Lin Guofeng and Lin Guoliang have no objections, and neither do Qian Aifen and Zhang Qinfang.

In Qian Aifen’s view, getting a room for 20 yuan is a good deal for their family, while for Zhang Qinfang, the fact that the first family is short 20 yuan means their family gets more money.

“Since none of you have objections, let’s continue. Regarding the room for us elderly couple, we’ll make arrangements after we pass away. As for Xiao Jing’s room, we’ll sell it to the first family for 20 yuan after she gets married.

This way, the three children of the first family will have a house after they get married.

Secondly, regarding the other distributions: Currently, our family has a total of 508.31 yuan. We’ll set aside 1.31 yuan as our private savings, and divide the remaining 507 yuan equally among the three houses.

The eldest son gets one share, the second son gets one share, and we, along with Xiao Jing, get one share, with each share being 169 yuan.

If the eldest son wants to buy a house, he gets a 20 yuan discount. This 20 yuan will not be divided and will be used as future expenses for the children’s education, whether they are from the first family or the second family, and whether they are grandsons or granddaughters, their education expenses will be covered by us.”

Originally, Zhang Qinfang felt unhappy about the 20 yuan not being divided, but then she heard that the elderly couple would take the 20 yuan and cover the children’s education expenses, so she had no objections.

With so many children in the family, the elderly couple are happy to be able to afford their education expenses, whether they are from the first family or the second family.

It will save them a lot of money.

But they didn’t know that Lin’s mother, in case they didn’t send the children to school, had secretly saved 100 yuan, which means there was more than 600 yuan in the original savings of the old house.

This includes the money from selling pigs and exchanging work points from last year.

The main assets of the Lin family are houses and money.

Once these are divided, other things like utensils are minor issues and are quickly settled.

After sorting out the family affairs, Ning Shu’s family went back home.

Their luggage for tomorrow was already packed, and the house looked no different from usual.

The rooms were the same, but if you opened the wardrobe, you would find that there were fewer clothes inside.

In fact, there wasn’t much luggage for tomorrow.

Everyone’s clothes, fermented fish, dried meat, waxed chicken, and dried sweet potatoes were sent out for delivery several days ago.

These things are still quite heavy, and the postage cost several dozen yuan.

The remaining items are what they will eat on the train and the rice.

However, there is currently about 300 catties (150 kg) of rice, but they can only take 200 catties (100 kg) with them.

Lin Guodong is strong, so he will carry the 200 catties of rice.

The remaining 100 catties are not because he can’t carry them, but because they have other things that are not convenient to bring.

The 200 catties of rice are packed in two large hemp bags, each bag holding 100 catties, which is just right for a thick pole.

Their dinner is very simple.

Ning Shu made a noodle soup. To be honest, Ning Shu is a bit reluctant to leave.

After all, she decorated this home herself, and everything inside was custom made by her.

In this village, she has gradually integrated, especially with Xiaoshan’ mother and Youfu’s mother, they get along well and can be considered friends.

As for the army, she is completely unfamiliar, and with Ning Qin there, there is still an issue between them.

However, Ning Qin was not her opponent five years ago, and she is not afraid five years later.

She will not stay behind just because Ning Qin is in the army. Compared to the children needing their father’s company, Ning Qin is nothing.

However, as the time to leave approaches, there is always a bit of discomfort in her heart.

Not only Ning Shu feels uneasy, but Yibao and Erbao also feel uneasy.

Thinking that they are leaving and won’t be able to see their little friends anymore, they are also reluctant.

The two boys took out the snacks they had hidden and hadn’t eaten yet, then put them in their small shoulder bags.

“Mom, we’re going to say goodbye to our little friends.” The two brothers were dejected and lacking in spirit.

“Go ahead.” Ning Shu thought to herself that she, as an adult, needs a process to adapt to a new environment.

The children will probably need a longer time to adapt after they arrive at the army.

In order to help the children integrate sooner, she needs to prepare some good snacks for them.

