The weather in Beijing is not as cold as in the north, but it has snowed recently.
The weather on New Year's Eve was not very good. It was gloomy early in the morning and it looked like it might snow at any time.
Commander Lu put on a warm down vest and walked on the main road of the compound with his head held high. He looked in a very good mood.
There were already many soldiers marching in the compound, marching in neat steps and shouting loud slogans.
When they saw Commander Lu coming out early in the morning, they stopped, saluted in unison, and shouted, "Hello, Commander."
Commander Lu raised his hand and returned the greeting. "Hello, comrades."
"Today is New Year's Eve. I wish everyone a happy Spring Festival."
When the soldiers heard what Commander Lu said, they were all stunned for two seconds. Finally, the leader of the team responded: "I wish you a happy Spring Festival as well, Commander."
Commander Lu waved his hand, thinking that this Spring Festival was indeed quite enjoyable, and said with a smile: "Okay, everyone continue to be busy."
Then he continued to move forward.
The soldiers who watched Commander Lu slowly walk away all widened their eyes. Someone said in disbelief, "Why do I feel like Commander Lu is very different today?"
"Not only is he different, I thought I had seen the wrong person."
"It's just that when have you ever seen Commander Lu be so friendly? Just don't curse at me."
"I heard that someone came to Commander Lu's yard yesterday afternoon. Did any relative of Commander Lu come?"
Just when everyone wanted to continue gossiping, the leader of the team shouted, "Alright, continue training."
Everyone straightened their backs, and even if they wanted to gossip, they didn't dare to continue talking, and walked in the other direction of Commander Lu.
Commander Lu was humming a little tune and walking leisurely on the main road. This walk lasted for more than an hour.
Commander Lu looked at the compound where usually old comrades would hang out, but today he didn't see anyone
Then wouldn't anyone appreciate the clothes he was wearing
Commander Lu thought about it and decided to go to the East District to find Shen Chuanshan, but not long after he left, someone called him from behind.
"Am I seeing right? Isn't this our Commander Lu? Why are you up so early?"
The person who came was his good friend Shen Chuanshan. After hearing the other party's call, Commander Lu walked towards him and said, "What? You are not allowed to get up and exercise? But you, why did you get up so late today?"
Shen Chuanshan sighed, "Forget about it. My great-grandson has been clamoring to go to the department store to buy toys early in the morning. I have to have a meeting with Old Wu and others later. How can I have the time to accompany him?"
Speaking of the younger generation, Commander Lu perked up and said, "My great-granddaughter and her family came over yesterday."
Shen Chuanshan snorted and laughed: "Oh, you're finally here? You must have been looking forward to it for a long time, right? No wonder you are so energetic to come out for a walk early in the morning, it turns out that people are in high spirits when they are happy."
This old comrade of his has indeed become different since he recognized a granddaughter. Who would not turn around and run away when seeing him before
Things have been quite different in the past few months. I look a few years younger and more energetic.
Commander Lu did not hide his happiness, saying: "It's a joy to have a family reunion during the Chinese New Year, of course! Last night my granddaughter even cooked a large table of dishes for me. I told her not to work too hard, but she insisted on making delicious food for me..."
Shen Chuanshan snorted lightly, why do you think that his old comrades are a little bit owed
Just when Shen Chuanshan was about to say something insulting, he suddenly realized that the man was not wearing a coat, only a vest, so he frowned and said, "Old Lu, do you think you are still young? You are wearing so little in this cold weather, aren't you afraid of the cold?!"
When Commander Lu heard this, he knew something was up. He adjusted his vest and raised his eyebrows: "Hey, how do you know this is the clothes my granddaughter made for me? My granddaughter said it was called something plush..."
"Oh, no, it should be called the down jacket. It's very warm. I don't feel cold at all." Then Commander Lu smiled and said, "My granddaughter made it for me. Do you think it looks good?"
Commander Lu really did not lie. At first he thought that this dress was light and airy, and was probably suitable for wearing in the cool spring and autumn.
But I didn't expect that after a while, the parts of my body covered by the down jacket were very warm and I didn't feel cold at all. I didn't expect that this down jacket was so magical.
Shen Chuanshan was speechless: "..."
How could he know? Didn't he say it himself
Shen Chuanshan looked sullen and snorted, "Come on, this dress looks so thin, how warm can it be?"
He doesn't even think before he tells a lie.
He obviously just wanted to show off that his granddaughter made him new clothes. Look how cocky he is.
Commander Lu was showing off, but when Shen Chuanshan questioned him, he started to get serious: "I lied to you and you got a job? My granddaughter said that this dress is made of duck and goose feathers, and it keeps you warm!"
