Chapter 60
Xia Qingtang said: "Because I only have time to attend classes after work. I can't go to class during work hours."
"You don't have work at noon. You can eat in the cafeteria and ride your bike to the provincial capital university for class. Then you can go back to work in time." Xie Jinxuan said, "Is it because Teacher Guan's sister has to take a nap at noon?"
"I haven't asked her, but she has difficulty walking, so she should take a nap at noon."
Grandma said, "Why don't you ask her if you can change the class to noon? Or just change it once. You go to class after work in the evening, so you will get home very late. Then you have to do your homework, which will make it even later. Moreover, you always go to class on an empty stomach, which will affect your health. It would be better if you go to class at noon. You can eat a full meal first and then go. It won't delay anything."
"But the class schedule has already been decided..." Xia Qingtang was a little embarrassed.
In fact, she knew that as long as she asked, Guan Chenxiang would definitely change the class time, because the brother and sister owed Xie Jinxuan a big favor, but if that was the case, Xia Qingtang would be even more embarrassed.
Xie Jinxuan probably saw what she was thinking, so she said, "How about this, you go to class tonight, and I'll pick you up at Teacher Guan's house, and then I'll ask her privately if she needs a nap at noon, then forget it."
"Well... okay, I'll leave it to you." Xia Qingtang held Xie Jinxuan's big hand and shook it, then smiled sweetly, "It's great that you're back. I think the weather today is especially sunny."
Grandpa and grandma laughed at the same time. Grandpa said, "Silly child, didn't you look outside when you got up? It's cloudy today, not very sunny."
Grandma retorted, "What do you know, old-fashioned person? They feel the sunshine with their heart. Even a rainy day can be sunny."
Aunt Six came out from the kitchen: "What do you mean by sunny or not? Breakfast is ready. Do you want to eat now?"
"Chengye and the others haven't come down yet, but let's not wait for them. Let's eat first." As she said that, grandma took the lead and walked to the dining table.
Aunt Liu prepared the batter in the morning, added a lot of chopped vegetables and diced carrots, beat an egg, and spread the batter into plate-sized pancakes. Each person could eat three or four.
The original intention of using a lot of vegetables was to use less white flour, but this actually makes the food more nutritious and tastes better.
She also cooked a big pot of rice crust soup, added a little bit of lard, and added a handful of chopped vegetables before taking it out of the pot. It was extremely fragrant.
Xia Qingtang took her bowl of rice crust soup, and when her grandparents started eating, she leaned over to the bowl and took a sip: "It smells so good."
"Drink more if you like. I cooked a big pot." Aunt Liu said as she distributed pancakes to everyone.
There was chili sauce made by Aunt Liu on the table. Xia Qingtang scooped some with a clean spoon and spread it on the pancake, then rolled it up. It tasted even better.
When they were halfway through their meal, Xie Chengye and the other two came downstairs. Xie Jinyun was carrying a schoolbag in one hand and an open textbook in the other, and was muttering to herself as if she was reciting a text.
Grandma said, "What's wrong? Xiaoyun, didn't you finish your homework last night? Why are you still reciting the text at this hour?"
Xie Jinyun quickly said, "No, no, we have a small test today, and I'm a little nervous, so I hurried to recite it again, in case I forget it by then."
After saying that, Xie Jinyun sat down in her seat and continued reading her textbook while eating.
Aunt Six said, "When your brother was in school, he never recited his lessons during breakfast."
Xie Jinyun didn't even raise her head: "Brother and his friends didn't have any small tests back then? We didn't have small tests before, we only have them now. You see, I've never read textbooks at the dining table before."
"This is all quibbling. Your brother is still preparing for the college entrance examination. I saw him reading upstairs." Aunt Liu said.
"Then I'm just not as smart as my brother." Xie Jinyun pleaded, "Good Sixth Aunt, please stop talking and let me watch for a few more minutes."
Everyone laughed, and Aunt Liu stopped talking. Instead, she took the initiative to spread a little chili sauce on his pancake, rolled it up, and then handed it to him.
