It was late April, time to take off our winter coats. Zhang Hongmei found two sets of sweaters and pants, one a gift from Zhang Shouyi, and the other knitted by Hu Aifen.
I also dug out all my spring outerwear, but they all had creases that looked uncomfortable, so I washed and dried them in the room.
The furniture should be delivered soon. Please ask the installer to make some clothes hangers, as we don't have enough in the closet.
I had a simple eight-treasure porridge for Monday morning, and I'll have to bring my lunchbox today.
I saw Liu Jingze in the carport. "Brother Jingze, the house was painted yesterday. I don't know much about it. The walls weren't dry yesterday, so I don't know how it looks."
"Don't worry, they're all experienced workers. They did the work at your house too."
Are we eating at the cafeteria today?
"Yes, we've finished the sesame seed cakes, and we're a bit tired of them. Let's change things up."
"Okay, but if you keep eating cold food, I'm afraid your stomach will get upset later. There's a student council meeting on Wednesday, which all new members must attend. That's also the day the vice president is elected."
Do I need to prepare a speech?
"No need, there will be someone in charge, then voting and counting the votes."
"That's alright. Is there one vice president per grade?"
"The usual practice is that the third-year students already have vice presidents. Our year also had one, but he dropped out, so this time we should choose one from the first and second year students."
The two walked and talked, and Liu Jingze escorted Zhang Hongmei to the entrance of the Economics Department.
Zhang Hongmei took a small bag of dried sweet potatoes out of her handbag and handed it to Liu Jingze.
"Jingze, are you hungry? Have some. I'm going inside to study."
Looking at the back of the girl he liked, tall and slender, Liu Jingze felt a warm glow in his heart. Even if he had to leave temporarily, he would do everything in his power to return to the side of his beloved girl as soon as possible.
As soon as Zhang Hongmei sat down, Wei Huaqiang leaned over and asked, "Zhang Hongmei, are you nervous about the election on Wednesday?"
"Hehe, a little."
“There was one spot for freshmen, and we all thought you would be selected without a doubt. You have no idea how popular you are right now.”
"Hehe, I don't go out much, and I don't participate in any group activities, so how do I gain popularity?"
"Haha, this is quite funny. Not to mention the normal ones, the oddballs in the math department will campaign for their classmates and even the history department whenever it's mealtime."
"Hehe, I really have to thank him."
"That's right, this guy joined the student council just to vote for you. He's your staunch supporter."
Lu Yue also turned around and said, "Zhang Hongmei, you are very popular in the girls' dormitory. Although you are beautiful, you are down-to-earth. Everyone says that you are the kind of girl we should be."
"Hehe, I'm just too lazy to move."
"No matter what, Liang Yongmin and I found all the second, third, and fourth-year students in our department who are in the student union, and they promised that they would all vote for you."
"Thank you and Liang Yongmin. I've been so lazy and lazy, it's all thanks to your help." Zhang Hongmei felt ashamed, as if she hadn't taken the election seriously enough.
"We are a collective."
Zhang Hongmei sighed inwardly, realizing that the sense of collective honor is now paramount.
I was stunned when I saw Uncle Li at the school gate after school that evening.
"Uncle Li, what brings you here?"
"Hehe, I came to call you home for dinner. Xiao Li came back and said that the boss is going home for dinner today."
"Oh, okay then, let's go home." Zhang Hongmei thought to herself: Just because you're back for dinner doesn't mean I have to keep you company.
Xinyuan is only a five-minute walk from the school. When we got home, Aunt Li came out to greet us. "Hongmei, I've boiled water in the back room of your house. Quickly wash your face with the hot water and relax."
"Okay, Aunt Li, you go ahead and do your work. I can manage on my own."
Zhang Hongmei saw the hot water in the bathroom, washed her face, tidied up a bit, and then went to the study.
I haven't finished my homework yet. Thinking back to when I was in college, there were so few assignments that people complained. But looking at my current assignments, there's no comparison. I'll have to buy ink for my fountain pen again this week.
Zhang Shouyi came in and saw the beautiful girl hunched over her desk, writing furiously. Without disturbing her, he gently closed the door, sat down on a bench, and took out some documents to look through.
Zhang Hongmei knew Zhang Shouyi had come in, but she just smiled slightly. There was only one last subject left to finish, so she had to hurry.
After Zhang Hongmei put down her pen and tidied her schoolbag, she saw Zhang Shouyi smiling at her.
"Are you tired today? Do you all have this much homework every day?"
"It's alright, it's still easier than working in the fields. As for homework, there's a lot. I feel like I have at least 20,000 words of notes and homework every day."
"That wasn't easy at all. Are Uncle Li and Aunt Li satisfied?"
"Okay, I don't come back often after all. You can tell them they don't need to be frugal."
"Okay. Hongmei, come sit here."
"What's wrong?" Zhang Hongmei got up and sat down next to Zhang Shouyi.
"Hongmei, my dad is going to the border tomorrow. Although he won't be on the battlefield, it's still not safe for him."
Is it absolutely necessary to go?
"Yes, we have to go. He has to go because of his status."
"At such an advanced age, and with poor health, it's really worrying that he's going to the battlefield. When will he be back?"
"One year."
"That long time?"
"Yes. It takes too long."
Zhang Hongmei frowned. "Does it really take a year just to offer condolences?"
"Should I go with him? I can take care of his health."
"No need. There's really no great danger. Don't worry."
"How can I not worry? Actually, I can keep up with the classes even if I take leave."
Zhang Shouyi grasped Zhang Hongmei's hand and sighed, "You really don't need to do this. Just relax."
The more this was said, the more uneasy Zhang Hongmei became. However, the possibility of taking leave was really slim; there were less than three months until the holidays, and she could take a break and go visit. It wasn't a battlefield, so the rules shouldn't be too strict.
Zhang Hongmei stopped dwelling on the matter and struggled a bit before Zhang Shouyi reluctantly let go.
He hadn't had enough of holding those soft little hands yet. Looking at the delicate and beautiful girl sitting beside him, he knew she would be his in four or five years at most. He could wait as long as he had the time.
"Let's go. My dad should be here soon; he'll leave after we finish eating."
"So urgent?"
"Um."
"Should I go back and prepare some food?"
"No need, we can't take too much stuff. We'll take a helicopter, don't worry, we won't go hungry."
"So the deeper meaning is that you won't eat it either, right?"
"Yes, how can life be as good as at home?"
Zhang Hongmei made up her mind to go to the border after the exam.
“My dad has endured all kinds of hardships, so don’t worry. I’ve arranged for three people, plus Xiao Shun, to take care of him. There won’t be any problems.”
Zhang Hongmei didn't say anything more. Indeed, worrying was useless; soldiers of their age had truly endured all kinds of hardships.
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