Back To The 80s-Chapter 194: Surprise_1

On Sunday morning, the first snow of the season fell unexpectedly. However, because the temperature wasn’t low enough, it melted as soon as it hit the ground. The dirt roads became particularly muddy, and a thick fog blanketed the area.

Gu Xiaobei was slightly worried, "This weather isn’t ideal for driving, is it?"

"It’s fine, we’ll just drive slowly. We probably won’t arrive until noon. Plus, due to the weather, the town’s bus services have all been suspended."

Due to the dense fog reducing visibility to less than a hundred meters, Lu Zhanguo drove very slowly. In these times, there weren’t many cars and people’s traffic safety awareness was quite poor, so occasionally, people would cross the road, leading oxen or herding sheep.

Hence, they had to stop and start all along the journey. As they approached the city, the fog dispersed and they were able to increase their speed. By the time they reached Qin Li’s home, it was noon, and Lu Zhanguo told them he would pick them up after he had finished his business.

Gu Xiaobei took Jiujiu to Qin Li’s house first. Zhang Yufen was home, and upon seeing Gu Xiaobei, she sighed and pointed across the street. "Lily is at the Jin Family’s house."

"I’ll go over and check then." Gu Xiaobei then led Jiujiu and knocked on the door across the street.

Qin Li answered the door, her expression normal, but lacking her usual liveliness and charm. "Sister Xiaobei, how come you’re here on this foggy day?"

"Lu Zhanguo had some business in the city, so he brought me and Jiujiu to visit you." Jiujiu also politely greeted, "Aunt."

Qin Li welcomed Gu Xiaobei and Jiujiu into the house. Mrs. Jin, Zhuang Shuxian, was sitting on the sofa, holding a large glass frame filled with pictures of the Jin Brothers.

Gu Xiaobei’s eyes welled up as she greeted, "Aunt Jin."

As Gu Xiaobei had briefed her earlier, Jiujiu opened up to Tantan and respectfully called, "Grandma."

Zhuang Shuxian upon hearing Jiujiu’s voice, scrutinized her closely, and was stunned.

Qin Li standing aside said, "This is Jiujiu, whom I’ve told you about before. She’s very well-behaved."

Zhuang Shuxian came to her senses and beckoned, "Your name is Jiujiu, right? Come here to Grandma."

Gu Xiaobei gave Jiujiu a nod, and the little girl obediently went over, standing before Zhuang Shuxian and once again greeting her, "Grandma."

Zhuang Shuxian held Jiujiu’s hand, examining her attentively up and down, and murmured softly, "Why does she look so familiar?"

Gu Xiaobei and Qin Li were puzzled, exchanging confused glances. Qin Li had been spending her days at the Jin’s to distract herself from her grief, sharing amusing stories about herself, her friend Gu Xiaobei, and Jiujiu, hoping to distract Zhuang Shuxian.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Shuxian still held Jiujiu’s hand, unable to resist touching the girl’s face, asking kindly, "You’re Jiujiu? How old are you?"

"Nine years old.” Although Jiujiu didn’t understand why Grandma was staring at her so intently, she still obediently replied.

"Jiujiu, what’s your mother’s name?" Zhuang Shuxian couldn’t resist asking, even though she had already heard about Jiujiu’s circumstances from Qin Li.

"My mother is called Wang Sanmei."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Shuxian felt a slight disappointment, but she still continued to hold Jiujiu’s hand.

Qin Li pulled Gu Xiaobei into the kitchen. "Sister Xiaobei, your timing is perfect. I was about to make chicken soup, and I wasn’t sure how to start."

"Sure, I’ll take over." Gu Xiaobei rolled up her sleeves and began to handle the chicken that was already butchered.

"My father said it’s dangerous to go to Dazhao Temple in the winter, so I’m thinking about going next spring." Qin Li initiated a conversation about why she hadn’t left yet.

"Yes, there’s a high chance that heavy snow can seal off the mountains during winter there. It’d be better to go when it’s warmer," Gu Xiaobei replied, knowing that at this time, the path to the Tibetan Area hadn’t been repaired yet and therefore it was difficult to travel there.

