Chapter 45: Settling the Score After Autumn (Part 1)

In July, the sun rose early.

Its light streamed through the window, illuminating the entire room.

Mu Mian woke up to the sounds of chatter and noise.

She stared at the ceiling in a daze for a few seconds before suddenly sitting up.

Big Brother! Her big brother was back!!

Last night, the family had talked late into the night, only going to bed when the kerosene lamp finally burned out.

The night before last, she hadn’t slept well. Then last night, she went to bed late again, which led to her sleeping straight through the morning light today. No one even came to wake her up.

Mu Mian quickly changed her clothes, got out of bed, and pulled open the door. As soon as she stepped out, she saw that the main room was packed with people.

Today was Sunday, so there was no need to go to work.

Her fourth uncle’s family and her little uncle’s family were all there. Even Lele’s family was present, along with Aunt Chunfeng and the others.

Mu Zhuo sat in the middle, answering all kinds of curious and strange questions.

Zhao Meihua reached out and tidied her granddaughter’s messy hair. “Why did you come out without brushing your hair?”

Mu Mian ran her fingers through her hair a couple of times. “I forgot. Grandma, when did you all get up? Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?”

Zhao Meihua’s eyes had been crinkled with laughter ever since last night. “You young ones need more sleep. I only need a short nap, and I’m fine. Let your brother sleep a little longer. But he wouldn’t stay in bed either, saying that he wakes up even earlier in the army.”

Liu Shuangcui passed by and glanced at her daughter. “There’s some warm food on the stove. Go wash your face first. Just have a simple breakfast. Xiao Wan is already busy in the kitchen.”

Mu Mian nodded. Now that her brother was back, of course, the whole family had to gather for a meal at noon.

This was such a joyous occasion.

The twin sisters came over as well. The younger one, Xiao Miao, acted like a little grown-up, speaking seriously. “Sister Mian, you’re so lazy. The sun is already up, and you’re still not awake. I got up early, fed the chickens, found an egg, and even swept the yard.”

The little girl was tiny, but she felt like she had accomplished a great deal.

Mu Mian grabbed her little cousin and ruffled her hair. “Oh, so I’m lazy, huh? Then there won’t be any hair clips or ribbons for you later. I’ll just give them all to Xiao Mai.”

Xiao Miao, who had just been squirming and yelling under the head rub, instantly put on a fawning smile. Her little face was filled with flattery. “Not lazy, not lazy! Sister Mian is not lazy at all. You’re the most hardworking sister ever! No one is more hardworking than you.”

This little girl was such a cheeky little rascal. Mu Mian couldn’t help but pinch her soft little face again.

Xu Lele stood nearby, excited. “What about mine? Did you bring mine?”

Mu Mian let go of Xiao Miao. “Of course, I brought yours. Even if I forget anyone else, I’d never forget you.”

Xu Lele grinned. “What do they look like?”

Mu Mian tilted her head toward the house. “Come inside and see for yourself.”

Xiao Miao quickly grabbed her sister’s hand and pulled her along. “I want to see too!”

By the time the girls had all put on their new hair clips and ribbons and stepped out, more than twenty minutes had passed.

Mu Mian washed up and headed to the kitchen for a quick bite.

The kitchen was bustling. Mu Wan, Mu Qiu, and Liu Shuangcui were all busy preparing food.

Mu Wan chuckled. “Xiao Mian, you really can sleep. You’re only just waking up now?”

Liu Shuangcui added, “She wouldn’t even wake up if there was a thunderstorm.”

Mu Mian leaned against the counter, eating as she chatted. “That just means I’m blessed. I can eat well and sleep well.”

Zheng Xialan nodded in agreement. “That’s true.”

As they talked, Mu Zhuo walked in from outside.

Mu Mian immediately understood. “You’re thirsty, aren’t you?”

She grabbed an enamel mug and handed it to him.

She had overheard bits and pieces earlier. From Xiao Chengzi to Lele’s father, everyone was curious about life in the army.

But in reality, her big brother couldn’t talk about much. A lot of things were confidential. He could only share some trivial matters, like the things he had mentioned in his letters.

Was the food good?

What kind of funny mishaps happened among his comrades in the dormitory?

Even though the stories were minor, the men were still enthusiastic, talking in loud voices.

Mu Zhuo took the mug and gulped down several big mouthfuls of water. “I’ve already had three mugs of water this morning.”

Mu Mian laughed. “You’ll need another one soon, I bet.”

Mu Zhuo lifted the kettle. “Looks like we’re out of water.”

Liu Shuangcui said, “We don’t need this pot for now. Just boil another one. It won’t take long.”

She reached out to scoop some water, but Mu Zhuo quickly stopped her. “Mom, take a break. I’ll do it.”

