The sound of the whistle rang out, and the train finally ca to a steady stop. The doors of each carriage opened, and passengers began to disembark one after another.
Zhang Guoqing and Xiao Wang started searching along the windows from opposite ends of the train. They had received another telegram yesterday at noon, with just a few words: "et at twelve past five."
It was obvious that his second brother sent the telegram; Zhang Guoqing almost cursed in frustration. There were no train numbers or carriage details, just a cryptic ssage he had to decipher.
After checking the sleeper carriages without finding his mother, Zhang Guoqing quickly sped up, running forward. Just as he reached the central carriage, soone ca down.
"Cousin, it’s , it’s ..."
Zhang Guoqing ignored the person and continued searching. He was in a hurry; in this cold winter, all the windows were closed, and if his mother couldn’t find him, she’d be worried sick!
"Cousin Xiao Wu, it’s , over here, over here..."
"Xiao Wu, your mother is here."
Finally reacting, Zhang Guoqing quickly stopped, nearly stumbling. He turned his head and saw a sowhat familiar face. He imdiately continued looking for his mother.
"I’m Xiao Mi, cousin, your cousin Xiao Mi."
Oh! Zhang Guoqing finally understood—this was his cousin from his second uncle’s family. No wonder she looked familiar, resembling Mother Zhang in her youth.
Mother Zhang stood on her tiptoes from the back of the crowd, waving her hand, "Mom’s here, mom’s here..."
Zhang Guoqing imdiately raised his arm and waved, "Oh my dear mother, I almost thought I’d lost you. Take your ti, no rush, I’m here waiting for you to get off."
The passengers descending laughed heartily at his words.
Zhang Guoqing smiled apologetically at everyone and then looked at Huang Xiaomi, "Cousin Xiao Mi, sorry I didn’t notice you earlier. What brings you here?"
Huang Xiaomi smiled with her lips pursed, "I’ve been commuting with this train since the beginning of the lunar New Year."
Zhang Guoqing nodded happily, keeping an eye on his mother, and took a few steps back, signaling Xiao Wang on the other end.
Xiao Wang ran over quickly, "How’s it going? Did you find her?"
Zhang Guoqing shook his head with a smile, pointing to the carriage door, "Finally found her, she’s still inside."
"That’s good, I almost went to the broadcast room."
They didn’t wait long before most of the passengers disembarked. Zhang Guoqing followed his cousin into the carriage and saw his mother comforting two sisters-in-law.
"Mom, are you worn out? We’ll head ho soon."
"No, no, we managed thanks to Xiao Mi on this train. Originally, I didn’t want your dad to notify you, thinking I could find the Big Courtyard myself."
Zhang Guoqing nodded with a grin, "That’s right, my mother is amazing. But your son just wanted to see you sooner. Thank you, eldest and second sisters-in-law, for accompanying mom. Jiao Jiao wanted to co, but I worried there wouldn’t be room in the car, so I kept her ho. She’s been eager for days, just waiting for you all to arrive."
Mother Zhang chuckled, pointing to the side at so burlap bags, "These are all ours. Hurry and move them down so we can leave sooner. I don’t want to carry them in the car anymore."
Huang Xiaomi hurried forward to help.
Mother Zhang shook her hand, "No, your brother’s strong. You must be busy, right? Co with us to find Jiao Jiao."
"No, I’ll co over a bit later."
Zhang Guoqing glanced at her, "Who’s the train conductor this ti? If I’m not mistaken, you’re starting the return journey tomorrow. Co with us for now, and we’ll bring you back tomorrow."
"Third cousin, our train conductor is your brother. Before arriving, he told not to rush in case you didn’t co; he would call for us."
Zhang Guoqing grinned, "Is it Liu Ming?"
Huang Xiaomi nodded repeatedly.
"If it’s him, there’s no problem. Let your supervisor know to report back before tomorrow’s departure. I’ll take you to recognize the door, and in the future, if you have business in Beijing, co to our ho."
