Chapter 39 Going Home: Pickled Vegetables and Radishes, Worrying About Nothing

“It’s a gift from your aunt to Mom, not for you,” said Sister-in-law Jiang. “You, a junior, don’t think about giving gifts to your elders, but instead think about taking things from them. You’re being far too impolite.”

"My aunt gave it to me." Jiang Yufei repeated the same thing. What's wrong with taking a little of something given by her aunt?

The reason Song's mother left as soon as possible was because she had anticipated this scene. Regardless of how these people distributed the items, all she could do was give them to Aunt Yu so that Aunt Yu's life could be better and so that others would know that Aunt Yu still had a significant role to play.

As long as those people know that Aunt Yu plays a significant role, they will treat her with more respect and won't make things too difficult for her.

Back then, the Song family had no other choice but to entrust Song Fenglan to Aunt Yu's care.

"Eldest daughter, take your things back to your room," Aunt Yu said. "And take some more to your grandmother's room."

Aunt Yu reached out and gave most of the things to Sister-in-law Jiang, while the remaining small portion was divided into two parts.

Jiang Yufei's expression froze. "Mom, is this all the food I have?"

"This was a gift from your aunt," Aunt Yu said. "When you come to your parents' house to pick up things, don't bring so much."

Aunt Yu thought Jiang Yufei really didn't know how to behave. How could a married girl have the nerve to come to her house and take so many things? Didn't she see that Sister-in-law Jiang was unhappy? Aunt Yu had just seen it all. When Jiang Yufei was distributing the things, she gave away all the good stuff.

If Sister-in-law Jiang hadn't seen it, that would be fine. But since Sister-in-law Jiang did see it, Aunt Yu couldn't let Jiang Yufei take those things away; she still had to keep an eye on things.

"This is too much?" Jiang Yufei pointed to the things on the table. "My aunt brought so much stuff, and you only gave me this little bit, I..."

“There’s a share for the family too; it’s not just your older brother and sister-in-law, but also your grandmother,” Aunt Yu said. “Didn’t your in-laws buy any?”

“Mom,” Jiang Yufei said, “My husband’s family isn’t as rich as my aunt’s family. My aunt’s family is really rich; they have so much food.”

“That was a gift from someone else to your aunt,” Aunt Yu said. “It’s not that your aunt and uncle can’t eat these things; it’s that they value me, so they sent them over.”

Aunt Yu knew that Song's mother didn't have to send those things over. The Song family had already sent quite a lot of things, and if they didn't send anything more, no one would say that the Song family had a problem.

“If they’re giving it to you, just take it,” Jiang Yufei said. “To them, this little bit of stuff is nothing.”

“You can’t say that. The things belong to them. They gave them to us, so we should be grateful,” Aunt Yu said. “Don’t be nostalgic for your aunt’s things. Those things aren’t ours.”

"Mom, how come Aunt's family is so rich? What about you? What about your dowry?" Jiang Yufei couldn't help but ask, since her own mother and Song's mother came from the same family.

"My dowry... was spent or lost during the war," Aunt Yu said.

“I thought they hadn’t given you a dowry,” Jiang Yufei said.

"They gave it to us," Aunt Yu said. "They gave us quite a lot. But in those days, things weren't easy."

"Not easy?" Jiang Yufei thought the Song family wasn't...

And with so much money, "wasn't your aunt's dowry more than yours?"

"Of course she has more than me," said Aunt Yu. She was born to a concubine, while Song's mother's biological mother came from a prominent family. She had heard that the matriarch brought a large dowry when she got married.

The mistress also left some things for Song's mother, so Song's mother naturally had a lot. Aunt Yu knew she couldn't compare to Song's mother, and shouldn't try to. She was already quite fortunate to have what she had.

Whether or not everyone can protect their property is a matter of individual fate.

"That's so unfair," Jiang Yufei said.

"That's pretty fair," Aunt Yu said. "I still have those things, so it's acceptable."

Unfortunately, Aunt Yu had spent most of her money, but she still had some jewelry left. During those turbulent times, she hid the jewelry, afraid to wear it out. When Jiang Yufei got married, Aunt Yu didn't give her any of the jewelry.

Aunt Yu only had a few things, so she had to put them all away carefully and not leave them lying around.

