"Sister-in-law Liang, your Junzi is already so grown up, soon heâll be marrying. Arenât you afraid heâll have opinions when you suddenly give him a younger sibling?" This aunt speaking was about the same age as my foster mother. She had permed her hair in the latest style. Her tone wasnât great; Lin Wan guessed she might be at odds with her foster mom.
"Our Junzi is not as petty as your kid. Heâs thrilled weâre giving him a younger sibling. Heâs coming back tomorrow." After Liang Qian finished speaking, she greeted Granny Qin and took Lin Wan away.
After walking a bit further, Liang Qian said to Lin Wan, "That was Granny Qin, Captain Qinâs mom from the compound. Captain Qin is in his thirties now. His wife ran off early in their marriage, leaving him with a seven or eight-year-old son. He might have lost heart with women; heâs been at the unit all these years and hasnât searched again. But his mom is always eager to find a partner for him, while her son stubbornly stays at the unit. Ah, such is the heart of parents. Their son is promising, but the marriage situation is quite distressing. The other woman, sheâs Xie Zhitao, the wife of Director Yang from the compound. Sheâs my elder sister-in-lawâs younger sister, and weâve been at odds since we were young. Every time we meet, we argue. When you see her, donât pay her too much attention."
"I got it, foster mom," Lin Wan smiled. Foster momâs elder sister-in-law is Mei Shupingâs wife, isnât she?
Liang Qian took Lin Wan to the nearby market to buy a lot of groceries.
Tonight, foster dad was coming back. Liang Qian intended to make some good dishes for him and Ah Hui to have a drink, and make dumplings tomorrow when Junzi returns.
In the evening, Lin Wan took charge in the kitchen, preparing cherry blossom shrimp with bok choy, Zhen fruit minced meat, fresh veggie fried eggs, soy sauce pork ribs, and a sweet soup for Uncle Mei.
As Mei Shuqing stepped into the room, he caught the aroma and laughed heartily, "This New Year with Xiao Wan here, Iâm in for a treat."
"Mom."
"Isnât Junzi coming back tomorrow?" Liang Qian was delighted to see her tall son behind Mei Shuqing.
"Well, now that the siblings are here, I had to come back early and meet them." Mei Lang Jun said with a smile toward the living roomâs Lin Yinghui.
Lin Yinghui stepped up to shake hands with Mei Lang Jun, "Hello, Big Brother."
Then he hurriedly called out to his foster dad behind him.
"Alright, alright, letâs have a good meal today." Mei Shuqing was pleased with the cheerful atmosphere at home.
"You think about eating as soon as you enter. Go wash up! Ah Hui was just wondering why you hadnât returned yet, bored and wandering in the room."
"Ah Hui, let Junzi take you around tomorrow. Thereâs plenty to see in the Capital City."
"Foster dad, Iâm staying home with foster mom tomorrow to make things. Itâs almost New Year, and we need to prepare some food for the holiday."
"I can prepare the food myself."
"Hello, little sister."
"Hello, Brother Junzi."
In fact, all three knew each other. That year when Mei Shuqing was ill, Lin Yinghui initially delivered meals frequently, and later, when Mei Lang Jun ordered from the shop, Lin Wan also became acquainted.
"We are one family now. In fact, we are quite fatefully connected, especially Lin. Sheâs got quite a knack for counting money."
Lin Wan hadnât expected Mei Lang Jun to have a humorous side; he could tease as well as foster dad.
"Whereâs Little Star? My niece, let me see her." Mei Lang Jun put his arm around Lin Yinghui and looked around the room, asking eagerly.
"The child is too small, we didnât bring her this time."
"What? My granddaughterâs not here? How can a family reunion be missing my granddaughter? Tomorrow, Iâll ask Xiao Liu to drive over and bring your mom and Little Star here. Wasnât it agreed on the phone that the whole family would come?" Mei Shuqing, upon hearing Little Star wasnât here, knew Liang Hongmei was definitely at home with the child.
"Alright, donât create problems for no reason. Hongmeiâs alone with the child, needing milk formula; without hot water on the road, itâs an issue. What if the child gets sick after being tossed around?" Liang Qian glared at Mei Shuqing, disapproving of his impulsive nature.
