Su Xiaotian and the others were afraid that the Du family elders would be sad to hear news of their son, so they tried to amuse them.
She was a smart person, and under her deliberate efforts, Du Tonghe and Yu Ruiyuan's moods were quite good.
They even made plans to take their parents to the capital when Hua Xiucheng had time.
Hua Xiucheng joined the army because he was influenced from a young age by his parents telling stories of Du Fulin, also known as Du Shengli.
Therefore, in his heart, his feelings for the Du couple were different from others.
It could be said that in Hua Xiucheng's heart, he regarded the Du elders as his own family.
Three families with no blood relation, under such a strange circumstance, got along like a family.
Even Du Tonghe had never imagined that they, two lonely people, could have a day like this, with descendants filling their home.
That evening, when Su Xiaomei arrived, she saw a scene of a family enjoying themselves harmoniously.
Su Xiaomei found this strange.
She had known for a long time that the Du elders got along well with the Su siblings.
But Hua Xiucheng was just a stranger they met by chance on the train, so why were they getting along so well?
She had a feeling that they were originally a family.
That night, when the two young girls were lying in bed, Su Xiaotian told Su Xiaomei the story.
After hearing the story from thirty years ago, Su Xiaomei was moved.
"Xiaotian, do you think this is Uncle Du missing his parents from the underworld?"
Su Xiaotian didn't know how to answer.
If it were before, she might have insisted that there was no underworld and no souls.
But after being reborn, she felt that it was not necessarily so. There were indeed many things in this world that could not be explained by science.
Strangers meeting on a train and then gathering together because of food, if not fate, what else could it be?
Perhaps, she and her brother were the medium, the medium for the two families who had formed a connection thirty years ago to meet again.
That night, Hua Xiucheng was also very excited.
Heaven knew how many years he had been searching for Uncle Du's family. It could be said that he had been inquiring since he joined the army.
However, he had never received any news.
Now that they had met like this, he could finally fulfill his long-held wish.
Knowing the hardships the elders had endured over the years made him feel even more distressed, and further solidified his intention to take good care of them in the future.
However, taking care of the elders was not a matter of one or two days. While in the capital these past two days, he had to first resolve the issues of Du Tianhe's family.
After staying at the Du family's for one night, Hua Xiucheng got up early the next morning and prepared to leave.
The Du elders wanted him to stay for a few more days, but Hua Xiucheng said he had official duties to attend to and would come to accompany the elders when he had leave in the future.
He specifically left his address, saying he would mail things over later.
The Du elders knew that Hua Xiucheng was in the army and could not delay official business, so despite their reluctance, they reluctantly bid farewell to Hua Xiucheng.
As Hua Xiucheng walked out of the Du family's gate and saw Su Xiaotian, he couldn't help but smile and say, "Little girl, when I come next time, you must give me a jar of meat sauce."
Su Xiaotian's previously moved emotions were suddenly dispelled by this sentence.
A foodie, through and through, no doubt!
Su Xiaotian suddenly remembered something and hurried back into the house, shouting as she ran, "Brother Hua, please wait a moment!"
The whole family watched, finding Su Xiaotian's actions very strange.
"What is Xiaotian rushing off for?" Su Shouwen couldn't help but ask.
"When we came, Grandma made a lot of meat sauce for us to bring, how could we forget." Su Xiao Si patted his head.
When they arrived, the meat sauce was still in the bag, and they had forgotten to take it out.
Xiaotian must have thought of this and gone to get the meat sauce for Hua Xiucheng.
As expected, they soon saw Su Xiaotian running out of the gate with a jar of meat sauce.
"Brother Hua, this is for you!" Su Xiaotian handed the meat sauce to Hua Xiucheng.
Hua Xiucheng felt a little embarrassed.
He had really just said it casually, and now the little girl had actually brought it out for him, which made him a bit sheepish.
Also, how strange it felt that this little girl was calling him "Big Brother" when he was so much older.
"Xiaotian, let's discuss this, why don't you call me Uncle Hua instead?"
He was over thirty years old, and he felt ashamed.
Su Xiaotian thought about it and said, "That won't do, the seniority is wrong!"
Hua Xiucheng was choked, wasn't the seniority wrong?
Forget it, brother it is. It's not bad to have a younger sister who is about the same age as his son!
"Then I'll take this jar of meat sauce back?" Hua Xiucheng looked at the large jar of meat sauce in his hand with delight.
"Yes, take it. If you have time to go to the Northwest, I'll have my grandma make a few more jars for you."
Giving a few jars of meat sauce to the most beloved people!
Hua Xiucheng didn't expect such good fortune and agreed.
Holding the meat sauce, Hua Xiucheng left with reluctance. Soon, after turning the corner, even his back was no longer visible.
