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

Chapter 399 "She Admires Strength"

Life as an educated youth was not all easy and happy; there were also countless farm chores to do.

Nan Qiao didn't hide anything and told her parents everything.

"There's always farm work to do in the countryside: transplanting rice seedlings, weeding, picking corn, digging sweet potatoes, harvesting peanuts... Every summer, both men and women get sunburned. In the cold winter, there's less work, so we learn to grow mushrooms, which adds another dish to our meals."

“Every winter we have a feast of stewed pork, made by the aunties and grandmas. It’s a big pot of food with big slices of pork, tofu, cabbage, carrots, vermicelli… The meat and vegetables are stewed together, and a big bowl of it is so delicious it makes you dizzy.”

Nan Yi nodded several times.

"I want to eat." He swallowed hard.

Nan's mother's eyes softened. "I'll make it for you when we get back."

She doesn't know how, but she can learn.

"I want two bowls. Add a spoonful of chili oil to the rice, it's so fragrant. Oh, and I also need to have the pickled radishes and pickled cabbage that Sister Zhao Zhao made." Nan Yi's mouth was constantly watering.

I'm so hungry.

Meeting Nan Qiao's mother's questioning gaze, Nan Qiao explained, "We didn't finish the side dishes Zhao Zhao gave us, so we brought them back. When we get home, Mom and Dad will try them. They're really unique."

"Okay, Mom will try it." Nan's mother had a very good impression of Lin Zhao, whom she had never met before.

Grateful for Lin Zhao's care for their two children, she suggested, "Let's go shopping tomorrow and see if we can buy some thank-you gifts."

Nan Yi volunteered, "I'll go too."

Knowing that her son wasn't into shopping, Nan's mother looked at him with surprise, her wrinkled eyes resembling overlapping flower petals. "Yiyi really likes Comrade Lin."

Nan Yi remained silent for a few moments. The people in the car were all his close relatives, and there was nothing to hide.

He said, "When I first arrived, Sister Zhao gave me some malted milk powder, and then she gave me some appetizers. With Sister Zhao's help, I was able to recover."

"She saved my life."

What Nan Yi didn't say was that when he first started drinking malted milk powder, he felt a greedy warmth emanating from his perpetually cold body. At first, he thought it was just his imagination, but later he realized it wasn't.

He didn't even tell Nan Qiao about this.

Although he didn't know what was strange about it, he knew it was good for him.

Nan Yi's health improved, and Nan Qiao and the members of the Harvest Brigade assumed that it was because the exercise had strengthened his body.

Nan's mother knew how bad her son's health had been before, and she and her husband took good care of him, fearing that he might die at any moment.

When they were forced to leave home, both of them were filled with pessimism and sorrow that they would never be able to reunite. Even if they were lucky enough to return to the city and contact their children, and learned from their letters that Nan Yi's health had improved, they could not have imagined that what Nan Qiao said about being well was actually... a real improvement.

Today, Nan Yi is healthy, vibrant, and cheerful—the very image that the Nan family couple had always dreamed of.

Nan's mother tightened her grip on Nan Yi's arm, feeling a wave of fear mixed with relief.

“Thanks to Comrade Lin, our family is so lucky,” she said. “Our ancestors are blessed.”

I only dare to say these things in the car.

“Your grandparents are right. People should do good deeds. Doing good deeds will accumulate good karma and benefit oneself sooner or later. It’s so good that our family can be reunited.”

Nan Qiao leaned on her mother's shoulder, smelling her scent, her eyes burning.

"very nice……"

Over the years, she has also felt tired and self-loathing. If it weren't for those students from the Gu family who would occasionally send her letters and packages from Lin Zhao, Nan Qiao would have broken down long ago.

"You've worked hard." Nan's mother looked at Nan Qiao's hair with heartache.

Qiaoqiao has to take care of her younger brother, which is the most heartbreaking thing for her.

Nan Qiao leaned on her mother's shoulder and accidentally fell asleep.

Feeling that his daughter had fallen asleep, the other three people in the car stopped talking. Looking in the rearview mirror, Nan's father saw Nan Qiao's tired face and felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

Qiaoqiao didn't originally need to go to the countryside. She graduated from university and had a job. Her teacher strongly protected her. She was originally not affected by her family. As long as she cut ties with the Nan family, this silly girl was unwilling. She wasted these years, didn't even start a family, suffered a lot, and lost her job.

It was their parents who dragged their daughter down with them.

Nanfu drove more and more smoothly.

The half hour that Nan Qiao dozed off in the car was the most comfortable sleep she had had in years.

When I got off the bus, the once high-spirited Nan Qiao the Great Demon King was back.

"Sister Qiao Qiao?"

"It's Sister Qiao Qiao back!"

"...And Nan Yi!? Nan Yi's back too!!!"

……

Fearing trouble, the Nan family kept their children's return to the city a secret. When the Nan siblings returned, the whole compound was in an uproar.

