Zhang Guoqing's family reunited with the old lady and her family, and they were discussing where to go for dinner when a group of the old lady's old friends arrived. Seeing that they were all married couples, they decided to stay at the restaurant for dinner.
After dinner, the old lady handed a note to Cheng Ruzhu asking her to buy something for her. She stayed in the room to chat with her old friend.
This time, even the aunties and guards were out on the streets. The old lady wanted to say this was the last shopping trip, so everyone should go out and have a good time.
Zhang Guoqing saw that it was still early to board the bus, so he didn't delay. Besides, Ping'an was familiar with the old lady and didn't make a fuss. He said a few words to the elders and stood up to say goodbye to them.
A group of people returned to the city's No. 1 Department Store according to the old lady's list.
This time, Zhou Jiao went ahead and bought a large amount of Harry oil and cream. She ignored the question in Zhang Guoqing's eyes and, because of the crowd, only whispered about the corrosive agent. Now the couple worked together to sweep the place.
Zhang Guoqing had originally thought that since there were so many imported baby products in the space, there was no need to buy these domestic products for his son. But now he realizes that he was really preparing for his son.
He even helped Zhou Jiao explain to others that his friends and family in his hometown had asked him to take the baby back. Zhang Guoqing had no other options, as many people looked at the couple with mocking eyes.
The couple didn't think it was a big deal, but many people around them rushed forward to buy it.
After the couple left the counter, Zhang Guoqing heard someone muttering in the distance that the face cream here must be better than those anywhere else, otherwise why would they all be snatched up?
It made him laugh and cry.
This time we didn't shop inside, we bought things and left, which didn't take much time. When we walked out the door and stood on the street, we realized that we had bought most of the things we needed to buy and there was nowhere else to go.
Seeing this, Zhou Jiao said, "I also want to go to Xu Zhongdao's National Pharmacy to buy some herbs. How about everyone just move freely?"
Lin Lishan looked at Cheng Ruzhu and saw her nod. She said, "Then let's go in first. Xiao Chen and Auntie will take a look around. Everyone remember to catch up on time."
After the group separated, Zhang Guoqing and his wife immediately went to Huaihai Road.
As soon as they arrived at Huaihai Road, Zhou Jiao entered the drugstore, and Zhang Guoqing went alone to Hongxing Restaurant on Huaihai Road to order snacks such as pan-fried buns and crab roe shells.
He knew Zhou Jiao liked these snacks, especially the fried noodles. Since he couldn't understand medicinal herbs, he decided to go and queue up first, waiting for Zhou Jiao to come over after she bought some.
Xu Zhongdao's National Medicine Shop has been transformed into a state-owned pharmacy. Besides precious Chinese herbs and ginseng and antler supplements, it also sells special herbal medicine formulas, pills, powders, pastes, and pills at low prices.
Zhou Jiao came here just for the special medicine.
During this trip, she bought every Chinese medicine for children and tonic for adults she saw. Their family lived in a small county in the northeast, so transportation was difficult.
The last time the child had a fever, she was truly frightened. As she passed through several cities, she would buy some space for any well-known special medicine she could remember. She was especially generous with her spending on the child's patent medicine.
Zhou Jiao quickly completed her list and handed it to the salesperson. After carefully examining it and learning she was from out of town, the salesperson enthusiastically recommended several affordable summer heat remedies. Zhou Jiao thanked him profusely, selected two, and began to pay while he waited for her to pack.
After purchasing the medicinal herbs, Zhou Jiao hurried to find Zhang Guoqing with two bags of herbs.
There was a long line in front of the Hongxing Restaurant. Zhou Jiao didn't look inside for Zhang Guoqing. Knowing him, she knew he would definitely go inside to order food, eat it, and have someone take it away.
As expected, once inside, he saw Zhang Guoqing sitting in a prominent position, facing the visitors at the main entrance. He saw Zhou Jiao laughing and waving her over. He knew that Zhou Jiao would definitely know how to find him as quickly as possible.
