When the two returned to the canteen with the wine, the dumplings were almost ready to be cooked. Everyone had a big appetite, so they made a huge amount. Even now, many soldiers were still helping to make dumplings.
Throughout the year, except for Lunar New Year's Eve, this New Year's Eve is the only time they can relax a little, get together to make dumplings, eat a hot meal, chat, and even put on a show.
Every place, every person, and every group of people has their own way of having fun.
"Captain Chen and his wife are back. Where did they go?"
Shen Nan glanced at the person indifferently: "Went on a date."
Zhou Zuizui: "..."
She glanced at Chen Nan, both amused and exasperated, and said, "What are you talking about?"
The teammate smiled knowingly: "It's fine to go on a date, but it's cold outside right now."
Zhou Zuizui chuckled, feeling utterly helpless with her honest comrades.
"We went to pick up some things," she said with a smile. "Is everything ready over there?"
Liu Mei replied, "It's almost ready, come over quickly."
"good."
She went to help serve the dumplings, a big bowl for each person. In addition to the dumplings, the original chefs in the canteen also prepared extra meals for everyone, making a lot of big dishes. Just smelling them made people feel hungry.
Zhou Zuizui is in that situation now.
"I'm so hungry."
Liu Mei smiled, looked at her and said, "I'll do it, you go sit down and eat first?"
"don't want."
Zhou Zuizui refused without hesitation, saying with a smile, "I want to help."
Although she could only stay here for less than three months, she still wanted to spend more time with them. Everyone here was so lovely and so touching.
Zhou Zuizui didn't know about the others, but soldiers were the kind of people who would repay you tenfold for every bit of kindness you showed them. They were all passionate men who let their actions and strength speak for themselves.
She loves soldiers so much.
I can't explain why I like them; I just feel that everyone is so lovely and kind, and that they are the greatest people in the world.
Liu Mei chuckled: "Alright, come on."
With the help of the two, everyone was soon sitting in the cafeteria, each with a bowl of steaming dumplings in front of them.
Suddenly, someone shouted, and it sounded like Shen Nan's superior said with a smile, "Come on, let's eat together, Happy New Year everyone!"
"Happy New Year!"
Everyone shouted in unison, stood up and clinked glasses. There was tea, wine, and water, but the gesture was enough.
They stood up neatly, shouted in unison, then sat down together before picking up their chopsticks.
Zhou Zuizui followed suit, inspired by their discipline.
There was no awkwardness during the meal; people would talk occasionally, especially at such a special time like tonight. Everyone had smiles on their faces and chatted and ate happily.
Shen Nan looked down at her and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Zhou Zuizui shook her head and looked at him: "I didn't think about anything, I just feel lucky."
"How so?"
Zhou Zuizui smiled and said, "I'm lucky to have met you and this group of lovely people."
Upon hearing this, Shen Nan smiled and put a dumpling to her lips: "Eat dumplings."
Zhou Zuizui made an "oh" sound, lowered her head and took a bite, then suddenly her eyes lit up: "Ah..."
Liu Mei, who was sitting across from them, looked over and asked, "Did you eat a coin?"
She laughed and said, "I put about ten in when I wrapped them, it's not many, did you get to eat any?"
Zhou Zuizui nodded hurriedly and took a coin out of her mouth.
Shen Nan watched and was amused as well.
"The New Year will definitely be amazing."
Liu Mei smiled and wished him a prosperous New Year, saying, "You'll definitely have a great year ahead, and you might even encounter a lot of lucky things." She winked at Zhou Zuizui with a smile.
Zhou Zuizui smiled and said, "I believe you."
Although she wasn't particularly superstitious, she still believed that everything would go well for her in the new year.
Moreover, it was Shen Nan who fed her these dumplings.
She couldn't help but say, "Don't you think I stole your luck?"
Shen Nan raised an eyebrow: "No."
"Um?"
"This bowl of dumplings was given to me by you."
Zhou Zuizui smiled, her eyes crinkling: "It's our good fortune."
However, Shen Nan also found a coin in the dumpling. The two looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.
This is probably the most enjoyable dumpling feast I've ever had.
