Early the next morning, as the first light appeared on the horizon, a car left the farm and hit the road back to Hai City.
Ping’an sat in the back seat, watching his father driving in the front, and finally asked, "Dad, will the crabs given by Grandma die? Is it okay for us to take and eat like this?"
Aunt Zhao patted his head and laughed, "Don’t worry so much. How about coming back to my house with me?"
Ping’an shook his head, "No, it’s not possible. The little partners in Grandfather’s village said you can’t visit others’ houses for a month. I’ll come next time to visit your house."
Zhao Wenhui was amused. Such a young child could even say ’visit’. She wanted to explain that this is a god-family and there’s no big taboo, but seeing the serious little face, she decided not to persuade him further.
"Grandma, when you’re done, come find me, and we’ll go back together."
Lin Lishan laughed, "Grandma will go to see how things are first, okay? You really won’t come with me? There will be many aunties to play with you there."
Ping’an, remembering those strange aunties, quickly shook his head, "No, you’re going for work, you can’t bring children to the office, it’s not good."
Zhao Wenhui sighed, "This child is more sensible than my ten-year-old grandson. No wonder my brother always says he wants to steal the grandson back."
Ping’an listened and smiled, "The last time my god-grandpa came to Beijing, he said he liked me the most, and my uncle also said he cherished me, and my tank was personally assembled by him."
Lin Lishan smiled at Zhao Wenhui, "Ah Guang gave him a set of bullet head toys, and he wouldn’t even let anyone touch them. It made Brother Zheng envious."
"I wonder how they’re doing lately, I haven’t gone back this year. Xiao Wu, are you going back for the New Year?"
Before Zhang Guoqing could reply, Lin Lishan said, "They haven’t gone back for the New Year in the past two years. Brother Zheng said they should take the kids over this year to spend the New Year with their grandparents."
"Mom?"
Lin Lishan laughed, "Your dad said you haven’t gone back to celebrate the New Year for several years, so this year you must take the kids back home and let them meet relatives and friends."
Zhang Guoqing shook his head with a smile, his father-in-law truly was a thoughtful person.
Yi Jiefang quickly chimed in, "I think it’s a good idea. Uncle Zhou and my dad will be very busy in the first month, so if I’m not busy, I’ll go back with you."
"You’re welcome to come over. To be honest, for playing, our side isn’t worse than here. This season is the perfect time to go, it’s a pity."
The group was discussing which spots were fun and where delicious food could be found. Talking about unrelated topics, the journey back to Hai City felt like an instant.
Back in the city, it was noon. After having a grand lunch, they reluctantly bid farewell to Zhao Wenhui and returned to the guesthouse.
In the room, Lin Lishan took out bundles of money from her army cap and bag, astonishing little Ping’an, who quickly ran to check if the door was locked.
Zhang Guoqing was amused and exasperated by the antics of the grandmother and grandchild duo.
Lin Lishan collected every penny from her clothes pockets and said, "I have to go to the military district this evening, and it’s inconvenient to have too much money, so keep it for me."
Zhang Guoqing was surprised at the pile of money and receipts before him, genuinely wondering if his mother-in-law had changed. Could it be that after a suicide attempt, she became a different person?
Lin Lishan saw her son-in-law’s expression, laughed quietly, "Just take a stroll on the street, and you’ll know why money can’t be spent. The prices for luxury goods have risen by a third like in Beijing."


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