Xu Mingxuan looked at Ming Zhe with a serious expression and hummed in acknowledgment. He extended his hand, stopping in mid-air, looking awkward. Ming Zhe, thinking his elder brother was about to hit him, dodged.
Xu Mingxuan kept his hand extended, unsure whether to retract it or let it hang there. He was in an embarrassing situation.
Seeing Wen Kai and Wen Qi enter, they called out, "Brother-in-law!" He hummed again and extended his hand to ruffle their fluffy hair.
He walked over to Ming Zhe, who was hiding nearby, and reached out again. Ming Zhe flinched, cringed, and closed his eyes. Just as Ming Zhe thought he was in for a beating, Xu Mingxuan patted his shoulder and turned to leave the kitchen to call the elders from the neighboring house.
Since the two houses were not far apart, less than three hundred meters, the elders soon arrived together. Ming Wei and Cui Qiao washed their hands and went into the kitchen to help serve the dishes. Ming Wei, seeing that Chen Lan had prepared so many good dishes to go with the wine, happily asked, "Sister-in-law, is there anything to celebrate today? You've prepared so many good dishes!"
Chen Lan smiled and said, "There's nothing special to celebrate. I just thought it's been a long time since everyone got together. Since your brother is home now, I decided to make a few dishes to accompany the wine so we could all gather, chat, and talk. Your brother has been home for several days, and we've all been busy. He's also been busy and hasn't had time to have a good drink and chat with everyone. Since he and I went to the mountains to pick chestnuts and came back early, I wanted to give him a change of taste, so I caught two wild pheasants and made them into braised chicken pieces for him.
Ming Wei, haven't you always wanted to drink your own homemade wine? We can all share some wine and satisfy our cravings!"
With the help of Ming Wei, Cui Qiao, and Hu Yuzhen, the dishes were soon served. Today, men and women ate at separate tables. The men drank strong liquor, and only Xu Mingxuan, who was injured, drank wine instead. The women's table naturally drank wine. Su Dan Novel Network.
At the men's table, they clinked glasses and reminisced about happy memories from the past. Xu Mingxuan, Er Hu, and Xiang Dong shared childhood anecdotes, which were still vivid and seemed to flash before their eyes.
A few close friends had finally gathered, talking about their current jobs and future plans. They spoke one after another, drinking cup after cup, laughing about life and their aspirations.
Uncle Fu and Uncle De drank their liquor, discussing trivial matters in the valley, the harvest this year, and plans for the next. They expressed both worries and anticipation for a happy future in the valley.
On the women's side, the elders, along with Mother Cui and Mother Liu, drank wine and chatted about family matters, crop harvests, and important life decisions for the children, such as marriage.
The elder mother worried about Ming Wei growing up and finding a suitable husband. Mother Liu was concerned that Xiang Xi was already twenty and still unmarried. Mother Cui also worried about what would happen if Xiao Shuan, who was no longer young, couldn't find a wife.
Meanwhile, Ming Wei, holding the wine she had been longing for, looked at the ruby-red wine. It was noble and elegant, with a hint of coldness. She took a gentle sip, finding it sweet and fragrant. The wine's aroma was pleasant, delicate, and sweet, and a wave of grape fragrance filled her mouth and lingered on her lips, leaving an unforgettable aftertaste. Ming Wei was completely captivated.
Cui Qiao, Hu Yuzhen, and Chen Lan were all unaware of Ming Wei's fondness for wine. Seeing Ming Wei lost in the enjoyment of the wine, they exchanged smiles and each took a sip of their own wine.
Although Chen Lan wasn't a connoisseur, she felt the wine's grape aroma was much richer than when the elders drank it last time.
After three rounds of drinks and ample food, everyone had had their fill. Hu Yuzhen, Cui Qiao, and Ming Wei cleared away the unfinished food, tidied the table, and went to the kitchen to clean up.
Chen Lan was feeding the twins. The two little ones were tired from playing outside today and had been sleeping during dinner. They had just woken up after the adults had finished eating.
Xu Mingxuan sat up, cleared his throat, and said to his mother-in-law and mother, "Mother, Mother-in-law, Uncle Fu, Uncle De, Mother Cui, Mother Liu, I have to return to the camp early tomorrow morning. I've come to bid farewell to you elders today."
His mother-in-law immediately asked, "Mingxuan, don't you have a seven or eight-day leave? Has it passed so quickly? Can't you stay home a few more days? Your injury hasn't fully healed. I see you're having trouble using your right arm these days. Will you be alright going back to the unit so soon?"
His mother echoed, "Yes! Mingxuan, you need a good body to do your work well. Your right shoulder blade hasn't fully recovered. How can you train or lead soldiers when you return to the unit?"
Everyone else also spoke up, trying to persuade him to stay.
Xu Mingxuan explained, "Mother, Mother-in-law, I'm returning tomorrow morning. Firstly, my new job is as the political commissar in the camp here, responsible for the soldiers' morale. I've just been transferred, and I'm not familiar with the people or matters in the camp. I need to get to know the soldiers better and adapt, so I can understand their needs and their family situations, and see if they have any difficulties. I work in organizational affairs. If a soldier's family has difficulties, we'll find ways to solve them. Only when their worries are resolved can the soldiers wholeheartedly guard the border. Don't you think so?"
After speaking, Xu Mingxuan looked at his mother-in-law and mother.
Chen Lan knew without looking that her mother-in-law and mother would be nodding repeatedly.
Xu Mingxuan continued, "Secondly, Dad said that starting the day after tomorrow, it will rain for several consecutive days. The mountain roads will be difficult to travel and dangerous when it rains. So, I'm returning to the camp a day early. Oh, Uncle Fu, Uncle De, please have Xiang Dong and Er Hu accompany Lan'er to send me back to the camp tomorrow morning. I'm giving you advance notice."
Uncle Fu and Uncle De said in unison, "Of course, of course. Is there anything else you need to prepare? Let them help you with it."
Xu Mingxuan quickly said, "No, no, Lan'er and Dad have already prepared everything for me. Xiang Dong and Er Hu, remember to bring your hunting baskets, bows, and arrows tomorrow morning. We'll have breakfast here and leave immediately."
Xiang Dong and Er Hu repeatedly agreed, "Okay, no problem!"
His mother-in-law and mother hurried to ask Chen Lan what she had prepared for Xu Mingxuan.
Chen Lan said that she had prepared eight wild boars, weighing over two thousand catties, along with a thousand sets of cotton coats, pants, shoes, and other five-piece outfits, and a thousand catties of wheat flour, all for the camp. There was also one wild boar set aside for the valley, which would be sent to the kitchen directly tomorrow morning.
Upon hearing about the generous gifts, his mother-in-law, mother, Uncle Fu, Uncle De, and everyone else gasped.
Such a grand gesture! How much money would that cost!