Xie Jinyun was munching on pancakes while reading his textbook seriously, and he didn't even bother to eat his rice crust soup.
Xie Jinxuan and Xia Qingtang finished their meal in a short while. They greeted their elders and stood up to go out to work.
Xie's mother stopped them and said, "Jinxuan is back from her business trip, so you must move back. But Qingtang has to go to class tonight and will be back late, so you should stay at home. We will leave dinner for Qingtang so that she can eat when she comes home and won't be hungry."
Xie Jinxuan nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to mom."
Mother Xie was very happy, and so was Grandma. Aunt Six immediately asked, "What would Qingtang like to eat tonight?"
"Anything is fine. As long as it's made by Sixth Aunt, there's nothing I don't like." Xia Qingtang said with a smile, then he and Xie Jinxuan went out carrying their bags.
Walking into the yard and seeing the bicycles parked side by side, Xie Jinxuan asked, "Should I ride my bike to take you there today, or do you want to ride by yourself?"
"I will ride the bike by myself and you will stay with me. Mainly because I miss you too much. After a few days, when I don't miss you so much, you don't have to send me to work in the morning. It takes a lot of time to go back and forth. With this time, you can read a few more pages of books like Xiaoyun." Xia Qingtang said seriously.
Xie Jinxuan nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to you."
They both got on their bicycles and headed out together. When they reached the other end, they were stopped by Luo Xiangqian, who was biting a coarse-grained steamed bun.
"Jinxuan, you're back. I've been looking for you every day these days." Luo Xiangqian ran to Xie Jinxuan's bicycle and whispered, "You know everything about Xiaoxia, right?"
"I know. I knew everything when I came back last night." Xie Jinxuan said, "Why did you call me?"
"That bastard Du Cheng has bullied you, and I'm not going to let him go. I think, when he is released from inside, we can find a time... to give him a good beating." Luo Xiangqian's voice was so low that Xia Qingtang on the side could only hear it roughly.
Xie Jinxuan nodded gently: "Okay, then we'll go together."
"Okay, it's settled. I'll go find some tools and bring them back. We can't let that bastard get away with it." Luo Xiangqian waved his hand again, "Okay, hurry up and send Xiao Xia to work."
"Thank you."
"Who are we friends? You're thanking me for such a small thing? Let's go!" Luo Xiangqian slapped Xie Jinxuan on the back, then ran back to the house with a laugh.
After riding out of the compound, Xia Qingtang asked, "Did Luo Xiangqian tell you about teaching Du Cheng a lesson later?"
"Yes, but we have to wait for a year or so." Xie Jinxuan said, "If we take action as soon as he comes out, wouldn't it be obvious that we did it?"
"Will you no longer be suspicious in a year or two?"
"I definitely won't doubt it. After a year or so, I will find a way to make Du Cheng offend more people." Xie Jinxuan smiled gently, but Xia Qingtang realized again that this person who always looked gentle and polite was the most difficult to mess with.
It is said that a dog that bites doesn't bark. This is probably the reason.
When they rode to the intersection near the cotton mill, Xia Qingtang asked him to stop: "Okay, just drop me off here, and I can go over there by myself. We all have bicycles now, so there's no need to be so ostentatious and ride over there for others to see."
"Okay, then I'll go back. How long will your class be in the evening? I'll ride my bike there a little after six o'clock. Do you think I'll be in time?" Xie Jinxuan asked.
"My previous classes lasted until about 6:25. I'm sure you can go there a little after 6."
"Well, I'll pick you up in the evening."
"Okay." Xia Qingtang waved at him and continued riding forward.
Xia Qingtang looked smiling all day long, and exuded a happy aura, which was quite different from the previous few days.
Li Yue said, "Xiao Xia, did you find some money today? Why are you so happy all day long?"
"I'm happier than picking up money. My husband came back from a business trip last night." Xia Qingtang smiled at her.
