"Grandpa, I will definitely do my best."
"Well done. That's my granddaughter. We must take responsibility."
"Grandpa, go wash up first. You've been out all day, so you should relax."
"Yes, don't overthink it. It's best to just let things take their course."
"Okay." Zhang Hongmei suddenly thought that it would be great if she had a camera, but she was too embarrassed to ask Liu Jingzhang to borrow one.
I just wanted to take a picture with the old lady. Although she looks to be in good health, she's over eighty years old, and I'm worried something might happen to her. I wanted to keep a memento.
If all else fails, I should go see Liu Jingzhang myself. I don't want to have any regrets.
Thinking of this, Zhang Hongmei pushed her bicycle out and headed straight for Liu Jingzhang's photo studio.
Today was lucky; both father and son were at the photo studio. If she had borrowed the camera from Liu Jingzhang alone, Zhang Hongmei felt uneasy using it. It was better to have them both. If necessary, she could just buy it herself, even if she was worried that he wouldn't part with it.
"Zhang Hongmei, what brings you here today?"
"Senior Liu, and Uncle Liu, I've come here to ask you for a favor."
"What is it? Do you need my dad?" Liu Jingzhang was puzzled. He had been with Zhang Hongmei for more than half a year and had never heard her use the word "beg".
"Senior Liu, let me talk to Uncle Liu."
Uncle Liu is like this, I'd also like to rent your camera. For some reason, I'm going back to my hometown tonight, and I want to take the camera with me to take pictures. Actually, if I weren't getting back so late and it wouldn't interfere with Liu's school schedule, I'd like to invite him to come with me to visit my hometown. But we can't be back until the 2nd at the earliest. So, could you lend it to me?
"Hehe. No need to rent, I'll lend it to you." She already knew from her son that this incredibly beautiful girl was not only a top scholar, but also had a great business sense.
Before the holiday, my son brought home over three hundred yuan for me. It turns out this was the project this girl was in charge of, and I've heard she's a future talent. Even if she wanted the camera, I would gladly give it to her, let alone borrow it.
"Thank you so much, Uncle. Also, please give me the papers to hand in. I reckon I need at least two."
"It's alright, you can take them all. It's better to be prepared. Zhangzi, you teach your classmate how to use them. I'll go get the papers to hand in."
Liu Jingzhang winked at Zhang Hongmei, "Going back to hold the wedding?"
"No, the date for my departure abroad has been set for the 8th of next month. Before I leave, I have to burn paper money for my parents to let them know."
"Oh." Liu Jingzhang realized he had said something he shouldn't have, and immediately changed the subject. "Zhang Hongmei, let me teach you how to use this camera."
Liu Jingzhang explained it once, and Zhang Hongmei remembered it. It wasn't too complicated; it was similar to operating a camera from the 1980s in her previous life.
"Haha, a top student is a top student, he learns everything so quickly. He learned how to use this camera in no time, I admire him."
At this moment, Liu Jingzhang's father also took out the remaining six rolls of film. This kid was always messing with things, so he had hidden them away.
"Thank you, Uncle Liu. I will definitely take good care of the camera, don't worry. Also, I'll return the rest of the film to you later."
"Hehe, little girl, you really don't need to be so polite. Just take it and use it."
"Thank you again, Uncle. I'm in a hurry, let's chat again another time."
"Go ahead and get busy. Come visit us at home sometime."
Zhang Hongmei smiled and agreed. Liu Jingzhang helped Zhang Hongmei tie the tin box to the back seat of the car.
Zhang Hongmei rushed all the way, but she still arrived later than Zhang Shouyi.
“Hongmei, where did you go? I’m so worried. I thought you ran away and didn’t want me anymore.” Zhang Shouyi said like a wronged woman, which gave Zhang Hongmei goosebumps.
"Brother Zhang, please speak properly. There are so many people here, aren't you afraid of losing face?"
"What's losing face? I'm just afraid of losing you."
"Okay, okay, I'm going out to borrow Liu Jingzhang's camera. I want to take pictures of my family when I get back, so I won't have to think about it later."
"Hongmei, I'm sorry, I was busy and forgot."
"It's alright, what's the big deal? Where's Grandpa?"
"Grandpa is waiting in the living room."
"You're not planning to go out and look for me, are you?"
"Yes. You came back just as I reached the door."
"There's no need. Where else can I go? Let's go eat. Are we leaving right after we eat?"
"Okay, in that case, we should be able to reach Liujiatun by the morning of the 29th."
"Okay, after we finish eating, let's all take a shower before we set off."
The group entered the living room. Gu Chuanyi glanced at Zhang Shouyi and said, "I already said it wasn't necessary, but you still rushed off to look for it. Let's eat. We need to hurry now, so there's no need to rush on the road."
Dinner is dumplings. It's an old tradition, no matter when, as long as conditions allow: dumplings before boarding the train, noodles upon disembarking.
The pork and fennel filling was quite good; Zhang Hongmei ate two extra.
Aunt Li didn't sit down to eat; she and Uncle Li went to prepare bathwater.
An hour later, the four of them set off in one car. Xiao Li was driving, Wang Ying was in the passenger seat, and Zhang Hongmei and Zhang Shouyi sat in the back.
"Brother Zhang, where are the things you prepared?" Why is there only the candy you bought yourself in the car?
"I called my friends over there. They helped with the preparations."
"Hehe, this is even better. It saves us from being too hot on the way and having to squeeze in with the cargo."
Brother Zhang, are you tired? Why don't you take a nap?
"Okay, I haven't slept for a day and a night. I'll take a nap first. You should sleep too if you're tired. Xiao Li and the other two are here."
"Yes, I know. You don't need to worry about me. Go and get some rest."
Zhang Shouyi leaned back in his chair and fell asleep within ten minutes.
Sleepiness is contagious; Zhang Shouyi fell asleep, and Zhang Hongmei was also a little sleepy. "Wang Ying, you two take turns driving, I'm tired too."
In a daze, Zhang Hongmei didn't wake up until late at night. The front window was open, but it was getting cold in the back.
He glanced at Zhang Shouyi beside him; he was still fast asleep. Without disturbing him, he closed his eyes and continued sleeping.
When I opened my eyes again, the sun had already risen above the horizon. Xiao Li was still driving, and Wang Ying was still sleeping.
"Xiao Li, where are we?"
"You're awake. We're now inside T City."
"Okay. If you're tired, let Wang Ying drive."
"It's okay, I can manage. Should we stop for a meal?"
"Keep going." Zhang Shouyi's voice came from behind.
"yes."
"Brother Zhang, you're awake? Would you like some water?"
"Okay, I am thirsty."
Zhang Hongmei handed him the water bottle. Zhang Shouyi took it, intending to rinse his mouth, but upon drinking it, he knew he couldn't spit it out.
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