Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 507 National Day

Another National Day had arrived, and Shen Yiguang was due to participate in the military parade in the capital.

Yang PeiMin planned to take the three kids and both elders of the Shen family to watch it in the capital as well.

Shen Erniu had also arrived in City T early, ready to set off together.

Yang PeiMin had been planning what to take for some time.

Because of their status as a military family, they still had reserved seats.

Yang PeiMin felt that during golden October, it was almost always sunny.

The first things to pack were sunscreen, sun hats, and some emergency medicine for heat relief.

She took out two suitcases, categorizing and arranging everything that needed to be packed.

After watching the flag-raising and parade, she planned to stay and play for a few days, so she had to pack plenty of clothes for the kids, especially things like thermoses, to ensure they had enough warm water wherever they went.

The three kids buzzed around Yang PeiMin like little bees.

Yang PeiMin wondered what else to bring.

Tuantuan was quick to chime in, "Take me take me take me!"

With her plea, her two older brothers also clamored to be taken along.

Yang PeiMin laughed, hugging the attention-seeking Tuantuan, "Don’t worry, Mom won’t forget you guys."

This year the twins turned three, and Lele was four, their language abilities had improved a lot compared to the previous year.

"It’s not like that, Mom forgot to bring water bottles last time," Lele recalled when they went to the park and had nothing to drink because Mom had forgotten the water bottles, and they hadn’t stayed long due to thirst and had to go home early.

"Sometimes Mom just forgets, like Grandma says, ’People get forgetful as they get older.’ I think Mom might be getting old," Fanfan was quite articulate, with an air of a little adult.

Tuantuan hugged Yang PeiMin’s neck tightly, crying out, "No, I haven’t grown up yet, you’re not allowed to get old, Mom!"

Yang PeiMin was torn between laughter and tears.

It was the age of a million whys.

Dealing with them alone, Yang PeiMin felt her head would explode with questions.

"Then you guys help Mom think too."

Then came a long discussion about toys, and Yang PeiMin realized asking them was unreliable.

Lele came closer, "Mom, when is Dad coming back? I haven’t seen him in days."

Mom looked at his little face and laughed, "Dad is waiting for us in the capital." Usually, Shen Yiguang played the role of a strict father, setting many rules in front of the kids, but despite this, whenever he returned, he was quite active in spending time with them.

In her past life, Yang PeiMin had seen many examples where it was almost always the mother who took care of the children, with the father, apart from work commitments, acting as the absentee parent and spending very little time with the children.

She felt she lacked fatherly affection and was particularly yearning for it, deeply understanding it from experience.

A father’s presence was extremely important in a child’s development, often playing together which could cultivate the child’s logical abilities and strong character.

Yang PeiMin had discussed all this with Shen Yiguang, and fortunately, he agreed with her.

So for the past few days, because Shen Yiguang was preparing for the parade, he had not been home for a week, and they had to head to the capital early to get ready.

The kids were well aware, accustomed to seeing their father come home every day; suddenly one day when he didn’t appear, they would ask and miss him.

Lele’s eyes sparkled, "I understand, then we’ll be able to see Dad carrying out his mission too."

Yang PeiMin nodded with a smile.

"When the time comes, I’m going to cheer for Dad!" Tuantuan immediately declared.

Tuantuan really was the little cotton-padded jacket of Yiguang and Peimin, much more thoughtful and trouble-free compared to his two older brothers.

"I want to do that too," Fanfan immediately said, unwilling to be outdone. "I want to clap for Dad too!"

"I can do that too."

"How could Dad possibly hear you with your voice so soft! You never eat more than me!"

"That’s not true. Dad definitely knows. He likes me the best!"

The twins had started bickering, which was a daily norm for them.

Peimin interjected, "Okay now, you two stop fighting. Go outside and help mom see what grandpa and grandma are up to."

"Okay, okay, I’ll go right now."

"Mission guaranteed to be accomplished."

The three kids scrambled out of the room, all wanting to be the first.

Peimin quickly put the rest of the things into the suitcase, tidied up, and got to her feet, ready to go out and have a look too.

Before she could step out of the room, Fanfan rushed back like a whirlwind, shouting loudly, "Mom, auntie is here, my little auntie. She has come and she brought a guest over too."

Peimin took his hand and asked, "What guest? Does Fanfan know them?"

Fanfan shook his head honestly, "I don’t know them, but I’m sure he knows me."

"Goodness, how does my little Fanfan know that?" Yixiang, hearing this from the living room, couldn’t contain her amusement and asked.

Fanfan puffed out his little chest, proudly declaring, "Because I’m the little master, that’s why."

"Oh, I get it now," Yixiang said, feigning a sudden realization. "You mean to say when guests come to visit our home, they must know the hosts to come over, right?"

Fanfan, as cocky as ever, nodded vigorously, hands behind his back like a little grownup. "Of course."

Everyone started laughing.

Only then did Peimin notice the man Yixiang had brought back.

It seemed this was her boyfriend.

Peimin had heard about him from Yixiang a few days ago: a decent appearance and an ex-colleague from the garment factory where Yixiang worked, a salesman running the market.

Actually, Peimin sort of knew him.

He seemed to be a pretty good young man.

Reliable and ambitious, he had even been praised for his performance last quarter. Peimin had been on the stage at the time and had a slight impression of him.

Thinking about it, Yixiang and he had been colleagues for over three years now. After her experience with Lu Haijun, she was extremely cautious about new relationships. This one she had scrutinized for three years before making her decision.

The Shen elders sat on the sofa in the center of the living room, smiling as they examined Yixiang’s boyfriend, nodding their heads in what seemed to be satisfaction.

They were quite anxious too; both their youngest daughters were already twenty-five and hadn’t yet taken into account their personal affairs. Back in their hometown, kids their age were already in primary school. In the past two years, whenever they returned home, people would probe the two about their intentions and arrange blind dates.

The two sisters would find any excuse to dodge these encounters.

Now that Yixiang could bring someone back so openly, it eased their minds by half.

Everyone settled down on the sofas.

After the parents asked the future son-in-law a series of questions, Yixiang brought up the main reason for her visit, "We’re also planning to head north to see the military parade, so we’ll go with you."

Yixiang’s companion, Liao Hong, hurriedly nodded in agreement with her, "I’ve always admired the military. It’s a pity I never had a chance to join the forces. Now that we have this opportunity, I very much hope to go and see it."

Everyone nodded along.

Chen Guizhi’s gaze swept over them a couple of times before she said, "Are you two just going like this? Not being legally married, wouldn’t it sound bad to say so publicly?"