Chapter 301: Good Karma

During the third day of the lunar New Year, Wang Zhenhe informed his family that he intended to depart the next day, wanting to head out early and visit the elder at home. Mingcheng and his sister considered it and decided to accompany their father. This way, they would have company on the journey, and since Wang Zhenhe wasn’t familiar with the situation in the capital, having them along would be beneficial.

Arriving early would also allow them to tend to business matters and prepare for the upcoming goods from the south. Taking their children along was a decision Wang Zhenhe didn’t object to, so on the morning of the fourth day, Zhang Lan helped them pack up and set off.

As the bus approached, Ma Fenqing rode her bicycle with her child to visit her mother’s home. Wang Minggui waved to them from a distance.

“Third Uncle, Brothers, sisters.”

Wang Zhenhe waved back, and Wang Qian found this younger brother quite amusing. It was nice to see him so early in the morning; fate seemed to be at play.

Ma Fenqing quickly pedaled over to them, smiling as she greeted Wang Zhenhe and his family. ” Third Brother, sister-in-law, are you heading back to the city?”

Zhang Lan smiled and replied, “Your third brother, Mingcheng and the others are leaving, and we’ve come to see them off. Are you taking your child back to your mother’s home?”

Before Ma Fenqing could respond, Wang Minggui complained first, “Third Aunt, I didn’t even get to play properly with my siblings, and my mom is rushing to send me to my grandma’s house. She says she needs to work, but I’m already a grown-up; I don’t need her to watch over me.”

However, as the child looked up and saw the bus parked at the station, he suddenly burst into tears for no apparent reason. His big eyes filled with fear as he reached out to Wang Zhenhe, wanting to be held.

Seeing the child cry out inexplicably, Wang Zhenhe felt a pang of reluctance. “Minggui, what’s wrong? Is something bothering you? Tell Uncle.”

The bus ticket seller urged them to board quickly, but Wang Minggui clung to Wang Zhenhe, refusing to let them get on.

“Third Uncle, I’m scared. Don’t board the bus. They are all bad people. Don’t go with them. I’m scared.”

The child’s distressing cries puzzled everyone present. Ma Fenqing felt embarrassed and apologized, saying, “Third Brother, I’m really sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into this child. Please don’t mind him. Please board the bus quickly.”

At this moment, Wang Minggui started shouting at the ticket seller, “Bad people! Hurry, leave. My Third Uncle and the others aren’t taking the bus. Go, go!”

The ticket seller, feeling irritated by the commotion below, said, “Comrades, are you boarding or not? The bus won’t wait.”

Wang Qian also sensed something amiss but couldn’t pinpoint it. However, she knew her younger brother was sensible; he wouldn’t cause a scene without reason.

“Auntie, you go ahead. We won’t be taking the bus today.”

The ticket seller muttered “crazy” and slammed the door shut. The bus impatiently drove off. Wang Minggui, who had been crying earlier, calmed down and cheerfully remarked, “The bad people have left. You’re all safe now.”

He leaned in close to Wang Zhenhe and whispered, “Uncle, the people on the bus are all so scary. Maybe you shouldn’t take the bus. They’re all bad people.”

The child couldn’t articulate his feelings but described the bus passengers as “bad guys” to express his fear.

Wang Zhenhe gently wiped away the tears from his young nephew’s face. Although they didn’t board the bus, he didn’t see it as a big deal. They could just ride bicycles back home later.

Wang Minggui held onto his uncle’s neck tightly, unwilling to let go. Zhang Lan smiled and suggested to Ma Fenqing, “Sister-in-law, how about this? Since we’re all at home, why not let Minggui stay with us for now? He can play with us during the day and go home to sleep at night. Once we return to the city, you can then send him to his grandma’s place. I can see you’re still worried.”

Ma Fenqing welcomed the idea. She trusted her sister-in-law’s guidance with the children the most. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she said, “Sister-in-law, I don’t want to trouble you. I also can’t bear to send the child back so soon. I’ve only just returned, and I haven’t spent enough time with him. But I have to go to work tomorrow, so I have no choice. I’m afraid of leaving him at home and him reverting to his old ways. Sigh…”

Everyone understood Ma Fenqing’s sigh. Wang Qian approached her and reassured, “Sister-in-law, Minggui is a good kid when he’s with us. You can trust us with him. He can stay with us during the day and go back home to sleep at night. I’ll make sure he gets home after dinner.”

Excited to continue playing with his siblings, Wang Minggui kicked his legs enthusiastically in his uncle’s arms. “Mom, you can go to work without worries. I’ll behave and won’t make Third Aunt angry. Let me play with my siblings.”

Being attached to those he’s just gotten to know, especially Mingyuan and the others, the child was genuinely reluctant to leave. Seeing the longing in her son’s eyes, Ma Fenqing chuckled and added, “Listen to me, be good and obey your siblings. Otherwise, you’ll get a spanking.”