At this time, Shi Guilan called Li Hui and learned that one of her colleagues in the Revolutionary Committee had been reported. In the past, it was these people in the Revolutionary Committee who made things difficult for others, but now, some people in the Revolutionary Committee were also getting into trouble and being brought down.

Shi Guilan couldn't help but think how fortunate she was that she had been transferred along with her husband, and that she had already been suspended from her job. At the time, she had only had to write a self-criticism, which was considered a good outcome. Now, Shi Guilan didn't know what those people would do, and she was afraid that the matter would be recorded in her file, and she was also afraid of other things.

"It's only been a few days, and those people are making such a fuss," Li Hui said. "Cousin, how are you doing these days?"

“There’s a lot of sand and dust here,” Shi Guilan said. “The house is a bit inadequate.”

Shi Guilan disliked the Northwest, she disliked it very, very much. Shi Guilan longed to go back to Nancheng, but now, she dared not even think about going back to Nancheng, so she decided to stay in the Northwest.

“Our house is considered good; some people live in much worse houses,” Shi Guilan said. “Don’t worry, you’re in the cultural troupe, not the Revolutionary Committee, so you don’t need to worry about being exonerated or retaliated against. The most important thing is for you to get pregnant quickly.”

"Hmm..." Li Hui still disliked Guo Peng quite a bit; Guo Peng had many bad habits.

"You should live your life well," Shi Guilan said. "Don't worry about me."

After Shi Guilan arrived, she didn't dare move much, didn't dare say anything unpleasant, and didn't have any work. If Shi Guilan talked too much, people would think she was crazy, and no one would tolerate her. A newcomer, talking nonsense over there, did she not want to stay?

Old Mrs. Cao followed, and Staff Officer Xu again voiced his resentment towards Shi Guilan. Shi Guilan dared not speak further; her husband believed it was all her fault that he had been transferred here. Staff Officer Xu didn't say much to Shi Guilan, but she could sense her husband's attitude towards her.

In front of her two stepdaughters, Shi Guilan could not say much about them. If she said even a little bit, her husband would hear it and say, "Can't you do something useful?"

Shi Guilan used to think that without her mother-in-law around, whatever she said would be law. Now that there's an old lady named Cao, Shi Guilan has to worry about the old lady speaking ill of her to Staff Officer Xu.

Actually, there's no need for Granny Cao to speak ill of Shi Guilan now; Staff Officer Xu himself feels that Shi Guilan hasn't done a good job.

"Cousin, will you be able to come back?" Li Hui asked.

“Our motherland is so big, I’m afraid we can’t go back,” Shi Guilan said. “There are so many places, we might go to a different place next time.”

“That’s true. It’s such a big place, you don’t necessarily have to come back.” Li Hui was silent for a while. “During the Mid-Autumn Festival, I saw several people going to Song Fenglan’s place to admire the moon.”

Li Hui wasn't very happy. Song Fenglan was the center of attention, while she herself had hardly anyone to talk to.

"Let them go," Shi Guilan said. "She only knows how to make pastries to bribe people. How much can she possibly bribe? She can only bribe a few families. You should get pregnant early and not worry about whether Song Fenglan and the others are doing well. You live in a tenement building, and with another child, it will be perfect. It has to be a son. It's because I had a son that my aunt and the others are more considerate."

Sometimes, Shi Guilan wondered if her husband would treat her worse, and if Old Lady Cao would roll her eyes at her even more, instead of giving birth to a son.

“We’re working hard,” Li Hui said. “The work with the cultural troupe…”

“If you can’t dance, then change jobs and do something else,” Shi Guilan said. “You don’t have to keep thinking about dancing; you can’t dance for a lifetime.”

“I know, but I’m not reconciled,” Li Hui said. “I thought… I thought I could dance for the rest of my life.”

“Women need to get married and have children; they can’t keep jumping around forever,” Shi Guilan said. “Think about it, see if you can find a better job, or if the performing arts troupe can offer you something else?”

“There’s nothing for me to do; if there’s anything I can do, someone else has done it,” Li Hui said.

Li Hui's reputation is terrible now; everyone thinks she's a mistress. Even though Fan Yani is married, people still think Li Hui has a problem. To show her virtuousness and magnanimity, Li Hui sometimes even takes the initiative to greet Fan Yani.

