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Mingyuan introduced the children of the Cong and Yang families who followed him to Mingcheng one by one. Seeing the heights of Cong Tao and Yang Nuo, then looking at his younger brother’s appearance, he couldn’t help but stifle a laugh. Such tall individuals being carried and hit by Mingyuan indicated how frail their bodies were.
Although Mingcheng was younger than these two, he still called them both “brother.” Cong Tao and Yang Nuo looked thin and small at that time, making them seem quite young. However, in reality, both of them were nineteen years old.
Seeing Mingcheng in military attire, Yang Nuo and the others admired and envied him. People younger than them had already entered university, while they were still waiting for their acceptance letters.
“Hey, Mingcheng, it’s great to finally meet you. Your sister has been talking about you for a long time. We’ve been good friends for a while. Let’s have a good reunion this time. Maybe we’ll have some luck and get into our dream school with you,” they exclaimed.
A group of semi-grown children surrounded Mingcheng like stars surrounding the moon, walking home with him. In their eyes, he was a hero, and they particularly admired and respected him in his military uniform.
Yang Jian held Mingcheng’s hand tightly and saw him as a soldier from the People’s Liberation Army. Standing by Mingcheng made him feel proud.
Upon returning home and setting down his belongings, Mingcheng looked around at the familiar home, noting little change since he left. He shared the dried fruits and candies he brought with all the friends, big and small, in the house.
Wang Xuan washed some peaches and brought them over. “Brother, have some fruit. The rainfall has been good this year, and Dad sprayed the trees, so we have an abundance of fruit.”
Mingcheng took a peach and bit into it, savoring the sweet, juicy taste, reminiscent of the flavors from before.
Wanting to change into casual attire, Mingcheng was stopped by Wang Qian. She couldn’t let her handsome big brother strip off his military uniform so soon without showing him off a little first.
“Brother, let’s go to the fields to see Dad. Let him witness your grandeur. I bet you can impress them all in the fields, showing our family’s eldest in all his glory,” Wang Qian suggested playfully.
Mingcheng chuckled, slightly bemused by his sister’s sudden love for showing off. But then he understood her intentions. “Alright, let’s go out and strut our stuff. Let those who are blind see. Now that I’m a soldier, our family is military-affiliated. Let’s see who dares to mess with our mom.”
Thinking about his mother’s experiences, Mingcheng felt the need to go out, not for anything else but to stand up for her. Their parents were kind-hearted, but their children were not to be underestimated.
Initially puzzled by the idea of showing off, Yang Nuo and the others soon grasped the situation after Wang Xuan’s explanation. They were smart and quickly understood the plan. “Mingcheng, we should go out for a walk. When my parents were exonerated, I led them around the neighborhood to show those who once mistreated us. It’s time to let them see that ‘Hu Han San’ is back,” Wang Xuan stated.
Yang Nuo’s final comment sparked laughter. “Brother, what are you going on about? Our parents are good people. Your words make it sound like they’re villains. Let’s go out with Mingcheng and revive the aura of our dad’s past.”
Yang Xiaomei vividly remembered the scene when her brother led their newly returned parents for a walk, and she felt vindicated. After their parents were taken away, some people gossiped and called them derogatory names. Yang Nuo’s actions back then were a resounding slap in the face to those critics, showing who had the last laugh.
Surrounded by a group of younger siblings and accompanied by two bodyguards, even though the guards appeared somewhat slender, they still exuded an air of authority. Wang Qian suppressed a laugh, finding their arrangement reminiscent of wealthy offspring.
“Brother, have you seen Little Uncle at the school? I heard he also applied to a school in the capital?” Yang Xuan inquired.
Speaking of Zhang Weiguo, Mingcheng chuckled, “Little Uncle and I go to the same school, but different departments. He didn’t come back for the break this time; Grandpa Wu caught him and took him to the troops for training. Luckily, being younger saved me this time. Next year, I probably won’t be as fortunate. I’ll likely join the troops with Little Uncle.”
Thinking of Zhang Weiguo’s somber expression when seeing him off, Mingcheng felt pity; his Little Uncle hadn’t returned home for years.
“Sister, did you tell Little Uncle about Grandma’s illness?” Zhang Qian expressed concern, fearing that Zhang Weiguo might not be able to stay calm upon hearing the news.
Mingcheng shook his head. “I dare not say anything. Let Grandma tell him when he returns. I shouldn’t meddle in this, and Uncle is sharp enough. Sooner or later, the news will reach him.”
After years of military training, Mingcheng doubted that his Little Uncle would let things go easily with Zhou Ping and the others.
