Chapter 539: Chapter 539: Red Envelope Welcome Gift
"Of course, it is!"
Talking about this trip, Zhou Zhongwei was quite helpless, "I thought this mission would be over in half a month at most when I came, but after arriving, I realized that not to mention half a month, it might not even be done in three months."
Qin Jiu was still quite empathetic. He smiled and comforted, "Uncle, think positively, just treat it as a government-funded vacation."
Yi Chichi and Wen’s mother exchanged a smile without saying a word.
Zhou Zhongwei was stunned for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face.
"You’ve got a quick mind; when Uncle returns to Beijing, I’ll treat you to some braised offal and soy bean milk."
Qin Jiu’s heart skipped a beat. Oh dear, braised offal and soy bean milk, all foods he didn’t like.
But good intentions must be accepted.
So, he smiled and thanked him, then took the initiative to change the topic.
Zhou Zhongwei had been to many places. Due to his work, he had been to cities with mechanical factories in the southeast, northwest, and central regions, and had a certain understanding of local customs and culture.
When it came to local specialties and features, he spoke knowledgeably.
At first, it was only Yi Chichi’s family that chatted with him, but once he started sharing interesting stories from his business trips and the local delicacies he tasted, passengers on the deck who were just there to enjoy the sea breeze and view couldn’t hold back their curiosity and joined the conversation.
Wen Yi was a born conversationalist; no matter what others said, he’d listen with his big, shiny eyes, laugh along, and clap his hands.
If anyone talked to him, he’d babble in response, chatting with them.
Someone praised him for being smart, and before Yi Chichi, as a mother, could speak up, Wen’s mother and Qin Jiu nodded, proudly claiming that their child (little brother) indeed was clever.
Amidst the laughter and joy, they arrived at the port.
Zhou Zhongwei was traveling with them as well and needed to go to the train station to buy tickets to Yangcheng.
After coming out of Yangcheng station, Qin Jiu and Zhou Zhongwei reluctantly said goodbye and saw him off before picking up the luggage on the ground, "Auntie, should we go buy tickets now?"
"The tickets are already bought; we’re going to pick them up now."
Trains back then weren’t like in later times where you could buy tickets for the same day or the next; someone had to help buy them in advance, or the timing could be off.
"Now we’re heading to the Friendship Store, staying at the guesthouse for one night, and leaving in the morning."
"Did you ask Xiao Ning to help buy the tickets?"
"Yes."
Yi Chichi nodded; there were many people she could ask, like Wen Shi’s comrade Hou Dahai and others she had ongoing contact with like Nan Juhong.
But she didn’t ask any of these people and went straight to Ning Jiandong.
No other reason than familiarity; they were not only cooperation partners with mutual benefits.
No need to rack her brains thinking about returning favors.
Most importantly, finding Ning Jiandong could get them sleeper tickets.
She gently explained, "With a child, hard sleepers and hard seats are too tiring; soft sleepers are more convenient."
"Aunt, you bought all soft sleepers?"
Qin Jiu’s eyes suddenly widened. Yi Chichi responded affirmatively, and he started calculating how much money was spent, then sighed, "What a waste, buying one for you and little brother to sleep in is enough; there’s no need for Grandma and me."
Wen’s mother also thought it was wasteful, but she knew Yi Chichi’s temperament too well and worried that Qin Jiu’s words might upset her, so she jokingly said, "I’m at an age where I can indulge a little."
"Grandma’s right; she’s reached the age to enjoy life."
She said this with a lowered voice since, in an era that values a hard-working style, you could enjoy comforts at home behind closed doors, even be a bit extravagant.
But publicly flaunting it could attract criticism.
Until the general environment changed completely, one still needed to be cautious.
"And so do you."
Glancing at Qin Jiu, she said, "While growing, proper sleep and nutrition are crucial."
"You wouldn’t want to grow up and not be taller than me, right?!"
This remark was a killer; no man, be it big or small, didn’t care about height.
And Qin Jiu was no exception. Just the thought of being the shortest in the family gave him the chills.
"Wherever I go in the future, I’ll make sure to eat and sleep well."
"Good."
Coming out of the station, Yi Chichi was about to lead the group to take the tram, but unexpectedly——
"Xiao Yi, over here!"
A familiar voice came from the left, and hearing the shout, Yi Chichi turned her head to see Gu Xinghua’s toothy grin come into view.
She froze for a second, then smiled and called Uncle Gu, leading Wen’s mother and Qin Jiu towards him.
"Uncle, why are you here?"
"The train leaves tomorrow morning; Old Ning said you’d definitely come today, so he asked me to pick you up."
As he spoke, he reached out to take the luggage.
Yi Chichi quickly thanked him and handed over the luggage, "Uncle, how long have you been here?"
"Not long, just about ten minutes earlier than you."
Gu Xinghua wasn’t lying; there were only a few ferries from the island, too early and Yi Chichi wouldn’t make it, too late and they’d miss the last train to Yangcheng and, in turn, the train the next morning.
Thus, by calculating the time between the remaining ferries, he largely estimated when the family would arrive.
Then he waited outside the station, getting it right every time.
"Auntie, how have you been?"
He smiled and greeted Wen’s mother, handing a red envelope to Wen Yi, "Yi Yi ah, since it’s our first meeting, Grandpa gives you a red envelope to buy some candy."
Wen Yi didn’t know about buying candy, but something placed in his hand was his.
So he held the red envelope and let out a couple of sounds at Gu Xinghua. Gu Xinghua chuckled, "Our Yi Yi is so polite, already knowing how to say thank you at such a young age."
Yi Chichi was speechless, "..."
Uncle Gu’s filter was outrageous.
She smiled and thanked him on Wen Yi’s behalf, meanwhile introducing Qin Jiu to him.
Prepared all along, Gu Xinghua pulled out another red envelope for Qin Jiu, "A young talent; study well and become the pillar of the nation when you grow up."
Qin Jiu looked at Yi Chichi and, seeing her nod, accepted the envelope with a smile, "Thank you, Grandpa Gu, I will."
"Let’s go; get in the car; we’ll head back first."
Gu Xinghua had come by car, driving an old army green jeep. The vehicle was very old, making noises everywhere, but it was more convenient and quicker than taking a tram.
Forty minutes later, the car parked at the warehouse entrance of the Friendship Store. Xiao Yu, who had been sitting tired in the embroidery room all day, spotted Yi Chichi with a chubby, wide-eyed baby and her eyes lit up.
"Chichi sis, is this Wen Yi?"
She excitedly rushed over, her voice a bit loud, catching the attention of Master Qian and the others sitting inside at the embroidery frames. After exchanging looks, Master Qian was the first to stand.
"Xiao Yi brought the baby; I must go see."
Master Tang stood up too, "I must see as well."
Saying this, she patted her pocket and found it empty, stopping her tracks, "Did anyone bring money?"
"What’s the money for?"
They lived in dorms, ate at the cafeteria, and the Friendship Store regularly gave them salaries and various tickets as subsidies. Worst case, they could charge it against their wages.
Bringing money was pointless.
"To gift a red envelope to Chichi’s baby as a meeting gift."
It would be embarrassing to come empty-handed, especially as elders.
