Chapter 161

When they arrived at Zhuo Yun’s house, they only rushed the two children to sleep. They themselves were not in a hurry to sleep.

It was clear that they had to have a good talk. In any case, the matter of Zhuo Yun travelling for business had been settled, but he didn’t decide when to start.

After sitting on the stool, Xu Ran asked Zhuo Yun, “Zhuo Yun, have you told Brother Qin that you’re going to travel for business?”

Zhuo Yun shook his head. “Not yet. I didn’t mention it earlier since I didn’t want to spoil their Spring Festival. I intended to tell them after the festival and it was still early, so I didn’t say a thing.”

Xu Ran nodded and expressed his understanding. He said, “You have to talk about it yourself, and let Shuwen act as mediator. I will incidentally bring up the business cooperation with Brother Qin. I can see that Brother Qin is now the one in charge of my sworn daddy’s family. As long as he agrees, it will be fine.”

“Okay, I’ll talk about it myself. I plan to leave after the 10th. At that time, the festival is almost over,” Zhuo Yun said.

“Alright, the schedule is up to you. I will be busy after the 10th, so I’ll send the things to you soon. You had experience in travelling for business, so you certainly know what kind of trade caravan you’re looking for. That’s all I wanna say. Liu Tong and I will definitely take good care of Shuwen. If you can write letters, remember to send back some.”

“I know. I will also notify my friends in a few days and ask them to help keep an eye on the seed shop. And for the rest of the stuff, I will have to bother you with them.”

Xu Ran waved his hand, “It’s too polite using the word ‘bother’.”

Zhuo Yun smiled. “OK. Anyway, I will be counting on you.”

“Haha, that’s right,” Xu Ran stood up and touched hands with Zhuo Yun, which was a way to show their agreement.

Xu Ran’s family had only stayed at Zhuo Yun’s house for one night. The street market was not opened yet, so it was not lively.

After they got home, they started to take turns to treat guests and be treated among a fixed group of families.

After the whole round of treating guests was over, Xu Ran went to give his new year’s greeting to the village head, and told him about buying mountains again. The village head promised that he will help do some consultation.

Xu Ran also went to the Xu Family and send them a lot of food, mostly meat. He didn’t say many greeting words, and Elder Daddy Xu and Xu Cheng still didn’t like him.

The Xu Family seemed to be in a worse state. Not to mention the adults, even the children were skinny and did not look spirited at all, and Xu Houcai also looked older.

He was younger than Elder Dad Qin, but looked much older. Everyone knew the reason, but some didn’t learn to reflect on it.

Xu Houcai didn’t say anything and neither would Xu Ran. He didn’t want to get himself in trouble.

Xu Ran thought that maybe he could visit Xu Houcai more often in the future. Of course, just for him.

Xu Ran told Liu Tong his thought when he came back. Liu Tong asked Xu Ran, “Ran, do you want to bring Dad to our house? He can also be a companion to Mr. Hu.”

Xu Ran was stunned for a moment. He did not think of this. If there were no other encumbrances in the Xu Family, he would definitely be willing to do so, but there were, so he couldn’t.

Xu Ran said, “Let me ask Dad’s opinion! We’ll talk about it later.”

“Okay,” Liu Tong nodded and then said, “By the way, Ran, Mr. Hu just told me that he wanted to go back. He said he dreamed that his son came back to pick him up. He wanted to go back and take a look.”

Xu Ran was surprised, “Is this the case?”

Liu Tong shook his head. “I’m not sure about the details. Mr. Hu told me. You may go ask him! He’s in his own room.”

“Okay, I’ll go ask him,” Xu Ran said and walked into Mr. Hu’s room.

Mr. Hu was packing up his things. He didn’t bring much when he came, but now he could pack up a lot, which were bought by Xu Ran.

When the spring came in March, he would have been living in this place for almost a year. This wasn’t his home, but he felt even more comfortable. His own son had never been as thoughtful as Xu Ran. When It was hot, Xu Ran would worry if he got burned, and when it was cold, Xu Ran would worry if he got cold. Xu Ran also brought him various stuff specifically in case that he might be bored. And he even served him to wash his face and feet. Here he dressed well and ate well and had never fallen ill.

He was in his sixties. How could he not be satisfied living like this?

However, no matter how good this place was, it was not his home. Even if he had regarded it as a home and Xu Ran his own son. But after all, he was not, no matter how good he was.

It was just that he was going back to his own home. His biological son was back.

Mr. Hu knew exactly what his son was up to when he came back. He was no better than what he used to be. However, Mr. Hu was old and his spouse had passed away. He only worried that when he was gone, on whom his son could rely.

Mr. Hu felt sad and cried secretly.

Xu Ran happened to see that when he came in and he asked, “Mr. Hu, what happened? Why do you suddenly want to leave? And you are crying.”

