Back To The 80s-Chapter 421 - 429: New Year_1

The next day after breakfast, Lu Zhanguo and Gu Xiaobei held Mo Wang and Xiaopang, and went with Ji Xiangdong and Bai Xiaolan to give New Year greetings at the Jin Family.

Originally they planned to leave the two children at home, but when Gu Xiaobei heard Lu Aiguo announce that they were going to see a play where surely there would be crowds, and that taking three children would be too much work, they simply decided to take Xiaopang and Mo Wang to the Jin Family.

Jin Xueping, who was rarely at home, looked at Ji Xiangdong and Lu Zhanguo, and laughed: "You two really look alike, it’s just that your spirits are different. Otherwise, it would be difficult to tell you apart."

Ji Xiangdong didn’t mention that he was Jin Jiadong’s comrade, and let it pass that he was just accompanying Lu Zhanguo.

Zhuang Shuxian quickly took Mo Wang from Gu Xiaobei’s arms with a smile and said: "I was just saying that Chen Gang and Jiujiu should go to your house to give New Year greetings today, and you’re all here."

"We should come here to wish you a Happy New Year." Gu Xiaobei said with a smile while taking off his coat. He noticed two or three gift boxes placed beside the tea table, his eyelid twitching at the sight of them. Thankfully, they hadn’t brought another gift box; instead, they had purchased some fabrics in advance and picked up a box of canned food from the store for Chen Gang and Jiujiu.

Chen Gang and Jiujiu greeted Gu Xiaobei politely. Just as Gu Xiaobei and his group sat down, Jiujiu excitedly said, "Aunt, we saw you in the newspaper yesterday, along with your husband and siblings."

Gu Xiaobei asked in surprise: "Why would we be in the newspaper?"

Zhuang Shuxian also chimed in: "Isn’t that so? The photos looked quite nice."

Jiujiu ran over to fetch the newspaper for Gu Xiaobei to see.

There was a special edition in the provincial daily newspaper, a full page filled with various photos, depicting the subtle changes in people’s lives after the reform and opening-up policy.

Gu Xiaobei immediately noticed a photo of their family of four ice skating by the Yellow River; the angle was good, clearly capturing the smiles on their faces.

After reading, she handed the newspaper to Lu Zhanguo with a laugh, and said: "We should ask them for the negative of this photo and keep one for ourselves."

Lu Zhanguo looked at the picture, his brows slightly furrowed. Their photos were strictly prohibited from being used publicly, let alone a family photo.

Ji Xiangdong also leaned over for a look. He didn’t say anything, but his expression was somewhat serious.

Jin Xueping looked at Ji Xiangdong and said: "A few days ago, at the provincial party committee meeting, your name was mentioned. At that time, I didn’t know you were Zhanguo’s older brother. Good job, impressive."

Ji Xiangdong laughed it off and said modestly, "Not really that impressive. Anyone in my environment would do the same."

Zhuang Shuxian served tea, and with a smile, told Jin Xueping, "It’s a holiday, stop talking about work." Then she went into the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Gu Xiaobei saw Jiujiu and Chen Gang playing with the two children, and decided to join in the kitchen. Bai Xiaolan, finding sitting by herself boring, followed suit.

Zhuang Shuxian laughed and said, "Both of you should just sit outside. I’ve prepared all the dishes so all we need is to heat them up."

"No problem, we can’t join in the conversation outside anyway, so it’s better to chat with you." Gu Xiaobei said with a laugh, and stepped in to help prepare the cold dishes.

Bai Xiaolan looked around and volunteered, "I’ll help peel the onions."

Zhuang Shuxian laughed and watched the two sisters-in-law, as she prepared to cut the braised meat.

After having lunch at Jin Family’s place, Gu Xiaobei and her group were ready to leave with their children. Zhuang Shuxian gave Mo Wang and Xiaopang red envelopes for good luck and constantly reminded them to bring the children over to play, and said that she would invite Jiujiu and Chen Gang to visit on the fifth day of the lunar month.