Without Shi Guilan around, Li Hui felt that her days here were much harder, much harder, truly much harder.

“Think it over carefully. If that doesn’t work, go find Political Commissar Zhao’s wife. She’s the director of the Women’s Federation and can still do some things,” Shi Guilan said. “Arrange your way out as soon as possible.”

After arriving in the Northwest, Shi Guilan didn't not want to work, but she felt that those people were intentionally refusing to assign her any jobs. Shi Guilan didn't know if those people knew about what had happened to her in Nancheng, or if she was just being overly sensitive.

Regardless of the reason, Shi Guilan needs to be more low-key and can't continue to act the way she did before.

There's a phone at home, and Song Fenglan contacts her parents once a week. She also lets Qin Zihang talk to her, and Qin Yizhou also talks to her.

Some people were staring at Song Fenglan's home phone, wondering how much phone bill it would cost.

Gao Xiuxiu, who was pregnant, sat under a big tree and talked on the phone.

"Why do you care how much someone's phone bill is per month?" Fan Yani couldn't help but say. Had Gao Xiuxiu lost her mind during her pregnancy? "It's not like you have to pay for her phone bill."

“Isn’t this supposed to be public property?” Gao Xiuxiu said. “I heard from their children that they call home every week. As for us, we might not even call home once a month. Calling costs money. Who would make a call if there’s nothing wrong with it?”

“Once a week, I thought it was once a day. Even if it is once a day, it’s not a big deal,” Fan Yani said. “Contacting family more often can also arouse a desire to protect our country. Our family is here, so we have to work hard.”

"You don't manage a household, do you? Don't you know how expensive firewood and rice are?" Gao Xiuxiu said. "Or did you just not make a phone call?"

“Yes, I did,” Fan Yani said. “The phone booth is over there. I called my adoptive parents. Making a phone call costs money, but is it because it costs money that your mother-in-law would expect to go to someone’s house to make a free phone call?”

Fan Yani thought back to her past life when she saw those keyboard warriors who were just bored and had nothing better to do; she could still fight them online for eight hundred rounds.

So what if Gao Xiuxiu is pregnant? Fan Yani isn't afraid.

“They’re just too tired from work and want to call their parents to get some comfort, what’s wrong with that?” Fan Yani said. “Their family was already well-off, and they’ve suffered for so many years, can’t they even have time to connect now? Well, it’s not like your family is going through a crisis, so you don’t understand.”

“You…” Gao Xiuxiu stared wide-eyed at Fan Yani. Fan Yani had actually treated her, a pregnant woman, like this.

It wasn't just Gao Xiuxiu who wondered how much Song Fenglan's family would spend on phone bills each month; others did too. However, no one said it publicly, nor did they speak ill of the family. Gao Xiuxiu's words made it seem as if Song Fenglan's family was taking public property for nothing.

Fan Yani wondered why the Song family, who only called once a week, would call once a week.

"Don't say anything about taking public property; you're just being sarcastic," Fan Yani said.

“I…” Gao Xiuxiu looked at the fat sister-in-law beside her.

"Eat more sweets," said the plump woman.

Fatty Sister-in-law didn't want to speak up for Gao Xiuxiu. Gao Xiuxiu was pregnant and needed to rest, so she didn't go to work. It was one thing for her not to go to work, but why was Gao Xiuxiu saying these things here?

She's just pregnant. Everyone's been pregnant before. Gao Xiuxiu just wants to show off her belly.

When people see Gao Xiuxiu, they don't want to talk to her.

Shi Guilan was transferred with her husband. Before that, Shi Guilan had a conflict with Song Fenglan. Some people still wondered if Staff Officer Xu's transfer was related to Song Fenglan's husband, Qin Yizhou, and advised them not to offend Song Fenglan.

Gao Xiuxiu looked at the others, and they all assumed she was one of them.

They didn't see Gao Xiuxiu see them.

We're all sitting here chatting and having fun, not here to criticize anyone. Whether Song Fenglan's phone bill is high or low is none of their business; it's just a phone installed in someone else's house.

"Have some sunflower seeds." The plump woman grabbed some sunflower seeds and gave them to Fan Yani.

"Did you cook or roast these sunflower seeds yourself?" Fan Yani asked. "They're a bit different from the ones sold outside."

"Yes, I cooked it myself," the plump woman nodded. "It tastes better when you cook it yourself."

