Chapter 40 - 14: It’s Her! It’s Her

Chapter 40: Chapter 14: It’s Her! It’s Her

She took the lead and started walking.

"Mother," Lin Zhao called out.

Hearing this, Mother Gu—and this was no exaggeration—froze stiff. Even her heart seemed to slow a few beats.

"Third daughter-in-law, your father and I have already scolded Xing’er. It was completely out of line for her, an elder, to lay a hand on the younger generation. Your father and I will absolutely stop indulging her. We’ll be sure to discipline her properly from now on. Please, don’t be angry," she said hurriedly.

Huang Xiulan’s heart ached for her mother-in-law. At her age, she still had to bow her head to her own daughter-in-law because of her troublesome daughter.

’Gu Xing’er is truly heartless.’

Lin Zhao paused, then simply replied, "Oh."

On this topic, she couldn’t resist adding a few more words. "It’s enough that you and Father are aware of the situation. Gu Xing’er isn’t a child anymore. When she acts out like this, she’s dragging the Gu Family’s reputation down with her."

Mother Gu knew she was right, of course, but... it was difficult.

"Mother, I want to take Da Zai and Er Zai to see my father tomorrow. Can you watch Third Child and Fourth Child for me? I’ll have Da Zai bring you their provisions in a bit," Lin Zhao said directly.

"Fine," Mother Gu agreed without hesitation.

In this respect, Mother Gu was better than any other mother-in-law in the brigade. She had personally cared for each of her daughters-in-law after they gave birth, and she never refused to help look after the children.

"Sorry to trouble you, Mother."

It was rare for Mother Gu to hear such gentle words from Lin Zhao, and a flood of emotions washed over her.

"What trouble is it to look after my own grandchildren? The old house is full of people; there are more than enough of us to watch them."

Even if Sister In Law Gu and Second Sister In Law Gu had their own petty considerations, they weren’t cruel people. Watching the children was a small matter, and since Lin Zhao was even providing their food, it was no problem at all. They both offered some pleasantries.

"Don’t you worry, Third Sister-in-law. I’ll have Tie Dan watch his little cousins," Huang Xiulan said with a smile.

She was the wife of the eldest Gu son, and a magnanimous person besides. As long as no one was trying to take endless advantage of her, she didn’t fuss over minor things.

Zhao Liuniang added, "That’s right. I’ll have Bangbang help out, too."

’The post-awakening Lin Zhao couldn’t help but think she’d really hit the jackpot with her in-laws.’

"Thank you, Sister In Law Gu, Second Sister In Law Gu."

Lin Zhao led her four children home. After hanging up the clothes Da Zai and Er Zai had washed, she went inside to prepare the provisions for Third Child and Fourth Child to take to the Gu Family’s old house the next day.

There wasn’t much malted milk powder left, so she decided to pack it all. She added a large handful of orange candies from the supply co-op and five sesame crisps. That should be about right.

"Mom, you’re so good to Third Child and Fourth Child," Er Zai said, his voice full of envy.

When he and his older brother went to the old house, their mother never prepared anything for them.

Da Zai’s eyes fell, and his head drooped like a little lost puppy.

Lin Zhao pulled the two boys into a hug, her voice gentle. "From now on, I’ll prepare things for you two as well!"

Da Zai was a very easy child to soothe. Nestled in his mother’s embrace, he completely forgot about his earlier disappointment. His happy little heart thumped away. ’Mom smells so nice (★?★)’.

"Okay."

Er Zai hugged his mother proactively. "I like it when you hug me, Mom."

The little boy’s voice was soft, innocent, and clear.

Lin Zhao lowered her gaze, her tone warm. "Then from now on, I’ll hug you more often."

The two boys grinned.

Lin Zhao handed the prepared items to Da Zai and Er Zai with instructions. "Give the bar of laundry soap to your grandma and tell her it’s a thank-you gift. As for the candy and sesame crisps, you two share them with Tie Chui and the others."

Da Zai tried to suppress the smile tugging at his lips, but it was no use. "Okay."

The two boys had just stepped out the door when Lin Zhao remembered something and called after them, "Stay away from your aunt!"

Er Zai shouted back, "Me and my brother know! If our aunt bullies us, I’ll call for Grandma!"

Next door, Wang Chunhua overheard Er Zai and couldn’t help but laugh.

’What a sharp kid that Er Zai is.’

「At the Gu Family’s old house.」

When Mother Gu first heard that her third daughter-in-law had sent a thank-you gift, she glanced in the direction of the setting sun. Yep, it was still setting in the west, alright.

"Your mother told you to bring this?" she asked, her expression complex.

"My mom said it was a thank-you gift for Grandma," Da Zai affirmed.

Er Zai, who was in the middle of handing out candy to his older cousins, nodded along. "My brother remembered it right. That’s exactly what Mom said."

Bangbang unwrapped a piece of candy, popped it in his mouth, and gave it a loud suck. "Did your mom really say to share the candy with us, too?" he asked.

"Yes! My mom told my brother and me to share it with all of you!" Er Zai announced proudly.

It was the first time in his life he had ever gotten to hand out candy to his cousins at the old house. Seeing how happy they all were felt really good.

Bangbang laughed. "Third Aunt is so generous."

Tie Chui smiled simply. "Third Aunt is great."

Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang stood under the eaves, watching the scene unfold, a whirlwind of emotions in their own hearts.

"I don’t know," Zhao Liuniang muttered, "but I feel like our third sister-in-law has become a completely different person."