Mei Shuqing fell silent after Liang Qianâs scolding. He insisted on taking his two sons for a visit around the compound to show off a little.
His son had just returned and hadnât even had a chance to wash hands yet, before he dragged them out. Liang Qian was annoyed, but she had no way around it.
"Dinnerâs almost ready, donât stay outside too long."
"Got it, got it," Mei Shuqing waved without looking back, leading his two sons outside.
"Brother Hui, tomorrow one of my buddies is getting married. Iâll take you to see some of my friends. Conveniently, you can meet a few who work in the Governmentâs speech office."
"Sure, Iâm free tomorrow."
"Yes, Ah Hui should meet more people. Next time you go to S City, Iâll take you around the military base; knowing people there will make things easier." Mei Shuqing spoke cryptically, and Lin Yinghui understood.
Having more friends makes things easier; friends can help you travel the world. Social connections are always crucial.
Mei Shuqing took them for a stroll around the compound, encountering several people returning from the unit.
Mei Lang Jun was often at the unit; however, Mei Shuqing had only moved back here a little over a year ago. In his youth, he also lived in this compound, and apart from the old folks here, there werenât many familiar faces.
He wasnât familiar with Mei Shuqingâs son either. Today, bringing out two young men all of a sudden, itâs inevitable he would be questioned.
"My sons, my eldest Junzi and youngest Ah Hui. Haha, I also have a daughter, helping her mom cook at home." Mr. Mei said, causing Mei Lang Jun to smile awkwardly.
His father, fierce in the military, was just a silly old man at home.
Loves to show off; others boast about how capable or wealthy they are, but him, he boasts about the number of sons and daughters.
Ah, a lifetime of prestige all spent in the unit; in other matters, heâs just a dunce.
Of course, Mei Lang Jun only grumbled about this secretly. He wouldnât dare say it in front of his dad, else heâd be kicked aside.
Women gathered together to chat about womenâs topics, while men chatted about menâs topics.
When Mei Shuqing and crew returned, Lin Wan had already set the table.
A rare family reunion with an extra pair of children. Seizing the moment, Lin Wan took out the gifts prepared for foster dad and Brother Junzi.
Mei Shuqing, usually unable to drink in the unit, was quite a tea connoisseur, not to mention this purple clay teapot.
"Xiao Qian, our Junzi isnât as thoughtful as a daughter, indeed. No wonder people say daughters are like warm little jackets, it does make sense."
"Dad, alright, alright, nobody is as smooth-talking as you, acting like sons arenât good, only daughters are thoughtful, right?"
"Get outta here, I didnât say that."
"Big Brother, we prepared gifts for you too." Lin Yinghui said bashfully, having grown up without a male elder around, unsure how to interact closely. Even though he was a bit nervous, he envied the father-son relationship of Mei Lang Jun and Mei Shuqing. "I have something for you too!"
Lin Wan smiled, cautiously taking out a very small, sharp-looking army knife. "Itâs an overseas item, only the blade is there; the handle needs to be assembled."
Mei Lang Junâs eyes lit up at the sight, knowing immediately it was a treasure.
"Brother Hui, Xiao Wan, thank you both, youâve gone to a lot of trouble."
"Itâs our duty, we are family now."
"Yes, weâre family from now on."
Mei Shuqingâs record of never getting drunk was broken today, after drinking three bottles of high-proof liquor with Lin Yinghui and Mei Lang Jun.
Liang Qian and Lin Wan served one person after another, and after half an hour, they managed to get everyone settled in their rooms.
Once her chores were done, Lin Wan hurried to her room with a basin of hot water. Unfortunately, all her undergarments had turned soggy.
Lin Wan changed her clothes and went to the bathroom to wash them right away.
"Xiao Wan, why arenât you asleep yet?" Liang Qian couldnât rest assured about the two sons upstairs and came out in her pajamas to check.
"Foster mom, Iâm washing my clothes now, Iâll sleep soon."
"Why wash them yourself? Put your dirty clothes in the room; Iâll wash them tomorrow. We donât hand wash at home. In summer, Junzi got me a washing machine from outside, itâs convenient and hands-free." Liang Qian perked up at the mention of the washing machine and led her to the outside courtyardâs small room, where Lin Wan finally understood it was a laundry room.