Chapter 236: Xiao Mo’s Military Salute Wasn’t Quite Up to Standard

The young soldier on duty at the entrance was still the same one from last time. He smiled and greeted the two brothers when he saw them.

Xiao Mo stood there and gave him a not-so-standard military salute.

Then he turned to Xu An and said, “Second brother, you should go back and keep an eye on the house. When you have time, tidy up the yard.

The backyard is so big; it would be a waste to leave it empty. You should clean it up and plant some vegetables. It will make things easier for Dad and Mom when we’re gone.”

After saying this, he walked inside, waving goodbye before he left.

Xu An watched his brother’s retreating figure, gritting his teeth in frustration. That little rascal was so good at bossing people around!

“During your days at home, you went out to have fun every day. Why didn’t you mention tidying up the yard and planting vegetables?”

Xiao Mo entered the large courtyard, greeting people along the way until he reached the Lu family’s small building.

He took out the key, which Aunt Lu had tied with a rope and hung around his neck last time, telling him to just unlock the door and go in when he arrived.

He first went to the kitchen to take a look. There was just one cabbage, so he grabbed a basket and prepared to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some meat and vegetables.

He noticed that there were also two soon-to-expire snack vouchers in the drawer where he kept the cash, so he took those too, planning to buy some snacks along with the groceries.

Just then, Mrs. Wang, the commander’s wife next door, was coming out with a basket.

“Grandma Wang, are you going to buy groceries too?” Xiao Mo ran over to greet her when he saw her.

“Oh, isn’t this the youngest son of the Lu family? I haven’t seen you around these past few days. What have you been up to?” she asked.

“Grandma Wang, I’ve been out on errands these past few days. I just got back today,” he replied as they walked toward the supply and marketing cooperative.

On the way, they ran into a few familiar aunties also heading out to buy groceries. Xiao Mo, with his basket in hand, fit right in among the group of women, chatting and joking with them effortlessly.

When Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu finished work, they headed toward the cafeteria, planning to grab a bite there for lunch before returning home to cook for dinner.

A familiar face spotted them and asked, “Director Shen, Chief Lu, why aren’t you two going home for a meal? Your youngest son bought quite a bit of groceries today.”

Upon hearing that Xiao Mo was there, they decided not to go to the cafeteria and went straight home instead.

The dishes were already laid out on the table. Xiao Mo was watering the flowers in the yard when he saw them return, so he put down the watering can.

“Go wash your hands quickly! Today, I made your favorite stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, spicy stir-fried pork, and steamed rice. It smells so good!” he called out.

Aunt Lu walked over and pinched his cheek, smiling, “How come my youngest son is so capable?”

Uncle Lu also asked with a smile, “Xiao Mo, when did you get here? Where’s your second brother?”

“My second brother dropped me off here and then left. He went home to plant some vegetables,” Xiao Mo replied.

Once the two were seated, Xiao Mo served three bowls of rice and brought them over, giving each of them a piece of meat.

“Eat up! I’ll be here to cook for you for the next couple of days, so you can have a good supplement,” Xiao Mo said as he picked up a piece of meat and took a big bite of rice.

Aunt Lu added some cabbage to his bowl.

“Has that old lady come to cause trouble at home these past few days?”

“No, she hasn’t. My parents came back, and a couple of days ago, my dad went to find her estranged brother. Ever since then, that old lady hasn’t shown up,” Xiao Mo replied, his mouth full of food, making his words slightly unclear. He suspected that his dad must have some leverage over the man; otherwise he wouldn’t be so obedient.

“Do your parents come home every day now?”

Uncle Lu enjoyed the meat Xiao Mo had served him, finding it really delicious—much better than the food in the cafeteria.

“They leave in the morning and come back for dinner at night. My dad said the school has been quite busy lately,” Xiao Mo replied.

Once he finished his mouthful of rice, he quietly added, “They might be reinstating the college entrance examination soon.”

Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu had heard about it too; it wasn’t a secret anymore since the higher-ups had held several meetings to discuss it.

Uncle Lu asked, “So when do you and your second brother plan to go back?”

“We’ll go back in another two or three days. My brother-in-law’s leave is about to end, and we need to return to Yushu Village before he leaves,” Xiao Mo answered.

After Xiao Mo finished speaking, he prepared to serve rice. Noticing that there was still quite a bit left in their bowls, he urged, “You two, hurry up and eat! I steamed extra rice today, so each of you should have two bowls.”

Aunt Lu, thinking about how he would be leaving soon, felt a bit reluctant and suggested, “Why don’t we let your second brother go back alone? You can stay here and continue your studies.”

Xiao Mo sighed as he looked at her. “If I stay, what about my nephews and niece? Grandpa Qi misses me too!”

After a moment of thought, he added, “You four adults should work together to see if you can bring my sister and the others back. Then our family can be reunited.”

Uncle Lu said, “Your brother-in-law will be transferred to Beijing after the New Year, and then your sister and Niu Pi Tang will be able to come along with him. I’ll also find a way to get your second brother and Grandpa Qi over here with him.”

Xiao Mo excitedly asked, “Really? Can my brother-in-law really be transferred here after the New Year?”

“It’s true. It has already been arranged for him to come here as the regiment commander.”

Aunt Lu was also very happy to hear this. After the New Year, their son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren would be able to come back.

“Wow, my brother-in-law is really impressive! He’s already a regiment commander. That guy, Huo Zhenting, even said that my brother-in-law is his defeated foe. Hmph, I think he just likes to brag.”

Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu couldn’t help but laugh at his words; this kid really held a grudge.