Chapter 222: Impressive
Chapter 222: Impressive
Midday.
Nanning.
Deng Yunheng, Song Yu, Liu Shangwen, Chong Feilong, Lin Jianjun, Zhao Changzheng, and Sun Baoguo emerged from the train station, each carrying their luggage and looking quite exhausted.
Zhao Changzheng was a local from Nanning and a classmate of Song Yu and Liu Shangwen. His family was well-off, and he had a knack for socializing, so he was elected as the president of the Guangxi alumni association when it was formed.
Now that his fellow alumni had returned to his hometown, he was determined to treat them well. "Fellow classmates," he said, mustering his energy, "we haven't had a proper meal during the train ride. Now that we're in my hometown, I must treat you to some of our local specialties."
Sun Baoguo quickly interjected, "President Zhao, you can treat the others, but I have to leave soon. If I go to the bus station now, I can catch the bus back to Beihai. If I join you for dinner, I'll have to stay in Nanning overnight."
Zhao Changzheng smiled, "Old Sun, staying overnight isn't a problem. I'll arrange a place for you to stay, so don't worry about it."
Sun Baoguo shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, President Zhao, but I'm eager to get home. I'll visit you a day early when I return to school, and we can catch up then."
Seeing that Sun Baoguo was firm, Zhao Changzheng nodded. "Alright, take care and see you when school resumes!"
"Thanks, President Zhao, everyone. See you when school resumes!"
Deng Yunheng and the others bid him farewell and watched as Sun Baoguo hurried off to the bus station with his luggage.
Once Sun Baoguo was out of sight, Song Yu asked, "President Zhao, what local specialties do you have here?"
Zhao Changzheng grinned. "There's a dish that was introduced last year called Lemon Duck. It's quite delicious. Are you interested?"
Deng Yunheng, rubbing his belly, said, "President Zhao, let's get going. My stomach is growling, and Lemon Duck sounds amazing. I can't wait to try it."
Song Yu agreed. "Yeah, we didn't eat or sleep well on the train. My stomach is really growling now!"
The others chimed in their agreement as well.
Without further ado, Zhao Changzheng waved his hand. "Let's go, I'll take you to try the Lemon Duck."
...
By the time they finished their meal, it was already three in the afternoon. There were no buses back to their respective destinations at this hour, so Deng Yunheng and the others had to stay overnight in Nanning.
True to his word, Zhao Changzheng had already arranged accommodation for everyone before they arrived.
After days and nights on the train, Deng Yunheng and the others were severely sleep-deprived. After a simple wash and change, they fell into a deep sleep almost immediately upon hitting the bed.
...
The next day.
At ten in the morning, Deng Yunheng and Song Yu boarded the bus to Bobai.
Liu Shangwen, Chong Feilong, and Lin Jianjun took the buses to Yulin, Beiliu, and Rongxian, respectively.
In the future, with the construction of highways, the journey from Nanning to Bobai would take only a little over three hours. But in this era, it took at least six hours, making for a long trip.
Fortunately, the two of them could chat to pass the time.
Deng Yunheng asked, "Song, I haven't asked you yet. How many siblings do you have?"
Song Yu replied, "I have an older brother and a younger sister. How about you?"
"How many siblings do you have?"
Deng Yunheng replied, "I have seven siblings. I have an older brother and sister, and a younger sister and three younger brothers."
Song Yu wasn’t surprised. In Bobei County during this era, it was common for families to have six or seven children. A family with only three siblings, like hers, was considered quite small.
"You seem pretty generous. Your family’s economic condition must be pretty good. What do your parents do?"
"My dad runs a brick and tile factory in our hometown with some partners. Business is going well, and we also grow a lot of fruits. Recently, we opened a restaurant in the county town. Our economic situation is indeed better than average." Deng Yunheng didn’t plan to hide anything; being honest made it easier to make genuine friends.
After explaining his father’s situation, Deng Yunheng’s tone turned a bit somber. "As for my mom, she passed away a few years ago from an illness."
"Ah!"
Song Yu hadn’t expected this cheerful and friendly classmate to have lost his mother so early. She quickly apologized, "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked."
Deng Yunheng waved it off. "It’s okay, Song-ji. It’s been a few years now!" Since she had asked about his family, he naturally followed up, "Song-ji, I see that your economic condition is also pretty good. What do your parents do?"
Song Yu, appreciating his honesty, didn’t hide anything. "My dad works for the government, and he’s one of the top leaders. My mom works at the department store, and I think she’s a small leader there, though I’m not sure about her exact position."
Deng Yunheng had already guessed that Song-ji’s family background wasn’t simple, but he hadn’t expected it to be even better than he imagined. He joked, "Impressive, Song-ji. I’ll have to rely on you to look out for me in the future!"
Song Yu laughed. "You’re being cheeky! Your dad runs a factory in your hometown and now has a restaurant in the county town. That’s quite an achievement. Why would you need me to look out for you?"
Deng Yunheng modestly replied, "My dad’s factory in the hometown is just a small operation. As for the restaurant in the county town, I’m not sure about its current situation. This trip is partly to check it out."
Song Yu said, "It should be doing well. The last time I met your dad, he seemed like a sharp and capable person. Since he’s doing well with the factory in your hometown, he’s bound to do even better with the restaurant in the county town."
Deng Yunheng said, "Let’s hope so. I’ll know more once I get back."
Song Yu blinked and asked, "What’s the name of your family’s restaurant, and where is it located in the county town?"
Deng Yunheng replied, "My sister wrote to me that it’s called Sui Feng Restaurant, and it’s located opposite the People’s Cinema. Unfortunately, I’ve only been to the county town once and didn’t pay much attention to where the People’s Cinema is, so I’m not sure where the restaurant is exactly."
"That’s a good name. The location is pretty good. If you can’t remember where the People’s Cinema is, you should at least remember Xinglong Road, right?"
"I remember Xinglong Road. The Xinhua Bookstore is on that street."
"The People’s Cinema is on Xicheng Road, which connects to Xinglong Road. It’s right next to the Xinhua Bookstore, at the intersection. After the intersection, it’s Xicheng Road."
"Oh, now I remember..."
The two of them chatted away the hours, and before they knew it, the bus had smoothly arrived in Bobei County.
Today’s first chapter is here. Big shots, don’t stop sending in those monthly votes. Give Er She a bit more motivation to write, thanks!
(End of Chapter)
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