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

Chapter 425 "The Lin Family is Born Knowing How to Make Choices"

That night.

Lin Zhao lay in bed for a long time, unable to fall asleep.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Gu Chenghuai turned over and pulled her into his arms.

"I'm thinking about my parents' situation in Haicheng." Lin Zhao nuzzled against her husband's strong chest.

"How about I quietly investigate and see what happened?" Gu Chenghuai gently patted Lin Zhao's back, his voice low and slow.

Lin Zhao was conflicted. "Never mind... my parents don't want me to get involved."

She sighed heavily.

"Go to sleep. Your parents are coming tomorrow morning, so don't get up too late."

Lin Zhao turned over in frustration and eventually fell asleep.

Gu Chenghuai was both amused and exasperated.

Zhao Zhao's irritability affected him, and Gu Chenghuai pondered for a moment before deciding to investigate.

An investigation revealed some hypocritical and corrupt officials.

He wielded considerable power and had a vast network of connections in the military, but this was less effective in local areas, especially in places like Haicheng where power dynamics were complex.

This does not affect Gu Chenghuai's methods.

Putting everything else aside, it's enough to make those people feel bad.

Gu Chenghuai was operating in the shadows, making one underhanded move after another, making it impossible for people to live peacefully. In just a few days, those people were almost going crazy!

This is something.

……

The next day, after breakfast, Lin Zhao was taken to school by her parents and Gu Chenghuai.

Apart from those from the same school as her, Gu Xingye and others were taken to register by Gu Yucheng, while Lin Sinian and others were sent by Lin Shisheng and his wife.

Qianbao and Yaobao naturally follow their parents.

Lin Heling and Song Xiwei didn't send their grandchildren to school; they just kept giving them money, each of them giving ten ten-yuan bills.

Lin Sinian had never had so much money in his pocket before, and his mouth was practically twitching with laughter.

Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma! Thank you, Auntie!! It's so great that Auntie got into university!!!

Seeing the smiles on the children's faces, the Lin couple knew that their grandchildren hadn't thought much of it, and they couldn't help but feel helpless and amused.

The Lin family seems to be born with a knack for making choices and knowing how to maximize their own interests.

Lin Heling had visited Tsinghua University before, and upon returning, she found that it had changed quite a bit.

They claimed to be there to see Lin Zhao off to register for school, but in reality, the couple walked side by side on campus, talking and occasionally exchanging smiles, seemingly oblivious to the presence of a third person.

Lin Zhao pursed her lips, "I was also surprised."

Gu Chenghuai suppressed a laugh.

Because her home was nearby, Lin Zhao enrolled as a day student. She didn't need to engage in meaningless social interactions, and she didn't even have a bed at school.

Just as she was about to go home after receiving the books, a clear, crisp voice called out to her.

"Lin Zhao, are you leaving already?"

Lin Zhao felt the voice sounded familiar, so he turned around and saw Nan Qiao standing not far away with her arms crossed, looking over with a smile in her eyes.

"Nan Nan?" Lin Zhao's face lit up with a smile.

Nan Qiao lowered her arm and walked towards her.

He stretched out his arms and gently hugged Lin Zhao.

"It's great to see you again." Nan Qiao said with a smile.

She politely greeted Mr. and Mrs. Lin, nodded to her friend's husband, and said hello to Yu Bao and the others.

"You've been here so long and haven't come to see me." Nan Qiao's tone was tinged with affectionate reproach.

She was tall, and Lin Zhao was half a head shorter than her. She smiled at her and said, "I've been busy. I just moved here and have a lot to do. I was planning to come see you in a couple of days. But I'll be staying in the capital from now on, so we can spend more time together."

Nan Qiao wasn't angry to begin with, but she was immediately appeased after hearing Zhao Zhao's words.

"Are you settling in well here?" she asked with concern.

Lin Zhao said, "I'm used to it. You know me, I'm very adaptable."

"You'll get used to it. I've booked a table nearby. Let's go, we can eat and talk," Nan Qiao said warmly.