Shen Chuanshan looked at him with doubt in his eyes: "I don't believe it."
Under Commander Lu's slightly smug gaze, Shen Chuanshan smiled and said, "Unless you give it a try for me."
"You wish!" Commander Lu curled his lips, turned around and left.
As time went on, more and more people came into the compound.
Commander Lu introduced the clothes he was wearing to almost everyone he met, and said with a smile that these were made for him by his granddaughter.
A small number of people in the compound knew that Commander Lu had found his granddaughter, and they were all very curious. They also knew that his granddaughter had specially come to Beijing to spend the New Year with Commander Lu, so they all wanted to go to his compound to take a look.
However, Commander Lu directly told the group of people: "Get lost! You scared my granddaughter and great-granddaughter. You will be in trouble."
Although Commander Lu said so, he still went back to his own courtyard with his hands behind his back, humming a little tune, under the curious gazes of everyone.
Wen Nuan got up early in the morning and didn't see Commander Lu, so she asked Uncle Zhao. He said he didn't know where Commander Lu had gone and he had never seen him go out so early before.
At about 7:30, Commander Lu came home, looking refreshed.
Wen Nuan saw that Commander Lu was only wearing two or three pieces of clothing. Although he had a sweater and a down vest, the vest had no sleeves, so his arms still felt cold.
Wen Nuan took the noodles out to the living room, then looked at Commander Lu and asked, "Grandpa, why are you wearing so little? Aren't you cold?"
The doorman said that Commander Lu went out shortly after the wake-up call. The weather was still relatively cold in the morning, so Wen Nuan guessed that he went out for exercise.
Although Commander Lu looks energetic, he is over sixty years old and is usually busy with many things, so it is better for him to be more careful.
As Commander Lu entered the room, he smelled the fragrance coming from the kitchen. After seeing the big pot of noodles on the dining table, he suddenly felt hungry.
He patted the down vest on his body and said, "It's okay. This clothes is warm. I didn't expect these clothes made of feathers to be so warm."
Gu Qinghan happened to bring a few bowls from the kitchen. When he heard what Commander Lu said, he responded, "This kind of clothes is both light and warm. If the cost is not too high, I think we can also equip the soldiers with this kind of clothes."
The climate in several border areas is extremely harsh. Every year, many soldiers at the outposts who suffer from the cold weather suffer from various frostbite accidents. Their hands and feet are frozen and cracked, and their bodies are swollen.
When Commander Lu heard Gu Qinghan's words, he felt that his mind was opened up. He instantly became serious and said in a deep voice: "If a piece of clothing needs to be filled with the down of more than a dozen ducks and geese, it is indeed difficult to implement."
Commander Lu thought for a moment and said, "But it's not impossible to promote it on a small scale."
Wen Nuan glanced at Gu Qinghan, knowing that he had brought up this matter in front of Commander Lu on purpose. It was indeed difficult for them to achieve this, but being able to give priority to supplying some of the colder border areas was also a contribution.
Wen Nuan knew that Gu Qinghan really wanted to seek benefits for the soldiers, so she naturally supported him in doing so.
With this beginning, during breakfast, Commander Lu changed his usual style and began to discuss with Gu Qinghan the feasibility of promoting this kind of clothing.
Wen Nuan would occasionally say a few words. After discussing for a while, Commander Lu looked at his granddaughter and asked her, "Xiao Nuan, if our army really wants to make down jackets, can you provide technical support? Share your approach."
Wen Nuan didn't think twice and said with a smile: "Of course, as long as you can contribute to the army, let alone share the methods, even just go and help."
Although it is not possible to promote it on a large scale, giving the soldiers on the border these warm clothes is a small step forward.
Commander Lu looked at Wen Nuan and naturally curled up the corners of his lips. He felt a little proud in his heart. She was indeed a child of their Lu family.
Commander Lu: "Okay, after the New Year, I will hold a meeting with everyone. This matter must be implemented as soon as possible."
*
After breakfast, Commander Lu said he would take Wen Nuan and the others to the cemetery.
The cemetery is in the western suburbs, nearly ten kilometers away from the compound, but with a car, it only takes about ten minutes to get there.
When we just arrived at the cemetery, fine snow started falling from the sky. The whole cemetery seemed even more quiet and solemn. Although it was New Year's Eve, there were still people coming in groups of three or four.
Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan held Le Le on each side and followed Commander Lu to the cemetery.
Lele didn't seem to know where this place was. He looked around curiously and couldn't help asking, "Mom, where are we going?"
Wen Nuan patiently explained: "Let's go see grandma and talk to her."
