Chapter 88 Someone sacrificed.
The first photo taken was of Tangyuan alone. I originally thought it would be a bit difficult, but the master was also experienced. He found a clean red cloth and spread it on the chair. After learning that the child was able to sit, he asked Cheng Shi to put the child on the chair with his back leaning against the chair. He then made all kinds of strange movements to attract the child's attention, holding the camera ready to press the shutter at any time.
Cheng Shi and He Susu stood by and watched nervously, fearing that Tangyuan would be restless and move around. Although there were armrests on both sides of the chair, they were afraid that he might accidentally fall from the front.
If they hadn't secretly tied the strap around the back of the chair and around Tangyuan's belly, they wouldn't have dared to let go.
Fortunately, Tangyuan was a well-behaved boy. He was able to sit very well. Maybe he was curious about the master or the big black thing in his hand. He looked at the big thing and tilted his head, revealing his dimples.
The old master took the opportunity to press the shutter button repeatedly. He was sure that the child's eyes were looking at the camera in the photo he just took.
It is usually difficult to take pictures of children, mainly because it is hard to coax them to look at the camera and they tend to move around. But this child in front of me is a rare one who is easy to photograph.
He smiled and said, "This child is really well behaved. The photos developed later will definitely be good looking. Who will hold the child first to take a photo?"
He Susu said, "Mom, come first."
It was the first time for He's mother to walk into the photo studio. She was secretly amazed at how photos were taken.
Hearing her daughter's words, she quickly agreed, walked over and untied the straps on Tangyuan, asked her daughter to help hold him first, then she picked up Tangyuan in her arms and sat on the chair.
The old master instructed: "Hold the child and sit him in the middle. Look towards the camera, smile, and lift your right shoulder a little. Keep it like this."
He pressed the shutter and another photo was taken.
The first time He's mother had her photo taken, her face was a little stiff, but fortunately she was able to follow the master's instructions and took the photo well. She was also looking forward to what the next photo would look like.
Next, He Susu took a photo holding Tangyuan, and then Cheng Shi took a photo holding the child.
Tangyuan was like a prop for taking photos. Grandma and parents took turns holding her in their arms. I thought they were playing some new game. She always had a bright smile on her face, and her dimples were particularly eye-catching.
What’s rare is that every time the master makes an expression to tease a child, Tangyuan will be attracted to him. Of course, he looks more at the big thing in the master’s hand, which is exactly what the master wants.
In this way, the children will be looking at the camera in the photos, which will definitely look good.
It was He Susu who came up with the idea of taking a photo of the couple and their child. She held Tangyuan upright, while Cheng Shi stood beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. The couple was very close, and Cheng Shi happened to look down at Susu, while Tangyuan looked up at her mother with curiosity.
The old master thought this scene was very heartwarming. Both the husband and son were looking at the female comrade. He quickly pressed the shutter, thinking that this was one of the best photos he had taken over the years.
Then he asked the child to look at the mirror and took a photo of the family of three looking at the camera.
When the family took photos, it was He Susu who suggested it. She asked He's mother to sit on a chair holding Tangyuan, while she and Cheng Shi stood behind the chair next to He's mother, and everyone looked at the camera together.
The old master understood what the woman meant and thought it was a good idea. He even thought he could take photos of similar customers in the future. He raised his camera and pressed the shutter to take the last photo.
"Alright, the photos you took today are all pretty good. They will definitely look good when they are developed."
"Thank you very much, Master." Cheng Shi smiled. He told the master the requirements for printing: six photos of the child alone, three photos of the three people holding the child each, six photos of the couple holding the child, and four photos of the whole family.
The old master smiled and agreed. He took a pen and made a note in a notebook. He calculated the amount and reported it to Cheng Shi. After receiving the money, he wrote a list of goods and handed it to Cheng Shi, asking him to come back and pick it up in ten days.
Cheng Shi agreed with a smile, picked up the dumplings on his back again, put the basket on his back, and walked out of the photo studio with his family.
Because they were carrying the dumplings, it was not easy for the child to stay outside for too long. It would be inconvenient to feed the child if he was hungry, and it would also be uncomfortable to carry him when he wanted to sleep. So they did not plan to go to the state-owned restaurant for lunch, but walked towards a nearby department store to see if there was anything they needed to buy.
He Susu had previously given her mother a box of cold cream to use on her hands and feet to prevent them from cracking in the cold winter. It had been almost used up by now, since the beginning of spring.
Passing by a counter selling skin care products, she went straight to the salesperson and bought a box of vanishing cream. As for the face cream she used herself, she was already accustomed to redeeming it from the shopping system.
