Chapter 6 - 3: Mother Has Changed

Chapter 6: Chapter 3: Mother Has Changed

"Big Brother, you’re so dirty," Er Zai, the one with the big mouth, chirped. His words were blunt and painfully honest.

Da Zai’s face flushed red.

He instinctively glanced toward Lin Zhao’s door. Hearing no sound from within, he relaxed, relieved that his mother probably hadn’t heard Er Zai’s comment.

"You’re dirty too. We’ll be fine once we’re clean," Da Zai said, carefully preserving his dignity as the older brother.

Er Zai, who always listened to his big brother, nodded. "You’re right."

He added cheerfully, "Once we’re washed, we’ll be clean little kids!"

Da Zai hummed in agreement.

Inside the room, Lin Zhao had only been sitting for a moment when Er Zai’s loud voice rang out. "Mom!"

"..." ’Don’t call for Mom, call for your dad,’ Lin Zhao thought. But there was nothing for it; the children’s father was away defending the country.

As she walked toward the door, the mysterious prize wheel followed her. Lin Zhao stopped and studied it, poking and tapping at the display. Finally, in a corner, she found a setting: ’Go invisible when not in use.’

Once the setting was activated, she opened the door.

The two little ones were standing stark naked in the washtub.

At only five years old, the boys were at an age without shame. They didn’t know the meaning of embarrassment and were even grinning widely.

"Mom, we’re all clean! Do you want to check?" Er Zai shouted.

He didn’t like baths, but he had to admit it felt pretty good afterward.

"No need for an inspection. You two wait here, I’ll go get your clothes," Lin Zhao said, heading for the children’s room. The weather was hot, so it was fine for them to be shirtless for a bit.

She opened the small wardrobe. There were pitifully few clothes inside, all piled in a messy heap. No one had taught the children how to fold, so they didn’t know how. Every piece of clothing was covered in large patches. Thankfully, they were reasonably clean—Da Zai’s grandmother must have washed them.

Lin Zhao took out two undershirts and two small pairs of shorts. She looked for underwear but couldn’t find any. ’I’ll have to get some fabric tomorrow and make a few pairs for the kids,’ she decided. ’They need new clothes, too. It’s not like the family is short on cash and tickets.’

She brought the clothes out to the courtyard.

The two boys had known how to dress themselves since they were three and didn’t need any help from Lin Zhao.

Da Zai finished dressing, tugged the hem of his shirt straight, and looked up at Lin Zhao with a shy, expectant smile.

"Mom, we’re clean now."

Lin Zhao praised him casually, "Da Zai is a clean and handsome little boy now."

The children of the Gu Family, especially those of the third branch, were all undeniably good-looking. It couldn’t be helped. Both their mother and father were exceptionally attractive people who would stand out in any crowd.

Er Zai stood beside his brother, stretching up on his tiptoes to make himself taller. He blinked his big eyes. "Mom, what about me? What about me?"

Not quite understanding Er Zai’s strange competitive streak, Lin Zhao smiled. "You’re a clean and handsome little boy, too."

Er Zai was so proud he looked like he was about to wag a tail. He said matter-of-factly, "My big brother and I look the same. If he’s clean and handsome, then of course I am too."

He finished with a grin, "We’re both clean and handsome little boys."

Lin Zhao replied without thinking, "It’s not enough to be clean and handsome for just one day. You have to be like this every day from now on, understand?"

Da Zai’s lips moved. He wanted to ask, ’If we’re clean and handsome, will Mom like us?’ But he didn’t dare.

Er Zai, on the other hand, sidled up to Lin Zhao and cleverly made a demand. "If Mom buys us meat buns every day, we’ll wash up until we’re sparkling clean every day."

’You’re not getting clean for my sake,’ Lin Zhao thought. But before she could say anything, Da Zai was already lecturing his younger brother with a serious expression. "Er Zai, eating meat buns every day is way too expensive! Once a month is enough."

After he spoke, he looked at Lin Zhao anxiously. "Mom, is the money Dad sends enough to buy meat buns?" He was worried it wouldn’t be enough.

Er Zai also looked at his mother, worried.

’These two worry way too much,’ Lin Zhao thought. "It’s enough."

She was afraid the children would run their mouths outside, so she didn’t tell them that the family had more than enough money to eat and drink very well.

The two little boys relaxed, their eyes sparkling with happiness.

The whistle for the production brigade’s work call sounded.

"WHEEE— WHEEE—!" It grew louder and louder as it echoed from the distance.

Da Zai and Er Zai were diligent little boys. Though still small, they weren’t lazy like their mother. They gathered firewood, dug for wild vegetables, and foraged for wild fruit... their days were always busy.

Previously, when Lin Zhao paid the twins no mind, the two little brothers would carry their younger siblings around everywhere. The other children from the Gu Family’s old house would also help look after the two youngest, their little brother and sister.

"Big Brother, I’ll go get Third Child and Fourth Child! You get the baskets," Er Zai yelled to Da Zai, then dashed into the room.

A moment later, two tiny, whiny voices could be heard from inside.

"Mean!"

"Mean... bwuh-ther."

Er Zai laughed triumphantly. "Whose fault is it that you two wouldn’t get up? Hurry, or I’m leaving without you."

As he spoke, he made a show of turning to leave.

The boy-and-girl twins were just toddlers, only recently having learned to walk. They spoke one word at a time and couldn’t understand threats, real or not. Seeing their older brother about to leave made them panic. They scrambled to slide off the bed, and their two little heads bumped together with a THUNK. Seemingly stunned, the two little ones just stared at each other, rubbing their sore spots and babbling something. Whatever it was, Er Zai couldn’t understand a word of it.