After Er Hu and the others settled the accommodation fees, Chen Lan and the rest of the group wasted no time. They left the inn and quickly made their way to the main road. Chen Lan retrieved the old Dongfeng truck from her system warehouse and handed the driving over to Er Hu and Xiao Shuan. Chen Lan, along with Jia Hui and Xiao Shi Mei, nimbly climbed into the back of the truck.
Their hometown, Gu'an County, known as the "foot of the Son of Heaven," was not far from the imperial capital, only about sixty kilometers from the Zhao Jia Lou Inn. Gu'an County, located in the northern part of the North China Plain, was now under the administration of Langfang City in Hebei Province. Most of the land in Gu'an County was flat, with only some hilly areas in the north. Chen Lan planned to visit that area if she had the time.
Gu'an County was crisscrossed by numerous rivers. The Yongding River flowed north of the county seat, and the Baigou River, Mangniu River, and the tributary Taiping River flowed to the west. The entire water system ran through the county from northwest to southeast. Furthermore, Gu'an County experienced distinct seasons, abundant sunshine, and significant diurnal temperature variations, making it very suitable for agricultural production. Coupled with its proximity to the imperial capital and convenient transportation, Gu'an County had been a prosperous region since ancient times. Therefore, Chen Lan planned to rent a large tract of wasteland in Gu'an County, her children's hometown, to build houses and factories once the reform and opening-up policy took effect. She intended to bring over her comrade Xu Mingxuan's friends who were willing to leave the secluded valleys, allowing them to settle down and live out their years in peace in Gu'an County.
The old Dongfeng truck drove steadily on the road to Gu'an County. Although it was nighttime and visibility was low, and the road conditions were not ideal, driving a car was still far faster than riding in a horse-drawn carriage. Even though the road was still the same old bumpy path, the speed was different due to the different mode of transportation.
As they were about to return to their hometown after nearly thirty years of absence, Er Hu and Xiao Shuan were filled with excitement. Chen Lan naturally felt the same. After all, this was the home she had just transmigrated to. It was impossible not to have any feelings for it.
As dawn broke, Chen Lan and her group arrived in Gu'an County. Er Hu stopped the truck and got out, approaching the back of the vehicle. "Xiao Lan," he asked, "should we have breakfast at the state-run restaurant in the county town before heading back to the old house?"
Chen Lan nodded, not objecting. However, she asked, "Brother Er Hu, it's barely dawn. I wonder if the state-run restaurant is open yet."
Er Hu replied, "I'll drive slowly, and we can look as we go. If the state-run restaurant has food available this early, we'll stop and eat. If there's nothing to eat this early, you can just whip up something for us to eat!"
Chen Lan thought this was a good plan. So she nodded and said, "Alright, let's go check out that time-honored restaurant, Lao Xu Jia, in the southern part of town. I wonder if it's still there. Their famous braised chicken and braised pork trotters are very distinctive. Buying some extra to give to relatives would be nice."
Er Hu smiled in agreement, "Xiao Lan, you mentioning it makes my stomach growl even more. Their braised pork trotters and braised chicken are really good. Not only do they have a beautiful bright red color, but their flavor is rich with a soy sauce aroma, and the meat is tender yet holds its shape."
Xiao Shuan's mouth watered upon hearing this. He quickly chimed in, "Let's go, second brother! No dawdling! Let's get back in the car quickly. I wonder if Lao Xu Jia restaurant is open so early?"
Chen Lan thought for a moment and then said, "Brother Er Hu, we haven't been back to the old house for almost thirty years. We may not be returning in glory, but the old house and the ancestral graves are still in the village. We'll need the help of the villagers to look after them. So, shouldn't we buy some things in the county town to give to the other villagers?"
Er Hu nodded, "That's right! It's proper etiquette. We should buy some things to bring back."
Without further delay, they immediately got back in the car and set off again.
By the time Chen Lan and her group arrived at Lao Xu Jia restaurant in the southern part of town, it was already broad daylight, and the restaurant was open. However, it was no longer called Lao Xu Jia restaurant; it had been renamed the Second State-Run Restaurant.
Er Hu and Xiao Shuan didn't care what its name was. As soon as they stopped the car and closed the doors, they quickly walked towards the restaurant entrance. As a result, the two walked in enthusiastically and soon came out dejected.
It was no surprise that there was nothing to buy yet. Chen Lan's guess was indeed correct. Xiao Shuan said with great disappointment, "Sister Xiao Lan, the restaurant staff said that they won't start operating until eleven o'clock in the morning."
Chen Lan smiled and comforted them, "Forget it! Let's not go to the supply and marketing cooperative either. I suspect there won't be anything good to buy there. Let's go!"
Er Hu said with some difficulty, "Xiao Lan, if we go back empty-handed, won't that seem inappropriate?"
Chen Lan smiled and said, "Brother Er Hu, don't worry. I'll figure out a way to buy things. I guarantee you'll feel very respected when we return."
Er Hu said sheepishly, "Xiao Lan, that's not what I meant. I just feel it's a matter of courtesy, especially since we've been away from home for almost thirty years! We also need to visit the elders in the village!"
Chen Lan smiled and nodded, not continuing the conversation.
After driving away from the county town of Gu'an, Er Hu found a place to park the car. Chen Lan ordered milk and bread from her system. After a simple meal, they got back in the car and set off again.
When Chen Lan and her group drove back to the old house, the gate to the courtyard was shut tight. A neighboring family, living next to Chen Lan's old house, heard the commotion and opened their gate. The one who opened the gate was an elderly woman. Her hair was gray, her back was hunched, and she walked with a slight tremor.
Er Hu and Xiao Shuan stared intently at the old woman for a long time. Then, they suddenly exclaimed, "Auntie Song, is that you, Auntie Song! I'm Er Hu, I'm Xiao Shuan. Didn't you recognize us brothers?"
Auntie Song wiped her eyes vigorously with her sleeve and then asked with some uncertainty, "You look a bit like them. So many decades have passed, how have you two brothers hardly changed? Where is your mother? Is she well? Why didn't she come back with you this time?"
Just then, Grandma Song also saw Chen Lan and her two daughters approaching, carrying bags. Grandma Song squinted at the mother and daughters for a long time and then asked uncertainly, "You are Xiao Lan, right!" Seeing Chen Lan nod with a smile, she continued, "So many years have passed! You haven't changed at all, still so young. These two must be your daughters! They look so much like you! By the way, how are your mother-in-law and Old Cui's family? Why didn't they come back with you this time?"