Chapter 128 Arrival
The brother and sister packed up the New Year's goods and the extra labor protection products into a big package and sent it back in advance. They traveled light on the return trip. Ding Guo only brought some money, food for the journey, and a few freshly baked breads.
Ding Dayong also brought the bicycle parts he had collected recently, plus those at home, so he could put together a bicycle and go home to build one for his father.
If it were Ding Guo himself, he wouldn't have to mail anything back. He could just throw it into the space and carry a bag.
In the following decades, the Spring Festival travel rush has been a grand event every year. It is no different today. Ding Guo's great strength played a huge role at this time. Whether getting on or getting off the bus, she let Ding Dayong go in front and pushed Ding Dayong herself, and they quickly broke through the encirclement.
Those who reacted quickly followed her and easily rushed out of the crowd, while those who reacted slowly were immediately blocked by the crowd rushing in front and had to squeeze through them again while carrying their things.
After squeezing into the train and reversing for two days, the brother and sister finally walked out of Huiyang Railway Station.
Both of Ding Dayong's trouser pockets were cut, and Ding Guo was not spared either, as both his jacket and trousers were cut.
It would be useless to draw the line. Ding Dayong had no money on him. The money was all with Ding Guo. Ding Guo didn't need to hide it anywhere else. He could just throw it into the space and his pockets would be empty.
She was just shocked at how sharp those people's knives were and she didn't notice anything at all.
Compared to those who cried and complained on the train about losing their money or having their letters of introduction stolen, their situation was already pretty good.
As soon as I came out, I saw Ding Dazhui who came to pick someone up.
This time I couldn't borrow a "special car" and could only take the village's ox cart.
"Sister, brother!" Ding Dazhu greeted the two with a smile, and took the bag that Ding Guo used to pack his spare clothes. He said, "At the end of the year, the cars in the village are very busy. The members of the commune and the educated youth who don't go home for the New Year go to the commune every day to buy things for the New Year."
Because there were so many people using the car, a price was set. It was two cents per person to go to the commune, and if you carried a lot of things, you would pay more.
It’s far to Huiyang, so the fee is 6 cents per person.
Ding Dazhui didn't tell Ding Guo and the others, and gave the money to the coachman Yang Siye in advance.
There was also Fourth Master Yang in the original owner's memory, but compared with the original owner's memory, the Fourth Master Yang in front of him had a more weathered look on his face.
Ding Guo called out "Uncle Four".
Fourth Master Yang said with a smile, "Good girl." He added, "You've grown up now. If I bumped into you unexpectedly, I wouldn't even dare to recognize you."
Ding Guo also smiled and said reluctantly: "You haven't changed much, you're still so young."
Fourth Master Yang laughed: "What's so young about that? I'm already an old man, haha."
From Huiyang to Hongxing Commune, apart from Master Yang Si, there were the three siblings of the Ding family in the car. They talked and laughed all the way and didn't feel bored at all.
When they staggered to the big poplar tree at the three-way intersection of the commune, Ding Guo saw about seven or eight people waiting under the tree for a bus to go back to the village.
On the ground under your feet there are bulging woven bags, baskets, reeds, woven baskets, etc.
Seeing the ox cart coming, the people waiting hurriedly picked up their belongings and prepared to get on the cart.
Fourth Master Yang drove the ox cart up to the front and stopped. Ding Guo also saw a few familiar faces among the people and was trying hard to remember how to address them. The people waiting started to greet Ding Dayong in a flurry.
"Dayong is back."
"Dayong, you are different now that you work in the city. Look at your spirit."
"Dayong, it seems that the food in the city is better than in the countryside, and you've gained weight since you were at home!"
Ding Dayong not only exchanged pleasantries, but also helped pull people into the car and helped to gather things.
Some people also looked at Ding Guo, and Ding Guo called people with a smile, calling them aunt, auntie, and sister-in-law.
Someone else asked Ding Tao: "Didn't Taozi come back with you guys?"
Ding Guo smiled and said, "No, she stayed in Fengning to celebrate the New Year."
The aunt smiled and said, "You came back to celebrate the New Year. Ding Tao stayed at your house for the New Year. This year, I have to ask your second aunt to cook two more dishes for you..."
People who were familiar with Ding Guo laughed and joked.
Ding Dayong sat on Ding Guo's left, and Ding Dazhu sat on her right. Opposite her sat a young man in faded blue clothes. He glanced at Ding Guo twice, with surprise in his eyes, but he quickly looked away and smiled as he spoke to Ding Dazhu: "Dazhu, is this your eldest cousin?"
Ding Guo is quite famous in Yangjiawo.
When Ding Dayong was first taken to the city by Ding Guo, he caused a little splash in the village. It was only when he came back to move his household registration that he caused a huge uproar.
