“Pingping is back this week too, come and have dinner.” Li Guoliang said seriously.
Li Ping sat down at the table with her head down. As soon as she sat down, Li Aidang ran over, saying, "This is my seat."
Then she snuggled close to her father, Li Guoliang, saying, "I want to hear Dad talk about things in the army."
Li Guoliang said sternly, "Let's eat first, then we'll talk after we finish eating."
"Dad, I want to hear it. I want to join the army and fight the enemy in the future," Li Aidang said excitedly.
Li Aihong and Li Aijun sat on either side of their mother. "Mom, tell us about the compound. What was it like inside when we weren't here?"
The seats next to Li's mother and Li Guoliang were all taken. Li Ping glanced around a few times, then sat down at the table to eat.
Seeing her sitting at the table, Li's mother was both surprised and relieved. She felt that her eldest daughter had finally become sensible, unlike before when she would eat alone in the kitchen.
Listening to her parents talking, Li Ping ate heartily, as if she were holding her breath. She hated her own weakness and stupidity. If Su Yu were here, her parents would definitely be watching and listening to Su Yu.
After finishing his meal and putting down his chopsticks, Li Guoliang finished recounting his battle.
Li Ping looked up and said, "Dad, I've joined the student council."
Li Guoliang looked up at her. "Student council, what does that do?"
"They're student leaders. Only outstanding students can get in." Li Ping repeated Su Yu's words to Li Guoliang.
Li Aihong chuckled, "Big sister, you're just saying you're an excellent student."
Li Ping gripped her chopsticks. "Those who join the student council are considered outstanding students. That's the standard. I... I'm the president of our student council, and she thinks I'm an outstanding leader."
Yes, that's right, Sister Su Yu is outstanding.
Li Aihong looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Li Guoliang nodded seriously, "Being able to become a student leader in university shows you're quite good. Keep up the good work. Cherish this hard-won opportunity to study." He then addressed the other three children, "You all need to study hard too. Especially Aihong, you'll be taking exams next year, you can't afford not to fail to get into university."
This was the second time Li Ping had heard praise since she was admitted to university, and she felt a slight thrill.
Seeing that the other children were silent, Li's mother said, "Actually, Ai Hong, Ai Jun, and Ai Dang are all excellent."
“That’s right, Dad, don’t you remember? I used to help make clothes for the Red Army uncles,” Li Aihong said.
“I even helped hunt pheasants,” Li Aidang said, raising his hand.
Li's mother said with a smile, "They did help out when they were in the base area before."
Thinking back to the days in the base area, Li Guoliang also felt a pang of nostalgia for his old comrades.
Li Ping silently got up and walked into the room.
Watching her leave without a word, Li's mother sighed. She thought her personality had changed, but why was she unhappy again? She wondered how her mother managed to survive back in the countryside with her parents.
That night, when they were going to bed, Li's mother talked to Li Guoliang about their eldest daughter, feeling that her personality was not up to par.
Li Guoliang said, "It's normal that the child doesn't have much contact with us. We'll take it slow."
"It's been years..."
Li's mother was also troubled. Years ago, her husband had passed through their village with the army, was wounded, and stayed at her house. They developed feelings for each other and got married. Later, her husband joined the main force, but she was pregnant and didn't go with him. After giving birth, she had no news of her husband, so she left the child with her parents to be cared for. She then went with the Red Army troops that later passed through to look for her husband.
Fortunately, she was found and stayed in the area, joining the organization. She moved around with her husband, helping with the group's logistics.
Later, she had several more children. When they were a few years old, they had to be relocated and left with fellow villagers. Because she frequently returned to the base area, she could see her children often. However, she hadn't seen her eldest daughter for many years. After things calmed down, the couple was too busy to go back and pick up the children, but they still regularly sent money back. Later, a letter came from a fellow villager saying that the elderly person was seriously ill, and the child finally came to their side. After arriving, the child's temperament was bad; she cursed and fought. She had to be confronted several times.
"If you follow my advice, it's better to not go to university and get married early. Once you're married, you'll be more sensible."
Li Guoliang said, "Don't talk nonsense. It's not easy for our Li family to produce a college student. Alright, go to sleep."
In the next room, Li Aihong and Li Aijun were excitedly chatting about school. The two sisters were two years apart, but they often played together and had a good relationship.
Li Ping, standing next to him, seemed quite silent.
After reading for a while, she lay down on the bed. Then she remembered what Su Yu had told her before: observe the enemy's weaknesses.
She listened quietly to their conversation.
The older sister, Li Aihong, dislikes studying and has poor grades. Right now, she's complaining that she wants to join the army and doesn't want to study anymore. Meanwhile, the younger sister, Li Aijun, is complaining that she doesn't have any nice clothes to wear this week.
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