“It’s really delicious, Fatty Sister-in-law, can you teach me how to make it sometime?” Fan Yani said.

“Sure,” said the plump woman. “Speaking of which, time flies. In a few months it will be the end of the year and the New Year. Then I’ll have to roast some melon seeds and peanuts myself.”

"Do you have any red-skinned peanuts? Red-skinned peanuts are better for replenishing blood," Fan Yani said. "I bought some dried longan and some eggs. I was thinking of cooking some to replenish my blood, and also to cook some for Sister Fenglan. She's so busy all the time, and I noticed that she looks rather haggard and pale."

The beautiful woman looked haggard, which was heartbreaking to see.

Fan Yani deliberately said this in front of Gao Xiuxiu. She wasn't afraid of people saying that she was trying to climb the social ladder by marrying the regimental commander's wife. Let them say whatever they want.

"I heard she was hospitalized before because of anemia," Fan Yani said. "I think it doesn't matter whether you're pregnant or not. Even if you're not pregnant, you can still feel unwell sometimes."

What Gao Xiuxiu is saying here is nonsense. It's her own child, and it has nothing to do with everyone else. What Fan Yani knows is that Song Fenglan is researching fighter jets at the research institute. Even if Song Fenglan has only participated in the research a little bit, then Song Fenglan deserves everyone's kindness.

"Yes, I do," said the plump woman. "Come on, let's go to my house and get it."

After dinner in the evening, as Song Fenglan sat in the courtyard watching Qin Zihang play, Fan Yani came over with a lunchbox. Fan Yani had indeed prepared a blood-nourishing soup, containing peanuts, longan, black dates, brown sugar, eggs, and other ingredients.

The soup was still hot, but Fan Yani didn't wait for it to cool down. She thought that if she lingered a little longer, the soup would cool down a bit, and since it wasn't summer, things cooled down easily.

"Do you have a bowl?" Fan Yani asked. "I cooked some blood-nourishing soup for you, Sister-in-law Fenglan."

"Give me a drink?" Song Fenglan asked in surprise.

"Yes, here you go." Fan Yani took out a boiled egg from her pocket and handed it to Qin Zihang. She had prepared two boiled eggs, wondering if Zhang Xiaohu would be there too. Zhang Xiaohu wasn't there, and Fan Yani couldn't possibly call him over.

"I have one too?" Qin Zihang asked in surprise.

"Aren't you going to thank your aunt?" Song Fenglan said.

"Thank you, Auntie," Qin Zihang quickly said.

“Pour it into a bowl, and drink it all if you can finish it,” Fan Yani said. “My portion is still at home; I have to go back and drink it.”

"Okay." Song Fenglan gave Fan Yani two apples as she left.

"No need for me, sister-in-law, you should eat more and replenish your energy." Fan Yani refused, "Sister-in-law, I really like researchers like you, I have great respect for you. I'll be going now."

"It's alright, take it," Song Fenglan said.

Finally, Fan Yani took an apple and said she would share it with her man.

Song Fenglan quite liked Fan Yani's personality, not because Fan Yani was particularly kind to her, but because Fan Yani had a very upright character. Fan Yani wasn't just kind to Song Fenglan; she was kind to everyone else as well.

Fan Yani took the boiled egg from her pocket home. She didn't run into Zhang Xiaohu, and she didn't give it to him, so her aunt wouldn't say anything.

Back home, Fan Yani gave the boiled egg to Yue Hongwei.

"Why did you bring it back?" Yue Hongwei asked.

“Xiao Hu wasn’t there, so I gave Zi Hang a boiled egg. I also brought one back with me,” Fan Yani said.

"Is Qin's regiment here?" Yue Hongwei asked again.

"You need to replenish your strength too," Fan Yani said. Commander Qin looked quite robust, and Fan Yani still wanted her husband to do some nourishment. "You eat."

“Half for each of us,” Yue Hongwei said.

“Okay.” Fan Yani nodded; if the man was willing to give it to her, she would take it.

Qin Yizhou wasn't thinking about whether he would have any eggs to eat; they were a gift from someone else, and as a grown man, he shouldn't accept gifts from other women.

"I'll cook for you another day," Qin Yizhou said, looking at the blood-nourishing soup in the bowl.

