Chapter 543: Chapter 543: Went Down the Mine to Dig Coal?
Nowadays, taking a train is definitely not an enjoyable experience.
Even in the special compartment for high-ranking officials.
After all, the space is limited, and there’s no restroom inside, so you still have to go outside to use the toilet.
Washing up is inconvenient too.
But compared to other passengers, Yi Chichi and her group enjoyed far better treatment.
The meals were delivered to their compartment by the train police whom Gu Xinghua had spoken to, and they never lacked hot water.
Thus, when they arrived at Beijing Station, Yi Chichi and the others didn’t look too disheveled.
The elderly man, dressed in casual clothes alongside the guard who also changed out of his military uniform, came to the platform personally to welcome them.
One elderly and one young man waited for only a few minutes on the platform when a sharp whistle sounded, followed by a train whistling into the station and gradually slowing down.
The elderly man’s eyes suddenly brightened, "Xiao Ding, is this the train Xiao Jiu and the others are on?"
"Yes, Sir."
Guard Ding Changwei, who had checked the train arrival information, confirmed.
"Get ready to welcome them, and help carry their luggage as soon as they arrive."
Based on his understanding of his eldest niece and the Wen family’s eldest daughter, these two are absolutely adept at navigating social situations.
They are so courteous to strangers, let alone to us.
Therefore, he dared to conclude that they must have brought a lot of stuff.
"Yes, Sir."
Knowing Yi Chichi and her group’s train details and compartment information, Ding Changwei enthusiastically prepared to roll up his sleeves, ready to rush onto the train at the moment it stops, find them, and assist in carrying luggage.
The plan was set, but Yi Chichi and her group didn’t need their help at all.
Because Yi Chichi lazily climbed out from the window rather than using the door, standing on the platform to receive luggage passed down by Qin Jiu.
Wen’s mother carried Wen Yi and exited through the door.
Realizing the family was acting separately, the two men were silent for two seconds before approaching.
"Well sister, it’s been a hard journey!"
"Comrade, let me help."
The voices sounded simultaneously.
Hearing this familiar voice, Wen’s mother looked up and seeing Mr. Qin, smiled instantly, "Long time no see, my brother. Want to hold your great-grandnephew?"
As she spoke, she handed Wen Yi over.
The elderly man glanced at Wen Yi, whose big, bright eyes curiously examined him, and his face lit up with a big smile, "Yi Yi, does Grandpa want a hug?"
He tentatively reached out his hand to Wen Yi. Luckily, this child was not shy, felt no unfamiliarity towards the elderly man, and eagerly stretched out his arms and flung himself over.
At that moment, Yi Chichi, after thanking Ding Changping who came to her side, stepped aside to leave the luggage-handling task to them.
"Auntie, the last one, please catch it."
With help, Qin Jiu was full of energy, passing piece after piece of luggage out, and handed the last one straight to Yi Chichi.
Once she reached out to take it, he swiftly climbed out through the window.
Standing in front of Ding Changping, he laughed and greeted, "Uncle Ding."
"You grew taller, and sturdier..."
Ding Changping’s words changed to shock upon seeing Qin Jiu’s complexion, "Why is your face so dark?"
Had he been mining coal?
"Very dark?"
Qin Jiu touched his own face, turned to Yi Chichi with eyes seeking confirmation.
"Dark."
Yi Chichi felt somewhat helpless about it, as the island’s ultraviolet radiation is much higher than inland, especially during summer when the sun’s direct angle is larger, making the UV more intense.
Qin Jiu isn’t fond of wearing hats for shade, and there wasn’t sunscreen available then. Earlier it wasn’t too bad, but recently he’d been out with Yuan Chu and the others daily. Getting sunburned was practically a miracle of nature.
"It’s okay, it’ll recover over time."
Right then, the elderly man and Wen’s mother arrived with Wen Yi.
Upon hearing her words, the elderly man promptly chimed in, "A little tan is nothing for a real man; lacking ability or ambition is truly frightening."
