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After bidding a reluctant farewell to Zuo He, they returned to their usual routine. A week later, Wang Zhenhe rushed back, eager to surprise the kids. However, upon entering the house, he found it empty. Remembering the factory opening before his departure, he quickly dropped his luggage and hurried to another house.
He truly missed home, longing for every family member. Zhang Lan and Wang Qian were directing workers to load goods onto a tricycle, while in the capital city, Wang Xuan had already started pushing for more deliveries.
When Wang Qian saw someone approaching outside, she initially thought it was a beggar. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was the long-missing Wang Zhenhe. Overwhelmed, she cried out “Dad” and ran to him, disregarding cleanliness, as father and daughter embraced, tears of joy streaming down their faces.
The family had been longing for Wang Zhenhe. After a brief phone call, he had disappeared without a trace. If Wang Zhenhe hadn’t assured them of having acquaintances to help, they might have thought something terrible had happened.
Seeing the long-absent figure, Wang Qian couldn’t contain her excitement. This was the first time Wang Zhenhe had been away for so long, nearly fading from their memories.
Upon seeing her missing husband return, Zhang Lan couldn’t restrain herself and rushed over. Embracing her husband, tears flowed freely. The commotion in the yard prompted the workers inside to come out, concerned. Seeing the workers gathering, Zhang Lan felt embarrassed and stepped back from her husband’s embrace.
“Zhenhe, you finally came back! We thought you had forgotten about this home. Let’s go inside quickly. Look at yourself! People on the street thought you were a beggar with your long hair. How come you haven’t had a haircut?” scolded Zhang Lan, welcoming her husband back with her familiar nagging.
At that moment, Wang Zhenhe felt that nothing could be more comforting than his wife’s scolding. This was the feeling of home. Touching his long hair, he chuckled, “Darling, I rushed back. I unloaded the goods at our house in the capital straight from Xinjiang. I hurried home non-stop, fearing you all would worry. Communication was difficult where we were, and living arrangements were scattered. It was hard to stay in touch. If we were closer, I would have come back sooner. Come on, Qianqian, let’s go inside. I haven’t seen you all in nearly six months. I have been dreaming about you all.”
Wang Zhenhe’s words brought tears to Wang Qian’s eyes again. “Dad, let’s not go to such distant places again. I missed you so much.”
Seeing his daughter in tears, Wang Zhenhe’s heart ached. He gently wiped away her tears, saying, “Don’t cry, my dear. Dad is back now. I won’t go far again in the future. One trip was enough. I missed you all too.”
Talking about Wang Zhenhe, he couldn’t help but wipe away the tears that had already spilled.
Zhang Lan came over and held the father and daughter. Though tears welled up in her eyes, she wore a happy smile on her face. “Alright, let’s not cry. We should be happy that your dad is back. Qianqian, later you can take your dad for a bath and a haircut. With this appearance, flies might start buzzing around you.”
Even Wang Qian couldn’t help but chuckle at Zhang Lan’s teasing remark. She indeed noticed a hint of truth in the joke, realizing the faint sour smell emanating from her father now that the initial excitement had subsided.
“Where’s our son? Why haven’t I seen Mingyuan?” Wang Zhenhe looked around but couldn’t spot his beloved younger son. It seemed odd that both his wife and daughter were here, yet his son was missing.
Zhang Lan humorously gazed at her husband. “When you’re not around, our son has to run errands for his old man. He went to the station to dispatch goods. He’ll probably be back soon.”
Observing the newly opened factory, Wang Zhenhe noted the impeccable order and organization. Everyone was diligently working, with some loading goods and others keeping track of inventory. He felt impressed by how well his wife had managed things in his absence.
Entering the office, Wang Zhenhe briefly briefed them on the recent jade procurement.
“Daughter, we were lucky to arrive early. Otherwise, all the good stuff would have been picked clean. When we were leaving, I saw quite a few people heading that way. Luckily, thanks to the introduction from Mr. Chen, I managed to secure a batch of top-quality Hetian jade. I never expected to find so much jade in that area; many people were picking them from the river. It’s truly amazing how nature provides for people,” Wang Zhenhe reflected.
Wang Zhenhe couldn’t help but ponder. If they were closer, he would have gone to collect some too. Unfortunately, the distance and transportation challenges made it difficult. Without their connections, the trip would have been even more arduous.
“Daughter, when do you plan to sell this batch of stones?” Wang Zhenhe knew he had taken all the money with him when he left, worrying about how the family would manage if the goods arrived. However, his daughter was resolute, assuring him that she could handle everything, allowing him to depart with peace of mind.
