Mu Xiaowan smiled and said, "There's nothing I can hide from you. It's just that it's so hot lately that I don't feel like eating. It's such a hot day, it's a bitter summer."

Zhou Chaoyang shook his head to show that he didn't understand: "I've never had a bitter summer. Even if I have a cold or a fever, I can still eat it. And whenever I'm sick, I can eat a can of oranges and I'll get better immediately."

Mu Xiaowan expressed envy: "That's great. Anyway, I have no appetite recently. Sometimes I even forget to eat at night. During the day, I just eat a little and I'm full."

Zhou Chaoyang didn't think too much about it and advised Mu Xiaowan: "Just wait until next month when it's cooler."

Sheng An Ning carefully looked at Mu Xiao Wan for several times, and indeed did not find anything unusual. Her face looked very good, but she was still suspicious in her heart, and she reached out her hand: "Stop for a moment, let me feel your pulse, and then I can prescribe an appetite-stimulating medicine for you."

Mu Xiaowan chuckled, and as she handed her wrist to Sheng An Ning, she said, "For an appetite-stimulating prescription, just take a few hawthorn pills. You just don't believe me. I'm in good health. If you don't believe me, take a look."

Sheng An Ning reached out and touched Zhou Chaoyang's pulse, frowned and remained silent for a minute, feeling even more suspicious. Could it be that she had guessed wrong?

Mu Xiaowan's pulse was indeed very healthy and strong.

"I said it's okay, don't worry, I'm lucky to die. If I have any problems, I will definitely go to the hospital to see a doctor. By the way, Chaoyang, will you come back for the New Year this time?"

Mu Xiaowan took her hand back without caring and continued to roll the dumpling wrappers while asking Zhou Chaoyang

Zhou Chaoyang sighed: "I don't know. Maybe I can't come back. There are launch missions during the Chinese New Year. But I should be able to come back next summer."

After that, he became happy again: "But don't worry, I will definitely be back on the day you and my second brother get married. I will also welcome my second sister-in-law into the family."

Mu Xiaowan's face flushed, but she responded generously: "Then you must keep your word."

Several people were busy making dumplings in the kitchen and chatting animatedly.

Outside, Zhou Shixun and Zhou Luancheng were looking at the four children and discussing the Lin family's affairs.

Zhou Luancheng was still a little anxious: "There is still no actual evidence to prove that Lin Tianyue and his mother were sent here by someone, and there is no movement from Mr. Cheng either."

Zhou Shixun was silent for a while: "He will come to Beijing at the end of the year, and then everything will be clear."

Zhou Luancheng sighed, "I hope so. These things have happened recently, and I feel like I have no clue at all. I was about to find the truth, and then it turned into a fog again."

Zhou Shixun thought it was all normal: "It's okay. Everything will go through its darkest moments, and then things will gradually get brighter."

An An didn't understand what his father and uncle were talking about, so he pushed Zhou Shixun over and said, "Dad, come dig the bunker with us."

The little girl has a boyish personality and likes to play with guns and sticks. Now, after watching a lot of war movies, she likes to build fortifications. Although she is ignorant and has no idea what fortifications are, it does not prevent her from liking it at all.

Zhou Shixun could only go over and play childish games with the children, while Zhou Luancheng watched from the side.

During dinner, there was another farewell. Zhou Hongyun's eyes were red, but she tried hard to hold back her tears. She would sigh from time to time, "Why would you let a girl go to such a far place?"

Zhou Chaoyang smiled and said, "Aunt, what's wrong with being a girl? Girls can hold up half the sky. Look at all the female tractor drivers, March 8th Red Flag Bearers, and Worker Medal winners, they are all women. I'm just not good at studying. Otherwise, I will become a female scientist and specialize in rocket research."

Zhou Hongyun was amused and picked up a few dumplings for Zhou Chaoyang: "Hurry up and eat more. You won't be able to eat dumplings at home when you go back there. Tomorrow morning, I'll make you fried dumplings with the remaining dumplings. In the evening, I'll make you some braised meat and baked bread. You can take them with you on the road."

Zhou Chaoyang thought it was too much trouble: "There are roast chicken and pancakes, which are enough for the journey. Any more will easily go bad."

Zhou Hongyun was unwilling: "My aunt and I have already discussed it. We will make the meat a little saltier and the pancakes a little drier. When the time comes, we can soak them in boiling water and eat them. They will keep for a long time."

Zhou Chaoyang didn't refuse either, mainly because even if she refused, Zhou Hongyun wouldn't listen.

Not only did they prepare a variety of pancakes, roast chicken, and braised meat, they also canned pickles and fermented tofu, for fear that Zhou Chaoyang would go hungry on the road.

The next morning, a large family saw Zhou Chaoyang off. Sheng Anning took advantage of the busy time to stuff 500 yuan into Zhou Chaoyang's bag. When you are away from home, you need more money to get by.

Zhou Chaoyang smiled and hugged everyone: "Okay, I'll be back soon. When I was in the army before, I didn't come back for several years."

Zhou Hongyun packed Zhou Chaoyang's luggage again, touched her braids again, and said with tears in her eyes: "Can it be the same?"

She wanted to say that if Zhong Wenqing knew, he would definitely be heartbroken.

If I had known Chaoyang was going on a long journey, I would have prepared more things and more fully.

Sheng An Ning's eyes were red as well. She went over and hugged Zhou Chaoyang: "Write home on time. Don't just report good news without reporting bad news. We want to know whether it's good or bad. If you've been wronged, apply to come back as soon as possible."

Zhou Chaoyang patted her back cheerfully: "Sister-in-law, don't worry, no one dares to bully me yet."

The family watched Zhou Chaoyang leave, looking at his slender figure carrying a backpack and a large bag. He never looked back and his steps were unusually steady and fast.

Sheng An Ning saw Zhou Chaoyang raise her hand and quickly wipe her eyes. She guessed that the girl didn't look back not only because she was reluctant, but also because she didn't want to be seen crying.

She couldn't help but cry. She bent down, picked up An An, and buried her face in her neck to hide her loss of composure.

Zhou Hongyun choked up and said, "Why is this kid so busy every day?"

She originally wanted to ask why this child had such a miserable life, but when she saw Zhou Nanguang's eyes turn red, she swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth.

After seeing Zhou Chaoyang off, Zhou Luancheng and Mu Xiaowan left together, and Zhou Shixun also went to work.

Although there are four children in the family, it feels a lot quieter.

Sheng Anning carried An An back to the yard and asked Zhou Hongyun to look after the child for a while. She went to the backyard to wash her face and calm down.

Mo Mo followed her mother quietly, watching Sheng An Ning wash her face. She tilted her face up and put a wet towel on her face. She didn't put it down until a while later, but her eyes were unusually red.

The little guy didn't quite understand, he pursed his lips, took Sheng Anning's hand, and pointed to his pocket: "Mom, my aunt gave it to me."

Sheng An Ning rubbed his eyes and squatted down, only to find that Mo Mo's trouser pocket was bulging. He reached out and took it out, and saw that it was a handful of money!