Chapter 87: An Unexpected Guest  

“Let’s go! Let’s take the boat to the city! We’ll bring Xiaohua and Xiaochuan with us! We’ll go shopping and buy things in the city!”  

Jiang Rou was overjoyed, rarely revealing such an excited, youthful side.  

She suddenly mentioned Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua’s names.  

The two children, who had been happily playing, suddenly paused and looked up in confusion.  

They turned to Jiang Rou and Zhou Chongshan, not knowing what was happening.  

Jiang Rou walked over and, in her excitement, hugged the two children tightly. She joyfully announced—

“Xiaohua, Xiaochuan, we’re going to the city tomorrow! We’ll take a boat to the city! There are so many things to buy in the city, and so many delicious foods!”  

Zhou Xiaohua was still a little confused. Her big eyes blinked repeatedly in curiosity.  

Zhou Xiaochuan’s expression froze slightly.  

He hesitated, rubbing his hands together, before cautiously asking: “Can Xiaohua and I go too?”  

“Of course! Our whole family is going together!”  

Jiang Rou announced loudly.  

Since they had already decided to go to the city the next day, the whole family went to bed early that night.  

However, after lying down, everyone’s thoughts were different.  

Zhou Chongshan was thinking about Jiang Rou’s earlier reaction. Seeing her so happy, he finally felt like he had done something that truly pleased her.  

The man felt a sense of satisfaction.  

Jiang Rou’s happiness became his own.  

---

Jiang Rou, with her eyes closed, was already planning what to buy when they got to the city.  

Ever since she had traveled to this world, she had woken up to find herself on this remote island. She had yet to see what a city in the 1970s looked like.  

A mix of anticipation and curiosity filled her heart.  

She felt like an excited child about to go on a spring outing the next day.  

---

On the other side of the room—  

Zhou Xiaohua, who usually fell asleep the fastest, was still wide awake.  

Her tiny hand clutched Zhou Xiaochuan’s clothes, occasionally tugging at them.  

The little girl had so many things she wanted to ask Zhou Xiaochuan.  

What was the city like?

What were delicious foods?

Could they be as tasty as candied hawthorn?  

Was the city… really as good as people said?  

But in the end, her questions remained unanswered.  

Because at that moment, Zhou Xiaochuan’s mind was not on Zhou Xiaohua.  

Even he was wondering… Could he really go to the city?  

For a child who had grown up in the countryside, the “big city” was a faraway place—so distant that it felt like somewhere he might never reach in his lifetime.

After all, Zhou Xiaochuan was a bit older. He had overheard the adults talking about their longing for the city.  

It was a place they wouldn’t even dare to dream of.  

And now—  

Could he really go to the city?  

Even if it was just to take a walk and have a look.  

And more importantly…  

Jiang Rou was the one taking them there.  

---

The next morning.  

Perhaps because they hadn’t slept well the night before, both Zhou Xiaohua and Zhou Xiaochuan looked exhausted.

Dark circles hung under their eyes, and their whole demeanor resembled withered saplings, lifeless and droopy.  

Even during breakfast, they didn’t show their usual energy.  

Could they be coming down with a fever?  

Jiang Rou touched their foreheads, but fortunately, their temperatures were normal.  

Zhou Chongshan, who was standing nearby, said: “Once we get on the boat, let them sleep for a while. They’ll feel better after some rest.”  

“That’s the only thing we can do.” Jiang Rou nodded, feeling somewhat reassured.  

After breakfast, Jiang Rou packed some essentials for the journey and slung a water flask over her shoulder, preparing to leave.  

Before heading out, she made a quick stop at Zhao Guifen’s house.  

First, to let Zhao Guifen know that they would be away for a few days on a trip to the city.  

Second, to ask her to keep an eye on their house and take care of the little chicks in the courtyard.  

There wasn’t much else to worry about.  

When Zhao Guifen heard that their entire family was going to the city, her face was full of envy.  

“Sister Rou, don’t worry about a thing! Have a great time! It’s not every day you get a chance to go to the city, so make the most of it. Leave the house to me!”  

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Zhao Guifen hurried into her house. Moments later, she rushed back out.  

She shoved three cloth tickets into Jiang Rou’s hands.  

“Sister Rou, since you’re going to the city, could you bring back some fabric for me? Pick some nice patterns suitable for kids. My Da Huzi and Er Huzi have grown again, and they need new clothes.”  

“Sister Guifen, don’t worry. I’ll definitely bring some back for you.”  

“Great, great! Be careful on the road and enjoy your trip!”

Jiang Rou waved at Zhao Guifen and then, together with Zhou Chongshan, took the two children to the dock.

The dock was bustling with activity.

That day was a transport ship day, and many villagers from the island would take the opportunity to travel to other places.

When Zhou Chongshan and Jiang Rou boarded the ship, they were surprised to see that the guard on duty was Song Yan.

“Commander Zhou, sister-in-law!”

As soon as Song Yan saw them, he immediately stepped forward to greet them and even helped Jiang Rou carry Zhou Xiaohua onto the ship.

He took care of them all the way to the cabin and helped them find a place to sit.

After that, Zhou Chongshan and Song Yan walked to the side to talk.

It seemed that Zhou Chongshan was giving some instructions on what Song Yan should pay attention to while he was away.

Song Yan listened attentively, nodding continuously.

Inside the cabin, Jiang Rou gazed through the glass window at the vast, endless sea outside.

The blue seawater, stirred by the wind, rolled in layers of waves.

It was a bright and sunny day, and even the waves sparkled brilliantly.

Zhou Xiaohua and Zhou Xiaochuan found everything around them incredibly fascinating.

When they had first arrived on the island, they had been brought over by fellow villagers.

At that time, they had no relatives by their side, and as two children traveling far from home for the first time, they had huddled fearfully in a corner, not even daring to go near the window.

The entire journey had been filled with anxiety, leaving them no mind to appreciate the scenery around them.

But now, with Zhou Chongshan and Jiang Rou by their side, their moods had completely changed.

Cautiously, yet curiously, they shuffled their little bodies closer to the window.

“Xiaohua, Xiaochuan, come sit over here!”

Jiang Rou beckoned to the two children and pulled them to sit by the window.

“Don’t be afraid. We are inside the ship—it’s very safe.”

“Look… this is the ocean. Isn’t it enormous?”

“See over there, over there! Did you spot that flying bird? That’s a seagull~”

Jiang Rou pointed with her hand.

Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua followed her gestures, their eyes constantly shifting as they took in the new and exciting sights.

After Song Yan left, Zhou Chongshan turned his head and saw Jiang Rou and the two children leaning against the window together.

The sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a warm glow on their faces, illuminating their bright smiles.

---

At this very moment—

The now-empty Zhou family courtyard welcomed an unexpected guest.