Chapter 4 - 2: Practically Possessed

Chapter 4: Chapter 2: Practically Possessed

"Mama, does your head hurt?" Da Zai thought his mother’s expression was strange. Fearing she’d damaged her head in the fall, his face filled with worry.

He was just a little over five, with a small, gaunt face and not an ounce of meat on his bones. His sleeves and knees were covered in large patches. While such an appearance was common for the era and not out of the ordinary, to the newly awakened Lin Zhao, it was proof of how badly she had treated her son.

’Before I awakened, I must have had water on the brain,’ Lin Zhao thought. ’I was holding Gu Chenghuai’s bank book and receiving a "large sum" for a stipend every month, yet I couldn’t bear to spend it. I raised my children to be like this... I really ought to die.’

’And this house! Not only is dust constantly falling from the ceiling, but there’s also nothing valuable inside. The only thing it has going for it is that it isn’t drafty. A thief wouldn’t even bother breaking in. I wasn’t the type to be stingy with money before I got married, so how did I become such a miser after having kids?!’

Lin Zhao was utterly disgusted with herself!

Her maternal instincts were overflowing now, and she felt her son was perfect in every way. She stroked Da Zai’s bony cheek.

"It doesn’t hurt. Mama’s okay."

’What a good boy! This life, I will make my children happy. I’ll give them a wonderful childhood and make them the sharpest kids in the entire commune!’

Da Zai’s eyes widened. ’Mama touched my face. Does... does Mama like me now?’

The little one blushed with happiness. He stole a glance at Lin Zhao, the corners of his mouth curling up secretly like a kitten that had snuck a piece of dried fish.

Fighting back his shyness, Da Zai asked, "Mama, are you hungry?"

Lin Zhao’s head was still aching, and she had no appetite. She shook her head. "I’m alright. Where’s Er Zai?"

"Er Zai is watching our little brother and sister." Da Zai saw nothing wrong with the fact that he and Er Zai were the ones taking care of the one-year-old twins.

Lin Zhao felt a deep sense of shame.

’I’m really not a fit mother. Before I awakened, I must have been possessed by something!’

"Come on, let’s go see them."

Da Zai was confused, but he was still very happy that his mother was showing concern for his little brother and sister.

While things were harmonious on their side, the Gu Family’s old house had erupted in chaos.

When Mother Gu got home, she told the entire family about Lin Zhao’s demands.

Gu Xing’er instantly blew up. "Who does she think she is?" she shrieked, both furious and agitated. "That’s my third brother’s money! By what right does she refuse to let me spend it! I’m going to tell my brother that his wife is bullying his own sister!"

Of the three conditions, she could tolerate the other two. But the one about cutting off her money was absolutely unacceptable.

Mother Gu had spent years cleaning up Gu Xing’er’s messes and was truly exhausted by it. "Go on then," she said wearily. "Go right now. Make a call, send a telegram. Tell your third brother that you pushed his wife—the mother of his children—to the ground and gave her a huge lump on her head. You go and tell him that."

But Gu Xing’er didn’t dare. Her third brother had changed after marrying that vixen, Lin Zhao. He was no longer the doting older brother who spoiled her rotten.

"Mother, I’m your biological daughter!" Gu Xing’er cried, her face full of indignation as she argued loudly, "Lin Zhao is my sister-in-law! What’s the big deal about me eating a bowl of her egg custard? It’s that vixen’s own fault for not giving it to me. Serves her right for hitting the wall."

Before she could finish her tirade, a sharp SMACK echoed through the room. Mother Gu had slapped her, so hard it sent her head snapping to the side. A red handprint bloomed on her relatively fair cheek.

Mother Gu was furious. ’How could she say something like "vixen" out loud? Does she want to be dragged away for re-education?!’

Just then, the usually silent Father Gu spoke, his face grim. "Her education has been a complete waste!" he said coldly. "She won’t be going back to school. She can come home and earn work points!" His word was final.