He's mother thought her daughter bought it for herself, so she stood aside and said nothing.
The group walked forward and then walked out in a different direction, looking at every counter, with the number of things in their hands gradually increasing.
I bought a pound of red bean cakes, a pound of peach cakes, three bottles of Arctic Ocean soda, and some miscellaneous things for household use. Except for the three bottles of Arctic Ocean soda, I stuffed everything else into the package.
He Susu and her mother each took a bottle of Arctic Ocean soda and opened it to drink. The icy cold water entered their mouths and bubbles instantly rose and spread, which was very refreshing. When they swallowed it, they felt refreshed all over.
Cheng Shi also opened a bottle of Beibingyang soda and started drinking it. Tangyuan, who was leaning on his chest, looked up at the bottle in his father's hand with curiosity and stretched out his little hand to reach for it.
As soon as he touched it, he was startled by the cold touch and subconsciously withdrew his hand. After a while, he realized that this coldness made him comfortable, so Tangyuan reached out his hand to touch it again eagerly. He felt the coldness and squinted his eyes with happiness.
The child wanted to pull the bottle over and put it in his mouth, but Cheng Shi didn't tolerate him. He thought that a child so young shouldn't drink soda, so when his son tried to grab the bottle again, he reached out and lifted the soda bottle away. After this happened twice, Tangyuan finally calmed down and obediently enjoyed the cool feeling of his hands.
Even so, Tangyuan didn't enjoy it for long before his mother deprived him of this happy right.
He Susu said, "Don't let Tangyuan touch the soda bottle for too long. We adults don't feel how cold it is, and I don't know if a child can stand it for a long time."
Cheng Shi naturally agreed with his wife's words. He drank the rest of the soda in a few gulps and threw it away at the garbage disposal.
When Tangyuan saw that the bottle that felt comfortable was gone, he pouted unhappily, groaned a few times, and lay in his father's arms, not wanting to look up again.
Cheng Shi patted his little head and said, "Be good."
Because they had bought enough things at the department store, they did not go into the supply and marketing cooperative to buy more things. They found Su Yu and waited for the bus together.
He Susu took out the pork she wanted from her sister-in-law's basket and put it in her own basket: "Sister-in-law, how much is this pork?"
Su Yu reported a number. She had paid separately at the slaughterhouse so she didn't have to calculate the money separately.
"Thank you, sister-in-law." He Susu responded, took out money from her pocket, counted out the corresponding amount and returned it to her sister-in-law.
Soon the car arrived and everyone lined up to get on and return to the army.
This time Tangyuan was not as energetic as when he came. He looked around and even pricked up his ears to listen to the adults talking.
Cheng Shi changed his position and he was now leaning in his father's arms, his eyelids drooping almost closed. It was obvious that his energy was almost exhausted and he was about to fall asleep.
He Susu was glad that the child did not make a fuss for milk. She just took out the bottle prepared in advance and gave him a few sips. The guy fell asleep. Even though the road was bumpy and the car was shaking a little, he did not wake up.
When they arrived at a residential area, He Susu said goodbye to her sister-in-law, and the family got off the car and went home.
After entering the house, Cheng Shi took off the backpack on his back and carried Tangyuan back to the room immediately. He untied the straps and put Tangyuan on the bed so that he could sleep comfortably, and covered him with a thin quilt to prevent him from catching a cold.
He Susu followed her mother into the kitchen to help organize the meat and vegetables. After that, she stayed in the kitchen to help out. Her mother couldn't chase her out, so she just let her do what she wanted.
When He's mother turned her back to the stove and cooked, a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. She knew that her daughter insisted on helping because she felt sorry for her.
Thinking back to the past, my daughter would never help someone when she fell down at home.
Even though I was in a hurry after returning from the county town in the morning, the meat dishes for lunch were not vague. There were steamed minced meat with two eggs cracked in the middle, fried tofu, and stir-fried cabbage.
Tangyuan was exhausted after the trip to the county town and fell asleep. The adults were also tired, so they ate white rice with the delicious meat and vegetables. It seemed that the gluttons in their stomachs came out, and they ate with big mouthfuls, and their appetite increased greatly.
After the meal, Cheng Shi collected the dishes and went to wash them, and then the three of them went back to their rooms to take a nap.
In the afternoon, Tangyuan opened his eyes a little dazed. After a while, he turned his head and saw his mother lying on his left and right. He immediately smiled. He chose to stretch out his right hand to reach his mother's clothes, grabbed them and pulled them hard, screaming "Ah, ah, ah".
The force with which a child pulls clothes is like tickling someone with a feather; a person who is soundly sleeping cannot feel it at all.
