The days of family reunions were filled with warmth and joy. During the few days Xu Mingxuan was home, Chen Lan didn't let him do any chores. She only asked him to stay home and chat with his mother-in-law, his own mother, and Mama Cui, and to spend time with the ten children in the family.
Chen Lan, having come from her past life, knew very well that children needed their father's company. If a father was consistently absent in a family, children could easily develop psychological issues, which might affect their personality development and even their entire lives.
Every father was a role model and an idol in their children's hearts, a towering tree that could shelter them from the wind and rain!
Xu Mingxuan also knew that he had been absent from his children's growth for many years. So, during his days at home, he tried his best to make up for his shortcomings, treating all the children in the family with equal fairness and impartiality.
He shed his fatherly pretense to play games with the youngest triplets; he accompanied Jiahe to learn Go; he practiced archery with Jiaxing, guiding him on the correct methods and techniques for using a bow and crossbow; he patiently accompanied his mother-in-law and mother in their conversations; and he very understandingly chatted with his daughters, asking them what they had learned, what they liked, and what their hobbies were.
During Xu Mingxuan's stay at home, the house was as lively as if it were celebrating the New Year every day. With their father's company, the children in the family had fewer regrets, especially the boys, who needed their father's presence even more.
People often say, "A father's love is like a mountain," which shows how tall and majestic a father's image is in the hearts of children, and how high a father's authority is in their minds! In the children's hearts, fathers were omnipotent, so a father's companionship brought them a great sense of security and had a huge impact on their future lives.
Chen Lan also hoped that the children would interact more with their father, as this would help cultivate their masculine demeanor. Chen Lan hoped they would possess Xu Mingxuan's resolute character and magnanimous spirit.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, six or seven days had passed. During dinner that day, Xu Mingxuan announced at the table that he and Er Zhuang would be setting off for their new positions the next day.
His mother-in-law and mother heard this and felt great regret, their spirits instantly dropping. His mother-in-law sighed and asked, "Time passes so quickly! Mingxuan, you have to leave again so soon. When can you come back?"
His mother wiped the corners of her eyes and also asked, "Yes! Mingxuan, when can you come back next time?"
Xu Mingxuan smiled and replied, "Mother, Mother-in-law, I really don't know. My new unit after my transfer is not too far away, it's in Heprovince in our Northeast, but the area is not yet developed and is quite desolate. I probably won't be able to return for three to five years."
His mother exclaimed, "So long? Mingxuan! Aren't you out of the army now? Haven't you already been transferred? How can you still not come home?"
Chen Lan quickly grabbed her mother's hand and explained, "Mother, although Brother Mingxuan has left the army and been transferred, his new unit also has discipline, and he can't just come home whenever he wants. Please don't worry! If he has leave, Brother Mingxuan will definitely come to see you and Mother-in-law."
His mother-in-law and mother said repeatedly, "That's good, that's good! Mingxuan! Remember to come back when you have leave!"
Xu Mingxuan naturally nodded repeatedly in agreement.
The children were naturally reluctant about their father's departure again. After dinner, except for the young triplets who were taken upstairs by Chen Lan to sleep at their bedtime, the remaining seven children gathered around Xu Mingxuan in the living room and chatted late into the night.
The next day, before dawn, Chen Lan got up early. She quickly tidied herself up and went down to the kitchen. Chen Lan planned to make a hearty meal for Xu Mingxuan and Er Zhuang, as they didn't know when their next meal would be or if there would be food at all. So, she decided to make their favorite seafood hot pot with beef and lamb and rice, and also steam some two-flour steamed buns for them to take along in case they got hungry on the road.
When the sky was just beginning to lighten, the food was cooked, and the adults in the family also gradually woke up. Smelling the aroma of the food, Mingzhe was the first to run into the kitchen. As soon as he entered, he shouted, "The smell is so good, I knew Big Sister-in-law must be cooking today. Only Big Sister-in-law has this skill. I guessed correctly."
Chen Lan smiled and patted his arm, saying, "You flattering rascal, you always know how to say the right things. Hurry, go to your brother-in-law's house and invite your brother-in-law and sister over for a meal. Tell your sister she doesn't need to prepare anything for your brother-in-law; I've already prepared it for Er Zhuang while preparing for your brother! Go quickly! They have to travel to their new unit after eating. Also, call your Brother Xiang and tell him to hurry over for a meal without dawdling."
Mingzhe jokingly saluted Chen Lan and replied, "Order received, Big Sister-in-law, I'm going now."
Before his words had even finished, he had already run out of the kitchen door. At this moment, Xu Mingxuan walked in and said, "Lan'er, you're up so early. You've worked hard again!"
Chen Lan smiled and asked, "Brother Mingxuan, you're up! You slept so late last night, why didn't you sleep in a bit longer?"
Xu Mingxuan smiled and said, "It's a habit of many years. No matter how late I sleep the night before, I wake up at that time the next day. Lan'er, is the food ready? Let me take it to the living room!"
The family had a rich breakfast. Chen Lan and Xu Mingxuan went upstairs to pack the luggage they would take to Beidahuang. Chen Lan clearly instructed Xu Mingxuan on packing the regular medicines and preserved foods for nutrition that would be needed in Beidahuang, which were stored in the quilt bags.
Then, she once again solemnly instructed, "Brother Mingxuan, you must remember what I told you. You must treat those people sent down to Beidahuang kindly and try to take care of them as much as possible, because many of these people will make great contributions to the country in the future."
Xu Mingxuan also nodded solemnly and replied, "Lan'er, don't worry, I understand!"
Seeing that Xu Mingxuan had taken her words to heart, Chen Lan handed him his luggage and large backpack, then picked up Er Zhuang's luggage and backpack and said, "Brother Mingxuan, it's getting late. Let's leave quickly while the triplets are still asleep! Xiao Xigua and I will first send you to Changchun, and then you two will take a train from Changchun to Harbin and then transfer to Jiamusi."
Xu Mingxuan nodded, went into the adjacent room, kissed the triplets one by one, and then reluctantly turned and left the room.
The whole family, old and young, saw the four people off for a long distance. Watching their figures gradually disappear into the woods, they wiped their eyes and turned back.