In the end, prison guard Liu arranged for the Gu family to stay at Liu Taixiang's house. Firstly, their house was large, and secondly, it was close to the train station, as the family needed to take the early bus to leave the next day.
Liu Taixiang and his wife were incredibly hospitable to the Gu family, especially after learning that Jiang Qiao had been staying there for some time. Gu Zhengfeng and the others couldn't quite describe the feeling in their hearts.
What none of them could do over the years, Jiang Qiao, a young girl, actually accomplished.
The father and son lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), looking at their sleeping child beside them. Neither of them felt sleepy. There were some things that couldn't be explained clearly or conveniently in a letter. Now that they were face to face, they had to have a good chat.
Gu Hanting lay on the pillow, looking at his son as he told him about the family situation and what had happened after he reunited with Jiang Qiao.
"Sigh, second son, regardless of whether we can have more children in the future, you two must remember to treat Jiang Qiao well. That girl is worth more than a boy. Our Gu family will be counting on the three of them in the future."
Gu Zhengfeng gave a wry smile. "Dad, look at what you're saying. She's my own daughter. How could I not treat her well?"
Besides, she's my precious child. You know how much Jingwan and I have wanted a child all these years. If we do get pregnant, no one can replace Jiang Qiao.
Besides, we both have some health problems, so it will probably be difficult for us to have children. I am already very content with this one. I used to think I would have to rely on my nephew to support me in my old age.
I never expected you to give my husband and me such a big surprise. Dad, it's so good to have you around!"
Gu Hanting sighed, "It's all because of your father that you've been dragged down. Otherwise, you would have been promoted long ago."
"Hey, why bother with all that? It's fine as it is now. I'm already very satisfied to be able to wear this military uniform."
"Dad, please take good care of yourself and the two children at home. If things really get too difficult, you can send them to our place."
Gu Hanting flatly refused, "No, like I said before, you two are both soldiers, busy with work all day long, how can you have time to take care of and educate children?"
Gu Zhenghong, who was beside him, murmured in his sleep. When he heard his child calling for his father and mother, both of them teared up.
Gu Zhengfeng patted his young nephew beside him, his voice slightly choked, "Dad, it's all our fault for being unfilial, making you worry about us even in your old age—"
Gu Hanting wiped away his tears. "Father, I didn't dare to hope for anything else. I just hope that you two brothers will live well from now on. Don't let me, an old man, bury my young son. That feeling is really unbearable."
I dream about your brother when he was little, such a well-behaved and smart child. How could he have been so heartless? Those two are free now, but why didn't they think about their child more?
Thinking of his son, Gu Hanting felt a sharp pain in his heart.
Gu Zhengfeng was also feeling bad. He patted his father on the back and said, "Dad, don't think too much. Just close your eyes and get by. When we lost Qiao'er, we were heartbroken too. But we had no choice; life had to go on."
Speaking of his granddaughter, Gu Hanting was genuinely pleased. The father and son chatted for most of the night before finally getting a short nap.
While the father and son were chatting, in another room, Liu Taixiang and his wife were also talking about Jiang Qiao. It was because Jiang Qiao had asked the old man to bring them half a sack of grain, along with some food and a few feet of cloth, which made the couple extremely grateful.
Liu Taixiang understood perfectly. "Later, whatever good food we cook at home, I'll bring some in for Brother Gu. That girl is a clever one. Although we took care of her before, she didn't treat us badly."
Neither the couple were fools. When this family came, they could more or less see something. They knew perfectly well why the little girl had brought this thing.
"That's right, I've got it in mind. We'll take better care of Comrade Gu."
Gu Hanting and his family left early the next morning. The children had to go back to school, and Gu Zhengfeng had taken leave to come over. He also had to go back to find someone to help his older brother with his affairs.
As they parted, Gu Zhengfeng kept instructing, "...Dad, remember, when you get back tell Jiang Qiao not to run around. Things are chaotic outside. This isn't as easy as she thinks. Tell her to wait for my news."
Gu Hanting was both gratified and worried about his granddaughter's condition, and he shared the same thought as his son.
"Okay, I'll go find Old Qiao as soon as I get off the bus. Be careful, and don't come back if you're busy at the end of the year."
Jiang Qiao didn't expect Gu Hanting and the others to come back so quickly. She thought that the old man and the others could stay at her uncle's place for a few more days.
"Why stay? The more I look at it, the more upset I feel. It's not a good place either. If it weren't for the circumstances, I would have told your uncle to leave there as soon as possible."
Qiao Jie sighed, "That's right. Without freedom, nothing you say matters."
"Brother Gu, your arrival is just in time. I was planning to go for a walk with Jiang Qiao, but now that you're here, I don't need to come over."
Gu Hanting was dumbfounded. "What? You two are going out? Are you sure you're okay? Where are you two going?"
Qiao Jie gave a wry smile. "It's because I'm getting old. If I don't leave now, I really won't be able to leave in the future. I have to go back to my hometown to take a look. Brother, come and visit when you have time. Qiao'er has prepared a lot of things at home. If you need anything, just come and get it."
Gu Hanting frowned and looked at his granddaughter, "Qiao'er, you're not going out to look for someone because of your uncle's matter, are you? Your father said he'll take care of this."
Jiang Qiao smiled and shook her head. "Grandpa, you've misunderstood me. I was just accompanying you for a walk. There's nothing else. My uncle's case has been going on for so many years without any results, and I don't expect any results anytime soon."
Don't worry, Grandpa Qiao is here with me. What else could you possibly be worried about?
Gu Hanting took his granddaughter's hand and patted it, saying, "You silly girl, you can't just do what I say."
Turning to look at Qiao Jie, he said, "Brother Qiao, you can go out, but please be careful and come back soon."
Qiao Jie smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, even if we threw our Qiao'er to the ends of the earth, she'd find her way home. Who would have thought she could even resolve her uncle's problems? Sigh, I was worried before, but I never expected this—"
Jiang Qiao wasn't going to keep nagging the two old men. "Grandpa, you sit down. I'll go cook first."
Gu Zhixuan and Gu Zhihong quickly got up to help.
Jiang Qiao led the two people to her bedroom. "You two lie down for a while. Our kitchen isn't big, so you don't need to eat. Here, have some food. Dinner will be served soon."
Jiang Qiao brought out a lot of snacks for the two brothers, who also ate some pastries on the train. To be honest, the two children were more interested in the fruit that Jiang Qiao brought out.
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