Chapter 88 Chapter 88 Six Years Later

It was the end of the year, and the city's department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives were packed with people. Jiang Qiuyue had finally finished buying clothes for the Chen siblings, and she was sweating inside her autumn clothes.

The three of them stood at the entrance of the department store. Jiang Qiuyue gasped for air, "There are too many people. Fortunately, we came early, otherwise we wouldn't be able to buy anything."

It’s too late to go to the black market at this point. I guess they will be sold out early because everything in the city is in short supply due to the earthquake.

"It's mine! Don't take it!"

People inside were rushing to buy things. Jiang Qiuyue turned around and saw that the window was crowded with people. It was terrible.

"Aunt, thank you." Chen Weilan was very happy. When she went to buy clothes just now, her aunt didn't even look at the price and told her to pick out what she liked. "If you pay later, it's very likely that someone else will buy it."

Chen Weiguo was in a good mood. He didn't think too much and just wanted to get home quickly so he could show off to his friends that his new clothes were bought in a department store.

"If you like someone, you should act quickly, otherwise someone else will snatch it away." Jiang Qiuyue taught Chen Weilan, "No matter what it is, as long as you are interested, you should act quickly. Whether it succeeds or not is another matter. Anyway, there is no need to be shy and say sorry. The most important thing is to focus on what you like."

Seeing a shop selling candy cakes across the street, Jiang Qiuyue went over to buy three and took the bus with her two children.

Today's bus was still crowded. When Jiang Qiuyue and the other two got on, there was no seat left. The three of them could only stand, but a man next to Jiang Qiuyue offered his seat. Seeing his blushing face, Jiang Qiuyue was too embarrassed to agree, and let the woman with the child next to her sit.

When they arrived at the family compound, the man got out of the car and called out to Jiang Qiuyue.

"Comrade, are you here to visit relatives?"

"Yes." Jiang Qiuyue walked in front and added, "I'm going to my mother-in-law's house to celebrate the New Year."

"You got married at such a young age?" The man showed regret, but when he saw Jiang Qiuyue nod, he didn't say anything else and walked into the family compound first with a sense of propriety.

Chen Weilan looked at Jiang Qiuyue and whispered, "Aunt, the guy just now was Captain Lu. He's so handsome, and many girls here like him. But he has high standards and doesn't want anyone to introduce him to him. But he took the initiative to talk to you. Does he like you?"

She thought it was not strange that Lu Feng fell in love with her aunt, after all, her aunt was the prettiest among the people in the two families. It was just a pity that Lu Feng had no chance, because her aunt belonged to her uncle.

"He is indeed very handsome." Jiang Qiuyue thought for a moment and realized that he was a very energetic young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and he was quite handsome.

Chen Weiguo was not convinced, "How is he handsome? He's not even as good as me!"

"Huh, you?" Chen Weilan said in disdain, "You little brat who farts when you sleep and gets food all over your face when you eat. You're not even as good as my toes!"

"Sister! Didn't you say you wouldn't say it?" Chen Weiguo felt embarrassed and chased after his sister to make trouble.

Jiang Qiuyue walked behind, watching the two children fighting and playing, all the way to Gao's house.

Just as she was about to ring the doorbell, she heard a car horn behind her. She turned around and saw that it was the car that Lin Zhengrong and the others were riding in. What a coincidence.

Chen Weiguo was the first to complain, "Grandma, my sister said I'm not as handsome as Captain Lu!"

Lin Beibei asked who Captain Lu was, and Chen Weiguo said it was someone in the compound. "He gave up his seat to my aunt on the bus and even talked to her after we got off. He asked her why she got married at such a young age. He was really strange that my aunt didn't even know him."

Sun Fengying immediately understood what was going on and took her grandson home, "Why are you competing with others? Don't say anything more."

Jiang Qiuyue smiled at Lin Zhengrong and took the initiative to explain, "I didn't sit down, and he was quite polite. After knowing that I was married, he stopped talking."

"Who is more handsome, him or me?" Lin Zhengrong looked at Jiang Qiuyue.

"You, you, you are definitely the most handsome. Without a doubt, you are the most handsome man in the world." Jiang Qiuyue went over and held Lin Zhengrong's arm, thinking to herself, Chen Weiguo has such a stupid head, no wonder Wei Lan dislikes him so much.

Gao Zheng waited at home today. When he heard someone talking at the door, he ran out of the living room. When he saw his son, tears immediately rolled down his cheeks. However, there were no sentimental words between men. Instead, he patted his son's arm and said, "Not bad, he's pretty strong. Come in quickly."

