"Uncle, we won't eat here. We'll go straight home. Lili has already prepared something for us," Zhang Qinghua explained.
After traveling for several days, everyone was hungry and tired. They should have eaten as soon as they got off the bus, but Zhang Qinghua said that because they were not far from home.
"Alright, alright, let's go home. We're already home, why waste money eating out?" Li Weiguo agreed.
In Li Weiguo's mind, he would rather not spend money than spend money at all. Along the way, Zhang Qinghua's way of spending money made Li Weiguo feel scared.
He bought such expensive food without even blinking, which made him feel terrible.
Men who live in mountain villages year-round are naturally frugal without even trying; they save wherever they can.
Because my family was already struggling financially, I learned to be frugal.
The aunt quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, let's hurry home and talk about it when we get home." Zhang Qinghua's spending habits had also startled her.
She tried to persuade him the whole way, but Zhang Qinghua wouldn't listen. She could only watch in fear and refused to accept anything, just to prevent Zhang Qinghua from spending money.
Right now, let's hurry home; she's getting really worried.
Looking at the two of them, who seemed to be facing a formidable enemy, Zhang Qinghua found it both amusing and slightly bitter.
Who among those who come to the capital from their hometown isn't like this? They're all afraid of spending money, they all save and hoard.
Weren't they just like this before?
"Okay, let's hurry home then, our families are waiting for us," Zhang Qinghua said with a smile.
Things will get better in the future, and they won't need to be so frugal with their money anymore.
You'll gradually get used to it.
With that thought in mind, Zhang Qinghua took the still curious children home, with Zhang Aiai and her daughter following behind.
Compared to Li Weiguo and his wife, Zhang Aiai and her daughter did not have much of a reaction. It wasn't that they weren't surprised, but rather that they were used to it and had become numb to it.
The two of them were stunned when they first saw Song Lili spend money.
Compared to Song Lili, Zhang Qinghua was already very restrained and measured, so the two of them remained "unmoved".
The group hurried home. Inside, Yang Mei sat at the table, looking towards the door, while Song Lili worked on her work plan in her room.
"Sister Yangmei, stop looking. What are we having for lunch?" Song Lili finally had a break from her busy schedule. She came out and looked at Yangmei, who still seemed to be looking the same. She couldn't help but shake her head and ask.
"Let's just grab a bite or two and eat together when they get back," Yang Mei said casually.
Her entire focus right now is on why the children haven't come back yet, and she doesn't want to pay attention to anything else.
Song Lili had no choice but to figure it out herself.
"Just grab a couple of bites?" Song Lili shook her head. She didn't want to just eat anything.
How many brain cells did she use all morning in her room? Shouldn't she give herself a good rest? Why is she being so hard on herself?
With everything at home, it's natural to take good care of yourself; health is the foundation of everything.
So Song Lili rolled up her sleeves and got to work, making whatever she wanted to eat, since Yang Mei probably didn't have anything she particularly wanted to eat right now.
Song Lili cooked a meal, and after the two of them ate, Song Lili thought for a moment but still didn't go back to her room. Instead, she stayed there with Yang Mei, like a statue, staring blankly at the door.
"Sister Yangmei, have some water, aren't you cold?" Song Lili boiled a pot of water, then made tea for the two of them before sitting down to wait.
She glanced at her watch and realized it was already 1 p.m., wondering if Zhang Qinghua and the others would arrive soon.
They went to the kitchen to boil water so that when Zhang Qinghua and the others returned, they could cook noodles directly, saving time on boiling water.
The water boiled, but Zhang Qinghua and the others hadn't returned yet, so Song Lili turned off the stove and waited.
At two o'clock in the afternoon, there was a noise at the door. The two looked up and saw Zhang Qinghua open the door and come in.
Behind him were Yang Mei's two children, Xiao Lan and Zhang Ai'ai, and then Zhang Ai'ai and her daughter.
"Alright, they're back. Go check on them, I'm going downstairs." Song Lili smiled slightly and nudged Yang Mei.
Sending Yang Mei to the kitchen would likely be too much for her to handle, and besides, Song Lili isn't that cruel.
They haven't seen their family for a long time, how could she be so insensitive at a time like this?
So, I think I'll go by myself.
"Grandpa, Grandma? Why did you come along too?" Song Lili had only turned around and taken a few steps when she heard Yang Mei's exclamation.
Turning around, I saw Li Weiguo and his wife walking in from behind. I hadn't seen them at all because several people were blocking my view.
"Uncle, Aunt, you've arrived?" Song Lili greeted them with a smile, warmly welcoming them in.
This is such a wonderful surprise! I never expected that Li Weiguo and his wife would come as well.
But this is even better, as Daqing and his wife can finally rest assured, otherwise they would always be worried about it.
"Uncle, Aunt, please sit down. I'll go make you something to eat," Song Lili said simply before leaving.
Now is not the time for reminiscing; it's more important to fill everyone's stomachs. We can talk about other things later.
"Lili, let me help you." Aunt Li put down her things and immediately followed Song Lili into the kitchen.
"Auntie, no need. We prepared it beforehand. It's just a matter of cooking noodles. I can manage by myself."
"You must be tired after such a long drive, sit down and rest. You don't need any help," Song Lili quickly stopped them. If they were late, their aunt might have already gone into the kitchen.
People who are used to farm work are usually quite efficient, so Song Lili refused rather hastily.
"Auntie, please sit down. I'll go help my sister-in-law," Zhang Aiai quickly urged, already standing up.
"You don't need to, I can manage on my own. You and the others sit down and rest." Song Lili pressed Zhang Aiai down and went to the kitchen by herself.
She was already prepared, and she was even faster by herself.
Zhang Aiai didn't come in because Zhang Qinghua stopped her. So, the group went into the house and sat down in the main room.
Zhang Qinghua helped carry everyone's luggage to the room, with Zhang Aiai and her daughter assisting. Since it wasn't their first time here, they naturally knew how to get around.
Yang Mei, holding her two children, watched with teary eyes while talking to Li Weiguo and the other child.
"I'm so glad you've arrived. I was so worried," Yang Mei said, half-crying and half-laughing.
Fearing that the two children would be naughty and disobey Zhang Qinghua, wandering around on the road, and that something might happen to them.
Ever since I learned that a few people had set off, my mind has been racing, with all sorts of scenarios popping into my head.
I can't feel at ease unless I see them; I'm always worried.
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