novel-bin Chapter 207 Near Worry
Chapter 207 Near Worry
As everyone gathered around the table, ready to enjoy their delicious meal, Yu Bo suddenly noticed something was missing. He looked around and asked, puzzled, "Hey, where's Didi? Why isn't that adorable little guy here?" Didi was usually a lively, active, and lovable little darling.
Yu Bo couldn't help but frown and mutter to himself, "I've been back for a long time, so I should have seen this little brat. What's going on today?"
Zhu Yingying on the side lowered her voice and said, "What are you yelling about? Didi is playing in the room... Sister, go and call her out for dinner..." and winked at Zhu Qingqing.
Zhu Qingqing, who was standing by, was stunned for a moment after hearing Yu Bo's question, and then she slapped her forehead as if she suddenly realized something.
"Oh! Look at my memory! I actually forgot about Didi!" Zhu Qingqing said with a hint of annoyance. It turned out that Didi had been staying at the other house for the past few days, and Zhu Qingqing had been busy with other things and had not taken the time to look after the little guy. Thinking of this, Zhu Qingqing hurriedly got up and hurried towards the house, intending to pick up Didi and have dinner together.
After a while, Zhu Qingqing returned to the dining table holding Didi's little hand.
Since Didi had been staying at home the past few days and hadn't come here, Zhu Qingqing hadn't paid much attention to it. Fortunately, no one else paid much attention to it, simply thinking that the weather was cold and the child might prefer to hide in the warm courtyard and play, so he didn't show up.
After finishing their meal, everyone began to move in an orderly manner, each performing their duties according to the previous arrangements.
Yang Wu and Yang Jiu trotted towards the stables. They were responsible for preparing the carriages for the trip. To ensure Team Leader Yang's comfort, they drove out the most spacious carriage and carefully placed a thick, soft fur mattress on the seats. This mattress was made of the finest animal fur, smooth and delicate to the touch, and very warm.
Meanwhile, Mother Zhu was leading Zhu Yingying and Wu Di in packing their belongings. They neatly folded each piece of clothing into the suitcase, carefully checking to see if they had forgotten anything important. Zhu Qingqing, along with Yang San and a group of other women, busied themselves in the kitchen preparing rations for the journey. A must-have was braised beef, its rich aroma filling the entire house, making everyone salivate. They also set about baking delicious pancakes. While Zhu Qingqing was perfectly capable of fetching ready-made food, she still had to make sure everything was presentable to her.
For a moment, the kitchen was filled with the clattering of pots and pans, mingled with the women's laughter. It was quite lively. Before long, waves of enticing aromas wafted from the kitchen, drawing everyone's attention and making their stomachs growl.
Father Zhu considered the matter from a doctor's perspective, with a frown and a serious look on his face. He said anxiously to Wang Xiangdong and Yu Bo, "There is no time to lose. We must hurry and prepare a simple stretcher! The journey is still unknown. If the road is flat, it's fine, but if the carriage is too bumpy, we must not let Captain Yang endure such torture. By then, someone must carry Captain Yang forward steadily and safely!" After that, he couldn't help but stretch out his hands and gesture in the air, trying to depict the approximate shape and size of the stretcher.
Wang Xiangdong nodded in agreement and echoed, "That's right. If you encounter a difficult mountain road, carrying it by hand is indeed the most appropriate method."
At this moment, Yu Bo had an idea and suggested, "Why don't we ask Sister Qing to go get a foldable stretcher? Like the ones we use at the welfare home. Not only is it easy to carry, but it can also be unfolded and used immediately."
However, before he finished speaking, Wang Xiangdong and Zhu's father denied it in unison: "No!"
Yu Bo suddenly realized that he had not thought it through properly and quickly apologized: "Oh, I'm so sorry, Uncle, Dong Ge, it's my fault for being careless and saying the wrong thing. Please forgive me."
Father Zhu gently waved his hand and said soothingly, "It's okay, just be careful next time. Actually, making a simple stretcher isn't difficult. It just needs to be strong enough to lift Team Leader Yang. It's like the slides we've ridden at some scenic spots. All it takes is a chair and two sturdy bamboo poles, and we can easily and steadily carry someone away."
Wang Xiangdong: "That takes up too much space. I think we can just use door panels. We can put them in the carriage normally, and drag them out when we need them. We can tie ropes at both ends, put them on our shoulders and carry them."
"Well, yours is simpler and more practical. Let's do it this way. Let's go and get Yang Wu ready."
Mr. Zhu, Wang Xiangdong and Yu Bo went to the backyard.
At that moment, Team Leader Yang lazily reclined on a slightly worn wooden chair, the afternoon sun streaming through the window lattice onto him, casting dappled shadows. At that moment, he suddenly remembered the long-forgotten letter—a letter handwritten by his wife, filled with deep affection and concern.
Slowly pulling the letter from his bosom, Team Leader Yang gently stroked the familiar handwriting on the envelope, as if he could feel the warmth of his wife's pen. He tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter, the elegant handwriting leaping onto the page. The contents of the letter unfolded before him like a delicate painting.
As Li Quan had previously stated, the situation at home and in the capital was meticulously detailed within the letter. However, compared to Li Quan's verbal account, his wife's description was undoubtedly more comprehensive and thorough. From the trivialities of the household to the major and minor changes in the capital, nothing was omitted. And at the end of the letter, his wife's deep concern for him overflowed. She urged him: If you are not seriously ill, you should return as soon as possible; if you are unable to, do not force yourself and make sure you recover first before making any plans. These caring words were like a spring breeze, warming Captain Yang's heart.
After reading the letter, Team Leader Yang carefully refolded it and gently placed it in his arms, close to his heart. His gaze gradually became distant, and his thoughts involuntarily drifted to the distant capital... There were his longed-for family, and the familiar plants and trees, every house and building.
At this moment, the elderly father, with his weathered face and slightly hunched back, must be hurriedly on his way to collect grain. This year's grain harvest in the prefecture city hasn't been significantly affected, but I've heard that other prefectures have suffered severe droughts, resulting in a complete loss of harvest and the people suffering terribly from hunger. To aid those affected areas, a large amount of grain from the prefecture city has been urgently transported there for disaster relief, significantly reducing local grain reserves.
Raising enough food was no easy task, and my father must have endured countless grievances and setbacks. Many of the self-important wealthy families in the capital had always looked down upon the Yang family, dismissing them as mere peasants from the countryside. The Yang family's current status was entirely due to the favor and favour of the current emperor... These so-called prominent families often prided themselves on their long histories, boasting of their illustrious lineage from previous dynasties, or even earlier, with a rich heritage spanning generations and centuries. They wouldn't take my father seriously, let alone share their surplus food. Even if the prince were present, he probably wouldn't have gotten any advantage.
Team Leader Yang couldn't help but frown as he thought about it. How should he start?