Chapter 775
When Su Miao returned home after working overtime, it was already dark.
The dusk of winter always comes quickly and heavily. The bus slowly drives through the long street. Fine water droplets condense on the windows, isolating the biting cold wind outside into a vague whimpering sound.
She leaned back tiredly on the seat, feeling the murky warmth in the carriage.
Next to me, an old man wearing a navy blue cotton-padded jacket was listening to the obituary that was being played repeatedly today on an old semiconductor radio.
The radio made a rustling sound of electricity, but it couldn't cover up the announcer's sad voice.
The corners of the old man's wrinkled eyes were red, and he sighed again and again: "If only I had waited a little longer, I would have seen Hongcheng return."
His rough fingers kept adjusting the knob, as if this could make the old man stay a little longer.
Su Miao looked at the street scenes passing by outside the window. The neon lights cast mottled reflections on the snowy road.
When the bus stop announcement sounded, she realized that she had missed a stop.
After getting off the bus in a hurry, the cold wind blew on her face like a knife. She couldn't help but shrink her neck and bury half of her face in the scarf.
The two stations are not far away, so it’s better to walk back than to stand in the wind waiting for the bus.
Su Miao turned into the alley. The vendor selling sugar-roasted chestnuts suddenly turned off the fire. The only lights left in the alley were the street lamps, casting long streaks of light on the snow.
She took out a piece of ginger candy from her pocket and put it in her mouth. When the spicy feeling first rushed to her eyes, she heard the melody of "Spring Story" coming from afar.
This year, the fall of the Morning Star made the Chinese people suddenly realize that an era had truly ended - and no one had yet come up with a name for the new era.
This year is also a special year. In the special exhibition area of the Canton Fair, the Sujia Food Factory's booth hung "Limited Edition Ginger Candy to Celebrate the Return to China", and the packaging was printed with silhouettes of landmarks of Guangdong and Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong businessman smiled and asked, "Sweet or salty?"
Su Yuanzheng replied, "It's sweet and warm when you eat it."
As July approaches, colorful silk ribbons have been wrapped around the branches of trees on both sides of the streets. A giant countdown board stands in front of the History Museum. Every time the numbers tick by one second, tourists take photos.
When the lights are on at night, the red words "× days left until the return of Hong Kong" are reflected on the asphalt road surface, like a flowing blood vessel.
In a community handicraft competition, the redbud coaster crocheted by the aunt next door with wool lost to the "cross-stitch of Xiaoping's portrait" when evaluated by the neighborhood committee.
Uncle Zhang at the small shop at the entrance of the alley hung a homemade banner that read "Welcome Hong Kong City Home". The crooked handwriting revealed a simple joy.
Under the shade of a tree, the old men playing chess were arguing fiercely: "The garrison must bring Erguotou!" "What do you know? Now everyone is concerned about international image..."
A subtitle reading "The Port City Will Be Better Tomorrow" was hung on the tower crane arm of the Pudong construction site, facing the Union Jack on the roof of the HSBC building on the opposite bank.
Su Miao received an email from Xiaodie, which told of the innocent hearts of children in a foreign land. Chinatown was also decorated with lights and the overseas Chinese community had hand-sewn two thousand small national flags and would organize a rally that night.
Xiaodie will also return to China in August, ending her more than six years of studying abroad.
At that time, Charles will also come to China with her. There are still many restrictions on transnational marriages. I wonder whether Charles can pass the assessment of the government and his parents-in-law.
When the Ministry of Culture was rushing to produce posters themed after the return of the motherland, Su Miao was assigned to review ethnic patterns. The bronze drum pattern was required to be combined with the redbud flower. The art editor complained, "This is harder than drawing portraits of leaders!"
After completing the preparations at the unit, Su Miao formally submitted his resignation.
With more and more business opportunities and a broader market, she plans to return to her own business and develop "Su Ji" with her father.
The unit leader expressed regret for her decision, and after trying to persuade her to stay, he finally respected her personal plan.
June 28th, there are less than three days left until that exciting moment.
Su Miao became increasingly restless, as if something was swelling in her heart, making her feel uneasy.
It seems that there is always a voice urging me in my ears: Go back to Nancheng.
Su Yuanzheng walked into the yard carrying a big watermelon and said to Su Miao cheerfully:
"Miao Miao, your Grandpa Qin called this morning and asked if we were free the night after tomorrow. He wants us to have dinner at his house, stay overnight, and watch the live premiere with him!"
Su Miao stared blankly at his father putting down the watermelon, picking up the knife and splitting the big watermelon with a "click". The bright red flesh with crystal juice was revealed, and the sweet fragrance instantly spread.
She suddenly said, "Dad, let's go back to Yongcheng!"
Su Yuanzheng looked up in surprise, the kitchen knife in his hand still suspended in mid-air: "Return to Yongcheng? Why do you suddenly want to go back?"
"I haven't been back for so long, and I miss my family and friends. I want to witness the return of Hong Kong City with them."
"Okay! Then I'll call your Grandpa Qin back." Su Yuanzheng nodded immediately without hesitation.
Grandpa Qin didn't feel unhappy when he heard that they were going back to Yongcheng. He said:
"Okay, then I'll get together with some old comrades to have some fun, but we must come back next month!"
Su Yuanzheng hurriedly coaxed him, "Don't worry, Miaomiao and I will definitely bring the best birthday gifts back to celebrate your birthday. We guarantee we won't be late!"
Time was running out, so Su Miao quickly called to book a flight. The sweet voice of the airline customer service came through the receiver, but with a hint of apology:
"Sorry, ma'am, all the tickets from Beijing to Yongcheng for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow are sold out."
Su Miao didn't believe it, so he rode his bicycle to the nearest civil aviation ticket window.
The civil aviation ticket window is on the first floor of the foreign-related hotel where she used to send faxes.
However, the staff at the civil aviation ticket window on the first floor of the hotel also told her helplessly:
"I'm sorry, comrade, all the flights to Yongcheng for the next three days are sold out. Perhaps you could consider a train ticket?"
Su Miao walked out of the hotel dejectedly, and the heat wave instantly surrounded her.
She regretted not making the decision to return to Nanning earlier. Now she couldn't buy a plane ticket, and even if she bought a train ticket, she would probably not be able to return to Nanning before July 1st.
She didn't know why she was so determined to go back at this time. She just felt her heart beating violently in her chest, as if she was rushing to a fateful date.
"Su Miao?" A gentle male voice sounded above his head.
Su Miao raised her head blankly, and the glaring sunlight made her squint subconsciously.
A tall and handsome man was looking at her with a smile, and the sunlight cast a golden edge on his outline.
She felt that this person looked familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him.
Could it be someone I've met at work? Or a representative I've met at a conference? It would be embarrassing if I couldn't remember their name.
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