Just as everyone was about to return to the house, Shen Zizhen's family arrived.
"Old Du, why are you all standing outside the door so early in the morning? Don't tell me you knew we were coming and were waiting specifically?"
Shen Zizhen saw a group of people standing at the gate from afar. He looked around, saw nothing, and then teased them.
"Let's talk inside," Du Tonghe said with a smile.
When Shen Zizhen and Su Taohua learned that the Du elders had found the old friends their son Du Fulin had stayed with, and that old friend was Hua Xiucheng, who had traveled with Su Xiaotian and the others, they were extremely surprised.
Shen Zizhen instinctively looked at the elders, afraid that this matter would stir up their pain.
"You don't need to look at me. It's been over thirty years since it happened. Even if it's sad, it's limited. Zizhen, you don't know, our only wish was that our son left, and he didn't even leave us a single memento. Meeting Comrade Hua is a happy event for us old people."
As Du Tonghe said this, his eyes were filled with complex emotions, sadness, but more so relief.
It was like a burden that had been on his heart for decades had been lifted.
"When I have leave next time, I'll take you two to the Southwest," Shen Zizhen said after some thought.
He was a teacher and had holidays. This holiday, Su Xiaotian and her siblings had come, and they definitely couldn't leave the capital. The next holiday, he would take some time to go to the Southwest to make up for the elders' regret.
"Okay, okay, we'll go to the Southwest when we have time," Du Tonghe said gratefully.
Although they had suffered a lot, there were still many good people in this world.
Seeing that the elders were in good spirits, Shen Zizhen was also relieved.
"Let's not stay home all the time. We came early today because we wanted to take the children to the park," Su Taohua said with a smile.
"Then let's go quickly. The weather will get hot later, and the park will be stuffy and uncomfortable," Yu Ruiyuan urged.
This child, Xiaotian, would only be in the capital for a few days before going back, so they couldn't waste time.
A large group of people set off to visit the park.
Su Xiaotian wasn't particularly interested in parks.
She was more concerned about accompanying the Du elders and letting them relax.
Even if the two elders appeared to be normal, they must have been feeling sad.
Going out for a walk and seeing things would surely improve their mood!
The group soon arrived at Beihai Park.
Su Xiaotian had also been to Beihai Park in her previous life and didn't find it particularly rare, but since everyone was enthusiastic, she also perked up and played along.
"Let's visit the park first. I've booked a table nearby. We'll have lunch nearby, and then continue visiting in the afternoon," Shen Zizhen briefly explained his plan for the day.
"What Zizhen books must be no ordinary place," Du Tonghe said with a smile.
"Indeed, it's a newly opened private kitchen. It only accepts four tables a day, two for lunch and two for dinner. It's said that this Chef Ding's ancestor was once a royal chef."
"Policies have indeed changed!"
"Indeed, not many people like state-run restaurants anymore. Many people prefer to eat at these private restaurants. If I hadn't pulled some strings, I wouldn't have been able to book this spot."
Su Xiaotian learned from their conversation that private kitchens already existed in the capital at this time.
The capital was indeed the capital, and its development speed was much faster.
Since the ancestor was a royal chef, he must have had some skills. In both lives, she had never eaten food made by descendants of royal chefs.
"Then we're in for a treat today. Uncle Shen, such a restaurant must be expensive, right?"
"No tickets are needed, but the price is really expensive. My monthly salary isn't enough for two meals," Shen Zizhen said with a tsk.
Shen Zizhen's policies had been implemented, and his salary was not low now, over a hundred yuan a month, and even then it wasn't enough for two meals.
What kind of divine price was this? Too expensive!
"So expensive?" Su Shouwen said, "I think the food at our school is very good, and it's cheap!"
Spending so much money on a meal was really reluctant.
With this money, he could eat at school for two months.
Everyone laughed at Su Shouwen's words.
"The food at your school is the best in Peking University. The price is indeed not high, but it's different from these private kitchens."
"That's true, otherwise, who would come here to eat? They would all go to the cafeteria!" Su Ciliang also said.
Su Shouwen, Su Ciliang, and Su Sangong had all been to Beihai Park and were not very interested.
Su Xiaotian had been there in her previous life and wasn't too excited. Only Su Xiao Si was so excited that he didn't know what to say.
It was his first time in such a place, and he chattered about everything, finding it incredibly novel.
There were even times when he expressed his excitement, he was met with disdain and disgust from people around him.
But the excited Su Xiao Si was completely unaware.
Fortunately, Su Xiaogang played with him, and the other three Su brothers were happy to indulge him when they saw him like this.
Seeing the children happy, Yu Ruiyuan's smile deepened.
