Chapter 106 - 36: A Perfect Match

Chapter 106: Chapter 36: A Perfect Match

"It looks great!" Da Zai nodded.

"Your grandpa taught me. And let me tell you, his handwriting is what’s truly beautiful." A smile filled Lin Zhao’s eyes as she recalled her father teaching her calligraphy.

"Every New Year, lots of people would bring gifts to our house, asking for couplets and good fortune characters. That’s why I was the most popular little girl around. Everyone would give me delicious treats. Oh, how I loved the New Year back then."

"I love the New Year too." Er Zai cupped his face, his expression full of longing and his eyes shining brightly. "It’s so lively, and there’s so much good food."

He counted on his fingers. "We get to eat dumplings, and there’s meat and candy. We put up couplets on the door and set off firecrackers. They go CRACKLE POP! It’s so exciting."

"Mom, you never gave me and my brother lucky money before. Are you going to this year?" Er Zai scooted up to Lin Zhao with a smile, blinking in anticipation.

"Of course," Lin Zhao replied with a smile. "And I’ll make up for all the years I missed, too."

"Once the house is built, I’ll even have a carpenter make you each a piggy bank. You can save your lucky money yourselves, and you’ll get to decide how to spend it."

And what did that mean to a little kid?

It meant financial freedom!

Da Zai and Er Zai were more excited than if they had found a ten-yuan jackpot.

After eagerly accepting their mother’s grand promise, Da Zai went to wash the dishes with a huge smile on his face, and Er Zai went to help.

Lin Zhao, meanwhile, gave the twins a bath, carried them to the bed, and changed them into clean clothes.

The Third and Fourth Child were still little and hadn’t been in the sun much, so their skin was as fair and soft as a dumpling. They had been eating well the past few days and had gained some weight. Their faces were chubby, and their arms and legs had developed soft little rolls of baby fat. With their clear, bright eyes, they looked both clever and adorable.

"You two be good now. Mom’s just going to pour out the water."

With that, she started to head outside.

The little brother and sister on the bed began to whimper anxiously, kicking their arms and legs as they tried to slide off.

Hearing the commotion, Lin Zhao turned and in a few quick steps was back at the bedside. She scooped up the two little ones and placed them back on the bed.

Before she could say a word, the twins threw their arms around her neck and held on tight.

Lin Zhao felt like she couldn’t breathe. She had no idea where toddlers got so much strength.

"Mom."

"Mom."

Two small, sweet voices whispered in her ear.

"Mom’s not going anywhere," Lin Zhao cooed softly.

The twins blinked. Their chubby little arms slowly loosened their grip, but their hands still clutched her clothes as they looked up at her. "Not... leaving?"

Their tiny voices trailed off with uncertainty.

"That’s right, I’m not leaving." ’I’ll leave tomorrow morning.’

Reassured, the Third and Fourth Child grinned, revealing a few tiny baby teeth.

After Da Zai and Er Zai finished the dishes, they noticed their younger siblings’ bathwater hadn’t been emptied. They took care of it, washed their own hands and faces, and then returned to the room.

Ever since the night they brought their little pillows to sleep with their mom, Lin Zhao hadn’t told them to go back to their own room. The two brothers took this to mean she had silently agreed they could stay. For the past few days, they hadn’t even opened the door to their own room.

Da Zai stood on his tiptoes to get the baby lotion from the cabinet. After putting some on his and Er Zai’s faces, he climbed onto the bed and started playing with his younger siblings.

The sun had completely set, but the sky was still bright. Mugwort was burning in the room to ward off mosquitoes. Without a lamp on, the room was a little dark, but cozy and warm.

"Agh..." Er Zai suddenly sighed, lying on his stomach on the bed.

Amused, Lin Zhao looked over at him. "What’s with the sigh?"

Er Zai rested his head on his folded arms, his right cheek squished adorably. "It’d be great if we could get electricity soon."

"Yeah, it would." Lin Zhao also hoped for electricity soon. ’Having power would make everything so much more convenient.’

She grabbed the Fourth Child, who was about to plop down on her brother’s head, and gave her a light pat on the bottom. "Don’t pester your brother."

The Fourth Child might be small, but she had a temper. She pouted her little pink lips and went off in a huff to find her big brother, Da Zai.

Lin Zhao shook her head with a helpless smile and said to Er Zai, "How about we buy a flashlight? It would make it easier to go out at night."

Er Zai sat bolt upright, his voice full of excitement. "What’s a flashlight?"

He was curious about anything and everything new.

"It’s about this big, and it’s shaped like a cylinder." Lin Zhao used her hands to show him the size. "There’s a switch on the side. You push it, and it lights up instantly, giving you light."

Er Zai’s eyes lit up. "Let’s buy one!"

But as soon as he said it, his little brow furrowed. "Mom, is the money Dad wired us enough to buy a flashlight?"

"And what if it’s not enough?" Lin Zhao asked, curious to see how he would respond.

"Not enough?" Er Zai’s whole face scrunched up. Then, a flash of inspiration hit him. He grabbed her arm, his eyes wide with hope. "Mom, take me and my brother back to the county town! We can call Dad, and I’ll ask him for the money!!"

Lin Zhao: "..."