Chapter 27 "The Sky Collapsed" (with additional content)

The eldest cub quietly looked towards the door. It was quiet there. The third and fourth cubs were not awake yet. He breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Second cub and I should go out to eat?" He spoke in a low voice.

He was not exaggerating, the twins had indeed been making a fuss these past few days, and it was not their fault. Everyone else had meat to eat except them, so they could only drink malted milk. The little ones must be feeling so aggrieved.

"Go ahead." Lin Zhao waved his hand, "Don't forget to share it with the little friends who helped you dig it."

"I know." Erzai's voice sounded happy.

Just as he finished laughing, his brother scolded him, "Keep your voice down, the third and fourth cubs are still asleep."

The second cub covered his mouth with his hand.

The eldest and second cubs took out a bowl full of fried cicada monkeys and generously shared it with the other children. Tieniu, Yuanbao and the others were very happy.

"Big boy, little boy, from now on you are my brothers, real brothers!" Yuanbao said loudly with greasy lips.

Tie Niu came close to Erzai and said even louder, "Erzai, you and I are best friends!"

The other kids also came up and started to spout all kinds of cheesy words.

"Big boy, I want to be your best friend in the whole team."

"Second son, I'll fight you!"

…

The eldest and second cubs instantly became the kings of kids, the kind that everyone obeyed when they gave their orders.

The two brothers laughed so hard that their eyes curved.

That night.

The people in the Gu family's old house were savoring today's meat and soda.

Huang Xiulan wiped the mat with a wet towel and reminded Gu Yuanshan, "Don't forget to fetch water for the third room tomorrow morning."

Thinking of her daughter's happy expression when she received the lunch box, she felt that the gift from her third brother's wife really touched her heart.

Gu Yuanshan said, "I remember it."

Tiedan touched his full stomach and said with emotion: "It would be great if I could eat meat every day."

Huang Xiulan slapped the brat to the other side and continued to wipe the mat, "You think you are a city person, and you eat meat every day, you are so beautiful."

Gu Yuanshan: "People in the city don't eat meat every day. It's good enough if they can eat it once a month."

Tiedan sighed, "That's much better than what we have here. At least I can eat meat for once. The last time I ate meat was three months ago."

Tiechui smiled innocently, "No, it's not me. Third Aunt invited me to eat dumplings."

Huang Xiulan touched her second son's face and said to her eldest son, "Other families in the village can only eat once every six months. Our family is pretty good. Don't be ungrateful, boy."

Tiedan was speechless.

Mother Gu and Father Gu were also talking in a low voice.

"The third daughter-in-law brought some cloth today and asked the second daughter-in-law to make me an autumn shirt, saying it was a thank you gift for taking care of my four children. They are my own grandchildren, so why should I give them a thank you gift..."

Father Gu is a Buddhist. He thinks that if the younger generation gives you something, you should accept it. If they don’t give you anything, he won’t complain. “If she gives you something, you should accept it.”

"I know, I'm just telling you. Don't tell me, when I heard what she said today, I felt so heartbroken." Mother Gu felt indescribably comforted.

Father Gu shook his head and smiled.

Second bedroom.

Zhao Liuniang lit a lamp and made autumn clothes for her mother-in-law.

Gu Yucheng was worried that his wife would damage her eyesight, "Let's do it during the day. Go to sleep first. There's no rush to wear autumn clothes."

"I'm not sleepy." Zhao Liuniang didn't even raise her head, with a smile on her face, "Finish it for mother. The remaining fabric can be used to make a pair of pants for our Yuyu. I feel full of energy."

Gu Yucheng had no choice but to turn up the light and sit with her.

"What are you doing? Go to sleep first. You have to get up early tomorrow morning. I'll go to sleep later." Zhao Liuniang looked at him disapprovingly.

"I'm not sleepy either." Gu Yucheng smiled.

Zhao Liuniang gave the man a blank look, but a sweet feeling welled up in her heart, and she quickened her sewing speed.

She just wants a considerate man to live her life. Her husband doesn't earn as much money as the third son, but he respects her, treats her well, and takes care of the family, so she is very satisfied.

And a house at the entrance of the village.

Second Aunt Gu felt like the sky was falling and she could never be happy again.

She glared at the sleeping man, gritting her teeth in anger. She wished she could kick the dead man away and kill Gu Xing'er from the next room.

What a bunch of bastards they are, always making things difficult for her!