"You two are so lucky!" He Zheng exclaimed. "You can find two coins just by eating something casually."
You know, there are a lot of people here, and they made over a thousand dumplings, but they only made ten, and the couple got to eat two.
Shen Nan raised an eyebrow: "There's nothing we can do, we're just that lucky."
He Zheng: "..."
He glanced at Chen Nan with disdain, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"You're the only one with a wife."
Shen Nan raised an eyebrow smugly, but didn't say anything.
Zhou Zuizui couldn't stand his childishness and glared at him, saying, "Let's eat."
After dinner, the group moved to the performance hall, which was occasionally used for performances and meetings. Since it was the New Year and they had no other entertainment, everyone sat there together to watch the performance.
The performers are the team members.
A few days ago, Zhou Zuizui began to look forward to this place.
As soon as they sat down, Zhou Zuizui pulled Shen Nan aside and asked, "What kind of programs are there?"
Shen Nan wasn't very interested in the program. He reached out and placed his hand on the back of her chair, lazily lifted his eyelids, and said, "Singing and dancing, or something like that."
Zhou Zuizui stared at him wide-eyed: "And dancing?"
Shen Nan nodded: "Don't underestimate them, they're quite capable."
Many people are omnipotent.
Zhou Zuizui opened her mouth, smiled and said, "I dare not underestimate them, but I didn't expect them to be able to dance. I suddenly thought of Gao Zhuo's crosstalk."
Shen Nan: "…………"
He pinched Zhou Zuizui's cheek and hummed, "Your husband is right next to you, yet you're thinking about other men?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Zuizui remained silent: "Just saying it offhand."
“That won’t do either,” said the domineering CEO, Nan.
Zhou Zuizui: "...Oh."
She didn't argue with Shen Nan. She looked up at the stage not far away, where many of her comrades were sitting. They were all still wearing olive-green military uniforms and chatting with smiles on their faces.
Suddenly, she saw Liu Mei and her husband.
Zhou Zuizui whispered in Shen Nan's ear, "Sister Liu Mei and her husband are doing quite well."
Shen Nan paused, looked at her, and asked, "What do you want to ask?"
Zhou Zuizui shook her head: "I don't know."
Shen Nan smiled: "It's pretty good, we've been married for many years."
He rarely gossiped about others, but he had met Liu Mei twice before. She came here almost every year. In the past, when the roads were in bad condition, it would take at least a week to drive here. Now it's a little better. There are planes to relatively nearby locations, and then you can transfer, so it only takes about a day.
In the past, it was extremely difficult for my family to come to the border region.
Zhou Zuizui hummed in agreement, then hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Does Sister Liu Mei not have any children?"
Generally speaking, mothers like to talk about their children, but during the time she spent with Liu Mei, she never heard her mention them or talk about family matters.
The main reason is that Zhou Zuizui and the others are very bored. They basically stay at home every day here. Except for the occasional holiday when they go out for a walk, it's too cold most of the time, and they don't feel comfortable going out.
She received several calls from Shen's mother and Xia Wen while chatting with Liu Mei, but Liu Mei never called.
Shen Nan paused for a moment, then squeezed her hand and said, "Don't mention this in front of them."
"good."
Shen Nan said in a low voice, "I heard from the team that when Sister Liu Mei came to see her husband many years ago, she was pregnant at the time, but she had an accident on the way and lost the baby before she even got here. Chen Jun was depressed for a long time and took leave to take care of Sister Liu Mei."
He paused and continued, "But the child was lost in the end. Sister Liu Mei didn't go back in time and stayed here. Later, when she hadn't fully recovered, a major incident happened on the border. Everyone went out to help, and Liu Mei went out to help too. She was buried for several days and was rescued, but her health was damaged afterward."
Liu Mei never got pregnant again after that.
Actually, there's a lot more that Shen Nan didn't mention; it caused quite a stir back then. It's said that Liu Mei's parents constantly pressured her to divorce Chen Jun, questioning what good was a man who couldn't come home for a year, even five years. But Liu Mei insisted on not divorcing him and even stayed here for over half a year.
The couple had a good relationship, but ultimately there was some regret.
