Just as they were talking, Qian Feng rushed back, looking travel-worn. Seeing the dishes and dumplings already laid out on the table, he smiled and said, "I'm back just in time!"
Qian Yixuan excitedly jumped onto Qian Feng's lap. Qian Feng hugged his son and kissed him hard on the face, which made Qian Yixuan laugh out loud. Little Le Ran, who was in her mother's arms, saw her brother laughing and laughed along with him, clapping her hands as she laughed.
Qian Feng washed his hands and face, then returned to the dining table and saw the firecrackers on it. He asked in surprise, "Where did you buy these? I went to Hainan Island to buy some firecrackers, but I couldn't find any."
Qian Duoduo recounted how lucky she was to buy firecrackers on Hainan Island, and Qian Feng said, "I'll make up the money for it later."
Qian Duoduo didn't mind and instead said, "That's great."
Seeing Qian Feng return, Professor Yuan smiled and said, "Now that everyone is here, let's eat! The food Duo Duo made smells so good, it's like a hook that's making my stomach rumble."
Standing next to Ling Yun, Qian Yixuan asked curiously, "Grandpa Yuan, you have worms in your stomach. You should see a doctor."
Professor Yuan laughed heartily at the child's innocent words, which reminded him of his own grandson when he was little. Now he's over 10 years old and going through a rebellious phase; he's not as cute as Qian Yixuan anymore.
Professor Yuan's hometown wasn't in Northeast China, but in Luoyang, the famous ancient capital of thirteen dynasties in Henan Province. His family was quite large; he had three older brothers, all of whom were very prominent in Luoyang. His eldest brother, in particular, was the mayor of Luoyang. With such a large family and limited resources, in that turbulent era in China, everyone had to find their own way. Professor Yuan, simply because he was an intellectual, almost got labeled a "stinking intellectual" and sent to a labor camp.
Finally, the Yuan family was a local family in Luojing with a deep-rooted tradition, which is why Professor Yuan was exempted from this experience. When the country decided to reinstate the college entrance examination, the importance of these intellectuals suddenly became apparent. Professor Yuan, who was retired at home, was also invited to come out. In addition, since he was a professor of agronomy, he could really choose any agricultural university in the country.
Professor Yuan originally planned to teach at Luoyang University, but because the in-laws of his two sons both wanted their relatives' children to go to university and came to him, he was bothered so much that he simply chose the farthest one. Anyway, his wife had passed away due to illness, and he didn't want to find another one. This state of being able to eat his fill and not have anyone else to worry about made Professor Yuan feel like a fish in water in Heilongjiang Province.
Especially with Qian Duoduo, a student who often brings him academic breakthroughs and surprises, he felt that coming to teach in Heilongjiang Province was the right thing to do. Although some things happened when he brought them out for study tours, he felt that this year was more interesting than the previous ten years.
This time, he even spent the Spring Festival on the former South Island. Last time, he gave Qian Duoduo some money so that she could buy some local specialties when she went to Hainan Island. He also sent the dried fish and shrimp that Qian Duoduo dried on the former South Island, as well as the drunken crabs she made, to his son who was still working in Luoyang, so that he could send some to his brothers to try. It was seeing Qian Duoduo sending packages to her parents and her partner's family back home that gave him this idea.
Unexpectedly, Qian Duoduo was also thoughtful. When she was airing out these things, she had already brought out her and Liang Kun's things as well. Professor Yuan naturally couldn't let his student spend money and effort, so in front of Liang Kun, he gave Qian Duoduo fifty yuan. Liang Kun didn't hesitate and also gave Qian Duoduo fifty yuan.
Qian Duoduo accepted the money with a smile and immediately cooked them a delicious meal, which made Professor Yuan and Liang Kun feel that the money was well spent.
Qian Duoduo did not meet Professor Yuan's family, but the old man was very kind to her, so she prepared some things and sent them to Luojing along with Professor Yuan's belongings. She also added a letter to the package.
The letter mainly introduced herself, Professor Yuan's current health and academic situation, including their current status on the island. Knowing that Professor Yuan usually only reports good news and not bad, she mentioned that Professor Yuan had been ill and had a cough in Xinjiang Province. However, since arriving in the south, the temperature was more suitable and the climate more humid, and the cough had improved. She said that the south was more suitable for recuperating and hoped that Professor Yuan's family would not worry. She would take good care of the professor and wished the whole family a Happy New Year at the end of the letter.
Professor Yuan waved his hand happily and said, "Get ready to eat."
Qian Yixuan said, "Quickly, set off the firecrackers! Set off the firecrackers!"
Qian Feng smiled and led his son, carrying the only string of firecrackers they had, to a large tree outside the yard. He hung the firecrackers on the tree, took a match, and said to his son who was following beside him, "Son, wait for Dad at the gate. It's a bit dangerous here."
Qian Yixuan obediently walked back. Qian Feng saw him reach the gate, where several people were already standing. He lit a match, saw the sparks, and immediately ran back to the gate. He led his son with one hand and put his arm around his wife with the other. Seeing his daughter watching intently with her eyes wide open, he smiled and put his hand next to Xiao Le Ran's ear. Ling Yun smiled and covered her other ear as well.
Then came the crackling sound of firecrackers, which instantly set the entire military compound ablaze. People from all directions flocked to the area to enjoy the rare sound of firecrackers.
Commissar Nan's home was not far from Qian Feng's. When he and his family came out, they saw Qian Feng's family standing at the door. The firecrackers were almost over. He walked over and said with a smile, "You managed to get firecrackers, why didn't you tell me?"
Qian Feng laughed and said, "I really didn't do this. As you know, I've been running around for school matters, and with the New Year approaching, there's also a lot going on at the troupe. I didn't have time to think about this. My sister got this string of things when she went to Hainan Island. I thought I'd put it aside for a while to get rid of this year's bad luck, so that things will be peaceful here next year!"
Political Commissar Nan nodded: "It was tough over there this year. They kept coming over here by boat. We gave them a good beating, and that's how we got some peace and quiet for the New Year."
Qian Feng said with a smile, "Some people just remember the good times but not the bad ones!"
Commissar Nan laughed heartily at this and said, "I've finished listening to the firecrackers, and I'm going home for my New Year's Eve dinner. Being your neighbor has its pros and cons. The good thing is that your sister's cooking skills are superb; just smelling the food makes me want to eat a bowl of rice. The bad thing is that the smell makes me even more hungry!" After saying that, he laughed heartily and took his wife and sons home.
The people who had been watching the firecrackers from a short distance away gradually dispersed, after all, it was time to start the New Year's Eve dinner!
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