Chapter 10: Returning to the Modern Era

Grandma Wang hurried to Grandpa Gu’s house with an excuse — her little granddaughter loved the roses too much. Yesterday, they were just buds, and today she came hoping to get a few blooming flowers.

Without hesitation, Grandpa Gu handed her a pair of scissors. “Go cut some yourself.”

Grandpa Gu treated Grandma Wang like a daughter. Back in the day, she was gambled away by her brother and married off into the Wang family. Grandpa Gu, who hadn’t returned from Shanghai yet, was furious when he found out. He even wanted her to divorce, but she had refused.

Ever since then, Grandpa Gu cherished this niece even more and held a special fondness for her son Wang Peigen, who had been smart since childhood. Naturally, he also genuinely cared for her two grandchildren, Xiaomei and Xiaohua.

Grandma Wang clipped two long rose stems, each with three or four blooming flowers — very beautiful.

Following Grandpa Gu into the living room, she said, “Uncle, Peigen’s mother-in-law came back from the hospital yesterday. She doesn’t look well. We’ve arranged a schedule to take turns looking after her. Since Hua’e’s two older sisters live out of town, I figured we should take on more of the duty. So I’ve been busy lately.”

She then shared more about Grandma Gu’s health.

Grandpa Gu sighed, “Heaven really bullies good people. Gu Dabao worked his whole life, first for her family, then tirelessly to build a livelihood. Now that her children and grandchildren are grown, she’s struck with this terrible illness. It’s tragic. Go on and take care of things — in a few days, the roses will bloom even more. Let Xiaomei come pick them whenever she wants.”

Grandma Wang agreed and rushed home.

Glancing into the backyard, she saw her grandson not picking Indian aster as expected, but throwing small stones at a just-awakened toad.

“Oh no, don’t throw stones — toads can spray venom! If it hits your eyes, you could go blind,” she warned while unlocking the gate. “Go play with someone or visit your dad at the health clinic, or go to Grandma’s in Hebei.”

Xiaohua, having long forgotten that Grandma once promised to take him to visit, skipped off happily.

Grandma Wang locked the backyard gate and went to Jinhua’s house. “Is your sister-in-law home?”

Her so-called sister-in-law was Grandma Jinhua, who lived with her eldest son but came to Jinhua’s home daily to cook and do laundry.

Grandma Jinhua welcomed her, “Ah, it’s Auntie Wang. I just got here. What brings you by?”

Jin Hua’s mother wasn’t very good to her mother-in-law, but Grandma Jinhua was a kind old woman.

“Yesterday, the two little ones got two rose stems from my Uncle Gu’s house in Hebei. Everything was fine. The girls had agreed to each plant one at home. Xiaomei and I planted ours, but before lunch we found it missing. Later we found it dumped near your firewood stack. Xiaomei, being stubborn, pulled up the rose and threw it into the stove.”

At this, Grandma Wang handed her the roses she was carrying. “I couldn’t stop her in time, so I thought — kids love flowers. I went and clipped two more. These are for Jinhua. Ours are still in the backyard, and now Xiaomei insists on adding a lock. She’s really spoiled — like a new toilet that’s only fragrant for three days.”

After taking the roses, Grandma Jinhua blushed and repeatedly apologized, cursing her daughter-in-law and her entire family tree in her heart. That stingy woman had taught her granddaughter to behave the same.

To be shamed like this, by someone who even generously brought more flowers and said scallions were free to take — it hurt worse than a slap in the face.

She immediately called Jin Hua over, gave her a scolding, and strictly forbade her from going near Xiaomei’s yard.

Grandma Wang didn’t care how they reacted. Her only concern was her granddaughter. Still thinking about her, she returned to the backyard to continue picking Indian aster.

Meanwhile, Jinhua happily admired the even more beautiful roses than yesterday and promised, “Got it. I won’t go to her backyard,” while excitedly cutting the blooms and planting the stems.

Back in Xiaomei’s World — the Modern Era:

Today she arrived earlier than yesterday. The small park had more elderly people around.

Luckily, the rose bushes were near the wall and blocked by a fake mountain, allowing her to slip out unnoticed.

—-

In the park, some elderly were exercising, some singing, others walking with children.

No one noticed a ten-year-old girl quietly walking out.

The park itself was free — carved out from nearby residential land, serving as a green lung for the area. There was a “Retirees’ Corner” sign, just a room for elderly folks to gather.

Normally, the gate stayed open in the morning and evening, so Xiaomei could come and go as she pleased.

Carrying ten eggs, Xiaomei hurried to Zhou Huifang’s lunchbox shop. It was still early, and only three staff were busy working. She didn’t see Zhou Huifang.

One of them, Zhou Xing, greeted her warmly. “Little Meimei, you’re here!”

Xiaomei, thinking he called her “little sister,” smiled back. “Uncle, isn’t Aunt Zhou here?”

“She’ll be here soon. If it’s urgent, I’ll give her a call.” Zhou Xing took out a small device and dialed.

Xiaomei stared curiously — this little thing can make calls? Back home, phones were big and cranky, and halfway through the call it often got cut off.

Phones here worked way too easily!

Zhou Huifang lived nearby and arrived soon after. Delighted to see Xiaomei, she greeted her warmly.

“Auntie Zhou,” Xiaomei said, taking out a lunchbox. “My grandma asked me to thank you for taking care of me. These eggs are from our own chickens — not many, just ten. I hope you don’t mind.”

Zhou Huifang was thrilled. “Wow! Real farm eggs? Thank you, Xiaomei. These are hard to find nowadays.”

Seeing Zhou Huifang’s joy, Xiaomei smiled. “If you like them, I’ll bring more next time.”

“I’ll buy them from you! It’s hard to get real eggs here. They all claim to be farm eggs and cost a fortune, but they don’t taste right. If your grandma has more, bring them over. I can sell them all — 3 yuan per egg. Fair?”

Xiaomei gasped. “Auntie, our chickens only eat our own homegrown grain — even shriveled ones. Plus, me and my brother feed them earthworms, bugs, and grasshoppers. No feed, ever!”

“Great! If you have chickens too, I’ll buy them — 1.5 kg or more, 300 yuan each. However many you have, I’ll take.”

Xiaomei was thrilled but kept her cool, nodding firmly.

After settling that, she returned yesterday’s lunchbox.

Zhou Huifang chuckled, “That’s a disposable box — no need to return it next time.”

Oh my gosh, how adorable.

Xiaomei blushed deeply. These people are so wasteful, she thought. Just wash it and it’s like new!

Zhou Huifang handed her a cup of water. “Is your grandma feeling better?”

Xiaomei shook her head sadly. “She can’t even eat porridge. She wants water chestnuts and eel. Mom and Aunt searched yesterday but couldn’t find any. I saw water chestnuts across the street, so I came to buy some today. Not sure about the eel though…”

“Eel is hard to say. I don’t think I’ve seen it sold here,” Zhou replied.

Seeing Xiaomei nearly cry, Zhou clapped her hands. “Okay! I was planning to go to the wholesale market this afternoon — I’ll just go now. Zhou Xing, hold down the fort. Xiao Mao, come with me.”

Xiao Mao, another helper, responded, “Got it! I’ll get the car.”

“Let’s go together,” Zhou Huifang said, grabbing Xiaomei’s hand. “Come see my house. If I’m not at the shop next time, you can find me at home.”