Chapter 68 Chapter 68 New Year
That's half a basket of eggs.
It doesn't look like much, but it's about two kilograms.
Moreover, eggs are in short supply and not cheap to buy, but it is obvious that they were bought separately and delivered.
Lu Qinghe looked surprised, but didn't answer. "Why did you suddenly think of bringing me eggs? We have some at home. You're at the base, so it's not easy for you to come out and buy some. Why don't you take some home and cook them yourself?"
"Sister-in-law, we have a cafeteria over there. It's enough for me to eat there every day. You must accept this. It's a small token of my appreciation. I used to be... ignorant."
Zhao Guodong said this with an embarrassed smile.
"I was young and spoiled by my family, so I rarely left the house. But now that I've been out, I've realized how much harder it is to get by in the outside world than I thought. If it weren't for my brother supporting me, I wouldn't have had such a comfortable childhood. My parents... you know, sister-in-law. I used to think it had nothing to do with me, but now I think about it, I've also benefited from my eldest brother, so I should remember that. He doesn't owe me anything."
After saying this, Lu Qinghe couldn't help but look at Zhao Guodong with a higher opinion.
"You... have grown up and become sensible." Lu Qinghe smiled and spoke slowly.
If you think about it carefully, Zhao Guodong is only eighteen years old this year. He was just a lazy kid at home. He didn't do anything wrong in his behavior, and his thoughts can be corrected in time through education.
Zhao Guodong was also very happy. "Sister-in-law, your words are more pleasing than hundreds of compliments from others!"
"You said that."
"Sister-in-law, actually, my eldest brother has been home since I was a child. I remember that whenever we received a letter from him, our family would be happy for a while, and I could even eat meat. I am taller than my second brother now, and it is all thanks to him. This egg is really a small gift, please accept it."
Seeing that Lu Qinghe was still hesitant, Zhao Guodong said, "This is the first time I bought it with my salary."
Lu Qinghe thought about it and accepted it.
"It's getting late, how about staying for dinner tonight?"
"No, sister-in-law, I have to go to work early tomorrow morning."
"Third brother?"
As they were talking, Zhao Zhanming also came home from get off work.
Seeing Zhao Guodong, he walked over with a look of oppression between his brows and asked, "Why are you running out here instead of working properly at the base?"
Lu Qinghe pulled Zhao Zhanming's sleeve and roughly described what Zhao Guodong had just said.
Zhao Zhanming's expression still didn't look very good, but his tone was much calmer: "As long as you don't cause me any trouble, I'll consider you sensible."
Zhao Guodong nodded repeatedly: "I understand, big brother, and... and I received a letter from home yesterday."
Hearing this, Lu Qinghe frowned and Zhao Zhanming's expression also turned cold.
But Zhao Guodong seemed to have guessed what they were thinking and quickly waved his hand: "I didn't mean anything else. I sent some things back home after I got my salary last month, but they replied asking me for money and things. I was so happy to send the things home, but look at them... they are so ungrateful."
"Brother, you don't know the pain until you get hit. I worked so hard to earn money, and it really hurts when I have to give it away. You used to work outside in the wind and rain, and your family always asked you for money. Now I know how great you are!"
Lu Qinghe and Zhao Zhanming looked at each other.
This Zhao Guodong is really... a different person.
But in the final analysis, time cannot be reversed, and it is too late to say anything now. Zhao Zhanming is no longer at the age to maintain relationships with his brothers at home.
Once you have been disappointed in the past, even if you change, it will be difficult to become close again.
Zhao Zhanming: "It's a good thing that you can understand some truths. It will broaden your horizons and improve your thinking."
"Well, don't worry, big brother. If there are any problems at home in the future, I will take care of them. You don't have to worry about it."
Lu Qinghe thought for a moment and sighed, "Old Three, wait here for a while. I'll go home and get you something."
"No need, sister-in-law. I don't need anything. Look at the work clothes I'm wearing. They were issued by the base. They are very thick."
The turquoise work coat is not good-looking, but it is provided by the government and the quality is guaranteed.
Lu Qinghe: "It's a token of my appreciation, just wait."