Liu Mei loves children very much. Shen Nan heard this from He Zheng and the others. Occasionally, when he went to help out at the school not far away, he would see Liu Mei patiently dressing and cooking for the children, and when she looked at the children, there was an indescribable envy in her eyes.
Just over a year ago, Shen Nan had witnessed it once. Liu Mei was watching the child cry, and Chen Jun was watching her cry.
Shen Nan didn't dare to go up and disturb them, and quietly left from the side. But it left a deep impression on him.
It's not easy for soldiers to stay here long-term, and it's even harder for their families. Therefore, we should all be more understanding and tolerant; nothing in this world is perfect.
Zhou Zuizui listened in silence for a long time.
She said she had never heard Liu Mei mention these things before; Liu Mei was very kind-hearted and always tried her best to help everyone here.
"Is there really no other way?"
Shen Nan pondered for a moment and looked at her: "I'm not sure. The examination was done here back then. The medical environment here is limited. As for their family, their hometown is in a third or fourth-tier city. I didn't ask any more questions."
After all, I'm not a gossip person.
Zhou Zuizui nodded and murmured, "Sister Liu Mei likes children so much... it would be such a pity if we didn't have one."
Shen Nan squeezed her palm without saying a word.
Who isn't?
Having a child means that at least when Chen Jun is here, he can stay home with Liu Mei and have something to rely on.
"Can't Chen Jun go back?"
Shen Nan glanced at her: "It depends on him. There are only a limited number of places available for him to leave each year."
"Understood."
"Let's watch the show and not think about these things for now."
"good."
The performance was wonderful, and Zhou Zuizui watched it attentively. Although it was different from what she saw on TV, she knew that everyone had worked very hard to present it, and they had put in 100% of their energy.
Just as she was reading to the end, Shen Nan suddenly patted her on the shoulder and said, "I'm going over there for a bit."
Zhou Zuizui hummed in agreement, not taking it too seriously.
Just five minutes later, she saw her husband come on stage, even holding a guitar in his hand.
Zhou Zuizui was stunned for a moment, her eyes filled with surprise as she looked at the man on the stage.
The comrades around him also cheered, "Is Captain Chen going to sing?"
"Sink the team! Sink the team!"
"I've never heard Captain Chen sing before!!"
"We're so lucky today."
"Go, Captain Chen! Is this song for your wife?"
Shen Nan adjusted his seat and glanced indifferently at the person who was making the biggest fuss: "Otherwise, is it a gift for you?"
Everyone burst into laughter at this remark.
Zhou Zuizui laughed along, her eyes filled with emotion. She really didn't know if Shen Nan could sing; at least Gao Zhuo and the others said he never performed, and no amount of asking him would change anything. But now, this man was holding a guitar and going on stage to sing for her.
She clapped to encourage him.
The others joined in, clapping enthusiastically to cheer Shen Nan on even before he started performing.
Shen Nan smiled brightly, looking at Zhou Zuizui, his emotions clearly visible in his eyes.
Zhou Zuizui could understand it and knew what Shen Nan meant.
He was making himself listen carefully; it was a song dedicated to himself.
He sat there, looking down at the guitar. Zhou Zuizui had been wondering what song Shen Nan would sing for her, but when the intro started, she was a little stunned and looked at the man on stage in disbelief.
—The most romantic thing.
It's an old song that she really likes.
She had heard the song from Shen Nan many times, but he had never said whether it was good or bad. Yet now, this man was playing and singing her most favorite song for her.
Zhou Zuizui isn't someone who really enjoys listening to music; she only hums a tune occasionally. She really likes the melody of this song, and the lyrics are also very gentle and flowing, so she likes it a bit.
She looked up at Shen Nan and met his smiling gaze.
The most romantic thing I can imagine is growing old with you, collecting every bit of laughter along the way, and reminiscing about it in the rocking chairs someday...
Every word, every sentence, resonated in her heart, stirred her emotions, and swayed her feelings.
Shen Nan's voice is low, and when she sings this love song, her voice sounds particularly pleasant, which is inexplicably pleasing.
As the last sentence fell, Zhou Zuizui's tears welled up without her even realizing it, and the other soldiers around her were also moved by the atmosphere.
