Grandpa Miao said, "One week is one week."
On the delivery date, I waited at the entrance of the family compound on time.
If the comrade on guard duty hadn't come to inform her, Gu Mingyue wouldn't have thought of this.
There are regulations in the family compound that outsiders cannot enter at will, and everyone must register when entering or leaving.
This is for the safety of the families, for the safety of the soldiers, and most importantly, for the safety of the country.
Grandpa Miao has had many family members make things for him, so he is very familiar with the regulations here.
After receiving permission to pass, he and his son pulled the oxcart inside.
Gu Mingyue brought Grandpa Miao to his doorstep. Lu Lin couldn't leave, so he sent his bodyguard, Xiao Liu, to help.
"Sister-in-law, don't worry, you sit here and rest. I'll help you with these things."
Xiao Liu was a new recruit who joined the army two years ago. Because of his quick thinking, he was assigned to be a bodyguard for the leaders.
He met Lu Lin when Lu Lin went to the countryside to provide relief, and was very happy to learn that he could work under him.
This was the first time Xiao Liu had seen Gu Mingyue, and the young man didn't dare to look at her for long.
Gu Mingyue couldn't help with the large desks and cabinets, but she helped bring down the smaller stools and then poured some sweet soup for everyone.
A bowl of sugar water is the highest form of hospitality a host can offer to their guests.
Grandpa Miao was parched from walking all morning, but a bowl of sweet soup made him feel refreshed.
"Comrade Gu, could you check if any of these items are damaged? If so, I'll rework them for you."
"no problem."
She had carefully observed the process while moving things, and Grandpa Miao's skills were indeed superb.
The desk was polished smooth and shiny, and a layer of tung oil was applied to it for waterproofing.
"Uncle Miao, this is the money we have left. Please check if it's correct."
Grandpa Miao: "No need to look, you are all good comrades, there will definitely be no problem."
Although he said that, Gu Mingyue couldn't be unreasonable. In front of Grandpa Miao, she counted the money one by one, so that he could see it and she could also express her feelings.
After Grandpa Miao left, Xiao Liu helped clean up the house before leaving as well.
Before leaving, Gu Mingyue asked him to take out some pastries from the capital and share them with everyone.
They didn't bring much, and there's still some left. It's hot now, and it won't keep well, so we might as well do them a favor and give it to everyone to try.
Xiao Liu took the pastries with delight, never expecting such a pleasant surprise, and exclaimed, "Thank you, sister-in-law!"
With the new desk, Gu Mingyue tidied up all her things with great interest and decorated the study, making it look pleasing to the eye.
After returning home, Lu Lin looked at the newly tidied study and felt it was very suitable. The tables, chairs and benches in the house were also rearranged.
During the meal, Gu Mingyue said, "I plan to go to the market tomorrow to see if I can buy a few chicks or goslings to raise at home."
A few days ago I saw the chickens at Sister Qin's house. Putting everything else aside, just the few eggs she collects every morning provide enough protein for the day.
Moreover, they weren't short of space at home; when they were cleaning up the yard, they specifically made room for raising chickens, ducks, and geese.
Lu Lin nodded: "Okay, I'll ask Sister-in-law Qin to go with you then."
Gu Mingyue thought so too. She didn't know how to choose, so she asked Sister-in-law Qin to help her make an opinion.
When Qin Hongmei found out, she quickly agreed, "I was just about to pick out a few chicks to raise at home, let's do it together."
"Auntie, have some candy."
Chengcheng, the child of Aunt Qin's family, slipped a piece of fruit candy into Gu Mingyue's hand. The colorful candy, wrapped in crystal-clear wrapping paper, displayed rainbow-like lines under the sunlight.
The little guy has a square face, thick black eyebrows, and round eyes like two black gems. He has tiger teeth when he smiles, and he looks very energetic and chubby.
Aunt Qin's husband was in the same brigade as Lu Lin. Gu Mingyue had met him before, and the father and son looked exactly like they were cut from the same mold.
Gu Mingyue patted his head and said, "Thank you, Chengcheng. Auntie doesn't like sweets, so you can have them."
The little guy placed the candy in his palm with a puzzled look, tilted his head, and looked at it with confusion in his eyes, as if he didn't understand why some people didn't like candy.
The next morning, upon hearing the bugle call, Gu Mingyue got up and dressed.
It's not the time to incubate a large number of eggs now, so there aren't many to sell. They need to buy chicks, so they have to go early to reserve them.
The market wasn't far, but thinking about all the things she needed to carry, Gu Mingyue pushed her bicycle there.
A cushion was sewn onto the back seat of the bicycle. It was made of solid light blue fabric with thick cotton padding, making it soft and comfortable to sit on.
Seeing that Sister-in-law Qin was carrying Chengcheng in one hand and a vegetable basket in the other, Gu Mingyue quickly went up to her and said, "Sister-in-law, put the child in the back seat and I'll help you push it."
Aunt Qin waved her hand somewhat embarrassedly: "No need, my own child is heavy, it's tiring to push him around."
Gu Mingyue smiled and pushed the bicycle in front of her: "This 26-inch bicycle is light, it's easy to put a child on the back seat, I'm very strong."
She lifted Chengcheng onto the back seat and adjusted the handlebars to a comfortable position.
Aunt Qin said gratefully, "Thank you so much. This boy is lazy. Every time I try to walk with him, he makes a fuss for ages. It's really hard for me to manage on my own."
Gu Mingyue smiled and pushed the cart, while Aunt Qin walked beside her carrying a vegetable basket. Chengcheng looked around happily from the back seat.
As she rode the bicycle, Sister-in-law Qin couldn't help but praise it: "This bike is really good. It's light to ride, stable to sit on, and convenient for taking the children with you."
Gu Mingyue listened and said with a smile, "Yes, I hesitated for a long time before buying it. But to be honest, the main reason we bought it was because Lu Lin was going to the army and I had to run around all by myself."
This was the explanation Gu Mingyue had already prepared; she couldn't very well say that she bought it because she was lazy.
As a homebody, she prefers to stay in her comfort zone and only uses her bicycle in emergencies.
There are few means of transportation available now, especially in residential compounds where bicycles are the only way to reach more distant places, making them an indispensable mode of transport.
Sister-in-law Qin nodded, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes: "I also want to buy one, but when I think about it, I don't really have any special places to go, so it would probably just sit idle. Besides, the elders on both sides of the family are in poor health and need to spend money on medical treatment, so where would I find the spare money to buy a car?"
Gu Mingyue nodded understandingly: "That's how life is; money should be spent wisely."
Hearing her say this, Sister-in-law Qin nodded in agreement even more.
Who doesn't want a good life? Who doesn't want to buy a bicycle? But buying a bicycle isn't something you can just do on a whim.
Both sets of parents need to be helped. Although they don't have to tighten their belts to make ends meet, they are not extravagant people either.
Having money in hand means you won't panic, and you can help your parents if they get sick.
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