Chapter 76 Receiving the Package

The family was eating hot scallion pancakes around the table when suddenly a series of hurried footsteps came from outside.

A young soldier, panting, stood at attention and saluted at the door: "Comrade Huo, Comrade Lu, there are packages for you at the door. You need to register before you can take them."

Lu Mingyue was taken aback and put down the pancake in her hand: "A package?"

Huo Zheng stood up, took the form handed to him by the young soldier, and glanced at the sender—Ren Huifang.

"It was sent by my godmother." Lu Mingyue suddenly realized, and a smile immediately appeared on her face.

The family quickly followed the young soldier to the gate, signed the form, and retrieved their two bulging packages.

Why are there two?

The postman happened to be delivering mail, including a package from Beijing.

The family quickly registered and signed the forms, and took both packages home.

Back home, Lu Mingyue carefully opened the first package, which contained several packets of cured meat, peanut candy, and sesame cakes that the children loved.

"It smells so good!" Leilei leaned over to take a sniff and couldn't help but swallow.

Lu Mingyue smiled and shared some with the two children, then picked out a sesame cake and handed it to Huo Zheng: "Try it, this is made by your godmother, it tastes even better than the ones you buy at the supply and marketing cooperative."

Huo Zheng took a bite and nodded: "Yeah, it's really good. You can call her another day to thank her. We have a lot of local specialties on our island, so prepare some more and send them back to her."

"Don't worry, I know."

Lu Mingyue felt a warm glow in her heart. On this island far from her hometown, it was such a happy thing to have someone thinking of her.

The second package was sent by my mother-in-law from Beijing. It contained local Beijing snacks, several packets of tea, several pieces of fabric, and a thick letter.

Lu Mingyue carefully opened the letter. The words were full of concern and care for them. She also told Huo Zheng to take good care of himself and the child, and to remember to care for his family while he was working.

After lunch, Lu Mingyue brewed a pot of hot tea and poured a cup for Huo Zheng and the children.

The aroma of tea wafted through the air, mingling with the sweet scent of pastries, filling the entire room.

"Try this donkey roll." Lu Mingyue picked up a piece and put it in Huo Zheng's bowl. "This was specifically mentioned in Mom's letter. She said it was your favorite food when you were little."

Huo Zheng took a bite, and the familiar taste instantly evoked childhood memories.

He smiled and said, "It still tastes the same. Mom remembers it so clearly."

Leilei and Yaoyao, on the other hand, had a special fondness for pea flour cakes. Their sweet but not cloying taste made them smile as they ate.

The next day, Lu Mingyue divided the pastries her mother-in-law had sent into several portions and wrapped them in clean oil paper.

"Let's go, let's deliver some to Niu Niu, Ming Ming, and Ting Ting's families," she said to the two children.

As soon as the two children heard that they were going out, they excitedly ran over to help carry the snacks.

When they arrived at Sister Wang's house, Sister Wang accepted the snacks, beaming from ear to ear: "Oh dear, I'm so sorry, please keep them for yourselves."

"Please accept this. My mother-in-law sent it from Beijing. Let's all try it together," Lu Mingyue said with a smile.

Leilei chimed in, "Aunt Wang, this donkey roll is delicious!"

Sister-in-law Wang was amused: "Okay, okay, then I won't be polite."

Wang Fengmei accepted the gift and praised Lu Mingyue for having met such a good mother-in-law.

They went to Niu Niu's house again, where Ji Dashan happened to be home.

He took the snack and smelled it dramatically: "Mmm! It smells like Beijing!"

Zheng Xiuhua slapped him, "Alright, stop getting in the way, hurry up and share with the children."

He wasn't angry at being hit in front of outsiders; instead, he happily took some snacks and went to play with the children.

Zheng Xiuhua pulled Gu Mingyue's arm and smiled as she pressed her down onto a small stool: "Mingyue, I have something to tell you."

Lu Mingyue looked at her in confusion: "What is it?"

"Let's go up the mountain tomorrow!" Zheng Xiuhua winked mysteriously.

"The fruits on the mountain have ripened these past few days, especially the grapes. I saw people picking them, and each one was like a glass bead, big and sweet."

Lu Mingyue's eyes lit up: "Really? We'd better go early, or they'll all be picked by others."

“That’s right!” Zheng Xiuhua slapped her thigh. “If we bring a basket and some water, we can be back before noon.”

Just then, Leilei and Yaoyao ran out of the house. Hearing the words "picking grapes," they immediately surrounded her excitedly: "Mommy, we want to go too!"

Looking at the expectant eyes of the two children, Lu Mingyue hesitated: "The road up the mountain is difficult to travel. Wouldn't it be too dangerous to bring them along?"

Zheng Xiuhua thought for a moment, then frowned: "It's indeed not easy to walk. I originally planned for the two of us to go, but judging from their appearance, they obviously can't..."

Before he could finish speaking, Leilei immediately ran up to Lu Mingyue and solemnly promised, "Mom, I will be very well-behaved, I won't run around or be naughty!"

Yao Yao nodded quickly, her little hands gripping Lu Mingyue's clothes tightly: "I will hold Mommy's hand and never leave her side!"

Over time, Leilei has become more childlike, but Lu Mingyue is happy to see this.

He's just a child; he doesn't need to learn to be sensible.

Seeing the children's earnest expressions, Lu Mingyue's heart softened.

She crouched down and patted their heads: "Alright, you must keep your word."

Zheng Xiuhua added with a smile, "Let's walk slowly. I'll lead the way, and you guys keep up."

Early the next morning, Lu Mingyue and Zheng Xiuhua set off with their three children, carrying small baskets on their backs.

Wildflowers were in full bloom along the mountain road, bees were buzzing around collecting nectar, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and soil.

Just as they reached the halfway point up the mountain, Yao Yao suddenly stopped and pointed to the bushes by the roadside, whispering, "Mommy, look!"

Following her finger, everyone looked and saw a furry little squirrel holding a pine cone, watching them warily.

Leilei excitedly tried to get closer, but the squirrel scurried up the tree and playfully dropped a leaf, which landed right on Leilei's head.

"Hahahaha," Zheng Xiuhua laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight.

Continuing uphill, a patch of wild strawberries appeared by the roadside, their bright red berries hidden among the green leaves.

Niu Niu couldn't resist picking one and putting it in his mouth. His eyes narrowed with sweetness as he exclaimed, "Mommy, this is even sweeter than grapes!"

Lu Mingyue also picked a few and shared them with everyone: "These are natural treasures, pick some to take back for Huo Zheng to try."

As we were walking, two adults were talking behind us.

Zheng Xiuhua looked ahead and couldn't help but sigh, "I didn't expect these three little ones to be so sensible."

Lu Mingyue smiled and shook her head: "That's because we haven't seen the grapes yet. It's hard to say what will happen when we see them."

Sure enough, when the grape trellis came into view, the children's eyes lit up immediately, and their steps quickened unconsciously.