Worship is not allowed now, but this is a formal revolutionary cemetery, so it will not have any impact unless you come during festivals like Qingming Festival.
When Commander Lu heard the child ask this, he looked at a place in the distance and said, "There's more. Let's go see your grandparents and, of course, your great-grandmother."
Speaking of his deceased wife, Commander Lu couldn't help but sigh again: "If your grandmother knew you were here, she would be so happy."
Then, Commander Lu waved to Lele and said, "Lele, come here, Grandpa. I'll hug you. Your Grandma will surely be impatient."
Lele didn't know whether she understood or not, but when she heard Commander Lu say he wanted to hug her, she let go of Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan's hands, then walked towards Commander Lu and said with a smile, "Grandpa, hold me."
Commander Lu opened his arms, picked up the little guy, and said with a smile: "Come, let's go see your great-grandmother."
Lele then followed Commander Lu and shouted, "Grandma!"
Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan followed slowly behind without holding the child, but Le Le, who was held by Commander Lu, saw that they were not keeping up, so she shouted, "Mom, hurry up."
Commander Lu walked a little faster than them, and soon left them a short distance away. Wen Nuan heard Lele's cry, so she pulled Gu Qinghan's hand and said, "Let's catch up quickly. Otherwise, Lele is so heavy, and grandpa will be tired from carrying him."
Gu Qinghan looked at his wife and asked with a smile: "Do you have any misunderstanding about your grandfather? He is not an ordinary old man. Besides, our daughter is not heavy either."
Wen Nuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "So I'm the only one who thinks Lele is heavy?"
In fact, they have better physical strength. Wen Nuan is definitely not comparable to them, so naturally they feel that little Le Le is heavy.
Gu Qinghan glanced at her and said, "Come, I'll hold your hand and we'll catch up with Lele and the others."
The cemetery was quite large. Looking at Commander Lu's back as he walked away, it seemed that he still had some distance to go. However, with Gu Qinghan leading the way, he managed to catch up with him in the last distance.
Perhaps it was because of the long time, Commander Lu looked at the tombstone written on a wooden block in front of him without feeling too sad, and just said softly: "Teng Jun, Xue Rou, I brought your children to see you."
"Wen Nuan is a very good girl, pretty and kind-hearted. She is married to one of the best pilots in our Air Force. You can rest assured that Dad will take good care of the child for you."
The tombstone looked quite old, but there were a few words on the wood that seemed to have been written not long ago, with the names of Lu Tengjun and Wen Xueruo written on them.
"Come here, child." Commander Lu waved to Wen Nuan and said to her, "These are your father and mother."
Wen Nuan took two steps forward and said seriously, "Dad, Mom, I'm Wen Nuan, I'm here to see you."
Then she asked Lele to shout, "Grandpa, Grandma."
Then Commander Lu looked at a place next to him where there was nothing, and choked up: "Comrade Lao Lin, did you see this? This is our granddaughter. Didn't you think that I would find her back? If you hold on for a few more years, you can see her like me."
"You, you left in such a hurry, do you regret it now?" Commander Lu said the latter sentence with a smile, but Wen Nuan knew that he was already a little moved.
Wen Nuan walked over, stood beside Commander Lu, and called out, "Grandma, I'm here to see you."
Commander Lu smiled and said, "Your grandmother can rest assured now."
Commander Lu held Lele in his arms and asked her to shout with a smile, "Come here, Lele, call me grandma. If your grandma saw you, she would probably be so happy that she wouldn't be able to sleep."
Lele followed suit and called out, "Grandma."
Commander Lu rubbed the child's head and said, "So good."
*
After staying in the cemetery for a while, Commander Lu originally wanted to go to the old courtyard. He said that Wen Nuan was born there.
But before setting off, Commander Lu suddenly remembered that he had lent the courtyard house to his nephew's family for temporary residence a few years ago.
Commander Lu said, "That's my brother, your youngest son. He has five daughters and one son. The oldest is only about ten years old, and the youngest is only seven. He said that he couldn't even move away from the place where his unit was assigned to. I thought that I would be in the army all year round, and the yard would just be left there, so I lent it to them for temporary residence."
"Let's see when you guys return to Beijing. I'll go get the yard back."
Commander Lu had always wanted to bring Wen Nuan to Beijing, but he knew it was not practical to separate her and Gu Qinghan.
However, Gu Qinghan is a good candidate and the youngest regimental-level cadre at the Beicheng Air Force Base. It is estimated that it will take some time for him to come to the main hospital.
