Chapter 234 Hot Pot Feast
Zhou Anping stayed for lunch.
At the dinner table, she seemed to have a good appetite, saying as she ate, "It's been so long since I've had home-cooked meals. During this month-long performance trip, I've been eating boxed lunches on the train or at the local canteen every day. I've almost forgotten what home-cooked meals taste like."
Aunt Feng looked at her with some heartache: "Your work is too hard, running around all the time. Anping, have you ever considered changing to a less demanding job? That way you can take better care of your family."
Zhou Anping swallowed the food in his mouth and shook his head: "Aunt Feng, I really like this kind of work. Although it's tiring, I can travel around with the troupe and bring performances to the grassroots level of the army. Seeing the soldiers' happy faces makes me feel that it's all worth it and I feel a great sense of accomplishment. It's not interesting when I'm idle."
Zhang Yueran, listening from the side, had her eyes light up and immediately chimed in, "Mom, I think Sister Anping is amazing! Great people say 'women hold up half the sky'! Sister Anping is contributing to the country with her expertise and enthusiasm, realizing her own value. Isn't that wonderful!"
She chose radio because she believed she could make a name for herself in the field. She naturally greatly admired independent, career-oriented modern women like Zhou Anping.
Nan Zhiyi nodded in agreement: "Aunt Feng, Anping has her own pursuits and stage, which is a very happy thing in itself, and we should be happy for her."
In Nan Zhiyi's understanding, a woman's value is not limited to being a good wife and mother. Therefore, she is probably happier than Zhou Anping himself that Zhou Anping can have his own career.
Aunt Feng looked at the three young people with similar ideas and smiled helplessly: "Alright, alright, I can't argue with you three sisters. You all have your own set of new theories now. But Anping, it's not that I don't want you to pursue your career, it's just that I'm worried you'll overwork yourself. Health is the foundation of everything, so you need to take better care of yourself and the family. Qingshan is busy with work too, so you two need to be considerate of each other..."
Nan Zhiyi was afraid that if Aunt Feng continued talking, it would stir up feelings of sadness or bring up topics about having children, so she quickly used serving chopsticks to put a piece of food on her plate. "Aunt Feng, don't worry, Anping knows what she's doing. Try this fish, it'll get fishy when it's cold."
Aunt Feng smiled and shook her head, obediently starting to eat: "Okay, okay, I won't nag anymore, let's eat."
In the afternoon, Aunt Feng went to her guest room to rest.
Nan Zhiyi carried Xiaoman, who was already rubbing her eyes, upstairs to coax her to take a nap.
Only Zhang Yueran and Zhou Anping remained in the living room, continuing their intimate conversation as sisters.
When Nan Zhiyi tiptoed downstairs, she heard Zhou Anping say, "...I just got the keys a couple of days ago and I'm packing my things. I'll move in tomorrow."
Nan Zhiyi asked, "You've been allocated a house? Is it the one from the General Staff Department that we talked about before?"
Zhou Anping nodded: "Yes, that's it. The house isn't big, but at least we have a place that's completely our own."
"Moving is a big deal, do you need any help? I'll come over and lend you a hand."
Nan Zhiyi thought that Aunt Feng and Yueyue were still around, and Xiaoman was also being looked after. Since she still had time before school started, she would try her best to help as much as she could.
Zhang Yueran also volunteered: "Yes, yes, yes! Sister Anping, I'm free too, let's tidy up together."
Zhou Anping felt a warmth in his heart and waved his hand, "No need, no need, how could I trouble you to do anything? Qingshan said he asked two comrades to help, and it will be done soon. You guys just need to wait and come over, you don't need to do anything, just enjoy the hot pot feast."
She added, "The hot pot feast is scheduled for the night after tomorrow. Let's invite Fifth Brother too, and have some fun!"
Upon hearing this, Nan Zhiyi said apologetically, "It's really unfortunate. Fifth Brother went to inspect the troops under the military region yesterday and probably won't be back until the weekend. He won't be able to make it this time."
Zhou Anping listened with some regret, but also expressed his understanding.
"It's alright, it's alright, work is the priority. We'll treat Fifth Brother to dinner separately next time he comes back. It'll be just the few of us, the day after tomorrow night, it's settled!"
On the third night, Nan Zhiyi carried Xiaoman, Aunt Feng pulled Zhang Yueran, and the group went to the General Staff Family Compound in a lively manner.
Nan Zhiyi specially prepared very practical housewarming gifts: a pair of enamel basins printed with the red double happiness character and a pair of brand-new thermos flasks with peony patterns.
Aunt Feng brought a pair of pillowcases embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water, a beautiful symbol. She had originally prepared them for Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao, but now she was giving them to Zhou Anping.
The General Staff's residential compound consists of several newly built five-story red brick buildings, and the corridors are kept very clean.
Following the address given by Zhou Anping, they found the building entrance and went up to the third floor, where Zhou Anping was already waiting with the door open.
The room had clearly just been thoroughly cleaned. Although there wasn't much furniture and it looked somewhat empty, the windows were bright and the room was spotless and tidy.
A round table had been set up in the middle of the living room, with a copper hot pot bubbling away in the center. The table next to it was covered with sliced mutton, cabbage, tofu, vermicelli, as well as rare frozen shrimp and several side dishes.
Meng Qingshan, wearing an apron, was busy with two comrades who had just finished helping him move. When he saw them arrive, he quickly greeted them with a smile.
Zhou Anping warmly welcomed everyone into the house.
"Come in, come in! We're having hot pot today, may it bring you good fortune and prosperity."
"Anping, Qingshan, congratulations on moving to your new home!" Nan Zhiyi and Aunt Feng smiled as they presented their gifts.
"Oh, you've come all this way, don't bring anything! You're too kind!"
Everyone sat down around the table in a lively atmosphere.
Meng Qingshan and his comrades quickly prepared the meat and vegetables, while Zhou Anping was busy pouring everyone soft drinks.
Xiaoman sat obediently on the chair next to Nan Zhiyi, her big eyes wide with curiosity as she watched the bubbling hot pot and the adults at the table.
Looking at the decent home the young couple had set up themselves, Aunt Feng exclaimed, "That's wonderful! You've established your own household; you're real adults now! Qingshan is capable and considerate. With Anping with you, we can rest assured."
Meng Qingshan was a little embarrassed by the praise and quickly said, "Aunt Feng, you flatter me. It's all my fault. Anping has also been working hard because of me."
Zhou Anping gave him a reproachful look, but her face was filled with a happy smile.
The hot pot feast was a joyous occasion for both hosts and guests, creating a lively atmosphere.
After the meal, Nan Zhiyi and Aunt Feng politely declined Meng Qingshan and Zhou Anping's offer to take them home.
Nan Zhiyi said, "Qingshan, Anping, don't bother. It's just a few steps. The three of us can walk together. Besides, it's not too late. We can walk back to digest our food."
Aunt Feng waved her hand repeatedly, saying, "That's right, you just moved in and have a lot of things to unpack. Don't bother us, go back and rest."
Back home, after washing up, a sense of melancholy quietly crept over me.
Aunt Feng looked at Nan Zhiyi and Zhang Yueran and sighed, "Sigh, I have to go back tomorrow. I really hate to leave you and Xiaoman... I can't bear to see you go to university with my own eyes. I feel like something is missing..."
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