"Leader Song," Dad Li said hesitantly.
"Uncle, just call me Xiao Song. I don't dare to be a leader." Song Ren smiled, trying to ease Lin's father's nervousness.
"Then... then I'll call you, Xiao... Xiao Song..." Although Mr. Lin hadn't seen much of the world, he had one good point, which was that he would listen to advice.
When Li Chunhua went to join the army, everyone thought it was a bad idea. But Lin's father asked the village chief, who said it was a good thing and let him go.
Later, Li Chunhua was transferred to the Special Operations Department. Unsure of the situation, he went to the village chief to ask. He had never encountered this before and didn't know anything, so he went to the county to inquire. The news was good, and Li's father continued to support him.
Later, when Li Chunhua scored 800 on the test, his father was completely clueless. It was his daughter-in-law, Xiao Shi Miao, who meticulously analyzed the situation for him, explaining the pros and cons. It was this understanding that fueled the family's support for Li Chunhua's work.
"Uncle, please." Song Ren was a very easygoing person when he was not training, but Lin Fan had never seen him so friendly.
Song Ren, who was in the reserve team, usually had a serious expression. Was it intentional?
Dad Li asked Song Ren about Li Chunhua's performance. Song Ren cooperated and said something. Dad Li listened carefully, as if he could see his son's life from Song Ren's words.
Shi Miao also leaned against the box at the head of the kang, listening carefully. She stroked her round belly and imagined the father of her child working hard for the family.
Because Li Chunhua was promoted to special operations and received another raise of 800, his salary also increased again and again, and he sent back a lot of money.
In the second half of last year, my family renovated the old house, rebuilt the kang, and bought a lot of new appliances.
In Dali Village, where living conditions are generally good, their family's conditions are among the best. This is all the result of Li Chunhua's hard work outside.
Li Chunhua's current job is far less dangerous than her previous job in the special operations department, which is also an important reason why she actively urged him to transfer.
Although they cannot meet often now, it is the wish of their whole family that Li Chunhua's safety can be better guaranteed.
Li Chunhua also likes his current job and life. Rather than letting him retire and do something he doesn't like or is not good at, it would be better for him to stay at 800 and contribute his strength to the country.
Anyway, I have about ten days of annual leave every year, which is much more than some people who work outside, but it’s not during the Chinese New Year.
His sudden return this time was beyond everyone's expectations.
When Shi Miao woke up from deep thought, he heard Li Dad asking Song Ren: "How come you can come back before the New Year this time? Are you going to carry out a mission?"
Dad Li is not stupid. With so many people together, they definitely don’t come here to stay and celebrate the New Year.
"Yes, I have a mission, so I can't stay long." Accompanying Lin Fan home was his mission, so Song Ren had no problem saying that. "I'll probably be leaving the day after tomorrow. I'm really sorry to bother you, uncle and aunt, and Comrade Shi Miao."
"Of course not." Although Father Li was a little disappointed, he was satisfied to see her before the New Year and for two days. "You have to focus on your work. It must be difficult for you to take the time to come and see us and stay for two days. We are satisfied."
Shi Miao nodded obediently. It was nice to have an unexpected vacation. Two days wasn't long, but it wasn't short either. Seeing each other before the New Year and chatting was better than not seeing each other at all.
Simple people are so easily satisfied.
Lin Fan held the hot water cup, watching the two people's conversation through the mist. How long had it been since he had seen such a relaxed and casual conversation?
She doesn't remember.
Although the topic had nothing to do with her, her heart felt comfortable and calm during such a conversation.
"Sister Lin?" Shi Miao woke her up from her thoughts.
Lin Fan looked up, and she asked shyly, "Can I call you Sister Lin?"
"Sure, I'm much older than you, so it's okay to call me auntie." Perhaps because she liked the current atmosphere, Lin Fan was also willing to talk. She replied to Shi Miao with a smile.
"Ah? How old is Sister Lin?" Shi Miao was frightened by her word "Auntie". This sister didn't look very big.