Li Yue was happy: "Hey, you are really young. You are so happy when your lover comes back from a business trip. You got married early, so you will get tired of it early. When you reach my age, you will know that there is nothing worth missing when your lover goes out for half a month."
Xia Qingtang said: "But you have children at home. If your wife is at home, at least she can take care of the children, and you won't have to work so hard."
Li Yue sneered, "You expect him to help me take care of the child? You might as well expect the sun to rise from the south. My child has been taken care of by me and my mother-in-law since birth. What kind of child can a man take care of? I don't know what he was thinking last time. He took my child to the park to play for half a day. After he came back, my son vomited and had diarrhea. He had a fever at night and was sent to the hospital. If you expect him to take care of the child, this will be the only outcome. So, cherish the time you have now while you still think about your lover. Later, you will lose interest when you see him."
Wu Feng said: "Not all men can't take care of children. I take care of my own children. I am very skilled in changing their diapers, feeding them, and taking them out to play. When they grow up, they still remember how I took care of them when they were little. Xiaoxia's husband has a good relationship with her and will lend a hand when we have children in the future."
"You're just thinking too much. Old Wu, you're an ordinary person. You were poor before, and it wasn't easy for you to get married, so you must help your wife take care of the children. Otherwise, who can you complain to if your wife runs away? But Xiao Xia's lover can afford two bicycles. Would a man like that help a woman take care of her children? I won't believe it even if you kill me!"
Everyone was stunned. Before Xia Qingtang could speak, Li Yue continued, "Speaking of bicycles, Xiao Xia, have you asked for me? Can I still get a ticket?"
Xia Qingtang could only tell the truth: "Well, we talked a lot about his business trip last night, so I didn't have time to ask him. I will ask him tonight, don't worry."
"Then don't forget it today, I'm waiting." Li Yue said.
"Okay, I'll ask him for you when I see him today." Xia Qingtang said, and continued to work.
After work in the afternoon, Li Yue reminded her again: "Xiao Xia, don't forget to ask me about the ladies' bicycle. I'll be waiting for you."
Xia Qingtang said: "Don't worry, I will ask."
Wu Feng said, "Xiao Li, don't hold out such high hopes. What if Xiao Xia can't get her lover? Wouldn't that be a bother to her?"
"I'm just asking. If I can't get what I want, can I force them? You're meddling in other people's business. Stay out of the affairs of us female comrades." After saying that, Li Yue turned around and left.
Xia Qingtang smiled and went downstairs to look for his bicycle.
She is now very skilled at riding a bike and is familiar with the roads, so she rides very quickly and arrives at the provincial university in less than twenty minutes.
It was a cloudy day today and there happened to be a power outage. The light in the room was dim, so Guan Chenxiang lit candles to teach Xia Qingtang.
After learning the letters, Xia Qingtang started learning the simplest sentences and words this week. She is not a smart person when it comes to studying, but she is an adult, she can sit still, concentrate, and is willing to recite seriously when she gets home, so Guan Chenxiang said that she will definitely be able to learn it.
After studying hard for a whole class, when the get out of class was about to end, Xia Qingtang heard Guan Jueming's voice coming from outside: "Xiao Xie, you're here? Are you here to pick Xiao Xia up after class?"
"Yes, I'm here to pick her up after class. Besides, I was on a business trip a while ago and wasn't at home, so I haven't been able to visit and thank the two teachers. Today I came to pick up Qingtang and thank the two teachers in person." Xie Jinxuan's voice also came over.
Hearing the voices outside, Guan Chenxiang smiled and said, "Today's content has been completed, and Xiao Xie just happened to come over, so why not end the get out of class early."
"Okay, thank you Teacher Chenxiang." Xia Qingtang said and started to pack up.
Guan Chenxiang shouted to the outside: "Brother, our class is over."
Guan Jueming said quickly, "Xiao Xie, come in with me and sit for a while. It's cloudy today and it gets dark early, so we need to light candles in the house very early."
