Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 309 Going to Andong

Xiao Wei never imagined that Zhang Guiqin's petite body carried so much of her past.

It's unimaginable how she managed to persevere all this way.

But no matter what, that's someone else's life. We can only listen and sigh about it; we still have to live our own lives.

Xiaowei's mother stuffed the five hundred yuan into Zhang Guiqin's hand, and she eventually accepted it. Then, whenever she had free time, she would come over to help with the work, and Xiaowei's mother gladly accepted it.

"Xiaowei, how's it going on your end?"

A few days later, Xiaowei suddenly received a call from Han San.

"It's alright, everything's set up anyway, and classes are going on as usual. What's wrong?"

"I'm going to Andong in the next couple of days, do you want to come? Didn't I say I'd find you a way to get some biscuits? I can take you there to check it out."

"What time? How many days will you be gone?"

"I can leave anytime. It depends on you. How about three or four days, or even five or six days? It's all up to you."

"I'll ask Chen Hui what date he's scheduled to open. Let's make sure it doesn't clash with his opening. I definitely have to go when he opens."

"Chen Hui? Oh, the one from the power company, right? He came to me to buy kitchen equipment. You also have a stake in that restaurant?"

"Yeah, I've already reserved a spot. I'll definitely have to go when it opens."

"Okay, then get back to me after you've asked around, so I can schedule a time."

Xiao Wei put down the phone, thought for a moment, and then paged Chen Hui. Five minutes later, Chen Hui called back.

"Xiao Wei? What's up?"

"Feeling pretty relaxed? Where are you hanging out?"

"I'm with Xiaoxiao's brother. There's nothing much to do at his training session. Lao Wu is leading the way in the kitchen. I feel too embarrassed to just stand by and watch."

"Yes, that's true. Have you decided on the opening date yet?"

"No, it depends on my dad's side. My mom's side is always open. Anyway, they're the bosses, so we'll just listen to them. Is there something wrong?"

"Han San asked me to go to Andong. It will probably take a few days. I'm afraid it will clash with your schedule. It's okay."

"Five or six days is definitely not an option. The clothing just arrived, but the ordered items haven't all arrived yet. By the way, could you just go to Meigouying and bring back the cigarettes? I've already called and arranged for a batch to arrive."

"Okay, I'll go grab the cigarettes on the other end of the road. Can I leave them in my car?"

"Pack as many boxes as you can, and have them ship the rest over. Shipping is a bit slow, and we can't keep waiting."

"Alright, I'll agree to Han San's offer then."

"Okay, I'll hang up now."

After hanging up the phone, Xiaowei stood up, left the living room, and walked towards the kitchen.

"Mom, I'm going back to Fengtian. It'll take about a week. Can you and Dad keep an eye on things here? Have Hongliang drive over to the restaurant tonight and check things out." Xiaowei picked up a persimmon, wiped it with his hand, and started eating.

Xiao Wei's mother reached out and patted him, saying, "Why are you eating something so cold? What's going on when you get back?"

Xiao Wei said, "We're going to Meigouying to pick up some things, and then we need to go to Andong to check on the sales of our biscuits. Han San said he'd help us sell them in Korea."

Xiaowei's mom said, "Korea? That's impressive. At least it's a country, so the quantity must be considerable. Where are you going? By car?"

Xiao Wei checked the time and said, "I'll grab a bite to eat and then we'll leave. It's a long way around Meigouying; if we leave too late, it'll be dark. Do you and Dad have anything to do?"

Xiaowei's mother said, "What could possibly happen? You'll have food and drink every day. Make sure you've arranged everything and sorted out your finances before you leave. Oh, and don't forget about the expenses, make sure you're accounted for, so no one gets upset."

Xiao Wei said, "It's all arranged. The rehab team will distribute the cards when their numbers are called. We'll distribute them to the factory first, and then we'll go back and distribute them to the other side. If you have time, go with us and take a look, so you can get to know the people. Otherwise, you might not recognize them when you go there later."