After all, snacks are the “universal currency” among children.

Yibao and Erbao held hands and went to say goodbye to their little friends, from Yang Youfu’s house to Lu Guangzong’s house, and then to Lin Xiaoshan’s house… finally, they went to the old house and gave their last remaining snacks to Haicai.

The next day…

Before dawn, Ning Shu and Lin Guodong got up.

Ning Shu made corn steamed buns for breakfast.

The flour had been fermented overnight and just needed to be steamed today.

The reason for making corn steamed buns was also to have an extra meal on the train when they got hungry.

At the same time, she steamed six salted duck eggs that had been taken out.

In case the food on the train didn’t suit their taste, they could eat the salted duck eggs, which go well with rice.

By the time she finished making breakfast, Lin Guodong had already woken up all three children.

“Mom, are we leaving?” Erbao ran into the kitchen eagerly. Looking at his appearance, there was no sign of his reluctance from yesterday.

Ning Shu: “…” Yesterday he was listless, and today he’s full of energy.

What’s going on? “Yes, we’ll leave after breakfast. Why are you so happy today?”

Erbao said, “I had a dream yesterday.”

Ning Shu: “What did you dream about?” She asked as she served the steamed buns and spinach egg drop soup.

Everyone took a bite of the corn steamed bun and a sip of the spinach egg drop soup, which tasted very good.

“I dreamt that after we left, Haicai and Youfu followed us, and then we played together at Dad’s place,” Erbao said, taking another sip of the soup.

He had thought during the day and dreamt at night.

“Erbao kicks people in his dreams,” Yibao said. “Grandma said that’s called being naughty in your dreams.”

“Really? Do I kick people in my dreams?” Erbao widened his eyes. “I didn’t know I kick people in my dreams. Brother, where did I kick you?”

Yibao pouted and didn’t say where he was kicked. “I just get kicked.” His face was still red.

At this time, Lin Guodong finished his breakfast. “Take your time to eat. I’ll move the things to the yard and then call the ox cart. Oh, tell them not to eat too much. The ox cart bumps around, and if they eat too much, their stomachs will feel uncomfortable. They should eat a little less now and can eat more at the train station.”

That makes sense. Ning Shu said to the three boys, “Yibao, Erbao, Sanbao, did you hear what your dad just said? Eat one corn steamed bun first, and eat the rest when we get to the train station. We’re going to take the ox cart to the train station.”

“Alright.” Yibao, Erbao, and Sanbao responded very cooperatively.

They also heard what Dad said.

Sanbao, seeing his two brothers responding, didn’t quite understand, but he also echoed their response.

After Lin Guodong moved the things to the yard, and was about to go call the ox cart, Lin’s father and mother arrived.

“Is everything moved out? Is there anything else to move?” Lin’s father asked.

“No, everything’s here. I’m going to call the ox cart now,” Lin Guodong said.

“I’ll go with you,” Lin’s father said.

Lin’s mother looked at the things at the door, three large hemp bags in total, two full bags that looked sturdy, and another bag that was half-full.

She tried to move them and felt deflated. Two bags were very heavy, and she couldn’t move them.

It seemed like they were filled with rice, and the other half-filled bag should contain blankets or something similar.

Fortunately, there were only three bags, and Old man Lin could carry one by himself.

Otherwise, if there were more things, it would be difficult for Lin Guodong to carry them.

It would be even harder for Ning Shu to carry them while looking after the children.

“Who’s outside?”

The three boys finished their breakfast and came out of the kitchen, seeing someone standing at the yard gate.

It was still dark, and even with the faint moonlight, it was hard to see the person’s face clearly.

“It’s me,” Lin’s mother said.

“Grandma, why are you here?” The three boys walked towards the yard gate.

“I’m here to see you off. Grandma will take you to the train station later, okay?” Lin’s mother thought that her three grandchildren were about to join the army, which made her happy yet reluctant.

She was happy because the children would be with their parents and Third Son wouldn’t be lonely in the army.