"No, no, no, sister-in-law, I'm leaving now. If you want to go back and come out again, I'll already be on the bus. I have to catch the bus. Let's go."
Zhao Guodong felt like his feet were on fire. He said goodbye and turned around and ran away.
Zhao Zhanming took the egg from Lu Qinghe's hand and said, "Let's go back."
"This Zhao Guodong, who used to be so cold and indifferent, has become much more sensible now. It was a good idea to send him to the agricultural and sideline product base this time. He's really getting a lesson."
Zhao Zhanming nodded: "If there are any troubles back home in the future, he can handle it. If I go out on a mission and you can't handle it, just throw it to the third brother."
"Um."
-
Years ago, Lu Qinghe compiled and bound all the literacy pictures he had drawn sporadically over the past year into a book.
A total of about one hundred pictures of little people learning to read and write were collected. After binding them, Lu Qinghe casually wrote the title "One Hundred Basic Word Reading Pictures for Young Children" and handed them to the propaganda department of the military region.
"Sister Lu, the subscriptions to our picture album have increased by at least a quarter, all because of you. Our people are collecting opinions from parents, and many parents said that your literacy pictures have aroused their children's interest in reading. I have submitted your name for this annual commendation, and you will definitely get some benefits then." Director Wang said to Lu Qinghe excitedly.
Lu Qinghe: "I have an idea, but I don't know if it's promising. Director Wang, please give me some advice."
"Sister-in-law Lu, you said that as long as I can help, I will definitely support you."
"There are two things." Lu Qinghe felt a little embarrassed.
"You can go ahead."
"First, I wonder if this pamphlet of mine will ever be published."
Director Wang thought for a moment and said, "There's hope, but as usual, we need to report to the higher-ups. I'll do my best to speak on your behalf, and you can just wait for the news. It's almost the Lunar New Year, so maybe there will be news next spring."
"I just had this idea. If it can be published, that would be great. If not, that's fine too. Director Wang, don't feel any pressure. Also..."
"Director Wang, I don't go to literacy classes very often anymore. After learning to use a dictionary, I usually study at home. I've also lost the inspiration to draw simple characters, so I may not want to continue doing this in the future."
Director Wang smiled and nodded. "Our Publicity Department understands this. Besides, we've always recognized Sister Lu's abilities and talents. Sister Lu is still young, so she'll naturally have even better development in the future. She won't just focus on childish figurine drawings."
Lu Qinghe smiled and said, "Well, but my level is still limited, so I'm thinking of going to school next year to further my studies. If you have other creative ideas, please submit them to our publicity department. I already have an idea, but I'm not capable enough. I need to learn more."
"No problem, the door of the Propaganda Department is always open for sister-in-law!"
After returning home from the Propaganda Department, Lu Qinghe began to pack up his things at home.
As the end of the year was approaching, she and Zhao Zhanming agreed to go home for the New Year this year. They had to arrange their work and tidy up the house in advance, and then rush to buy some New Year's goods in the afternoon.
Many people from the military families' compound were going home for the Spring Festival this year, so they simply pooled together and found a car.
First, I went to a fellow villager's house and asked for about ten pounds of dried meat and wild rabbit and lynx meat. Then I went to the county town and bought some crispy candies, white sugar and brown sugar that were not available in the countryside.
Lu Qinghe was thinking about Xue Lanhua, so she went to ask for a piece of floral cloth, went back and gathered the leftover cotton from last time, and sewed a new cotton-padded jacket for Xue Lanhua.
Everything was almost ready. Seeing that it was only a few days before returning home, Lu Qinghe used the excuse of visiting Liu Yanru and made a special trip to the county town to deliver some crispy candy food coupons to Ye Yulian's home.
I had greeted him in advance, so Ye Guofu was there too.
"Human traffickers are despicable. If you ask me, they don't have good intentions when buying children. It's just that we haven't told our family about this yet, so we have to save face. Besides, if we make a big fuss over there and they find out about our situation, we'll be in a difficult position."
"You think carefully. I'm old, so I'll listen to you."
Lu Qinghe nodded and said, "Grandpa, take care of yourself. I'm leaving now."
"Take the things back, we don't need anything."
