Gu Qingbei didn’t understand why there was such a smelly food in the world. Even stinky tofu didn’t smell this bad.
The next day at noon, Jiang Mengxue took Luan Huiying to the state-owned restaurant where Gu Huaizhen and Miao Dingwang worked.
Gu Huaizhen didn't know Luan Huiying was back, and didn't dare to recognize her at first sight.
"Sister-in-law, what would you like to eat today?" When he saw Luan Huiying sitting next to him, he hesitated and didn't dare to speak.
"Fifth sister, what supplies do you have today?"
Luan Huiying smiled and said, "Huaizhen doesn't recognize me?"
"It's really Third Aunt? Why are you back?" Gu Huaizhen couldn't believe it. Third Uncle and Third Aunt basically never came back. In the minds of her brothers and sisters, the next meeting would probably be the last.
"Oh, why didn't you tell us you were coming back? My elder brother and second sister probably don't know yet. Just wait, I'll ask Ding Wang to cook some delicious dishes. Just wait."
After saying this, Gu Huaizhen ran into the kitchen and told Miao Dingwang to make something delicious.
"Old Five is really impatient.
Qiangzi should have booked the ticket for me. I'm leaving tomorrow, so the next time we meet will have to wait until the Chinese New Year.
You can see how it goes then. If you're not feeling well, don't go. I'll try to take some time off to come back later. When you're in confinement next year, Qingbei and I will come back if we have some time off. Qingbei's job is going to be very hard on you from now on."
Luan Huiying is a military wife herself, so she naturally knows that while soldiers are honored by the people, the responsibilities they bear make it impossible for them to take care of their families at the same time.
It is true that military wives are great, but it is also true that they suffer hardships and pain.
"Don't worry, Mom. My second mother and second uncle are also at home. I will go to the hospital in advance when I am about to give birth. I will be fine."
Luan Huiying thought of Gu Zhenjiang and Li Cuiying, and was a little confused about how to tell Jiang Mengxue.
"Mom, if you have anything to say, just tell me."
Luan Huiying said hesitantly: "I don't know if Xiaobei has told you about your uncle and aunt. They have always treated Xiaobei as their own son.
During those ten years, your father and I were always on the battlefield, and we didn't know if we could come back. Thanks to them, Xiaobei also said that he would take care of your uncle and aunt in their old age. I don't know if he told you.
Actually, we old people don't need you to bear any responsibility. When we retire, we will have a lot of pensions, so we can just live in a retirement home. When you have time, come and visit us."
Luan Huiying had already discussed future retirement plans with Gu Zhenjiang.
They only have one son, who is also in the army. Judging from the current situation, everything will fall on their daughter-in-law in the future.
But to be honest, they were really guilty in raising their children. When they were young, they left them at a fellow villager's home to help take care of them. Later, they sent them back to their hometown. When we met again, they were in the army.
Before they knew it, the child had grown up. Apart from giving birth to Gu Qingbei, they had not put in any effort at all.
So they were not at all uncomfortable with Gu Qingbei being close to their second brother and sister-in-law.
If they have no sense of responsibility towards the relatives who have raised them for so many years, then they should be worried.
Jiang Mengxue said that these days Luan Huiying always seemed to have something to say, but was struggling over whether to speak up. She really is worthy of being Gu Qingbei's biological mother, and their personalities are really similar.
Jiang Mengxue poured a glass of water and handed it to Luan Huiying, then said solemnly, "Mom, since Qingbei and I are already married, we will not shirk our responsibilities as children. Don't think that we will be unwilling to live with us in the future. And my second uncle and second aunt, Qingbei made it very clear to me when we first got married, and I agree with it.
If you and Dad are willing to live with us when you retire, we will be happy too. Don't you want to see Tsinghua and Peking University and your grandchildren every day?"
Jiang Mengxue didn't want the old man to always live with guilt. They now felt that they owed Gu Qingbei and were always afraid to make any demands. It seemed that as long as the children could still remember them in the future, it would be enough, and they didn't expect the children to visit them often.
After all, sending Gu Qingbei back to his hometown was an act of helplessness. War is ruthless, and for two soldiers, it was an unwise choice to keep the child with them.
Luan Huiying really felt that they had no face to ask their son to do anything for them, let alone a daughter-in-law who had not been treated well by them.
All they can do now is to give them as much financial support as possible, help their son and daughter-in-law with their careers, and fulfill their responsibilities as parents.
But what her daughter-in-law said today made her want to cry.
Who doesn’t want to enjoy the company of grandchildren when they are old? It would be great to watch the younger generation at home every day even if they do nothing.
Luan Huiying wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and tried hard to hold them back. She didn't want to lose face in front of Jiang Mengxue. She was such an adult and still shedding tears.
"Okay, okay, from now on, as long as you and Xiaobei still need us, we will take care of your grandson and do housework every day. Your dad is very good at housework."
Jiang Mengxue didn't say anything about not having to do it. Sometimes, what old people fear most when they are with young people is not being needed.
Over there, Gu Huaizhen started serving the dishes: sweet and sour pork, sauerkraut pork belly stewed with vermicelli, and three fresh vegetables.
"Aunt San and his sister-in-law, you guys eat first. If you need anything, just call Ding Wang. My child has something to do at home, so I have to go back quickly."
Seeing Huaizhen taking off her apron and about to leave, Luan Huiying quickly grabbed her and said, "Hey, don't go out of your way to tell your brothers and sisters that I'm leaving on the train tomorrow morning. Don't try to act like that."
Gu Huaicai was dumbfounded. She just wanted to inform her eldest sister-in-law and second sister that her third aunt only came back once in many years. How could they pretend not to know?
"What? Why are you leaving tomorrow? I wanted to ask you to come home with your sister-in-law for dinner. You said you finally came back, so why not come home for dinner?"
Luan Huiying waved her hand. "I didn't tell you because I was afraid of causing you trouble. Besides, we went back to our hometown yesterday, and your parents all know about it. We still had lunch at your house, so please don't make a fuss."
Gu Huaicai still felt that she should tell her brother and sister, so she asked the aunt who worked in the kitchen to help out for a while and then left.
"Hey, I should have known not to come. I hope this kid doesn't invite all her brothers, sisters, and sisters-in-law to come home. I really can't handle these people."
She just wanted to try the local food. If there wasn't only one state-owned restaurant recently, they would have definitely changed places.
The two of them left quickly after finishing their meal. Miao Dingwang was busy in the kitchen. He was thinking of coming out to say hello later, but when he finished, there was no one outside.
"Have you heard? Of the dozen or so children rescued from trafficking this time, two were switched in the hospital. One was the son of the neighborhood women's director. The woman in the same ward who had just given birth saw that his family was better off, so she switched her child with Director Song's."
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