With bags and packages, adults and children alike arrived home half an hour later.
"Oh my god, I'm exhausted." Lin Xue put down what she was holding, panting, one hand on her hip and the other frantically fanning herself.
"Phew, that's heavy," Xiao Chen exhaled softly, shook her hand which was sore from being squeezed, and found a place to sit down and stay still.
Xiao Hui was carrying very little, just a small bag, and it was only after he insisted on helping that Song Lili found it.
Xiao Zhe also came over carrying two bags, put them down without saying a word.
Zhang Shengtian carried his two granddaughters and followed them in.
Zhang Qingguo and Song Lili were like livestock, carrying bags and bundles of all sizes on their backs, almost invisible.
"I didn't expect there to be so much stuff," Zhang Qingguo couldn't help but sigh. It was really heavy and tiring.
"Phew, there's no way around it. I haven't been back for years, so I have to prepare gifts for everyone, plus our own luggage, things for the kids, all sorts of random things, it just adds up to a lot."
Song Lili looked at the huge pile of things in front of her and felt it was a bit much.
But this is something that is absolutely necessary.
"Put everything down and rest. We can clean up later." Zhang Shengtian found a clean stone and sat down.
He was exhausted from carrying two children all by himself.
"Let's all tidy up together in a bit, first of all, let's get the place where we'll sleep tonight ready." Otherwise, we won't be able to sleep tonight.
Everyone agreed with what Song Lili said.
When everyone felt less tired, they got to work.
Zhang Shengtian led the children to clear away small stones and weeds in the yard.
Song Lili and Lin Xue went to tidy up the places where their two families would sleep that night, while Zhang Qingguo went to the kitchen to tidy up.
As soon as Song Lili opened the door, a cloud of dust was stirred up, flying and scattering in the air.
She waved her hand a few times, but the dust still flew up, so she ignored it and went inside.
The house was lifeless, with a desolate and dilapidated atmosphere devoid of human presence.
However, the furniture inside is still in good condition, just covered in dust.
Fill a basin with water, find a clean rag, roll up your sleeves, and get to work.
First wipe all the areas with a damp cloth, then wipe them again with a dry cloth.
Take all the quilts and mattresses out of the closet, pat them down, and put them on the bed. We'll have to make do for tonight; we'll take them off and wash them tomorrow.
Then, heat the kang (a heated brick bed) again, otherwise it will be too damp to sleep at night.
After all that happened last night, Song Lili finally breathed a sigh of relief and went out to see where else she needed to tidy up.
Lin Xue hadn't come out yet, so Song Lili went to the kitchen. There was no rush in the yard; she wanted to tidy up the kitchen first, since they would be having dinner that evening.
Zhang Qingguo apologized for the interruption, as he hadn't had time to clean the areas that needed more attention, and Song Lili immediately offered to help.
After tidying up, Song Lili began preparing dinner, as the children must be hungry.
There was nothing at home, so I could only pick out a few things from what I brought and make something simple.
Song Lili finally cooked a pot of noodles, and everyone ate and went to sleep.
"Mom, do we have to sleep like this?" Xiao Chen looked at the large earthen bed with some resistance.
Are they going to sleep together as a family?
"Yes, as you can see, there are only three rooms in the house: one for your grandfather, one for your uncle and aunt, and one for our family."
"Just make do for a few days. Once we get back to the capital, you'll have your own room."
After Xiao Chen started junior high school, she stopped sharing a room with her younger brother.
Firstly, I was afraid of disturbing my younger brother, since he has a heavier workload.
Secondly, she was also afraid that her younger brother would disturb her and prevent him from concentrating.
At this moment, the idea of him sleeping not only with his younger brother, but also with his younger sister and mother is something he is vehemently opposed to.
He used to sleep with his mother when he was a child.
Now that he's a big boy, he can no longer sleep with his mother.
"Alright, you sleep at the very end, next to Xiaohui, Xiaohui next to her sister, and her sister next to me." Finally, Song Lili pointed to the other end and made the decision.
"These are the conditions at home, you just have to adapt." You have to get used to it, even if you don't like it.
"...Okay." In the end, Xiao Chen could only wait for a reply, otherwise he would have nowhere to sleep.
I'm a little relieved that my dad didn't come back, otherwise he would have been even more resistant to the idea of the whole family living together.
Xiao Chen had no objections to Song Lili's arrangements; on the contrary, she was quite satisfied.
Xiao Hui didn't have many thoughts. He was usually quite attached to Song Lili, and he was quite happy to be able to sleep with his mother now.
Xiao Xinyi knew nothing, just talking to herself in an alien language that only she could understand.
Apart from this little hiccup, everything else is fine.
After a good night's sleep, everyone was refreshed the next day, and the neighbors knew that Zhang Shengtian and his family had returned.
Those who were on good terms with Zhang Shengtian, like Li Weiguo, came over directly and started chatting with the Zhang brothers.
Other curious people also came over to see the family, ask a few questions out of curiosity, take a few candies that Song Lili had taken out, and then happily go home.
Throughout the morning, people kept coming in and leaving the house.
At first, Song Lili sat with the guests for a while. Later, she directly asked Zhang Shengtian to entertain the guests, while she took apart the quilts and mattresses in the room to wash them.
Things finally calmed down around noon.
"Uncle, don't go back today. Eat here, have a good talk with my uncle, and have a few more drinks," Song Lili urged.
Zhang Shengtian nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, it's been years since we last met. Let's have a good chat."
"You stay here and eat." After saying that, she grabbed Li Weiguo and wouldn't let him leave.
Li Weiguo didn't stand on ceremony. After thinking it over, he stayed and started joking around with Zhang Shengtian, with Zhang Qingguo keeping him company.
Song Lili went to the kitchen. Later, Lin Xue followed her in.
"Sister-in-law, what do you need to do? I'll come and help you."
"Okay, two people can hurry up too." Otherwise, with so many people, I don't know when the meal will be ready.
The two sisters-in-law worked together to cook several dishes and steam rice, all of which Zhang Qingguo bought from the town's supply and marketing cooperative that morning.
Song Lili took out a bottle of wine she had bought in the capital, then put it on the table and handed it to Zhang Qingguo, asking him to pour it for Zhang Shengtian and Li Weiguo.
Finally, the three men drank together.
Once I start drinking, my pace slows down, and I don't know when I'll stop.
After Song Lili finished eating with the children, she told them to go back to their rooms to sleep, and then she went with them.
Seeing Zhang Shengtian so happy, Li Weiguo was also happy, and the wine wouldn't be finished anytime soon.
She decided not to disturb them and to go and rest.
This morning was exhausting, so I'll take a break and sleep it off before continuing.
And so, Song Lili stayed with her three children and fell into a sweet sleep.
I don't know. When Lin Xue saw Zhang Qingguo drinking with them, her face turned very ugly, and she angrily took the children back to their room.
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