve all grown into big young men when they came back…”

It was rare for Gu's mother to be so sad.

I wonder... how many more times she and the old man will be able to see Yu Bao?

"Grandma, I want to go home and take a shower. I feel sticky and uncomfortable~" Yao Bao tilted her head back, her voice sweet.

Gu's mother's heart melted. "Let's go home."

Holding the twins' hands on either side, she led her grandson and granddaughter briskly towards the village.

"We've heated the water at home, so you can take a shower as soon as you get there!"

The sound faded into the distance.

The twins exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.

Hengbao shrugged and smiled, "See? I told you I wouldn't be liked when I grew up."

After saying that, he caught up with the tractor, jumped on, and sat down next to Gu Qingzhou.

"Uncle, can you teach me how to drive a tractor? I want to learn," Hengbao said matter-of-factly.

Gu Qingzhou didn't treat him like a child, saying, "If you want to learn, I'll teach you. How about tomorrow?"

Hengbao was overjoyed, "It's a deal?"

"When have I ever lied to you?" Gu Qingzhou glanced at him.

"...It seems not, hehe." Hengbao became excited.

He turned to his brother and asked, "Brother, do you want to learn together?"

Yu Bao shook her head, "No."

Behind.

Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang took the luggage from Lin Zhao's hands.

The three sisters-in-law were chatting intimately.

Lin Zhao learned from her two sisters-in-law that Old Madam Gu had passed away suddenly, without any illness or pain. In the morning, she had even insisted on drinking some plain porridge. After finishing, she said she would go back to her room to lie down, but she never got up again.

When Uncle Gu returned from work, he didn't see his mother. He went to her room and found her stiff.

"...Has Grandma been buried yet?" Lin Zhao asked.

"It's raining, it's raining. This weather won't last three days," Huang Xiulan said. "After you get home and wash up... just go to the second room and offer some incense."

Burning paper money is not allowed; it's considered feudal superstition. But no one will interfere if you burn incense at home.

Lin Zhao nodded.

Back home, she took a quick shower, changed into plain clothes, and then went to Uncle Gu's house with her belongings.

Uncle Gu was drawing a lottery ticket in the courtyard. His brows were furrowed and his face was full of worry. He looked much older than he had a few years ago.

"Second Uncle..." Lin Zhao put down his things.

Uncle Gu stubbed out his cigarette and looked behind her. "Cheng Huai hasn't come back?"

“He’s on a mission,” Lin Zhao explained.

Uncle Gu twitched his lips, indicating his understanding. "It's good that he's on a mission; it shows the army values ​​him." "Go ahead." He gave his wife a look, signaling her to take his niece-in-law to offer incense to Old Madam Gu.

A long table appeared in Grandma Gu's room, with a framed black and white photograph on it.

Lin Zhao's eyes flashed with surprise. Without saying much, she placed the offerings, took a few steps back, and respectfully offered incense to the deceased. She then explained why Gu Chenghuai had not come.

When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out; all the grudges and affections vanish in an instant.
When Aunt Gu asked about Yu Bao and the others, Lin Zhao said they were at the old house.

She invited Lin Zhao to stay for dinner, but Lin Zhao politely declined.

Knowing that Lin Zhao had just returned and there were many things to do at home, Aunt Gu did not keep her any longer.

He saw Lin Zhao off at the door.

"Come back after you've rested well," said Aunt Gu.

Lin Zhao smiled and agreed, "Second Uncle and Second Aunt, please take good care of yourselves."

"Yes, I will." Aunt Gu watched her leave before turning around and going home.

As soon as he returned to the courtyard, he saw several grandchildren gathered around the net bag that Lin Zhao had brought, staring at it longingly with hungry expressions.

Upon seeing that I had returned, he became more composed.

"Grandma, what's this?"

Aunt Gu rolled her eyes at them, "How would I know what it is? I didn't even open it."

As she spoke, she opened the net bag and took out the contents.

A pack of good cigarettes, a bottle of wine, two cans of fruit, two cans of meat, a piece of brown sugar, a pound of peach shortbread, a packet of sesame candy, a few feet of checkered cloth, and a bag of fruit.

"These are all good things!" Aunt Gu exclaimed in surprise.

Uncle Gu took the cigarettes and alcohol, saying, "This is all mine."

Gu Chenghuai's cousins ​​were speechless.

"Dad, shouldn't we get a share too?" said Gu's cousin, who wanted to go out with cigarettes to show off.

"Bullshit! Cheng Huai and his wife are supposed to be filial to me, their second uncle. If it weren't for me, guess who they would even know? Don't you have any self-awareness?" After scolding his unfilial sons, Second Uncle Gu quickly hid the cigarettes and alcohol inside the house.

These unfilial sons are already of father age, and they should feel embarrassed to be scolded like this, but they didn't think that way.

They were terrified by how weak and listless Dad had been these past few days.

They longed for their father to cheer up and scold them.

Just now... it tasted just right!

The brothers exchanged glances, their brows unfurrowing with smiles.

The children in the yard burst into loud cries.

The home, which had been silent for several days, seemed to come alive again.

Uncle Gu came out of the house, was stunned by the scene, and suddenly said to his wife, "Let's open the cans of food for the children."

Aunt Gu already had an idea, "Okay, let's open it."

The children were overjoyed, calling out "Grandpa, Grandpa" to Uncle Gu like a string of gourd brothers.

Children's laughter is the most healing thing, and a smile appeared on Uncle Gu's face.

