Chapter 766 Never Forget Dahe Village

The Zhao family arrived in a large group, bringing many things, including personal luggage and local specialties from Dahe Town, filling two large horse-drawn carts.

Cheng Wanwan tried to help the two elderly people into the car, but Grandma Zhao quickly waved her hand: "I've been traveling by car and boat all this way, and I'm almost seasick. Anyway, we're already in the capital, so let's walk home slowly and it'll be more comfortable."

“The capital is really big.” Madam Sun exclaimed in amazement. “When I went to Yunnan Province before, I thought it was amazing. But now that I’m in the capital, I realize that ten Yunnan Provinces can’t compare to one capital. No wonder everyone who comes to the capital doesn’t want to go back.”

Wen whispered, "There are so many rich people in the capital. Even a random person is dressed in silk."

They came to the capital from small towns, and everyone made new clothes. What they considered the best clothes were actually other people's everyday clothes.

They thought the Zhao family had become wealthy, but compared to people in the capital, they were still at the bottom.

"It took us half a month to get here, so let's stay in Beijing a little longer this time," said Grandma Zhao. "We've made some money these past few years, but haven't had time to spend it. Let's take this opportunity to have some fun. Eldest daughter-in-law, don't you think that makes sense?"

Cheng Wanwan nodded: "You two are getting old, it's time for you to enjoy your retirement. As long as you don't worry about the family, you can play as long as you want."

“Da Mai is pregnant with her second child and is experiencing severe morning sickness, so we’ve left her and Da Wang at home to look after her,” said Old Mrs. Zhao. “We’ve temporarily suspended all the family businesses. With Manager Yan and your eldest sister Yuan Yuan helping out, business hasn’t stopped… Anyway, there’s no end to the money you can make. Now that we’re in Beijing, I’m not going to worry about things in the village anymore.”

Along the way, everyone chatted with Cheng Wanwan about the recent situation at home.

Da Mai is pregnant, and Da Ya is also pregnant.

Xia Hua got engaged, and the wedding date was set for autumn.

Erwang refused to study anymore and planned to find a job first.

Old Zhao and Afu's carpentry shop was doing exceptionally well.

Little Zhuzhu, Xuanxuan, and Shitou, the only son of the Cao family, are studying together, and all three of them are doing quite well.

In addition, Xiaozhu is also learning medicine and can identify more than 100 kinds of herbs.

"The most worrying thing right now is Qiuhua's marriage. That girl will be fifteen after the New Year," said Grandma Zhao, her head throbbing. "And Donghua is thirteen too. The children grow up so fast, it'll be hard to find them husbands."

Cheng Wanwan looked up in the direction of Qiu Hua and Dong Hua. The two girls were shopping with Yu Jiao. They walked around and looked at things. The three girls laughed together from time to time, exuding a youthful vibe.

In her time, girls her age were still carefree studying, but now they have to think about marriage at a young age.

“What’s there to worry about?” Sun said casually. “Every day, people come to propose marriage, and they’re practically wearing down the door. It’s just that I don’t like them. Otherwise, Qiuhua and Donghua would have been married off long ago.”

“Qiuhua is a quiet person, so we can’t be careless when choosing a husband for her. Donghua is too talkative, so we can’t choose a husband who will mistreat his wife.” Old Mrs. Zhao said reasonably. “You, as her mother, don’t care about these things, so I, this old woman, have to do it. Oh well, I’m here in the capital, so I don’t have to think about these trivial matters.”

The group walked and chatted for a while, and soon arrived at their lodgings.

Just as they reached the door, He Xiao returned with Zhao Sanniu.

Upon seeing his entire family appear before him, Zhao Sanniu's eyes immediately welled up with tears: "Grandpa, Grandma, I missed you so much!"

"San Niu, you heartless brat!" Old Mrs. Zhao gently patted his back three times, then hugged him tightly. "Let me tell you, it's been at least three years since I've seen you. You're so heartless, just like your father..."

Zhao Dashan punched him on the shoulder: "It's been more than three years since I last saw you, and you've actually grown taller than your older brother."

“Our San Niu is now a captain,” Zhao Er Gou said casually. “He’s the third person in our family to become an official. Grandpa and Grandma should be happy. Let’s have a few more drinks later.”

Zhao Sidan earnestly corrected: "The first person to become an official was my mother, the second was my father, the third was my eldest brother, and my third brother was the fourth."

"I never imagined that my Zhao family would become such a prominent clan," Old Man Zhao exclaimed. "So many officials have come from one family; we must have been blessed by our ancestors."

Madam Sun coughed and said, "The fifth official is naturally Si Dan, and the sixth one is our Xuanxuan."

Donghua stuck out her tongue: "If Xuanxuan can really pass the exam and become an official, I'll call him 'Dad'."

"What nonsense are you spouting, you brat!" Zhao Youcai glared at her. "Your father is still standing right here, who are you calling 'father'?"

Madam Sun said with a stern face, "This girl has no sense of propriety and always talks nonsense. Father, you must give her a good beating today, or she'll definitely cause trouble for you in the capital."

"I was wrong, I'll never do it again!" Donghua ran around the yard, "Auntie, please save me! Grandma, my dad's going to beat me to death, you're going to lose one of your granddaughters soon..."

Zhao Yuezhu, Zhao Mingxuan, and Zhao Mochen also joined in the chase.

The courtyard was bustling with activity.

Cheng Wanwan's eyes and brows also lit up with a smile.

Granny Qi sent someone to the restaurant to bring back some of the finest dishes, which were set up on three or four tables, and the whole family sat down to eat.

This time, Cheng Fang also came along. She smiled and said, "Madam must not have eaten the delicacies of Dahe Town for a long time. I will go to the kitchen to cook a few quick dishes and bring them up."

Chunhua immediately got up and went over to help.

They brought a lot of food ingredients from Dahe Town. Everything was ready-made; they just needed to wash and chop it up before cooking.

Deep-fried lotus root sandwiches, stir-fried lotus root slices, wild mushrooms... these are all authentic farm-style dishes.

Cheng Fang also used a bundle of dried vegetables he brought to make a pot of dumplings and served it on the table.

She placed the dumplings on the table in front of He Xiao: "Master He must not have eaten this in a long time. Dried vegetables don't taste as good as fresh ones, but it's still alright. Master He, please have a taste."

He Xiao suddenly remembered three or four years ago when this girl was learning martial arts from him. She would carry a few vegetable dumplings with her every day. Once, she even gave him one to try. He thought it tasted good, and afterwards, the girl often brought him vegetable dumplings.

He picked up a dumpling, took a bite, and tasted the flavor of Dahe Village. In that instant, his soul seemed to return to the place he most wanted to be.

He nodded: "It tastes exactly as I imagined."

Grandma Zhao also took one and started eating: "I have to say, Fang Yatou's cooking skills are getting better and better, and it's so delicious. Master He, you've been gone for three years, you have no idea how much the villagers miss you... The village spent money to renovate the unfinished house you used to live in, and since you love tea, Tiezhu even thoughtfully planted a few flowering tea trees for you..."

"The camellia trees are growing quite well," Donghua said, her mouth bulging. "It's just that Dabai and the others always like to cause trouble in the yard, so the camellia trees can't grow any tea leaves. It's such a pity."

He Xiao lowered his head, forcing back the tears in his eyes: "I will definitely go back again, at the end of this year or next year, so that no one will not recognize me by then."

“How could that be?” Cheng Fang said softly, “Those who learned martial arts from Master He will never forget Master He.”

He Xiao took another bite of the dumpling.

He, too, will never forget those two years in Dahe Village.