After getting up in the morning, Qian Mao first folded the sheets and then the quilt. He turned around and saw that Zhang Muyao was still sleeping. He covered Zhang Muyao's things with the quilt, picked up his bag and went to the dining car. When he passed Qian Gui's carriage, he saw that he was also going to the dining car, so the two of them went together.
Qian Gui said, "You're really something, kid. My mother was envious of the letters and photos you sent the other day. She even told me to find a college graduate as a wife, but my own education level isn't that high. If I actually found a college graduate, I'm afraid I'd be fooled."
Qian Mao laughed and said, "You know, it's good to be picky when you find someone who can help you manage the household, but these people who are only after your money, forget about them!"
Qian Gui nodded when he heard Qian Mao's words. He said that some of the girls around him, to put it nicely, did not mind that he was a divorced man, but most of them were after his money. More often than not, those girls felt that they were rich, so what was wrong with spending some money on him?
If a girl brings up the topic of helping her family, like finding jobs for her brothers, it's not a big deal, right? Qian Gui immediately cuts off contact with her. Why? Because Duo Duo had told him that this kind of girl is a so-called "brother-supporting demon"—she thinks she's rich and has moved all her family's things to her parents' house, implying, "You're so rich, you don't need my family's money." But what about the future? This whole family will be leeching off him. Qian Gui's previous marriage experience has made him wary of many women.
However, Qian Gui suddenly thought of a girl and said, "Qian Mao, I want to ask you about someone."
Qian Mao was taken aback when he heard Qian Gui's words. He turned around and saw a hint of uncertainty in Qian Gui's eyes and a little embarrassed on his face. He smiled and said, "What's wrong? Are you having romantic feelings?"
Qian Gui said with a smile, "The last time I went back to the county, something happened that led me to meet a woman. I had seen her before; she was Duo Duo's classmate."
Qian Mao was taken aback. People who could be invited to Duoduo's home were usually people with whom he had a good relationship, but Qian Mao couldn't think of anyone among them.
Seeing Qian Mao's somewhat confused look, Qian Gui immediately said, "Her name is Tao Meili."
Qian Mao was taken aback, feeling that the name sounded familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before. As the two walked and thought about it, he actually remembered that when he first arrived at the county committee, there was a girl named Tao Meili who had pursued him. It was only after he revealed his ultimate weapon—Qian Duoduo—that she withdrew from his life.
He said, "This woman is Duo Duo's classmate. Her family used to be well-off, but I don't know about now. She used to be quite jealous of Duo Duo, but we were just kids then, so it's understandable that she was a little jealous. As long as she's a good comrade now, that's fine."
I'll say it again: keep your eyes open.
Qian Gui nodded: "I know, I just want your help. You definitely have more friends in Shangzhi than I do, so you'll be better at investigating than I am."
Qian Mao nodded and said, "Are you in a hurry about this?"
Qian Gui smiled and said, "There's no rush. We can do it when we have time."
Qian Mao nodded, and seeing that there were already many people queuing at the restaurant ahead, he naturally stood at the back of the line and said, "Okay, after we get to Guangzhou, I'll send a telegram back and have someone check it for you."
The two men carried their boxed lunches back to their compartment. Qian Mao saw that Jin Kuohao was already up, so he greeted him, "Uncle, you're up."
Jin Kuohao nodded and said, "It's so noisy in this car, I can't sleep well. Now I'm starting to miss our old heated kang bed at home."
Qian Mao said with a smile, "Qian Gui bought breakfast. Let's just have a bite. We should be able to get off the train by this time tomorrow. I'll treat everyone to Cantonese morning tea."
Jin Kuohao chuckled and said, "That's great! I haven't tried Cantonese food yet." He looked out the window and said, "It's different here from Northeast China."
Qian Mao smiled and nodded, saying, "There are still big differences. Once you get to Guangzhou, take a walk around and you'll see that the atmosphere here is very different from Harbin, and even Shanghai is quite different."
Seeing the food in his hand, Jin Kuohao smiled and said, "You'd better hurry up and go over there, or your girlfriend will be hungry."
Qian Mao nodded, took his things and left. When he returned to his bunk, Zhang Muyao was already awake. She had arranged her own bedding with the same things as Qian Mao's, and then sat there without leaving. When she saw Qian Mao return with food in his hand, her smile deepened. She said to Qian Mao, "You stay here and watch the things. I'm going to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth."
Qian Mao nodded and helped Zhang Muyao take out her things. After watching her leave, he arranged the groceries he had bought on the dining table in the middle of the sleeper berth. Not long after, Zhang Muyao came back. She had drawn her eyebrows lightly, and she looked much more energetic.
After the two of them ate, Qian Mao asked her, "I'm going to my uncle's place later, are you coming over?"
Zhang Muyao shook her head and said, "I can't get involved in what you're talking about. I'll just stay here and read."
Qian Mao nodded, reached out and patted Zhang Muyao's head, and said, "I'll come back to keep you company in a little while."
Zhang Muyao nodded obediently. This well-behaved little girl filled Qian Mao's heart with joy. Just looking at her filled his heart with happiness.
Zhang Muyao was reading in her seat when an old man walked in. Although he didn't walk fast, he was very energetic. He was accompanied by a young man who, judging from his build, was probably a soldier. Zhang Muyao glanced at him and then put her head down to continue reading.
However, the old man walked up to Zhang Muyao and asked, "Young lady, I'm on the one above you. You see, at my age, it's too much trouble for me to go up. I wonder if we could switch places? But don't worry, I won't switch with you for nothing. I'll make up the difference for the whole trip, no matter where you came from."
When Zhang Muyao saw the old man standing beside her, she immediately stood up and said to him with a smile, "Yes, that's fine. Could you wait a moment while I pack my things?"
The old man nodded.
The young soldier said, "I'm in this bunk, we can switch."
Zhang Muyao thought about it and decided it was a good idea. At least with the two of them on her side, she could feel more at ease.
When Qian Mao returned, he saw that Zhang Muyao's bunk was empty, and an old man was sitting there. His own bunk had bed sheets and other necessities prepared by himself. Not seeing Zhang Muyao, he asked, "Grandpa, have you seen the young girl who was here?"
The old man chuckled and said, "You mean that kind little girl? She went to the restroom."
Just as Qian Mao was about to head to the restroom, he saw Zhang Muyao walking over.
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