Chapter 503 - 497: Missed_2

I’m here today to tell her about the class reunion tomorrow.

"Where are we going? There aren’t any restaurants open right now, no place to meet."

"The community activity center in the west side of town. It’s open for the New Year, and there’ll be a community stage play tomorrow, along with various snacks. We’ll bring some refreshments and hot water, just sit together and chat." Actually, it’s just their classmates of similar age going. There are two young girls in the class who can’t really connect with them.

"I still have to take care of my granddaughter. I probably can’t make it."

"That place is an activity center for our entertainment, you can bring the kids along. Old Li said he’ll bring his grandson along too. But his grandson is already three years old, much older than some of our granddaughters."

"Is the activity center cold?"

"Not cold, it’s warm there, warmer than the beds at home. It’s just for the morning, I’ll come pick you up tomorrow and we’ll go together. I’ll help with your granddaughter."

"Alright then." This New Year felt lonely for Liang Hongmei, the first time her daughter and son weren’t around, leaving her feeling empty inside.

Xiao Gu stayed with her for two days, and is now at the orphanage helping the director take care of the children.

Luckily, her granddaughter was there to keep her company, making it less lonely.

The kids are coming back tomorrow. She was planning to help them tidy up their rooms.

Probably have to wait until the afternoon.

The next day, Liang Hongmei bundled Little Star up so much she looked like a meat dumpling. She packed milk powder, water, a bottle, diapers, and paper — a big bag of stuff.

Seeing all these items, Liang Hongmei suddenly lost the desire to go out.

Once there’s a child at home, going out becomes inconvenient.

If Qin Xiu hadn’t strongly persuaded her to go, she really wouldn’t have wanted to.

Arriving there without hot water or heating, if her little granddaughter caught a cold, it wouldn’t be worth it.

Liang Hongmei used a stroller to push Little Star, and went on the bus to the west side with Qin Xiu.

Must say, this community activity center is really big, it’s two whole floors.

The first floor has a card room, a dance hall, a rest area, and a children’s playground. Inside, seven or eight large stoves are burning, and once you step in, it’s warm.

Must say, it’s much warmer than at home. No wonder there are so many people here during the New Year.

Probably most are here to enjoy the warmth. "Hongmei, when is your shop opening? My son’s wedding reception depends on it."

"Just for you, we’re opening on the eighth. Isn’t that accommodating?"

"Yes, yes. Very accommodating. Thank you, Hongmei."

"Oh, we’re all classmates, no need to be polite."

Liang Hongmei is considered young among this group of old classmates, also pretty, and amiable. The classmates like interacting with her. Once they all knew the hotpot restaurant on Steel Road was hers, they became even more enthusiastic.

Being welcoming has its benefits — her son is getting married after the New Year, and with good relations, a single word made them offer a favor, giving her lots of face.

"Old Li, is your youngest son getting married? Will you invite us?"

"Of course, I must invite you. I’ll visit each of you personally to invite."

Being with them, they mostly talked about their children or work-related matters. Liang Hongmei held Little Star while chatting, but Little Star started crying.

The little girl is probably hungry. Lin Wan asked Qin Xiu to hold the child for her while she went to the water room to fetch hot water. She met Du Guangjun there by chance, really unfortunate, as she had been avoiding Old Du for several days before the New Year.

Didn’t expect to run into him so soon, Liang Hongmei was most afraid of encountering Old Du right now.

That cautious feeling he gives her always makes her feel guilty, which she doesn’t like.

"Hongmei, you came too?"

"Yes, Old Du comes here often," Liang Hongmei said awkwardly, smiling.

"Some old friends are here playing cards, where’s Little Star?" Du Guangjun knew before the New Year that Liang Hongmei’s children had gone out of town, leaving her alone to take care of the child.

On New Year’s Eve, he visited her home to deliver New Year’s goods, but Liang Hongmei refused to take them no matter what.

Oh well, it’s been quite some time, shouldn’t there be some response by now?

"My classmate is helping watch her. I better not talk to you now, Little Star is hungry. I need to make her milk."

"Alright, go ahead. I’ll find you later."

"No, no need. You go ahead and have fun." She didn’t want her classmates to misunderstand and think there was something between them.

Du Guangjun expected she would say that, so he just smiled and said nothing more.

Liang Hongmei hurried back, fed Little Star until she was full, then assisted her with peeing. The girl seemed excited seeing so many people around and started laughing endlessly.

Liang Hongmei placed Little Star in the stroller, where Old Li’s grandson played with her nearby. Bringing the child out wasn’t too chaotic.

A few classmates chatted for a while, then when it seemed time, they all prepared to leave. At that moment, Du Guangjun arrived promptly.

He called out "Hongmei," and Qin Xiu nudged Liang Hongmei with a look, realizing this could lead to a misunderstanding.

"Ready to go? I’ll drive you." Du Guangjun walked straight to Liang Hongmei’s side, ignoring others’ gazes.

"Everyone says it’s not needed. My classmate and I are on the same route, we’ll head back together."

"Oh dear, Hongmei, I suddenly remembered I need to go to the grain station, can’t accompany you back. This gentleman is willing to drive you, so you should go back with him. No time now, I’ll leave first." As Liang Hongmei spoke, Qin Xiu "cleverly" interrupted with perfect timing, then quickly wrapped her scarf and left with the classmates.

Leaving Liang Hongmei standing with Little Star, frowning.

Seeing the opportunity, Du Guangjun quickly stepped forward to take over the stroller, smiling, "Let’s go, I’ll drive you home. It’s snowing outside again, bringing a child along makes taking the bus inconvenient."

Liang Hongmei glanced at the sky and decided not to delay, "This time I’ll trouble you."

Though the sky was clear earlier, it suddenly began to snow. Once outside, seeing the snowflakes, Liang Hongmei was worried the child might get cold. She immediately took the child out of the stroller, held her close, then tightly swaddled her in the blanket.

"There’s a trolley coming up front, just in time to catch it," Du Guangjun said, pointing ahead.

Seeing the trolley nearing the stop, Liang Hongmei hurried forward. She bumped into a wide green figure, inadvertently colliding with someone holding Little Star.

A familiar scent made Liang Hongmei pause.

The person took a step back, quickly apologizing, "Sorry, sorry. I’m in a hurry, my apologies."

Then lifted his foot and headed to the activity center. When Liang Hongmei snapped out of it and glanced at the green figure, the back looked very familiar.

"Hongmei, you alright? Here, let me hold Little Star." The sudden event made Du Guangjun, who was walking ahead, realize the person they bumped into had already entered the activity center.

Interrupted by Du Guangjun, Liang Hongmei reluctantly replied, "No need, I’ll hold her. Changing hands all the time might freeze the child. Let’s hurry, or we might miss the trolley and have to wait for the next one."

At this, Du Guangjun quickly pulled Liang Hongmei towards the bus stop.