Chapter 45 Moving to Godfather’s House

Lin Zhiguo’s hand trembled as he pointed at Shen Wei. “Your brother is a bottomless pit! I never imagined that while you kept saying you were managing the money for me, you were actually funneling it all back to your own family!”

That was fifteen hundred yuan!

Enough for his parents to build a new courtyard house!

Shen Wei was left speechless by his accusations and could only shout back, “Lin Zhiguo! You bastard! You were the one who said you’d take care of us mother and child! And now you’re nitpicking over this!”

But Lin Zhiguo had already grown suspicious. The more he thought about it, the more Tongtong’s words made sense. Looking at Shen Wei’s tear-streaked face, he felt an unprecedented sense of irritation and disgust.

“Enough!” he abruptly cut her off. “I won’t dwell on what’s already happened, but from now on, my salary will be used for other purposes! You and your child will have to figure things out on your own!”

With that, he turned and stormed out, leaving Shen Wei standing alone, trembling with rage, her face drained of color.

“Mom…” Lin Jiaojiao tugged at Shen Wei’s sleeve, her small face filled with jealousy and resentment. “Why can Tongtong spend Dad’s money and get new dresses? And why do so many people like her?”

Shen Wei was also seething with anger.

It was all because of that little bitch!

If it weren’t for her, that weak woman Yu Wanqin would have long been trampled into the mud!

If it weren’t for her, how could she have ended up in this situation… She had schemed for so long, and it had seemed like success was just within reach!

Lin Jiaojiao lowered her eyes and murmured gloomily, “If only she weren’t here… Dad would only like me and Huzi.”

A child’s words may be innocent, but they struck Shen Wei like a bolt of lightning!

Yes… if only Tongtong weren’t here…

Once this malicious thought took root, it began to grow wildly.

A flicker of madness flashed in Shen Wei’s eyes.

She suddenly stood up, patted Lin Jiaojiao’s head, and said in an unusually gentle voice, “Be good, Jiaojiao. Watch your brother at home. Mom has something to take care of.”

She carefully tidied herself up, applied a slightly pale makeup, changed into a simple yet figure-hugging outfit, and quietly slipped out, not heading in the direction of the hospital.

About an hour later, she returned, seemingly calmer, but a barely noticeable trace of malice and unease lurked deep in her eyes.

Not long after she returned, a signalman from the Regimental Headquarters found Lin Zhiguo, who had just gotten off work.

“Deputy Battalion Commander Lin! Regiment Commander Yang has issued an urgent notice for you to report to the Regimental Headquarters office immediately!”

Lin Zhiguo’s heart sank. Given his recent sensitivity, he feared something else had gone wrong.

Bracing himself, he hurried to the Regimental Headquarters, where he found Regiment Commander Yang sitting sternly behind his desk.

“Deputy Battalion Commander Lin,” Regiment Commander Yang said in a serious tone, getting straight to the point. “We’ve just received orders from the Division Headquarters. There are unusual activities near Border Outpost No. 3, and a reconnaissance squad needs to be dispatched immediately to assess the situation. Prepare yourself and lead the team. The mission is urgent—you leave tonight.”

“Tonight?” Lin Zhiguo was stunned. “Regiment Commander, so urgently? What kind of unusual activities? How many men should I bring?”

“Specific details will be provided to you on the way! This is an order!”

Regiment Commander Yang cut him off impatiently, patting him on the shoulder. “Old Lin, your recent… performance hasn’t been too good. This mission is an opportunity to redeem yourself by performing meritorious service, understand? Don’t let anything else go wrong!”

Lin Zhiguo’s mind reeled, and he nodded numbly.

He didn’t dare ask further, could only stand at attention and salute: “Yes, Regimental Commander! I guarantee the mission will be completed!”

But after leaving the Regimental Headquarters, Lin Zhiguo felt an inexplicable unease rising in his heart.

There hadn’t been any news from Outpost Three recently, so how could there be a problem?

And why specifically assign him, someone who had just received a disciplinary action, to go?