Seeing the factory up and running, he sensed financial strain and thought it best to sell the stones early to ease the family’s financial situation.
“Dad, let’s hold onto those stones for now. It’s not the right time to sell yet. We’re not short on money here. You might not know, but we’ve made some big deals since then. Our juice factory even has branches now. We’re not in need of money,” his daughter reassured him.
After hearing about the situation in the factory from Zhang Lan, Wang Zhenhe felt relieved knowing they were financially stable. Uncomfortable with the sweat smell on him, he decided it was time for a shower.
“Daughter, come on, let’s go shower and get a haircut. When we get home, I want to have a good meal. You have no idea how much I’ve been craving good food. Dear, make sure to prepare plenty of vegetables for me at noon. I want to enjoy the locally grown produce. Over there, we eat lamb every day, and I just can’t adapt to it,” Wang Zhenhe expressed, wrinkling his brow at the thought of eating lamb.
Watching Wang Zhenhe grimace at the mention of lamb, Wang Qian could easily imagine the grim scene when her dad struggled to eat without vegetables.
Accompanying Wang Zhenhe to the bathhouse, he had a relaxing bath while Wang Qian waited outside. After changing into fresh clothes, they went to get haircuts together. Initially reluctant to cut her hair, Wang Qian found herself gently coerced into the chair by her father.
“Daughter, it’s time to trim those bangs that are covering your face so much. It must be suffocating for you. Hiding your good looks is one thing, but it shouldn’t become a burden. Don’t worry, cut it with confidence. With me and your brother around, no one would dare mess with you; we’ll have their backs,” Wang Zhenhe assured her.
Upon finishing the haircut, even the hairdresser was in awe. The young girl was stunning, a true masterpiece. Her face had no excess, even after years of cutting hair, it was the first time the hairdresser had seen someone transform into such beauty.
“You should have cut your hair earlier, young lady. With parents who gave you such good looks, you shouldn’t let it go to waste. If you ever need your hair done without combing, come to me, and I’ll make you look beautiful,” the hairdresser remarked.
Wang Qian couldn’t help but smile wryly. It’s not that she didn’t want to dress up, but why go all out when there’s no need for it?
Wang Zhenhe had always known his daughter was beautiful, but seeing Wang Qian after cutting he hair made him take a second look involuntarily.
“Ah, you look just as lovely. Daughter, let’s head home,” Wang Zhenhe remarked, wrapping his arm around Wang Qian as they walked out of the barbershop. The stylists inside watched the father and daughter leave, their eyes following them until they disappeared, then resumed their work.
One of the stylists couldn’t help but complain, “What a waste! If she looked like that, I’d have the pick of the litter when it comes to suitors.”
This time, father and daughter went straight home. By this time, Mingyuan and Zhang Lan had returned. Seeing the rejuvenated Wang Zhenhe, Mingyuan bounced over, embracing him tightly. “Dad, you’re finally back! You’ve kept us so busy during your absence. Did you bring us any goodies this time?”
After the warm reunion between Mingyuan and Wang Zhenhe, the thought of the gifts Wang Zhenhe promised to bring them before leaving crossed Mingyuan’s mind.
Wang Zhenhe joyfully held his son’s hand, saying, “Little guy, how could I forget to bring you all something? Wait here; I’ll go get them for you.”
Carrying the large bags he brought back, Wang Zhenhe felt a tinge of regret as he addressed Zhang Lan, “Dear, I gave away the clothes you packed for me before I left to the villagers who helped us find the jade stones. I saw how tough their lives were, so I only brought back the one I’m wearing and didn’t keep a single one.”
Zhang Lan simply smiled at her husband, knowing he was consistent in his kindness no matter where he went.
“Zhenhe, it’s okay. Giving to others in need is important. They probably have a harder time than us. We still have clothes at home. If we run short, I can make a few more for you. We don’t lack clothes,” Zhang Lan reassured him.
Appreciating his wife’s understanding, Wang Zhenhe happily presented the gifts he had brought back. One package contained specially designed jade stones. Wang Qian examined them closely, noting their exceptional quality, similar to what she had found in the tomb, but not yet refined.
From another package, Wang Zhenhe took out some pendants. “These were carved by the locals. I stayed with Big Brother Gao, and the host happened to be skilled at this craft. He helped carve these for me. While they may not be worth much there, take one each as a talisman for protection.”
From two other bags, Wang Zhenhe took out some local delicacies. Upon seeing the food, Mingyuan set aside everything else and dove into the beef jerky, eating with envy evident in his words, “Dad, you really lived it up this time. Getting to eat so much beef and lamb, and having lamb soup regularly, that’s true bliss.”