Dinner was prepared by Zhou Yi's mother and her two daughters-in-law. While busy cooking, Zhou Yi's mother said, "It's always more convenient and fresher to eat vegetables that we grow ourselves."
Look at these green beans and string beans, so tender, plump, and uniformly grown—they look so good. They look delicious stewed in the pot.
The cucumbers and persimmons are growing well; they look so fresh and vibrant. Let's make a cold salad for them tonight; the original flavor is the best!
“Okay, you can arrange it!” the two daughters-in-law replied in unison.
Dinner was plentiful, with eight dishes: Kung Pao Chicken, Shredded Pork with Sweet Bean Sauce, Braised Lion's Head Meatballs, Braised Pork Ribs, Fried Ribbonfish, Dry-fried Green Beans, Stir-fried Green Beans, Cucumber Salad with Dried Shrimp, and Tomato Salad with Sugar.
Four of the vegetables were picked by Chen Hong and Zhou Yi. The three old men thought they tasted quite good.
While eating, the old man said, "Our yard is too small, we can't grow vegetables, it's such a pity!"
Zhou Yi's mother said to him, "You'll plant flowers and plants wherever you can find space. Don't you love growing flowers the most?"
Chen Hong said to her father, "Dad, if you want to grow vegetables, there are ways. Get more big flower pots and set up two rows of trellises in the yard, and you can grow some vegetables there."
Plants like cilantro, scallions, bok choy, tomatoes, and cucumbers can all be grown in flowerpots.
"If we grow them well, we'll never lack vegetables at home."
"Yes! I can grow flowers well, so I don't believe I can't grow vegetables well."
"I'll go buy flower pots tomorrow, and when I get back I'll set up the shelves and plant the vegetables." Zhou Yi's dad said excitedly, slapping the table.
Everyone was startled by him, then they laughed.
This old man doesn't like going fishing anymore. He spends his days tending to his flowers and plants at home, or going to the alley entrance to play chess and chat with the other old men. He has nothing better to do than idly stroll around.
It's good that he finds something to do; it's good for the health of older people to stay active.
Zhou Yi's mother reminded her husband: "You're growing vegetables, so don't just think about how they look nice. Tomorrow, buy some fancy but impractical and ridiculously expensive flowerpots for the house."
Just buy some coarse earthenware flowerpots made of yellow clay; they're cheap, breathable, and perfect for growing vegetables.
Zhou Yi's father retorted, unconvinced: "It can't be too cheap either, it'll look terrible in the yard!"
Chen Hong gave her father a suggestion: "Dad, when I bought flowers at the flower market last year, I noticed that the florists would throw away bad plants, pots and all."
Some flowerpots were only slightly damaged, and some were even perfectly intact, yet they were all thrown into the trash.
We grow our own vegetables. You can go to the flower market and look for some. It won't cost you a penny. I think you can easily find twenty or thirty usable ones.
Dad, actually, some flower pots look quite nice when patched up with a little soil; they have a unique charm! They look beautiful when used for planting flowers!
Everyone perked up at the news and exclaimed in unison, "Really? That's fantastic! Free stuff is always welcome!"
Zhou Yi's father was puzzled: "Over the years, I've been to many flower markets, how come I never noticed that there were good things in those garbage dumps!"
"Hmph, all you're thinking about is how to give them money!"
Zhou Yi's father was speechless after being teased by his wife, so he could only keep drinking and eating.
The Zhou brothers didn't say much, they just kept their heads down and ate.
Zhou Yi ate by himself, but he didn't forget to put food on Chen Hong's plate. In no time, the bowl in front of Chen Hong was piled high with food.
"Ugh! That's enough, stop putting food in my bowl, I can't eat anymore!"
Zhou Yi: "How can you not eat? I remember you used to be able to eat quite a lot. What's wrong? It's not good to pretend. This is our own home, there are no outsiders here. You can't eat your fill if you pretend, you'll go hungry."
This guy is such a straight man!
Chen Hong blushed: "I didn't lie! I used to eat a lot because I did a lot of work and my body was expending a lot of energy."
"I don't exert myself much anymore, and I'm not very active, so I don't eat much!"
Zhou Yi's mother: "Zhou Yi, you still can't speak properly! You're just lucky to have met Chen Hong. If you hadn't met Chen Hong, you'd definitely be destined to be a bachelor!"
Zhou Yi said smugly, "I'm just lucky! When good fortune comes, you can't stop it! Otherwise, would I have been able to marry such a wonderful wife?"
Even with her thick skin, Chen Hong couldn't stand Zhou Yi's ostentatious display. In front of the whole family, her face turned bright red.
After dinner, the family watched TV and chatted. The old lady suggested that Chen Hong and others move back to Beijing when Yang had his vacation.
"Chen Hong, why don't you and your daughter stay here when you arrive?"
The primary school here is also a key primary school. I'll take Yu Yang to register, and we can just have him study here.
Zhou Yi is rarely home; even though you live in the family compound, you still don't see him. His unit rarely goes on missions; once they go in, they can only come out once a week.
"The kids are at school, and you're all alone at home with nothing to do. You might as well live in the city and keep me company!"
Chen Hong already knew about this situation, but the houses had already been allocated. What if Zhou Yi could only come home occasionally and she couldn't find him?
He's in his thirties now, and it's time for him to have his own family. She's decided that in the next few years, besides spending time with her child, she'll spend more time with Zhou Yi.
They are soldiers, and they need the warmth of family!
"Mom, the house has been allocated, and the furniture and appliances have all been bought. Other military dependents live in the family compound, so it's fine for us, mother and son!"
Once we move here, we'll buy a car. Zhou Yi won't be home, and the kids will be at school, so I'll drive back to the city to be with you.
Don't worry, I love your cooking, and I'll definitely come back often.
The old lady was very satisfied. She was relieved that her daughter-in-law valued her son. She had always worried that her younger son was too enthusiastic and invested more emotionally in his relationship with Chen Hong, and that he might suffer heartbreak like in his previous marriage.
If that happens, my son will be ruined; he will never recover.
When her son and daughter-in-law came to visit this time and she saw how lovingly they got along, she was finally able to rest assured.
In other families, the mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law and becomes more and more satisfied. Now, Zhou Yi's mother looks at her daughter-in-law and is increasingly pleased!
This child hasn't changed much since I first met him last year; in fact, his skin has become even whiter and more delicate.
The old lady was delighted with her daughter-in-law. Oh, she was so pretty!
If I took her out to a party, it would make her look so proud! The old lady's heart began to stir again.
Chen Hong felt uneasy under the old lady's staring gaze and couldn't help but ask, "Mom, what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Is there anything dirty on my face?
The old lady casually replied, "There's nothing dirty about it, it's very clean. How did you grow up to be so beautiful?"
Sigh, my Zhouyi is so lucky to have married such a wonderful wife like you.
Chen Hong, once you move in, I'll take you out to play every day, so all my old friends can see how beautiful my daughter-in-law is. They'll be so envious!
By the way, I have an old nemesis who's always going against me. If anything happens in the future, I'll have another helper!
"If she keeps showing off in front of me, I'll teach her a lesson!"
Chen Hong was stunned. She had heard of dog fighting and insect fighting in Beijing, but she had never heard of fighting daughters-in-law!
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