Chapter 121 Arriving Home
As she spoke, she took one child in each hand and pulled Lu Mingyue with the other, walking into the yard, completely ignoring the curious gazes of the neighbors behind her.
In her eyes, as long as her son is doing well and her children are well-behaved, it doesn't matter what others say.
Zhong Yulan pulled Lu Mingyue's hand and led her into the house, her gaze never leaving Lu Mingyue's face. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became, and she murmured with a smile:
"I've seen you in the photos Huo Zheng sent me before, but those photos don't do you justice. You have such beautiful features and fair skin, and you look much more energetic in person than in the photos."
Lu Mingyue was a little embarrassed by the praise, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she smiled and said, "Mom, you flatter me."
Zhong Yulan waved her hand and turned to Huo Zheng, who had just entered, saying, "The photography studio's skills are really bad. They made my beautiful daughter-in-law look so ordinary. Next time, let's take the photos ourselves."
Huo Zheng smiled helplessly after hearing this, and did not refute it. His mother was happy, so whatever she said was right.
After arriving home, Zhong Yulan pulled Lu Mingyue to sit down and poured her a cup of hot tea.
"Have some water to warm up. I've been looking forward to your arrival. I've prepared your room in advance, the sheets are all new, and the children's beds are soft and comfortable."
Holding the warm teacup, Lu Mingyue felt a warmth in her heart. Looking at Zhong Yulan's enthusiastic manner, her initial slight restraint gradually dissipated.
As soon as you enter the main room, you can smell the rich aroma of mutton soup.
Wen Yuexian, wearing an apron and carrying a steaming casserole, came out of the kitchen. Seeing Lu Mingyue and the others come in, she greeted them with a smile: "You've finally arrived! Please sit down, please sit down. The mutton soup is freshly cooked and we've been waiting for you."
She put the casserole on the table, then turned to get a bowl and spoon, saying as she walked, "Mingyue, I've heard Huo Zheng and Mom talk about you before. Today I finally get to see you in person. You're even more beautiful than in the photos."
Lu Mingyue quickly replied with a smile, "Sister-in-law, thank you for your trouble. This soup smells delicious."
Zhong Yulan chimed in from the side, "Your sister-in-law went to the market at five o'clock this morning to pick out mutton, and stewed it for almost the whole day, just hoping you could have a hot drink."
As they were talking, Wen Yuexian had already ladled out several bowls of soup and served them to Lu Mingyue and the children.
"The children should drink some to warm their stomachs first. It contains radish, so it doesn't have a gamey smell."
Lei Lei and Yao Yao held their bowls, blew on them to cool them down, took a sip, and their eyes lit up: "Delicious! It's even fresher than the fish soup from the islands!"
Wen Yuexian was amused: "If you like it, drink more. There's still plenty left in the pot."
The stove inside was burning brightly, and the mutton soup was steaming. Zhong Yulan chatted with Lu Mingyue about everyday things, while Wen Yuexian was busy adding soup to the children's bowls.
Zhong Yulan glanced at the wall clock and said to everyone, "Your dad won't get off work for a while. Let's not wait for him. The children must be exhausted after sitting on the train all day. Let's eat first."
As he spoke, he ladled mutton soup into Lu Mingyue's bowl, saying, "Mingyue, you should drink more too. You didn't rest well on the train, so this soup will warm you up."
Lu Mingyue nodded, put down her chopsticks, took out two packages from her cloth bag, and handed them over with a smile: "Mom, sister-in-law, this is what my godmother prepared for you two. Inside are red dates and walnuts that she dried herself, as well as two bolts of fine cotton cloth, a specialty of Nanshi, which she said she would make you a soft lining for a shirt."
Zhong Yulan took the package, opened it, and touched the cotton fabric, praising it repeatedly: "This fabric is really nice. Your godmother is so thoughtful. When you write to her later, you must thank her properly for me."
Wen Yuexian also came over to take a look, and said with a smile, "These red dates look sweet, perfect for making porridge for the children. Mingyue, you've carried so many things on this journey, thank you for your hard work."
Lu Mingyue waved her hand: "It's no trouble at all, it's all thanks to my godmother's kindness."
As they were talking, Leilei suddenly looked up and asked, "Grandma, when is Grandpa coming back? I want to show Grandpa my marbles."
Zhong Yulan smiled and patted his head: "Grandpa will be back after you finish dinner. Then we'll let him have a good look at our Leilei's precious marbles."
Just as I finished eating and was clearing the dishes, I heard the sound of brakes coming from the gate of the courtyard.
Zhong Yulan's eyes lit up: "It must be Zhenping who's back."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Huo Zhenping pushed the door open and came in, still carrying the chill from outside. When he saw the people inside, his face immediately lit up with a smile: "The second son's family has arrived?"
Leilei and Yaoyao were the first to react. They dropped their marbles and ran over, calling out to him in their clear voices, "Grandpa!"
Huo Zhenping put down his briefcase, bent down and picked up Yao Yao, then rubbed Lei Lei's head: "Oh, my little grandson has grown so tall."
Zhong Yulan laughed and said, "Look at you, you're late. The children have been waiting for you for ages."
Seeing this, Lu Mingyue quickly took out another small package from her cloth bag, stepped forward and handed it to him: "Dad, this is some island specialty tea for you. I heard you like to drink tea. This tea can be brewed for a long time and has a mellow taste."
Huo Zhenping took the package, weighed it in his hand, and said to Huo Zheng with a smile, "Your wife is so thoughtful; she's much more sensible than you."
Huo Zheng scratched his head with a smile, while Huo Zhenping turned to Lu Mingyue and said in a gentle tone, "You must be exhausted from the journey. Sit down and rest, don't keep working."
After finishing his meal, Huo Zhenping was sitting on the sofa, telling the children sitting around him interesting stories about his time in the army when he was young.
Lei Lei listened intently, resting his chin on his hand, while Yao Yao rubbed her eyes and nodded her little head, clearly sleepy.
Zhong Yulan sat to the side sewing shoe soles, and out of the corner of her eye she saw Lu Mingyue also occasionally raising her hand to massage her temples, her eyes showing obvious fatigue.
She put down her work and said to Huo Zhenping, "Zhenping, stop talking. Look, the children are all yawning. Mingyue hasn't had a proper rest on the train journey. Let them go up and rest first. We can talk about it tomorrow."
Huo Zhenping looked up and saw that the two children looked listless, and Lu Mingyue also looked tired. He immediately stopped talking, smiled and patted Leilei's back.
"It was Grandpa's oversight. Go upstairs to sleep with your parents. Grandpa will continue the story tomorrow."
Zhong Yulan stood up, took Lu Mingyue's hand and walked towards the stairwell: "I've already tidied up the upstairs room. The bedding is all freshly aired and very soft."
Then he turned to Huo Zheng and said, "Help Mingyue take her luggage upstairs and take good care of the children."
Lu Mingyue smiled and replied, "Mom, don't worry, we can handle it ourselves."
As he spoke, he took Yao Yao's hand, who was yawning, and followed Huo Zheng upstairs, with Lei Lei rubbing his eyes and following behind.
Watching their retreating figures, Zhong Yulan whispered to Huo Zhenping, "They must be exhausted from the journey. Let them get a good night's sleep."
Huo Zheng's room was on the second floor, near the west end. When you opened the door, the first thing you smelled was a faint scent of soap, the scent of his usual soap, mixed with the dry smell of sunshine.
"Mommy, can I sleep with you?" Yao Yao clung to her mother's arm, refusing to let go.
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