That evening, Su Jianguo made a special trip to Village Chief Zhang's house.
"Village Chief Zhang, I'm entrusting my father-in-law and brother-in-law to you."
Su Jianguo handed a thin envelope to Village Chief Zhang.
"This is just a small token of my appreciation; please don't refuse."
Village Chief Zhang quickly waved his hand.
"Jianguo, what are you doing? Old Wang is a friend of mine for decades; it's only right that I take care of him!"
Su Jianguo insisted.
"Uncle Zhang, please accept this. Consider it money to help my father-in-law buy some daily necessities. Also..."
He took a piece of paper out of his pocket.
"This is my home phone number and address in Beijing. Please contact me anytime if you need anything."
Village Chief Zhang then accepted the envelope and note, nodding solemnly.
"Don't worry, I'll visit them often."
The morning mist had not yet dissipated in Lijia Village the next morning.
Su Jianguo and Wang Xiulan then prepared to set off.
Wang Xiulan stood in front of her father and elder brother, tears streaming down her face.
She hugged her father's frail body tightly, her voice choked with sobs.
"Dad, you must take good care of yourself... I... I'll come back to see you during the New Year..."
Grandpa Wang fought back tears and patted his daughter's back.
"Go, go... live a good life... don't worry about Dad..."
Wang Dajiang sat in his wheelchair, his eyes filled with reluctance.
Su Jianguo glanced at his watch and gave a soft reminder.
"Xiulan, it's time to go."
Wang Xiulan reluctantly let go of her father and walked towards the jeep parked at the door, turning back every few steps.
As the jeep slowly drove away from the village entrance.
Wang Xiulan could no longer control herself. She got out of the car, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed three times to her father and elder brother who were still watching her.
"Dad! Big brother! Take care!"
Her cries echoed through the village in the early morning.
...
The jeep slowly drove into Beijing.
Wang Xiulan leaned against the car window, staring blankly at the street scene rushing past outside.
Her face was pale, and there were dark circles under her eyes. She looked as if all her energy had been drained away, and even her breathing seemed so light.
Su Jianguo turned his head to look at his wife, feeling a pang of sorrow in his heart.
For the past two weeks, from her mother-in-law's sudden illness and death to the turmoil with the Song family, Wang Xiulan has hardly had a proper rest.
She was like a taut string, now finally reaching her limit.
"Old Li, take my wife home first."
Su Jianguo spoke to the driver, deliberately keeping his voice low, afraid of disturbing his wife's rare moment of peace.
The car stopped in front of the courtyard house, and Su Jianguo gently nudged Wang Xiulan's shoulder.
"Xiulan, we're home."
Wang Xiulan blinked as if waking from a dream, looked blankly out the window, and then slowly nodded.
Her movements were slow, and every subtle expression revealed her exhaustion.
Su Jianguo got out of the car first, went around to the other side to open the car door for his wife, and carefully helped her out.
Wang Xiulan's legs seemed unable to support her weight, and she staggered as soon as she got off the car. Su Jianguo quickly grabbed her waist.
"careful."
He said in a low voice.
Wang Xiulan managed a weak smile.
"I'm fine, just a little tired."
Su Jianguo sighed with heartache, carrying his luggage in one hand and helping his wife into the yard with the other.
The courtyard was quiet, with only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the old locust tree.
After Su Yuzhen finished making tofu, she took her two children out to play, leaving the courtyard empty.
"You should get some sleep first."
Su Jianguo helped Wang Xiulan to the bedroom and helped her take off her coat.
"I'll get you a glass of hot water."
Wang Xiulan shook her head and collapsed onto the kang (a heated brick bed), without even taking off her shoes.
"No need, I just want to sleep for a while..."
Before she finished speaking, her eyelids had already closed heavily, and her breathing became even and long.
Su Jianguo stood by the bed and quietly watched his wife for a while.
He gently covered his wife with the blanket, carefully took off her shoes, and then quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.
Back in the courtyard, Su Jianguo took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.
Although the family matters have just come to an end, as the head of the household, he still has many things to deal with.
Especially those businesses that have been put on hold for more than half a month.
"Old Li."
Su Jianguo walked toward the driver who was still waiting.
"Go back to the factory and report to Director Liu. Tell him I'll personally visit to thank you another day."
After seeing the driver off, Su Jianguo pushed the bicycle out of the storage room.
A thin layer of dust had accumulated on the bicycle seat. He wiped it with his sleeve, then got on the bike and rode towards the second store.
Su Jianguo pedaled his bicycle through the bustling streets.
The sounds of vendors calling out their wares drifted from the roadside shops, pedestrians hurried by, and bicycle bells jingled.
This is the most ordinary yet vibrant atmosphere of life in Beijing.
Having been away for so long, Su Jianguo was actually quite uncertain.
Although she handed over the management of the second store to her eldest daughter, Su Yufen, before leaving, she did not have much experience.
Moreover, this is currently the lean season for the vegetable business, as new vegetables have not yet arrived, and the business is entirely reliant on off-season vegetables.
Thinking about this...
Su Jianguo couldn't help but speed up his pedaling.
When the sign for "Su Ji Vegetable Store No. 2" came into view, Su Jianguo's eyes lit up.
A long queue formed outside the shop, with customers carrying baskets or pushing carts, waiting in an orderly fashion to make their purchases.
Through the glass window, you can see that the store is bustling with people, and several waiters wearing matching aprons are busy weighing, packaging, and collecting money.
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