The little one’s wish was granted, and he couldn’t focus on anything else, just nodding continuously.

“Alright, since we can’t take the bus, Mingcheng, let’s have your second brother drive us back to the city,” said Wang Zhenhe.

Thinking about driving, Wang Zhenhe glanced at his young nephew. Seeing no reaction from him, he felt a bit doubtful. However, without confirmation, he chose not to say anything.

“Sister-in-law, we’re taking Minggui home. You can go about your business now,” Zhang Lan said.

Ma Fenqing indeed had tasks to attend to that day. After thanking Wang Zhenhe and the others, she cycled away. Wang Minggui waved to his mother and then followed Wang Zhenhe back home.

Once they returned home, Mingcheng went to fetch his elder brother Wang Minglin on the motorcycle. Without much delay, the three of them set off on the bikes. This time, little Minggui waved happily as they bid farewell.

Mingcheng couldn’t quite understand why his father chose not to take the bus today as directed by his younger cousin.

“Son, you’ll understand once we get there. Children can be very perceptive about certain things,” Wang Zhenhe explained.

Wang Zhenhe didn’t say much. When they were halfway there, Mingcheng noticed a gathering of people up ahead. As they approached, he understood why his father had spoken as he did. He felt incredibly grateful; there had been a car accident involving two vehicles. Seeing several lifeless bodies on the ground, he couldn’t help but thank his younger cousin from the bottom of his heart. If they had boarded that bus today, the outcome would have been unimaginable.

Seeing the blood on the ground, Wang Xuan shuddered. “Dad, it looks like the injured have been taken care of. Let’s leave quickly. It’s too tragic. When we get back, we must write to our siblings and ask them to treat our cousin well. Without him, we could have been among the casualties.”

Wang Zhenhe didn’t want to linger in the face of such a gruesome scene. He swiftly drove away, feeling as if their family had been protected by a higher power. Their young nephew, who had only recently started conversing with them, unexpectedly saved their lives. Sometimes, things are truly inexplicable.

Upon reaching the city, they arranged things with Yang Nuo before Mingcheng secured their tickets. The three of them then boarded the train to the capital.

It wasn’t until the next day that Zhang Lan heard from the neighbors about the accident involving the bus the trio had intended to take. Meanwhile, Wang Minggui sat on the heated brick bed happily sipping the juice Wang Qian had prepared for him.

Zhang Lan, feeling emotional, walked over and gave her young nephew a firm kiss. He had saved three lives in their family.

“Minggui, tell Third Aunt what you’d like to eat. I’ll make it for you at lunch,” she said.

The little one shook his head with a smile. “Third Aunt, I’m not picky. I’ll eat whatever you make. Later, I’m going ice skating with my siblings. My brother promised to get me an ice skate.”

Thinking about the two ice skates they had at home, previously used by Mingyuan and Zuo He, and now unused since they had grown up and Zuo He had left, Zhang Lan realized they could be put to good use now with her young nephew.

“Alright, when you come home, we’ll take them with us. You can play with the other kids at Grandma’s house,” she replied.

Zhang Lan found some extra layers for Wang Minggui to wear outside, recalling the cotton jacket her children used to wear as a child. She wanted to ensure he stayed warm while playing outside, as she had promised Ma Fenqing to take good care of their child.

She wrapped up some biscuits and cake in a handkerchief for them to take along. Children easily get hungry, and it’s important to have snacks on hand if they get tired while playing.

Mingyuan carried the ice skates, while Wang Qian held onto their young cousin, who was filled with excitement even just walking.

“Brother, it would be great if you could stay home every day. I could play with you every day,” the young cousin exclaimed.

Mingyuan teased him, “Little brother, if you want to play with us every day, that’s fine. But you’ll have to start high school right away. Can you handle that?”

Hearing this condition, the young cousin felt a bit disheartened. “Brother, I’m only six years old. I’m still a kid. How can I start studying at such a high level? But I’ll study hard in the future and go to college like you and sister.”

Determined, Wang Minggui waved his little hand, showing his resolve. Wang Qian smiled as she watched her young cousin. This child was quite amusing.

The three of them arrived at the icy riverbank where many children were already skating. Mingyuan and the others knew some of them and called them over to join in the ice skating fun with the young cousin. Initially unfamiliar, the kids quickly bonded and joined in the fun. Minggui joyfully raced around the ice with the group of children, sharing the ice skates and playing alongside his newfound friends.

The siblings sometimes felt a tinge of envy. “Brother, are we getting old? Look at our younger cousin, he’s grown so much. Back when we used to play, he wasn’t even around. Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, we’ve all grown up.”

Mingyuan gazed at the children playing with his young cousin in the distance, feeling a mix of emotions. “Indeed, childhood was the best. Just look at our young cousin, carefree and full of joy. As we’ve grown up, our siblings have moved on. It’ll be even harder for us to meet once they start working.”

The siblings reminisced once again about the wonderful times of their childhood.