Second Aunt Gu's resentment was so deep that it could give birth to ten thousand evil sword immortals. Second Uncle Gu felt a chill all over his body, slowly opened his eyes, and met her angry gaze.

Uncle Gu sat up hurriedly, his face full of mat marks, his eyes puzzled, "What's wrong? Did I offend you?"

offend?

It's more than just an offense!

Aunt Gu pinched him hard and cursed angrily, "You still ask me what's wrong?"

"Why did you agree to let Gu Xing'er stay?"

Uncle Gu didn't think there was anything wrong with it, and said, "Just let them stay. Yuanshan Yucheng and his wife have brought their bedding with them. How can I kick them out? Besides, mother has agreed."

Mrs. Gu felt her head swell with anger, and she gritted her teeth and said, "She took up a room in our house!!"

"It won't take many years. She will be married in a few years." said Uncle Gu.

"She's a troublemaker. You let her in because you think our life is too good, right?" Second Sister Gu roared in a suppressed voice, "Even her own parents dislike her, but you are so kind that you bring anyone home. Is your brain full of shit?"

Uncle Gu frowned, "Just talk, don't curse."

"Not only do I scold you, I also hit you." As she spoke, she pinched him several times.

Second Uncle Gu hid aside and said, "She has moved in now. You can strangle me to death. She has also moved in. Just accept it and give it a try. She also lived in our house before. Besides, it's not like my eldest brother and his wife didn't give me food."

It was precisely because Gu Xing'er had lived at home that Second Aunt Gu was unwilling to let her come.

That girl was shameless and took advantage of everything, but her mother-in-law still protected her. She couldn't scold or hit her, and she felt aggrieved when she thought about it.

"I don't care about that ration." It's true that he cares about it, but it's not worth it at all.

Seeing that his wife couldn't accept it, Uncle Gu yawned and said, "Let her stay for a few days. If you really can't accept it, I'll find a way to send her back."

"That's what you said!" Aunt Gu took it seriously.

"I'm the one who said it. Go to sleep. You're so sleepy." Uncle Gu fell asleep immediately.

Second Aunt Gu spat in the direction of the house next door where Gu Xing'er lived, then lay down.

-

Around the circular light of the kerosene lamp, the moths performed a circular dance.

Under the dim light, Lin Zhao looked at the extra points in the lottery system and curled up the corners of his mouth.

There are two important tasks today, one is the exam, and the other is breaking the ice with Lao Zhai.

The former gets 50 points, and the latter gets 100 points for completing the task beyond expectations.

Adding miscellaneous small tasks, the total points are 220.

280 points away from 500.

The revolution has not yet succeeded and more efforts are needed.

The next day, morning.

The Harvest Brigade drove up in a large four-wheeled cart.

It rumbled over like a huge monster, very imposing, and shocked all the country guys in the Harvest Brigade.

The driver stopped the car on the side of the road, stuck his head out of the window, and asked loudly, "Where is Comrade Gu Chenghuai's home?"

"Keep driving forward." said the people at the village entrance.

After saying that, he ran to the village and saw the Gu family's Bangbang. He shouted, "Bangbang, there is a truck coming to the village. The driver is looking for your third uncle's family."

Upon hearing this, Bangbang ran away, went home and told his grandparents about it.

Father and Mother Gu hurried to the village entrance.

The village road was narrow and the car couldn't drive in, so the driver parked the car and waited there. The truck was surrounded by children. A group of naughty kids were fearless and climbed up the car. The team leader was scolding the troublemakers.

Seeing Gu's father and mother coming over, the captain said, "We are delivering bricks and tiles to Cheng Huai's family."

Lin Zhao mentioned this matter, and Gu's father knew that there were comrades from the transport team who helped transport the bricks and tiles.

He stepped forward and greeted the driver warmly, "Thank you for your hard work, come home and have some water. I will find someone to unload the bricks and tiles."

"No need to bother, just unload the goods first, I have something else to do later." The driver had something else to do, so he politely refused.

Hearing this, Gu's father didn't try to persuade them much. He called his two sons to unload bricks and tiles, and the team leader called a few strong young men to help.

The unloaded bricks and tiles were piled in front of the door of the third room.

When the driver was about to leave, Lin Zhao appeared and threw a cloth bag into the car through the car window.

"Thank you for your trouble, comrade," she said.

The driver was stunned, said thank you, and drove away.

