Finally, Qin Peilan sighed and softly explained on his behalf, as well as on behalf of the elderly couple:
"Alas, actually, this is my fault. Every time I see Huaichuan, I can't help but think of Huaishan and Huaiyue, and I feel sad and can't help but shed tears."
At this point, she reached out and gently patted her husband's arm.
"Old Shen... he probably couldn't bear to see me constantly reminded of the past, so heartbroken and worried about my health, which is why... that's why he always rushed Huaichuan to leave, hoping that out of sight, out of mind, he wouldn't hurt so much..."
The elderly couple has weathered decades of ups and downs; a single glance or gesture is enough for them to understand each other's thoughts.
Shen Zhenbang felt the slight tremor in his wife's hand and squeezed it back tightly.
This time, he didn't avoid the question as he had done in the past. Instead, he raised his head, looked directly at his son Shen Huaichuan standing to the side, and said with a guilty look in his eyes:
"Huaichuan, I was wrong before. I was careless and didn't consider your feelings... I apologize to you."
Qin Peilan, her eyes also red, looked at her son, took over the conversation, and said in a choked voice:
"It's not just this one time; there was an even earlier one when we left you alone at home for so long while we were looking for your older brother, Huaishan... Your parents were so foolish; we're so sorry..."
As they spoke, the elderly couple felt a deep sadness in their hearts and, without prior arrangement, bent down, wanting to bow to their son and apologize.
Shen Huaichuan could not accept such a grand gesture from his parents!
Startled, I strode forward and quickly reached out my hands to firmly support the two elders' arms, preventing them from bending over.
He was, after all, a man of reserved emotions. His heart was in turmoil, with a thousand words stuck in his throat, but he was clumsy and didn't know how to express them. In the end, he simply put his arms around his parents' shoulders.
Zhou Qiqi watched anxiously from the side; this man was really good at holding back!
Even though I was deeply moved, I still couldn't bring myself to give my parents a hug.
She simply stepped forward, squeezed between the three without a word, opened her arms, and firmly embraced the family of three, muttering to herself:
"Alright, alright! Let bygones be bygones! We were both going through tough times back then. We're family. Whatever the misunderstanding, it's all over once we've talked it out! From now on, let's speak our minds openly and no one is allowed to keep things bottled up inside!"
The three of them were stunned for a moment after being "forced" to reunite by their daughter-in-law, and then they couldn't help but laugh.
The family finally embraced each other truly, their body heat mingling, and that intimacy sent a warm current through everyone's hearts.
However, neither Shen Zhenbang nor his son Shen Huaichuan were comfortable showing affection in public.
After hugging for only a short while, Shen Zhenbang coughed lightly twice, feeling a little uncomfortable, and was the first to let go.
Shen Huaichuan also released his arms from his parents, but the lines on his face softened considerably.
Shen Zhenbang and Qin Peilan exchanged a glance.
Shen Zhenbang cleared his throat and began to speak:
"Since we've come this far, Huaichuan, Qiqi, your mother and I have already discussed it... We, the old folks, won't be staying at your place any longer."
Zhou Qiqi was stunned when she heard this: "Dad? What do you mean by that?"
Didn't you just say you didn't want to leave?
Shen Huaichuan, unusually, took the initiative to ask, "Yes, Mom and Dad, didn't you just agree to stay?"
Shen Zhenbang smiled and quickly waved his hand to explain:
"That's not what we meant! We just won't be staying in your little courtyard any longer, but we're not leaving the military dependents' area to go back to the sanatorium!"
He glanced at his wife and continued.
"Don't rush, let me finish. We're not leaving the family compound, we're saying we won't be staying in your little compound any longer. Your mother and I applied to the organization yesterday to have another place to stay in the family compound. It's not right for us to keep taking up your room and making you two and Zhouzhou squeeze into one bed. We feel really bad about it."
Both of Shen's parents were veteran comrades who had dedicated most of their lives to the revolution, and the organization had always taken good care of them.
Upon hearing their request, I immediately agreed.
However, all the bungalows with small courtyards are currently occupied, so they have been temporarily assigned single rooms on the first floor of an apartment building.
Qin Peilan quickly added:
"Everything is arranged. It's in the building opposite your courtyard, on the first floor. It's very convenient to come and go, and you can visit someone just a few steps away!"
"So that's how it is..."
Zhou Qiqi suddenly realized what was going on and couldn't help but laugh, but her mind was racing with thoughts.
When this military dependents' area was first built, conditions were limited and housing was indeed in short supply.
As children grow up and elderly people come to live with them, many families are looking for ways to expand their living space, and many courtyards are starting construction to add a second floor.
A better idea popped into her head:
“Mom and Dad, housing is tight in our compound right now. You’re used to living in the grounds of the compound. It’ll be fine for a day or two, but your legs will definitely get used to it after a while. How about this?”
She looked at the two elders, her eyes sparkling.
"For now, you'll have to make do with Zhouzhou in the apartment building. Let Huaichuan find someone to come up with some blueprints so we can start building on our little courtyard! Our yard is big, and there's a large empty space next to the vegetable garden in the back. I think we can build another spacious room on the first floor for Mom and Dad. We can also build the second and third floors so the kids will have room too."
Upon hearing this, the two elders of the Shen family immediately brightened up!
That's a great idea!
They can live together and take care of each other, yet each has their own independent space, so no one disturbs the other.
But they still habitually looked at their son first, wanting to hear what he had to say.
Shen Huaichuan felt the gazes directed at him by his parents and wife, and without the slightest hesitation, he nodded decisively.
"No problem! Qiqi's idea is great. I'll go find the logistics staff and the construction team I'm familiar with this afternoon to finalize the design and procedures as soon as possible."
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