In particular, many people said that it was Ding Guo who helped Dayong find a job in the city and that his permanent job was also arranged by Ding Guo. Although most people did not believe it, they thought that the eldest son of the Ding family used the child as an excuse because he was afraid that other people in the village would come to him for help, and he also bullied Ding Zhigang for a while.
But there were also some people who believed it, but were shocked that Ding Guo had such ability, and what they said most was that Ding Guo was grateful.
Ding Guo grew up with her grandmother in the village. Although the old lady of the Ding family did not abuse her granddaughter, she did not love her much either.
Before the Ding family split up, Peng Guihua, who had just married into the family, began to help her mother-in-law take care of Ding Guo, who was less than two years old.
At that time, the second child's family had just given birth to their eldest daughter, Ding Tao, and she secretly said to Peng Guihua: "This little girl can't be touched. Look, you brought a little girl to me."
Huang Meihua also helped her mother-in-law take care of the baby for a few days, but later she stopped helping her mother-in-law because she was afraid that she might give birth to a girl. Unexpectedly, she gave birth to a girl, and she even complained to Ding Guo, saying that she brought her younger sister here.
This is where the words of advice to sisters-in-law come from.
Peng Guihua tried hard not to roll her eyes at her sister-in-law and continued to take care of Ding Guo as she should.
Unexpectedly, Peng Guihua’s first child was a son, her second child was also a son, and her third child was also a son.
Huang Meihua gave birth to three daughters, so it was not appropriate to continue to blame Ding Guo for having the daughters.
Later, when the family was divided, Ding Guo was able to work, so the old lady of the Ding family did not allow her third daughter-in-law to take care of him anymore, and kept him by her side to help with the laundry.
But the third family was still very good to Ding Guo, sneaking food and drink into his mouth. The old lady of the Ding family turned a blind eye and said that as long as Ding Guo didn't interfere with the housework, he could go to any family to eat and save her food.
Look, all the love and care for the child paid off, and blessings came to the third child’s family.
People are nice to Ding Guo. Now that Ding Guo has become capable, he starts to help his third aunt's younger brother.
Ding Dazhu recognized the young man who was speaking. He was an educated youth from the village named Zhou Zhigao. He nodded but said nothing more, nor did he intend to introduce the two sides.
Ding Guo looked at the other person in surprise because he was mentioned. He searched the original owner's memory but found no such person.
While she was thinking, the other party smiled and nodded at her. Ding Guo nodded politely in response and looked away, with no intention of communicating.
Zhou Zhigao was a little disappointed, but he didn't argue and turned to talk to the person next to him.
It was very lively on the ox cart. Several aunts and sisters knew that Ding Dayong drove a cart, and they curiously asked Ding Dayong where he had been and what goods the cart carried.
Ding Dayong was not arrogant. He talked about his experiences from all over the world with a smile to satisfy the curiosity of these aunts and sisters.
Someone also asked Ding Guo what he was doing in the city, and Ding Guo answered with a smile.
"What does a food factory do? Do they make white flour steamed buns or noodles?" an old lady asked, "Is it cheaper for you to buy things from the factory?"
Ding Guo smiled and said, "Our factory makes pastries. We regularly issue welfare coupons, but we can't just buy whatever we want."
"Do you also make peach cakes and egg cakes?"
Supply and marketing cooperatives in various places have pastries, all of which are locally produced.
Ding Guo smiled and said, "Yes, there are also longevity cakes, bread and so on."
"This is much more promising than being able to make white flour buns..."
Listening to the simple speeches of the aunts and sisters, Ding Guo felt extremely at ease.
As they chatted along the way, when the car reached the village entrance, Ding Guo saw Peng Guihua and waved happily, "Third Aunt!"
Peng Guihua's face was so smiling that her eyebrows were not visible, and she quickly said "eh".
Peng Guihua is now very popular in the village.
After winter came, he received several packages, which made Ding Laoer's family very jealous.
Everyone also asked Huang Meihua why her daughter, who had also gone to the city, didn't send any package?
Huang Meihua asked, can the salary of regular workers and temporary workers be the same?
Besides, even if her daughter Ding Tao becomes a regular employee someday, her salary won’t be that wasteful.
Ding Dayong and Ding Guo just can't get along.
Although she didn't receive the package, she received the salary that Ding Tao mailed back.
Many people envied Peng Guihua for receiving the parcels, and also lamented that Ding Dayong didn't know how to live, and the third brother didn't know how to talk about his son. Is that how the salary is spent?
Peng Guihua was very anxious. Every time she wrote to him, she would remind him to save the money he earned. However, he still received several packages recently.
But when he saw Ding Guo, he was too happy to say anything to spoil his mood. He pulled Ding Guo up and down to look him up and down. He saw that not only had he not lost weight, but he had gained some weight compared to the last time he came back. His face also looked rosy and beautiful. He couldn't help but feel relieved.
But when he saw the cut on her clothes, he was frightened and asked if she was hurt, and cursed the thief.
