After Shui Jianguo finished lunch, he picked up the duffel bag that the fourth child packed for his sister. It didn't look big, but it was quite heavy.
"Jianshe, did you put anything heavy inside?"
"No, it's just something my sister usually uses, and there's also some food, nothing special."
"Then I'll take Bingyue away, and you can take care of the family."
Shui Jianshe nodded: "Don't worry, we are also very capable, you don't have to worry."
Then he put a small straw hat on her sister's head to prevent her from being tanned by the sun, and said seriously: "Bingyue, when you get to the county seat, stay with your mother and sister-in-law, and don't talk to strangers."
"I know, fourth brother, don't worry. Do I know anyone in the county? I won't run around randomly."
Xiaoliu came over and warned, "Sister, please come back early. I don't want to miss you when school starts."
"Don't worry, I will definitely come back soon."
After saying goodbye to her family one by one, Shui Bingyue followed her eldest brother to the courtyard of the steel factory. When the two entered the room, Liu Xuemei was overjoyed.
Picking up her daughter: "Bingyue, Mom hasn't seen you for almost a month. You miss me so much."
Shui Bingyue kissed her mother's face several times: "I miss my mother too, so dad asked me to accompany you. Let me see my little nephew."
"Okay." Liu Xuemei carried her daughter into Bai Lu's room.
Shui Jianguo put his sister's luggage in his mother's house. When he returned to his bedroom, he saw his sister staring at the baby intently.
"He's really small and cute." Shui Bingyue's voice was very low because the baby was sleeping.
"Mom, take your sister to rest. I'm at home today and I'll take care of Bai Lu."
"Okay, then I'll go back to the house." Liu Xuemei hugged her daughter and left.
Bai Lu patted her son gently, and then said with a gentle smile: "You are still thoughtful. Bring Bingyue here, so that father and mother can feel at ease."
"That's right. After all, I am the smartest in our family." Shui Jianguo knew that Bai Lu was a bit squeamish, but she had a good heart.
Liu Xuemei went back to the house, put her daughter on the bed, and helped her pack her luggage. I took it out and found three small skirts, two small shorts, a washcloth, and a toothbrushing set.
This is the top layer, and the next layer is the stuff packed in kraft paper. I took out ten packages, each weighing two kilograms.
"Bingyue, what is wrapped in this brown paper?"
"Dried mushrooms, dried sweet potatoes, dried bamboo shoots, dried eggplants, and sausages, each comes in two packages."
"You, if you don't bring more of your own things, why are you bringing so many dishes?"
Shui Bingyue smiled: "Fourth brother is pretending, maybe because he is afraid that I won't be able to eat what I like. These are the things I like to eat."
"I'll put the things in the kitchen and make fried bacon for you tonight. You can take a rest now."
"Yeah." Shui Bingyue took off her sandals, lay on the inside of the bed, covered her with a blanket, and slept obediently.
Shui Jianguo and Bai Lu discussed the baby's name: "Dad asked us to name the baby ourselves. What do you think is better?"
"Well, my mind is completely blank right now. Apart from eating and sleeping every day, I can't think of a good name. Just think of it. It's all up to you."
"Then I have to think carefully and don't give him a bad name." Shui Jianguo originally thought that his father wanted to help, so he didn't think about this issue. Now he has to improvise.
After thinking for two hours, I finally chose two: "Lulu, do you want to name your child Shui Zhipeng or Shui Bokang?"
"The second one, I hope the baby will be knowledgeable and healthy in the future."
"Then the second one, when you register your child for registration, write this down."
In the evening, Liu Xuemei made green vegetable and tofu soup for Bai Lu, fried bacon with cabbage and sweet millet porridge for Bingyue.
When Shui Jianguo slept, he put little Bokang in the cradle so that nothing would crush him.
The quilt that little Bokang lay on was similar to a small sleeping bag. It was just the right size and would not cover his mouth and nose due to movement.
Whenever he cries, Shui Jianguo will immediately get up and check whether he is hungry or has diarrhea. After all, my mother is here mainly to help with cooking and take care of the children during the day.
After all, there is still a lot of things to do at home, and it is impossible to stay here to help them take care of the children. As a parent, you have to take responsibility for yourself.
Shui Bingyue slept soundly next to her mother, feeling very safe.
In the days that followed, when there was no food at home, Liu Xuemei would take Bingyue out and buy some live chickens, fish, and fresh vegetables.
After all, it is better to eat fresh food during confinement. A chicken can be eaten for several days. Bai Lu is not picky about food and is willing to eat these tasteless things for the sake of her children.
Shui Jianguo would buy fresh fruits when he was resting. After all, his sister finally came here and wanted her to eat good food.
Watermelon and grapes are indispensable in summer. Watermelon is cool and cannot be eaten in white dew, but grapes can be eaten.
In order to make it easier for her daughter to eat watermelon, Liu Xuemei cuts it into triangles so that her face will not get watermelon juice.
On weekends, the yard becomes lively. Adults who usually work have some free time now, playing chess under the big tree and chatting about mountains and rivers.
Shui Bingyue was not interested in these, she preferred to go home early. In Qingshui Village, she had no problem running around the village. This was not her territory.
While taking a lunch break with Liu Xuemei, the little girl asked: "Mom, when will we go home?"
"I'm homesick. In another half month, when your sister-in-law is out of confinement, we will go home. Everything is sold in the city. Don't you like it here?"
"The rooms in the city are so small. The whole house is only as big as my bedroom. I can run around in the village, but not here."
"Then if you really want to go back, I will ask your elder brother to take you home after he rests." Liu Xuemei still gave priority to her daughter's wishes.
Shui Bingyue shook her head: "If I leave, my mother will be so bored. Bo Kang is so good and doesn't cry much. I like touching his little hands very much."
"Speaking of Bokang, I came in a hurry and didn't prepare any gifts. I don't know what to give him when he is one month old?"
"Dad is ready. You open the outer pocket of my duffel bag and there is a pair of small gold bracelets inside."
Liu Xuemei went to open it and took a look. It was indeed contained in a wooden box and had not been compressed or deformed.
"Your dad is so thoughtful. Why didn't you tell mom before?"
"I thought I could find it when Mom was helping me pack my luggage. I didn't expect you wouldn't notice."
In the days that followed, Shui Bingyue read books and newspapers when she was bored, and she also understood the requirements of this era better.
When she was sitting in the yard reading the newspaper, she was spotted by a middle-aged man. He smiled and asked, "Are you literate?"