In the following days, Lu Zhanguo returned to the unit to be on duty, and Gu Xiaobei visited Li Fengmei’s and Ge Chunling’s houses alone to present new year’s greetings. Before long, it was the tenth day of the lunar month, as Li Fengmei and others also came to pay a New Year’s visit and time flew in the ceaseless coming and going.

Every evening after dinner, Lu Aiguo would pull everyone to play mahjong. Although he would lose nine out of ten times, he still enjoyed it.

That night after they had gone to bed, Ji Xiangdong touched Bai Xiaolan’s face and suddenly said, "I’m going to the Shule River after the fifteenth, you stay here."

Bai Xiaolan, who was almost asleep, suddenly opened her eyes upon hearing Ji Xiangdong’s words. She looked at him in the dark and asked in confusion, "Why do you want me to stay here?"

"The road trip journey is too bumpy, I’m afraid that your body won’t be able to handle it. Besides, I can come back in August, so there’s no need for you to get tossed about so much." Ji Xiangdong held her and patiently explained. He knew he would definitely be transferred before August, for it’s always easier to get things done when you have connections in the government.

Bai Xiaolan felt a bit sad and hugged Ji Xiangdong’s neck, making soft whining noises without saying a word.

Ji Xiangdong gently patted her back and said, "See if there’s a suitable courtyard nearby to buy. Once it’s done, we could also bring elderly Ji here. That way we’ll all live close to each other, which will be convenient to look after each other."

Bai Xiaolan’s face was buried in his shoulder and a muffled voice came out, "Then you must come back in August, didn’t the doctor say our child will be born in August?"

Ji Xiangdong kissed her forehead and assured, "Don’t worry, I will definitely be back. You’re pregnant now, so don’t be impulsive if anything happens. Discuss it with my parents."

Bai Xiaolan, who wasn’t usually the sentimental type, nodded and said, "Don’t worry, don’t I have Xiaobei to chat with? Oh, and remember to bring back the rocks under the bed. I don’t know if my third brother sold those two stones I took to the Capital City."

Ji Xiangdong laughed at this. This girl’s concerns were really stretching. She was just being sentimental about parting, and now she’s started worrying about her money.

"Don’t forget to tell mom and dad that you’re pregnant." Ji Xiangdong reminded her again, knowing that Zhou Siping, upon hearing the news of his daughter’s pregnancy, would probably rush over with big parcels.

The next morning, upon learning that Ji Xiangdong was going back to the Shule River after the fifteenth and Bai Xiaolan would stay behind,

Wen Xiuqing was both happy and sad. She was happy that Bai Xiaolan was staying behind so she could witness the birth of her grandchild. Yet she was sad because her eldest son would be leaving again so soon after returning home.

Lu Aiguo noticed Wen Xiuqing’s gloomy face and joked, "We are also leaving after the fifteenth. Aren’t you sad for us?"

Wen Xiuqing was amused and replied with a laugh, "You guys are returning to the Capital City where conditions are better. You are going to enjoy a blessed life. Your older brother, on the other hand, is going to suffer in such harsh conditions. How can you compare?"

Laughing, Lu Aiguo said, "Don’t worry, my older brother will come back soon. Didn’t you see how he’s left his wife and son here as hostages?"

Bai Xiaolan narrowed her eyes at him, "You are the hostage!"

Wen Xiuqing looked at Ji Xiangdong with surprise and joy, "Really? Are you planning on being transferred here to the provincial city?"

Ji Xiangdong pacified her, "I know people mainly here in the province. So transferring here would be easier. However, which department I’ll be in, is not yet certain."

Wen Xiuqing was so happy that she almost cried, "As long as you’re coming back. What department doesn’t matter."

Lu Songyuan by the side remarked, "If you are transferred from the construction corps to here, it would mean entering politics properly, but your academic qualifications aren’t high enough."