The beloved but ungrateful girl is reborn: This time she has truly changed.

Their first suspect was definitely Qi Weiwei.

She wasn't afraid to face them.

But now that she's gone, they can't find her and will probably cause trouble for their parents.

Thinking of this, she put down her needlework and went into the living room.

Qi Chou has returned, carrying large and small bags.

Chen Hongxia came out of the kitchen, holding a rag to wipe her hands.

"Dad, Mom!" Qi Weiwei said, her voice tense. "I'll say it again—if Tang Aijun's family comes to ask about the money, just tell them you're calling the police. Don't argue with them, remember that!"

Qi Chou straightened up and nodded emphatically: "Don't worry. When your mother and I borrowed the money, we told them we wouldn't reveal it. Besides, this kind of interest rate of nine percent or ten percent is actually usury, and the police will arrest us if they find out. The lenders won't be stupid enough to admit it."

He paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "The main thing is that you withdrew two thousand yuan from the bank... When I went grocery shopping today, a neighbor asked me, 'Old Qi, did your Weiwei strike it rich? She withdrew so much money.' It's already spread."

Qi Weiwei's heart sank.

Withdrawing money from a bank, especially a large amount, was indeed a rare occurrence in those days, and it was normal for neighbors to gossip about it.

But she quickly calmed down: "Dad, don't be afraid. It's my own savings account. The source of the two thousand yuan is that, if anyone asks, it was borrowed from the wife of the supply and marketing cooperative director. There's an IOU for it, so it can be checked, and I'm not afraid of being checked."

She looked at her father, her eyes resolute: "Just remember, whatever they ask, just say, 'Let's call the police and let them find out.' They're after dirty money; they wouldn't dare call the police!"

Qi Chou looked at his daughter, seeing the clarity and ruthlessness in her eyes that were beyond her years, and felt both gratified and heartbroken.

He nodded vigorously: "Okay! Dad got it!"

Chen Hongxia walked over and took her daughter's hand. Her hand was rough but warm: "Weiwei, don't worry. If that old hag Sun Xidi dares to cause trouble, I'll scratch her face until it's bruised!"

As she spoke, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes: "I haven't forgotten how many times she hit you. I only put up with her for so long because she's your man's grandmother. Now..."

She paused, then her tone became even more resolute: "Weiwei, don't worry, Mom's still got the fighting spirit! If she dares to come, I'll fight her to the death!"

Qi Weiwei looked at her mother, at this usually dignified woman, who now revealed the fierceness of a mother wolf protecting her cub in order to protect her daughter.

She felt a warmth in her heart, but also a pang of sadness.

Put your mind at ease.

Qi Zhuangzhuang returned around 3 PM.

He held two tickets in his hand, green cardboard with "Railway Passenger Pass" printed on them, showing the departure time, train number, and seat number.

"I got it." He handed the ticket to Qi Weiwei. "It departs at 7:30 tomorrow morning and arrives in Hulu County at noon. Your seat is by the window, carriage 03, seats 4 and 5."

Qi Weiwei took the ticket and examined it carefully.

The train was an express train starting with K. In those days, it was considered very fast to travel from Beijing to Hulu County in Shandong Province in just over four hours.

"Thank you, brother," she said sincerely.

Qi Zhuangzhuang waved his hand: "Why are you being so polite with your older brother?"

Just then, Chen Hongxia returned from outside.

She was carrying a cloth bag, which was bulging inside.

"Mom, where did you go?" Qi Weiwei asked.

"I went to the supply and marketing cooperative again. There were too many people when your dad went before, and he didn't buy a lot of things." Chen Hongxia put the bag on the table and took things out one by one. "Weiwei, look—a new toothbrush, toothpaste, an enamel mug, a lunchbox, and also toilet paper, hair ties, socks..."

She bought only everyday items, all brand new.

In those days, although these things were not expensive, they were rationed and not easy to collect.

"Mom, I..."

"Don't talk," Chen Hongxia interrupted her, then took out a red rubber hot water bottle from the bag, with peonies printed on it. "It's cold in the countryside of Shandong Province. Fill up a hot water bottle and keep warm at night."

Qi Weiwei looked at the pile of things on the table, and her nose started to sting again.

My mother is always like this; she wants to prepare everything for her.

Chen Hongxia borrowed a small leather suitcase from her neighbor next door—it was brown, made of artificial leather, and although it was old, it was very sturdy.

"Come on, let Mom pack your luggage." She pulled Qi Weiwei into the house and started packing things into the suitcase.

Clothes were folded neatly, and daily necessities were categorized and put away.

On top was the thick cotton-padded coat and a pair of new cotton-padded shoes—the soles she had just finished sewing, stuffed with new cotton.

"Mom, there's too much, I can't carry it all." Qi Weiwei looked at the suitcase that was stuffed full, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"If you can't carry it, your older brother will take care of it." Chen Hongxia didn't look up and continued stuffing things in. "When you're traveling, you have to be prepared for everything. Just in case you need it?"

Qi Weiwei stopped talking and just watched her mother busy herself.

My mother is getting old.

He was only in his early fifties, but most of his hair had already turned white, and his back was somewhat hunched.

But at this moment, seeing her bent over packing her luggage made Qi Weiwei feel incredibly heartbroken.

At dinner, Qi Chou served a large plate of dumplings.

The mutton and radish filling is thin-skinned and generously filled, each one resembling a small ingot, steaming hot.

He also specially bought dried shrimp, which was supplied with seafood coupons, and sprinkled it into the dipping sauce, making it both fresh and fragrant.

"Eat more. Dumplings for your farewell and noodles for your return." Qi Chou filled his daughter's bowl to the brim. "I also packed a big lunchbox for you to eat on the road tomorrow."

Qi Weiwei took a bite of the dumpling.

The lamb was tender, the radish was sweet, and the shrimp had just the right amount of umami flavor.

This is the taste of Dad, the taste of home.

She ate slowly and carefully, trying to remember the taste of every bite.

After finishing the dumplings, Qi Chou indeed brought out two aluminum lunch boxes and filled them with the remaining dumplings.

Then open the window and place the lunchbox outside on the windowsill—a natural refrigerator in late autumn.

"I'll eat on the train tomorrow at noon," he said. "Even though it's only a four-hour train ride, I still need to eat along the way."

As Qi Weiwei watched her father's busy figure, a warm feeling welled up in her heart, mixed with a touch of sadness.

In her past life, how long had it been since she had eaten dumplings made by her father?

ten years?

Twenty years?

No, it's a lifetime.

All I remember is that my father's health deteriorated, and he couldn't make dumplings anymore...

Later, after her father passed away, she never tasted that flavor again.

In this life, she will cherish every bite of dumpling.

The next morning, before dawn, Chen Hongxia got up.

She mixed the leftover dumpling filling from yesterday and made wontons.

The clear broth contained shredded seaweed and dried shrimp, a sour soup base, and a generous amount of white pepper powder.

Qi Weiwei was awakened by the fragrance and got up to wash up.

I had just finished tidying up when I heard a knock on the door.

"Knock knock knock".

It's Qi Zhuangzhuang.

He was wearing a slightly worn military overcoat and a Lei Feng hat. His face was a little red from the cold, but he was in good spirits.

"Big brother, why are you here so early?" Qi Weiwei opened the door and let him in.

Qi Zhuangzhuang smiled sheepishly.