Li Xiangdong recalled that Zhou Hongsong's wife in his previous life was beautiful, but she was definitely not as fierce as Qiao Xiaohuan.

Why do I say that?

When Zhou Hongsong passed away in his previous life, Li Xiangdong went to pay his respects. He saw two children in the mourning hall. Upon inquiring, he learned that Zhou Hongsong's wife was so heartbroken that she was bedridden.

It's not that Li Xiangdong is being harsh. Of course, she was heartbroken and saddened by her husband's death, but at that time, there were internal and external troubles, and her child was still young. If she didn't stand up, how would she survive in the future?

However, everyone is different, and not everyone has the courage to face difficulties head-on.

Once Qiao Xiaohuan took a liking to Zhou Hongsong, she was willing to risk her reputation to pursue him relentlessly. After they became a couple, she even dared to step in to protect her future sister-in-law.

Even though Li Xiangdong previously felt that she lacked the reserve of a young girl, what use is elegance when it comes to marrying a wife and living together? It's this kind of fierce woman who can hold the household together and manage the family!

Therefore, Li Xiangdong fully agreed with Zhou Hongsong's statement.

Over there, after chatting about something, Zhou Hongmei came out with red eyes, and her relationship with Qiao Xiaohuan had become very intimate.

Ning Ruoruo led Li Yan and the others, who were covered in sweat, to wash up and change into clean clothes before they all gathered together.

After chatting about the Wu family for a while, Wu Jianjun hurriedly walked in.

He didn't dare sit down. He wiped the sweat from his brow and first reported to his brother-in-law and others what had just happened and how he had handled it.

"...I promised to give my family 30 yuan every month, and I won't let them interfere in our family affairs anymore."

Wu Jianjun turned to Zhou Hongmei, and said with a hint of guilt, "Hongmei, I didn't even discuss it with you before promising the money..."

Several faint bloodstains were still seeping from Wu Jianjun's face and neck. They weren't there when he left, so it was clear that he was scratched when he returned to the Wu family home.

Zhou Hongmei said with heartache, "It's alright, it's only thirty yuan, just give it to me!"

Thirty yuan is nothing; it's less than her noodle shop's daily profit.

As long as the problem can be solved with money, they'll have some peace and quiet; they'll spend the money if necessary.

Li Xiangdong and Zhou Hongsong shared the same idea; they realized they could solve the problem with money, and thankfully they weren't completely naive.

————

After lingering in Yanjing for two more days, Li Xiangdong led Ning Ruoruo and the others south to Pengcheng.

He planned to visit Professor Liu Minle first, and then head directly to Daishan Island.

This trip involved a very large group.

Li Xiangdong and Ning Ruoruo led the way, with Li Ping, Li Jiabao, Li Yan, and Li Weiran, making a group of six. They carried large bags and small suitcases, especially since there were many children this time, so they had to keep a close eye on them to make sure they didn't get lost.

Zhou Hongsong noticed the envious look in Qiao Xiaohuan's eyes, indicating that she really wanted to go, so he privately asked her if she wanted to go.

Qiao Xiaohuan's eyes lit up for a moment, then she shook her head.

Zhou Hongsong asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"

Qiao Xiaohuan bit her lip. "Hongmei is about to give birth. It's good enough if her in-laws don't cause trouble. Don't expect them to help. You and Hongmei don't have parents. Shouldn't we take care of her when she gives birth?"

Hearing her say that, Zhou Hongsong was deeply moved and felt a little ashamed. He had been thinking about Qiao Xiaohuan lately and had neglected his sister.

Zhou Hongsong stretched out his arms and pulled Qiao Xiaohuan into his embrace, holding her tightly and kissing her on the cheek.

Qiao Xiaohuan blushed and playfully punched him, "Look, someone's watching!"

Zhou Hongsong was overjoyed, and his feelings for Qiao Xiaohuan deepened even more.

In contrast to him, Li Xiangdong was in a terrible mood at the moment.

He, he, he really didn't expect that four little kids could be so noisy together!

The saying "Toads croaking in the bay after the rain" pales in comparison to these four people.

Li Xiangdong lay on the soft sleeper in despair, covering his head with his clothes, trying to isolate himself from them.

But Li Yan wasn't going to let him go. She climbed on top of him, ripped off his clothes, and excitedly exclaimed, "Brother! Brother! Wake up! Don't sleep! Look, there are so many mountains outside!"

Li Xiangdong stood up helplessly, "You've seen mountains before..."

Aren't the mountains in western Sichuan mountains?

"They're different!"

"What's the difference?"

Li Xiangdong almost couldn't sing it.

Ning Ruoruo watched from the side, smiling with her lips pursed.

Upon arriving in Shenzhen, they first booked three rooms at a hotel near Shenzhen University.

The hotel in Shenzhen, a bustling metropolis, boasts an interior that is the epitome of luxury and opulence.

As soon as they stepped into the lobby, they were greeted by a dazzling crystal chandelier. The floor was paved with polished marble, and the reception staff, dressed in neat uniforms, were warm and attentive.

Upon entering the guest room, one finds wallpaper on the walls, a soft bed, and neat bedding.

Li Xiangdong was very surprised. He did not expect that in Shenzhen in 1983, a hotel that did not look very big would be so luxurious.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. After all, this is a developed economic zone, and on the way here, there were just as many cars on the road as in Yanjing.

Here, tall buildings stand everywhere. The men wear sunglasses, have permed hair, and are dressed in suits and bell-bottoms. The women wear lipstick, leggings, and high heels, looking very fashionable and modern.

The air in Shenzhen seems more intense, unrestrained, bold, and free than anywhere else.

This was Li Weiran's first time traveling such a long distance, and she hesitated for a moment when she looked at the clean white bedding.

Ning Ruoruo noticed her hesitation and asked considerately, "What's wrong? Take off your coat and lie down on the bed for a while!"

Li Weiran shook her head. "Aunt Ning, my clothes are a little dirty."

Having been on the train for so long without changing her clothes, she was afraid of getting the clean sheets dirty.

Ning Ruoruo took her hand and led her to the bathroom, patiently teaching her how to use the showerhead. "Take a shower first, then rest."

Li Weiran nodded.

The showerhead we use at home is also different from this one, but they are very similar.

She quickly took a hot shower, changed into clean clothes, and then lay down on the bed to rest.

Although they had bought sleeper tickets, they still couldn't get a good rest on the train. As soon as they lay down on the comfortable beds, they quickly fell asleep.

When I woke up, the city lights were already on.

Li Xiangdong drew back the curtains and looked outside. The streets outside were bustling with traffic and noisy crowds. Many people wearing vests and shorts were sitting by the roadside eating dinner.

They woke up the other kids and the group randomly found a busy roadside food stall to eat at.

Claypot rice, rice noodle rolls, braised chicken feet in abalone sauce, cart noodles, crab roe wontons, Gongming roast goose...

The group ate with their mouths greasy.

Decades later, Li Weiran would still tell his grandchildren that the claypot rice on the streets of Pengcheng was really delicious, and that they could no longer taste that good flavor.