The winter of 1961 was as dry and cold as ever. Only two or three sparse snowfalls occurred, melting as soon as they hit the ground. The drought in the valley was quite severe in the first half of the year, yet Chen Lan insisted on planting an additional three hundred mu of corn this year.
This was because Chen Lan knew that the drought in the entire Northeast, including the valley, would largely end in the latter half of '61, and the harvests in the following years would be good. Therefore, despite some opposition from within the valley, she insisted on expanding the planting area this year, mobilizing everyone in the valley to work together to draw water from the irrigation wells to combat the drought and sow seeds. In the end, they managed to barely plant three hundred mu of spring wheat, three hundred mu of corn, and two hundred mu of potatoes, followed naturally by a long process of drought resistance.
Indeed, heaven seemed to pity the hardworking people. Two days before the triplets' first birthday, the heavens finally showed great mercy and bestowed their blessings.
The rain began to fall in the morning, starting as a light drizzle. The adults at home thought it would be like any other rain, stopping after a while and not even wetting the ground, so they didn't pay much attention.
Only the children were cheering, "It's raining! It's raining!" The triplets, seeing their older siblings jumping with joy, also bounced up and down, cheering and shouting, turning the house into a cheerful chaos.
Who knew the rain would grow heavier and heavier, from a drizzle to a downpour, lasting the entire day. It wasn't until dusk began to fall that the rain gradually stopped. The adults at home happily wiped away tears, and Uncle De and Uncle Fu also had slightly reddened eyes.
Uncle De sighed, "Little Lan! The water level in the well is getting lower and lower. Your Uncle Fu and I have been so anxious! We've been as agitated as cats scratching their ears all day, worried about what we'd do if we completely drained our underground water. Now, it's finally raining. This rain is wonderful! We can finally have a few days of respite. This rain is so good! This period is crucial for the crops."
With the timely rain, the drought in the valley finally eased a bit. The old and young in the valley finally gained some confidence, and long-lost smiles appeared on their faces.
As the time for the crops to sprout approached, the heavens finally cooperated. During the crucial two months or so when the wheat and corn were in their jointing and filling stages, it rained intermittently. It rained a moderate amount every few days, just enough to irrigate the crops. These timely rains ensured a great harvest for the year.
As soon as the autumn harvest ended, the adults and children in the valley sprang into action. As in previous years, they went into the mountains together to gather mushrooms and wild goods, preparing to stock up for the winter.
This year, Chen Lan did not hunt in the mountains, only gathering various mushrooms and wild goods, to give the mountain animals a chance to rest and recuperate.
On the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, before the Lunar New Year of '61, Er Zhuang returned to the valley to visit his relatives and finally met his longed-for son, Xiao Ping An.
Xu Ming Xuan did not return to visit his relatives this year, which Chen Lan understood very well.
Er Zhuang's mother, taking advantage of his rare return home, arranged for his sister Yan Zi's marriage.
Chen Lan this time sent a double gift, presenting a generous gift not only to Ming Wei's sister-in-law Yan Zi but also to her mother-in-law, Madam Qian, to express her gratitude for delivering her triplets years ago. Although her mother and mother-in-law had already expressed their thanks, Chen Lan wanted to take this opportunity to show her appreciation.
According to Er Zhuang, relations were becoming tense, so he didn't know when he would be able to return next. Chen Lan thought about it and realized it was true. It seemed the hard times for everyone were coming soon!
Time flew by like a fleeting arrow, and it was soon autumn of 1963. A few days after the autumn harvest in the valley, everyone in the valley was busy at the threshing ground. Xu Ming Xuan and Er Zhuang returned to the valley, and the triplets finally met their father.
Xu Ming Xuan pushed open the door and found only the triplets playing house happily in the living room, with no other adults in sight. It seemed everyone else had gone to the threshing ground to gather the harvest.
Seeing a stranger at the door, the eldest, Xu Jia Hui, who was as robust as a little bull, asked in a childish voice, "Uncle, who are you? Why are you here? We don't know you."
The second child, Xu Jia Jun, who was as strong as a calf, also asked in a childish voice, "Uncle, who are you looking for? Mom and Grandma are at the threshing ground."
The youngest, Shi Mei, also asked in a childish voice, "Uncle, are you thirsty and want some water? We have herbal tea on the table. It's over there. Uncle, you can pour yourself some." She then pointed a little finger towards the herbal tea pot on the table.
Xu Ming Xuan had finally met the triplets, who were now over three years old. Seeing their three adorable faces, he was so excited he didn't know what to do.
Xu Ming Xuan said with great excitement, "You must be Shi Mei! Uncle isn't thirsty. I'm your dad! I'm your dad, my dears. Hurry and call me Dad." Su Dan Xiao Shuo Wang.
The three little ones were startled by Xu Ming Xuan's demeanor and retreated. Finally, Xu Ming Xuan picked up his "little padded jacket," Shi Mei, and asked, "I know, your name is Shi Mei, right?"
Shi Mei was not shy at all. She nodded cutely and asked with a small mouth, "Uncle, are you really Dad?"
Xu Ming Xuan grinned broadly and pointed at Jia Hui and Jia Jun, saying, "I also know that one of you is called Jia Hui, and the other is called Jia Jun, right?"
The three little ones became excited and asked in their childish voices, "Uncle, are you really Dad? Dad, you are really Dad."
At this moment, Chen Lan, who had rushed back, entered and saw this scene. She smiled and teased, "Oh! It seems you don't even need me to introduce you. You father and children have already connected and recognized each other."
Seeing their mother return, the three little ones prepared to rush towards Chen Lan. Shi Mei no longer wanted to be held by Xu Ming Xuan, she wanted her mother.
Chen Lan quickly stopped the three little ones' actions and said, "Shi Mei, let your dad hold you first. Mom just came back from the threshing ground, and my body and face are dusty, and my hands are dirty. Mom will wash her hands, wash her face, and change her clothes, and then I'll hold you all, okay?"
The old mother, who followed Chen Lan back, also entered. Seeing Xu Ming Xuan return, she happily asked, "Ming Xuan, when did you get home? Are you hungry? Have some herbal tea first. I'll go make you a bowl of noodles."
Saying this, she poured a cup of herbal tea from the pot on the table and handed it to Xu Ming Xuan.