After packing his things and resting for a night, Tan Jincheng woke Zhang Xupeng up at dawn the next morning.
Rubbing his eyes, Zhang Xupeng complained,
"Holy crap, this is way too early. The sky just barely lit up, you're too eager."
"Let's leave early so the roads aren't congested. Once it's fully bright, the roads will be jammed. It's Spring Festival travel season now."
"Are you kidding me? A car costs at least over 100,000 yuan. We're just going home. Where would all those cars come from? Since when did our province become so rich?"
Zhang Xupeng looked at Tan Jincheng with surprise and doubt.
Tan Jincheng was momentarily speechless.
He then remembered it was 2005, and the national car ownership was still very low, so he couldn't help but laugh.
"Stop talking nonsense. We're already up anyway, hurry up and brush your teeth, wash your face, eat breakfast, and let's go."
"Damn, I didn't go to bed early like you. I played games until midnight last night and didn't get enough sleep."
Zhang Xupeng couldn't sleep last night, so he used Tan Jincheng's laptop to play games until deep into the night, and he was particularly sleepy now.
"Stop whining. Anyway, you don't have to drive, just catch up on sleep in the car."
"Alright, alright, whatever you say; but you haven't driven long distances on the highway much either, just don't get us lost."
How could he get lost?
Although the road conditions were different, he had traveled this road for over ten years; how could he forget it?
After quickly filling their stomachs, the two carried their luggage to the parking area downstairs in the community.
They had a lot of things to bring home this time, including some New Year's goods given by suppliers and gifts they each bought for their families.
Tan Jincheng brought a lot of cigarettes and alcohol alone; these were to prepare for Tan Jinyue's full moon celebration.
Currently, Dahongying was still popular in Yongcheng, but in a few years, this type of Dahongying would no longer be available.
They started the car and drove towards the highway entrance.
With his hand on the steering wheel, Tan Jincheng, cigarette in mouth, slurred,
"Damn, we finally got rid of that rip-off shop. No more eating counterfeit instant noodles."
"Exactly. Remember when we first came out, we almost got beaten for not wanting to eat? Those black-hearted bastards."
Speaking of which, it's estimated that every migrant worker in the country who has taken a midibus has experienced this, and they could sit together and curse for three days and three nights without repeating themselves.
It was an all-highway drive, speeding all the way.
As Zhang Xupeng said, there was no traffic at all on the road; it was much faster than taking national roads, but also significantly more expensive.
Because they left early, they made almost no stops except for a brief rest at a highway service area.
Before 1 PM, the two drove into Yicheng city.
"Awesome, we're home so quickly! No matter what, I'm going to master driving this year,"
Zhang Xupeng exclaimed.
Usually, on empty roads, Tan Jincheng would teach him to drive, and he was quite diligent at the driving school.
In fact, passing the driving test wouldn't be much of an issue for Zhang Xupeng; young people learn quickly and adapt to new things fast.
However, Zhang Xupeng knew he couldn't yet master driving skills as proficiently as Tan Jincheng.
After entering the city, they couldn't drive as fast as on the highway.
Correspondingly, there were more cars.
Today was Tuesday, a workday, so there weren't many pedestrians on the road.
But the festive atmosphere was already strong, with some businesses having already hung lanterns.
Slowly driving into the family quarters, after dropping Zhang Xupeng off downstairs at his home, Tan Jincheng ignored Zhang Xupeng's invitation to come upstairs and sit for a bit, speeding away in his car towards his own residential building.
"Damn, driving so fast, is he crazy?"
Zhang Xupeng's parents were still at work today, and he had originally wanted to trick Tan Jincheng into helping him carry his luggage upstairs.
At the Tan family's home, there were still people.
The maternal grandmother had already gone back, but the paternal grandmother was still staying at home, helping to look after the child.
However, she would also be going back in a few days, and not just her.
Tan Jincheng's entire family would be going back this year, returning to the countryside for Chinese New Year.
After a child is born, firecrackers and fireworks are set off in the ancestral hall.
Tan Jincheng didn't know the specific meaning, but it was probably to thank the ancestors.
Tan Jinyue's full moon celebration was also planned to be held in the countryside.
For friends who gave gifts in the city, Tan Lihua had already hosted a banquet.
"Mom, I'm back."
Before the person arrived, the voice was heard.
Zhang Suzhi, who was watching TV in the living room, heard the shout from outside the door and quickly got up to open it.
Little Tan Jinyue was sleeping in the crib nearby.
"How did you get here so early? Didn't you usually arrive around evening?"
Zhang Suzhi asked, while carefully examining her son.
"Hmm, his skin is a bit fairer than when he last came home, and his complexion is good. It seems he's doing well there."
"I drove back, left early this morning. Mom, wait a moment, I still have things in the car, I'll go down and get them."
Immediately after, Tan Jincheng asked,
"Why don't I see Grandma? Didn't you say Grandma was staying here to help take care of Tan Jinyue?"
"Little Jinyue is asleep, and there's nothing much going on at home. Your grandma went to the park to listen to some opera for a bit, and she'll pick up groceries on her way back."
"Oh, okay, I'll go move the things first."
Tan Jincheng nodded.
After two more trips, Tan Jincheng finally finished moving all the things he brought back.
Zhang Suzhi asked with a puzzled look,
"Why did you buy so much tobacco and alcohol? And what do you mean you drove back? Did you buy a car?"
Just now, her son hadn't explained clearly what he meant by driving back.
This kid called a while ago asking for help to buy a house, and now he has a car?
How much money has he earned?
"Yes, but strictly speaking, the company bought it, not me,"
Tan Jincheng took a glass of water, sat down, and smiled.
Then, Tan Jincheng explained the difference between a company buying a car and an individual buying a car to Zhang Suzhi; Zhang Suzhi didn't quite understand it all but got the general idea.
Never mind all that for now, it sounds like he earned a lot of money.
"Let's talk about these things tonight. You haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll cook you a bowl of noodles to tide you over. You keep an eye on Little Jinyue, call me if she wakes up."
After taking a few steps, Zhang Suzhi turned back and asked,
"Peng Ya came back with you too, didn't he? No one's home at his place, ask him if he wants to come over for dinner."
"Oh, okay."
Tan Jincheng took out his phone, and after a while replied,
"That kid's pretty thick-skinned, he said he'll be right over. Mom, please cook a bit more."
"What are you saying?"
Zhang Suzhi scolded him playfully, then went to get busy.
Tan Jincheng looked at Little Jinyue sleeping in the crib.
Compared to her wrinkled appearance two months ago, Little Jinyue had changed quite a bit, and one could vaguely see her future appearance.
Little Jinyue, asleep, seemed exceptionally quiet.
"So cute."
Tan Jincheng quietly observed Little Jinyue, his thoughts drifting far away.
Zhang Suzhi was busy in the kitchen, but this peaceful atmosphere was soon broken by a knock at the door.
(End of this chapter)
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