Back To The 80s-Chapter 568 - 560: Something Happens_1
Gu Xiaobei chuckled, scratching Lu Zhanguoโs palm with her fingers. "Do you know why I donโt wear gloves when I step outside? Because I know youโll keep my hands warm," she said. ๐ฏ๐ง๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฃ๐ค๐๐ฎ๐ต.๐๐ค๐ข
Although they had been married for many years, Lu Zhanguo was still not entirely comfortable with Gu Xiaobeiโs playful teasing. He remained silent, clutching the mischievous hand in his pocket as they made their way home.
By the time they reached their small yard, it was already ten oโclock, late for a winterโs night. Xiaopang and Mo Wang had insisted on staying awake until their parents came to fetch them.
Feeling guilty upon seeing her two children sitting up on their small beds, fighting off sleep, Gu Xiaobei had almost suggested they leave the children and head back halfway through their journey.
Xiaopang said enthusiastically, "Momโs here! Brother said that what dad promises, he always keeps."
Gu Xiaobei embraced her children, smiling as she agreed. "Yes, your parents always keep their promises. Xiaopang and Mo Wang, you two are the best."
Mo Wang looked up at Lu Zhanguo, his lips pursed in a grin. Daddy had said a manโs word was his bond.
As it was too cold outside, they decided to stay in the small courtyard overnight, fearing the children might catch a chill on the road.
...
Ou Tiannan finally found Ma Chengwen, just as he was about to lose hope.
Ma Chengwen and Yang Tianhua had been laying low. They only returned once they felt the storm had passed.
On seeing Ou Tiannan show up at his door, Ma Chengwen eyed him warily. "What do you want?" he asked.
Ou Tiannan smiled lightly. "Weโre distant relatives, arenโt we? Now that I have an opportunity to make a fortune, I couldnโt forget you, could I?"
Ma Chengwen snorted under his breath, "You probably have another scheme in mind."
Ou Tiannan knew he couldnโt convince Ma Chengwen with mere words, as he wasnโt the naive adolescent he used to be.
"Letโs cut to the chase. I need you to do me a favor. If we succeed, Iโll pay you one hundred thousand in cash," Ou Tiannan put forward a substantial temptation.
Ma Chengwen tapped the table lightly, "Whatโs the job?"
"I need you to get a blueprint from the army research institute," Ou Tiannan said, making it sound effortless.
Ma Chengwen scoffed, "You make it sound as simple as fetching toilet paper. Arenโt you afraid Iโll report you?"
Ou Tiannan replied confidently, "You wonโt, and you donโt dare to!"
Ma Chengwenโs face darkened. This Ou Tiannan was as detestable as ever!
"Deal!" Ma Chengwen slammed his hand on the table, deciding to take the risk for the tempting reward.
...
In early December, heavy snowfalls in the province piled up on both sides of the streets in the residential compound, forming walls of snow over a meter high.
Every noon, Gu Xiaobei would take her children out for a walk, playing hide and seek near the snow walls.
When Xu Yanhong arrived, Gu Xiaobei was just taking the kids out.
"Sister-in-law, taking the kids out to play?" Xu Yanhong asked with a smile as she approached.
Feeling repulsed, Gu Xiaobei gave a noncommittal hum. She hadnโt seen Xu Yanhong for a while, why was she here now?
Xu Yanhong, undeterred by Gu Xiaobeiโs cold demeanor, squatted down and asked Xiaopang and Mo Wang, "Do you guys want to build a snowman?"
Xiaopang looked at Mo Wang, noting his brotherโs guarded stare at Xu Yanhong. He moved closer to Mo Wang, also keeping his eyes on Xu Yanhong without a word.
Xu Yanhong was undaunted and asked another question, "Do you two know what the highest mountain in the province is called?"
Now Gu Xiaobei was truly annoyed. She looked at Xu Yanhong, who was squatting by the doorway, deliberately obstructing her path, and said, less than politely, "Go to your sisterโs place already. I need to take them out to catch some sunshine."
