09 "The Imaginary Mother"

Big Son and Second Son brought over small pillows, also made by Mother Gu. The fabric was old, heavily patched, but still quite good. After all, country folk had no steady income and only a few cloth coupons; whose clothes weren’t a patchwork? Many didn’t even have pillows, so the fact that these two had some was a sign of their grandmother’s special affection.

“Third Son, Fourth Son, lie down nicely, don’t bother Mother,” Big Son solemnly instructed his younger siblings.

The dragon-and-phoenix twins smiled softly and obediently lay down.

Big Son and Second Son, fearing Mother would send them next door, also laid down obediently. Four pairs of eyes all fixed on Lin Zhao.

“Why are you all staring at me? Can’t sleep?” Lin Zhao asked with amusement.

“I’m so full today, my stomach doesn’t hurt at all,” Second Son said, patting his round belly, legs crossed like a little old man.

Lin Zhao looked up. “You usually don’t get enough to eat?”

Second Son clung to her waist, whining pitifully, “Not enough! Not enough at all! It’s all just soup, never enough to fill us up!”

Lin Zhao didn’t suspect Gu Mother of mistreating the two boys; the meals in the old house were just like that—the midday meal was passable, but dinner was so watery you could see your reflection.

“From now on, when Mother cooks, you’ll all eat your fill and grow tall,” Lin Zhao gently comforted them.

Second Son suddenly looked up and grinned broadly. “I believe you, Mother. You have to keep your promise.”

Big Son watched his brother nestle in Mother’s arms, eyes full of envy.

Third Son and Fourth Son sat up too, wanting Mother to hold them.

Lin Zhao told them to sit still and lightly patted Second Son’s shoulder. “Come on, stand up. Mother’s going to take your measurements.”

She fetched a soft tape measure, waving her hand.

“Mother’s going to make clothes for me?!” Second Son held back his siblings who wanted to be held, eyes shining with disbelief.

Big Son was a bit excited as well.

“Yes, I’m going to make some clothes for you two,” Lin Zhao smiled. “I managed to buy some fabric.”

Second Son stood with arms wide open, his smile radiant under the dim light.

Lin Zhao swiftly measured and jotted down the sizes in her notebook, then beckoned Big Son. “Big Son, your turn. Second Son, watch Third and Fourth.”

Second Son responded crisply, “Yes!”

Big Son approached the bed, gazing at his mother with reverence. “Thank you, Mother.”

Lin Zhao finished measuring and laughed, “Save your thanks. Now go lie down. It’s late; kids can’t stay up too late.”

With that, she took the fabric from the cupboard and began cutting.

Country girls all knew how to sew clothes. Lin Zhao had always been quick to learn; half a month of practice was enough.

“Mother, you know how to make clothes?” Second Son, lying on the edge, smiled at her.

Lin Zhao gave him a side glance. “Of course I do.”

“Did you ever make clothes for me and my brother before?” he asked again.

“No,” Lin Zhao paused, “I couldn’t bear to spend the coupons.”

Second Son’s little face stiffened.

After a moment, he timidly asked, “Do you have enough now?”

Lin Zhao cut the fabric by candlelight, her skills not rusty despite a few years without sewing.

“Yes,” she smiled, “I suddenly remembered that you four are my precious treasures, so good and obedient. I want to be a good mother.”

Hearing that they were her precious darlings, a flood of joy rose in Second Son’s heart.

“Mother is our precious treasure too.”

“…”

Lin Zhao was helpless and changed the subject. “Go to sleep now, you need to get up early tomorrow.”

Second Son closed his eyes but soon opened them again, looking expectantly. “Mother, will you cook again tomorrow morning?”

“Yes,” Lin Zhao smiled softly, her fair face glowing warmly in the dim light, leaving a deep impression on Big Son’s heart that he would never forget, even after having children of his own.

“I told you, I’ll always cook for you from now on.”

Big Son, worried about his mother’s workload, volunteered, “I can learn to cook, and when I know how, I’ll cook for you.”

Lin Zhao’s motherly heart melted, soft as water, and she smiled, “Good boy, my obedient Big Son.”

Second Son, with big ambitions, immediately declared, “When I grow up, I’ll earn lots of money, buy Mother a fancy restaurant, hire the best chefs to cook for her, and make her the lady of the house.”

“!”

The last part—do you want to have your mother locked away?

Lin Zhao frowned.

“Who did you learn that from?”

Second Son, quick to read the mood, realized his mistake and obediently said, “I heard the village aunties say it.”

No surprise there.

Lin Zhao looked at him sternly. “Don’t ever learn to talk like the villagers again. If I hear you saying nonsense like that, no more candy for you.”