Lin Zhao readily agreed, "Alright, we'll take you down today. But we need to send Yu Bao to report first."

Nan Qiao immediately said she would go together.

So one more person came to escort Yu Bao to report for duty.

After reporting to Yu Bao, the group headed towards the restaurant.

At the dinner table, Lin Zhao learned that Nan Yi had successfully entered a research institution, and Nan Qiao was teaching at the School of Foreign Languages.

That's the university Lin Zheng applied to.

Lin Zheng has been steady and quick-witted since childhood. He has always said that he wants to be a diplomat, and now he has one foot in the door.

During those years, she learned three foreign languages—English, French, and Japanese—from Uncle De, and she learned them all very well.

Uncle De often regretted that he didn't know enough, otherwise he could have taught her more.

Lin Zhao had nothing to say about this Versailles-like situation.

She even stutters when she speaks English.

"My niece is in the School of Foreign Languages, could you help look after her?"

Nan Qiao readily agreed, "No problem. What does she want to do in the future?"

Lin Zhao replied, "I said I wanted to be a diplomat."

"A fine ambition," Nan Qiao praised. "I happen to have a family member who works in this field. I'll introduce her to my cousin sometime."

"That's great!" Lin Zhao's eyes lit up. "No one in my family does this, so I'm completely clueless. If someone could guide me, Zhengzheng's path would be much smoother. Thank you, Nan Nan."

Nan Qiao said, "We are friends, no need to be so polite."

"I'm so lucky to have a highly educated friend like you!" Lin Zhao said sweetly.

"I think I'm luckier than you."

After finishing the meal.

Nan Qiao had been thinking about taking Zhao Zhao to the Friendship Store. After dinner, she made a promise with her to go shopping on the weekend. After getting familiar with the store, she left.

……

After registering and settling the college students in, Gu Yucheng and Gu Qingzhou left first, while Lin Shisheng and his wife stayed in the capital to enjoy themselves.

Lin Heling and his wife returned to Haicheng. The courtyard that the Lin family had taken back needed to be repaired, and they planned to oversee it themselves.

Gu Chenghuai reported to the Capital Military Region and began to get busy.

He was transferred here to familiarize himself with the people and the affairs. At first, he could only live in the home assigned by the military region and could only go back to the city to see his wife and children when he had time.

Lin Zhao was busy with her children's studies and didn't have time to think about him.

……

Not long after the start of the semester, the college students were just getting used to university life when the arrival of one person disrupted the peace at home.

Lin Zhao only found out after asking that this person was arranged by Chief Engineer Zhou, with the purpose of taking Qianbao to the gifted youth program.

In that instant, it's no exaggeration to say that Lin Zhao felt as if her soul had been separated from her body.

She then realized that once she went there, Qianbao wouldn't even be able to go home.

"Comrade Lin?" The young man who came to pick him up was a little confused and called out again.

Lin Zhao snapped out of her daze, "...Help Qianbao...He's at home, come in first."

She turned and went into the house, calling out, "Qianbao, come out quickly, your Grandpa Zhou has sent someone to pick you up."

Qianbao came out of his room and saw that his mother's expression was not good. A look of worry appeared on his handsome little face.

"Mother?"

"It's nothing," Lin Zhao said with a smile, having prepared herself mentally. "I just can't bear to part with my son."

Qianbao snuggled into her arms and said, "Mom, I will come back to see you often."

It's not that easy.

Lin Zhao shook his head inwardly, but showed it on his face.

"Okay, I'll come see you too."

Hearing the sound, Yu Bao and the others came out.

"When will Qianbao come back?" Gu Zhiheng put his arm around his younger brother's shoulder, looking reluctant to part with him.

"I don't know yet," Qianbao said. Gu Zhiyu then said, "Big brother will see you off."

Gu Zhili followed closely behind, "I'll go too."

He and Gu Zhiheng were in the same school and the same major, so they lived here.

