Lu Cheng explained, “One for the Lin family, one for Lu Haici, and one for me.” After a pause, he added, “In case, three years from now, if she doesn’t come back…” Lu Cheng leaned closer to Lin Qingqing and whispered in her ear, “I plan to use it as her memorial photo.”

His sudden closeness made Lin Qingqing’s heart skip a beat.

The height difference between them was overwhelming. In his presence, she felt so small, almost like she was being held in his arms.

But Lin Qingqing was speechless.

He wanted to use her photo as a memorial for the original owner?

Was he crazy or just clueless?

Though… it did seem like it could make sense. “If she comes back in three years… then… you can use mine,” Lin Qingqing added quietly.

Lu Cheng’s heart ached, and the earlier joy faded completely.

He replied heavily, “Alright.”

After leaving the photo studio, they asked the photographer for directions to the zoo and headed there.

The zoo in this era wasn’t very different from later ones—one was just newer and the other older.

But from a tourist’s perspective, Lin Qingqing actually preferred the zoo of this time because it had its own nostalgic charm. Modern people loved nostalgia, after all.

Lin Qingqing and Lu Haici waited to the side while Lu Cheng bought tickets.

Once he was done, they entered the zoo.

The zoo wasn’t crowded.

One reason was that parents of this era didn’t usually bring their children to the zoo because it was too expensive.

Another reason was that it was summer, and even though it was still morning, it was already quite hot.

This worked in favor of the Lu family, as the fewer people made the visit more convenient.

Lu Haici was having the time of his life.

Every time he saw an animal, he’d shout, “Mom, what animal is this?”

“Mom, is this a tiger?”

“Mom, this animal’s nose is so long…”

“Mom, is this Sun Wukong?”

By the end, Lin Qingqing was exhausted, but the little one was still full of energy.

While looking at the animals, he also tried to draw them.

Although, in Lin Qingqing’s eyes, the drawings were far from artistic—he seemed to have no drawing talent at all.

His animals looked like nothing she had ever seen before, but… unfortunately, the little one had a very inflated sense of confidence.

He thought every drawing was amazing.

Not only did he think so, but he insisted on showing Lin Qingqing every one: “Mom, look! This is a tiger, a huge tiger!”

Lin Qingqing smiled, “Haici, you draw so well.”

Lu Cheng glanced at the drawings.

They resembled the big yellow dog that used to belong to his uncle’s neighbor when he was young.

Lu Haici then drew an elephant: “Mom, look! Its nose is so long…” and he was feeling extra happy.

He looked up at his dad and said, “I want one more drink!”

Lin Qingqing smiled at him and shook her head gently. “You’re just like your dad, always wanting more.”

She was starting to feel full from the two bottles, and despite the heat, she felt content.

It was nice to relax with her family, enjoying this simple, quiet afternoon.

Lu Cheng glanced at her, then at the empty bottles, and raised an eyebrow. “You’re full but not satisfied?” he asked with a teasing tone.

Lin Qingqing shrugged playfully. “I don’t know. It’s just a feeling.”

Lu Cheng chuckled but didn’t push it further.

Instead, he looked at the menu and said, “Let’s see if we can find something else after this, alright?”

He knew that Lin Qingqing would always say “no” but secretly would appreciate it if they had something else.

She never admitted it, but it was easy to tell.

After finishing their meal, they decided to take a stroll around the town before heading back.

The hot afternoon sun had started to subside, and the streets were filled with people going about their business.

Lu Haici, on the other hand, was in his own world, still giddy from the fun he had at the zoo and his excitement about the day.

He kept skipping along, looking up at the sky, and imagining himself becoming as powerful as Sun Wukong.

Lin Qingqing walked beside him, amused by his constant chatter. “You really want to be like Sun Wukong, huh?”

“Yes!” Lu Haici exclaimed, puffing out his chest proudly. “I want to fight the bad guys and protect everyone. I want to be as strong and brave as him!”

Lin Qingqing smiled warmly, brushing his hair gently. “You are already strong in your own way,” she said softly, her voice filled with affection.

Lu Cheng, walking behind them, glanced at his son with a slight smile on his face.

He felt a sense of pride and warmth—his family, his little one with his big dreams, and his wife who made everything feel right.

As they walked through the town, Lin Qingqing felt a little relieved.

For a moment, she felt like she was living the kind of life she had always wanted—simple, yet full of love and happiness.

They wandered around, chatting and laughing, making their way back to the house with hearts full of warmth and contentment.

So, he made a small request.

Lu Cheng didn’t even look at him, continuing to talk to Lin Qingqing, “Next time, we’ll come again and drink some more. We can come next week when we’re off. Soda is meant to be drunk when it’s hot. When it gets cold, you won’t feel like drinking it anymore.”

“That’s not true,” Lin Qingqing said. “Eating ice cream in winter is especially satisfying. How do I put it… in summer, eating ice cream is just eating ice cream. But in winter, eating ice cream is more about the experience.”

