Chapter 2222 (Catching Bugs) Two in One
The two guys on guard were still the same ones from last time, but unlike last time, when they heard Ding Guo say they wanted to look for mosquitoes, their expressions became a little subtle.
The guy who helped Ding Guo call for help last time asked with a big smile on his face, "Sister, what do you want to do with Mosquito?"
Ding Guo's heart skipped a beat, and he asked calmly, "Is Mosquito not here today?"
The two looked at each other, and the one who called last time hesitated and said, "Mosquito...I had some things to do at home these two days, so I didn't come. Sister, if you have anything to talk to us, it's the same. We can handle buying or selling things!"
Ding Guo smiled and said, "Nothing much. I just wanted to ask if there are any live chickens or ducks for sale in the market today."
The two could tell that Ding Guo wasn't telling the truth, so one of them said, "I didn't see anyone bringing chickens or ducks here today, but we traded two here yesterday. If you need them urgently, come back this afternoon. You have to rely on luck with this."
Ding Guo smiled and nodded: "Okay, I'll come back and have a look when I have time. Thank you."
After saying that, he turned around and left, riding his bike to Pengbo Hutong.
She knew the approximate location of Mosquito's house, but she didn't know which one exactly. Fortunately, Mosquito was quite famous here, and when she asked someone, someone was very enthusiastic to show her the way.
Ding Guo walked around two alleys before realizing that he had been tricked by the man just now. The man was not referring to Mosquito's house at all.
Well, Mosquito is quite famous, but her reputation is not very good. People deliberately do bad things to her.
Fortunately, she met two people who pointed her to the right place, and Ding Guo finally found Mosquito's house.
Mosquito was chopping wood with an axe in the yard. When she heard someone calling her, she went out and asked in surprise, "Sister Ding Guo, why are you here?"
Ding Guo looked her up and down and asked, "Are you okay?"
Mosquito was stunned for a moment, then she realized that Ding Guo should have gone to the market to look for her. Knowing that she was not there, he was worried that something had happened to her, so he came to her house to check on her. Her heart felt a little warm, and she turned around and looked at her house with a smile, then she whispered, "Sister, I'm fine. Don't go there to look for me anymore, I've parted ways with them."
He spoke in a nonchalant tone, but there was still a hint of loneliness in his eyes.
Someone in the alley couldn't wait for her college entrance examination results to come out, so he was doing things behind her back, trying to take her place. The boss also played a deaf and dumb role. She felt uncomfortable and simply didn't go.
After that, she glanced back at home and continued to talk to Ding Guo in a low voice: "But it won't delay our making some money before the New Year. Thanks to you, Sister Ding Guo, the last batch of apples allowed me to get in touch with a regular contact, a teller at a supply and marketing cooperative in Chaoyang. When the time comes, I can just go there. It's safer than going through the alley."
Seeing Ding Guo's worried expression and hesitant words, Mosquito smiled and said, "Don't worry, sister. I'm still waiting to go to school. I won't put myself in danger."
Knowing that Mosquito had a prejudice, Ding Guo felt relieved.
"Sister, what do you want to see me for today?"
Ding Guo wouldn't go to her for no reason. Even if he wasn't going to ship anything, he must want to buy something.
So he continued, "I also know a few brothers in other territories. If you need anything, I can get it for you."
Ding Guo scrapped his original plan.
It was a rare commodity for Mosquito to go out on his own just after he broke up with the gang. Ding Guo was worried that it would attract too much attention, or offend the people there, and be stabbed in the back, which would not be worth the loss. He said, "It's okay. I just asked casually when I passed by there. I saw that you were not there, so I thought I would come over to ask."
Mosquito looked suspiciously at the bag in Ding Guo's hand and said, "Sister, do you really have nothing to ask me? I will break up with them, and it won't interfere with anything else."
Ding Guo simply changed the subject: "I received the admission letter from Hua University, how about you?"