When Shen Nan sang "The Treasure in My Palm," he looked at Zhou Zuizui. After she finished singing, Zhou Zuizui was busy wiping away her tears. Liu Mei had run up to her side at some point, handed her a tissue, and smiled, "Quickly wipe your tears. Captain Shen will be heartbroken when he comes back."
Zhou Zuizui hummed in agreement and complained, "I've been so sensitive lately, I cry all the time."
She's clearly not a crybaby.
Liu Mei laughed: "Even if you weren't talking about me, I would have been moved to tears by Captain Shen."
After Shen Nan finished singing, he wanted to leave the stage, but the sharp-eyed host on the side called him back.
"Captain Chen! Stay!"
The man smiled and said, "Is this song dedicated to your sister-in-law?"
Shen Nan: "You know the answer already."
The man laughed: "Isn't this just following the normal procedure? Captain Chen just sings and doesn't want to talk to his wife?"
Shen Nan was silent for a while, then suddenly took the microphone from the host and stared straight at Zhou Zuizui. He paused and said, "Actually, I don't like to talk about these things, and this is the first time I've sung for her."
He said softly, "Although I don't know how many more years we'll have together in the future, or what unexpected things life might bring, I long to grow old with you and do the romantic things you like. I promise you everything I'll do. You want to go to Hawaii to watch the sunset? Okay, I'll go with you when I can go abroad. You want to go to Xinjiang again? We'll go too. I can fulfill your wishes for the next few years in China, but things abroad might take more time. I need you to wait for me a little longer, okay?"
Facing all his comrades, he made a promise to Zhou Zuizui: "Wife, I'll go with you to do whatever you want."
"Don't cry. We have a family now. You're not alone anymore. You have Mom and Dad, Grandpa, your sister, and me. We're all together. You're someone we all like and love. Don't overthink things. You've always been the best. My parents are your parents. I love you, and they love you too. I'm not a romantic person, but I want to do all the romantic things I can think of with you, okay?"
These words were incomprehensible to most, but only Zhou Zuizui understood the meaning behind Shen Nan's words.
He was comforting Zhou Zuizui and helping her out of a predicament.
Zhou Zuizui was already sobbing uncontrollably. She nodded hurriedly and replied in a hoarse voice, "Okay."
How could it be bad? Even if she lived two more lifetimes, she might never meet such a sincere and devoted man again.
After Shen Nan finished speaking, enthusiastic applause broke out in the audience. Many people were moved to tears.
Chen Jun looked at his wife standing to the side, reached out and hugged her, and whispered, "I love you."
The couple had been married for ten years and had developed a deep understanding of each other.
Liu Mei smiled faintly and squeezed his hand in return.
Shen Nan looked at Zhou Zuizui, who was crying uncontrollably, wiped her tears, and said, "If you keep crying like this, I won't say these things next time."
"No." Zhou Zuizui retorted without hesitation, "You have to say."
She sobbed as she said, "Can't you say it once in a while so I can feel a little safe?"
Shen Nan chuckled and hugged her, coaxing her, "Okay, I'll grant your wish."
"Um."
After a while, Zhou Zuizui held back her tears and looked at him: "Is my makeup ruined? Can you take me to wash my face?"
Shen Nan suppressed a laugh and led her inside to wash her face.
After washing their faces, the two looked at each other, and Shen Nan cupped her face and kissed her.
He sucked on the corner of her lips, as if he wanted to devour her.
After kissing for a while, deafening cheers erupted outside again. Zhou Zuizui blushed and pushed Chen Nan away, muttering, "Get out of here... people could come at any moment."
Shen Nan hummed in agreement, a little reluctant.
"I don't want to go out."
I want to be with my wife.
Zhou Zuizui chuckled: "Let's go, it's almost New Year's Eve, let's go out and countdown together."
"good."
The two returned to the hall hand in hand, and soon after they sat down, the countdown began. Everyone sat up straight and shouted in unison, "The New Year is coming to an end!"
"3, 2, 1... Happy New Year!"
In this lively atmosphere, Zhou Zuizui and Shen Nan looked at each other. At this moment, their eyes could only see each other's reflections, and could only hold the other person.
