Chapter 71: Changes

After finishing their meal, Geng Lianhua had already packed up the things the children were taking back and urged them to set off early.

Today, the siblings had brought a lot of items, and Wang Qian couldn’t reveal the spatial function in front of everyone. So, the four siblings had to walk back slowly. Zhang Lan had finished work and hurried home to cook, asking Wang Zhenhe to go and meet the children.

The children, burdened with their belongings, walked slower than when they had arrived. When they reached the winding mountain path, they met Wang Zhenhe coming to get them.

“Dad? Brother, Dad’s here to pick us up,” Mingyuan exclaimed joyfully upon seeing Wang Zhenhe’s figure.

Having walked such a long way and carrying their belongings, the siblings had been pushing themselves. Wang Zhenhe’s appearance undoubtedly boosted their spirits.

Seeing the small figures of the children swaying ahead, Wang Zhenhe felt a pang of heartache. Each child was carrying something, and they all looked exhausted.

He quickly hastened his steps and ran over. “Children, I’m here. Let Dad carry the things. You all take a break.”

Wang Zhenhe took the heavy items from the children’s hands. It was no wonder the siblings looked so tired. “Let’s go home, children,” he said.

As they walked and talked, with someone carrying the items, their pace naturally quickened.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, they finally arrived home. “Mom, we’re back,” the children exclaimed happily as they ran into the house, only to find Wang Juan there.

Everyone greeted her with smiles. “Aunt, you’re here,” they said.

Wang Juan, envious of how well-behaved the children were, said to Zhang Lan, “Sister, I told you that you’re blessed. Look at your children, they are all so well-behaved. It’s rare to see such polite children here. Even our children can’t compare.”

The two sisters-in-law praised each other’s children, and Wang Zhenhe brought in the items that the kids had brought back.

“Sister-in-law, you’re here,” Wang Zhenhe greeted his sister-in-law warmly upon seeing her in his house.

Zhang Lan, delighted by the contents of the baskets, said to Wang Juan, “Sister-in-law, you’re in luck today. The children went to my maternal home, and they brought back a lot of things. I’ll pick some for you to take back to treat your husband and children.”

After saying this, she found some bowls and basins and gave Wang Juan a portion. Wang Juan didn’t refuse. It was rare to have a taste of the sea, she could only enjoy it through her sister-in-law’s family, making her extremely grateful.

Wang Juan cheerfully carried the items. “Sister, I won’t be polite. I’ll go back and prepare some food for the children.”

After seeing off her sister-in-law, Zhang Lan turned to her husband and explained, “Zhenhe, Sister-in-law came to bring us some things to  warm the pot today.”

Wang Qian peeked and saw several dishes and a pair of chopsticks on the stove.

She couldn’t help but admire her Aunt. A family needs someone like Wang Juan to manage the household affairs astutely without losing out. Compared to Wang Juan, her own mother was a bit too lenient. Zhang Lan needed to strengthen herself in this aspect.

Meanwhile, Zhang Lan had prepared dinner for the children. Upon seeing the fresh sand shrimps, she quickly started a fire to cook a large pot for the children. She signaled to her daughter to put away the rest, and Wang Qian nodded in understanding.

The sand shrimps, oysters, and clams needed to be eaten fresh to experience their unique freshness and flavor. Especially with the current mild weather, leaving them overnight would diminish their taste and freshness. Since the child’s spatial storage could keep the items fresh, Zhang Lan planned to store them there.

After a tiring day, the siblings sat down to eat without saying a word. When their stomachs were half full, they began to nibble on the sand shrimps. By this time, the sand shrimps were plump and juicy, with a rich red roe. Even the male sand shrimps had a lot of meat, and the flesh was particularly tender.

Wang Zhenhe didn’t mention sending some to his mother-in-law’s house, and Zhang Lan didn’t have the heart to ask the children to take them over. After walking all day, she couldn’t bear to send the exhausted children to deliver the items. However, she had no intention of going herself, as that home had already hurt her deeply.

Wang Zhenhe refrained from sending the items after seeing the children sweating and their faces turning red from the sun. He couldn’t bear to easily give away the items the children had worked hard to collect, fearing it would hurt their feelings.

After dinner, Zhang Lan suggested, “Zhenhe, why don’t you send some over to your mother?”

“No, it’s not easy for the children to gather these items. Your mother has been sharing these with us all year round. This time, we’ll keep them for the children,” Wang Zhenhe replied.

The four children, who had been silent until then, looked up at him. Mingyuan excitedly pounced on him. “Dad, I’ve noticed that you’re especially nice today.”

Wang Zhenhe was at a loss for words. “You little rascal, your old man is always nice. It’s just that you didn’t notice.”

Wang Qian grinned and said, “Dad, to be honest, I also think you’re especially nice today. You used to only think about what your sister-in-law and brother-in-law liked to eat, and you never remembered what we liked. Sometimes I even doubted if you were really my dad. But today, I can confirm that you really are our dad.”

