Zhong Yuxiu followed Gu Mingyue into the house, her gaze unconsciously sweeping around the room.
A blue and white checkered tablecloth was laid on a wooden table against the wall, and an enamel tea mug was placed on it. Next to it was Lu Lin's military cap, neatly arranged.
On the small shelf by the window, the orchid was growing vigorously, the stove in the corner was burning brightly, and the heating radiator was blowing into the room through the metal pipes, making the air feel warm and cozy, even more comfortable than home.
Her gaze finally fell on Gu Mingyue, and she couldn't help but pull her hand over, looking her up and down: "Mingyue, you look so good, all rosy, even more energetic than in the last photo."
As she spoke, she looked at her protruding belly and nodded with a smile, "Your belly is showing, it feels round and plump. It seems that Lu Lin has taken good care of you, you've gained some weight, and we're relieved to see that."
Gu Mingyue felt a little embarrassed by her gaze and said with a smile, "Mom, the food in the hospital is good. Lu Lin brings me some food every day after get off work. Sometimes I even think about what to eat. It's hard to lose weight."
Zhong Yuxiu held her hand tightly, her eyes full of relief: "It's good to be a little chubby. Being chubby means you're strong, which is good for the baby. Look how clean and warm this house is. It's even better than we expected before we came. We can finally rest assured."
As they were talking, Xia Huiying brought over a bowl of hot water and also looked at Gu Mingyue's belly: "That's right, I always said that Xiaolin would take care of people. Now it seems that she is even more thoughtful than I thought. After the baby is born, our whole family will be even more lively."
This time, the elders brought two large bags full of things. In addition to the essential tonics, Zhong Yuxiu and Xia Huiying also packed a lot of skin care products for Gu Mingyue.
There was face cream bought from the supply and marketing cooperative, and skin care products brought from outside by someone else, all neatly wrapped in oil paper. They said it was because it was cold during the New Year, so she should apply more of them to keep her skin warm.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, most of the residents in the family compound have stopped working and are preparing to enjoy the holiday in peace.
Gu Mingyue had tidied up the east room early on, aired out the bedding until it was warm, and said to Xia Huiying and Zhong Yuxiu, "Grandma, Mom, you can stay at home. The east room is spacious, and I had Lu Lin light the stove in advance. It's very warm."
Lu Wanwan also chimed in, "Grandpa and Grandma, why don't you come stay at my house too? My room is close to my sister-in-law's, only a two-minute walk away. You can come over and lend a hand whenever you want. I'm also worried that too many people will disturb my sister-in-law's rest. She's pregnant now and needs some peace and quiet."
Lu Limin waved his hand: "No need to trouble yourself, we can stay anywhere, don't take up your time."
Xia Huiying smiled and made the decision: "We'll listen to the children. Your mother and I will stay with Mingyue so we can take care of her. The old man will go to Wanwan's house. He Xiao is a thoughtful child and can also help out. This way, both places are close by, and if they want to eat together, they can just call out and come over. It's so convenient."
Everyone thought it was a good idea, and the luggage was sorted out in no time.
Lu Lin brought over hot water and told them to wash their faces.
Gu Mingyue took out some newly made cotton slippers from the cabinet: "These are the ones I made a while ago. Try them on and see if they fit. They'll keep you warm indoors."
Zhong Yuxiu put on the slippers, the soles were soft, and her heart warmed as well: "You child, you are so thoughtful, even more caring than Wanwan."
Thinking that the elders were not eating or sleeping well on the train, I quickly washed up and then called them to eat.
On the table, the preserved vegetable and meat pancakes that Gu Mingyue had just baked were still steaming hot.
The golden-brown skin glistened with oil. When you take a bite, the salty and savory flavor of the preserved mustard greens mixed with the umami of the meat filling bursts in your mouth. It's so hot that you gasp for breath, but you don't want to put it down.
The tomato and egg soup next to it had oil floating on top. The tomatoes were cooked until soft and the egg flowers were pale yellow. It was sprinkled with chopped green onions and looked very comforting.
Everyone sat together, and Lu Limin picked up a meat pie, took a big bite, and squinted his eyes in satisfaction: "This pie is really well made. Mingyue, your cooking skills are getting better and better."
As he spoke, he scooped up another spoonful of egg drop soup. The warm soup slid into his stomach, and the fatigue from the journey and the dizziness on the ship seemed to be washed away by this hot soup.
Xia Huiying also picked up a small pancake, chewed it slowly, and looked at the dishes on the table and the children chatting and laughing around her. She felt particularly at ease: "Eating at home is still the best. No matter how delicious the food is in restaurants, it can't compare to this warm feeling."
Zhong Yuxiu nodded in agreement and placed a meat pie on Gu Mingyue's plate: "You should eat more too. You're pregnant, so you need to nourish yourself."
Lu Wanwan retorted with a smile, "Mom, is the soup I made delicious?"
Zhong Yuxiu took a big gulp, a smile on her lips, "Of course it's delicious, your cooking is top-notch."
A smile spread across Lu Wanwan's lips; she couldn't be happier inside.
Meanwhile, Lu Qinming, far away in Beijing, was sitting in the army canteen with two dishes in front of him, one meat and one vegetable, but he couldn't muster any appetite.
He poked at the vegetables in his bowl, remembering how he was always busy with work in previous years, and only spent a lot of time at home during the Chinese New Year.
When the children were young, they would surround him and clamor for food as soon as he got home, unlike now when he felt empty inside.
He picked up his chopsticks and forced himself to eat two bites, but the food in his mouth tasted bland. Without his family by his side, even the most delicious food lacked the flavor of family reunion.
Looking at the barely touched food, Lu Qinming sighed. No matter how quiet it was, they couldn't waste food.
He quickly ate all the rice in his bowl, walked out of the cafeteria, and felt a chill in the wind, which made him feel even more empty inside.
After thinking for a moment, he dialed Lu Lin's number after arriving home.
After several broadcasts, bursts of laughter came from the other end of the phone, making him feel even more heartbroken. If he could, he would rush to their side to reunite with them.
"Dad, have you eaten?" Lu Lin's voice sounded especially real amidst the background noise.
It was the noise and laughter of the children in the family compound during the Spring Festival.
Lu Qinming responded, but felt a little envious: "I ate a couple of bites in the cafeteria, and it didn't taste very good."
“We understand that you are busy,” Lu Lin said with a smile. “Mom and the others are doing well here. Mingyue made some preserved vegetable and meat pies for them, and my mom said they were very delicious.”
Listening to this, Lu Qinming couldn't help but remind her, "The wind is strong at sea, so make sure your grandparents don't get cold, especially your mother. She's so old, I don't know if she'll be able to manage without me by her side."
Lu Lin thought to himself, "Only his father treats his mother like a child; that hasn't changed after so many years of marriage."
"And Mingyue is pregnant, so let her do less work and you lend a hand more."
"I understand, Dad. Don't worry."
Lu Lin agreed and handed the phone to Zhong Yuxiu, listening to her rambling on the other end: "The island is warm, the meat pies are delicious, and the children are all filial."
Lu Qinming gradually felt at ease.
After hanging up the phone, he gazed at the lights in the distance. Although it was lonely around him, the thought of his children having a lively meal on the island and his parents and wife laughing happily made him feel that the festive spirit of the New Year had drifted into his heart through the phone line.
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