The family planning issue was a hot topic for a while, and because no clear documents had been issued yet, people were worried for a while, but then relaxed.
By the end of May, the corn in the farm had grown to over half a foot tall, and about twenty lambs had been born. Tan Hui, as expected of a breeder trained in the military, possessed top-notch skills; after so long, there had been almost no losses, and the survival rate was very high.
The Dragon Boat Festival is just around the corner, and the first batch of pigs will be ready for market. Moreover, the breeding sows have also started producing piglets. Brother Liang and Tan Hui have purchased another batch of high-quality sows and breeding pigs.
The tractor was busy helping with sowing in various villages for a while. The newly arrived veterans, Tian Dadi and Shi Jun, took turns learning from them and earned a lot of money. They basically made back the cost of the tractor through transportation and sowing.
Uncle Hu was quite happy at the sheep farm. Besides eating three meals a day, he also went to herd the sheep and tend the pasture. With so much activity every day, he became even stronger.
Zhong Liang returned two days before the Dragon Boat Festival, bringing back a large bag of clothes, which Qian Weiguo had selected as gifts for Yu Yin and the others.
"So, what are your impressions of this trip to the South?"
"It's an eye-opener. Things are really booming in the south now, with people busy everywhere. People from all over the country are flocking there, it's so crowded that the security isn't very good. You rarely go alone; most people go in groups."
During this time, Zhong Liang explored the South quite a bit, visiting many small workshops and processing plants, as well as larger factories built by foreign or Hong Kong businessmen, with more advanced machinery.
“Before you came back, Qian Weiguo and I spoke on the phone. He thought you were capable and insightful, and wanted to ask if you had any plans to develop your career in Beijing, or to work for him. I didn’t answer him; that was your choice.”
“No, I don’t have that much ambition right now. A stable life is more important to me. For the past twenty-odd years, when only my mother was around, I don’t want to be wandering around again.”
Having seen so much lately, Zhong Liang became even more determined to stay with Yu Yin.
In the past, he was so focused on getting ahead that he just kept his head down and rushed forward, but what was left in the end? Now, his life is no longer so stressful. He can sleep through the night without his brain being constantly working at high speed while he sleeps.
“I respect your choice. Staying here for ten years or even longer may not bring any significant development. I'm someone who's content with a modest life. If you've rested enough and want to leave, don't feel bad. Everyone has their own ambitions.”
Zhong Liang made no promises; actions speak louder than words, and we'll see what happens in the future.
"Go and check on Zhong Ling. Go back and rest for a couple of days tonight, and hand over the reins to Brother Liang. He might not be able to take care of the farm for the next month or so, as his son is taking the high school entrance exam this year."
"Understood, I will discuss it with Brother Liang. Sister Yu Yin, I'm going to check on Zhong Ling, then I'll head back to the farm."
"Okay, you can arrange it yourself."
Zhong Liang took the gift for his sister and went to find her.
"Lingling, I'm back."
"Brother, you're back. Come and see, this is the flower I embroidered. What do you think? Isn't it pretty?"
After Zhong Ling and Aunt Hu finished cleaning, and with nothing else to do, she sat under the grape trellis and embroidered by herself. She would then cook lunch with Aunt Hu.
“It’s really good, it looks just like the real thing. Grandma Lu said I have a lot of talent. She has been teaching me all along, and I’m gradually getting better at embroidery. It’s just that she still has to go to school, so she doesn’t have much time to embroider.”
"Brother, let me tell you, I also planted hydrangeas. I remember Mom planted them before. Grandma Lu found them for me, and they've grown quite tall..."
Watching his younger sister chatter incessantly, Zhong Liang felt as if he had returned to his childhood. Back then, his three- or four-year-old sister would always be talking to their mother. He hadn't even noticed when she became quiet.
"Yes, the hydrangeas that Mom planted are very beautiful and bloom very brightly. Lingling's will also grow very well. Mom will always protect us, and we will both be fine in the future."
"Yes, it will be great. When the time comes, brother will find me a sister-in-law, and we'll have a nephew or niece. Our whole family will be fine."
Zhong Liang patted his sister's hair and said, "It will be alright."
The days have moved forward a bit more, and the high school entrance exam is getting closer and closer.
"Shurui, what should we do about Zhuangzhuang? He has exams coming up soon, and he doesn't know anything. I'm so worried. What if he doesn't get into a good high school?"
Just after dinner, Sister Lu came in, looking utterly miserable.
"Have you eaten yet? This isn't something you can solve just by worrying about it."
Grandma Lu glanced at her second granddaughter. What could she do?
Shuxia wasn't a very studious child; it wasn't that she didn't try, but she just couldn't remember things. Her son is a complete carbon copy of her—what can she do?
"If Zhuangzhuang likes something, he can learn a skill. He's not lazy or playful; he's very hardworking. There's nothing we can do if he just can't learn something."
Lu Shurui had also tutored Zhuangzhuang, but he genuinely couldn't understand. He'd have to explain a problem three or four times before Zhuangzhuang finally grasped it, but he'd struggle with even slight variations. The child himself was anxious and frustrated; there was nothing that could be done.
"He does like tinkering with mechanical things, likes fixing things, and has even connected electricity himself before. Don't you think this kid is too daring? What if he gets electrocuted?"
My second sister has been under a lot of pressure lately; she has developed blisters around her lips, some of which have burst.
"Zhuangzhuang is good at physics, but his other subjects are a mess. If it's really not working out, let him learn something like car repair. Learn a skill so he can support himself in the future."
"Sigh, if there's really no other way, that's the only option. I'm only fifteen, and I'm still in school. What am I supposed to do if I don't learn some skills?"
Aunt Hu brought over a bowl of porridge, a small dish of side dishes, and two pancakes.
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