Chapter 217 Good morning, brother-in-law!
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, with the Lunar New Year approaching, the Xiangyang Brigade was filled with a festive atmosphere.
For Xu Zhili, this year's New Year is particularly different.
This is her first New Year as Xie Yunze's wife.
Similarly, this is also the first New Year that Xu Zhili and Xu Nuoyan have experienced since transmigrating into this world from the book, making it particularly meaningful. The mother and daughter cherish this warm and beautiful time.
The newlyweds still lived in a small courtyard owned by Xu Zhili. Although it was simple, Xu Zhili kept it clean and cozy.
Before dawn, Xu Zhili got up quietly to prepare to go to the kitchen to start a fire and cook.
As soon as she sat up, a strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind.
"Sleep a little longer."
Xie Yun Ce's voice was hoarse from just waking up as he buried his face in her shoulder, "It's not even dawn yet."
Xu Zhili patted his hand with a smile: "Time to get up and cook. Didn't you say yesterday that you were going to help Secretary Liu go to the commune to get New Year's goods today?"
"Besides, as the son of the Xie family, you have a military vehicle. Why don't you help transport New Year's goods that your family doesn't need?"
Xie Yunze reluctantly let go of his hand and sat up as well: "Then I'll help you start a fire."
In the small kitchen, the two worked side by side.
Xie Yunze skillfully started a fire and boiled water, while Xu Zhili was slicing the leftover steamed buns from last night on the cutting board, frying the bun slices, and preparing to make a pot of hot white flour dumpling soup.
The glow of the kerosene lamp illuminated the two figures, casting overlapping shadows on the wall.
"The water is boiling."
Xie Yunze reminded her, and then took the basin from Xu Zhili's hand to help her put the dumplings into the pot.
Xu Zhili looked at his focused profile and couldn't help but smile: "I didn't expect you to be so skilled at cooking."
"After being in the army for a long time, you have to know a little bit of everything. My parents don't even know I can cook."
Xie Yunze turned to look at her, a smile in his eyes, "But compared to your skills, it's still far inferior."
A steaming bowl of dumpling soup was served, and the two sat facing each other.
Xu Zhian walked out sleepily, calling out in her soft, just-woke-up voice, "Sister, An'an is awake! Oh, brother-in-law, good morning!"
Before Xie Yunze could respond, Xu Zhian ran off to wash up.
A short while later, Xu Zhian skipped and hopped to the dining table.
"An'an, sit down quickly. Here are your favorite fried mantou slices. Your brother-in-law will get you a piece, okay?"
"Okay, thank you, brother-in-law." An'an replied sweetly, then lowered her head and focused on eating the steamed bun slices.
"Brother-in-law, isn't my sister's cooking especially delicious?"
Xie Yunze took a bite and nodded repeatedly, "Delicious. When I go back to the army, the meal I'll miss most is your cooking."
Xu Zhili lowered her head and chuckled softly, but a touch of melancholy about parting welled up in her heart.
Xie Yunze's vacation has less than half a month left.
After dinner, Xie Yunze prepared to leave, and Xu Zhili straightened his military uniform collar, saying, "Be careful on the road, and come back early."
"Don't worry, I'll be back this afternoon."
Xie Yunze took her hand and gently kissed it. "When I get back, I'll take you somewhere."
Where to?
"It's a secret." Xie Yunze smiled mysteriously, then turned and left.
After clearing away the dishes, Xu Zhili began cleaning the house. Although she was newly married, she wasn't idle. There were still a few clothes to be finished by the sewing group before the New Year, and she planned to help Xie Xiazhu in the morning.
As soon as I arrived at the sewing group, Xie Xiazhu greeted me: "What brings you here? Shouldn't you be at home spending more time with Yun Ce?"
“He went to the commune to help the secretary haul New Year's goods.” Xu Zhili picked up an unfinished shirt. “Isn’t this batch of work urgent? I came to help.”
Xie Xiazhu smiled gratefully, "Thank you so much. But Zhili, you two just got married, you should spend more time together. We're here for you."
“It’s alright, he’s busy out there, and I’m just sitting at home doing nothing anyway.” Xu Zhili skillfully threaded the needle. “Besides, I’m used to doing this; my hands get itchy if I don’t.”
The female workers laughed when they heard this, and the room was filled with a harmonious atmosphere.
After a quick lunch at home, Xu Zhili started preparing dinner. Knowing that Xie Yunze loved dumplings, she specially made the dough and chopped the filling, wanting to give him a surprise.
As the sun began to set in the afternoon, the sound of a jeep came from outside. Xu Zhili quickly wiped her hands and went out to greet them. Xie Yunze was getting out of the car, carrying a cloth bag.
"You're back?" Xu Zhili took the bag from his hand. "What's this?"
"I brought this for you." Xie Yunze smiled and opened the cloth bag, inside was a thick book, "Principles of Mechanical Design," and several rolls of drawing paper. "I found it at the commune's supply and marketing cooperative, thinking you might find it useful."
Xu Zhili took the book with delight and flipped through its pages: "This book must be hard to find, right? How did you find it?"
"I haggled with the salesperson for ages, and they said it was the last one they found in the warehouse." Xie Yunze looked at her delighted expression, his eyes full of tenderness. "Do you like it?"
"I love it, I love it so much!" Xu Zhili touched the book cover tenderly. "I happen to have some new ideas lately, so I can study them carefully."
Upon entering the house, Xie Yunze smelled a delicious aroma: "What delicious food have you made?"
"Dumplings, your favorite cabbage and pork filling." Xu Zhili put down her book. "I'll cook them right away."
Xie Yunze stopped her, saying, "No rush, let me take you somewhere first."
"Now? It's almost dark."
"We need to go before dark." Xie Yunze winked mysteriously. "Put on your coat and come with me."
Curious, Xu Zhili followed him out the door. Xie Yunze led her towards the grove behind the village, a path Xu Zhili knew all too well.
That's the direction leading to their secret base from their childhood.
Deep in the woods, the familiar old locust tree still stands tall, and the little wooden house on it is still there, only older than before.
"Do you remember this place?" Xie Yunze looked up at the treehouse, his eyes shining with nostalgia.
"Of course I remember." Xu Zhili touched the rough tree trunk with emotion. "We used to come here to play a lot when we were kids."
This is the secret base that Xie Yunce often went to when he was injured and lost his memory.
He discovered this abandoned treehouse and brought her there. Together, they cleaned and tidied it, turning it into their own little haven. Here, Xu Zhili could read in peace, while Xie Yunze practiced the woodworking skills his father had taught him. Over the years, this treehouse witnessed their purest friendship and their budding, innocent feelings for each other.
"I came to see it a few days ago and fixed it."
Xie Yunze said, nimbly climbing the wooden ladder and pushing open the small door of the treehouse, "Come up and take a look."
Xu Zhili followed and climbed up, and was surprised to find that the treehouse had been completely renovated.
The dilapidated floor has been repaired, a clean straw mat has been laid in the corner, and a curtain made from an old bed sheet has been hung on the small window.
I didn't expect Xie Yunce to be so thoughtful.
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