"We're not hungry, let's go straight back!" Lin Jianguo said quickly, regaining his composure.
“Yes, Nanxun, let’s go back! We’re not hungry.” Dong Xiulan added immediately. She and her husband were going to spend the New Year at their son-in-law’s house, so they didn’t want him to spend any more money.
“Mom and Dad, the county town is several hours away from home! And my third brother and I got up early and haven’t eaten yet! Let’s not rush, let’s eat first and then go back.”
Gu Nanxun knew that older people were always frugal, so he offered his advice.
Seeing that Gu Nanxun had said that, Lin Jianguo no longer objected and nodded.
So the group went to a state-run restaurant for a meal. They were lucky today because the head chef was making Four Happiness Meatballs. Gu Lanxun gave the lady selling the food a small favor and packed two extra portions of Four Happiness Meatballs to go.
"Nanxun, why did you pack so many four-happiness meatballs?"
Lin Yunfeng, who was getting food with Gu Nanxun, saw Gu Nanxun give a bribe to the woman selling food earlier, so he asked her about it out of curiosity.
"Four Happiness Meatballs is the chef's signature dish. He doesn't make this dish often. We were lucky to come across it today, and it's also Qingqing's favorite dish."
Gu Nanxun said with a smile.
"Then let's pack this dish up too!" Dong Xiulan said quickly when she heard that her daughter liked it.
Gu Nanxun picked up a four-happiness meatball and put it in Dong Xiulan's bowl, then picked up one for Lin Jianguo, before saying, "Don't worry, Mom and Dad, I've already packed two portions."
Hearing Gu Nanxun say that, Dong Xiulan didn't insist. After everyone finished eating, they got back into the sleds.
Before leaving, Gu Nanxun didn't forget to feed Thunder and Lightning. Full and satisfied, Thunder and Lightning seemed to sense their master's joy, happily pulling the sled across the snow.
Watching Thunder and Lightning pull the sled at breakneck speed, Lin Jianguo couldn't help but say, "These two big dogs are really well taken care of."
Gu Nanxun smiled after hearing this, then turned to Lin Jianguo and said, "These are the two dogs that Qingqing and I raised together. They are named Thunder and Lightning."
Mentioning Thunder and Lightning, Lin Yunfeng continued, "Mom and Dad, you don't know, Thunder and Lightning are incredibly powerful. They even go hunting in the mountains! And they can understand our language."
On the way to Chaoyang Brigade, Gu Nanxun was driving the car with a serious expression. Lin Yunfeng knelt on the seat, leaning against the backrest, facing his parents, excitedly telling them stories of thunder and lightning, as well as some interesting things that happened since he came to Chaoyang Brigade. Laughter and conversation echoed in the cold air. Feeling the warm atmosphere around him, Gu Nanxun couldn't help but smile and quickened his pace.
At this moment, Lin Qing was at home when she suddenly felt a strange unease, as if something was about to happen. She thought of Gu Nanxun and Lin Yunfeng, who hadn't been seen since early that morning, and irritably put down her book, went to the window, and looked out into the yard. Unbeknownst to her, her family was on their way home, filled with love and anticipation, preparing a surprise for her.
"Xi Xi and Chen Chen, what are you doing?" Lin Qing had been standing by the window for a long time, watching Zhao Chen and Zhao Xi busy for a long time. Finally, she couldn't help but ask them, and walked out of the room.
"We were just sitting in the house with nothing to do, so we thought we'd make something nice to eat. Xixi, are you hungry? Do you want me to get you something to eat? I just fried some meatballs."
Upon hearing Lin Qing's question, Zhao Xi said with a grin that she had received a large amount of ingredients early in the morning and was told by Gu Nanxun that Qingqing's parents were coming today and asked her to cook a delicious meal, and to keep it a secret from Qingqing.
Lin Qing didn't think much of it. She shook her head and went back to the kang (a heated brick bed). But at this moment, she couldn't concentrate on the words in the book anymore. She took out her phone, sat on the kang, and played games idly.
Time passed by unnoticed, and the sky gradually darkened. Lin Qing, who was playing a game, suddenly heard the sound of a sled, as well as the roar of thunder and lightning.
Lin Qing quickly put her phone into her personal storage, then got up, put on her shoes, and ran outside without even putting on her coat.
"Brother Nanxun, why are you only coming back now? It's almost dark!" Lin Qing shouted as she ran, her voice full of grievance. She hadn't seen Gu Nanxun all day, and she had been restless all afternoon, so her tone unconsciously carried a hint of grievance.
When Gu Nanxun saw Lin Qing running out without any clothes on, he quickly took off his coat and draped it over Lin Qing's shoulders, saying, "Why did you run out without any clothes on? What if you catch a cold?"
"Nanxun, where did you go today? Why are you so late?"
Lin Qing threw herself into Gu Nanxun's arms, clinging to his waist and refusing to let go. She looked aggrieved and said to Gu Nanxun in a coquettish tone, with a slight sob in her voice.
Gu Nanxun noticed the slight sob in Lin Qing's voice and immediately panicked. He gently patted Lin Qing's shoulder and carefully coaxed her, "I'm sorry I came back late. I'll definitely come back earlier next time. Qingqing, look, who came to see you!"
As he spoke, Gu Nanxun took a step back, revealing Lin Jianguo and Dong Xiulan behind him.
Lin Qing looked at Lin Jianguo and Dong Xiulan behind her, her eyes widening involuntarily. After a moment, she rubbed her eyes again, "Dad, Mom..."
Lin Qing cried out in disbelief, then ran to Dong Xiulan and threw herself into her arms.
"Slow down, Qingqing, slow down, don't run!" Dong Xiulan called out as she quickly went to meet her daughter, hugged her tightly, and her eyes instantly reddened again.
"Wah..." Lin Qing suddenly burst into tears.
Seeing her daughter crying uncontrollably, Dong Xiulan didn't have time to compose herself. She sobbed as she comforted her daughter in her arms, "Qingqing, don't cry, don't cry... Crying too much is bad for your health."
When Gu Nanxun saw Lin Qing crying, he quickly went over to her, but then stood there helplessly, not knowing what to do. He looked at his mother-in-law and then at his father-in-law, whose eyes were red with tears. He sighed helplessly. He couldn't very well pull his mother-in-law away and go and comfort his wife himself!
Lin Qing cried for a while, then her voice gradually lowered. She couldn't explain why, but after seeing Dong Xiulan and Lin Jianguo, she couldn't control her emotions and just wanted to cry.
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