Song Wei and the others had anticipated correctly: in about ten days, the news was published in newspapers across all major provinces.
Because Song Wei often wrote articles, most of which were related to Ping’an Production Brigade, many people in the brigade had developed the habit of buying newspapers every few days.
Thus, the people of Ping’an Production Brigade learned of this major news as soon as it was published.
The brigade leader had also been keeping a close watch. He bought the newspaper as soon as he noticed the article and excitedly announced the news.
During that time, the entire nation celebrated joyously.
The festivities continued all the way until the New Year.
Song Wei maintained regular correspondence with her uncle and brother while also staying updated on her uncle’s situation.
Gradually, some people began to have their unjust cases overturned, though the numbers were small and rarely reported.
Soon, good news arrived from Song Jing: he had been promoted before the New Year and, thanks to his good relationship with his superior, he managed to leverage that connection to help facilitate matters for their uncle.
As long as it was confirmed that their uncle had been wrongfully accused, he would soon be rehabilitated and allowed to return home.
Reading the contents of the letter, Song Wei smiled.
“Mom, Mommy…”
A soft, babbling voice sounded beside her.
Song Wei scooped up Xiao Nan, who had somehow crawled to her feet.
The twins were now one year old.
Outside, heavy snow was falling. The two little ones were bundled up thickly, looking like chubby little penguins.
At just one year old, they weren’t very steady on their feet yet but could manage short distances while holding onto something for support.
Since their legs were still developing, Song Wei wasn’t in a hurry to teach them to walk. She occasionally helped them take a few steps, but most of the time, she let them crawl freely on the floor.
Lin Zhen had spread an old bedsheet on the ground, allowing the two little ones to crawl around as they pleased.
By now, they could no longer be confined to the kang.
“Ah, Mom…”
Xiao Bei had also made his way over. The twins were at the age where they were beginning to babble and learn words.
With guidance from the adults, they had started to recognize people and call out to them, though their words came out one syllable at a time.
“Mom, eat… eat…”
The sturdy and food-loving Xiao Nan pointed at the sponge cake.
Song Wei broke off a piece of the sponge cake and fed a little to each of them.
The twins were already eating solid foods. Since they had grown teeth, Song Wei had stopped breastfeeding—it was simply too painful when they bit.
However, they were still being fed formula milk.
At first, the twins weren’t used to it, but since both parents were firm about switching to formula, they eventually adapted.
Formula was expensive, but their family could afford it.
In the evening, Lin Zhen returned home, bringing the winter chill with him.
He had brought back many things: formula for the twins, fabric, and meat.
Lin Zhen warmed himself by the fire in the outer room, only daring to hold the twins once he was thoroughly warmed up.
“The black market has become really lively lately. Lots of people are going there to trade goods.”
Perhaps because people had been suppressed for too long, now that the good news was out and trading or selling goods no longer carried the fear of being arrested, the black market had become especially bustling.
Many people brought items from their homes to the black market, either to exchange for money or ration tickets or to trade for things they needed.
However, the concept of “avoiding speculation and profiteering” was deeply ingrained in people’s minds. Even though there was no longer a fear of being arrested, the black market continued to operate discreetly.
If people had money or ration tickets, they still preferred to shop at official department stores or supply and marketing cooperatives.
“There’s even meat available.”
“Yes, this is venison.”
Because of the two children, their family hadn’t gone hunting in the mountains for a long time.
The wolf pack still went, but prey was scarce in winter. Song Wei told them to focus on feeding themselves and not to bring game home.
“The brigade leader plans to go net fishing at Reed Lake once the snow stops.”
“Sounds good. I’ll go too.”
As for the two children, they would be left in the care of Grandma and Grandpa.
Their relationship had grown increasingly close, and the elderly couple treated the twins as if they were their own biological grandchildren.
As for Old Lady Lin’s family, they simply acted as if they didn’t exist.
On the day of the net fishing, both Song Wei and Lin Zhen went.
It was the depths of winter, and the wind was bitterly cold.
But everyone was filled with excitement.
Once the fish were caught, they could enjoy meat—everyone was craving it!
After a year of rest and recovery, the lake once again had plenty of grown fish.
The first net yielded over fifty catties, and the second net brought in even more, around seventy catties.
By now, everyone had gained experience and knew not to overfish a single spot.
After two or three nets, they would move to another location, drill new holes in the ice, and continue fishing.
By the end of the day, they had harvested well over a hundred catties of fish.
Everyone joyfully divided the catch and headed home with their share, eager to enjoy a meaty meal.
…………
After the “four big mountains” looming over them were removed, time seemed to pass especially quickly.
Winter gave way to spring, and the twins were now a year and a half old.
At this age, they could clearly call out to all the elders in the family and were already walking, albeit somewhat unsteadily.
As soon as the weather warmed up, the two little toddlers, dressed in identical tiger-head shoes and matching outfits, dashed out of the house, eager to explore the world outside.
Bear Cub and the wolf pack followed closely beside the two little ones, their imposing presence making it seem like they were heading out for a fight.
The unsteady toddlers occasionally stumbled and fell, but Song Wei didn’t intervene—they neither cried nor made a fuss, simply picking themselves up and continuing on.
“Bear Cub, Bear Cub, up!”
Xiao Bei, feeling lazy and not wanting to walk, clung to Bear Cub and tried to climb onto him.
Bear Cub lifted the soft, pudgy toddler but promptly sat down and refused to move.
He was a bear, after all—carrying a child made walking quite difficult.
Xiao Nan urged from ahead, “Brother, hurry, hurry…”
“Slowpoke!”
In his impatience, the word slipped out.
Song Wei: “…”
Xiao Bei looked bewildered.
“Bear Cub, Bear Cub, go, brother…”
Bear Cub: “…carrying a kid, not moving.”
Finally, Song Wei smiled and had Bear Cub get down on all fours. She helped Xiao Bei climb onto Bear Cub’s broad back.
Bear Cub was now fully grown—when standing on his hind legs, he was even taller than Lin Zhen.
The little one had plenty of room to sit on his back.
It was just a bit unsteady, so Song Wei kept a hand on him for support.
Xiao Bei immediately clapped his hands joyfully.
“High, brother, high high!”
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