After celebrating the birthdays of Zhou Family’s father and daughter, the day we rented the carriage to go to Jingjiao, no one expected the good weather to change from clear skies into a sudden storm.

As we were about to set off, heavy rain accompanied by thunder began to pour down. Unlike the brief summer sun showers we were used to, this wasn’t going to stop any time soon.

"Dad, are we really not going?"

Zhang Guoqing nodded. There was no choice. We had previously agreed to postpone if it rained, especially with thunder booming like this. Our friends might have even turned back halfway.

Ping’an looked out disappointedly, "I was all ready to go."

"This rain won’t last for days." Zhang Guoqing took his hand and led him back inside the house, "Will you join your grandpa at the seaside during the summer break this year?"

"I’d like the whole family to go, and hopefully take me hunting. I feel I’m getting rusty without practice."

Zhang Guoqing laughed and rubbed his crew cut, "You’re still young, no rush. We can accompany you, but your mom still needs to return to work."

Hearing this from inside the room, Zhou Jiao felt moved. They didn’t get to go last year, and if they didn’t go in the next two years, they might never have the chance. "How about we take you to have some fun first, and then send the three of you to your grandma?"

Zhang Guoqing was surprised by her suggestion, but before he could voice his question, he started laughing.

She was leaning lazily against the kang, with their two younger sons pushing their fluffy little heads against her. Hearing his laughter, the two little guys started rolling around on the kang.

Such lively kids!

Zhou Jiao patted their tummies, "It’s not time yet, you know."

The two of them giggled, waving their chubby little arms like lotus roots, waving to Zhang Guoqing and Ping’an who were walking in hand in hand, occasionally blowing a funny kiss.

Zhang Guoqing helped Ping’an take off his shoes and carried him onto the kang, patting his sons’ little bottoms, "Not scared a bit by the thunder, you guys are brave enough."

"Can you bear to let the kids be away from you? If they all go with Grandpa and Grandma, and I go to military school, then you’d be the only one here." Zhang Guoqing shook his head decisively, "No way."

Before Zhou Jiao could reply, he changed the topic: "Didn’t your master always want to take you to gather herbs? How about visiting Little Mu’s hometown this time? The weather is cooler and the scenery is nice there, plus Aunt can help us look after the kids."

"The best part is it’s peaceful there. Da Yi also mentioned it to me a few days ago. Even if more people come, it’s fine; Little Mu’s family has plenty of yurts."

Ping’an’s eyes lit up. Compared to Jingjiao, he preferred going to the grasslands. There he could hunt, ride, gather herbs, and play with his beloved dog.

"Mom, let’s go."

As soon as Ping’an spoke, the two little ones chimed in together, mimicking him: "Mom, let’s go."

This instantly made the couple burst into laughter. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Zhou Jiao exchanged glances with him and nodded to the three kids, "It’s rare that you all agree. This trip is unanimously approved by the family, so we can go."

Little Ping’an jumped up with joy, "Great."

Now, seeing their brother jumping, the two little ones also started jumping, scaring the couple into quickly protecting them, but still, they fell over.

Zhang Guoqing pretended to wipe off sweat, "One day this kang will collapse."

Zhou Jiao chuckled in agreement, "Let it collapse! It’s rare to see them so happy." Saying this, she wrapped an arm around Ping’an, "This is how you should act at your age."

"There’s no need to rush to grow up. In our hearts, you’re still our baby."

Ping’an blushed shyly, burying his face into Zhou Jiao’s embrace. He knew his parents loved him the most, and wouldn’t be biased even with younger siblings around.

Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao exchanged a knowing smile.

Zhou Jiao suddenly remembered Old Mrs. Cheng being alone at home and suggested, "Forget the master, the eldest senior brother said she wanted a break long ago. How about asking Aunt, who’s on her way to visit our little uncle?"

"Sure, Mom. I also miss those uncles." Ping’an in her arms replied immediately.

"Alright, up to you all. When the thunder stops, I’ll go find her." Zhang Guoqing said with a smile, shaking his head. It was indeed killing three birds with one stone.

"Also let Da Yi and the others know, since some of them have holidays."

Zhang Guoqing looked at her in frustration. What was supposed to be a honeymoon had turned into a family trip, and now a group tour. He jokingly asked if they should inform Fang Fei.

Zhou Jiao immediately declined, "His wife is pregnant, it’s not convenient."

Ah, Yi Shumin must have crossed her! Zhang Guoqing couldn’t help but laugh. She was only three to four months along, what inconvenience was there?

Such a petite-minded grudge! But who cares, he loved her this way.

Zhou Jiao glanced at him sideways, "Underestimating me? I’m open-minded with a grand heart."

"Right, right. Who is my wife? She’s above common folk." Zhang Guoqing chimed in, "But for her safety, let’s not inform Brother Xiao Fei."

But if you don’t notify him, does that mean he won’t find out and rush over?

Two days before departure, Fang Fei and his wife, who lived just a few courtyards away, came over to personally finalize the plans. He needed to catch some game for his wife’s nutrition, didn’t he?

And so it went back and forth, and by the time of departure, what was initially a small group tour became a full-fledged group trip.

Yi Jiefang brought along his young nephew, and not to mention Geng Dazhi, who works at the Railway Bureau, ended up bringing three younger cousins. If they hadn’t bought their own tickets, he would have been kicked off the train by Wan Dayong and the others.

They were there to relax, not to babysit!

Amidst laughter and chatter, they arrived at the Cheng City Military District, spent a night at the guesthouse, and after wandering around for a day, set off towards the grasslands the next day.

With the elderly, a pregnant woman, and a baby among them, the journey was scenic, and no one hurried. Riding the carriage meant a slow pace, not much faster than driving an ox cart.

By the time they reached Little Mu’s tribe, they were a day late according to the telegram, worrying Mu to the point of almost heading to the county to find them.

"I almost thought you weren’t coming?"

Zhang Guoqing smiled apologetically, "Did we make you miss work?"

"I’ve already checked in, starting work in a few days."

Got it, Zhang Guoqing understood this fellow was the same as them, just waiting until the last moment to start working. He knowingly smiled at Fang Fei and the others who took leave.

With a week’s vacation, they’d already spent several days on the road. What could they do for fun?

Of course, they understood his meaning, exchanging smiles without explanation. They had already adjusted shifts with colleagues before leaving, potentially bartering with some game meat.

While the men were exchanging looks, Old Mrs. Cheng and the others were already warmly invited by Grandpa Mu into the tent for food and drink.

This year had been good, and coupled with Little Mu, who was bringing honor to the tribe as their only college student, the good-natured, warm-hearted herders warmly welcomed the returning guests.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that Zhang Guoqing’s family had left a good impression last time.

The big dog from Mu’s family still remembered Little Ping’an, wagging its tail as it was cuddled in his arms.

Yi Shumin, looking at the hospitable hosts, sighed, "This truly is paradise, beautiful people, beautiful scenery."

Zhou Jiao translated this to the others, and recalling the immigrants she just saw, a bright smile spread across her face. Yes, this was an untainted paradise, far from the ugliness of the world.