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Some speculated, “Could it be Wang Zhenhe’s brother-in-law? Heard he joined the army and hasn’t returned yet. But judging by the group, they seem more like children. His Brother-in-law is older than this.”
The people in the field started discussing, but as they watched Mingcheng and the others heading straight for Wang Zhenhe, the villagers couldn’t help but wonder. Meanwhile, Wang Zhenhe noticed a group of children surrounding someone in military attire making their way over.
At the forefront were the three children from his family. At this point, if Wang Zhenhe couldn’t guess who they were, he might truly deserve a scolding.
“Son? My eldest son is back.” Wang Zhenhe, thrilled, announced to those around him before dropping his hoe and rushing over.
When father and son stood face to face, they both paused. Wang Zhenhe scrutinized his son from head to toe, and Mingcheng, with tears in his eyes, asked, “Dad, I’m back. How do I look, energetic enough?”
Despite the years, the bond between father and son remained strong. Wang Zhenhe rushed forward and embraced Mingcheng tightly.
“Good boy, looking great and full of spirit. Dad is so proud. Have you seen your mom yet?” Wang Zhenhe, like any caring parent, was mainly concerned about his children. Since Mingcheng left for school, his wife had shed many tears in secret, knowing how precious each of their children was to her.
Mingcheng smiled brightly, “Dad, I already went to see Mom. She’ll be back soon to make me some delicious food. Let me help you with the work, and you can take Wang Qian and the others back home first.”
Wang Zhenhe couldn’t ask his son, who had just returned, to help with work. “No need, you go rest at home first. I’m not that old to be unable to work.”
However, Mingcheng insisted, noticing Wang Deshan looking their way from a distance. “Dad, let me help Grandpa. Since he’s watching us, I’ll assist him for a while.”
Understanding his son’s sense of responsibility, Wang Zhenhe nodded, “Be careful and don’t overexert yourself.”
Mingcheng went to help, followed by Mingyuan. Meanwhile, Yang Nuo and the others gathered around Wang Zhenhe, collecting the grass the community members had removed to feed the pigs. Some pigs wouldn’t eat it but could use it as bedding for warmth. Excited to help in the fields, the children from the Cong and Yang families were eager to learn about crops like peanuts, expanding their knowledge. Wang Zhenhe cautioned them not to trample the seedlings and allowed them to work independently, believing that children who enjoyed working were good children.
Wang Xuan and Wang Qian assisted by supervising and teaching a group of city children how to identify weeds.
Seeing his grandson in military attire approaching, the elderly Wang’s eyes welled up with pride. He praised his grandson warmly, surrounded by cheering onlookers. “Old Wang, are you happy to see your grandson? Look at how well Zhenhe and his wife raised their children. Each child from your Third son’s family is doing well. Old Wang, get ready to enjoy the fruits of your grandson’s success.”
Mingcheng smiled warmly and took the hoe from his grandpa, joining in with the others. Wang Deshan wiped his eyes, “Mingcheng, I can handle it. You’ve come all this way back; you should rest.”
Mingcheng shook his head, “Grandpa, let me work. I have the strength, and I’ve done this work before. You should rest in the shade.”
Onlookers admired the bond between the grandfather and grandson. “Old Wang, you should take a break. Your eldest grandson is so filial. We wish for such blessings too. Good deeds bring good rewards.”
Everyone present felt the same; they marveled at how the Wang family had nurtured their children and even influenced the young people who had joined the production team. If they had known how capable the elderly were, they would have prioritized education for their children. Now, they regretted not focusing on education earlier and realized the importance of knowledge. They joked and chatted, trying to ease their regrets.
“Old Teng, don’t sigh. Your son may not have studied much, but at least he’s here with you. If you want water or food, you have your son by your side.”
The group teased Old Teng good-naturedly, trying to lighten the mood. They suggested that Mingcheng go talk to Xiaoxiang, who was working nearby. Since Mingcheng’s departure, Xiaoxiang hadn’t had many playmates. Mingcheng headed over to chat with Xiaoxiang, excited to reunite with his old friend while continuing to work diligently.
Meanwhile, Wang Qian achieved her goal for the day, taking the children back home after collecting the grass. They then went fishing at the reservoir with small fishing rods. Wang Xuan led a group to catch crabs. With her big brother back, it was time to enjoy some delicious food.