Xie Jinxuan followed Guan Jueming into the room, only to see a candle lit on the eight-immortals table in the room, and the light was not particularly bright.
He put the two bags of snacks in his hand on the table, then said with a smile: "Teacher Xiaoguan, I didn't see you the last time I came. After so many years, you are still the same."
Guan Chenxiang smiled and said, "You are still the same, just like when you were a child, still so talkative. However, you have grown so tall, and we are all much shorter than you now."
They exchanged a few pleasantries and talked about the past, then Guan Jueming said, "Xiao Xie, you two can have dinner at our house today."
Xie Jinxuan smiled and said, "I just came back from a business trip last night. Today I promised grandma that I would go back to have dinner with them. When I'm free another day, Qingtang and I will come here for dinner again."
"That's a deal. I must treat you to a meal." Guan Jueming said, "We have a salary and food coupons every month. Chenxiang has a small appetite and can't eat much. We don't lack food, so you don't have to worry about that."
"I know. I'm not worried about that. I'm just afraid that Teacher Guan, your cooking skills won't improve, and the dishes you make won't taste good." Xie Jinxuan said with a smile.
Guan Jueming laughed out loud: "You are right to worry. I really am not very good at cooking. Chenxiang always blames me, but I just can't learn it. The same fried potatoes I make are always unpalatable. Chenxiang follows me and never eats well. I suggested that we just eat in the cafeteria for three meals a day, but Chenxiang said it was too wasteful, so he didn't want to."
"Has Teacher Xiaoguan gone for a follow-up checkup on his leg? What did the doctor say?" Xie Jinxuan asked.
"Let her see a Chinese doctor and find an acupuncture master. I really don't know who to find." Guan Jueming said: "Xiao Xie, do you know anyone?"
"I am also looking for an old Chinese doctor. I also want to see my old injury. How about this, when I find the one, I will let Qingtang tell you, and we can go see the old Chinese doctor together."
"Really? Then I'll leave it to you!" Guan Jueming was very happy, "Our life is stable now. I only have one hope, that Chenxiang's leg can get better."
Guan Chenxiang said, "Brother, you should still have some hope."
"Ah..." Guan Jueming scratched the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed.
Xie Jinxuan looked at the faces of the two siblings and said, "Is it related to the child? Teacher Guan said before that he has not found the whereabouts of your ex-wife, and he doesn't know where the child is."
"Yes." Guan Jueming sighed, "When things started to get complicated, she divorced me and left with the child. I don't know where she went. I wrote to her parents in the meantime, but they ignored me. Now I'm back and have a job, and I want to know how Xiaojun is doing. I went to see her parents, but they didn't tell me a word, no matter how I asked. You said there was no news at all, and I didn't even know if the child was dead or alive."
"Teacher Guan, please write me all the information about your ex-wife and her parents, and I will find someone to help you check. As long as they are still in this province, they should be able to find out." Xie Jinxuan said.
Guan Jueming stood up immediately with joy: "Really? Thank you, Xiao Xie! Come on, you've helped me so much, and now I have to trouble you with these things too."
"How is it a trouble? Teacher Guan taught me foreign languages and took me out to play, and I still remember them. It is said that a teacher is a father for life, so it is my duty to do what Teacher Guan does." Xie Jinxuan said seriously.
Guan Jueming sighed and said, "You are kind-hearted, unlike most people. At that time, others were afraid to have anything to do with our family, but you risked your life to come and see me. You knew where I was and sent me food on time. You were not very old at that time, and you knew to mix some stones into the coarse grains and put a layer of bran on top, just to prevent the manager over there from withholding our mail. You not only sent money to me, but also to Chenxiang. If it weren't for you, my brother and I would have starved to death long ago. I am also a lucky person. It is worth my life to have known you as my student."
Xie Jinxuan said: "These are all things of the past, let's not talk about them. Now that life is better, let's focus on more happy things."
"Yes, yes, you are right. Life is getting better now. When Chenxiang's leg is healed, I will find her a partner. If I find Xiaojun, I will have no regrets."
