Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 159

“Grandpa.”

Dong Hesong was resting on a rocking chair in the yard with his eyes closed. Hearing Dong Xiaomei’s voice, he immediately stood up and saw her bouncing over, with Ye Jiawu following not far behind.

“Weren’t you going to play with Zhiqiu?”

Dong Hesong rubbed Dong Xiaomei’s head. “Why are you back already?”

“I missed you, Grandpa. I was worried about you being home alone.”

Dong Xiaomei helped Dong Hesong sit back down and crouched beside him. “Grandpa, is your foot better? Has Uncle Zhang been coming over these days?”

“It’s almost healed. Your Uncle Zhang has his own things to attend to, so I told him not to come for now.”

Dong Hesong looked up as Ye Jiawu entered the yard. The young man stepped forward. “Hello, Grandfather. I’m Ye Jiawu, Zhiqiu’s cousin.”

“My sister didn’t feel comfortable with me coming back alone, so she asked Jiawu to escort me.”

Dong Xiaomei grabbed her grandfather’s hand and angrily recounted the incident they had encountered on the road.

Dong Hesong, however, viewed the situation differently than his granddaughter. He admonished her, “Xiaomei, if you ever come back alone, no matter what happens on the road, don’t stop. Especially in a situation like that, don’t get involved, understand?”

“No. From now on, if you want to come back, you have to tell me in advance. I’ll come to pick you up.”

“Grandpa, that’s not necessary.”

“No. Promise me.”

“Alright, Grandpa. I promise.”

Ye Jiawu spoke up, “Grandfather, if Xiaomei needs to come back in the future and I’m free, I’ll escort her home.”

“The road really isn’t safe.”

The entire path was either lined with sorghum fields, cornfields, or woods – perfect places for people to hide and commit crimes.

Dong Xiaomei now understood what her grandfather was worried about. She turned to Ye Jiawu, then back to her grandfather. “Grandpa, let Jiawu escort me from now on. Please don’t come to pick me up; it’s quite a long way.”

“Jiawu, I’ll have to trouble you then.”

“Grandfather, it’s no trouble at all. My sister would insist I do the same if she knew.”

Ye Jiawu and Dong Xiaomei stayed to have dinner with Dong Hesong before they had to head back.

“Grandpa, take good care of yourself, and don’t hide anything from me.”

“Alright. You take good care of yourself too, so I don’t have to worry.”

Dong Hesong looked at Ye Jiawu. “Jiawu, take your time on the road, and be careful.”

“Don’t worry, Grandfather. I’ll protect Xiaomei.”

Ye Jiawu took Dong Xiaomei all the way back to the song and dance troupe. Dong Xiaomei pulled a small bottle of medicinal oil from her bag and handed it to him. “You practice martial arts, so you probably get hurt sometimes. My grandfather made this; it’s for treating bruises and sprains.”

“This is exactly what I need. Thank you, Xiaomei.”

“Don’t mention it. Just remember, you’re responsible for taking me home from now on, okay?”

“I remember.”

Ye Jiawu gave Dong Xiaomei the phone number of his martial arts school. “Just let me know in advance when you plan to go home.”

“Okay.”

Now, our story branches off to follow another thread.

Not long after Ye Jiawu and Dong Xiaomei left, He Bin also went back to his home for a visit.

The only person he considered truly immediate family was He Weijun. Although they hadn’t spent much time together as father and son, He Bin held deep feelings for He Weijun in his heart.

“Dad.”

“Xiao Xiang, you’re back.” He Weijun’s happiness was visible upon seeing his son.

“Come, sit down. I’ll cut some watermelon for you.”

He Bin stopped him. “Dad, don’t bother. I’m too full to eat any. I just drank two bottles of soda, and now my stomach is full of… well, let’s just say I’m feeling annoyed.”

“It wasn’t my sister who bought them. Some sucker did. But hey, if it’s free, why not eat it?”

“Who was it?” He Weijun trusted his son’s character; he wouldn’t act this way towards someone without a reason.

“Someone who used to bully my sister. They’re friends now, and my sister has forgiven her, but I won’t let it go so easily.”

“Xiao Xiang, if you do that, it will put your sister in a difficult position.”

He Bin smiled triumphantly. “My sister takes my side. She noticed, but she didn’t say anything.”

“Since your sister is on your side, you shouldn’t make things hard for her.”

“You said it yourself, that person bullied your sister, not you. If your sister doesn’t mind anymore, it must be because that person sincerely won her over. Someone who can admit their mistakes and change can’t be all bad.”

“Dad, I know my limits.” He Bin stood up. “I’m going to pay my respects to Mom.”

“Mom, I’m back.”

He Bin lit three incense sticks, knelt down, and bowed before the portrait of Gao Xiu. He took a few pieces of candy from his pocket and placed them in front of her photo. “Mom, my sister bought these for me. I saved some for you.”

He Weijun watched with a comforting smile.

“Dad, you have some too.”

He Bin offered a few more pieces to He Weijun, who waved his hand. “I don’t really like sweet things. Leave them there for your mom. She loved them.”

“Alright.”

The father and son had a lot to talk about. If He Bin said something inappropriate, He Weijun never scolded or reprimanded him. And no matter what He Weijun said, He Bin never resented it; he was able to listen and understand the reasoning behind his father’s words.

After reading for a while together, He Weijun glanced at his watch. “Xiao Xiang, why don’t you stay for dinner? I’ll go buy some meat and make dumplings for you?”

He Bin shook his head. “Dad, making dumplings is too much trouble. Besides, it’s sweltering hot. Why eat dumplings?”

“Then what would you like? Should I take you out to eat?”

“Let’s just eat whatever we have at home. If there’s nothing, sesame paste noodles are fine.”

Seeing the hint of disappointment on his father’s face, He Bin changed his mind. “Dad, how about we have steamed buns instead? They’re easier to make than dumplings.”

He Weijun put five yuan in his pocket. “I’ll go buy some meat right now.”

“Dad, I’ll go with you.”

They bought half a catty of meat and half a catty of fennel. As they were nearing the entrance of the alley, He Bin heard someone call him, “Brother Xiang!”

He Bin stiffened, lowered his head, and quickened his pace. But the person caught up and grabbed his arm. “Brother Xiang, I’ve been calling you! Why are you ignoring me?”

“I was lost in thought. Didn’t hear you.”

He Bin pulled his arm back and turned to He Weijun. “Dad, you go on ahead.”

He Weijun looked concerned but didn’t say much. “Xiao Xiang, come home early.”

After He Weijun left, the other young man looked shocked. “Wait, Brother Xiang, did you get a new dad or something?”

He Bin didn’t explain, instead asking directly, “Erzi, what do you want?”

“Brother Xiang, someone’s been picking on the guys.” Erzi’s eyes shifted craftily. “That bastard even cursed you, said you…”

“Said what about me?”

“Just… talked about that stuff in your family.” Erzi pulled He Bin aside. “Brother Xiang, we arranged to meet him the night after tomorrow in front of the cinema. You’ll come, right?”

“I’m not going. And Erzi, I advise you not to go either.”

“What? Brother Xiang, I must be hearing things! He insulted you, he’s picking on our crew, and you’re not going?”

“Fighting isn’t a good thing.”

“Brother Xiang, you’re not actually chickening out, are you?”

“Being brave or a coward isn’t proven by fighting. These are trivial matters; there’s no need to compete over them.”

He Bin patted Erzi on the shoulder. “Erzi, if you lose, you get hurt. If you win, it’s nothing to be proud of either.”