Gu Jianing was surprised and encouraged him, saying, “Sure, then Mom will wait for our Xingxing to fly a plane by himself in the future.”
“Of course, it would be even better if Xingxing could build his own plane. That way, Xingxing could fly the plane he built, carrying Mom, Dad, and Yueyue. How wonderful would that be?”
As Gu Jianing spoke, Xingxing’s little mind began to picture the scene. The more he imagined it, the brighter his eyes sparkled.
Then he nodded emphatically.
In truth, Gu Jianing had only casually offered this encouragement. Little did she know that from this moment on, her words would plant a seed in Xingxing’s heart, taking root and sprouting. As he grew older, nourished by experience and sunlight, it would flourish rapidly.
“If Xingxing is going to fly and build planes in the future, what about Yueyue?” Sheng Zexi looked down and asked the little girl in his arms.
Yueyue pursed her lips slightly, pondered for a moment, and soon her eyes lit up. “I’ve got it!”
“When I grow up, I want to make lots and lots of pretty clothes.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Yueyue gave a firm “Mm-hmm” and said, “I want to design many beautiful clothes for Mom and Dad to wear, for Brother and me to wear, and for lots and lots of people to wear.”
Gu Jianing raised an eyebrow. “Alright then, Mom, Dad, and Brother will remember Yueyue’s words. We’ll be waiting for you to make pretty clothes for us in the future.”
At first, Xingxing and Yueyue were very excited about the train ride because it was something new and interesting. But as the journey dragged on, their enthusiasm gradually waned.
After a day and a night, the two little ones were feeling rather listless.
Gu Jianing touched their foreheads, worried they might be sick.
Fortunately, they weren’t ill—just a bit low on energy.
Recalling her own experience riding the train in this lifetime, even she, as an adult, had found it uncomfortable. The fact that the two children had managed without crying or fussing was already commendable.
By the time the three-day-and-three-night journey finally came to an end, Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi exchanged a glance, both sighing in relief.
“Xingxing, Yueyue, we can get off now.”
“Get off, get off…” The two children perked up immediately upon hearing they could disembark, their spirits instantly lifted.
During the three-day-and-three-night train ride, one incident of note occurred—neither major nor minor.
Gu Jianing hadn’t expected human traffickers to be so brazen in this era.
Nor had she expected to have such “luck” with them.
However, last time, the traffickers had targeted Guoguo, whereas this time, they had their eyes on Xingxing and Yueyue.
When the traffickers were later caught, they even tearfully confessed to the police, saying they hadn’t originally planned to act. But Xingxing and Yueyue were just too fair, chubby, and clever. They felt that even if they didn’t sell the children, keeping them for themselves would be delightful.
So they couldn’t resist making a move.
Hearing this, Gu Jianing thought: !!! So my children being well-raised is your excuse for committing a crime?
Thanks to the Malice Detector, the traffickers were easily identified and apprehended this time.
…
The train stopped at Qingshan Station.
Gu Jianing’s family of four also disembarked here.
Qingshan Station was located in one part of Qingshan Town.
As soon as they stepped off the train, Sheng Zexi’s former comrade-in-arm, who was now stationed in Qingshan Town, was waiting for them.
“Zexi, finally seeing you again.” The two men hugged and then playfully punched each other’s shoulders.
Gu Jianing also greeted him with Xingxing and Yueyue.
Then the family of four got into the car.
The comrade handed the car over to Sheng Zexi, took the gifts Sheng Zexi had brought for him, and left. The car was temporarily lent to Sheng Zexi for use.
It had been the same when Sheng Zexi married Gu Jianing.
“Wife, where should we go first?” Sheng Zexi asked. “Straight to Huaihua Village, or…?”
Gu Jianing thought for a moment. “How about we go to the grain station and the supply and marketing cooperative first?”
Sheng Zexi raised an eyebrow. “Sure. Hold on tight.”
…
At this moment, the grain station was exceptionally lively.
These past few days were when village representatives brought their people and grain to the grain station to deliver the public grain quota. The harvest for this season had been completed not long ago, so it was time to fulfill the obligation.
The process had started the day before yesterday and was still ongoing today.
Outside the grain station, long lines had formed, each pulling carts loaded with grain.
Many in the queues felt uneasy.
Because delivering public grain had often caused issues in the past.
For example, disputes over grain quality.
Sometimes, farmers believed the grain they brought met the standards, but the grain station staff, judging by the criteria, might deem it too moist or containing too many impurities.
Of course, there were also instances where grain station workers deliberately made trouble.
It wasn’t just about quality—there were also disputes over weight.
Sometimes, you might think the weight was sufficient, but after the staff weighed it, they’d claim it wasn’t enough.
No one dared to argue with the grain station workers, so they usually had no choice but to compromise or bring extra grain as a precaution.
In the past, conflicts during public grain deliveries had even led to major incidents.
That’s why the villagers delivering grain now were still nervous.
Except for one village, whose people were completely at ease, chatting leisurely among themselves.
This village was, naturally, Huaihua Village.
Leading the team today was Village Chief Gu, Gu Jianing’s father.
“Uncle, is it almost our turn?”
Old Man Gu nodded. “Yes, we’re next. Later, Yunnan will be the one weighing our grain.”
“It’s Brother Yunnan? That’s great!”
Indeed, the reason Huaihua Village’s villagers could be so relaxed this year was that they now had one of their own working at the grain station.
With family on the inside, they weren’t necessarily asking for special treatment—just assurance that no unnecessary trouble would come their way.
Hearing the villagers praise his second son, Old Man Gu couldn’t help but smile.
With his second son working at the grain station, delivering public grain had indeed become much more convenient and stress-free for them.
But Old Man Gu hadn’t forgotten one thing.
His son had gotten this job because of his daughter.
Speaking of his daughter, Old Man Gu’s heart ached.
Ningning had been away in the northwest for over three years now. By his calculations, his two grandchildren should already be over two years old.
And he had never once seen them.
He missed his daughter. He missed his grandchildren.
He didn’t know when Ningning would be able to return.
Thinking of his elderly mother’s condition, Old Man Gu sighed heavily.
He was afraid that if he didn’t see his daughter soon, he might even forget what she looked like.
“Village Chief, it’s our turn now.”
The urging from behind snapped Old Man Gu out of his thoughts and temporarily pushed aside his sorrow.
“Dad.” As Old Man Gu stepped forward, Gu Yunnan spotted his father.
The grain station worker beside Gu Yunnan, upon hearing this address, immediately softened his previously stern expression. “Oh, so it’s Uncle!”
“Huaihua Village here to deliver public grain?”
“That’s right.”
“Alright, let’s get started then.”
Thanks to Gu Yunnan’s presence, the past two years of public grain deliveries had gone smoothly for Huaihua Village.
This year was no exception.
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