That night, Xia Qingqing didn't go back to her dormitory to sleep, but instead stayed at the guesthouse with Zhang Hongyan and the others.
Zhang Hongyan complained that Xia Qingqing was wasting money, not sleeping in her nice dormitory, but spending more than a dollar a night at the guesthouse.
Xia Qingqing pouted in dissatisfaction: "Oh dear, you're going home tomorrow night, can't I even spend more time with you?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hongyan and the other two felt instantly downcast.
Zhang Hongyan reluctantly held Xia Qingqing's hand and said, "Take good care of yourself after we go back. Remember to send home a few letters so we know how you are doing."
She was somewhat glad that she had learned to read from Xia Qingqing, so that she could write letters to her daughter whenever she missed her.
"I understand, I will definitely send two letters back every month," Xia Qingqing said, her eyes slightly red.
Gou Dan threw himself into Xia Qingqing's arms: "Sister, I will write to you too, you must miss me."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became somewhat melancholic.
Fortunately, everyone remembered that they had to get up early the next day. After chatting for a while, Xia Qingqing went back to her room to sleep.
I slept without any dreams.
......
The next day, Song Ze took the group to eat the famous Peking duck in Beijing, and then took them to visit the largest department store in Beijing.
Compared to the Pingxi County Supply and Marketing Cooperative, this department store is like a giant compared to a baby.
The department store has a wide variety of goods, from large items like the three major appliances to small items like needles and thread, and all kinds of daily necessities.
The three of them were overwhelmed by what they saw as soon as they entered.
When Xia Heping reached the second floor, he looked at the brand-new bicycle in front of him and was reluctant to leave.
A bicycle had been his dream for a long time; he even dreamed about owning one at night.
They couldn't afford it before because they didn't have the money. Now they have enough money, but they don't have bicycle tickets, so of course they can't bear to buy one.
Xia Qingqing noticed Xia Heping's gaze on the bicycle and wondered how she could find an excuse to take the bicycle from the system warehouse home next time.
She had Xiao Hui help her buy this bicycle before, and apart from occasionally using it when going to the county town, it was mostly left idle in the system warehouse.
She really wanted to take it home for her family, but she couldn't find a good excuse to bring the bicycle back. It was one of the "three turns and one sound" (a set of three essential items for a bicycle), and it was quite valuable.
She could tell Zhang Hongyan that they had made money through some means, because she knew her parents would definitely be on her side. But she couldn't let the other people in the brigade know about this. People's hearts are unpredictable, and maybe someone would dislike her family and report them.
Fortunately, there's no rush. In a few years, when the reform and opening-up policy sweeps across the land, she can not only buy bicycles for her family, but also motorcycles, tricycles, and cars—she can buy whatever she wants.
Ever since Zhang Hongyan entered the department store, she's been like a mouse in a rice jar, wanting to buy this and that.
Besides buying things for her own family, she also had to bring back things for people she was close to. In fact, the things she needed to bring back could be bought in the county, but everyone felt that the things from Beijing were more upscale, and they eagerly waited for Zhang Hongyan to bring them back from afar.
For example, Aunt Peach Blossom asked Zhang Hongyan to bring a piece of floral fabric, intending to make a new dress for her daughter to wear to her wedding. People would say that this dress was bought from the capital, how prestigious it is!
Song Ze bought a bunch of candies and pastries for Gou Dan, who was so happy that he was practically drooling. Song Ze coaxed Gou Dan into calling him "brother-in-law" over and over again.
Fortunately, Song Ze still had some sense. He only dared to let Gou Dan call him brother-in-law in private, but he wouldn't dare to do it in front of Zhang Hongyan and the other person.
At 6 p.m., Xia Qingqing and Song Ze saw Zhang Hongyan and the others off on their train home. At Zhang Hongyan's insistence, they bought them seat tickets, even though sleeper tickets were almost twice as expensive as seat tickets.
Xia Qingqing had no choice but to listen to them and buy seated tickets, otherwise she was afraid that Zhang Hongyan would be too upset to sleep at night.
Actually, she really wanted her parents to stay a few more days, but on the one hand, her school was about to start classes, and on the other hand, Xia Heping and the others couldn't stand being alone.
It takes four days to travel by train to and from Beijing, plus two days to play in Beijing, making a total of six days. They're getting anxious about not being able to work for so long, and Gou Dan also has to go back to school.
Zhang Hongyan secretly wiped away tears on the train: "I don't know if Qingqing will be able to manage here alone. What if someone bullies her?"
Xia Heping was also worried. The farthest his daughter had ever been was to attend high school in the county. When she missed home, she could come back every week. But after she went to university, they might only see each other once every few months.
Seeing his wife's reddened eyes, Xia Heping gently comforted her, "Don't worry, our daughter is much stronger than the two of us. She can definitely take good care of herself."
Dog Egg nodded his little head in agreement: "That's right, my sister said she'll bring us to Beijing again in the future. Mom, don't be sad, it makes me want to cry too."
“What do you mean, ‘come again’? Do you know how much it costs to come to Beijing? Don’t be a spendthrift like your sister!” Zhang Hongyan immediately stopped crying when she heard that they were going to come to Beijing again.
This trip cost them nearly a hundred yuan in total, including chartered car fees, accommodation, food, and drinks. Just thinking about it made Zhang Hongyan feel so distressed she could hardly breathe.
What can you do with a hundred-plus yuan? You can buy a watch or a bicycle, and it's all gone in less than a week.
Seeing his mother clutching her chest, Gou Dan whispered in protest, "My sister said that money isn't saved, it's earned. Don't worry, Mom, I'll definitely make a lot of money to support you in the future."
These words made Zhang Hongyan feel very comfortable, but she still pretended to be angry and tapped Gou Dan's little head: "I would be satisfied if you were half as good as your sister."
Dog Egg grinned foolishly: "Hehe, sister is the best."
——
After seeing her parents off at the train station, Xia Qingqing felt a little down.
After spending more than a year together, she came to regard Zhang Hongyan and Xia Heping as her parents, and she was still not used to leaving their side all of abruptly.
Song Zexian escorted Xia Qingqing back to school.
When they passed the grove of trees next to the dormitory, Song Ze pulled Xia Qingqing straight in.
Xia Qingqing chuckled and tickled his palm: "Comrade Song Ze, are you planning something naughty by dragging me into the woods so late?"
Song Ze's fair face flushed red instantly. He hadn't thought much when he pulled Xia Qingqing in; he simply didn't want to be separated from her and wanted to stay with her a little longer. Now, after being teased by Xia Qingqing like this, his heart started racing.
He stammered, "Qingqing, I...can I hug you? I miss you so much."
Without waiting for Xia Qingqing's response, he pulled her into his arms.
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