Wang Shuo looked toward the voice and saw a man with glasses in a white short-sleeved shirt, dressed like a typical civil servant.
"Jiandong!" Chen Jialin said excitedly, hurrying over to him.
"Xiao Shuo, this is my husband, Zhang Jiandong."
"Jiandong, this is..."
"I know. Wang Shuo, it’s great to et you! I’m your biggest fan!"
Wang Shuo smiled and shook Zhang Jiandong’s hand. "Nice to et you, Brother Dong."
"Co on, it’s too crowded here. Let’s get out of here. You must be hungry after such a long flight, right?"
That last part was obviously directed not at Wang Shuo, but at his wife.
"Of course! I want at!"
With Zhang Jiandong, Chen Jialin revealed a surprisingly gentle and feminine side.
Wang Shuo couldn’t help but chuckle.
The couple was having a long-awaited reunion.
Wang Shuo had to wait for a flight to the provincial capital the next morning, so he was staying the night near the airport.
Shen Qinghe had booked the hotel for him—the newly opened Hilton right outside Terminal 3.
Wang Shuo hadn’t wanted to intrude on their reunion, but Zhang Jiandong and Chen Jialin absolutely insisted on treating him to dinner.
They drove him to his hotel, and after he checked in, they took him to the city center.
This was Wang Shuo’s first ti in the Capital.
Zhang Jiandong didn’t take Wang Shuo to Quanjude, but to Qianbi Restaurant, saying the roast duck here was more authentic.
"Xiao Shuo, my boss at the newspaper found out about my connection to you and gave a special task. Before you return to Germany this ti, you absolutely have to agree to an exclusive interview with our paper."
Wang Shuo was still eating the roast duck they were treating him to and was just about to agree.
But Chen Jialin cut in with a smile, "Director Zhang, if you want to request an exclusive interview, that’s fine, but please go through the proper channels. Talk to our team first and schedule an appointnt."
"Wait, Ms. Chen, I’m your husband."
"Please act professionally, Director Zhang. He is my boss."
Chen Jialin stared at her husband, not yielding an inch, as if to ask, ’Boss or husband—do I even need to tell you which one is more important?’
Zhang Jiandong clearly backed down and imdiately agreed to make an appointnt.
Wang Shuo, on the side, was grinning from ear to ear.
He had heard Shen Qinghe ntion that Zhang Jiandong was the deputy director of the editor-in-chief’s office at a prestigious newspaper. To have reached such a position at his age, his future was boundless.
"Setting that aside for now, Xiao Shuo, let toast you with my juice instead of wine."
As he spoke, Zhang Jiandong raised the glass of juice in his hand.
"Thank you for helping us end our long-distance marriage. Thank you!"
That last sentence was spoken with great sincerity.
"Don’t ntion it, Brother Dong. Sister Jialin is so capable, I should be the one thanking her for being willing to co help ."
Chen Jialin smiled, raised her glass, and clinked it against Wang Shuo’s.
"You’re the boss who pays my salary. If you thank again, I’ll be the one who feels awkward."
Wang Shuo smiled and didn’t say any more on the subject.
He hadn’t had much formal schooling, but having grown up imrsed in the culture of his ho country, he held a deep respect for talented professionals.
Shen Qinghe had recomnded her highly, and after talking with Chen Jialin a few tis, Wang Shuo could see that she was indeed exceptionally skilled.
Originally, Zhang Jiandong had also hoped to convince Wang Shuo to stay in the Capital for a while to do so sightseeing and, conveniently, get the interview done.
But with his heart set on his hotown and his parents, Wang Shuo was anxious to get back. His plane ticket was already booked.
However, Zhang Jiandong’s words sparked an idea in Wang Shuo’s mind.
His dad’s greatest admiration was for Chairman Mao, and he often talked about wanting to visit the Capital to see sights like The Forbidden City and the Great Wall.
’I could bring them to the Capital for a few days.’
’And my aunt and uncle, and Xiao Wei too.’
The mont he thought of his family, Wang Shuo wished he could fly back imdiately.
He hadn’t been ho in a whole year!
...
Early the next morning, a silver Great Wall Haval H3 slowly pulled up to the entrance of the largest wet market in Lingshan State Town.
Wang Wenjun and Xu Xiuying got out from the driver and passenger seats and walked quickly into the market.
This was the ti when the vegetables, fruits, and ats were at their freshest.
Inside, the market was packed with people and incredibly noisy.
The two of them weaved through the crowd, constantly stopping to look at the items at various stalls.
"Xiao Shuo loves at. Let’s buy so more beef. Get the sirloin tip."
"You stay here and watch them cut it. I’ll go over there to buy vegetables."
"Rember to go to the next stall and buy so mangoes. They’re his favorite."
"Got it."
The old couple had clear goals, and it wasn’t long before they walked out of the market carrying bags of all sizes.
On their way out, they also bought so ginger, scallions, and garlic from a roadside stall near the entrance.
"Old Wang, why are you splurging on so many groceries today?"
The owner of the neighboring breakfast stall recognized Wang Wenjun. Back when he used to make deliveries to the state town, he had often eaten breakfast there.
"My son is coming ho today. I’ve invited a few of his uncles over for a al."
"Your son is back? The one who plays football in Europe?"
"That’s right. He only cos back once a year, so I’m buying so of his favorite foods." Wang Wenjun couldn’t stop grinning.
"Ah, Old Wang, you’ve finally made it."
"Aren’t you almost there too? Your son is about to graduate from university, isn’t he?"
"He’s graduating this year and has already found a job. He’ll be staying in the Quanjiang City District from now on."
"That’s great! Congratulations, Old Li."
"That’s nothing. Your son is the one who’s truly amazing."
After chatting for a bit, Xu Xiuying, who was in a hurry to get ho and cook, urged Wang Wenjun to get going.
His aunt and uncle were still busy at ho.
"By the way, Xiao Shuo arrives at noon, right?"
On the way back to the village, Xu Xiuying still felt a little worried.
"Yeah. I offered to go pick him up, but he said everything was arranged and told not to worry, just to wait at ho."
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