"I want to see my brother off too." Yao Bao held onto her brother's hand tightly, her eyes a little red, and she pursed her lips tightly, afraid that she would cry.

"Let's go," Lin Zhao said.

The people sent by Chief Engineer Zhou arrived in a car. Lin Zhao quickly packed some luggage for Qianbao and got into the car with the children.

A four-wheeled vehicle is much faster than a bicycle.

We have arrived at our destination.

The young man who came to pick them up went to the gatehouse, made a phone call, and then walked over to Lin Zhao, saying, "Someone is here to pick us up."

Lin Zhao held Qianbao's hand and nodded.

Seemingly anticipating being separated from her brother, Yao Bao is very uneasy, clinging to Qian Bao without saying a word.

"Yaobao, you're reluctant to part with your brother, but it's okay. I'll bring you to see him sometime," Lin Zhao gently comforted her daughter.

Once the little girl was comforted, the sadness in her heart was like a flood released after the dam was opened, and tears rolled back and forth in her eyes.

She held her mouth shut, trying hard to hold back her tears; her usually clear voice was now tinged with sobs.

When?

Lin Zhao hugged Yao Bao and said with heartache, "Can Mommy and your older brothers take a holiday?"

Seeing the girl's eyes dim, she quickly added, "If you miss your brother so much one day, I'll take a day off and bring you here, is that alright? Don't be sad, if you cry, Qianbao will cry too."

Qianbao had been looking forward to this day. His face lit up when he saw the person who came to pick him up. He really wanted to study with other little geniuses. But looking at his sister's red eyes, the boy's joy suddenly faded a little.

He looked at Yaobao and said earnestly, "I'll come back to see you whenever I have time. You focus on your studies, and I'll check your homework when I get back."

Yao Bao: "..."

Just as she was wondering how to react, a figure approached from afar.

"Sister Zhao Zhao," the voice called out with a smile.

It was Nan Yi.

The boy was wearing a gray crew-neck sweater, black pants, and lace-up cotton shoes. He had a pair of black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, making him look very mature.

"Nan Yi? It's you?!" Lin Zhao looked surprised.

"I came with the teacher to take a look," Nan Yi explained. The teacher wanted to reserve some promising talents in advance, as he had several projects and was struggling to find suitable candidates.

Nan Yi knew Qian Bao and knew how smart he was and how quickly he absorbed knowledge, even surpassing himself when he was a child. He told his teacher about Qian Bao's existence, and his teacher, seeing an opportunity, couldn't wait and came immediately.

Lin Zhao understood Nan Yi's implication, looked at Qian Bao, and cupped his face in her hands, "Qian Bao, there are some very capable teachers inside. You should learn from them."

Qianbao nodded seriously.

"Ok!"

Outsiders are not allowed to enter here, so Lin Zhao could only watch helplessly as Qian Bao was taken away by Nan Yi.

Looking at her son's not-so-broad shoulders, Lin Zhao's eyes stung slightly.

The boy, whose wings haven't fully grown yet, is finally going to explore the world and learn to fly independently.

Gu Zhiyu looked at his younger sister, who was crying her eyes out, and squatted down in front of her with his back to her.

“My dear, I’ll carry you home. You like roast duck, so I’ll buy it for you.”

Yao Bao bent down, climbed onto her older brother's back, and buried her face in his.

“The little crybaby is still crying. If she cries any longer, her eyes will get swollen.” Gu Zhiheng tugged at his sister’s ear.

"My older brother and I are still here, why are you crying?"

Yao Bao's voice was muffled, "I want Xiao Ge, I want Xiao Ge."

“But once your brother gets into the gifted youth program, he won’t be able to get out.” Gu Zhiheng teased his sister. “I heard that the kids there have a heavy workload and they’re in competition with each other. It’ll be too difficult for you to see him, since you can’t get in yourself.”

Gu Zhili: Hengbao really deserves a beating.

Yao Bao was so angry that she forgot to cry and glared fiercely at her second brother.