"Mom, look at me too!" Ding Dayong stood in front of his mother. Peng Guihua looked at her eldest son and exclaimed in surprise. She took two steps back and looked at him again, then said uncertainly, "Dayong, have you grown taller again?"
Ding Dazhu helped his brother and sister carry their things and said with a smile, "I see my brother has grown taller too."
Ding Guo said to him: "You have grown up too, a lot taller than last time."
Ding Dazhu was at the age of growing taller, so it was not surprising that he grew taller, but it was surprising that Ding Dayong grew taller.
"I thought he had reached his maximum height and wouldn't grow any taller," said Peng Guihua with a smile.
Peng Guihua looked at Ding Guo with gratitude. She heard Dayong say last time when he came back to move his household registration that his sister wanted to make up for the poor health, so he also took advantage of it and had good food and good accommodation.
It must be because of his good nutrition that Dayong's height has grown so fast.
I couldn't help thinking that instead of saving and selling the eggs after the New Year, I could give an egg to my second and third children every day to supplement their nutrition.
Nutritional supplements taken early are definitely better than those taken late.
The family was chatting and laughing, and halfway through their journey, they met Ding Dalin, who had also run much faster than last time.
Ding Dalin happily called out "Big Brother" and "Big Sister".
He was not as shy as he was the last time he met Ding Guo. He could not wait to share with his elder brother and sister: "Dad is stewing chicken at home. It smells so good!"
Ding Guo looked at Peng Guihua and said, "Aunt San, did you kill a chicken at home?"
Before Peng Guihua opened her mouth, Ding Dayong began to show off: "Mom, stewed chicken is not as delicious as roasted chicken. My sister built a big stove like this at home..." He raised his hand and gestured, "We made roasted chicken some time ago. You don't know how complicated the process is, but the roasted chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the skin is brushed with a layer of honey, which is sweet..."
Peng Guihua was amazed when she heard this: "Can't we roast it in our stove at home? Why do we have to use such a high stove..." She also gestured at the same height as Ding Dayong had just gestured, "We killed a chicken before the New Year. If our stove at home can roast it, roast it for us to try."
Ding Dayong shook his head: "You definitely can't use the stove at home to bake. The stove for baking things has to follow certain principles."
He looked at the blueprints and listened to Ding Guo and Shi Guanghui talk about the principle of the bread kiln. He began to explain the principle to his mother. Peng Guihua was completely confused, but Ding Dazhui and Ding Dalin were very interested and their eyes were shining.
Peng Guihua didn't understand, so she stopped listening and asked Ding Taohe about his situation: "Are you adapting well there?"
"I've adapted quite well." Ding Guo smiled as he recalled Ding Tao's changes.
Peng Guihua asked her uncle and his wife again: "Are your parents in good health? Is Jianguo's wife okay?"
Ding Guo thought for a moment before saying, "My parents are in good health and can withstand a lot of damage."
It has endured so many blows and is still standing tenaciously. Isn't it tough?
Ding Guo continued, "Jianguo's wife has been here for several months, and now they are trying to separate the family."
She had only heard about the separation from Ding Tao two days before she was about to leave. She would have to wait until she returned after the New Year to hear about the specific progress and final result.
Peng Guihua exclaimed: "How come they are arguing about splitting up less than a year after getting married?"
Ding Guo didn't write a letter to tell her family about what happened at home some time ago. She thought Ding Tao would tell her second uncle and second aunt. However, she only found out about it two days ago, and Ding Tao didn't tell them either.
Ding Tao didn't like writing. Every time she wrote a letter, she would only write a few words to explain her situation. If she needed her family to send her food, she would write an extra sentence. Unless there was something special, she would not write a single word more.
Ding Tao thought Ding Guo and Dayong would tell their family, but it ended up causing information misunderstanding.
Ding Guo whispered about Ding Jianshe's mistakes and his being demoted. Peng Guihua's face turned pale as she heard this: "So much money was lost? How did the child get that disease?"
As he walked into the room, Peng Guihua had not yet recovered from her shock.
Ding Guo smiled and greeted his uncle who came out from the kitchen: "Uncle!"
Ding Zhicheng said with a smile: "I'm back, come in and warm up."
Ding Dayong also talked to his father: "Dad, where are the parts I left at home last time?"
Ding Zhicheng saw his son bringing back some spare parts and said hurriedly, "They have been placed in the utility room. I was afraid they would rust, so I applied some oil on them."
Brothers Ding Dalin and Ding Dazhu immediately became excited: "Brother, can you assemble the bicycle?"
Peng Guihua hurried to the kitchen and chased Ding Zhicheng: "Go and get it for Dayong." She said to Ding Guo, "Go into the house, warm yourself by the fire, take a break, we'll have dinner later."
Ding Guo went back to the house, put down his bag, and came out to the kitchen to talk to his third aunt.
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