"That’s right, last year our family reunion was quite lively. But this year my uncle is pretty busy by himself, he’s probably in the district now. Anyway, it won’t be a reunion," unable to see Lin Wan and Shi Lan, Lin Yuan felt quite regretful. "I originally brought a lot of delicious food for you guys, also brought several outfits for your Bao Bao."
"Lin Yuan, thank you. It’s not like we won’t co back. We’ll be back on the sixth or seventh day. We’ll gather again then."
"Alright, when you co back, don’t forget to call the pair of us."
"Absolutely, absolutely."
On the day before New Year’s Eve, Lin Wan prepared many gifts for Grandma and Aunt Jin. She couldn’t make it this year, and took the opportunity to tell them she would take Little Star to the Capital City.
Grandma and Aunt Jin both agreed that taking Little Star was inconvenient, especially in winter. Aunt Jin wanted Lin Wan to leave the child at her house.
Yesterday, her mother-in-law said the sa, leave the child with them at ho. Anyway, it’s the holiday season, everyone is on break, resting at ho.
After the godmother called last ti, Lin Wan discussed it with Mom. Mom suggested that she and her brother go, and stay at ho with Little Star.
The parents all didn’t want Lin Wan to bring the child over. Lin Wan hesitated, unsure whether to take Little Star or not.
In this dilemma for four or five days, her brother’s unit suddenly assigned him a task, to deliver so docunts to the Capital City.
Lin Wan was confused at first, then realized instantly that it was godmother’s idea. Why else send a docunt at this ti, and especially assign her brother to deliver it?
Taking the train now, doing the work and coming back would take three or four days round trip. By the ti they return, the unit here would also be on break.
"Little Sister, I have a train the day after tomorrow, the unit will reimburse it. Why don’t you go with tomorrow? Little Star is still young, and since Mom doesn’t want to go, leave him at ho with her." Lin Yinghui understood godmother’s intention, acknowledging their godparent status, wanting them to visit the first year to show importance, et their son i Lang Jun, and get to know the relatives.
"...Not taking Little Star?" Lin Wan looked at Little Star in her arms, a little reluctant, guessing she would be gone for two weeks.
The key is, these two weeks, she won’t be able to breastfeed, which is another hassle.
Little Star is only six months, she doesn’t want to wean him now. He should at least eat so solid foods before weaning.
"Xiao Wan, leave the child at ho. I and your mother-in-law will watch over Little Star. What are you worried about? The store will close in a couple of days too. It’s quite relaxing at ho," Liang Hongi also persuaded beside her. She knew her daughter wanted to take the child over to et the son-in-law, it’s not like they wouldn’t return, what’s the rush?
The key is, being so young, even with a special car, traveling isn’t easy. Cold and hunger are issues.
Lin Wan thought overnight, realizing the adults had a point. In this era, there weren’t many special dicines for infants, if the baby got sick, it would be mostly bitter dicine or Chinese dicine. If they got sick, it’s not only hard to feed but also uncomfortable for the baby.
Lin Wan knew, a lot of children couldn’t survive these days. In the moat in the suburbs, there were quite a few dead infants.
Kids like Hu Dong’s age, curious after school, liked to go count the dead kids there.
Going to the Capital City, Lin Wan just packed a few nice warm clothes. Of course, a red down jacket and gray-blue cotton coat weren’t to be missing. Over there, it wasn’t as cold as in S City, they could completely wear these. Lin Wan called Liang Qian and told her not to send a car for pickup, she’d take the train with her brother directly. Besides, Shi Lan was going with them to the Capital City.
The train ticket was bought by her brother. Having soone from the governnt departnt, a sleeper was easy to get.
Actually, from S City to the Capital City is about a day and a half travel ti.
Liang Hongi prepared twenty or thirty boiled eggs for them. It was too cold in winter, unsuitable for preparing soft foods.
If they wanted to eat, they could only buy from the train, expensive as it was, at least they could eat a hot al.