Chen Weiguo anxiously asked his parents, and was disappointed to learn that they were still in Yu County. "When will they come back?"

"They are on a mission, it won't end so quickly." Gao Zheng taught, "As soldiers, you should put the people first. Houses in Yu County collapsed, many people are homeless, and there are countless casualties. At a time like this, your parents must stay on the front line."

As for whether or not I can come back to celebrate the New Year, it depends on my luck. It’s okay if I can’t come back, after all, people in Yu County didn’t celebrate the New Year well this year. As long as I’m safe, everything else is not a problem.

But Chen Weiguo obviously didn't have such great ideas. As a child, he just wanted his family to be together.

Since his grandfather said so, he could only pray that his parents would come back before the New Year.

However, the Chinese New Year is only four days away, and it is unlikely that Gao Juanjuan and her husband will come back to celebrate the New Year.

Jiang Qiuyue was not so reserved when she came to Gao's house this time. She was a guest before, but now it was her own home.

While some people are still working, Jiang Qiuyue and Lin Zhengrong went to transfer their household registration in the afternoon. From now on, they will have nothing to do with Lin Fugui and his family.

Sun Fengying accompanied them to relocate their household registration, and on the way back, she introduced them to everyone she met as her son and daughter-in-law.

"Your son is so handsome, and your daughter-in-law is pretty too. Why do they look familiar to me?"

"I know they came to the family compound before, but didn't you recognize them then?"

Sun Fengying stopped to explain to the neighbors, while Jiang Qiuyue and Lin Zhengrong walked home.

The four children in the family were playing hopscotch in the yard. Jiang Qiuyue went to the kitchen to cook. Fortunately, the Gao family was well-off and was given a pig's leg and a pig's head. Jiang Qiuyue tidied up and prepared to brine the pork head and use the pork bones to make soup.

As the year draws to a close, every household is preparing food for the New Year. Jiang Qiuyue is not familiar with this place, so she stays at home to do the cooking.

On New Year's Eve, Gao Juanjuan and her husband still hadn't returned, so Jiang Qiuyue and Sun Fengying prepared a large table of food. This was their first reunion since they met each other.

Everyone raised their glasses to wish each other a happy new year. Sun Fengying looked at her family and thought of her daughter and son-in-law who were working hard outside. She was still worried about them.

Gao Zheng cheerfully asked the children if they were happy and what they wanted to do in the future.

As the oldest child, Chen Weilan was the first to speak up, "I want to join a cultural troupe, or be a salesperson in a department store."

She just needs to stand there beautifully, without having to run around and work hard.

Chen Weiguo said he wanted to join the army, "I want to go to the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University! I want to be a more powerful person than my grandfather in the future!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Weilan beside him snorted, "Do you think you can get into the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University just by saying so? You should improve your scores first. You always get over 70 points. If you keep going like this, you will fail."

"It's New Year's Day, don't say such things. Maybe I will be smarter in the future!" Chen Weiguo is very confident in himself. His whole family is so amazing, he must have his own strengths, which have not been discovered yet.

After Chen Weiguo and his brother finished speaking, Jiang Qiuyue looked at her two children and asked, "What about you? Do you have any ideals?"

Lin Beibei thought for a moment, "I have a lot of ideas. I hope my whole family can stay together forever. I also want to be a soldier. I want to be a chef. Being a salesperson is also good. They all say that I can speak well and am suitable to be a salesperson."

Jiang Qiuyue understood. She had so many ideas, but she had no idea yet. "Where's Nannan?"

"I want to be a writer." Lin Nannan has a quiet personality. Even when she is taken out to play by her brothers, she is always the quietest one. She is happy to see others making a fuss, but she herself cannot be lively. She has read a lot of books in Chief Yu's house, but it's a pity that some people were messing around in his family compound last year, and even Chief Yu burned a lot of books.

"Okay, okay, hello, writer." Jiang Qiuyue said with a smile.

The children are still young, and there will be many changes in the future. Some people have clear goals and will probably keep working hard for them. There are also people like Lin Beibei, who have ideas that come and go, but are very good at everything they do.

After listening to the children's ideas for the future, it was getting late, so a few children were responsible for cleaning up the dishes, while Jiang Qiuyue and the others sat down to drink tea and chat, spending a comfortable New Year.

It was not until the fifth day of the first lunar month that Gao Juanjuan and her husband returned from Yu County.

They are the busiest doctors and can only come back when most of the situations have stabilized.

The first time Jiang Qiuyue saw Gao Juanjuan and her husband, she felt that they had lost weight. "Sister, why have you lost so much weight?"

