Chapter 292: A Reunited Family

Along Wangfujing Avenue, a man lugging baggage came from afar; Lu Ying didn't dare to recognize him at first, since Lu Feng was dressed like a country folk and his skin was dark.

"Ying Ying, what, you don't recognize big brother anymore?"

When Lu Feng approached and she heard the familiar voice, Lu Ying realized she hadn't mistaken him, quickly tossed aside her bicycle, and lunged at him.

"Big brother, I thought I saw wrong; why are you so dark now?"

"Haha, working in the fields back home, I've gotten a bit tanned lately."

"I missed you so much, big brother."

Seeing his sister, Lu Feng's eyes reddened a bit; he gently patted Lu Ying's back twice: "Alright, you're all grown into a young lady now; still hugging me—people would think it's a joke if they saw."

Lu Ying stepped back, sniffing, and said: "Big brother, why are you here? Hand me the stuff quickly."

Lu Feng handed over his bundle: "I heard the news, was worried about you guys, so I came home to check."

"Nothing's wrong at home; yesterday Lu Cheng reminded me to send you a telegram to report safety. I was just about to go, so you don't need to make a special trip."

"It's fine; I haven't been back for years either, should come back to see, by the way, where's Lu Cheng?"

"Lu Cheng's busy with work; these days he can't even sleep, doing overtime transporting supplies. Later I'll check if he's still in the Capital City; if he is, I'll call him over."

Lu Feng waved his hand: "No need to call him, work comes first; I'm just back to see dad and mom."

"Hmm, okay, let's hurry home; Mom will be thrilled to know you're back…"

Lu Ying, excited, walked ahead, and Lu Feng shouted: "No more bicycle!"

Lu Ying slapped her head: "You see my mind, I've forgotten everything. I used to say Lu Cheng always loses things. This bicycle was bought for Lu Cheng; the last time you didn't know, I already bought him one, but it got lost, so he wasn't allowed to ride a new one. If this one gets lost again, I'll twist his head off."

Lu Feng lifted the bicycle and laughed: "How are you still so fierce? Be careful not to make him angry, or he'll strike back at you."

Lu Ying draped an arm over her big brother's shoulder: "He dares! Can't we give him a friendly face? Otherwise he'll go to heaven, getting angry every day. But now he's much better, more sensible."

"Haha, you two have both grown up." Lu Feng, pulling the bicycle, walked along the familiar street, inevitably recalling past events.

The year he went to the countryside, his younger brother and sister were still teenagers; in the blink of an eye they've all grown up.

"By the way, Ying Ying, why haven't you mentioned the in‑laws yet?"

Lu Ying swung her arm: "Don't want to look."

"How can you not want to look? You're twenty‑two now, a grown young lady; if this were the countryside, kids would be running all over the mountains."

In the countryside kids marry early; at fifteen or sixteen they're still immature, yet already have children.

"Oh big brother, since you finally came back once, don't nag me like Mom does."

"Haha, fine, I won't nag you; as long as you know what's up, when you meet someone suitable, someone you like, you shouldn't miss the chance."

Arriving at the Earthquake Shelter, Lu Ying hurried over and called: "Mom, my big brother is back."

Chen Xianglan was bent over with fire tongs, ready to replace a honeycomb coal stove to boil water, and without looking up replied: "Don't tease me; how could your brother possibly be back? Maybe the Postal and Telecommunications Bureau hasn't opened. It's been a bit chaotic these days; if it really doesn't work, we can go tomorrow."

Lu Ying spread her hands: "See, Mom still doesn't believe it."

"Mom…" Lu Feng, seeing the familiar back, stood there and shouted, his voice a little hoarse.

Hearing the voice, Chen Xianglan finally lifted her head slowly, and looking at the familiar yet strange son before her, she involuntarily asked: "Ying Ying, is this your big brother?"

"Well, you don't even recognize your own eldest son; big brother, you must come back often from now on."

As Lu Ying teased, Chen Xianglan could no longer hold back her longing, stepped forward and pounded Lu Feng's chest.

"How do you still know to come back? Didn't you say you didn't need Mom? Why are you back…"

Seeing her eldest son, who hadn't returned for years, Chen Xianglan couldn't help but cry.

Lu Feng couldn't help shedding tears either, letting his mother beat him until his strength waned, then he embraced his mother: "I'm sorry, Mom, I'm an unfilial son."

Lu Ying wiped her tears beside him, thinking that if Lu Cheng were here, the family would truly be reunited; unfortunately Lu Cheng couldn't return home at this time.

"Alright, Mom, big brother's return is a happy thing; why are you still crying?"

"Right, happy…" Chen Xianglan muttered, then patted her son's face, feeling aching love, and suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, Yan Baoyue, and Qing'er, didn't they come with you?"

Yan Baoyue is due in a few months; I thought, with her big belly and the long journey, I shouldn't have her come. After she gives birth, we'll look for a chance to come together.

Actually she still has a few months before delivery; Yan Baoyue was ready to come with her husband, but after hearing news of the in‑laws' disaster and not knowing how severe it was, she worried it might affect the fetus, so she didn't come.

Lu Feng, fearing his mother's worry, didn't dare say anything.

Chen Xianglan nodded: "That works, you must take good care of her."

"I know, Mom, don't worry."

"Have you eaten? Mom will make you some food, just replaced the honeycomb coal."

Chen Xianglan, excited, went to fetch the pot and basin; Lu Feng, having calmed down, said: "Mom, I've already eaten. When I came, Yan Baoyue gave me some pancakes; you don't need to fuss."

"Just eating pancakes isn't enough; Mom will also make you some rice porridge."

Knowing his mother cared for him, Lu Feng found it hard to refuse: "That works too. By the way, Mom, where's my dad? I haven't seen him."

Chen Xianglan wiped her tears and began washing rice: "Your dad is helping people build a shelter; the Street Office said it might rain in the next couple of days. A few days ago it was manageable, but if it really rains, we won't have any cover…"

"Xianglan, you have guests at home; even the pots and stoves are moving." Zhao Daye and Wu Guiwen returned from a walk outside.

"What guests? My big brother is back."

"Fengzi?"

Seeing the newcomers, Lu Feng hurried forward: "Zhao Daye, Teacher Wu, are you feeling well? Come in and sit."

Lu Ying hurriedly lifted a stool.

Teacher Wu, taking it, said: "All good, all good, ah, you're really back. It's been several years since we saw you. Why didn't you come back to see the people in the courtyard? You haven't forgotten everyone, have you?"

Lu Feng listened, feeling a bit embarrassed, and at a loss for words: "No, no…"

Zhao Daye, noticing his awkwardness, quickly tried to smooth things over: "Teacher Wu, you know Fengzi well; we've watched him grow up. He's honest and loyal, just worries the family might run out of food and doesn't want to cause trouble."

"Your child also served as an Educated Youth, hasn't been back for a long time either."

Teacher Wu nodded: "Indeed, indeed. How did Lu San'er say you are now…"

"Yes, Teacher Wu, you drink water, Zhao Daye drinks water…"

"Well, this job is pretty good, it's like securing an iron rice bowl…"

A few people sat on benches chatting about everyday matters, and in no time they all learned that the eldest son of the Lu family had returned, and the neighbors gathered to watch the commotion.