With bricks and tiles, building a house can be put on the agenda immediately. The key lies in when the double harvest season ends and freeing up the labor force.

Before Lin Zhao could ask, Gu's mother took the initiative to say, "The double harvest season will end in another week, and we can start work after that."

Lin Zhao was looking forward to her new home. "I probably won't have time by then. I'll have to trouble my parents."

Mother Gu waved her hands and said with a smile, "Don't bother me, don't bother me."

Building a house is a big deal, so it’s okay to be a little tired.

Father Gu also had the same idea. Even if he was tired, how long could he be tired? At most, it would only take two months.

The bricks and tiles were delivered, and the construction of the house was put on the agenda. It only took another week. Lin Zhao was very excited and began to plan and draw the blueprints.

She didn't study architecture and couldn't draw professional blueprints, but she could draw simple ones. It was because she had a talented father. She was also the only daughter of the Lin family. She was brought up and taught since she was young, so she learned a little.

According to Lin Zhao's idea, an improved toilet should be built in the front yard, the kind that can flush. She had used dry toilets enough, and the toilet should also be able to take a shower.

She has a preliminary idea, which she will discuss with the construction workers when the time comes.

Build the kitchen on the other side, and build a smokeless stove that does not require a bellows. The stove top should also be made of bricks, as those made of mud will easily fall off.

The last part is the living rooms. Just like now, four rooms will be built, which is not enough for each person to live in. But when the children grow up, they will definitely not live in the village anymore.

As for the backyard, there is no need for major changes, just pave a gravel path.

After the eldest and second sons had played enough and came home, Lin Zhao told them her idea and asked for their opinions.

The eldest boy had no objection, "Okay, I'll listen to mom."

The second child, on the other hand, frowned, looking puzzled.

Lin Zhao raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Just say what you want to say. We don't cover our mouths."

Erzai said, "Four rooms are not enough."

"Why is it not enough?" Lin Zhao asked.

She explained with a smile, "You, your brother, and your younger brother, the three of you will live in one room, your sister will have one, and the remaining room can be used for other purposes. It's just right."

The second child frowned and asked shamelessly, "Where does my wife live?"

His words were shocking.

Lin Zhao would have laughed her to death, "Whether my hair has fully grown, I just want a wife."

The second child smiled and said, "Grandma said that every boy has to get married when he grows up."

The eldest son said seriously, "Mom, I don't want a wife, I just want you. When I grow up and make money, I will give it to you."

Lin Zhao touched the eldest son's head and said to the second son, "Your father and I raised you and you are so proud of it. Do you still want us to prepare a wedding house for you and help you find a wife? You are dreaming! Wait until you grow up and earn your own living. Don't think of relying on us for support!"

When she buys a courtyard house in the future, it will also be for her four children. The eldest, second and third children can earn whatever they want by themselves. When they grow up, it will be a good time and there will be gold everywhere. She will give them capital, and any money they earn will be enough for them to have food and drink without worries.

certainly……

The prerequisite is that she has to lay a solid foundation first.

"Big one, little one, starting tomorrow, you two have to learn to read and learn math from me..."

The eldest and second sons had no objection to what their mother said.

only.

Erzai pouted and looked at Lin Zhao, "But other people's parents will find wives for their sons."

He was only five years old, couldn't read a single word, and didn't know what it meant to get married. But since everyone in the village said so, he felt that he should get married too.

"Other people's parents don't give their children meat and soda either," Lin Zhao retorted lightly.

Thinking of something, she smiled, like the wolf who tricked Little Red Riding Hood into opening the door.

"If you use other people's parents to ask me, don't blame me for asking you to treat you like other people's children."

"You want me to save money for you to marry a wife? Not impossible. From today on, eat meat once every six months. Meat buns, pickled fish, shredded pork noodles... forget about soda. Just eat wild vegetable dumplings and sweet potato porridge. After ten years or so, I'll marry you a wife."

Upon hearing this, Erzai’s eyes widened in horror, as if the sky had fallen.

Hug Lin Zhao quickly.

He made a soft sound out of fear: "Mom, mom, no more, I don't want a wife anymore, I want to eat meat, I want to eat pickled fish, I want to eat shredded pork noodles, I want to drink soda..."

Really, after being threatened like this, the five-year-old child lost all his thoughts.

"Study hard, and when you learn how to make money and get a high salary, what can't you buy?" Lin Zhao was a worldly person without any big ambitions. She just wanted her children to have enough food and clothing and not suffer the hardships of life.

