Chapter 19

New Year's Eve.

The biting cold wind couldn't stop the excitement.

As soon as it gets dark, the children who have eaten their reunion dinner start playing with whips and sky-high monkeys.

When the crackling sound came into the warm house, the five members of the Huo family were getting ready to eat.

The smoothly polished eight-immortal table was filled with all kinds of delicious dishes.

Among them, what was placed in front of Tingting was a large pot of blood sausage and pork stewed with sauerkraut, which was a token of her mother-in-law's partiality towards her.

After the start, Hu Xiu, with a red forehead, talked to his son about the meeting with Danier.

After listening to his mother's retelling, Huo Xiao also felt that it was not very reliable.

However, he was always reserved, and even if he had doubts, he would not say anything before confirmation. He just said, "I'll go ask someone tomorrow."

His son always did things well, so Hu Xiu no longer had to worry.

She knocked on the head of Guoguo, who was attracted by the sound of firecrackers outside and couldn't sit still as if his butt had grown teeth. She promised to take him out to play after dinner, and then turned around to ask about her son and daughter-in-law's future plans.

Ruting was pinching meat for Miaomiao beside her. Upon hearing this, she did not rush to speak, but looked at the man on her left.

Huo Xiao did have a plan in mind. Now that his mother mentioned it, he looked at his wife and explained, "I wanted to wait until you returned to your parents' home before discussing joining the army."

Ruting nodded to show her understanding.

However, it is impossible to say that she has not thought about this in her heart. After all, it will not be safe outside in the next ten years.

So, after a few moments of silence, she asked, "Will I go with you to the army this time?"

Hearing this, Huo Xiao, who had been observing his wife, felt relieved: "No, I have to wait until I get the housing application before I can take you over. If nothing unexpected happens, it will take more than a month."

Here, "you guys" was subconsciously understood to mean that the mother-in-law would also go along.

So, after finishing the meal, Huo Xiao cleaned up the dishes and took the dragon and phoenix embryo out to release the sky monkey child.

When she learned that her mother-in-law was not going, she was completely confused while soaking her feet: "You are not going? Why?"

Hu Xiu was amused by his daughter-in-law's shocked look: "What else can you do? I have lived in the village all my life and I am used to it. What's more, if I follow him to the army, what will happen to my family?"

Ting Ting was puzzled: "What should I do? Is there anything at home that needs you to take care of it yourself?"

Hu Xiu: "These chickens and ducks, this new house, the vegetables in front of and behind the house, and the fields in the village... Which one can be separated from people?"

This time, Ruiting did not rush to refute anything, because from her mother-in-law's fragmented words just now, she already understood that although she was afraid of the strange world, she did not want to be a burden to the child more.

Frankly speaking, like most modern women, if they get married, they would naturally prefer the young couple to live alone.

But it is not an exaggeration to say that her marriage with Huo Xiao was a forced one. Although it looks good now, they don't know each other well enough. Who knows what will happen in the future?

Another thing is that although she likes children very much, she has never thought about becoming a full-time mother.

To be selfish, only with my mother-in-law around can I have the opportunity to work.

Of course, humans are emotional animals.

It is sheer nonsense to say that Ruiting is now inseparable from her mother-in-law.

But even if we don't consider the children, I can't bear to leave her alone in the village.

However, there are some things that would be more useful if Huo Xiao said them herself. She only needed to state her position.

Thinking of this, Li Ting lowered her eyelashes, took out her red, soaked feet from the wooden barrel, picked up a dirt cloth beside her, and wiped them while saying, "Anyway, if you don't go, I won't go either."

Hu Xiu's nose was sore, and she raised her hand and nodded at her daughter-in-law, smiling lovingly: "You are the only one who is lazy. Mom is old, and you two are newlyweds. Why should I follow you?"

I really feel like I am a burden...

There is a custom of staying up all night on New Year’s Eve.

But Hu Xiu's body had not recovered yet and the twins were too small, so she took the children back to the bedroom early.

Ruting felt uncomfortable going back to her room to sleep alone, so she took the initiative to stay in the outer room with Huo Xiao.

However, she is not someone who would mistreat herself.

After sending Huo Xiao to make tea, he rummaged through the cupboard to find the sunflower seeds that his mother-in-law had grown herself.

The sunflower seeds were still raw, and there weren’t many of them. My mother-in-law had been carefully collecting them, waiting to roast them for the New Year.

