Uncle Wang warmly invited them to eat. "Come on, Manman, Xiaoming, have some fish. Let me tell you, your aunt's braised fish is truly amazing. I crave it every time I go out. Mingming, hurry up and get some food for your wife."
"We're eating, why are you talking nonsense? Just ignore him and eat your own food. The ribs are steamed thoroughly, try them while they're hot."
During this meal, Xu Manman and Chen Ming fully felt the warmth from their elders, and their bowls were never empty.
People tend to talk a lot once they start drinking. Xu Manman was sitting at the table, listening to Uncle Wang talk about his experiences on the battlefield with Uncle Xu. Some of the stories were thrilling, some were weird and some were funny, and Xu Manman listened with great interest.
A meal lasted from sunset to dark.
"It's all your Uncle Wang's fault. He said he asked Lei Lei to take you back and even let him drink so much." Although there is no such thing as drunk driving now, the military has strict management. Besides, Brother Zhou is already completely embarrassed. If he dares to drive, Xu Manman won't dare to sit in the car.
Chen Ming said, "Auntie Zhou, don't bother me. Manman and I can just take the bus back."
"How can that be? Why don't you stay at your aunt's place today? Wang Sen and Yao Yao's rooms are already made up, so you can sleep right away."
"Auntie Zhou, there's really no need to trouble you. The beds in the dormitory are ready. We can just take the bus back." Xu Manman didn't want to be left behind.
Zhou Fen muttered, "School hasn't even started yet. It's okay to stay in the dormitory for two days later, right?"
Yes!
But Xu Manman really didn't want to stay at someone else's house, so just staying for a meal was enough.
After the brother and sister insisted again and again, Aunt Zhou finally gave in and did not insist that they stay, but found a young soldier to send them back.
Only after the brother and sister left did Zhou Fen discover the gifts they left behind.
Zhou Fen looked at the pile and said, "These two kids, why did they bring so many things with them when they came? School costs a lot of money. I should have asked them to take some food home." Although canned fresh fruits and other things were not rare for their family, she knew they were not cheap.
Zhou Ming advised, "Auntie, just keep it. Chen Ming and Xu Zhiqing don't need it, and this is also their token of appreciation."
After staying in a youth cadre training center for several years, I can tell a family's background from its living standards. Judging from the daily food and clothing of these two siblings, I know that they are not short of money. Moreover, their uncle's status is not lower than that of their elders. For them, these things are just a token of their thoughtfulness.
"Mingming, Xiaoli, you can hang out with Xiaoming and Manman more often in the future. They are studying so far away from home, so as their hosts, we have to take good care of them, visit them, and help them if they need anything." Zhou Ming's mother said,
"Okay, Mom." Liu Li was now next to her mother-in-law and replied obediently.
…
The car drove all the way to the gate of Tsinghua and Peking University,
"Comrade, there's no need to go in. We still want to buy some things. You can just walk in later."
The young soldier didn't ask any questions. He dropped them off at the school gate and drove back.
Only after getting off the car did Xu Manman breathe a sigh of relief.
"Uncle Wang and Aunt Zhou are so welcoming."
"Yeah." Chen Ming shook his head. He thought he was among the top three in terms of alcohol tolerance among the educated youth. Today, he was almost drunk by Uncle Wang. He had been forcing himself to stay alert when he just went out. Now that he relaxed, his whole head was dizzy.
Xu Manman supported Chen Ming, who was a little unsteady on his feet, and said, "I have some honey. I'll make you a cup of honey water later."
"Hmm." Chen Ming relied on Xu Manman's support to try to maintain his balance and walked towards the guesthouse step by step.
After finally putting Chen Ming on the bed in the room, he fell asleep immediately.
Even if I soak the honey water in it now, he can't drink it, so I might as well let him sleep. There's nothing to do in the next two days anyway, so it doesn't matter if he sleeps until sunrise tomorrow.
Xu Manman helped him take off his scarf, shoes, and coat... She couldn't do it with her strength, so she gave up.
He pulled the quilt over and covered himself with it, compacted the gaps on the edges to make sure he wouldn't get cold, and then poured a cup of boiling water and placed it on the window before returning to his room.
I turned off the lights and slipped into the space.
Xu Manman stretched out her limbs, lying on the spotless white carpet like a huge character. "Huh, today is really..."
In the morning, I went back and forth to the school to deal with registration and dormitory issues. In the afternoon, I went to the compound and had a very satisfying meal. The host was also very warm.
But after all, this is an unfamiliar place, and she cannot completely relax her body and mind. Now that she is back in the space, she just wants to lie there motionless.
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