The mother of the era is reborn to support her cannon fodder children!

Chapter 371 "It's Some Kind of Hint"

With a shout from the children, the New Year's bell rang.

Gu Chenghuai stayed at home this year, and he did all the trivial things before the Lunar New Year.

A thorough house cleaning, washing clothes, feeding the pets, taking care of the children, helping out at the old house... all these are tasks, not too strenuous, but there's just no stopping them.

Lin Zhao had some free time, so she listened to the radio, read books, and drew some simple sketches every day. She hadn't felt this comfortable in a long time.

That day, Gu Chenghuai returned from the old house. Lin Zhao was sitting at her desk replying to Xu Ying's letter. He stood at the door, leaning against it, and stared at Lin Zhao for a while. Only after she put the letter she had written into the envelope did he walk over and hug her from behind.

Lin Zhao turned her head, her soft lips brushing against the man's handsome face, which was slightly cold.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

"Wife, I'm sorry, you've suffered so much all these years." Gu Chenghuai's eyes stung, and the guilt and heartache welling up from the bottom of his heart almost overwhelmed him.

"Hmm?" Lin Zhao asked, puzzled. "Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

She gently cupped Gu Chenghuai's face in her hands.

Her gaze swept over his handsome eyebrows, straight nose, and sexy lips... her eyes were filled with love.

“I just feel there’s so much work to do at home. I couldn’t help you in the past few years, and you had to work so hard all by yourself…” Gu Chenghuai tightened his arm slightly, his voice filled with heartache, “I owe you something that I can never repay in my lifetime.”

“I wasn’t there when you gave birth to Qianbao and Yaobao. I’m really not a good husband…”

Lin Zhao raised her index finger and pressed it against Gu Chenghuai's lips, saying disapprovingly, "That's not how it works. I think you're great, the best husband."

She stroked Gu Chenghuai's spiky short hair and laughed, "When have I ever complained to you about being wronged? It doesn't mean I'm not tired. This little bit of work is nothing. My older sister, brother, and sister-in-law come to help from time to time. I haven't picked up a single piece of firewood since I married you. I only have to take care of the children and cook. It's really not tiring."

Lin Zhao looked at the dampness on Gu Chenghuai's black eyelashes and couldn't help but laugh and cry. "No wonder you've been acting strange these past two days, like you've been holding something in your mind. Turns out you're worried about me."

She tilted her head back and kissed Gu Chenghuai's lips, continuing, "If that's how you feel, shouldn't I also feel sorry for you? You've shed so much sweat and have so many scars all over your body so that I and the children can have a better life. It's been so hard and dangerous for you, I..."

Before she could finish speaking, Gu Chenghuai leaned down and sealed her lips with his, pressing them together for a few seconds before gently and teasingly sucking on them as he pulled away.

A "pop!" sound rang out.

Gu Chenghuai gently touched her forehead, "I don't feel tired. Just thinking about you at home gives me strength."

“Me too.” Lin Zhao’s eyes were firm. “Gu Chenghuai, my heart is the same as yours. Sometimes I miss you so much that I feel like I can’t hold on anymore, but when I think about you working hard for our future, I feel full of energy.”

Gu Chenghuai hugged his wife tightly, crying, "Wife, wife..."

He called out, and Lin Zhao responded, her eyes smiling, her voice soft and gentle, "I'm here, I'm here."

"Wife, you are so good, it's so good to have met you." Gu Chenghuai thought about the chaos in the homes of some of his comrades and felt even more that his wife was good. He had to treat his wife even better and not let anyone steal her away.

Lin Zhao put her arms around his neck, her smile warm, "You too."

Half of her confidence and radiance came from Gu Chenghuai. He treated her like a pampered young lady, offering her everything that city girls had, fulfilling his promise to treat her well.

"Boom boom boom!"

There was a knock on the door.

The couple, who had been embracing, let go of each other.

"An annoying and superfluous brat," Gu Chenghuai muttered under his breath.

Lin Zhao patted his chest, "You have to bear the consequences of your own actions, don't keep complaining."

"It's their fault for always showing up at crucial moments." Disappointment flashed in Gu Chenghuai's eyes.

The atmosphere was so nice just now, I almost got a kiss from Zhao Zhao.

Lin Zhao glared at him and went to open the door.

Yu Bao and Heng Bao stood respectfully outside the door.

"What's up, honey?" Lin Zhao asked in a light tone.

“Call my dad to put up the couplets,” Yu Bao said, glancing into the house.

Her eyes lit up when she saw Gu Chenghuai. "Dad, should we put up the couplets now?"

"Go get the things, you two help Dad," Gu Chenghuai said.

"Okay!" Yu Bao replied happily, pulling Heng Bao to get the things.

As for the twins, they were led by Dahuang and Hupo, playing with the little golden monkey dressed in tiny clothes.

Worried that Zhao Zhao might be bored in the room, Gu Chenghuai held her warm hand and asked inquiringly, "Do you want to go see?"

"Okay." Lin Zhao was just about to join in the fun.

Once the couplets are pasted up, there's nothing else important to do.