Mosquito didn't bother to ask any more questions and said in surprise, "Hua Da? Sister Ding Guo, you are amazing! I didn't even dare to apply to these two schools. I applied to the Normal University and the Industrial College. They were willing to accept transfers, but I was afraid they wouldn't admit me. Awesome... Extremely awesome! Congratulations!"
Ding Guo smiled and said, "So, you should just stay at home and wait for the news. Going to college is more important than anything else. Since you don't want to work there anymore, just stay at home and rest for the winter. I'll come to see you at the end of the year."
We just broke up, so we should be cautious.
Mosquito scratched his head and agreed reluctantly: "Okay, I'm mainly used to running, and I can't stay idle at home."
She has been running around these past two days, wanting to change her job, but she is also concerned about her college entrance examination results. What if she passes? She won't be able to stay in the new job for long and won't make much money.
She did look at Tiananmen Square and saw someone selling things stealthily, but there were also a lot of checks.
She noticed that when there were inspections, those people would push carts or roll up their bags and run away. It was also interesting to wait until the inspectors left and then come back. She was quite tempted and thought about setting up a stall there.
But what can I sell at the stall? I’m used to the business model in the alley and I don’t have any other goods.
Oh, let's just forget it for now. Just be quiet for two days. I hope she doesn't really pass the exam and then get caught for speculation, then it would be a waste of time.
Ding Guo chatted with her for a few more words, then turned and left without showing what he had in his hand to Mosquito.
At the end of the month, as Pei Che was on vacation, good news came frequently.
She received a letter from Ding Dazhu, who said that he had been admitted to a normal school in the capital. The letter also said that Ding Zhaodi had also been admitted to a local normal school.
At the same time, the letter said that when Peng Guihua received Ding Guo's letter announcing the good news, she set off several strings of firecrackers at her doorstep. Everyone in the village knew that Ding Guo was a college student, and at a very good university.
Dazhu and Zhaodi received their notices and set off firecrackers. It was very lively in their hometown.
Song Yuling and Huang Aifeng also received admission letters. Song Yuling was admitted to the Telecommunications Engineering Department of Capital University of Posts and Telecommunications; Huang Aifeng was admitted to a university in Tianjin.
There is no good news yet from Dayong and Ding Tao.
Yu Qian hasn't received the notice yet either.
After the Little New Year, on the first day of February, Ding Guo came home from get off work and saw Aunt Qiao's eyes were red. When she saw her, she hurriedly said, "Guo Guo, my son can go back to the city!"
Ding Guo was surprised: "He passed? Which school?"
"Capital Normal University." Aunt Qiao wiped her eyes, but she couldn't stop smiling.
Ding Guo said in surprise: "He goes to the same school as my cousin. Come to my house for dinner and get to know him."
Aunt Qiao nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "Okay, okay, the two children will have someone to take care of them in school." She couldn't help but hold Ding Guo's hand, "Guoguo, thank you. If it weren't for the information you sent back, we would have been in trouble. My second son wrote to me and said that when the broadcast came out, other educated youth in the village ran to the commune to buy books and stationery, but couldn't buy anything, just like the situation in the capital at that time."
"The line stretched for miles. The store had nothing to sell, but the people in line didn't leave. They just stood there waiting for them to get the stock..."
As she spoke, Aunt Qiao began to cry again and thanked Ding Guo again and again.
Ding Guo smiled and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Just focus on the present and the present moment. As long as you pass the exam, your family can be reunited!"
"That's right!"
Ding Dayong came to the capital to deliver New Year's goods. He felt a little depressed. He hadn't received the notice yet. He felt that his life was in danger.
The atmosphere of the college entrance examination had not touched him before, but some time ago, two apprentices in the factory received admission letters from university, and the excitement that broke out in the factory at that time made him a little touched.
Then when he knew that his sister, his wife, his younger brother and cousin had all passed the exam, he felt uncomfortable, as if an invisible dividing line had been drawn between him and his sister. They were moving forward, while he was standing still.
Ding Guo smiled and comforted him: "Many notices are still on the way. No one knows what the outcome will be until the end."
Ding Dayong looked downcast: "Sister, I think I'm in danger."
