The next day was Saturday, and Sheng Xiping's eldest aunt and Sheng Xiuying, who had married out of the main branch of the family, rushed back after learning that Sheng Xiping had returned.

In the afternoon, Sheng Xiping's fourth uncle, Sheng Lianqiu and his family, also rushed back from the city.

Sheng Lianqiu was five years younger than Sheng Liancheng. At that time, she was also in the upper elementary school, but her family was too poor to afford to continue her education.

Just then, Sheng Liancheng found a job in Northeast China and sent money back home. He also instructed his family to make sure that his fourth and fifth children could go to school.

Sheng Lianqiu then continued her junior high school education, and then took the entrance exam for a teachers' college in the city. After graduation, she was assigned to teach at a school in the city.

His wife is also a teacher. The couple got married in the city, settled down, and had three children.

"Your fifth uncle called me and said he lives too far away to come back, so he wants you to stay at home for a while."

When are you heading back? I'll take a bus to Jinan and see you.

Sheng Lianqiu was also very happy to see his eldest nephew, and then relayed his fifth brother's words to Sheng Xiping.

"Fourth Uncle, I'm out on business, and I've been away for over a month. I can't delay any longer."

I'll see how things go on the way back. I don't even know where my ticket will lead yet. If I pass through Jinan, I'll definitely go see my fifth uncle.

Sheng Xiping nodded. These days, life isn't easy for anyone. It's fine if you live nearby, but if you live far away, it's inconvenient to take a bus or something. I can understand that.

He was able to see most of his family members during his trip back, which is good enough.

Sheng Xiping stayed at the Sheng family's old house for two days and got along well with his cousins. The group chatted and laughed together, making it a very lively occasion.

We also went to the market in Zhangji Commune together, and because it was hot, we went to bathe in the pond behind the village.

Although we used to live far apart and had few opportunities to meet, blood relatives are different after all. When we do meet, we feel especially close and can play together.

"Grandpa, Grandma, I rarely come back, so I'd like to go to Beichangji to visit my maternal grandparents."

On the evening of the 23rd, Sheng Xiping sat with his grandparents in the courtyard enjoying the cool air and brought up the matter.

Zhang Shuzhen's family home was located in Beichangji Village, Zhongxing Commune, sixteen miles away from Zhaozhuang.

Since Sheng Xiping rarely comes back, he felt he had to visit his maternal grandparents, so he consulted with the old man of the Sheng family.

"Yes, we should go see your grandfather. He's two years younger than me, and his legs haven't been working well these past few years, so he doesn't go out much. There have been times when I haven't seen him."

The two villages were not far apart, and the Sheng and Zhang families were relatives. They usually kept in touch with each other, whether it was a big or small matter.

In recent years, both of the old men have gotten older and rarely go out anymore.

Most of the social interactions involved Sheng Lianyi, Zhang Shoushan, and the younger generation.

And so, after breakfast the next day, Sheng Xiping set off for Beichangji.

"Good boy, take these with you and send them to your grandmother." Before Sheng Xiping could leave, the old lady of the Sheng family hurriedly called to him.

The old lady opened the cabinet, took out two packets of pastries that Sheng Xiping had brought, and also took out two packets of fried dough twists that others had given her.

The old lady meant that if her grandson took these things, they wouldn't need to buy anything else.

"Grandma, no need. I'll buy something else for my grandpa. You and Grandpa can keep these for yourselves."

You're getting old, you should eat better. Don't hoard everything and be reluctant to spend it, otherwise it will all go bad.

Is Sheng Xiping the kind of person who's short of money? Of course he wouldn't take it, and he even tried to persuade the old lady.

Of course, saying this is useless. That's how the older generation lived. They never ate the good things themselves and saved them for gifts.