This day Rui Rui had only half a day of classes, and he had agreed with Zhao Qiu Yue early in the morning. After school, Chen Li Shu went directly to Rui Rui’s school.
“Are you cold?” Seeing him approach, Chen Li Shu touched his slightly red cheeks.
Rui Rui shook his head, “I’m not cold. This hat that Aunt Xiao Yue knitted for me is especially warm.”
Zhao Qiu Yue was skillful with her hands. The hat she knitted for Rui Rui resembled a future windproof hat, but it was pull-on. Without needing a scarf, it could directly protect his neck and mouth.
Chen Li Shu nodded, wanting to take the backpack from his back, but Rui Rui refused.
Mother and son walked home. When they reached the entrance of the residential compound, Rui Rui suddenly pointed at the army-green car downstairs and said happily, “Mom, Dad’s here.”
Chen Li Shu also saw it and guessed that Gu Xing Dong was here at this time, meaning he was likely off work today.
The footsteps of the mother and son unconsciously quickened. After going upstairs and opening the door, they saw Gu Xing Dong sitting by the coffee table, fiddling with something. The wild ‘Da Wang’ was uncharacteristically inside, currently with its paws tucked in and its head buried, purring beside Gu Xing Dong.
“Dad.” Rui Rui changed his shoes and went to Gu Xing Dong’s side without even putting down his backpack.
Gu Xing Dong looked up at him and asked with a smile, “Why are you home from school so early?”
“We only have half a day of classes today.”
Chen Li Shu went into the room to put away her outer coat and asked casually, “Are you off today?”
Gu Xing Dong nodded, “Yes.”
As she got closer, she realized Gu Xing Dong was holding the radio she had broken a couple of days ago. Its casing was already removed, revealing the various circuits inside.
“Brother-in-law brought us half a bag of cabbage and potatoes. Coincidentally, the gas tank was almost empty, so he also replaced it with a new one,” Zhao Qiu Yue said to Chen Li Shu, hearing the sound of them coming from the kitchen.
Gu Xing Dong replied, “Lao Wu and the others went to the village to buy them when they had time. I asked them to bring some along too, so we can deliver it all at once and save you the trouble of going up and down the stairs.”
Chen Li Shu nodded. After changing her clothes, she came out and sat next to him, “Can this be fixed?”
She had tried to fix it herself before. It still made sound initially, but then it went completely silent.
“The problem shouldn’t be too big,” Gu Xing Dong replied, his gaze fixed on the radio as he meticulously checked each part.
When he was doing something, his expression was extremely focused. His fingers were long and slender, with well-proportioned joints, neither overly thick nor so thin that the bones were exposed. It seemed that whatever passed through these hands would receive the most fitting treatment.
Until he found something unusual, Gu Xing Dong slightly shifted his sitting posture, picked up a tool from the side, and started to fiddle with it. After a short while, as he pressed the power button, the radio began to emit sound again.
Gu Xing Dong looked up inadvertently and met Chen Li Shu’s gaze, giving her a questioning look.
Chen Li Shu couldn’t help but tease, “I just realized you’re truly an all-rounder! You can even fix radios. If you retire in the future, can we open a repair shop?”
Gu Xing Dong quickly put the disassembled casing back on and turned his head to look at her, smiling, “Actually, my specialty is repairing people.”
Chen Li Shu’s face flushed. She quickly glanced towards the kitchen and chided, “There are people here, mind what you say.”
Gu Xing Dong teased, “I’m talking about the soldiers under me. What are you thinking?”
Chen Li Shu was speechless and could only reach out and secretly pinch him where no one could see.
Gu Xing Dong immediately made an exaggerated expression and mouthed, “You wait until tonight.”
Chen Li Shu retorted, not to be outdone, “I’m waiting, as if I’m afraid of you.”
She was fearless because she was certain that with Zhao Qiu Yue present, Gu Xing Dong, despite his desires, wouldn’t dare. If they were at home, Chen Li Shu would definitely be wise enough to shut up.
Gu Xing Dong leaned back lazily against the backrest, “It’s alright, I’m keeping track of everything. We’ll settle the score together.”
Chen Li Shu was taken aback and immediately apologized in a good-natured tone, “Can I say that I know I was wrong now?”
Gu Xing Dong raised an eyebrow, “What do you think?”
Chen Li Shu obediently replied, “How about I make something delicious?”
Gu Xing Dong reluctantly said, “I can consider it.”
The weather was cold, making it suitable for eating pancakes and drinking soup. So for dinner, Chen Li Shu and Zhao Qiu Yue made oil pancakes together and prepared a casserole of tofu meatballs. The family sat together, eating the steaming casserole. Rui Rui ate so much his little face turned red, and he was even starting to sweat on his forehead.
Gu Xing Dong stayed for one night and left early the next morning.
At noon, Gu Xing Ye arrived. The money from the provincial construction company had finally arrived. After deducting the equipment costs, it was over seventy-six thousand yuan, not a penny less.
There were no classes in the afternoon, so Chen Li Shu went with him to look at shops at the newly built vegetable market.
Since the news had only been released not long ago, apart from a few small vendors and self-employed individuals who heard the news and came to rent shops, Chen Li Shu and her group were among the few who wanted to buy shops, so the staff were very enthusiastic.
Chen Li Shu chose a shop on the second floor near the staircase, covering over twenty square meters. Gu Xing Ye, with limited funds, only selected a ten-square-meter spot on the first floor.
They paid a deposit first, and the property rights would be processed uniformly after some time.
Seeing that all matters were nearly settled, Gu Xing Ye said goodbye to Chen Li Shu and bought a train ticket for the next morning to go home.
At the end of December, after Chen Li Shu participated in the final exams, the school would almost be on holiday. Chen Li Shu decided to go to Yangcheng.
Over the past six months, she had been in frequent contact with Li Yuan Chao due to ordering clothes. She knew that the clothing industry in the south was developing rapidly, so she wanted to see it in person and also stock up on some spring clothes in advance.
“Mom is going to the south in a couple of days. Will you stay here with Aunt Xiao Yue or go home with Dad?”
Rui Rui had also just finished his final exams, and Chen Li Shu began to ask for his opinion.
In the city, Zhao Qiu Yue would surely take better care of him in terms of daily life. However, going back to the military housing area, besides Gu Xing Dong, he would also have playmates like the Wang brothers. Therefore, Rui Rui chose to return to the military housing area without hesitation.
Chen Li Shu helped him pack his change of clothes, along with his schoolbag and homework. Seeing their preparations, ‘Da Wang’ first looked at them with its little head held high, then, sensing something was wrong, it started to circle around Chen Li Shu’s feet, occasionally letting out long meows.
“Mom, why don’t we bring Da Wang too? I’ll take good care of it,” Rui Rui pleaded, holding it in his arms.
Chen Li Shu looked at the pitiful appearance of the father and son and couldn’t help but laugh, “Okay, then we’ll bring it along.”
When they went out, fearing Da Wang would run away, Rui Rui diligently held it in his arms. The small child carrying a large fat cat looked somewhat comical.
After informing Zhao Qiu Yue, mother and son went downstairs to catch their ride.
After staying at home for two days, Chen Li Shu prepared to set off.