Fifteen minutes later, the two arrived at the graves of Zhang Aiguo and his wife.
Zhang Hongmei squatted down and pulled up the weeds beside her. Zhang Shouyi came over to help, but he didn't stop Zhang Hongmei from doing it; it was something she was supposed to do.
After tidying up and shining a flashlight around, the two knelt down. They lit the paper money and slowly filled it in, each thinking to themselves.
"Your family of three should be reunited by now. When I came here today, I told you that I was about to leave the country. I'm living a pretty good life for you. If you have the chance, you can be reincarnated. Also, we've found the enemy of you two. And looking at his current state, I think it's more satisfying for you to let him live in such pain."
Zhang Hongmei kept putting paper money into the fire, one bill after another, and Zhang Shouyi could feel her depressed mood.
Zhang Shouyi thought to himself, "I know this Zhang Hongmei is not that Zhang Hongmei. But your incense offerings will not be cut off; we will send you money every festival."
The two men continued until they had filled the two bags of paper money into the fire. Then, kneeling side by side in front of the grave, they straightened up and kowtowed three times with great respect.
Zhang Shouyi helped Zhang Hongmei up and brushed the mud off her trousers. "Hongmei, let's go home."
Zhang Hongmei nodded gently, and the two picked up their tools and turned to go down the mountain.
It was already past eight o'clock. The car was parked in front of her house, and Wang Ying was looking in the direction they had come from.
"Hongmei, we're back! With the help of our leaders and friends, we managed to empty these three items from the building today," Wang Ying boasted to Zhang Hongmei proudly.
"Wow! You haven't eaten yet, have you? There are noodles at home. I'll go cook some for you two."
"Hehe, we ate our fill at Uncle San's house. When we came back and saw that you weren't there, we went to Uncle San's house to look for you. Sister Er Ya said that you had just left a while ago, and Aunt San had left us some dumplings, so we didn't stand on ceremony and ate them all."
"Hehe, that's how you win over Third Aunt."
"Xiao Li, you need to unload all the cigarettes and alcohol from the car. I need it tomorrow morning."
By the time Zhang Hongmei and Wang Ying lay down on the kang (a heated brick bed), it was already ten o'clock. Wang Ying was really tired and fell asleep instantly.
Zhang Hongmei tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She had slept too much in the afternoon, and the insomnia was just too unbearable.
He poured out a cup of spiritual spring water and drank it. He then lay on the kang (heated brick bed) and tossed and turned for a while before gradually falling asleep.
The next day, Zhang Hongmei got up early, cooked a pot of rice porridge, cut a piece of pickled vegetable, and was about to pick cucumbers when she heard a knock on the door.
"Old Headmaster, what brings you here so early?"
“It’s getting late. My wife and I went to our son’s house yesterday and didn’t get back until almost ten o’clock. We didn’t come over to bother you, but your grandma asked me to bring you some eggs.”
"Hehe, there's no meat in sight. Wait a moment, I've brought you some tea. I have to go out in a bit, so take it back yourself now."
After Zhang Hongmei finished speaking, she went back into the house and put the milk powder, malt extract, and tea leaves into a cloth bag.
"So many good tea leaves?"
"And milk powder and malted milk extract for Grandma."
Why are you so busy?
"I went to the township to make a phone call, and then I went home."
"Okay, then I'll wait for you. I heard the screams of a pig being slaughtered in the middle of the night."
"Okay, we're having meat for lunch today. Go back and wait for me. I'll leave after I finish breakfast."
"Okay, don't forget while you're busy."
"knew."
After seeing off the old principal, Zhang Hongmei picked two cucumbers from the vegetable garden.
At this moment, Zhang Shouyi also got up to wash up. A little while later, Wang Ying and the others also got up. "Hongmei, shall I drive you?"
Zhang Hongmei thought for a moment and said, "Okay, you can drive me then."
Before they had finished eating, Liu Aimin came over, and Zhang Hongmei finished her bowl of porridge in a few gulps.
"Uncle, have you eaten?"
"Have you eaten? Are you done eating?"
"Okay, let's go."
Wang Ying put down her bowl, ran out to wash her hands, and immediately got into the car and started the engine.
It only took fifteen minutes to get to the village. It was just past seven o'clock. Luckily, everyone who goes to work starts early. I wonder if the telephone operators start work this early too.
Once the call is connected, someone still needs to go find Liu Jingze, since this is his office. Liu Jingze can't stay here indefinitely.
After waiting another ten minutes, Zhang Hongmei dialed the number again.
Liu Jingze's hoarse voice came from the other end, "Who is it?"
"Jingze-ge? Are you sick?"
"Hongmei, Hongmei, is it really you who called me?" Liu Jingze raised his face, afraid that his tears would fall.
"It's me, Brother Jingze. You should go to the hospital if you're not feeling well."
"Okay, I understand. My throat is a little sore, but it's nothing serious. I'll go get the medicine in a bit."
"Hongmei, can you wait for me?" Liu Jingze asked softly.
"Brother Jingze, everything is booked and the time can't be changed. Even if you rush back now, we won't be able to meet."
Liu Jingze fell silent for a moment. Yes, he wouldn't make it this time.
“Jingze, you must take good care of yourself. Your family is very worried about you. I was planning to call you when I got back to the capital, but I was too busy and didn’t have time to ask Shan Mianzhi for his phone number before I went back to Liujiatun.”
"It's okay, I don't blame you, it's all my fault."
Zhang Hongmei knew that nothing she said would make a difference; saying too much would only make Liu Jingze more uncomfortable.
“Brother Jingze, once I’m abroad, we can keep in touch. I’ll write to you and send it back to Liujiatun so my uncle can forward it to you.”
"Yes, I'm waiting for your letter, Hongmei. Since you're going abroad, you must take good care of yourself. I'll be waiting for you at home."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Also, I'll be back in three or four years. Take care of yourself. Make sure you have a balance between work and rest. After all, we're just here to eat. If you want to achieve your dreams, you need to have a strong body. Don't neglect your health just because you're young."
"I'll listen to you and take good care of myself. You should take good care of yourself too."
“Brother Jingze, your uncle is with you. I’ll give him the phone. Your aunt and uncle are very worried about you.”
"Um."
Liu Aimin took the phone, and the two of them exchanged a few words before hanging up.
The two exchanged a few pleasantries with the township head and then came out.
"Uncle, I want to go to the supply and marketing cooperative."
"Okay, I'll wait for you in the car."
Zhang Hongmei was ultimately disappointed; the supply was still too small, and in the end she only bought a few kilograms of soy sauce, which was in bottles that someone had lent her.
He returned a little after eight o'clock. By then, most of the villagers probably already knew that Zhang Hongmei had gotten her marriage certificate. Zhang Shouyi, carrying candy, chatted with everyone in the canteen, handing out wedding candy to both adults and children. Besides, Wang Hongxi had also prepared red silk for the wedding and hung it at the canteen entrance.
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