Seeing that there were other diners around him and they hadn't taken their seats yet, Zhou Jiao asked him, "How long will it take?"
"Sit down first. It should be here soon." Zhang Guoqing pulled her down. He knew his wife had a bout of mysophobia and didn't like sitting at the table with other people. But it wasn't even one o'clock yet, and the place was packed. He had managed to save this single empty seat with great difficulty.
After a few minutes, the couple finally saw several packed bamboo baskets and paper boxes being brought over by the waiter, as they were eagerly waiting.
The couple didn't hang around any longer and went straight back to the hotel.
At around three o'clock in the afternoon, Old Cheng, who had picked up people last time, drove over in person to pick up Old Mrs. Cheng and a group of people to go to North Station.
Inside the room, Old Lady Cheng declined her friends' offer to escort her to the station. She worried that so many people would have a bad influence. After explaining herself several times, she waved goodbye to everyone.
A group of people got on the bus with their luggage.
After arriving at the station and boarding the train compartment, Mrs. Cheng discovered that her old friends had indeed prepared gifts, though fortunately they were not expensive. She just smiled and said nothing.
Old Cheng got off the train reluctantly until it started moving, and repeatedly told everyone to say hello to him next time they came.
As the train started moving, the conductor came forward and told the old lady that she had been asked to deliver two baskets of things. Because the temperature inside the train was high, the two baskets of knife fish and prawns were left outside.
The train was already moving; there was no point in refusing. Old Mrs. Cheng smiled, shook her head, and thanked the conductor. Only after the others left did they realize that this old Comrade Cheng was actually a high-ranking member of the police district—truly, one cannot judge a person by his appearance.
Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao looked at each other and avoided the topic.
I went to two places before, and only saw those old seniors. The old lady always brought Zhang Guoqing with her to meet and introduce those people. Since the old lady didn't remind them about Lao Cheng before, there must be a reason.
During this trip to S City, they sent a telegram to Zhou Xiaozheng and received a reply, but they did not go to see Wang Dong.
Perhaps Old Cheng's position in the Cheng family is like Wang Dong's, in the dark, but unfortunately this time Old Cheng was exposed to the public.
They didn't consider these issues. Some sensitive issues cannot be touched no matter how good the relationship between the two parties is - this is the bottom line.
With the careful care of the train conductor along the way, everyone had a very relaxing journey.
This time, the train was packed, stopping at various stations along the way. Zhang Guoqing would drag Zhou Jiao to the platform to buy local specialties. They were especially pleasantly surprised to see roast chicken and braised pig's head among the hawkers at smaller stations. If the children weren't so young, they'd have wanted to stop along the way.
This train from City S to Beijing is almost always fully booked year-round. Halfway through the journey, the announcer's call for help came over the radio.
It turned out that a little kid had hit his head while playing and was bleeding. The announcer called on passengers who were doctors to go to the conductor's lounge in the ** carriage to help.
When Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing hurriedly rushed to the ** carriage with hemostatic drugs, they saw a crowded aisle from a distance. Both sides were filled with passengers standing close to the carriage. Everyone tacitly left a small path in the middle for people to pass through to the lounge.
"Quick, someone's coming with medicine. Everyone, help spread the word. See how the child is doing?" someone in the crowd immediately shouted. Then, waves of voices spread inside.
After a while, cheers and laughter could be heard from inside. Soon, the news spread outside, and everyone couldn't help but applaud and watched a middle-aged doctor leave.
Zhou Jiao gripped the medicine bottle tightly, a cheerful smile spreading across her face as the discussion continued. She waved the bottle towards Zhang Guoqing, and the two of them exited the carriage in unison.
Back in the corner, Zhou Jiao took out a roast chicken and a box of pastries from her bag and handed them to Zhang Guoqing.
Watching him walk in with his hands held high, the passers-by automatically parted ways to let him pass. Zhou Jiao subconsciously smiled brightly at the people watching.
How long has it been since she saw such a heartwarming scene?
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