Chapter 526: Family Blessings

He Yushui looked up, rubbed her sore shoulders, took the cup of water and took a sip, smiling, she said:

"This isn't comparable to stitching a child's schoolbag; these two Peace Amulets are to be sent to Shengli and Zheng Peng, so they can wear them. They need to be sewn tightly and then embroidered with the two characters 'Peace' for good luck."

She picked up one of the nearly finished Peace Amulets; half of the character "Ping" had already been embroidered, the stitches were fine and even, and the edge was bound with a red border. "You just got back from the hospital? Are you done over there?"

"Hmm, I came back after arranging the afternoon consultations." Ding Qiunan pulled a chair and sat down, picking up the mugwort on the table and sniffed it,

"I prepared some common anti‑inflammatory pain‑relief ointments for Shengli and Zheng Peng, as well as eye drops to guard against sand‑blown irritation; the environment at the Shifeichang is harsh, so these will be useful. By the way, the elder sister asked me to ask you when the Peace Amulet will be finished. Qin Jingru has called the community members to help, and we're just waiting for the amulet to be placed on the table."

"Almost done; once I finish embroidering the other 'An' character and thread the red cord, it'll be ready." He Yushui quickened her movements, and the sewing machine clattered again.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, falling on her focused profile and the silk in her hand; golden dust shimmered with her movements, scattering delicate light.

In the courtyard, Qin Jingru was directing two community colleagues to hang lanterns. She wore the dark‑blue community official uniform, a red apron tied at her waist, fine beads of sweat on her forehead, yet she remained full of vigor.

"Sister Li, raise that lantern a bit higher and align it with the one on the left! Brother Wang, could you move the table under the crabapple tree? We'll need to set the offerings there during the prayer."

"Got it, Director Qin, don't worry!" The two colleagues replied, bustling about deftly.

One of the bespectacled senior women laughed, "Director Qin, Lin the boss and his son are the pride of our Sijiucheng. Developing such impressive aircraft for the country, it's only right that we help set up the decorations and pray for their test flights to go smoothly!"

"Exactly!" Qin Jingru straightened, wiped her sweat, her tone brimming with pride, "My Shengli and Zheng Peng have been soaking in the Shifeichang every day lately; it's exhausting. As family, we can't help with the work, so we'll just prepare this prayer ceremony well, so they know we're thinking of them and can focus on their mission."

As she spoke, Zheng Juan carried a basket of apples over, smiling, "Qin Jingru, thank you for your effort; tell the colleagues that dinner will be at home tonight, I'll have the kitchen make a few extra dishes."

"Zheng sister, you're too polite, no need!" the two community colleagues hurriedly waved their hands, "We're just lending a hand, no trouble for you."

"No trouble, we're all neighbors, and it's for such an important matter." Zheng Juan set the apples on the table, picked one, wiped it clean and handed it to Qin Jingru, "You rest a bit first; I'll have Han Chunyan go to the supply store to buy some incense sticks and red paper, then we'll write the prayer couplet."

Han Chunyan happened to come in from outside, a cloth bag in hand, and upon hearing Zheng Juan's words, she quickly said:

"Sister, no need to go; I just came back from the supply store and already bought the incense sticks and red paper, and also picked up some red dates and peanuts, symbolizing peace and smoothness."

She opened the cloth bag, and indeed it contained incense sticks, red paper, and a small bag of red dates and peanuts.

"Han Chunyan really thought of everything." Zheng Juan smiled and nodded, "Then place the items on the table; later we'll write the prayer couplet together. By the way, Hanna? Didn't she say she'd also display the blessing cards sent by Hans's relatives?"

"Hanna is in the study, currently teaching the children about test‑flight safety, fearing they'll be noisy during the prayer."

Ding Qiunan walked over and said, "I just passed the study and heard her showing the children airplane models; she was really serious."

As she spoke, He Yushui came out holding two finished Peace Amulets.

Both Peace Amulets were dark‑blue, embroidered with the golden characters "Peace", the edges threaded with red cord and tied with a tiny Chinese knot.

"All sewn!" she handed a Peace Amulet to Zheng Juan, "Sister, take a look—does it work?"

Zheng Juan took the Peace Amulet, examined it carefully, and nodded with satisfaction:

"Great, the stitches are fine and dense, and the meaning is good. I'll keep this Peace Amulet and send it to Shengli and Zheng Peng tonight, so they can wear it close to their bodies."

She placed the Peace Amulet gingerly into a brocade box, fearing to damage it.

By now, the courtyard's decorations were almost complete.

Under the crabapple tree, an Eight Immortals table was covered with a red tablecloth, set with apples, red dates, and peanuts; Qin Jingru and her colleagues also placed two meditation cushions at the table for the prayer.

Han Chunyan was holding red paper, ready to write the couplet, while Zheng Juan stood nearby helping grind the ink.

"Let me write; I practiced brush calligraphy for a few days when I was young." He Yushui walked over, dipped a brush in ink, thought for a moment, and wrote the four bold characters "Test Flight Smooth" on the red paper, the strokes strong and vigorous.

After finishing, she wrote another sheet reading "Family and Nation Peace", and handed it to Qin Jingru:

"Sister Qin Jingru, please have your colleagues paste this couplet at the main hall entrance."

"Got it!" Qin Jingru took the couplet and busied herself with the colleagues.

The courtyard gradually became lively; under Hanna's guidance, the children lined up and entered the courtyard, each holding a self‑drawn airplane picture to stick beside the prayer table.

Zheng Juan looked at the harmonious scene before her, feeling warm inside.

She looked up toward the Xibei direction and silently prayed in her heart:

"Shengli, Zheng Peng, you must be safe and smooth, and the test flight succeed. We're here at home, so rest assured."

A gentle wind brushed the courtyard, the red lanterns swayed lightly, and all preparations for the prayer ceremony were complete, awaiting nightfall for the whole family to pray for the father and son far away.

Meanwhile at the Xibei Shifeichang, Lin Shengli and Lin Zhengpeng were still busy with the final preparations.

Lin Shengli's phone suddenly rang with a call from home; it was Zheng Juan. "Shengli, the family prayer ceremony is all set, we're waiting for good news from you. I've sent you and Zheng Peng the Peace Amulets; remember to wear them close."

Lin Shengli held the phone, a gentle smile touching his lips, "Got it, thank you all for your effort. We won't disappoint you."

After hanging up, he looked at Lin Zhengpeng beside him and relayed the words.

Lin Zhengpeng nodded, his gaze steadier, "Dad, we'll definitely succeed in the test flight and live up to the family's expectations."