Dad Li also looked at Lin Fan carefully with interest. This girl doesn't look very young.
"I'm 36," Lin Fan said with a smile. "According to the custom in my hometown, children under ten years old can be called brothers and sisters, and those over ten can be called uncles and aunts."
"Huh?" Gao Fei asked in confusion. "Is there such a saying?"
"We have this saying over there too." Ji Yu nodded in agreement, "But in recent years, people either call someone handsome guy or beautiful girl, or call them little brother or little sister. Calling someone uncle or auntie makes people unhappy."
"I..." Shi Miao hesitated for a moment, "Should I call you sister? I feel like you're very young, and it would be weird to call you auntie."
"Sure, call me whatever you want." Lin Fan didn't mind the name. "Your Li Chunhua doesn't even call me sister. If you call me sister, I'll assume you're calling me sister, too."
"What? If he doesn't call you sister, then what is he calling?" Dad Li exclaimed.
Lin Fan is 8 years older than Li Chunhua, so it is not an exaggeration to call her sister.
"Brother Li always calls my sister by her name." Gao Fei said with a smile, "Uncle, don't mind. My sister doesn't mind these things."
After Gao Fei became familiar with Lin Fan, he always liked to call her "my sister" and "my sister". People who didn't know them would think they were real siblings.
"That won't do. I have to say something to this kid." Dad Lin was unhappy. Why was this kid becoming more and more impolite?
"It's okay, uncle. Li Chunhua and I get along fine. I'm used to him calling me that. If he suddenly changed his mind and started calling me sister, I'd be afraid he'd do something bad." Lin Fan interrupted Li's father with a smile.
Dad Li looked at the smile on Lin Fan's face and felt that it was not forced. He looked at his daughter-in-law next to him and saw her nod, so he stopped dwelling on the matter.
"Sister Lin, I'm sorry. I want to apologize on behalf of Brother Huazi. He is just like that. I mean no disrespect." Shi Miao said softly.
When Lin Fan saw her good girl look, he was not angry even if there was something, let alone nothing.
She waved her hand and said, "It's okay. I'm really good with him, don't worry. I actually like this kid, haha. Besides, don't we still have Captain Song?"
Lin Fan patted Song Ren's arm, reminding them that the leader was still there and that Li Chunhua was under someone's supervision.
"Actually, I'm a little curious. Does Sister Lin have the same training as my brother Huazi?" Shi Miao asked carefully, then explained, "I'm not trying to pry into secrets. I know that brother Huazi's training is very hard. Do you think girls should have the same?"
Dad Li was also curious. He hadn't realized Lin Fan was a girl when he was outside, thinking she was small. Only after entering the house did he discover there was also a baby girl.
At this time, Li Chunhua came into the house carrying a tray of hot food.
"Come on, come on, eat first. You must be hungry." Li Ma's voice came in first, and then she brought in a soup pot.
Because there was already some sparerib soup at home, Li's mother took some tomatoes, eggs, and vegetables and made a pot of dumpling soup. It contained meat, vegetables, eggs, and noodles, and was nutritious and easy to digest.
Five large soup bowls were arranged in order.
Lin Fan didn't feel anything, but the others were really hungry and ate a lot.
Mother Li was very happy to see that everyone appreciated her cooking. Her eyes were full of love as she looked at the group of children who were eating madly.
Dad Li and Shi Miao didn't say anything. The three of them watched the five people eating voraciously, feeling very satisfied.
After finishing one bowl, everyone ordered another.
At this time, Lin Fan seemed very awkward.
Compared to the other guys, Lin Fan, who took off his coat, had a slim figure and could actually eat two large bowls of food like everyone else.
Shi Miao looked at her flat belly in confusion, wondering where the two bowls of dumpling soup had gone.
Only then did she truly believe that Lin Fan was indeed a training staff member like Li Chunhua and the others, and not a civilian as she had originally thought.
Lin Fan actually longed for such a peaceful family life, but unfortunately she couldn't enjoy it herself. In Li Chunhua's home, her heart was healed. Remember to vote