That's all.
Back in the room that night, Zhou Zuizui was extremely proactive, hugging and kissing Shen Nan.
Shen Nan chuckled softly, teasingly asking, "So eager?"
Zhou Zuizui patted his shoulder and was about to turn around and leave when Shen Nan grabbed her and hugged her.
“Hand it over to me voluntarily,” he said.
In this life, just take the initiative and leave it to yourself.
Zhou Zuizui smiled, hooked her arm around his neck and kissed him, softly replying, "Okay."
…………
Zhou Zuizui didn't get up until very late the day after the New Year.
The soldiers outside are still on guard duty. No matter the time or the weather, they stand there like steel men, undeterred by the cold or the heat.
Zhou Zuizui looked at the soldiers training not far away. The blue sky, sunshine, heavy snow, and the entire border defense line were all behind them. Everything was so beautiful.
She squinted at it for a while before struggling to get up.
She ran out excitedly, and bumped into Liu Mei downstairs as soon as she stepped outside.
"Zui Zui, have you had breakfast?"
"Not yet," Zhou Zuizui said with a smile. "I overslept."
Liu Mei smiled gently: "What would you like to eat? I'll go over there and make you something."
"No need, no need," Zhou Zuizui quickly refused, glancing at the time and saying, "Shen Nan will be back soon."
Liu Mei smiled and said, "That's true."
She looked at Zhou Zuizui and suddenly exclaimed, "We're going to the neighboring school to do some charity work in a few days. Do you want to come with us?"
Zhou Zuizui was taken aback for a moment, then looked up at her and said, "Okay."
Liu Mei explained that the warmth is delivered every year after the New Year. The children living here are suffering too much, so the military will help whenever they can. Most of the children here are responsible for their own lives from a very young age.
Hearing this, one can't help but feel a pang of sadness.
There are always some people who, even in difficult circumstances, are still striving to move forward. No matter how small their circumstances, they are all working hard to improve their lives and actively changing their current predicaments.
The matter was settled, but the next few days were filled with heavy snow, and Zhou Zuizui and her group were unable to go out. After more than half a month, the weather cleared up again, and the group finally organized themselves and set off with their teammates to deliver things to the children at the neighboring school.
Besides the school, they also visit the residents nearby, and call the military doctor to take a look at any elderly people or children who are unwell.
However, only a limited number of families could be visited each day. After more than a week, Zhou Zuizui and her group had only seen about a third of the projects. There was still a large portion of the project to be completed.
"Sister Liu Mei, do you come every year?"
Liu Mei shook her head: "They'll come after they get here. The things they're sending over now will be just right by the time of the New Year."
She said, "The children here are just happy to have at least a clean set of clothes and a hot meal during the Lunar New Year."
Zhou Zuizui nodded: "Mhm."
Let's visit a few more places today.
"It depends on the weather," Liu Mei said, frowning. "I have a feeling it's going to snow heavily."
Zhou Zuizui let out an "ah," but it wasn't very clear.
That day, they ended their rest early and returned to their unit to rest.
Sure enough, it started snowing heavily that night. Zhou Zuizui looked at the vast expanse of snow outside and before she could react, the army's emergency whistle rang out.
She subconsciously looked at Shen Nan.
The two exchanged a glance, and Shen Nan said, "Wait for me to come back," before running off in a flash.
Outside, the soldiers who had been stationed there all night still stood like javelins, bracing against the wind, guarding the place.
Author's Note: The final big reveal is here! I'm almost done writing this.
Trust me, I'm the mother, everything will be fine. Just so you know, the baby has arrived!
Love you all! My computer screen suddenly went black today, and after figuring it out for ages, I finally fixed it... So I'm half an hour late with this update, I hope you guys will forgive me, hehe! Please leave lots of comments, and cherish our Chui Chui and Shen the Domineering President, okay!
Finally, my darlings, looking at my pitiful author page, could you please give it a like? Waaaaah!
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the [nutrient solution]:
I am your little cutie (9 bottles); Chubby me (5 bottles); Super well-behaved Lin Duidui (2 bottles); Xiao Meier, Qian Chen, Gala (1 bottle each);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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