"A little token of my appreciation. Oh, and by the way, Zhao Zhanming said the fermented black beans were delicious last time."
Ye Guofu laughed when he heard it. "As long as he thinks it tastes good, that's fine. There will be more next year, and I'll make it for you every year from now on."
“Hey.”
Two days after visiting the Ye family, Zhao Zhanming took his annual leave. He and Lu Qinghe cleaned up the house together, gave the key to Ying Lu temporarily, and then went to the train station with the children.
"Has Zhao Zimo ever been back before?"
Lu Qinghe asked while waiting for the bus.
Zhao Zimo nodded: "I went back with him the first year, but..."
Zhao Zhanming showed Lu Qinghe a helpless expression. "But you know the situation at home. They're not easy to get along with. Suddenly there's another person coming back for dinner, so naturally they're not in a good mood. And when Fan Meiyu was still around, although she didn't get along with her family, she also didn't get along with me, so naturally it wouldn't be good for the child."
"So, I simply didn't go back later. I can still have enough to eat with Grandpa Feng. If it weren't for you, Aunt Lu, I still wouldn't want to go back this time. Anyway, it has nothing to do with me."
What Zhao Zimo said was also true.
The old couple of the Zhao family didn't even give Lu Qinghe a good look, let alone this unrelated grandson who suddenly appeared.
This time when he went back, Zhao Zhanming still bought a sleeper berth. Since they were all going home for the New Year, the atmosphere in the carriage was cheerful. Several children, including Zhao Zimo, were excited and chatted all the way.
As a result, after the train arrived at the station and they boarded the bus to go home, the children couldn't help yawning and fell asleep with their heads tilted.
Lu Qinghe was also a little sleepy.
"You should take a nap too. I'll be watching you." Zhao Zhanming said.
Lu Qinghe: "Then I'll go to sleep first. We'll switch to the mule cart later. We'll take turns. You rest and I'll watch over you."
Zhao Zhanming smiled: "Go to sleep. It's enough to know that you care about me. I'll watch."
Lu Qinghe gently squeezed Zhao Zhanming's fingertips and fell asleep soon after.
When they woke up, the bus had arrived at the station. The mule cart was not that comfortable, so Lu Qinghe took Lu Yao with her and put the other two children next to Zhao Zhanming. Zhao Zimo sat next to them.
After shaking all the way, we finally arrived at the destination.
If they wanted to go to Zhaojiagou, they had to pass through the mountain road in front of Dagu Village, so they simply went to Lujia first.
When Xue Lanhua saw Lu Qinghe, her eyes immediately turned red. She rushed over to hug Lu Qinghe, looking left and right, and no matter how much she looked, she felt it was not enough.
Finally, she simply held Lu Qinghe's face and said, "You've gained weight, and your complexion is much better than before. You're also prettier than before. You've changed. Oh, now I'm relieved, relieved!"
Lu Qinghe laughed: "Mom, I'm already this old, how can I change my appearance?"
Zhou Feng also wiped away her tears, "How can it not change? Temperament will change. Our Qinghe is now like an educated city dweller."
"This is like a phoenix flying to a tree branch in the mountain valley. Sister-in-law, you should change your name to Qinghe." Zhang Meizhi said sourly.
Lu Qinghe knew her temper, so she turned around, took the things from Zhao Zhanming, divided them up, and handed them over.
"Mom, sister-in-law, you can save these New Year's goods for yourself. We can't buy them here."
Xue Lanhua looked at it and refused to accept it. "No, no, you can keep all these things. Our family is doing well now. A few days ago, you brought back some dried meat, and you haven't finished it yet."
"That won't be enough to last until after the New Year."
As Lu Qinghe spoke, he handed over some miscellaneous daily necessities besides food.
After a lot of excuses, Zhang Meizhi was staring with her eyes wide open.
Zhou Feng suddenly pinched Lu Qinghe's hand, smiled and took out two clams from the net bag.
"Hey, this is for me and mom, right? Qinghe, you're so thoughtful. I've been asking your eldest brother about this for years, but he never bought me a bottle of this stuff. Now it's good! I'm worried about my face getting dry and cracked in the winter."