She sighed, "It's really because life is better now. If it were two years ago, I wouldn't have dared to imagine this!"
"Aunt Yu, it's all in the past. From now on, we'll just look forward to a better life."
Even Yu Ruiyuan hadn't expected life to be like this now, let alone Su Taohua.
She once thought she would only struggle in the loess, but she never expected to have the opportunity to come to the capital after remarrying.
"I heard you were looking for a job a few days ago, did you find one?"
Yu Ruiyuan suddenly remembered this.
The smile on Su Taohua's face faded slightly, and after a moment of silence, she shook her head.
"There are many educated young people returning recently. It's not easy for someone like me with no education to find a job."
The competition was too fierce. Even though Shen Zizhen was trying his best to help, jobs were inherently scarce, and finding one was difficult!
Su Xiaotian happened to hear this and suddenly thought of something, so she smiled and said, "Aunt Taohua, have you ever thought about starting your own business?"
"Starting my own business? How easy is that!" Su Taohua shook her head first.
She heard that many people had started small businesses, but that wasn't easy either. She wasn't smart or good at business, so she might lose all her savings.
"Aunt Taohua, if you're willing to put aside your pride, starting your own business isn't difficult."
The difficult part was not being willing to put aside one's pride.
Su Taohua smiled and said, "I'm just a country woman, what pride do I have to put aside? Xiaotian, what good ideas do you have, tell me?"
She was genuinely very interested in making money.
"Aunt Taohua, find a small shop, buy a sewing machine, and do some needlework and mending. It'll earn more than a job outside, you'll have more freedom with your time, and you won't be mistreated."
This was just something Su Xiaotian said casually.
But she remembered that in her previous life, someone had become a fashion mogul relying on a sewing machine.
Even if Aunt Taohua didn't have that ability, she could probably live a decent life.
Su Xiaotian's words indeed reminded Su Taohua.
"Oh, why didn't I think of that?"
She used to use a sewing machine when she was in Hongxin Brigade, and she could also cut and sew clothes herself. Why hadn't she thought of using her skills?
If Xiaotian hadn't reminded her, she would have at most found a job washing dishes in a canteen, which was truly worse than this.
"Xiaotian's idea is good. Doing some small needlework, although it doesn't look as respectable as working in a factory, as Xiaotian said, you won't be mistreated," Yu Ruiyuan agreed wholeheartedly.
Su Taohua turned to Shen Zizhen and asked, "Zizhen, do you think this is feasible?"
She didn't have any pride to put aside, but Shen Zizhen was different. Shen Zizhen was a professor at the university, a person of some standing.
If she opened a needlework shop, would Shen Zizhen be laughed at?
If it were before, Shen Zizhen would definitely think that opening a needlework stall was not presentable.
But after living in Hongxin Brigade for a few years, his ideas had changed a lot.
Face, in the face of life, was actually the least important thing.
During this time, he had asked many people for help in finding a job, but Taohua had no education, so it was difficult to find a job.
Being able to do it herself was actually very good.
Not seeking to earn much money, just so that Taohua could have something to do, and not be bored at home all the time.
He smiled and said, "Xiaotian's idea is good. Start with some odd jobs, and as you gradually get regular customers, you can also take on some custom tailoring."
"I don't have that skill!" Su Taohua said, waving her hands repeatedly when she heard about taking on custom tailoring.
"How can you not? The other day, Old Qian from our school said that the outfit you're wearing is beautiful and asked where I got it made!" Shen Zizhen said with a gentle smile.
"Really?"
With her husband's approval, Su Taohua instantly felt much more confident.
"Of course, it's true. When have I ever lied to you?" Shen Zizhen said with a gentle smile.
"When Taohua's shop opens, Uncle Du and I will have our clothes made here from now on," Yu Ruiyuan also chimed in.
"See, Taohua, isn't business already coming your way?" Shen Zizhen continued to smile.
Su Taohua gave Shen Zizhen a sideways glance and said, "This is emotional support, how can it be counted!"
"Why can't it be counted? When Uncle Du and Aunt Yu wear them out, and everyone sees them, won't they come to you?"
Hearing their conversation, Su Xiaotian smiled.
After arriving in the capital, Shen Zizhen did not look down on Aunt Taohua, and Aunt Taohua would surely have a happy life.
"Xiaotian, Uncle Shen and my mom have a good relationship, you don't need to worry," Su Xiaomei said with a smile, as if she had seen through Su Xiaotian's thoughts.
Su Xiaotian teased, "Since Uncle Shen is good, why don't you just call Uncle Shen Dad?"
Su Xiaomei's face turned red.
If she had changed her address from the beginning, it might have been easier. Changing it abruptly now was really difficult.
"Forget it, Uncle Shen probably doesn't mind," Su Xiaotian said after thinking for a moment.