Liu Shuangcui smiled. “Why should I take a break? You’re the one who just spent days on a train. Go rest.”

Mu Zhuo shook his head. “I’m not tired at all.”

Zheng Xialan chimed in, “He just can’t sit still. Just like Xiao Mian, full of energy.”

The moment Zheng Xialan said that, Mu Mian’s eyes lit up. She grabbed Mu Zhuo’s arm before he could start boiling the water. “Big brother, wait a second. Let me try something.”

Mu Zhuo instinctively asked, “Try what?”

Before he could even finish his sentence, he already had the answer—

Because his feet had slightly left the ground.

Mu Mian grinned. “Hehe! I can lift you!”

But because of her height, she could only lift him a little bit.

Everyone in the kitchen turned to look.

Mu Wan gasped, “Whoa! Big brother is so strong, and Xiao Mian can still lift him!”

Mu Zhuo stood still, even raising his arms a little to cooperate. He spoke proudly, “My little sister is amazing!”

Liu Shuangcui gave the siblings a sideways glance and said to Mu Zhuo, “You just go along with her nonsense.”

Mu Mian put her big brother down and beamed with satisfaction. “How is this nonsense? Big brother used to carry me around all the time when we were little. Now it’s my turn!”

Mu Zhuo chuckled. “Once isn’t enough, is it?”

Liu Shuangcui: “………………”

Just then, Mu Fugui poked his head in. “What are you all up to?”

Mu Mian answered, “Lifting my brother.”

Mu Fugui’s eyes lit up. He rolled up his nonexistent sleeves and eagerly said, “Let me try too!”

Liu Shuangcui smacked her husband’s arm. “Go outside and mess around. Don’t crowd the kitchen.”

The kitchen was already small. There really wasn’t enough space for all of them.

Zhao Meihua also shot her eldest son a glare. “You’re a grown man, yet you’re still like Xiao Mian. If you have nothing better to do, go chop those big bones.”

Comrade Mu Fugui, who had been trying to stir up trouble, instantly turned into a laborer.

—

By midmorning, the familiar aunties, along with Xu Lele and the others, had all gone home.

There was quite a lot of food prepared this time, almost like a New Year’s feast.

Since there weren’t enough plates, Mu Mian took Gutou and Xiao Chengzi with her to fetch more from their house.

The table was filled with an abundant spread, almost like a belated New Year’s Eve dinner. They ate and chatted, enjoying the meal for nearly two hours.

After the meal, they rested for a while before Mu Xingwang and the other adults returned to their homes. Meanwhile, the children continued playing.

Mu Wan and Mu Qiu also went home. Their most important task at the moment was preparing for the recruitment exam.

With their eldest cousin staying for a while and not planning to leave anytime soon, they could visit him whenever they wanted.

The old lady helped pack up Mu Zhuo’s luggage. He had brought back two large bags of things.

Since he arrived late last night, he hadn’t had the chance to unpack. Then, the morning was filled with all the commotion, so only now did he have time to sort through his belongings.

Mu Zhuo took the large bag from his grandmother’s hands. “Grandma, leave it. I’ll do it.”

Mu Mian leaned in curiously. “Big Brother, what did you bring?”

As Mu Zhuo unpacked, he said, “All sorts of things. I brought whatever I could. Some are local specialties, and others are things I was worried about mailing in case they got lost. I wanted to bring them back for you all to see.”

There were quite a few local specialties, some of which Mu Zhuo had mailed back before—such as sesame candy and tea—along with various food items and daily necessities.

Before long, Mu Mian spotted the things he had been worried about mailing—several medals carefully stored in a box.

Both the adults and the children, including Xiao Chengzi and Gutou, gathered around excitedly.

Mu Mian looked at them with admiration. “They’re so beautiful! Big Brother, you’re amazing!”

Mu Zhuo grinned from ear to ear. “When I was packing, I knew I had to bring them back for you all to see.”

Mu Fugui patted his son on the shoulder. “You’ve really made us proud!”

Xiao Chengzi, a little puzzled, asked curiously, “Why do they give these out? Do you get one just for joining the army?”

Mu Zhuo explained, “This is a Third-Class Merit Medal. You only get it for outstanding achievements. The one beside it is a Second-Class Merit Medal.”

Zhao Meihua and Liu Shuangcui, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo, gasped in awe several times.

Liu Shuangcui said, “I’ve lived this long, and this is my first time seeing one in real life!”

Mu Zhuo chuckled. “Then take a good look, Mom.”

As he spoke, he was about to hand it to her.

Liu Shuangcui quickly waved her hands. “Just keep it in the box. I’ll look from here. What if I damage it?”

Mu Zhuo laughed. “It won’t get damaged. The quality is great.”

Even though he said that, Liu Shuangcui still didn’t dare to take it.

After all, these were marks of honor!