Hu Zhenghao, Li Wen, and Li Wu followed behind and stepped inside. Three little dark-skinned kids stood in a row in the yard. Professor Wen and Yang Yufen almost didn’t recognize them.
“They were this dark last year too, right? Why are they even darker this year?”
Yang Yufen blurted out, and Professor Wen couldn’t help but chuckle at her words.
“They really are dark, especially with those bright white teeth shining through. At night, you probably wouldn’t even see them.”
The three—Hu Zhenghao, Li Wen, and Li Wu—looked at each other. They’d been together every day and were used to it. The instructors were the same way; no one found it strange.
“Grandma, it smells so good! What’s cooking at home?”
Li Wu sniffed the aroma, and his mind immediately snapped back.
“You must be hungry. Wash up and get ready to eat. There’s fish braised in soy sauce and steamed buns, almost ready to come off the stove.”
Yang Yufen ruffled Li Wu’s hair, glanced at Li Wen, reached out to touch him briefly, then turned to the kitchen.
Yang Yufen watched the big one and the three little ones clutching the rice basin, eating ravenously. Li Wu had already eaten three steamed buns and still held another in his hand. The way they picked through the fish, spitting out the bones quickly and skillfully, was like they hadn’t eaten in days.
“Slow down, slow down, be careful not to burn yourself.”
Professor Wen watched from the side, feeling a pang of sympathy.
“So good, so delicious!”
Li Wu found a moment to say, then buried himself back in his food.
Shen Xianjun didn’t say a word. He just reached out with his chopsticks and shoved a big piece of fish into his mouth.
“Eat slowly. Grandma will kill a chicken and steam some egg custard for you tonight.”
Yang Yufen looked at the kids’ eagerness to eat and couldn’t help but think of when Niannian first came back from abroad.
She had originally thought that one big fish shared between the two families would be enough, and no need to cook more dishes at night. Now, she realized she had underestimated the kids’ appetites.
“Mom, the fish soup would be great for noodles later.”
Shen Xianjun looked up and said.
“You’re an adult—let the kids have their share.”
Yang Yufen said with a hint of annoyance.
“Grandma, I want fish soup noodles.”
Li Wu spoke up, and Li Wen looked at Yang Yufen with hopeful eyes. Hu Zhenghao rubbed his stomach.
“You still have room? Don’t overeat.”
Yang Yufen was a bit worried.
“Grandma Yang, we can eat it. We ate more at the camp!”
Hu Zhenghao said. He was only half full and planned to go for a run later.
“Alright, wait a moment.”
Yang Yufen turned and went back to the kitchen. Instant noodles were the fastest. She boiled water, dropped in the noodles, cooked them soft, then scooped them into bowls and poured the fish soup over.
Shen Xianjun stirred the noodles evenly with his chopsticks, and the kids all reached into the bowls eagerly.
“Is it really that tough at the military camp?”
Yang Yufen couldn’t help but be surprised. She remembered how plump Shen Xianjun had been the first time he came home from the army.
“Not tough, it’s actually fun. But Grandma’s cooking is the best.”
Li Wen finished eating first; his appetite wasn’t as big as Li Wu’s.
“Are you full? Want some more?”
Yang Yufen looked at the kids’ bellies.
“Full, Grandma. I miss you so much.”
Li Wen grabbed Yang Yufen’s hand.
“Grandma misses you too. You’ve grown taller—your sleeves are so much shorter, and your shoes are too small now.”
Yang Yufen noticed right away.
“Tomorrow, Grandma will take you to buy new clothes and shoes.”
“Grandma is the best.”
Li Wu also put down his bowl, and Shen Xianjun finished the last bite.
The children divided up the chores—washing dishes and tidying the table—then one by one, they all stretched out on the bamboo beds, fans blowing softly above them, enjoying the ice cream Yang Yufen had brought back.
“Wow, nothing beats being home,” one of the kids sighed.
“Yeah, I’m already feeling sleepy,” another said.
Once their ice cream was finished, the kids just lay back on the bamboo beds, chatting briefly before drifting off to sleep.
When Yang Yufen and Professor Wen returned from buying groceries, they found the group of kids sound asleep on the bamboo beds, with Shen Xianjun sitting quietly nearby, watching over them.
“That’s enough, you should go get some rest too,” Yang Yufen said.
“I’m not tired. The chickens are already slaughtered,” Shen Xianjun replied.
“If you’re not sleepy, then help prepare dinner. Niannian and the others will all be back tonight to eat together,” Yang Yufen said without pressing further.
“The kitchen gets too hot when there are too many people. You keep an eye on the kids,” she added.
“All right,” Professor Wen nodded in agreement.
Unexpectedly, the food wasn’t enough. They had gone to the market a bit late and couldn’t get pork belly, so they bought pork ribs instead. Yang Yufen tossed the ribs to Shen Xianjun to chop.
“Has your allowance been paid yet?” Yang Yufen asked casually.
“Yeah, it has,” he replied.
“That’s good. I want to buy a tricycle. You help me get one, alright? It’ll be more stable than a bike when I go work with Aunt Wang,” Yang Yufen said.
Shen Xianjun paused mid-chop.
“What kind of tricycle do you want, Mom?”
“Whatever you think is best, as long as it can carry people. I heard your allowance increased, so you don’t have to turn it all in this month. Get the tricycle back as soon as you can,” Yang Yufen said matter-of-factly.
Shen Xianjun nodded slightly. After finishing chopping the ribs, he spoke again.
“Mom, how about I get you a better one—runs on gasoline. It uses a bit more fuel, but it goes farther and has more power. You won’t have any trouble carrying Aunt Wang or a few hundred pounds of stuff,” he offered.
“Really that good?” Yang Yufen sounded surprised, as if her son had suddenly grown wise and thoughtful.
“That way, your knees won’t hurt from pedaling the tricycle for so long. But it will cost a bit more.”
“How much?” she asked.
“I’ll buy it for you. I can cover it with next month’s allowance. Just wanted to let you know first,” Shen Xianjun said.
“All right, but don’t drag your feet. I need it soon. Oh, and remember to tell Niannian how much your allowance is and where the money goes—don’t let your wife be in the dark,” Yang Yufen reminded him.
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll get it done,” Shen Xianjun said, his whole demeanor brightening.
That old broken sidecar motorcycle was just lying around as scrap. He planned to report it, fix it up, repaint it, get it registered, and give it to his mom. A little paint, some parts scavenged from elsewhere—it wouldn’t cost more than twenty yuan.
Big results with a small investment. He’d fill it up with gas when the time came, and that way, his pocket money would stretch a bit further.
Ah, saving money these days wasn’t easy.
Shen Xianjun was filled with joy. That evening, when his brother-in-law Hu Jun arrived, Shen Xianjun greeted him warmly and personally poured him a drink.
“We head back to the unit tomorrow.”
When Hu Jun said something, Shen Xianjun didn’t get upset.
With the experience from earlier in the day, Yang Yufen had prepared plenty of food to make sure everyone was well fed. The kids, after waking up from their afternoon nap, went out for another run and came back, having completely finished their lunch.
The twins sighed deeply—they really missed their good friend Wang Xing, who still hadn’t come back even after the entire holiday.
Inside the house, Qin Nian finished washing up and returned. Shen Xianjun was reading a book, but when he saw Qin Nian come in, he closed it.
“Niannian, I want to discuss something with you.”
Qin Nian was slightly taken aback at first but then nodded and sat down.
“Mom wants to buy a tricycle.”
“Why didn’t she tell me?” Qin Nian asked in surprise.
