"She tasted the flavor of hawthorns in the braised pork and said she liked it."
Liao Yuanjie was beaming with joy.
"Because of these hawthorns for you, I've gained two more pounds."
Old Li stroked the flesh on his belly. Fortunately, it was still as firm as ever.
Liao Yuanjie was afraid that Fan Juan would get tired of eating braised pork. He thought about adding something to the braised pork to make it delicious and not greasy, which gave Old Li quite a hard time.
He tried making pot after pot of braised pork before finally getting the most suitable one.
Qin Nian didn't expect that Li Wen's interest in computers wasn't just limited to small games but had shifted to the operating programs of computers. After being repeatedly questioned by the child, Qin Nian found several books for Li Wen.
"Mom has made some notes on these. You can read them first. Write down what you don't understand. If Mom isn't at home, you can come to the research institute on weekends. You know all the uncles and aunts in Mom's group. If Mom isn't around, you can ask them."
"Thank you, Mom."
Li Wen happily hugged the books and gently opened the pages. He still couldn't bear to put them down even when it was almost time to go to bed at night.
Li Wu fell asleep with a snore. The light being on didn't affect his sound sleep at all.
"Li Wen, it's time to go to sleep, or you'll be late getting up tomorrow."
Wang Xing reminded him, and only then did Li Wen carefully put the books away on the desk.
"Li Wen, do you really like researching computers?"
Wang Xing turned off the light and asked in a low voice.
"Yes, I want to be a researcher like Mom when I grow up."
"I want to be a diplomat. I want to go to other countries. It should be very interesting."
The two children talked about their dreams and gradually fell asleep.
In the military region, Hu Jun looked through a stack of materials again and again. In this pile of materials were the assessment forms of everyone participating in the secret training. These comprehensive assessment items would be the key to determining their future directions.
Hu Jun sorted out each person's assessment form according to the grades. There were also two other people sitting with him.
"These are the ones I've selected. Take a look. If it's okay, then finalize the list and report it."
The military region has never been a place where one person has the final say.
He recommended the worthy without avoiding relatives. Shen Xianjun's name was prominently on the list. His comprehensive conditions were very good, with strong physical and psychological qualities.
The list was finalized and approved by the higher - ups.
"You'll have three days of vacation. Next, you'll go to a secret base for fully - enclosed training."
Hu Jun notified everyone one by one.
After the meeting, Shen Xianjun stayed behind.
"Brother, are you going back to the compound?"
"I still have something to do. Go back by yourself. This secret training will last a long time. Spend some good time with the kids and Mom."
After Hu Jun finished speaking, he sent Shen Xianjun out.
It had been four months since Chinese New Year, and he hadn't had a vacation.
Shen Xianjun returned to the family quarters at noon. There was no one at home. After thinking for a while, he pushed his bicycle to go shopping for groceries. When passing by the entrance of the research institute, he told the security department to pass on a message to Qin Nian that he'd be free to have dinner at home tonight.
The security department called Qin Nian's research room.
"Researcher Qin isn't in the office right now. She's gone to do an experiment. I'll pass on the message to her."
After hanging up the phone, Shen Xianjun, who was standing beside, heard it and nodded to express his gratitude.
After buying groceries, he stopped by a noodle shop.
"Brother Ershun."
"Xianjun is here. Ershun, this is Xianjun."
Gui Xiang saw Shen Xianjun and quickly introduced him to Ershun.
"Xianjun."
Ershun greeted him with a smile and then continued to help Gui Xiang tidy up.
"Auntie, Brother Ershun looks even better than before."
Shen Xianjun put down the things he bought.
"You shouldn't have brought things when you came. Ershun just went for a check - up today. The doctor said that the blood stasis in his brain has dispersed a bit more. Now he's like a twelve - or thirteen - year - old. I don't have to worry about him anymore."
Gui Xiang was in a very good mood. The fruit trees in the village had been planted, and the team leader called to say that Changshun had planted watermelons on the slope this year, which made Gui Xiang feel at ease.
"That's good."
Shen Xianjun was also happy.
"Xianjun, how many days of rest do you have this time? Can you make it to the wedding? Lianxiang is getting married the day after tomorrow."
Just thinking that her niece would have someone to rely on in the future, Gui Xiang felt more at ease.
"Lianxiang is getting married? What's the situation with the groom?"
Shen Xianjun wasn't really surprised but just a bit curious.
"He's from Beijing. He has a house and runs a newsstand. Our shop subscribes to newspapers, and he often comes to the shop for meals. He has a daughter. Once, she met some hooligans, and Lianxiang protected the little girl. They got to know each other after that."
Lianxiang was eager for knowledge and would read a newspaper over and over again. The newsstand owner, Boss Qian, was two years older than Lianxiang. His wife had passed away due to poor health, and he had a daughter. Boss Qian was afraid that his daughter would be wronged, so he hadn't remarried.
Boss Qian's daughter, Qian Jiabao, was eleven years old. She was cornered and harassed by some hooligans in an alley. Lianxiang immediately thought of her lost child. If her child were still alive, it would be about the same age. So she picked up a brick and rushed over.
The group of hooligans just wanted to take advantage and rob some money at first. When they saw Lianxiang's desperate look and she hit one of them with a brick, the others all ran away.
The little girl was held in Lianxiang's arms and comforted. When Boss Qian found them, he dealt with the unconscious hooligan on the ground. He wanted to thank Lianxiang handsomely, but just like last time, Lianxiang refused very firmly.
"Dad, I want Aunt Lianxiang to be my mom. Okay?"
"Aren't you against having a step - mom?"
Boss Qian looked at his daughter, Qian Jiabao.
"But Aunt Lianxiang is different from those people."
Qian Jiabao's health was like her mother's and not very good, which was why she was stopped by the hooligans.
"How do you feel that she's different? You've only met her once."
Actually, Boss Qian didn't have any intention of remarrying. Anyway, his daughter would grow up in a few years.
"Different is different. Dad, marry Aunt Lianxiang into our family."
Qian Jiabao shook Boss Qian's hand.
"I'm willing to marry, but she may not be willing to marry."
Boss Qian said helplessly.
"Dad, then you're not trying hard enough. Aunt Lianxiang is such a good woman. It would be a pity to miss her. And I'm growing up. There should be someone at home to help with the housework."
"Isn't it just right for you to take care of everything when you grow up?"
Boss Qian smiled.
"It's different. Grandpa and the others also hope that you'll remarry. Although I'll still mind a bit, if it's Aunt Lianxiang, I can accept it."
"Do you like her so much?"
Boss Qian thought for a moment.
"Yes, I like her."
Because of his daughter's affection, Boss Qian, who already had an impression of Lianxiang, paid even more attention to her.
Boss Qian's first impression of Lianxiang was that she was a hard - working and traditional woman.
But the more he paid attention, the more he discovered her many shining points.
Lianxiang's eagerness for knowledge, her gentle, tough, and peaceful nature, as well as her kindness and bravery.
However, when Boss Qian first proposed, Lianxiang refused him, just as she had refused his generous thanks last time. She refused very straightforwardly.
