"I’ll also ride in the cargo truck." Ji Shuyuan was very self-aware as he asked, "Uncle, will you sit in the back or the front?"
"I’m sturdier than you guys, so I’ll sit in the front, so I don’t crowd you," Xu Qinghe said, looking toward the passenger seat next to Cheng Hao.
"It’s not crowded with two people in the back," Ji Shuyuan reminded. "It’s safer in the back."
"No worries, I trust Xiaohao." Xu Qinghe climbed into the passenger seat, saying, "Xiaohao, today I’m really thankful to you guys, for giving us a ride."
"Uncle Xu, don’t say such distant words. It’s an honor for my car to have you onboard," Cheng Hao said pleasingly. This was the future sister-in-law’s father; he would need her help in the future, so naturally, he picked the nicest words to say.
In another Jeep, Ling Dong was driving, Pei Yicheng sat in the passenger seat, and the back seats were occupied by Ji Ying, Xu Nianhua, and Pei Yining.
"I last saw your grandfather during the New Year last year, and it’s been over a year since I’ve seen him. I wonder if he will blame me," Ji Ying said, feeling guilty since she boarded the car. Since the latter half of last year, as her family’s life gradually improved, she only managed to send some things and money to her dad and had not visited him.
Because Xu Nianhua and Xu Nian’an had to prepare for university, the furniture factory and the Chili Sauce Factory kept her busy, and Zhou He was pregnant, Ji Ying was held back again.
Now, having learned from Ji Shuyuan’s mouth that her father’s health had taken a major turn for the worse before the new year, her desire to see him had grown even stronger.
"Mom, no, grandpa would be too happy," Xu Nianhua’s face carried a beaming smile as he said, "Besides, now that my brother and I have both gotten into university, grandpa will definitely be happy."
Ji Ying looked out the window at the quickly passing scenery, feeling unsettled.
Xu Nianhua changed the topic, saying, "I’ve never been to South City. I wonder if it’s fun there."
Pei Yining, who had been quiet so far, finally found an opportunity to speak. "I’ve never been there either. After getting off the train in South City, every time, I rushed to the county as quickly as possible and never really explored."
"Nianhua, when we have some free time, how about we go shopping in South City together?" Pei Yining looked eagerly at Xu Nianhua, now that she had started talking, she couldn’t stop, chattering like a bird all the way to South City.
It was a four-hour drive from Gaoliang County to South City. About halfway there, they stopped in a town for two hours or so, and Pei Yicheng took out some snacks from the back of the car, every variety you could think of.
"Yicheng clearly knows how to prepare for a long trip; he really thinks of everything," Ji Ying said as she tried a piece of salt ginger, the flavor surprisingly good.
"The salt ginger was a thank you gift from someone grateful to grandpa for a cure; grandpa didn’t take a fee, so they sent this, and it’s quite tasty," Pei Yicheng explained.
Ji Ying, with ginger in her mouth, felt much better, the scent filling her nostrils.
They eventually arrived in South City, and Pei Yicheng directly took them to the street where Xu family’s grandfather lived.
"Yicheng, thank you so much. When we get back to the county, I will cook something tasty to thank you properly," Ji Ying said, looking at the somewhat familiar yet strange street, praising in her heart that Pei Yicheng indeed was a good person.
"Auntie, that’s a promise," Pei Yiding quickly joined the conversation.
Pei Yining poked her head out of the window and said, "Auntie, you can’t forget me; I also want to eat the food you make."
"Sure, sure, I won’t forget," Ji Ying promised with a smile.