After seeing off the guests, Zhao Lanzhi personally went out and pulled Xu Xianxiong out from the small shop.
"What’s the matter? Why are you so hurried?" The small shop was not busy in winter, so a lot of people gathered there to play mahjong and cards. The games weren’t too big or too small, with people winning or losing a few dollars each day. Xu Xianxiong, when he was young, was good for nothing and knew nothing about farm work, but he had paid enough "tuition" in his card-playing days that he was now mostly winning rather than losing.
So, when it wasn’t busy in winter, he enjoyed playing a few rounds to earn some money for oil and salt.
"My son is coming back, what do you think it’s about?"
"You’re not lying to me?"
"Are you stupid, or am I? Do I need to lie to you?" Zhao Lanzhi glanced at him, "Qigang’s teammate Li Bin had someone send the message specifically, they’re probably almost at the station, hurry up and pick him up."
"I’m the stupid one, definitely me, my wife is the smartest." Xu Xianxiong truly was foolish, and as a result, he received a kick from Zhao Lanzhi.
"Be careful next time, or I won’t let it slide. People will soon have a daughter-in-law, and if Ningning sees you , it would be too embarrassing for me."
"Yes, yes... you are right, wife!"
Consequently, he received an even heavier kick.
"Hurry up and pick him up! I’ll get ready and come with you."
"What, does that little rascal not know the way home? Why should I, his old man, go pick him up?"
Zhao Lanzhi, hearing this, kicked him directly. "Idiot?"
"Why are you hitting me? If the lad is coming back, let him come back then."
Zhao Lanzhi was already too dumbfounded by Xu Xianxiong’s idiocy to articulate, "Idiot, I’m telling you to go because his wife is coming back too. Otherwise, do you think I’m crazy?"
"Oh, oh, oh... How could I forget that!" Xu Xianxiong slapped his head, suddenly realizing, "Let’s go, let’s go... don’t waste any more time."
Fortunately, Xu Qigang was not at home, or he would start questioning if he was his real father.
Sheng Ning’s wound healed very well, and as soon as the doctor allowed him to be discharged, the two of them packed up their things and headed straight home. Before leaving, they visited Yang Wenying. Because the injury had drained his energy and dancing was high-intensity labor, he needed to rest for at least a month to fully recover.
Yang Wenying specifically instructed her to rest well at home before letting her go.
It’s worth mentioning that Qiu Bai also specifically came to visit her and brought a copy of "Chicago" and a red cashmere coat, the style and quality of which could likely only be found in a department store in Shanghai.
It was indeed too precious, but Qiu Bai said that it was a wedding gift from Liu Yilan, so Sheng Ning accepted it.
This trip home was for her wedding, but she didn’t specifically inform anyone. Mainly because everyone was busy, scattered all over the place, and besides, King Yan was still dealing with punishment! It was better to keep a low profile.
"Are you hungry? Do you want some water?" Xu Qigang, who had booked sleeper berths, had their beds facing each other. Throughout the journey, although he hadn’t spoken much and his handsome face maintained a serious expression, he intermittently kept checking on her, and even the person in the next berth couldn’t help but stealthily observe him.
"Not hungry, not thirsty," Sheng Ning shook her head, having slept the whole journey and now, with the upcoming disembarkation, too excited to think about sleeping, had already packed up and was sitting on the bed ready to get off.
"One more hour, sleep a bit more." The berth beds were too short; Xu Qigang’s legs had to stretch out to fit, so he hadn’t really slept the entire trip, just dozing off with half-closed eyes leaning against the wall.