Lu Wanwan and He Xiao also rushed over. The four of them stood by the phone, waiting for the person on the other end to answer. They were all a little uneasy, afraid that the elderly people at home would feel uncomfortable.
The call connected and it was Lu Qinming's voice. Lu Lin said, "Dad, we've decided that we won't go back for the New Year this year. Mingyue is heavily pregnant, and the journey might be bumpy and unsafe. He Xiao can't leave either, and we're worried about Wanwan going back alone."
After a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, Lu Qinming's strong voice came through, "I understand. I know the rules of the army. The most important thing is to be on duty before the New Year. The waves on the island are big, and you have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders. Don't worry about home."
Then came Zhong Yuxiu's voice, "Just take good care of yourselves over there. Don't worry about me at home. You and your father have plenty to eat and drink. Buy yourselves some good food too. Mingyue is pregnant, so don't skimp on her meals."
Upon hearing the receiver, Gu Mingyue said softly, "Mom, when we bring the children back to Beijing to see you next year, you must make us your best braised pork."
Zhong Yuxiu laughed, "Don't worry, I'll make you a big pot of it."
After hanging up the phone, the group finally felt relieved.
Looking at Gu Mingyue and Lu Wanwan's relaxed smiles, Lu Lin said, "Let's go, let's buy some things first and send some island specialties home."
It's a small token of their appreciation as the younger generation.
Beijing City.
After hanging up the phone, Zhong Yuxiu felt down. In previous years, her daughter would be at home with her at this time, and although her son wasn't home, he would still call back as usual.
Nowadays, the younger generation in the family are not at home, leaving only the elders. This New Year is likely to be quiet and lonely.
When Xia Huiying returned from visiting an old friend and heard the news, although she had a premonition, she still couldn't hide her disappointment.
"Why aren't they coming back? I was thinking of making snacks for the children and preparing things they like."
Xia Huiying sat on the sofa, her smile fading.
Lu Limin had lost his earlier interest. He sat down to the side, picked up his pipe, but didn't light it. After a long silence, he finally said:
“Children have their own difficulties. Xiao Lin and He Xiao are on duty on the island and have heavy responsibilities. Ming Yue really can’t travel long distances. We, as elders, should understand.”
I can understand it, but I can't suppress the disappointment in my heart.
Xia Huiying looked out the window at the empty courtyard, cold and deserted, without even the sound of a child's laughter.
Lu Limin saw what she was thinking and patted her hand, "Don't be sad. The children will come back when spring comes and it gets warmer."
Zhong Yuxiu listened to the sighs of the others, saying that they felt heartbroken because their children wouldn't be coming home for the New Year.
She stared at the things her daughter-in-law had sent back not far away, then suddenly her eyes lit up, and she slapped her thigh, "The children can't come, but can't we go?"
These words silenced the room instantly. Lu Qiqin was stunned for a moment. "No, it's such a long way. It would take several days to travel by train and ship."
"What's the fuss about!" Zhong Yuxiu waved her hand, her tone full of excitement.
“It’s just a train ride. We can buy a sleeper ticket, take a couple of naps on the train, and we’ll be there when we open our eyes. Look at you back in the army, you weren’t afraid of going over mountains and valleys during training exercises, but now you’re scared of taking a train.”
Turning to Xia Huiying, he tried to win over an ally, "Mom, shall we go?"
Despite being nearly seventy years old, Xia Huiying had once crossed the grasslands and participated in the Red Detachment of Women's resistance. Hearing her daughter-in-law's words, her earlier disappointment vanished.
“Yes, let’s go to the island. I’ve never been to the beach before. Let’s go see the children together.”
Lu Qinming sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Mom, you’re so old. Isn’t it better to stay in Beijing? What if something happens to you on the way? How am I supposed to explain it to the children?”
Lu Qinming didn't want them to go, feeling they were too old and it wouldn't be safe for them on the road.
Lu Limin: "Your mother and I are in good health. Although we are old, buying sleeper tickets is not a problem. We can walk slowly on the road and rest when we are tired. What could possibly happen?"
"Besides, this is the first time Xiaolin and Wanwan are spending the New Year away from home after their marriage. They're probably hoping we can come over and lend a hand. That would be great."
Lu Qinming still shook his head, "It's not that I don't want you to go, it's that I'm worried about the safety on the way. The wind is strong on the island in winter, and if you can't adapt to the climate, it will only cause trouble for the children."
Lu Liming immediately retorted, "What's so dangerous about this? Your mother and I are so old and nothing's happened to us. We just sleep and take walks all day. We should go out and relax."
"If it's inconvenient for you to go out, then stay home and guard the house."
Lu Qinming was dumbfounded. Why was he being asked to stay and guard the gate? He hadn't agreed to it.
No matter how Lu Qinming refuted, Lu Limin pretended not to hear and pressed on, saying, "It's settled then. Let's divide the work. I'll go find someone to buy tickets, and Huiying and Yuxiu, you and Yuxiu, go pack your luggage and see what to bring. Let's leave as soon as possible."
Seeing how hurried they were, Lu Qinming finally sighed, picked up his hat, and walked out, saying, "Alright, I'll go buy you tickets. You guys stay home and pack your things."
Zhong Yuxiu exchanged a smug look with her mother-in-law.
Gu Mingyue, far away on the island, was unaware that her four elderly relatives were secretly preparing a surprise.
She was filled with joy as she busied herself in the kitchen, making pancakes—a must-have for Chinese New Year in her hometown from her previous life, a taste of homesickness that those far from home longed for most.
Soaked corn, millet, and soybeans are mixed together and poured into a millstone for slow grinding. The milky white batter flows down the edge of the millstone, carrying the unique fragrance of grains.
"Sister-in-law, these pancakes look simple, but they're really troublesome to make."
Lu Wanwan added firewood while sighing.
“It’s the trouble that makes it delicious.” Gu Mingyue said with a smile: “In the past, during the New Year, my family would get up at dawn to make the batter, just waiting for the first batch of pancakes to come out of the pan. We would crack an egg on it, sprinkle some salt on it, and it would taste so good that we could eat several.”
She poured the ground dough into a basin, added some salt for seasoning, and brushed a thin layer of oil onto the griddle.
Once heated, scoop a spoonful of batter into the center and spread it quickly with a spatula. The batter solidifies rapidly under the high temperature, and the edges gradually curl up, producing tiny bubbles.
In no time, the first pancake was ready, golden and translucent, as thin as a cicada's wing.
Gu Mingyue picked up a pancake, rolled it up with pre-cooked shredded potatoes and eggs, and handed it to Lu Wanwan, saying, "Try it and see how it tastes."
Lu Wanwan took a bite; it was soft on the outside and chewy on the inside, with the aroma of grains mixed with the fragrance of vegetables. "It's so delicious, and it's also very chewy."
Gu Mingyue smiled; it seemed this combination was quite good.
I used to hear my family say that pancakes made with sweet potato flour were hard to chew, and now it seems that it was indeed due to insufficient ingredients.
Making pancakes is hard work, and Gu Mingyue was chased away by Lu Lin after making a few.
"I'll do it, you just watch and give instructions."
Lu Lin is now the second-in-command in the family and the best cook besides Gu Mingyue, so he is the most suitable person to take over the cooking job.
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