At 5:30 in the afternoon, when Gu Qingqing came back, the two were still setting up the shed. When she saw the plastic bucket at the door, she knew that Zhang Ta had been there. He went into the kitchen carrying half a bucket of lively shrimps.
Two men, one big and one small, heard the noise and looked back at the same time, then continued to build the shed.
Back in the kitchen, she was thinking about what to use as the filling for the dumplings in the evening. She had several ideas in her mind, but she rejected them one by one, and finally kept three -
Leek and eggs, shrimp, cabbage and pork.
All alive.
It just so happened that the three of them couldn't finish the half bucket of blanched shrimps that Zhang Ta sent. They made some of them into dumplings, some of them onto the table, and some of them were left over for making noodles or porridge tomorrow morning.
She did what she said. She found flour from the storage cabinet below and started kneading the dough. Maybe she was thinking about what happened in Bai Tao's family, and she became angrier and her hands moved a little harder.
Chu Dai listened to the clanging sound coming from the kitchen and glanced at the boy who didn't pass him the wood because he was distracted.
"Don't worry, just wait for her to vent."
Half past six.
A ray of afterglow remains in the sky, and the sunset glows like fire.
Although she cooked a big pot of dumplings, Gu Qingqing was afraid that they would not be full so she cooked some rice and made some blanched shrimps, made the dipping sauce with soy sauce and shredded ginger, and added some chopped green onions and coriander.
Instead of taking the meal outside to the yard, she decided to eat in the living room that night. It was a bit cold and windy outside in the evening.
It was getting dark and the yard outside was ready, so Gu Qingqing went to call the two of them to eat.
Chu Dai jumped down from the wooden shelf swiftly, brushed off the sawdust on his hands, and said to the boy, "Eat first, and return the tools yourself tomorrow."
Gu Qingqing was afraid that he was not used to going to the Quartermaster Department alone, and was about to speak when the man shook his head to stop her.
"Qingqing, we can't be with him forever, and he can't just hide behind us and keep silent."
Gu Qingqing's eyebrows relaxed. She bent down slightly and looked directly into the boy's eyes. She said softly, "You have met Uncle Qian from the Quartermaster Department today. He is a very nice man. Remember to say thank you to him after you return the tools tomorrow, okay? I have to go to class tomorrow. There is a small cabinet in the kitchen. Open it and you will see candies inside. Take five of them as a reward from me."
"Reward our Ah Sui for being so brave. Okay?"
Shen Sui stared at her with his dark eyes without blinking, then nodded slowly.
It turns out that there are rewards for doing things.
Gu Qingqing ruffled his hair and said, "Go wash your hands and eat with your brother-in-law. You are all dirty. Use a towel to wipe off the dust on your body before entering the house."
The two, one big and one small, did as they were told, and Gu Qingqing nodded in satisfaction.
There was a small orange lamp in the living room, and the warm light poured down, shining on the two adults and one child sitting in front of the dining table.
Gu Qingqing and Chu Dai sat on opposite sides, with his brother-in-law on Shen Sui's left and his elder sister on his right.
Gu Qingqing handed him the big soup spoon, pointed to the big bowl of dumplings and said, "Help yourself if you want to eat anything. If it's not enough, there's still rice in the pot."
The boy looked a little hesitant, but finally he took the spoon and slowly scooped a spoonful of dumplings and soup into the bowl.
Gu Qingqing was about to encourage him when she saw him pass the bowl of dumplings to her, then refill Chu Dai's bowl, and finally it was his turn.
Gu Qingqing exchanged a glance with the man opposite her, suppressed the emotions in her eyes, and said gently, "Thank you, Ah Sui, let's eat."
As he spoke, he started to use his chopsticks.
She was really hungry. She was frightened at Bai Tao's place in the afternoon and it took her a long time to recover after she got home.
Now my appetite was aroused and I quickly finished the dumplings in the bowl.
The shrimp filling was so fresh, tender and chewy that she wondered if she should just eat dumplings tomorrow morning. But then she decided not to, and decided to fry the shrimp to make porridge.
Seeing that she was enjoying the meal, Chu Dai slowly dipped the dumplings in soy sauce and asked her, "Should we let Ah Sui go to school tomorrow?"
Gu Qingqing looked up at the boy who was eating without making any sound, and shook her head: "Let Ah Sui wait a few more days. The second batch of soldiers will arrive in ten days or so. Is it true that you said last time that the higher-ups sent civilian staff to teach here?"
"Really." Seeing that the boy didn't raise his head but couldn't help but listen, Chu Dai secretly laughed at him because he was just a child. He said, "The second batch of soldiers stationed on the island brought many wives and children with them, so the school will be expanded."
Gu Qingqing was stunned for a moment, then said with relief: "That's perfect, I can resign in ten days or so."
Chu Dai knew what she was thinking. Teaching students was originally a temporary measure because the children on the island had no education. However, he still couldn't help laughing: "Some people try every means to become teachers but fail. We, the parent-teacher teachers, think about how to quit every day."
"Brother, stop talking. I have a headache." Gu Qingqing felt overwhelmed when she thought about Bai Tao's sister-in-law.
The man chuckled.
After dinner, Chu Dai and Shen Sui cleaned the table, while Gu Qingqing swept the floor with a broom. The lights were dim and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Time passed quickly. Shen Sui had been at home for more than half a month. The empty houses on the island were almost full. Five civilian staff came with the warship. The original two classes in the school were now re-divided into five grades, just like an ordinary primary school.
