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

Chapter 398 "Retreat, retreat, retreat!"

Nan Qiao smiled and replied, "Of course."

Lin Zhao escorted the Nan siblings to the village entrance, where Gu Qingzhou drove up in his tractor and stopped.

"Southern educated youth, get on the bus quickly!"

One sentence was enough to get both of the educated youth from the south to agree.

Nan Yi nodded to Lin Zhao, picked up his suitcase, and climbed onto the tractor.

Nan Qiao gave her friend a deep look, all her unspoken words condensed into "See you in the capital," before walking toward the tractor.

"Sister, let me pull you up." Nan Yi reached out her hand.

Nan Qiao didn't refuse, and with the help of his arm, she got into the car.

The tractor carried the Nan siblings away.

Lin Zhao watched the car and the three people disappear before turning and leaving.

Nan Nan said that on this return trip, Nan Yi will enter a confidential research institute to serve the country.

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhao's eyes curved into crescent moons.

The Lin family's deeds are illustrious and their merits immeasurable.

She looked forward to the day when she would see Nan Yi's name on television or in textbooks.

Nan Qiao is truly a peerless talent, so shouldn't Xiao Nan, who is even more talented than her, fly even higher?!

Lin Zhao hadn't walked far when she saw Gu Lan and the others.

"Are you here to see your teacher, Mr. Nan off?"

Gu Lan's eyes were slightly red, as if she had been crying.

"Yes, we'll see Teacher Nan off."

She originally wanted to send a bouquet of flowers, but unfortunately she didn't have time to pick them.

"Study hard, we'll see each other again in the future." Lin Zhao put his arm around A Lan's shoulder and led her home.

"You got into a university in the capital, right?"

“Yes,” Lin Zhao said affirmatively.

There weren't many people on the street, so she spoke a few words: "When the college entrance examination is reinstated, I will take the exam and go to university."

Gu Chenghuai also supported her.

She believed that Gu Chenghuai would be loyal to her and their marriage, but she wouldn't place all her hopes on one person.

She needs enough confidence to cope with any unforeseen changes that may occur in the future.

Improving one's educational background is one way to do this.

The first cohort of university students after the resumption of the college entrance examination—that's incredibly prestigious!
Hey.

Lin Zhao felt a sense of satisfaction; she hadn't forgotten her high school knowledge, so she felt no pressure.

Gu Lan frowned slightly, pursed her lips, and said, "My mother is looking for a partner for me."

"What?" Lin Zhao was taken aback, but then thought that it was normal for A Lan to be looking for a partner when she was already in her early twenties.

Gu Lan blushed slightly, "I've already met two people."

After going on blind dates, she realized the diversity of human beings; some people are really... outrageous.

"What are your thoughts?" Lin Zhao knew she was shy, so he didn't look at her and just asked casually.

Not being watched, Gu Lan wasn't as nervous. She picked at her nails and said softly but firmly, "I didn't like it."

"The first one said that his family had only one son for three generations, so if you married into his family, you would have to give birth to at least three sons."

"The second thing I keep saying is, 'My mom said it,' 'My mom said it,' and it's so annoying to hear it."

Lin Zhao frowned. "What kind of nonsense is this! Who introduced you to them?"

"Forget it, no matter who introduces you, don't go anymore. Just focus on being your accountant and we'll talk about it again in a couple of years."

Knowing that Gu Lan couldn't say this directly to Huang Xiulan, she took the initiative to persuade her sister-in-law.

"I'll go tell your mother."

Gu Lan said gratefully, "Thank you, Third Aunt."

Lin Zhao waved her hand, telling A Lan to take care of her own business, and then went to the main room.

Huang Xiulan was carefully processing the medicinal herbs when she heard footsteps. Without looking up, she called out loudly, "Alan, hand the basket to your mother."

Lin Zhao glanced around and saw a bamboo basket against the wall. He bent down, picked it up, and handed it over.

He noticed something was off about the hand holding the basket; the delicate touch clearly wasn't his own Ah Lan's.

She turned her head and saw that it was Lin Zhao, and immediately smiled.

