The ingredients in the large kitchen were mostly prepared in advance, so this meal was put together very quickly. After about ten minutes, the ravenous crowd finally got to eat steaming hot white steamed buns, accompanied by a large bowl of chicken stewed with potatoes for each person.
The elder mother, Mama Liu, Mama Cui, and the aunties from the valley were responsible for feeding the younger children.
Auntie Xiao Shan had already taken the members of the sewing collective back to the sewing room to rush-make clothes for everyone.
Mother-in-law found Chen Lan and discussed the resettlement of these people with her. Mother-in-law sighed and said softly, "Xiao Lan, these people are the relatives of Mingxuan's fallen comrades from the battlefield. I heard that some families only have a few children left."
After speaking, Mother-in-law sighed again softly.
Chen Lan asked in a low voice, sounding a little strange, "Mother-in-law, only a few children are left? What about the children's mothers and grandmothers?"
Mother-in-law shook her head and said softly, "I'm not sure. Perhaps there was a major change at home! Alas!"
Xu Mingxuan quickly finished his meal and found the mother and daughter-in-law whispering nearby. He called out, "Mother, Lan'er, what are you two doing here?"
Mother-in-law immediately smiled and said, "I'm discussing how to resettle these people with Xiao Lan."
Xu Mingxuan immediately said, "Mother, Lan'er, since you're both here, I have something to discuss with you. Two of my comrades' families have experienced major changes. The children's mothers were taken away by their maternal families, and the elders at home couldn't bear it and passed away. Only a few young children are left at home."
Mother-in-law and Chen Lan were also full of emotion upon hearing such news. Mother-in-law continued to ask in a low voice, "Mingxuan, just say it directly! What are your plans for the future?"
Xu Mingxuan didn't beat around the bush and directly said, "Mother, Lan'er, I plan to adopt them. I hope you can agree."
Chen Lan smiled and said, "Brother Mingxuan, stop trying to fool me and Mother. Have you already completed the adoption procedures? If you haven't completed them, the local government won't let you take the children away."
Xu Mingxuan touched his nose with some embarrassment and asked, "Lan'er, how did you know?"
Mother-in-law suddenly burst out laughing and scolded, "You rascal, you've grown capable! Trying to fool your old mother."
Saying that, she hit Xu Mingxuan's shoulder. Xu Mingxuan immediately cried out dramatically, "Ouch! It hurts! Mother, why are you using so much force? Look, I can't even move my arm!"
The mother and son immediately started laughing and playing. After they laughed for a while, Mother-in-law looked at Chen Lan and said, "Xiao Lan, don't be angry! Mingxuan was wrong not to discuss this with you. You're magnanimous, so forgive him this time!"
Chen Lan smiled and said, "Mother-in-law, I can understand why Brother Mingxuan did this. In that situation, Brother Mingxuan had no choice. He couldn't just watch his comrades' children become orphans and be sent to an orphanage!"
Mother-in-law and Xu Mingxuan were deeply moved by Chen Lan's words. Mother-in-law immediately said with great emotion, "Mingxuan! The most correct thing your father did was to arrange for you to marry Xiao Lan early. Look how good it is now! As the saying goes, when you marry a wife, marry someone virtuous! Xiao Lan! You are indeed too virtuous."
Chen Lan immediately felt a little embarrassed by her mother-in-law's praise and quickly changed the subject, "Brother Mingxuan, how many children did you adopt this time?"
Mother-in-law, having had the topic changed, also asked, "Yes, yes, Mingxuan, tell us quickly so we can make arrangements. Since you've adopted them, the children will naturally live with us."
Xu Mingxuan didn't expect things to be resolved so easily. His mother and wife weren't blaming him, and it would be dishonest to say he wasn't touched!
Seeing the mother and daughter-in-law ask, he immediately replied, "This time I adopted from two families, a total of five children: two boys and three girls. The eldest girl is slightly younger than Wen Kai and Wen Qi. There are two younger girls who are a bit older than the twins, already six or seven years old. They are exceptionally well-behaved and sensible. They walked such a long mountain road without a single complaint, following the adults silently. The youngest is the one I'm carrying, a little boy just over three years old. There's also a four-year-old boy being carried by Er Zhuang."
Chen Lan continued to ask, "Brother Mingxuan, how many people did you bring back this time?"
Xu Mingxuan immediately said, "Xiao Lan, I brought back eight families this time, a total of thirty-two people, old and young. I know bringing these people back adds an extra burden to the valley, but they are the relatives of my fallen comrades, and I cannot abandon them. Moreover, our country is currently facing some difficulties, and we have the capability. If our valley can take them in and nurture the children into capable individuals, we will be contributing to the country and also be worthy of our deceased comrades."
Chen Lan nodded. She strongly agreed with Xu Mingxuan's decision. The stable and happy life she and her family were currently living in the valley was exchanged for the lives of those revolutionary martyrs who shed their blood and sacrificed fearlessly on the battlefield! What right did they, the living, have not to take good care of the parents and wives and children of those fallen heroes?
So Chen Lan said, "Brother Mingxuan, I fully understand your thoughts and respect your decision. I am well aware that the peace we enjoy today was bought with the lives of these sacrificed individuals! We, the living, have the responsibility and obligation to take good care of the relatives of the fallen martyrs."
Mother-in-law also repeatedly agreed, "That's right, Xiao Lan, you speak with reason. Those who participated in the revolution, risking their lives, did so so that their families could have a better life. By taking good care of their relatives, we will also allow those who have fallen to rest in peace."
Xu Mingxuan was deeply moved by what Chen Lan and his mother had said! Being able to settle the relatives of his comrades properly! He could finally put his mind at ease and report to his new work unit without worry.
Thinking this, Xu Mingxuan said, "Mother, Lan'er, I can stay home for three more days this time. After that, I will report to my new unit. Don't worry, the new unit is not very far from here, it's in Suifenhe, Heilongjiang Province."
Chen Lan knew about Suifenhe. It was on the border between the former Soviet Union and China, bordering the Pogranichny District of modern-day Russia by land. Xu Mingxuan's new unit in Suifenhe was a veritable border town.