She simply raised her chin with a touch of pride.
"Of course, don't you even know who I am?"
As the family member of a political commissar like yourself, my awareness is second to none in the family compound. It's just you who's so worried about this and that, humph!
Qin Qinghuai, taking a moment from his busy schedule, peeked over and gave him a kiss.
"Don't worry, don't worry, you're the recognized sister-in-law in the family compound, the most stable support. If I don't trust you, who else can I trust? It's just that I don't want you to suffer!"
"Look at you, everyone else seems to want to do absolutely nothing, but you're always so restless."
He simply leaned against the wall of fire behind him, crossed his legs, and gently swung them.
"What are you saying? You've seen how other families live. They rely on a woman for everything, doing laundry, cooking, managing the household, taking care of the elderly and children, and also going to work to earn work points."
Then look at me, I can't work, I sleep until I naturally wake up every day, you do all the laundry and cooking, and when I try to cook two meals a day, I have to fight with you for it.
The only chores left at home are the vegetable garden, and when I try to do them, a bunch of kids have to help me. So tell me, what else can I do?
"Ugh, if this keeps up, you're turning me into a useless person!"
The man working looked pleased.
"That would be wonderful! I couldn't be happier. This way, you'll be even more inseparable from me."
"cut!"
They worked until late into the night, and for every meal the man made, they would simply put one away in his storage space, Jian Dan joked.
"So many dishes, this doesn't look like you're preparing for the New Year. It looks like you're about to leave home and are worried that your lazy wife will starve."
The Lunar New Year is only one day long, but the atmosphere grows stronger and stronger from the beginning of winter, and the family compound is filled with this festive spirit all the way after the New Year.
The next day was the Lunar New Year, the most relaxed yet most tense and cautious time. Commander Lin, Qin Qinghuai, and several battalion commanders, company commanders, and platoon leaders were all busy, making arrangements according to the pre-deployed plan. Not to mention the bloody examples of last year, they didn't need to say anything to motivate each other; they reminded each other on their own.
Moreover, most of the people recruited later were veterans who had served in the military for many years. Their discipline and loyalty to the national team were deeply ingrained. Even after their discharge, this awareness was still in their bones. This was the fundamental reason why Commander Lin and Qin Qinghuai felt at ease.
Everything is good this year. This place is far from the reach of the central government, so the family compound isn't as oppressive as the village. Although firecrackers are a bit of a luxury, we can still put up "Fu" characters, couplets, and paper-cut window decorations. They're even distributed by the logistics department, which is a kind of New Year's benefit.
Early in the morning, right after seeing Qin Qinghuai off, Cheng Rui and Cheng An came over excitedly.
"Sister, where are your couplets? We'll put them up for you."
Jian Dan was taking out fruit to arrange it on a plate when she heard this and immediately called out.
"Come in, everything is ready."
Qin Qinghuai knew the two boys would definitely come, so he specifically left them with some tasks when he left in the morning.
"Here it is, on the windowsill, your brother-in-law has prepared the paste, just waiting for you."
Cheng Rui grabbed a small tangerine, peeled it in a few quick movements, and stuffed it into his mouth.
"My brother-in-law is so thoughtful!"
Cheng An looked at his brother's silly face speechlessly. It was obvious that the other person was doing it on purpose. Did he really not see it?
Turning to ask, it's simple.
"Sis, is your husband on duty today? Are you having lunch at home or at the neighbor's?"
Although they were closer now, he knew things were different from a few years ago. His sister was married, and especially with the Qin family elders still around, the Qin family would naturally be the first family to be considered during such a family reunion holiday. Although Cheng Rui felt uncomfortable, he understood, so he didn't say anything, but just secretly pursed his lips while wiping the paste.
Jian Dan isn't someone who enjoys crowds, and she's currently in a sensitive period of pregnancy with a bunch of babies over there. She can't do much there, but she certainly won't feel comfortable. So Qin Qinghuai had already told the old lady that they should continue as before, each going their own way during the day and then going over for a reunion dinner of dumplings in the evening.
"I'm waiting for you guys. Your brother-in-law definitely won't have time to come back today. If you don't come, I'll just have to spend the New Year by myself."
Upon hearing this, the two children visibly brightened up. To be honest, although they hadn't been together for several years, they still relied heavily on Cheng Chao, especially during the Lunar New Year. Cheng Chao wasn't there, and Cheng Zhuo couldn't possibly come back to spend the New Year with them, so the two brothers were really quite lonely.
Even if they are very sensible, they are still just teenagers. During the Spring Festival, it is a time when Chinese people miss their loved ones even more. This saying is not just a casual remark.
Qin Qinghuai's arrangements were probably made with his two brothers-in-law in mind.
Really?
Cheng Rui rushed over, holding a small brush for applying paste in one hand and a half-finished couplet in the other.
"Sister, is it true? We can stay and celebrate the New Year with you?"
She simply suppressed the overwhelming sadness welling up inside her, pretending not to notice the child's slightly reddened eyes.
"It's fake. I plan to kick you out as soon as I finish putting up the couplets."
Cheng Rui chuckled as he went out to put up the couplets. His steps were much lighter than when he came in, and he was humming an unrecognizable tune. You could even hear him greeting Qin Jing, who was also putting up couplets next door. He was so excited that anyone who didn't know better would think it was something very important.
After putting up the couplets and entering the house, Qin Jing began to talk to the old man about them.
"Grandpa, Cheng Rui is the one putting up the couplets at Third Aunt's house."
The old man squinted at his eldest grandson.
"Tell me your thoughts."
The old lady carried the basin into the house, and upon hearing this, she pursed her lips.
"Don't make things difficult for him, Xiao Jing. Although we live close by, you need to know that we've separated our households. Your third uncle and your third aunt are a separate family, and they live their own lives. Even this New Year, they celebrate separately."
However, you and I are also elders, and we live close by. Today is Lunar New Year, a festival for family reunion, so they will come over tonight for a family reunion dinner, understand?
The old lady wasn't particularly educated, and her words were simple and easy to understand. Qin Jing nodded.
"I understand, Grandma. It's like back in Beijing, we only went to the compound on New Year's Day,"
The old lady glanced at him, noticing his natural expression as he spoke of the capital, and exchanged a look with the old man.
"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Besides, we live close by. You see, your third aunt often brings us delicious food, like meat or fruit. She always thinks of us. That's their way of showing their love, you know?"
But they also have their own lives. Just because they're looking after the elderly doesn't mean they have to revolve around them, you know?
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