Chapter 085: Preparations for Departure

“Should we make the fourth brother divorce?”

Chen’s mother’s eyes lit up instantly: “This idea, your daughter’s brain is quite good!”

However, she still had concerns.

“But… your fourth brother’s stubborn mind has been captivated by Ye Juan, making him divorce might be difficult.”

Chen Lifang rolled her eyes: “Mom, don’t worry, wait two or three years, if she really doesn’t give birth, the fourth brother will be anxious himself.”

“Then find someone prettier than the fourth sister-in-law… I don’t believe the fourth brother won’t be tempted!”

Good idea!

Chen’s mother glanced at her daughter, giving her an approving look. Instantly, Chen Lifang felt proud.

Ye Juan, sleeping in bed, was unaware that the mother and daughter had already decided her future.

Since they were leaving tomorrow, the eldest aunt slaughtered a big rooster.

The rooster weighed over five pounds, and after stewing with mushrooms, it filled a large pot.

The eldest uncle also brought out the water wine stored in the potato cellar during the New Year, and they all had a few drinks…

Those who were leaving had their own emotions, only Sanhu wasn’t sad at all, and he was even excited.

“Third brother, do you have a big river there?”

Chen Mingchuan nodded: “Of course.”

Sanhu was even happier upon hearing this: “Then when we run out of fish to catch in this river, I’ll go catch them on your side, okay?”

“You have more big factories there, right?”

This kid, his brain is quite sharp!

Chen Mingchuan nodded: “Yes, yes, but not for the next two years, it’s very chaotic outside.”

“Wait until the situation stabilizes, then you can come.”

Sanhu nodded repeatedly: “Okay, okay, anyway, we still have a lot of fish in our river now, we won’t run out for a while, I’m not in a hurry!”

The eldest aunt laughed and scolded him: “You’ve only been to the county a few times, and you’re already thinking about going to that big place?”

“I tell you, don’t end up lost and unable to find your way home.”

Sanhu disagreed: “I don’t believe it, they say the road is in your mouth, right? If I don’t have anything else, I have a mouth, don’t I?”

“As long as I’m willing to ask, I’m sure I can find my way! Third brother, do you think I’m right?”

Chen Mingchuan nodded again: “Yes. If you have a mouth, you have a way, the way is in your mouth! You’re very clever, I believe you.”

“Hehe.”

Being praised by the person he admired most, Sanhu smiled like a trumpet flower…

Leaving the eldest uncle’s house, Chen Mingchuan took Li Xinyue and the child to bid farewell to several uncles.

“Mingchuan, if you can come back, come back.”

“Your father and mother are confused, don’t take it to heart, after all, you are their son.”

It was the same sentence everywhere.

Chen Mingchuan didn’t say anything, he just smiled.

There was no need to say more.

Coming back, perhaps—it was difficult.

Back home, Chen Mingchuan specifically told the family about their departure for the army tomorrow morning.

The family was still having dinner, only Old Man Chen ‘hummed’ in response.

Saying it was a farewell.

It was his farewell to the past twenty-eight years of his life.

He didn’t care about their attitude.

Leaving the hall, Chen Mingchuan sat on the firewood pile in the courtyard.

Looking at the small courtyard where he had once lived, like a lone wolf, he entered the house after a long time.

Inside, Li Xinyue and Chen Yiheng had both taken a bath.

Hearing the footsteps, she didn’t say anything, because she didn’t know what to say.

Chen Mingchuan silently went out to take a bath, and went to bed after returning.

Because they had to catch the train, the family of three got up early.

Just after washing up, they heard Sanhu calling from the window.

“Third brother, third sister-in-law, are you up? Mom told you to eat breakfast before leaving.”

It was only four o’clock, what breakfast?

Li Xinyue had no appetite: “Sanhu, we won’t eat, we’ll eat when we get to the county.”

“Third Sister-in-law, the meal is ready. The tractor from the brigade won’t be here that early. Mom wants you to eat before you leave,” said Sanhu.

Well, it seemed like Aunt Chen wouldn’t let them leave without eating.

In this era, every household barely had enough to eat.

Each family received their grain rations from the production team based on the number of people. A child received about 20 kilograms  of grain, while a strong laborer received 45 kilograms .

In these lean times, a strong laborer could eat a day’s ration in one meal.

In recent days, the rations given to their family of three were not much.

After they left, Uncle Chen’s family would probably be eating sweet potato noodles again.

In the future, she should ask Sanhu to exchange more food coupons.

She would keep the money.

Li Xinyue responded with a heavy heart, “Alright, come in and help me pack.”

“Okay.”

They only had two large bags to take with them.

One was for Chen Mingchuan and Chen Yiheng, packed in a large military backpack.

The other was for Li Xinyue, containing only a few clothes she could wear.

Spring, summer, autumn, and winter clothes, plus a mosquito net, all fit in a snakeskin bag.

Two old cotton quilts were given to Aunt Chen as bed mats, better than straw.

It wasn’t even dawn, and it was pitch black everywhere.

When they left, no one from the Chen family came to see them off.

Standing at the door, Chen Mingchuan glanced at the house where he had lived for seven years, his eyes shifting from complex to calm.

Li Xinyue comforted him, “Don’t expect anything. Not everyone has family affection.”

“This is a family of extreme selfishness. They wouldn’t even understand the word ‘family affection’!”

It was true.

This was a family of extreme selfishness, and she wasn’t wrong at all.

Even if he wasn’t a Chen family member as he thought, he had called them Mom and Dad for over twenty years.

People have feelings, not just humans, even a dog you raise for a few years will have feelings.

But in their hearts, he wasn’t even worth a dog!

Turning around, Chen Mingchuan stood tall and took a firm step.

His straight back left the Chen family’s house behind.

At this moment, the Chen family didn’t know what they had lost.

Aunt Chen stood at the door waiting. When she saw them coming, she immediately went inside, “Erhu, quickly add some rice.”

“Okay.”

The hall was brightly lit.

“Uncle, why are you up so early?”

Uncle Chen laughed, “Chuanzi, you’re leaving, and we don’t know when we’ll see you again. I couldn’t sleep without seeing you off.”

Chen Mingchuan felt a genuine sense of regret.

If Uncle Chen was his real uncle, would his grandparents have given him to Uncle Chen to raise?

But there were no ifs, everything was destined.

“Uncle, if you have time, you and Aunt Chen can come to the army to see me. Just call first.”

After hearing this, Uncle Chen took a deep breath.

“Chuanzi, I know you’re heartbroken, but this is your root after all. Come back if you have time!”

Aunt Chen also knew he was upset, sighing deeply, “Yes. Chuanzi, Xinyue, come back if you have time.”

“Don’t worry, there’s room in the house!”

Hearing these words, Chen Mingchuan felt a lump in his throat: Root?

Was this his root?

Thinking about the longevity lock, he lowered his eyes: Was he truly a Chen family member?

“Uncle, I’ll try my best.”

“Okay.”

Uncle Chen was a wise man. His younger brother had hurt this child, so there was no point in saying more.

Breakfast was also plentiful. Aunt Chen reheated the chicken from the night before and cooked several dishes.

The white rice without sweet potato noodles was fragrant.

Sour cabbage with green peppers, napa cabbage, meat and vegetables.