"Dad, Mom, Eldest Sister, Brother-in-law, you can go back now, no need to see us off."
"Dad, Mom, since you're retired, if you have time, you're welcome to stay in Wan Province for a while. The air in the countryside is great. Dad, don't you like fishing? Feel free to fish in the river."
Chen Yang carried large bags and small packages, filled with snacks his parents bought for the two little ones, and new clothes they made.
Chen Yang and Shen Xue also received new clothes and were already wearing them. It was their parents' thoughtful gesture, and they wore the new clothes home.
"Remember to write when you arrive, and don't worry about us at home."
"Your mother and I are retired. If nothing else comes up, we'll go to Wan Province to see our grandchildren."
Hearing that there were fish to be caught, the old man's heart fluttered a little.
Of course, if he really wanted to fish, he could also go to his elder brother-in-law's or elder sister-in-law's village. The key was seeing his grandchildren. What else would an elder want than to enjoy family happiness?
"Yang Yang, Xue'er, take care of yourselves, and look after Yan Yan and Hao Hao on the way."
The eldest sister and brother-in-law squeezed the chubby cheeks of the two little ones and waved goodbye to Chen Yang and Shen Xue.
The old couple hugged the two little ones, kissing their eldest grandson and granddaughter. Qin Lifen was so heartbroken that she almost cried.
These little clingy companions who had been following the old couple around for nearly two weeks were suddenly gone, leaving a hollow feeling in their hearts.
"Grandma, don't cry, have some candy."
The little one cupped Qin Lifen's face, pulled out a candy from his small pocket, unwrapped it, and placed it in her mouth, whispering words of comfort. The little one's big eyes were moist, and he was on the verge of tears himself.
"Yan Yan, Grandma isn't crying. After I retire, I'll come to see my precious granddaughter."
After kissing her chubby granddaughter fiercely, Qin Lifen's voice was almost choked with emotion. She wished she could retire immediately and return to Wan Province with the two little ones.
"Grandpa, I'll fan you when you fish then."
Chen Hao hugged Chen Liming's neck. He was a big boy and wouldn't cry like his sister.
"Okay, I'll catch fish for my good grandson to eat then."
Chen Liming was a little better than Qin Lifen, but his eyes were also red.
He truly couldn't bear to part with them.
Beside Chen Yang's family, Lei Baoguo looked at Li Jing, whose eyes were welling up with tears, feeling helpless.
"Didn't we agree? I'll go make money, and when I've earned enough, I'll come back to marry you."
"Uncle and Aunt gave me this opportunity, and I will work hard. Jingjing, you have to believe me, I will marry you."
Lei Baoguo wanted to wipe Li Jing's tears but dared not touch her face. His hands were rough with calluses from training, and he feared rubbing her delicate cheeks.
"I believe you."
"Remember to write to me when you go. At least one letter a week. If I don't receive a letter, then I won't talk to you anymore."
It was Li Jing who hugged Lei Baoguo first, burying her head in his chest and crying her heart out.
Lei Baoguo stood with his arms open, wanting to hug Li Jing, but his hands were stiff and suspended in mid-air, not touching her.
After a long while, he finally mustered the courage, hugged Li Jing's waist, and gently patted her back.
"Don't cry, don't cry. I promise to write to Jingjing every week."
"I also promise that I will think of Jingjing every day. I'll just be thinking of Jingjing whenever I have nothing to do."
When Chen Yang came over, he was shocked by what Lei Baoguo was saying.
Indeed, love makes people progress.
If it were before, Lei Baoguo would never have said such eloquent words.
"Go back, be safe on the road. If there's nothing else, I'll come to see you."
Lei Baoguo released Li Jing's hand, looking at the young girl whose face was streaked with tears. In his heart, he vowed to work desperately to earn enough money to satisfy her parents and then marry her with great fanfare.
"Comrade Li Jing, don't worry. Next time I come to Su Province to expand my business, I'll bring Brother Lei along. We definitely won't let you two be separated for so long."
Chen Yang comforted Li Jing. Separation was inevitable, but he also hoped that Lei Baoguo and Li Jing would have a perfect ending.
It wasn't just in this era; even in later generations, how many people worked hard away from home to earn money?
In later generations, how many migrant workers toiled endlessly, starting work before dawn, without lunch breaks or weekends. 996 was a luxury for them.
As long as there was work, as long as there was money to be earned, working through the night to meet deadlines was common.
They just wanted to earn enough to cover the expenses of their families. Their children needed to go to school, needed clothes and shoes; nothing was free.
In later generations, many experts earnestly called for care for left-behind children, urging parents working away from home to pay more attention to their children. Did parents not want to care for their children?
Did they want their children to be left at home with elderly parents instead of raising them themselves?
Their hometown couldn't accommodate their entire families. If they could earn enough to support their families at home, why would they abandon their children and go far away to work?
Given Lei Baoguo's circumstances, he originally wouldn't even have been considered qualified by Li Jing's parents. It was Li Jing's insistence that secured him an opportunity to prove himself.
This opportunity was hard-won, and Lei Baoguo naturally had to cherish it. He needed to earn enough money as soon as possible, settle down in Jinling, and only then would he have the qualifications to marry Li Jing.
"Comrade Chen Yang, thank you for taking my old Lei out to make money. I know you want us to be well."
"He's a bit awkward with words, so please bear with him if he makes mistakes. Don't hold it against him."
Li Jing shyly emerged from Lei Baoguo's embrace after hearing Chen Yang's words.
However, after a moment of shyness, she regained her usual dignified demeanor.
"Saying that makes us strangers. When people interact, it's all about connection. Brother Lei and I are connected, and I have no worries about his temper."
Chen Yang waved his hand. Li Jing's upbringing was evident. The way she referred to him as "my old Lei" showed that she genuinely cared for Lei Baoguo.
Compared to her, Zhao Shufang was worlds apart. Lei Baoguo had indeed found a blessing in disguise this time, encountering such a good girl.
"Jingjing, don't worry. Every penny I earn from now on, I will save. I'll send you money once a month. When I've saved enough, I'll buy a place in Jinling and then prepare the money for our wedding."
Hearing Li Jing's words, Lei Baoguo scratched the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
"I don't want your money. You save it yourself. Don't neglect your health while working hard. Eat well and drink well, you need to be well-fed to have the energy to earn money."
Li Jing straightened Lei Baoguo's collar, like a wife preparing her husband for a long journey.
Lei Baoguo stood tall and straight, like an unyielding pine, quietly waiting for Li Jing to finish.
"Comrade Jingjing, Lei Baoguo guarantees mission accomplishment."
As Lei Baoguo turned away, the grown man's eyes reddened. Seeing the couple part ways, even Chen Yang looked forward to them achieving their happily ever after.