Seeing Zhao Lihan said so, Liu San couldn't refuse any further, so he could only reluctantly respond, "Well, since it's such a kind offer, we'll accept it. Thank you, sister!"
After the three of them inspected the factory, Liu San drove Wang Xiaolan and her husband to Xiangshui Village. Passing by the town supply and marketing cooperative, they bought a lot of goods to give to their neighbors.
As the car slowly drove into the village entrance, the previously quiet village suddenly became lively. A group of villagers who had been chatting gathered around the car like a swarm of disturbed bees, tightly surrounding it.
"Doctor Wang, it's been several years since we last met! Look at you, you're still the same as before, you haven't changed at all!" an elderly lady shouted enthusiastically.
"That's right, Dr. Wang, you are really getting younger and younger!" another uncle echoed.
"By the way, Dr. Wang, why didn't Dabao and Xiaobao come back with you two?" a woman asked curiously.
"Oh, they are all at my parents' house. They have to study and don't have time to come back." Wang Xiaolan replied with a smile.
"Li Han, I heard that you are now the head of a regiment? That's amazing! Our village has produced a high-ranking official, but that Zhao Sihai is blind..." An old man choked back his words in the middle of his sentence.
Someone then said, "Let's not talk about the old man's past. No matter what, Captain Zhao is a man who has gone beyond our village and is the pride of our village."
"No, no, it's all thanks to everyone." Zhao Lihan responded modestly.
Facing the villagers' enthusiastic greetings and various questions, Wang Xiaolan and her husband could only answer with a smile while distributing candy to everyone. However, the villagers seemed to have no intention of letting them go and continued to surround them with questions, making it difficult for them to escape.
At this moment, a low and gentle voice suddenly came.
"Everyone, please disperse. Doctor Wang and Captain Zhao must have had a hard time returning from Kyoto."
Hearing this voice, Wang Xiaolan's face immediately bloomed into a bright smile. She quickly turned her head and searched the crowd for the owner of the voice.
"Village Chief Xiao, long time no see!" Wang Xiaolan's voice was full of joy and kindness.
Village Chief Xiao walked towards them with a smile on his face. He nodded to Wang Xiaolan and Zhao Lihan, then turned and shouted to the villagers, "Disperse! Go to work."
Someone laughed and said, "Village Chief, we have finished clearing the land and there is no work left."
Village chief Xiao said, "Why don't you go to the factory and do some odd jobs to earn some money?" Then he waved his hand.
Although the villagers said they were reluctant, their bodies were still honest and they moved slowly and dispersed slowly.
The villagers all had a look of wanting more, their curiosity about the outside world clearly unsatisfied. Their eyes kept turning to Wang Xiaolan and her husband, as if hoping to learn more about the outside world from them.
Village Chief Xiao watched the villagers gradually disappear into the distance, a gratified smile on his face. He turned to Wang Xiaolan and Zhao Lihan and said, "Come on, go sit down at my house. I heard from Zhaodi that you two would be back today, so I asked your sister-in-law to buy some meat and bring it home to treat you well."
Wang Xiaolan and Zhao Lihan exchanged a glance, then smiled and replied, "Village Chief Xiao, thank you so much for troubling you. But let's go home first. We still have some things to take care of at home."
Village Chief Xiao thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's fine. You should go home and settle down first. I'll ask your sister-in-law to invite you to my house for dinner later. We can have a good time together."
Wang Xiaolan quickly responded, "Okay, it's settled then."
After waving goodbye to the village chief, they arrived at the gate of their own courtyard. Before they could push the door open, a burst of rapid barking of dogs was heard from the yard.
The barking was clear and loud, as if welcoming the owner's return. When Mrs. Zhao Er heard the dog barking in the house, she was delighted and quickly put down her work, walked quickly to the door and opened it.
The moment the door opened, sunlight shone on Wang Xiaolan and her husband's faces, highlighting their smiling faces. Second Aunt Zhao couldn't believe it was Zhao Lihan and his wife standing before her. She rubbed her eyes and finally confirmed it was them. Suddenly, she beamed with joy, her words becoming incoherent with excitement: "Oh, you're back! Come in, come in!"
Wang Xiaolan responded with a smile: "Second Grandma, long time no see! You are still so strong." As she spoke, she walked into the yard.
Second Grandma said, "It's all thanks to you! My old man and I have no worries about food and drink. Who in the village doesn't envy us? We are content."
At this moment, the big yellow dog that had been barking non-stop suddenly rushed over like an arrow, threw itself into Wang Xiaolan's arms, and rubbed her body affectionately.
Wang Xiaolan was infected by Dahuang's enthusiasm. She picked it up with joy, stroked its head gently, and said, "Dahuang, you still recognize me!" Dahuang used its wet tongue to gently lick Wang Xiaolan's hand, as if expressing his longing for her.
Wang Xiaolan held Da Huang in her arms and turned to look towards the yard. Suddenly, she remembered something and asked, "Second Grandma, where's Xiao Hei? Why can't I see him?"
Dahuang seemed to understand Wang Xiaolan's question. It hummed and twisted its body in Wang Xiaolan's arms, as if answering her question.
At this moment, Mr. Zhao came in from outside carrying a hoe. When he saw Wang Xiaolan and her husband, he showed a simple smile on his face. But when he heard Wang Xiaolan's question, Mr. Zhao's smile disappeared instantly, replaced by a look of regret and helplessness.
He sighed and said slowly, "Last year, Huang Jinhua came to cause trouble, and Xiao Hei was poisoned to death by her."
Wang Xiaolan quickly asked, "She's here again?"
Second Grandma said, "She still wanted to live in this house, but the village chief and the militia drove her away, and she hasn't come to the village since."
Mr. Zhao put down the fat wild rabbit in his hand, panting, and a layer of fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but his eyes were always on Wang Xiaolan and his wife, and his face was full of excitement.
"You're finally back!" Mr. Zhao's voice was a little hoarse, revealing a hint of joy that was hard to conceal. "It must have been tough on the journey, right?"
Seeing this, Zhao Lihan hurried forward to support Mr. Zhao Er and said, "It's not hard. You are so old, why are you still going up the mountain to hunt? It's so dangerous!"
Second Grandma Zhao interrupted, "Oh, the old man just can't sit still! Zhaodi heard you were coming back today, so he went up the mountain early this morning. He said he wanted to get you some wild game you can't eat in the city!"
Mr. Zhao said, "Old woman, go and get some wild rabbits and feed them tonight."
Grandma Zhao Er responded, quickly picked up the wild rabbit on the ground, turned around and walked into the kitchen.
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