Erhu saw everyone frozen there and immediately said with a smile, "Yes, yes, that's right, Xiaolan is right. Uncle Chunwang, Brother Qiangzi, we haven't seen each other for almost thirty years! We should sit down and have a good drink. We've brought a lot of snacks today. Come, Uncle Chunwang, Brother Qiangzi, let's all sit down and have a good drink to celebrate."
Just then, Jiahui brought over the box of wine. Xiao Shuan reached out, took it, and placed it on the ground by the table.
Seeing the pile of preserved dishes Chen Lan had taken out and the wine Jiahui had brought, the old village head knew Chen Lan and the others had prepared everything in advance!
So he said, "Since that's the case, uncle won't stand on ceremony! Old woman, arrange for Qiangzi's wife and Dashan's wife to clean up these dishes. Leave more of the chicken soup and meat for your table of women and children! It's not easy for you to do so much work all year round, and you need to replenish your strength."
After hearing the old village head's words, Chen Lan felt that the old village head was quite a kind-hearted old man! So she said again, "Uncle Village Head, just leave some chicken soup for the children! You don't need to specially save the meat for the children! There's still a lot of preserved meat and dishes in the bag that I didn't take out just now."
After Chen Lan said this, she bent down again, picked up the bag, and reached inside to take things out.
After the old village head's family was stunned for another moment, the women of the village head's family started to get busy!
This meal was truly a joyous occasion for all. By the time the men's table, including Erhu and Xiao Shuan, finally finished, it was already past two-thirty in the afternoon!
Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Lan and the others dared not delay any longer and planned to take their leave and head home immediately.
The old village head knew that Chen Lan and the others had important matters to attend to back in the capital and therefore did not try to keep them. Chen Lan and her group waved goodbye to the old village head's family and prepared to drive from Gu'an County back to the capital.
Seeing that Erhu and Xiao Shuan had drunk quite a bit today, Chen Lan was worried about them driving under the influence and causing an accident. For everyone's safety, Chen Lan decided to have Jiahui drive, as it would be safer. She herself would sit in the driver's seat with Xiao Shimei to accompany Jiahui, while Erhu and Xiao Shuan brothers would go to the back to sleep and sober up.
The next morning, they didn't have breakfast together. Chen Lan and her two daughters, along with Xiang Dong's brothers and Erhu's brothers, split into three groups and left the inn.
The first group was Chen Lan, accompanied by Xiao Shimei and Jiahui, heading to Capital University for enrollment.
The second group consisted of Xiang Dong and Erhu, along with Lin Mao and Xiao Shan, who were going to help with the renovation of the four newly purchased houses.
The third group was Chen Lan's request for Xiang Xi to take Xiao Shuan to various housing management offices in Sijiu City to inquire and see if there were any vacant siheyuan courtyards for sale.
If there were any, regardless of how dilapidated they were, they were to be secured. Upon hearing this, Xiang Xi readily agreed. He didn't ask Chen Lan why, as he knew he would find out later. He understood that Chen Lan's arrangements must have a reason. Sudan Novel Network
Chen Lan and her two daughters took a bus from Qianmen Station and transferred to Capital University, located in Haidian District.
Capital University, also known as "Yuan," located in Haidian District, was a famous scenic area on the outskirts of the capital city as early as the Jin Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it became a royal "Imperial Garden."
The entire "Yuan" possessed the grandeur and magnificence of northern classical gardens, as well as the elegance of southern landscape gardens.
Chen Lan had no opportunity to see it in her previous life. It was said that Capital University not only had beautiful surroundings but also a good living environment. She heard that the former residence of Princess Heshuo Hejia of the Qing Dynasty was used as dormitory for Capital University students.
Capital University campus had numerous lakes, and the famous "Weiming Lake" was said to be within the campus. Weiming Lake also had three scenes: an island, a fish, and a rock boat in the lake.
After getting off the bus, the mother and daughters asked passersby for the specific location of Capital University. Unexpectedly, many students were coming to Capital University to register today. The mother and daughters finally found the south gate of Capital University by following other students who were also registering today.
Looking inside, the mother and daughters saw rows of greyish-blue three-story small buildings nestled among the trees. Every three small buildings formed a "品" character, creating a semi-enclosed courtyard.
Jiahui saw that there were too many people coming and going at the entrance and said, "Mom, there are too many people reporting today, it's all so chaotic! You and little sister wait for me outside! I'll go in and report, and then see what major I'm assigned before coming out to meet you and little sister."
Chen Lan asked with great surprise, "Jiahui, don't students choose their own majors?"
Jiahui gave a sound of surprise and then asked, "Mom, so the majors are chosen by ourselves, not assigned uniformly? I thought it was like when we were admitted to school, where the school would arrange it uniformly?"
Chen Lan smiled and said, "How could the school arrange what major to study? Naturally, you study what you like! Jiahui, I have to tell you, this is a lifelong matter, you must take it seriously. Understand?"
Jiahui replied nonchalantly, "Mom, I understand! I'll definitely consider it carefully before deciding on a major! You and little sister wait for me patiently at the entrance. It'll be quick! I'll be out in a moment."
Seeing students everywhere carrying luggage in a chaotic manner, Chen Lan also felt a bit reluctant to go in.
So she nodded and agreed, "Alright! Your little sister and I will wait for you outside the school. However, Jiahui, you need to be as quick as possible. We didn't eat breakfast, and after we eat at the state-run restaurant, we need to go to a nearby housing management office to ask if there are any courtyards for sale in this area? Mom plans to buy you a courtyard near the school to live in, so it will be convenient for you to go to school."
Jiahui promised, "Mom, I understand!" and then ran off.
Chen Lan and Xiao Shimei, feeling a bit bored, started to wander outside the school, but they didn't dare to go too far, fearing that Jiahui wouldn't be able to find them when she came out. Chen Lan couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Life without a mobile phone is really too inconvenient!"