The New Year's bells rang, heralding the arrival of the 1980s.

Gu Ye did not return this New Year.

Bonnie was very anxious, but fortunately Gu Ze returned with his sister-in-law and Xuan Hao, arriving home on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

"Dad, over here."

Xuanyu drove himself to pick her up from the station, while Baoni asked Hanye to help her borrow a car.

How did you get here?

Gu Ze looked at his eldest son, who was taller than him. He had grown even taller in the six months he hadn't seen him.

"My second aunt asked Uncle Han to help her borrow a car, but I drove here myself. Mom and Dad, Xuanhao, get in the car, it's too cold."

Xuan Yu took the bag from her mother's hand, not knowing what was inside. Even Xuan Hao was carrying something.

"Big brother, have you grown taller again? What about second brother, Sister Liujiu, and Brother Sanqi? Have they all grown taller?"

Xuanhao, who is already in second grade, is not very tall, just average.

"Yes, he's grown quite a bit this winter, mainly because your second brother injured his leg a while ago. Your second aunt has been making bone broth every day, and he's eaten more than ten chickens, ducks, and geese. In a month, he seems to have grown taller."

Xuan Yu often came back that month to help bathe Xuan Yi. Since his second uncle wasn't home and San Qi was still young, he came back every few days and benefited from the situation.

"You guys are so lucky, it makes me not want to go back to the south."

Gu Xuanhao sighed. His parents were both busy, and he was practically a key child.

"Stop it now. Your second aunt is already working hard enough taking care of your older brothers. After the New Year, Mom won't be so busy and will cook for you every day."

Sister-in-law Gu was truly grateful to Bao Ni from the bottom of her heart. The two children were better treated by Bao Ni as their second aunt than by Bao Ni herself.

"Yes, my second aunt worked very hard. Especially during the month when Xuanyi was injured, my second aunt carried him up and down the stairs for more than a month."

Gu Xuanyu was proud; his second aunt was one of a kind in the world, and everyone envied her.

"Yes, just keep that in mind. Don't take your aunt's kindness for granted."

Gu Ze reminded Gu Xuanyu that they were both adults and should know how to be grateful.

"No, we remember it. It's just that after my second uncle passed away before the New Year, my second aunt was very worried. Although she didn't say it, I knew it."

My second uncle left, and she got so anxious and feverish that she said she kicked off the covers and got cold last night. Dad, do you know when my second uncle will be back?

Gu Xuanyu knew the answer was no, but he still couldn't help asking.

Gu Ze fell silent; he didn't know either. Now that he was no longer in the military, many things were top secret, and he truly didn't know.

Soon, the car arrived at the compound. After registering and entering, Xuanyu parked the car in front of the unit entrance. He helped his parents carry their things upstairs first, then got down to return the car.

"Sister-in-law, welcome back."

Upon hearing the noise, Bonnie opened the door early and greeted the children at the entrance.

"Bonnie, it's been so long, I've missed you."

Sister-in-law Gu gave Bao Ni a hug, a gesture filled with longing and gratitude.

"Uncle, Aunt, Xuanhao, welcome home."

Sanqi stood at the door, his back straight, speaking in a serious tone, like a retired cadre.

"Sanqi, you're becoming more and more like a leader."

Gu Ze rubbed Sanqi's head. This child is so interesting.

"Come inside, sit down and rest for a bit, then we'll have dinner. The dumplings were for those who got on the train, and the noodles are for those who got off. We'll have noodles with soybean paste later."

Bonnie urged everyone to come inside, telling them not to block the doorway.

Gu Ze led the way, and the group of people sat down in the living room.

"Liu Jiu, you've grown your hair out, it looks beautiful!"

Sister-in-law Gu hadn't noticed before, but now she saw it clearly: Liu Jiu's hair was no longer a buzz cut; it was now longer than Gu Xuanyi's hair.

"Aunt, I've only kept it for a few months. I'll keep it until I go to military academy, and then I'll cut it off after I pass the exam."

It wasn't until 1969 that she started to get used to her hair and stopped constantly thinking about pulling it.

"Baoni, make some noodles. After we eat, I'm going to visit some of my uncles and aunts. Your sister-in-law brought back some local specialties; I'll pack some up later while I go for a walk."

Gu Ze knew that Gu Ye wasn't home. He happened to be back for a meeting and had the time scheduled for this occasion, partly for social obligations.

"knew."

Bonnie quickly went inside to cook noodles. She had been worried because Gu Ye wasn't home, and she wasn't familiar with the social interactions involved.

Gu Ye knew that she wasn't good at or liked interacting with unfamiliar people, so she didn't need to get involved in these matters. She only needed to take care of her own little family, unlike her sister-in-law, who was a perfect virtuous wife.

After dinner, Bonnie helped her sister-in-law prepare gifts, while Gu Ze chatted with the children.

"Sister-in-law, I still have some chickens and geese that I bought before the New Year. I prepared them in advance because I didn't know if Gu Ye could make it back. If he can't come back, I'll stew them for the children."

Bonnie has prepared the things, but she doesn't know if she can deliver them.

"That would be even better. They are all uncles and aunts with whom we have a good relationship. Sending some local specialties and food is better than cigarettes and alcohol, and it shows that we are closer. Most importantly, they really don't need those things."

Sister-in-law Gu knew that Bao Ni wasn't good at these things, and Gu Ye didn't intend to force her. He was managing things very well on his own, and he was confident that San Qi would be able to do a good job in the future.

Gu Ze looked at the five children beside him. His son, Xuanhao, was the youngest and not very noticeable, but the others each had their own strengths.

Xuan Yu has the demeanor of an elder brother and speaks with great care. Liu Jiu's martial arts skills have improved again. Xuan Yi is much stronger than the average child, but compared to San Qi Yi, the gap is still noticeable.

Don't let Sanqi's age of ten after the New Year fool you; she's already quite articulate. Most importantly, she's quick-witted, has a clear mind, isn't intimidated in crucial moments, and dares to speak her mind.

Gu Ze was satisfied. He and Gu Ye had gone through so much hardship, wasn't it all for the sake of giving the next generation a better life?

With everything prepared, Gu Ze took the children out. Since they were visiting elders, it would be better to let the younger generation interact with them. The children could also learn about social etiquette and how to treat others.

Bonnie is no good at this; she's impatient with these things. If someone else is taking care of her, she won't have to worry about it.

"Baoni, don't worry, Gu Ye is very capable, he'll be fine. If he comes back and sees you looking so haggard, he'll be heartbroken!"

Sister-in-law Gu envies the relationship between Bao Ni and Gu Ye. She and Gu Ze have known each other since childhood, and their relationship is more about compatibility than love.

"I know that, but I just can't control myself. I keep thinking about where he is, whether he's eaten, and whether he's hurt..."

As Bonnie spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. She had been holding back for a long time, afraid of worrying her child, and hadn't dared to cry loudly.

"Cry, cry, it'll be better if you cry it out. Gu Ye will know how much you care about him, and he'll be careful. He had no worries before, and he was fearless in the face of death. Now, with you and the child, he'll definitely be careful."

Sister-in-law Gu hugged Bao Ni and encouraged her to cry, saying that holding it in would only make her feel worse.

Bonnie had a good cry and felt much better. She stopped crying and quickly went to the bathroom to wash her face.

Looking at Bao Ni, who had recovered, Sister-in-law Gu was still shaken. As a military wife, this was unavoidable.

Although she believed in Gu Ye's abilities, who could guarantee that all the soldiers who went out would return unscathed?