"A few times."
When talking about her daughter, Shui Meirong looked a little sad.
Seeing her expression, Gong Linglong sighed, "I heard you say before that she's about my age and now that she's an adult, she should understand your painstaking efforts back then."
"We talked about it last time we met, and I explained it to her, but her attitude was very cold."
"Her father later remarried and had two sons. He focused all his attention on them and never paid any attention to her, not to mention her grandparents. In the following years, she lived with her aunt."
"Because of us adults, she didn't grow up in a happy environment. No one cared enough to guide her during her adolescence, which is why she is now sensitive and cold."
"The ice is three feet thick, and it didn't freeze overnight. I haven't been with her for these years, and I've hurt her before. I can only make up for it bit by bit, and slowly warm her heart."
Gong Linglong understood her difficulties and comforted her: "Aunt Shui, she is willing to talk to you, which means that some things have loosened up. If you keep up the good work and show her more care and companionship, she will slowly let go of her worries and accept you."
Shui Meirong nodded, "Well, we can only take it step by step. This matter cannot be rushed."
"Aunt Shui, the Shui family doesn't have many relatives here. If you have the chance, please bring her over to visit us. She and I are of the same age, and I was also raised by a single mother. Maybe we have common topics to talk about, and I can help you."
The Shui family are all good people, and Aunt Shui is also a great mother. The decision she made back then was forced. Gong Linglong understands her difficulties and pain, and wants to help her as much as possible.
Especially now that she has given birth to a child and become a mother, she understands the pain of her children being alienated from her.
"Okay." Shui Meirong responded with a smile, her face full of gratitude: "Linglong, thank you."
"Don't be so polite. If she's willing to open up, I'll have another sister to talk to."
After a while, Lu Jingchuan came in with a big bowl of pig's trotter soup, "Linglong, grandma made soybean and pig's trotter soup for you."
"Grandma is here?" Gong Linglong asked him.
"Dad sent it."
Lu Jingchuan placed the soup on the small table. Seeing that Dabao had finished his milk and was lying comfortably in Shui Meirong's arms, he went over and picked him up. "Aunt Shui, his grandfather said he wanted to see them. I'll take them out. You can go sit outside and have some tea."
Lu Nanzheng did not come alone, he brought Lu Qiuju and her sister with him, and brought them here specifically to wish his brother and sister-in-law a happy new year.
The two sisters had just greeted the elders of the Gong family before coming into the house. Today they were not as reserved as they were last time they met. They both smiled faintly and said, "Happy New Year, sister-in-law."
"Qiuju, Qiutong, you are here, happy new year."
Gong Linglong greeted him with a smile. Xiaobao had just finished his milk, so she held him and introduced him to her. "Xiaopeng, your two aunts are here to see you."
The Lu Qiuju sisters had made preparations before coming. They had just given New Year's money to the eldest and second children, and now they each took out a small red envelope and put it in the youngest child's quilt.
"Sister-in-law, have they chosen a name?" Lu Qiuju asked proactively.
"We've chosen the names. The eldest is named Lu Chuming, chosen by my grandfather. The second is named Lu Changxiao, chosen by my maternal grandfather. The youngest takes my surname, Gong Pengze, chosen by my maternal grandfather."
While they were talking, Gong Jingjing came in with a tray and said politely, "Sisters, please take a seat."
Gong Linglong also greeted them with a smile, "Qiuju, Qiutong, sit down and try the desserts and pastries made by my aunt, which are specialties of Hong Kong."
"Thanks."
The two sisters thanked him before sitting down.
Lu Qiuju didn't eat first, and took the initiative to help: "Sister-in-law, let me help you hold it, you drink the soup first."
"Qiuju, you eat. He just had enough milk and is feeling sleepy. I'll just put him in the crib."
Gong Linglong stood up, gently put her son on the bed, covered him with a small quilt, and called to the two sisters, "Qiuju, Qiutong, come here and eat."
The two sisters were relatively relaxed in front of Gong Linglong, but as soon as Lu Jingchuan came in, they became visibly nervous. They sat tense at the table, as if they had an instinctive fear of him.
Lu Jingchuan just brought in a thermos and left without saying anything to them. He put the things down and left.
Gong Linglong was actually not very familiar with them. The last time they met, they just said hello briefly. Today, they came to pay New Year's greetings, and out of courtesy, she shouldn't ignore them, so she found some topics to talk to them, and slowly they started chatting.
Han Ji and Gong Wantang didn't come back until late in the evening. After greeting the Shui family outside, Gong Wantang came to his daughter's room.
Seeing the Lu sisters were there, he was gentle and kind to them: "Are these Qiuju and Qiutong?"
"Hello, Auntie." The two sisters stood up and called out.
"Sit down, sit down quickly." Gong Wantang glanced at her sleeping grandson and invited them, "Qiuju, Qiutong, have dinner here tonight before going back. I've just told your father."
"Okay, thank you, Auntie."
"You two sisters-in-law continue chatting. I'm going to help in the kitchen. I'll call you to eat when the food is ready." Gong Wantang didn't interrupt the young people's conversation and went out after she finished speaking.
In the kitchen, Zhou Lanqin and Wen Huixuan were preparing dinner, and Shui Meirong was helping by lighting the fire. Most of the dishes were already prepared.
Dumplings are indispensable during the Chinese New Year in the north, and braised pork is indispensable during the Chinese New Year in the south. Both of these main dishes are on the table tonight, and Zhou Lanqin also made some salty and spicy side dishes to entertain the guests.
After dinner, Lu Jingchuan drove the Shui family back first, and then came back to send Lu Nanzheng, his daughter and his two children back.
Lu Nanzheng hadn't asked his son about his work for so many days since he returned. It was only in the car that he asked, "Jingchuan, I heard from your grandfather about your last transfer to participate in the training camp. How were the assessment results?"
"fine."
At work, Lu Jingchuan has never failed to perform and always ranks top in assessments.
"What are the arrangements next?" Lu Nanzheng asked again.
"The assessment is over, and the subsequent arrangements will be made by the leader. There is a half-month holiday during the Chinese New Year, and new instructions will be given after the holiday." Lu Jingchuan was not clear about the subsequent arrangements.
Lu Nanzheng was the one who talked to him along the way. The father and son talked about work. Lu Qiuju and the others had no chance to get a word in, nor did they make a sound to interrupt them.
After Lu Nanzheng changed his unit, he moved to the housing allocated by the new unit. He was allocated a three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment based on his position, which is not far from the family quarters of the Public Security Bureau.
Lu Jingchuan came to pay New Year's greetings yesterday morning, but he didn't get on the seat after sending them back today. He planned to go back after sending them back.
Just as he was about to leave, Lu Qiuju suddenly called out to him, "Brother."
Lu Jingchuan turned his head to look at her, "What's the matter?"
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