Given Uncle Shen's character, if he really minded not having his own children, he would have found a younger woman and had his own child.
"How is Uncle Shen's relationship with his ex-wife?"
Hearing Su Xiaotian ask this question, a flash of indignation crossed Su Xiaomei's face.
"Xiaotian, that woman is truly shameless. Her pair of children, they are not Uncle Shen's children."
As Su Xiaotian had expected, she was not too surprised.
"Even if they are not biological, Uncle Shen still raised them. If they are not grateful, they are even ungrateful. They actually colluded with their biological father to suppress Uncle Shen. After Uncle Shen returned to the capital, he was also suppressed several times!"
Speaking of this, Su Xiaomei was extremely angry. She even wanted to slap those two ungrateful beasts a few times to vent Uncle Shen's anger.
"There's such a thing?" Su Xiaotian clearly hadn't expected this.
Even if they were not blood relatives, the kindness of upbringing might not be less than the kindness of birth. How could they do this?
"Is everything okay with Uncle Shen?"
Even though she knew that Shen Zizhen could handle being suppressed, Su Xiaotian still asked with concern.
"Everything is fine now. Their biological father committed too many sins and was arrested."
"Arrested?"
Su Xiaotian was first surprised, and then relieved.
Those who commit too many sins should be arrested.
"These two beasts, seeing that their biological father was arrested and had no hope, actually wanted to recognize Uncle Shen again. They also said that they had always respected Uncle Shen. However, Uncle Shen ignored them and directly drove them away. As they were leaving, they cursed and said that Uncle Shen was with my mom..."
Su Xiaomei was too embarrassed to say the rest.
Those two were shameless, and if they could say such things, she couldn't.
There was no need for Su Xiaomei to say it, Su Xiaotian knew that those two must have said something unpleasant, and it was better not to listen!
"They are willing to leave like that?"
Given their character, it would be difficult to let them leave easily.
After all, Shen Zizhen's policies had been implemented, and he should have received a lot of compensation.
Their goal should also be this.
"Of course they are not willing, but what can they do? Who doesn't know what they did back then?" Su Xiaomei said with disgust.
Shen Zizhen, such a good person, encountering such adopted children was simply unlucky.
"What about that woman?"
"That woman was also arrested," Su Xiaomei said with satisfaction. "I say, people must be kind, or something bad will happen sooner or later."
"Thank goodness, thank goodness!"
Su Xiaomei nodded heavily. "Those two siblings are also studying at the Agricultural University, the same school as me. I don't know if it's intentional, but I always run into them."
This was the only thing that bothered Su Xiaomei. If those two didn't appear in front of her every now and then, she would feel very happy.
Although Su Xiaomei didn't say it explicitly, Su Xiaotian understood that those two were definitely not friendly to Su Xiaomei.
"Sister Xiaomei, they haven't bullied you, have they?"
Su Xiaomei smiled charmingly and said, "They would like to. A few times they even wanted to lay hands on me."
Su Xiaotian's eyes widened in surprise, they even wanted to hit her?
"Sister Xiaomei, did you suffer a loss?"
"How could that be? I'm from the countryside, I'm strong. I've also learned some tricks over the years, so they didn't gain any advantage. They won't dare to go too far from now on."
Dare not go too far!
Mainly afraid of being beaten.
Hearing this, Su Xiaotian was relieved.
"Sister Xiaomei, if there's anything, just find my brothers. They can protect you!"
Su Xiaotian thought that she should tell her brothers to protect Sister Xiaomei later.
Su Xiaomei nodded solemnly. "I know. After all, we're all from the same place, and they won't watch me get bullied."
In fact, she had been bullied at school, and it was the Su brothers who stepped in to resolve it.
She didn't know how these three brothers managed it, but those who were preparing to bully her later avoided her from afar.
In short, after that incident, no one dared to bully her anymore.
Later, when news spread in the school that Professor Shen was her stepfather, even fewer people dared to bully her.
Now, she was Professor Shen's proud student, and she had some standing in the school.
As the few of them chatted and walked, time passed quickly, and it was noon in the blink of an eye.
The capital was already very hot in the summer, especially at noon when the sun was scorching.
Yu Ruiyuan couldn't stand it first and repeatedly urged them to go to the dining place to rest.
Although Su Xiao Si was still a little unsatisfied, he also knew that everyone was tired.
Shen Zizhen indeed led a few people to a private kitchen.
When they arrived at the private kitchen, Su Xiaotian realized that this private kitchen also had its own characteristics.
[Author's Note]
It's the third day of the third lunar month. After today, the three-day holiday will be over, and more than half of the holiday will have passed. I'm already starting to dread going to work, what should I do? Babies!