The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead-Chapter 362 - 351: Departure

They had been shopping from morning until afternoon; once back home, Lu Jingqiu didn’t even eat dinner and slept straight through to the next morning.

Jiang Nanzhou and Grandpa had already prepared gifts for their visit to Dad’s side, consisting of several boxes of cigarettes, two bottles of alcohol, some fruits, and brown sugar.

Typically, families prepare their own fried dough twists and other snacks.

Once they stepped outside, they found that every family in the courtyard was visiting relatives, with either tote bags hanging on the fronts of their bicycles or baskets on the back, bulging with items.

Of course, they were no different.

Grandpa saw them to the door and said, "It’s colder today than yesterday, and the ground is slippery. Be careful with the bike."

"Got it, Grandpa. The food is warming on the stove. Remember to take it off and eat at noon."

"Don’t worry about me. I won’t go hungry—a phone call and the orderly will be here."

"Okay."

Jiang Nanzhou, with Lu Jingqiu, headed towards Dad’s place. The snow on New Year’s Eve was heavy, with some areas still covered in snow and others very slippery.

They proceeded with utmost caution, and by the time they reached their destination, Jiang Nanzhou was breaking out in a sweat.

Lu Xianrun knew they were coming and had heated water at home, waiting for them.

"Dad, we’re here."

"Qiuqiu, Nanzhou, come in and warm up. It’s cold on the road, isn’t it?"

"Yeah, it’s alright. It’s coldest when the snow is melting."

"Where did you go to have fun yesterday?"

"We just went to the temple fair. I also brought popcorn and chestnuts; the chestnuts there are really delicious."

Lu Xianrun had also gone out the day before to buy many snacks and treats for his daughter.

Fried peanuts, mung bean cakes, sunflower seeds, candies—they had it all.

Lu Jingqiu stayed with her father for two days, either eating or taking walks outside. They couldn’t go far since it had snowed again during those two days.

Lu Jingqiu didn’t really want to go out because it was very warm indoors.

During her stay at Dad’s, Lu Jingqiu wrote an article: "Waiting may be long, but I am willing to forever wait for you."

On the fourth day of the first lunar month, they visited her mother-in-law’s place.

They had a meal.

Shen Mu asked them how they were traveling.

Lu Jingqiu said, "Let’s take the train. The roads are slippery because of the snow. It’s very unsafe to drive."

Shen Mu nodded in agreement, "Right, it’s unsafe with the snow."

Jiang Nanzhou added, "There’s snow these days. It will clear up in a few days."

Lu Jingqiu shook her head, adamantly disagreeing with taking the car.

Jiang Nanzhou just wanted her to stay a few more days.

But he also knew that indeed, driving in the snow in winter was really not safe.

If they were going to leave, they would have to hurry in the next day or two.

The mother-in-law prepared many food items and necessities for her: "Here are some nutritional supplements, and the milk powder that Uncle Shen had someone get, which is said to be good for children.

In here is also some baby clothes and a small blanket I made. When Nanzhou goes back, he can take them with him. Plus, by that time, I’ll take time off to go there."

"Mom, you don’t have to inconvenience yourself because of me."

Mrs. Yang said with a smile, "What inconvenience? This is what adults are supposed to do. You don’t have experience, and it wouldn’t be good not to have an adult to support you."

"Oh, I’ll listen to Mom."

After they left the mother-in-law’s house, Jiang Nanzhou took her to Gao Qing’s place.

They bought fruits and brown sugar on the way, but after arriving happily at her doorstep, they found the door locked, and with a sigh of disappointment, she said, "It seems we didn’t come at the right time."

Jiang Nanzhou stroked her softly-capped head and said, "Then let’s head back. We can’t see her this year, but there will be other chances in the future."

"Yeah, okay, let’s go back."

Seeing that there was still plenty of time, Jiang Nanzhou asked, "Since we’re heading back, do you need anything else?"

Lu Jingqiu shook her head, "There’s nothing missing. I’m doing well over there. The only thing is not being able to see you."

Jiang Nanzhou knew he too couldn’t bear to leave his wife.

He wanted to come forward and hold her, but he was mindful of being outside, so he promptly took her back.

Once home, he helped her pack.

Items prepared by mom, grandpa, and dad.

She originally had only one bag, but when it was time to leave, there were three or four bags, which she couldn’t possibly carry by herself.

Dad said she shouldn’t worry, he had called his old subordinate in West City to pick them up, and only then did Lu Jingqiu feel relieved to pack up what the elders had prepared.

In the evening, Lu Jingqiu wrapped her arms around Jiang Nanzhou and began playfully whining with reluctance, "Husband, I can only warm the bed by myself for the next few months, I won’t get to feel your warmth anymore."

"Qiuqiu, stop, if you keep going, I might just give up everything and go back with you."

"No, I just can’t bear it, if you really come back with me, believe me, my dad would scold me to death."

"Hehe, dad loves you so much, he wouldn’t dare scold you."

"How could he not? If I do something wrong, he would. My dad doesn’t spoil me." Lu Jingqiu felt guilty even as she said this.

"Not wanting to leave your husband isn’t wrong. Be good, I’ll come to see you whenever I have the time."

"Mhm. Okay."

Lu Jingqiu thought he was just comforting her, not expecting him to show up unexpectedly one day and give her a big surprise.

Early the next day, dad personally drove her to the train station.

Grandpa was old, so they didn’t let him come.

Before leaving, he repeatedly instructed her to be careful on the road.

After picking her up, dad also picked up Shen Mu.

Dad bought them a separate sleeper compartment.

One compartment for four people, he bought out the whole thing.

Shen Ting also came to help them with their luggage, and dad escorted her into the compartment while Nanzhou and the others helped carry things.

Before leaving, dad also kept stuffing money into her pocket.

No matter how much Lu Jingqiu tried to refuse, "Dad, your daughter is now a wealthy woman, I have money. It’s you I’m worried about, without anyone to take care of you here."

"Don’t worry, dad can take care of himself, and besides, Nanzhou is also here. You’re the one I should worry about."

"Dad, I..."

"Alright, be careful on the road, don’t think too much."

"Yes, I’ll call you guys often."

"Good."

The moment the train started moving, Lu Jingqiu saw the redness in Nanzhou’s eyes.

Lu Jingqiu was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly waved to him.

As the train moved farther away, the familiar figures also became more blurred.

Though she said she could handle being alone, deep inside she also very much wished her loved ones were by her side.

After traveling for a while, Shen Mu took out a box of dumplings and several eggs, "Are you hungry, second sister-in-law? Mom specifically prepared these for us. They’re celery filling."

"Hm? Celery? Are they selling celery?"

"Yes, an old farmer was pushing a cart selling them, not much available and quite expensive. He saved these especially for us, try them."

"Okay." Lu Jingqiu took one with her hand, celery and pork, it tasted pretty good.

Suddenly her taste buds were awakened, her spirits lifted a lot, and the gloom of parting faded somewhat.

They traveled for several days, arriving in West City on the morning of the eleventh.

When they got off the train, they were busy and flustered, and then two people in military uniforms appeared at their carriage.

"Hello, we were sent by Minister Yang, you are Comrade Lu and Comrade Shen, right?"

"Yes, thank you for your trouble."

Lu Jingqiu smiled, so her uncle-in-law had sent someone to pick them up.