Back To The 80s-Chapter 343 - 253: Yearning_1

Unexpectedly, when she took down two punks, a bunch of people rushed out of the arcade. Thanks to Ji Xiangdong being nearby, she was spared a beating today.

What infuriated her most was that the high school student she saved didn’t even say thank you and sneaked away in the chaos. Moreover, among the crowd of onlookers, nobody stepped in to help her.

Seeing Bai Xiaolan’s frustrated appearance, Ji Xiangdong sighed. This girl was warm-hearted but didn’t understand how cold the world could be.

"Let’s go, I’ll walk you back to your dormitory," Ji Xiangdong said.

After dusting herself off, Bai Xiaolan was now walking side by side with Ji Xiangdong towards the dormitory. All of a sudden, she remembered seeing couples in the park walking in such a manner. She sneakily glanced at Ji Xiangdong and her face turned red. Goodness, she must be sick. Why else would her face be burning?

Ji Xiangdong also noticed Bai Xiaolan sneakily ogling at him and couldn’t help but smile.

Bai Xiaolan was a bold and uninhibited girl. But when it came to relationships, she was clueless. What should she do? She thought about asking Gu Xiaobei indirectly later.

......

Once the children were asleep, Lu Zhanguo suddenly hugged Gu Xiaobei excitely, which startled her. When did this man become so childish?

"I’m so happy today, my elder brother came back," mumbled Lu Zhanguo, hugging Gu Xiaobei tightly and burying his face in her neck.

Gu Xiaobei laughed and hugged him back, "Yes, our family is finally reunited." She was delighted that this man only showed his perplexed or childish side in front of her, which she found quite adorable. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

After their sweet moment, Gu Xiaobei brought up building a two-story house after purchasing a plot of land with Lu Zhanguo.

Lu Zhanguo was stunned by her idea and expressed his worries, "We can indeed build a bungalow, but heating in the winter will be a problem. Additionally, the water pressure here is low; it wouldn’t even reach the second floor."

Gu Xiaobei was taken aback. Of course, why didn’t she think of these common sense problems? After thinking for a while, she said, "Then let’s buy a plot of land and build a bungalow. It’s perfect to stay in during the summer and we can plant some vegetables. In winter, we can continue living in our current house."

Lu Zhanguo nodded, thinking it wasn’t a bad idea. Furthermore, Lu Songyuan and Wen Xiuqing could occupy their time with gardening.

Gu Xiaobei became even more obsessed with that piece of land. The next day, after the children were put to bed, she started to investigate whether the land was private or public property, and if it could be sold. In the end, she learned that it was collective land and could be leased, without any land deeds.

Gu Xiaobei felt disappointed. But this made her more determined to buy her own place. Her most pressing concern now was to find ways to earn money. Her recent plan was almost ready. Once Lu Songyuan arrived and everything was settled at home, she planned to discuss it with Jiang Jiahua. She was worried about leaving Wen Xiuqing alone at home to look after the two children.

Upon receiving a phone call, Lu Songyuan hurried to G Province as fast as possible. He wished the train could get him there in a day.

Lu Zhanguo managed to fit a bunk bed in the room where Wen Xiuqing was staying, providing a flexible sleeping arrangement for when there were more people.

Upon meeting Ji Xiangdong, the old soldier who had demonstrated his mettle on the battlefield couldn’t help shedding tears. "You’ve suffered all these years."

Ji Xiangdong’s eyes welled up with tears. During these few days, Wen Xiuqing’s meticulous love and care, down to knitting him a sweater in just a few short days that were likely done up in the evenings after the kids went to bed, onset of warmth.

Now, seeing the old man crying unreservedly, he felt a mix of sadness and joy.

"Dad, I’m sorry for all the trouble amd worry I caused," Ji Xiangdong said with teary eyes.

Wen Xiuqing, standing by the side, wiped her tears while laughing, "Let’s sit and talk. Why are we crying on such a happy day?" Yet her tears continued to flow.