Guan Chenxiang said, "Brother, stop talking in your sleep. How can a disabled person like me find a partner? Wouldn't that be a burden to others? Besides, I'm already this age, and if I get married I can't give birth to children for others, so who would marry me?"
"How old are you? You are only in your early thirties. Take Old Wang in our department. He was born when his mother was forty years old. Others can still have children at the age of forty. Why can't you have children in your early thirties? Besides, even if you can't have children, you can find a man to take care of the children and still be able to live. Your brother is older than you and in poor health. He may not be able to take care of you for the rest of your life." Guan Jueming felt quite sad as he spoke.
Guan Chenxiang said, "Brother, let's talk about this later. I think it's more important to find Xiaojun first. It would be even better if you can get Xiaojun back."
"I want to, but it's not that easy. I don't even know where his mother took him." Guan Jueming sighed again. Under the dim candlelight, he looked even more sad.
This was not the first time Xia Qingtang had heard of these things.
She knew that Guan Jueming had been married and had a child. His whole family was labeled as zouzi factions and he and his parents were sent to a farm for reform. His ex-wife immediately drew a line with him, divorced him, took the child and went back to her parents' home, and there was no news from her since then.
After Guan Jueming's breakup, he returned to the provincial capital's university. The first thing he did after settling down was to look for his ex-wife and children, but they were no longer with her parents, and no one knew where they had gone. His ex-father-in-law and mother-in-law pretended to be deaf and dumb, so he couldn't find out.
Guan Chenxiang was still single at that time. After all these years, she changed from a young girl into a middle-aged woman in poor health. She had no idea about getting married. Only Guan Jueming didn't want to give up and wanted to find someone to take care of his sister.
These are what Guan Chenxiang talked about with Xia Qingtang during the break. Guan Chenxiang's only hope is to heal her leg so that she can travel more places freely in the future. She also hopes to communicate with her brother slowly until he understands her.
Xia Qingtang likes chatting with Guan Chenxiang very much. She can feel the tremendous energy and vitality from her. Although she has suffered a lot, her heart has always been calm. She seems to have transcended it a long time ago, completely different from worldly people like Xia Qingtang, but she is not aloof. She thinks it is normal for others to pursue fame and fortune.
After talking about Xiaojun, Xie Jinxuan got straight to the point. He said, "How is Teacher Xiaoguan's health now? Is his daily routine still normal?"
Guan Chenxiang said: "There is nothing wrong with my body, except that my legs are not strong. I eat and sleep normally. I can sleep eight or nine hours at night and I am not sleepy all day. I am in good spirits. As long as my legs can be cured, I will be able to attend classes for five or six hours a day in the future."
Xie Jinxuan said: "Then the teacher doesn't need to take a nap at noon?"
"Yes, I don't need to take a nap, and neither does my brother. At noon, my brother and I usually read a book and listen to the news." Guan Chenxiang said, "This radio is the most useful thing in our house."
"Well, I have a request, I don't know if it's okay."
Guan Chenxiang was a smart person and realized it immediately. She smiled and said, "I see. Do you want Xiaoxia to come to class at noon so that it won't delay her evening time?"
"Yes, I hope she can come to class at noon, but I'm afraid it will waste your time."
"I should be fine at noon. I work in an office, so I get off work at 11:30. I can go to the cafeteria to have lunch and then come back. If I have a class at noon, it can start at 12:15 or 12:20. I'm sure there will be no problem. I just don't know if Xiao Xia can make it in time?"
"I'm in time. I can just go to the cafeteria to eat after work, then ride my bike here, finish class, and then ride to work. It won't delay me at all." Xia Qingtang said with a smile.
"Then let's change the class to noon, still on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the date remains unchanged." Guan Chenxiang said with a smile: "I was careless and forgot that we can have classes at noon. In fact, noon is more convenient. For example, today, the sky is gloomy and it gets dark early, and we have to light candles to have class. If we change it to noon, we won't need candles in winter. So let's make it a deal, we will have classes at noon from now on."