Wen Nuan just listened to Commander Lu talking about this matter quietly, and did not express her own opinion. She just said: "Then let's go back to the compound first. After lunch, it's almost time to start preparing the New Year's Eve dinner."
In this era, many people do give birth to many children. Even the dependents of the troops in their army have at least four or five children. I heard from sister-in-law Juxiang that many houses in the family compound have two rooms, and only the larger ones have three rooms.
The houses allocated by work units in this city are probably even smaller, not to mention that this is the capital, Beijing. Families with several children really have to sleep in a crowded space.
I just don't know if they will be willing to move out when Commander Lu asks for the yard back.
Commander Lu pursed his lips and said to the driver, "Let's go back to the compound. When Lele goes back to take a nap, we'll make dumplings."
Lele was in no mood to sleep. After returning to the compound, she started to pull Commander Lu to make a snowman with her.
Commander Lu had a rare day off, and he responded to the little one's every request. She said she wanted to make a snowman, and she even borrowed a snow shovel from the guard. She went outside and shoveled a lot of clean snow.
Wen Nuan originally wanted to ask her grandfather not to bother, but Commander Lu was happy and said, "Xiao Nuan, you can also build a snowman with us, and Uncle Zhao can take care of the kitchen."
Wen Nuan thought that there was a lot to prepare for today's New Year's Eve dinner, so she said, "Grandpa, you guys can have fun. I've asked Uncle Zhao to go back for the holiday. Today's kitchen will be left to Qinghan and me."
Commander Lu had no experience in the kitchen. Hearing what Wen Nuan said, he smiled and said, "Okay, when the dough is ready, I'll make dumplings with you guys."
The kitchen's glass window overlooks the yard. Seeing Commander Lu having fun with the children, Wen Nuan prepared the dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner in advance and started stewing the most time-consuming dishes, such as the pig's trotter and pork belly with abalone and chicken soup.
Maybe it was because Lele's laughter was too loud that it attracted several guests to the yard. They all said they came to see Wen Nuan and the children and to bring some snacks.
Commander Lu said that he didn't want these people to come over, but when people really came, he changed his usual serious attitude and happily introduced Wen Nuan to his old comrades.
"This is my granddaughter, Wen Nuan."
Every time he introduced someone, Commander Lu's voice was always particularly loud, as if he was afraid that others couldn't hear him.
This compound is not very similar to their Beicheng Air Force Base. It is the headquarters where all the navy, army and air force are gathered. Commander Lu has too many comrades-in-arms and Wen Nuan cannot remember them all, so she calls her whatever Commander Lu tells her to.
Wen Nuan thought about how everyone was sending each other New Year snacks, so she took out the fried dough balls she had fried in Beicheng, and then steamed some red date and walnut cakes. She kept some for home and asked Commander Lu to send the rest back to others.
Commander Lu looked at his granddaughter who was sweating from working so hard in this cold weather, and said distressedly, "I wish I had known not to take their things."
In the past Chinese New Year, Commander Lu either went to various places for meetings or was busy in the office.
Apart from Shen Chuanshan who would specially send some food to his office, other comrades knew that he would not prepare snacks for the New Year and never sent anything.
Wen Nuan smiled and said, "It's the New Year, everyone should be celebrating."
Then she asked, "Grandpa, take Lele over to deliver the dumplings. When you come back, we can make dumplings together."
"Okay, let's celebrate the New Year." Commander Lu took some snacks prepared by Wen Nuan and took the little guy Lele out.
*
Wen Nuan saw the two of them leaving and said to Gu Qinghan, "It seems that little Lele is not taking a nap today."
Lele went to bed later than usual last night because there was a TV here and the program started at 10:30, so she watched it until 10:30 too.
Gu Qinghan was about to wash the vegetables, and when he heard Wen Nuan say that, he responded, "Then let her go to bed early tonight."
"It will probably be even harder. Grandpa said he would buy her firecrackers when he went out just now." Wen Nuan thought Commander Lu was a very strict elder, but she didn't expect that he would be the same even with a little baby.
Gu Qinghan smiled, kissed his wife on the cheek, and said, "It's only once a year anyway, let her have fun. And with Lele here, Grandpa will be happy too."
"That's right." Wen Nuan saw the man smile triumphantly and handed the carrot in her hand to him: "You can peel this one too."
Gu Qinghan took the radish and asked, "Do you want to go back and sleep for a while?"
"No, I'm not that tired." Wen Nuan took the freshly steamed red date and walnut cake from the side, cut a small piece and handed it to the man, saying, "Eat a little. I don't think you ate much."
Gu Qinghan ate the food without hesitation, and then said: "Then you sit down and rest for a while, I will take care of the rest."
