Chapter 158 Released
The first snow of winter came silently. When I opened the window in the morning, the branches of trees and rooftops outside the courtyard wall were covered with a thin layer of white, and the world was pure and white.
Lu Mingyue was brewing hot ginger and jujube tea for the children when a familiar voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Is Comrade Lu home?"
When the door opened, Hua Shaokang was standing in the snow, wrapped in a thick cotton-padded coat, carrying two bulging cloth bags in his hands and a black iron box tucked under his arm.
"Comrade Hua, what brings you here on such a cold day?" Huo Zheng quickly ushered him inside.
"The movie is about to be released, so I came here to deliver some things, including this."
Hua Shaokang opened the tin box, which contained rolls of film negatives. His eyes were full of smiles. "I've spoken to the auditorium staff. Tonight, our residential compound will book the entire auditorium to show the movie to everyone, so the children can join in the fun with their neighbors."
Lu Mingyue was both surprised and delighted: "This is too much trouble for you, making you come all the way here yourself."
"No trouble at all." Hua Shaokang waved his hand, opened the cloth bag, inside were new scarves and gloves for the children, as well as several packets of fruit candy. "The children have worked hard filming the movie. This is a small token of my appreciation, and I hope it will keep them warm and cozy this winter."
Leilei and Yaoyao looked at the new scarf with sparkling eyes and quickly thanked her.
The news quickly spread throughout the residential compound, and the neighbors were in an uproar.
"It's wonderful to be able to watch the children's movie in the auditorium tonight."
"We can also benefit from the young actor's fame and no longer need to travel to town."
As evening approached, the snow had not yet stopped, and the people in the family compound, wrapped in cotton-padded coats, hurried to the auditorium, carrying sunflower seeds and peanuts in their hands.
The children ran ahead, their cheerful laughter breaking through the winter chill.
The road in the family compound was covered with a thin layer of ice. Lu Mingyue, with her round belly, was supported by Leilei and Yaoyao on either side of her arm.
"Mom, walk slowly, it's slippery here." Lei Lei held her hand tightly, his eyes full of caution.
Yao Yao also tiptoed and leaned gently against her with her small body, "Mommy, I'm holding you, you won't fall."
The road was full of neighbors heading to the auditorium. When they saw Lu Mingyue, they all greeted her, "Mingyue, walk slowly, don't rush."
"Your belly is already so big, and you're still coming to join in the fun?"
Lu Mingyue replied with a smile, "I have to come and see the children's movies all the time; I can't help but worry about them."
Leilei and Yaoyao walked and talked, and the topic inevitably turned to going to school soon.
"Little sister, have you finished your homework?" Leilei asked like a little adult.
Yao Yao nodded. "I finished writing it when I got home from school. Brother, do you have any more comic books? I want to read them."
Lu Mingyue never interfered much with the children's reading of comic books. As long as they completed their homework on time, it was fine for them to develop their own interests and hobbies in their spare time.
"Of course I have it, but it's with another classmate right now. I'll bring it home for you after school next time." The two chatted back and forth, their laughter ringing out.
When we arrived at the auditorium, it was already packed with people.
As soon as the child entered, everyone clapped enthusiastically: "The little star is here!"
"Leilei, Yaoyao, Niuniu, come and sit down."
The children blushed with delight at the praise, and Leilei even scratched his head shyly.
Hua Shaokang and his team were busy setting up the equipment, Huo Zheng and several neighbors helped move chairs, while Lu Mingyue wrapped scarves around the children and sat them in the front row to wait for the movie to start.
As the lights dimmed and the screen lit up, a murmur of cheers erupted in the auditorium when Leilei, Niuniu, and Yaoyao appeared on it.
The children pointed at the screen and excitedly told the adults around them about the fun things that happened during filming.
After the movie started, the auditorium was completely silent, with only the sound from the screen echoing.
The neighbors applauded from time to time, saying that the children did a great job and were very charming and lovable.
Leilei and Yaoyao secretly held hands. Hearing the neighbors' praise, their mouths were practically stretched to their ears. Every now and then, they would turn their heads and wink at Lu Mingyue, their eyes full of joy.
The flickering lights on the screen mingled with the laughter and chatter from the audience.
Hua Shaokang sat in the corner, watching this lively scene with a look of satisfaction on his face.
Huo Zheng held Lu Mingyue's hand, and the two smiled at each other, their eyes filled with undisguised pride.
The applause lingered long after the movie ended.
The children were surrounded by neighbors praising them; their little faces were red from the cold, but their smiles were exceptionally bright.
This screening, which was permitted by higher authorities, became the most lively event in the family compound.
By the time the movie ended, it was already dark, and the cold wind, carrying snowflakes, whipped against our faces, making us shrink back in fear.
Lu Mingyue, heavily pregnant, walked slowly. Huo Zheng originally wanted to go straight home, but she suggested, "Let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy some meat. We'll have hot pot tonight, it'll be nice and warm."
Lu Mingyue selected two pieces of pork bones and meat, and also gave the children a bottle of orange soda.
Yao Yao leaned over the counter, staring at the candies in the glass jar. Lei Lei pulled her hand and said, "I'll buy you some more after we finish our hot pot. Help Mom carry the groceries first."
The family carried heavy baskets of vegetables back home, leaving a trail of footprints of varying depths in the snow.
Lu Mingyue would take a break every few steps, and Huo Zheng would support her waist the whole time, repeatedly telling her, "Slow down, don't rush, we'll rest a bit more when you're tired."
Leilei and Yaoyao took turns carrying the groceries, their little faces red from the cold, but they still chattered about the movie.
Upon returning home, Huo Zheng immediately lit the stove, placed the pot on it, poured in the soup, and brought it to a boil.
They then helped Lu Mingyue pick and wash the vegetables, while Leilei and Yaoyao helped set the table. The room quickly became warm and cozy.
The soup bubbled and simmered, the meat rolls changed color instantly when they hit the pot, the vegetables were cooked until soft and tender, and the family sat around the table enjoying the steaming hot meal.
Huo Zheng placed a piece of tenderly cooked meat on Lu Mingyue's plate: "Eat more to replenish your strength. Your due date is approaching, so you can't keep going through this."
Since she entered the later stages of her pregnancy, Huo Zheng has been on edge all day, almost like someone suffering from postpartum depression. People who didn't know better would think he was pregnant.
Knowing he was worried, Lu Mingyue didn't argue, and softly replied, "I know."
Yao Yao held the orange soda, taking small sips, her face full of satisfaction.
Huo Zheng kept putting food into Lu Mingyue's bowl and said softly, "Mingyue, my mother is on her way and will arrive in a couple of days. She's here to take care of you during your postpartum period. You don't need to worry about anything at home."
Lu Mingyue's eyes lit up, and she nodded with a smile: "Thank you for your hard work, Mom. It's so kind of her to come all this way."
“We don’t talk like that as family,” Huo Zheng added some more vegetables to the children’s plate. “My sister-in-law also brought her nephew over, so this is a good opportunity for the children to get together and for the family to have some fun.”
Upon hearing that his older brother was coming, Leilei immediately asked excitedly, "Dad, is my brother coming to play with us too?"
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