Half a month after Dongfanghong returned, Qi Zhijun finally ended his assignment to the countryside and returned to his original unit, which also ended his five-year separation from Xiao Cui.

He was overjoyed to hear that his nephews had returned, and immediately went to buy a pound of pork and two cabbages to make dumplings.

The family was happily making steamed buns and dumplings. Watching Qi's mother divide the filling into two bowls, she smiled and said, "Your grandma still likes to cook for you. This one with more meat and less vegetables is definitely for the three of you."

Qi's mother glared at him and said, "How can you, a grown man, argue with a few children? They are still young and need to grow. Dongdong is going to work at the arsenal next month, so he needs to take better care of his health." She sighed and said, "It doesn't matter if adults eat a little less or a little more, but we can't let the children suffer." After saying that, she looked at Dongfang Hong with loving eyes.

Wang Dong smiled and said, "Grandma loves us the most..." He then seemed to remember something and stopped talking.

Wang Fang curled her lip upon hearing this and said, "I still remember when I was little, Wei Shuqing made a big fuss with the family just because we ate a few more bites. She had such a petty, bourgeois attitude."

Wang Dong nudged her, gave her a look, and said apologetically to Qi Zhijun, "Uncle, I'm sorry. I was young then, and I was really hungry. I caused you so much trouble. And I even..."

Qi Zhijun interrupted with an awkward smile, saying, "It's all in the past, let's not talk about it anymore."

Mother Qi sneered, "That's the real black-hearted one, occupying Fangzi's house while the Qi family's children eat their fill."

Qi Zhijun said helplessly, "Mom, it's been so long! Is it really necessary for you to keep bringing up this old news? It's rare for the children to come back, and we're having a happy family meal. Why do you have to bring up people you don't want to be involved with?"

Qi's mother rolled her eyes and said, "Alright, alright! I won't say anything more. You're back now. You're not getting any younger. Hurry up and have a child with Cui. You're over thirty and don't even have a child. I don't think you can rely on Aiguo anymore. He didn't even come to see you off when your father passed away. He doesn't even recognize you anymore."

Seeing that Qi Zhijun's expression was not good, he didn't say anything more and swallowed his words. At this moment, Xiao Cui and Xiao Ban came back and said happily to Qi Zhijun, "Zhijun, you're back! You won't leave again this time, right?"

Qi Zhijun nodded and said, "Yes, the work below is basically finished. I'll rest for two days and then go back to my original unit to report for duty. Go wash your hands quickly, and then come over and make dumplings."

While Xiao Cui went to wash her hands, Qi's mother put away the dumplings she had finished making, poured the remaining filling into a bowl and mixed it again. The Qi family didn't say anything; they were all used to it and thought it was perfectly normal.

When Qi Zhifang returned, the dumplings were already cooked. Qi Zhijun smiled and said, "You're so lucky, you get to eat something ready as soon as you walk in the door."

Qi Zhifang said with a smile, "Brother, now that you're back, you don't need to go down there anymore, right?"

Qi Zhijun nodded, and the family enjoyed a peaceful meal of dumplings before returning to their respective rooms to rest.

Life went on peacefully for another month until one day, when the family was eating at the dinner table, Wang Fang suddenly announced, "I'm going to take the train to the countryside the day after tomorrow afternoon, and I won't be eating at home anymore."

The sudden revelation left the Qi family stunned. The mother was the first to react, saying, "My dear child, this is a trip to the countryside, not a matter of whether we eat at home or not! How could you make such a decision on your own? Why didn't you discuss it with everyone beforehand?"

Wang Fang, nonchalantly taking a bite of her cornbread, said, "Chairman Mao himself said, 'The vast countryside offers boundless opportunities.' I'm going to build a new countryside for our motherland, and nobody can stop me. Anyone who tries to stop me is opposing Chairman Mao's decision, fighting against communist society, and is a counter-revolutionary!"

Qi Zhifang slammed her chopsticks on the table and said, "You're being ridiculous! What hardships have you ever endured? Do you know how difficult it is to work in the fields? Do you know when to plant and when to harvest the rice seedlings? You're going to the countryside just because of your enthusiasm and a few slogans? Are you crazy?"

Wang Fang snorted coldly, "It's none of your business. I know what I'm doing. Just mind your own business. Okay, I'm full. You guys can eat slowly."

Wang Hong and Wang Dong picked out some vegetables and took a few cornbread buns, saying, "We'll go back and take a look. You guys eat slowly."

Qi Zhifang cried out in anger, "What kind of child is this? Brother, what should we do? We can't just watch him go to the countryside!"

Qi Zhijun had just finished his exile last month and was able to return to his post at the design institute. In his heart, Li Mao was his benefactor and the most capable person he knew. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Fangzi, why don't you pack your things, and the two of us buy some things and go see Director Li? We'll beg him to think of a solution!"

The nearly five years of exile made him feel that he was a special person in Li Maocai's heart, and that he could only think of this person when he encountered difficulties.

Qi's mother nodded and said, "I think it's a good idea. You should buy some things and go take a look. Hmm, ask him to get Wang Fang a job, but she can't go to the countryside!"

The two quickly ate their meal and rushed out, buying two cans of meat, two cans of fruit, and two pounds of apples before hurrying to Director Li's house. When they knocked, a boy of about fifteen or sixteen, with a burly face, opened the door and arrogantly asked, "Who are you looking for?"

Qi Zhijun smiled ingratiatingly and said, "You must be Li Hongqi, Director Li's son? I'm Qi from the design institute. I just got back and wanted to pay Director Li a visit!"

Li Hongqi glanced at what they were carrying, then coldly opened the door and called out, "Dad! Someone's looking for you!"

Li Maocai, wearing an apron, came out of the kitchen. Upon seeing Qi Zhijun, he gave a curt "Oh!" and said coldly, "Little Qi! Come inside and sit down. I'll finish cooking!"

Qi Zhijun nudged Qi Zhifang and said with a smile, "Director Li, how about I have my sister cook you a meal? You can try her cooking! I also want to report to you on my work."

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