Chapter 111 - 110: Which Way to Go
Suddenly, the pair of Qi Qi and Hui Hui, who had been circling above their carriage, swooped down, cawing boldly. The faint howl of Zhui Feng could also be heard.
Dabao, who had been sleeping in Chen Afu’s arms, instantly opened his eyes. "Zhui Feng, I hear Zhui Feng," he exclaimed. Then he sat up, sticking his head out of the carriage window, and bellowed, "Zhui Feng, we are back."
Zhui Feng darted towards them, aiming to jump onto the carriage. The coachman quickly pulled the reins to halt the horses. Zhui Feng leaped onto the carriage, squeezing into the compartment, licking Chen Afu, Dabao, and Alu with its tongue. Its eyes seemed filled with teardrops and whimpering noises came from its mouth, as if expressing the emotions of the parting. It was not as affectionate to Mrs. Wang, while licking everyone else, it merely brushed its body against her leg.
Qi Qi and Hui Hui followed Zhui Feng into the carriage. After they had their fill of petting, the pair craned their necks and started to mimic the dog’s howling, expressing their joy. Seeing Zhui Feng gaze at them in confusion, everyone burst into laughter. The foolish dog was still clueless about the source of the noise after all these times.
When the carriage reached the outside of the Fence Wall, Chen Ming was already waiting there. That day, he had begun standing in the courtyard, looking towards the east around midday. When he saw Zhui Feng suddenly dart out of the yard, racing towards the east, and caught a vague sight of a carriage approaching the village, he knew his wife and children had returned.
The carriage halted and everyone climbed down. Dabao ran over to hug Chen Ming, while Alu greeted him joyfully, "Dad." Mrs. Wang and Chen Afu unloaded everything from the carriage and handed the coachman a bag of pastries before sending him off.
After they had brought in and arranged everything, had a chat, Chen Ming asked Dabao to deliver a few packets of sweets and pastries to third grandpa and some other relatives, as well as to Shitou’s house. He was also to invite Mrs. Chen, Chen Ye, and Chen Agu to dinner at their house and to receive some items.
Zhui Feng followed Dabao out of the house cheerfully, while Qi Qi and Hui Hui took to the sky, heading west.