Which way to go is the road?

Around 4 p.m., Qian Luomei went down to the first floor, greeted Zhang Chu and Xiang Fei, and walked towards the revolving door.

When Xiang Fei saw Qian Luomei leave, he couldn't wait to come out from behind the bar and stop her.

"Sister Luomei, are you going out?"

Qian Luomei was quite surprised: "Yes, Xiang Fei! What's wrong?"

"Where to?"

"Do I need to report to you where I'm going?" Qian Luomei couldn't help but smile, waiting with interest for Xiang Fei's answer.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Fei was at a loss for words. Scratching his head, he explained, "No, what are you thinking? It's just that things haven't been peaceful at 'Shuiyunjian' lately, have they? We've come up with some solutions and were just about to discuss them with you!"

Qian Luomei turned around and sat down on the sofa in front of the reception desk, letting Xiang Fei sit next to her. She wasn't in a hurry to leave.

"Oh? How to deal with it? Tell me!"

Xiang Fei quickly called over Lao You, who was online, and told Qian Luomei the unified plan that everyone had come up with in detail.

After listening attentively, Qian Luomei pondered for a moment about its feasibility, nodded slightly, and showed a satisfied smile.

"Good idea. It not only addresses the current issue but also greatly improves the overall security of internet cafes. After all, internet cafes are public spaces, and security is paramount. I approve it; we'll have someone implement it tomorrow!"

Xiang Fei and Lao You high-fived each other in celebration. When young people do anything and receive affirmation and encouragement from others, their joy is palpable, and they are full of energy.

Seeing the smug expressions on the two people's faces, Qian Luomei shook her head and smiled helplessly. Remembering that she had important things to do, she picked up her bag and stood up.

"Alright, I've given your suggestions, I have to go! I still have things to take care of!"

"Sister Luo Mei, where are you going?" As soon as he said it, Xiang Fei realized it was a repetitive and foolish question, and quickly explained, "No, as you just heard, we suggested that every woman in our group must be accompanied by a man when going out!"

"Oh... I see, you're worried about me getting into trouble, right? It's alright, I'm just going back to the courtyard house to see the old man about something!"

Seeing Xiang Fei's predicament, Lao You's eyes lit up, and he proactively offered his praise: "Let's follow the rules, Sister Luo Mei. As our leader, you should set a good example for us!"

"Alright then, only one of you can come home with me! Otherwise, my dad will think I'm making a big deal out of going home!"

"Old You, go ahead, I'll stay home!" Xiang Fei said, taking the initiative to stay behind in case something else happened in the afternoon.

"Okay, Lao You, come with me! Xiang Fei, stay here and take good care of the house. Don't be reckless if anything happens, call me immediately! Call the police if necessary!" Qian Luomei felt at ease handing over the responsibility of staying behind to Xiang Fei, but given the previous experience, she couldn't help but give him a few words of advice!

"Don't worry! Drive carefully!"

Qian Luomei drove Lao You around, talking as they went. It didn't feel like long before they arrived at the courtyard house.

"After you go inside, I'll pour you some hot water. Go to my room and rest! I need to talk to the old man about something!" Qian Luomei said to Lao You as she got out of the car.

Old You, visiting a courtyard house for the first time, couldn't help but look around the place: "Good! Just remember to take me with you when you leave!"

The courtyard house was much colder and more desolate in winter. Although this was the natural order, Qian Luomei couldn't help but feel sad when she thought about how only the old couple depended on each other in the huge courtyard. If it weren't for the fact that the old couple kept urging her to get married as soon as she came back, she would really like to come back more often, have some tea and chat together, and have a heartwarming meal!

Perhaps this wish can only be fulfilled when she is already taken and has a husband and children!

Qian Luomei pointed to her room for Lao You, watched him go in, picked up a withered leaf from the grapevine, and casually went into the main room where her parents lived.

"My dad isn't home?" Qian Luomei hadn't called beforehand, assuming the elderly couple would be obediently at home around mealtime. She looked around but couldn't find Grandpa Qian.

"They say an old friend came back, and he didn't even come home for lunch. I wonder which old geezer it is!"

The mother poured her daughter a cup of hot water to warm her hands, then sat down on the living room sofa to watch TV.

"Mom, stop watching TV all the time. Participate in more activities that are good for your mind. Look at those old ladies in the park, practicing Tai Chi or swordplay! Or you could play mahjong!"

The old lady pouted and glanced sideways at her daughter: "Your mother's old; she doesn't know how to be cheeky anymore!"

Qian Luomei was drinking water when she choked on it with laughter, spraying a mouthful of water onto the floor. She then went to the bathroom, grabbed a mop, and started wiping it up, still laughing.

"You're such a grown man, and you still don't know how to speak properly!"

"I was wrong, I was wrong, okay? My dear mother!" Qian Luomei put down the mop, hugged her mother's shoulders, and rubbed her mother's aging face.

"Meizi, you really should find someone. You're so old and still single! A woman's prime years are only a few, don't waste them!..."

"Mom, you're saying you'll find someone again, or I'll leave!" Qian Luomei stood up, walked to the sofa, and took a bright red apple, peeling it.

"Okay, that's enough. Everyone has their own life to live! There's no use in rushing things, otherwise you wouldn't never come home!"

……

Qian Luomei's mother was named Wang Fang, the same name as the character in the old movie. Judging from her eyes, which gradually lost their luster, and her pretty facial features, one could tell how beautiful she was back then.

However, as a Korean movie says: youth is not a reward earned through hard work, nor is old age a punishment for wrongdoing. Time slips away quietly, and everyone gradually ages, unable to resist the erosion of time.

Having come to understand the horror of aging, as a mother, I urgently hope that my daughter will cherish her youth and do what she should do now, otherwise, once the season is over, all that will be left is a desolate sorrow!

At 6 p.m., Grandpa Qian returned with a solemn expression. He only smiled when he saw his daughter and tried to start a conversation in a relaxed manner.

"When did Luomei arrive? Why didn't she call ahead? We could have prepared the meal!"

"It was almost 5 o'clock, I thought you were here! I needed to talk to you about something, but when I came back I found you were out! Dad, where did you go?"

"It's nothing, an old friend came back, and we got together!"

"What friend? Do I know them?"

"You weren't even born when he left Yandu, so you couldn't possibly have known him! By the way, what do you want with me?"

Qian Luomei wanted to ask about "Ninth Master" directly, but seeing her mother bring out the food, she suppressed her questions and said, "Mom has finished cooking. Let's eat first, and we'll talk about it after we finish!"

"Nonsense! Alright, let's eat first! By the way, is anyone in your room? I saw the light was on!" Old Master Qian helped set out the dishes, and as usual, he took a bottle of wine and poured himself a full glass. He glanced at the room and saw the light was on.

"I almost forgot, Lao You! Add another set of chopsticks and a bowl, there's another guest!" Qian Luomei said as she ran towards her room.