When the Nan family got into trouble, the villains who were adding fuel to the fire panicked!
"What do we do, what do we do? Nan Qiao and Nan Yi are back! Will they tell the Nan family what we did?! I told you not to go too far, but you wouldn't listen. Now look what's happened, karma is coming..."

The woman was also afraid, her face filled with panic.

Hearing the man's complaints, she scratched his face with her paw.

"Hindsight is 20/20!" In her panic, she took her anger out on the man. "Why didn't you say anything when you were taking advantage of me? You're such a spineless man. I'd rather marry a block of wood than marry you."

The man got angry after being hit a few times, but didn't dare to fight back, only muttering to himself.

Can wood get you pregnant? You shrew, you're just a shrew, not at all as gentle and virtuous as Chunmei.

The woman bit her nails, as if comforting the wooden man, or perhaps herself, and said, "It's been so long, who would remember it all? It's okay, don't scare yourself, just go about your business."

"..."

The Nan family neither noticed nor cared about the thoughts of their neighbors in the compound.

Back home, the Nan siblings felt at ease. They looked at each other and smiled.

"Thank you, sister," Nan Yi said earnestly.

Nan Qiao slightly bent her right hand and lightly flicked her younger brother's forehead, saying in an annoyed tone, "I'm your older sister."

After saying that, she said seriously, "You are smart and learn everything quickly. All the teachers who have met you say that you are suitable for a scientific research career. I have always felt that it would be a loss for the country not to hand you over to the country. You don't need to thank me. Go to the research institute and serve the country well. I will be proud of you."

In the past, whenever teachers talked about Nan Yi, they would marvel at his talent while always regretting that he was in poor health and unable to engage in research work.

Nan Yi straightened up and stood at the entrance of the Nan family home, giving Nan Qiao—the older sister who gave him a second life—a less-than-perfect military salute.

"I will."

"Do your utmost to serve the country."

Nan Qiao looked pleased.

……

Nan Yi holds grudges, and those who humiliated Nan Qiao back then have all suffered terrible misfortunes.

Some lost their jobs, some suffered misfortune due to misconduct, and some even had people from the educated youth office come to their homes demanding that they go to the countryside according to policy...

The courtyard was bustling with activity.

Everyone knows that it is the Nan family taking revenge.

Nobody said anything; after all, they went too far.
If you see someone is down on their luck and rush over to trample on them, you deserve to be retaliated against!

After Nan Yi finished what he was supposed to do, he was picked up and taken away. He will then begin his studies and conduct research under the guidance of his mentor.

Research Institute.

The wise and kind old man heard the news that Nan Yi was dealing with people.

He paused for a moment, then laughed, "You do hold grudges."

"Chief Engineer, aren't you angry?" the messenger asked. "Angry? What's there to be angry about?!" the old man, addressed as Chief Engineer, retorted. "Youthful spirit is something that can't be regenerated. I was worried that he'd lost his youthful spirit during his years as a sent-down youth. It's good that he still has it."

Thinking of the little gadgets Nan Yi had sent, he couldn't wait to see just how high this clever young man could fly!
Young people are the hope of the nation.

Nan Yi entered the research institute, and Nan Qiao also resumed her work. At the same time, a package from the Nan family was sent to the military region where Lin Zhao was stationed.

……

After Gu Chenghuai finished his mission, he learned that his mother had passed away and that his wife and children had returned to their hometown. Without saying a word, he took leave and boarded the train home to visit his family.

This mission was difficult, and he was slightly injured. With the leave he had saved up, it was enough for him to go back to his hometown.

However, when he came out of the leader's office, a hint of resistance appeared on his usually expressionless face.

In order to pick up his wife and children, he had no choice but to obey orders.

Passing through the provincial capital, Gu Chenghuai stopped by the stadium to see Xiao Shitou.

In 71, Xiao Shitou participated in his first table tennis competition and achieved good results. He continued to participate in competitions afterward and achieved excellent results in all of them.

Later, he joined a sports team managed by the military, received subsidies, and secured a stable job.

Lin Zhao and the twins appeared at Xiao Shitou's first match to cheer him on.

In that match, Little Stone played very aggressively and won beautifully.

It was the twins' first time watching a sporting event live, and they excitedly showed off their half-protruding teeth, laughing so hard their palms were swollen from clapping.

All of these things were told to Gu Chenghuai through Lin Zhao's words.

Wei Yan was taken aback by his third uncle's sudden arrival. He thanked the messenger and jogged to the door.

"Third Uncle?!" The little boy flashed a bright smile and rushed over like a little calf, looking up at his uncle. He never expected that it would be his busy uncle who came.

"Why are you here?" He looked behind Gu Chenghuai. "Are my third aunt and Yu Bao here?"

"No, they went back to their hometown first," Gu Chenghuai explained.

Wei Yan misunderstood, thinking that his third aunt had been angered by his uncle and had gone home. He looked over suspiciously and asked, "Third Uncle, did you make my aunt angry?!"

Gu Chenghuai: "..."

His cold, brooding eyes met hers. "Nonsense. How could I possibly make your aunt angry?!"

"Do you have time? I'll treat you to a nice meal," Gu Chenghuai explained his purpose.

