Trafford's Trading Club

619: Chapter 32: Wraiths 619: Chapter 32: Wraiths Grandma Xiao Chun noticed there was an extra person, looked at Luo Qiu with confusion, and then curiously asked Uncle Luo Shan, “Luo Shan, who is this?”

“He’s Luo Qi’s son, Luo Qiu.

Yesterday, he specifically returned from the provincial city to see you…

Have you forgotten?” Luo Shan looked at Grandma Xiao Chun nervously.

“It really is Luo Qiu!”

Grandma Xiao Chun quickly put down the bowl of noodles in her hand, then swiftly wiped her hands on the apron hanging from her body, and walked directly in front of Luo Qiu.

The elderly woman raised her head, her gaze somewhat excited, and grabbed Luo Qiu’s hands, “Come, let Grandma have a good look at you, you’ve grown so much!

How alike!

You’re just like your father!”

Grandma Xiao Chun tightly grasped Luo Qiu’s hands with such strength that even the observing Luo Shan could feel it.

Grandma Xiao Chun wiped her eyes at this moment, smiling as she said, “Come, Luo Qiu, let Grandma serve you some noodles too.

I made them this morning; you can’t find them outside!

Come, come child.”

Saying this, Grandma Xiao Chun led Luo Qiu into the kitchen at the back of the house.

Luo Shan and his wife looked at each other, his wife quite nervous, “Dear, why did your mother suddenly…

It puzzles me, how she behaves as if nothing’s wrong?

It scared me to death!

Do you think it’s…

a last burst of energy?”

“How should I know?” Luo Shan shook his head, “She’s been so ill, even the hospital’s attending doctor said there was no saving…

Still, no matter what, her spirit is better than yesterday’s…

Go inform them, explain the situation, yes, yes, go check if Shan Shan is at work, she’s also a doctor, have her come take a look first!”

“Okay, okay, I’ll go right away.” His wife quickly ran out the door.

…

Grandma Xiao Chun lifted the lid of the pot in the kitchen, releasing a waft of steam.

Luo Qiu bent down a bit, waved his hand to stir the rising steam, and smiled, “Smells so good.”

“Fragrant, right?

Eat more if it smells good.” Grandma Xiao Chun chuckled, “Your father loved eating this when he was young.”

“Mm, I’ve heard him say it.” Luo Qiu nodded.

Grandma Xiao Chun served the noodles and broth, sighed, “But he can’t be seen anymore, what a pity.”

She handed the large bowl to Luo Qiu, who took it with both hands.

Grandma Xiao Chun looked up then, her mouth pouting as she smiled, “Child, thank you for coming to see me.

If it weren’t for you, this old body might not be…”

Luo Qiu gently shook his head.

Grandma Xiao Chun softly patted Luo Qiu’s hand, “I understand, there are some rules, right?

Although I don’t know what happened to you, Grandma knows you’re a good child.

Because your eyes, just like your dad Luo Qi’s, are identical.”

Luo Qiu smiled, “Really?”

Grandma Xiao Chun laughed heartily, “You don’t believe it, do you, child?”

“Then I’ll listen to you.” Luo Qiu nodded.

Grandma Xiao Chun said, “Hurry, eat, the noodles won’t taste good if they soak too long.

If you don’t have much time, after eating, accompany Grandma to pick fresh osmanthus flowers, I’ll make some stuffing, we’ll make some reunion snacks tonight for everyone.”

“Okay.”

Reunion, complete and full.

…

…

Da Zhe rented a farmer’s house near a recently scattered worksite.

It’s cheap, just three hundred yuan a month, but also quite simple.

“Boss, give me a bowl of plain noodles.” This was at the breakfast stall at the side of the road in another village where he rented a room.

Trucks heading to the site were stirring up clouds of dust, like Yellow Dragon.

Da Zhe devoured the free pickled radishes…

Most of the tables around were filled with people like him, eating their fill before heading to work at the site.

Soon, when the plain noodles were half eaten, someone tapped Da Zhe on the shoulder.

He turned around to see a hefty man in a suit, hair slicked back dividing in a 3-7 ratio, clutching a small leather bag under his arm.