“Is there ice cream in winter?” Lu Cheng was surprised.

Lin Qingqing nodded. “Where I come from, vegetables and food don’t have seasons anymore.”

Lu Cheng fell silent upon hearing that.

He knew she wouldn’t want to leave a future like this.

“Dad, I want more,” Lu Haici said, glaring at his father since he hadn’t paid attention to him.

“You can’t have more,” Lu Cheng said. “What if you wet the bed tonight?”

Lin Qingqing couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Lu Cheng’s reason was just too good.

Wetting the bed was the last thing little Haici wanted.

Upon hearing his mother laugh, Lu Haici wished he could bury his face in the bowl.

He pouted, glared angrily at his dad, and then gulped down the rest of his soda.

However, he didn’t ask for more soda again.

He knew well enough that he would end up wetting the bed.

After having their meal and resting for a bit, they went to the department store to buy gifts for their elders.

Shopping was a real challenge.

After wandering around the department store for a while, they still couldn’t decide what to buy.

Finally, Lin Qingqing chose two pairs of rain boots, unable to think of anything else. “How about we buy some fabric and make clothes for them? I can ask Director Ma for some defective fabric.”

She suggested. “Or, when it gets a bit colder, we could buy everyone a cotton jacket or sweater.”

One pair of the rain boots was for Lin Grandpa, and the other was for Lin Father.

The original owner only knew their shoe sizes, so Lin Qingqing bought them based on that.

For farmers, working in the rain was common, and a pair of rain boots would make things much easier.

Lu Cheng said, “You decide.”

He had no opinion on the matter. “When I exchange the milk powder coupons, I can buy some milk powder for them too.”

“Alright then,” Lin Qingqing agreed.

The main purpose of today’s trip was to accompany Lu Haici to the zoo, which had been completed as planned.

When they left the department store, the weather was unbearably hot, so they headed straight back, riding the bicycle to the supply and marketing cooperative.

They also greeted Director Ma and bought some defective fabric.

Most importantly, Lin Qingqing bought three ice creams.

After finishing the ice cream, they finally returned to the residential compound.

Lu Haici ate slowly, but he sat on the bicycle, not minding the heat.

It didn’t affect him from eating ice cream.

Once they got home, Lu Haici went to find Ji Yang to play, eager to share his artwork with him.

Lin Qingqing, on the other hand, got busy making clothes.

As the only girl in the third generation of the Lin family, Lin Qingqing knew that the fourth generation hadn’t arrived yet, while the first generation of the Lin family had already passed away.

The first generation consisted of Lin Great-Grandfather and Lin Great-Grandmother, who had two sons.

Life was tough during that era, and raising two sons was not easy.

The second generation included Lin Grandfather and Lin’s Granduncle.

Lin Grandfather was the elder brother, and there was also a younger brother.

Since there were only two brothers, they had a very close relationship.

Additionally, since Lin Grandfather was a doctor and a learned person, his younger brother listened to him with respect.

Lin Grandfather and Lin Grandmother had three sons.

Lin Qingqing was the second daughter of the second house, and she also had a younger brother.

Lin Uncle had two sons, and Lin Third Uncle had three sons.

A line of sons.

Among Lin Qingqing’s generation, the oldest was Lin Uncle’s eldest son, Lin Yiyang, who was 21 years old this year.

He got married last year during the Spring Festival.

Before Lin Qingqing joined the army, his wife was not yet pregnant.

The second in line was Lin Qingqing, who was 19 years old.

Her younger brothers were all younger than her and still not of marrying age.

Lin Qingqing’s real brother was 11 years old this year, which meant there was an 8-year age gap between them.

The reason for the age difference was that when Lin Qingqing’s mother gave birth to her, she suffered some complications, and after slowly recovering, she became pregnant again.

As a result, in Lin Qingqing’s memory, her little brother was very clingy when he was younger.

However, because of the large age gap, Lin Qingqing didn’t like her younger brother.

It wasn’t that she hated him; she just saw him as a little kid.

After reminiscing about the Lin family, Lin Qingqing had a new idea for the gifts.

For her younger brothers who were still in school, she would give them each a Liberation bag, a pencil case, and a comic book.

For her grandfather, grandmother, father, and mother, as well as Auntie Lu Cheng, she would personally make them each a set of clothes.

For the other uncles, aunts, and the uncles from Lu Cheng’s side, she would prepare a piece of cloth for each of them, enough for a shirt.

As for Lu Cheng’s younger cousins, who were already married, she decided not to buy anything for them.

It took Lin Qingqing an entire month to prepare all these gifts.

The main reason was that she had just learned how to make clothes, and she was very interested in the sewing machine, which is why she was willing to make clothes for her elders.

When these gifts were sent out, Lin Qingqing also enclosed five yuan in the letters she sent to her family.

---

At the High Mountain Pass Production Team

“Lin Youpeng… Is Lin Youpeng here? A package has arrived!” The courier entered the High Mountain Pass Production Team and shouted loudly.