A big bowl of white rice, topped with a big spoonful of braised pork sauce, and a sip of golden mushroom chicken soup made Qin Guoqing think he was eating a state banquet, although he had never eaten a state banquet before.
Cheng Liguo heard the smacking sound from Qin Guoqing's mouth and quietly pulled his sleeve. Qin Guoqing didn't know what was going on at first, but when he saw Cheng Liguo pointing at his mouth, his face turned red with embarrassment.
The skinny monkey smiled with his lips pursed. Sometimes when he ate something delicious, he would smack his lips. Qiu Min scolded him countless times. Now that he heard someone smacking their lips with his own ears, he knew that he would never smack his lips again.
Mother Li secretly glanced at Cheng Liguo and always felt that although this relative looked amiable, he was definitely a tough guy at heart.
"Dad, you are finally free, right?"
"Well, I have to thank Comrade Li Bing for this. Without him by my side to help me, whether it is rehabilitation or divorce, these two things are definitely a gap that is difficult for me to cross."
When she heard Li Bing's name, Li's mother was stunned. Could it be that her eldest son had also hooked up with his in-laws? If everyone in the family could unite, the family would surely prosper.
"Then don't leave now that Dad is here. Wait a few years until the situation is more stable, and then we'll make plans."
Cheng Qiao was happy, she wanted to keep her father by her side. Given the current situation, the countryside was the safest place, so it was better for her to stay put.
"No, my daughter, Dad wants to apologize to you. Dad has decided to stay in the Hexi Corridor and not leave."
"Ah, why?"
"My daughter, if you saw the living conditions over there, you would feel heartbroken. There is a desert city over there, water resources are extremely scarce, and the trees we planted are almost all wiped out.
Without forests to stop them, the desert invades the land recklessly. I want to help them. Fortunately, I have learned some tricks now. So, I want to dedicate the rest of my life to the Hexi Corridor. "
Cheng Qiao opened her mouth in surprise, but Li Huan looked at his father-in-law with admiration. He had always known from his eldest brother how difficult the environment over there was, but his father-in-law actually wanted to give up the favorable conditions here and choose the most difficult place.
"Dad, if you insist, then I can only support you. Which department are you working in now? I will send the supplies directly to you in the future."
"Garden Management Office, but I still live in the original cave house. After living there for a long time, I feel very good. It is warm in winter and cool in summer. It's just that it's not very convenient to take a bath."
"Dad, I'll take you and Qin Guoqing to the bathhouse later and give you a good wash."
Li Huan spoke quickly, but Qin Guoqing looked embarrassed. He had driven all the way here and had forgotten to bring a change of clothes, so...
"Your figure is similar to mine. Go to the bathhouse first and I'll go back and get you some clothes."
Skinny Monkey saw that Qin Guoqing was just a teenager and was thin, so Qin Guoqing should be able to wear his clothes.
"Okay, thank you, Brother Skinny Monkey."
Cheng Liguo glanced at the skinny monkey, and the skinny monkey quickly explained that his surname was Hou, the "Hou" in "Houye", and he didn't know which bastard gave him the nickname "Skinny Monkey".
Li Huan narrowed his eyes and said, "You bastard, say it again."
Skinny Monkey immediately remembered that his nickname was given by Li Huan, and he couldn't help feeling embarrassed. Qiu Min couldn't help laughing, but just a laugh moved the baby in her belly, which kicked her hard. She quickly covered her stomach and cried out in pain.
"What's wrong? Did this bastard kick you again? I'll beat him up when he comes out. He dares to bully my wife, and I won't let him have an easy time."
Cheng Qiao laughed so hard that her cheeks were sore; these words were so familiar. However, since little Cheng Li was born, Li Huan was reluctant to even speak loudly to him, let alone beat him.
Seeing Cheng Qiao's meaningful smile, Li Huan scratched his head awkwardly and pulled the skinny monkey's clothes at the same time, saying, "Don't embarrass yourself. Instead of wasting time, you might as well drink one more glass of wine."
Mother Li looked at the sky and decided that she had to rush back before night fell, otherwise there would be only Li Le and Xuhui at home and they would not be able to take care of an old man.
"Mom, then you should be careful when you go back. Let Uncle Niu come over tomorrow morning to pick up my dad and take him back to the village."
"Hey, then you should be careful too. Make sure to lock the door at night."
Li Huan also pulled Qin Guoqing out of the courtyard. When he saw a van parked at the door, he couldn't help but be stunned. They actually came in a van. Shouldn't they have driven a truck
"Brother Huan, my father said that we must not use the trucks. If people from other brother camps find out, they will definitely come to our house to ask for the goods. We don't even have enough for ourselves with these little things."
"Then you definitely won't be able to pull it off this time."
"It's okay. My dad said to take one truck back first, and bring Uncle Cheng back the next time we come to get it."
"How long will it take for you to come back?"
"At least half a month. Gasoline is in short supply. My father will have to work hard."
When Li Huan heard that it would be at least half a month, he nodded with satisfaction. He hoped that his father-in-law could stay in Xiangyang Village longer, and then his wife would be happier.
Cheng Qiao took out Li Huan and Cheng Liguo's spare clothes, as well as bath soap and towels. One bar of soap was enough for a grown man to take a bath. She put the clothes in a net bag and handed it to Li Huan.
"Sister Cheng Qiao, do you still have this soap? I want to bring some back to Brother Li Bing."
"Big brother has a girlfriend."
Cheng Qiao keenly sensed the meaning of the connotation. Qin Guoqing nodded repeatedly and told her everything about Li Bing and Jiang Meili.
"Okay, then we will have not only soap, but also vanishing cream and a wool scarf. These are the gifts from my husband and me to Jiang Meili."
Cheng Qiao walked into the house, then took out two bottles of vanishing cream, a bright red wool scarf, and a few bars of soap and handed them to Qin Guoqing. Qin Guoqing shook his head and asked him to give them to him when he left.
The three of them went to the bathhouse to take a bath. Cheng Qiao closed the door tightly and took little Cheng Li into the space. He handed the gold watch to little Cheng Li and told him very carefully:
"This gift grandpa gave you is very valuable, so don't break it, or you will regret it when you grow up."
Little Cheng Li took the pocket watch and nodded happily. His mother said that this watch would be very valuable in the future, so he decided to give it to her for safekeeping.
"Mmmmm, Bao..."
"Baby, do you want your mother to keep this pocket watch for you?"
"Um… "
Little Cheng Li nodded vigorously. Cheng Qiao found a box, wrapped it in a new handkerchief, put it in the box, and then put it in the closet.
She spread a mattress on the floor of the bedroom, put little Cheng Li on the ground, then took out the toys that Chun Cheng bought and put them on the ground, letting him play alone. She was going to plant some medicinal herbs.
Little Cheng Li looked at his mother's back as she left, secretly hating himself for growing too slowly. Otherwise, he could go to work with his mother and his mother wouldn't have to work so hard.