Back To The 80s-Chapter 466 - 476: Contrast_1

Ou Ruoshui thought soberly, this was a good opportunity to distance herself from Ou Tiannan. Even if the situation was challenging, she would not back down this time.

She left the post office, tightened the red cotton jacket she was wearing, and slowly walked on the pedestrian crossing. She knew she had to find a solution to the current situation. Simply blaming someone else would not be as effective as working together to break the deadlock.

Maybe only by breaking this stalemate, could there be a new beginning!

Gu Xiaobei learned of the poor quality of the competing tea from Xiao Hong and Chen Zhao’s discussion.

Xiao Hong gloated, saying, "I was wondering why it was so cheap. It turns out they were doing such dishonest business. Luckily, nobody got sick from it or they would have been ruined by compensation."

Chen Zhao agreed, "Yes, one mustn’t make dishonest money doing business. Now, everyone is heading to their shop. Their boss is going to take a big hit."

Gu Xiaobei knowing that trouble was brewing and that it could potentially get big, just laughed and said, "Rather than just enjoying others’ misfortune, why don’t you both figure out your own issues since it’s not busy at the shop recently due to the cold weather."

After hearing his words, Xiao Hong’s face turned red and she hung her head shyly. Chen Zhao scratched his head happily, "Her mom doesn’t like me. I sent her home one night and her mother was upset when she saw us."

Gu Xiaobei’s eyes sparkled with gossip, "So your mom figured out there’s something going on?"

Xiao Hong nodded, "My mom said we were not in a hurry to go home after work, we were just walking leisurely. It’s obvious there’s something."

"What does your mom mean?"

Xiao Hong sighed, "My mom doesn’t approve of us because Chen Zhao is from out of town. If she wasn’t in such difficult financial circumstances, she wouldn’t even allow me to work."

Gu Xiaobei suggested, "Let Chen Zhao do some work at your house when he’s free; shoveling snow, drawing water..." Then he said to Chen Zhao, "No matter what Xiao Hong’s mother says, just keep working and pretend you didn’t hear it. If you want to marry her, you have to bear more than a harsh word or a slap."

Chen Zhao smiled, "I don’t mind, even if they hit me ten times, as long as they agree to our relationship."

Gu Xiaobei nodded, "Exactly, this is the only way to marry a woman. Now that we’re not busy, if there’s a heavy snow, rush over there and shovel the snow off the roof and courtyard of Xiao Hong’s house. Look for any other tasks that need to be done, and quickly do them. By the end of winter, I’m sure Xiao Hong’s mother will agree."

Chen Zhao laughed and nodded, "Alright Xiao Hong, I’m determined starting from tomorrow. I will work hard to get your mother’s approval."

Wang Wei and Xiuxiu were also riling everyone up, laughing and having fun. Time passed quickly.

The winter days were short, and it would get dark around four o’clock on overcast days.

Seeing that there were no customers in the shop, Gu Xiaobei began tidying up and preparing to go home.

Xiaopang recently got a cold, and then Mo Wang caught it. The two children were continually sniffling and occasionally coughing. Wen Xiuqing was afraid it would spread to Doudou and had them play in the east room. The room was small and the children were restless and often fussy.

When Gu Xiaobei arrived home, he thought about taking the children back to the residential complex for a few days, where he could take good care of them. After all, the rooms were bigger in the apartment, and the children would have more space to move around and wouldn’t be as restless.

After dinner, he and Lu Zhanguo carried the children home. Wen Xiuqing also gave them a few antibiotics and antipyretics and mentioned that before bed, they should crush and mix them with some lukewarm water for the children to drink.

Since Qin Li was going to come back in a day or two, Gu Xiaobei didn’t have to go to the shop, but could focus on taking care of the children at home. In the morning, Wen Xiuqing would come over to have a look and bring some vegetables and meat.

Except for the trouble of giving medication, the adults mashed the medicine and mixed it with water, which turned out to be even bitter than goldthread. Every time Xiaopang had to take the medicine, he cried his heart out. Mo Wang didn’t cry, but she also closed her mouth and wouldn’t cooperate. They had to hold both children and force the medicine into their mouths.

After giving Xiaopang the medicine and wiping his tears, Xiaobei calmed him down with a piece of candy. And just then, someone knocked on the door.

When Gu Xiaobei opened the door, she was surprised to see Xiangmin, who was also carrying a basket.

"Thinking you might be at home, I came to visit." Xiangmin said with a smile.

Gu Xiaobei was puzzled, how did she know where we live? When people visit, they typically register at the gatehouse, specifying exactly where and whom they’re visiting. How did Xiangmin find her?

As Gu Xiaobei didn’t respond, Xiangmin continued, "I asked Fengmei the other day and learned where you live. When I registered, I mentioned we were from the same residential compound, hence I was allowed in."

Gu Xiaobei took a step back and said, though not very enthusiastically, "Then come in."

As soon as Xiangmin entered the living room, she saw Xiaobei and Mo Wang standing in front of the coffee table. She admired, "So these are your boy and girl twins. They’re so adorable."

Gu Xiaobei casually uttered a hum of agreement and invited Xiangmin to sit down.

After Xiangmin sat down, she took a pack of candy out of the basket and presented it to Xiaopang and Mo Wang, saying with a broad smile, "What’s your name? Come here, aunty has some candy for you."

Xiaopang moved slightly, glanced at Gu Xiaobei, and then stopped. Mo Wang just blinked her eyes, looked at the candy in Xiangmin’s hand, lowered her head, continued to play with the toy on the table.

Seeing that the two children were not reacting, Xiangmin felt awkward and turned to Gu Xiaobei, "Why are these children so polite? It’s just a piece of candy, it’s not a big deal."

Gu Xiaobei smiled and said, "We teach our children not to take things from others easily, especially from strangers."

Xiangmin forced a smile and said, "You’re being too strict. I’m not causing harm. It’s a kind intent."

Gu Xiaobei kept up her smile and said, "I’m not talking about you, but the faces of the wicked don’t have the word ’wicked’ written on them. The children are too young to distinguish between good and evil. Besides, it’s a bad habit to accept things from others casually."

Xiangmin gave an embarrassed smile and put the candy back in the basket. Xiaopang looked at the basket near Xiangmin’s foot, ran to Gu Xiaobei, and said in a soft voice, "Mommy, hug me. Xiaopang doesn’t want candy."

Gu Xiaobei held Xiaopang in her lap and finally asked Xiangmin, "What brings you here?"

Xiangmin let out a dry laugh, "Nothing in particular, just thought that since we lived in the same compound in the past, we should keep in touch now as we are in the provincial capital."

Gu Xiaobei nodded lightly, "I see, we should indeed keep in touch. Have you visited Fengmei?"

"Not yet. I heard from Li Juan that Fengmei’s business is doing quite well. You guys are so capable," Xiangmin said, laughing.

Gu Xiaobei gave Xiangmin a meaningful look, apparently, Xiangmin’s assertion of having obtained her address from Fengmei was a lie.

Xiangmin failed to react to Gu Xiaobei’s gesture and continued, "I heard Chunling has moved into your residential complex too. I’ll visit her later. We used to be quite close. We should all get together when we have time."