Qin Yizhou killed several black-boned chickens. He remembered that when his wife was in postpartum confinement, the chicken sent by the Qin family had been taken by his sister-in-law. Song Fenglan was still somewhat anemic, so he naturally wanted to prepare more for his wife. Qin Yizhou killed and stewed chickens at home, and no one said anything when they smelled the aroma. Qin Tuan's wife was hospitalized with anemia, so of course she needed more nourishment.

Song Fenglan and her husband didn't mention to outsiders how many chickens Song Fenglan ate during her postpartum confinement, nor did they mention that the chickens sent by the Qin family went to Qin's sister-in-law's place. That happened in the capital, not in the southern part of the city, so telling others wouldn't have made much difference.

"Don't cook too much, I can't finish it all," Song Fenglan said. "I eat at home and also at the company cafeteria. I only have a little anemia, it's not that severe."

Everyone was very worried about her and was making food for her to help her recover.

Song Fenglan felt that her face had become a little chubby, even though she had already eaten a lot.

Time passed day by day, and before they knew it, it was time for the kindergarten's winter break. The research institute also announced the break dates. The institute thought that since Song Fenglan and Qin Yizhou were a married couple, if they were to take the child back to the capital, Qin Yizhou would be responsible for looking after the child. However, with only one child, they were worried that Qin Yizhou might not be able to take care of everything on his own.

The institute plans to assign a female colleague to Song Fenglan's side to protect her.

The new fighter jet being researched by Song Fenglan's team is still under construction, but everyone can sense the difference and is eager to finish it as soon as possible. Some people are even thinking of spending the Spring Festival here instead of going home. However, some people haven't been home for the Spring Festival for many years, so they still have to be given holidays to go home, while others can stay at the research institute to work overtime.

Song Fenglan wondered if she should stay here instead of going back for the New Year, and go back next year instead.

"You haven't seen your parents for many years." The director handed Song Fenglan a glass of warm water.

Song Fenglan was in the director's office, and she picked up her water glass and took a sip.

"There's always something to do," the director said. "You should get some rest, go back and see your parents, and relax a bit."

Song Fenglan has already done a lot, and many people can't keep up with her pace. This is a good opportunity for others to learn from her.

"If you're not in a hurry, take the train back; it's safer on the train," the director said.

The main problem is that if you're flying and the plane has an accident, then you're doomed.

The director was still somewhat worried. When these researchers went out, he was still concerned about their safety.

“Okay.” Song Fenglan nodded.

The holiday lasts about half a month, and I spend six or seven days on the train, so the time I can spend at home in the capital is even shorter.

When Song Fenglan returned home, she told Qin Yizhou about the holiday schedule, and Qin Yizhou replied, "Then we'll have our holidays around the same time."

The higher-ups had told Qin Yizhou that the military would select a skilled female soldier to accompany them back, not to protect Qin Yizhou, but to protect Song Fenglan. Protecting Song Fenglan was equivalent to protecting their country's new fighter jet.

"Are we going home?" Qin Zihang asked in surprise.

“This is your home too,” Song Fenglan said.

"Should we go home?" Qin Zihang was not quite sure.

"Go back." Song Fenglan thought that the director and others had already made arrangements for her, so she had no reason not to go home.

Song Fenglan hadn't seen her parents or brother for many years, and she missed them terribly. Thinking of her family, a sense of grievance welled up inside her, perhaps because she had experienced so much over the years. She thought of the days when her parents and brother protected her, the days when she could play freely and joyfully.

“Go back and see your maternal grandparents, and your eldest and second maternal uncles,” Song Fenglan said.

"Will they like me?" Qin Zihang asked.

"They sent you so many things, do you think they like you or not?" Song Fenglan

road.

"Can I take the panda home with me?" Qin Zihang asked again.

“Sure,” Song Fenglan said. “Bringing a panda is perfectly acceptable.”

"Just bring the panda toys, no other toys," Qin Yizhou said. "It takes a long time to get back by train, and if you accidentally leave them on the train, you won't have any toys to play with."

Qin Yizhou thought they would buy sleeper tickets, but even so, taking the train was not pleasant, as it took too long.

"I'll bring the panda." Qin Zihang nodded. "It's a gift from my mom, and my grandparents can see it too."

"Okay." Song Fenglan chuckled, "Let's show it to Grandpa and Grandma."