The day after the son and daughter boarded the train, Liang Hongi also bought a ticket for Zhang Dandan to go back to her hotown for Chinese New Year. "Aunt, why are cousin and brother-in-law going to the Capital City, cousin doesn’t even want Little Star anymore?" Zhang Dandan didn’t want to go back to her hotown, for New Year’s, she might not even eat as well as she did usually now.
Poor food was one thing, but back ho, she had to do the housework herself. Her hands, painstakingly nurtured soft and smooth, would surely turn rough within half a month.
These days, Brother Wu ca to the store daily asking people to eat. She couldn’t just leave like that.
"That’s none of your business, don’t ask questions, I bought your ticket. You hurry up and go back, lest your mother says I mistreated you."
Actually, Liang Hongi very much wanted to say, don’t co next year. Seeing Zhang Dandan’s aggrieved expression, she opened her mouth but held back.
"Aunt, you’re here alone with the child and managing the store, how can I leave without worry? I’ll stay a few more days to help you then I’ll go back."
"No need, the child has soone to watch, the store as well. We don’t need you," Liang Hongi saw Zhang Dandan lingering, finding every excuse, and was annoyed.
Zhang Dandan wouldn’t give up such a good opportunity, she didn’t argue more with Liang Hongi. She could see it, Aunt didn’t want her staying at the store, afraid she’d see things not ant to be seen, like the middle-aged uncle frequently visiting, don’t think she’s blind.
"Aunt, you don’t need to persuade anymore, thank you for the kindness. I’ve decided to wait a few more days before leaving. I’ll buy my ticket later. Oh... I should get busy now," after speaking, she dashed to the second floor, unwilling to stay in the ground floor lobby, afraid Liang Hongi might spot her and bring up returning ho again.
When Lin Wan and the other two arrived in the Capital City, their godmother ca to pick them up directly in a military vehicle.
As soon as Shi Lan arrived, she called her husband, Ning Jiang ca directly to receive her.
This task probably involved Ning Jiang. Since he had ti now, it ant Han Yi should have ti as well.
"Captain Ning, when you get back and see Han Yi, have him wait for my call in the afternoon at the reception. I’ll call him,"
"Alright, that kid probably doesn’t even know you’ve co," Ning Jiang laughed.
Embarrassed, Lin Wan shook her head, wanting to give Han Yi a surprise.
"Xiao Wan, we’re off now. Tell Han Yi your phone number, and in a couple of days, I’ll call you so we can go out," Shi Lan said.
"Sure, absolutely."
"Little Jiang, if you guys have ti, co to my place. Old i won’t be in the military division this year for the New Year," Liang Qian smiled at Ning Jiang, also asking how Shi Lan was doing living over there.
"After the mission concludes, we’ll definitely visit Mr. i. Thank you for Xiao Lan, Aunt Liang. If it weren’t for you, I’d worry about Xiao Lan living alone outside."
Liang Qian waved her hand, "It’s just a coincidence."
After so small talk, everyone parted ways.
Liang Qian took them on a half-hour drive to a certain district compound in the Capital City.
Mr. i lived in a two-story small building, tidy and clean.
In the living room, besides a set of wooden sofas, there was a 27-inch black-and-white TV and a radio.
At this ti, families with slightly better conditions would have these.
They sold black-and-white TVs in S City’s mall as well. After seeing last century’s LCD super-frequency color TVs, these things held no appeal for Lin Wan.
Mom wasn’t keen, and brother didn’t care about these, so they hadn’t acquired any.
"I’ve prepared your rooms last month already, co, let show you," Liang Qian was particularly attentive since taking them as godchildren. After she returned, the first thing was to rearrange the rooms in their house.
The two-story small building had three rooms downstairs, a bathroom, and a kitchen. Upstairs, there were two rooms and a bathroom.
One of the rooms upstairs was their son’s, the other previously stored so sundries. Liang Qian tidied it up, bought a bed, wardrobe, and desk for Lin Yinghui, fully equipped.
User Comments
0 comments from readers