Chapter 45: Win Him Over

Chapter 45: Win Him Over

In the evening, Xie Jinghao lay on Shen Meng's heated kang with Xiaogang. Beside them, Shen Meng was with Xiaokai and Mingfang, facing off against Mingyang and Mingliang, who were standing on the floor. Ultimately, Shen Meng compromised; since the kang was quite large and the children were all very thin, sleeping together wouldn't be too crowded.

After a good cry, Lu Mingyang had softened up a bit, but he refused to look anyone in the eye, his gaze constantly darting around. He felt that crying in front of his younger siblings was incredibly undignified and embarrassing.

Late at night, once everyone was fast asleep, Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang occasionally looked up at Shen Meng. In their memories, they had never shared a kang with their mother. They had no memory of their biological mother, and their current stepmother had previously disliked them even more.

Lying in the same bed now was a very novel experience for them.

The next day.

When Shen Meng got up, she felt a small foot resting against her chin. She sat up to look and—good heavens—not a single one of the four children had slept properly. One leg was draped over her waist, and a foot was resting on her head. The foot tucked under her own face belonged to the little fellow, Lu Mingkai. She leaned in for a closer look; there was a white smudge around the child's mouth and a crystal-clear drop of drool at the corner of his lips.

He was incredibly cute. Unable to resist, Shen Meng leaned down and gave him a loud "mwah" kiss.

After the chaotic mess of yesterday, she truly had no energy left. In the morning, she simply stir-fried some bok choy with lard and brought out some hot and spicy soup and two-grain steamed buns from her space. She also prepared two separate bowls of steamed egg custard for Xiaogang and Xiaokai.

The portions were large and the aroma was enticing. As soon as the scent wafted out, the people sleeping in the east room woke up and rushed into the courtyard. Lu Mingliang came running barefoot, hopping with excitement toward the kitchen door.

"Mother, Mother, what delicious thing did you make?"

"Mother, your cooking smells so good!"

"It smells amazing!"

Mingfang and Mingkai, following behind, also praised Shen Meng loudly. Walking at the very back was Lu Mingyang; unable to be as extroverted as his younger siblings, he opened his mouth and tried several times before finally saying, "Mother's cooking smells very good."

Looking at the children's bright, sparkling eyes, Shen Meng smiled and said, "Alright, enough with the sweet talk. Hurry up and wash up to eat. We're eating in the main hall today. Mingyang, help me carry the food. Xiaokai, you need to look after your brother; make sure you take Xiaogang to wash his face and brush his teeth, okay?"

"Xiaogang doesn't brush his teeth, he doesn't have a toothbrush!"

"Then Xiaokai, help your brother wash his face, alright? After you've washed up, Mother is going to hire an ox cart today so we can all go to the county town. We'll take your Third Aunt to the hospital. Everyone put on new clothes; Mother will take you to the photo studio to take pictures, and then we'll send a letter to your father."

This was something Shen Meng had just remembered. Whether it was the Lu family or the people of Lu Village, everyone held Lu Zhenping in high regard—no, it was more like admiration and respect.

Recalling the scenes from her previous dreams and the original host's memories, for some reason, Lu Zhenping's physical appearance had become quite blurry, but regardless, it was clear that this man was someone of significance.

For such a person, she definitely had to win him over first. A man who had been away for so many years—whether he had adopted children or biological ones—would surely have many thoughts, unless his heart was already set on someone else. Shen Meng believed in Lu Zhenping's character.

She had to do this. She had to take advantage of the time before Lu Zhenping returned to bind his heart and the children's hearts together.

"Really? Mother, are you telling the truth?"

"Can I talk to Dad? I want to talk to Dad!"

Shen Meng ruffled Lu Mingliang's hair and said, "It's true. We'll go right after we finish eating. Mingyang, hurry up and take your siblings to wash up. Also, help your Third Aunt get a basin of water to wash her face. We're eating now."

"Okay, Mother!" The boys were overjoyed. The furthest they had ever traveled was from their hometown to Lu Village; they had never been anywhere else. The county town and a photo studio were things they hadn't even dared to dream of.

Seeing the happy children, Shen Meng felt a sense of joy in her heart. Just as she was about to turn around, her clothes were tugged by a pair of small hands. Lu Mingkai, who had just happily run off, came trotting back with a look of grievance on his face.

"Mother."

"What is it, Xiaokai? Why are you unhappy?"

Lu Mingkai hung his head low, glanced up at Shen Meng, and then lowered his head again.

"Mother, do you think Dad will like me? He's never seen me. Is he not coming back because he doesn't like Xiaokai?"

"How could my baby think that? Doesn't your father ask about you every time he writes a letter? Your father must miss you! You are your father's treasure. Your father isn't coming back because he is protecting the country; he is a hero. You should be happy and proud, shouldn't you? Later, Mother will take you to the photo studio to wear a little military uniform. Then we'll show it to your father, so he can see that his son is very obedient, very good, and very handsome, right?"

The little fellow looked at Shen Meng with sparkling eyes and nodded vigorously.

When breakfast was served, both Xiaogang and Xie Jinghao felt quite uneasy. Although they had eaten better food here before, after witnessing Wu Xianglan's frantic grabbing and eating last night, Xiaogang was clearly quite shaken.

"Eat, Xiaogang. This steamed egg was made specifically for you and your big brother; the other brothers and sisters don't have any."

Xiaogang glanced at her, then at the steamed egg on the table, but he still didn't dare reach out. His eyes were timid and looked quite pitiful.

Xie Jinghao reached out and affectionately stroked Xiaogang's cheek.

"Eat up. Your eldest aunt made this just for you. Eat, and after we're done, your eldest aunt will take us to the county town. Xiaogang can go see it too, okay?"

"Okay~" The tender voice made one's heart soften.

After breakfast, Shen Meng went to the brigade headquarters and paid one yuan to Zhang Hongfa to rent an ox cart.

After the autumn planting, there wasn't much work left for the production team. An ox cart making a trip in the morning was considered a way to increase the village's income.

The driver was Uncle Guai, who had helped Liu Sanjin read a letter last time. Having learned about what happened last night, he felt sympathy for both Xie Jinghao and Shen Meng. He helped them carry their things and even helped carry the children onto the cart, being much more easygoing than that day.

After Shen Meng and the others left, the "village intelligence agency" at the entrance of the village began spreading rumors about Wu Xianglan's crooked character, including the incident where she fought with her two sisters-in-law.

Lu Jiahe was furious upon hearing this. Both the two children and Wu Xianglan were given a scolding/beating, and when he went out, he felt like people were looking at him strangely.

With the house in such an uproar, Lu Jiaxuan was very irritable, his mind constantly preoccupied with his job.

"Is Lu Jiaxuan in? There's a letter for you!"

Lu Jiaxuan snapped his head up and ran a few steps toward the mailman.

"That's me, that's me! Thank you!"

"Ah, you're welcome, haha!"

Lu Jiaxuan nodded to the man and, without waiting for the mailman to leave, tore open the letter and began to read. As he finished reading, sweat began to bead on his forehead!

The letter was sent by Lu Zhenping, and the meaning was simple: if he wanted the quota for a commune official, he had to find a way to let the first household move out.

Whether he wanted the quota or the convenience brought by the first household—he had to choose for himself!