nycdaug Chapter 264 Everyday Life!
Chapter 264 Everyday Life!
“If I don’t know how, I can learn. Given my current situation, I’m afraid I’ll have to stay in the military for many years and won’t be able to get out.”
Zhou Xiaobai said:
“Yuemin, actually I don’t need you to make a lot of money. I’m a doctor now, and I earn seventy or eighty yuan a month. You also have a salary in the army. We don’t need to worry about our parents. We have a house, so there’s no need to spend a lot of money.”
Zhong Yuemin said:
"Money is a good thing, who would complain about having too much? Money can solve 99% of the troubles and problems in this world. It's always good to earn more. I know what you're worried about, so don't worry. You'll have to take responsibility for the role of the housekeeper here in the capital."
"Okay," he said playfully, then added.
"Aren't you afraid I'll run off with all your money?"
Zhong Yuemin smiled,
"Run away? Where do you think you're going? You, Dr. Zhou, will never escape my grasp. You'll only be crushed by me."
"Hate!"
Glance at the time on the wall.
“Let’s go back. I told Uncle Zhong before we came that I would come back as soon as I picked up the person. It’s been more than an hour already. Uncle Zhong will be worried.”
"What's there to worry about? What could possibly happen in broad daylight? It's just that the train is delayed by more than two hours!"
"Two hours? But only an hour has passed..."
Zhong Yuemin rolled over onto her, and Zhou Xiaobai immediately understood, exclaiming in embarrassment and anger, "Are you trying to kill me? I'm exhausted, I can't take it... Ah!!!"
More than an hour later, the two finally returned to their home in the compound. As they entered, people kept greeting Xiaobai.
"Xiaobai, you've come to see your Uncle Zhong again!"
"Dr. Zhou, thank you for treating me last time!"
"Xiaobai, is this young man next to you your boyfriend? Aren't you going to introduce him?"
Zhou Xiaobai smiled and said, "Aunt Wang, is this Zhong Yuemin from your compound? He's home on leave from the army for the New Year!"
"Zhong Yuemin?! Oh my, it really is him... This is Director Zhong's son? Yuemin, you've gotten so tanned, your face is as dark as coal."
"You've grown taller and stronger, Yuemin. My family from Jizhong is coming back from northern Shaanxi for the New Year. You can have a good get-together."
"..."
Zhong Yuemin nodded and smiled in response. It had been several years since he had returned, and he was really enthusiastic. In the past, they, these idle and unruly rascals, were disliked by everyone, like plague gods, and people avoided them at all costs.
Walking towards his own yard, Zhong Yuemin said:
"You're more popular than me, so whose house are we going to?"
Zhou Xiaobai was smug.
“This is my home. I’ll be living here from now on. Everyone in your compound is very nice. They’re all very polite.”
Zhong Yuemin smiled,
"How could it not be good? It's all thanks to my dad. If my dad were still in there, it would be a completely different story."
As they spoke, they arrived at their own yard. Just as they entered, Zhou Xiaobai called out to them.
"Uncle Zhong, Yuemin is back..."
"Xiaobai is back!"
Zhong Shanyue emerged from the kitchen, wearing an apron. A delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen; it was rare to see his father cook, and he looked radiant and full of energy.
"Dad, when did you switch careers to become a chef?"
Zhong Shanyue looked his son up and down.
"Okay, it looks better now. But you're still a soldier, you have no sense of propriety at all, letting Xiaobai, a girl, carry the luggage. Hurry up and take it."
Turning to his daughter-in-law, his expression was gentle and kind.
"Xiaobai, go inside and rest. You must be cold. Your face is so red. The food will be ready soon, and you can eat in a bit."
Zhou Xiaobai's face turned even redder. She thought to herself that this was not from the cold, but from the good deeds of her son. She hummed in response. Normally, he would definitely lend a hand in the kitchen, but he probably couldn't do it today. His whole body was sore and weak, and he had exhausted a lot of energy.
Zhong Yuemin took his luggage back to his room. It hadn't been lived in for several years, but the room was spotless, and the bedding and blankets were all new; it seemed Xiaobai had cleaned it.
After the meal was prepared, the family of three sat around the table to eat. Zhong Shanyue served food to his daughter-in-law.
"Xiaobai, eat more. Your Uncle Zhong's cooking skills should have improved by now, right?"
"Uncle Zhong, you've improved more than just a little; you've improved by leaps and bounds. I think your skills are on par with the chefs at the Beijing Hotel and the Xinqiao Hotel."
"Hahaha..." Zhong Shanyue laughed heartily, "If it's delicious, then eat more!"
Zhong Yuemin saw this and thought, "Dr. Zhou, you really have a knack for charming your future father-in-law."
Zhong Shanyue said:
"Yuemin, when you were in the army, Xiaobai would come to visit and take care of me every few days. You better treat Xiaobai well. If you dare to bully her, I'll break your legs."
Zhong Yuemin nodded, not daring to disobey.
How was your time in the army?
"Okay, it's alright, but it's pretty boring. It's just training all day long, it's a bit tedious!"
"I know what you're thinking. Stay in the army and don't get any funny ideas. Isn't training good enough? If there's a real war, people will die. Do you think this is a joke?"
“Dad, I know that you, my grandpa, and Xiaobai’s dad all hope that I will serve in the army until I’m old. But the way you’re doing this feels like you’re imposing your own will on me. This doesn’t restrict my personal freedom of thought.”
Zhong Yuemin said:
"And another thing, you said I've been in the army all year round and haven't been able to return to Beijing. Xiaobai is as beautiful as a flower and gentle as a flower, so it's inevitable that she'll attract unwanted attention. Maybe one day she'll run off with someone. Where will you find such an understanding daughter-in-law? Aren't you worried at all?"
Zhou Xiaobai lightly slapped him, "You're the one who'll run off with someone, I won't!"
Zhong Shanyue hummed.
"I was just praising you a bit, and now you're back to your old self. Stop talking nonsense. Wait a few years, and see if we can transfer you back to Beijing. That would be fine. What can you do if you retire now? Beijing is a place where everyone has a specific position. Even if we arrange a job for you, it certainly won't be as good as it was in the military..."
His father started nagging again. Knowing there was no point in arguing, he nodded and could only resign himself to his fate.
"After you finish eating and rest, we'll visit your Uncle Zhou and the others this afternoon. I've prepared a gift for you."
"okay!"
I took a nap in bed with my wife at noon, then drove to my father-in-law's house with gifts. Knowing he was coming back today, the whole family was there: my father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and so on.
Chen Yijun held her son-in-law's hand and looked him up and down.
"You've gotten darker and thinner, Yuemin. You're all alone in the army, so you have to take good care of yourself."
"Aunt Chen, I will. I have to train every day in the army. A tan is good; it makes me look healthier."
His brother-in-law put his arm around his shoulder.
"Yuemin, you're quite something. I heard that when you were in the army, you often drank and talked with Commander Li of the military region. Even division commanders and deputy division commanders don't get that kind of treatment. Keep up the good work, and I think you'll be a deputy company commander or company commander in a few years."