When Pei Yan and his group, lugging large bags and packages, appeared at the gate of the neighborhood, half of the community was abuzz. Over a dozen families stood hopefully at the entrance after receiving phone calls, eagerly awaiting their children's return home.
"Mom!" Pei Yan, carrying a heap of gift boxes, felt a lump in his throat and almost burst into tears upon seeing his mother.
"Oh! Oh!" Mrs. Pei, Li Yuhua, replied with a choked voice, reaching out to touch her son's head. Looking at his tanned skin and strong build, she joyfully remarked, "You've grown taller again! The military sure does toughen a person up. You've changed so much that if I hadn't seen your sister, I wouldn't have recognized you! You look steadier now! Quite the young man."