Zhang Meizhi suddenly became anxious and rushed over, "Just two bottles?"
Zhou Feng smiled: "Why are you so anxious? I didn't see you so anxious when I went to pick up Qinghe just now."
Zhang Meizhi's face turned pale and blue.
After she had been feeling uncomfortable for a while, Zhou Feng took out the bottle of clam oil that he had hidden from his pocket.
After Zhang Meizhi took it, although she was happy, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous. "Qinghe is really generous now. She found a good man. Life is different now."
Zhao Zhanming was looking after the child nearby. Lu Yang had fallen asleep and hadn't woken up yet, so he put the child in the inner room for the time being. After hearing this, he couldn't help but speak up for Lu Qinghe.
Zhao Zhanming: "Qinghe has her own career now. She has acquired cultural knowledge and has a talent for painting. She may publish a book in the future and become more famous than me."
"What?" This time, not only Zhou Feng, but everyone in the Lu family, young and old, including the children, widened their eyes after hearing the news.
“Auntie is so awesome!!”
"Oh my God, Qinghe, is it possible for our humble family to produce a scholar?"
"She's a female scholar, so amazing!" Zhou Feng praised.
Lu Fengshou and Xue Lanhua were even more amazed. "Qinghe, where did you learn this skill? Did you learn it from Captain Zhao?"
"There are literacy classes and skills training classes for military wives over there, and I've also been self-studying." Lu Qinghe explained with a smile, "There's only a hint of publication in the works, but nothing's finalized yet. Don't listen to what Old Zhao says; it's a bit exaggerated. It was published in pictorials before the New Year."
"That's impressive! He's even been featured in a pictorial, and you still say he's not a scholar?" Zhou Feng said.
"My mother is amazing! Many children learn to read by following my mother's drawings!" Zhao Zirui tried his best to show off to the other children of the Lu family.
"Wow, you must be very good at studying! Auntie is really powerful!"
"That's right."
After chatting for a while, it was getting late.
As soon as Lu Yang woke up, they rushed back to Zhao's house together.
Surprisingly, the person who opened the door for them was Zhao Guodong.
When the other members of the Zhao family heard the sound, they slowly came out of the house. Only when they saw what they were carrying did they greet them with a smile.
Sun Juhua's face was wrinkled like a chrysanthemum. She took the New Year's goods and weighed them, then smiled with only her teeth showing and her eyes not her eyes.
Sun Juhua: "It's great to be back. I can come back for the New Year and our family can be reunited. It's so great."
"Big brother and sister-in-law."
On the second side, Zhao Bowen and Wang Cuiping greeted each other indifferently.
Only the third brother, Zhao Guodong, was somewhat capable. He helped to get some hot water and then went back in to help clean up the house.
At dinner in the evening, Zhao Zhanming looked at the fried radish and cabbage on the table and frowned.
"Among the things I brought back, there's dried meat, wild rabbit meat, and even two sausages. Why not just fry them? Why do you have to eat this? The children aren't full."
"Ahem."
Zhao Chengshi cleared his throat and said, "We have to be frugal in life. Save those things for the New Year."
"It's almost the end of the Chinese New Year, and tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Can't we eat meat today?" Lu Qinghe frowned and stood up. "I'll go cook another dish, and the porridge too. Lu Yao, Lu Yang, and Zirui, don't drink it yet. I'll heat it up for you later and drink it with the food."
"When did you become the master of this family?" Sun Juhua stood up. "I'm not dead yet, Lu Qinghe. Don't forget who is the elder."
Lu Qinghe: "We brought something back, and you elders are going to let us eat this stuff?"
"Sister-in-law, I'll go with you." Zhao Guodong stood up and stopped Sun Juhua who was about to speak: "Mom, don't be so petty during the New Year. If you continue like this, I won't go back next year."
“You…”
"That's all right." Zhao Chengshi frowned. "Go ahead and cook it. It's just for the New Year, it's just a few days."
Sun Juhua snorted and stopped talking.
Wang Cuiping curled her lips and said, "It's only because you guys are back. If you weren't back, there's no way we'd eat meat at home, no matter what."
