Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Knowing that Xia Qingqing and the others were returning to Beijing today, Liang Shuang and Ding Miao came to the Xia family early in the morning to see her off.
Liang Shuang held Xia Qingqing's hand tightly and said reluctantly, "Qingqing, remember to come visit me in Haishi next time you have a holiday, and Miaomiao too."
"Okay, I will definitely come," Xia Qingqing nodded earnestly.
"Shuangshuang, don't think we're a hassle when the time comes," Ding Miao said playfully.
"How could that be? I'd love for you to come and bother me as soon as possible," Liang Shuang said with a smile.
The three knew that after this separation, the earliest they would meet again was during the winter break, and of course, it might be longer. This last time together was all the more precious.
"Qingqing, are you done talking? We need to get going right away," Zhang Hongyan's voice came from outside the door.
Liang Shuang quickly stood up and said, "Qingqing, let's go out quickly, don't keep your aunt and the others waiting."
Ding Miao helped Xia Qingqing pick up the package that had already been packed on the bed and they left the room together.
Sitting on the oxcart, Xia Qingqing waved to the two of them, pretending to be relaxed: "You two should go back too. I'll write to you when I get to the capital."
Watching the oxcart drive away into the distance, Liang Shuang put her arm around Ding Miao's shoulder: "Today we're taking Qingqing off, the day after tomorrow it'll be your turn to take me off."
Zhang Jianguo's vacation lasts only half a month. He will be returning to his unit in a few days, and Liang Shuang will also be returning directly to Haishi.
Ding Miao's nose was already sore, and when she heard Liang Shuang's words, tears almost fell directly: "You won't be satisfied until you make me cry, will you?"
Liang Shuang poked her cheek and said with a smile, "Then why don't you come with me to Haishi for a few days?"
"Let's forget about it. I'll come find you with Qingqing next time we have time," Ding Miao shook her head.
Zhang Jianguo, who had been standing silently to the side, suddenly spoke up and reminded her, "Shuangshuang, are you hungry? Why don't you go home and have breakfast first before you chat?"
Fearing they wouldn't make it in time to drop Xia Qingqing off, they got up, washed up, and went straight to the Xia family home without even having breakfast.
Ding Miao slapped her forehead in annoyance: "Oh right, I almost forgot I hadn't eaten breakfast until Jianguo mentioned it. Shuangshuang, I'll head back now, I'll come find you to play later."
"Miao Miao is still so impatient," Liang Shuang said with a smile as she watched Ding Miao run away.
With no outsiders present, Zhang Jianguo silently took Liang Shuang's hand: "Let's go home."
Liang Shuang subconsciously looked up at Zhang Jianguo. The man's face still maintained a serious expression, but the slightly damp touch in his hand revealed his nervousness.
"Let's go home," Liang Shuang said, grabbing Zhang Jianguo's large hand and playfully shaking it.
A faint smile unconsciously curved the corners of Zhang Jianguo's mouth.
Two days later, Xia Qingqing and her group finally arrived in Beijing.
As soon as they got off the train, Gou Dan started complaining: "It's so hot! I feel like I'm melting in the sun. Hey, there seems to be an ice pop vendor over there."
Xia Qingqing looked in the direction Gou Dan was pointing, and sure enough, there were two styrofoam boxes under the shade of the tree selling popsicles, and there were quite a few people gathered around.
Sure enough, there are always people who know how to make money. People who have just gotten off the train are usually tired, thirsty, and hot, and most of them are willing to spend money to treat themselves when they see popsicles for sale.
Zhang Hongyan wiped the sweat from her forehead, took out 50 cents from her pocket with one hand and handed it to Gou Dan: "Go buy four popsicles. Your dad and I will eat mung bean ones. Qingqing, what flavor do you want?"
"I'll just eat the mung bean one," Xia Qingqing said, licking her slightly dry lips.
"Alright!" Gou Dan tossed the package in his hand to Xia Heping's feet and happily ran towards the popsicle vendor.
A little while later, Gou Dan returned with four popsicles, and didn't forget to return the remaining change to Zhang Hongyan: "Mom, I bought three mung bean popsicles and one milk popsicle, and the shopkeeper gave me 3 mao in change."
Zhang Hongyan didn't take it, but said, "Keep it for yourself to buy snacks, just don't spend it all at once."
Dog Egg's eyes lit up. He stuffed the money into his pocket and smiled obsequiously at Zhang Hongyan, "Hehe, thank you, dear Mom~".
He smiled and tore open the popsicle wrapper, taking a big bite: "Phew, it's so refreshing to eat a popsicle on such a hot day."
After arriving home, Xia Heping checked the locks in each room and breathed a sigh of relief when he found no signs of forced entry.
Although they carried all their money with them, as the saying goes, even a broken home is worth a fortune. Their clothes and bedding were all in very good condition, and they would be heartbroken if they were stolen.
After putting down her luggage, Zhang Hongyan began to assign tasks: "Qingqing, Gou Dan, you two are responsible for cleaning your own rooms. Heping, you are responsible for our rooms. I will take care of the kitchen and the main room. Any problems?"
"No problem," Xia Qingqing and Gou Dan said in unison, as they were already very familiar with the process.
Xia Heping quickly nodded, "Wife, I'm fine with it too."
"That's good. After we finish cleaning, we'll go to the state-run restaurant for dinner," Zhang Hongyan announced with a wave of her hand.
Upon hearing this, even Xia Qingqing looked at Zhang Hongyan with some surprise. What was going on today? Her mother had taken the initiative to buy popsicles and suggested going to a state-run restaurant for dinner, without Xia Qingqing having to persuade her at all.
Zhang Hongyan noticed her daughter's curious gaze and said with a smile, "What's wrong? Is it bad for your mother to be generous? Or do you want to eat at home?"
"No, no, no, let's go to the state-run restaurant instead," Xia Qingqing quickly waved her hand and said.
"If you want to go to the state-run restaurant, hurry up and get to work. Nobody will get any food if you don't finish," Zhang Hongyan said arrogantly, then turned and went into the kitchen to get a dishcloth.
Gou Dan quietly leaned close to Xia Qingqing and whispered, "Mom is being really generous today. Something feels off."
"What's wrong? Don't think about it so much. Go and do your cleaning," Xia Qingqing said with a smile, pushing him away.
Dog Egg grunted and muttered, "Mom's suddenly being so generous is making me a little unaccustomed to it."
Zhang Hongyan, who was washing a dishcloth in the kitchen, rolled her eyes when she heard her son talking to himself. She was just following the procedure from her last trip to Beijing. What was the big deal?
Besides, she must be very tired from taking the train for two days. Who wants to sit around the stove cooking in this hot weather? Can't she take a break too?
If Xia Qingqing knew Zhang Hongyan's thoughts, she would definitely feel gratified; her mother had finally learned to enjoy life.
It took the four of them more than an hour to clean the house inside and out.
After inspecting the food, Zhang Hongyan expressed her satisfaction: "Let's go eat at the state-run restaurant."
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