Back To The 80s-Chapter 488 - 499: The Little Year_1

Lu Zhanguo looked at Wu Guanghan, who was silent. He said, "The root of this issue lies with you. Don’t think that because you work hard outside, you can live like a lord when you come home. Training is your job and responsibility, and your family is even more important. Don’t think that just because you’ve worked hard outside, you should be served hand and foot at home."

Gu Xiaobei was afraid that Lu Zhanguo spoke too harshly and Wu Guanghan’s pride would be hurt, so he subtly pulled Lu Zhanguo’s clothes to stop him. He smiled and said, "Let’s eat dumplings first, and after we’re done, we can discuss some things. Before you leave, take some dumplings back for Xiaobao."

Because Wu Guanghan found out about the Wu family’s miserly behavior, he was now interested in Gu Xiaobei’s suggestion that Ge Chunling should start a business. He heard from Zhang Lijun that Li Fengmei made several times more money from her business than Zhang Lijun did from his salary. Now with Gu Xiaobei’s support, this was great news. Wu Guanghan nodded time and again, ready to get the money from the Wu family and let Chunling start a business when they get back.

When the Wu Guanghan couple was ready to leave, Gu Xiaobei made a dozen dumplings for Ge Chunling to take home for Xiaobao. Whether or not the Wu family had dinner was none of his business. If they preferred to stay hungry, that was their choice.

On the day of the Lunar New Year’s Eve, Gu Xiaobei woke up early, dressed the two children in their winter clothes, and took them to the old courtyard to celebrate.

As soon as Xiaopang went downstairs, he started to dawdle and whine about being tired, continuously saying, "Mom, I’m so tired."

Gu Xiaobei had no choice but to humorously let Xiaopang rest where he stood before continuing.

Zhao Hongmei, leading Erhu, was also preparing to go out and buy New Year’s goods. She bumped into Gu Xiaobei and her family downstairs, laughed, and asked, "Where are you going?"

"We’re going to my mother-in-law’s place to celebrate New Year’s Eve." It had been a long time since Gu Xiaobei had seen Zhao Hongmei, ever since she refused to lend her money.

Zhao Hongmei said enviously, "It’s great to have relatives nearby during the New Year, it’s so lively. Unlike us, it’ll probably just be Erhu and me at home on New Year’s Eve."

Gu Xiaobei smiled but said nothing. Because what Zhao Hongmei had said was true; being able to be together as a family, harmoniously celebrating the New Year, was better than anything else. This is why every year during the Spring Festival, people migrate like birds. No matter how far, regardless of whether they have money or not, everyone goes home for the New Year.

Carrying Erhu, Zhao Hongmei walked slowly with Gu Xiaobei’s family, while constantly chatting, "I don’t know where my brother has gone on a business trip recently."

Gu Xiaobei was a bit puzzled: Ou Ruoshui’s factory had been sold to her and was currently vacant, where could Zhao Honghe be going to work?

Xiaopang walked a few steps and then complained of tiredness again. Seeing Zhao Hongmei carrying Erhu, he pouted, wanting to take a break.

Gu Xiaobei stopped and let Xiaopang rest, pretending not to know that he wanted to be carried.

Zhao Hongmei, seeing the mother and child stopped, stood still with them and continued, "It seems like the boss is planning to abandon their operations in the South China Sea and invest all their money into the provincial capital."

Gu Xiaobei frowned slightly; could it be that there was another boss behind Ou Ruoshui? What was their relationship with Ou Ruoshui?

Zhao Hongmei rambled on and on, "Did you hear the vacant lot opposite our community is going to be developed into a school? I heard it’s going to be a secondary vocational school."

Gu Xiaobei was surprised, "Isn’t that piece of land owned by the military? How could they possibly build a school there?"

Zhao Hongmei shook her head, "The military’s land is next to it. That one will have a kindergarten built on it. The neighboring plot is where the school will be built."

Gu Xiaobei had been so busy lately that he hadn’t heard any of the local gossip, but having a kindergarten nearby would be nice. Xiaopang and Mo Wang could go there for school when the time came.

Zhao Hongmei said excitedly, "If there’s a kindergarten built across from us, I’ll talk to old Zeng. Maybe I could become a teacher there and look after Erhu."

Gu Xiaobei almost suffered internal injuries from holding back laughter. If Zhao Hongmei became a teacher, he might have to reconsider where to send his kids.

Seeing that Zhao Hongmei wasn’t afraid of the cold and kept talking nonstop, Gu Xiaobei urged Xiaopang, "Don’t you want to eat meat? Grandma has already cooked meat. Don’t you want to hurry up?"

Upon hearing there was meat, Xiaopang suddenly perked up. Holding onto his mother’s hand and swinging his little arms, he headed towards his grandma’s house.

Zhao Hongmei finally dropped the topic, carrying Erhu, she left the residential compound with Gu Xiaobei, heading to the market to buy meat.

The three of them finally arrived at the old courtyard in dribs and drabs, and Wen Xiuqing had already started making lunch.

Hearing Gu Xiaobei and the children enter the courtyard, Wen Xiuqing, in her apron, wiped her hands and came out of the kitchen. She laughed, "I was just saying, I should have asked your father to pick you up. I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to handle these two by yourself."

"Mo Wang was alright; he walked all the way back without a word. It’s just Xiaopang who wanted to be carried all the time." Gu Xiaobei said as she led the two children into the west room to see Bai Xiaolan.

Wen Xiuqing also followed them into the west room and asked, "It’s New Year’s Eve today. Where on earth is Aiguo and his family?" 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Gu Xiaobei was also puzzled and said, "I called them the other day and they said they would come. They probably are on their way already."

Wen Xiuqing sighed, "There’s bone soup cooking in the pot. We’ll have a light meal for lunch and cook a good meal when Xiangdong and Zhanguo come back in the evening."

Gu Xiaobei nodded in agreement, took off Xiaopang and Mo Wang’s cotton-padded jackets, and as soon as Xiaopang’s jacket was off, he ran to the edge of the kang bed, eagerly saying, "Hello, Auntie. Xiaopang missed you."

Wen Xiuqing was originally feeling rather melancholic but she burst into laughter at Xiaopang’s words, "Xiaopang, you missed Auntie, but did you miss Grandma?"

Xiaopang nodded, "I missed Grandpa, Grandma, Auntie, little brother, soldier, meat, candy..."

Bai Xiaolan, who was feeding Doudou milk from a bottle, nearly cried with laughter and said, "Xiaopang, you are lying. What you miss most is meat and candy."

Thanks to Xiaopang’s deflection, Wen Xiuqing no longer continued talking about Lu Aiguo, she turned and left the room to make lunch.

It was only after Wen Xiuqing left, Bai Xiaolan quietly told Gu Xiaobei, "Nobody answered Lu Laotou’s phone call yesterday. We have no idea where he is. Xiangdong also called Fang Jing, but their factory has already started the holiday."

"It seems something really is going on. If they don’t come, we can’t really celebrate the New Year." Gu Xiaobei said with some concern.

Bai Xiaolan agreed, "What do you think could have happened to Lu Aiguo? Why can’t he tell us? If he spoke up, couldn’t we also help him find a solution?"

Gu Xiaobei was really afraid that Lu Aiguo’s stubbornness might lead him down the wrong path, which could bring about the end of his marriage to Fang Jing causing the two to drift further apart.

Bai Xiaolan lifted Doudou, who had finished eating, held him upright and patted his back to burp him. She looked at Mo Wang and Xiaopang who were leaning against the edge of the kang bed and laughed, "We’ve just been talking and forgot about you two. Hurry and take off your shoes, let’s go onto the kang bed."