Chapter 378 Returning to My Parents’ Home (2)

Chapter 378 Going Back to Her Maiden Home (2)

Chen Pingguo had seen Mo Jiazhe many times before.

In fact, she had met him on her very first day at the factory during her interview.

Her first impression of him was excellent—tall, handsome, with a warm, golden complexion and a bright, frequent smile that showed off his white teeth.

Later, when she learned he was Auntie Zhong’s son, she liked him even more.

But it was just that—liking. She didn’t think much beyond that.

Now, watching him tirelessly help her without complaint, sweating profusely yet still instinctively shielding her in the crowded space, Chen Pingguo didn’t know how to put her feelings into words.

Chen Pingguo knew Uncle Mu well, as he often went with Fu Yuanhang to pick up Chenchen and Dongdong.

Uncle Mu was a chatterbox, rambling about anything and everything, while Mo Jiazhe was quieter, mostly just listening.

He was really good to his little brother, doing his best to fulfill Uncle Mu’s requests. Even when Uncle Mu teased him, he never got angry—at most, he’d just smile and ruffle Uncle Mu’s head, telling him to cut it out.

Chen Pingguo had never seen a guy so easygoing.

But then again, considering how warm Auntie Zhong, Mo Gong, and Uncle Mu were, she bet it was a happy family to grow up in.

……

It had been a year since Chenchen last rode a train, so everything was new and exciting to him now.

From the moment they boarded, he kept exclaiming, “Wow!” at everything. Fu Zhengtu carried him, patiently answering every question in detail, never once losing patience.

The other passengers couldn’t help but admire the family. A well-dressed woman quietly told Su Taotao, “Your husband’s amazing—so patient with the child.”

Su Taotao smiled and replied, “Yes, he is.”

Fu Zhengtu truly was good, and he had raised Chenchen well too.

Summer train rides were way tougher than in winter. The hot, packed train car was filled with travelers from all directions.

Su Taotao could only stay by the window, breathing in the fresh air.

Fu Zhengtu handed her a bottle of Chinese medicated oil (like Tiger Balm). “This’ll help.”

She took it, dabbed some on her temples, and inhaled deeply—it helped, sure enough.

After a day and night of rumbling along, the train finally arrived at G City Station.

Fu Zhengtu took the heaviest bags, Fu Yuanhang carried Chenchen on his back, and Su Taotao helped Fu Yuanhang with his parcels.

As soon as they stepped off the train, Chenchen exclaimed, “Mama, it’s so hot! The sun’s baking me!”

Inland cities, without the moderating effect of the sea, were colder in winter and hotter in summer—nowhere near as nice as the islands down south.

“Hold still, let Daddy put your little straw hat on,” Su Taotao said.

Chenchen had already dug out his hat on the train. Fu Zhengtu plopped it on his head.

Chenchen stared wide-eyed at the strange new city, trailing the crowd as they stepped out. He cocked his head back, looking around in wonder.

"Wow, mama, the buildings here are so tall!"

Su Taotao followed Chenchen’s gaze and saw the G City Hotel. Built between '66 and '68, this 27-story building was an iconic landmark in G City, the tallest structure in the country at the time, and also the largest hotel nationwide.

As Su Taotao looked at this city where she had lived for over a decade in her previous life, a sense of familiarity slowly welled up in her heart.

When she was very, very young—her parents were still alive and well, and her grandparents were still around—the family would go to this hotel for morning tea on weekends.

In truth, she had been too young to form memories clearly, and her recollections were already hazy. But stepping onto this land where her two lives intersected, countless emotions surged within her.

Fu Zhengtu set down the luggage and wrapped an arm around Su Taotao’s shoulder. "I’m sorry. I should have come back with you sooner."

He probably thought she was nervous about returning home.

In reality, it was both that and not that.

Su Taotao couldn’t explain it to him.

"It’s fine. Let’s go."

……

In her previous life, Su Taotao was born in the 1990s. By then, G City, as a vanguard city of China's reform and opening-up, had already entered its rapid development phase.

The city transformed day by day, and she witnessed skyscrapers sprouting from the ground.

Yet, the streets of the old district still faintly resembled their future appearance, especially in the western part. Many ancient mansions built by wealthy merchants during the Qing Dynasty were renovated and restored by the 21st century, becoming architectural conservation zones with Lingnan characteristics and tourist attractions that drew visitors.

Many out-of-town tourists made special trips to take photos and leave mementos.

The original "Su Taotao’s" home happened to be near this area, with her grandparents living in the coveted western mansions that would become prized in later years.

Her parents, meanwhile, lived in tube apartments assigned by the factory.

Before returning, Su Taotao had called them, only telling them the day of her arrival without specifying the train schedule. She mentioned arriving around noon—if there were no delays, they’d make it back in time for lunch.

Both grandparents had taken the day off today, with Mrs. Su preparing lunch at home.

Su Donghan paced back and forth under the scorching sun at the entrance of the compound, hands clasped behind his back, his eyes darting toward the main road every now and then. Whenever a bus stopped at the station across the street, he fixed his gaze intently.

Even Gatekeeper Eldest Master couldn’t stand it anymore. "Carpenter Su, the sun’s blazing, and you’re pacing back and forth making me dizzy. Aren’t you afraid of the heat? Who are you waiting for? Come inside and wait."

Su Donghan waved him off, his usually stern face unusually relaxed today.

"No need. My girl’s coming home for a visit today. I’m just waiting to greet her."

"Your girl? The one sent to the countryside?" Gatekeeper Eldest Master was an information hub and had a good memory. He remembered that Carpenter Su’s cherished pretty daughter hadn’t been back in four or five years.

To be honest, he’d almost assumed she'd died in the countryside and never dared to ask.

She was back today?

Gatekeeper Eldest Master was about to ask more when he saw the spry Su Donghan suddenly spring into action, running energetically toward the bus stop.

Following his gaze, Gatekeeper Eldest Master rubbed his eyes, thinking he must be seeing things—

Well I'll be damned, are movie stars here filming again? Why do these people look so stunning?

That breathtakingly beautiful young woman, as beautiful as a fairy descended from heaven—could she really be Carpenter Su's little daughter?

……