Xu Yanhong gave a chuckle, stood up, and stepped aside to make way.
As Gu Xiaobei walked past holding the hands of her two children, Mo Wang cast a backward glance at Xu Yanhong.
"Mom, what is the highest mountain in the province called?" Mo Wang asked curiously, turning his head back.
Gu Xiaobei shook her head. "I think itโs called Cangnan Mountain, but Iโm not entirely sure. Weโll ask your father tonight, he must know for sure."
Mo Wang nodded. In his mind, his father was like a god, there was nothing he couldnโt handle.
Lately, Lu Zhanguo had been busy recruiting new soldiers and often came home very late, or not at all.
Mo Wang insisted on waiting for his fatherโs return. For some reason, he really wanted to know the name of the highest mountain, he HAD to know!
Glancing at the time, Gu Xiaobei realized it was already eleven at night. Mo Wang sat just outside their bedroom door on a small stool, staring at the living room entrance. His small figure embodied an inexplicable resolve and stubbornness.
After putting Xiaopang to bed, Gu Xiaobei quietly walked over to Mo Wang, squatted down and took his hand, trying to coax him, "Mo Wang, should we go to bed now? When dad comes back, mom will ask for you."
Mo Wangโs face was full of defiance. He shook his head, "I want to wait for dad!"
Gu Xiaobei fetched another chair and sat down next to Mo Wang. "Alright, mom will wait with you," she conceded.
When Lu Zhanguo returned home at midnight, he found a mother-and-son duo sitting outside the bedroom door.
"Why havenโt you gone to bed?" he asked in a soft voice, taking off his coat and changing shoes before approaching.
Mo Wang blinked his sleepy eyes and asked, "Dad, whatโs the highest mountain in the province called?"
"Cangnan Mountain. Why?" Lu Zhanguo squatted down to look Mo Wang in the eye.
Having gotten his answer, Mo Wang rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and mumbled, "I just wanted to know. Mom, Iโm sleepy now."
Holding Mo Wang, Gu Xiaobei explained helplessly to Lu Zhanguo, "He insisted on staying up all night to find out the answer to a question Xu Yanhong had asked this afternoon."
Feeling a sense of alarm, Lu Zhanguo furrowed his eyebrows. Was Xu Yanhongโs intention becoming more direct?
Mo Wang rolled over on his bed and fell asleep almost instantly, a small smile forming at the corners of his mouth, happy with the answer he had gotten.
...
By December, Gu Xiaobei was busy again, and her family decided to move back to the small courtyard. Fortunately, they had built a new house in the courtyard that was large enough to accommodate them.
This way, her children wouldnโt have to endure the hardship of commuting back and forth.
Upon arriving at the shop early in the morning, Gu Xiaobei felt uneasy but couldnโt pinpoint why. Maybe she hadnโt been sleeping well these past few days?
Seeing Gu Xiaobeiโs restlessness, Qin Li couldnโt help but ask, "Sister Xiaobei, whatโs wrong?"
Suddenly standing up, Gu Xiaobei grabbed her scarf, hastily wrapped it around her neck and said with apprehension, "I have to go home. I have this feeling that something bad is going to happen."
Too restless to wait for the bus, Gu Xiaobei ran home. The faster she ran, the more pain she felt, as if her heart was being hammered, causing her so much discomfort that each step felt like her last breath.
Overwhelmed with fear and dread, she couldnโt stop the tears from flowing.
Has something happened to the children?!
This thought struck Gu Xiaobei like a bolt of lightning. She quickened her pace toward the small courtyard!
Her home was within sight, but it felt like she couldnโt reach it.
When she arrived at her front door, the gate was wide open and Wen Xiuqingโs heart-wrenching cries could be heard from within.
Her legs gave out and she collapsed onto the ground, barely managing to crawl inside the house...