With their children and daughters-in-law around, it would be different.

A whole family together, that’s what life should be like.

She was reluctant because her three grandchildren, whom she had raised, were going to join the army, and she didn’t know when they would meet again.

As she thought about it, her heart felt sour, and her eyes turned red.

Fortunately, it was dark outside, and the children couldn’t see her, otherwise, it would be embarrassing.

She also feared that Erbao might suddenly ask, “Grandma, why are you crying?”

Ning Shu cleaned up the kitchen, put the remaining cooled steamed buns and steamed salted eggs into the double-shoulder cloth bag she made, then walked out of the kitchen and saw Sanbao and others talking.

“Is Third Daughter-in-law’s all packed?” Ning Shu was about to ask when she heard Lin’s mother’s voice.

Ning Shu walked over. “Everything’s packed. These are all we have left. The rest of the things were sent a couple of days ago. Maybe by the time we get to the army, those things will have arrived. Guodong said it would take about six or seven days for them to be delivered. We sent them out three or four days ago, plus the time we need to get to the army, it’s about six days.”

“It’s good to have them delivered. It’s not convenient to carry too many things on the road,” Lin’s mother said.

“Yes. After that, I’ll rely on you to take care of the house. There’s still about 100 catties (50 kg) of rice and dried sweet potatoes in the big jar in the utility room. If you want to eat them, you can fry them. Oh, and…” Suddenly remembering something, she went to the kitchen and came out with a basket. “These are the remaining oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar in the house. It’s not good to leave them here. You can take them.”

Lin’s mother looked and said, “There’s still so much oil. You can take it to the army to eat.” There was still more than half a bottle left in the canned food.

“It’s troublesome to bring it back and forth. You should have it, Mom.” The last time she bought oil in bulk, this is all that’s left.

The app has also had oil available during this time, but she hasn’t picked it up yet. Originally, she planned to pick it up after Guodong left, but now she will have to wait until they arrive at the army’s family compound and then find an excuse to pick it up again.

She once again thanked the app for its user-friendly design.

No matter what is picked up, the packaging is from this era. Otherwise, she really can’t guarantee that she won’t overlook it.

She must be careful because when she gets to the army, she won’t have the same freedom as she does here.

Any negligence could lead to suspicion. She must be cautious.

After hearing Ning Shu’s words, Lin’s mother didn’t refuse anymore. “Then I’ll take them back first. The old man said we’ll take the ox cart to the train station later, and then send you to the train. We can help carry things when it’s time.”

“That’s great. We can have some company on the way.” Ning Shu smiled.

When Lin’s mother came back with the oil, she saw Lin Guodong and Lin’s father loading things onto the ox cart.

She hurried over to help but found that she couldn’t help much.

Two bags of rice and a half bag were loaded first, and then people got on. The three boys all had their small shoulder bags, Ning Shu had a large double-shoulder cloth bag, and Lin Guodong only had a military water bottle, which was filled with hot water.

The family of five plus Lin’s father and mother got on the ox cart. With seven people, the ox cart was a bit crowded, but it was bearable.

Because it was still early, there weren’t many people on the road.

Old Niu had also prepared a kerosene lamp for lighting, different from the one at home, it could be carried, like a lantern, quite retro.

Perhaps it was a bit cold at this time, the three boys snuggled in their parents’ arms, surprisingly quiet.

The ox cart slowly left Qinglinwan Brigade. Ning Shu looked back, and her sight gradually blurred.

The place where she had lived for five years was now moving away from her.

“Mom, when will we come back?” Suddenly, Yibao, who was nestling in Ning Shu’s arms, spoke.

His voice was choked up.

Everything felt like a dream to him.

Mom was good to them, and Dad was back.

They had become the most envied children in the whole village.

They had eggs to eat every day, often had sweets, apples, and meat.

They even drank milk and milk powder. Everything was too sudden and too happy.

“We’ll come back when your dad has leave,” Ning Shu hugged Yibao tightly.

The unknown future was waiting for them!