Hearing the children’s words, Zhang Lan’s eyes turned red. The children had been neglected for too long.

Wang Zhenhe was taken aback by his youngest daughter’s words, then his expression turned somber. He hugged the children and said in a hoarse voice, “Children, from now on, Dad will  remember.”

That night, the children slept soundly, just like the sand shrimps they had eaten. Full in their stomachs, their hearts were filled with memories.

The next day, the children had to go to school. At this time, there was no concept of a “big week,” only a rest day on Sunday.

Wang Qian had already made plans with Zhang Lan. After everyone had left, she boarded a bus to the city and went to see how Zuo He and his grandma had been doing these past few days.

After getting off the bus, she took out the items she had brought for them and headed straight to Zuo’s small courtyard. To her surprise, she saw a small figure waiting under the power pole. Although the person seemed a bit dispirited, they remained steadfast.

At this moment, Wang Qian felt truly moved by the child. “Zuo He, I’m here,” she called out to him from a distance.

The little boy seemed to rub his eyes in disbelief. When he realized it was really her, he ran over, pouting, “Qian Qian, you finally came. I’ve been waiting for you for two days.” The little guy seemed a bit resentful.

She couldn’t help but indulge this cute little boy. “Zuo He, I’ve been busy at home these past two days. I came as soon as I had a chance today. Here, these are the sand shrimps I specially gathered for you from the seaside yesterday. Let you and your grandmother enjoy them today.”

Seeing Wang Qian arrive, Zuo He’s steps back to the house became lighter. He bounced into the courtyard and exclaimed, “Grandma, sister is here.”

The elderly lady, who was busy inside the house, quickly put down her work and came out with a smile on her face. “Qian Qian, you’re finally here. You have no idea. Zuo He has been running outside to wait for you every day. I was worried he was becoming obsessed.”

The old lady was also helpless about her grandson. He had no friends, and suddenly meeting a sister, he cherished her and talked about her every day.

Wang Qian handed the basket to the old lady and said with a smile, “Grandma, I went to gather seafood with my family these past two days. I only had time to come today. These are for you to enjoy. We’ll have them for lunch.”

This time, Wang Qian not only brought seafood but also some vegetables from her spatial storage.

The old lady was discerning and couldn’t help but smile when she saw the contents of the basket. It had been a long time since she had eaten these things, and she remembered their delicious taste.

Holding the basket, the old lady smiled and said, “Qian Qian, you’ve brought good things. Come over for lunch today.”

“Okay, I got it, Grandma. I’ll help my mom sell things first. Zuo He, you stay with Grandma at home. I’ll come over to keep you company at noon,” Wang Qian said.

Zuo He hesitated. He wanted to go out with her but thought of his grandmother alone at home, so he nodded. “Sister, you must come over at noon.”

After leaving Zuo’s small courtyard, she headed towards the residential area. Today, Dan Shuzhen happened to be off from her night shift and planned to go out early to buy some fresh vegetables. If she went later, there would only be a few wilted vegetable leaves left, and the salesperson might not be in a good mood. It was better to go early. As soon as she stepped out of the house, she saw the little girl who had sold fish last time, still dressed the same as before.

Delighted to see a familiar face, she walked over. “Wang Qian, you’re here to sell things again. What good items have you brought this time?”

Wang Qian looked up and saw a familiar face, smiling sweetly. “Auntie, this time I’ve brought some seafood to sell. Would you like to buy some?”

Dan Shuzhen saw that the stall had quite a variety of items, all seafood that couldn’t be found in the market, and they were all fresh and alive.

She quickly squatted down to pick some. This time, Wang Qian had brought a scale with her. After returning home last time, Zhang Lan had spent five yuan to buy a scale for her to use when selling things.

This time, Dan Shuzhen bought two pounds of sand shrimps, two pounds of clams, and three pounds of seaweed, paying Wang Qian one yuan and nine mao.

Dan Shuzhen quickly went home to get a basin and informed her neighbors and colleagues to come over and buy. It was rare for them to encounter such items.

When Dan Shuzhen returned with the basin, many people followed to buy things. Some bought oysters because they were tight on money, while others bought more. They had bought fish from her last time, so they had a deep impression of the little girl. Some kind-hearted people advised her, “Child, if you come to sell things in the future, come to our area. The people living here are kind-hearted. Be careful when selling outside, and take care of yourself.”

Wang Qian smiled and thanked each of these kind-hearted people.

After buying the items, everyone happily carried their basins home. Today, they could have a good meal. It was the season when fish and shrimps were at their fattest.

Dan Shuzhen felt sorry for the little girl who was supporting her family. After everyone had left, she said, “Qian Qian, why don’t you come to Auntie’s house for lunch?”

Wang Qian also liked this kind-hearted Auntie Dan, but she politely declined, “No, Auntie. Our relatives live nearby, and I’ve promised to have lunch at their house. I appreciate your kindness. Thank you, Auntie.”