The father and son rolled their eyes and turned their heads at the same time. Their expressions were so convincing that no one would believe they weren't related by blood. At least that's what Fu Minghao thought. Even though he was certain that Fanfan was Fu Jing's biological son, he couldn't help but wonder if they had been switched at birth.
The father and son quieted down, and the whole house was quiet. Zhu Jiabao chatted with Fu Minghao, while Zhu Fanfan watched as the dumplings took shape in his grandmother's hands. They were like copies, even the pleats were exactly the same. He couldn't help but admire them.
After all the dumplings were wrapped, there was still plenty of time, so the group moved to the living room to chat. When the bell rang, each household started setting off firecrackers, and naturally, Lin Wu lit the firecrackers for the Zhu family.
Zhu Jiabao had seen all kinds of cannons on the battlefield, so he wasn't interested in such childish firecrackers. Fu Minghao felt that he was too old to play with firecrackers. Tan Fuya was too timid to play with them, and Zhu Fanfan was too young for anyone to let her play with them.
It felt perfect after a year was over, and everyone happily went to rest, ready to get up early the next morning.
The next day, before dawn, Zhu Fanfan was dragged out of bed. Naturally, Tan Fuya helped him wash his face and get dressed. Today, he changed into another set of clothes, a red Tang suit with exquisite embroidery, which was very festive.
We ate dumplings for breakfast, and after that, people came to wish us a Happy New Year one after another. Each child received a red envelope, and Fu Minghao joined in the fun by preparing one as well. He gave his red envelope to Zhu Fanfan first, and Zhu Fanfan's eyes crinkled with laughter as he touched the thick red envelope.
As they were talking, the Ming family arrived. Ming Yunshu and Ming Yunshan entered almost simultaneously. For some reason, the two disliked each other, their smiles masking their disdain. Despite it being the New Year, neither spoke to the other.
Groups of people came to offer New Year's greetings, keeping them busy all morning before they finally had a moment to relax. After lunch, Zhu Jiabao went out to show off his granddaughter. After all, they were usually so busy that they didn't have time to get together. Naturally, they took this opportunity to reconnect.
After a lively day, the adults were exhausted and fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow before nightfall. Zhu Fanfan was also surprised that she was so tired despite her incredible energy, and she slept soundly.
The next day, Zhu Jiabao took people to the temple fair. Zhu Fanfan was held tightly by Lin Wu. There was no way around it. It was lively, but also crowded, even more crowded than a holiday trip. However, people's faces showed genuine joy, and the atmosphere around them was filled with happiness and peace. Zhu Fanfan was also infected by this.
Fu Minghao brought a camera, and the group spent the whole day taking pictures. Tiananmen Square was a must-see. After they finished, they even climbed the Great Wall. When they got home, unsurprisingly, they collapsed again.
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Zhu Jiabao went to work, and Tan Fuya and Fu Minghao became the ones looking after the children. Lin Damei had a good impression of Fu Minghao and his wife, and took Tan Fuya to chat with a group of old friends. Tan Fuya visibly became happier, and Fu Minghao was relieved to see this.
The fifth day of the Lunar New Year was almost over, and Fu Minghao decided to go back. It was rare for him to be able to come out for so many days. When he left, Zhu Jiabao asked Lin Wu to buy a lot of local specialties.
On the night before she left, Tan Fuya finally felt relieved: "I was very worried when you let someone you'd barely met take the child away. I was afraid Fanfan would be mistreated. Now it seems you were right. I was just being petty. The Zhu family is a good place."
She chatted with these elderly women and found that they were all very open-minded. They all knew that Fanfan was adopted, but they treated her as a real member of the Zhu family.
I can't help but think of their place, where adopted children are looked down upon and feel an indescribable loneliness. They are precocious, and even those adopted from infancy are gossiped about by those around them and have a rift with their adoptive parents.
Da Mei said that the people here come from all over the country and are as close as family. Which family doesn't have a few people who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield? Many families with the means adopt the orphans of martyrs. Whoever raises them is considered their biological child. This is the unspoken rule among them.
Anyone who sabotages the adoption process, or who doesn't treat the child well, will be watched by these people! They will gang up on them, and even the child's own words won't matter. They want to ensure that the orphans of martyrs grow up healthy and happy, and they can't let their parents shed blood and then let the children shed tears.
Fu Minghao was naturally relieved: "Seeing how naturally and intimately Fanfan and Brother Zhu get along, anyone would think they're a family. I don't need to worry about her future."
So much so that the two of them weren't sad at all when they left the next day, and happily boarded the train. After all, they had already agreed to call each other more often, send photos every year, and keep in touch frequently.
After the fifteenth, Liu Yumin called to say that the matter was nearing its end, and all that remained were some follow-up matters. She said she would be able to go home soon.
After hearing this, the Zhu family father and son were so happy that they went to a roast duck restaurant to celebrate.
Lin Wu: ...You guys want to eat roast duck, right?
When spring arrived and flowers bloomed, Liu Yumin returned home, but upon arrival, she went straight to sleep without even saying hello.
Seeing her grandmother, who had lost so much weight that you could see her bones, Zhu Fanfan felt heartbroken. Her grandmother had always been plump and kind, but now, looking so thin and exhausted, she couldn't be woken up when she fell asleep. Even when eating, she would be drowsy and fall asleep again after finishing her meal.
It took Liu Yumin three or four days to recover.
After Liu Yumin recovered, she remained depressed. Da Mei couldn't bear to see her like this anymore: "Sister-in-law, is someone bullying you?"
Sister-in-law Yumin has always been highly motivated, and nothing can discourage her. But this situation is not right now.
Liu Yumin forced a smile: "Who in this world can bully me? I witnessed a living hell in the South, and now I feel so good to be alive and healthy again."
Lin Damei was relieved: "What could be more frightening than you going to war? You've already faced death several times. I heard that you have so many doctors, and the ones sent are the best in the country. Are you afraid of some strange disease?"
Liu Yumin smiled bitterly: "I'm really scared. On the battlefield, it's either life or death. We die for our ideals, and it's glorious. But disease is different. This infectious disease comes too fast. On the first day, it's no different from a cold, but the next day, you might be paralyzed. Moreover, the virus is too destructive. We can't cure it completely. It will leave lifelong sequelae, paralysis, or even death. And the disease is affecting children under seven years old. I have never hated myself for not being good enough in medicine."
There also emerged a group of backpackers there, with parents carrying several days' worth of food and taking their children to one hospital after another for examinations. The results were almost always negative. These were the future of the country, destined to be either crippled or have cerebral palsy, or even bedridden for life, their lives ruined. They died on the battlefield with hope in their hearts, but this disease brought only despair.
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