Xia Qinghe: "Comrade Zhao is getting married in a few days. Should we go and help him out?"
She was referring to Zhao Gang.
Zhao Gang is twenty-eight years old this year. He was wounded on the battlefield and has a scar on his face. He hasn't found a wife all these years.
Whenever someone attends a blind date or social gathering and is initially very interested in his qualities, they immediately wave their hands and shake their head upon seeing the injury on his face.
He waited and waited until he was almost thirty and still hadn't found a wife. A while ago, he went back to his hometown and heard that his family had introduced him to a woman. The two of them felt good about each other after they met.
Sure enough, they had only been back for a short time when they were preparing to host a dinner party, and as their comrades-in-arms, they naturally had to go.
"Shall we consider what to send as a gift?"
Xia Qinghe had already thought it through; it was nothing more than a few things. "I plan to give them a pair of pillowcases."
Gu Mingyue: "Okay, then I'll go and cut a new quilt cover."
Most of the gifts people gave were practical and useful items that the newlyweds needed.
On the wedding day, Gu Mingyue planned to take Chenchen with her to see the place, as the little guy had been very restless lately and couldn't stay at home.
Lu Lin had a fence specially made so that he could crawl around inside the house and be kept under control.
Gu Mingyue dressed him in a bright red outfit. His arms were like lotus root segments, plump and soft like cotton when pressed.
When the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law arrived at Zhao Gang's house with their child, there were already quite a few people there.
Zhao Gang didn't hold his wedding in his hometown, but came to this island specifically. He had saved up a lot of money during his years in the army, and since marriage is a major event in life, he couldn't be careless. He prepared a total of five or six tables.
After all, since we'd run into each other all the time in the family compound, and he'd already invited everyone he could, he specifically said he didn't want any money from anyone; as long as they came, that was enough.
Zhao Gang's wife stood beside him; she had a gentle face and seemed like a good girl.
"Comrade Zhao, congratulations! I wish you happiness and a long and loving marriage."
Gu Mingyue handed over the prepared gift, and Zhao Gang hurriedly accepted it, grinning to show his white teeth: "Thank you, Comrade Gu, you're too kind."
Several wooden tables had already been set up in the courtyard, and the canteen staff were busy around the makeshift stove, the aroma of stewing meat filling the entire courtyard.
As Gu Mingyue walked in, she heard Xia Qinghe's voice: "Mingyue, sit here."
Turning around, I saw Xia Qinghe sitting at the table near the kitchen with Yangyang. Yangyang was holding a piece of candy he had just gotten and waved to Chenchen when he saw her.
Gu Mingyue carried Chenchen over and sat down. Several familiar women from the family compound gathered around, all looking at the chubby Chenchen with envy.
Aunt Qin reached out and gently pinched Chenchen's cheek: "This child is so handsome, fair and chubby, he's so pleasing to the eye."
Chenchen wasn't shy at all. Her little eyes darted around, looking at the people around her, which made her sisters-in-law laugh.
Watching the commotion, Xia Qinghe reached out to tease Chenchen, "Chenchen, call me Auntie, can you?"
Chenchen tilted her head and didn't make a sound, but suddenly stuffed the thing in her hand into Xia Qinghe's hand, which made everyone at the table laugh.
Gu Mingyue watched as Chenchen, surrounded and amused by the crowd, couldn't stop laughing.
The chef by the stove finally served the last dish of stewed meat, and Zhao Gang and his wife, holding enamel cups, went from table to table toasting everyone.
"Thank you all for coming. Enjoy your meal and drinks." Zhao Gang's wife, wearing a newly made floral shirt, smiled broadly, her eyes crinkling. Her glass, filled with sweet fruit wine, clinked against the table.
Gu Mingyue had just picked up a piece of green vegetable when she saw Xia Qinghe reach out and take Chenchen away, placing her on her lap.
"Let Auntie give me a hug, and let me see what delicious food is on the table."
Xia Qinghe pointed to the dishes on the table and introduced them to Chenchen one by one, "This is stewed meat, this is scrambled eggs, and this is the sausage that your mother likes."
Chenchen's little head followed Xia Qinghe's finger, and her eyes suddenly lit up.
He set his sights on the glistening sausages on the plate.
The little body leaned forward, and the chubby little hands reached out to grab the edge of the plate.
Gu Mingyue quickly reached out to stop her: "Chenchen, you can't touch it with your hands, it's hot."
Chenchen, however, refused to listen, pouting and waving her finger in the air, which made everyone around her laugh.
Zhao Gang happened to be toasting at this table when he saw this scene. He smiled and said, "Looks like the little guy's got a craving too. He'll be able to eat it soon when his teeth come in."
Gu Mingyue fed him some broken noodles, and Chenchen opened his mouth and took them in, chewing with his cheeks puffed out and his eyes narrowed into slits, looking incredibly cute.
Taking the opportunity, Xia Qinghe took out a clean handkerchief and wiped the oil from Chenchen's mouth: "This little guy is still a little glutton."
Everyone at the table laughed.
After the toasts were finished, the people at the table started chatting about everyday things.
Zhao Xiulan poured a bowl of soup for the person next to her, and suddenly the conversation turned to her eldest son: "My eldest son is sixteen this year and will be graduating soon. I've been worried about where he'll go every day lately."
She picked up a piece of green vegetable, her brows furrowing slightly. "You either have to join the army or go to the countryside to work. There are two options, but as your mother, I can't bear to give up either one."
They are all family members and know that it's not easy for the soldiers to be out there. It would be better if they could have a stable job.
Aunt Zhang put down her chopsticks and continued, "That's right. My neighbor's son went to the countryside last year. I heard he had to work in the fields every day, and he got so tanned and thin. It's heartbreaking to see him like that. Joining the army is honorable, but the training is tough, and you have to be far from home. You might not see him for a year or two."
Holding Chenchen in her arms, Gu Mingyue thought of Lu Lin as she listened to these words and said softly, "Serving in the army is indeed tough, but it can toughen you up. If the child is willing, it's a good way out. As for going to the countryside, the policies are slowly changing, so perhaps there will be an opportunity to come back and study in the future."
Seeing that Zhao Xiulan was still frowning, she added, "Why don't we ask the child what he thinks first? After all, it's his own path, and it's best if he's willing to walk it."
Zhao Xiulan sighed: "I asked him, and he said he wanted to study for another two years, but given the current situation, how can we let him have his way?"
Xia Qinghe nodded in agreement: "I've heard that many places are emphasizing education recently. Perhaps there will be new policies in a while. Why don't we wait and see?"
As they were talking, Chenchen suddenly reached out and tugged at Zhao Xiulan's sleeve, as if to comfort her.
Looking at the child's chubby and fair appearance, Zhao Xiulan couldn't help but smile. She reached out and patted his head, saying, "That's right, there's no use worrying. Let's just wait and see. There'll always be a good solution."
"Children and grandchildren have their own destinies. As parents, we can only help come up with ideas. The specifics of how to proceed are up to the children. However, your eldest child is a high school student. Even if he doesn't pursue these two paths in the future, finding a good job shouldn't be a problem."
The women at the table comforted Zhao Xiulan, telling her not to worry.
After listening to everyone's words, Zhao Xiulan's worries lessened; there's always a way out.
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