2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 60 Returning Home (Part Two)

After packing his things and resting overnight, Tan Jincheng woke Zhang Xupeng up early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

While rubbing his eyes, Zhang Xupeng said with dissatisfaction, "Damn, this is way too early. It's barely dawn. You're in such a hurry."

"Leave early so there won't be any traffic jams. Once it gets light, the roads will be congested. It's the Spring Festival travel rush now."

"Are you out of your mind? A car costs at least tens of thousands of yuan. We're going home, where did we get so many cars? When did we become so rich?" Zhang Xupeng looked at Tan Jincheng with a look of surprise and doubt.

Tan Jincheng was speechless for a moment, then realized that it was 2005 and the number of cars in the country was still very low, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Stop talking nonsense. Since we're all up, let's brush our teeth, wash our faces, eat breakfast, and get going."

"Damn, I don't go to bed early like you. I played games until midnight last night and didn't sleep well."

Zhang Xupeng couldn't sleep last night, so he played games on Tan Jincheng's laptop until late at night before finally going to bed. He's extremely sleepy right now.

"Stop talking nonsense. Anyway, you don't need to drive. You can just catch up on sleep in the car."

"Alright, alright, whatever you say is right; but you haven't driven long-distance highways much, so just don't get lost for us."

How could I possibly lose it? Although the road conditions are different, I've walked this road for over 10 years. How could I forget it?

After quickly filling their stomachs, the two carried their luggage to the parking area of ​​the community downstairs. They had brought a lot of things home this time, including some New Year's goods given to them by their supplier, as well as gifts that they had bought for their families.

Tan Jincheng brought quite a lot of cigarettes and alcohol; these were to prepare for Tan Jinyue's one-month celebration. Nowadays, the popular cigarettes in Ningbo are Da Hong Ying, but in a few years, you won't be able to smoke Da Hong Ying anymore.

I started the car and drove towards the highway exit.

With his hand on the steering wheel and a cigarette dangling from his mouth, Tan Jincheng mumbled indistinctly, "Damn it, we've finally gotten rid of that shady shop. We don't have to eat knock-off instant noodles anymore."

"That's right. Back when we first came out, we almost got beaten up because we didn't want to eat. Those heartless guys."

Speaking of this, I estimate that any migrant worker in the country who has ever taken a minibus has experienced it; they could sit together and complain for three days and three nights without repeating themselves.

The entire journey was on the highway, and we sped along. Just as Zhang Xupeng had said, there was no traffic congestion at all. It was much faster than taking the national highway, but also significantly more expensive.

Because they left early, they barely stopped at the highway service area except for a short rest. Before 1 p.m., the two drove into Yicheng city.

"Awesome! We're home so quickly. No matter what, I'm determined to master the car this year," Zhang Xupeng exclaimed.

Tan Jincheng would teach him to drive on empty, deserted roads. He was also quite diligent in going to driving school. Zhang Xupeng was already quite capable of getting his driver's license. Young people learn quickly and are quick to accept new things.

However, Zhang Xupeng admitted that he couldn't match Xiao Tan's driving skills.

Once you enter the city, you can't go as fast as you can on the highway, and there are more cars. Today is Tuesday, a weekday, so there aren't many pedestrians on the road.

But the festive atmosphere is already strong, and some businesses have already hung up lanterns.

Tan Jincheng slowly drove into the residential building, dropped Zhang Xupeng off at his building, and then ignored Zhang Xupeng's invitation to come upstairs. He quickly drove off towards his own apartment building.

"Damn, running that fast, are you crazy?"

Zhang Xupeng's parents are still at work today. They had originally planned to trick Xiao Tan into helping them carry their luggage upstairs. There are still people at Tan's house. The maternal grandmother has already gone back, but the paternal grandmother is still living there, helping to take care of the children. However, she will also be going back in a few days. It's not just the paternal grandmother.

Tan Jincheng's whole family is going back to the countryside this year to celebrate the New Year. After the baby was born, they were going to set off firecrackers and fireworks at the ancestral hall. Tan Jincheng didn't know the specific purpose, but it was probably to thank the ancestors.

Tan Jinyue's full moon celebration is also planned to be held in the countryside. Tan Lihua has already treated some friends from the city who sent gifts.

"Mom, I'm back."

Before she arrived, her voice preceded her. Zhang Suzhi, who was watching TV in the living room, heard the shouts outside the door and quickly got up to open it. Little Tan Jinyue was sleeping in the crib next to her.

"Why are you here so early? You usually arrive around dusk," Zhang Suzhi asked, while carefully examining her son.

Hmm, her skin is even whiter than when she last came home, and she looks good. It seems like she's doing well over there.

"I drove back; I left early this morning. Mom, wait a minute, I still have some things in my car, I'll go down and get them."

Immediately afterwards, Tan Jincheng asked, "Where is Grandma? Didn't you say she was staying here to help take care of Tan Jinyue?"

"Yueyue is asleep. There's nothing much going on at home. Your grandma is going to the park to listen to some opera and will buy some groceries on her way back."

"Okay, I'll go move my things first." Tan Jincheng nodded.

After making two more trips, Tan Jincheng finally finished unloading the things he had brought back. Zhang Suzhi asked with a puzzled look, "Why did you buy so much cigarettes and alcohol? Also, what do you mean by saying you drove back? Did you buy a car?"

My son didn't explain clearly what he meant by "driving back." He called me a while ago asking for help buying a house, and now he has a car again. How much money has he made?

"Well, strictly speaking, it was the company that bought it, not me," Tan Jincheng said with a smile as he took a glass of water, sat down, and laughed.

Then, Tan Jincheng explained the difference between company cars and personal cars to Zhang Suzhi; Zhang Suzhi didn't quite understand these things, but she got the gist of it.

Never mind that for now, it sounds like they've made a lot of money.

"We'll talk about that tonight. You haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll cook you a bowl of noodles to tide you over. Keep an eye on Yueyue, and call me if she wakes up."

After taking a few steps, Zhang Suzhi turned back and asked, "Pengya came back too, right? No one's home. Ask him if he wants to come over for dinner."

"Oh, okay." Tan Jincheng took out his phone and replied after a while, "That kid is shameless. He said he'd be right over. Mom, you should cook more."

"What kind of talk is that?" Zhang Suzhi said with a laugh, then went off to do her work.

Tan Jincheng looked at Xiao Jinyue sleeping in the crib. Compared to her wrinkled appearance two months ago, Xiao Jinyue had changed quite a bit, and one could already vaguely see what she would look like in the future.

Little Jinyue, who was asleep, appeared unusually quiet.

"So cute."

Tan Jincheng quietly observed Xiao Jinyue, but his thoughts had already wandered far away. Zhang Suzhi was busy in the kitchen, but this peaceful atmosphere was soon broken by a knock on the door.

(End of this chapter)