Ding Guo rolled his eyes at him and said, "Even if it's really in jeopardy, then we can start preparing now and try again in the middle of the year."
Ding Dayong immediately perked up: "Okay, then I'll study hard. Sister, give me your study notes and I'll take a look when I get back."
Ding Guo gave him a lot of notes, materials and books.
Seeing Dayong's listless look, Pei Che took Ding Dayong out for some training. He made his brother-in-law exhausted. When he came back in high spirits, Ding Dayong became even more listless and dragged his legs back to Sanheli.
The young couple is planning to go back to their hometown to celebrate the New Year this year. Ding Guo is not planning to go back this year. She always asks for leave every year and asks Sister Shumei to be on duty. This year is her last year in the unit, and she feels embarrassed to ask for leave again, so she will be on duty so that Sister Shumei can have a good New Year.
So I prepared some New Year gifts in advance and mailed them back, and also wrote a letter to my third aunt to let her know.
She also found time to visit Mosquito's house again, and the girl happily told her that she had also received the admission letter and was admitted to the Industrial College.
Now Mosquito was working alone. Ding Guo was worried about accidents, so he went with her to find the teller of the supply and marketing cooperative. They didn't sell much, just 300 kilograms of apples and 300 kilograms of oranges.
She gave Mosquito a fixed price and avoided any negotiations between Mosquito and the other party.
That's the profit a mosquito should make.
This amount of goods wouldn't even make a splash in the rush to buy during the New Year holidays.
Mosquito saw Ding Guo's caution. She also got the admission letter. Her mindset had changed recently. She was no longer focused on making money. She said, "Sister, I'll visit you at Huazhong University after I report. I haven't been to Huazhong University yet."
Ding Guo smiled and said, "Okay, then you can come find me in the History Department!"
On the twenty-seventh day of the lunar year, Ding Guo took her last day off before the Lunar New Year. She looked after the two kids while Pei Che was busy in the kitchen wearing an apron.
The couple are at home today, so Ding Guo asked Sister Chunhua to go back to prepare for the New Year. She can come back to work for two days tomorrow and the day after tomorrow before officially having a holiday.
Aunt Qiao took a day off today, and her second son came back today to pick someone up.
There was a lot of smoke in the kitchen, so Ding Guo took the baby for a walk in the main room.
Before, I could suddenly take the two kids into the space for a walk, but now that they can talk, I’m afraid they will talk nonsense, so I dare not take them in and have to take care of the kids outside.
But my mother has a lot of resources, and her space is full of good things, so she brings some back from time to time these two days. Now she is baking something for Dabao and Xiaobao on the stove.
Oranges, bananas, and a layer of dried fruits on the stove lid.
Sweet potatoes and potatoes are stuffed at the bottom of the stove, mainly to make use of the space.
Ding Guo set up layers of barriers around the stove, creating a barrier for Dabao and Xiaobao. They were not allowed to get within half a meter of the stove and could only move around nearby. They had to express what they wanted to eat with words, and if they couldn't express it clearly, they would not be allowed to eat.
The two kids were yelling beside them, but Ding Guo calmly turned the orange over.
Pei Che came in through the curtain, handed his wife a bowl of freshly fried meatballs, and went back.
The two kids even called out "Dad". Pei Che's voice came from outside: "Eat fried meatballs with Mom."
Ding Guo picked up one and threw it into his mouth. The meatball was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with firm meat. After chewing it twice, a slight juice burst out, which was salty and delicious.
Dabao and Xiaobao were drooling with greed. I’m not just describing it, they were really drooling: “Mom, meat, meat!”
Ding Guo broke one open and blew on it, then pointed at the dividing line: "Don't cross the line. Let it cool down before you eat it. It's hot now."
Dabao was not convinced: "Mom!"
It means that Ding Guo had just eaten it all and is now lying to the kid.
Ding Guo said with a smile: "Mom is an adult, she is not afraid of the heat."
Xiaobao: "Blow it up after it's permed."
Ding Guo reached out and touched her daughter's face with the back of her hand: "Oh, our Xiaobao is so considerate. If mom gets burned, Xiaobao will help mom blow it."
