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Chapter 371: Chapter 361: Pillar of Talent
The relocation had been set in stone, and because Shen Yunfang knew that Li Hongjun was also going to the Capital for a year of advanced studies, she was not so averse to the idea of moving.
She figured that with Li Hongjun going to the Capital next year, she could do her senior year internship back home. By that calculation, they would only be apart for a year.
After a few busy days, when the official holiday came, Shen Yunfang first vacated the apartment, said her goodbyes to Chen Jing’s family, and took Manman and Pangpang back home.
"Yunfang, you’re finally back. It’s been almost half a year; we really missed you," said Sister Wu as she saw Li Hongjun bringing his wife and children back and started chatting in the courtyard.
"Hehe, Sister, you look even younger than you did half a year ago," joked Shen Yunfang, as she patted Taxue’s big head, the silly dog who had actually been waiting for them at the entrance to the residential area.
"Oh, you’re talking nonsense," Sister Wu said, covering her face that was about to burst into laughter.
"I’m not talking nonsense; you definitely look younger. With your vitality, I’m sure good things have been nonstop at your home," Shen Yunfang continued to tease.
"You’re such a flatterer. Come on in quickly. Get settled now that you’re back. I won’t disturb you. Tomorrow, you and Hongjun should come over to my place, and I’ll cook something delicious to welcome you," Sister Wu said with a smile so wide she could hardly close her mouth. Who doesn’t like to hear nice things? Thinking about it, what Shen Yunfang said was true; in the past half year, her husband hadn’t been out on assignments, her eldest daughter’s academic performance had been good, and her teachers had said there was hope for university next year. Her younger daughter had also become sensible, getting praised by the kindergarten teachers. Well, her son was still as mischievous as ever, but being a spirited boy was normal; otherwise, it would mean something was wrong.
"Aiyoh, I’ve really been missing your cooking, Sister. I’ll definitely come over tomorrow," said Shen Yunfang.
She had repeated this several times since entering the residential area.
Of course, she also encountered uncooperative neighbors, like Sister Wang Guifen, who turned her face away as soon as she saw their family of four. Shen Yunfang pretended not to see it; if she didn’t want to bother with her, Shen Yunfang was even less willing to deal with her.
Once the family was inside, Shen Yunfang threw her bag onto the kang bed, looked around the room, and said with emotion, "There’s really no place like home."
The two little ones followed suit, twirling around before saying in their milky voices, "Yeah, there’s no place like home."
This made Shen Yunfang and Li Hongjun laugh; the kids were becoming quite the characters.
"Stop messing around. Go wash your hands and face, and Mom will make you something yummy," Shen Yunfang ruffled her son’s little head.
"Jeez, they won’t even let us express how much we missed home. Let’s ignore Mom. Come on, Pangpang, Dad will mix the water for your handwashing," said Li Hongjun, taking one child in each arm to go wash their hands.
Before leaving, Pangpang didn’t forget to make a request to his mom, "Mommy, I want potato fries."
"Cake," said Manman.
"Alright, today whatever you kids ask for, Mommy will make," Shen Yunfang rolled up her sleeves, ready to get busy.
Shen Yunfang peeled potatoes and fried chips in the kitchen, made batter for her daughter’s chiffon cake, while Li Hongjun, the kids, and Taxue tidied up the luggage indoors.
Since Shen Yunfang was going to school in the Capital next semester, some of the things they had bought in S City were not brought back, like pots, pans, and kitchen utensils, which were given to Ma Huilan. They only took bedding and clothes with them.
The next day, Wu’s sister-in-law really did cook a few dishes and invited these familiar families over. It was both to welcome Shen Yunfang and to have a small gathering. Ever since Shen Yunfang left for school, these families rarely got together.
"Sister-in-law, you’re really something now, a college student, when you graduate you’ll be a pillar of the country. Come on, I’ll pour you a drink this year, too, tell us what college is like." Wu Guoqiang stood up and poured a small cup of white liquor for Shen Yunfang, "You have no idea, since you got into college, it’s not just the old mothers in our unit who admire you, even we old men do too."
"Big brother Wu, you better go easy on flattering me. I’m just a student at an agricultural school, even after graduating I’ll just be a farmer, there’s nothing to admire." Shen Yunfang didn’t refuse, she could hold her liquor, she just didn’t like to drink. But she was happy today, so a little drink didn’t matter.
"Eh, I’m not happy with what you’re saying. Even if you farm in the future, you won’t be the same as the ordinary folks, ah, what do they call it?" He was stumped, unable to recall the phrase on the tip of his tongue. "Ah, never mind, never mind, the point is, farming in the future will require knowledge, you’ve got great prospects."
"Haha, Big brother Wu, you’re talking about scientific farming, right?" Shen Yunfang said with a laugh.
Actually, scientific farming had appeared quite early on, and after the reform and opening-up, the state paid a lot of attention to the three rural issues. As an agricultural country, the three rural issues are related to the national quality, economic development, and they’re tied to social stability, national strength, and national rejuvenation.
So although Shen Yunfang said she’d be a farmer in the future, she felt her major was very useful, and if used well, it could accomplish a great deal.
"Right, right, right, that’s it, that’s it." Wu Guoqiang slapped his thigh.
"Give me a break, not having finished middle school and still talking science with a college student, aren’t you embarrassed?" Wu’s sister-in-law teased him.
"What’s the problem? I may not be highly educated, but that’s the idea I have. Look at me, I’m about to raise my daughter to be a college student, what’s there to be embarrassed about?" Wu Guoqiang had served as a soldier for many years and had been a political commissar. He had insight, and although his family was poor, he never allowed his children’s education to suffer. He had always believed that only through education could one stand out in the future.
Now, he wasn’t made to wait any longer, college admissions had begun again, and his daughter could go to college after high school graduation. According to her teachers, she would definitely get into college. After his daughter graduated, she would be assigned to the city, and step by step, her prospects were sure to get better and better.
"Give us a break, don’t you worry someone will laugh, we’ve got a college student, a teacher right here." Wu’s sister-in-law shot her husband a sideways glance. "Don’t mind him, he’s just drunk."
"Sister-in-law, you’re wrong, Old Wu isn’t drunk, he’s speaking from the heart. We’re at a disadvantage in the army for not being educated." Wu Chaoyang lifted his glass and took a sip.
"You should drink less." Liu Shuli interjected.
"Don’t mind me, I’m happy today." Wu Chaoyang didn’t listen.
Liu Shuli looked at everyone and stretched a smile, then bowed her head and ate quietly without speaking.
Shen Yunfang shook her head secretly, all these years, every time she saw Liu Shuli she was always so reserved, wasn’t she tired?
"Enough about that useless talk, our family is going up the mountain to hunt tomorrow, are any of you interested in joining?" Li Hongjun brought the conversation back on track.
"You’ve got some nerve, son. Your wife comes back and you’ve got the energy for hunting, huh? Fine, our family will join you tomorrow." The thought of the meat to be had tomorrow made Wu Guoqiang’s mouth water.
"I..." Wu Chaoyang was about to echo the sentiment when Liu Shuli cut him off, "Have you forgotten? We already made plans for tomorrow, to go to the provincial city."
"Sorry, but we can’t join you, our family is heading to the provincial city together tomorrow." Liu Shuli said.