Gu Qingqing finished her last class today and retired happily.
At noon, she went home and prepared a sumptuous meal for the family, and said with a smile, "Finally, we don't have to go to school, but Ah Sui has to go to school tomorrow."
As she spoke, she picked up a piece of pork belly and put it into Shen Sui's bowl. "Ah Sui, how about going to school tomorrow? Sister and brother-in-law will take you there."
The arrival of the second batch of soldiers on the island greatly reduced the pressure on the first batch. Chu Dai and his men were able to return home normally at noon and in the evening, and they have been eating at home recently.
Shen Sui had never been to school, so his eyes darkened when he heard this. The veins on the back of his hand were exposed because of the force with which he held the chopsticks.
In the past half month, Gu Qingqing has made him gain some weight, and his face has gained some flesh, and he is no longer skinny.
Skin color might really be innate. When he and Chu Dai stand together, each one is whiter than the other.
Only Gu Qingqing became a little whiter because of wearing long sleeves in the winter. Summer is coming soon, and she will probably become as dark as coal again.
Chu Daiminrui realized that he was afraid of unfamiliar environments, so he encouraged him, "Try everything. If someone bullies you in school, fight back. Your brother-in-law will support you."
The boy loosened his grip on the chopsticks slightly and nodded.
There have been many new faces on the island recently. These military wives all have three or four children. Zhang Ta didn't know how he managed to become the leader of all the children.
Only Shen Sui never plays with them.
He would either stay at home with Gu Qingqing to turn the soil and weed, or go to the mountains to chop firewood. Every time he came back, he would bring some new wild fruits to Gu Qingqing.
He only dared to bring these back after he had tasted them and found them to be OK. He also put the candies that Gu Qingqing gave him in an iron box and ate one candy a day.
At night, after taking a shower, Gu Qingqing pressed the man onto the bed. When he was unbuckling his belt, she remembered something -
"Brother." She blinked.
"Hmm?" Chu Dai pulled out the belt and threw it aside. Just as he was about to continue, he heard the woman say, "My period... seems to be coming in the next two days, but it hasn't come today."
The man paused, propped himself up with his long legs and looked at the calendar by the door. He turned to the day he had circled last month. Thirty-two days had passed.
He rubbed his brows, sat back on the bed, held the person in his arms, and cursed angrily and amusedly, but deep down he was filled with more ecstasy and anticipation.
The man's warm palm covered her lower abdomen, and his voice trembled slightly. "There's a female military doctor on the island. Shall we go and see her tomorrow?"
Gu Qingqing let him hold her, rubbing her head against his chin, and was a little excited: "Okay, let's go tomorrow at noon? Can you accompany me?"
"Okay, send Ah Sui to school in the morning, and wait for me to come back at noon and go to the clinic together." Chu Dai lowered his eyes and looked at her flat belly with gentle eyes.
Gu Qingqing touched his bony fingers and rubbed them slowly. After a long while, she asked softly, "If I don't get pregnant, will you be disappointed?"
The man lowered his head and kissed the tip of her hair, then smiled and said, "How could that be possible? As long as you are diligent enough, you will get pregnant sooner or later. But Teacher Gu, are you ready to be a mother?"
He was more worried about the little woman, who was usually careless. Every time he saw Xu Nian walking slowly with a big belly, he couldn't help but think of her impetuous temper.
"Of course! I'm already 18, 19, and you're 22. If you don't have a baby, someone will definitely talk behind your back."
The man listened to her depressed tone and said calmly: "Did someone say something behind your back?"
Gu Qingqing turned around and hugged his neck, burying her head in the man's neck and rubbing it, she said in a muffled voice: "I don't know who said it. Little Huanniang hasn't had much time in the past half month. The clothes for Ah Sui were just finished yesterday. When I went to get them, she whispered to me that I don't know who spread the rumors. She said that I couldn't give birth to you, so I took Ah Sui back, saying he was my younger brother, but in fact I raised him as my son."
The man couldn't help laughing after hearing this and nodded, "Indeed, he is raising me like a son."
Although Shen Sui is twelve years old, he is a solitary and sensitive person, and Gu Qingqing has spent a lot of effort on him.
The woman couldn't help but reach out and pinch his waist. She didn't let go until she heard the man begging for mercy in pain. Facing the mocking smile in his eyes, she snorted and said, "Why do you say I can't have children? Why can't it be you who can't have children?"
Chu Dai didn't expect her to be angry about this, and said meaningfully: "You should be very clear about this in your heart."
"Shameless!" Gu Qingqing made a face at him, then nestled in his arms and refused to move. "Brother, do you think Ah Sui will be able to adapt to the school tomorrow? I'm not worried that he won't get along well with his classmates, but I'm worried that he won't talk much when the teacher calls on him to answer a question."
"Look, this is the trouble of raising a son." The man laughed above her head and said, "This child should go out to more crowded places to hone his skills. I asked him if he wants to be a navy in the future."
"What did he say?" Gu Qingqing looked up and asked him curiously.
"He said he wanted to join the Construction Corps." Chu Dai was also stunned when he heard it.
I originally thought that this kid would either say he wanted to join the navy or go to the Southern Military Region Tank Group Army, but I really didn't expect him to say something like this.
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