"...I'm going to tell Dad that you bullied me."

Seeing his younger sister regain her energy, Gu Zhiheng breathed a sigh of relief, but his words were still sharp, "How old are you? Why are you still tattling all the time! Nobody likes a tattletale. You can't do this at school, you know?"

Yao Bao snorted and turned her head away.

“Mom is an adult and she still complains, so why can’t I complain? I’ll complain, I’ll call Dad and complain!”

Gu Zhiyu said, "I'll cover your phone bill."

Yao Bao's eyes lit up, and the thorny rose instantly transformed into an iris. Her voice was soft as she said, "Big brother is so kind."

Lin Zhao looked at the bus stop and saw the bus he needed to take approaching. He urged, "The bus is here, hurry up and get on."

"Hey."

The children quickly got on the bus and found seats.

After Lin Zhao sat down, he asked, "What would you like to do?"

"I want to ice skate," Gu Zhiheng answered first.

Gu Zhiyu had no objection, "I'm fine with anything."

Yao Bao glanced at her second brother and said, "Then let's go ice skating."

After she finished speaking, she emphasized seriously, "I didn't agree to go because my second brother wanted to go; I want to go too."

Gu Zhiheng was charmed by his younger sister's cuteness, and his sunny and handsome face was filled with smiles.

"Alright, alright, you can decide for yourself."

The family of four went ice skating for two hours, then went to see a new movie, and ate at a restaurant. After Yao Bao transformed from a listless little flower into a humming sunflower, Lin Zhao took the children home.

Gu Chenghuai, who rarely gets to come home but doesn't see a single person: "..."

Seeing the relaxed and carefree appearance of the mother and her children, he gave a helpless smile.

Lin Zhao stepped forward and asked, "Didn't you see the note I left?"

"I saw it, but I was worried, so I went out to check," Gu Chenghuai explained.

"Did you send Qianbao over?" he asked.

A hint of guilt flashed in the man's eyes as he realized he had returned late.

Today is a significant day for the youngest son, but unfortunately, his father missed it.

Lin Zhao noticed his emotions and said bluntly, "Don't you know how stable your youngest son's emotions are? He doesn't care whether you're here or not. He was so happy to see Nan Yi that he almost jumped for joy."

Gu Chenghuai was speechless and wanted to sigh.

"Give me a call when you're going to visit him." He's really busy; he doesn't even have time to sleep, and he has to squeeze in time to visit his wife.

"Definitely not, there won't be enough time today," Lin Zhao explained.

"have you eaten?"

Gu Chenghuai: Not yet.

"Shall I make you some noodles?" Lin Zhao asked.

"I'll just grab something to eat outside." Gu Chenghuai noticed that Zhao Zhao looked tired and didn't want to bother her.

"I'll go with you." Lin Zhao told the children to stay home and then took Gu Chenghuai out to find a restaurant.

"I went to a nice place with Nan Nan a few days ago. I'll take you there; I'm sure you'll like it."

Gu Chenghuai turned his head to look at his wife. Sunlight shone on her smiling face, and his heart calmed down.

……

Life went on uneventfully like that.

Lin Zhao's university life was peaceful and fulfilling.

After waiting for ten years to resume the college entrance examination, the students were full of enthusiasm for learning, carrying books with them and absorbing knowledge like sponges.

Lin Zhao was influenced by this atmosphere and became very focused on her studies.

Not long after the start of the semester, many people knew that there was a girl in the Literature Department who was bright-looking and rather quiet—

They attend class on time every day and leave as soon as get out of class is over.

Gu Zhiyu and Gu Zhili, the two youngest students in the business school, were waiting for her under the ginkgo tree.

One called out "Mom," and the other called out "Third Aunt."

When they first heard this title, everyone was so shocked that their jaws almost dropped to the ground.

After all... you really can't tell just by looking at their face!
After this incident, the male classmate who had been secretly trying to curry favor with Lin Zhao vanished without a trace.

(End of this chapter)