Xie Jinxuan said, "Thank you, Teacher Xiaoguan. I knew you would be willing to do this. I looked around and saw that you didn't have a kerosene lamp at home."
"Yes, I didn't buy a kerosene lamp. This candle is from the big bag you gave me last time. I haven't finished lighting it yet." Guan Jueming said, "It's mainly because kerosene is hard to get."
"I'll buy you a kerosene lamp and send some kerosene over. You all need to read, and kerosene lamps are easier to use and brighter than candles," said Xie Jinxuan.
"I can't trouble you anymore. How many things have you sent me since I came back?" Guan Jueming quickly refused.
Xie Jinxuan said: "Just think of it as paying tuition. You don't want to charge tuition for Qingtang's lessons, so as a student, you should give some tuition."
Guan Jueming had no choice but to say, "Thank you in advance. You are such a stubborn child. You won't listen to me no matter what I say."
They chatted about family matters for a while, and seeing that it was really getting late, Xie Jinxuan took Xia Qingtang and said goodbye.
It was already dark, and because of the power outage, there were no street lights, so the road was pitch black. Fortunately, Xie Jinxuan brought a flashlight when she came over, so he rode slowly forward with Xia Qingtang holding the flashlight.
The two of them didn't dare to chat, they just focused on riding their bikes. Although there were not many people on the road, they still didn't dare to ride too fast.
It was almost seven when I got home. My grandmother rushed out when she heard the noise: "Why are you so late?"
"Now that we're over, we should sit down and talk for a while," said Xie Jinxuan.
"Then I'll go call Xiaoliu to cook noodles now." Grandma said and went in.
Aunt Six made noodle soup today. She put a lot of vegetables in it and beat an egg. Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan each had a full bowl. They ate while chatting with grandma.
"How about it? Can the class time be changed to noon?"
"It has been changed. It was Jinxuan who asked. Teacher Chenxiang said that we don't need to sleep at noon, so we can attend classes." Xia Qingtang said, "From now on, you can come back from get off work and cook dinner normally."
"You should be in class at noon. It's not safe to come back too late at night, and it will also delay your sleep." Grandma said: "Today, for example, there was a power outage and it was dark everywhere. It was hard to see on the road. I was worried about you riding your bikes."
"Ah, speaking of riding a bike, I remember what my colleague asked me to ask. Jinxuan, can you still get a ticket for the ladies' bike?"
Xie Jinxuan said: "It depends on what kind of colleague he is, how is his relationship with you, and whether he usually takes care of you."
Xia Qingtang understood what he meant and asked, "What if he was an ordinary colleague who had an ordinary relationship with me and never took care of me?"
"Then you can't get it."
Grandma laughed: "If it's a colleague with a good relationship, or Qingtang's leader, then we can get it?"
"Yes, if he can be of great help to Qingtang, or if he has a good relationship with me, or if he is Chairman Qin, then I can find a way to get the ticket. Tickets for ladies' bicycles are very difficult to get nowadays. Not only is it a matter of selling face, but you also have to exchange some things with others. So with ordinary relationships, I can't help them get tickets." Xie Jinxuan told the truth.
Xia Qingtang said: "I guess so. I will tell my colleagues tomorrow that I can't get the tickets."
Grandma said: "It seems that the relationship is really average."
"She's just an ordinary colleague. After I bought the bicycle, she kept asking me to ask Jinxuan." Xia Qingtang asked again: "What if Hu Yanni and Wen Xiaoli want tickets for the ladies' bicycle, can you get them?"
"They are your best friends. I will get them even if I have to pay out of my own pocket."
Xia Qingtang burst out laughing: "Okay, then I know what's going on. When they get married, I'll find you and give them each a bicycle ticket as a gift."
"I'm just borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha." Xie Jinxuan smiled and pulled her pigtails.
"Yeah, isn't it?"
"Okay, okay, okay. It's okay with you. I'll always listen to you." Xie Jinxuan reached out and touched her head again.
Grandma watched their interaction with a smile on her face, and she was so happy.
After dinner, Xia Qingtang did not do his homework, but washed up and went straight to bed.
Because he went to bed early, he woke up at a little after five the next morning. After washing up and drinking a glass of warm water, he watched the sky outside gradually brighten. Then Xia Qingtang sat in the yard holding a book and began to read softly.
When it was time for breakfast, Xie's mother used Xia Qingtang's morning reading to teach her youngest son: "Xiao Yun, you should also learn from your sister-in-law. You can start studying as soon as you get up early."
Xie Jinyun frowned and said, "I'm already in the top three in my studies, so please let me go, I'm sure I can get into university."
Everyone laughed. Xie Jinxuan said, "Yes, Mom, Xiaoyun is still a child. We should give him some time to relax and play. When it comes to studying, too much is as bad as too little."
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you. But, Jinxuan, how's your college entrance exam review going?"
"I am still confident that I can get into at least one of the universities in our city. If I perform well, I should be able to go to the provincial capital university." Xie Jinxuan looked very confident.
Xie's mother asked, "If you really pass the exam, will you return to your current department after graduation?"
"Definitely not." Xie Chengye said: "He has military service, worked before, and graduated from a university in the provincial capital. He will definitely move up after returning. He should still be in the province at first, and after a few years he will go to the local area for training. Then he will come back and be promoted again."
Mother Xie said, "Then we don't have to worry about Jinxuan anymore. When he's forty, he will definitely be much better than us."
"That's for sure. I'll just wait for Jinxuan to take good care of me in my old age." Xie Chengye said without any embarrassment.
Xie Jinyun immediately said: "Dad, I am still here. I will also take care of you in your old age."
"Yes, yes, yes. And you, if you go to Beijing, Dad will go with you to Beijing to live in retirement in the future."
The whole family laughed and enjoyed the breakfast very much.
That afternoon, Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan moved back to their own small courtyard.
No one had lived there for several days, so there wasn't much dust in the house. The coal stove just needed to be re-lit and the table simply wiped clean.
Xie Jinxuan was distributing coal stoves in the yard. Sister Chen saw it and quickly said through the yard door: "Xiao Xie, why don't you live back?"
"This is our home, of course we have to move back here."
"Do you want to change your door lock?"
"I asked, and it can be opened by replacing another one. Why not install a few more latches behind the door?" Xie Jinxuan said, "I'll install them tomorrow."
The next day, new bolts were installed at home. Now there are three bolts behind the door. It is safe, but I am a little worried about the fire hazard.
Therefore, in addition to the small water tank for storing water in the kitchen, Xia Qingtang bought another bucket, which he filled with water and placed at the kitchen door to be prepared.
This week passed so quickly, and it was Sunday in the blink of an eye.
In the morning, Xia Qingtang felt a little listless after getting up and couldn't muster up any energy.
"I really don't want to go out, but I've already promised my aunt that I must have lunch before coming back." Xia Qingtang sat there, listlessly picking at the porridge in the bowl.
Xie Jinxuan took out a mercury thermometer from the cabinet and took her temperature: "She doesn't have a fever, so she's probably not sick."
"I'm not sick, I just don't have much energy. Maybe I was too tired from dreaming last night." Xia Qingtang said, "Forget it, let's eat quickly and then go shopping."
After they had breakfast, they packed up briefly and walked out.
The paper mill is too far away, and it would be very tiring to ride a bike there, so it would be better to take the bus.
They bought a box of ten egg cakes at a grocery store, waited for the clerk to wrap them up, and then carried the snacks to the bus stop.
Cigarettes and liquor were prepared in advance and did not need to be purchased on the same day. By the time they arrived at the paper mill by car, it was almost ten o'clock.
Ten o'clock is relatively late to visit someone's home, because few people sleep in, so many people who go to visit relatives will arrive at around eight o'clock, sit for two hours, and leave before lunch.
If you stay at a relative's house for lunch, you will bring your own rice or flour.
The last time Xia Qingtang came to the paper mill was many years ago. Fortunately, the family area was not very large, and after asking someone, he quickly found his aunt's house.
I have to say that living in the suburbs has its advantages. The area is large and there is a lot of vacant land to build houses.
Even though my uncle-in-law was not a leader, his family was still allocated a house with three bedrooms, a living room and a small yard. This treatment was much better than that of the factories in the city.
Xia Qingtang stood at the gate of the yard and shouted, "Aunt, we are here!"
Because there is no shortage of land in the paper mill’s family quarters, the kitchen is separated from the main house. The kitchen is on the side of the main house, and the toilet is also built in the yard. In this way, the main house is very large. Although it is said to have three bedrooms and one living room, it can actually be divided into several small rooms, so a family of five can live without being crowded.
Aunt Zhao Meiyan ran out of the kitchen. She was wearing a simple dark blue coat and a large apron, smiling: "You are here! Daquan and I were just talking about this. We were afraid you wouldn't come."
"I've promised it. Even if I can't come, I will send a telegram to tell my aunt in advance." Xia Qingtang said as he walked inside.
Xie Jinxuan also greeted them, and then saw her uncle-in-law Ma Daquan and his three children coming out.
Ma Chuntao was the first to run over: "Cousin, you're here!"
Xia Qingtang greeted her, and the rest of her cousins also timidly called her cousin.
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Jinxuan, let me introduce you. This is my cousin Ma Chunfu, and this is my younger cousin Ma Chunxing."
Ma Chuntao said, "Call me cousin-in-law, what are you standing there for?"
Both of them shouted timidly, then stood beside Ma Daquan in silence.
Zhao Meiyan said: "These two children are not as good as their elder sister. They are just shy."
"Come in and sit down." Ma Daquan rubbed his hands, looking a little shy.
He was an honest man of average looks, very hard-working and kind-hearted, so Zhao Meiyan lived in harmony with him all her life. His son and little daughter were very similar to him in character, both of them were honest people who were a little shy, and they did not have much communication with Xia Qingtang in their previous life.
When everyone entered the house, Xia Qingtang handed the cigarettes, white wine and egg cakes he brought to Zhao Meiyan.
Zhao Meiyan said with a smile: "Come here for a simple meal. You brought so many good things, it's too expensive. Next time you come, don't bring anything."
"We didn't come during the Chinese New Year, so let's just treat it as a courtesy. Next time we come, we won't have to bring so much." Xia Qingtang said, "Is that okay?"
Before Zhao Meiyan could say anything, she heard old lady Chen Hongxing's voice outside: "Meiyan, we are here! Have you made lunch? Your brother and I haven't had lunch yet!"
Everyone in the room was stunned for a moment, and Ma Chuntao subconsciously asked, "Why is grandma here?"
Zhao Meiyan quickly explained to Xia Qingtang: "I don't know how she got here, Qingtang, I promised you, I definitely didn't tell anyone that you were coming to dinner."
Xia Qingtang observed her expression and said, "I believe my aunt. Grandma likes to visit people. Maybe today is a good day and she wants to come over to have some fun."
"What should we do now?" Zhao Meiyan said nervously, "Or I can send them away..."
"What's going on? Is there no one at home? The yard door is open! I say, Ma Daquan, you are not at home either?" Old lady Chen Hongxing walked to the door of the house while talking loudly.
Seeing that the house was full of people, not only were Zhao Meiyan's family of five there, but Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan were also sitting on the sofa. Chen Hongxing's face immediately fell: "What's going on? Why is this damn girl in your house? When did you hook up with her?"
"Hey, isn't this Qingtang? You don't even come to our house, so how can you bear to come to your aunt's house?" Zhao Zhiqiang, who was following closely behind, sneered, "Little sister, what benefits did you give them to let them come to your house as guests?"
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