"Give the kids another apple," he said.

Aunt Gu glanced at the old man, but didn't argue with him. She took out an apple and handed it to her eldest daughter-in-law, telling her to cut it in the kitchen so that everyone could have a piece.

After saying that, he took the net bag home, afraid that the old man would be tricked by his grandson into taking more good things.

...

When Lin Zhao returned to the old house, Gu's father immediately looked over and asked, "Did you see your second uncle? How are they doing?"

His second brother was favored by their mother and had a deeper bond with her than he did. He was truly afraid that his second brother would become despondent.

“I saw him. My second uncle seems to be in good spirits. I think he should be able to get through this in a while,” Lin Zhao explained.

I've heard that the pain of losing an important family member isn't immediate, but rather delayed. You see that the figure that used to sit there is gone, the noisy house is silent without their nagging voice, and you can no longer see that smiling face when you walk in the door...

Pain is hidden in the corner.

It's like a gentle poke into someone's heart without them even realizing it; the force isn't strong, but it's enough to keep them firmly under control for a while.

Mr. Gu breathed a sigh of relief, "It's good that he's come out of this. My second son is not young anymore, I was really afraid something might happen to him."

He only has one brother.

Mother Gu brought out a bowl of meat sauce noodles. "Give it time, and you'll get through it sooner or later. Zhao Zhao, eat your noodles first, and don't mind your father."

She glared at the old man, "If you're worried about the second son, why don't you go and check on him yourself? Why bother the third son's wife? Zhao Zhao just got back and hasn't even had a sip of water yet. You old man, you have no manners at all."

"Huh?" Father Gu was completely bewildered and protested, "How am I bad at being a decent person? This was just a side matter, wasn't it? I went to the second son's house and asked him to hold me and cry with me?!"

He visited the day before yesterday. His second son cried when he saw him, saying he missed his mother and started talking about his childhood...

The second son's wonderful childhood wasn't so wonderful for him. He didn't want to cry with him. He preferred the life he had now: a successful son, a filial daughter-in-law, and sensible grandchildren. He wouldn't trade it for a fortune.

Gu's mother recalled the old man's swollen eyes when he came back the day before yesterday and fell silent.

Two old men hugging and crying?!
The scene is too beautiful to imagine.

Lin Zhao ate noodles while listening to her in-laws bickering, and ate melons, her eyes full of smiles.

It's no exaggeration to say that going back to my hometown is really comfortable.

"Alan has become the brigade's accountant?"

Gu Lan blushed and said shyly, "It was my grandfather who secured this opportunity for me."

"That's because you're excellent. Opportunities are right in front of you, but if you don't seize them, it's all for nothing, right? Be confident, you're very capable." Lin Zhao's eyes encouraged.

Gu Lan nodded. "Mm."

She glanced at her third aunt a few times and found that her third aunt hadn't changed at all over the years. She was still so young and beautiful, and even had an added air of elegance and composure. In short, she was very eye-catching.

"Don't give up on your studies." Lin Zhao looked up, her expression serious, with a hint of something deeper in her voice.

Gu Lan realized something, and her heart started racing.

"Third Aunt, you mean...?"

She was a good student, consistently ranking among the top three in her grade, and naturally longed for university. She spent countless nights deeply regretting that her college entrance exam results were not met.

At this moment, sensing something amiss from Lin Zhao, her chest was filled with surging, complex emotions, causing her cheeks to flush and her eyes to shine with an unbelievable brightness.

"I didn't say anything," Lin Zhao interrupted Alan with a smile.

"Opportunity favors the prepared mind, and I have never given up reading."

Gu Lan's face lit up with even more joy. "I understand. Third Aunt, I will keep studying."

Lin Zhao nodded, glancing at Bangbang and the others.

"Don't worry, Auntie, I will keep an eye on my brother and make sure no one falls behind." Gu Lan said solemnly, clenching his fists with unwavering determination.

“I believe you. Just tell me what you need,” Lin Zhao said.

After spending the night at home, Lin Zhao took the children back to her parents' home early the next morning.

Several years have passed, and Lin Heling and Song Xiwei have hardly changed. The couple would visit their son and daughter at the military region from time to time, and Lin Zhao did not feel estranged from his parents.

She hadn't seen her eldest brother and sister-in-law, second brother and sister-in-law, and a group of children for several years. Upon seeing them, she discovered that her family members had all changed quite a bit.

"Big Egg and Second Egg are as tall as Big Brother now..." Lin Zhao wanted to pat his two nephews' heads, but found he couldn't reach them.

The two eggs bent down and presented their heads to their aunt's palm.

"No matter how tall he is, he's still my aunt's nephew." Da Dan chuckled, looking at his aunt with a smile in his eyes and brows.

Erdan hugged Lin Zhao, saying, "Growing taller will help me protect my family and my aunt. Aunt, now that I'm all grown up, if anyone bullies you, just tell me, and I'll teach them a lesson."

Lin Zhao patted his shoulder, "Nobody's bullying me."

Erdan was grabbed by the back of his collar by Xibao, and the grumpy little sister dragged him away, snorting, "Stop babbling on, we haven't talked to Auntie yet."

Pulling her second brother away, Xi Bao hugged Lin Zhao tightly, "Auntie, I missed you."

The moment the words left her mouth, the little girl's eyes welled up with tears.

"The little sun turned into a little chili pepper, and now she's a little crybaby again," Lin Zhaoran's laughing voice rang out.

(End of this chapter)