Gao Juanjuan pointed to her throat, which was hoarse from shouting, and she couldn't speak at the moment. But when she saw Lin Zhengrong, her eyes instantly turned red, especially when she heard Lin Zhengrong call her "sister".

"I...wuwu..." She had a lot to say, but she was really too tired.

"I understand." Lin Zhengrong said, "Go wash up and rest first. We can talk tomorrow if you have anything to say."

Gao Juanjuan nodded vigorously. She had not slept well even for a single day during the past half month in Yu County, as injured people could be sent to her at any time.

She was now so tired that she could fall asleep immediately. After having a meal at home, she didn't have time to reminisce about the past, so she and Chen Zhong went to bed.

Gao Juanjuan slept from five in the afternoon to five in the morning of the next day. It was still dark outside, but she couldn't help getting up.

When I went downstairs, I saw her mother washing rice quietly and called out "Mom" softly.

"Why did you get up so early?" Sun Fengying felt sorry for her daughter. "Go lie down quickly. Even if you can't sleep, just lie down and rest. Look at you. You have really lost a lot of weight this time. I'll make you some bone soup today. I have bamboo fungus."

Seeing her daughter shaking her head, she pulled her daughter to sit down, "Then just sit down, I'll cook the porridge. There are many people in the family, and the children are the most hungry, so I have to prepare more. It's great, Juanjuan, our family is finally reunited."

"Yes, Mom, I feel like I'm dreaming now." Gao Juanjuan's throat still hurts, but it's much better than yesterday. "We've been looking forward to this day, and it's finally here."

"Who says it's not? I feel happy when I see these people at home." After Sun Fengying cooked the porridge, she prepared to knead the flour to make pancakes. She would also cook some sweet potatoes later so that she would have a full meal in the morning.

The mother and daughter hadn't seen each other for a long time and had a lot to talk about, but Gao Juanjuan was mostly listening because her throat was still not feeling well.

"We are still lucky. Zhengrong was not raised in a distorted way, and Qiuyue is also a very easy-going person. We will definitely live in harmony in the future." Sun Fengying kept a slight smile on her lips as she spoke. "It's just that we are separated into two family compounds, which is too inconvenient. It would be great if we could live together."

She was looking forward to the family reunion. If they were in a family compound, they could just walk a few steps to get there if something happened. Now they were divided into two places, although it was not far, it was still troublesome, and Lin Zhengrong's troops were not so easy to mobilize.

"I am very content." said Gao Juanjuan.

"Yes, I have to be content." Sun Fengying was much more energetic now. By the time she finished cooking breakfast, everyone in the family had woken up.

Lin Beibei ran to the kitchen, "Wow, grandma, the pancakes you made look so fragrant and delicious."

Chen Weiguo came over and dragged him to brush his teeth. "You are just good at flattering people. You can make everything sound nice. No matter how good your grandmother is, she is not as good as your mother. Don't act like a good kid here."

"Chen Weiguo, don't talk nonsense." Gao Juanjuan said with a smile.

Everyone sat together and finished their meal. The wound on Lin Zhengrong's leg had already scabbed over, so it didn't hurt much, but he had to be careful when walking, otherwise it would be easy to rub it.

Sun Fengying also mentioned the children's future aspirations, "Your son Weiguo has his own ideas. You must urge him to study hard and make sure he doesn't fail to get into the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University."

"Okay, I'll take him to study today." Chen Zhong said deliberately. As soon as he finished speaking, he saw his son's face fall.

"No, Dad. I promised Beibei and the others that we'd go catch shrimps in the river today!" If Chen Weiguo had to start working hard now, he would choose not to apply to the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University.

Chen Zhong had an expected expression on his face. "I knew you were playful, but now it's winter vacation, so I'll let you go. When school starts, study hard and don't hold your younger siblings back."

As long as it doesn't affect the present, Chen Weiguo agreed to everything. Anyway, we can talk about the future later.

They sat together as a family, talking about everything happily, until the eighth day of the New Year, when Jiang Qiuyue took the children back home because Lin Zhengrong's vacation was about to end.

Although Sun Fengying was reluctant to leave, there was nothing she could do as the army could not transfer positions at will. Fortunately, the place was not too far away and she could still visit frequently.

The two families continued to interact in this way over the next few years, until late August 1975. In the blink of an eye, the children had grown up and good news came from the family compound.

The news was brought back by Wu Shuangshuang. She had just celebrated her 36th birthday. She worked as a temporary worker in the cafeteria a few years ago and was only hired as a permanent employee last year.

