Back To The 80s-Chapter 28: Visiting Relatives_1

Gu Xiaobei shared her thoughts with Gu Xiaodong, who readily agreed this time, promising to arrange for her transportation back the next day.

After breakfast the next day, she urged Gu Xiaodong to hurry up. Chen Qiumei pulled Gu Xiaobei aside: "You’re still in your confinement period, you can’t just do whatever you like." Gu Xiaobei was stunned for a moment, then blushed, "Mom, what are you talking about!" She turned to grab her bag and ran downstairs.

Two hours drive away, Gu Xiaobei felt that the air was sweeter the closer they got to the barracks.

As soon as they entered the family compound, they ran into Xiangmin carrying a basket and preparing to head out.

"Xiaobei, you’re back? Where have you been these days?" Xiangmin greeted her warmly.

"I was staying at my brother’s place for a while." Gu Xiaobei replied with a smile.

"By the way, the barracks have allocated a small piece of vegetable garden to each family in our compound, and they even helped us plant Chinese cabbage and spinach. Your plot is right next to mine. It’s almost noon, do you want to go pull up some vegetables?"

Gu Xiaobei was surprised that they were allocated vegetable patches even though she had only been away for a little over ten days. "Not today. I brought some vegetables from the city". She politely declined Xiangmin’s offer and went up to her apartment.

On her way back, Gu Xiaobei had specifically bought two pounds of meat and some chives to make dumplings for dinner.

The house was simply furnished but very clean and tidy. Looking around, Gu Xiaobei was satisfied. It seemed like Lu Zhanguo had been keeping the house well.

After quickly unpacking her luggage, she didn’t feel like cooking as it was almost noon. She had bought some egg cakes on her way, so she casually ate a few bites and drank some hot water. Li Fengmei, from next door, heard some noise and came over to knock. Seeing Gu Xiaobei, she asked concernedly, "You’re back. How’s your health?" She had heard from Zhang Lijun about Gu Xiaobei’s miscarriage and couldn’t help but look at her with admiration.

"I’m fine now. Luckily, I have a strong body." Gu Xiaobei knew that Li Fengmei must have known about her situation and could also tell that Li Fengmei’s concern was genuine.

"That’s good, you’re still young. It’s not too late to have another baby after building up your health. By the way, I’m alone at home for lunch as the kids are having lunch at school. Why don’t you come over for lunch?" Li Fengmei invited genuinely.

"No need, I’ve already had something." Gu Xiaobei denied gently.

"Okay then, take a rest at noon. If you need anything, just come next door."

Gu Xiaobei was pleased. It was always good to have amicable relationships with neighbours. She nodded in agreement.

After finishing training, covered in dirt, Lu Zhanguo prepared to wash and head to the canteen for dinner. However, Zhang Lijun stopped him: "Don’t go to the canteen. Come over to my place for a meal." Lu Zhanguo didn’t refuse and they both went back to the family compound together.

Upon climbing the stairs, Lu Zhanguo saw a petite figure under the dim light standing in front of their stove. A wave of warmth washed over him.

Hearing voices, Gu Xiaobei turned around and saw Lu Zhanguo and Zhang Lijun. She smiled, revealing her white teeth: "You guys are in luck. Zhang Lijun, you should also come over for dinner. I’ve made loads of dumplings."

Zhang Lijun waved his hands hastily, "No need. It’s a rare occasion that you’re back. I won’t intrude on your time." He left for his own apartment after speaking.

"Why did you suddenly come back today?" Lu Zhanguo went over to Gu Xiaobei, looking at her with warm eyes.

"Because I missed you." Gu Xiaobei giggled. "Wash your hands quickly, the dumplings would be ready soon." Before Lu Zhanguo could respond, she instructed him further.

Gu Xiaobei had made over two hundred dumplings and plated two large dishes. She told Lu Zhanguo: "Take these two plates of dumplings to Zhang Lijun." Lu Zhanguo complied and took the dumplings to the neighbouring apartment. He was able to see Gu Xiaobei’s transformation, and he was quite happy about it.

By the time Lu Zhanguo returned, Gu Xiaobei had already set the table and also prepared a dumpling dipping sauce with ginger, garlic, and chili powder.

"How is it, are my dumplings tasty?" Gu Xiaobei watched Lu Zhanguo eat one dumpling after another, feeling blissful. Indeed, the best thing in the world was cooking for the one you loved.

"Yes, it’s delicious. You should also eat more." Lu Zhanguo added two dumplings to Gu Xiaobei’s bowl. "Also, you can’t touch cold water right now. Don’t cook anymore tomorrow, I will do it when I get back."

"No problem, I’ve taken care of it. I washed the vegetables with warm water. How did you know I can’t touch cold water?" Gu Xiaobei was pleased with Lu Zhanguo’s concern.

"I asked Fengmei through Zhang Lijun." Lu Zhanguo murmured uncomfortably.

"Oh, by the way, I found a job in a company owned by a friend of Xiaodong’s." Gu Xiaobei took a bite of her dumpling, suddenly remembering her job.

"What company? If you like it, go for it." Lu Zhanguo was cautious about Gu Xiaodong’s friends.

"They said it’s a trading company. I haven’t visited it yet. They want me to start work next Monday."

"Alright, be careful. Always stay alert and Shen Heng can help you if needed, I’ll give you his address and number later." Lu Zhanguo decided to ask Shen Heng to investigate the company.

"Okay, by the way, I was thinking about moving out to live on my own." Gu Xiaobei didn’t want to keep playing a part with Gu Xiaodong and Chen Qiumei.

"Wait for my off day, we’ll go house-hunting together. Let’s rent an apartment."

"Apartments are expensive. We should rent a flat." Gu Xiaobei felt that unless she earned money, they should focus on reducing expenses.

"No way, it’s not safe if you live in a flat by yourself." Lu Zhanguo was firm about this.

Since this was for her own good, Gu Xiaobei didn’t insist. Safety was indeed the utmost priority.

Gu Xiaobei didn’t tell Gao Dailin that he was the man present when Chi Xiaoyue’s incident happened. She didn’t like Chi Xiaoyue and didn’t want to mention this unpleasant person when they spent time together.

After dinner, Lu Zhanguo voluntarily went to do the dishes. As soon as he finished there was an urgent knock at the door.

They looked at each other, both a little surprised. Who could be visiting at this time?

As soon as Lu Zhanguo opened the door, he saw Li Juan from downstairs hurriedly enter, tearfully saying: "Squad Leader, you must save my younger brother."

Lu Zhanguo let her in, "Don’t rush, tell me what happened slowly."

Li Juan wiped her tears, finding it difficult to speak. Her brother, Li Hao, had violated military regulations and gotten involved with a girl from the nearby village. He had even gotten her pregnant. Her husband, Wen Dong, insisted on official punishment, demanding that Li Hao be discharged and returned to his hometown.

If sent back like this, Li Hao’s life would be ruined, and he wouldn’t be able to hold up his head in the village. She pleaded with Wen Dong to seek Lu Zhanguo’s help, but Wen Dong threatened divorce if she dared intervene, saying that any military family member lacking such awareness didn’t deserve to be a military spouse.

After much deliberation at home and noticing that Wen Dong was out for night training, she plucked up the courage to seek Lu Zhanguo’s help.