Chapter 15 - 6: What a Pity, to Have a Romance Brain

Chapter 15: Chapter 6: What a Pity, to Have a Romance Brain

Lin Zhao looked away and turned to Mother Gu, handing over the things she had brought. "I have something I’d like to ask Father to help with. This is a thank-you gift."

Mother Gu dazedly took the paper-wrapped package her third daughter-in-law thrust into her hands, not quite processing it.

’What is going on?’

’The third son’s wife actually brought a gift? This is a first!’

Instead of feeling happy, Mother Gu felt panicked. Her mind was a mess.

’What is Da Zai’s mother planning?!’

"You’re looking for your father? What is it?"

Before Lin Zhao could speak, the chatterbox Er Zai announced loudly, "My mom wants to build a house!"

"Build a house?" Mother Gu’s voice rose slightly, thick with confusion. "Why the sudden urge to build a house?"

Er Zai didn’t know the answer to that. He followed his grandmother’s gaze and looked at Lin Zhao.

"That mud-brick house is always shedding dust. No matter how much you sweep, it’s never clean," Lin Zhao said with a look of disgust.

Mother Gu was at a loss for words, her mouth twitching. ’It’s not like I’ve ever seen you sweep.’

’Besides, she remembered suggesting they build a brick-and-tile house back then. The third son’s wife had flatly refused, muttering about where the money would come from and how easy it was for her to say.’

’Now, only a few years later, she’s changed her mind and is even looking disgusted...’

Mother Gu was used to her third daughter-in-law’s whims. Afraid Lin Zhao would cause a scene, she didn’t dare say more. "Your father is resting in his room. I’ll go get him."

With that, she clutched the small paper package and went back into the house.

Father Gu was lying on the bed. He had faintly heard voices from the courtyard, but after a busy morning, he just wanted to rest and hadn’t gone out.

When he saw Mother Gu come in, he opened his eyes. "Are Da Zai and Er Zai here?"

"They are. And not just the boys, their mother is here too." Mother Gu opened the paper package and glanced inside. Seeing the meat buns and brown sugar, she froze for a second and blurted out, "Meat buns and brown sugar!"

Father Gu sat up. When he saw the meat buns, he swallowed unconsciously. White flour meat buns... The year he sent his third son off to the army, he had bought two. His son had insisted on giving one back to him. It had tasted so good.

He missed his third son.

"Where did the meat buns come from?"

Mother Gu said, "The third son’s wife brought them. She said she wants to ask for your help. She wants to build a brick-and-tile house because she’s sick of the current one shedding dust."

Building a house was a good thing, after all. She had no objections.

Father Gu was very happy to hear about building a brick-and-tile house, but there was a problem. "Build it now? Everyone is busy with the double rush harvest. We won’t be able to find anyone to help."

"And another thing, where will the bricks and tiles come from?"

Bricks and tiles weren’t easy to get. It would be a huge hassle to acquire them.

"The third son’s wife is outside. You should ask her yourself." Mother Gu couldn’t answer the questions Father Gu was asking, so she sent him to ask Lin Zhao.

The thought of having to deal with his third daughter-in-law gave Father Gu a massive headache. He was so vexed.

But with his third son not at home, he couldn’t just ignore it. He slipped on his straw sandals and headed outside.

When he got to the courtyard, Father Gu shed his usual sullen demeanor and began discussing the matter with Lin Zhao. "Third Daughter-in-law, your mother told me you want to build a brick-and-tile house? We’re in the middle of the double rush harvest, so it’ll be hard to find help. Why don’t we wait until this busy season is over? Also, about the bricks and tiles—what’s your plan for those?"

"Waiting a while is fine. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. You don’t need to worry about the bricks and tiles. I’ve already written to Gu Chenghuai; he’ll figure something out." Lin Zhao had complete faith in her husband. No matter what she wanted to do, Gu Chenghuai always found a way to make it happen for her.

Father Gu fell silent.

’Asking the third son, huh? That could work.’

He had faith in his third son, too.

"Alright, I’ll keep it in mind. We’ll start building once the double rush is over."

Lin Zhao thanked him, "Thank you, Father."

Father Gu didn’t reply. ’If you cause less trouble in the future, that’ll be thanks enough for me,’ he thought.

Just then, Gu Xing’er and the others returned home.

"What are you doing here?" Gu Xing’er glared at Lin Zhao the moment she saw her, her face filled with disgust.

Da Zai and Er Zai thought their young aunt looked ferocious enough to eat someone. They quickly moved to stand in front of their mother, watching Gu Xing’er warily.

Lin Zhao placed her hands on Da Zai’s and Er Zai’s shoulders, guiding her sons to her side. She smiled at Gu Xing’er. "This is my home too. I can come whenever I want."

She nonchalantly glanced at the firewood Gu Xing’er had gathered and reminded her, "Oh, by the way, you forgot to deliver yesterday’s firewood, little sister-in-law. Don’t forget to make up for it today."

BANG!

Gu Xing’er was so angry she threw down her firewood and glared at Lin Zhao. "Lin Zhao, don’t you go too far!"

Lin Zhao ignored her. Instead, she looked at Mother Gu, who had just come out of the house, and said softly, "Mother, you should discipline your daughter. We wouldn’t want people to think all the daughters of the Gu Family are so rude and noisy. She’s not the only girl in the Gu Family, you know."

Her words reached the ears of Sister In Law Gu and Second Sister In Law Gu, who had just returned home. Their expressions shifted slightly.

They both had daughters. If their young sister-in-law ruined the Gu Family’s reputation, their own children’s prospects would suffer.

"Lin Zhao!" Gu Xing’er gritted her teeth, about to curse again, but Mother Gu cut her off with a sharp reprimand. "Xing’er! That’s your third sister-in-law! Who taught you to call your sister-in-law by her name!"