He Susu was awakened by her son's cries. She knew he was hungry as he hadn't had milk for so long, so she sat up before he was fully awake, picked him up in her arms, lifted up his clothes and fed him.
The child was really hungry. As soon as he got into his mother's arms, he struggled to get inside, put his mouth close to find food and started sucking it up immediately.
Cheng Shi was also awakened by the noise and sat up.
Noticing his burning gaze, He Susu glared at him and silently turned toward the wall.
Cheng Shi touched his nose and reluctantly looked away.
Tangyuan was full and energetic. He lay on the bed, looked at his father to the left and mother to the right, and then started giggling.
Cheng Shi was infected by his laughter and couldn't help laughing: "I don't know what Tang Yuan is thinking to be so happy."
He Susu smiled and said, "What can he think when he is so young? It's just that it's rare to see his father and mother in the same bed with him, so he feels fresh."
Usually, when Tangyuan wakes up from a nap, Cheng Shi has already gone to the army for training. At night, Tangyuan goes to bed first, and Cheng Shi returns to the room a little later after being busy outside. Scenes like this are indeed rare.
Cheng Shi nodded as if it was a matter of fact: "It is indeed rare. I will have to spend more time with you guys in the future."
"It's already very good." He Susu affirmed him, and it was true. Apart from the time when Cheng Shi was training in the army, he basically accompanied her and Tangyuan when he returned home. Apart from doing some housework, he would chat with her and tease Tangyuan in various ways.
Like what Mrs. Wu and others complained, the men in the family act like bosses when they come home, sitting there waiting to be eaten and doing nothing else. This is the current norm.
Of course, her brother is also a hardworking and capable man who loves his wife and spoils his children.
Thinking of this, He Susu smiled.
Cheng Shi was also happy to hear Su Su's sincere affirmation. He said, "It can be better. I will continue to work hard in this direction."
He Susu smiled and agreed, knowing that he was a man of his words and would definitely treat her and the child well.
The leisurely afternoons and breezy nights, Cheng Shi made full use of his rest time to spend time with his wife and children. He also trimmed the vegetable garden, pulled out the weeds, and applied some fertilizer so that the vegetables that had already been picked several times could continue to grow.
The next day, Cheng Shi went to the army for training, and the family returned to normal. He's mother and He Susu took care of the housework together with Tangyuan, and He Susu continued to write articles.
Ten days later, He Susu went to the county town to buy meat and vegetables, and went to the photo studio to pick up the photos she had taken last time. Of course, she also exchanged some things from the shopping system and brought them back, including two kilograms of apples, one kilogram of bananas, and a four-kilogram watermelon.
These fruits were placed in a backpack with some light vegetables on top to block the view of the military wives. These days watermelons are not only expensive but also hard to buy, and they easily attract attention.
He Susu also went to the department store to inquire and found out that watermelons had been sold a while ago, so she dared to redeem the watermelons through the shopping system and took them home. Cheng Shi and his mother would at least come to the county town next time, and they would only think that she was lucky to buy the big watermelon.
When she got home, He's mother was packing her backpack and saw the big green melon with circles of dark lines. She was stunned for a moment and said, "Girl, what kind of melon is this? I've never seen one before."
She had never eaten watermelon and had never seen watermelons for sale at the supply and marketing cooperative, so she just thought it was some new variety of fruit.
He Susu smiled and explained: "Mom, this is called watermelon, a kind of fruit. It is very cool to eat in the summer and has a lot of juice. Let's open it in the afternoon and taste it. I'm sure you will like it."
"Who doesn't like to eat fruit, which is expensive and sweet? Okay, I'll try it this afternoon." He's mother smiled and secretly made a note that this kind of melon is called watermelon. It was a new experience for her.
Mother He also ate apples and bananas a lot during her stay at her daughter's house. In the past, when she was responsible for buying meat and vegetables in the county town, she would occasionally go to department stores or supply and marketing cooperatives, but she would not be tempted to buy apples and bananas even if she saw them for sale, as they were too expensive.
But now, whenever my daughter goes to the county town to shop, she always brings back some fruits, telling us that eating more fruits is good for the body and that there is no need to feel sorry for the money, because isn’t the purpose of making money to make your life better?
He's mother had no choice but to let her daughter do what she wanted. In the end, she was lucky as an old woman, as she got to eat delicious food with her daughter. In this family, she could eat meat every meal, and she gained a lot of weight.
After her mother packed up the backpack and the parcels and saw her preparing to make lunch, He Susu hurriedly said, "Don't worry, mother. Let's take a look at the photos we brought back first."