Huang Xiaomi hesitated for a mont, then smiled and nodded, "I’ll go say hello and co right away."
"No rush, when you see Liu Ming, pass on a ssage for . Tell him to drop by our place when he’s free."
Watching her niece walk off, Mother Zhang pointed at the items on the ground for Zhang Guoqing to carry them down first.
The three burlap bags, along with various packages, made one wonder how they managed to get on the train. Zhang Guoqing carried two bags off the train with one hand.
"Brother Wang, you can stay down here, one more trip and we’re done."
After a flurry of activity, they finally stood on the platform with people and goods. Over there, Liu Ming and Huang Xiaomi approached with smiles.
Zhang Guoqing took a few steps forward, and the two big n playfully tapped each other’s chest.
"Congratulations, you’re a father again."
"Brother Liu, prepare a gift for your nephew early."
"You rascal."
"Got ti today? I have a good bottle of wine at our place; let’s have a drink."
Liu Ming quickly waved his hand. Having been twice before, he wasn’t used to it, "Let’s wait for another ti. It’s already dark, and I have so business to attend to."
Zhang Guoqing didn’t push, just told him to let them know if he needed anything. Over the years, Liu Ming had helped him greatly, especially Zhao Chuan Guang, who often entrusted Liu with bringing over good items. Sotis, when Zhang Guoqing was at school, Liu Ming personally delivered them to the Big Courtyard.
With everyone packing into a vehicle, they drove along the streets. Seeing Mother Zhang pointing out buildings to those beside her, Xiao Wang deliberately slowed down.
No matter how slow, they soon arrived at the Big Courtyard entrance. After registering, they drove inside and registered again upon reaching the Zhou Family Courtyard entrance.
At the sound of the car arriving, Lin Lishan, Zhou Jiao, and Ping’an ca out quickly. Seeing them disembark, they hurried forward to invite them in.
Once everyone was settled in the living room, Aunt Chen served dishes, inviting them to eat first.
Mother Zhang chuckled, holding Aunt Chen’s hand, "Sister, we’re causing you trouble again."
"What are you saying, big sister? With you visiting, I’m beyond happy. How co your elder brother didn’t co this ti?"
"There’s still so business at ho, and the children’s father can’t leave at the mont."
"Co, let’s eat first, and then we’ll chat. It must have been a tiring journey."
Mother Zhang smiled and nodded at her words, and she glanced toward the study. She seed to rember that Brother Zhou always hid there to work.
Zhou Jiao invited the two sisters-in-law and cousin to eat and then led Mother Zhang to the table, "Mom, my dad’s in a eting; let’s eat first."
Lin Lishan nodded, "With us won together, we’re at ease."
Zhang Guoqing almost burst out laughing. His father-in-law was not accustod to dining with won and found any excuse to avoid it, yet his mother-in-law seed to understand his intent.
Lin Lishan turned to Huang Xiaomi, "Are you the cousin from Uncle Xiao Wu’s family? Don’t be shy, we’re all family. Help yourself to whatever you like."
Huang Xiaomi giggled shyly, "I won’t be shy." She looked at Mother Zhang, "Aunt, how should I address Grandma Ping An?"
Before Mother Zhang could answer, Lin Lishan replied, "You can just call Aunt Shan."
"Aunt Shan, I hope I’m not intruding."
"Oh, child, hahaha, no need to be so formal. We have few people around; we would love for you to visit often and accompany Jiao Jiao shopping."
Zhou Jiao smiled at her, using communal chopsticks to serve Mother Zhang so dishes, "Mom, is Dad okay alone at ho? Why didn’t you bring him along?"
"We’ll both co in the sumr. There’s still so matters in the village; he wouldn’t feel comfortable not overseeing them," replied Mother Zhang, discreetly gesturing toward Zhang Guoqing.
Zhou Jiao imdiately understood. Her father-in-law was concerned about the beverage workshop involving his younger son, and she was imnsely grateful for the elderly man’s care.
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