Chapter 132: Attending a gathering of comrades
After returning home, Lu Zhenping brought out the hot food on the stove to his mother and his wife, without asking about the old house. Shen Meng and Lu Mingkai continued to eat, while he took a few children and pulled a flatbed cart up the mountain to chop firewood.
"Mom, I want to go up the mountain, too. I want to catch birds."
"I think you still want to go to the sky. It's been so lively today. After dinner, go to bed and be quiet, or I'll spank you."
Lu Mingkai was used to her sharp tongue but soft heart, so he was not afraid at all, and even pouted at her.
Although Shen Meng wanted to go into the space to eat hot pot, the meal was made by Lu Zhenping. She went to see the excitement and he kept it on the stove. It was not a good idea to waste it, so she ate some.
The north wind blew again in the afternoon. Shen Meng did not let Lu Zhenping take the children out. After all, there was a coal stove and charcoal at home, which was enough to keep the food burning for a long time.
She cut a few pears and put them in the kettle, and threw some rock sugar in. Several children sat around the square table to write. She did not sleep either, and knitted a scarf seriously.
Lu Zhenping read half of the book and looked at Shen Meng again before saying, "I'm going to the county town in two days for a comrade-in-arms gathering. Do you want to come with me?"
"No, you comrades-in-arms will definitely drink when you meet. Besides, if we all go, what will happen to the children? What will they eat for lunch?"
Mingyang paused while writing and looked up at them and said, "The teacher said that starting next week, we won't be allowed to go home for lunch. The wind and snow may be too strong and the roads may be difficult to walk on. You must bring your own food or meals with you, and the teacher will help you heat them up at noon."
Shen Meng glanced outside. It hadn't snowed yet, but it had rained for several times. As long as he wasn't indoors, he would shiver with the cold as soon as he stretched out his paws.
"That's fine. You guys should bring your food with you. Mom will pack it for you this morning. Zhenping, I'll go to the county with you. We can buy some raincoats and boots for the kids. They can wear them when it rains or snows."
There were umbrellas at home. She had wanted to get them from the space several times before, but she didn't have the chance.
"Okay, I asked someone to buy a few pairs of school boots and a fleece scarf. They should be here in two days. Everyone in our family has them. Mom and Dad both brought a pair. They're thick and warm. They can be worn in rain or snow."
Lu Mingkai, who was sleeping soundly, rolled over and sat up. He looked at his father in a daze. The radar on his head moved.
"Does the baby have it too?"
"Yes, you have it too, and you also have a little black hat."
Lu Mingkai hesitated for a moment, "Thank you, Dad." Then he fell asleep again.
"Hahaha, this brat, I heard that he also has good things. He is more active than anyone else. He has to confirm every dream, so as not to suffer a loss. I don't know who he is like."
When Lu Zhenping said this, he looked at Shen Meng, who narrowed his eyes and smiled guiltily, thinking, no matter who he looks like, he can't be like me, thank you.
Mingyang and Mingliang originally thought that they were very happy to have a raincoat and rain boots, but they didn't expect that their father quietly got them a big one, a pair of school boots. I'm afraid there are not many people in the whole commune who have them. They were immediately happy.
Mingfang looked at her two brothers' absent-minded expressions and knocked on the table quickly. The worst thing about studying is to be distracted. If you don't study well, it will be a waste of money. She has to keep an eye on her brothers for her parents.
"Okay, okay, take a break if you are tired. The pear soup in the kettle is almost ready. It's the same if you drink some and take a break before reading."
"Mom is so nice. Take a break too."
Mingyang put down the pencil in his hand as soon as she finished speaking, and ran to the kitchen without even putting on his coat. After a while, he came back with a few enamel bowls, poured a large bowl for each person, and went to get some cold water and put it in the kettle, and put the kettle on the coal stove again.
They were willing to do some housework, and Shen Meng never stopped them. Although she didn't care about the children of poor families taking charge of the family early, they had grown up and had to be trained in some things from a young age, especially housework. She didn't want her daughter-in-law to be burdened.
On the day of going to the county town, Shen Meng dressed relatively simply. She heard from Lu Zhenping that in addition to her, there were other military wives who participated. She just wanted to have a good meal, let Lu Mingkai meet more people, and then go out for a walk. She didn't want anything to go wrong.
In the morning, she packed the meals for Mingyang's three children, and was afraid that they would be hungry in the afternoon, so she put some biscuits in their schoolbags to feel relieved.
The road to the county town was muddy, and the two chose not to ride bicycles, but got on Uncle Guai's ox cart. There were others on the cart besides them. When they saw Shen Meng and Lu Zhenping, they greeted them politely, and some even chatted with them. When they learned that they were going to attend a comrades-in-arms meeting, they looked at Shen Meng with envy.
Some people were very curious to see Uncle Guai so happy, because when they usually saw Uncle Guai, he was always frowning.
"Uncle Guai, what are you so happy about?"
Uncle Guai glanced at Lu Zhenping and his wife and said, "We've split up, and we'll live separately from now on. The sons have all been separated, and Juying and I will live alone with Xiangxiang."
"Oh, this is a good thing, but will Xingchang's daughter-in-law agree?"
"How can she agree? The two big houses belong to them, and they get half of the food rations, and they also get the lion's share of the family money. The eldest and the third son have no objection, and they just want to live a good life in the future, haha!"
Uncle Guai would have helped to cover up before, but not now. The only thing he and Juying are worried about now is Xiangxiang's marriage. As for how Lu Xingchang and Huang Maochun will live in the future, that is their own business, and they will just treat this son as if they didn't have one.
As for the eldest and the third son, he knew in his heart that he had wronged them. Fortunately, he could still work as a bullock cart for another two years, and his wife had hidden some family savings. He would immediately give every penny of the old red to the eldest and the third son, so that life would be better in the future.
However, Shen Meng felt that it was not that simple. Huang Maochun now had money and food coupons in her hands, and she lived on her own. It seemed okay now, but after a long time, she would know the hardships of life and would have to struggle again.
However, she did not say such words. Anyway, now that the family was divided, it was good for Uncle Guai, Aunt Juying and Xiangxiang. They just had to wait for Xiangxiang and Xiaobin to have a result.
The gathering was held at the state-owned hotel. When Lu Zhenping and his wife arrived, two tables of people had already arrived. The food had not yet been served, but they were still chatting animatedly.
Qin Hao had sharp eyes. When Lu Zhenping and his wife just entered the state-owned hotel, he saw them and quickly stood up and waved at them.
"Zhenping, here, here, oh, you brought a kid with you, and your sister-in-law is here too, come and sit down."
He spoke loudly, leading everyone at the two tables to look towards the door. A woman at the table who was dressed fashionably and had a pretty face looked over with shining eyes, but when she looked at Shen Meng, her eyes flashed with a hint of contempt.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