According to the story, chaos would soon arise, and words like “lady of the house” would bring misfortune.

She couldn’t tell Second Son the truth, so she used his favorite candy as leverage.

Second Son nearly jumped for joy and quickly promised, “I won’t learn anymore! Never again!”

Candy was worth more than idle talk.

---

Lin Zhao wasn’t entirely at ease and reminded Big Son, “Big Son, keep an eye on your brother.”

Big Son loved helping his mother and nodded seriously, “Yes.”

While they talked, Lin Zhao finished cutting the fabric, ready to sew tomorrow. Without a watch, she couldn’t tell the time but felt sleepy, so she tidied up.

“Go to bed.”

The dragon-and-phoenix twins lay sprawled on their backs, bellies rising and falling, little feet raised, cheeks rosy.

Lin Zhao adjusted their sleeping positions and covered their little bellies with a new blanket. She told Big Son and Second Son, “Lie still, I’m going to blow out the lamp.”

“All ready,” Big Son said.

Lin Zhao blew out the lamp and lay down; soon the four children were fast asleep.

After the children slept, Lin Zhao rubbed her hands and began a lottery draw.

The red pointer spun and finally stopped.

It landed on the section with bathing and skincare sets.

[Two laundry soaps]

[One bottle of shampoo]

[One bottle of rose-scented body wash]

[One bottle of softening and moisturizing conditioner]

[One tube of baking soda whitening toothpaste]

[Five soft-bristle toothbrushes]

[One bottle of whitening and moisturizing body lotion]

[One bottle of moisturizing face cream]

[One bottle of hydrating children’s face cream]

[One moisturizing facial soap]

All essentials urgently needed at home.

Lin Zhao quietly got up, whispered the retrieval command, put the newly drawn items into the cupboard, yawned, and went to bed.

---

At the Gu family’s old house, in the big room where the main branch lived.

Tie Dan tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and asked his younger brother, “Tie Chui, did you really eat eight dumplings today?”

“Mm-hmm,” Tie Chui lay flat on his back, his hand on his bulging belly, a thin, dark face full of satisfaction.

“The dumplings Third Aunt made were as big as fists; one bite was all meat inside, and they were made with white flour—so delicious.”

Tie Chui looked on enviously, almost ready to cry.

“Why didn’t you save me one?” Tie Dan complained.

Tie Chui looked puzzled. “Isn’t it what you said? Only what’s in your stomach counts as yours.”

Tie Dan wanted to slap himself, regretting having asked.

“Next time there’s something good, save me some, and if I have something good, I’ll save you some.”

“No,” little Tie Chui shook his head, refusing. “I want to save them for Big Son and Second Son.”

“No way,” Tie Dan said, “You eat too much.” He even kindly explained.

Tie Dan seemed to hear his own heart breaking. His voice was low and mournful: “Tie Chui, I’m your real brother.”

What’s wrong with saving your biological brother some food?

Tie Chui turned over, ignoring the words, mumbling, “Big Son and Second Son are my brothers too, my best brothers.”

Tie Dan was both angry and hurt. “I’ve been washing your diapers for nothing!”

After saying that, he turned over.

Brother washing his diapers?

Little Tie Chui couldn’t stay still. Like a worm, he wriggled over beside his mother, Huang Xiulan, and whispered, “Mother, did Brother really wash my diapers?” The little boy’s face was full of confusion.

Huang Xiulan found her son’s expression amusing and teased him, “What will you do if he did? What if he didn’t?”

Tie Chui glanced at his brother’s resentful back and already had a plan.

“If Brother washed my diapers, I’ll save good things for him. If not, I’ll still save them for Big Son and Second Son.”

Huang Xiulan initially disliked her youngest son getting too close to the third branch’s children, as those two were cunning and their mother neglected their needs. She worried Tie Chui might suffer.

Unexpectedly, Lin Zhao invited Tie Chui to eat dumplings.

Strange.

But since her son benefits, the shrewd Mrs. Gu said nothing.

Tie Chui poked Huang Xiulan’s arm, earnestly asking, “Mother, did Brother really wash my diapers?”

The boy behind him stiffened.

Even though he cried from the smell halfway through, it still counted as washing, right?

Huang Xiulan glanced at Tie Dan and smiled, “I guess it counts.”

Tie Chui was puzzled. What did “counts” mean?

“Why do you smell a bit nice?” Huang Xiulan had noticed the scent on Tie Chui long ago but hadn’t asked. Now, standing close, it was unmistakable.

Tie Chui grinned foolishly. “Third Aunt put snow cream on me. Big Son, Second Son, and the twins are all nice-smelling kids.”

---

Huang Xiulan didn’t expect such a change in Lin Zhao and was full of questions.

