Xiao Jiu shook her head: "I came back this time mainly to see my grandparents and you, but unfortunately they have both passed away."
"I'll leave first thing the day after tomorrow when my dad comes back. Mom, I'm sorry, I have a lot of things to do. I'm sneaking back this time."
Zhao Lingli naturally knew that with her daughter's abilities, the matter that made her so cautious must be a matter of great importance concerning the safety of the country.
She sighed, grasped Xiao Jiu's hand, and choked back tears as if trying to comfort her.
"It's alright, Mom's used to it. I'll go buy some meat, how about we make dumplings for dinner tonight?"
"Why would we need to buy anything? I have all the ingredients here, and I even have a refrigerator. Will our family be able to use it?"
Zhao Lingli quickly waved her hand, "I wouldn't dare. Now that your father is the factory director, there are a lot of people watching him. We can't let him become a capitalist."
They're used to keeping a low profile, especially back then when they went through all the trouble of transferring their household registration to the village—it was all to clear their name of their previous identity.
This matter can't withstand scrutiny; "let's wait a few more years" has become a common phrase Zhao Lingli uses to comfort herself.
Xiao Jiu couldn't do anything about her, but she still managed to pull out four kinds of meat.
"This is beef, mutton, donkey meat, and pork, five catties of each. That should be enough for you to eat until the New Year."
Luckily it's cold now, so I'll sprinkle a layer of salt on top and then freeze it in the outer jar.
Not only did they bring out red meat, but they also brought out six large yellow croakers, seven or eight ribbonfish, and one salmon.
Zhao Lingli's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way! We can't finish this, it's just me and your dad!"
"Mom, it's still early before the New Year. We can freeze it and eat it slowly. If you're worried about it spoiling, we can give it to my brother and sister."
"We can't bother with those who are far away, but can't we at least let those who are nearby come back to get them? It's not much; if we weren't worried about it spoiling, we could give them even more."
After saying that, she regretfully took Zhao Lingli's hand and said, "When I wasn't by your side, you still had to buy food at high prices, right?"
It's fine when it's just the couple at home, but if the children come back, it definitely won't be enough.
Xiao Jiu took Zhao Lingli's hand and led her to the cellar, where they put in some more vegetables and grains that could be stored.
In addition, canned goods, sausages, vacuum-packed dried fish, various dried seafood, snacks and non-staple foods, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar.
As long as it can be stored, I've managed to get it out. These commonly used items are enough to last for two or three years without any problem.
"I'll come back when I have the chance. You all must take good care of yourselves. If you need anything, come to my fifth sister."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Even without your fifth sister, your sister-in-law will urge us to get a medical check-up."
They are all very filial, and your father and I have no other pressures. We live much better than other families in the compound.”
Looking at the cellar that she had almost filled to capacity, Xiao Jiu finally pulled Zhao Lingli upstairs with satisfaction.
"Eat the packaging with the text on it first, and then burn the plastic packaging as kindling after you've finished eating it."
Zhao Lingli had already read the packaging text clearly; it was very complicated and numerous. She became increasingly worried about her daughter's profession.
The mother and daughter didn't make dumplings in the end, as it's not suitable to eat them at night and can easily cause indigestion. Instead, they made noodles, authentic hand-pulled noodles from Henan Province.
The taste of mom's cooking, combined with the best ingredients, made Xiao Jiu's eyes red, and she kept wiping them with her hands.
Zhao Lingli was also feeling bad: "If you help me tomorrow, I'll cook you more food, steamed buns, and scallion pancakes. Take some with you."
Xiao Jiu held Zhao Lingli in her arms, inhaling her body fragrance. The reluctance in her heart and the responsibility on her shoulders plunged her into an endless tug-of-war.
Around seven or eight o'clock in the evening, Tao Changyi rode his bicycle back. As soon as he entered the house, he saw the kitchen light on and the aroma of pastries wafting through the yard.
"Honey, what's that smell so good? Hurry, I'm starving! I had a bowl of thin noodles around 5 p.m. and I've managed to hold on until now."
Zhao Lingli poked her head out and said, "Lock the gate first, then sneak over quietly without making a sound."
Tao Changyi looked at her with surprise, muttering, "What's wrong? Why so mysterious?"
Zhao Lingli kept giving him signals, and he obediently locked the door. When he came to the kitchen, he was dumbfounded and rubbed his eyes.
"My God, honey, do you think there's something wrong with my eyes? Why do I see my daughter sitting there smiling at me?!"
Zhao Lingli glared at him. "Idiot, why did you think I told you to lock the door?"
Xiao Jiu had already stood up and was smiling at him. "Dad, it's been a long time," she said, and then went up to hug him.
Tao Changyi froze, looking down in disbelief. "Xiao...Xiao Jiu? When did you get back?"
"Dad, aren't you hungry this afternoon? Eat first. Mom made some donkey meat sandwiches, they smell delicious, have a taste."
"Donkey meat? Where did you get that?" He paused, because he saw his daughter.
"It's so good to have a daughter. Look, as soon as she comes back, she gets to eat meat, and it's even donkey meat. Have you ever heard of dragon meat in the sky and donkey meat on the ground?"
I only ate it when I was a kid, and I hadn't had it since I grew up. I never expected to have it again, thanks to my daughter, I finally got to enjoy it today.
Tao Changyi washed his hands, ate a meat pie, and drank a bowl of egg noodle soup before he remembered to ask her.
"Does this mean they're leaving again?"
If he came back and didn't leave again, why would his wife be so cautious?
Xiao Jiu nodded regretfully to her father, "I'm leaving first thing the day after tomorrow."
"Then I'll take the day off tomorrow and stay home with you."
The words that were about to come out were interrupted by Zhao Lingli: "No, taking a day off costs a lot of money. You go to work, I'll take care of things at home!"
"Go away! My daughter's back, can't I even take a day off? I haven't seen her in over six years, how can I let you enjoy this blessing forever?"
"Don't you understand? Xiao Jiu came in as your niece. You can just come back for dinner every day, morning, noon, and night, can't that be enough?"
Seeing that Tao Changyi's expression had changed slightly, Zhao Lingli glared at him again.
"She snuck back. If she gets caught, it'll be a big problem. Did you, a model worker, ask for leave? Think about it carefully."
Reminded by his wife, Tao Changyi pouted and said, "I thought you really cared about perfect attendance and the meager amount of money you get from taking leave."
Since his daughter-in-law had said so, how could Tao Changyi disobey her? He could only stare at his daughter and sigh.
"If I had known it would turn out like this, I shouldn't have agreed to let you go to military school. And your older brothers, they're busy like servants all year round."
I can't even see him.
Zhao Lingli slapped his shoulder with her apron.
"Bullshit, what do you know? Don't be ungrateful. If your son and daughter weren't so successful, would you have become the factory manager?"
Can our family's affairs withstand scrutiny?
They are your best protectors! Don't be ungrateful!
Tao Changyi choked, "Look at you, can't I even vent my frustrations?"
My dear Jiu'er, I miss you so much! When will you be able to come back openly and honestly?
Although she didn't know how long she would have to live with this identity, she did know.
"Maybe next year will be better; we can establish diplomatic relations before National Day."
"Establish diplomatic relations? With which country?"
Xiao Jiu patted her father's hand, "You'll see when the time comes."
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