Back To The 80s-Chapter 578 - 570: Comparison_1

On a winter afternoon, there was no wind, and standing in the sun was quite warm.

Since it was Sunday, there were many more people in the park than usual. Many people were ice skating, and their skates were homemade. They would find wooden boards approximately the size of their shoes, affix two steel bars underneath, and bind the boards to their shoes with cloth strips.

Xiaopang was very interested in watching, and constantly asked, "Daddy, what is this?"

"Daddy, can I skate like this when I grow up?"

"Daddy, look, that older brother is skating so fast, he’s amazing!"

Gu Xiaobei stealthily observed Mo Wang standing beside him. Mo Wang was holding Xiaopang’s hand tightly, his mouth slightly puckered, his eyes filled with curiosity and surprise.

Gu Xiaobei felt slightly relieved. Mo Wang was still somewhat curious and interested in novel things.

Once Xiaopang was done watching the excitement, he was still keen on watching the monkey performance and began to hurry impatiently, "Dad, let’s go watch the monkeys."

As Lu Zhanguo held Xiaopang’s hand, he also took the time to observe Mo Wang. Every soldier would participate in some form of therapeutic discussion after their first completion of a dreadful mission. As such, Mo Wang’s reactions were already quite good. He wasn’t timid, not irritable, and didn’t awaken crying in the middle of the night.

Upon hearing Xiaopang suggesting they go watch the monkeys, Mo Wang curiously responded, "I thought we were going to watch the opera?"

Shocked, Xiaopang stopped in his tracks. Ah! Big Brother wanted to watch the opera? After thinking for a while, he said, "Dad, let’s go watch the opera." He sounded a little disappointed.

Gu Xiaobei laughed at the generous manner Xiaopang had and told Lu Zhanguo, "Let’s go watch the monkey show quickly, or it might end soon."

At Gu Xiaobei’s remark, both children seemed delighted. They both wanted to watch the monkey performance but thought the other preferred watching the opera.

Xiaopang excitedly grabbed Mo Wang’s hand and charged forward, all the while shouting, "Mama, come and catch us!"

Lu Zhanguo and Gu Xiaobei walked side by side, watching the two children run ahead joyfully.

Whenever Mo Wang encountered females, he would carefully avoid them.

Gu Xiaobei said to Lu Zhanguo, "If Mo Wang’s psychological barrier is just his dislike for females, it’s not a big deal. As he grows up, he will probably get over it."

Lu Zhanguo nodded. As long as his personality didn’t become irritable or antisocial and he didn’t avoid crowded places, all would be well. He watched the two children running ahead with a warm gaze. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a solitary figure standing by the pine trees not far ahead - The Lone Wolf.

"Stay with the kids, I’ve spotted a comrade and will go have a word with him," Lu Zhanguo whispered to Gu Xiaobei.

Gu Xiaobei nodded. Glancing around, he didn’t see anyone who would be Lu Zhanguo’s comrade. He quickly caught up and took each child’s hand to watch the monkey performance.

Approaching the Lone Wolf, Lu Zhanguo said in a low voice, "Thank you!"

The Lone Wolf responded simply, "You’re welcome. It’s what I should have done."

"Did you get reprimanded for firing your weapon when you returned?"

The Lone Wolf was surprised for a moment, then softly chuckled, "I only do what I think is right."

Lu Zhanguo was grateful to the Lone Wolf because if the Lone Wolf had hesitated for even a second, the gunshot would have alarmed Duo Ji and Mo Wang would have lost his life.

Lu Zhanguo guessed that the Lone Wolf had been sent to assist Xu Yanhong.

The Lone Wolf looked at the retreating figure of Mo Wang and said to Lu Zhanguo, "Your son is very brave! I must leave now, goodbye!"

Lu Zhanguo nodded. Watching the Lone Wolf slowly disappear into the crowd, he turned to find Gu Xiaobei and the children.

Gu Xiaobei stood hand in hand with Mo Wang and Xiaopang in the front row to watch the monkey performance. When Mo Wang and Xiaopang became excited, they would let go of each other’s hands, clap vigorously, and occasionally exchange glances, giggling and clapping even harder.

Gu Xiaobei also laughed along. Children’s happiness is always incredibly simple.

After the monkey show, Lu Zhanguo suggested that they have dinner at the small courtyard.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, Wen Xiuqing ran out from the house. She hugged Mo Wang and cheerfully said, "Grandma, look who’s here! I thought you all weren’t coming over today!"

Mo Wang squinted and smiled without saying a word.

Wen Xiuqing then stretched out her hand to touch Xiaopang’s little face, "Where have you been playing? Your face is cold."

"Brother and I went to see monkeys playing ball. The monkeys could even bow," Xiaopang enthusiastically demonstrated for grandma.

Lu Songyuan called out from the house, "Are you all going to stand outside and chat all day? Come in quickly."

Wen Xiuqing picked up Mo Wang and laughingly said, "Yes, let’s go inside. Our Mo Wang is here, so let’s have Dad cook chicken later for dinner, okay?"

Mo Wang shook his head, "No eating. Keep it to lay eggs for Doudou."

"Isn’t our Mo Wang so considerate?" Wen Xiuqing laughed and carried Mo Wang inside.

Gu Xiaobei observed that Mo Wang wasn’t resisting Wen Xiuqing at all. It seemed that Mo Wang was only comfortable around the female members of the family.

Bai Xiaolan was calling for Gu Xiaobei from the West Room.

With Xiaopang in tow, Gu Xiaobei entered the West Room, "Are you afraid we won’t come in? Why are you shouting so loudly?"

Bai Xiaolan chuckled and patted the kang, "Xiaopang, come up quickly."

Gu Xiaobei helped Xiaopang with his cotton shoe laces, lifted him up onto the kang, and sat down himself.

"Where’s Mo Wang? Is he alright tonight?" Bai Xiaolan asked in concern.

"He’s fine. He went to the east room with Mom. He slept soundly last night and even had a full small bowl of porridge this morning."

"That’s good. I was worried he would have nightmares. It really looks like he’s fine now. What a scare," Bai Xiaolan felt relieved recalling the past events.

Gu Xiaobei not wanting to bring up such a topic said, "Isn’t today Sunday? Isn’t my eldest brother on leave?"

"Yes, he is. After lunch, he went to Old Jin’s. He said he was worried about Old Jin living alone, and he wanted to look in on him. When I suggested that we find Old Jin a companion, Xiangdong accused me of talking nonsense," Bai Xiaolan made a face.

Gu Xiaobei was surprised. Bai Xiaolan was quite progressive with her thoughts, "Actually, what you said was a good idea."

Bai Xiaolan laughed and said, "Do you know why I said that? Before, when Old Jin was at Shule River, he was surrounded by ethnic people, so he had a hard time finding a wife. Now that he’s back, it should be easier, right? Furthermore, my uncle wanted a companion in the past because he said his feet were always cold. All of us, his nephews, bought him coal and heated water bags, but he insisted that his feet were cold. It was then that his nephews realized what he meant. Nonetheless, they didn’t agree with him. They thought it’s ridiculous for someone his age to remarry."

Gu Xiaobei didn’t see it as an issue. In a few years’ time, elderly remarriage would no longer be a fresh topic. He thought that Old Jin, who had endured hardship for half his life, deserved someone who could take care of him.

Bai Xiaolan, who loved to gossip, continued, "I think Old Jin definitely has this idea but is too embarrassed to say it. I remember him saying that living alone was dull and boring. So, Xiangdong bought him a radio."