1979: The child's mother is a celestial being.

Chapter 28 The Arrival of the Mother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law

Everyone should have learned in their elementary school textbooks that Wuhan is one of my country's four "furnace cities".

Although it is June 1980, the impact of the greenhouse effect on Jiangcheng is not as severe as it will be in later years, but the temperature has already soared from around 25 or 26 degrees Celsius at the beginning of the month to around 30 degrees Celsius in just half a month.

Liu Xiaoli officially requested a long leave from her workplace last Saturday because she is over eight months pregnant and continuing to work would be very inconvenient.

Of course, in reality, maternity leave in those days started about fifteen days before the due date. Liu Xiaoli took leave more than a month in advance, which was obviously not in accordance with the regulations.

The reason her employer approved her maternity leave was that Liu Xiaoli voluntarily gave up the company's benefit of taking maternity leave.

Moreover, this was not her decision alone; it was the result of discussions with her family.

Chen Fusheng, in particular, had already advised her in his letter not to go to work.

"Xiao Li, the sun is so strong outside, why don't you not go? Your dad and I will go to the airport to pick her up."

A few days ago, Chen Fusheng's sister-in-law called her sister as soon as she finished the college entrance examination, saying that she wanted to come over to visit.

Then yesterday, Liu Xiaoli received another call saying that her mother and sister were also coming, and that they had already booked tickets for the next day, which meant they would arrive today.

"It's okay, Mom and Dad. We're not far from the airport. I'll go out for a walk. The doctor also advised me to move around more."

Liu Xiaoli felt that she was in good condition, so she didn't want to wait at home.

Yang Hongmei wanted to persuade him further, but Old Chen stopped her with a look.

After thinking for a moment, she changed her mind and said, "Then take an umbrella; it will help block out the sun a little."

Liu Xiaoli did not reject her mother-in-law's suggestion.

The departure gate of Jiangcheng Airport.

As soon as Chen Fusheng's mother-in-law and sister-in-law came out, they immediately spotted Liu Xiaoli, who was heavily pregnant and had come to pick them up from the airport.

Suddenly, wheels of fire sprouted from beneath their feet.

"Oh my dear daughter, what brings you to pick me up at the airport?"

What Liu's mother seemed to be complaining about was actually a mother's concern for her daughter.

"I just wanted to see my mother and younger sister as soon as possible, and I live not far from here, so it's like getting out for some exercise. The doctor said it's a good thing." Liu Xiaoli repeated the reasons she had given her mother-in-law at home to her own mother.

Then, while the elders of both families exchanged pleasantries, the two sisters, Liu Xiaoli and Liu Xiaowei, also greeted each other.

"Sis, how many months pregnant are you now?"

"More than eight months."

Liu Xiaoli countered with, "Xiaowei, how did you do on your college entrance exam?"

"Uh... it's alright. We'll have to wait for the results to come out to know for sure. But my brother-in-law wants me to apply to your Jiangcheng University, so I definitely have no chance."

"It's okay. There are plenty of good universities across the country. We don't necessarily have to focus on Jiangcheng University."

"Hmm, sis, is your husband still filming? When did he say he'd be back?"

"He just wrote to me the day before yesterday, saying that their film crew will be able to wrap up filming by the end of the month..."

The mother-in-law was also interested in this topic—no, she was very concerned—and suddenly interjected, "Xiao Li, did Fusheng say when he's coming back?"

Liu Xiaoli replied, "He said that if he doesn't come back by the end of this month, he will definitely come back at the beginning of next month."

The mother-in-law nodded, seemingly satisfied with the outcome.

Liu Xiaoli hesitated, though she did have some doubts about her mother's arrival in Jiangcheng so early.

But after thinking about it, I decided not to ask on the way.

It wasn't until she got home that she finally found a chance to ask.

"Mom, why did you come so early? Won't it interfere with your work?"

"I have already applied for retirement."

“But Mom, I remember you still have two years until retirement age.” Liu Xiaoli felt that her mother had applied for retirement for her sake, so she felt both guilty and confused.

No one knows a daughter better than her mother. Although her eldest daughter was not often by her side, Liu's mother still sensed her emotional change. She patted her head and said, "Silly child, don't overthink it. My retirement is not entirely because of you."