Yi Chichi called out, "Grandpa," and Qin Jiu pouted, "As soon as I’m back, Grandpa starts lecturing me. Am I really your dear great-grandson?"
"Of course you are; you and Yi Yi are the same, Grandpa loves you both!"
With not many relatives left, the elderly man was utterly unreserved in expressing his love for the few he had, expressing it very straightforwardly.
But the platform was busy and noisy, not exactly the best place for conversation.
So, after a brief chat, the group grabbed their luggage and left the station.
After returning to his original post, the elderly man not only received several years’ worth of back pay, but had cars and such supplied as well.
They also resided in a detached house in a large courtyard.
Now it’s summer break, and Mr. Song, who returned to the school, was on vacation with the students. Consequently, they were already waiting at the Qin Family residence when Yi Chichi and her group arrived in the courtyard.
Before the car even parked steadily, several people, hearing the car’s sounds, walked out from the house.
Yi Chichi cheerfully leaned out of the car window and waved at them, "Grandpa Song, Grandma Song, Grandpa Ma, good afternoon!"
"Good, good, good."
All three senior citizens smiled from ear to ear, naturally delighted to reunite with Yi Chichi and her group, and even more so to finally see Wen Yi whom they’d been longing for.
"Quick, quick, quick, let us see the child."
"My brother is really good-looking."
Visible Qin Jiu entered the brother-control mode, lavishly praising Wen Yi after entering the house.
The elders nodded in agreement, circling around Wen Yi, one touching his small hand, another squeezing his chubby arm, akin to a lotus root, then offering a fair evaluation.
"The child’s physique is really solid, raised well."
Once Mr. Song made this remark, Mr. Ma immediately turned to him, "What, thinking about that ungrateful wolf’s child of yours again?"
The closer the friendship, the better they know how to jab.
Yi Chichi watched as Mr. Song’s face darkened and felt a desire to comfort, yet couldn’t speak up, thus decided to switch topics, "Grandpas and Grandmas, we brought gifts for you."
"What gifts?"
Mr. Ma’s interest was piqued, abandoning his poking at his friend, and turned to look.
The older couple’s attention was diverted too.
Mr. Qin chuckled upon seeing this, "Quickly, take it out and show them."
"Alright."
Yi Chichi responded, and along with Qin Jiu began unwrapping the package, first pulling out a jackfruit.
The island had a long history of jackfruit cultivation dating back to the late Qing Dynasty; however, due to transportation limitations, both cultivation and production were restricted and not developed.
Only now that transport conditions are improving, small-scale sales beyond the planting area have started.
Jackfruit is undoubtedly a Southern fruit, unfamiliar to many.
However, Mr. and Mrs. Song are worldly folks. Mr. Ma, being a native who had never been to the South nor abroad, truly did not recognize jackfruit.
"What is this thing, why is it so big?"
"Jackfruit."
Mrs. Song replied with a smile, "I tasted it when I was young..."
"Is this thing tasty?"
At the mere mention of food, Mr. Ma’s eyes were ablaze with excitement; he felt this thing must be delicious, otherwise, Xiao Yi and the others wouldn’t have brought it all the way.
"Delicious."
Yi Chichi nodded, ever since the island began selling jackfruits, they had become, like mangoes, a household staple fruit.
She liked it, Wen’s mother liked it too.
Even Wen Yi would taste it when they ate.
Whether he liked it was unclear, as he was currently fascinated by all sorts of food, being the kind who, when out strolling, would happily nibble leaves to assess their saltiness.
Determining his preferences must wait until he grows and can speak.
Thus, Wen Yi’s preferences were negligible.
Qin Jiu also loved eating it, cheerfully suggesting, "How about cutting one for you all to try?"
Wen Yi immediately pointed at the jackfruit with eager cries, his expression brimming with urgency.
Everyone chuckled, "Looks like Yi Yi wants to try some too, let’s go ahead and cut one then."
So, Yi Chichi opened up a jackfruit.
The group then sat together eating and chatting.
"Is Uncle Ye working today?"