Now when she entered Jiang Qiuyue's house, she didn't even knock on the door, but pushed open the iron gate directly, and saw Jiang Qiuyue sitting in the corridor to enjoy the cool air, eating watermelon comfortably.

"You are still comfortable. It has been so many years. Deputy Lin... No, it's Captain Lin. He really pampers you to the sky." Looking at the entire family compound, only Jiang Qiuyue has not changed. Except for cooking and sewing clothes, the rest of the housework is taken care of by Lin Zhengrong and the two children.

Jiang Qiuyue used to grow vegetables, but now Lin Zhengrong and Lin Beibei dig the ground, while Lin Nannan sows the seeds. Every time Wu Shuangshuang sees Jiang Qiuyue, she can't help but sigh, "Hurry up and cut me a piece of watermelon, it's so hot."

Jiang Qiuyue pointed lazily at the kitchen and said, "This is not your first day at my house. I have already cut the food in the kitchen. Just take as much as you want."

"I see. You don't want to go anywhere in the summer. You are so lazy!" Wu Shuangshuang walked through the living room and went to the kitchen to get a piece of watermelon to eat. "It's so sweet. Your team leader Lin knows that you like to eat watermelon, so he went to buy some as soon as the supply and marketing cooperative opened. You have such a life that others dare not envy. Only you can live such a life."

"Look at what you said. If I have a bite to eat, then there will be food for you." Jiang Qiuyue looked at Wu Shuangshuang with a smile, "I told Lin Zhengrong last night to buy a watermelon and bring one to your family. Didn't you see it?"

"It's because I saw it that I envy you even more." Wu Shuangshuang finished eating the watermelon and washed her hands in the yard. She said in a loud voice, "I almost forgot that I have important news to tell you. Didn't I hear that the family compound was going to move? Now it's confirmed that your mother-in-law's family compound will be merged with ours. Haicheng is so small, but it is divided into two places. The troops will be merged first, and then the family compound will be merged."

Merging the family compound would save them from running back and forth, which was indeed a good thing. Jiang Qiuyue became interested and sat up straight and asked, "Should we move there, or should they move here?"

"How would I know? Wait until your man comes home tonight and ask him."

Wu Shuangshuang wiped her hands clean, and thought that Qi Jiang Qiuyue's fanning was too gentle, so she took the palm-leaf fan and fanned vigorously, "I just heard what the director of the cafeteria said, so I took advantage of the lunch break to run back to tell you. But if I had to choose, I still hope that they would move in. Look at how well our yard is tidied. Not many families have yards as neat and tidy as ours."

A few years ago, they built another room in the yard, increasing their two-room house to three rooms, which many people envied.

If he moves out, Lin Zhengrong can apply for a third bedroom, but Lin Rong is too arrogant.

Wu Shuangshuang's family has six people. Even if it is a three-bedroom house, she thinks it is a little small, but compared with other families, it is already enough for many people. Those who live in the middle have a much smaller yard. They can build a room, but it will block the sunlight in the living room or bedroom, making the space seem very cramped.

Jiang Qiuyue also likes the current yard, which has an independent toilet and bathroom, as well as a yard for growing vegetables.

If she were allowed to move to a new place, there might not be enough land for her family.

But it’s different for my mother-in-law and her family. As my parents-in-law, they can still live in the original big house and I don’t have to worry about the housing problem for them.

Thinking of this, Jiang Qiuyue planned to ask Lin Zhengrong in the evening about the specific arrangements. "You are right. I will ask him in the evening."

"Ah, time flies by so fast. In the blink of an eye, we are all in our 40s." After saying this, Wu Shuangshuang glanced at Jiang Qiuyue, "Forget it, this only applies to me. You are younger than me, and you take such good care of yourself. You look like a girl in her early twenties."

Regarding this, she once asked Jiang Qiuyue how she maintained her beauty, but after hearing her advice, she gave up. She couldn't just apply lotion every day. She also needed sunscreen. She was usually late for work and she was almost in time when riding her bike. Who would pay attention to this?

Forget it, she is like this. Anyway, her husband Lin Rong dare not abandon her.

Jiang Qiuyue nodded. "Time has indeed passed quickly. The children have all grown up. Zhuangzhuang from my hometown has even joined the army. Do you think time is fast?"

Jiang Qiuyue was very excited when she knew Niu Zhuangzhuang was going to join the army. She had not been able to go back to see him in all these years. When she saw Niu Zhuangzhuang had grown up, she realized that he was as strong as his name, like a bull.

But she hoped it would be faster, in the 1980s, when everything was open, so that she could still have fun and that would be comfortable.

