Chapter 145

Shi Tingyu and Lu Weiguo couldn’t sleep well after returning from the cowshed.

They sat on the kang chatting.

Shi Tingyu said, “I’m thinking of visiting my brother sometime soon to talk to him about our parents’ situation.”

At present, Shi Muhuan still didn’t know the true reason behind their parents’ relocation and was as worried as Shi Tingyu used to be. She wanted to tell her brother that their parents’ relocation had another reason behind it, and there were people sent to protect them, ensuring their safety.

But now, communicating with their parents was unsafe via phone or letters.

So she planned to make the trip herself.

Lu Weiguo thought for a moment and said, “After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, let’s not return to the barracks immediately. We can go visit your brother first. My family leave lasts until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, so we have enough time.”

Shi Tingyu calculated the time. Their family leave was thirty days, and they left the barracks on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month. Indeed, there were ten days left until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

However, Shi Tingyu looked at him hesitantly and said, “Wouldn’t that leave too little time to spend with your parents? Maybe we could go around the twentieth day of the first lunar month.”

Lu Weiguo patted her head. “It’s alright. There are still a few days until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. We’re going back to the county town tomorrow, right? We’ll have enough time. If we stay longer, my parents might find me annoying.”

Suddenly, Shi Tingyu thought of a meme from the future about students on vacation.

On the first day of vacation, the children are treasures in their parents’ hands. On the second day, they are darlings. But on the third day…

Oh! Why isn’t it time to get up yet?!

Seeing that Lu Weiguo didn’t intend to press the issue, Shi Tingyu stopped hesitating.

With nothing else on her mind, Shi Tingyu gradually fell asleep.

In the morning, Lu Weiguo got up early and went to Second Uncle’s house to tell them about their plan to return to the county town today. If they waited any longer, Second Uncle’s family would be starting work.

Second Uncle was surprised. “You’re leaving already?”

“Yeah, we’ve been here for a while. We’ll go back to the county town to spend a few more days with my parents before returning to the barracks.”

Second Uncle sighed, “Time flies. Take care on your way back. Don’t forget to say goodbye to your grandparents before you leave.”

Lu Weiguo agreed, “Thanks for taking care of everything, Second Uncle.”

Second Uncle patted his shoulder with deep sincerity. “Take care of yourselves, and don’t worry about home. We’re here.”

After bidding farewell to Second Uncle, Lu Weiguo returned home to cook for Shi Tingyu.

They would visit her grandparents after breakfast and then say their goodbyes.

Lu Weiguo made noodles for breakfast.

Shi Tingyu woke up just as the noodles were ready.

Lu Weiguo ate quickly, finished in a few bites, then got up and said to Shi Tingyu, “Take your time eating. I’ll go tidy up.”

Shi Tingyu waved to him, indicating she understood. She didn’t slow down her eating pace, and by the time she was ready to help, Lu Weiguo had almost finished tidying up.

They didn’t bring much with them, mainly gifts for various families that they had delivered by car earlier.

With everything packed, Lu Weiguo took Shi Tingyu to visit her grandparents.

When Grandpa Lu saw them coming over, he smiled and asked, “Why are you here so early? Have you eaten? Let Grandma prepare something for you.”

Lu Weiguo said, “We’ve already eaten, Grandpa. We’re going back to the county town later, so we came to tell you.”

Grandpa Lu put down the broom he was using and sounded reluctant, “You’re leaving already? It feels like you haven’t been here long.”

“Yeah, we thought we’d go back to the county town and spend a few more days with my parents.”

Grandpa Lu didn’t say much more. “Alright, take care on your way.”

At this moment, Grandma Lu, who had heard the commotion, came out of the room holding a bamboo basket. She handed it to Lu Weiguo. “I’ve packed some peach pastries, peach preserves, and half a pound of brown sugar for you to take back for your wife.”

Lu Weiguo, knowing it was her heartfelt gesture, didn’t refuse. Not accepting would surely upset the old lady.

Seeing her grandson accept the items, Grandma Lu’s smile deepened, adding a few more wrinkles to her face.

“That’s more like it.”

She then took out a blue tie-dyed handkerchief from her cotton-padded jacket pocket, her age-spotted hands trembling slightly as she unfolded it. Inside was a rolled-up wad of money. She counted out a few bills and handed them to Shi Tingyu. “This is a little something from your grandfather and me. Use it to buy whatever you want in the county town.”

Shi Tingyu, seeing the various denominations and knowing how hard it was for the old lady to save money, refused to accept it.

But as a young girl, she was no match for the old lady’s seasoned skills.

In the end, it was Lu Weiguo who helped refuse the money.

“Grandma, we have money. Keep this for yourself. When you have a great-grandchild, you can give it to them.”

The old lady beamed at this.

She put the handkerchief away and said, “Alright, I’ll save it for my great-grandchild. You two should work harder.”

Although Shi Tingyu wasn’t conservative, and she didn’t mind getting cozy with Lu Weiguo in private, being urged to have children by an elder made her feel a bit embarrassed.

Lu Weiguo quickly changed the subject.

After saying their goodbyes to Grandpa Lu, the two returned home.

However, as soon as they hit the road, they ran into He Ping carrying a hoe.

He Ping’s gaze met Shi Tingyu’s through the car window.

At that moment, Shi Tingyu felt as if He Ping wanted to say something.

“Lu Weiguo, stop the car,” Shi Tingyu said.

Lu Weiguo stopped the car as instructed, turning back in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

“I just saw He Ping. Since we’re leaving, I want to say goodbye to her,” Shi Tingyu said while unbuckling her seatbelt.

Lu Weiguo was puzzled. When did his wife become so close to Comrade He? They hadn’t interacted much before.

Shi Tingyu got out of the car and approached He Ping.

He Ping put down her hoe and asked, “Comrade Shi, are you leaving?”

“Yes, we’re going back to the county town.”

He Ping nodded, looked at Shi Tingyu, and seemed like she wanted to say something but hesitated.

“Comrade He, is there something you want to say?”

He Ping looked at the radiant woman before her. She was so beautiful. To this day, He Ping still didn’t know if Shi Tingyu was like her and had been reborn. Knowing they were returning to the county town and likely wouldn’t return to the village until after they went back to the barracks, she hesitated for a moment before asking, “When are you returning to the barracks?”

Shi Tingyu gave her a strange look but didn’t hide anything. She had a feeling that the heroine of the novel before her meant no harm. “We’re planning to visit my older brother after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month and return to the barracks on the twenty-fifth.”

He Ping nodded and asked, “Are you taking the train?”

Shi Tingyu replied, “Yes.”

He Ping secretly observed Shi Tingyu’s expression and saw no special reaction. She didn’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.