When Fatty Sister learned that Song Fenglan's family planned to go back to the capital for the Spring Festival, she mentioned it while chatting with Song Fenglan in the courtyard.

The kids are on winter break, and the house is even noisier. Luckily, it's not so noisy when Zhang Xiaohu plays with Qin Zihang.

"It's time to go back," said the plump woman. "You haven't seen your parents for many years, have you?"

“It’s been many years,” Song Fenglan said. “They were sent down to a farm, and I haven’t visited them even once.”

At this point, Song Fenglan also wondered if she hadn't done enough.

“This isn’t your fault,” the plump woman said. “Given your family’s situation at the time, it wasn’t suitable for you to go. If you hadn’t gone, you wouldn’t have been able to go back. Aren’t you the only one left in the city? If you were left there too, who would help them?”

The only person left in the city is not necessarily the one who suffers the most; this person also bears a lot.

Having spent a considerable amount of time with Song Fenglan, Fatty Sister-in-law felt that Song Fenglan was exceptionally strong. Looking at Song Fenglan's beautiful face, Fatty Sister-in-law thought that someone so beautiful must attract many troublemakers. She realized that she couldn't be as resilient as Song Fenglan; the difference between people was too great.

"You've had it so tough," said the plump woman. "Come to think of it, I don't recall you ever mentioning your in-laws."

Aunt Pang knew that Qin Zihang didn't like his grandparents, and Qin Zihang sometimes mentioned it.

"Are you going back to live with them?" the fat woman asked. "Or are you going to live with your aunt... no, your parents have both gone back, you can live with your parents."

“My parents have prepared a house for me.” Song Fenglan smiled as she thought of her parents. “They said the furniture and clothes inside are already prepared.”

"That's great, that's wonderful," said the plump woman. "Then you won't need to prepare anything else when you go back."

"Preparing some things for the New Year is enough, but my parents should help me prepare them," Song Fenglan said. "My parents are very good to me; they have been very good to me since I was very young."

The plump woman saw the happiness on Song Fenglan's face. "That's great. Your family really dotes on you. In our hometown, daughters are meant to do the work and take care of their younger siblings."

"Do you often work in your hometown?" Song Fenglan asked.

"I do it all the time, going up the mountain to collect pitcher plants and down to the fields to gather rice," said the plump woman. "I've done it countless times. I can't not do it; there are so many mouths to feed at home, and so little food. How can I not do more?"

"Are you going back home for the New Year?" Song Fenglan asked.

“We didn’t go back.” The plump woman pointed to Gao Xiuxiu’s house again. “Going to their house would be too much of a hassle, especially since she’s heavily pregnant.”

After a moment's thought, the plump woman realized that Gao Xiuxiu probably wanted to show off her belly and let everyone know she was pregnant. Gao Xiuxiu had always hoped this time would be a son; she would be so disappointed if it were a daughter. The plump woman thought that if Gao Xiuxiu really gave birth to a daughter, she probably wouldn't treat her well. Gao Xiuxiu might think that the daughter was too embarrassing for her and had no ambition whatsoever.

"Let them be," Song Fenglan said.

"Little brother Zihang, are you going to the capital?" Zhang Xiaohu asked Qin Zihang from the other end of the line. "Isn't the capital very beautiful? Very beautiful."

"It's alright." Qin Zihang didn't feel much. At that time, he basically spent his days with Aunt Yu, and when Song Fenglan was on vacation, he would spend his days with her.

Qin Zihang didn't feel much for those buildings; what he knew was that good food made him especially happy.

"Are you going?" Qin Zihang asked.

"Can I come with you?" Zhang Xiaohu asked.

"Zhang Xiaohu!" Aunt Pang heard what Zhang Xiaohu said. "Your parents are here, your brother is here. Don't even think about going to the capital. Don't cause trouble for your aunt."

"Let me think about it." Zhang Xiaohu pouted. "I want to play with my little brother Zihang."

“When your little brother Zihang comes back, you can play with him again,” said the plump woman. “It’s not like your little brother Zihang isn’t coming back. If you don’t believe me, ask your aunt if they’re coming back.”

"Auntie, are you coming back?" Zhang Xiaohu asked Song Fenglan.