After saying that, she lifted up her bib to help the greedy kid wipe the corners of his mouth, took the dried meatballs and pinched off a fingernail-sized piece, and carefully instructed before feeding him: "You can't swallow it directly, you have to chew it slowly, and you can't swallow it if you can't chew it thoroughly, understand?"
The two little ones nodded their heads at the same time.
Ding Guo fed them and watched the two kids chewing. Seeing that they were eating well, he picked up a whole meatball and threw it into his own mouth with confidence.
They ate meatballs, roasted oranges and bananas, and finally roasted sweet potatoes and potatoes. When someone came in after making a batch of fried food and asked his wife what she wanted to eat for lunch, the mother and her two children were burping.
Pei Che was both angry and amused: "The fried hairtail that has just come out of the pan is boiled in sweet and sour sauce and then put back into the pan to make it sweet and sour. The sauce is sweet and sour, and it doesn't affect the crispy taste. It seems that you don't want to eat it anymore."
Ding Guo quickly said, "It's edible!"
The two little ones followed suit and said, "Dad, times, times!"
Pei Che went back and got some dried hawthorns to boil some water, then brought it in for his wife to drink to help digestion: "Leave some room for me, we'll use the bread oven to make roast chicken in the afternoon."
Ding Guo nodded repeatedly: "It's okay, just do it, I can eat it."
The two little ones couldn't eat anymore. Their little stomachs had already been filled by their old mother with sweet potatoes and meatballs. After digesting the food for a while, they fell asleep.
After putting the two kids on the kang for a nap, the couple started cooking.
Pei Che still made sweet and sour hairtail and stir-fried cabbage with vinegar.
When the roast chicken came out of the oven in the afternoon, Ding Guo ate half of it himself.
If we can’t eat and drink as much as we want during the New Year, what’s the point of the New Year?
In the evening, Aunt Qiao came over.
Pei Che's battlefield in the afternoon was still the kitchen. He heard Bubai barking twice outside, and when he came out, he realized that it was Aunt Qiao.
If it was only Aunt Qiao, Bu Bai would naturally not call her that. Aunt Qiao came with her second son Su Dongshan and her husband Su Wanhai who had just arrived home today.
It was the first time that Ding Guo met Aunt Qiao's husband in such a long time.
Su Wanhai injured one leg and was using crutches.
Su Dongshan had obviously cleaned up. The thin, dark-skinned boy was wearing a blue jacket and pants that were a little faded, but they were washed very clean. He was wearing a slightly worn cotton hat and carrying a bulging woven bag in his hand.
Pei Che knew that Su Wanhai was an old soldier who had retired due to injury, so he saluted.
Su Wanhai also tried to straighten his back and saluted back, looking a little excited: "Is he the old commander's grandson? He looks so energetic!"
"Hello, Uncle Su!"
Ding Guo also hurried to greet him.
Dabao and Xiaobao, who had already woken up, saw Aunt Qiao and happily shouted "Grandma Qiao" and ran over. Aunt Qiao bent down and held the two children's hands.
Pei Che took a clean enamel pot to make tea for Su Wanhai, but Su Wanhai stopped him and said, "Comrade Pei, there's no need to make tea."
Pei Che smiled and said, "Uncle Su, you can just call me Xiao Pei."
Ding Guo brought a bottle of orange juice to Su Dongshan.
After drinking warm orange juice in the compound last time, Ding Guo thought it tasted good. After returning home, he bought a box and kept it at home. Living in a warm house for a long time, it didn’t feel so cold without heating it deliberately.
Aunt Qiao was embarrassed to let Ding Guo and Pei Che busy themselves, so she said, "Guo Guo, you really don't have to work. Dong Shan and my child's father came here just to thank you."
Ding Guo smiled helplessly and said, "Aunt Qiao, why are you still so polite after knowing each other for such a long time? Didn't you say thank you a long time ago? It's enough for Comrade Su to come back. Besides, it's your son's own hard work that got him back through the exam. If Comrade Su doesn't have that ability, the information will be useless."