"Oh, it's my third sister-in-law! What brings you here, you busy person? Is something the matter?!"

Lin Zhao nodded, "Yes, something is indeed happening. Is Sister-in-law looking after A-Lan?"

Huang Xiulan put down her work and poured water for her third sister-in-law, knowing she didn't like sugary drinks, so she poured her cassia seed tea instead.

"Thank you," Lin Zhao said, taking a sip of tea.

“We do have ideas, but we’re not in a hurry. Your older brother and I plan to look slowly. Alan is our only daughter, and we want to find someone who will satisfy her,” Huang Xiulan explained.

Over the years, Huang Xiulan and Gu Yuanshan have accumulated a considerable dowry for their daughter, which, without exaggeration, is not bad even in the surrounding villages.

It's not unreasonable for the two of them to want to find a good son-in-law.

"I heard from Alan that she has met two people?" Lin Zhao asked.

"What are those two?" Huang Xiulan frowned so deeply she could trap a fly, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes. "Those two are no good. The moment they open their mouths, I mentally cross them off. You have no idea, they're ugly, dream big, not one of them is normal. I don't know where they get their confidence. They really are what you once said... ordinary yet confident, with incredibly thick skin."

Huang Xiulan was very annoyed when the topic came up, and she kept complaining.

"You have no idea, because of this, I don't dare to let matchmakers come to my house anymore. I'm afraid that another one like this will make my Alan afraid of getting married."

What kind of monsters and demons are they?

Lin Zhao said calmly, "Sister-in-law, it's generally difficult for good young men to enter the market. Of course, that's a bit of an overstatement. Some people are lucky enough to find good ones in the market, but that's an extremely low probability event. You'd be better off believing that you can get rich overnight."

Huang Xiulan knew her third sister-in-law was telling the truth, and her heart tightened. "Third sister-in-law, what do you suggest we do? How about asking someone we know to introduce us?!"

“I know someone suitable. Alan’s child is old enough to run errands!” Lin Zhao said bluntly.

Huang Xiulan choked.

Though the words are blunt, they are the truth.

"What should we do then...?" Huang Xiulan anxiously clutched at the seam of her trousers.

Thinking that there were many outstanding and upright young people in the army, she placed her hopes on Lin Zhao.

They stared longingly at it.

"Third sister-in-law, isn't the army full of good young men? How about..."

"???"

"!!!"

What the heck? They want her to be their matchmaker again.

Retreat, retreat, retreat!

“Sister-in-law, Alan is still young. There’s no rush to wait another two years,” Lin Zhao advised.

Huang Xiulan looked at her and shook her head.

"You're already in your mid-twenties, isn't that old? If you keep delaying, it'll be hard to find a partner!"

"No," Lin Zhao said firmly.

The courtyard of the main house is spacious and open, so you can whisper without fear of being overheard by someone with ulterior motives.

She lowered her voice and said softly, "Sister-in-law, have you heard? Two educated youths from the south have returned to the city."

"I know, so what?" Huang Xiulan asked, puzzled.

Lin Zhao moved her chair closer to her. "This means the policy is about to change. Sister-in-law, I have inside information. It will take at most two more years for the country to reinstate the college entrance examination."

“Our Alan studies so well, always ranking at the top of her class, getting into university is a piece of cake for her.”

Do you understand the value of the first cohort of university graduates?

Huang Xiulan looked completely bewildered and honestly shook her head, "I don't understand."

She leaned closer, saying, "Tell me, I don't believe what others say, but I believe what you say."

Lin Zhao smiled with great satisfaction.

“Okay, then let me tell you about it.” She explained the benefits of being a college student to Huang Xiulan in detail.

"The first batch of college students received free tuition and even received subsidies enough for living expenses. Most importantly, they were guaranteed job placement after graduation! The placements were all in stable, secure jobs, meaning they would become public servants with excellent benefits and retirement security. As long as they reached a certain number of years of service, the government would provide them with a substantial pension..."

As Lin Zhao finished speaking, Huang Xiulan's breathing became more and more rapid, and her face turned red with excitement.

"Third sister-in-law, are you serious? You're not lying to me?" Her eyes lit up, her heart pounding.

