Every year, as the end of the year approaches, the workload in the unit increases.
Unlike usual, Zhou Jiao tries even harder to delegate power and promote newcomers.
Moreover, she doesn’t hesitate to discreetly assign tasks sequentially to subordinates for the work they can handle.
Fortunately, she had prepared in advance, and the business trips had been handed over half a year ago.
This year’s vacation, she still didn’t take.
Because she knows that in a little while, her mindset won’t allow her to immerse herself in work. For her, especially when she’s anxious, it’s better to relax for a while.
And she should also rest for a while.
This winter vacation, May 1st returned first.
As always, he arrived at the usual time to pick Zhou Jiao up from work, continuing his joyful role like before.
He didn’t mention that he might be leaving for a while...
And similarly, Zhou Jiao didn’t mention these things at all.
The mother and son chose, with mutual understanding, to wait until Ping’an and Liu Yi returned.
As the end of the year arrives, Zhou Jiao’s focus is no longer on work. With the free time, she begins preparing for the New Year, spending more time with her younger son.
She doesn’t know what the child is busy with during her working hours, she just sees that whenever she’s home, he doesn’t step out of the house.
If these dignified behaviors were displayed by Liu Yi, who likes tranquility, she might not think much of it, but she clearly understands that even this son wants to go to the front line.
At night, when there’s no one around, she often wonders how she, a selfish person, could have such patriotic sons, and why they inherited only her stubbornness?
Yet, deep inside, there’s no doubt she feels proud of them.
Days later, after finishing what needed chopping, kneading, fermenting, and wrapping, it was time for Ping’an and the Liu Yi brothers to come home.
Watching Zhou Jiao, busy with sweat on her forehead, smiling broadly.
The brothers exchanged a glance, looking at their mother with guilt. No one understood better than them the heartache behind the smiles, but they also loved the green military uniform.
Their pride in being soldiers had seeped into their very marrow, wanting to hold up the family’s burden and also provide for their family under the same sky.
"You’re back? You’ve lost weight. How about mom makes dumplings for you? There are seafood fillings and beef fillings that you like. The family wrapped over a thousand this time, enough for you to eat plenty."
Over a thousand dumplings?
The Ping’an brothers ran forward with a laugh, each pulling on her, while Liu Yi pushed her back, leading her into the living room to sit down.
The smiling brothers, with great rapport, each raised her arms to massage, while May 1st stood behind her gently pressing and patting her shoulders. His face, usually smiling, was tightly drawn.
Looking at her sons, Zhou Jiao took a deep breath, suppressing her inner sadness, and managed a slight smile, "What are you doing, not resting?"
Ping’an shook his head with a smile, "Mom, I’m not tired."
Liu Yi said with a hint of reproach, "Mom, why didn’t you wait for us to come back together? Look at your hands, they’re all red, what if you get frostbite?"
"Silly child, you forgot your mom can make her own medicine." Zhou Jiao tugged her arm, "Stop massaging, I’m not tired, you should sit down properly."
The brothers shook their heads, Ping’an lowered his head looking at her arm, "Wait, Grandma Chen will be serving dumplings in a moment."

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