Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets
Chapter 59 A Family Reunion

Chapter 59: Chapter 59 A Family Reunion

"I’m going too?" Tang Jun’s eyes instantly sparkled with brilliant light.

Tang Yue nodded affirmatively, "Of course, if you go back to the village alone, with no one there, how would you eat?"

"But isn’t the round-trip fare expensive?" Tang Jun was overjoyed but felt it was a bit pricey. He knew that whenever their parents went to the county, they mostly walked because they were reluctant to spend that bit of bus fare.

"Pfft~"

Tang Yue laughed, took a sip of soup, and then slowly said, "Don’t worry, I won’t make you walk from the town to the county."

"That’s good." Tang Jun happily finished off his bowl of rice noodle soup until it was all gone, feeling full and even warmer inside.

Before, with his parents and sister in the county, being by himself at home indeed made him feel very lonely.

Last week, he stayed at Mo Weidong’s house, where Mo Weidong’s family was very welcoming, but he always felt like an outsider. Seeing Mo Weidong’s family, he missed his parents and sister even more.

Now, he could also go to the county and reunite with his parents. Excited, Tang Jun couldn’t sleep at all that night.

The next day, Tang Jun got up early, just as the sky was getting bright, Tang Yue packed up clothes, and also had Mo Weidong pack a few articles of clothing. She even collected a set of quilts from Mo Weidong’s bed. After packing up, with the clothes in one bundle, both brother and sister worked together to tie up the quilt more securely for carrying.

Tang Jun volunteered to carry the quilt, while Tang Yue carried the clothes. Tang Jun held a few books, and the siblings locked up the house and set off for the county.

Half an hour’s walk to Shuanghe Town, Tang Yue was so tired that she kept wiping sweat, while Tang Jun, carrying the quilt, was gasping for air. They just managed to catch the 7 o’clock bus to the county. Once on the bus, Tang Yue started to feel sleepy.

Tang Jun, however, excitedly sat on the bus, looking at the scenery outside the window as if he was seeing it for the first time.

He hardly ever visited the county throughout the year, and now the thought of staying there every week made his heart wildly excited.

Wangjiang County.

They rode all the way to the bus station before Tang Jun woke Tang Yue. Seeing the hustle and bustle of people at the bus station, Tang Jun stayed close to Tang Yue, unconsciously protecting her from the crowd.

Tang Yue commended, "Well done, Xiao Jun. Knowing how to protect your sister. Come on, let’s go see mom and dad."

"Who else would I protect if not you, sis?" Tang Jun urged, "Sis, let’s hurry. Where is their shop? Business must be good right now for breakfast, right?"

It was already eight-thirty. The road from Shuanghe Town to Wangjiang County was rough, with stops and bumpy rides, not yet paved with cement. It took nearly one and a half hours to finally reach the county.

Tang Yue said, "Next week, after you get off the bus station, walk this way. There’s an alley here, just 100 meters down you’ll arrive."

Tang Yue pulled Tang Jun along, earnestly memorizing the route, as next week Tang Jun would have to find his way there on his own.

"Okay," Tang Jun nodded, listening to Tang Yue repeat the directions. He said, "Sister, don’t worry, I’m not an idiot. I remember now. After getting off at the bus station, I walk this way, enter the alley, and 100 meters further is mom and dad’s shop."

Seeing that he repeated the directions well, Tang Yue thought that after walking it a couple more times in the next two days, Xiao Jun should be able to find it.

When Tang Yue brought Tang Jun to the breakfast shop, it was bustling with people. As it was cold weather, many passersby came in to have a bowl of rice noodle soup.

"Dad, Mom, little uncle," Tang Jun called out excitedly.

Zhang Hualian hurried to invite her son and daughter into the backyard.

Tang Yue pulled Tang Jun into the backyard, afraid of blocking the way of the customers. After putting down her things, she went straight to the kitchen to wash the bowls that had been used.

Tang Jun’s stomach was growling with hunger, so Tang Zhengde cooked two extra bowls for Xiao Jun and Xiao Yue to eat first.

But in the end, Tang Yue was so busy washing dishes that she simply had no time to eat.

In those days, although everyone was not rich, the place was close to the train station, and there were many people coming and going. Plus, it was on the way to the market, and many people were willing to stop for a bowl of noodle soup.

Not just in the morning but also at noon, there were successively many people coming to ask for noodle soup.

First, noodle soup was much cheaper than stir-fried dishes, and secondly, it was faster.

Travelers always wanted to save every penny they could.

Tang Zhengde served especially generous portions in each bowl, enough to fill one up, so basically, anyone who had visited once would choose to come to his shop a second time.

It was busy until after nine o’clock, and Tang Yue’s stomach started to growl. While eating, she asked, "Little uncle, how is the business at your stall recently? I’ll come and help at your stall in a while."

"Sure thing!" Tang Mingli said with a wide grin, "You’re getting a school break soon, and it’s getting close to the New Year, there are especially a lot of people buying clothes. When you’re on winter break, you’re not allowed to go anywhere."

"Okay," Tang Yue agreed cheerfully and then reminded him, "By the way, little uncle, next time you stock up, bring in some scarves and hats. I remember there are some on the second floor of the wholesale market."

"People would buy those?" Tang Mingli couldn’t help but ask, as everyone on the streets usually knitted their own scarves.

"Definitely, pick some good-looking and cute ones, mainly the kind for girls," Tang Yue described in detail.

The more Tang Mingli listened, the more feasible it sounded. He could hardly wait to stock up right away.

Last week Tang Yue only helped for a day, but compared to last week, this week’s business has exploded. No wonder his little uncle had been grinning from ear to ear these days.

The clothes from Sister Wei’s place were of good quality and reasonably priced. Compared to others, the styles were more attractive. Plus, Tang Yue and Tang Mingli, the niece and uncle, were particularly good at talking. Generally, anyone who bought clothes once would almost always come back a second time.

While many people complained that Tang Mingli didn’t stock men’s clothes, he decided to bring in men’s clothes next time. He would start with a small batch, and if they sold well, he would bring in more.

Busy days always flew by, and Tang Jun, following along, although he didn’t sell clothes, learned a lot.

In the evening, the four family members plus Tang Mingli had dinner in the shop. With the storefront closed, the hustle and bustle faded away, but it was replaced by warmth. The bright lights and steaming dishes, and everyone’s faces bore the longing and anticipation for a promising future.

"Dad, Mom, can I come here every week from now on?" Tang Jun still couldn’t snap out of the excitement; he spent the morning in the shop and the afternoon with his little uncle at the stall, but he also roamed around the vicinity, snacking a lot. Tang Jun felt utmost bliss.

"Mhm," Tang Zhengde nodded, "Xiao Jun, from now on, on Fridays, you take the bus over here, and we’ll come pick you up."

Now that the shop was making money, Tang Zhengde naturally wanted to be together with his family, and he could not bear to let Xiao Jun stay in the village by himself.