Xiang Mianmian snorted coldly, smoothed out the wrinkled money in his hand, and counted them one by one.
"52.6 yuan, you are really poor. I owe people 300 yuan in total. Stop trying to fool me. When will you pay me?"
Her complexion was even darker than Xiang Lihua's.
Xiang Lihua's pockets were emptied, and he lay flat on his back. He pleaded, "Now that my aunt is gone, I'll go back and get some money for you tomorrow, okay?"
"It will take at least ten days to mail it. I've been chased home. I don't care. Go ask Mom to pay for it."
Xiang Lihua heard this and realized he couldn't leave without paying. He stood up helplessly and said, "Okay, I'll go find Mom. Wait for me to put these in my backpack."
He carefully put the binoculars into his backpack. They were enough for his entire squad, as snipers only used single-lens cameras anyway.
The multi-purpose tool and pepper spray were just tucked away in a corner, seemingly useless.
Under Xiang Mianmian's urging, Xiang Lihua had no choice but to ask Zhang Jidi for money that night, pay her the money first, and then transfer the money to Zhang Jidi later when he had collected enough money.
Early the next morning, Xiang Lihua was afraid of the sad atmosphere of parting and wanted to go out early in the dark, but he found that Zhang Jidi had already prepared porridge and steamed buns for him.
It can be said that Zhang Jidi, who had not slept all night, had bruises under his eyes. He sat dejectedly at the table, watching his son eat his meal.
"Eat another steamed bun, so you don't get hungry on the road." Zhang Jidi picked up the last steamed bun for his son.
After eating six large steamed buns, Xiang Lihua, who was so full that his throat was full, patted his chest and choked: "Mom, I can't eat anymore. Don't worry about me. The team has everything, really."
Zhang Jidi handed him a glass of water and carefully pictured his son's appearance with his eyes, as if trying to imprint Xiang Lihua's appearance in his mind:
"A mother worries about her child even when he's thousands of miles away. I still remember what your sister said to me. Isn't your situation the same now?"
Xiang Lihua was silent.
He has his own ideals and wants to run hard, but behind him is his mother's worried gaze.
Zhang Jidi continued to mutter, "I just want you to be well. Just take care of yourself when you go back. I don't want any other promotions or salary increases, okay?"
She looked at her son with his luggage packed on his back, her eyes pleading, her graying temples stinging the eyes.
Facing his mother who looked old before she was even forty, Xiang Lihua lowered his eyelashes and could only remain silent.
What can he say?
If you can't do what you promised, it's better not to say it.
Zhang Jidi's eyes dimmed as he waited for his son to speak. He turned sideways and picked up a bag of steamed buns: "Take this with you on the road. There's meat sauce in it. Don't let it go bad after you eat it today."
There was a pleading look in her eyes that Xiang Lihua had never seen before. The mother who was omnipotent in his childhood memory now had things she couldn't do.
Xiang Lihua took it with trembling hands.
Zhang Jidi wiped his eyes and helped carry his son's bag. "I'll take you to the station. I asked your third brother to leave the bicycle there yesterday. Have you thought about where you left your things?"
The two of them left the house together, put their luggage on the bicycle, and tied it up with hemp rope.
A backpack was placed on the seat, and luggage was tied to the back seat and the front crossbar. Xiang Lihua pushed the bike and Zhang Ji walked to the train station together.
After they had walked a long way, Zhang Jidi finally shed tears: "I won't let you pay back the money for the purchase, but we still have some money at home, so don't worry about it."
She didn't want to say this at home, for fear that her family would hear it and feel conflicted.
After all, the expense is more than two hundred yuan, and the two daughters-in-law have their own little thoughts. If the two daughters at home hear it and let it slip, there will be another wave of trouble.
Don’t underestimate some minor conflicts; they can lead to an explosion if they accumulate.
Xiang Lihua's heart softened, and he said to Zhang Jidi with a cheerful look:
"Mom, don't worry. I still have to ask my comrades to pay for it, and they will send it back when the time comes. I'm a cunning person and I can protect myself. I will try to come back to visit you next year."
He couldn't guarantee it, so he could only strive for it.
Although no order was issued from the army, there were already vague rumors.
He keenly felt that the border was not peaceful and that they would have to go to the battlefield sooner or later. Xiang Lihua was not afraid of being injured, but was just worried that his mother could not bear the shock of the news.
Moreover, the battlefield is very brutal. If you are not careful, you may not only be injured, but also die on the battlefield.
Zhang Jidi wiped his tears, his eyes red: "I told you to keep the money and find me a daughter-in-law. Everyone in the family is waiting for you to come home."
"Mom, are you still urging me to get married at this time?"
Xiang Lihua was helpless and just found it funny. His mother really loved her daughter-in-law deeply.
Who is the biological child after all? Why is the mother obsessed with her daughter-in-law?
Zhang Jidi ignored his complaints and said, "Don't be so rude. Joining the army won't prevent you from getting married. Next time you come back, send me a message in advance and I'll find you some good matchmaking partners. If your daughter-in-law can't join the army, she can stay at home and I'll take care of her."
She had inquired and found out that most military wives could not accompany the troops, and they were filial to their parents, so this was also acceptable.
Unfortunately, these few days were too rushed and I couldn’t find a good family.
Xiang Lihua was really helpless. His wife was with his parents. He didn't know who he was marrying her to, so he could only explain in detail:
"Mom, please don't be like this. They can't get married in a short time. They still need to file a report for political review. Besides, it's so hard for a girl to not see her husband for a year or two."
In the homes of several comrades he visited, most of them had their sisters-in-law taking care of the children at home. It was too difficult for a woman to raise several children and take care of the elderly.
If he could join the army, he would get married and let his parents and wife live a good life.
Zhang Jidi didn't care. She just wanted to see her son get married. "Stop giving me these excuses. Just dress neatly next time."
She made up her mind to find a wife for Xiang Lihua when he visited his relatives next time, even if the conditions were not so good.
Xiang Lihua had no way of interfering with his mother's arrangements, so he could only advise: "Mom, why let her worry so much? It's better to wait until I can join the army."
"You only care about your wife being frightened? Why didn't you think of me when you went to the army?"
Zhang Jidi immediately turned hostile and slapped him hard on the shoulder.
Xiang Lihua was speechless and felt a sense of guilt.
He knows and he has no regrets.
Unable to cope with this stubborn son, Zhang Jidi suppressed his anger and said, "Train well, listen to your superiors, don't worry about family matters, and remember to write to me."
Without mentioning his wife, Xiang Lihua immediately nodded obediently: "Well, I listen to my mother."
The two men came out in the dark and walked all the way. When they arrived at the train station, it was gradually getting light.
After sending him to the ticket gate, Zhang Jidi put the bag on his son's back and straightened his collar. His voice trembled uncontrollably: "Don't try to be brave when you encounter problems. Just be good."
This was her only wish.
Xiang Lihua couldn't make any promises to avoid disappointing others, so he could only give his mother a bear hug.
Then we checked our tickets and got on the bus.
Zhang Jidi stood there watching, his hair ruffled by the morning breeze. Only when he saw Xiang Lihua squeezing onto the train to find a seat did he squat down and burst into tears.
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