Chapter 101 - 34: "Everywhere the Red Star Shines Is Fervent Land

Chapter 101: Chapter 34: "Everywhere the Red Star Shines Is Fervent Land

Sincerely,

With a revolutionary salute,

Gu Chenghuai

Night of June 20th, 1966]

Lin Zhao read the short letter several times, a smile never leaving her lips.

A short while later, she returned to the post office.

She sent Gu Chenghuai a jar of meat sauce and a can of meat.

Liang Yi watched her with a teasing smile.

Lin Zhao remained expressionless as she watched Liang Yi pack everything up before leaving.

A bicycle was a big-ticket item. The supply and marketing cooperative sold them, but you had to order in advance. She planned to tell the purchasing agent tomorrow and ask him to help her order one.

’As for a watch, that’s simple. I can go buy one tomorrow!’

With a plan in mind, Lin Zhao walked straight to the state-run restaurant and bought a few meat buns to go.

Having not seen her children all day, she missed them dearly and quickened her pace.

Da Zai and Er Zai missed their mother too, so they had been waiting at the village entrance for a long time. Seeing that they weren’t playing, Tie Chui decided to wait with them.

Three little boys and two dogs—one big, one small—sat at the village entrance, waiting quietly.

"BARK—" Dahuang suddenly shot up, barked once, and ran forward.

Er Zai jumped to his feet, shouting, "Dahuang! Dahuang, where are you going? Come back!!"

Dahuang stopped in his tracks. Seeing his little master wasn’t moving, he barked again toward the end of the road.

As if realizing something, Da Zai took off running. Amber ran after him, and the quiet dirt road instantly became lively.

"Mom!" Da Zai’s excited voice rang out.

Lin Zhao picked up her pace even more, reaching Da Zai in just a few steps. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to meet Mom." Da Zai tilted his little face up, his clear eyes gazing at Lin Zhao without blinking. Her figure was brightly reflected in them, like a fledgling guarding its nest, waiting for the mother bird to return.

"Mom, I missed you."

He was a reserved and shy little boy, and this was the first time he had ever said he missed his mom. Lin Zhao’s heart melted, and she said softly, "Mom missed you too. I’ve been thinking about you all day."

As soon as she said this, Da Zai, who had been a little embarrassed, broke into a smile.

"Mom, did you have a good day?" he asked.

"I did. And you? Did you all have a good day?" Lin Zhao said.

"We did too. In the morning, Grandma steamed eggs for us and made milk formula for the Third and Fourth Child. For lunch, Grandma cooked us thick rice porridge with the pickled vegetables you made. It was so delicious! Er Zai and I both had a big bowl." Da Zai answered his mother’s question in great detail, then asked in turn, "Did Mom eat?"

He was asking about her lunch.

"I ate. Just something simple," Lin Zhao said.

Da Zai took the net bag from his mother’s hand. "Work is hard, Mom. Er Zai and I are big kids now. We can do things around the house, and Tie Chui helped us too. You should focus on your work and not worry about us at home."

He had learned that last part from Mother Gu.

The little boy’s hands were soft, but the pads of his fingers were prickly—the mark of someone who always helped with chores.

Lin Zhao’s heart softened again. She looked down at her wonderful son and stroked his small face.

"How could I not?" ’Such a thoughtful little one.’

"Don’t wait here for me anymore. You should go play. I’ll be back when I’m back, and I’ll come find you. What if a big truck comes by on the main road? You’re so short and stout, the driver wouldn’t be able to see you from his seat. It’s too dangerous."

Da Zai explained, "We weren’t waiting on the main road. We were waiting at the village entrance, just like Grandma told us. It was Dahuang who suddenly ran off, and he was barking, so I knew Mom must be back. That’s why I came running."

"I know you’re good boys," Lin Zhao said, her voice softening.

Her gaze swept over Dahuang, who was sitting there, and Amber, who was circling her ankles. Her eyes grew gentle.

"Dahuang and Amber are good boys too."

Er Zai saw his brother carrying the bag for their mom and, having nothing to carry himself, said, "Mom, can I carry your satchel for you?" His eyes were full of expectation.

Lin Zhao slipped the bag off her shoulder and gave it to him. Er Zai imitated his mother, slinging it across his body. The green satchel nearly dragged on the ground, but Da Zai quickly grabbed it before it could touch the dirt.

"Er Zai, you have to hold it up like this! Don’t get Mom’s bag dirty! She has to use it again tomorrow!" he instructed his younger brother with a serious expression.

"I know," Er Zai said loudly, holding the bag up as he walked forward.

Tie Chui followed beside him, grinning cheerfully.

Once they entered the village, Lin Zhao said, "Tie Chui, thank you for helping Da Zai and Er Zai with their chores and for playing with them. Auntie will treat you to a bun."

Before Tie Chui could even speak, Er Zai’s eyes lit up, his voice bright and clear. "Mom, you bought buns again?!"

"That’s right. I saw how good you were, so I bought you meat buns," Lin Zhao said.

Er Zai let out a whoop and threw himself into his mother’s arms, burrowing his little head into her embrace. He was laughing so hard his whole body trembled. "Thank you, Mom! I love meat buns."

’Is there anything you don’t like to eat?’

Lin Zhao smiled.

Tie Chui licked his lips, looking affectionately at Third Auntie, and thanked her politely, "Thank you, Third Auntie."

Back home, after having the three boys wash their hands, Lin Zhao gave each of them a bun.

"You can have a bun first to tide you over. I’ll make some cold noodles in a bit, okay?"

Er Zai chewed on his meat bun, his cheeks puffed out. "Okay! Everything Mom makes is delicious."

With that, he and Tie Chui went off to play in the village.

Da Zai sat on a small stool, nestled beside his mother, while Amber circled at his feet.

"Why don’t you go out and play?" Lin Zhao asked, putting an arm around Da Zai’s shoulders. He was still on the thin side, a small figure in her embrace. He ate very carefully, unlike Er Zai who always got food all over his face.