After celebrating the birthdays of Zhou's father and daughter, they rented a carriage and decided to go to the outskirts of Beijing. No one expected that the weather was still sunny.
Just before departure, a torrential downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning began. Compared to the usual summer sun showers, this one wasn't going to stop for a moment.
"Dad, are we really not leaving?"
Zhang Guoqing nodded. There was no other way. We'd agreed to postpone the trip if it rained, and with all that thunder, they might have already run back halfway.
Ping An looked outside disappointedly, "I'm ready."
"This rain won't last for several days." Zhang Guoqing took him back to the room and said, "Will you go to the beach with your grandpa and his family this summer vacation?"
"I want you all to go, and preferably take me hunting. I feel like my hunting skills are a little rusty from all the practice."
Zhang Guoqing stroked his short hair in amusement, "You're still young, don't worry. We can go with you, but your mother has to rush back to work."
Zhou Jiao, inside the room, was moved by this. She hadn't been able to go last year, and if she didn't go in the next two years, she really wouldn't have the chance again. "How about I take you guys out to play first, and then send you three brothers to see your grandma?"
Zhang Guoqing looked at her in surprise when he heard that, but before he could ask the question in his mind, he suddenly burst out laughing.
She was seen leaning lazily on the kang, with her two little sons nudging her with their furry little heads. When they heard his laughter, the two little brothers started rolling around on the kang again.
So active!
Zhou Jiao touched the two children's bellies and said, "It's not time yet."
The two kids giggled, waved their chubby little hands like lotus root nodes, and waved to Zhang Guoqing and Ping An who came in hand in hand, occasionally blowing them a funny kiss.
Zhang Guoqing took off Ping An's shoes and carried him to the kang. He patted his two sons' little butts and said, "You're not afraid of such a loud thunder. You're really brave."
"Can you bear to leave your son behind? They'll all go with their parents, and I'll go to military school, so you'll be the only one left at home." Zhang Guoqing shook his head decisively, "No."
Without waiting for Zhou Jiao's reply, he changed the subject: "Your master has always wanted to take you to collect herbs, so how about going to Xiao Mu's hometown this time? The weather there is cool and the scenery is beautiful. Aunt Ya and the others can help us look after the children."
"The most important thing is that it's quiet there. Dayi mentioned it to me a few days ago. It doesn't matter if a lot of people go there. The little Mu family has no shortage of yurts."
Ping An's eyes lit up. He preferred the grasslands to the outskirts of Beijing. There he could hunt, ride horses, and collect herbs, and there was his beloved dog.
"Mom, go ahead."
As soon as Ping'an finished speaking, the two children immediately imitated her in unison: "Mom, go."
This immediately made the couple burst into laughter.
Zhou Jiao exchanged a glance with him, then nodded towards the three brothers. "It's rare that you all agree. This trip is unanimous among the family, so we can go ahead."
Xiao Pingan jumped up and down happily: "That's great."
Now the two little ones saw their brother jumping and started jumping too. Zhou Jiao and her husband were so scared that they hurried to protect him, and then they fell down again.
Zhang Guoqing wiped his sweat, "One day this kang will collapse."
Zhou Jiao agreed with a smile, "Let them collapse! It's rare to see the three of them so happy." She put her arm around Ping An, "That's what you should do at your age."
"Don't force yourself to grow up. You are still a little baby in your parents' hearts."
Ping An looked at his parents, blushing shyly, and buried his head in Zhou Jiao's arms. He said that his parents loved him the most, so they wouldn't be partial to his younger brothers.
Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao looked at each other and smiled.
Zhou Jiao suddenly thought of Old Lady Cheng, who was home alone, and suggested, "Forget about Master. Senior Brother said he's been wanting to skip work for a long time. How about we go find Auntie? She's just on her way to visit my cousin."
"Mom, it's okay. I miss my little uncles too." Ping'an in her arms immediately said.
"Okay, I'll do as you say. When the thunder stops, I'll go find her." Zhang Guoqing smiled and shook his head. It really was a win-win situation. No, it was a win-win situation.
"Also mention to Dayi and the others that those guys have some vacation time."
Zhang Guoqing looked at her gloomily. They'd agreed to a honeymoon, followed by a family trip, but now it was a group trip. He deliberately mentioned whether he should notify Fang Fei.
Zhou Jiao decisively denied it: "His wife is pregnant and it's inconvenient."
Oh, Yi Shumin had indeed offended her! Zhang Guoqing laughed happily. It wasn't like she was pregnant. She wasn't pregnant for three or four months. What was the inconvenience?
What a petty person! But it doesn't matter, he just likes his wife like this.
Zhou Jiao glanced at him sideways, "Are you looking down on me? I'm a broad-minded and generous girl."
"Yes, yes. Who is my wife to be on the same level as ordinary people?" Zhang Guoqing agreed with her, "But for her safety, I'd better not inform Brother Xiaofei."
But if you don’t notify them, they won’t come here after hearing the news?
Two days before departure, Fang Fei and his wife, who lived only a few yards away, came over in person to make the final decision. He also had to hunt some prey for his wife to supplement her nutrition, right?
After a few rounds, before departure, what was originally planned to be a stroll for a few people turned into a real group tour.
Yi Jiefang brought his little nephew with him, not to mention Geng Dazhi who worked at the Railway Bureau. This guy brought three little cousins with him at once. If he hadn't paid for the tickets, he would have been kicked off the train by Wan Dayong and others on the spot.
They are going there to relax, not to take care of babies!
Amidst laughter and joy, they arrived at Chengshi Military Region, stayed in a guesthouse for one night, wandered around the area for a day, and the next day they set out on the road to the grassland.
There were old people, pregnant women, and babies. The scenery along the way was beautiful, and no one was in a hurry to travel. Sitting in the horse-drawn carriage slowed down the speed, and it was not much faster than an ox-drawn cart.
When they finally arrived at Xiao Mu's tribe, the time was one day later than agreed in the telegram. Mu was so anxious that he almost went to the county town to look for him.
"I thought you guys weren't coming?"
Zhang Guoqing smiled sheepishly and said, "Is it okay to delay your work?"
"I have already reported for duty and will be going to work in a few days."
Well, Zhang Guoqing understood that this guy was just like him, waiting for his leave to expire and go back to work. He smiled meaningfully at Fang Fei and the others who were asking for leave.
A few days of the week-long holiday were spent on the road. Let’s see what they did for fun.
How could they not understand what he meant? They smiled at each other without explaining. They had already arranged to change shifts with their colleagues before leaving, and even gave them some game as a gift.
A few men were arguing here, while Old Lady Cheng and the others had been invited by the enthusiastic Grandpa Mu and his men into the tent for drinks and food.
This year is a good year, and with Xiao Mu being the only college student who has brought honor to the tribe, the kind and enthusiastic herdsmen gave a warm welcome to the guests who came again.
Of course, it is not ruled out that Zhang Guoqing's family left a good impression on them last time.
The big dog of the Mu family still remembered Xiao Ping'an, and kept wagging its tail while he held it in his arms.
Yi Shumin looked at the enthusiastic hosts and exclaimed, "This is truly a paradise on earth, with beautiful people and beautiful scenery."
Zhou Jiao, standing nearby, translated this sentence for everyone. Thinking of the immigrants she had just seen, a bright smile spread across her face. Yes, this was an unspoiled paradise, far away from all the ugliness of the world.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