Wen Nuan pulled a chair over and sat down. She also took a piece of walnut cake and savored it slowly while mumbling to Gu Qinghan: "I plan to go see Mei Jiao. She is in East City."
Gu Qinghan knew Wen Nuan was looking at him, but he still finished cutting the vegetables and said, "Sure, do you want me to go with you?"
"No need. You can't interrupt us women's conversation." Wen Nuan ate a small piece of cake, took a date, and said, "You said before that Hua Qing was also in Jing City? Do you know where he is?"
Gu Qinghan raised his eyes and said, "I was in a hurry to return to the army and didn't ask. If you want to know, I'll call Comrade Liu."
Wen Nuan: "I don't know if there is enough time, so let's not ask for now."
Commander Lu doesn't have much vacation time, and he will probably be busy on the second, third and fourth days of the New Year, so there's no point in them staying here.
Lele over there went out for a walk with Commander Lu. He was very energetic the whole time and didn't ask to sleep.
And she behaved very politely. When Commander Lu asked her to call people, she did it obediently. Everyone who saw her said she was cute, and Commander Lu was so pleased with her that the corners of his lips could not be pulled down.
Commander Lu wanted to take the child around the compound, but the child was too big. After giving some snacks to a few old comrades, he went back with Lele in his arms to make dumplings.
When the two of them returned home, Gu Qinghan had already started rolling out the dough.
As soon as Lele saw the dumplings being made, he came over and said, "Mom, give me some dough."
“I want to make dumplings, too.”
Wen Nuan saw that there was a little kid hanging on her thigh, so she smiled and said, "Sure, mom will wash your hands first. Make sure they are clean."
When Lele heard this, he pulled Commander Lu towards the washroom and said, "Grandpa, you have to wash your hands too."
Commander Lu laughed and said, "Okay, Grandpa, wash your hands too." Then he followed the child.
Commander Lu stood beside Wen Nuan. He originally wanted to make some round and beautiful dumplings, but they ended up either bursting the skin because of too much filling, or looking flat because of too little filling.
He looked at Gu Qinghan, trying to get back at him.
It would be fine if you didn't look at it, but once you do, it makes you angry. The dumplings made by Gu Qinghan look very good, round and beautiful.
No wonder Wen Nuan’s dumplings were put together with his!
Commander Lu then took a look at the dumplings Lele had made, which were comparable to his.
Just then, she saw Wen Nuan making dumplings in his hand and couldn't help blushing: "Grandpa, you haven't practiced for a long time. Just wait for me to make a few more."
He was too busy at work. Even when his wife was still alive, he always had endless meetings. When he returned home, he would have a quick meal. In the evening, he would visit the soldiers in the army and host the army's Spring Festival Gala.
He also went to his cousin's house to celebrate the New Year in the past two years. There were more than ten or twenty people in their family, and it was lively enough.
But it was too noisy and most importantly, it seemed to have nothing to do with him, so he simply stopped going.
It’s different now, he has his own family again!
Being with Wen Nuan and the children, even making dumplings made him feel extremely happy.
As expected, people pursue different things at each age. When he was young and full of vigor and vitality, he never felt sad about the passing of time and was always devoted to the country.
At my age now, I suddenly feel that even if a few people squeeze around the dining table, making dumplings is very satisfying.
Wen Nuan smiled and said, "It's okay, Grandpa, your wrapping is the most unique. I'll be able to recognize which one has the coin right away."
Lele shouted, "I want money!"
Wen Nuan said: "Then you should recognize the dumplings made by grandpa, and you will definitely be able to eat them."
After hearing what they said, Commander Lu suddenly became confident again: "Yes, Grandpa has put coins in it, and Lele recognizes the dumplings made by Grandpa."
This habit of putting coins in dumplings was taught to him by his wife. In the past, he would occasionally find one or two coins in the dumplings he ate. He asked his uncle Zhao to prepare some coins for him to use in making dumplings during the Chinese New Year a long time ago.
Lele was standing on a chair because she was not tall enough. She heard her mother say that, then looked at the dumplings in Commander Lu's hand and said innocently, "Ugly."
After hearing these words, Commander Lu was hit again.
Commander Lu coughed lightly and said, "This is called special. You are just a kid and don't understand."
Lele didn't understand either. She tilted her head and looked at her great-grandfather, and asked in a baby voice, "Is it particularly ugly?"
Wen Nuan couldn't help laughing out loud.
Lele didn't know what his mother was laughing at, so he started laughing too. The originally empty house was instantly filled with laughter.
When Commander Lu saw them laughing, he felt happy.
It feels so good to live with my family.