Linshui Special District, Yangjiazhai Commune, Houpo Brigade.
Early in the morning, just as the Lu family was getting ready to go to work, they heard music and drumming coming from outside the village.
Yang Cuilan was hanging clothes to dry in the yard, and she listened with some curiosity, "Honey, is anyone in our team getting married?"
"Everyone's busy with the autumn harvest right now, who gets married at this time? It can't be our brigade, can it?"
Mr. Lu sat in the courtyard, holding his pipe and smoking his pipe. He was also a little puzzled.
It's the busiest time of the year right now, but nobody holds a wedding at this time.
"Xiuxiu? Xiuxiu?"
"Dad, what do you want?"
A girl who looked somewhat like Lu Fangfang ran out of the north room.
"Go outside and see if anyone is getting married. Go and ask for some wedding candy."
"Why."
Lu Xiuxiu gave a crisp reply and hurriedly ran out.
"I wonder how Fangfang is doing. She wrote back last time saying she was pregnant, and it's been almost two months now."
Lu Zhaokun took a puff of his pipe and thought of his eldest daughter, who was in the far northwest.
Half a year ago, thanks to my daughter sending some money back, we managed to get through the autumn harvest.
This year's rainfall has been good, and the crops in the fields are also doing well. With the team expected to receive more grain, there is hope for the future.
“Fangfang is all alone there. She’s pregnant and there’s no one to take care of her. I heard that soldiers are all busy and there’s no one at home. She might not even know she’s given birth…”
As Yang Cuilan spoke, she wiped away her tears.
Her daughter ran off to such a far place by herself, and she heard that it was on the grasslands, without even a mother-in-law to take care of her. She felt sad whenever she thought about it.
That place is so desolate, it's hardly a good place to accompany the army.
"Look at you, crying again!"
Lu Zhaokun tapped his pipe, somewhat disapproving of his wife.
"You've seen the photos Fangfang sent. She's all healthy and chubby now. You're just overthinking things. If you're really worried, go and take care of her."
As they were talking, a young woman with a large pregnant belly came out of the mud-brick house on the west side.
"Father, Mother, what's all the commotion outside? Why is it so lively?"
"Hongmei, the ground is wet, be careful."
Yang Cuilan reminded her second daughter-in-law.
She sighed inwardly. If her daughter-in-law hadn't also been pregnant, she really would have liked to go and take care of her daughter.
"Mother, I'm fine."
Zhang Hongmei craned her neck, curiously peering outside.
The sounds of music and drumming grew closer and closer, as if they were coming towards their home.
This scene was even bigger than her wedding; she wondered whose family was celebrating.
As she was thinking, she saw her sister-in-law come running back, her face flushed.
"Father! Mother!"
"Yes...yes..."
Lu Zhaokun stood up, holding his pipe. "What's this? Xiuxiu, what's wrong?"
"Yes, it's my sister..."
"Your sister is back?"
Lu Zhaokun was very surprised.
"No, no, it's good news from my sister."
Lu Xiuxiu took a breath and continued speaking.
But it was quite something; there was a great commotion outside, with drums and gongs being played. Not only was the battalion commander there, but also officers in military uniforms. It was quite a sight.
"Good news? What good news? Your sister gave birth?"
Lu Zhaokun couldn't understand what good news his daughter could possibly have.
By this time, the crowd banging drums and gongs had arrived at the door.
The captain of the Houpo Brigade, along with comrades from the county's armed forces department, entered the courtyard.
"Zhaokun, come here quickly."
"Comrade Li, this is Lu Fangfang's father, this is her mother, and that is her sister."
Lu Zhaokun walked closer, still bewildered.
Before he could even speak, he saw a cadre in military uniform salute him.
"Comrade Zhaokun, your daughter Lu Fangfang has been awarded a third-class merit in the Lanzhou Military Region. I've come to deliver the good news to you today."
An officer from the armed forces department handed a large certificate to Lu Zhaokun.
The sounds of wind and percussion around them grew even louder.
The courtyard was filled with villagers watching the spectacle; most of the members of the Houpo brigade had come.
"Comrade Lu, you are Lu Fangfang's father. You raised Lu Fangfang, and you are also a meritorious person."
"The commune has brought you some flour and meat. If you have any difficulties, just tell the commune and we will definitely help you."
The commune secretary warmly shook Lu Zhaokun's hand.
"Zhao Kun? Zhao Kun?"
The captain quickly tugged at him.
"Thank you... thank you, leader. I have no difficulties at home."
Lu Zhaokun was still somewhat at a loss.
The military officers of the armed forces department and the leaders of the commune did not care.
They offered their condolences to the Lu family and, in front of everyone in the courtyard, praised Lu Fangfang's achievements.
"Comrade Lu Fangfang has been awarded a third-class merit in the military region and has been awarded the title of model military spouse. This is an honor for the Lu family and also for our Yangjiazhai Commune..."
"Slap, slap, slap."
The members of the Houpo brigade clapped enthusiastically.
They watched Fangwa grow up, and they never expected that she would earn military merit after only half a year of serving in the army. It was truly astonishing.
In the crowd, a woman of about seventeen or eighteen looked on with envy, wishing she were the one who won the award.
The comrades from the Armed Forces Department talked for a while longer.
Finally, he saluted the Lu family before leaving with the commune cadres.
"Zhaokun, Fangwa has really made you proud. I knew from the start that Fangwa was capable of great things."
"Yes, yes, Zhaokun, this is great news, great news for our team."
The villagers looked at the things left behind by the commune with envy.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
