Chapter 90: Visiting Family

Life in the family compound was comfortable, and Lin Xiangnan didn’t forget to write letters home to share her experiences.

“People go out to work early in the morning, but she takes an old lady to watch the sunrise. She’s crazy,” Hu Meili complained, holding the letter. “I think she’s just bored.”

Lin Xiangdong, her eldest son, laughed and said, “Mom, life isn’t just about food and necessities. Xiaonan is living the life I’ve always dreamed of.”

“Did you watch the sunrise when you were in the countryside?” Hu Meili asked curiously.

“During the busy farming season, we could even watch the moon at midnight. The moonlight was beautiful back then,” Lin Xiangdong reminisced, missing the hard work he had left behind.

“You’re crazy,” Hu Meili couldn’t help but complain. She felt that her two older children had read too many books. Only her youngest son shared her interests.

Although Lin Xiangnan wrote in her letter that she was doing well, Hu Meili was still worried.

After the New Year, Hu Meili packed her bags and prepared to visit the family compound. She was idle at home anyway.

“This is the braised chicken with bamboo shoots and garlic chili sauce that I had Uncle Pang from the restaurant make. Mom, take this for your second sister,” Lin Xiangxi helped Hu Meili pack her luggage.

Seeing his eagerness, Hu Meili couldn’t help but say, “Someone like your sister, she’ll never go hungry. Who knows how well she eats out there.”

Hu Meili was smarter. She didn’t prepare any food for Lin Xiangnan, only a pair of cloth shoes.

Since she was no longer working, Hu Meili had picked up her old skills of sewing clothes and shoes with grand mother Hu.

Despite a long train journey lasting a day and a night, Hu Meili was still energetic when Lin Xiangnan picked her up.

“I’ve been wanting you to come visit for a long time. Why are you coming now?” Lin Xiangnan took Hu Meili’s luggage and led her to the bicycle storage area.

“Do you think I’m like you? I’ve been busy at home,” Hu Meili sat on the back of Lin Xiangnan’s bicycle and asked, “Is this a new bicycle?”

“Yeah. It’s not convenient without one.”

“I wonder if Gu Zhenhua’s salary is enough for you to spend.”

Lin Xiangnan joked, “What’s there to be afraid of? When this month’s salary is gone, we’ll just tighten our belts until next month’s pay.”

Lin Xiangnan had already cleaned up the room for her mother after learning from her letter that she was coming.

Hu Meili had lived in a crowded courtyard for decades, and she couldn’t help but praise the spacious yard.

After praising the house, she praised the vegetables in the yard, “You’ve really grown up. These cabbages are planted so well.”

Lin Xiangnan grinned, “I didn’t take care of this vegetable garden. Gu Zhenhua planted it.”

No matter how good Gu Zhenhua was, he was still chosen by her daughter. Hu Meili boasted, “I have to say, your taste is pretty good.”

As she spoke, Hu Meili paused and said awkwardly, “I only brought you shoes, I didn’t prepare anything for Gu Zhenhua. I’ll make it up to him next time.”

When she was making shoes, she only made them for herself and her three children, completely forgetting about Gu Zhenhua.

Mainly because Lin Xiangnan had only gotten married recently, and she hadn’t gotten used to having another son in the family.

“Mom, you don’t need to prepare anything for him. They get shoes from the army.”

“That’s good.” Hu Meili breathed a sigh of relief.

Knowing that Lin Xiangnan had gone to pick up her mother-in-law in the morning, Gu Zhenhua went straight to the canteen to get lunch when he came home.

They had just finished setting the table.

Xu Zhengwei came knocking on their door, “Xiaolin, where’s my mom?”

Hearing this, Hu Meili was stunned. Why was he looking for his mother at someone else’s house?

Lin Xiangnan sat on the stool, without getting up, she shouted outside, “She’s not here. She went to the city.”

“Okay, I got it.” Xu Zhengwei turned around and went home to eat after getting his answer.

After he left, Lin Xiangnan said to Hu Meili, “We’ll go to the city this afternoon to buy some things.”

“You’ve prepared everything you need. There’s nothing to buy,” Hu Meili said directly to Lin Xiangnan, “After we eat, take me around the family compound and show me the way.”

“Okay, but you’ve been on the train all day, you should rest after eating. I’ll take you out to explore after you wake up.”

Their area was quite large, because besides the military base, there was also a military factory. In the afternoon, Lin Xiangnan took Hu Meili for a ride around on her bicycle.

When they returned to the family compound, she saw Xiaotian, the dog, walking around on its own.

Today, Aunt Hua went to the city, not to a remote place, so she didn’t bring Xiaotian.

They were old acquaintances, so Lin Xiangnan barked loudly at Xiaotian, “Woof!”

Xiaotian barked back, “Woof!”

While barking, it happily chased after Lin Xiangnan’s bicycle.

Hu Meili, sitting on the back of the bicycle, was so scared her toes curled up. Her voice was tense as she cursed, “You damn thing, why are you messing with the dog? You’re pedaling ahead, but I’m sitting behind!”

“Such a big dog. Who knows how fierce it is when it bites.”

“Hurry, hurry, pedal faster! It’s catching up!!!”

Lin Xiangnan felt like his waist was about to be broken by Hu Meili, and he laughed, “Mom, can’t you tell I’m familiar with this dog? It’s just playing, it won’t bite. It’s a retired military dog, its character is guaranteed.”

Aunt Hua often held Xiaotian and sat on the back of Lin Xiangnan’s bicycle.

Xiaotian ran after the bicycle for a while, quickly overtaking Hu Meili and running alongside Lin Xiangnan.

Seeing that Xiaotian didn’t do anything, Hu Meili relaxed and quietly minimized her presence, afraid of attracting Xiaotian’s attention.

When Lin Xiangnan stopped the bicycle, Xiaotian immediately rushed towards Lin Xiangnan, whining in greeting.

Lin Xiangnan also patted the dog’s head affectionately.

Hu Meili watched from the side, couldn’t help but grumble, “You little rascal, you did it on purpose! You deliberately scared me!”

“How could that be? I can’t possibly conspire with a dog to trick you. It’s impossible,” Lin Xiangnan wouldn’t admit it. She really didn’t do it on purpose.

“I know you! You’re more cunning than a dog.” Hu Meili’s resentment was almost tangible.

Seeing Hu Meili’s fierce expression, Xiaotian tilted its head curiously to look at her.

Those curious big eyes scared Hu Meili back a few steps.

“Auntie, are you alright? Don’t worry, Xiaotian doesn’t bite people in the family compound,” Luo Caixia was arranging the vegetables in the yard, and she came out to take a look when she heard the dog barking. She happened to catch Hu Meili.

Hu Meili steadied herself and said to Luo Caixia, “Thank you.”

“Mom, Xiaotian really doesn’t bite,” Lin Xiangnan quickly patted Xiaotian’s back, “Go home now. We’ll play next time.”

“Woof!”

After Xiaotian left, Hu Meili walked over to Lin Xiangnan and pinched her waist.

“Mom~ I really didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I was so embarrassed just now. You still dare to say it!”