Back To The 80s-Chapter 393 - 403: Happiness_1

Gu Xiaobei chuckled, stroking Jiujiu’s braid, "Of course, it’s even easier for us to see each other than before. You all can come to see me on the sixth day of the week, and I can tutor you in English."

Chen Gang’s voice was rough due to his voice changes, but he remained as steady as ever. He smiled at Gu Xiaobei, "Grandma said that once Jiujiu and I have transferred schools, she’ll bring us to visit our younger siblings."

"Awesome, you two can play with them. They’re both being quite naughty these days", Gu Xiaobei said with a smile.

Zhuang Shuxian decided to bring the dough and minced meat into the living room with the intention of making dumplings together. This way, they could chat while making dumplings.

Gu Xiaobei looked around the room and remarked, "The apartment you were allotted this time is quite spacious."

"Based on your uncle’s rank, we could have been allotted a four-room apartment, but there were no available ones. Besides, we wouldn’t be able to occupy such a large space, so we settled for a three-room one," Zhuang Shuxian explained while asking Chen Gang to get the cloth to cover the dumplings.

Jiujiu bounced up, cheerfully declaring her intention to wash her hands and make dumplings.

Seeing the affectionate camaraderie between the older woman and her grandchildren, Gu Xiaobei felt warmth in her heart. She decided again not to bring up Ma Xuerong for now and to let Lu Zhanguo ask Shen Heng for more information instead.

Gu Xiaobei and Qin Li also washed their hands to help with the dumplings. Zhuang Shuxian said with a smile, "Lily picked us up this morning. She insisted that we go out to eat tonight. Since I figured we wouldn’t need to clean up much - your uncle had already had the house tidied - we unpacked our things and decided to make dumplings."

"It’s more comfortable eating at home. The food at a restaurant is never as delicious as a home-cooked meal", Gu Xiaobei added, agreeing with Zhuang Shuxian.

Jiujiu, who had been sitting by Gu Xiaobei, saw that the adults had fallen quiet and decided to speak. "Auntie, I won first place in our T City’s essay competition this time."

Gu Xiaobei exclaimed in delight, "Really? Our Jiujiu is so talented. What did you write about?"

"The essay topic was ’My Mother’, so I wrote about you, Auntie," Jiujiu said with a smile.

Zhuang Shuxian laughed, tears glistening in her eyes, "Isn’t that right? On the day of the prize-giving ceremony, parents were invited. When Jiujiu’s essay was being read out, everyone in the audience cried."

Gu Xiaobei’s heart was already in turmoil due to Ma Xuerong’s matter. Hearing what Jiujiu and Zhuang Shuxian said made her feelings even more complicated.

However, Jiujiu smiled, "I know they cried because they felt sorry for me. But actually, I’m not pitiful at all. My previous mom was kind to me, and Auntie has been even better. Plus, I now have Grandma and Grandpa. I’m very lucky."

Chen Gang kept his head down all the while, silently rolling the dumpling wrappers.

"That’s right, our Jiujiu is as content as a princess," Gu Xiaobei said, fearing the mood would be ruined if they strayed too far from the topic.

Zhuang Shuxian agreed, "Yes, both Chen Gang and Jiujiu are brilliant, they always top their grades at the end of each semester."

Chen Gang, with some embarrassment, finally spoke up, "I want to skip a grade and go straight to the ninth grade. This way, I can graduate sooner."

"The curriculum for eighth grade is important too. It’s better to study diligently and take your time. If you perform well in high school, you can take the college entrance exam when you’re in the eleventh grade. That plan isn’t bad either," Gu Xiaobei suggested.

Chen Gang nodded, "Grandpa said the same thing."

Qin Li asked curiously, "Chen Gang, what do you want to do in the future?"

"I want to be a sharpshooter like Uncle," Chen Gang replied with determination glinting in his eyes.

Gu Xiaobei looked at Qin Li and laughed, "Did you suggest this to him?"

Still laughing, Qin Li replied, "Yeah, it was me. I told him and Jiujiu some heroic stories and included some of Uncle’s heroic exploits."

When it was time to cook the dumplings, Gu Xiaobei helped Zhuang Shuxian in the kitchen, while Qin Li and the kids peeled garlic in the living room.

Zhuang Shuxian stood at the doorway watching Qin Li work and heaved a sigh. She then walked over to Gu Xiaobei and whispered, "Next time, please try to persuade Lily to marry a good man. We can’t let this child suffer all her life. She’s so young. While she puts on a carefree front, she’s harbouring a lot of pain. Earlier today, while we were moving, she asked me if we could move the jujube tree from the family compound to the provincial city. It’s so distressing to hear."

Gu Xiaobei paused in her work. Whether it was the steam from the dumplings or her feelings, she wasn’t sure, but her eyes started to sting with tears.

After hurriedly wiping away her tears, Zhuang Shuxian switched the topic to prevent Qin Li from noticing, "So, are Mo Wang and Xiaopang getting along well now? Have they started speaking yet?"

Gu Xiaobei blinked back the tears welling up in her eyes and replied with a grin, "Xiaopang can say some simple words now, but Mo Wang can only call for his Mommy."

"Boys always start speaking later, don’t they say ’the words of the noble come late’?" Zhuang Shuxian said, laughing at her own joke.

After dinner, Gu Xiaobei and Qin Li walked home together, each pushing their bicycle.

The night was cold, and the streets were almost deserted. Both of them were bundled up tight with thick scarves and military-grade cotton gloves on their hands.

As they walked, Gu Xiaobei said to Qin Li, "Uncle Jin’s family didn’t get a vegetable garden with their apartment allocation this time." Her breath misted up in the frigid air as she spoke.

Qin Li replied absentmindedly, "Yes, it isn’t really convenient."

Gu Xiaobei stopped, turned to look at Qin Li and suggested, "In the spring, you can let Uncle Jin use the garden in your little courtyard to plant vegetables. It’s not too far away, after all."

Qin Li suddenly exclaimed in delight, "Right, how could I forget? I have a small courtyard. That settles it." A joy that she couldn’t hide spread across her face.

Gu Xiaobei knew that Qin Li was thinking about moving the jujube tree she and Jin Cheng had planted in T City to the small courtyard. She said nothing and just smiled.

Qin Li’s happiness was tied to preserving every memory she had shared with Jin Cheng.

Gu Xiaobei and Qin Li separated at the crossroads. Gu Xiaobei rode her bike home slowly, careful of the slippery winter roads.

As soon as she turned into the alleyway, she saw Lu Zhanguo, bundled up in his military coat, walking towards her.

"Huh, didn’t you go on a mission? Why are you back?" Gu Xiaobei quickly jumped off her bicycle and asked.

Lu Zhanguo helped push the bicycle and said softly, "I got back early. I’ll get some rest for a few days before heading out again."

"I told mom this morning that I wouldn’t be home for dinner because Uncle Jin’s family was moving in," Gu Xiaobei pulled down her scarf to expose her face as she spoke. It was uncomfortable to talk through the scarf. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Mom told me. I thought you’d be on your way back since it was getting dark, so I figured I’d find you if I headed towards the provincial party committee’s residential area," Lu Zhanguo said in his rich, deep voice.

Gu Xiaobei instantly threw herself at him, hugging his arm. She stood on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek.

Lu Zhanguo, already pushing the bicycle, was caught off guard and ended up pushing it in a curve. He said helplessly, "It’s so cold—pull up your scarf. Your face is freezing."

Gu Xiaobei giggled, "My hands are cold too. Can you warm them up when we get back?"

"Okay!"

"And my feet are cold too. Can you warm them up when we get back?"

"Okay!"