This mission came too strangely…

He instinctively glanced back at the tightly closed door of the Regimental Commander’s office, the strange feeling in his heart growing stronger.

Meanwhile, Tongtong had just returned from accompanying Brother Xinxin at the Commander’s house after drawing, her small pockets stuffed with a few new-style pastries Grandma He had slipped her, in a good mood.

Passing by the old locust tree in the corner of the yard, she habitually reached out her small hand to touch the rough trunk.

[Little Tongtong, there’s big gossip!]

The old ginkgo’s branches swayed in the wind, its leaves rustling incessantly, clearly very excited.

Tongtong’s eyes lit up: “Grandpa, tell me quickly!”

[That eldest aunt of yours, she went to see Regimental Commander Yang today. The two of them stayed in the small grove on the back hill for half an hour before coming out, and then your dad was sent out on a mission.]

Tongtong rubbed her little chin, pondered, then waved at Grandpa Tree.

“Thank you, Grandpa Tree! I’m going home to sleep now!”

The old ginkgo rustled, bidding a silent farewell.

…

Freed from Lin Zhiguo’s restraint, Shen Wei had recently been like a mad dog, seizing every opportunity to bite.

Although she didn’t dare do anything substantial, the venomous looks and occasional sour remarks she directed at Tongtong whenever she saw her at Liu Lan’s doorstep still worried Liu Lan.

After all, guarding against a thief for a thousand days, there’s always a moment of carelessness.

Coincidentally, that day Gu Yanbin came to pick up Tongtong to eat at the State-run Restaurant.

He happened to see Shen Wei washing clothes by the water pool not far away, her eyes like poisoned daggers glaring at Tongtong.

Gu Yanbin’s face instantly darkened.

Carrying Tongtong into the house, he said solemnly to Liu Lan: “Sister-in-law, I’ve really troubled you this whole time. But now that Lin Zhiguo isn’t here, that woman Shen Wei is like a madwoman. I’m really uneasy about Tongtong staying with you all the time, and I’m afraid of causing trouble for your family. From now on… let Tongtong stay with me. I’ll take care of her.”

Liu Lan frowned and thought for a moment.

Although reluctant to part with this little bundle of joy, she was indeed worried Shen Wei might be driven to desperate measures, and if something happened, she wouldn’t be able to explain.

Commander Gu’s house was a standalone courtyard, definitely safer.

So she nodded in agreement: “Alright, your place is more secure. But you, a rough man, can you take good care of a child?”

Gu Yanbin smiled, his handsome face softening a bit: “Sister-in-law, don’t worry! Jingnan and Muchen are there too, the three children can keep each other company!”

And so, Tongtong’s little bundle moved again, this time from the political commissar’s house to her godfather Gu Yanbin’s home.

Gu Yanbin’s house was a standalone small courtyard, more spacious than the political commissar’s.

Gu Jingnan was as happy as a silly boy, bustling about tidying up a room for Tongtong, putting on clean bedding, and even contributing his own treasured new towel and toothbrush.

Muttering like a little old lady: “Little sister, you’ll stay in this room! Dad says the sunny room is warmer! Muchen and I will stay next door. If you need anything, just call out, and I’ll be right there!”

Si Muchen, with a cool little face, silently moved half of his small desk aside, placing Tongtong’s little notebook and pencils on it.

Without a word, he also stuffed all the snacks and candies he usually saved up to Tongtong.

The System was howling and screaming in his head.

【Ahhh! My little benefactor is going to live with me! So nervous, so nervous!】

No more having to eagerly urge the host to steal energy—I can do it myself now! Hahahaha!

【Host! I’m warning you, you better take good care of my little benefactor~ Otherwise, you’ll still be unlucky~ Oh, right, right, I still have a bit of Luck Points left to exchange today. Exchange a cream cake for my little benefactor. She’ll definitely like it!】

Si Muchen: “…”

Feeling the little ball of light bouncing around in his consciousness, he was speechless.

Still, he exchanged a cream cake for Tongtong and secretly slipped it to her.

“Eat it quickly! Don’t let anyone see!”