Gu Mingyue carried the cloth bag into the house. When she opened it, she found that in addition to the cloth and the size chart, the steamed buns were still warm.
She cleaned the vegetables and soaked them in a basin, then spread out the cloth on the kang (heated brick bed).
Gu Mingyue spread out the floral cotton fabric that had been delivered, and asked Lu Lin to help stretch the edges of the fabric. She then traced the size chart with her fingertips: "The little girl is young, so her clothes need to be made loose so that she can run and jump easily."
Lu Lin nodded, picked up the scissors to help cut the fabric at the cuff, and suddenly looked up and suggested, "Let's sew a little flower on the cuff, the girl will definitely like it."
Gu Mingyue's eyes lit up. She picked out a small piece of light pink fabric from the scraps, cut it into a delicate five-petaled flower, and then carefully embroidered the stamen with dark pink thread.
She held the embroidery hoop, and the silver needle darted through the cotton cloth. In no time, two delicate little flowers bloomed on the cuffs, their vibrant colors contrasting beautifully with the floral pattern on the background.
Lu Lin leaned over to take a look and couldn't help but praise, "The flowers you embroidered are so beautiful, even more exquisite than the ones sold at the supply and marketing cooperative."
Three days later, Qi Juanjuan and Wang Sao came to pick up the clothes in the evening.
Gu Mingyue handed over the neatly folded little garment. When Wang Sao unfolded it, her gaze immediately fell on the small flower on the cuff. She gently stroked the delicate stitches with her fingertips, and her eyes instantly reddened.
“Comrade Lu, why did you embroider flowers on it? You put so much thought into this.” Her voice was choked with emotion as she held Gu Mingyue’s hand and stroked it repeatedly. “My little girl has never worn such beautiful clothes before.”
Gu Mingyue smiled and straightened the hem of her clothes: "As long as the child is happy wearing it, that's all that matters. It was just something I embroidered on the spot, it's nothing special."
Clutching the clothes, Aunt Wang thanked her repeatedly, her steps becoming lighter. As she left, she turned back to say, "When the girl puts on her new clothes, I'll bring her here for you to see."
Watching Wang Sao's departing figure, Gu Mingyue leaned against Lu Lin and said, "Look how happy Wang Sao is."
Lu Lin patted her head, the silver needle in his hand still warm: "Indeed, making clothes is not just about making a piece of cloth; sewing your heart into it is what truly warms you."
When He Xiao received the notice to return to Beijing to carry out a mission, he was helping to chop firewood in the yard.
He wiped the sweat from his hands, walked to Lu Wanwan's side, and said softly, "Wanwan, I need to go back to Beijing. Come with me and let's go see each other."
Lu Wanwan paused in her needlework, her eyes lighting up instantly. She turned to look at Gu Mingyue with a tentative, expectant gaze.
Gu Mingyue smiled and gave her a push: "Go ahead, it's a good opportunity to go back and see your family, and bring some local specialties for your brother while you're at it."
When Lu Lin heard about this, he had just returned from training. Upon hearing that Lu Wanwan was going to go back to the capital with He Xiao, he immediately beamed and patted He Xiao on the shoulder, teasingly saying, "Well done, you finally managed to take this little girl away."
After He Xiao and Lu Wanwan went to pack their luggage, he moved closer to Gu Mingyue, put his arm around her waist, and said with undisguised joy, "That's great, no one will be competing with us for space anymore. Once they leave, we can finally have some peace and quiet."
Gu Mingyue's cheeks flushed from his words, and she gently slapped his hand away, saying, "How old are you? Why are you saying such things?" She scolded him playfully, but her eyes were filled with laughter.
In the courtyard, Lu Wanwan was discussing with He Xiao what to bring. Lu Lin watched their backs, then turned to look at Gu Mingyue beside him, feeling a sense of ease even in the wind.
Once those two third wheels are gone, he can finally enjoy a few peaceful days with his wife.
The night before departure, the light in Gu Mingyue's room stayed on very late.
Gu Mingyue took out two jars of meat sauce and a paper package from the cabinet and stuffed them into the bottom of the bundle.
Lu Wanwan asked curiously, "Sister-in-law, what's in here?"
"These are sweet cakes I made for you. They can help you eat something if you get hungry on the way, and you can also share them with your family when you get to Beijing."
Gu Mingyue helped her tie the bundle tightly, and then reached out to tidy up the stray hairs on her forehead. "Call me when you get home, and stay with He Xiao and don't wander off."
Lu Wanwan nodded, then suddenly threw herself into Gu Mingyue's arms, her voice slightly nasal: "Sister-in-law, I'll miss you."
Gu Mingyue patted her back, her eyes also getting a little hot: "Silly girl, it's not like you're not coming back. When you come again, your sister-in-law will make you new clothes."
The two chatted for half the night, from the food in Beijing to the small items they wanted to bring.
On the morning of the day of departure, just as dawn was breaking, Lu Lin carried He Xiao's large bundle and walked ahead.
He Xiao carried Lu Wanwan's small cloth bag, while Lu Wanwan tightly gripped Gu Mingyue's hand, turning back to look at him every few steps.
When they arrived at the dock, there was still a quarter of an hour before the ship departed. Gu Mingyue straightened Lu Wanwan's collar and then instructed He Xiao, "There will be many people on the road, so take good care of Wanwan."
He Xiao nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, I will take good care of her."
At this moment, Lu Lin pulled He Xiao aside, patted him on the shoulder, and lowered his voice: "When you get to the capital, don't just focus on the mission. Wanwan is young and shy, so pay more attention to her. If she is wronged, I won't forgive you."
His words carried a hint of an older brother's seriousness, but his eyes were full of concern for his younger sister.
He Xiao smiled and agreed, "I promise to bring her back safely and give you back your happy little sister."
The ship's horn sounded, and Lu Wanwan followed He Xiao onto the ship, leaning against the railing and waving to the two of them.
Lu Lin held Gu Mingyue's hand and watched the boat slowly move away until it was out of sight before turning around and saying, "Let's go home. We can have some peace and quiet for a few days now."
Gu Mingyue smiled and rolled her eyes at him, but in her heart she also hoped that the two of them could go smoothly and return safely.
That day, Lu Lin returned and said he had to go on a mission. He left in a great hurry, and Gu Mingyue only had time to pack some food for him to take with him.
On Lu Lin's first day on a mission, Gu Mingyue was sitting in the courtyard sewing when Yangyang's clear voice called out from the courtyard gate: "Auntie!"
Xia Qinghe led Yangyang in, carrying half a bag of freshly baked sesame cakes: "Lu Lin is going on a mission. Knowing you're lonely at home, he brought Yangyang to keep you company."
Yangyang broke free from her mother's hand, ran to the table, and took out her workbook and pencil from her schoolbag: "Mom said I should practice my handwriting obediently and not disturb you while you are doing your needlework."
Gu Mingyue smiled as she put the sesame cakes inside, then took a clean wooden board to use as a small desk, and had Yangyang sit down to write.
A moment later, another head peeked in through the courtyard gate. It was Sister Qin: "Mingyue, Qinghe, you're both here!"
She walked in, glanced around the room, and said in a low voice, "I have something interesting to tell you. There's a new family moving into the compound. I heard the man is a cadre who was just transferred here, and he's moving in with his wife and kids this afternoon."
Xia Qinghe paused in her needlework: "Oh? Then there will be more neighbors in the family compound from now on."
Gu Mingyue nodded in agreement: "Once they're settled, we'll take some time to visit them and get to know them."
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