We'll have our New Year's Eve dinner at the old house tonight.

Gu Chenghuai took Lin Zhao's hat and scarf from the clothes rack and gently put them on her.

Happiness spreads.

Her husband is a very gentle person.

Lin Zhao felt a surge of emotion.

Gu Chenghuai has a fiery temper and doesn't seem to feel the cold even in the dead of winter. He only wears a sweater and goes out like that.

The black sweater had a casual feel to it, softening the coldness and decisiveness that surrounded him, as if every sharp edge had softened.

A family of six went out and ran into their neighbor who was putting up couplets.

Wang Jiagang has just finished his work.

The dusty gray door frame was adorned with bright red couplets, giving it a festive look.

The aroma of meat wafts from someone's house, children are playing and adults are laughing, the festive atmosphere is strong.

"Chenghuai is putting up couplets this year," Wang Chunhua greeted Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao, with a hot water bottle in her hand, smiled and nodded, "Now that we're back, we should participate in all aspects."

Wang Chunhua chimed in, "We should definitely participate."

This family rarely had such an opportunity to spend time together, so she didn't disturb them too much. She exchanged a few pleasantries with Lin Zhao and then told her family to go home.

The snow on the roof hadn't melted yet, but the sun was already out.

Gu Chenghuai worked quickly and pasted up the couplets in no time.

"Alright, is it neat and tidy?" He jumped off the stool, took a look, and nodded in satisfaction.

Lin Zhao smiled, pursing her lips.

Yu Bao and Heng Bao both inherited their obsessive-compulsive disorder from him.

After finishing their chores, the family went to the old house.

When they arrived, Gu's mother, Huang Xiulan, and Zhao Liuniang were busy in the kitchen.

The aroma of the food wafted out, making one's mouth water.

Lin Zhao walked towards the kitchen, pushed open the door, and looked around. The three women—mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and mother-in-law—were all busy with their own tasks.

"Mother, eldest sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, do you need my help?"

Gu's mother glanced at her and said, "Third son's wife is dressed more elegantly than the girls in the city. Whatever work you're doing, just do it and don't get your clothes dirty."

"There's no room left, you can play by yourself," she said dismissively.

Huang Xiulan laughed and said, "Why are you being so formal? We're clearly not here to work, yet we came specifically to ask. Don't worry, Third Sister-in-law, we won't mind if you don't say anything."

Zhao Liuniang couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Third sister-in-law is a respectable person. Whether she does it or not is another matter, but asking is just polite, right?"

She looked at Lin Zhao with a mischievous grin. "Yes," Lin Zhao said with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work, Mother and sisters-in-law. I brought you New Year's gifts, a box of face cream for each of you."

She took out three round boxes with pictures of pretty ladies printed on them from the pocket of her wool coat.

"Oh, sister-in-law, look at us! We're the ones who benefited. We just cooked a meal, and my third sister-in-law gave us face cream. From now on, we should just cook all the New Year's Eve dinners. My third sister-in-law really knows how to please people. This gift is just what I wanted," Zhao Liuniang said half-jokingly.

Huang Xiulan chuckled and joked, "If your third sister-in-law doesn't send it off, you won't do it?"

“No, I need to eat too. What will we do if we don’t cook?” Zhao Liuniang replied.

The three women—mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and mother-in-law—hadn't thought much of it to begin with, and were even less concerned when they saw the face cream.

What's the big deal about cooking a meal? You get a free face cream, it's worth it!!!
Even the poorest family in the village has a meat dish for their New Year's Eve dinner, while the Gu family, who are the wealthiest, have an even better New Year's Eve dinner, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, both hot and cold, a whole table full of dishes.

The adults, who had worked hard all year, were very proud, and the children were very happy.

Before everyone sat down at the table, Mr. Gu took the opportunity to ask his wife a question.

"Have you managed to prepare any food?! Over there..."

He was referring to Old Master Qiao's place.

"It's been separated. I'll have the second son deliver it later!" Mother Gu knew what he meant.

"That's good!" Mr. Gu smiled.

The people living at the foot of the mountain in Fengshou Brigade lived a relatively peaceful life. Although they had to work, at least the brigade leader wasn't a troublemaker, which was already considered a favor from the brigade.

Everyone was grateful that they had been sent here.

"I know you too well!" Gu's mother glared at her husband. "Even if you don't eat, you have to make sure your benefactor has a good meal. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten. I've saved a lot, and it's all keeping warm in the pot. I guarantee your benefactor will have a hot meal."

Following the example he had seen in the play, Gu's father bowed to his wife.

Gu's mother shuddered, and a flick of her wrist landed on his forehead. "Damn it, get off my man's body right now, or I'll have a Taoist priest exorcise you!!"

"...!"

This scene was witnessed by Lin Zhao and the others, and bursts of laughter erupted from one after another.

Mother Gu was too embarrassed to scold them; she felt so awkward that she wanted to carry the train away and didn't return until a while later.

Lin Zhao and the others tacitly skipped over this matter, but in reality, they were holding it in and their chests ached.

Gu Chenghuai gently patted Lin Zhao's back, afraid that she would feel her ribs cramp from holding it in.