"Did I lie to you?" Lin Zhao sat up straight and glanced at Huang Xiulan with the air of a superior.

No, not at all.

My third sister-in-law is a woman of her word; she's more reliable than her husband.

Gu Yuanshan: ...Hmm?

Huang Xiulan couldn't suppress the smile on her face, no matter what beautiful thoughts she had.

"We'll listen to you. Our Alan won't look at this anymore. We'll wait for the policies to improve so we can have a secure job."

It's a golden rice bowl.

The kind that's even more prestigious and valuable than a guaranteed job.

Lin Zhao gave a thumbs up and praised, "Sister-in-law, you have foresight. I guarantee you won't regret this decision."

Neither of her two sisters-in-law were educated and had the shortcomings typical of rural women, but they also had outstanding strengths: they were obedient, especially to her.

Huang Xiulan said, "I know you are educated and capable. I will definitely listen to you. You treat Alan and the others like your own children and you will not harm them."

In Huang Xiulan's heart, no matter whether the children become successful or not, they must be filial to their third uncle and aunt.

They were happier than other children, all thanks to the third son and his wife; people are grateful for their kindness.

Those who don't know gratitude won't go far.

"It's a blessing for the children to have a mother as open-minded and genuinely good to them as you, sister-in-law," Lin Zhao praised sincerely.

She has seen many fools who, despite their ignorance, still insist on going against others for the sake of saving face, unaware that it is their own children who are going astray.

Having finished discussing business, Lin Zhao felt much more relaxed and went over to look at the herbs that Huang Xiulan had prepared.

“My sister-in-law is becoming more and more adept at handling things. Once this batch of herbs is sold, the family will have an extra source of income.”

Huang Xiulan didn't say anything about earning a meager living, her eyes full of smiles. "Thanks to you, our family's life is getting better and better. Not just our family, but everyone's life is getting better. Before, we couldn't eat meat for three or four months, but now we can eat meat three or four times a month. I've noticed that the children in the village are all quite tall, which must be because, as you said, they're getting enough nutrition."

With money in the family, the children can eat their fill, and they can eat eggs and meat from time to time. They eat well and are well-fed, so it's impossible for them not to grow tall.

"Things will only get better from now on," Lin Zhao smiled.

"Yes, it will get better and better." Huang Xiulan laughed heartily.

Life is better now, and there are fewer fights in the village.

Everyone said that if you have that time, you might as well go to the foot of the mountain and see if any small animals are roaming around your medicinal herb fields.

After leaving the main house, Lin Zhao ran into Gu Lan on her way home and told her about the outcome of her conversation with Huang Xiulan.

Gu Lan visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

The pressure lifted from her shoulders, and she smiled brightly, "Thank you, Third Aunt."

Lin Zhao smiled and told her to go ahead with her work, then quickly walked home.

After a busy day, she couldn't wait to snuggle up to her big bed.

When we got home, Yu Bao and Heng Bao had cooked dinner together.

"Mom, wash your hands and eat." Yu Bao called out when he saw Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao raised her wrist to check the time. "Is it lunchtime yet?"

I looked and it was almost four o'clock.

What are you doing?

Yu Bao replied, "Tomato dumpling soup, do you want some now?"

Gu's dumpling soup is not just any dumpling soup; it's made with carefully selected ingredients, including tomatoes, eggs, and bok choy... It has a slightly sour taste, which is very appetizing, and it's a specialty of the twins.

"Eat." Lin Zhao went to the sink to wash her hands. Just as she sat down, Yu Bao brought out a bowl of dumpling soup and placed it in front of her mother.

After finishing, Yu Bao called his younger siblings to eat.

Lin Zhao took a bite and gave a thumbs up, "Delicious as always, Yu Bao has mastered it."

Yu Bao's bright black eyes lit up with a smile.

"I helped too," Hengbao couldn't help but chime in.

Even though they are already teenagers, they are still teenagers who want to win favor.

"Hengbao is great too." Lin Zhao praised without hesitation, "It's so easy to have you guys around. I can come back and have a hot meal right away. Who lives as comfortably as I do?"

