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Wang Qian noticed the change in the girl’s expression, but since they had already started talking, she had no intention to interrupt. Observing the girl’s attire, it was apparent that she came from a working-class family, dressed more elegantly than Wang Qian. The girl wore a floral dress that, while traditional in Wang Qian’s eyes, was actually quite fashionable at the time. Her long braids exuded youthful energy. The boy, dressed simply in a popular white shirt, and both spoke with a Beijing accent.
The siblings seemed to be discussing their parents’ illnesses, both appearing concerned as they spoke.
Once they fell silent, Wang Qian retrieved some fruit from her bag and offered it to them, saying, “Brother, sister, I have some fruit here. Please help yourself, no need to be shy.”
The girl and the boy looked up at her, appreciating her sincerity, and replied with slight smiles, “Little sister, thank you.”
The boy’s smile suddenly reminded Wang Qian of someone—his smile was reminiscent of Zuo He’s. She wondered how Zuo He was faring in his exams; she would have to wait until they returned to find out.
Accepting two pears from Wang Qian, the siblings began to nibble on them. At this point, Wang Zhenhe sat up, grabbed a plum, and took a big bite, exclaiming, “Little Ones, these plums are so sweet. Don’t be shy; try them both. These are from our own garden, the taste is incomparable to store-bought ones. I guarantee you’ll want another.”
Wang Zhenhe’s remark amused the girl across, “Uncle, aren’t you afraid we’ll devour all your fruit? I have a weakness for fruits, so if they disappear, don’t blame me.”
Chuckling, Wang Zhenhe reassured her, “Young lady, feel free to enjoy. We’ve brought plenty with us.”
“Hmm, why do you both seem familiar to me? Have we met somewhere before?” Wang Zhenhe’s question raised Wang Qian’s alertness too; there was a mutual sense of familiarity that couldn’t be ignored.
However, the girl confidently responded, “Uncle, I’m sure we haven’t met. We’ve been living in the south for a long time, and before that, we were in the Capital. You probably haven’t seen us.”
Upon hearing her father’s words, Wang Qian scrutinized the siblings once more, detecting a faint resemblance to someone she knew.
To confirm her suspicion, she inquired, “Sister, may I ask your surname?”
The girl replied without much thought, “Little sister, my surname is Zuo. What about yours?”
Upon hearing the surname Zuo, Wang Zhenhe immediately descended from the upper bunk, looking astonished at the siblings. In his mind, the Zuo family seemed to have grandchildren in the south. Could it be such a coincidence today?
Wang Qian beamed with joy, her lively eyes shining brightly. It seemed like a fortuitous day for them to encounter familiar faces outside.
“Sister, my surname is Wang. My father is Wang Zhenhe. Do you remember us?” Wang Qian announced, leaving the siblings stunned.
Pointing at Wang Zhenhe, the siblings exclaimed, “You… you’re really Uncle Wang’s family?”
Both Wang Qian and Wang Zhenhe nodded in unison, “Hehe, that’s us. But I’m not sure which son of Uncle Zuo you are from. Judging by your age, you can’t be from the eldest son’s family, right?”
As Wang Zhenhe’s words aligned with their information, the siblings excitedly approached. In their minds, Wang Zhenhe was synonymous with kindness, having sheltered their grandparents during the Cultural Revolution. Their parents had always instructed them to treat this family as benefactors.
“Uncle, we’ve heard so much about you. My father and grandparents often mention your name. By the way, weren’t you living in the north? What brings you to the south this time?” the girl inquired.
Wang Zhenhe briefly explained their purpose for coming, and upon learning that they were there for purchasing, the young siblings enthusiastically introduced the local fruit varieties. “Uncle, why not bring back some fruits to sell? Northern regions rarely see fruits from the south. All you might have are bananas and oranges. We have plenty of other delicious fruits here that northerners seldom get to taste.”
However, one challenge with southern fruits was their deliciousness coupled with the difficulty in preservation. The siblings had once considered mailing these fruits to Wang Zhenhe’s family but hesitated due to concerns about spoilage during transit.
Feeling a sense of familial connection with Wang Zhenhe, the siblings warmly offered suggestions. Wang Qian, who had never considered selling fruits before, now found the idea appealing. Fruits were inexpensive to procure but could yield significant profits in the north. With her spatial abilities ensuring perfect preservation, the venture seemed promising.
