Tie Dan's village is called Niuzhuang. Almost everyone in the village has the surname Niu. Tie Dan's family lives at the entrance of the village. It is a three-room old mud-brick house, but the yard is large and very clean and tidy.
Unlike some rural homes where the ground in the yard is covered with chicken and duck droppings and smells terrible.
Although Tie Dan's house was dilapidated, it was clean, which shows that Tie Dan's mother was very capable.
Although Ye Qingqing couldn't see what Tie Dan's mother looked like, she could tell from her tone of voice that she was a capable woman.
"My son Tiedan has been fortunate to receive the battalion commander's care, but I've never had a chance to thank him in person..."
Tie Dan's mother was very grateful to Lu Mo. The reason she sent Tie Dan to join the army back then was simply because the family could no longer support him.
Staying at home would only mean waiting to die, while sending him to the army might offer a chance to survive. However, Tie Dan's mother knew very well that her mentally challenged son would definitely be bullied if he went to the army.
Tie Dan's mother didn't place any hope on his future. She only hoped that her simple-minded son could make ends meet. She planned to let him come home in a few years when the family's financial situation improved, so he could get married, have a house, and have a few children. That would make their life complete.
Iron Egg's mother never expected that her silly son would be appreciated by the battalion commander after joining the army, and would be promoted to captain in less than three years.
She didn't know what a captain was, but she knew it must be an officer.
Along with Tie Dan, the village chief's son also joined the army. That kid was usually smart and quick-witted, much better than his mentally challenged son.
But after three years in the army, she hadn't achieved anything, while her simple-minded son had become a minor official. Iron Egg's mother was incredibly proud and suddenly became a big shot in the village. Even the village chief treated her with deference!
Therefore, Tie Dan's mother was extremely grateful to Lu Mo and had been thinking about thanking him in person. Now, she was ready to do everything in her family's power to treat Lu Mo and Ye Qingqing to good food and drink.
To bring honor to my foolish son!
Lu Mo exchanged a few polite words with Tie Dan's mother, but didn't stop her from killing chickens, fish, and stewing meat. When she left, she just left Tie Dan's family with more money!
Qingqing is a picky eater; she can't eat anything bad, so she has to eat the good stuff!
Tie Dan has six siblings in total: an older brother, two older sisters, and a younger sister who is about ten years old.
The two older sisters are already married, and the older brother and father work odd jobs outside. Only Tie Dan's mother and youngest daughter live at home.
Tie Dan's younger sister is named Ya Dan. Unlike Tie Dan's sturdy build, Ya Dan is a pretty little girl who looks like her mother and is also very capable.
This ten-year-old girl is quite skilled at killing chickens and fish, and her movements are very nimble. She is already a great help to her mother.
Lunch was very lavish, with chicken, duck, fish and meat filling the table. Even during the Chinese New Year, Tie Dan's family didn't have such a feast. Tie Dan's mother warmly welcomed them and kept serving them food.
Moreover, Tie Dan's mother is very particular; she uses clean chopsticks, which is quite rare.
After lunch, Ya Dan carried a basket of dried herbs and prepared to go out. Tie Dan's mother stopped her, handed her a small bowl of chicken.
“Take this meat to Master Wugen, watch him eat it, and then bring the empty bowl back.”
Ya Dan responded and left, carrying the still-warm chicken.
Tie Dan asked curiously, "What happened to Master Wugen?"
Tie Dan's mother sighed, "Master Wu Gen's health has been poor these past two years. Alas, even doctors can't cure their own illnesses!"
"How could he be bad? He was perfectly fine during the New Year!"
"It seems to be a lingering ailment from a previous injury. The abbot told Master Wugen to go to the city hospital, but Master Wugen refused. It's dragged on until now, and he's not feeling well anymore. Alas!"
Tie Dan's mother sighed again, put her hands together and recited a Buddhist prayer before going to work.
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