Although this kind of melon seeds don't have much meat, I like to chew them with the shell, and I think they are particularly fragrant! But it's a bit troublesome to roast them.

Nowadays, there is no TV or mobile phone, so this is a good way to kill time.

So, when Huo Xiao finished brewing the tea and brought it over, the stove cover was already covered with a layer of melon seeds.

Worried that she would get burned, Huo Xiao handed the tea over and said, "I'll do it. You sit over there."

Li Ting passed the turned chopsticks over, moved his butt to make room for the other person, and then said, "Let me tell you something."

"You say."

"Did you know that Mom didn't want to go to the Army?"

Huo Xiao was surprised: "Mom told you she didn't want to go?"

Ruiting shook her head, then nodded: "She said she was used to it in the village, but I think she was afraid of being a burden to you..." As she spoke, she recounted to the man the conversation she had just had with her mother-in-law.

As expected, Huo Xiao frowned first, but soon relaxed his brows and looked at his wife sincerely, "Thank you. I'll talk to Mom."

Being thanked so solemnly, Ruting felt a little embarrassed, after all, she also had her own selfish motives.

But when it comes to showing off, she is no fool: "What is there to thank? It's my mother's kindness. Anyway, I've told my mother that if she doesn't go, I won't go either."

Huo Xiao...

Although he was happy that his wife had a harmonious relationship with his mother, Huo Xiao felt complicated that she gave up on him so easily.

Not enough sleep the day before.

Ruting, who was supposed to keep watch all night, had no idea when she fell asleep.

It is even less clear that she was sleeping on her cheap husband's lap.

All she knew was that when she woke up again, she was already lying on the kang in the east room, and she was the only one there.

At first, Li Ting felt a little embarrassed, as she knew it was Huo Xiao who carried her back.

But when she packed up and opened the door to go out, she didn't see anyone.

After asking again, I learned that he had gone to the county town early in the morning to wish Chief Hu of the Armed Forces a happy new year, and also to inquire about Dani's blind date.

So, Ruiting immediately let go of that slight feeling of discomfort.

While having breakfast, my mother-in-law and I entertained the young people who came to pay New Year's greetings.

at the same time.

Huo Xiao, who had just woken up at dawn, was already sitting in Minister Hu's office.

There is no holiday during the Chinese New Year these days, so Minister Hu came to the unit early on the first day of the Chinese New Year.

I was naturally very happy to have a good brother unexpectedly.

The two hadn't seen each other for several years and had a lot to talk about, ranging from work to current affairs to family.

They chatted for more than an hour and had several refills of tea before Huo Xiao explained his purpose.

Minister Hu bit his cigarette and said, "Is this worth your trip on New Year's Day? We don't need these nonsense. Just give us a phone call. What? Did your wife ask you to come here?"

As he spoke, the middle-aged man with a rather unserious expression even revealed an obscene smile, not at all serious as he should be in front of outsiders.

Huo Xiao was too lazy to pay attention to him, but when he thought of his wife lying obediently on his knees, he couldn't help but smile: "There are some things that you won't understand even if I tell you."

Minister Hu was not happy with this: "Why don't I understand? I already have three children, how can a young boy like you who just started to eat understand less?"

At this point, he stopped joking and moved closer to his brother, lowering his voice: "Did you tell me about the child?"

Minister Hu was once a subordinate of Brigade Commander Wei and was also good friends with Huo Xiao, so he was one of the few people who knew the origin of the dragon and phoenix fetuses.

Huo Xiao shook his head: "It's not a small matter, so I plan to wait until my wife joins the army before telling her."

Hearing this, Minister Hu leaned back in his chair and took a puff of cigarette, letting the smoke spread over his face before saying, "You are right. You should be more careful. However... your young wife is a good person. You should treat her well."

"So I didn't come to see you?"

Minister Hu paused in his action of flicking his cigarette and scolded with a smile: "I told you that you shouldn't come to me for such a small matter. Now, for the sake of the two bottles of medicinal wine you brought."

Huo Xiao: "Help me arrange for someone to work at the county furniture factory."

He had good relations with the leaders of several factories in the county, so it was not difficult to arrange someone. However, "How is the craftsmanship? Who should be assigned?" Although his comrades were not unreliable, Minister Hu still needed to ask clearly.