After the lively New Year's Eve dinner, the adults sat in groups, some chatting, some listening to the radio, some playing cards...

The children were in another room, and loud laughter could be heard from time to time.

The twins didn't stay up too late; they were drowsy before 10 p.m., nodding their heads, and soon collapsed onto the bed, holding each other's hands as they fell asleep.

Alan covered them with blankets and stayed by their side.

Yu Bao and Heng Bao stayed up past 11 o'clock on New Year's Eve, yawning repeatedly, and both were quite sleepy and drowsy.

Finally, after midnight, we parted ways.

Those who were asleep were carried back, while those who were awake were dragged away.

Huang Xiulan yawned and poked Tiedan's head, "You have to stay up all night. I'm so sleepy. Don't do this next year. Just do it as a formality."

Tie Dan covered his head. "It's definitely not going to happen next year. This is a rare opportunity for the whole family to get together. Why are you singled out me, Mom? My sister and Li Bao agreed too. The eldest daughter is a treasure, the youngest son is a treasure, and I'm just a weed stuck in the middle? You're so biased!"

"Shut up! If you say another word, I'll seal your mouth shut with the leftover paste when we get back! You're so noisy!" Huang Xiulan found him annoying.

Tie Dan sang: "Little cabbage, yellow in the field..."

He didn't dare sing the next song because he was afraid his legs would be cut off and he would be beaten by his parents.

"Brother, I'm not being biased. I'll share the candy with you when we get back." Li Bao smiled innocently, comforting her brother, and added, "The same amount of candy as my sister."

Gu Lan held Li Bao's hand and said gently, "I don't like candy. You can save it up and eat one when you crave it."

Li Bao shook his head. "Third Aunt said that no one doesn't like sweets. I know my sister wants to save them for me, but I want to share with her. A good brother is one who knows how to share. I want to be a good brother."

Gu Lan felt a warmth in her heart, "You are already the best younger brother in my heart."

Seeing his younger brother's insistence, he said seriously, "Okay, I want your candy."

At worst, she could save it up and give it to her brother every now and then after he finished eating his food.

She's grown up now and doesn't crave candy as much anymore.

This is also because the Gu family had a good life. There was no shortage of candy and snacks in the old house. When the old couple saw their grandchildren, they would always give them candy. The children could satisfy their cravings from time to time, so they were not so greedy.

Li Bao's face lit up with a bright smile. "Mm."

The second wife lives in the old house, which is the most convenient place. She can go back to her room and lie down without having to walk that short distance.

Holding Yu'er, Zhao Liuniang tucked the blanket around her daughter and said, "Living in the old house is quite nice..."

Gu Yucheng took off his clothes and said, "It's good to begin with. This courtyard is made of solid materials and can be lived in for decades without any problems. There are also many houses, and my parents can help out at home. It's much better than moving out."

He snuggled into the warm bed, let out a long sigh, and lay up straight. "It's so warm. Life is getting better and better."

The quilt is made of freshly fluffed cotton; how could it not be beautiful?
Zhao Liuniang pulled the blanket up to her neck, leaving only her head sticking out. "I'm so lucky. I was blind and couldn't see clearly the first time I was reincarnated, but I was reincarnated into a good family the second time."

Gu Yucheng's tail was practically sticking up to the sky.

But then his wife continued, "What incredible luck to have a mother-in-law like my mother and sisters-in-law like my sister-in-law and my third brother's wife! I'm so lucky, I'm envious."

Gu Yucheng looked confused.

"?"

So it has nothing to do with him?

...

Lin Zhao and Gu Chenghuai took the children home, put them on the bed, covered them with blankets, and soaked their feet before lying down.

When Gu Chenghuai returned after emptying the foot bath water and locking the door, he saw the beauty on the bed lightly lifting the blanket and patting the bed.

This was seen as a hint by Deputy Regiment Commander Gu.

After taking off all his clothes in a few seconds, the man pounced on Lin Zhao, slipped under the covers, and pressed himself against her.

He kissed her lips, her fair and beautiful swan neck, and then... excessively downwards...

Lin Zhao: "...?!!"

Gu Chenghuai closed her eyes with his palm to make her concentrate; his panting made her legs inexplicably weak.

"Honey, I want to spend New Year's Eve with you...!!"

As his hand moved, the two words he uttered seemed to take on a different flavor.

"Zhaozhao, I love you." The deep voice in her ear was firm and powerful, but the actions were decisive.

Lin Zhao felt a tingling sensation in her tailbone, and her skin was forced to break out in a thin layer of sweat.

She clung to Gu Chenghuai's neck, her fingernails leaving marks on his firm back, and met his gaze, her breathing becoming even heavier.
-
Lin Zhao woke up late again.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw a transparent bottle on the bedside table with a few bright red plum blossoms in it.

A smile played on her lips, and a wave of sweetness washed over her.

She sat up halfway, put on the shawl that Gu Chenghuai had specially placed by her pillow, casually draped it over her body, and leaned forward to smell the red plum blossoms.

It smells so good.

(End of this chapter)