Su Dongshan was a little reserved and said, "No, no, no, Sister Ding, there is a big difference between having information and not having information. And Sister Ding, you asked my mother to tell me to prepare things in advance and sent me food, which really saved me a lot of time."
He didn't have to queue up in the cold weather to buy information or stationery, nor did he have to worry about food and clothing. He just concentrated on reviewing.
So this kindness is very great for those who have experienced it.
Su Dongshan stood up and bowed deeply before Ding Guo could react. Pei Che hurried over to help him up and said, "Comrade Dongshan, just say it. Don't be so polite!"
Aunt Qiao's eyes were red again. She half hugged Dabao and Xiaobao and talked about what her son had just brought: "The villagers in Dongshan who went to the countryside dried their own vegetables and the millet they produced locally. The millet is very good, bright yellow in color, and it is very sticky and fragrant when boiled."
There are also two air-dried rabbits.
Ding Guo's family doesn't lack anything, so he doesn't want to accept it.
But sometimes, being too firm in pushing away etiquette can hurt other people's feelings.
It was such a cold day, but the family of three came carrying things, which showed the sincere intentions of Aunt Qiao and her family, so I had to accept it!
Ding Guo winked at Pei Che, who went out calmly and wrapped a chicken that had just been roasted in the afternoon in a large piece of oil paper.
Ding Guo took out another electronic watch and gave it to Su Dongshan as a gift.
Aunt Qiao exclaimed, "Oh, Guoguo, no no no no, no no, no no, this thing is too precious."
Su Dongshan was also shocked: "No, no, it's too expensive!"
Ding Guo grabbed Aunt Qiao's hand and put the electronic watch into her rough palm, saying, "Aunt Qiao, it's an electronic watch, not a mechanical watch. Look at the shell, it's plastic, not a full-steel watch. This little thing is really worthless. Let Comrade Dongshan wear it so that he can check the time."
When Dayong came to deliver the goods, Aunt Qiao and Wang Chunhua were both outside. They didn't know about electronic watches, and this was the first time she saw one.
Ding Guo smiled and said, "This is what Dayong brought back from the south. I kept a few pieces to give as gifts. If it were something really expensive, I wouldn't be able to afford it. Believe me, this is my gift to Comrade Dongshan."
When Aunt Qiao heard that it was brought back from the south, she felt that it was even more precious: "Guoguo, it's really useless."
"Aunt Qiao, take it." Pei Che came in and held down Uncle Su who was about to come over to stop him. "My brother-in-law goes to the same school as Dongshan. Let's get together at home before school starts after the New Year. Then I'll ask Dongshan to help take care of him at school."
Aunt Qiao felt a little sorry, but she also knew Ding Guo's character, and he was also an honest person, so she just kept saying, "This is too expensive!"
They just wanted to thank Ding Guo for his help to Dongshan, but they didn't expect to get a watch in return.
Nowadays, as long as it is a watch, everyone will classify it as a big item.
Su Dongshan thanked him awkwardly, then took the electronic watch with some care. He was reluctant to wear it and just held it in his hands.
Ding Guo changed the subject and asked Su Dongshan what major he had chosen.
Su Dongshan had a clear goal. Like Dazhu, he wanted to be a teacher. However, Su Dongshan studied literature while Dazhu chose science.
Su Dongshan also asked about the situation of his cousin that Ding Guo mentioned. The two chatted for a while and Su Dongshan gradually relaxed.
Pei Che chatted with Uncle Su and told him about his past in the army.
Uncle Su knew that Pei Che was currently studying at the military academy, so he inquired about it out of curiosity.
Aunt Qiao felt almost at home here, playing with the two children.
Soon Aunt Qiao and the others were about to leave. Ding Guo asked them to stay for dinner, but they did not stay because there were other children at home.
Ding Guo said, "When my brother comes to report after the New Year, all your family can come over and we can have a get-together."
After they left the house, Pei Che handed over the roast chicken, which was inevitably followed by some tugging.