Zhao Zhanming glared at him and said, "If that's the case, then if we don't go home, there won't be any meat for you to eat at home. If you're not satisfied, finish your radish and cabbage and get out of the house."
"you……"
Zhao Bowen, the second oldest brother of the Zhao family, was most afraid of Zhao Zhanming. He shuddered when he heard the words, and held Wang Cuiping in silence.
Lu Qinghe cooked and Zhao Guodong helped. Soon, a plate of fried bacon with dried radish and a plate of stewed wild cat meat were ready.
Although there was nothing else at home, there were enough steamed buns to eat. Lu Qinghe and the children cooked several steamed buns with meat and vegetables, and each of them had a bowl of cornmeal porridge.
There are six people in their family, the second son Zhao Bowen's family has four, and there is a youngest son who cannot eat these things. He can only watch with envy as the six of them eat more than them.
"You know what, I haven't eaten cornmeal porridge for a long time, so it tastes pretty good when I eat it suddenly."
Lu Qinghe had stomach problems before, and would have acid reflux after eating cornmeal, so the family always ate Fuqiang flour.
Zhao Zhanming: "I'm sorry to have wronged you. I'll talk to them tomorrow. I can't let you and the child suffer any more."
"It's just for a few days, it's okay. Besides, if it doesn't work out, we can just take our things and come to my house. I have a place to stay, so it's okay to sleep here for a few days."
As expected, an accident happened after the door was opened.
Lu Qinghe frowned, looking at the cold, hard, and worn mattress on the big bed, feeling a little helpless.
"Why don't they learn their lesson?" Lu Qinghe shook her head helplessly. "That won't work. I won't sleep, and the children won't feel comfortable either. I won't call anyone, I'll just go get it myself."
Zhao Zhanming also sighed, "I'll go with you."
However, when the two of them arrived at the ear room where the bedding was kept, they did not see the new quilt that Lu Qinghe's parents had sent when she got married.
Lu Qinghe's face changed. She guessed something and thought about it. She went straight to the second son's room, opened the door, and sure enough, she saw the new bedding that her parents had sent her last year.
"Take it?" Lu Qinghe hesitated. After all, the second son's youngest son was lying on the bed.
There was no one else in the room except the two children from the second wife. Zhao Tianlei was twelve years old, and the younger one was less than two years old.
Zhao Zhanming didn't hesitate and walked forward to pull out all the bedding that belonged to them.
“Wuwuwuwu… What are you doing?! Robbers!! Wuwuwuwuwu… Give us back our blankets!!”
The younger one was placed on the pillow and started crying anxiously.
Zhao Guodong rushed over after hearing the noise. He took one look and knew what was going on. He glared at Zhao Tianlei and said, "Shut up. This is your uncle's room. It's your stuff. Just call your parents over to re-lay it."
"Wuwuwu no, this is ours!!"
As they were talking, Zhao Bowen and his wife also rushed over from the kitchen.
Wang Cuiping's face changed as soon as she saw it. "Brother and sister-in-law, you are really capable. When my wife and I are not around, you bully the two children. You are powerful outside and at home too. You bully others without limit!"
Zhao Zhanming walked right past Wang Cuiping and said, "I don't want to waste my time talking to you. Qinghe and I have been exhausted all day. If you want to argue or fight, I'll be there for you tomorrow!"
Zhao Bowen's face turned pale instantly.
Lu Qinghe followed behind Zhao Zhanming and didn't waste time talking to them. He asked the children to wash their faces and brush their teeth. After Zhao Zhanming had made the beds, no one from the second wife dared to come and find them for any reason.
"I'm so angry! After the Chinese New Year, I'll just send these beddings to my parents' house!" Lu Qinghe muttered while sitting on the bed.
He grumbled a few words and shook his head. "Forget it. There's no point in arguing with them. Who knows how many years it will take for them to come back."
Zhao Zhanming: "I'm sorry, Qinghe, do your parents agree? If not, we can go to your house for the New Year!"
"I think I can agree. I'll ask again tomorrow. There's nothing wrong with you. You've already vented my anger. In the early years when I wasn't around, you must have felt even more wronged."
Zhao Zhanming was stunned and his expression softened a lot.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
