Back To The 80s-Chapter 460 - 470: Inquiry_1

Gu Xiaobei nodded, understanding that a mother’s worry never ceases, that even if her child is outstanding, in her eyes they’re still a child who hasn’t grown up.

Bai Xiaolan was inside the room, packing clothes for Zhou Siping. Secretly, she stuffed 500 yuan into a pocket—this was Ji Xiangdong’s idea. Regardless of the amount, it was the thought that mattered. It allowed the mother to save face, as she could now proudly say that her daughter is giving her money to spend.

Next, she slipped a piece of Jade Mutton Fat as large as a yolk into Zhou Siping’s pocket. As she was packing, she felt the urge to cry. Doudou was still young, and Ji Xiangdong had just been transferred back. She was afraid that going back home would not be easy now.

Before she was a mother, she couldn’t understand these feelings. It was only after becoming a mother herself that she realized why mothers can’t help but scold and yet be unwilling to part with their children.

Bai Xiaolan, having finished packing and wiping away her reddened eyes, came out to join Gu Xiaobei and the others for a chat under the grape trellis on the kang.

By that time, there weren’t many grapes left on the trellis, and the leaves were beginning to turn yellow. With each passing autumn wind, more fell off.

Xiaopang and Mo Wang happily chased after the grape leaves. Their mom would cut the leaves into shapes of little animals and then paste them on paper.

Zhou Siping sighed, "When I first arrived, these grapes were just starting to grow, and now they’re already shedding leaves. How time flies." Saying this, she hugged her grandson Doudou close, "My grandson is already this big. It only makes us feel older."

Watching the children running around the courtyard, Gu Xiaobei also felt that time was passing quickly. The transitions of spring and autumn felt like the blink of an eye. With a smile, she comforted Zhou Siping, "Auntie, you’re not old. You’re still going to be a fashionable young grandma!"

Zhou Siping laughed, then told Bai Xiaolan, "When I get back, I also plan to have some gold teeth, I think it looked pretty good on Auntie Li from our courtyard."

Gu Xiaobei was stunned. Gold teeth? Of course, isn’t that the latest trend? Some people have them fitted on their molars, while others set them on their front teeth, always grinning widely, as if afraid that people wouldn’t notice their shiny gold teeth.

Bai Xiaolan rolled her eyes, "It’s so ugly. You better not mess around for no reason. What if you accidentally swallow it in your sleep?"

Zhou Siping gave her daughter a glare. This child, she thought, was unable to say anything nice.

Ji Xiangdong didn’t return until dinner time.

As soon as he entered the door, Lu Songyuan couldn’t wait to ask, "How did your registration go today? Was the department assigned well?"

Ji Xiangdong washed his hands and took his son from Bai Xiaolan’s arms. Then he said with a smile, "It’s all settled. I’m in charge of attracting investment."

Lu Songyuan wasn’t sure what attracting investment entailed. According to the literal meaning, he suspected it might not be an easy job. He couldn’t help but ask with concern, "Does it mean convincing rich people to invest their money in business?"

Ji Xiangdong gave a slight nod, "You could interpret it that way. The main aim is to attract more out-of-province merchants through favorable policies to invest in our province, thereby boosting the economy of G Province."

Lu Songyuan nodded, "With good policies, there should be no trouble attracting golden phoenixes. Do your best."

Ji Xiangdong nodded in agreement with a smile. He lowered his head to rub his son’s chubby cheeks with his nose. The strong scent of baby milky smell filled his nostrils. He found this scent extremely pleasant.

Gu Xiaobei felt glad. If Ji Xiangdong was in charge of attracting investment, getting information about the owner of Fuqing Ming Tea should be easier.

Lu Zhanguo didn’t head straight home after returning from the army; instead, he went to the storage yard to search for a few people. Guo Huaqiang’s unusual behaviour raised concerns.

Chen Zhao, Wang Wei, and Zhou Tiezhu were having dinner under the shed in the small courtyard. Seeing Lu Zhanguo walk in, they abruptly stood up.

"Sit down." Lu Zhanguo gestured, pulling up a stool to sit down at the table.

Once they sat down, Chen Zhao hurriedly asked, "Squad leader, have you eaten yet? If you don’t mind, you can join us." As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Wei ran to bring a bowl and a pair of chopsticks.

Lu Zhanguo looked at the food on the table: pancakes, steamed buns, and a large pot of pork and cabbage stew with noodles. The pork chunks were large, and there was plenty of meat. There was also a plate of pickles.

Seeing Lu Zhanguo look at the food, Chen Zhao said with a smile, "My sister-in-law says we must eat meat once a day. We all save money for a few days to buy a lot at once, so it feels more satisfying."

Lu Zhanguo nodded. He took the bowl and chopsticks from Wang Wei and put some food into his mouth. After chewing a few times, he nodded, "Whose cooking is this? Not bad at all."

Zhou Tiezhu chuckled, "I made it. I’m in charge of cooking every day, and my sister-in-law gave me an extra ten yuan."

While eating with the three men, Lu Zhanguo casually asked, "Have you run into Instructor Guo in the city?"

Zhou Tiezhu shook his head, but Wang Wei and Chen Zhao nodded.

Chen Zhao said, "I ran into him on the street last year, and we greeted each other. But I haven’t seen him since."

Wang Wei finished the vegetables in his bowl and said, "I also ran into him last year. The instructor invited me and Sun Jiahe for a meal and mentioned that he is doing business. He said once his business picks up, he would invite us over to help. Sun Jiahe said it wouldn’t be right to leave our sister-in-law, as we’re doing well with her. After that meal, we lost contact." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Lu Zhanguo subtly raised his eyebrows but didn’t comment.

Wang Wei thought for a moment and then added, "I remember, it was just after the Mid-Autumn Festival when the instructor invited us to his place. Sun Jiahe told him our sister-in-law was expecting a delivery soon and we couldn’t leave. The instructor didn’t mention it again, and he didn’t leave us an address. So, we lost contact. Sun Jiahe and I have discussed this. We should have asked for his address, so we could visit him when we had spare time."

Lu Zhanguo reached his chopsticks and said, "Let’s eat quickly; the food won’t taste good once it gets cold."

He felt that he needed to investigate Guo Huaqiang’s recent activities and social circles.

...

In Nanhai City, Ou Ruoshui was packing her suitcase to return to the provincial city.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, it seemed that Ou Tiannan became even busier and didn’t mention returning to the provincial city at all.

Ou Ruoshui directly told Ou Tiannan that she had already bought her ticket and would return to the provincial city in three days.

Ou Tiannan looked at Ou Ruoshui packing her suitcase with a stiff face, his voice low, "Are you in such a hurry to return to the provincial city?"

"The factory is ready, and the store is about to open. How can I not go back?" Ou Ruoshui asked in surprise.

Ou Tiannan’s eyes became deepest as if he could see right through Ou Ruoshui. After a long while, he sighed lightly, "Fine, I won’t stop you. Can I make one request?"

Ou Ruoshui closed her suitcase and looked at Ou Tiannan, and said indifferently, "What request?"

"No matter what happens, you have to call me. Don’t treat me as an outsider." Ou Tiannan’s voice was low, filled with pleading.

Ou Ruoshui looked at Ou Tiannan, feeling uncomfortable being bound by a sense of obligation. She didn’t want to face this version of Ou Tiannan that aroused a feeling of disgust within her. Her gaze lingered on him for a few seconds before sliding off and finally landing on the window outside. She pressed her lips tightly together and didn’t respond.