Every Friday, Xia Jianguo's family and Li Zhonghua's family would get together for dinner to catch up and strengthen their bond. This time, it was at Li Zhonghua's house.

“Dad, how can you and Mom travel by train without anyone to guide you? What if you get lost and get off at the wrong station? I don’t agree.” Li Chunmei strongly opposed her grandparents traveling by train alone.

Two days ago, I received a call from my hometown. My maternal grandfather's brother is having a birthday banquet on the 26th of the twelfth lunar month. My maternal grandfather was thinking of going home for a visit. However, the two families were planning to take the two elders on a trip during the first lunar month this year. The unexpected banquet changed the original plan.

Li Zhonghua chimed in, "That's right, Mom and Dad, neither of you can read, how are you going to ride in the car? It's too dangerous."

Grandpa Xia pointed at his children and said, “Don’t underestimate your father, all of you. Although I’m illiterate, I’ve traveled all over the country for many years. People have mouths to speak, so if you can’t read, just ask!”

Grandpa Xia didn't care at all, and didn't take his children's anxiety to heart at all.

Li Chunmei hesitated for a moment and said, "We can take you to the train station, but you'll be getting off in the city. If you take a minibus, you'll need to transfer twice. Can you manage that?"

"Dad, how about we wait until after the New Year and go back together?" Xia Jianguo suggested.

“No way, your uncle will definitely be angry if we go back after the New Year. No matter what, I’m going back to our hometown with your mother in December!” Grandpa Xia refused directly.

"No means no! You two are too old, we're worried about you. I'll call your uncle to apologize later!" Li Zhonghua said firmly.

Seeing this, Grandpa Xia silently went to the balcony and sat there, not saying a word or paying attention to anyone. Everyone took turns calling him to eat at dinner time, but it was no use. It seemed that he was quite angry this time.

Grandma Xia said, "You've all forgotten your roots as soon as you left home. You've only come home for Chinese New Year once in the past few years. No wonder your father is so angry."

Li Zhonghua said, "Mom, you know how hard it is to buy train tickets to go home for the Spring Festival. You only get to go home for a few days during the Spring Festival, and you still have to keep cleaning and have a lot of social engagements. It's better to just stay in Shenzhen."

"That's true, but our hometown is our root, and we can't forget our roots!"

Xia Minmin and Li Qing had been playing with a jigsaw puzzle in the room.

He only came out when called for dinner. I didn't understand why Grandpa Xia wasn't eating; he just sat on the balcony in a daze.

Xia Minmin and Li Qing exchanged glances, both understanding each other's meaning and wanting the other to speak.

Xia Minmin said, "Mom, Qingjie and I are taking Grandpa and Grandma back to their hometown. We'll be back on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month! What do you think?"

Li Chunmei said with a look of disgust, "Go away, you two little brats, don't make trouble!"

Li Qing chimed in, "Second Aunt, how are we causing trouble? We're clearly trying to help you out. Look, Xiaomin and I can read and we know the way! We're perfectly capable of taking Grandpa and Grandma back to their hometown!"

“Mom, there are fewer people going back to our hometown these days, so train tickets are easy to buy. We’ll be returning to Shenzhen from our hometown on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month. The train back will probably be our private car. We can still go on our trip in the first lunar month as planned.”

"I'll be taking the college entrance exam in two years, so I'll be considered an adult. There are still a lot of factory workers who are younger than me!"

Xia Minmin's suggestion is indeed quite good, and there is currently no better solution.

Sun Erni asked, "What do you guys think?"

Xia Jianguo said, "It's fine. Given the old man's current condition, there's no better solution. It's just that I feel a bit unreliable about these two kids."

Xia Minmin pretended to be angry and said, "Dad, what are you talking about! How are Qingjie and I unreliable?"

Li Zhonghua said, "Who says our Xiaomin is unreliable? Your uncle will be the first to disagree."

After seeing that her children had come up with a solution, Grandma Xia immediately went to the balcony and told Grandpa Xia. Grandpa Xia walked in with a smile.

Li Zhonghua said, "Then I'll call a scalper right now and buy four soft sleeper train tickets, one compartment, so I can close the door and be safer while I sleep."

When Grandpa Xia heard that he had booked his train tickets back to his hometown, he picked up his bowl and chopsticks and started eating, while constantly calling out to Xia Minmin and Li Qing.

······

"Xiaomin, have you packed your suitcase? Don't forget anything, and remember to keep your money close to you."

“My dear mother, you’ve said it ten times already!!” Xia Minmin counted carefully on her fingers.

This suitcase was a small size that Li Chunmei specially bought at the mall. It was just the right size to hold Xia Minmin's clothes, and she could push it around without any problem.

"Let's go, let your dad take you to the train station. Your grandparents and cousin are waiting for you there!"

"Mom, don't think about your dear daughter for the next ten days." Xia Minmin gave Li Chunmei a big hug, although she only hugged Li Chunmei's legs.

When he met Xia Jianguo, he repeatedly mentioned the safety issue. This was the first time in Xia Minmin's life that she had left her parents to travel far away from home, so it was inevitable that Xia Jianguo and his family would be anxious.

"Sister Qing, I'm here!" Xia Minmin let go of the suitcase she was pushing and ran towards Li Qing.

Xia Jianguo had no choice but to take Xia Minmin's suitcase and deliver it to Xia's maternal grandparents. He really didn't know whether Xia Minmin was mature or Li Qing was naive, but the two sisters were only a few years apart in age and had such a good relationship.

Grandma Xia said, "Jianguo, go back! Don't worry, we'll take good care of Xiaomin."

"Mom and Dad, please be careful. I'll be going now. Xiaomin, Dad's leaving. You have to listen to your grandparents."

"Goodbye, Dad. I'll be home soon." Xia Minmin waved.

Xia Minmin wandered around like a wild horse. Luckily, Li Qing followed her, otherwise Xia's maternal grandparents would have been worried sick. This brat was too difficult to manage.

······

"Jianguo, do you think our daughter misses us?"

"Don't worry, with our daughter's carefree nature, she's probably already forgotten about us!"

"I wonder how they are doing now?"

"Just stay put, your daughter is very clever."

"Alright."

······

Xia Minmin was having a great time every day and never thought about her elderly parents.

"Xia Lao Er, you're living a life of luxury now. Your son and daughter have settled down in Shenzhen. You're not like us anymore!"

"What's the difference? It's still just two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. What you're saying is really awful!"

"Second brother, are you planning to go after the New Year? Why isn't Zhonghua back?"

"I'll be going to Shenzhen on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month after I come back this time."

"Aren't you all spending the Lunar New Year at home?"

"Yes, I came back this time for my older brother's birthday. Zhonghua and the others are going to take us to Beijing for fun during the first month of the lunar calendar."

"Brother, you're really living the good life now, even going to Beijing for tourism. Take lots of pictures and bring them back to us next time. I probably won't have the chance to go to Beijing in my lifetime."

"Yes! Let's go see the Chairman!"

······

The reunion was always too short. Before leaving, Xia Minmin went to sweep her grandparents' graves in advance.