Observing the siblings, who had transformed from worried expressions to enthusiastic introductions, Wang Qian couldn’t help but feel moved.
“Elder brother, elder sister, earlier you mentioned someone being ill. Who is it? Is Uncle’s injury still troubling him?” Wang Qian inquired.
The siblings nodded in response, “Our father’s old wounds from the Korean War have never fully healed. He still has shrapnel in his body. After the rehabilitation, he tried to make up for the lost years, but the strenuous work took a toll on his health. Recently, my mother informed me that he even coughed up blood. So, as soon as we had a break, we rushed over.”
Reflecting on their university education, the siblings felt a sense of pride. Thanks to their grandparents’ foresight and early education, they were able to pursue higher education. Otherwise, they might have still been working on the farm. While they didn’t dislike farm work, they found joy in learning and meeting classmates from diverse backgrounds, appreciating the wealth of knowledge gained. They were content with their academic pursuits, now, their only greatest wish is for their father’s health to improve.
“Do your grandparents know about your father’s illness?”
Before leaving, Wang Zhenhe and his family were unaware of this news. He suspected that the eldest Zuo sibling was concealing the illness from the grandparents, likely to prevent them from becoming anxious.
Zuo Chen shook his head with a somber expression, “My father doesn’t want us to tell Grandpa about this. He believes that since doctors have no effective solutions, informing Grandpa would only cause unnecessary worry.”
Upon learning the situation, Wang Qian and Wang Zhenhe were puzzled by the mysterious illness that even doctors couldn’t treat.
“Elder brother, what illness does Uncle Zuo have?” Wang Qian inquired.
“It’s a condition caused by overwork, something that can only be managed slowly. There are no direct medications that can lead to a quick recovery,” Zuo Chen explained.
Understanding that it was an ailment related to overwork, even Wang Qian, not a medical professional, grasped the implications. Such an illness required gradual care, leaving someone like Uncle Zuo, who had dedicated himself to his career, likely feeling disheartened.
“Elder brother, where are you currently staying? Once we finish our tasks, my father and I will come over to visit and check on Uncle Zuo,” Wang Qian expressed her determination to visit and offer support.
Zuo Chen readily shared their current address with Wang Qian. While Zuo Xiangcheng lived in Guangzhou, he worked in Bao’an County. This coincidence left Wang Qian somewhat speechless, finding the connection quite uncanny.
Upon arriving in Guangzhou, Zuo Chen and Zuo Yan kindly invited them to stay at their home, but their offer was graciously declined. There were still many tasks to attend to, so they preferred to settle those matters first.
“Aunt, we’re here.”
Upon seeing the two approaching figures, Lin Xi walked out with a pleasant surprise. “Brother Wang, when did you arrive? You should have informed me in advance so I could pick you up from the station.”
“No need for you to pick us up. You’re busy enough as it is. We can make our own way here,” Wang Zhenhe replied.
While Wang Zhenhe selected the goods for their next shipment at the stall, Lin Xi briefed them on the specifics of purchasing the property.
Initially skeptical when his daughter asked Lin Xi to help with buying a house in that distant location, Wang Zhenhe later corresponded with his Uncle Zuo about the matter. His response, praising Wang Zhenhe’s business acumen, reassured him. With the elder’s approval, Wang Zhenhe was confident in the investment’s potential.
Lin Xi handed over all the completed paperwork to the father-daughter duo, and Wang Zhenhe made plans to inspect the property another day. Ensuring everything was in order with their investment was essential, considering the substantial amount of money involved.
Declining Lin Xi’s offer to stay at her place, the two decided to settle in a nearby hotel. Once the goods were delivered and secured, Wang Zhenhe expressed his interest in exploring the local fruit market. However, without a wholesale market available yet, they opted to visit fruit farms instead.
Ignoring the scorching heat, they researched the location and hopped on a bus bound for the countryside. Upon arrival, Wang Qian’s excitement surged at the sight of fresh lychees hanging from trees and mangoes weighing down the branches. These fruits were her absolute favorite, and seeing them grow on trees stirred her emotions. While they had bought some fruits on their previous visit, witnessing them in their natural setting was a new experience.
Strolling along the country roads, Wang Qian happily plucked a large mango from a tree and indulged in it as they walked. No one chastised her for this act as, in the farmers’ eyes, the fruit wasn’t worth much. If passersby wanted to pick and eat a fruit or two, it went unnoticed.
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