My cousin never expected that her words would come true; her brothers had indeed encountered monsters, two of them fighting.
Two movies were shown in the evening, both war-themed. The movies ended around 10 p.m., and the crowd slowly receded like the tide, but the excitement brought by the movies did not fade.
Those not from our brigade returned the same way they came, while those from our brigade went home in groups of three or five, carrying their stools.
Uncle Scarface dutifully helped the projectionist pack up the projection screen and equipment. Many of the young men from the brigade, out of curiosity, also stayed behind to help pack up and asked questions they wanted to know.
At this moment, the projectionist's vanity was greatly satisfied.
Xu Xinning followed her parents to see her maternal grandparents off on their brigade's tractor. On the way back, they ran into the Chen family next door, with even Chen Jianguo obediently following along, carrying a stool.
Yang Chunqin: "Jianguo, have you seen Lao San? That kid hasn't been seen all night, I don't know where he's gone off to."
Chen Jianguo: "I haven't been able to find him all night either, Brother Mu, don't you know where the boss went?"
Mu Jingheng: "I spend all my nights with Xin'er."
Xin'er?
Wang Ying raised an eyebrow; it seemed that good things were about to happen in the Xu family.
Where is General Mu's house?
Wang Ying lowered her head in thought.
Mu Jingheng carried a large chair on his back, with a stool tucked under his left arm and another under his right arm. Despite this, he walked steadily and calmly.
Xu Xinning sometimes felt that Mu Jingheng's mental age was probably the same as Xu Laosan's, otherwise how could his personality be so unconventional?
Yang Chunqin: "Never mind him, he's probably already home by now."
Xu Yaozu and Chen Ping walked at the very back, each holding a stool, and talked about their comrades.
Xu Yaozu: "Old Wang will be reporting for duty in the next few days. We'll get together with our comrades then."
Chen Ping: "No problem, I'll prepare the wine then."
Xu Yaozu: "Do you still remember Lao Cao, who joined the army in the same batch as us?"
Chen Ping: "I remember, how could I not remember? He even challenged me. It's true what they say, 'No fight, no friendship'."
Xu Yaozu: "He... is gone."
Chen Ping was startled: "What's going on?"
Xu Yaozu: "His wife's younger sister married a spy. When she visited Lao Cao's house, she sneaked into his study to steal documents. Lao Cao discovered her and took Lao Cao's wife hostage. When Lao Cao wasn't paying attention to her, his wife's younger sister stabbed him and died."
After Xu Yaozu finished speaking, the two fell silent.
In those extraordinary times, enemy agents were truly everywhere, and coupled with the deteriorating relationship with the Russians, things were extremely difficult for China.
After Lao Cao's incident, the document that was originally in his possession was sent to General Mu Peisheng, who was Mu Jingheng's grandfather.
When Xu Xinning and the others arrived home, Grandpa Xu was sitting on the porch washing his feet.
Yang Chunqin: "Ada, has the third brother come back?"
Grandpa Xu: "Not yet? Not with you?"
Yang Chunqin: No, I don't know where Feng went.
When Mu Jingheng entered the main room, he almost bumped into Old Madam Xu, who was coming out. Old Madam Xu laughed when she saw his appearance: "Our Xiaoheng is so capable. This young man is really something else. With you at home, we have a lot of trouble!"
Mu Jingheng: "My grandma praises me every day, which is my greatest motivation."
Grandma Xu burst into laughter at what she was told.
Xu Xinning has become numb to it all. The mutual flattery between Grandma Xu and Mu Jingheng has now become a daily routine in their family.
When Mu Jingheng put down the stool, the pendant around his neck popped out from his collar.
Xu Xinning glanced at it unintentionally, and wondered why it looked so familiar.
Seeing Xu Xinning staring at his pendant, Mu Jingheng stood up and brought it closer to her, saying, "It's a cheap wooden plaque. Grandpa said it was passed down from our ancestors. When I was little, I was always frightened at night, so my grandpa hung it around my neck. When I grew up, I disliked its dark and ugly appearance and wanted to take it off, but my grandpa wouldn't let me. He said this wooden plaque was destined for me and told me not to take it off before I got married. When I grew up, I realized it was a fine ebony plaque. Since my grandpa won't let me take it off, I won't. I'll pass it on to my son when I have one."
Xu Xinning suddenly blurted out: "If it's a daughter, then we won't spread the news?"
Mu Jingheng chuckled twice and replied, "I doubt my daughter would like such a big, dark thing."
Xu Xinning thought about it and realized it really didn't look good.
After the whole family had finished washing up, Xu Laosan was nowhere to be seen, and Yang Chunqin was getting a little anxious.
Yang Chunqin: "Old Xu, why isn't Lao San back yet?"
Xu Yaozu was also a little flustered, pacing around the yard: "Should I go look for it first?"
Mu Jingheng: "Uncle, I'll go with you."
Xu Yaozu and Mu Jingheng went out with flashlights.
When Old Mrs. Chen from next door went out of the courtyard to empty the water for washing her feet, she saw it and asked, and when she learned that Xu Laosan had not yet returned home, she hurriedly went in to call Chen Ping.
After learning of Lao Cao's sacrifice, Chen Ping was in a very low mood, his mind filled with Lao Cao's voice and smile. It was only Lao Cao's shout that brought him back to his senses.
Chen Ping came out of the room and asked, "Auntie, what's wrong?"
Grandma Chen: "Xu Laosan still hasn't come home. Could something have happened to him? Yaozu and Xiaoheng have already gone out to look for him. Aping, why don't you go out and look for him too?"
Chen Ping: "Okay, Mom, let me use the flashlight in your room."
Old Mrs. Chen turned and went into the room, replying, "I'll go get it."
Chen Jianguo also heard what Old Mrs. Chen said. He, who was already lying in bed, immediately put on his clothes and called out to Chen Ping, "Dad, wait for me, I'll go with you."
Chen Ping figured that Chen Jianguo usually spent a lot of time with Xu Laosan, so he figured Chen Jianguo probably knew the places Xu Laosan liked to go. He thought that taking Chen Jianguo along might help them find Xu Laosan, so he agreed.
When Xu Yaozu and Mu Jingheng arrived at the threshing ground, there was nothing but garbage and not a soul in sight.
Xu Yaozu knew his son was mischievous, waking up early in the morning and going to bed early at night. He might accidentally fall asleep in some corner without anyone noticing, so Xu Yaozu dared not miss any corner.
The two walked around the threshing ground several times but couldn't find him. Mu Jingheng kept calling Xu Laosan's name, but to no avail.
The cries were particularly loud at night, and Mu Jingheng's calls brought out all the villagers near the threshing ground.
Member: "Yaozu, what's wrong?"
Xu Yaozu: "The third brother hasn't come home yet, and I don't know where he went."
Xu Yaozu has experienced many ups and downs, but he just can't get over the fact that his child went missing.
At this moment, he recalled the bloody scene of Xu Xinning being held hostage, and he didn't even realize that his voice was trembling when he spoke.
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