He's mother was interested in this and agreed immediately. She washed her hands and followed her daughter to the living room to sit down and look at the photos.
He Susu took out the photos and the mother and daughter looked at them together.
The first one is a solo photo of Tangyuan. He is leaning on a chair, not quite straight but with the casualness of a child. His left hand is supporting the chair, and his right hand is stretched forward as if he is trying to reach something. The most attractive thing is the pair of eyes on his chubby white face, which are clear and innocent. His mouth under his small nose is open as if he is calling someone, and his small baby teeth are just showing.
He's mother praised: "This photo is well taken, it's as if Tangyuan is looking at us, Tangyuan is so cute."
He Susu was also touched by her son's cuteness and smiled: "This photo is really good. No wonder the master kept praising Tangyuan for his cooperation that day. Looking in the mirror like this will produce a good effect."
She flipped through the pages.
The photo of herself holding Tangyuan is also good. At that time, she looked down at the child, and the child looked up at her. The gaze between the mother and the child was full of endless warmth. The photo of the mother holding Tangyuan is more serious. The old and the child are looking at the mirror. The mother has a smile in her eyes, and Tangyuan's eyes are curious and confused.
The photo of Cheng Shi holding Tangyuan shows the restrained fatherly love. Tangyuan seems to be about to pounce forward to grab something, Cheng Shi's broad and powerful hands hug his body, and the other hand reaches out to protect Tangyuan's hand to prevent it from hitting the chair. When the father and son look at each other, Cheng Shi's eyes are full of tolerance and love, and Tangyuan's eyes are full of happiness and pride.
This photo should be taken by the master. He Susu praised: "This photo is well taken. Cheng Shi will definitely like it when he looks back."
He's mother also nodded: "It is indeed good. Others can tell at a glance that this father and son have a good relationship."
Next is a photo of the couple holding their child. It really proves the saying that a talented man and a beautiful woman will give birth to a lovable child. The family of three are all very good-looking and pleasing to the eye.
He Susu liked the look, and her mother also smiled with satisfaction. Her daughter had married well, her son-in-law was a capable, reliable and loving man, and now they had a baby. The family would live better and better in the future, which was much better than she had originally expected.
When she saw the last photo, He's mother was just happy: "This photo is really well taken. It's a good idea, Susu. I'm sitting and holding Tangyuan, and you and Cheng Shi are standing behind me. The three generations look very harmonious and happy."
He Susu was also very satisfied: "Yes, mother, this photo is really good. I just bought a photo frame and will put this photo in it and display it in the living room."
He's mother agreed happily at first, but then hesitated again after realizing it: "Isn't this a bit inappropriate? Logically speaking, the photos that should be displayed at home should be photos of you and your parents-in-law."
He Susu said indifferently, "Now you live with us, Mom, and help take care of Tangyuan. We just took this family photo, so of course we should put it up. Not only will Cheng Shi not say anything, but outsiders won't say anything bad either. When my parents-in-law come to the army, we'll take another photo and put it up at home."
Mother He nodded, thinking this was a good idea: "Okay, let's do as Susu said. I think this photo is good. When I go back to my hometown, I will also invite the whole family to the photo studio to take a group photo."
"That's a good idea. Mom, can you please pick out which photos to send back to Dad and my brothers and sisters-in-law?" He Susu asked.
Mother He thought for a moment and said, "How about sending a photo of us, a photo of you and your wife with Tangyuan, and a photo of Tangyuan alone?"
She said this because she saw that her daughter was holding a lot of photos.
He Susu nodded: "Sure."
She pulled out three corresponding photos and said, "I'll send these back to Dad later. I'll send the rest to my parents-in-law after Cheng Shi and I have discussed and selected them."
He's mother should be fine.
He Susu said, "By the way, mother, when I send the photos, I will also write a letter and send it back. You can think of something to say to father and my brother and sister-in-law, and I will help write it in the letter."
"It's nothing. I just told them that I will go back later and I want to take care of you for a while longer. They can live their lives over there anyway, so I don't have to worry about them." said He's mother.
When she came here originally, she agreed to take care of her daughter during her confinement period. She came two months in advance, and would take care of her for another three or four months after giving birth, and then she would go back.
But He's mother was concerned about living here to take care of her grandson, and also wanted to help her daughter reduce the burden of taking care of the child. In addition, her daughter and son-in-law sincerely wanted her to stay, so she decided to stay for a few more months.
At least when Tangyuan grows up a little, it will be easier for my daughter to take care of him, and I will feel more at ease when I go back.
He Susu was naturally happy that her mother could stay at her home for a while longer. Not only could the mother and daughter live together more closely, but her mother could also help her take care of Tangyuan. She would also be more relaxed and could concentrate on writing articles.