Xiaowei's mother nodded and said, "Okay. Um, are you going back to Chen Hui's place?"

Xiao Wei turned to look at his mother and said, "Go ahead, what's up? Oh, okay, I'll ask. I'll just ask this time."

Xiaowei's mother said, "Don't forget, this is a big deal. They only have one child, and to put it bluntly, a top student from an engineering college has given you, a rural illiterate, to live with. Can an average family afford this? And you're making them live so far away? This isn't something that can be done in a few years of schooling; it's a lifelong commitment. Our family owes them a huge debt of gratitude."

Xiao Wei nodded and said, "I know, I will definitely treat them well in the future." He then went to uncover the pot to find something to eat.

Xiaowei's mother heated up some food for him and sat there happily watching her son eat it all.

"I'm packing up now, Mom." Xiao Wei wiped his mouth and stood up. Xiao Wei's mother got up to clear the table: "Drive carefully." Xiao Wei agreed and left the kitchen, then went to the boiler room.

Xiao Wei's father was sitting on the bed leaning against the wall talking to Hao Xiaodong when Xiao Wei walked over and said, "Dad, I'm going back to Fengtian. Is there anything I need?"

Xiaowei's dad turned to look at Xiaowei and said, "What could possibly happen to me? Drive carefully. By the way, make sure the expenses are arranged, and ask your father-in-law about that when you get there."

Xiao Wei nodded and said, "Yeah, my mom just said that. I'm off now." He turned and left.

As Xiao Wei drove the car to the main gate and got out to open it, he saw Zhang Guiqin walking out of the main building, wiping away tears. Xiao Wei called out, "Sister Zhang, what's wrong?" Zhang Guiqin turned and saw Xiao Wei, looking a little embarrassed. She hastily wiped her face and said, "Nothing. Are you going out?"

Xiao Wei came out from behind the car and said, "What's wrong? Just say it."

Zhang Guiqin sniffed and said, "It's really nothing. A letter came from home that my son is dead. I'm relieved. This is a happy thing. It was so heartbreaking to see him like that every day. It's good that he's dead. He doesn't have to suffer like that anymore." Tears welled up and streamed down her thin cheeks.

Xiao Wei blinked, unsure how to put it. Logically speaking, it could really be considered a good thing. The child had severe cerebral palsy, and life was indeed worse than death. But after all, it was a child, and she must be feeling extremely distressed.

Xiao Wei licked his lips and said, "Um, Sister Zhang, my mom's in the kitchen. Why don't you go over and see if there's anything you can help with?"

Zhang Guiqin nodded, lowered her head, and went towards the kitchen. Xiao Wei stood there watching her back and sighed.

I got in the car, drove out the gate, and then had to get out to close the gate. Suddenly, I felt a little inconvenient. After closing the gate, I got out, sat in the car, shook my head, and smiled. I've started to get a little lazy. I've gotten used to being waited on.

I started the engine, shifted gears, and drove out of the city towards Meigou Camp.

From Longcheng to Meigouying and then to Fengtian, it forms a right angle towards the sea, with the tip of the angle right at the coast. The travel time is about the same as from Longcheng to Fengtian, about seven or eight hours. These days, there are no highways, so it doesn't really matter which way you go; it's all mountain roads.

After passing through Yixian County and traversing Panshan Mountain from Chuanzhou, we arrived at Meigouying City around 4 PM. The cigarette factory was located on the banks of the Liao River; we found it after asking around twice in the city. Meigouying was a historical trading port, known as the "Shanghai Beyond the Pass," its full name being Meigouying Port. It got its name from the fact that the ditch was completely submerged by the tides each year. It faces Panshan Mountain across the mouth of the Liao River.

The Liao River makes a large S-bend here before flowing into the sea. Looking from Meigouying towards Panshan, Panshan looks like a swan spreading its wings. The shape and size of the duck tongue island at the swan's head are extremely similar to those of Yuzhong District in Chongqing. Unfortunately, they are different in fate, one is a bustling city center, and the other is an isolated island in the river.

(End of this chapter)