"These little gluttons, hurry up and wash your hands, we're about to eat." Aunt Xu called to the children to go to the stream and wash their hands.
To be honest, two baking trays are really not enough for more than a dozen people.
Liu Zi had anticipated this, and when she saw that Aunt Lü had brought several military mess kits, she immediately came up with a plan.
She improvised a simple version of hot pot base using the seasonings she brought, then poured the hot pot base into her military mess kit, added water, and then added potato slices, tofu, mushrooms, shrimp, and glass noodles.
Once it's almost cooked, add chopped green onions and minced garlic, and it's ready to serve. This foil-baked dish, which has remained popular for generations, is a great accompaniment to drinks.
"This smells so good! What ingredients did Zizi use? It's so tempting!" Aunt Xu poured out the contents of her military mess kit.
"I learned the seasoning method from a Sichuan cuisine chef. Everyone should try it and see if it suits your taste; it's a bit spicy!"
Thanks to Liu Zi's advance preparations, and the cooked food bought by the aunties, everyone enjoyed the meal to the fullest.
The roasted lamb and Liu Zi's special "tin foil hot pot" were especially popular, and even the children kept eating them with gusto.
Liu Zi also made a dipping sauce by adding garlic chili sauce, black pepper sauce, and sugar, which she spread on the bread slices she brought, making everyone eat until they were stuffed.
Hearing his comrade's praise, Liu Daqiang almost got his tail wagging in the air, as if he had done all of this himself.
After dinner, Liu Zi went to the stream to wash her hands, face, and neck, and then went back to the car to change her clothes.
The smell of barbecue on my clothes is too strong; it doesn't smell good.
Only then did she have time to go into the water and play for a while. The water temperature was a bit low, and it felt very comfortable to soak in it.
The energetic children returned to playing in the water, their laughter echoing through the mountains.
The adults sat together, chatting and enjoying the cool air.
Liu Zi quietly enjoyed the tranquility, but her thoughts involuntarily drifted back to her past life.
She recalled those busy days, when she was always rushing around to make a living and rarely had time to stop and appreciate the beauty around her.
Seeing the smiling faces of her parents and children, she secretly made up her mind that she would take them out to play more often in the future to make up for the regret.
Before we knew it, the sun was gradually setting in the west.
The adults began packing their things, and the children went ashore, put on their clothes, and prepared to go home.
Time flies so fast, I wish I could stay here for a few more days.
Thinking of the advanced homestay system of later generations, Liu Zi sighed regretfully; it was really inconvenient right now.
"Mom, when are we going to come again next time?" Qiqi asked Liu Zi as soon as she got into the car.
She looked outside with a touch of reluctance; it had been such a wonderful day.
"We're going back to Beijing in a couple of days, so it won't be convenient for us to come here again. But how about Mom takes you to see the sea next month when she has some time?" Liu Zi came up with a compromise.
"The sea? The vast sea?" Kiki and Suzuko perked up.
"Yes, Mom will take you to Beidaihe next month." Liu Zi thought she would need to buy a bigger car when she got back.
"I'll ask Aunt Song Yan if she's free then. We could go on a trip together."
At this point, Liu Daqiang added, "Our company has a sanatorium over there. I'll go back and ask if there are any rooms available."
"That's awesome!" The two children cheered right there in the car, their earlier dejection completely gone.
Liu Zi planned to set off after Aunt Zhang returned from her hometown to sweep the tombs.
Seeing how happy the children were, Xu Mei didn't say anything more. They hadn't even returned from this trip yet, and they were already planning the next one. That was too extravagant.
If Xu Mei knew that Liu Zi not only wanted to go out and have fun, but also wanted to buy a large vehicle for the convenience of her travels, she would probably be furious.
Everyone had a great time on Saturday, except for Liu Daqiang; the rest of the people didn't get up on time the next day.
Liu Zi slept until ten o'clock, when the phone rang and woke her up.
"Hello?" Liu Zi answered the phone dazedly, her voice a little hoarse.
"Girl, you're still not up?" Wang Haiwen's voice came from the phone.
"Uncle Wang?"
"I was too tired yesterday, so I got up a little late." Liu Zi rubbed her hair and sat up.
"Looks like you guys had a great time. Your aunt even complained that I had to work overtime yesterday and couldn't go out with you!"
"Uncle Xu's hometown is so beautiful. The mountains are beautiful, the trees are beautiful, and the water is beautiful. We even met a panda along the way, which was really lucky." Liu Zi was very satisfied with yesterday's trip.
"Alright, stop talking. Your aunt is already so envious she's gone all out against me." Judging from the voice, Wang Haiwen was at home.
"Anshi isn't too far from there. Uncle Wang should take Aunt and the kids there for a visit sometime. That would be great."
"This year is too busy, I'm afraid I won't have time!" The closer it gets to National Day, the less Wang Haiwen and his team can leave their post.
"If not this year, then next year. You can bring your aunt to Beijing sometime! I built a new courtyard this year, and it's just finished being renovated. Once my parents move in, you'll have a place to gather in Beijing." Liu Zi invited them to visit Beijing sometime.
"Wow, my niece is amazing! Your dad is really living the good life. He wasn't capable enough to get a villa, but you got him a courtyard house right away." Wang Haiwen was genuinely happy for his old comrade-in-arms.
"I'll have to ask Uncle Wang to help me persuade him," Liu Zi sighed with difficulty.
"What's wrong?"
"My parents haven't decided whether to go or not yet. It's actually closer to their workplace and the place is more spacious. I don't know what they're arguing about." Liu Zi had heard the two of them say this several times.
"Fine, leave this to me. Even if you have to scold me, I'll scold your dad until he agrees. He's getting on in years, and now he's acting all dramatic." Wang Haiwen said irritably.
"Then I'll thank Uncle Wang in advance." Liu Zi knew that Uncle Wang and her father had never lost contact over the years, and their relationship was as good as ever.
Having him there to offer advice is probably better than trying to persuade him yourself.
"By the way, Uncle Wang, is there something you need?" Liu Zi was a little worried about the phone bill; she had to pay for both incoming and outgoing calls.
"I got distracted and forgot about the important matter. Come to the military region to see me tomorrow. There's news about 'The Motherland Will Not Forget,' and we'd like to hear your opinion," Wang Haiwen said.
"Okay, I'll head over first thing in the morning."
"Your flight is on Tuesday?" Wang Haiwen asked again.
"Yes, the tickets have already been booked."
"Sigh! I understand." Wang Haiwen sighed.
Liu Zi knew he was lamenting that his comrades-in-arms were about to part ways again.
"Uncle Wang, you're getting on in years, don't push yourself too hard. Take care of your health. We'll be waiting for you in Beijing!" Liu Zi teased Wang Haiwen with a smile.
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