Lu Zhenping had Lu Jiasheng make him a recliner, and on those bitterly cold days, he would just lie there and rock back and forth. Mingyang, Ming Liang, Ming Fang, and the youngest, Ming Kai, would occasionally peek at him.
"I think Dad’s encountering something sad."
"Nonsense, Dad is such a strong person, how could he have any sad things happening? If you don’t know, don’t spout nonsense."
Mingyang was somewhat dissatisfied with his brother’s bluffs, lifted his hand, and tapped Ming Liang’s forehead like a little adult.
"Ouch, I’m telling the truth, brother. Just look, ever since mom started working, Dad has been staying home every day and doesn’t seem happy at all. He’s become listless. Xiao Kai is also living a slovenly life following Dad; oh, our home—it just can’t function without a woman."
Mingyang’s face darkened, ready to retort, when Ming Fang also let out a sigh, and all three brothers simultaneously turned their gaze to the only female... child in the house at that moment.
"Sis, why did you sigh?"
"It’s time to cook, Dad hasn’t made a move, and I’m hungry."
The three brothers: "....."
They thought she was going to say something profound, but it turned out to be about hunger!
"What kind of look is that? Why are you looking at me like that? Nothing is more important than eating. When mom was home, not only were meals on time, but she also made other delicious things for us in the morning and afternoon. Look at our Dad, he was still alright before, but these past two days, he’s not been doing anything properly. Just one look at him and I knew, he’s missing his wife."
This was a feeling shared by everyone. Before, they thought Dad was majestic and powerful, capable of anything. Now, it seems, well, he’s a pitiable man who can’t do without his wife.
"Dad is really pitiable. When I get married, I must not be like that. I’ll have my wife miss me every day."
"I’ll also have my wife miss me."
Mingyang, watching his brothers’ lacking ambition, snorted coldly, "I’m not getting married."
Ming Fang quietly rolled her eyes, thinking they’re getting ahead of themselves. There has to be a girl who likes them first, but these little kids are already thinking about marriage.
Suddenly, the sound of the door opening was heard, and everyone looked towards the yard entrance. They saw Shen Meng carrying several lunch boxes and a thermal flask as she walked in.
"Lord, it’s such a cold wind tonight; why are you sitting out in the yard?"
"Just thinking, is this the food you brought back?"
Shen Meng directly handed over the food to Lu Zhenping. They had agreed in the morning that she would bring food back from the State-Owned Restaurant. It wasn’t fair to always let him, a grown man, cook at home. It wasn’t that she begrudged him the work; it was just that when the children looked at her these past days, their gazes were full of pity. Even in his sleep, Lu Mingkai would mutter about braised pork.
If she waited to cook until she got home, it would be too late. There was an important announcement to be made that evening. Bringing some tasty food was also a way to make up for it, who knows how long this trip would take!
"Yes, there are the dumplings filled with lamb meat that Mingyang has been craving, the braised pork that Mingyang and Ming Kai wanted to eat, Ming Fang’s favorite meat buns, and spare rib soup. Let’s eat!"
When the five or six lunch boxes were set on the table, the children who were already a bit hungry started drooling just by looking at them, because the dishes in the large lunch boxes were filled to the brim.
They rushed to the side to wash their hands, with Ming Kai following anxiously behind his older siblings. Being short, he couldn’t reach, until Mingyang finished washing and lifted him up; only then could he touch the water.
"Have some soup first, warm up a bit."
Lu Zhenping served soup to the children and handed out a meat bun to each one. One bite was enough to fill the mouth with deliciousness.
Shen Meng also started eating with her chopsticks, but the gaze of the man next to her was impossible to ignore. She looked up and said, "Why are you staring at me instead of eating your meal?"
"If there’s something to say, just speak up. You said you would bring lunch this morning, but you didn’t mention it would be so much and such an elaborate dinner. Whatever you’re about to say must be important."
Shen Meng: "....."
That’s Mr. Lu for you—his mind is indeed sharp!!!
"Cough cough, it is about something indeed. The County Party Secretary is heading to the Provincial City for securing orders for head ornaments, and since I’m familiar with the workshop, they want me to join them. In a moment of excitement, I agreed."
Lu Zhenping looked at her and raised his eyebrows. Wow, she’s pulled a sudden action before reporting it, no wonder she bought so many good things today—she was feeling guilty!
"But I’ve heard that the village workshop is about to go under, so what’s the point of making an extra trip? Just today, my parents dropped by, and they’re quite concerned about the situation. Although they are happy that the Shen Family has established a workshop to help the family and the villagers earn some extra money, deep down they are reluctant for you to get involved. Firstly, you don’t really benefit much, and secondly, they fear you may work hard thanklessly, saying it would be better to have a steady job and live a peaceful life."
"My parents were here, so what did you say to them?"
Lu Zhenping chuckled and slowly sipped his soup before replying, "What else could I say? I told them you’re selflessly devoted to the public good."
Shen Meng: "...."
Why does that not sound like a compliment, but more like a tease???
"Speak properly, Lu Zhenping. With your status as a deputy commander, it’s impossible that you haven’t heard any news. Rumors have already started circulating in Shangjing that the college entrance exams will soon be reinstated. When I passed by the place where the educated youths were, I saw many of them reading books. As for the workshop, I recently met someone from Zhe Province on the public transport, who said that people there are secretly doing business and told me the story of bartering feathers for candy. The Lu Family Village workshop will not fail. I won’t just be doing workshops in Xiangyang Commune; in the future, other communes will have them too. In time, all of Ning County will be united, and I will be holding the strings. Lu Zhenping, I won’t always be cooped up in the small place of Ning County. But before I venture out, Ning County will be my stronghold."
Lu Zhenping was indeed shocked by Shen Meng’s words. From the moment she changed, he knew that she was a person with grand aspirations.
Regarding the matter of the college entrance exams, of course, he knew. Bai Shuyun had written him a letter the moment she got the news, suggesting he was still young and could take the opportunity to attend a military academy and learn the nation’s most advanced military knowledge.
He didn’t want to listen to her, especially given the current situation of his unit. It would be difficult for him to sit for the exams, and Bai Shuyun’s intentions were clear: she wanted to help him by leveraging her relationship with her own family.
Before returning to Ning County, it was something he wouldn’t even consider, but now he was actually pondering its feasibility.
Looking at his wife’s ambition, if he himself didn’t show any ambition, it would make him seem very weak. Just now the children were right—when Shen Meng goes to work, most of his time is spent tidying up the house and then taking Ming Kai out to play, incidentally doing some work.
If he retired from the military and just worked as a small-time civil servant locally, wouldn’t he be holding Shen Meng back?