The closer Yi Zhe got to the Commercial Bureau Guesthouse, the faster his heart beat. He pinched his thigh hard and silently repeated his wife's name in his heart.

"Brother, why are there more foreigners here than in Beijing?"

"Nothing strange about that. There are definitely more than just Chinese people coming to the export trade fair. Have you confirmed how long you've been here this time?"

"At least a month. I'll start my grassroots work tomorrow. If I go back here, the semester will almost be over. If I didn't have to go back for exams, I wouldn't even have to go back and forth."

Yi Zhe shook his head and smiled. This kid is still so playful!

"By the way, when is my sister-in-law giving birth? Grandma asked her to return to Beijing, did you know that?"

"It's already been arranged. My mother will come over to take care of her during the confinement period. Go back and tell her not to worry. The medical facilities here are not bad."

Yi Jiefang nodded after hearing what he said. He didn't try to persuade him to return to Beijing to work. As his great-grandfather's eldest grandson, his cousin had a great responsibility.

"If you encounter any problems at the grassroots level, remember to go to the army and find someone. Don't just wait for the teacher to solve them. Especially since you promised the Zhou family, you must keep an eye on Zhou Jiao."

Yi Jiefang tilted his neck and shook his head, "I was dragged onto this pirate ship."

"Nonsense." Yi Zhe hesitated for a moment, then continued, "When you go out, remember to remind her to dress as low-key as possible. Girls who dress beautifully outside are easily noticed."

Yi Jiefang laughed heartily upon hearing this, "Brother, that little devil is very clever. I was just worried that she would run away without saying goodbye. But it's okay, starting tomorrow she won't be able to escape from my grasp."

Yi Zhe glanced at him with a smile in his eyes. He didn't mention Zhou Jiao anymore, but mentioned something else. "Don't wander around when you get to the border city. We've caught a lot of illegal immigrants this year."

Yi Jiefang nodded in understanding, indicating he was well aware of the situation. He had already learned the details of the train station incident earlier this year from his father, otherwise he wouldn't have skipped his summer vacation.

Arriving at the guesthouse under the Commerce Bureau, Yizhe personally asked the waiter. He learned that Cheng Ruzhu had not returned yet, and guessed that the aunt and niece had eaten wherever they went.

He suppressed his anxiety and began to analyze where they were most likely to go. Given Zhou Jiao's personality, she must have liked quietness. Since it was her first time here and she didn't have a local receipt, she definitely wouldn't go shopping in the mall.

As an officer of the Commercial Bureau, Cheng Ruzhu might have overseas remittance vouchers. For places that others cannot enter, perhaps the aunt and niece can go to the Friendship Store.

Thinking of this, he looked up at the sky, called his anxious cousin, and planned to drive there to take a look, maybe he could meet her.

"Brother, shouldn't we wait?"

"They'll come back after eating. I'll take you to a place to look for them. If they're not there, we can eat them ourselves first. Come back later."

As Yi Jiefang followed him out, he asked curiously, "What restaurant? Do you know?"

"Friendship Store. Let's go over there and take a look first."

Yi Jiefang struck him with both hands, grabbed him, and ran away. "It must be there! No mistake. I heard Zhou Jiao mention it last time. A few years ago, you could go to the Friendship Store. I didn't expect that now you need not only a ticket but also proof. She also said with regret that if she had known, she would have gone there more often."

Yi Zhe smiled when he heard this. This is really her, always knowing how to be content with what she has! If someone didn't know the ins and outs of things, he would definitely do whatever he wanted in the capital by relying on his connections.

Yi Zhe drove to a building not far away, but he did not drive in. There was a red notice on the door: This store is receiving foreign guests, no unauthorized persons allowed to enter.

In fact, he understood better than anyone that in addition to serving foreigners and diplomats, some local officials could also enter with their ID cards. For example, Cheng Ruzhu, who worked at the Commerce Bureau, could buy things as long as she had overseas remittance coupons.

However, he himself was far from having such authority, and of course he disdained to use connections to buy things. If he really wanted something, just by relying on his Yi family's brand, there would be people who would kowtow and give it to him. But who would lower the dignity of a soldier for such external things?

Just as he expected, Zhou Jiao and Cheng Ruzhu were indeed inside the Friendship Store.

At this moment, Zhou Jiao was shaking her head in boredom.

