The group at the Sun Family’s ho was still deep in conversation when Gu’er finished making dinner. Their lively chat continued unabated through the al, the topic shifting from buying a house to buying a car. After they ate, they talked for a little while longer before everyone went their separate ways.
When Gu’er returned to the Lin Family’s ho, Lin Shan and Chen Fengjiao were naturally delighted to see her. They asked all about her trip, while Lin Zheng was absolutely overjoyed with the gift his sister had brought him.
The next day, when Gu’er went to see Sun Jiaming, Aunt Zhao was still there.
After Aunt Zhao left, happily carrying her things, Gu’er and Sun Jiaming started to talk.
In the future, whether Sun Jiaming went to the Soviet Union with her or did sothing on his own, it would be difficult to take care of his grandmother.
Cao Qiu would have been the ideal choice. If a daughter-in-law could stay ho and care for her mother-in-law, Sun Jiaming would be free to pursue his goals without reservation.
But Cao Qiu refused, which essentially tied Sun Jiaming’s hands.
Grandma Sun’s health had improved, but she was getting older with each passing year. She needed to have soone with her.
Hiring a caregiver wasn’t common yet. And even if it were, they wouldn’t dare hire soone they didn’t know and trust completely.
"Brother Jia Ming, Grandma can’t be left alone for a mont. I was thinking of inviting Aunt Zhao to the city to take care of Grandma when we’re not ho. What do you think?"
Gu’er asked for Sun Jiaming’s opinion.
Sun Jiaming paused. He had actually been thinking about this too, especially after his trip with Gu’er. Since he wanted to open a shop here, he couldn’t be ho all day, but his grandmother needed soone with her.
His mother and grandmother didn’t get along. They would likely just get on each other’s nerves. As for his sister-in-law, she was diocre at best and lazy. Asking her to take care of soone was impossible.
Aunt Zhao was a good choice. She and Grandma had gotten along for so many years that she was practically a daughter to her. But if she ca to the city, what would happen to her family back ho?
"Brother Jia Ming, I’ve thought it through. We can’t give up our storefront, but I don’t have ti to run it. I’m thinking of handing it over to Uncle Zhao. That way, both he and Aunt Zhao can co to the city. He can co here for dinner after work, and living here would be convenient too. Our village may not have much else, but those mountain goods sell well. If we keep that business going, the villagers can still earn so money. What do you think?"
Gu’er had it all planned out. She likely wouldn’t have ti for the mountain goods business in the future, but she didn’t want to abandon it. The villagers were counting on it for inco. That’s why she planned to entrust the shop and the business to Uncle Zhao. He was soone she could trust.
Sun Jiaming considered Gu’er’s words and agreed it was a good idea. He had initially thought of taking it over himself, but if he was going to trade goods from the Soviet Union with Gu’er, he truly wouldn’t have the energy to manage it as well.
"Alright. I’ll make a trip back to the village in a few days and talk to Uncle and Aunt Zhao to see if they’re willing."
Sun Jiaming nodded. With Aunt Zhao looking after his grandmother, he too could pursue his work without any reservations.
"Then I’ll leave it in your hands, Brother Jia Ming. Oh, right, could you go find Brother Liu Yuan soti soon? Give him our address and tell him to co hang out when he’s free."
Gu’er thought of Liu Yuan. She hadn’t seen him in over two months. There had been an argunt the last ti he visited the Lin Family, and he hadn’t sought her out since, likely afraid of causing her more trouble.
"Sure, I’ll go tomorrow."
Sun Jiaming agreed readily. He wasn’t the least bit jealous, because he knew Gu’er had no romantic feelings for Liu Yuan and simply considered him a friend.
Gu’er truly had no romantic feelings for Liu Yuan. It was already mid-February, and the accident at his factory was in early May. That was less than three months away. ’Even though Liu Yuan hasn’t married Huang Mingyu in this lifeti, I still need to watch this closely,’ she thought. She decided that co May, right before the accident was supposed to happen, she wouldn’t go anywhere. She would stay close to Liu Yuan and remind him to have the senior technicians at the factory conduct a thorough inspection and check for any potential issues. ’Hopefully, the accident from my previous life can be avoided.’
’Oh, right, I should also tell Dad and ask him to help keep an eye on it.’ But Liu Yuan’s factory was in the suburbs, outside her father’s jurisdiction. Otherwise, she could have had him send people to conduct a proper inspection.
Sun Jiaming watched Gu’er, observing how her expression would shift from a frown to a look of ease. He smiled faintly. ’I wonder what she’s thinking about now.’
Gu’er had changed a lot since coming to the city; Sun Jiaming could sense it. ’But people are always changing. Aren’t I the sa? As long as her heart stays the sa, that’s all that matters.’
Sun Jiaming took Gu’er’s hand in his.
Gu’er was lost in thought about Liu Yuan when Sun Jiaming’s touch snapped her back to reality. By the ti she registered what was happening, her hand was already enveloped in his larger one. His hand was warm, almost searingly hot, and the heat rushed to her cheeks, turning them red.
"Gu’er, you’re so beautiful,"
Sun Jiaming said, his voice a little hoarse.
Gu’er snuck a peek at Sun Jiaming and noticed his face was also a little red. eting his fervent gaze, she quickly lowered her head again. She could feel her heart pounding erratically. ’I never felt like this in my past life.’
The sight of the bashful Gu’er made Sun Jiaming’s blood run hot. He reached out to pull her into his arms, but he forgot they were sitting on chairs, not a sofa. The back of her chair was between them.
The chair back separated them, and the two, blushing, quickly pulled apart.
"I, uh, maybe I should go shopping."
Gu’er’s mouth felt a little dry, and she didn’t speak with her usual briskness.
"Don’t go today. You’d only be out for a little while before you’d have to co back anyway. There’s no rush to get those things."
Sun Jiaming knew Gu’er was feeling shy.
"Oh."
Gu’er murmured, suddenly at a loss for words.
"Gu’er, what kinds of things do you think won like?"
Gu’er looked at him, confused. ’What does he an by that? Is he trying to find out what I like so he can buy a gift?’
"I don’t need anything. You don’t have to buy anything, Brother Jia Ming."
Gu’er waved her hand dismissively. She didn’t feel like she was lacking anything.
"That’s not it, Gu’er. Rember how that Vietnase man said getting a good stall requires not just money, but also connections? The amount of money they want is too much; we can’t afford that right now. As for connections, we don’t know anyone important. Even after working there for a few years, we might not et anyone influential. I think it would be very difficult to get in with people like that. But those important people must have children, right? I figure won are easier to please. If we had sothing that an important person’s child, or specifically their daughter, would love—sothing that would make them really happy—we could build a relationship with them. Then, over ti, we could ask them for an introduction to their parents. Wouldn’t that be a way to get in touch with those powerful figures?"
Sun Jiaming knew Gu’er had been constantly thinking about the market stall, and he had been mulling it over as well. But he didn’t know anyone over there, so he had to co up with another way. Solutions weren’t easy to find, but this was one idea he’d landed on. He shared it with Gu’er, seeking her opinion.
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Thank you to Kaka.qdcn for the peace charm. Thank you to Zhai Nü Mao’er, Dian Dian Nü Nü, and Rong Lan for the monthly tickets. And thank you all for your support. Today is the Start of Autumn. Have you all had your fill to prepare for the season?
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