klisemfg Chapter 378 The Beloved Little Sister 13
Chapter 378 The Beloved Little Sister 13
In the courtyard, the two families were making their final handover.
Mr. You stuffed the cured meat into Ji Jianguo's carrying pole, while Mrs. You held Wang Xiuhua's hand and whispered something to her.
"Mother-in-law, don't worry."
Mother You wiped away her tears, "If Yongwa dares to bully Song'er, I'll be the first to break his legs!"
Wang Xiuhua's eyes also reddened: "Song'er was frail from a young age, and when she joined the army..."
"Mother!" Ji Xiaosong quickly interrupted, "I'm all better now!" She spun around, "Look, I'm as strong as ever!"
You Yong had already changed into a crisp military uniform and was checking his luggage.
In addition to the dowry prepared by both families, he also brought Ji Xiaosong's herbal medicine bag and the "Barefoot Doctor's Handbook".
"Everyone's here." He extended his hand to Ji Xiaosong. "Let's go."
At the village entrance, people lined up in circles to see him off.
The children chased after the military jeeps, while the adults kept giving them instructions:
"Write back often!"
"You must come back for the Chinese New Year!"
"Have a big, healthy son soon!"
Ji Xiaosong leaned against the car window, watching her parents' figures grow smaller and smaller until they became tiny dots in her field of vision.
She gripped You Yong's hand tightly, forcing herself not to let her tears fall.
"Reluctant to part with it?" You Yong asked softly.
Ji Xiaosong shook her head, then nodded: "Once we're settled, we'll come back to visit often."
"Yes!" You Yong solemnly promised, "I'll come back every year during my family visit leave!"
The jeep drove across familiar fields and through winding mountain roads, heading towards the distant military base.
Ji Xiaosong leaned on You Yong's shoulder, looking at the ever-changing scenery outside the window, feeling both reluctant to leave home and looking forward to a new life.
"Take a nap if you're sleepy." You Yong adjusted her position to make her more comfortable. "I'll wake you when we get there."
Ji Xiaosong closed her eyes, listening to the roar of the engine and You Yong's powerful heartbeat, and gradually drifted off to sleep.
In her dream, she saw a small red brick building with blooming roses on the windowsill; that was their home.
Rongrong whispered in her mind, "A-Song, a new life is about to begin."
Yes, a new life is about to begin.
*
A few days later, the jeep drove into the military family compound in the evening.
The afterglow of the setting sun gilded the red brick buildings with a golden edge, and several rose bushes were in full bloom in the small flower bed in front of Building No. 3.
"We're here." You Yong gently woke Ji Xiaosong, who was leaning on his shoulder. "This is our home."
Ji Xiaosong rubbed her eyes and looked at the three-story building in front of her.
Room 201 is on the second floor, with a brand new "囍" character pasted on the door, which was obviously arranged in advance by You Yong.
“Come on, I’ll carry you up.” You Yong squatted down. “According to the rules, the bride’s feet cannot touch the ground.”
Ji Xiaosong smiled and leaned against his back, clearly feeling the strong muscles under his military uniform.
You Yong walked up the stairs step by step, his footsteps particularly clear in the quiet corridor.
The key turned, and the door opened.
Although the 60-square-meter two-bedroom apartment is not large, it is kept spotless.
The living room has a folding round table and two chairs, while the bedroom has a brand-new double bed, and even the curtains are a festive red.
"You prepared all of this?" Ji Xiaosong looked around in surprise.
You Yong scratched his head sheepishly: "Some of it was with the help of my comrades..."
He pointed to the kitchen, "Look, we've connected to running water here, so we don't have to go downstairs to fetch water anymore."
Ji Xiaosong curiously turned on the tap, and clear water gushed out.
In an era when most rural areas still used well water, this was a luxury.
"And this too!" You Yong exclaimed like a child showing off a treasure, pushing open the bathroom door. "A flush toilet! No need to go to the public restroom anymore!"
Ji Xiaosong curiously pressed the flush button, and was startled by the "whoosh" sound. The two looked at each other and smiled.
It's great; I feel like I have a home here now.
The next morning, after You Yong reported to the army, Ji Xiaosong began to decorate their little home.
She took out the mandarin ducks playing in the water quilt that her mother had embroidered from her dowry chest and spread it on the bed;
Display the bamboo utensils woven by my second brother in the kitchen;
The herbal pillow embroidered by the third brother was placed at the head of the bed.
The precious sewing machine was placed in a sunny little room, which would become her studio.
Next, Ji Xiaosong carefully searched the space for plants suitable for growing at home.
A moment later, several green plants emitting a faint fragrance appeared in her hand.
This is a "calming herb" that a member of the Phoenix Clan casually picked. It not only purifies the air but also has the effect of calming the nerves and aiding sleep.
She planted the calming herb in a flowerpot on the windowsill and watered it with spring water.
The roses, which had been somewhat wilted, suddenly perked up, and the buds swelled at a visible rate.
When You Yong returned at noon, he almost didn't recognize his own home.
The dining table was covered with a floral tablecloth, and curtains made from old clothes hung in front of the window with tassels. Even the light bulbs were carefully covered with hand-woven lampshades.
"This..." You Yong stood at the door, hesitant to enter. "Did I come to the wrong door?"
Ji Xiaosong came out of the kitchen wearing an apron and holding a spatula: "What are you standing there for? Wash your hands and eat!"
The simple cabbage stew with glass noodles is made extra delicious by adding spring water.
You Yong ate three large bowls of food and even drank all the soup at the bottom of the pot.
"Song'er, you're amazing!" he exclaimed sincerely. "This tastes better than any cafeteria food I've ever eaten in!"
Ji Xiaosong smiled and added rice to his bowl, saying, "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."
After dinner, You Yong insisted on washing the dishes, while Ji Xiaosong began planning the small vegetable garden on the balcony.
She built a simple frame with wooden planks and planted vegetable seeds she brought from her hometown.
"Once these vegetables grow, we won't have to keep buying them from the grocery store," she said while watering the plants.
You Yong wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder: "Song'er, am I dreaming?"
"Why do you say that suddenly?"
"I just feel..."
You Yong's voice choked with emotion, "I'm so happy. I have a house, a job, and such a wonderful wife like you..."
Ji Xiaosong turned around and cupped his face in her hands: "Silly boy, this is just the beginning."
She led You Yong to the bedroom and took out a small cloth bag from the bottom of her dowry chest: "A surprise for you."
Inside the cloth bag was a pair of cloth shoes with a thousand-layer sole, the stitches were fine and sturdy, and the words "Peace" were embroidered on the soles.
"When...when did you do this?" You Yong was both surprised and delighted.
"While I'm waiting for you at home," Ji Xiaosong said, helping him try on the clothes, "walk around a bit to see if they fit."
Like a child who had received a new toy, You Yong paced back and forth in the room several times: "Perfect! Much more comfortable than the rubber shoes I was given!"
In the evening, the two sat on the balcony watching the sunset.
Suddenly remembering something, You Yong ran back into the house and took out a notebook: "Song'er, let's make some family rules!"
Several points have already been written in the notebook:
All wages were handed over.
Household chores are divided equally
Arguments should not be left unresolved overnight.
......
Ji Xiaosong added a fourth point with a smile: a hug every day.
You Yong carefully put the notebook away: "Our home will get better and better from now on."
As night falls, the lights in the residential compound come on one by one.
Two figures nestled together were reflected on the curtains of room 201.
This small home has become warm and cozy because of the lady of the house.