"Why? Still don't like it?"

Zhou Jiao took her arm and gestured for her to leave. If she spoke, she was worried that the overseas Chinese customers beside her would follow suit. To earn more foreign exchange, she would be foolish to let these banana people slip away.

Cheng Ruzhu had no choice but to go out with her, carrying a bag of chocolates. Once they were away from everyone, she whispered, "I saved the ticket just for you. Don't you really want to buy anything?"

Zhou Jiao shook her head lazily, "Really? I don't have any! We don't need these things at home, and it would be troublesome to bring them back."

Cheng Ruzhu laughed. "You kid... Never mind. I'll leave you some receipts so you can buy whatever you need later. Do you want to come over and help? Our section chief wants you to help check the accounts."

"Aunt, please don't mention this to anyone else. It's not my job, so I can't interfere. They're doing this to honor our family, so why would they need an amateur like me to show off my skills in front of them?"

Cheng Ruzhu looked at her with a half-smile. Don't think she didn't know her secrets. Didn't she see that when she said she wanted to look for her niece, the section chief even offered to treat the girl to dinner?

"Auntie, where are we going to eat?"

"Where else can we go? You're worried about the negative impact." Cheng Ruzhu was also helpless. This child likes to hide. Just now, when he went to pick her up, she was wearing that "battle suit" again. She really wanted to take a picture and show it to her cousin. Could her own child really be so subservient?

Zhou Jiao wrinkled her nose at her, and waited for her to laugh before saying, "I'm not used to Western food. Let's find a century-old restaurant. I want to try Cantonese cuisine."

"Well, whatever you say. Let's go..."

"Zhou Jiao...here...Zhou Jiao, I'm here."

Before Cheng Ruzhu could finish her words, Yi Jiefang on the opposite side happened to see them coming out and immediately shouted loudly.

Zhou Jiao took a look and quickened her pace. "Aunt, it's Da Yi. Is that soldier next to him Grandpa Yi's eldest grandson? Yi Minshu's eldest brother Yi Zhe?"

"I don't know. I saw it when I was a kid."

Zhou Jiao approached, took another look, and said with certainty: "It's Yi Zhe who has been here for many years. I have seen him several times and I won't mistake him."

Cheng Ruzhu didn't care much about it. It was normal to meet the Yi family when she came to the south.

Yi Jiefang waited for them to come over and said with a smile, "Aunt Ruzhu, you're really here. This is my brother Yizhe. I originally came here to treat Xiaowu and his wife to dinner. Now it's okay, shall we go together?"

When they first met, Yi Zhe really didn't know how to address Cheng Ruzhu. Calling her "Auntie" didn't seem appropriate either. He smiled at the two of them and said, "Hello."

"Is it Uncle Yi's little tiger girl? You were so young back then and still knew to call me Auntie, how come you don't recognize me now?"

Yi Zhe really had no impression, but after hearing what she said, he glanced at Zhou Jiao, who was covering her mouth with her hands and laughing, and said, "Auntie, are you on a business trip?"

"Yes, I'll be back in a week." Cheng Ruzhu found him more amused the more she looked at him, and asked jokingly, "Why haven't you gone home yet? Is your mother still practicing Mucang?"

When Yi Zhe heard her mention her mother practicing Mucang, he immediately remembered who she was! He immediately smiled and said, "Is my aunt's Hongying Mucang still there?"

Cheng Ruzhu patted his shoulder and laughed happily, "You thought of me now? Is your mother still in Northeast China?"

Zhou Jiao and Yi Jiefang, who were watching the fun, winked at each other. It seemed that there was more to the story.

"Let's get in the car first." Yi Zhe looked at Zhou Jiao's playful and cute appearance, and with a smile on his face, he opened the car door and let them in. "My dad is there, she can't leave."

"Brother, where are we going to eat?"

Yi Zhe started the car and turned to look at the two of them when he heard the words.

Seeing this, Cheng Ruzhu smiled and said, "Let's find an old restaurant and eat Cantonese food. You decide which one is good, we'll follow your advice."

Zhou Jiao saw him looking at her and nodded with a smile.

Yizhe smiled happily and said, "I'll take you to have a look. If you don't like it, we can change it."

While driving towards the high-priced private restaurant, Yi Zhe was answering while thinking about asking Master Fan to prepare some exquisite small snacks, which girls should like.