Chapter 120 Extra (6) Matters of the Big Family
"A few days ago, I posted a house rental notice at the bulletin area. Someone inquired about it and arranged to go see it today."
Ji Taoyu heard this and asked: "Is it the old house in the previous alley?"
Wu Lianhe replied: "After we moved here, that place was left empty. I do go to clean it when I have time, but a house without people living in it always gathers dust easily."
"After all, it's an old house we lived in for many years. Now that no one is living there, it feels a pity to let it sit locked up and go to waste. Although renting it out won't earn much, having someone live there adds some life to it, which is better than letting it fall into disrepair."
Ji Taoyu nodded: "That's true. Are all the things from there moved out now? Do you need a couple of people to go help clean up?"
"A-Pan values his belongings. When we moved here last time, that place was already cleaned out. If the trees in the yard could be moved, he would have wanted to move them back too."
Wu Lianhe said with a laugh.
"By the way, how is A-Pan? It's already late morning, and I haven't seen him yet."
"He had a good sleep. He said after getting up he was going to the horseback archery range with his classmates, and won't be back for lunch at noon."
"Now that the provincial exam is finally over, he should relax and take it easy for a while."
The two chatted as they walked out of the alley together, going the same way for a stretch before parting paths.
"Little Father, what are we going to eat at Great-Grandfather's house?"
Xiao Taohe held Ji Taoyu's hand, hopping and skipping, licking a sugar figure in his hand, visibly happy.
Although the garden at home was big and spacious for running around, how could it compare to the novelty of going out.
"I don't know either, but your uncle Huang Qi will probably make the honey-glazed chicken wings you like."
"Ah, then I want to eat three!"
Ji Taoyu smiled and rubbed Xiao Taohe's head, and was just about to squat down to pick up the little one.
Xiao Taohe, leaning on his shoulder, suddenly pointed into the distance: "Second Uncle!"
Ji Taoyu looked in the direction the little one was pointing and actually saw Huo Shou.
"What are you doing here?"
Huang Qi, carrying a basket, was hurrying to the market to buy some vegetables and meat.
Huang Yinsheng, being advanced in age, had always adored small children. The Ji family had few members, so when they finally welcomed a child, everyone doted on him immensely—not just the Ji family, but Huang Yinsheng as well.
After all, he had always doted on Ji Taoyu when he was young, so it was only natural that he would cherish Ji Taoyu's own child even more.
This time, missing his great-grandson again, Huang Yinsheng had asked Ji Taoyu to bring the little one over for a meal.
If it weren't for the busy medical hall, he would probably want to see him every day.
Knowing the father and son were coming today, Huang Qi had said early in the morning he would go buy groceries, but unexpectedly, a wounded patient came first thing. He helped bandage the injury, and by the time the person left, it was already late.
Now he was rushing out, hoping he could still buy fresh vegetables and fruits.
Fortunately, it was the high-yield season, and there were many people selling vegetables and meat all day, much easier to buy than in winter.
He quickened his pace towards the market, but unexpectedly bumped into a tall figure leaning against the wall with his arms crossed at the market entrance.
It was Huo Shou, whom he hadn't seen for some days.
Seeing Huang Qi, Huo Shou smiled and straightened up.
He bent down and reached out to take the basket Huang Qi was carrying: "Early this morning, I heard that little chatterbox at home saying he was going to his great-grandfather's for a meal. I guessed you would come out to buy groceries."
Huang Qi was momentarily stunned upon hearing this: "Then how did you know what time I would come?"
Huo Shou shrugged: "I just waited, and eventually found out."
Huang Qi was speechless for a moment.
"Let's go, I'll go with you."
Huo Shou swung the basket in his hand a few times, even turning it upside down to look, somewhat surprised that such a small basket could hold anything.
But considering the southern style of small-plate dishes, it made sense.
Watching Huo Shou's actions, fiddling with his vegetable basket like it was a toy, Huang Qi felt he was just like a child.
He shook his head: "It's not like we're buying half a pig to take back, why would we need someone as big as you for that."
He reached out to take the basket back, but Huo Shou dodged, instead raising his hand and lifting the basket high.
The northern man was tall and long-limbed. Even though Huang Qi was considered tall among southern ger, he was undoubtedly still quite a bit shorter than him.
Reaching up, he still couldn't reach the basket overhead, and almost ended up bumping into Huo Shou.
Realizing he had also become so childish, Huang Qi couldn't help but blush slightly, withdrawing his hand: "Stop fooling around, give me the basket back."
"Didn't I carry the basket for you when we gathered herbs in the Yuchang mountains? Now that we're back in Tongzhou, can't I carry it for you anymore?"
"In Yuchang, you had a horse, it was just convenient to bring the herbs down the mountain."
Huang Qi looked at the man in front of him: "Now we're going grocery shopping. Are you the one who cooks? Why come with me? It'll attract too much attention in the market."
"Then I'll ride a horse over next time."
Huang Qi was exasperated: "You... that's not what I meant."
Huo Shou lowered his eyes: "I was afraid I'd miss you, so I came here to wait early in the morning. The cabbage vendor next to me came with two large loads of cabbage to sell when I arrived, just setting up his stall. Now, he's already packed up and left for the day."
"I waited with great difficulty until you came, yet you won't let me go. Why must you be so harsh?"
Huang Qi looked at the vendors nearby who had already started packing up their stalls. He pressed his lips together: "Forget it. If you want to go, then go."
Thank you for the update!!
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