Tang Xiaoling nodded, looked up at Xinan, and seemed to want to say something but dared not. Xinan knew Tang Xiaoling's worries and comforted her, "Xiaoling, you and I already have two children. I'm not an irresponsible person. As long as you stay at home and take good care of the children, I will earn money to support the family. Our lives will definitely be harmonious and happy."
Tang Xiaoling couldn't help but shed tears. She didn't know why, but as long as Southwest was far away from her, she would be afraid of losing Southwest. In her eyes, the courtyard house in Beijing was really not as good as her own house in her hometown. Living in it gave her a sense of security, the kind of security that comes from having a man and children warming the kang (a heated brick bed).
Tomorrow, Southwest is going to Beijing with five and a half pounds of meat. It's such a faraway place, and Tang Xiaoling really wants to go with her. But when she thinks about the expenses in Beijing, she gives up the idea. Besides, Southwest is going there to start a business, not to go on vacation.
"When are you coming back?" Tang Xiaoling finally asked.
“I’ll come back as soon as Wu Jin and Ban starts school. No matter how things develop in Beijing, I will definitely come back to discuss it with you. If we can make money, we’ll buy a house in Beijing and try to get residency there. If you’re worried about your parents, we can have them come over too. Nan Nan said that your dad’s skills are much better than mine, so he’ll definitely have a chance to use them,” Xinan said patiently.
"Southwest, I apologize. I apologize for wrongly accusing Nan Nan last time. I was blinded by greed and forgot all the good things Nan Nan did for us. Please don't tell Nan Nan these things, or I'll be too ashamed to face anyone," Tang Xiaoling pleaded.
Southwest laughed, as long as Tang Xiaoling didn't say anything bad about Nannan: "Nannan is the treasure of our Yan family. You can talk about anyone in the Yan family, except Grandma and Nannan, and my parents too. Remember that."
Tang Xiaoling nodded. She had witnessed firsthand how much Southwest doted on Nannan, but Nannan was indeed adorable. It was her own selfishness that led her to speak without thinking.
Before dawn the next day, Tang Xiaoling got up to make breakfast for Southwest, making egg drop porridge, steamed buns, poached eggs, and boiled eggs, which were often made by Cuihua.
When Southwest got up, the table was already full of delicious food. Xi De Wu Jin almost forgot to wash his face. It was only after Southwest reminded him that he quickly cleaned himself up, picked up a spoon, and started eating egg drop porridge.
"Mom, your cooking is so delicious, Mom is so good." Five-and-a-half-pounders showered her with compliments.
Upon hearing Wu Jinban's words, Tang Xiaoling suddenly felt that getting up early today was well worth it. The eggs were cooked correctly. She checked the things that Xinan needed to bring, fearing that forgetting one item would cause inconvenience to Xinan.
Southwest pulled Tang Xiaoling to the dining table, picked up a large white steamed bun and handed it to her: "You should eat more too, don't just think about me. Also, after I leave, you'd better go and stay with your parents."
Tang Xiaoling took the large white steamed bun and started eating it, feeling a sweet warmth in her heart. She realized that it wasn't just about looking at a man; trust was the most important thing.
Tang Jianjun and his mother also came, bringing some dried roe deer meat, some homemade cured pork, and some wood ear mushrooms from the mountains: "Southwest, take all of this with you, so your in-laws can have a taste."
Southwest rushed to the courtyard: "Father, Mother, you're here! Come in quickly."
Tang Jianjun carried the things into the main room. Tang Xiaoling had already served the porridge and called out loudly, "Dad, Mom, come and eat breakfast quickly. After breakfast, we'll send you off to the Southwest to catch the train."
Tang Jianjun nodded approvingly: "Daughter, now that you've gone to the capital, you'll be staying at your parents' house. During the day, you can help your mother with the cleaning and chores here, and at night, you can bring Duoduo to sleep at my place."
Southwest was overjoyed to hear this. He had just been talking about this: a woman with a child living in such a big old house, if something happened, she would really be helpless.
Originally, I was planning to go to my master's house after breakfast and let Tang Xiaoling go back to stay, but now that my master has suggested it, it has solved my urgent problem in a timely manner, and my mood has improved immediately.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Master. I was really worried about the mother and child. Xiaoling sleeps very soundly at night, and if something happens, she won't have time to save herself," Southwest said gratefully.
Tang Xiaoling wasn't actually worried. Mushroom Village was quite safe. Since it was the hope of the Southwest, she could just stay at her parents' house. Better safe than sorry.
Duo Duo is still young, but even though he is young, he understands some things. He knew that his father was going on a long trip, and he kept rushing towards Xinan. Xinan quickly picked up Duo Duo and spoke to him softly, finally calming Duo Duo's anxious heart.
Ma Mingchun drove over in his tractor, loaded all the luggage onto it, and said to Southwest with a smile, "Brother Southwest, when you go to Beijing, please give my regards to Nannan. Also, please tell her that Ma Minghua is getting married at the end of the year. This is a letter that Ma Minghua wrote to Nannan. Please take it with you."
Southwest took the letter and carefully put it in his pocket. He said to Ma Mingchun, "I will definitely deliver it, but Nannan asked me when you are getting married. What should I say?"
Ma Mingchun's mind flashed with Nan Nan's incomparably beautiful face, and he quickly shook his head: "Brother Southwest, I'm still young, I'm too young to get married."
Seeing Ma Mingchun blushing, Xinan stopped joking and, imitating Yan Xiaoqiang, checked every place in the house before locking the door. He even made Tang Xiaoling check that he had brought the key before getting on the tractor.
The train arrived at the station on time. Southwest found his seat, handed Duoduo to Tang's mother, boarded the train with Wujinban, carried the luggage up through the window, and asked Wujinban to keep an eye on it.
At first, Duoduo watched with great interest as Tang Jianjun and Tang Xiaoling moved the luggage on the ground while Xinan took the luggage from above. But when they finished moving the luggage, Xinan still didn't come down to hug her, and Duoduo started to get anxious.
Southwest was too busy finding a place to put his luggage in the carriage to pay attention to Duoduo. He needed a place where he could see it but also feel comfortable. Since Nannan hadn't sent him the military dependent certificate this time, he could only buy a hard sleeper ticket, which was much worse.
After finishing their work, the train started whistling, signaling its departure. Southwest quickly stuck his head out of the window and said to Tang Xiaoling, "Xiaoling, when I get back, take good care of Duoduo. She'll stay at your parents' house tonight, okay?"
Tears welled up in Tang Xiaoling's eyes as she held onto Xinan's hand tightly: "Xinan, send me a telegram when you get to the capital. I may not be able to read, but my father can. Don't forget that."
The train had slowly started moving, the train attendants had all boarded and the doors were closed. Duoduo finally understood that her father had taken her brother away, leaving her behind. She burst into tears, and no matter how her mother tried to comfort her, she couldn't stop Duoduo's crying.
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