Eighties Sweetheart Wife
Chapter 228: The Ye Family’s Thank-You Gift_1

Chapter 228: Chapter 228: The Ye Family’s Thank-You Gift_1

Ji Hao was puzzled, but Song Mingbo seemed to have some understanding.

The hand holding his belonged to the son of the crazy old man they had met that day; he didn’t know his name.

He guessed his sister knew.

But his sister didn’t say, and he later forgot to ask.

Was this a lost item that had been found?

Ye Laosi looked at the tall young man and said, "Let’s go, it’s just noon, and none of us have eaten. Let’s go to the state-run restaurant, I’ll treat you to lunch, and then we can talk slowly."

Ji Hao hesitated for a moment, but Song Mingbo pulled him along, pleading, "He’s an acquaintance, keep me company."

And so, the group went to the restaurant.

Song Mingbo also learned that the old man’s surname was Ye; he naturally didn’t mention his first name, and Ye Laosi told Song Mingbo it was fine to call him Uncle Si.

The old man was now in the hospital, and his condition had improved.

His main problem was heartache.

The lost items had been found, buried under the ground in the west wing of the old house.

Wrapped in oil paper, although a small part was missing, most of it was there.

The old man regained his senses on the spot.

Now, he was hospitalized while sorting out the materials.

He instructed to make sure to find the person.

To express his gratitude properly.

Ye Laosi asked Song Mingbo where his sister had gone; the little girl who suggested playing the game was a great contributor, accidentally hitting the target.

Song Mingbo’s eyes flickered; it wasn’t an accidental hit, but a game founded on facts.

His sister’s prophetic abilities were quite remarkable.

He told Ye Laosi that his sister had gone to the provincial city and was not at home.

Ye Laosi left an address and nonchalantly told Song Mingbo that his elder brother worked at the Beidu Education Headquarters.

Song Mingbo and Ji Hao exchanged glances.

Their hearts raced.

But they quickly calmed down.

Observing them covertly, Ye Laosi thought, mmm, not bad, they have restraint, so then he said to the two, "I am about to take a car back. The old man is not in good health and still needs someone to take care of him. Once again, express my thanks to your sister. Tell her to study hard so that she can get admitted to the best university in the future."

He added afterward, "Of course, if I heard correctly, Little Nuan’s enrollment grades were very good, indeed impressive."

Song Mingbo felt as if Ye Laosi was implying that his sister could get into university without an examination?

And even into the best one?

The reinstatement of exemptions that started last year required exceptionally good grades, which was different from recommendations in the previous years.

It was said that some of those recommended hadn’t even finished elementary school.

Ye Laosi handed a bag to Song Mingbo, "This is for you and your sister and brother to buy some small things. It’s an elder’s gesture; please don’t refuse it."

Song Mingbo had no choice but to accept it. Ye Laosi left the state-run restaurant with a spring in his step.

Song Mingbo then followed Ji Hao to Old Mr. Ji’s home.

He talked to Old Mr. Ji about what had happened that day, and Old Mr. Ji said, "Since that’s the case, let’s keep the stuff here until your sister and brother come back to take it."

Song Mingbo said, "Second Grandpa, can we use these things?"

"Why can’t it be used? It’s a thank-you gift."

Only then did Song Mingbo relax and open it, finding beautifully packaged pencils, fountain pens, a diary, stationery boxes, girls’ hair clips, and even children’s favorite comic books and toys. He even discovered a box of fountain pen ink—now there was no need to buy any.

Old Mr. Ji analyzed that the crazy old man might well be Ye Wenzhi.

Alas, what kind of disciple is this, they’re all curses!

He had heard about Ye Wenzhi’s condition before. He hadn’t taken action because this was a heart issue. If the belongings couldn’t be found, not even gods could heal it.

Besides, even if he were healed, for what? A life of suffering?

It’d be better to stay mad.

Song Mingbo and Ji Hao each took a bottle of fountain pen ink and happily went to school.

Chu Zizhou and Xiao Dizi handed over the headdress to Station Chief Wu at the station, and after that, Chu Zizhou headed to the cultural troupe.

He went with an attitude of just giving it a try but, unexpectedly, Song Ting was indeed there—practicing in the rehearsal hall, preparing for a performance to comfort the nearby stationed troops on Army Day.

Chu Zizhou didn’t realize how tensely his back was, nor did he notice his straight posture and focused gaze, markedly different from his usual leisurely demeanor.

When Song Ting learned someone was looking for her and came out to see it was Chu Zizhou, she immediately felt a sense of closeness.

She had been so busy lately with studying, attending supplementary classes, and rehearsing that she had no time to go home.

To say she didn’t miss home would be a lie.

But everyone at home was working hard, even her mother was studying, so she had no reason not to strive hard.

Chu Zizhou’s throat felt a little dry. He coughed several times before saying with a soft expression, "I was just passing by and thought I’d come to see you. If you’re busy, I can pass on a message for you."

Song Ting said, "I want to buy some fried dough twists for my mom and Little Nuan to take back with me, would that be inconvenient?"

Chu Zizhou: "I came by car, you could even take back a hundred pounds of fried dough twists."

Song Ting: "Why would I buy that much?"

Chu Zizhou laughed: "I’m speaking metaphorically. But Little Nuan, Asheng, and your big brother are not at home; they’ve gone to the provincial city for supplies. Oh right, Little Nuan also helped our county successfully apply to establish the Staff and Cadre College. She’s made a significant contribution. I reckon the county will reward her."

Song Ting and Chu Zizhou chatted as they walked, and before they knew it, they arrived under a tree.

Then Song Ting said worriedly, "Did Little Nuan use the Qin family’s connections? If she did, then Qin Siqi definitely won’t be happy. That kid is extremely jealous, petty, and holds grudges. I’m worried the Qin family will ask favors from Little Nuan. The favor is too big; how can Little Nuan repay it?"

Chu Zizhou was somewhat moved.

Actually, this is what being family is all about.

What she first sees isn’t the benefits your abilities bring, but whether there will be burdens behind those benefits.

Chu Zizhou told Song Ting that his knowledge was not comprehensive, but one thing was certain: Little Nuan did not seek help from the Qin family, nor did she have anything to do with them.

After all, Little Nuan herself didn’t like being involved with the Qin family.

Song Ting breathed a sigh of relief, looked at Chu Zizhou, and smiled, "Everything’s fine with me here. I guess I’ll get a three-day leave in about a week. Oh, and I have some canned yellow peaches given by my dorm and company. Can you take them back for me? When Little Nuan comes back, I’ll buy some fried dough twists for them."

Pointing behind the cultural troupe’s building, she said, "There’s a newly opened pastry shop that makes fried dough twists that are crispy and fragrant, with a sweet taste."

Chu Zizhou: "Now that you’ve described it like that, even I want to taste them."

Song Ting, smiling, said, "Your coming to Erdao River Village is really like the educated youth going to the countryside back in the day. I remember a girl named Su Caiying from Hai City, who would cry while working, unable to swallow even a corn cake, saying it irritated her throat..."

Chu Zizhou listened quietly, his handsome brows and eyes carrying a gentle smile.

At this moment, there was a feeling of serene stability and peaceful times.

Suddenly, Song Ting stopped, a bit embarrassed, "Do you have other things to do? I won’t keep you then."

Chu Zizhou: "No, I’m free this afternoon." He paused, then added, "I’ve had it much better than the educated youth. The food and accommodations are not bad, and besides, this place is much better than the Great Northwest and Xinjiang City."