Chapter 1034: Going Home
Song Yanling regretted immediately after speaking. However, she just couldn’t back down, it was too embarrassing.
Li Yunqiao was also dissatisfied with her. "Comrade Song, you better come with us to the guesthouse."
Song Yanling had no choice but to sit silently, feeling regret again.
Wei Kaiyun packed all his belongings. "Vice Mayor Li, I’ll head straight home after getting off the train."
"Alright, there’s no need to rush."
"How can I not rush? I don’t even know if the wheat in the village has been harvested. If we delay handing over the wheat, the grain depot won’t accept it."
"Judging by the weather, it should be sunny tomorrow. It shouldn’t spoil."
"I hope so." The train was scheduled to arrive at 10:30 in the morning, and Secretary Wu stopped Wei Kaiyun. "Xiao Wei, if you aren’t carrying any food, at least fill up your water bottle."
"Secretary Wu, I’ve already filled my water. You three, I’m heading off now." With that, he carried his burlap sack and briefcase, and hurriedly left.
Li Yunqiao turned to look at the woman staring at Wei Kaiyun, feeling nothing but contempt. You claim to be an educated woman, yet you have no ethics, no sense of shame. Wanting to meddle in someone else’s family; this is a matter of personal qualities.
"Comrade Song, let Secretary Wu take you to the guesthouse. If you need anything over the next few days, just contact Secretary Wu.
My wife is pregnant. I’ve been worried during my time away, and I need to return to work this afternoon, so I can’t entertain you properly."
Song Yanling forced a stiff smile, "Vice Mayor Li, go ahead. Having Secretary Wu is enough."
Li Yunqiao smiled, nodded, and left. He decided to walk home rather than take the bus.
Secretary Wu cheerfully escorted Song Yanling to the city’s guesthouse, which was different from other hotels. Usually, government officials stayed here when they visited the city; ordinary people couldn’t stay here, so safety was absolutely guaranteed.
Wei Kaiyun left the train station, saw a bus, and decided to take it to the city outskirts to save some time.
This morning, after breakfast, Wang Shulin kept an eye on the weather. Without any rain, he headed to the Li Family Village.
He walked for nearly three hours before reaching Li Yungui’s home.
When he arrived, Qu Xiaoli was making lunch, while Li Yungui wasn’t home.
"Village Chief Wang, have a seat and rest. Xue’er, make some brown sugar water for your uncle. Cheng Lin, go find your dad."
Wang Shulin used a tree branch to scrape the mud off his shoes before finally entering the house.
After drinking two large bowls of water, he felt much better.
Not long after, Li Yungui rushed back home.
"Old Wang, why did you come here in this weather? What’s the matter?"
"I came to ask a favor."
"What favor? Just say what you want."
Li Yungui handed his tobacco pouch to Wang Shulin.
"Old Li, I know you’re definitely picking up a tractor this year. When you do, take me along; I’ve got the money ready."
"Ha, how do you know I’m going to pick up a tractor?"
"Isn’t it obvious? Just admit whether you’re going or not."
Li Yungui chuckled and nodded, "Yes, I’m just waiting for Xiao Wei to return. If we can get the tractor sooner, we can use it for the fall harvest and even plant wheat afterward."
"Take me with you."
"I need to ask Xiao Wei first, but it should be fine. You know how well connected Xiao Wei is over there. He doesn’t even need to apply; he can just pick it up directly, but he has to call them first. If it’s okay, I’ll definitely take you."
Wang Shulin believed Li Yungui, feeling relieved.
"But did you really come all this way just for that?"
"Yes, just for this! I’m worried that after a sunny spell, I won’t have the time. If you happen to pick up the tractor in a few days, that would be inconvenient."
"Alright, don’t worry. As soon as Xiao Wei returns, I’ll start handling this. I’ll notify you; you’ll need to send someone along anyway."
"I trust you."
"It’s not just about trust. It’s not a trivial matter, not small money."
"Alright then, let me know, and I’ll send someone to accompany you."
At this point, Qu Xiaoli called them for lunch. Today there were two tables set up, since it was raining and there wasn’t much work. It was a good time for Li Yungui and Wang Shulin to have a drink together, though neither drank too much since Wang Shulin still had to head home later.
It’s quite a distance, and the roads are slippery.
Wei Kaiyun arrived at the county in the late afternoon, around four o’clock. He still had a five-hour walk to reach home. Carrying the burlap sack and his change of clothes, he was genuinely exhausted, but with only a few hours left to go, he could endure it.
That evening, Jiang Xinyu made red bean millet porridge. Those who liked sweet could add sugar, while others could enjoy it with pickles.
The two kids had been drinking porridge for a few days. Shi Xian wasn’t picky; as long as there’s food, he’s happy.
Old Yang hadn’t been idle these days either. He needed to monitor the canning of herbicides and insecticides, especially against cotton aphids. The quantity needed by Old Han wasn’t enough, and when Xiao Wei returned, there must be shipments to the Provincial Capital. So, he couldn’t afford to slack off.
"Xiao Wei should be back soon, right?" Shang Zhenkun asked.
"He should be returning soon."
Jiang Xinyu was anxious, not used to him suddenly being away after always being together.
After dinner, Shi Jing played with Shi Xian, trying to get him to call him brother, but the little guy remained silent.
"He doesn’t even call me sister; why would he call you?" Feifei said proudly.
Jiang Xinyu felt content watching the kids on the kang.
Having them means having happiness. At eight o’clock, Jiang Xinyu sent them off to bed, as the two little ones were due to sleep as well.
Wei Kaiyun arrived at his home’s entrance around ten-thirty. He felt his legs were barely lifting. All the adults got up. As Guodong walked, he asked, "Who’s there?"
"Guodong, it’s me."
"Uncle Wei?"
"Yes, it’s me."
Guodong had already opened the main door. Tonight was clear, with a moon and stars, so he could see Wei Kaiyun’s figure clearly, and immediately took the burlap sack from him.
Jiang Xinyu also got up, knowing Wei Kaiyun had returned.
The couple exchanged glances, and Jiang Xinyu felt a pang of heartache, knowing he had walked all the way from the city.
Guodong instinctively placed the burlap sack in the main room and went to fetch firewood; Uncle Wei definitely needed a bath.
"Wife, I’m back."
Jiang Xinyu felt a slight sting in her nose, "Have a seat, I’ll make you some food."
At this moment, Old Yang came out too. "Did you walk back? How many hours?"
"Over nine hours."
"Hurry up, I’ll get you some shoes and toss your shoes outside." Old Yang went inside to find a pair of cloth shoes and handed them to him, as this guy hadn’t even entered the house and was waiting outside.