We have to hold on for another year, and it will be open next year.

Speaking of children, Wu Shuangshuang had a lot to say, "Your eldest sister-in-law's daughters are all working, and her son has gone to the army. Your two children and my four are all growing up quickly. What I envy you more is that you have fewer children and less things to do. The four girls quarrel all day long, which annoys me to death."

Even so, Wu Shuangshuang still had a smile on her face. Her daughters did quarrel, but they would make up soon. What worried her most now was going to high school. "Qiuyue, do you really want Beibei and Nannan to go to high school?"

The situation was unstable in the past few years, and riots and other incidents often occurred in the school, so Jiang Qiuyue let her two children take a year off from school.

She calculated the time and found that she would be in high school in 1975 and the college entrance examination would be resumed in 1977, which would be just in time for her. Otherwise, after graduating from junior high school, she would have to go to the countryside instead of joining the army or working.

Jiang Qiuyue was reluctant to let her children go to the countryside, and was also worried that the school was not safe, so she let them take a year off from school.

Wu Shuangshuang didn't understand what Jiang Qiuyue was thinking. After hearing Jiang Qiuyue say that school was unsafe, she let several children take a year off from school. It just so happened that Lin Daya and Lin Beibei graduated from junior high school this year.

"I've asked around, and high schools are a little better now. They don't make trouble and skip classes like they did a few years ago."

Jiang Qiuyue was prepared, otherwise she would have let the children take another year off from school. It was fine for them to stay at home, and she could afford it anyway. "A few days ago, people from the Youth Educated Office came to inquire about registration. I told them that both children had been admitted to high school, and if they wanted to go to the countryside, they should come back in two years."

The people from the Youth League Office said that it was impossible to take the college entrance examination now and there was no point in going to high school. Jiang Qiuyue did not argue with them. After all, they did not have the ability to predict the future, and in their opinion, it was indeed of no use.

Lin Daya followed Lin Beibei and Lin Nannan in everything. When they dropped out of school, she did too. When they took the high school entrance exam, she did too.

Wu Shuangshuang was reluctant to let her daughter go to the countryside, but she was afraid that the Youth League Office would notify them to go to the countryside before the recruitment, so she asked her daughter to take the high school entrance exam. "I was still afraid. Although my daughter had a bad temper and I didn't know who she resembled, she would still help me with the work. She was sensible."

"Needless to say, just like you." Seeing Wu Shuangshuang glaring at her, Jiang Qiuyue laughed, "Don't worry, the three of them went to school together, and they have been boxing with Lin Zhengrong for years. With Lin Beibei's strength, even if five people come at the same time, they can't beat him."

As early as when a few children were fighting with Zeng Junjie and his friends, Jiang Qiuyue asked them to practice boxing. Both boys and girls had to practice. Even a quiet little girl like Lin Nannan can now beat boys who are half a head taller than her.

"That's right. Your Lin Beibei is really strong. I don't think you'll be able to fight. He just looks like Captain Lin." Thinking of this, Wu Shuangshuang felt more relieved. "I won't tell you anymore. I have to go home. Remember to tell me after you ask Captain Lin!"

"Got it." Jiang Qiuyue and Wu Shuangshuang waved their hands. Seeing that it was still early, they continued listening to the radio.

Chen Weilan is a girl, and her sister-in-law didn't want her to suffer, so she let her join the local art troupe. This was exactly what Chen Weilan said when she was a child.

Chen Weiguo was an average student and barely graduated from junior high school. His father then sent him to join the army, saying that he should first train in the army and then think about other things after two years.

Jiang Qiuyue was happy to think that the family compound was going to be merged. Their family could finally be reunited.

As for Lin Beibei and the others going to high school, she also has her own concerns. It's not about academics, as both children have good behavior and will not do anything rash. But it's about little girl Lin Nannan having too many romantic relationships, and there are too many little yellow-haired guys around her!

Every time Lin Zhengrong talked about this, he got so angry that his teeth itched. As long as Lin Zhengrong was on vacation at home, he would personally take Lin Nannan to and from school.

Just as she was thinking about the two children, Jiang Qiuyue heard a loud "Mom". She turned around and saw Lin Beibei coming back with a basketball. He was wearing a white vest and had a crew cut. When he smiled, his white teeth were exposed, and he looked particularly sunny.

Lin Nannan followed him and called him "Mom". The little girl had grown into a graceful young lady. Although she was still a little immature, she looked really good. Several families had already hinted to Jiang Qiuyue that when Lin Nannan grew up, they would marry her to their sons.