Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Chapter 144 Rare Guest

When the mother and son finally got off the trolleybus and their feet touched solid ground again, Zhao Fengying couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.

She watched the blue and white car with its distinctive long taillights drive away, patted her chest, and said to Xu Bei with a mix of lingering fear and curiosity.

"Son, I was too embarrassed to tell you this earlier because the bus was so crowded, but the buses in this provincial capital are really different. Back home, the buses going to the valleys just puff out black smoke as soon as they start, making everyone cough."

Although this long-sprayed vehicle looked intimidating with sparks flying from the roof, it was surprisingly stable to ride in, and there wasn't that pungent smell of gasoline. The only problem was that there were just too many people; getting on and off was like a battle, with everyone jostling and pushing their way in and out.

As Xu Bei reached out to tuck his mother's askew scarf back in, he chuckled and chimed in, "Mom, this is called a trolleybus. It runs on electricity, not oil, so it doesn't have that black smoke smell. As long as those two big braids on its head don't fall off, it can keep running."

Zhao Fengying said with some envy, "It's so much better in a big city like the provincial capital. We'll never have trolleybuses like this back home. When we come out from our visit, you can take Mom on one more time."

I watched as the car folded and stretched like an accordion at the joints, and several times I wanted to reach out and touch that joint but never dared to.

Xu Bei chuckled, genuinely surprised by his mother's request. "Mom, don't just say once, I'll let you sit here ten times if you want, as many times as you like."

Zhao Fengying waved her hand with a big smile, "Then there's no need. I still have a lot of things to do. Just have a couple of fun times, and you can explain it to your sister and younger sister when you get back. They can't even keep up with me."

Upon hearing his mother's words, Xu Bei became even more determined to take his family out to see the world and even live there more often in the future. "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future to let them all come to the provincial capital for a stroll."

"That's true. But your sister shouldn't go through all that trouble before she gives birth. Sitting on a train all night is really awful."

As Zhao Fengying spoke, she glanced at the buildings on both sides of the road. "Ji Zi, which way do we go next? Should we ask someone for directions?"

This was the first time Xu Bei had met Chen Jianguo. They had met at the market before, and even though the address was specific down to the house number, he was completely clueless. His eyes quickly locked onto an old man who looked very kind.

"I do need to ask, Mom. You stand here and wait for me, don't move."

The old man was a kind-hearted person. After taking the slip of paper with the address written on it, he gave the mother and son directions in great detail and with great patience.

After Xu Bei sincerely thanked her, he led his mother through a maze of turns into an old residential area.

This area of ​​single-story houses bears the strong marks of time, and the smell of coal smoke occasionally drifts from the alleyways.

Almost every household had bright red couplets and the character "福" (fortune) pasted on their front doors, and large red lanterns hung in the courtyards, creating a festive atmosphere for the Chinese New Year.

When they finally found the address on the note, the mother and son stood in front of the half-open, mottled door and did not rush in. Instead, they checked the street address again.

"Yes, Mom, this should be the place."

"It's good that this is the place. It was quite hard to find; I got completely lost. Son, I have to say, the courtyards of people in the provincial capital aren't as big as ours."

"That's for sure. The more prosperous the area, the more people there are. It's already a blessing to have a private courtyard. This is only possible in our provincial capital. In Beijing, some families still live in large, shared courtyards."

As the two were talking and about to go into the yard, a man wearing a camel-colored sweater came out of the house.

This person was none other than Chen Jianguo, whom they were looking for.

Xu Bei immediately smiled and said, "Brother Chen, Happy New Year! I'm sending you my belated New Year's greetings."

Clearly, Chen Jianguo did not expect Xu Bei to come to his house right after the New Year, and with someone who looked like an elder.

He hurried forward, smiling broadly as he welcomed them.

"Oh, Brother Xu! Happy New Year! What a rare treat! I had no idea you were coming; I'm so sorry for not welcoming you properly. And this is—"

"This is my mother. We figured the shop wouldn't be so busy after the New Year, so we came to the provincial capital for a medical check-up, and while we were at it, we wanted to visit you and pick up some more stock to take back with us."

After all, they had agreed on a cooperation agreement involving helping with procurement and receiving kickbacks. Xu Bei deliberately reversed the order to avoid the other party having any misunderstandings or causing a rift between them.

Chen Jianguo immediately greeted her warmly with "Happy New Year, Auntie!" and then asked with concern, "Where are you feeling unwell? What kind of tests do you need? My family actually knows some people at the hospital; maybe we can help with something."

Xu Bei couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.

In a society where personal connections matter, it's always easier to get things done if you know someone.

If there are such convenient conditions, it's better to repay the favor in other ways than to ignore the connection.

"My mom's heart isn't feeling well. It would be even better if you knew someone there, Brother Chen, but I wonder if that would be a burden on you."

Chen Jianguo said with a smile, "We're all friends, it's no trouble at all. I'd even like to be of some help."

He then called to the mother and son, "Brother Xu, Auntie, let's not talk in the yard, let's go inside quickly. I see you just got off the bus not long ago."

"Yes, I just got off the bus this morning."

As Xu Bei exchanged pleasantries, he and his mother followed Chen Jianguo toward the house.

During his visit, he also noticed that the yard was tidy and orderly, with neatly stacked timber against the wall.

In the nearby firewood shed, there was an old-fashioned woodworking table with several woodworking planes of different sizes scattered on it.

Xu Bei pointed to the workbench and asked curiously, "Brother Chen, does someone in your family know carpentry?"

Chen Jianguo followed Xu Bei's finger and looked over, his smile fading slightly as he said, "That's my younger brother. He learned carpentry for a few years and can take on small jobs."

Because Xu Bei is now openly selling stools and tables to a carpenter, Zhao Fengying is very sensitive about this and subconsciously exchanged a glance with her son.

However, since it was my first time meeting Chen Jianguo and I wasn't familiar with him, I didn't dare to bring it up right away.

Shortly after, upon entering, Xu Bei smelled the aroma and heat of the stove, along with lingering food fragrance, suggesting that breakfast had been eaten not long ago.

The living room in the Chen family's house was not large, but it was very clean and tidy, and the furniture was arranged in a way that did not look messy at all.

A set of old-fashioned chests of drawers and large wardrobes, all made of dark red solid wood, with rectangular mirrors inlaid on the doors.

Next to the cabinet was an old-fashioned tall cabinet with a television set covered by a woolen dust cover.

Directly opposite the television, there are two single sofas with a coffee table in the middle.

A white porcelain tea tray and cups were placed on the coffee table.

There was also a red tin thermos bottle standing on the ground.

Chen Jianguo warmly invited the mother and son to sit down on the two single sofas.

He bent down again, picked up the thermos, and poured tea.

Taking advantage of this moment, Xu Bei didn't just sit there idly. He unzipped his handbag and took out some local specialties he had brought from his hometown.