On one side of the main hall, the men discussed important matters.
On the other side, Su Xiaocao chatted with Grandma Su and the others.
Upon learning that Su Xiaocao was in the capital for training, Grandma Su was overjoyed.
"Then you must stay with us, no excuses."
Grandma Su actually liked Su Xiaocao very much.
In the past, Su Xiaocao and Su Xiaomei often stayed at the Su family's home while studying in the county town. Grandma Su was fond of both diligent and hardworking girls.
Xiaomei was now in the capital and was seen often. It was Xiaocao, however, whom she rarely saw since she started university.
Seeing her now, Grandma Su was naturally very happy, especially after hearing that Su Xiaocao would be training in the capital for several months.
Su Xiaocao was still hesitant.
After all...
"Grandma, it's more convenient for me to stay at school."
"Why are you becoming so polite as you get older? You've stayed at our house before, and you weren't this shy."
Su Xiaocao: ...
Things were different then.
People are like that; when their mindset changes, everything changes.
Su Xiaocao felt that she was not suited to stay at the Su family's home at the moment, fearing she wouldn't be able to control her emotions.
Grandma Su, unaware of Su Xiaocao's thoughts, insisted, "The school where you'll be training is Seventh Middle School. Xiaotian and the others used to attend that school, and it's not far from our house. Staying at school is not as comfortable as staying at home. Listen to Grandma, and stay with us!" Su Dan Novel Network
Su Xiaocao lowered her eyes.
In the end, Su Xiaocao couldn't refuse Grandma Su's insistence and agreed to stay at the Su family's home.
With Su Xiaocao's stay at the Su family's home settled, Su Changjiu, who was sitting and talking on the other side, learned that Su Xiaomei's child had also been born, only five days younger than Su Zile, and was very surprised.
"I was saying that I wanted to visit Taohua's home when I came this time, but I didn't expect her to become a grandmother too," Su Changjiu said with emotion.
Taohua had finally seen better days.
In her youth, she had encountered someone like Li Changming, and her life was almost ruined.
Who would have thought that Taohua was blessed with good fortune and met someone like Shen Zizhen.
"Since I'm here, I must go and see Taohua's new baby," Su Changjiu said with a smile.
Most of the people in Nanling Village were from the Su family. Although their blood relations were not very close, they lived in the same village, supported each other, and thus became close.
"You should go and see them. You must be tired from the train journey, so rest well tonight and see old friends tomorrow."
When Grandpa Su mentioned old friends, Su Changjiu didn't react immediately.
"The Du and Chi families are both in the capital. Since you're here, shouldn't you go and see them?"
Su Changjiu nodded quickly.
It was proper to visit them; they were elders, and it wouldn't be appropriate not to.
"Are they living far away?"
Su Changjiu asked.
He had only realized how much larger the capital was than their small county town after arriving from the train station today.
"Not far, just a few minutes' walk," Grandpa Su said, taking a puff of his cigarette. "We'll go to Taohua's house the day after tomorrow."
"If it's not far, let's go see them in the morning and then visit Taohua's home to see the baby in the afternoon. Uncle, the family is worried, and I plan to return the day after tomorrow." Su Changjiu said hastily.
"That won't do. The two babies will have their full moon celebrations the day after tomorrow. If you weren't coming, it would be one thing, but since you are here, you must stay until after the babies' full moon celebrations before leaving."
This time, before Grandpa Su could speak, Grandma Su, who happened to overhear, quickly intervened to stop Su Changjiu from leaving.
Su Changjiu had originally planned to stay for at most two days before returning. Now, it was difficult to leave so soon; he had to at least wait until after the full moon celebrations for the two babies.
"Exactly, Village Chief. You've finally come to the capital, so you should stay a few more days," Su Laosan also urged. "I don't have much to do tomorrow or the day after, so I can take you around."
"Since you've come to the capital, you must see the flag-raising ceremony, pay respects to the great figures, and visit the courtyards where the former emperors lived. You must see them too, right?"
Su Changjiu hadn't thought of all this when he arrived.
But after hearing Su Laosan say it, he felt it made sense.
If nothing unexpected happened, this might be the only time he would ever visit the capital in his life. Leaving without seeing anything would be a wasted trip, wouldn't it?
If he could visit these places, he could tell the villagers about them when he returned.
"We also need to buy some Beijing specialties for the villagers, and that takes time. Changjiu, since you're here, stay a few more days, and let us host you properly!" Grandma Su said enthusiastically. "Besides, our home is big enough, so you don't need to spend money on hotels."
"Yes, yes, Village Chief, call your wife later and tell her you're staying a few more days in the capital," Su Laosan also persuaded him repeatedly.
Su Changjiu thought for a moment and finally made up his mind to stay a few more days.
The travel expenses for this trip were quite significant. If he left now, those expenses would indeed be wasted.
"Alright, then I'll stay for two more days and return after the full moon banquet for the two babies."
Su Changjiu was grateful that he had brought all the money from home, otherwise, he wouldn't have had the gift money for the full moon banquet.
After a short conversation, Grandpa Su urged them to rest.
They had indeed been through a lot on the journey, so they didn't refuse and went to rest.
The Su family's children didn't return until the weekend, so there was enough space in the house.
When they woke up after a nap, the Su house was already bustling with activity.
It turned out that Du Tonghe and his wife had also come, having learned of Su Changjiu's arrival.
However, Chi Ge was currently staying at the orphanage with Tan Zishi and couldn't come over immediately.
Dinner was ready and was very lavish, with fish and meat, rice, and steamed buns.
Su Changjiu looked at the table full of dishes and couldn't help but feel hungry again.
He was truly pathetic, why was he hungry?
He had said earlier that he wouldn't need dinner after eating noodles.
But this dinner was truly abundant; even during their New Year celebrations, they never had so many dishes.
"Changjiu, come and eat quickly. You look much better after your nap," Grandma Su called out to Su Changjiu with a smile.
"Captain, why didn't you let us know beforehand? If you had told us earlier, we old folks would have specifically waited for you," Du Tonghe said, shaking Su Changjiu's hand with great emotion.
When they went to Hongxin Brigade, they were fortunate to have a captain like Su Changjiu and kind people like the Su family. Otherwise, they might not have returned, like several of their old comrades.
They remembered the kindness of the Su family, and similarly, they had not forgotten the kindness of Su Changjiu as the captain.
Su Changjiu looked at the old couple, who were completely different from when they were in the village, and could hardly recognize them.
Indeed, returning made a difference.
"How are you both? I was planning to visit you tomorrow, but you came here instead."
Su Changjiu felt a bit embarrassed. He felt that he should have been the one to visit the elders first.
How could he let the elders come to see him?