Chapter 280
Si Nian received the package from Zhou Yueshen on a Sunday.
Yaoyao and she were watering the vegetables when the postman's voice sounded outside.
"Comrade Si, there's a package for you."
Si Nian walked out and saw a large bundle tied to the back of the postman's bicycle. She had no idea how much stuff was crammed in there; the tire was completely flattened.
The weather had been getting hot lately, and the postman, hauling all that, was sweating profusely from pedaling.
Seeing she was also holding a child's hand, the postman kindly helped her carry the things inside.
When Si Nian opened it, she found packs upon packs of dried mutton, beef jerky, cordyceps, deer antler, goji berries, and so on.
The whole bundle was stuffed full.
Especially the beef jerky and dried mutton, it was as if they were free.
Si Nian was utterly stunned.
When would she ever finish eating all this?
On top was a letter. Opening it, she saw it was from Zhou Yueshen.
It said he didn't know what they liked to eat, so he had someone buy a bit of everything.
He would send more once they finished this.
Below were some words apologizing to her and the child. Si Nian skimmed over those; she didn't really feel there was anything to apologize for. If they were stuck together every single day, how would that be any different from going to work?
There's a saying, isn't there? Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
And honestly, after the old man had been gone for this while, she really did find herself missing him a little.
Especially when she saw the last sentence: Nian Nian, I miss you. Si Nian felt a tingle in her heart.
In that moment, she thought this era was truly wonderful.
Time passed slowly, mail and travel were slow, a lifetime was only enough to love one person, like a gentle, long-lasting stream, growing richer and more fragrant with time.
Whereas love in the future was like fast food, bland and unappetizing, yet a pity to throw away.
She stared at it for a while until a sound came from the doorway.
Little Dong was back.
He was holding two books. He had been going out during these two days off.
Si Nian was actually quite happy about it; usually, this child preferred staying home.
Little Lao Er was thrilled, of course. There were many kids his age around, and he and Jiang Jiu ran from house to house all day.
Back in the village, he had been quite outgoing.
Now, with his confidence boosted, he was practically unstoppable.
Si Nian wasn't strict. She let them play when it was time to play and study when it was time to study.
Little Lao Er was obedient. If you told him to be back by a certain time, he would never exceed the limit.
So Si Nian was happy to indulge him.
Occasionally, she even gave him a few dimes to buy snacks with Jiang Jiu.
"Little Dong, you're back. Perfect timing, your dad sent us a lot of food." Si Nian smiled and beckoned him over.
Zhou Zedong walked up and saw the food inside the package.
He looked surprised and couldn't help asking, "Mom, is Dad... is Dad not coming back?"
Unlike his brother who didn't understand much, from the people who had previously come to their house, he had learned that Dad wasn't just a pig farm owner.
Also, he had accidentally seen the medals in Dad's cabinet before.
He knew Dad had been very impressive in the past.
His sudden departure now must be for something important.
At first, Zhou Zedong didn't think much of it, assuming he'd be back soon.
Because Dad had occasionally gone away for periods before.
But never for this long.
Zhou Zedong couldn't help but start to worry.
Si Nian immediately smiled and said, "Of course not, Dad will be back soon, don't worry."
Although she didn't know Zhou Yueshen's specific situation.
She knew the content of the book.
After Zhou Yueshen left, Si Nian had carefully thought about the plot during this period.
It wasn't detailed, but it did mention Zhou Yueshen's departure.
The duration of his absence wasn't specified, but it seemed he returned not long after.
And after returning, he never left again.
From this information, one could gather.
Zhou Yueshen's going was definitely to resolve some trouble.
So Si Nian had been keeping her mind at ease.
She also noticed something: if she encountered a plot point about to happen or a character who suddenly appeared, and she thought about it carefully, she could recall the general idea.
But if it wasn't hinted at beforehand, she had no idea about the specific developments.
After all, she had forgotten about seventy or eighty percent of the novel after reading it.
What she remembered were the entanglements between the male and female leads and some steamy scenes; how could she remember other details?
Zhou Zedong nodded and helped her carry everything into the house.
Then, he went back to reading his book.
Having a son who studied without being told was truly wonderful.
Si Nian was happy to relax. She thought about going out for a stroll, but as soon as she stepped out, she saw Fu Qianqian, dressed fashionably with a deliberately permed lamb-curl hairstyle, standing at the gate holding a bag.
Seeing Si Nian come out, she immediately lifted her chin and said, "Si Nian, are you free today?"
Si Nian nodded, "Yes, why?"
Ahem~ Fu Qianqian coughed and said, "I have two movie tickets here. Yu Dong bought them for you guys. He said your man is away on business, so no one can go with you. I happened to be thinking of going to the movies during the holiday, so I'm reluctantly inviting you. Otherwise, you'd be all alone, which is kind of pitiful."
Si Nian: "...." Since when was Zhou Yueshen the type to go watch movies?
Besides, Zhou Yueshen had been gone for so long now; it was unlikely he'd ask Yu Dong to buy movie tickets for him.
Yu Dong's lie was way too flimsy.
And yet someone actually believed it.
Si Nian guessed Yu Dong probably wanted to ask Fu Qianqian to the movies and used this as an excuse.
He probably didn't expect Fu Qianqian to misunderstand.
But no matter the misunderstanding, it shouldn't have landed on her head.
Seeing Fu Qianqian's expression that said 'you hit the jackpot,' Si Nian's mouth twitched.
Whatever, she had nothing to do anyway.
Fu Qianqian was particularly proud, fiddling with her new hairstyle as they walked. She asked Si Nian, "Si Nian, don't you think there's something different about me today?"
Si Nian tilted her head to look at her. They stared at each other for a moment. Under Fu Qianqian's expectant gaze, Si Nian pointed at her and said, "You have sleep in your eye."
Fu Qianqian: "..."
Her fists clenched!
They arrived at the cinema with Fu Qianqian's face dark. The cinema in this era wasn't decorated very well, giving Si Nian a somewhat eerie feeling.
But the retro vibe was definitely there.
The posters at the entrance really had that certain charm.
There were also quite a few snack vendors: popcorn, pancakes, popsicles, cotton candy, and so on.
Not only that, Si Nian also saw a vendor selling cola and soda.
Fu Qianqian immediately went over and bought a bunch of snacks. Si Nian noticed Yaoyao staring at the cotton candy, drooling, and saw that the cotton candy stall was surrounded by children. She smiled, pinched the little one's cheek, and went over to buy one for her.
Fu Qianqian walked over holding cola and popcorn, watching her buy cotton candy.
Suddenly, her nose twitched. "That smells so good. What kind of pancake is that?"
She turned and walked over to a small stall run by a few teenagers.