"I will study hard." Erzai puffed his cheeks and promised seriously. He was really scared by his mother.

"I can do it too!" the eldest boy followed.

That night, Lin Dazai and Lin Erzai began their journey to learn to read.

The two little brothers have different personalities, one is quiet and the other is active. The older one can keep calm and learn to read seriously, but the younger one is very active. He sits there with his butt as if it were pricked by needles. He moves around here and there. He is just learning by moving around.

Fortunately, he is a good boy who listens to his mother. He resists doing anything else until he has learned to read, so it is easy for her to worry about him.

Tonight I will teach you the five simplest Chinese characters and recite a poem.

Lin Zhao was pleasantly surprised to find that the two children had good memories and learned to read quickly. They could recite simple five-character regulated verse after being taught a few times.

There was no comparison around, and the mother didn't notice anything was wrong, so she just taught at this pace.

"Just turn your back to each other and go to sleep." Lin Zhao was afraid of waking up the twins, so she spoke in a low voice.

"Since you have behaved well, I will give you a reward tomorrow morning. What would you like to eat?"

The eldest child took the initiative to ask, "I want to eat something sweet."

"Can."

The second child said, "I want to eat meat!"

Lin Zhao scratched his little nose and said, "Okay, make some meatball soup. The third and fourth kids can eat it."

Even though their stomachs were full, the greedy kids were still looking forward to the meal, and they had sweet smiles on their faces even when they fell asleep.

There is no mosquito net in the room. After burning mugwort, the mosquitoes in the room are not as rampant, but it is a bit stuffy.

Lin Zhao couldn't fall asleep for a while, so she fanned her four children with a palm-leaf fan.

Again and again.

The eldest cub opened his eyes, then closed them again in panic when his mother wasn't noticing. His long eyelashes trembled slightly and his little hands clenched into fists.

When the fan stopped, he opened his eyes, pulled up his small blanket, covered his mother's belly, curled up his body towards Lin Zhao, smiled with his eyes curved, then closed his eyes, and soon heavy breathing began.

The next day was the last day that Lin Zhao stayed in bed except for Sunday.

She got up late.

When I opened my eyes, it was already nine o'clock.

Just as I was about to get up, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps, followed by Erzai's angry voice.

"Mom, someone stole our bricks and tiles!!!"

Hearing this, Lin Zhao hurriedly put on her clothes and walked out in her cloth shoes.

"What's going on?"

"Mom, there are fewer bricks and tiles outside the door." The eldest son was also very angry, and his face turned red with anger.

Lin Zhao walked out, "Let's go take a look."

When she got to the door and looked, there was indeed something missing, but not as much as the two boys said, just a dime, about ten yuan.

but.

No matter how much, sneaky behavior is despicable.

When Gu's mother learned that the bricks and tiles in the third room had been stolen, she rushed over and found that they had really been stolen. She was very angry.

After saying a few words to comfort Lin Zhao and his two sons, he stopped going to work and cursed from one end of the village to the other.

"Which wicked, smoking thing dared to steal the bricks and tiles from my mother's house? You thief, are you crazy because of poverty, or are you itching to do something? You bastard, you stole those bricks and tiles. Did you want to build a doghouse or a grave for yourself?"

"You shameless thing, if you know what's best for you, return the bricks and tiles immediately, or I'll dig you out even if I have to dig three feet underground! Don't blame me for being rude then..."

As soon as she cursed, the whole village knew that the bricks and tiles of the third room of the Gu family had been stolen.

They started discussing it.

"Stealing bricks and tiles? Who wouldn't understand? Bricks and tiles require money and connections to get. You can't use them openly if you steal them. Why do you take advantage of them?" The captain's wife came over to join in the fun and commented loudly.

"Who knows? Some people just keep taking advantage." Yuanbao's mother said disdainfully.

The eldest and second child shared some fried cicada monkeys with her family's gold ingots yesterday. The children were so happy that they even went to bed happily at night. Her good impression of Lin Zhao reached its peak, and of course she defended her.

In the corner, Chang Shengniang looked a little uncomfortable, listening to the people around her spitting at her with flickering eyes.

When the team leader found out that Gu's bricks and tiles were stolen, he was furious.

It's really a slap in his face that there are petty thefts in the area he is in charge of.

Lin Zhao said, "Captain, this matter could be a big or small one. Ask the comrades of the Public Security Committee to investigate."

