"Mom, your second son is only nineteen, and you're already planning so far ahead? He doesn't even have a girlfriend yet, what's the rush?"

Upon hearing this, Sheng Xiping couldn't help but laugh. As her son grew older, the mother had more worries.

"Mom, listen to me, don't rush to build a house to find a wife for the second son, let's wait a bit longer."

In his previous life, the second son went to work in Fushun for a few years and, through an introduction, married a girl from the mine's cultural troupe.

The couple both work at the mine, and their employers provide them with housing. They're doing quite well there, and it's a blessing if they can come back once a year for the Spring Festival.

In this lifetime, Sheng Xiping has neither killed anyone nor been imprisoned, so it won't affect Sheng Xi'an's chances of going to university.

It's likely that Sheng Xi'an will at least attend Tonghua Normal School. After graduating, it's uncertain where he'll be assigned. Even if his family builds a house, they can't come back to live there.

As for Sheng Xikang, that kid is a good student. He'll take the college entrance exam next year, and who knows, he might even get into a university and go abroad to study.

If that's the case, there's really no need to rush to rebuild the old houses on the west side.

Let's wait and see how things go in a few years. If we build houses too early and no one lives in them, those houses are prone to freezing damage and will be ruined in a few years.

Zhang Shuzhen didn't quite agree with her son's words and was about to object when suddenly, there was a series of thumping footsteps outside.

Then, Sheng Xitai was heard shouting in the courtyard.

"Dad, Mom, people are taking pictures over at the alkali field. Lots of people are taking pictures. Should our family take pictures too?"

There is no photo studio in Qianchuan Forest Farm; if you want to take photos, you have to go to Songjianghe.

When Sheng Xinhua was 100 days old, Zhang Shuzhen mentioned that they should take a picture of the child.

However, the forest farm is far from Songjiang River, and it would take several days to go there. Zhou Qinglan was busy with work and didn't have the time, so the matter was not brought up again.

When Zhang Shuzhen heard that people from the Dajianchang area had come to take photos, she was quite happy.

"Take a picture, why don't you take one? What's the photographer doing here? Can he take a picture for us?"

"I heard that the fifth-grade students at Dajianchang Elementary School are graduating, and the school has invited people from the Donggang Commune Photo Studio to take graduation photos for the students."

That person came by the little train. Isn't today Sunday? School doesn't start until tomorrow.

So the photographer lived at the Dajianchang team headquarters, which was perfect for taking photos for people. "Sheng Xitai is such a gossip; there's nothing he can't find out."

"Mom, didn't you say you wanted to take a family photo?"

My dad also said he wanted to take some photos of Xinhua to send back to our hometown. Luckily, a photographer is coming today, so let's hurry up and take some.

In those days, taking photos was definitely a big deal in the eyes of children. As soon as he heard that there was a photo shoot, Sheng Xitai ran home to tell them.

"Quickly, call your second and third brothers back, and your dad too. Where did he go? Find them all and bring them back quickly. Change your clothes, and let's take a picture."

Zhang Shuzhen also understood that this was a rare opportunity, and if they missed it, it would be a long time before they could take another family photo.

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Upon receiving his mother's instructions, Sheng Xitai immediately rushed out and gathered all the family members to take a photo.

Zhang Shuzhen first hid the money under the cabinet, and then locked the cabinet.

Then they went to the west room, where Zhou Qinglan and I helped Xiao Xinhua urinate, changed his clothes, and put on diapers.

Just then, Sheng Liancheng and his two sons returned. Zhang Shuzhen found them clean clothes to change into, and the family got ready and headed straight for the Dajianchang (a type of alkali plantation).

Sheng Xitai led the way, taking his family straight to the headquarters of the Dajianchang team.

At this moment, several chairs were set up in the courtyard of the team headquarters, and a photographer from Donggang was taking pictures of people.

The area outside the team headquarters was packed with people, some taking photos, others just watching the spectacle.

The brothers Liu Yujiang and Liu Yuhe were also in the team headquarters courtyard, helping to maintain order.

"Hey everyone, make way! Don't block the way. People who want to take pictures can't squeeze in."

"If you want your photo taken, come over here to sign up and get in line. It'll be your turn in a bit."

To be honest, since it's not a holiday, very few people are actually willing to spend money to take photos; most are just there to watch the spectacle.

As soon as Liu Yujiang said that, those who weren't taking pictures automatically made way for the person taking pictures.

Sheng Xiping carried Xiao Xinhua, with Zhou Qinglan and Zhang Shuzhen beside him. Sheng Liancheng held Sheng Xitai with his left hand and Chen Feng with his right. The other children of the Sheng family followed behind, and they arrived at the team headquarters courtyard through the path cleared by the crowd.

"Brother, we'd like to take some photos," Sheng Xiping said with a smile as he approached Liu Yujiang, carrying his son.

"Oh my, my nephew is here! Come on, let your grandpa give him a hug."

Oh my, this child is so chubby and fair-skinned, he's absolutely adorable!

When Liu Yujiang saw that it was a member of the Sheng family, he was overjoyed and quickly reached out to take Xiao Xinhua from him, holding him in his arms and showering him with affection.

The Sheng family is large, and Sheng Xinhua even went to school with Zhou Qinglan; he's quite a knowledgeable kid.

So the child was held in Liu Yujiang's arms, neither crying nor making a fuss, and even smiled at Liu Yujiang.

"Hey Lao Liu, Lao Huang, the people from the forest farm came over to take pictures, and they were even holding a child."

"Let's be generous and take their photos first, then we'll take yours, okay?"

Xiao Xinhua's smile made Liu Yujiang so happy he was practically beside himself. He quickly discussed with the two families who were in line whether they could cut in line.

Liu Yujiang is the brigade secretary; how could his words not carry weight?

Upon hearing this, the two families quickly said they weren't in a hurry and told the Sheng family to go ahead with the photo.

Just then, the photographer finished taking pictures of one family and went to pay. Liu Yujiang quickly arranged for the Sheng family to go over and sit down.

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