Colorful years

Section Chief Qin's home is in Room 203, Building 5, within the government compound. It's a two-bedroom, two-living-room apartment. Although the apartment isn't large, the layout is reasonable and it's kept very tidy.

Following the address given to them by Section Chief Qin, the two brothers found the place without any trouble. As soon as they entered, they smelled an enticing aroma of food.

"Oh, you're here! Please come in, please come in!" Section Chief Qin greeted them warmly from the kitchen, wearing an apron around his neck, looking every bit the good family man.

"Hello, Section Chief Qin!" the two brothers greeted each other in unison, their faces beaming with sincere smiles.

"Good, good, I'm so glad you could come. Come, come, sit down and rest for a while, the food will be ready soon." Section Chief Qin said as he led them to the living room.

The two brothers sat down on the sofa and looked around. A calligraphy scroll of "The Humble Abode" hung on the living room wall, signifying the owner's refined taste. A plate of fruit and several small dishes were laid out on the coffee table, creating a warm and thoughtful atmosphere. Beside the TV cabinet, an old-fashioned gramophone stood quietly, as if telling stories of bygone days.

"Section Chief Qin, your house is so clean and tastefully decorated," Zhang Cong exclaimed sincerely.

"Hehe, you flatter me. I'm a clean person too, and I like to tidy up when I have free time. Besides, it's more comfortable to live in a clean house." Section Chief Qin replied with a smile, a hint of pride in his eyes.

Just then, a gentle voice came from the kitchen: "Old Tan, the dishes are all cooked, bring them out quickly."

"Alright!" Section Chief Qin replied, turning to go to the kitchen to help serve the dishes. Soon, the delicious food was all on the table. There weren't many dishes, but they were all delicious.

There was braised pork, made by Section Chief Qin himself, with a bright red color and a rich but not greasy texture; there was also stir-fried pork with tofu, its aroma irresistible and mouthwatering. In addition, there were two refreshing and delicious side dishes, perfectly complementing each other.

"Come on, everyone, please take your seats. Dinner is served!"

Section Chief Qin greeted everyone and invited them to take their seats, his face beaming with a warm smile.

The two brothers sat together with Section Chief Qin and his family of five, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Section Chief Qin's wife was a gentle and virtuous woman. She smiled as she served rice and dishes to everyone, showing the tenderness and thoughtfulness of a housewife.

The two daughters are lively and adorable. The elder daughter, Qin Mei, is in her first year of high school; the younger daughter, Qin Nan, is in her second year of junior high school. They chattered excitedly about the interesting things that happened at school, adding much laughter to the dinner table.

The youngest son, Qin Qiao, is also in the fourth grade of elementary school. Although he is still young, he is very polite and often hands tissues and pours tea for others.

"Come on, try my braised pork." Section Chief Qin picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in the two brothers' bowls, saying expectantly.

"Thank you, Section Chief Qin." The two brothers gratefully accepted the bowls and began to taste. Sure enough, the braised pork melted in their mouths, fragrant and delicious, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

"Not bad, right? My cooking skills have been honed over many years." Section Chief Qin was very pleased to see them enjoying their meal.

"It really is delicious. Section Chief Qin is a role model for us all, capable in both formal and domestic settings," Zhang Liang said, displaying his high EQ.

"Not at all, I just did it casually. I'm glad you like it," Section Chief Qin said modestly, but couldn't hide his pride.

Just then, Brother Wu from the department office arrived. He was thin and had a kind face. As soon as he entered, he greeted everyone loudly, "Oh dear, Section Chief Qin, I'm late. I'm so sorry."

"It's nothing, I'm just glad Brother Wu came. Come, come, take a seat." Section Chief Qin warmly invited Brother Wu to sit down and poured him a glass of wine.

Brother Wu didn't stand on ceremony; after sitting down, he began to eat large chunks of meat and drink from large bowls, displaying a hearty and uninhibited manner. During the meal, everyone chatted and laughed, creating a very lively atmosphere.

Section Chief Qin and Brother Wu chatted about work, while the two brothers chatted with Section Chief Qin's family about everyday life. Although they came from different backgrounds, they felt like one big family during this warm dinner.

"Brother Zhang Cong, welcome to our team." Brother Wu raised his glass and shifted the topic to Zhang Cong.

“It’s an honor to be colleagues with Brother Wu. I hope Brother Wu will take good care of me in the future,” Zhang Cong quickly replied.

"You've entered the prefectural government at such a young age. Your future is limitless. Work hard. When we retire, we'll still need you to take care of us." Brother Wu's eyes held both admiration and expectation.

"The future is full of uncertainties, let's just enjoy our food and drinks." Section Chief Qin raised his glass, clinked it with Brother Wu's, and said with a smile.

Dinner drew to a close amidst laughter and cheerful conversation. Everyone enjoyed the meal, finding not only pleasure in the food but also comfort in the soul.

……

"It's getting late, we should head back," Zhang Cong said, glancing at his watch with a hint of reluctance.

"Okay, take care on your journey. Come visit us anytime." Section Chief Qin stood up to see them off, his face filled with reluctance.

"Okay, goodbye Section Chief Qin! Goodbye Sister-in-law! Goodbye kids!" The two brothers bid farewell to Section Chief Qin and his family, leaving with a heart full of gratitude and emotion.

"Brother, I think Section Chief Qin is a really good person. He's not only conscientious and responsible at work, but he also cares about us a lot in our personal lives," Zhang Liang said with emotion.

“Yes, Section Chief Qin is our great benefactor, like an elder to us, giving us selfless help and care. I will work hard in the future, and you must study hard and never let him down.” Zhang Cong nodded earnestly, his eyes shining with determination.

Back in their dormitory, the two brothers washed up and lay down on their beds. They reflected on their dinner that evening and their conversation with Section Chief Qin's family, their hearts filled with emotion and a sense of accomplishment.

"Brother, do you think we'll be able to become respected people like Section Chief Qin in the future?" the younger brother suddenly asked.

"Of course we can. As long as we keep working hard, keep learning, and keep improving, I believe we can definitely do it," the older brother replied firmly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation and hope for the future.

"Yes! I believe we can do it too!" the younger brother replied excitedly, as if he could already see his future self.

As the two brothers chatted back and forth, their breathing gradually weakened, and they finally closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep.