Hiding on the kang (a heated brick bed), Hua Baoguo and the others drank two large cups of hot water before they felt better.
"It's all my fault," Tian Guihua said, feeling guilty as she saw her son and daughter-in-law looking so pitiful from the cold. "I forgot to remind your father to pick them up early since you were coming back today."
"It's alright. It's also because we don't get enough exercise. Our colleagues carried more stuff than us, but they seemed to be having a lot of fun." Even though Xun Liangfen had some complaints before, those grievances had long since vanished as she enjoyed the warm kang and hot water.
Besides, if it weren't for the two elderly people helping to look after the house, she and Baoguo wouldn't have been able to be so carefree after being away from home for several months.
"Mom, how has everything been at home lately?" Hua Baoguo stretched comfortably, feeling warm all over and refreshed.
In his opinion, he's more used to calling them "Dad" and "Mom." Those young people insist on calling them "Mom" and "Dad," and all that random addressing sometimes makes him dizzy.
"Everything else is fine, but there are two things I need to tell you." Tian Guihua frowned, which startled Hua Baoguo and Xun Liangfen, who quickly sat up straight.
In the past, when they returned from business trips, the old man would always say that everything was fine at home. But this time, he spoke so solemnly about two things that made them worry.
"What are the two things?" Xun Liangfen asked nervously.
Tian Guihua then realized why her old man had dragged his granddaughter to the kitchen to cook, leaving the task to her.
"One of the good things is that Lijuan is pregnant. Next autumn, our family will have a big, healthy boy to hold."
This is great news! Hua Baoguo and his wife exchanged a glance, their eyes practically overflowing with joy.
"How is Lijuan's health? Has she seen a doctor?" Xun Liangfen asked immediately with concern.
"I've checked, and she has a good appetite. She hasn't been picky about food these days. It seems the baby in her belly knows how to care for its mother." Tian Guihua smiled broadly as she said this. Her granddaughter-in-law is in good health and hasn't experienced morning sickness, which makes things much easier for her.
"That's good," Xun Liangfen got up and prepared to rummage through the bags they brought back. "I brought back some baby formula this time, so the child can have some good nutrition. I wonder if the clothes I bought for her will still fit..."
Hua Baoguo grabbed her arm to stop her, "Mother, there's something else..."
Tian Guihua's face darkened, and she told Hua Xiangyun about her injury. Hua Baoguo couldn't sit still any longer and got up from the kang (a heated brick bed) to put on his shoes.
"Dad, what are you going to do?" Xun Liangfen grabbed him nervously, because Hua Baoguo's face was so gloomy that it was somewhat frightening.
"I'm going to settle the score with that He family brat. I wasn't home, and he dared to lay a hand on our little darling. I won't be able to let this go until I give him a good beating..."
Tian Guihua walked over and patted him on the back, "Are you really that reckless? You injured someone, and then we'll compensate them."
Besides, I've already taken care of this matter, and their family has provided compensation.
As for settling scores, that's not the time for that.
Hua Baoguo didn't stop what he was doing, and Tian Guihua became anxious, "You're a grandfather now, and you're still so impulsive. If you hurt someone, even if we're in the right, we'll be in the wrong..."
"Mother, I didn't intend to go out. I just wanted to see Xiaoguai's wound. This child has suffered so much. I won't feel at ease if I don't take a look."
Xun Liangfen finally realized what was happening and gasped. The child had been carrying her luggage. "This child is injured, why is he still running around? His father and I are adults, we won't get lost, why did she have to go and pick us up?"
The couple couldn't sit still any longer. They quickly slipped on their shoes and ran outside, leaving Tian Guihua standing there, speechless. She hadn't even finished explaining what had happened, and they were already gone...
Hua Xiangyun was cooking noodles when she was suddenly turned around and found Hua Baoguo and Xun Liangfen looking at her nervously.
"Dad, what's wrong? Is there dust on my face?" Hua Xiangyun wondered if she had accidentally gotten some on her face while kneading dough.
Even so, you two don't need to be like this, staring at me so intently you're practically tearing my hair out.
"..." Hua Baoguo was also a little confused. Didn't his mother say that Xiao Guai had a hole in his forehead? How come he didn't see the wound?
"Your grandma said you were hit on the head by that kid from the He family. How are you? Does your head still hurt?" Xun Liangfen walked over, pushed Hua Baoguo aside, and started to pull Hua Xiangyun's hair. There were no wounds on the outside, so it must have hurt the scalp.
Hua Xiangyun, “…” Can I say you returned too late? The wound had already been accidentally repaired by her own spiritual energy.
Hua Guangzong, who had been sitting there tending the fire, looked up at Hua Xiangyun. He remembered the location of Xiao Guai's previous wound vividly, but now only her smooth forehead remained.
"Little Darling?" Hua Guangzong wondered if he was seeing things, and rubbed his eyes. "Where's your wound?"
Hua Xiangyun touched her forehead and chuckled dryly, "My master gave me some good medicine to remove scars. They faded after a few days of application, but the medicine was quite precious, and I've used it all up."
"Master?" Hua Baoguo felt his head was about to explode. He had bumped his head, and now his master was away. How much had happened in such a short time?
"With your impatient pace, you ran out before I even finished speaking," Tian Guihua said, following along.
"They're about to become grandparents, yet they're still so impulsive."
Now you can sit down and listen to me properly, right?
Xun Liangfen knew that the couple had acted impulsively. "Mother, this is our fault. But when we're away from home, we're always worried about our family, and it's easy to lose our composure. Mother, please tell us."
Tian Guihua knew that her son and daughter-in-law were worried about Xiao Guai, so she finally said what she had prepared in her mind over the past few days. She then added, "It was your father and I who decided that Xiao Guai should become an apprentice. As for whether he or she will make a living from this in the future, that will be up to Xiao Guai to decide."
Hua Baoguo took a deep breath. Over the decades, he had been traveling around and often encountered things that science could not explain.
So, while there's a nationwide campaign to break down feudal superstitions, many people still believe in them deep down.
He still remembered that when Xiao Guai was little, he would cry in the middle of the night, and it was only after seeing that witch doctor that he was cured.
But believing is one thing, he really doesn't want his daughter to go down this path.
“My dear, there are actually many things in this world that are worth learning. You used to want to go out with your dad, and you even said that you wanted to drive a train when you grew up, right?”
How about this? After the New Year, Dad will be going on a long trip. You can come with me, and Dad will teach you step by step.
Hua Baoguo tried to persuade Hua Xiangyun, gesturing for his wife, who was standing there in a daze, to join in.
Xun Liangfen also came to her senses. This matter was too big for her to accept.
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