Wei Yan's eyes sparkled as she thought about the few days off she had.

"Third Uncle, why don't you take me home? I've saved up a lot of leave, I can take it."

Gu Chenghuai: "I'll wait for you. Go ask for leave."

Wei Yan was about to leave when he stopped, looking at the scar on his third uncle's cheek, and asked with concern, "Third Uncle, how did you get your face hurt? Does it hurt? I have some medicine, I'll get you some later."

"I accidentally cut myself," Gu Chenghuai said casually. "It doesn't hurt. I have medicine; you don't need to get any."

"Oh, I'll go ask for leave first, Third Uncle, you must wait for me," Wei Yan said worriedly.

"If you say another word, I'm leaving," Gu Chenghuai threatened.

The threatening words had barely landed when Wei Yan dashed away.

A hint of helplessness flashed in Gu Chenghuai's eyes. As a child, he was like a quiet mushroom, but he grew up to be a chatterbox. His brother-in-law's genes were indeed strong.

……

Gu Chenghuai took his nephew back to his hometown, handed Wei Yan over to his eldest sister, and went to the commune to complete the order temporarily issued by the leadership—to give a speech as a military representative.

This was a political task assigned by the military, and no one was willing to take it on; Gu Chenghuai just happened to be in it.

Lin Zhao is unaware of these matters for the time being.

Lin Zhao lived a carefree life at home, without having to go to work or take care of her children. She would visit the medicinal herb fields, check out the mushroom warehouse in the village, go to the movies with her second sister-in-law, and chat with her sister-in-law at the cotton mill... Her days were very fulfilling.

Until she saw Gu Chenghuai in the main hall of the commune.

He sat on the stage with his back straight, his sharp face exuding a cold and stern air. He appeared to be speaking, his deep voice powerful and clear, his words substantial and meaningful.

It was the first time Lin Zhao had seen this side of a man, and it was quite a shock.

It felt both unfamiliar and new.

"When did Gu Chenghuai become a military representative?" she muttered.

Chen Yu, who works at the supply and marketing cooperative, also came to join in the fun. Hearing Lin Zhao's words, she looked over in disbelief, "You didn't know?"

"How would I know?" Lin Zhao appeared remarkably composed. "Gu Chenghuai didn't say, so of course I wouldn't know. I went back to my hometown; how would I know anything about his situation?"

When she set off to return to her hometown, this person was still out on a mission.

Why didn't this person send a telegram?

Gu Chenghuai looked innocent. He was thinking of going home after completing the mission, but who knew he would run into Zhaozhao.

but.

She seems to be living a comfortable life...

Commander Gu, whose demeanor on stage grew increasingly cold and imposing, narrowed his eyes, but his speech remained unaffected.

Lin Zhao felt a chill run down her spine for no apparent reason. She rubbed her itchy nose, sat down obediently, and adopted a listening attitude.

Chen Yu suppressed a laugh, gave her sister-in-law a "good luck" look, and left.

Lin Zhao reached out her hand.

(ヮ)
Gu Chenghuai had a pleasant voice and spoke in a logical manner. It wasn't a lullaby that made people sleepy. After listening for only a few sentences, Lin Zhao was drawn in. Looking at her husband on the stage, who was imposing and handsome, her eyes sparkled and her radiant face was full of pride.

This is her man.

Sorry, she admires strength; her man is incredibly handsome!
From a distance, Gu Chenghuai noticed the gaze that made his mouth dry. He cleared his throat, quickly composed himself, and didn't lose his composure in front of everyone.

The speech has ended.

The audience members stood up and applauded thunderously.

Gu Chenghuai saluted his fellow villagers, stepped off the stage, and strode over to Lin Zhao.

"Honey, I'm home."

As his words fell, the restless hearts of several young women, their hearts fluttering with springtime longing, were sealed by cement.

Haha, high-quality young people won't be left out of the market; the elders' words are wise.

"How did you get your face injured?" Lin Zhao's smile faded slightly as she frowned and looked him over, asking with concern, "Are there any other injuries?"

Gu Chenghuai had previously concealed his abdominal injury, which Lin Zhao found out about, and the consequences were dire. He dared not hide his injury from his wife again.

"And my arm too." Gu Chenghuai honestly reported the injury. "The wound has healed, it's nothing serious. I'll have you check it when we get back."

After joining the army, Lin Zhao realized that every step this man took was hard-won. Others could only see his rapid promotion, but they didn't know how many wounds he would get every year. Every medal he received—first-class merit, second-class merit, and third-class merit—was earned with his blood and sweat.

"Come home, the children are all worried about you." Lin Zhao took his hand and led the man home.

A smile spread across Gu Chenghuai's deep black eyes.

"Okay, go home."

The couple's figures receded into the distance.

Whispers arose at the scene.

"A combat hero who can carry a gun, speaking softly to his lover, I can't resist! Is this what it means to be a tough guy with a tender heart? They're such a perfect match."

"What a young regimental commander! I heard he's been on the battlefield several times. He's truly admirable!"

(End of this chapter)