The Public Security Committee is a mass security organization that maintains public order, helps each other prevent theft, patrols and keeps watch, etc. It is an important part of grassroots management in this era.

The captain thought Lin Zhao's proposal was pertinent and said, "Okay, I will discuss it with the comrades of the Public Security Committee later."

Lin Zhao smiled and said, "Thank you, Captain."

The captain thought Cheng Huai's wife was really polite. Isn't this what she should do?

Soon, the comrades from the Public Security Committee launched an investigation.

The person who stole the bricks and tiles was so scared that he secretly hid the bricks and tiles in the cellar and covered it with something. He was still not at ease, so he covered the cellar opening tightly with oilcloth. Only then did he feel relieved.

The people from the Public Security Committee won't check every house, so it should be fine if you hide.

After finishing the work, she was sweating all over. She felt panicked, angry and regretful. She blamed Lin Zhao for making a fuss and the team for meddling in her affairs. She also regretted taking the bricks last night. She couldn't use them. Why did she do that?

Father Gu came with his two sons and moved the bricks and tiles to the yard.

I originally thought that I would need it in a few days, so I would tear down everything in the house. The bricks and tiles were in the village and no one should touch them. But I didn’t expect some crazy people to steal everything.

After moving the bricks and tiles, Gu Yuanshan filled the water jar in the third room with water and left with his family.

Lin Zhao was at home with her four children. There was no man in the house. When the eldest and second brothers Gu came to help, they always brought their wives or their own children with them. They would never stay alone with their brother's wife. The villagers had sharp tongues and could make anything false come true, so we had to be on guard.

After the Gu family left, the two cubs were still angry.

Seeing their older brothers puffing up their cheeks, the twins also puffed up their cheeks, looking like two cute little puffer fish.

Lin Zhao couldn't help laughing.

"Are you still angry? We have already moved all the bricks and tiles in. Don't be angry. Losing a few bricks will not affect the construction of the house."

The eldest cub said angrily, "Grandma said bricks and tiles are hard to get. The stolen bricks and tiles can give us enough meat to eat."

Erzai nodded in agreement, "That's right, that's right."

He gritted his teeth, his expression fierce, "It's better not to let me know who stole our bricks and tiles, otherwise... otherwise I will call grandma to settle the score with him."

He is still young and can't even beat Chang Sheng, so he has to ask for help from outside.

Dad said that it is not shameful to ask for external help.

The fourth cub's mouth was light yellow, and he clenched his fists. His fair face was stern as he said, "Let's settle the account!"

The third child also drank the malted milk and blinked his dark and bright eyes, looking quiet and well-behaved.

Seeing that the kids were so angry, Lin Zhao thought of a solution, "How about getting a dog?"

Erzai's eyes lit up immediately, "Is it okay for Dahuang to give birth to Xiaohuang?"

"Did Dahuang give birth to Xiaohuang?" Lin Zhao seldom cared about village affairs and really didn't know about this.

The eldest cub nodded quickly, his expression showing the same expectation as the second cub, "Yeah, Da Huang gave birth to Xiao Huang. Mom, do you really want to raise a dog?"

"Sure." Lin Zhao said with a smile.

"Mom, I'm going to find Xiao Huang!" the second cub said excitedly, pulling the eldest cub out of the house.

The four cubs wanted to run after him, but were held back by Lin Zhao.

"Just don't join in the fun." She picked up the fourth child and gently rubbed her daughter's nose with her nose, her eyes full of smiles.

The cute little kid opened his mouth wide, revealing a few snow-white teeth. His smile was so sweet.

When she opened her mouth, Lin Zhao saw that Si Zai had grown half a tooth. She said in surprise, "Baby, you have a new tooth. In a few months, you will be able to eat meat."

The four cubs clapped their hands happily, "Meat, meat..."

Lin Zhao held the fourth child in her arms and sat next to the third child. She said to the youngest son, "Good boy, open your mouth so that I can see if you have grown."

The third boy opened his mouth obediently and let his mother see his teeth.

He has grown taller too.

Lin Zhao touched her youngest son's face and said, "You've grown up. You two can each have one meatball later."

The fourth child understood what he said, and his eyebrows and eyes curved with joy, "Meat, meat."

The third child also laughed and stuck to his mother, even following her when Lin Zhao went to the kitchen.

Seeing that the twins were well behaved, Lin Zhao did not chase them out and cooked the meal efficiently.

(End of this chapter)