CHAPTER 420: CHAPTER 420 MEMORIES

The lack of meat, and the absence of comfortable heated sleeping platforms in the winter, made Zhao Guangran feel quite depressed.

"It’s obvious there’s nothing better there than here, so why are we leaving here to go to Beijing?" Zhao Guangran used to eagerly anticipate their move to Beijing, only to realize now that life there has its inconveniences.

Zhao Guangran really felt that if life was indeed so inconvenient, there was no point in going to Beijing; they lived comfortably in the Northeast, and besides, moving to Beijing would mean having to deal with those so-called city folks, which was less appealing than staying in the Northeast.

Even if some people were dissatisfied and always looking to take his position, to Zhao Guangran, those were minor issues.

Back then, he managed to seize the top position on his own, and he could do it again, especially since now he had help.

"Go to Beijing." Despite how uncomfortable Beijing might feel at the moment and how much more comfortable the Northeastern countryside was, Beijing’s future development pace would be incredibly fast, unmatched by the rural Northeast.

"Once you go to Beijing, you’ll forget all about the Northeast." Zhao Gang was certain of this.

For children, big cities were still quite alluring, "There’s good food, and bigger, better schools."

Zhao Gang didn’t know much about Beijing and struggled to say much more after just a few comments.

"Beijing has fun places," Wan Qiweng naturally chimed in, "like the places where emperors used to live, they are very big."

"There are also huge parks."

"And lots of good restaurants." Although they dined at what was supposedly the best restaurant in the county, Wan Qiweng was embarrassed to admit it, as it truly couldn’t compare; the taste was just typically trashy, and she wondered how the chefs here could face it shamelessly.

As soon as the topic of food was brought up, it became the theme of the conversation, making everyone present, and even those eavesdropping, feel their stomachs rumble with hunger.

There was no helping it, given that people’s food conditions weren’t great, and many ate only the local delicacies. Hearing about Beijing’s cuisine suddenly, how could they not be excited?

Each person crowded around Wan Qiweng to hear her recount Beijing’s past culinary delights, and, overwhelmed by nostalgia for her hometown’s cuisine, she closed her eyes while talking to prevent her current meal from ruining her mood.

As a result, the crowd grew larger, and when Wan Qiweng opened her eyes, she was startled by the sheer number of people, which indeed frightened her considerably.

"Girl, were there really so many delicious things in old Beijing?" asked a middle-aged man in his fifties.

Wan Qiweng nodded, "What I’m talking about are the old brands in Beijing; I’m not sure if they’re still open now."

Back then, things were so chaotic that even her own family wasn’t exempt from difficulties, let alone knowing what happened to those so-called old eateries. If the skills weren’t passed down, such delicious food might never be tasted again in the future.

Thinking of this made Wan Qiweng feel all sorts of worries.

Indeed, no matter how pleasing something sounds, there must be an opportunity to taste it; otherwise, it’s all in vain. As for whether those so-called owners or inheritors survived, that’s really up to their luck. Considering how uproarious things were in recent years, probably very few managed to survive.

"What a crime." Some thought the actions of the so-called Red Guards went too far, and lightly commented as such.

"Let’s eat." Even though some of those Red Guards were no longer active like locusts in autumn, who knew if they’d appear again in the future, so the conversation stopped there.

Most of them wouldn’t go to Beijing, and those so-called delicacies they wouldn’t taste, much less sympathize with those people. In past years, their own relatives had suffered, some held on, and some were gone forever.

"Once we go to Beijing in the future, I’ll treat you, Ni Zi, to something delicious." Wan Qiweng initially wanted to offer to treat them all but knowing that Cai Ming and the others wouldn’t agree, she settled on treating a few kids.

Treating them was one thing, but Gong Ruini didn’t want to be taken advantage of by Wan Qiweng just for a bit of food. If she wasn’t sure before, now Gong Ruini was very certain that Cai Ming indeed had an interest in Wan Qiweng.

Gong Ruini felt she couldn’t let her uncle be taken for such a small culinary treat. Considering Wan Qiweng’s uncertain background, even if Cai Ming didn’t have a girlfriend, Gong Ruini still believed her uncle shouldn’t be put at a disadvantage.

However, declining so straightforwardly wasn’t proper either, especially not knowing if they’d have future interactions with Wan Qiweng. In case she turned out to be a local bigwig, they weren’t "Overseas Dragons," so it was best to play it safe, "Sure, Aunt Wan treats us, we’ll treat Aunt Wan too."

How could Wan Qiweng accept their offer to treat her in return? She had already received a letter from home indicating that her grandparents had returned to Beijing, and while some things weren’t returned to them yet, life was much better than before.

"I’m the adult here." Wan Qiweng understood her feelings for Cai Ming, and many present knew it too, except perhaps Zhao Guangran and those two little kids. Even if she couldn’t end up with Cai Ming, the relationship with Zhao Gang and Gong Tao was still worth maintaining, so Wan Qiweng saw no loss.

"We may not be adults, but we can earn money." Gong Ruini whispered into Wan Qiweng’s ear, "By the way, Aunt Wan, do you know which pharmacies in Beijing buy Chinese herbs?"

Zhao Gang’s initial idea was to ship the Chinese herbs they procured to the city for sale, but later thought they could take them to Beijing since they were going anyway. Who knew, the prices might be higher there.

Wan Qiweng thought for a moment, "There are many pharmacies in Beijing that buy herbs, but I’m not sure about the prices. However, if you take them to Beijing, the supply and marketing cooperatives can also purchase them."

Wan Qiweng didn’t provide a definitive answer, and Zhao Gang and the others weren’t surprised; without prior dealings in Chinese herbs, who would be knowledgeable?

"But I know an elder whose ancestors were doctors; you can ask if they know anything." Wan Qiweng might not know, but she knew people who did.

"Please consult him when the time comes; if he can give some guidance, these herbs won’t be a problem."

After speaking, Wan Qiweng felt she might have boasted a little, "Ultimately, it depends on the other party; I haven’t been back for many years, and I’m not sure of the current situation."

Wan Qiweng took out a piece of paper and wrote down the address and name of the person, "If he no longer lives here, then we’ll deal with it later."

Having left Beijing for so many years, she wasn’t sure if the person still lived in the same place, which made Wan Qiweng feel a bit dazed, hoping that everyone was safe and sound.