What exactly was going on with the third daughter-in-law?

---

The next day.

Lin Zhao woke up groggy, feeling hot and suffocated. Opening her eyes, she saw the dragon-and-phoenix twins sleeping on top of her in strange positions.

Big Son and Second Son were squeezed beside her too.

She picked up the twins and placed them nearby, then sat up, fanning herself lazily with her hand, still half-asleep.

It was unbearably hot.

Big Son and Second Son were also awakened by the heat; their slightly grown hair was damp, faces flushed with impressions from the bamboo mats.

“Mother,” Big Son’s steady voice finally revealed a childlike innocence.

Lin Zhao lowered her voice, “Still sleepy? If you are, go back to sleep a while longer.”

“Where’s Mother?” Big Son rubbed his eyes, clearing his mind a bit.

“I’m not sleepy anymore. It’s too hot. I’ll go wash up and make breakfast. What do you want to eat?” Lin Zhao asked.

“Anything you make tastes good,” Big Son said, remembering the dumplings from yesterday, swallowing hard.

Lin Zhao’s heart blossomed like a flower. After a moment’s thought, she said, “I’ll make you steamed egg custard. The twins can eat it too. Okay?”

“Good,” Big Son said happily.

Mother and son quietly got out of bed and went to the yard.

There was a breeze outside, and the early morning temperature was still cool—much more comfortable than inside.

Lin Zhao opened the window to let fresh air in.

“Big Son, you wash first.” She took out the facial soap and four soft-bristle toothbrushes, introducing them one by one. “This is facial soap; you can also use it for washing your hands, as can your siblings. These toothbrushes are for you all. When Second Son and the others wake up, you’ll hand them out.”

Big Son stretched out both hands to receive the items. He carefully placed three toothbrushes back on the table and took his own to brush his teeth.

It was his first time brushing his teeth, a novel experience. Imitating his mother, he brushed left and right, up and down, occasionally meeting her smiling eyes and smiling back.

Lin Zhao rinsed her mouth and reminded, “Don’t swallow the toothpaste water; spit it out.”

Big Son’s cheeks puffed with foam, mouth surrounded by white bubbles, nodding.

Lin Zhao tried washing her face with the new soap; it smelled lovely and felt refreshing, not drying at all, leaving her skin soft and comfortable. She was used to applying snow cream after washing her face.

Back inside, remembering the face cream from last night’s lottery, she skipped the snow cream and applied the new cream instead.

Outside, Big Son, washing his face with the soap for the first time, was so enchanted by the scent he wanted to bite into the soap.

Lin Zhao half leaned out the window and whispered, “Big Son, come inside after washing. I’ll put some cream on you.”

Hearing this, Big Son hurried to rinse off the foam, wiped his face with a towel, and ran into the house, stepping lightly as he crossed the threshold.

Lin Zhao’s expression softened as she applied the cream to Big Son.

“Smells good, doesn’t it?” she asked.

“Good,” Big Son whispered, puzzled. “It’s different from last night’s smell.”

Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “That’s because women like all sorts of skincare products. This is just a small collection.”

Big Son suddenly understood. “When I grow up and work, I’ll buy lots of snow cream for Mother.”

Whether he meant it or not, it warmed her heart.

“Good, I’ll be waiting,” Lin Zhao said, pointing to the children’s face cream. “This is for kids. You and your siblings have to remember to apply it after washing.”

Big Son asked, “Will it make me as fair as Mother?”

Lin Zhao nearly laughed out loud. “You want to be fair?”

Big Son looked up shyly and smiled. “I want to be like Mother.”

“Hm?” Lin Zhao was puzzled.

Big Son lowered his eyes, saying nothing.

The villagers said they were too dark and not like their mother.

Lin Zhao didn’t press him, only said, “You and Second Son are tanned from the sun, that’s why you’re dark. Look at Third and Fourth; they’re fair and tender. After some time, you two will become fair and tender little ones, just like me.”

Big Son brightened and said seriously, “I’ll remind my siblings to apply it.”

Lin Zhao wrapped an arm around his slender shoulders and led him outside.

“Let’s go make some steamed egg custard.”

“Do you want anything else besides egg custard?”

“I’ll help you with the fire,” Big Son said, then answered her question, “Egg custard is enough.”

“Alright, anyway, not long before lunch.”

Mother and son busied themselves in the kitchen.

Big Son sat on a small stool, helping watch the fire, glancing at his mother often, a smile never leaving his lips.

Soon, a tempting aroma wafted from the pot.

“Mother, it smells so good.” Big Son sat on the stool, nostrils flaring, sucking in the scent deeply, nearly overwhelmed by it.

Mother had used four eggs.