Noticing that Wu Er was staring intently outside, Su Jianguo couldn't help but ask him curiously.

"Second brother, what are you looking at so intently?"

Wu Er didn't turn around, his voice filled with childlike excitement.

"Memorizing the route... I'm memorizing the route..."

"Memorize the route? What's the point of memorizing the route?"

Wu Ermaitai then turned his head, a naive smile appearing on his dirty face.

"That way, when I miss Brother Jianguo, I can walk over to visit you myself!"

Su Jianguo choked up and suddenly couldn't speak.

This fool, despised by the world, actually cherished their friendship so much.

He recalled that when he was a child, he was indeed the only child in the village who did not mind Wu Er's unkempt appearance, and often took him along to catch fish and raid bird nests.

Those childhood trifles he had long forgotten became the most precious memories in Wu Er's heart.

The car bumped along towards the city, and Wu Ermai was once again immersed in the scenery outside the window.

He would occasionally exclaim in surprise, pointing to a field or village and excitedly telling Su Jianguo what fun things there were to do.

Su Jianguo listened patiently, a long-lost warmth welling up in his heart.

Sunlight streamed through the car window, casting overlapping shadows on the two people and the car floor.

A well-dressed city worker and a ragged village idiot sat side by side like true brothers.

Su Jianguo suddenly realized that the biggest gain from this trip back to the village was perhaps rediscovering this pure friendship.

...

The bus slowly came to a stop at the Beijing Bus Station, its wheels making a dull thud as they rolled over the potholes in the concrete. (Su)

Jianguo patted Wu Er, who was sleeping by the window, and said it was dirty.

"Second brother, we've arrived."

Wu Er woke up with a start, drool still on the corner of his mouth.

He rubbed his eyes, pressed his face against the car window and looked out, his cloudy eyes sparkling with childlike curiosity.

"So many people! It's even more lively than the village market!"

Passengers in the carriage have begun packing their luggage and preparing to disembark.

The women sitting in the front row glanced back at Wu Ermai, unconsciously wrinkled their noses, and moved to the side.

Su Jianguo saw this and silently stepped in front of Wu Ertai.

"Brother Jianguo..."

Wu Er, sensitive to others' disgust, twisted his dirty fingers together.

"Maybe...maybe I should just go back..."

"Stop talking nonsense."

Su Jianguo picked up Wu Er's dirty little bundle.

"We agreed to stay in the city for a few days, how can we go back on our word?"

Wang Xiulan walked over with her two children in her hands and smiled gently at Wu Ermaitai.

"Second brother, I'll make you some shredded pork noodles when we get home."

Da Mao and Er Mao hid behind their grandmother's legs, timidly peeking at this strange "grandfather".

When getting off the bus, Su Jianguo deliberately walked next to Wu Ermaitai to block the strange looks from him.

The train station in Beijing was bustling with noise, and the cries of vendors in various accents rose and fell.

Wu Er was so timid, like a country boy who had just arrived in the city, that he couldn't see anything and almost bumped into a vendor pushing a wheelbarrow.

"Watch where you're going!"

Su Jianguo grabbed him.

"The city is different from the countryside; there are so many cars and people. Stay close to me."

The family squeezed out of the station, and Su Jianguo flagged down two tricycles on the roadside.

He had Wang Xiulan take the two children and their luggage in one car, while he, Wu Ermaitai, and Su Yufen took another car.

The tricycle drove through the bustling street, and Wu Ermaitai's eyes widened as he pointed at the buildings on the roadside and exclaimed in surprise.

"Brother Jianguo! Why is that building so tall?"

"Wow, that girl's pants are so short!"

Su Yufen couldn't help but laugh out loud, while Su Jianguo patiently responded to each question.

Looking at Wu Er's innocent and naive appearance, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

This fool, despised by the entire village, possessed the purest heart.

The tricycle turned into a hutong, and a familiar courtyard house came into view.

Su Jianguo paid the fare and took out his keys to open the courtyard gate.

"We're home!"

He announced loudly.

Wang Xiulan put down her luggage and patted her apron.

"Yufen, come help Mom cook. Mingfu, go to the hospital and pick up your sister. Tell her we're back."

Su Mingfu responded and ran outside, while Su Jianguo told him to get his own bicycle.

Then he pulled Wu Er into the main room and made him sit at the octagonal table.

"Second brother, take a rest for a while and have some water."

Su Jianguo poured a cup of tea and pushed it over.

"I have something to tell you after we finish eating."

Wu Ermaitai held the teacup with both hands and carefully took a sip.

The kitchen was filled with the sounds of pots and pans clattering and the aroma of stir-fried dishes.

Su Jianguo took out the rental contract that his eldest daughter, Su Yufen, had already signed and sat down at the table.

"Second Brother."

He lowered his voice.

"I'm taking you somewhere this afternoon, you'll have to do me a favor."

Wu Ermaitai immediately put down his teacup, his dirty face full of seriousness.

"Brother Jianguo, just say the word! I'll do anything for you!"

There's no need to be so tense.

Su Jianguo smiled and handed over the rental contract.