After seeing off Aunt Qiao and the others, Pei Che came back and dealt with the two dried rabbits. He said, "Since all the bread ovens today are roasting meat, I'll roast these two rabbits as well."
Ding Guo said hurriedly: "Roast one and make spicy rabbit meat with the other one!"
"Okay!" Pei Che nodded and went back into the kitchen.
The next day, Aunt Qiao and Wang Chunhua came back, Ding Guo also went to work, and the three of them continued to prepare New Year's goods at home.
Not only do they prepare food and daily necessities for themselves, they also prepare some for the larger compound.
This year Pei Che's eldest brother and his family will come back, but they are also stuck in time and will not arrive in the capital until noon on New Year's Eve.
Ding Guo was still at work at that time and did not go to pick up the person, so Pei Che went to pick him up.
After get off work, Ding Guo went home and packed up briefly, gave red envelopes and New Year benefits to Aunt Qiao and Sister Chunhua, and asked the two to go back and have a good New Year. Then the whole family packed their things and went to the compound.
Pei Yu's family can't come over today because both he and his wife are busy in the army.
My parents-in-law haven’t come back yet. My old man came back in the afternoon and then returned to the army.
During the Chinese New Year, the army is also busy.
So there are only the eldest brother's family and Aunt Zhang at home.
When Ding Guo and the others entered the house, Pei Che's sister-in-law was in the kitchen helping Aunt Zhang prepare the New Year's Eve dinner.
This was the first time Ding Guo met Pei Che's brother, sister-in-law and two nephews.
But they had sent things to each other through letters before, so although they were polite, they were not particularly restrained. They chatted very naturally. Ding Guo asked them about the hardships they had experienced on the road, and her sister-in-law asked her about her college entrance examination.
Pei Che's elder brother Pei Xiao has a completely different temperament from Pei Che. He wears glasses, is gentle and refined, and has a bit of bookish air.
Sister-in-law Zhao Yufei has a round face, generous features and is very kind.
The two sons, Pei Zhaolu and Pei Zhaoyang, were very cute. They called Ding Guo "Auntie". Ding Guo responded with a smile and took out two red envelopes to celebrate the meeting.
When they met, they exchanged red envelopes. She gave some to her two nephews, while Zhao Yufei gave some to Dabao and Xiaobao. She even picked up Xiaobao and looked a little jealous. She said, "Jinjin... is your name Shujin?"
Ding Guo and Pei Che, the biological parents, were both stunned.
"Oh, yes, yes, it's Shujin." Ding Guo realized and smiled embarrassedly, "I usually call them Dabao and Xiaobao, but I haven't called them by their real names."
I didn't react when I heard the child's name out of nowhere.
Xiaobao himself didn't react: Who is this aunt who I just met calling?
Zhao Yufei smiled and said, "Is this Xiaobao? I'll call him Xiaobao too!"
Xiaobao then grinned at her, revealing his neat little baby teeth.
"Xiaobao is so cute, and little girls are prettier." Zhao Yufei held Xiaobao tightly in her arms. She wanted a daughter, but she has not been pregnant since giving birth to her second child.
Pei Xiao waved at Dabao and said, "Dabao, come here, uncle." Then he asked Pei Che, "Don't you usually call them by their full names?"
Pei Che: "Don't shout!"
Pei Xiao: "They have to shout, otherwise they won't be able to keep up when the teacher calls their names in the nursery, right, Cancan? Little Pei Shucan!"
Dabao looked at him in confusion.
The door opened, and Pei Zhengzhong and Shao Xunping walked in, shrouded in cold air.
Everyone in the room stood up and called out to their parents and grandparents, creating a lively atmosphere.
Shao Xunping happily agreed to all of them with a smile. She stood at the entrance, rubbing her hands vigorously and breathing hard to warm them up. She asked about her eldest son's family's journey. After a while, she came in and said, "Will your grandfather be home tonight? Xiaoyu and the others have to perform on stage tonight, so they can't come. They will come to your house tomorrow to meet you and then go back to Zhou's house."
As he was speaking, the old man came in and brought Zhou Tong and Zhou Dong back with him.
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