At that moment, Zhang Lan was busy preparing a chicken at home, her heart filled with immense joy at her son’s return.
“Hehe, Sister, congratulations! I heard Mingcheng is back. As the eldest aunt, I must take a good look at how my nephew has grown,” Wang Juan walked in with a beaming smile.
Seeing her sister-in-law, Zhang Lan greeted her happily, “Sister-in-law, Mingcheng went to see Zhenhe in the fields. He’ll be back soon. Come over for lunch later, let’s have a lively gathering.”
Responding warmly to the invitation, Wang Juan replied, “Sure, we’ve been skipping meals at home for a while. It’s been ages since we had meat. We’ll make the most of the opportunity to enjoy a meal at your place. By the way, I heard the brigade is opening a rope factory. I’m thinking of sending Yu’er to work there. What do you think?”
Having heard about the rope factory, Zhang Lan advised, “If you want your child to work there, you should inform them in advance. Many people will likely be vying for those positions. I heard they plan to appoint Xia Dage from our village as the factory manager. Why don’t you talk to him later today? He’ll surely consider your Yu’er since you’re neighbors.”
As Zhang Lan shared her thoughts, Wang Juan understood the unspoken message. She realized the importance of strategic planning and connections, even in seemingly simple matters. Despite her desires for her children to receive an education and excel, she knew her family’s circumstances differed from the Third brother’s family. Nonetheless, she found comfort in the fact that her children were sensible and filial, a source of solace amidst her occasional feelings of inadequacy.
Wang Xuan and Wang Qian returned with a group of children, their baskets filled with fish, crabs, and even some shrimp they had caught.
“Aunt, we’re back! Look at all the delicious food we got for Mingcheng,” Yang Jian and Cong Fei proudly presented their findings to Zhang Lan.
Impressed by the children’s efforts, Zhang Lan praised them generously, making the kids feel a bit bashful.
Seeing the lively scene, Wang Juan couldn’t help but smile, “Siblings, your home is always bustling with life. Zuo He’s gone, but now there are so many kids here. It seems your family has a special connection with children. They are all so adorable. Oh, the tall one is Yang Nuo, right? I heard Minglin talking about you. You’re a good lad.”
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Yang Nuo replied, “Auntie, I was a bit foolish back then, but I’ve changed for the better. I’m a serious student now.”
Wang Juan chuckled, “I know, Yang Nuo is even taking the college entrance exam this year. And that’s Cong Tao, right?”
Cong Tao nodded, “Yes, that’s me. Minglin must have shared all our embarrassing stories with you. I feel a bit embarrassed about it.”
Wang Juan chuckled, “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. As *** always said, it’s commendable to admit mistakes and strive to improve. I’m sure both of you have bright futures ahead. Just reaching high school is no small feat.”
Wang Qian chuckled to herself, knowing that her aunt had high hopes for an academic achiever in the family, but things didn’t always turn out as expected.
“Mom, how about we take Yang Nuo and the others to Grandma’s house tomorrow? It’s a good opportunity for Big Brother to visit Grandpa as well. Since Little Uncle couldn’t come back this time and was retained by Grandpa Wu in the army, I need to check on Grandma’s situation.”
Zhang Lan had been contemplating the visit herself but hadn’t found the time. With the children going, it seemed like a good idea, considering they were all older and responsible.
“Alright, all of you can go tomorrow. Let them see the sea too. If they are going to study there, it might be good for them to get a feel for it,” Zhang Lan agreed.
Excited about the prospect of seeing the sea, Yang Jian and the others couldn’t contain their joy, “Auntie, you’re the best! We’re going to see the sea tomorrow!”
At noon, the Wang Zhenhai family gathered at Wang Zhenhe’s house for a meal. Both families enjoyed a lively and cheerful atmosphere. With the university student back and dining at the same table, Wang Zhenhai felt content. His son had a stable job, and once his daughter settled into a comfortable job, he would be truly satisfied, feeling hopeful for the future.
“Brother, someone has recommended a potential match for Mingshan. When they arrive, help me think about it. Once the matchmaker introduces our family with a university student, the girl’s family quickly wants to meet. This time, your blessings have come in handy. When Xuan goes to university, our second son won’t have to worry about his marriage,” Wang Zhenhai shared with his brother, visibly pleased.