When we got back to the county town, it was not yet eleven o'clock, and there was still a while before school ended.
Xiao Weiguo first went to the market and bought some meat and vegetables. Then he returned home.
Upon opening the door, I saw Grandma Liu diligently sweeping the yard.
She had wiped the cement floor of the entire courtyard spotless, so shiny it was dazzling.
Xiao Weiguo hurriedly went up and snatched the broom from her hand, throwing it aside.
“Grandma, how can we let you do such rough work? If my Uncle Liu finds out, he’ll think we’re mistreating you.”
The old lady patted the dust off her hands and smiled slightly.
“Weiguo, Grandma isn’t old enough to need to be waited on. Look, I’m still very nimble.”
As she spoke, she stretched her arms and legs in front of Xiao Weiguo.
"At home, I'm busy every day and can't sit still. If you leave me with nothing to do, that's torture."
Xiao Weiguo could understand what the old lady was saying.
Rural women like her spend all their time either in the fields or at home, never having a moment of rest. Yet, they are all full of energy and vitality.
If we really let them stay at home and retire, I guarantee that problems will arise before long.
He didn't know the reasoning behind it either. Perhaps, for the elderly, life is all about their feelings.
They need to be active and prove their worth to have a reason to live with peace of mind.
Xiao Weiguo's attempts to persuade her were futile, so he stopped trying.
"Grandma, please sit down for a while. I've made lunch. The kids will be getting out of school soon."
"Then I'll help you."
The old lady ignored him completely and followed him into the kitchen.
The grandfather and grandson chatted as they worked.
Some were picking vegetables, others were cutting meat.
“Weiguo, you’re so busy every day. From now on, leave the grocery shopping and cooking to Grandma. Although I’m not as good at cooking as you, I can still make sure the children are fed.”
"Hehe, then I'll trouble Grandma."
Xiao Weiguo kept his head down, cutting the meat, and didn't refuse the old lady's kindness.
From today onwards, he'll officially start the garment factory project, and he'll probably be really busy. She's still worried about feeding her children.
The old lady is quick and efficient; she's unhappy when she's idle at home, so helping with cooking really solved a big problem for him.
"Why are you being so polite with Grandma? You know, when I see those two little darlings, I feel like I have endless energy."
The old lady truly adores her two grandchildren; a smile always appears on her face whenever they are mentioned.
"Oh, Grandma, you only have those two precious children? Aren't I one too? I carried you so far back then, I almost died of exhaustion."
Xiao Weiguo pretended to be jealous to make the old lady happy.
"Hahaha." The old lady burst into hearty laughter.
"They are all Grandma's darlings. You, as the eldest brother, are competing with your younger siblings for her affection."
"What's wrong with being the eldest brother? I'm only eighteen, I'm still a child."
One sentence reminded the old lady that these were a group of unfortunate children without parents, and her eyes welled up with tears again.
"Poor things, you're all good children, why is your life so miserable? Don't worry, from now on you will all be my grandchildren. If anyone dares to bully you, I'll fight them to the death."
Xiao Weiguo was trying to make the old lady happy, but he didn't expect that his words would make her sad.
He quickly said, "Grandma, don't be sad. No one dares to bully your eldest grandson. I'm very capable. Don't worry."
Grandma Liu then stopped crying and started smiling.
"That's right, my grandson is capable, much better than my family's bandits."
I think so too.
Xiao Weiguo laughed along with them; the grandfather and grandson were happily busy working together in the small kitchen.
This harmonious scene makes it seem like a real grandfather and grandson to anyone who doesn't know better.
Soon, a four-dish-and-one-soup hot pot, along with a large pot of fragrant rice, was ready.
Xiao Weiguo took off his apron, wiped his hands clean, and pushed out his bicycle.
"Grandma, wait at home for a while, I'll go pick up Xiao Jiang and Xiao Yue."
At the school gate, many parents were waiting to pick up their children since it was the first day of school.
Xiao Weiguo stood at the back of the crowd, holding onto his bicycle. Suddenly, he spotted a familiar face in front of him and quickly pushed his bicycle over.
"County Chief Sun, are you picking up your child from school too?"
The person standing before him was none other than Sun Conglin, the executive deputy county head who had visited Xiao Weiguo's home and invited him to join the epidemic prevention team.
That day, he went with the head of the epidemic prevention station and Zhang Tongsheng from the township health center. He spoke with great poise and had a good attitude, so Xiao Weiguo had a good impression of him.
The county's epidemic prevention work has been done so well, and I believe the county head deserves much credit for this as well.
Sun Conglin turned around and looked at Xiao Weiguo several times before recognizing him.
Compared to a month ago, Xiao Weiguo's clothing and overall demeanor are completely different.
"Oh, it's Comrade Xiao. I was passing by on my way home from get off work and stopped by to pick up my grandson from school. Don't you live in Xiaotun? What brings you here?"
Xiao Weiguo chuckled softly.
“County Chief Sun, in order for my younger siblings to be able to study properly, I moved my family to the county town. Now, my little sister and little brother are in the first grade at this school.”
"What a coincidence! My grandson is also in first grade, and he's classmates with your younger brother and sister."
The two chatted for a while before the bell rang to signal the end of get out of class.
The students poured out of the classroom and ran towards the door.
Xiao Weiguo quickly spotted Xiao Jiang and Xiao Yue in the crowd. Each of them was carrying a new schoolbag and running towards the school gate.
"Xiao Jiang, Xiao Yue, over here."
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