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Qi Dazhu began arranging for people to clear the land, hoping to get the hilltop ready as soon as possible so that it would be convenient to transplant saplings next year.
They'll be starting to dig up the river in ten days, so they need to hurry and not delay.
He Jingyu and Wang Shuping, as the commanders-in-chief, were also busy with various tasks.
Most of the housework fell on He Tiantian's shoulders, and Qi Daniu would come over to help when she had free time.
He Tiantian brought Qi Danu a pair of brown leather shoes from the United States. Actually, girls look better in red and white, but given the current situation in China, girls are not allowed to wear such flashy clothes, so she chose shoes with a nicer style and a darker color.
Qi Danu came often, so she became friends with Qi Zhengmin.
Anna sometimes helps with washing vegetables, but asking her to cook in the kitchen is too much of a burden for her.
Secretary Qi's prestige in the village is now higher than ever before, and everyone is extremely enthusiastic about clearing the land. They have completed the clearing in just eight days.
Secretary Qi counted the number of people and led the able-bodied men of the village to dig the river, leaving some women behind to use the withered grass, branches, and other materials at home to compost fertilizer according to He Jingyu and Wang Shuping's requirements for next year's use.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, Qi Shuliang and his men have been here for more than twenty days.
With the departure date fast approaching, Qi Shuliang was getting restless because his mother wouldn't allow him to leave.
“Mother, we’re all leaving now. We’re worried about leaving you alone,” Qi Shuliang said, trying his best to persuade his mother to leave with him.
Grandma Qi had already decided that she wouldn't go out this time.
“Son, I’m not going,” said Grandma Qi. “I know you’re doing well, and that’s enough for me. I was happy in America, but I’m still used to life here. Now that you’re successful, I’ll have an even better time here, and no one will make things difficult for me.”
"But Mother, I miss you so much!" Qi Shuliang said. "With you all alone, I can't rest easy no matter where I go!"
"Alright, you've been away from home for so many years, and I've been doing just fine," Grandma Qi said. "Besides, there are your brother Dazhu and sister-in-law in the village who can take care of me. Tiantian and her parents are also with me, so I'm not lonely. With people taking care of me, you don't need to worry."
Qi Shuliang was in a dilemma, scratching his meticulously combed hair, feeling very irritated.
Just then, Qi Zhengmin came in from outside and said, "Dad, I'll stay here to take care of Grandmother for you."
"Huh?" Qi Shuliang was startled. He hadn't even managed to appease the old man yet, and now there was another disobedient little one. He was speechless!
“Dad, I’m staying here to keep Grandma company,” Qi Zhengmin said. “I like it here, and I want to stay.”
"No, Zhengmin, are you not going to school anymore?" Grandma Qi was touched, but she would not agree to let her granddaughter stay.
Now is the age for school, so we can't neglect our studies.
“Grandmother, I can learn on my own,” Qi Zhengmin said. “Grandmother is getting old and doesn’t want to leave her homeland. Since you can’t stay by her side to take care of her, let me stay here.”
Anna overheard her daughter's words outside and wanted to dissuade her, but she was worried that it would offend her daughter and upset her husband and mother-in-law.
Anna really doesn't feel comfortable here; she wants to go back to New York.
“Zhengmin, Grandma knows you’re a good child, but you’re still young and you must go to school. When you grow up and finish your studies, you can come and stay with me,” said Grandma Qi. She also wanted her granddaughter to stay by her side, but she was doing the child a disservice.
Qi Shuliang thought for a moment and said, "Mother, let Zhengmin stay. She can learn the material on her own."
“No!” said Grandma Qi. She could see that Anna was not used to being here.
Qi Zhengmin is Anna's daughter, and she probably doesn't want her daughter to stay either. She can't let her stubbornness upset her daughter-in-law, and she can't delay her granddaughter's studies.
Just as Grandma Qi and Qi Shuliang were discussing whether to stay or leave, Bai Qiongyu also called He Jingyu, Wang Shuping, and He Tiantian over.
“I’ll be leaving in a few days. My business in New York can’t be left without me. I wanted to ask what your plans are?” Bai Qiongyu said hopefully, hoping that her son and his family would come back with her.
With such a large family fortune, someone has to inherit it!
He Jingyu thought for a moment and said, "I've discussed this with Shuping and Tiantian. Here's what I'm thinking: Tiantian is still too young and hasn't married Huo Yingjie yet, so we're worried about leaving her alone in China. Once she's married to Huo Yingjie and someone is taking care of her, we'll go to America to be filial to you."
Bai Qiongyu was a little disappointed, but the fact that her son didn't refuse to go to the United States was already a good result.
“Yes, Tian Tian doesn’t want to go. You’re all worried about leaving her alone in the country,” Bai Qiongyu said. “Alright, I’ll go back first and wait for you in America.”
Seeing that his mother wasn't forcing him, He Jingyu felt less nervous and smiled, saying, "Mother, you're in good health, please take care of yourself."
“Alright, I’ll hold on for a few more years before retiring,” Grandma Qi said. “It’s settled then, and I won’t make things difficult for you. By the way, I want to come back and visit Nanshi to pay my respects to your father.”
As husband and wife, we once truly loved each other. Since we're here, we can't not go and see each other.
“Sure, when would be a good time for you? I’ll take you there,” He Jingyu said. His father couldn’t let go of his mother even on his deathbed, and perhaps his father also hoped that his mother would visit him.
“Then let’s do it tomorrow,” Bai Qiongyu said. “Then we’ll wait for Mr. Qi in Nanshi.” Bai Qiongyu added that the special train needed to be coordinated to stop in Nanshi.
After discussing it, He Jingyu went to Qi Shuliang to tell him that his mother was going to Nanshi to pay respects to his father. He happened to overhear his sworn brother and sworn mother arguing.
"Brother, I apologize for disturbing you." He Jingyu said with a smile, "Don't worry, Shuping and I are here at home, and Tiantian will take good care of our godmother."
Grandma Qi and Qi Shuliang were both surprised.
"Jingyu, aren't you going to America with your mother?" Grandma Qi asked. She had already guessed the outcome; Bai Meimei must be very sad.
He Jingyu smiled and said, "We won't go now. Tian Tian and Ying Jie are still young. We'll go and take care of our mother after they get married."
Grandma Qi understood and nodded, saying, "Yes, it's indeed inconvenient for Tian Tian to go anymore. Shu Liang, you've seen it too, your sworn brother's family is here, what am I afraid of?"
Seeing his mother's firm resolve, Qi Shuliang had no choice but to agree, saying, "Mother, then take good care of yourself. I'll come to see you whenever I have time."
"It's settled then," Grandma Qi said with a smile. "By the way, Jingyu, is there anything else you need to do?"
"There is something I need to do. My mother wants to go to Nanshi to pay respects to my father. I'd like to take her there first, and then when you pass through Nanshi, please stop the train and pick her up," He Jingyu said. After all, the distance from Nanshi to Yanjing is too far, and his mother wouldn't be able to get a good rest in a regular sleeper car.
(To be continued.)
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