Chapter 12 - 5: "King of Bragging

Chapter 12: Chapter 5: "King of Bragging

"You think I’d lie to you?"

Er Zai bluntly called his mother out. "Mom, you used to lie to me and my brother all the time."

Lin Zhao refused to admit it. "No, I didn’t."

Er Zai said, "You used to secretly eat crackers and tell me and my brother you didn’t have any."

"..." ’That’s so embarrassing to think about.’ Lin Zhao cleared her throat and said softly, "I was doing it for your own good. Kids aren’t supposed to eat those crackers, and I was afraid you’d want some, so I had to eat them in secret."

Er Zai laughed out loud. "You’re lying, Mom! My brother and I aren’t little kids anymore. We don’t believe you."

Lin Zhao, feeling her face flush, gave a light laugh. "Oh? If you’re not little kids, then I guess you can’t wear the new shoes I bought. Should we save them for the Third and Fourth Child?"

At these words, Er Zai’s bravado vanished in an instant. He hurriedly said, "Mom, Mom! I’m a little kid! I’m a little kid!"

Da Zai thought his little brother was so silly. ’The Third and Fourth Child can’t possibly wear the shoes Mom bought for us. She’s just teasing him.’

Lin Zhao wiped the sweat from her face and started walking ahead. "Let’s hurry home. I’m dying from the heat."

The two boys followed behind her, filled with energy at the thought of new shoes.

Back home, the three of them set their things down. Da Zai rushed into the kitchen and quickly returned with a bowl of cool water. "Have some water, Mom."

The long walk had left Lin Zhao parched, her throat practically smoking. She gulped down several mouthfuls before she finally felt better.

Then she stroked Da Zai’s flushed little cheek, her gaze softening. "Thank you, Da Zai."

Just then, Er Zai came over with a basin of water. "Mom, wash your face."

The twins knew their mother well; the first thing she always did after coming home was wash up. Eager to get to the meat buns, the two little boys were waiting on her like she was a queen.

Lin Zhao accepted their care without the slightest bit of guilt.

Washing her face felt wonderful.

"Ah, that’s much better. That walk was killer." ’I really have to buy a bicycle.’

’Next time I write to Gu Chenghuai, I’ll have him figure out how to get a ration ticket for one!’

Da Zai asked hesitantly, "Mom, is the county town fun?"

"It’s alright once you’re used to it, but for little kids like you, it would probably be a lot of fun," Lin Zhao replied with a smile, letting out a long sigh.

Da Zai wanted to ask if his mother would take him to the county town someday, but the words died on his lips.

"Mom, can you take me and my brother to the county town?" Er Zai asked Lin Zhao with a wide grin.

"If you’re both well-behaved, it’s not out of the question." Lin Zhao pinched Er Zai’s cheek. The little guy was scrawny, without much flesh on his face, but his skin was soft. ’So nice to pinch.’

Er Zai was a generous boy and let his mother pinch away, a wide grin revealing a set of sparkling white teeth.

"I’ll be good! My brother and I will both be good, right, brother?" He looked to his brother for backup.

Da Zai nodded, looking at Lin Zhao with adoration in his eyes.

Er Zai immediately followed up, "So it’s a deal! If you lie, you’re a puppy!"

The clever little guy didn’t forget to seal the deal with his mother and even set a condition.

"Alright," Lin Zhao agreed with a smile.

Da Zai pursed his lips into a small smile as well.

Lin Zhao said with a beaming smile, "From now on, if you help me with chores, I’ll reward you two little men with nice things."

The two boys were already used to doing chores, so they were more than willing to trade their labor for rewards.

However...

"What are you going to reward us with, Mom?" Er Zai asked eagerly.

"It can be snacks or something useful. You can choose for yourselves when the time comes." Lin Zhao knew she wasn’t the type to endure hardship. ’Might as well train the kids to help.’

Er Zai thought that was a good deal, but he didn’t forget his brother. "Brother, what do you think?"

Da Zai nodded. "I think it’s a good idea."

’He and Er Zai already did chores anyway. He knew that Mom was just saying this because she wanted to be good to them.’

And just like that, the two little boys, who hadn’t even started preschool, had completely talked themselves into it.

Er Zai stared at the bag Lin Zhao had brought back and demanded with righteous confidence, "Mom, where are the meat buns? I’m hungry."

Lin Zhao reached for the bag, rummaged around inside, and pulled out two buns, handing one to each of her sons.

"Meat buns!" Er Zai exclaimed.

Da Zai was happy too, but being a more reserved child, he didn’t show his excitement. The only giveaway was his eyes, which looked so much like Lin Zhao’s, crinkling at the corners.

Er Zai had never had a meat bun before, and the fact that his mother had bought this one for him made it even more special. He remembered how all the villagers said their mother didn’t like them. An idea sparked in his mind, and he called out to Da Zai, "Brother, let’s go play outside."

As his twin brother, Da Zai knew exactly what Er Zai was plotting.

He also wanted to prove to everyone that their mother did like them.

So, after a quick word to Lin Zhao, he ran out of the house with Er Zai.

They ran all the way to the great banyan tree in the center of the village. The tree was two hundred years old, its roots and branches sprawling, a majestic and powerful presence.

Beneath the tree, a group of children were bent over, their butts in the air, as they hunted for cicada nymphs.