Mr. Hu turned his head and wiped his thin hand on his face. He forced a smile and said, “Xu Ran, you’re back. That’s tears with joy. My son is finally back. I have to go back and see him.”

Xu Ran obviously didn’t believe him when he said this, but he couldn’t say that he was lying in front of Mr. Hu. Xu Ran said, “Mr. Hu, your son comes back and shed tears with joy for him. So can you bear to leave us? No matter what, we’ve been living together for almost a year.”

Hearing Xu Ran’s words, Mr. Hu seemed even more upset. “I can’t. You guys are still young. When I get there, I’ll ask my son to send you a letter. If someday you go there, come and see me. I’m just afraid that I’ll be gone then.”

Xu Ran was a little unhappy, “Don’t say that. Mr. Hu, why are you talking about this during the Spring Festival? Look at you, aren’t you healthy now? You can surely live long. Mr. Hu, you told Tongtong that you dreamed that your son came back to pick you up, and that’s why you want to go back?”

Mr. Hu waved hands, “No, my son has been here before, but you guys weren’t at home at the time. It’s hard for me to tell Liu Tong the truth so I made up a story. Don’t tell him, and I’m going back today. I haven’t gone back for so long. I’m afraid the house cleaning would cost a long time.”

“Don’t be in such a hurry and leave suddenly. Mr. Hu. If you insist to leave, I won’t keep you. But just rest for another day and leave tomorrow. Then I will take you there. If you go on foot, how long will it take? And It’s cold outside,” Xu Ran packed up the things and put them back in the chest again. Obviously, he wouldn’t let Mr. Hu leave today.

Mr. Hu was in a delimma, “Oh boy, my son came on the 2nd. I didn’t mention it since you guys had not been home these days and now it’s the 7th, so I can’t delay it.”

Xu Ran shook his head and said, “Mr. Hu, have you never heard the saying that do not go outdoors on the 7th and go home on the 8th? Look, we’ll leave tomorrow, and then we’ll take a slow ride and make it home on the 9th.”

However, he shook his head after he said this. “No, no, you are going home, so we can’t leave tomorrow either. Let’s just leave the day after tomorrow. Mr. Hu, don’t tell me that you can’t even take this small request. I will cook you delicious food tomorrow. If you go back, I don’t know if you will come again or when to see you”

Mr. Hu sighed helplessly, “Fine. It was all up to you. I’ll leave the day after tomorrow then. Anyway I have delayed one day, so it wouldn’t bother to delay one more day.”

Xu Ran was very happy to get Mr. Hu’s approval. He was afraid of seeing Mr. Hu being stubborn. The old man was tough when being stubborn. Fortunately, Mr. Hu was not.

Mr. Hu wouldn’t leave today and Xu Ran went to share the news with Liu Tong.

Then he felt that something was wrong. Mr. Hu said that his son had come on the 2nd. How could he not stay in their house for the night? If he really came to pick up Mr. Hu, it would be fine to just notify them when they came back. How come Mr. Hu had to wait for a few days to mention it?

Xu Ran did not rush to find Liu Tong at the thought of this but went to Gao Quan instead.

Xu Ran asked Gao Quan directly, “Gao Quan, did we have any strangers coming here on the 2nd?”

Gao Quan thought about it carefully and shook his head. “No, what’s wrong? What happened? ”

Xu Ran said, “Mr. Hu said that his son came on the 2nd and wanted to take him home, but I feel a little strange. If he wants to pick up Mr. Hu, why didn’t he stay at our house for the night? Mr. Hu also knows that we will come back on the 3rd.”

Gao Quan had no idea about the hidden information. He asked Xu Ran, “Is Mr. Hu leaving? Where is his son now?”

Xu Ran shook his head. “I’m not sure either. Mr. Hu wanted to go back alone. He didn’t say where his son was, nor did he tell me where he met his son. Think about it carefully. Did you see anyone strange that day? And if Mr. Hu went out that day.”

Gao Quan still shook his head. “I really didn’t see anyone that day. Should I call Shao Yu over? However, Mr. Hu did go out that day. I remembered that when he came back, he ignored me when I was talking to him. I thought he didn’t hear me, so I didn’t pay much attention.”

Xu Ran waved his hand and said, “Don’t need to ask Shao Yu. I roughly get it. Mr. Hu probably met his son when he went out. The two of them might have an unpleasant talk. He was probably being angry when you talked to him, so he didn’t hear you.”

Xu Ran’s analysis made Gao Quan feel the same way. He had a rare amount of words today and asked Xu Ran, “When will Mr. Hu leave? Do you want to send him off home?”

Xu Ran said, “We agreed to leave on the 9th. I’ve been to his house before, so we will be there in a day.”

Gao Quan nodded and didn’t say anything else. They also had a good time with Mr. Hu and they were reluctant to part with him, but he felt like it was a little strange just as Xu Ran.

But he didn’t say it, and it was not for him to guess it.