Meeting Liu Xiaoli's questioning gaze, Liu's mother continued to explain: "In the past two years since the reform and opening up, many departments have also been reforming. The organization has promoted many young and energetic cadres. As old people like us who are about to retire, we have almost lost our ambition. Naturally, we should give young people the opportunity to advance. A few days ago, the organization talked to me. I also wanted to come to Jiangcheng to see you, so I took the initiative to ask the organization for early retirement."

"Will the organization agree?" Comrade Chen Runqiu asked from the side.

Since the room was only so big, Liu Xiaoli and her mother weren't discussing this topic in a private way, so it was inevitable that others would overhear them.

As it happened, Old Chen was also quite interested in this topic, so he chimed in.

Liu's mother looked at her in-laws and explained, "The organization has agreed to my semi-retirement." Old Chen suddenly understood.

The so-called semi-retirement means that the mother-in-law is no longer involved in her work at her current workplace. She can simply go through the retirement procedures when her term of service is up.

"So, Mom, you're not in a hurry to go back, right?" Liu Xiaoli asked to confirm.

"What's wrong? Are you trying to kick me out?"

Liu's mother made a joke.

But actually, the reason she came to take care of her daughter so early this time was because she felt she had neglected her over the years and wanted to make up for it.

Of course, she would never say such a thing.

At least they won't tell the person involved.

Liu Xiaoli couldn't guess what her mother was thinking, but she was overjoyed to hear that her mother couldn't walk anymore.

She even clung to her mother's arm and acted spoiled, just like when she was a child.

"You're going to be a mother soon, why are you still acting like a child?"

Seeing her daughter-in-law and her mother being so affectionate, Yang Hongmei felt a little disappointed. She could foresee that her daughter-in-law's mother would take care of all her meals from now on, and might even take away her bed here. But on the other hand, it also relieved her of a lot of burden.

It's a mixed bag, I'd say.

……

The crew of "Cow Fighting".

Chen Fusheng was unaware that his mother-in-law and sister-in-law had come to Jiangcheng.

Three consecutive months of filming have caused him to lose more than ten pounds.

However, the bulky, black-looking cotton-padded jacket he was wearing made him appear even fatter, rather than thinner.

"Scene 67, three shots twice."

"Ready, 3, 2, 1, go!"

Niu Er and his Eighth Route Army troops finally arrived. With disheveled hair and tattered clothes, looking exactly like a beggar, Niu Er, leading his cow, caught up with the column and grabbed a soldier's sleeve, saying:
"You must be Eighth Route Army soldiers? We've been waiting for you! You said you'd be back in ten days or so, but six or seven years have passed. This ox is the one you left behind. Everyone in the village is dead, and I'm the only one left raising it on this mountain."

Because he hadn't spoken to anyone for so long, Niu Er was somewhat incoherent, but the PLA company commander he had grabbed could still barely understand him.

The company commander stopped, listened to the man's words, and looked at the man and the ox. Something seemed to have touched him, and he said:

“Fellow villager, we’re called the Chinese People’s Liberation Army now. I don’t know Captain Su Renmao you’re talking about, and we’re a combat unit, so we can’t take this cow in. How about this, I’ll make a decision for Captain Su and give the cow to you. Is that alright?”

Niu Er hurriedly waved his hand: "That won't do. This ox belongs to your Eighth Route Army. We agreed to return it."

The company commander said, "But we really can't take this cow with us. Why don't you continue to keep it for us, fellow villager?"

"How long will it need to be stored?"

"Peace reigns throughout the land."

When will this world be at peace?

"Fellow villager, once we drive the Japanese devils away, the world will be at peace."

"Then I'll lead the ox up the mountain first, and wait for the peace you spoke of."

"Fellow villager, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, come down the mountain and find us."

"Thank you, I'm not having any problems. Actually, with this cow keeping me company, I'm not lonely on the mountain. You can go about your business, I'm going back to the mountain."

After saying that, Niu Er led the ox and slowly walked towards the mountain path.

"Click~"

This scene is quite long, so the first take wasn't good enough, but the second take went much better.

After reviewing the footage from beginning to end, Han Sanping called out "Cut!"

At this point, the crew of "Cow" only has one final scene left to film tomorrow.

……

P.S.: We could have filled in a chapter or two with details of the filming process, but I figured nobody would want to read that, so I skipped it! Moving the plot forward is more important.

Then please continue reading, vote for the book, and add it to your favorites...

Everyone seems so aloof!
(End of this chapter)