Chapter 10

Lu Lin’s sweet fantasy of spending a tender moment with his wife was utterly shattered .

Feeling a little sulky, he kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the kang, barefoot, settling at the opposite end to sleep.

That night, Jiang Chunzao and the two little ones slept soundly, waking up only after the sun had risen high and the village rooster had crowed several times.

The three of them finally stirred from their pleasant dreams.

——

Outside in the sunny courtyard, Mother Jiang was already dressed and seated on a straw mat, meticulously ripping apart an old garment.

Jiang Chunzao, with her hair tousled like a bird’s nest, climbed down from the kang and helped the two still-sleepy children dress and put on their little shoes. She then sent them off to wash their faces and brush their teeth in the yard, finally sparing a moment to tidy herself up.

Summer was the perfect season to dress up. Though a young mother, Jiang Chunzao still enjoyed looking nice.

Remembering that Lu Lin had just come home, she decided she couldn’t dress too plainly. She pulled out a floral sundress from the wardrobe—a cherished piece from the previous year, her only really nice outfit. After braiding her thick, shiny hair into a neat plait, she washed her face outside, applied some snow cream, and took a look in the mirror. 

“Wow, what a beautiful mom!” she thought, admiring her radiant reflection. 

Lost in her self-admiration, she heard the three speckled hens clucking noisily in the yard. She set the mirror aside, plopped a straw hat onto her head, and went out to prepare their feed.

In the Lu family’s courtyard, Mother Jiang had just finished unpicking the stitches of her grandchildren’s small cotton jackets. She was about to start on their pants when she noticed her daughter yawning and stepping out of the house—far too late in the morning for her liking. 

Annoyed, Mother Jiang scolded: 

“You’re already a mother of two! How can you still sleep in until the sun is high in the sky? Look at your husband—he was up at dawn chopping wood and helping me cook breakfast. And here you are, only now getting out of bed. What kind of mother are you?” 

Seeing her mother upset, Jiang Chunzao quickly tried to appease her:  “Mom, I’m up now, aren’t I? Don’t worry, I’ll go feed the chickens right away. When they start laying eggs, every single one will be for you.” 

As she said this, she deftly began chopping cabbage stems for the chickens. While chopping, she turned to her mother with a cheeky grin, trying to coax a smile out of her. Mother Jiang, unable to maintain her stern demeanor, glanced at her daughter’s attire and pretended to grumble: “Look at you! All dressed up like a young lady from a landlord’s family. Where’s the hardworking village wife in you?” 

Jiang Chunzhao saw her mother’s anger fading and sweetly replied:  “Oh, please, who cares about being a landlord’s daughter? I’d rather be your daughter any day.” 

Mother Jiang, charmed by her daughter’s honeyed words, beamed with joy, her wrinkled face blossoming like a flower. 

“People aren’t lying when they say daughters are their parents’ little cotton-padded jackets. Your father’s missing out—he didn’t get to hear what you just said.” 

Jiang Chunzhao declared confidently, “What’s the big deal? Next time I see Dad, I’ll say whatever he wants to hear.”

The mother and daughter were happily chatting when Lu Lin returned from delivering the supplements to Father Lu at the old courtyard. In his large hand, he was holding the hands of the two mischievous little ones. Earlier that morning, the children had been neat and clean, but now they looked like two dirty little kittens. 

Jiang Chunzao was puzzled as she glanced at them and asked: “Shitou, Moli, didn’t Mommy tell you to wash your faces and brush your teeth in the yard? Why didn’t I see you two there?” 

Hearing their mother’s question, both kids became nervous. Xiao Shitou pressed his lips together, glanced at his sister, who was awkwardly playing with her hands, and then lowered his head, replying in a soft voice: “I… I took my sister to watch ants at the gate.” 

Before the children could be scolded, Lu Lin quickly chimed in to explain: “Shitou and Moli love watching the ants move their nest by the gate. They got so engrossed in it.” 

Mother Jiang, feeling sorry for her grandchildren, immediately stood up and said: “Oh dear, Grandma’s good little ones. Come on, Grandma will take you to wash your faces and brush your teeth.” 

Jiang Chunzao couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless. Everyone in the house seemed to be on the kids’ side. Dad was the good dad, Grandma was the kind grandma, and she was the mean mom. 