That man held a box of lemon tea, sipping, grinning as he sat down, “Brother Zhe!

I knew you’d be here!”

“Tell me your business or leave, I’ve got to finish eating and get to work, no time to entertain you.” Da Zhe intended to add chili sauce to his noodles without glancing at the hefty man.

“Hey, Brother Zhe, we Da Tou have known each other for so many years, no need to be so cold, right?” The hefty man in decent attire, Da Tou, maintained a cheerful expression, “You see, I’ve been calling you for days, and you’ve ignored me.

So I came here this morning to find you!

Talk about unlucky, stepped in dog crap earlier, my luck’s terrible!”

As he spoke, Da Tou raised his foot, took out tissues, and began wiping his shoes.

Da Zhe snorted, indifferently said, “Wait for me?

I think you’re stalking me?

I told you all not to find me again.

Last time was the last time, I made it crystal clear.”

“Brother Zhe, how can you say I’m stalking you?” Da Tou stood up, “Alright then, I think you should leave the noodles.

Come, I’ll treat you to a good meal at Hongfu Tower!

Later we’ll go to Elegant Pavilion, find you a gal, and relax!”

Saying so, he reached out trying to pull Da Zhe up, but Da Zhe frowned, shook his arm, his voice sinking, “Da Tou, what do you want?

I’ve said don’t bother me, I need to get to the site!”

“Ah, my Brother Zhe, you…

I don’t know what to say to you, look at this lousy site, why keep working there?” Da Tou sat down again, “Think about it, exhausting yourself for a hundred yuan a day, what good is it?

I say, you might as well stop, okay?”

“At least it’s clean money.” Da Zhe coldly glanced at Da Tou.

Da Tou seemed aware of Da Zhe’s attitude, not for the first time, showed no anger, sighed, “Brother Zhe, money doesn’t distinguish clean from dirty, right?

When there’s lots of money, who dares call you dirty?

With enough cash thrown around, even the high and mighty will eat crap willingly!

Those truly untainted can’t rise.

Besides, weren’t you back then…”

“Da Tou!” Da Zhe slammed his chopsticks on the table, glaring angrily.

Da Tou instinctively shrunk his neck, recalling that fierce character from years ago, hacking people with a watermelon knife, “Brother Zhe, don’t be mad, it’s my fault, I mentioned things I shouldn’t, my mouth’s cheap, I’ll punish myself, I’ll…

slap myself!”

Da Tou lightly slapped his own mouth twice, “Calm down, calm down, Brother Zhe.”

“I’m not mad at you.” Da Zhe shook his head.

“Really?

I said it, Brother Zhe, you’re generous, loyal, a good brother!”

“If you leave right now, I promise I won’t be mad.” Da Zhe said plainly.

Da Tou’s expression froze, he said, “Brother Zhe, you see, I have no choice.

I didn’t want to bother you, but I need to work too…

Actually, it’s my boss asking me to find you.”

Da Zhe frowned, shook his head, “Tell him I’m busy, let him find someone else.”

Saying this, Da Zhe put three yuan on the table, stood, and walked away.

Da Tou hurriedly called to Da Zhe’s back, “Da Zhe, think carefully, my boss President Xiao wants to see you, don’t make things difficult for me…

You know President Xiao’s methods, right?”

Da Zhe suddenly turned around, “Da Tou, what do you want?”

“Your ex-wife…

well, your former wife and kid, they’re living well now, heard she found a new man, a teacher, right?”

“Da Tou, I warn you!” Da Zhe’s eyes widened, like a leopard unleashed from its cage, grabbed Da Tou’s collar, pulling him close, “Try anything, I dare you!”

“Don’t be nervous, just kidding…” Da Tou’s back was drenched in cold sweat, he instinctively swallowed, “Brother Zhe, how about let’s go to Hongfu Tower, discuss over food?”

Da Tou nervously patted Da Zhe’s hand gripping his collar, “Brother Zhe, Brother Zhe?”

Da Zhe pushed Da Tou away, turned, and headed towards a black Passat parked by the breakfast stall.

Da Tou sighed in relief, wiped his forehead, hurriedly chased after him.