"Hongmei, come and sit down, it'll be starting soon."

Zhang Hongmei sat down next to Liu Jingze, who asked in a low voice, "Hongmei, how come you're so familiar with the driver and the ticket seller?"

"We got the wild boar before the Mid-Autumn Festival and sold the pork to the driver and ticket seller."

"Did you bring the pork to the market to sell?"

"Yes, I got over two hundred catties. I mainly used it as a gift for Brother Dashan and the others, and also to repay Huang Ying from the post office for her favor."

Last time, we put the meat and the bicycle in the car.

"Hongmei, why are you so kind to me?"

"Am I okay? I don't think so."

Liu Jingze smiled and shook his head. "Hongmei, do you think Grandma will praise you when she finds out about your grades? She'll definitely give you a prize." Liu Jingze changed the subject; he couldn't say that now.

"There's a prize? Did you receive one last year? What was it?"

"What I want is money. What about you? Let me tell you, the old lady has quite a few good things. If you're not short of money, ask her to give you some jade. I once saw a pair of bracelets with exceptionally good clarity."

"Hehe, Jingze, wouldn't you call this a traitor? Aren't you betraying your own side?"

"You brat, it's all because of you that you're making fun of me and insulting me?"

"Hehe, I was wrong. Even if Grandma really gave me something valuable, I wouldn't dare to accept it."

"Why wouldn't you dare? Just accept what your elders give you. Don't be shy. In the old lady's eyes, you're closer than I am now."

"Hehe, is that so? I am your daughter, your sweet little cotton-padded jacket, and you still don't believe me."

"Yes, I believe you this time." Liu Jingze was actually afraid that Zhang Hongmei would be scared, so he always tried to find topics to talk about with her to distract her.

“Hongmei, I’m serious, if Grandma lets you choose, you should choose that bracelet.”

"Since you like it so much, you should keep it for your wife or daughter."

"No, I'll leave it to you."

"Really, I really can't accept anything too expensive."

"If you give it to me, I'll take it. Grandma has plenty of good stuff."

Zhang Hongmei really didn't want to continue this topic with Liu Jingze.

"Brother Jingze, can we move into the house you bought right away?"

"Don't worry, I've already had it repaired and cleaned. You can rest assured. I've even prepared a bed for you."

What bed?

"The canopy bed I bought is the kind of bed that wealthy families used to give as part of their daughters' dowry. It's made of rosewood and has never been used before. I had a carpenter repair it again."

"That's great! I'll buy a canopy bed next time I have the chance. I like those."

“Sure, if we can’t buy it, we’ll buy the wood and find someone to make it. Don’t worry, we’ll definitely get you a canopy bed.”

"Brother Jingze, you've only been in the capital for a year and you're already so familiar with everything?"

"Hehe, my family used to live in the capital, and my great-grandmother's influence was also concentrated there."

"So you're very familiar with the capital?"

"It's alright. Actually, I'm quite familiar with Haishi. I go there every year."

Although we have a house in the capital, we moved back to Liujiatun almost 30 years ago, and that's just where our family stays.

I don't go back to the capital every year. But even so, I have no problem being your guide and showing you around, showing you things to eat and drink.

"That's great! I'd love to eat and play all the local delicacies."

"That's not very realistic. It's quite chaotic there now. Not everyone is on edge, but nobody's just casually eating, drinking, and having fun."

“Brother Jingze, let’s not talk about such heavy topics, or I’ll regret going to the capital.”

"Hehe, it's no use regretting it now. You've already filled out your college applications."

"Actually, I really want to stay in Liujiatun for the rest of my life and never leave. I just want to live a peaceful and comfortable life."

"How could someone so young have such thoughts?"

"Maybe I'm mentally older than my great-grandmother."

"Hehe, if Grandma heard this, she'd definitely beat you up."

"No way, we're really good friends."

The two chatted quietly the whole time; they were the only two people on the bus, along with the driver and ticket seller.

The car is driving really slowly. If it were before, we would probably be in the county by now. We still have a third of the way to go.

Zhang Hongmei took out the water bottle, which wasn't too cold yet, and gulped down a few mouthfuls, looking at Liu Jingze who was gazing at her longingly.

"Brother Jingze, didn't you bring any water?"

"No, I forgot."

"If you don't mind, you can use my water bottle."

"How could I possibly dislike it?" Liu Jingze couldn't be happier.

"Hongmei, are you really going back to fishing?"

"Of course! Let me tell you, my fish balls are especially delicious. Last time my great-grandmother was angry and wouldn't eat anything, but she ate two big bowls of fish balls that I made for her."

"Really? Then I want to eat it too."

"We have to catch fish first. Without fish, where will the fish balls come from?" Zhang Hongmei rolled her eyes at Liu Jingze. "You think you can just have whatever you want?"

"I believe we'll definitely catch some fish this year. If we catch a lot, we'll bring some back for the teachers."

"That's a good idea. Let's go to the market on the 15th and see if they sell fishing nets. If not, we can ask Uncle Zhao or Da Shan's dad. They know how to weave fishing nets, and they all need to be big-eyed. The only question is whether we can go down into the pond now because of the water level."

No, I'll go up the mountain to check it out as soon as I get back. I still want to eat sweet and sour fish.

"I'll go wherever you go. By the way, do you still have the jade pendant you got last year?"

"No, I saved it. I'm afraid I'll lose it."

"No, go back and put it on right away. Look, mine is perfectly fine, isn't it?" Liu Jingze pulled the jade pendant out from inside the collar of his shirt.

"I really don't like wearing jewelry or anything like that; I find it too much trouble."

"What trouble? It won't get in the way. Listen to me, take it with you when you go back. Old Yu is the best at taking care of people."

"I'll try it when I get back. If it's uncomfortable to wear, then I'll pass."

"Hongmei, if you don't like wearing jewelry, why did you change it?"

"I like jewelry, but I don't like wearing it."

"What kind of hobby is this? Do you just enjoy collecting things?"

"That's right, when I get to the capital, I'll go there often and exchange as much as I can."

"Sigh! I just can't do anything with you, this abnormal hobby of yours. Other girls buy and change jewelry to look beautiful, to wear out, but you... Don't worry, I'll go with you to buy and change jewelry every week. I've studied some jade identification, I definitely won't let you be fooled."

"Jingze, you've studied this before? That's amazing!"

"It's nothing, I'll teach you later. We're just learning to appreciate art, not trying to make a living from it. I've only learned a little bit, so I can only teach you a little bit."

"That's great. My God, we're already in the county, this means we have our own private car now."