Chapter 497 Meeting Zuo Jinghuan Again

Chapter 497: Seeing Zuo Jinghuan Again

It was a simple roadside stall, with three low tables set up haphazardly.

A hollowed-out metal barrel, with a hole cut at the bottom, doubled as a makeshift stove.

Zhao Laidi, who had tied a grimy apron around her waist, wiped sweat as she stuffed firewood into the barrel.

Ren Mubiao was busy scooping something from a large pot and handed it to Zhao Laidi, who then turned to serve the customers.

Nearly two years had passed, and Ren Shan had changed dramatically.

Ren Mubiao and Zhao Laidi had also changed noticeably—their clothes were much cleaner and neater than when they lived in the village, and they had gotten a bit heavier.

Zhao Laidi had filled out even more, but Ren Shan still recognized her.

Su An followed Ren Shan’s gaze toward the roadside stall across the street. "Shan Shan, what’s wrong? Are you hungry?"

Ren Shan snapped back to attention and smiled. "No, their food just looked like something from my hometown, so I was curious."

Su An said, "Homesick? Want to buy some?"

Ren Shan quickly declined. "No, I don’t. Besides, I’m not really hungry right now. We’ll be here for a few days, right? If I ever crave it, I’ll come back later."

Gang Zi emerged from the market carrying groceries and called out to the group. "Let’s go. Head to the end of this street, turn left at the fork, and it’s right behind the big banyan tree."

Chu Shuyu, with her small bag dangling from her shoulder, led the way. "I wrote a letter earlier this month saying we might come at the end of the month. Jing Huan and Aunt Hou know we’re coming, but not the exact date."

After about twenty minutes of following Chu Shuyu and Gang Zi, the group reached a large walled compound.

Voices and children’s laughter could be heard from inside.

Gang Zi barged in first. "Auntie! Auntie!"

Zuo Jinghuan was crouching by a large basin, bathing her niece Xiao Yan, when she heard the call and instinctively looked up.

"Gang Zi?"

"Oh my gosh! Shuyu Sis, you made it!"

"No way! An An! You’re here too!"

Zuo Jinghuan’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she shouted toward the house, "Mom, come out! We’ve got guests!!!"

"Come in, come in! I was just talking about you. You said you might come at the end of the month, and it’s already the 27th—I thought you weren’t coming!"

Chu Shuyu followed Zuo Jinghuan inside. "I said we might come at the end of the month, and here we are. The 28th still counts as month-end, right?"

Hou Li, hearing Zuo Jinghuan’s shouts, stepped out just as the group was entering.

Of course, she welcomed them warmly.

Seeing hometown neighbors in a far-off place—who wouldn’t be thrilled?

They had been away for half a year, only having Zuo Jingdan’s in-laws, the Zhaos, around. The rest were strangers, and most of the locals around couldn’t understand them. The other transplants weren’t from home either, so interactions were few.

"Ah, come in quickly! There’s a fan inside—you guys must be wiped out from the trip."

"Jing Huan, grab the chilled herbal tea from the kitchen."

In another room watching the children, Zuo Jingdan heard the commotion outside and stepped out to check.

"Sis Shuyu, Gang Zi, you're here?"

Last time, when Chu Shuyu and Gang Zi accompanied Zuo Zuying to drive Hou Li and Zuo Jinghuan here, they stayed for over a week. She and Chu Shuyu had become good friends.

Chu Shuyu glanced at her belly, "Oh, you've had the baby?"

Zuo Jingdan smiled, "Yes, he's already a month old."

Zuo Jinghuan tugged her sister's hand to introduce, "Elder sis, this is An An, the neighbor and good friend I told you about. That’s An An’s brother, Su Ping, and this is An An’s little sister, Shan Shan."

"And her, she’s Sis Manxia, all friends Mom and I made back in City A."

Zuo Jingdan shyly greeted everyone, "Hello everyone, I’m Jinghuan and Zuying’s older sister, Jingdan. I’ve often heard Mom and Jinghuan mention you. Thank you all for taking care of Jinghuan before."

Hou Li called out loudly, "What’re y’all standing around for? Come have some tea. Oh, there’s a spigot by the door if you need to wash your hands. Come on, you all drink first, I’ll go whip up some cucumber salad."

Chu Shuyu washed her hands and sat beside Zuo Jingdan, asking, "By the way, I haven’t asked yet—was it a boy or girl? Are Uncle and Auntie Zhao not home? Let them have some tea too."

Zuo Jingdan replied gently, "A son. My father-in-law is helping out Zhanjun at the store, and my mother-in-law went to the market."

Chu Shuyu smiled, "Congratulations, now you’ve got one of each..."

As they chatted, Ma Zhao returned with groceries.

Knowing everyone had taken a long train ride and must be exhausted, Hou Li got started boiling water without a word.

Ma Zhao, being easygoing, greeted everyone briefly before heading to the kitchen.

Outside, folks queued up to shower. Despite the heat, Chu Shuyu and the other women still wouldn’t touch cold water.

Gang Zi and Su Ping jumped at the chance while the water was still heating and showered with cold water first. By the time they finished, the hot water was almost ready. Chu Shuyu, Su An, and the others took turns showering, and soon a hearty dinner was prepared.

With so many people, Hou Li pushed two square tables together. Everyone sat around them, the floor fan spinning and sending out cool breezes as they chatted and laughed merrily.

After eating their fill, Chu Shuyu and the others didn’t fuss about formalities with Hou Li and divided the rooms—Gang Zi and Su Ping shared one, Chu Shuyu and He Manxia another, while Su An and Ren Shan took the third. They unrolled mats and fell asleep immediately.

Earlier, while they showered, Ma Zhao had thoughtfully gathered some kind of branches from outside and fumigated the rooms to repel mosquitoes.

The next day, Su An was woken by a child’s crying.

Ren Shan, for once, hadn’t gotten up early and only opened her eyes when she heard Su An stirring.

Rubbing her eyes, she asked, "An An Sis, what time is it?"

Su An checked her watch, "Going on nine."

Voices came from outside, and as soon as Su An spoke, there was a knock at the door.

"An An, An An, rise and shine."

It was Zuo Jinghuan’s voice.

Su An undid the latch and yawned, "Just about to."

Zuo Jinghuan grinned, "Zuying came back last night and just got up too. He wants to treat us all to dim sum."

"An An, did you know? People here love drinking tea. Their snacks are so fancy, with tons of different kinds. My favorite is the steamed phoenix claws..."

Zuo Jinghuan was in high spirits, dragging Su An outside, and didn't forget to call back to Ren Shan, "Shan Shan, hurry up! Everyone's already up, only you two are still lagging behind. Wash your face, brush your teeth, and let's go~"

The nearby teahouse wasn’t exactly around the corner, but Zuo Zuying's small car managed to squeeze in a full eight people.

In the passenger seat sat Zuo Jingdan, who was carrying her child, while Zuo Zuying took the wheel. The back seats were packed with Hou Li holding Zuo Jinghuan, Chu Shuyu holding Ren Shan, and He Manxia holding Su An...

"All set back there? Let's go~" With a shout from Zuo Zuying, the car set off.

Behind them, Zhao Zhanjun pedaled a cargo tricycle, carrying Zhao's father and mother along with Su Ping and Gang Zi, following closely.