"Come back, of course I have to come back." Song Fenglan still has to work at the research institute here; she can't just go to the capital and never come back.

"Is Zihang coming back?" Zhang Xiaohu asked.

“Your younger brother Zihang needs to come to school, so of course he has to come back,” Song Fenglan said.

"Aren't there any schools in the capital?" Zhang Xiaohu asked, puzzled.

"Yes, there are schools." Song Fenglan plans to take the college entrance examination next year. She wants to work at the research institute, and with her results, she can get a promotion and a raise. But taking the college entrance examination and having a university degree is different; at least on the surface, it's less likely that others will find fault with her.

If it's for university, Song Fenglan has already considered it; she'll basically have to stay here for a few years. After a few years, she can consider going back to the capital, where the educational conditions are better, the teaching staff is stronger, and it'll be easier for her child to get into a good university.

Song Fenglan knew that if her child had enough ability, he could also get into a good university in the capital. But as parents, they should consider things as much as possible for their child, since none of them could guarantee that their child would achieve such top results.

It would be better to keep the child here for the sake of so-called "hard skills" when it could make it easier for them to get into university. This is not good for the child.

Song Fenglan did not tell anyone outside about her plans. The matter was not yet settled, and there was no need to tell anyone.

"Can my little brother Zihang attend a school in the capital?" Zhang Xiaohu's face fell.

“I have to stay with my mother,” Qin Zihang said. He had no intention of studying in the capital. “Wherever my mother is, that’s where I will be.”

Afraid that his mother would abandon him, Qin Zihang ran up to her and said, "Mommy, Mommy, I want to stay with you."

“Okay, of course you’ll stay with Mom,” Song Fenglan said. “Mom would never abandon you.”

Yue Hongwei is an orphan, and Fan Yani was once Guo Peng's child bride. Fan Yani was given away by her biological parents because they had too many daughters and didn't want any more, so they gave her away to someone else.

Fan Yani had no plans to spend the Lunar New Year at her adoptive parents' house. There was a saying that married women shouldn't spend the first day of the Lunar New Year at home. Fan Yani wasn't Guo's biological daughter, and if she went back for the New Year, her adoptive parents wouldn't be very happy. It would be better for her to send some things back and give them some money, which would be enough.

Although the Guo family raised the original owner as a child bride, they eventually raised her to adulthood. Fan Yani was willing to put on a show; she couldn't send things secretly, she had to let others know. For example, Fan Yani would occasionally call her adoptive parents' relatives to ask how her adoptive parents were doing, tell them what she had sent, and let them take what they wanted to use.

Guo Peng naturally wanted Li Hui to go back to the countryside with him for the New Year, but Li Hui didn't want to go.

"I'm not going." Li Hui was arranging the flowers she had just received in the living room.

“We’re married, but we haven’t met our parents yet,” Guo Peng said.

“Won’t they see when they come over?” Li Hui said. “Or are you not planning to let them come?”

"No." Guo Peng just wanted to take his wife back to his parents' house so they could see her and put their minds at ease. "We still have to go back. If we don't, people will talk."

“What should I say? Just tell them that you’re following the army’s orders and you can’t go back,” Li Hui said. “If that’s not possible, you can go back by yourself, and I’ll spend the New Year here alone.”

Li Hui refused to go back with Guo Peng; she hated rural life and didn't want to go to the countryside.

"Your parents really want to see you," Guo Peng said.

“Just because they want to see me, does that mean I have to go?” Li Hui said. “It’s so cold, going to the countryside will only make it colder. Don’t go to the countryside. If it’s not possible, have your parents come for the New Year. After the New Year, you can send them back.”

Li Hui refused to go to the countryside; she wanted to stay here.

Guo Peng was powerless. He had originally planned to take his new wife back with him, and when the villagers saw Li Hui, they would all think that he had married a good wife.

“Don’t forget, everyone in your village knows you have a child bride,” Li Hui said. “If I go back with you, wouldn’t that just make us a laughingstock?”

Li Hui gets a headache just thinking about Fan Yani; Fan Yani knows how to hurt people.

"he

"They won't laugh at you; you're much better than Yani," Guo Peng said. "Yani is already married; no one will talk about you."

"You say they won't talk, but do you think they won't?" Li Hui didn't believe it. "I'm not going; you go yourself."

