It was by sheer coincidence that just as she walked to the doorway, she bumped into Zhao Li who had just stepped inside.
Zhao Li was also there to send a letter, coincidentally to Beidu. Upon entering and seeing Ruan Jiaojiao heading out, her eyes immediately lit up with delight, "Jiaojiao!" she exclaimed joyously.
"Jianguo, I didn’t expect such a coincidence, to run into you here. Are you here to send a letter too? To your sister-in-law?" Zhao Li had heard about Ruan Jianguo’s story from Lu Zhiwei’s lips and was very impressed with his deep loyalty and affection.
"Yeah, my younger sister is also here to send a letter. Where’s Zhiwei?" Ruan Jianguo replied with a smile, equally surprised by the coincidence.
"Oh, he’s just a busybody. He left early this morning. Now, these chores are left to me. But he will be back by noon. Jianguo, you’re not in a rush to head back, are you? How about waiting for Zhiwei to return and then we could have lunch together?" Zhao Li proposed, yet her gaze was fixed on Ruan Jiaojiao, clearly very fond of her.
Ruan Jiaojiao pursed her lips, revealing a gap-toothed smile, and reluctantly called out, "Auntie Li."
"Ah!" Zhao Li replied crisply, reaching out to touch her smooth little cheek, "How can Jiaojiao be so well-behaved? Do you want to come over to Auntie Li’s place? I’ve saved up lots of tasty treats for you." She even found Jiaojiao’s gap-toothed smile incredibly cute.
Ruan Jiaojiao let her touch her face without responding while Ruan Jianguo offered, "Next time. When you both have time, feel free to visit our place."
"Certainly, certainly, I’ll come over in a couple of days!" Zhao Li could hardly wait, her voice full of eagerness.
Ruan Jianguo was both amused and dumbfounded, as it was his first encounter with such a straightforward woman. After exchanging a few more words with her, and amidst her lingering gaze that seemed to wish she could take his daughter and raise her as her own, he finally departed.
Once on the vehicle, Xiu Xi slowly let go of the intense fierceness in his eyes, unseen by anyone.
It had reached the hottest part of summer.
Thinking that he would often have to bring people to town, Ruan Jianguo decided that his little girl could not endure the scorching sun, so he had a canopy added to the tricycle at the repair shop before driving back.
When they returned to the Sixth Production Team’s area, the village received exciting news – they were finally going to get electricity.
The Ruanlin Family had been eagerly waiting for this moment. Upon hearing the news, they were overjoyed.
However, not everyone was happy about it. Some thought that using electricity would be more expensive than burning kerosene, like Liu Mei. Upon learning the news, she grumbled and complained in her yard, spewing out sour grapes and especially directing her bitterness towards the Ruan Family.
The Ruanlin matriarch was really fed up with her and rolled her eyes several times in her own yard.
Only when she heard the sound of the vehicle did she step outside.
After Ruan Jiaojiao and Xiu Xi got off the vehicle, the Ruanlin matriarch shared the news about the electricity with Ruan Jianguo, who was also thrilled to hear it. The decoration of the buildings was nearing completion. Once they had electricity, the entire project would be finished.
He was eager to discuss with the decorating workers and said to the Ruanlin matriarch, "Mom, I’ll head over first. The photos and other things we bought are on the vehicle; please take them down for now."
"There’s no rush, they won’t get lost left on the vehicle. I’ll come with you and have a look." As she spoke, she asked Ruan Jiaojiao and Xiu Xi if they wanted to join.
Xiu Xi shook his head, "I’ll get the things."
"You child, those things can wait; they won’t disappear," said the Ruanlin matriarch, but seeing Ruan Jianguo already setting off, she gave a couple more instructions and finally turned to leave.