Chapter 59 - 21: "Zhaozhao, Be Reasonable

Chapter 59: Chapter 21: "Zhaozhao, Be Reasonable

"Mom, you don’t know how?" Er Zai’s face was filled with disbelief, as if something precious had just shattered.

Lin Zhao nodded calmly. "...I never knew how."

She pinched Er Zai’s cheek and gently pulled. "Not many high school students know how to make a camera."

’They don’t teach that in high school.’

Er Zai’s expression turned serious. "Then what do we do?"

"Study hard, get into a university, and you’ll have brilliant professors to teach you," Lin Zhao said cheerfully.

And just like that, Er Zai had his first life goal.

The five-year-old grinned, his voice full of excitement. "I’m going to get into a university and build cameras! I’ll give one to Mom, one to my brother, one to Grandpa and Grandma, one to Tie Chui—one for every single one of us!"

Lin Zhao was silent for a moment, then said, "You can do it."

"Uh-huh, uh-huh." Er Zai nodded his head rapidly.

Seeing that his younger brother now had a goal while he still didn’t, Da Zai’s little face scrunched up.

The expression on his face couldn’t have been easier to read.

"You’re still just a little boy. Don’t think about it too much for now. You’ll figure it out once you start school," Lin Zhao gently comforted him, stroking her older son’s bristly, shaved head.

Da Zai was a sensitive and thoughtful child, but he was also obedient. Hearing her words, he stopped overthinking it, and his expression relaxed.

Just then, a server called for Lin Zhao to pick up her order.

She had her two sons save their seats while she went to get the food.

The food at the state-run restaurant wasn’t exactly top-tier gourmet, but they were generous with the ingredients and the portions were large.

The three of them shared a bowl of shredded pork noodles, but after just a few bites of the other two dishes, their stomachs were already stuffed.

Fortunately, Lin Zhao had come prepared. She always carried food containers with her. She packed the barely-touched braised pork with glass noodles into one container and the radish and bone soup into another, then led her two sons out.

"Dinner’s taken care of. We can just heat these up and eat them when we get back."

Er Zai proactively took a food container from his mom, saying sweetly, "Cooking is tiring. Mom should take a day off."

Da Zai readily agreed. "Mom’s been cooking for several days in a row. It’s very tiring. When we get back, Er Zai and I will heat up the food. Mom can rest."

Lin Zhao was visibly moved.

What was it like having two sons who were this sweet?

’It’s heartwarming! So heartwarming!’

’They were her two little, extra-thick padded jackets.’

"Okay, then I’ll be counting on you two little men."

Da Zai was happy to do something for his mother. "It’s not hard at all! I like helping Mom."

"You’re truly Mommy’s good boy." Lin Zhao took the initiative to hold Da Zai’s hand.

Da Zai stared at the hand his mom was holding, his smile growing even brighter.

’Mom’s hand is so soft. I love it when she holds my hand.’

Seeing this, Er Zai went to Lin Zhao’s other side and took her other hand. The corners of his lips curled up in a smile that was exceptionally pure and bright.

Lin Zhao glanced at the sun, estimating the time. Figuring it was about right, she took her two boys to the post office.

「Twelve o’clock.」

Gu Chenghuai’s call came right on schedule.

Lin Zhao answered the phone. Her slender, pale fingers curled slightly as she heard a deep, pleasant male voice say, "Comrade Lin."

The familiar voice traveled through the line to her ear, sounding a little distant, yet also novel.

This was the first time Lin Zhao had ever spoken to Gu Chenghuai on the phone.

"It’s me, Comrade Gu," she said, imitating his formal tone with a straight face.

An imperceptible smile touched Gu Chenghuai’s deep, dark eyes.

He got straight to the point:

"There’s a salesclerk position at the supply and marketing cooperative. It’s basically secured, but you’ll need to go through the formalities. Find some time to make a trip over..."

Before he could finish, Lin Zhao cut her husband off in astonishment. "A job?"

’A salesclerk at the supply and marketing cooperative?!’

’It felt like a giant pie had fallen from the sky and landed right on her head.’

Hearing the confusion in his wife’s voice, Gu Chenghuai immediately guessed she had forgotten what she’d written in her letter. A sense of helplessness appeared in his eyes as he explained, "Didn’t you say you wanted a job? You don’t want it anymore?"

As he spoke, his tense body relaxed, and he leaned against the counter.

Lin Zhao tried to recall her mood when she wrote the letter. She had been furious at the time and had written down anything and everything that came to mind, filling several pages. Afterward, she’d gnawed on a braised chicken leg and hadn’t bothered to check it over. ’Did I mention wanting a job? It’s possible.’

"I want it!"

"Gu Xing’er said I’m a freeloader, that I’m leeching off you. I want a job. Once I’m working, I can support myself and the four kids."

Gu Chenghuai’s handsome brows furrowed slightly. "Then what am I for?"

Lin Zhao pursed her lips and fell silent.

"Don’t take it out on me," Gu Chenghuai said, a hint of helplessness in his voice.

Lin Zhao’s hand tightened on the receiver. "She’s your sister," she said unhappily. "You were born from the same mother."

"You said it yourself—she’s my sister. Just my sister." Gu Chenghuai pinched the bridge of his nose and said in a low voice, "You can’t punish me for her mistakes. Zhaozhao, be reasonable."

His voice was already superb, but it was even more captivating when he deliberately lowered it.

Lin Zhao’s fair ears burned. ’This guy is teasing me on purpose again.’