After sitting for a while, the two brothers from the Zheng family stood up and wanted to leave. They were stopped by the three members of the Zhang family, who insisted on letting the brothers eat and go back. They couldn't refuse, so they had to stay.
Let's talk about the two Zheng brothers having lunch at Zhang Shijun's house. Zheng Zhendong helped Zheng Zhenguo, who had drunk a little too much, to go home.
…
After stumbling along the way, he finally returned home. Zheng Zhendong was so tired that he broke into a sweat. He and Zheng's mother helped the eldest son to the bed.
Mother Zheng then asked Uncle Zhang how his family was doing and whether his wife and children were okay.
After Zheng Zhendong replied one by one, he said: "Uncle Wang is back from Jinling. Do you want to go and wish him a happy new year? Mom!"
Zheng's mother thought about it and decided not to go. After all, the Zheng family was far away from others, and it was not time for Zheng's father to be alive.
After listening to Zheng's mother's words, Zheng Zhendong was silent for a long time and nodded to express his understanding. He thought that since Uncle Wang Yuanshan's family had not notified him, he had better not go and make others uncomfortable!
After the mother and son had a conversation, Zheng Zhendong asked.
"Mom! Do we have any relatives or friends who want to visit the capital?"
Zheng's mother thought about it for a long time, but she didn't decide whether to go see her old friends. After all, the tea was cold after people left.
It was no longer time for Zheng's father to be around the Zheng family. The sons would not be wronged if they went, so they finally decided not to go.
…
Just a few days later, the steel rolling mill started working, and Zheng's mother went to work.
On the tenth day of the first lunar month, the family had dinner together, and Zheng Zhenguo spoke.
"Mom, third child, little sister, I will go back to the army tomorrow. Don't worry, I will take good care of myself. Don't worry about me!"
The three of them were obviously stunned for a moment while they were eating, and then Mother Zheng put down her rice bowl and said.
"Boss, why don't you tell me earlier? Let's do this. We still have some dumplings for the New Year at home. I'll order some for you!"
After saying that, he got up and went to order dumplings for Zheng Zhenguo, which could be regarded as a farewell!
Zheng Zhendong said at this time: "Mom, eldest brother won't leave until tomorrow. Just cook some dumplings tomorrow morning. It's almost time for dinner!"
Zheng Zhenguo and Zheng Xinyi, who were sitting next to him eating, also echoed.
Zheng's mother then sat down and continued to eat. The four of them had dinner and cleaned up. Zheng's mother began to look for things for the boss to take away tomorrow.
The next morning, the Zheng family all got up early to wash up. Zheng's mother was cooking dumplings and talking sadly to Zheng Zhenguo.
Parting is always sad, as if there are endless things to say.
Mother Zheng wiped away the tears that were about to flow out, and then spoke.
"Boss, when you go to the army, you should write letters frequently. Don't forget to write a letter to Huairu too. After all, you are engaged now!"
Zheng Zhenguo quickly agreed and comforted Zheng's mother with a smile, telling her not to worry about him all day long!
After a while, the dumplings were ready, and several people helped them out. After Zheng's mother had tidied up, the whole family ate together.
After eating the farewell dumplings, Mother Zheng hesitated to speak, and finally sighed and went to work.
Zheng Zhendong watched his mother go away, feeling a little confused, but now was not the time to ask, so he sent his eldest brother to the station first.
The two Zheng brothers each carried a bag. When they walked out of the house, the younger sister clamored to see her elder brother off.
In the end, the two brothers had no choice but to agree. Because they brought their little sister with them, the journey was not fast.
When we arrived at the station, the train was about to leave. Zheng Zhendong hurriedly sent his eldest brother to the train. Before even saying a few words, the train started to leave.
The Zheng brothers and sisters could only wave goodbye through the window.
Watching the train going away, Zheng Zhendong stood on the platform in a daze for a while. He didn't come back to his senses until his little sister called him.
The two of them walked back along the way they came. When they approached Nanluogu Lane, they saw the Qin family's father and daughter driving a carriage coming this way. Zheng Zhendong hurriedly stepped forward to say hello.
"Uncle Qin, Sister Huairu, why are you here? Have a great New Year!"
Qin Chunhe looked at the Zheng brothers and sisters on the roadside, quickly stopped the carriage and said.
"It's Dongzi, what are you and Xinyi doing? Happy New Year to you too! Are you going home? Get in the car quickly!"
The two brothers and sisters of the Zheng family climbed onto the carriage and said hello to Qin Huairu. Qin Chunhe drove the carriage to the compound.
When he arrived at the gate of the compound, Qin Chunhe stopped the carriage. After a few people got off the carriage, they helped carry the things they brought.
After watching Qin Chunhe tie up the carriage, Zheng Zhendong let the Qin family's father and daughter into his home and quickly made tea to entertain the guests.
After several sips of tea, Qin Huairu asked.
"Dongzi, where is Brother Zhenguo? Why haven't you seen anyone else? Have you gone out?"
Zheng Zhendong looked at the anxious Qin Huairu and said without tears.
"Sister Huairu, it's an unlucky time for you to come here. Xinyi and I just put my eldest brother on the train today, and we met you on the way back!"
When Qin Huairu heard what Zheng Zhendong said, disappointment filled her face. She first said "Ah!" and then spoke.
"Why is that? I still want to see him!"
Then he complained to Qin Chunhe: "It's all your fault, dad! I said I came yesterday, but you had to come today. Look, you didn't even see Brother Zhen Guo!"
Qin Chunhe also said with an annoyed look on his face.
"Isn't there something happened at home yesterday? I thought it would be okay to come today. Who would have thought that this kid from Zhenguo would go back to the army today!"
Zheng Zhendong saw that the Qin family's father and daughter looked very disappointed, so he spoke to persuade them.
"Uncle Qin, Sister Huairu, before I left, my eldest brother said that the army would write to you. Stop doing this!"
…
After a few people chatted for a while, Qin Chunhe opened the things he brought and said.
"There's nothing interesting at home. The mushrooms, fungus, hawthorns, and walnuts I picked in the mountains are all worthless things. I'll give you a taste!"
Zheng Zhendong declined and accepted the things.
Seeing Zheng Zhendong put away the things, the Qin family's father and daughter were about to say goodbye and go back.
If Zheng Zhendong could let the Qin family's father and daughter go back like this, they would have to stay for lunch anyway. It wouldn't be rude to go back.
When the Qin father and daughter sat down again, Zheng Zhendong started cooking, and Qin Huairu also came to help.
After the dishes were almost cooked, Zheng Zhendong went to the third uncle's house in the front yard.
Knocking on Yan's door, Zheng Zhendong asked the third aunt who opened the door.
"Third aunt, is my third uncle at home?"
The third aunt let Zheng Zhendong in first, and then said.
"Your third uncle is at home. Do you have anything to do with him?"
At this time, Yan Bugui heard someone looking for him, so he came out of the back bedroom and said.
"It's Dongzi! Do you have anything to do with me?"
Zheng Zhendong said quickly: "Isn't this a guest at home? I want you to come over and accompany me! Do you think you have time?"
When Yan Bugui heard that he was asked to accompany the guests, he felt happy and said quickly.
"I have time. Third uncle, I just have a lot of time. How about we walk?"
"Then let's walk, third aunt, goodbye!" Zheng Zhendong said.
After saying that, Zheng Zhendong took Yan Bugui to Zheng's house.