The two brothers were overjoyed.

“This is nothing. Once we learn to cook more dishes, we’ll take over the kitchen work, and Mom, you can just relax and enjoy life,” Hengbao said immediately.

Lin Zhao answered her son while eating.

"That's great! Women can't stay in the kitchen all the time, or their hands will get rough. I want my hands to always be fair and soft."

She's not going to pretend anymore; she just wants to be a couch potato.

Hengbao patted his increasingly strong chest and said loudly, "My brother and I will study hard and try to take over as soon as possible. In the future, Mom won't have to cook or do laundry. We'll do all the rough and tiring work."

Yu Bao glanced at his younger brother silently, wanting to remind him that in the military area, there was a washing machine for laundry and Aunt Hui for cooking, so it seemed that Mom didn't need to go into the kitchen at all.

Seeing Hengbao speechless after being praised by his mother, he fell silent.

Li Bao covered her mouth and chuckled, but didn't say anything and ate her meal quietly.

Yu Bao and Heng Bao just taught him how to make dumpling soup, and he wants to make it for his parents when he has the chance.

……

When the Nan siblings got off at the train station, a car was waiting to pick them up. It was a four-wheeled vehicle with a red flag on the front, which attracted the attention of passersby.

Upon seeing a familiar yet unfamiliar figure, a couple got out of the car.

The woman quickly stepped forward, wrapped her arms around her two children, and hugged them tightly.

"Qiaoqiao, Yiyi, you've suffered so much."

The moment she finished speaking, crystal-clear tears streamed down her cheeks.

Her body trembled slightly as she tried to suppress a complex and overwhelming emotion.

The man walked over and patted his wife on the shoulder.

His voice was slightly hoarse, "The children are back safe and sound... Our family... is reunited..."

The woman wiped away her tears and looked at her two children. She noticed that her daughter had become darker and thinner, but her spirits were good. Her son had also become darker and shinier, but he was as tall as his father. What surprised her most was that Nan Yi's health had really improved... He stood there with a straight posture, his eyes bright and clear. He walked over without coughing once and didn't need anyone's help. He was healthy and energetic.

"Yiyi, you..." The words that were on the tip of his tongue just wouldn't come out for various reasons.

Nan Yi took his mother's hand and said earnestly, "Mom, I'm all better. My sister had someone examine me, and the old doctor said I'm fine now. I can run and jump, eat whatever I want, and do whatever I want."

After saying that, he looked at his father, whose face had become more weathered, and said, "I'm sorry to have worried you, Mom and Dad. I won't do it again."

Nan's father's eyes were slightly red. "What are you saying? You are my son, it is only right that I worry about you."

He stretched out his large, calloused hand and patted Nan Qiao's head, his eyes filled with heartache. "These past few years have been tough for you, Qiao Qiao! Dad is proud of you."

Nan Qiao's eyes welled up with tears. "It's not hard work. I miss Dad, I miss Mom, and I miss Grandpa and Grandma..."

Nan's father reached out to wipe away his daughter's tears, his heart aching with heartache. "Your father and mother miss you too. Come home, your grandparents are waiting for you."

He bent down, picked up his children's luggage, and the family of four got into the car.

In the car.

Nan's father drove the car.

Nan's mother and her two children sat in the back row, holding their hands tightly, looking at this and that, with an involuntary smile on her face.

They're reunited... finally reunited...

They survived the darkest hour and were reunited with their family.

It's clearly a good thing, so why are her eyes getting more and more sore?

"Qiaoqiao, Yiyi, tell Mom about your experience going to the countryside. Mom wants to know."

Nan's father, who was in the driver's seat, also said, "Dad wants to know too."

Nan Qiao smiled, and the moment she saw her parents, she felt light and had the courage to overcome any obstacle in the way.

"Yiyi and I eventually arrived at the place where we were sent to the countryside. The place was called Fengshou Brigade... We were lucky. The brigade we went to was very good. The brigade leader was fair, and the members were warm-hearted. The luckiest thing was that I met Lin Zhao, the Zhao Zhao I mentioned in my letter. She was a military dependent and helped us a lot..."

(End of this chapter)