The group of semi-grown children paraded through the village, with some of the younger ones not recognizing Mingcheng and the others. They happily followed the soldier, cheering and bounding along. As more people joined in, the group expanded, attracting familiar faces from the village. Mingcheng greeted them, acknowledging their shared community and the news of the Wang family’s sons entering the military academy, a feat celebrated with firecrackers by Zhang Lan and her husband.
Observing a crowd approaching, Zhu Qiyu initially thought it might be her eldest daughter returning, possibly promoted due to the large entourage. However, to her surprise, it was a group of children. Upon closer inspection, she realized she had mistaken them for someone else.
The children from the third son’s family had returned, and as they considered heading back, Wang Qian had already led Mingcheng up to where Zhu Qiyu stood. Initially smiling, Zhu Qiyu’s expression quickly changed upon seeing her grandsons. Mingcheng and the others noticed her reaction, but this was the outcome they desired.
Mingcheng nodded at Zhu Qiyu, addressed her as “Grandma,” and continued walking without looking back. He didn’t expect any response from Zhu Qiyu; he knew his grandmother too well from childhood to adulthood.
“You…” Zhu Qiyu, ignored by her grandsons, pointed at their retreating figures in frustration before lowering her arm weakly.
Now that the young ones had grown independent wings, they no longer held her in high regard. She didn’t regret her past actions but felt a sense of being overlooked. In the past, no one would dare treat her this way. Sighing deeply, she regretted splitting from the third son’s family, realizing it was a mistake; otherwise, she could have enjoyed the respect and care like the old lady did.
Zhu Qiyu didn’t reflect on her own actions but hoped her son and daughters would succeed, bringing her pride and a sense of satisfaction. Wang Qian glanced back and saw Zhu Qiyu walking home dejectedly, devoid of the excitement she initially displayed. Wang Qian assumed the old lady had mistaken them for her daughter and son-in-law in military attire, a humorous misunderstanding. She felt a sense of satisfaction seeing Zhu Qiyu’s despondency, as it seemed their time for a change in fortune had arrived.
She couldn’t help but sigh internally, “Wang Qian, if you can hear me from above, rest assured. Your big brother has made something of himself, and your big sister is about to start university. I’ll protect your family for you.”
“Sister, what are you thinking? You’ve been quiet all morning. Where should we go next?” Mingcheng was fully cooperating with his sister’s plans today, ready to follow wherever Wang Qian pointed.
Looking up at Mingcheng, who appeared genuinely happy, Wang Qian suggested, “Brother, let’s go see Mom. She’s probably still with the kids.”
Mingcheng was eager to see his mother. Leading the group of children, he hurried to the production team’s courtyard where Zhang Lan was playing games with the kids.
“Mom, I’m back.” Mingcheng’s affectionate call caught Zhang Lan by surprise. Slowly turning around, upon seeing her eldest son, tears welled up and streamed down her face like a gushing spring.
“Mingcheng, my good child, you’re finally back.” Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhang Lan rushed forward and embraced her son tightly.
Already emotional, Mingcheng couldn’t hold back his tears, being away from home for an extended period for the first time. He had never stayed away for so long, even during his boarding school days when he would return home every week. Deep down, he missed his parents and everyone at home dearly.
“Mom, no need to cry. I’m right here in front of you, not going anywhere,” Mingcheng reassured his mother.
Touched by her eldest son’s words, Zhang Lan couldn’t help but smile through her tears. “Mingcheng, you’re finally back. You don’t know how eagerly your siblings have been counting down the days until your return. Let me have a good look at my son in military attire.”
After carefully examining Mingcheng from head to toe, Zhang Lan couldn’t contain her joy. “Yes, my son is handsome indeed. You look so spirited in that uniform. How about this? You go to the fields with your siblings to find your father, and I’ll send the students home. Wait for me; I’ll prepare a delicious meal for you at lunchtime.”
The first stop passed the test, and Wang Qian led the group to continue their meandering journey. They marched up the mountain in full force, as Wang Zhenhe had mentioned clearing the grass in the peanut field today. They had a clear goal in mind and headed straight for the peanut plantation.
The community members working in the fields noticed a group approaching from afar, many of them children. Someone remarked, “Hey, who are these people? Looks like one of them is a soldier. Does anyone here have such relatives?”
Most villagers knew that Mingcheng had started university, but the specifics were a bit fuzzy for some, as he hadn’t been seen in military attire before leaving. Thus, the idea that he had joined the military didn’t cross their minds.