Chapter 41 - 15: "Heavenly Mother-in-Law

Chapter 41: Chapter 15: "Heavenly Mother-in-Law

"So is this change a good thing, or not?" Huang Xiulan asked her with a smile.

"Of course it’s a good thing. For the past few years, Da Zai and the others might as well have not had a mother. I’ve felt so bad for them. Having their own mother’s care is different. I just hope Third Sister-in-law has truly come to her senses," Zhao Liuniang said, genuinely hopeful.

The third son was the only one in the Gu Family with real prospects. She hoped he would continue to do well in the military so he could help her own children in the future. Therefore, she also hoped his little family would be alright. She knew his job was not one where he could afford to be distracted.

Huang Xiulan agreed with Zhao Liuniang. She said, "Third Sister-in-law married into the family when she was just a girl, and then she got pregnant and had kids so quickly. She probably just wasn’t used to it for the first few years. It’ll be fine once she adjusts."

Since they lived a good distance apart, even when Lin Zhao caused trouble, her two sisters-in-law were never on the receiving end. As a result, their impression of her had gradually improved over the years.

It was a classic case of absence making the heart grow fonder.

Ahem, although they weren’t *that* far apart.

Mother Gu put the bar of laundry soap away, her mood buoyed for the rest of the evening.

"How strange," Father Gu remarked drily.

"What do you know? This is the first thing our third son’s wife has ever given me. It’s precious!"

Father Gu: "..."

-

Da Zai and Er Zai had been the center of attention at the old family house, and better yet, they hadn’t run into their annoying aunt. The smiles never left their faces, even after they got home.

Lin Zhao was making underpants for Da Zai and Er Zai. She was making two pairs for each of them and was just finishing the last one.

"Mom!" Da Zai’s shout was full of joy.

The delight in his little voice was enough to melt anyone’s heart.

"What is it?"

Da Zai grabbed a small stool and sat down beside Lin Zhao. He tilted his head to look at her, thinking, ’Mom is so pretty.’

"Nothing. I’m just happy."

Lin Zhao smiled. "Oh, really? I’m happy, too."

"What are you happy about, Mom?" Er Zai sat down on his mother’s other side, resting his chin in his hands as he asked curiously.

"Because you’re being good. When you’re good, I’m happy," Lin Zhao said casually.

Da Zai said, "Then we’ll be good every day, so Mom can be happy every day."

"Okay," Lin Zhao said, playing along with her son. "I’ll be a good mom from now on and make you happy every day, too."

"But you’re already a good mom!" Da Zai gave a shy smile, but his eyes were completely serious. "Grandma said you were just a little girl yourself and didn’t know how to take care of kids yet. She said you would once you grew up. You’re all grown up now, so you know how to take care of me and my brother and sister. And we’ll take care of you, too."

Lin Zhao felt a complex emotion she couldn’t quite name. "Grandma told you all that?" she asked.

"Mhm," Da Zai nodded.

Lin Zhao was speechless. ’What a heavenly mother in law!’

’Da Zai and Er Zai don’t resent me, and they’re still so close to me. Half the credit for that belongs to my mother-in-law!’

’One bar of laundry soap wasn’t nearly enough!’

"How about I make fish with pickled greens later, okay?" Lin Zhao asked, finishing the last pair of little underpants and seeking her sons’ opinions.

"What’s ’fish with pickled greens’?" Er Zai’s wide eyes were filled with curiosity. He’d never had it before.

"Okay," Da Zai said. "Everything Mom makes is delicious!"

Hearing his older brother say that, Er Zai stopped asking questions and quickly chimed in, "Fish with pickled greens is fine! Everything Mom makes is delicious."

"I’m going to start dinner. You two rinse these little underpants and hang them out to dry. You can wear them tomorrow." Lin Zhao handed the four freshly made pairs of underpants to the two little boys.

Da Zai beamed. "We know!"

He took his little brother to go wash the underpants.

Lin Zhao went to the kitchen and started preparing the grass carp her mother and second brother had brought over. The fish was over two pounds, with plenty of meat—perfect for making fish with pickled greens.

The only problem was, they didn’t have any pickled greens at home.

’Not a big deal. Once Da Zai and Er Zai are done washing the underpants, I’ll send them to the old family house to ask for some.’

After Lin Zhao had prepared the fish, her good boys finished their washing and came to help. Da Zai tilted his little face up. "Mom, I can tend the fire."

"Not yet. You and Er Zai go to the old family house and ask for some pickled greens."

Da Zai loved helping his mother more than anything, so he immediately grabbed his little brother and headed for the old family house.

They ran the whole way, attracting the curiosity of the villagers they passed.

When they arrived at the old family house, Da Zai shouted, "Grandma!"

Normally, it would be Er Zai with such a loud voice. So when Da Zai yelled like that, Mother Gu thought something was wrong. She quickly wiped her wet hands and rushed out of the kitchen.

"What’s wrong?"

"Grandma, my mom is making fish with pickled greens, and she sent me to ask for some," Da Zai said.

Mother Gu let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, you need pickled greens? We have plenty. Grandma will get some for you."

As she spoke, she turned, went into the kitchen, and filled a bowl to the brim.

「Outside.」

Tie Dan was drooling as he sidled up to Er Zai. "Er Zai, is your mom making fish for you?"

"Uh-huh." Er Zai loved to share, so he explained, "My second uncle on Mom’s side gave us a fish."

He spread his arms wide to show how big it was. "It was *this* long! My mom said she’s making fish with pickled greens. I’ve never had it before, but everything my mom makes is delicious, so I’m sure the fish with pickled greens will be super, super delicious!"