Er Zhuang suddenly spoke, "Brother, Sister-in-law, I want to go to the train station later to see if there are any train tickets to Jiamusi this afternoon."
Chen Lan asked in surprise, "What's wrong? Er Zhuang, are you planning to go back to Jiamusi?"
Er Zhuang replied, "Yes, Sister-in-law. Since Brother is fine now and has even benefited from misfortune by being able to further his studies at the Party School, I'm relieved! I want to go back to Jiamusi to handle many things at the unit. My brother and I have been away for so long, I don't know how the unit is doing now. I estimate it must be in chaos."
Chen Lan interjected, "If it was going to be chaotic, it would have been chaotic long ago. What kind of chaos can there be? If the sky falls, taller people will hold it up. What are you worried about? You've finally come to Harbin, so stay and relax for two days before going back."
Er Zhuang looked at Xu Mingxuan with some difficulty. Xu Mingxuan coughed gently and said, "Just listen to your sister-in-law. It's not easy to come here. Stay and have fun in Harbin for two days before going back. Look around everywhere. When you get back, you need to learn to let people under you handle things. You just need to supervise and inspect. A good leader doesn't have to do everything themselves. You need to learn to let go to cultivate useful talents for the country, otherwise, when will they grow up and contribute to the country?"
Er Zhuang nodded repeatedly and said, "Brother, I understand. I know what to do when I get back."
Xu Mingxuan hummed and continued, "Work hard now. Once you've trained everyone below you, you won't be so tired. You should also make time to read more books in private. I won't take my books back, I'll leave them for you to read. Study more and improve yourself."
Seeing Er Zhuang nodding, Xu Mingxuan stopped talking.
Not long after, Jia Hui returned and asked as soon as she entered the room, "Mom, is everything packed?"
Chen Lan replied, "It's packed, we can go. Did you find out which state-run restaurant serves better food?"
Jia Hui sighed and replied, "Don't mention it. She said everything is delicious. I asked her if she's eaten there before, and she said she heard it from guests staying at the inn.
Chen Lan thought to herself, it made sense. The wages and ration coupons earned by children working at that time were handed over to the family to subsidize household expenses. How could she herself have the money and coupons to eat out?
Jia Hui continued, "However, Uncle Zhang, who boils water, told me that the state-run Gengxin Restaurant in Laodaowai is an old establishment and its dishes are good. He also said that their wontons and donkey burgers are very good and recommended that we try them.
Chen Lan immediately replied, "That's good. That boiler operator is quite enthusiastic. He must be an old Harbin resident. I actually have something to ask him. Let's check out of here first, then take your father to the school to register. After registering, our family will stroll over to that restaurant to try something new."
As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and asked, "Jia Hui, did you find out the specific location of the Gengxin Restaurant?"
Jia Hui replied, "I found out. That uncle enthusiastically told me how to get there. He said it's easy to find, right on Nan Si Dao Street in Daowai. He also said that if I can't find it, I can ask passersby. This state-run Gengxin Restaurant is very famous in Harbin."
Chen Lan picked up her large backpack and said, "It's good that you found out. Grab your things, let's go!"
They arrived at the front desk on the first floor. Xu Mingxuan and Er Zhuang were waiting for them with their three sons.
Chen Lan took a handful of money from her pocket and handed it to Xu Mingxuan, telling him and Er Zhuang to take the children to check out. She then pulled Jia Hui to the back courtyard of the inn. Jia Hui asked in surprise, "Mom, aren't we checking out? What are we doing in the back courtyard?"
Chen Lan said, "Mom wants to ask Uncle Zhang who boils water something."
With that, she took out two bottles of baijiu from the system's warehouse and carried them in her hand.
The mother and daughter each carried a large backpack, and Chen Lan, carrying the two bottles of baijiu, quickly found the uncle who was shoveling coal into the boiler in the boiler room. Jia Hui called out, "Uncle Zhang, I need to trouble you again."
Uncle Zhang turned his head and said with a smile, "My girl, it's you? No trouble, no trouble. Girl, sister-in-law, what do you want to ask? Ask whatever you want to know, there's nothing in this area that I, Old Zhang, don't know."
Old Zhang looked about fifty or sixty years old, not very tall, of medium build, with a face weathered by the elements.
Hearing him say that, Chen Lan quickened her steps and said, "Brother Zhang, thank you for your help earlier. My children and I are new here and don't know anything. It's all thanks to you for giving us directions. This wine is a specialty from my hometown. Please take it and try it to see if you like it?" As she spoke, she handed the two bottles of wine in her hand to Old Zhang.
Old Zhang repeatedly declined, saying, "No, no, it's just a few words. You're too polite. Sister-in-law, as I said, ask whatever you want to know. I really can't accept this. It's too valuable."
Chen Lan didn't argue with him and handed the two bottles of baijiu to Jia Hui, who was standing beside her, signaling her to put the wine aside. Then she asked, "Brother Zhang, you must be a native of Harbin, right!"
Seeing Old Zhang nod, Chen Lan continued, "Brother Zhang, I want to ask you about something."
Old Zhang replied, "Sister-in-law, ask whatever you want, as long as I, Old Zhang, know it, I will definitely tell you."
So Chen Lan asked, "Brother Zhang, I want to ask if there are any empty houses for sale or for rent near the Party School." Seeing Old Zhang's nervous expression, Chen Lan quickly explained, "Brother Zhang, don't misunderstand. It's like this, my children's father has been transferred to work in Harbin, and his leader wants him to study at the Party School for two years. I can't always live in the inn with my children for two years. It's too expensive, isn't it?"
Uncle Zhang nodded and thought for a moment before saying, "Sister-in-law, I don't know what your requirements are for the house. Approximately how large do you need it to be, and how many rooms?"
Chen Lan replied, "I want a separate courtyard, at least four rooms and a main hall, preferably with a large courtyard, and the rooms should be spacious."
Old Zhang listened to Chen Lan's requirements and said, "Sister-in-law, your requirements are actually a bit high. It looks like you'll have to go to the Housing Management Office to look."