The moment Lu Songyuan sat down, he eagerly asked Ji Xiangdong: where had he been all these years? Where did he serve his military duty?

After hearing Ji Xiangdong’s answers, he sighed, "We were at the same military drills so many times. Just us father and son together, but why didn’t we run into each other?"

Ji Xiangdong laughed, "How could you have forgotten, dad? You were the commander during the drills, and we were the little soldiers in the mountains. How could we meet each other?" Looking at the white hair at Lu Songyuan’s temples, Ji Xiangdong felt a pang in his heart. As the elder Ji said, life is short. By the time you come to realize it, the people who love you and are waiting for you to come home may no longer be there. When that time comes, all you’re left with is regret.

Lu Songyuan, not forgetting his desire to hold his great-grandson, told Lu Zhanguo who was by his side, "Go get Mo Wang for me to hold. After you guys left, I constantly dreamed of Mo Wang calling me grandpa." Saying this, he became joyful, his face full of contentment.

Lu Zhanguo got up to get Mo Wang from the room. Upon seeing Gu Xiaobei wiping her tears, he sighed and touched her head, "Why have you started to cry so much after becoming a mother?"

Gu Xiaobei sniffed and replied, "After becoming a mother, I can’t bear to see scenes of family members separating or reuniting. When I think about Mo Wang and Xiaopang growing up and leaving us to live their own lives, I get upset."

Comfortingly stroking Gu Xiaobei’s back, Lu Zhanguo said, "You’re thinking too far ahead. Look at our Mo Wang and Xiaopang, they still can’t even talk yet. Getting a job and getting married will happen twenty years down the line. And remember, no matter what happens, I’ll always be here."

Gu Xiaobei was amused by Lu Zhanguo’s rare affectionate words and urged, "Quickly bring Mo Wang over for dad to hold."

Lu Zhanguo affectionately touched her face, then prepared to take Mo Wang outside. Seeing her dad leave her behind, Xiaopang crawled towards the edge of the kang bed anxiously calling out, "Da-Da~"

Both Lu Zhanguo and Gu Xiaobei were taken aback. Gu Xiaobei picked up Xiaopang and asked, "Sweetheart, what did you just say? Say it again."

Xiaopang stretched her hand out towards Lu Zhanguo and called out in her baby voice, "Da-Da~"

Instead of taking Mo Wang outside, Lu Zhanguo put Mo Wang down on the kang bed, excitedly picked Xiaopang up, and asked, "Sweetheart, say it again."

"Da-Da~" Xiaopang, being held by her dad, happily clapped her chubby hands and called out a few more times.

Gu Xiaobei also picked up Mo Wang, saying, "Son, call mom."

Mo Wang stared at Gu Xiaobei with wide eyes, then broke into a wide smile.

Lu Songyuan called out from the living room, "Why isn’t someone bringing Mo Wang out?"

Gu Xiaobei quickly carried Mo Wang outside, saying happily, "Xiaopang can call dad now."

Coming out of the kitchen with a dish in her hands, Wen Xiuqing was also overjoyed hearing this. "Girls do tend to speak earlier than boys. Our Xiaopang is so clever, calling for dad at just ten months old."

Upon hearing herself being praised, Xiaopang looked even happier and kept calling out, "Da-Da~ Da-Da~" non-stop.

Gu Xiaobei handed Mo Wang to Lu Songyuan, then tried to coax Xiaopang, "Sweetheart, call mom."

Xiaopang, nestled in her dad’s arms, seriously looked at Gu Xiaobei and called out, "Da-Da~"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Observing these warm and joyful scenes, Ji Xiangdong thought how wonderful it was to have a home. Surprisingly, the image of Bai Xiaolan’s angry yet blushing face suddenly appeared in his mind, leaving him stunned. Why was he suddenly thinking of Bai Xiaolan?