And so, Zhou Qinglan and her group drew and arranged the cards in front, while Sheng Xiping and the others directed the play of the cards from behind. Whichever team lost, the person in charge of directing the play would have a note stuck on their card.
Zhou Qinglan and Zhao Guangning's wife Cao Hui are both pregnant. Cao Hui is about four months pregnant. These two have the best luck, and they always get good cards.
Moreover, the couple cooperated very well, and they could fight exactly as they were told, which is why their two teams won the most.
On the other hand, Zhou Qingyang and Zhao Rui's fiancés, after losing so many times, had their faces covered with slips of paper.
This delighted Sheng Xinhua, who was sitting in his grandmother's lap watching the commotion, and he pointed at his uncle and giggled.
Chen Jie was extremely embarrassed and kept apologizing to Zhou Qingyang.
"It's all my fault. I don't know how to play, and I dragged you down with me. How about I quit? Let Qingyue take my place."
"Hey, what's the big deal? It's just for fun. Pick any cards you want, it's fine. Maybe we'll turn the tables and win next round?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingyang quickly and gently comforted him.
"Qingyue is just a little brat. What does he know? If I team up with him, I guarantee I'll lose even more."
Over there, Zhou Qingyue, who was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) bored out of his mind, turned green with anger when he heard his older brother's words.
Is this even possible? To woo a woman, he even belittles his own brother? This brother is better off without.
The group played at the Zhou family's house until it got dark.
"Oh dear, it's getting late, we should go home. We've been out having fun all day, I wonder what they're busy with at home."
It should be Zhao Guangning's turn to shuffle the cards this round, but Zhao Guangning looked up and said.
“Yeah, right? It’s already dark outside. Shall we call it a day? Let’s get together another time.” Zhao Rui’s boyfriend chimed in from the side.
"What's the rush? Let's play a little longer."
"Well, you guys have fun, I'll go get some dishes. When your Uncle Zhou gets back, we can have a few more drinks together tonight."
Upon hearing this, Wang Chunxiu tried to persuade him to stay while simultaneously heading to the fields to cook.
"Oh, Auntie, you should rest now. You've gone to so much trouble for me today."
It's getting late. We've been out having fun all day, and our families are worried about us.
Zhao Guangning quickly stopped Wang Chunxiu from preparing the meal. Zhao Rui and the others also put on their shoes, coats, hats, and scarves, and said goodbye to Wang Chunxiu.
Seeing this, Wang Chunxiu knew she couldn't keep him, so she had no choice but to send him out as well.
"Oh dear, it's already dark outside. Qingyang, why don't you take Chen Jie home?"
It wasn't even six o'clock yet, and it wasn't completely dark outside. Wang Chunxiu was just making an excuse to have her son take Chen Jie home.
After spending the last two days together, Zhou Qingyang developed a strong liking for Chen Jie and naturally didn't want to separate so soon, so he nodded in agreement.
"Okay, Mom."
And so, Zhou Qingyang escorted Chen Jie home, and Zhao Guangning and the other three said goodbye to Wang Chunxiu and Sheng Xiping before leaving, chatting and laughing.
Zhou Qinglan was pregnant, and spending the day watching movies and playing cards really exhausted her.
So after the outsiders left, Zhou Qinglan went back to the west room and lay down.
In order to prevent Sheng Xinhua from disturbing Zhou Qinglan after he woke up, Sheng Xiping and Zhou Qingyue played with the child.
Wang Chunxiu got Sheng Xinhua some food, and then went to pack her things.
Zhou Qingyang will be setting off to rejoin his team tomorrow, and Sheng Xiping and Zhou Qinglan will also be returning to Qianchuan Forest Farm.
Although Wang Chunxiu was reluctant, there was nothing she could do but bring more things for her daughter and son.
Around 7 p.m., Zhou Mingyuan and his son returned home one after another. Zhou Mingyuan was drunk, while Zhou Qingyang was all smiles.
Upon seeing this, Wang Chunxiu knew that her son and Chen Jie were likely to get together.
It's a pity that Zhou Qingyang is about to return to his unit, so the two won't have much time to spend together.
But there was nothing that could be done; Zhou Qingyang's status was different.
Once you join the army, you become a member of the military and must obey orders from your superiors. You cannot delay your return to the unit for personal reasons.
On the sixth day of the first lunar month, the Zhou family got up early and ate breakfast.
After breakfast, Zhou Qingyue took Zhou Qingyang to the train station, while Sheng Xiping and Zhou Qinglan went to the Sen Tie Railway.
"Boss, there's some food in this bag. You can have a bite if you get hungry on the way."
Remember to write home when you get back to your unit. Don't hide anything from your family; your dad and I are very worried about you.
Zhou Mingyuan and Wang Chunxiu saw their children off at the entrance of the alley.
Wang Chunxiu had been taking a break by switching shifts with someone a few days ago, but today she was supposed to go to work at the hospital, so she didn't have time to see her off at the station and could only give her a few words of advice.
"I understand, Dad, Mom, don't worry, I will take good care of myself."
"Hey, you guys need to take care of yourselves at home too. Dad, try to drink less alcohol in the future. You're not young anymore, don't worry us."
Zhou Qingyang, carrying a large military green backpack, turned around and waved to his parents, not forgetting to give his father some instructions.
"Xiping, Qinglan, I'm sorry, I don't have time to see you off." Zhou Qingyang extended his right hand to Sheng Xiping.
Sheng Xiping also reached out and shook hands with Zhou Qingyang.
"Military orders are like mountains, I understand. Brother, the journey is long, so please be careful. If anything happens, remember to write back."
Zhou Qingyue got on his bicycle, called out to Zhou Qingyang, and Zhou Qingyang straddled the back seat. The two brothers then rode off.
Zhou Qingyang would occasionally turn around and wave to his parents.
"Dad, Mom, let's go back. Qinglan, Xiping, have a safe journey."
Zhou Mingyuan and Wang Chunxiu kept waving to their son, and Wang Chunxiu couldn't hold back her tears.
Upon seeing this, Zhou Mingyuan couldn't help but offer some words of comfort.
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