She nodded and said, "Okay, I'll write the letter when I wake up this afternoon."
He's mother agreed. Seeing that everything that needed to be said was said, she got up and went to the kitchen to make lunch.
He Susu returned to the room with interest, picked out a photo of Zhang's family, and framed the photo with the photo frame she exchanged from the shopping system.
The texture of the photo comes out instantly after the photo frame is installed. There is also a retractable support on the back of the photo frame, which allows it to stand up when placed on the table.
She walked out of the room with the photo frame, chose a suitable place in the living room, and finally chose the long cabinet against the wall opposite the coffee table to put the photo frame up.
This long cabinet is usually used to store some small things that can be taken at hand. Now it is filled with photo frames. When you sit on a chair in the living room and look up, you can see three generations of a family in the photo. It is particularly warm.
He Susu was very satisfied with this.
He's mother was busy in the kitchen. When she heard her daughter come in and say that the photos had been framed and placed in the living room, she couldn't help but put down her work and come out to take a look.
She was all smiles and kept praising it.
Even when Cheng Shi came back from training, he saw the photo in the frame and said it was well taken: "With this photo, the home looks a lot warmer."
Seeing this, He's mother was completely relieved.
After dinner, Cheng Shi took all the photos and looked at them one by one. He was very satisfied with each one and praised the photo studio: "This old master has good photography skills. I will go there again in the future."
He Susu said bluntly: "It also takes me to direct the poses for the photo, otherwise the photo would be somewhat inferior."
Cheng Shi responded with a smile, and then the couple picked out the photos to be sent back to Shanghai before going to take a nap.
In the afternoon, Tangyuan was still asleep, so He Susu simply took out a pen and paper and wrote a letter at the dining table.
She had something to say to her father, and also expressed her concern for her brother, sister-in-law, nephews and nieces. Then she wrote down what He's mother wanted to say. The final letter was very thick.
"Mom, I'll go to the mailroom to mail the letter later when it's not so hot."
He's mother should be fine.
It’s only June now, and a lot of the sun’s heat has accumulated on the ground in the afternoon, which is reflected upwards. Even with the electric fan on at home, it still feels a bit hot.
He Susu suggested cutting the watermelon and eating it, and He's mother followed into the kitchen to see how to cut the watermelon.
I saw my daughter put the whole watermelon in the sink, rinse it with water, took a kitchen knife and split the watermelon in half, and a lot of bright red juice overflowed instantly.
Then the daughter cut the two halves of the watermelon into six pieces, making a total of twelve pieces of watermelon.
He Susu directly took a petal and gave it to her mother to eat: "Mom, please try it."
He's mother took it and took a bite. She was instantly surprised by the cool watermelon juice filling her mouth. The watermelon flesh was also very soft and crunchy. She could taste more juice after chewing it a few times.
After eating a slice of watermelon, I felt my whole body cool down.
He Susu also ate a slice of watermelon and found it refreshing and cool. The products produced by the shopping system are sweet and juicy.
He's mother couldn't help but take another piece of watermelon to eat, and the mother and daughter started eating it right in the kitchen.
The last person ate three petals before stopping. He's mother said, "I'll put away the rest and wait for Cheng Shixun to come back and give it to him."
He Susu nodded: "Okay, let's eat some in the evening."
In fact, she hadn't eaten enough watermelon, but she was afraid that eating too much watermelon would make her feel cold, so she endured it.
When Cheng Shi came back from training in the evening, he was so happy to eat watermelon. He said, "If there is watermelon next time, buy some and eat it. Summer is the best time to eat watermelon."
He Susu smiled and agreed.
The weather was getting hotter and hotter, and it was late June in a blink of an eye.
On this day, a woman's grief-stricken wails were suddenly heard from a family quarters, followed by the noise of a crowd. It was immediately clear that something had happened.
When He Susu and He's mother heard the sound, they looked at each other. They thought it would not be a good idea to bring Tangyuan over for such a thing as they were afraid that he would be frightened. So He Susu stayed at home to look after Tangyuan while He's mother went out to find out the news.
When she came back, her face was expressionless and looked a little heavy.
He Susu was a little worried: "Mom, what happened?"
Mother He sighed heavily, "It was said that Captain Qian, the fifth household in our family compound, died while on a mission. When the news came back, his wife and children burst into tears. It was heartbreaking to see them."
Tangyuan, lying in his mother's arms, seemed to feel the heavy atmosphere. His shaking legs stopped, the smile on his face stopped, and he glanced at his grandmother cautiously.
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