Still, someone had to play the role of the disciplinarian in the family. If parents only spoiled their kids, it wouldn’t end well. So Jiang Chunzhao shot a glare at Lu Lin, the protective dad, then turned her gaze to Mother Jiang, who was coddling the children. With a silent look, she sent both of them scurrying away. 

Once the overly protective pair had left, Jiang Chunzao turned her attention to the two little ones who were standing there with their heads lowered, not daring to speak. She crouched down and, in a serious but gentle tone, started explaining a series of lessons. 

She told them not to be afraid—she wouldn’t hit them like she might have in the past. But they had to learn to listen. People should do what they’re supposed to at the right time. 

Jiang Chunzao explained to them that it was okay that they liked watching the ants moved their nest and that she even supported it, but wouldn’t it be better to wash their faces and brush their teeth first before watching the ants? 

And in the future, when they started school, it would be the same. When it was time to study, they should study diligently. When it was time to play, they could enjoy themselves fully. That’s how good kids behave. 

The two little ones nodded quietly as they listened. Then, out of nowhere, little Moli suddenly piped up in her sweet, innocent voice: “But Mommy doesn’t get up on time every day. Does that mean Mommy isn’t a good kid either?” 

Jiang Chunzao, who had just been KO’d by her daughter over her habit of sleeping in: “…..”

— 

Jiang Chunzhao’s daughter’s innocent comment made her reflect deeply. Determined to change her bad habit of sleeping in, she resolved to wake up early every morning from this day and forward! 

To ensure her resolve, Jiang Chunzhao made a solemn arrangement. She enlisted two small but diligent overseers—Shitou and Moli. If she ever slept in again, the two little ones would get double their daily allowance. 

Though the kids’ current allowance was quite meager, Jiang Chunzao made the promise seriously. 

The solemn expressions on the trio’s faces made both Mother Jiang and Lu Lin laugh out loud. 

After a delightful breakfast of fragrant eggs, white flatbreads, and savory shrimp paste, Lu Lin, the ever-doting father, took the two kids to the yard to show them the picture books he had brought home. Mother Jiang resumed her sewing work, her hands deftly dismantling old garments. 

Meanwhile, Jiang Chunzao, having tidied up the dishes, found herself idle and decided to unpack Lu Lin’s large, bulging backpack. The bag had been sitting untouched in the corner since the night before. 

Sitting cross-legged on the kang like an old matriarch, Jiang Chunzao eyed the bulging bag curiously, wondering what Lu Lin had packed so tightly. 

As she loosened the ties and opened the bag, several neatly folded military uniforms spilled out. Jiang Chunzhao picked up the uniforms, shaking them out to inspect them. She thought that if they were dirty, she’d take them outside to wash. 

Surprisingly, after carefully examining the uniforms two or three times, she found them impeccably clean. Not only were the uniforms spotless, but every item in the backpack was folded with military precision—neat and flat, without a single crease. 

Oh, Lu Lin’s folding skills are better than mine, and I’m the mom here. Truly a testament to his years as a soldier—Captain Lu, you’re amazing!

She peeked out of the window to see Lu Lin, he was was in the yard teaching their kids about the picture books, Jiang Chunzao’s eyes filled with admiration. Her gaze was full of respect. 

It was as if Lu Lin could sense her watching. He turned around, and their eyes met. Seeing his wife’s gaze, Lu Lin broke into a radiant smile, his handsome face lighting up. 

Caught red-handed, Jiang Chunzhao felt as if she’d been scalded. She quickly looked away and pretended to busy herself folding the clothes. 

Lu Lin raised an eyebrow in mild confusion, wondering what his wife was up to. 

—

Inside the house, Jiang Chunzao kept her head down, pretending to be engrossed in her work. Only after a long while did she sneak a glance at the yard. Seeing Lu Lin focused on the picture books with the kids, she let out a small sigh of relief. 

Recalling her flustered reaction earlier, her face flushed red again. Oh my! We’ve been married for so long, and yet one smile from this man still makes my heart race. How embarrassing!

Lost in thought, Jiang Chunzao accidentally bumped her elbow against the bag. A large iron box fell out and landed on the ground with a thud.

Hmm, what’s this?

Curious, Jiang Chunzhao picked up the iron box and opened it. The moment she saw its contents, her eyes widened in astonishment.