Quick travel: The poor little thing in the period novel strikes back

"Sister-in-law, I may not be able to bring you meals in the next few days, but I asked the young soldiers in the camp to bring you water. If you have any requests, please feel free to ask!"

Today is the 11th day that Zhao Gang came to Shi Yan's place on Tang Ping's behalf to deliver meals. Before Tang Ping left, he boasted that he would help Tang Ping take good care of Shi Yan. Unexpectedly, he would break his promise in less than half a month.

But there was nothing he could do. He received a letter from home saying that his mother was not feeling well and wanted to see him. As the only son in the family, how could he not go back?

"It's okay. If I'm too busy, I can go out to eat. Besides, I've bought most of the things at home in the past ten days, so it's okay to cook for myself occasionally."

Zhao Gang did not enter the house, but stood in the yard. After listening to Shi Yan's words, he subconsciously looked around and felt that Shi Yan was a person who knew how to live and had a sense of life. The yard that looked a little empty when he came to deliver meals on the first day had changed a lot.

There were four large water vats under the eaves, a thatched shed next to the kitchen, and chopped firewood piled under the shed. Unknown pink flowers grew along the walls around the courtyard, and green buds sprouted out of the vegetable fields in the corners.

There was a wooden swing in the open space in the yard, and cotton and linen curtains with tassels were hung on the windows and doors of each room. There was a wooden rack on the right side of the main hall door, and fish were kept in the basin on the rack.

The courtyard now is like a paradise, and Shi Yan is the fairy living in the paradise.

"It's pretty good, isn't it? I'm alone and have nothing to do, so I like to tinker with it. I'll take the flowers in the corner and wait for the vines to climb up the wall, and then the wall will be covered with flowers. When the wind blows, it will not only look beautiful, but also have a faint fragrance."

Shi Yan likes roses very much. Her dream house is to have such a small yard where she can fill the walls with flowers according to her preferences.

"Sister-in-law has a good eye. This yard is different after she moved in. I have never seen a yard that is decorated so well. When I get married in the future, I will also decorate it like yours."

Zhao Gang really likes the yard decorated by Shi Yan. For this reason, he has the idea of ​​starting a family. If he opens the door to a yard full of life and interest every day when he comes home, he will feel much more relaxed.

"Okay, when you get married and need flowers, you can come directly to me."

The two exchanged a few simple pleasantries, and Zhao Gang did not want to stay any longer. He went back to the dormitory to pack his things and prepare to leave the island on the military ship at noon.

................

Zhao Gang received the notice from home in a hurry, so he could only buy a hard seat ticket to go home. After several days and nights of bumpy ride in the train, he felt very tired when the train arrived at the station.

But he did not dare to stay in the town for long. He got on the bus back to the commune. After arriving at the commune, he got off the bus and ran to Zhaojia Village.

When Zhao Gang arrived at the village, it was almost time for the villagers to go to bed, so he didn't meet anyone, and had no chance to ask others about his mother's situation at home.

He was extremely anxious. When he arrived outside his own yard and saw the faint light of fire in the yard, he calmed down a little and knocked on the door again:

"Dad, Mom, I'm back, I'm Gangzi! Dad and Mom, open the door!"

A "creaky" sound came from the yard, followed by the sound of dragging footsteps.

"Oh, my son! Our Gangzi is finally back! Old man, come quickly! It's our Gangzi who is back!"

When Zhao's mother saw her son who had not returned home for two years, she burst into tears. She didn't care whether it would disturb the neighbors and called her husband to come out to greet him.

After Zhao's father came out, the family of three exchanged warm greetings again.

"Mom, didn't you say that I was sick?"

Although the letter from home did not mention what illness my mother had, the implication was that she was very ill and was obviously dying.

Otherwise, he would not have given up the opportunity to go home for the Chinese New Year this year and rushed back home during this unusual time.

"This..." Mother Zhao's expression was a little embarrassed. She rubbed her hands and did not speak. Zhao Gang had to turn his gaze back to Father Zhao.

"Hey, it's because you're not young anymore. Some time ago, someone came to our house to propose marriage, saying that the daughter of the village chief next door was looking for a husband. The girl has always admired soldiers since she was a child, and then the matchmaker came to our house."

"Your mother was thinking about the village head's daughter, who had such good conditions and didn't mind the man being a soldier, so she wanted you to go home to meet her."

"But she was worried that you wouldn't want to come back, so she lied to you. Your mother is doing this for your own good, so don't hold it against her."

Zhao Gang felt somewhat helpless. In fact, when he saw his mother coming to open the door, he realized something was wrong, but he had already taken leave, and going back would be of no use.

"Mom, I know you're doing this for my own good, but you can't joke with your health. I'm in the army all year round and don't spend much money. I send most of the money I earn back home, just hoping that my parents can live a better life."

"I can't go home whenever I want because of the army's regulations. Today, I exchanged my hard-earned annual leave with other comrades because I was worried that something would happen to my mother and I wouldn't be around."

"But if you tricked me into coming back like this, what should I do if something really happens at home and I can't get leave?"

Zhao Gang understood his mother's good intentions, but he still had to make it clear on matters of principle. Otherwise, if she kept doing this to him, he would rather not join the army and go home to farm.

"Oh, mother is afraid that such a good girl will be taken away by someone else. You are in the army all year round and you don't see many girls. If you don't hurry up and meet one, you will be old and no girl will be interested in you!"

"Just this once. From now on, I won't lie to you about my body anymore. But since you're back, you should still meet this girl. What if you like her?"

"The matchmaker said that the girl is pretty, well-educated, comes from a good family, and admires soldiers. I think she is a perfect match for you in every way. Besides, you are an official now, and your family can accompany you in the army. If this works out, you will have someone who understands you and cares about you."

Zhao Gang originally didn't want to come back for a blind date without any reason. After all, he had learned a few things during his years outside, and he still had some yearning for free love. But after hearing his mother's last words, his mind couldn't help but flash back to the small courtyard assigned to him by Tang Ping in the staff compound, and the person who lived in the courtyard.

"Then let's meet!"

Zhao Gang was a little tempted. What if it was really suitable?