Every year when the year draws to a close, the workload within the unit increases.

Compared with usual, Zhou Jiao tried her best to delegate power and promote new people.

Moreover, she assigned tasks to her subordinates one by one without hesitation and without leaving any trace.

Fortunately, she had already made preparations and had handed over the business trip mission to someone half a year ago.

She still didn't take a vacation this year.

Because she knew that after a while, her mentality would not allow her to devote herself to work. For her, especially when she was so nervous, it would be better to relax for a while.

And she should take a break for a while.

During this year's winter vacation, May Day came back first.

As usual, I went to pick up Zhou Jiao from get off work at the appointed time, and as usual, I dressed up to entertain my parents.

He didn't say he might be away for a while...

Similarly, Zhou Jiao never mentioned these things once.

The mother and son tacitly chose to wait for Ping An and Liu Yi to return.

As the New Year draws to a close, Zhou Jiao is no longer focused on work. She uses her free time to prepare New Year's goods and spend more time with her youngest son.

She didn't know what her child was busy with during her work hours, but she saw that he never left the house as long as she was at home.

This was like the behavior of a lady from a noble family. If it was Liuyi, who liked quietness, she might not think too much about it, but she would understand that even her son wanted to go to the front line.

When she was alone at night, she often wondered how such a selfish person like her could have a son who was so devoted to the country, and why he only inherited her stubbornness?

But deep down, I am undoubtedly proud of them.

A few days later, after all the chopping, kneading, expanding, wrapping and packing were done, it was time for Ping An and Liu Yi to go home.

Looking at Zhou Jiao, who was so busy that sweat was coming out of her forehead, she was smiling happily.

The two brothers looked at each other, then looked at their mother with guilt. No one understood the sadness behind their smiles better than them, but they both loved the green uniforms.

Their pride in being a soldier has been ingrained in their bones and blood, and they want to support the family's burden with their strong bodies and provide a roof over their heads.

"You're back? You've lost weight. How about I make you some dumplings? We have your favorite seafood and beef fillings. This time, we've made over a thousand of them, enough for you to eat as much as you want."

Thousands of dumplings?

Ping'an and his brother ran forward laughing, each holding one side of her, while Liuyi pushed her back from behind, and they entered the living room and sat down.

The smiling buddies tacitly lifted her arms to massage them, while Wuyi stood behind her and gently pressed and pounded her shoulders. His face, which usually always had a smile on it, was now tense.

Zhou Jiao looked at her sons, took a deep breath, suppressed her inner sadness, and put on a smile, "What are you doing? Why don't you take a rest?"

Ping An smiled and shook his head, "Mom, I'm not tired."

Liuyi complained, "Mom, why didn't you wait for us to come back? Your hands are all red. What should we do if you get frostbite?"

"Silly child, have you forgotten that your mother can make the medicine herself?" Zhou Jiao twitched her arm. "Stop pressing, I'm not tired. Just sit down."

The buddy shook his head, and Ping An lowered his head and looked at her arm, "Wait, Grandma Chen will serve the dumplings soon."

While she was looking at Ping'an, Liuyi winked at Wuyi: Come on, talk!

Wuyi rolled his eyes at him and looked away, but then he felt unwilling to accept it and rolled his eyes at him again. He put his arms around his mother's shoulders and said, "Mom, you love my brothers more than me."

Upon hearing this, Liuyi looked at his brother with a half-smile and gave him an admiring look.

Zhou Jiao agreed with a smile, "Oh, I forgot to tell you, your brother also did a lot of work. He makes beautiful buns and dumplings. He's the one who comes up with all the new and creative ways to make them."

Ping An jokingly said, "Wuyi has always been very clever and deft."

"Brother, you might as well just praise me for being able to serve you like a half-daughter."

"I'm just waiting for you to speak frankly."

Wuyi shook Zhou Jiao's shoulders unwillingly, "Mom, look, my brother is bullying me again."

Zhou Jiao chuckled as she was shaken. "Okay, I'll punish your brother by making him eat the buns and dumplings you made."

The four of them, mother and children, were chatting lightly, which made Zhang Guoqing, who had just returned from hearing the news, standing in the yard, feel relieved. Then he smiled and stepped into the living room.

"Sons, Dad is back."

"Dad, have you been very busy recently? Why have you lost weight?" Ping'an stood up when he saw him come back, took his coat and hung it up, then looked at him again worriedly.

"Is there?"

Zhou Jiao patted her two younger sons and stood up. "You guys chat. I'm going to go see if Aunt Chen is okay first." Of course, she would also cook a few dishes to reward her family.

As they watched her leave, the three brothers looked at Zhang Guoqing dejectedly, "Dad?"

Zhang Guoqing sighed upon seeing this, "Don't worry, as long as you guys come back safely, your mother will be fine. How many days can you stay at home this time?"

Ping An looked at Liu Yi, then faced Zhang Guoqing with a guilty look and said softly, "We'll leave in three days."

Zhang Guoqing was stunned when he heard this. "That means we can't celebrate Chinese New Year together. What about Children's Day? We have to leave together three days later? We have to go on May Day too?"

The three brothers looked at each other and then looked at Zhang Guoqing in embarrassment.

Zhang Guoqing frowned and looked at his youngest son. "Since you have chosen another path, it doesn't matter if you don't go. Why not forget it?"

Wuyi walked up to him, squatted down, placed his hands on his knees, and looked at him, "Dad, I've even arranged everything with the school. You have to believe in your son! I promise you, I will come back safe and sound. Not only me, but my brother and the others will be safe too. We still have to get married and have children."

Zhang Guoqing glared at him and said, "Didn't we agree that you would stay at home?"

Wuyi looked at Ping'an for help.

Ping An looked at his father's face and said, "Dad, let Wuyi go. He won't be willing to go if we don't let him go this time. And have you forgotten? He and Liuyi always have good luck together."

Zhang Guoqing looked at his son and remained silent. "A grown-up son is no longer under his mother's control," he said. "Here he is, isn't he?" It would be nice to leave one son behind to keep Jiaojiao company.

Liuyi leaned over and held Zhang Guoqing's shoulder. "Dad, we are not reckless people. We are doing this to defend our country, but we have also made plans for the future. We will not make you and my mother sad."

"I don't care about your future." Zhang Guoqing frowned deeply. "You should remember not to act arrogantly outside. Nothing is more important than your life."

"I understand. We promised my mother before that if we get injured, we will have to retire."

Zhang Guoqing sighed. What else could he do?

"Spend some time with your mother these past few days. Even though she's smiling all the time, she's feeling worse than anyone else. She's sacrificed half her life just so you can do whatever you want."

For your mother's sake, you all have to be careful outside and don't let her worry. If she falls ill, you will have to retire at any time."