"Mother, you hit me! Father, you won’t let me go to school! I hate you!" Gu Xing’er screamed. She ran back to her room, sobbing loudly and muttering profanities under her breath.

Father Gu was livid. "Let her go hungry for two days. No one is to give her any food."

He looked pointedly at Mother Gu. "Especially you."

"If school can’t teach her how to behave, then we will!" Father Gu was both disappointed and heartbroken.

Sister In Law Gu, Huang Xiulan, and Second Sister In Law Gu, Zhao Liuniang, were busy cleaning up the kitchen. Second Sister In Law Gu couldn’t resist asking, "Sister-in-law, do you think our little sister-in-law will still be able to go to school?"

Huang Xiulan glanced outside and whispered, "I’m afraid it’s unlikely."

’It’s the first time Mother-in-law has ever laid a hand on one of the younger generation. She must be furious. It’s terrifying when a gentle person loses their temper.’

Zhao Liuniang snickered, clearly enjoying the drama. She truly believed her sister-in-law was an idiot. "It’s for the best she doesn’t go to school. With a brain like hers, another hundred years of education would be useless."

"Tone it down," Huang Xiulan warned. "She’s still their biological daughter. The old couple can say what they want, but we can’t."

Zhao Liuniang fell silent. She used plant ash to wash the dishes, humming a little tune, clearly in a good mood.

Back at the third household’s earthen house, Lin Zhao entered the children’s room. Just as her right foot crossed the threshold, dust trickled down from the ceiling, landing right on her head.

"..."

She was speechless.

Lin Zhao brushed the dust from her hair, once again convinced that her pre-awakened self must have been possessed.

’Even before I was married, when my family was dirt poor, I still insisted that my father find a way to make our house look presentable. I would never have lived in such a pigsty.’

’These past few years feel like a dream.’

When Er Zai saw his mother actually enter their room, he looked confused and glanced at his older brother.

Da Zai’s attention was completely on his mother; he missed his little brother’s questioning stare.

Er Zai slid off the bed with a soft WHOOSH and went to Da Zai’s side. Without looking at Lin Zhao, he whispered to his brother, "Big bro, why is *she* in our room?"

For the past few years, the twins had been raised mostly by Mother Gu. Lin Zhao hadn’t paid them much mind, so the children weren’t very close to her. But children are born to be close to their mothers. They had instinctively protected her when she was hurt, and now that she was showing them the slightest bit of kindness, they couldn’t help but want to draw near.

Lin Zhao heard Er Zai’s question. She reached out and gave his cheek a firm pinch, making him yelp. "OWW!"

"Mama!" Mindful of his sleeping brother and sister, Er Zai wanted to shout but held it back. The little boy’s face flushed with anger, though it was hard to tell because of his dark complexion.

"What are you whispering about? And right behind my back, too," Lin Zhao asked, bending down with a grin.

The moment she let go, Er Zai gave her an annoyed shove. But remembering she was injured, he didn’t use much force. He let out an indignant huff and ran out the door.

Da Zai was close to his brother and, fearing Lin Zhao would get angry, quickly tried to explain. "Mama, please don’t be mad at Er Zai. He didn’t mean it."

Lin Zhao waved a hand, still smiling. "Er Zai is so cute when he’s flustered."

Da Zai froze. He realized his mother was calling Er Zai cute, and his little heart felt a bit heavy. ’Mama hasn’t praised me yet...’

Lin Zhao didn’t notice Da Zai’s change in mood. She walked over to the wooden plank bed. The bedding was dark with grime. The thin, patchwork blanket covering the twins was a mishmash of colors and marred with yellow stains.

"The Third Child and Fourth Child are starting to stink," she remarked.

Er Zai, who had just returned from the kitchen with two sweet potatoes, heard this. He glared furiously at Lin Zhao, a flash of vulnerability in his eyes. "Grandma is at work! She doesn’t have time to help us bathe!" he shouted. "You don’t take care of us, so you have no right to complain about us!"

He regretted his outburst the moment the words left his mouth, but he stood his ground, neck stiff and eyes red as he faced her.