Chapter 112 - 38: "Bloodline Suppression

Chapter 112: Chapter 38: "Bloodline Suppression

Aunt Song knew life in the countryside was hard, so she was reluctant to accept her gifts. "We’re not short on anything at home..." she said.

’How could they not be short on things?’ Even though her uncle and aunt were a dual-income household with monthly wages and ration coupons, they were still raising two growing boys. The older one would be getting married in a couple of years, and the younger one was still in school. The pressure was considerable.

"I don’t care about that," Lin Zhao cut in.

"..." ’That’s Zhaozhao for you.’

A helpless look crept into Aunt Song’s eyes. "Still so headstrong."

Lin Zhao replied cheerfully, "You’re the ones who spoiled me."

She took all the items out.

Meat, eggs, white noodles, a cured sausage, two apples... These were all excellent things, and every single one was difficult to buy.

"Why did you bring so much?" Aunt Song said, startled and disapproving. "Yuncheng, pack it all back up. Zhaozhao, you take this home for Da Zai and the others to eat."

Thinking of how she hadn’t seen the children for nearly a year, she added, "When you have a day off, bring the children over. Your uncle misses them a lot."

Song Yuncheng was squatting by the small wooden table, about to pack the things up as his mother had told him, when Lin Zhao stopped him.

"Don’t you dare pack that. Get out of the way." Lin Zhao glared at him, her voice rising threateningly. "Take back things I brought? Don’t make me hit you."

When she said she’d hit someone, she meant it. Back when Uncle Song and Aunt Song were at work, Lin Zhao would look after the two little troublemakers, Song Yuncheng and Song Yunjin. She had a short temper, and the mischievous brothers had gotten their fair share of spankings from her.

The two of them were terrified of Lin Zhao.

That bloodline suppression was no joke.

Song Yuncheng pulled his hand back and obediently sat down again, looking as well-behaved as could be.

Once he sat back down, he realized he’d been completely intimidated and was instantly speechless.

’Wait, what was I so timid for? She’s the one who should be feeling sheepish!’

"..." Aunt Song shot her son a fierce glare.

’So spineless.’

Song Yuncheng remained unmoved. ’Hmph, Mom’s so biased. No matter what I do, it’s always wrong.’

"Have you eaten?" Aunt Song asked, looking at Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao replied, "I had a little something earlier, so I’m not that hungry. I’ll eat when I get home."

"From now on, I’ll have Yuncheng bring you lunch," Aunt Song said, glancing at the gifts on the table. Her tone left no room for refusal.

Song Yuncheng didn’t dare object. "Alright, whatever Mom says."

"There’s no need, I can pack my own lunch..." Lin Zhao started to say, but Aunt Song cut her off. "Pack your own lunch? It won’t be fresh, especially in the middle of summer. What if you get an upset stomach?"

"Yuncheng has to eat anyway, so it’s just a matter of adding a little more rice. It’s no trouble at all. Or... were you just paying lip service when you said you think of this place as your own home? Are you saying you don’t really feel close to us in your heart?"

Hearing her aunt say that, Lin Zhao quickly denied it. "Of course not!"

Seeing Aunt Song staring at her, she hesitated for a moment before giving in. "Alright then, I’ll be shameless and accept. I’ll bring my grain rations over tomorrow."

"Deal," Aunt Song said. "Will you stay for dinner?"

"Not today. I didn’t tell anyone at home, and I’m worried Da Zai and the others will get anxious waiting for me," Lin Zhao explained with a smile, sipping the malted milk drink her aunt had prepared.

"That’s true." Aunt Song didn’t insist; they could always have a meal together another time. She then asked, "Is your mother-in-law looking after Da Zai and the others?"

"Yes, their grandma is watching them, so I have nothing to worry about." Mother Gu was diligent, tidy, and very attentive to the children. Lin Zhao was completely at ease leaving the kids with her.

"Your in-laws are good people." Aunt Song praised the Gu Family’s character, then smiled at Lin Zhao. "You have good taste."

"Auntie, you’re smiling! Does that mean you’re not mad at me anymore?" Lin Zhao said with a grin, leaning in to bring her face close to her aunt’s.

Aunt Song patted her hand and sighed. "How could an elder truly hold a grudge against a child they watched grow up? What happened in the past is in the past. Now that you’re working in the county, you should come visit often. Your uncle misses you."

’I miss her, too.’

"Okay."

Lin Zhao didn’t stay at her uncle’s house for much longer. Around five o’clock, she said her goodbyes and left.

Worried it would be dangerous for her to head back too late, Aunt Song didn’t try to keep her. Instead, she said to Song Yuncheng, "Yuncheng, go borrow the bicycle from Old Zhao’s house and see your sister home."

"Alright!" Song Yuncheng immediately went out to borrow the bicycle.

The Song Family had their own bicycle, but Uncle Song had taken it.

Soon enough, Song Yuncheng returned with the bicycle. Aunt Song took a soft cushion and tied it to the rear rack.

"Be careful on the road!" Aunt Song called out, her eyes filled with a smile.

Lin Zhao hopped onto the back and waved to her. "Go on back inside, Auntie! I’ll come see you and Uncle again tomorrow."

The two of them rode off on the bicycle, into the setting sun.

Aunt Song turned and headed home.

The factory’s family apartment building was five stories high, and the Song Family lived in a corner unit on the third floor.

There wasn’t much privacy in the building. If any family had a relative visit, word would spread immediately.

"Hey, from the Song family," their neighbor, who had just gotten off work, finally asked after watching for a while. "Was that... Old Song’s niece? The one called Zhaozhao, right?"