Huo Xiao naturally understood the other party's concerns: "My eldest brother-in-law has no problem with his craftsmanship, and he is also honest and down-to-earth... We can evaluate him first, and it won't be too late to hire him after his skills are up to standard. You also said that my wife has nothing to say about me and is willing to go with me to the army. I don't know when I can go back to my parents' home in the future, so I thought about arranging a job for her eldest brother."

Compensation is not something that can be achieved by just saying it or giving it to the parents in a more generous way than others.

After hearing the explanation, Minister Hu nodded in agreement and said with emotion: "It is said that being a soldier is not easy, but in fact, it is also difficult for military families. It is great that you have such a kind heart."

Knowing that this was an agreement, Huo Xiao smiled and said, "Brother, I owe you a favor."

Minister Hu laughed out loud: "I owe you! I have to owe you! I will remember this favor very well."

As he spoke, he stood up and said, "Let's go! I know you're pressed for time, so let's go to the furniture factory now. If everything goes well, we can have your brother-in-law come over for the assessment tomorrow."

This was naturally the best thing that could happen. Huo Xiao didn't say anything polite and stood up and followed them out.

When he went downstairs, Minister Hu muttered again: "Since we are here, let's go back and have lunch together. This is what your sister-in-law's cooking skill is!"

Looking at the other party's raised thumb, Huo Xiao thought for only a few seconds and then nodded.

I went to the county town and wandered around for half a day.

When Huo Xiao returned home, it was almost four o'clock.

He didn't even have time to take off his military coat before he was pestered by his second aunt who had been waiting for him for a long time.

Considering that the day after tomorrow was the date for the blind date, Huo Xiao could understand.

Then he saw his daughter-in-law sitting by the fire with her eyes half closed, so he simply sat down next to her, stretched out his hands to keep warm, and said, "I don't think it's appropriate."

Chen Guilan, who was so happy that she finally got a son-in-law from the city and didn't sleep a wink last night, couldn't accept such an answer and immediately asked, "Why is he unsuitable? Is he stupid? Or disabled?"

The corner of Li Ting's mouth twitched. So as long as it wasn't these two things, Second Aunt would think it was all right?

Hu Xiu was unhappy and scolded: "What are you talking about? Character is the most important thing. It's not too late to wait until Xiao Xiao finishes speaking."

Chen Xiulan said: "I...I also hope that my daughter can marry and live in the city and enjoy a good life..."

Huo Xiao disagreed with Wumei: "Many families in the city live worse than those in the countryside."

Chen Xiulan had a natural respect for the city people, so she said indifferently, "They are also city people."

Hu Xiu was too lazy to argue with her sister-in-law, so she asked her son, "What's wrong with that boy?"

Huo Xiao then relayed what he had learned to a few people: "I am 22 years old this year, I didn't finish junior high school, I don't have a proper job, I like to go around and smash things with people wearing red armbands, and by the way, my height... is about the same as my aunt."

"That's it? The conditions are not bad! He is a city dweller!" Chen Guilan really didn't understand what was wrong. What's wrong with a short man? He doesn't have to worry about work. His father is the workshop director!

Hu Xiu was really angry for once: "I think you are crazy!"

Ruting glanced at the second aunt, who was only about 1.5 meters tall, and thought she was crazy.

Not to mention other messy conditions, her height alone is not enough for her. She is a bit self-conscious about her appearance.

Thinking of this, Ruting looked at the handsome man beside her and felt more satisfied.

Noticing his wife's gaze, Huo Xiao tilted his head and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

Tingting: "Have you been drinking?"

"I only drank two liang. Did it make you feel sick?"

Ruting sniffed again: "No, there is only a little smell stuck on the clothes."

Speaking of clothes, Huo Xiao subconsciously touched his coat pocket.

After hesitating for a few seconds, he quietly took out a paper bag from his pocket and put it into the other person's pocket.

Ruting reached out to touch it subconsciously: "What?"

Huo Xiao coughed lightly and whispered, "Food."

He discovered yesterday that his young wife is a greedy person.

So on the way back, he went to the supply and marketing cooperative and bought several kinds of food.

The only thing he put in his pocket was a peach cake. There were only two pieces left at the supply and marketing cooperative, so he thought of leaving them for his wife.

But after all, it was an act of eating alone, and as it was the first time for Huo Xiao to do such a thing, he felt a little embarrassed, and his behavior was inevitably a little sneaky.

However, he was still seen by the short target Guoguo, who immediately shouted: "Dad secretly gave Mom some delicious food, I want some too!"