Chapter 702: Chapter 605: Reunion

Gu Shaozheng often traveled around the South and had even managed to visit Gongdao Village twice, so he was quite familiar with the family. He greeted everyone one by one, then grinned at Xiao Man. "Sister-in-law, I got held up on my way back to Beijing. When I heard you and Shaoyu were here, I figured I’d just tag along with my brother. Besides, Grandpa already invited me over the phone..."

Grandpa gave him another pat on the back. "You brat. So you’re saying if I hadn’t called, you wouldn’t have come?"

"Of course not! I’ve been missing Grandpa’s chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep, not to mention that grape wine. I just never have the time. If I had as much free time as Shaolian, I’d run right over and never leave!" Shaozheng argued playfully, not forgetting to take a jab at Zheng Shaolian. Then, he took Grandpa’s arm, and surrounded by Da Zhi, Dapeng, and Shaoyu, he walked through the courtyard gate with hearty laughter.

Gu Shaojun and Xiao Man exchanged a smile, a moment where no words were needed. They reached out and clasped hands briefly. Gu Shaojun’s hand felt as if it had just been held over a fire, radiating a pleasant heat. Xiao Man’s heart was put at ease. ’And here I was, worried he might be cold,’ she thought. ’Turns out he’s this full of life.’

Nearby, Xinghua was about to pull Jiang Junlin inside, but he whispered, "Let’s wait a second. See if they need help carrying anything?"

Sure enough, Gu Shaojun called them over to help and opened the trunk. The two brothers had brought back a great deal of supplies for the New Year; the back seat was also stuffed full. There were wooden crates, cardboard boxes, and burlap sacks of all sizes, along with some smaller, scattered bags. Jiang Junlin and Xinghua couldn’t carry it all themselves. Fortunately, Mo Jiabao happened to turn back and see. He shouted from the iron gate, and Da Zhi, Dapeng, Shaoyu, and Qiuyan, who had just ducked into the warmth of the house, all came running back out. With everyone pitching in like ants moving their colony, they had everything unloaded in no time.

Grandma brought fresh towels for Gu Shaojun and Gu Shaozheng to wash their faces. The dishes on the table had only been lightly picked at, but Yu Wumei brought out new, full plates of food to replenish them. The hot pot was boiling again. Everyone gathered around the table, refilled their glasses, exchanged a few celebratory toasts, and then dug in. After the flurry of activity, everyone was truly hungry again, making the feast on the table seem all the more fragrant and tempting.

Halfway through the meal, the Spring Festival Gala began. The attention of everyone in the room—men and women, young and old—was captivated. Laughter filled the air, both from the television and from the people watching it. Xiao Man remembered how in her past life, after the year 2000, many people would complain that the Gala wasn’t as good as it used to be. She had to agree with them. The Spring Festival Galas of the 1980s were no joke. From the hosts and the program’s structure to the caliber of the performers, every aspect showcased a deep, rich cultural heritage, profound power, and exquisite artistry. A show like this was something you could savor for the entire year after watching it.

During the latter half of the Gala, Gu Shaozheng started to look tired. He said a word to Grandpa, who was engrossed in the show. Grandpa just smiled and waved him off to get some rest. Mo Jiabao also turned to Gu Shaojun with concern. "You’ve been driving all day. Go get some rest if you’re tired. They’ll rebroadcast the Gala tomorrow, so you can watch it then. It’s the same thing."

Gu Shaojun smiled and nodded. He took the opportunity to stand up, excused himself to the others, and pulled Xiao Man out of the main hall. They first went to the guest room on the first floor to find his travel bag. Grandma was there, helping Gu Shaozheng rummage for his clothes. The two brothers each grabbed a change of clothes and went to draw water for their baths.

There was an excellent mineral spring in the mountains near Gongdao Village. The village committee had considered looking into it, but for now, they didn’t have the means to install running water. In the summer, the well at Grandpa’s house could pump water up to the roof, but the output was much lower in the winter, so everyone had to use the water on the first floor.

Xiao Man and Grandma made the bed for Gu Shaozheng in the first-floor guest room. Shaozheng was the lazy type and had made it clear he didn’t like climbing up and down the stairs, preferring to sleep downstairs. Grandma said they didn’t have to worry about waking him, as the door and window panes on the first floor had all been thickened for some soundproofing.

After they finished with Gu Shaozheng’s room, Grandma looked at Xiao Man and smiled. "Your Uncle Jiaobao and his wife know how to prepare cotton batting, so we bought our own cotton and did it ourselves. Every quilt in the house is brand new, and the ones in your and Xinghua’s rooms are even better... Both you girls are engaged now. Your fiancés are such good men, and you love each other. Grandma is just so, so happy. I’ve woken up from my dreams laughing several times! You should go on upstairs. You need to put on the new duvet cover and new sheets. Your fiancé is an honored guest; don’t make him feel neglected! When Xinghua and the others first got back, I told her the same thing. Even though we treat him like one of our own, we have to let him know how much we truly value and cherish him!"

Xiao Man hadn’t known how to broach the subject with her grandma. Hearing her say this, she blushed bright red, tugging on Grandma’s sleeve and giving it a little shake. "Grandma, we’re only engaged, we haven’t..."

"Grandma knows. When I went to Beijing for the twins’ one-month celebration, your other grandmother told me about it. Your Mr. Tang also asked me to keep an eye on things here, but what is there for me to watch? It’s not easy being a woman. It’s a wonderful thing to get an education and build a career, and you should strive for that. But don’t put off your marriage for it; Grandma wouldn’t like that! Shaojun and Junlin are both wonderful men. They’re worthy of spending a lifetime with! So, Grandma isn’t going to hold you back. You’re adults. Your relationship is settled and that won’t change. Plus, you’re studying medicine. You know how to handle your own affairs."

Grandma smiled and raised a hand to pat Xiao Man’s cheek. "You had your engagement banquet in Beijing, and everyone in the village knows. They all feel that since you grew up here, you’re one of our own. Now that you’re engaged, we have to throw a big celebration here, too, so everyone can come and congratulate you and join in the fun. It’s perfect timing now that Shaojun is back. We’ll see how long he can stay. Tomorrow, your Grandpa will discuss it with you both. We’ll hold it by the second day of the New Year at the latest!"

"Please, let’s not, Grandma. Can’t we just do it when we get married?"

Xiao Man’s face scrunched up. A village banquet was a massive affair. With no local hotels to cater, the house would be in chaos for at least three days. She was no longer a little girl who thrived on the excitement of a crowd; that kind of boisterous energy was something she now dreaded.

"Absolutely not! We’ll have another celebration for the wedding. In any case, these things are for the adults to organize; you don’t need to worry about it. Now go on, go on. Hurry upstairs and get the room ready. Shaojun must be exhausted after such a long trip!" Grandma gave Xiao Man a gentle push, shooing her up the stairs.

Just as she finished making the bed, Gu Shaojun pushed the door open and walked in. Xiao Man deliberately teased him, "Oh? You’ve got the wrong room. Yours is on the fourth floor..."

But Gu Shaojun didn’t fall for the trick. He walked right up, pulled Xiao Man into his arms, and let out a long sigh. "I’ve missed you like crazy. *This* is my real treasure."

Xiao Man giggled into his chest. "What, did you run into a fake one somewhere?"

"Mm-hmm, more than once."

"What? Where? Take me to see them!"

Gu Shaojun laughed, a sound full of delight. "Sure. I’ll take you there once you fall asleep—in my dreams! You little rascal, trying to trick me? The last time I was here, Grandma herself pointed this room out to me. She said this is our new room. How could I possibly get it wrong?"

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