Guo Peng saw that Li Hui disagreed with going back, so he had no choice. Guo Peng didn't want to go back alone; it would be too ridiculous for him to go back alone, and people would laugh at him, saying that he couldn't even bring his wife back with him.

When Song Fenglan's family set off, the female soldiers were already there and helped carry their things, so Song Fenglan didn't have to do anything. Qin Yizhou carried most of the things, while the female soldiers carried a little less.

Qin Zihang hugged the panda tightly, and Song Fenglan hugged Qin Zihang back.

The train station was crowded, but fortunately Song Fenglan and her companions were in sleeper berths, so it wasn't too crowded here.

The food on the train wasn't very good, and Qin Zihang didn't like it much.

"Eat something," Song Fenglan said. "This isn't home. If you're hungry, there's not much to eat."

Qin Yizhou boiled some eggs so Qin Zihang could eat them if he got hungry. Qin Yizhou had made many preparations; going back alone was different from going back with his wife and child.

"Mom, it's getting dark, will we get there?" Qin Zihang asked.

“We won’t make it before dark the first time,” Song Fenglan said. “You’ll stay with your parents. We’ll let you know when we arrive. We won’t leave you alone on the train.”

"Mom, what are Grandpa and Grandma like?" Qin Zihang didn't ask about his paternal grandparents. He had met them, but he didn't like them.

“They are all very kind and gentle people,” Song Fenglan said. “Don’t be afraid, your maternal grandparents love you very much.”

“They don’t know what Hangbao looks like,” Qin Zihang said.

“I don’t know, but I like you anyway,” Song Fenglan said. “You are my precious baby, and it’s impossible for your grandparents not to like you. The clothes you’re wearing were sent to you by your grandmother.”

Qin Zihang looked at the clothes he was wearing, "Grandma will definitely like Hangbao very much."

This outfit is one of Qin Zihang's favorites; it even has a pattern on it. Qin Zihang likes clothes with small animals on them, he especially loves them.

When Song Fenglan's family returned home, they found it difficult to take care of their dog, Fu Wangwang, so they asked Sister Pang to help feed Fu Wangwang.

Zhang Xiaohu had been saying he wanted to get a dog, and his wife, after some coaxing, finally agreed, saying she'd wait a few days. Then, a few days passed, and then a few more, but the puppy didn't arrive. Zhang Xiaohu stopped saying it, and his wife wondered if his initial enthusiasm had worn off. She decided it was best not to get another puppy.

When Zhang Xiaohu learned that his family was going to raise Fuwangwang for a period of time, he was overjoyed and jumped around happily in the yard several times.

Sure enough, Zhang Xiaohu has already brought Fuwangwang to his home, and he keeps asking his mother, "Mom, is the dog hungry? Should we give it some food? Will it starve? Mom, when can you give the dog something to eat?"

"Mom, the dog is lying over there. Is it unhappy?"

"Mom, the dog is looking at me."

"Mother……"

"Mother……"

...

Fat Sister felt like all she could hear was the sound of "Mommy, Mommy" echoing around her ears. After a while, Zhang Xiaohu would start talking to her. Fat Sister told her youngest son not to keep staring at the dog, but he insisted on staring at it. Fat Sister could only let Zhang Xiaohu have his way. After a few days, Zhang Xiaohu wasn't as enthusiastic about Fu Wangwang anymore.

"Mom, Fuwangwang doesn't have a house!" Zhang Xiaohu quickly discovered another problem, "What will it do at night?"

"We'll take it back to its bed tonight," said the plump woman.

“No, no, it has to stay with me now,” Zhang Xiaohu said. “Let it sleep with me and my brother.”

Before returning home, Qin Yizhou called his mother. His mother readily agreed and said they would clean the house.

Qin Yizhou immediately explained that they weren't staying at the Qin family home, but rather in the house his parents-in-law had prepared for Song Fenglan. Qin's mother wasn't happy to hear this, but she could only agree.

At this point, Qin's mother still went to prepare a room, just in case Qin Yizhou and his wife would like to stay at home.

Aunt Qin even came over to help pack. After listening to what Qin's mother said, she said, "It's not wrong for you to tidy up the room. Regardless of whether Yizhou and the others live at home or not, once you've tidied up the room, they can stay if they want. Speaking of which, hasn't Yizhou's wife never lived at home?"