"I have thought it through. I will keep working for now and save some money. When I return from Dazhao Temple, I intend to start a business. Could you help me see what I can do then?" Qin Li quietly asked.

"Why do you want to start a business all of a sudden?" Gu Xiaobei asked quizzically.

"I thought with a business, I could slowly expand into the Capital City..." Qin Li trailed off without finishing her sentence and Gu Xiaobei understood why. She quickly responded, "Sure, I have also been thinking about seeing if I can do something. Let’s discuss it in detail when the weather gets warmer in the spring."

In the living room, Zhuang Shuxian had Jiujiu sitting next to her, feeding her candy and peanuts from time to time. The more she looked at Jiujiu, the more she liked the girl, a kind smile spreading across her face.

Qin Li looked back from the kitchen doorway and said to Gu Xiaobei, "Aunt Jin really likes Jiujiu. It’s the first time she’s smiled in a while."

"I guess Jiujiu must have taken Aunt Jin’s fancy. Didn’t you hear? Aunt Jin said Jiujiu looks like someone from her family," Gu Xiaobei speculated.

"That sounds familiar, but I can’t remember who she could be referring to. How about letting Jiujiu stay here for a while during the winter break to keep Aunt Jin company?" Qin Li suggested.

"Sure, I’ll ask Jiujiu. If she’s okay with it, we’ll do that." Gu Xiaobei also peeked out to look at the two who were getting along well in the living room.

Jiujiu also liked this Grandma and unexpectedly became more talkative, even volunteering to share her school experiences.

"Grandma, I get one hundred percent on every test, and my aunt said, if I keep this up, I can skip right to third grade next year," Jiujiu proudly declared.

"Good job, Jiujiu. What do you want to do when you grow up?" Zhuang Shuxian’s smile deepened.

"I want to be a doctor, so I can treat my mother’s sickness."

"Good child, you’re so well-behaved," Zhuang Shuxian couldn’t help but pat Jiujiu’s head again.

During lunch, Zhuang Shuxian had Jiujiu seated beside her and constantly added food to her plate, even giving her the large chicken leg. Watching Jiujiu eat heartily, Zhuang Shuxian’s appetite improved and she unusually added another half bowl of rice.

"Jiujiu, remember to visit Grandma often," Zhuang Shuxian kept repeating this sentiment.

Gu Xiaobei couldn’t help but say, "Aunt Jin, if you like Jiujiu, you can come and stay with us for a while. The conditions aren’t the best, but we’ll make do."

Zhuang Shuxian nodded, "Okay, when we’re free, Lily and I will come to visit you all."

"That would be great. Once the winter break begins, I’ll bring Jiujiu to see you."

"That’s even better. We have plenty of room at our place, feel free to stay." As Zhuang Shuxian said this, her voice dropped a bit.

Both Gu Xiaobei and Qin Li also lowered their heads in response. Not understanding why the adults had suddenly fallen silent, Jiujiu blinked her big eyes at Zhuang Shuxian and said, "Grandma, my aunt taught me an English nursery rhyme. I’ll sing it to you later, okay?" She knew from her aunt that singing could brighten people’s moods.

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Shuxian smiled and nodded, "Good, Jiujiu is such a good girl."

After their meal, Zhuang Shuxian continued to engage Jiujiu in conversation.

When Lu Zhanguo came to pick up Gu Xiaobei and Jiujiu in the afternoon, Zhuang Shuxian reluctantly held onto Jiujiu’s hand, "Make sure to come and visit whenever you get the chance."

"Aunt Jin, don’t worry. As long as we’re free, I will bring Jiujiu over to see you," Gu Xiaobei assured her, understanding that at this point, Jiujiu was like a soothing tonic to Zhuang Shuxian’s wounded heart. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Right, once the road is passable, I’ll come with Lily to visit you." Zhuang Shuxian kept repeating these words as she saw them off to the car.

It was only after the car had driven away that Zhuang Shuxian turned to Qin Li and said, "Jiujiu is such a lovely kid."