Chapter 357: 357 ready to leave
She heard a knock on the door. She answered. When she opened the door, she saw her good friend.
"Yuanyuan, why are you here? I was thinking about going to your house in a bit."
"It'll be your house soon," Su Yuanyuan said with a smile.
This made Zhao Yanli pause for a moment. "Yuanyuan, are you leaving?"
"Yes," they said as they walked into the house.
"The road's so bad now, Yuanyuan, why are you leaving now? Besides, the weather's so cold, don't let the kids get sick." I knew this moment would come, and I really didn't want her to leave.
She felt like a stabilizing presence; with her around, everything felt more reassuring.
"We'll have to leave sooner or later, and Tan Shaoting's work is quite busy over there."
"I really wish you could leave later." It was truly depressing.
"Xiao Li, you must take good care of yourself in the future. Once I get there, I'll write to you."
"Okay, Yuanyuan, you take care too. I'll visit you when I have time."
"That'll be great. I'll be waiting for you there. You're going to love it, with lots of delicious fruits."
"Alright, I have little land this year. I discussed with Mr. Li about hiring people, which should speed things up. Once everything's settled, I'll do like you and go purchase fertilizers and pesticides, then I'll directly come find you."
Su Yuanyuan laughed. "Okay, I'll be waiting for you."
Recently, Tan Shaoting wouldn't be leaving, so she could still wait for Zhao Xiaoli.
"Xiao Li, we're leaving everything at home for you. Don't be hard on yourself."
"Hmm, I definitely won't be. I'll take good care of myself and not be harsh."
"You should hurry and pack too. We're leaving tonight. It'll save you from the cold when you move tomorrow."
"Alright. Living in your house makes it feel like you're still around.
Besides, Second Brother-in-law has been anxious for a while, I don't know why he's in such a hurry."
Su Yuanyuan smiled as she listened to Zhao Yanli's complaints. It would be a long time before she could see her sisters again. But isn't it true that life has no eternal feasts? There are gatherings and farewells, that's just normal.
As she walked out of the Zhao Family's house, she held the red tiger-head shoes that Zhao Yanli made for the children. Su Yuanyuan then went to the Li Family's house.
Li Hongxiang looked at Su Yuanyuan as she entered and guessed that this girl was about to leave.
"Mr. Li, we are leaving tonight."
"In such cold weather, how are you traveling? I'll drive to take you."
"No need. Tan Shaoting found a truck. Mr. Li, if there's anything in the future, please write to me. Once I get there, I'll write you the address."
Li Hongxiang smiled, "Alright, rest assured. The three of us here are doing fine. Days will gradually get better. Don't worry about us. Taking care of three kids alone is tough. You take care too."
"Hmm, I know. The kids are growing fast."
Just then, Li Liyun came in, holding a cloth bundle in her hand.
"Sister Yuanyuan, these are shoes I made for the kids, they might be a bit big, dress them as you see fit."
Su Yuanyuan smiled as she accepted them and compared them to the shoes made by Zhao Yanli for the children. They were indeed a bit bigger.
"That's just right. When these shoes get small, they can immediately wear the ones you made.
Xiao Yun's handiwork is indeed quite good. The stitching is really solid."
"Sister Yuanyuan, I can't bear to see you go."
"Hehe, we will have opportunities to meet in the future." This was to comfort the young girl and also to comfort herself.
They had been neighbors for several years. Helping each other naturally formed a bond.
After sitting for a while at the Li Family's house, she then returned home.
Since she locked the door from the outside, upon entering she saw that Tan Shaoting was resting with the three children.
The kids were growing. Looking at them now, they bore a six-tenths resemblance to Tan Shaoting; it truly seemed unfair. She had carried them and given birth, but they ended up looking so much like Tan Shaoting.
Su Yuanyuan smiled and also climbed onto the bed when Tan Shaoting opened his eyes with a smile.
"Wife, have you said goodbye to the people you're close with? As for the rest, I'll say goodbye to Ma Changshun and Feng Baoshan, and the Zhao Brothers, then we can leave."
"Alright, you go ahead."
The first place Tan Shaoting went was to the Feng Family's house.
"Director Feng, the five of us are leaving tonight. Thank you for looking after our family all these years." Feng Baoshan was indeed a good person.
"Xiao Tan, the outside world is dangerous, be sure to protect Xiao Su and the kids."
You could say he watched Su Yuanyuan grow up. Seeing this girl leave was truly reluctant.
It was also because she could help get things that were hard for him to obtain.
"Hmm, I know, they are more important than my own life."
"I'll drive to see you off tonight."
"Director Feng, I borrowed a truck, don't worry, before we head out, I'll say my goodbyes."
After leaving the Feng Family, he went to Zhao Qingxiang's home.
They knew he was leaving but didn't know the exact time.
"Xiao Tan, are you leaving?"
"Yes, I borrowed a truck; we are leaving today. Just came by to let you know. Once we settle down, I'll write to you immediately."
"Hmm, please do. We still have to write to Yuanyuan," even though only Zhao Yanli was literate, it didn't stop them from writing to Yuanyuan.
Sun Yun handed a bundle to Tan Shaoting. "These are padded clothes for the kids."
Tan Shaoting was delighted; this made him happier than receiving gifts themselves.
After leaving Zhao Qingxiang's home, he went next to Zhao Qingjie's residence.
He also made a visit to Zhao Xiaojing's apartment. The last stop was at Ma Changshun's home.
"Group Leader Ma, thank you for taking care of us all these years. We are leaving today."
"Xiao Tan, I didn't help much. It was all your and your wife's hard work. Take care out there."
"I will."
Ma Changshun looked at this young man. Not that he didn't want him as a son-in-law, but he knew himself well. His daughter wasn't someone Xiao Tan would even glance at.
Tan Shaoting only exchanged a few words before leaving.
He happened to bump into Zheng Lanying coming out.
"Mr. Tan?"
Tan Shaoting didn't even glance at her.
"Mr. Tan, wait a moment." Zheng Lanying really had nothing to say to him. It was just a coincidence and seeing him, she felt like exchanging a few words.
But she couldn't keep up with his pace.
As she watched the man quickly leaving, Zheng Lanying's eyes turned red.
She returned home very upset. She even forgot to carry firewood.
The only man she fancied upon arriving here wouldn't even spare her a glance. It was depressing.
Heaven allowing her to cross over, yet giving her nothing— why was she brought here at all?
Why did it have to be like this? Life was so difficult, leaving her stuck.
Zheng Lanying lay on her bed crying, unaware that Ma Changshun saw her actions.