Chapter 31: The Grandparent and Grandchild Face a Dilemma

"I wanted to buy a bus when I was a kid too. I thought buses were so cool; they could carry so many people and were so spacious."

"My son said the same thing. He said buses are roomy enough for him to play in, unlike a car where he feels cramped."

"Actually, in many ways, buses are quite comfortable. They’re just too expensive for ordinary people like us to afford."

The conversation among the four children left Yu Zhisheng and the other guests feeling quite helpless. After all, who buys a bus for personal use? Parking is a nightmare, and besides, most families don't have that many people.

"Xiao Sheng, I’m going to save up money to buy a bus," Yu Danxue said, turning her little head toward Yu Zhisheng. "Once I buy it, I’ll take everyone out for fun. That way, it’ll be easy to go anywhere."

Yu Zhisheng sighed. "Little Great-Aunt, buses are too big. Parking and things like that aren't convenient." He paused, then suggested, "If you really want one, how about we buy a smaller one instead?"

Yu Danxue looked surprised. "Xiao Sheng, are there smaller buses?"

Yu Zhisheng pulled out his phone and brought up various types of buses online to show her. "Look, Little Great-Aunt, there are different types. We can get a smaller one." He knew that if he just made one call to his father, they could have it by the end of the day.

Yu Danxue’s eyes lit up as she scanned the different models. "So many buses! Xiao Sheng, this one is nice, and this one is good too..." She decided she would have to work even harder to earn money so she could buy a bus and take everyone on trips.

Yu Zhisheng held the phone for the four children to see. "Different buses have different prices. There are even business-class types, but those are more expensive." The four children chattered away about the buses, bubbling with excitement.

***

After getting off the bus, Yu Danxue and the other guests walked toward the village, a trip that took about five or six minutes.

"I see vegetables growing in the fields here. Why don't we ask the villagers if we can buy some?" Zhong Guoxing suggested, already planning their lunch menu as he looked at the plots of land.

The others agreed. Zhong Guoxing asked, "What would you like to eat?"

The three adults, including Yu Zhisheng, said they were fine with anything and that it should be up to the children. Yu Danxue was not a picky eater and would eat whatever was served. Feng Doudou and the other two children were a bit more selective, but they didn't make a fuss and agreed to whatever was decided.

"How about we make shredded potatoes with vinegar and chili, mapo tofu, twice-cooked pork, and a stir-fried green vegetable?" Zhong Guoxing said with a smile.

"Sounds good," the others replied.

Once the plan was set, Zhong Guoxing began assigning tasks. "Han Qian, you two go buy potatoes and greens—try to get seasonal ones. Little Great-Aunt and Yu Zhisheng, would you mind buying the meat? We have eight people in total, so three pounds should be enough, though I’ll have to gauge everyone’s appetite. Qi Kang and Luo Jian, you go buy tofu and see if anyone in the village has soybeans; we can make soy milk for tomorrow morning."

As soon as they received their tasks, everyone set off. Xiao Yun tugged on Zhong Guoxing’s hand and looked up at him. "Uncle, what should I do?" He really liked this uncle; he was much nicer than the last one.

Zhong Guoxing patted his head kindly. "You come back with me. We need to check what seasonings are in the kitchen and get things prepared. You can be my assistant, okay?" Xiao Yun nodded vigorously.

The livestream screen was split into four, allowing viewers to see every group.

*“Teacher Zhong is so gentle. You can tell he cooks often by how well he organizes the tasks.”*

*“The group with the Little Great-Aunt is the only one that’s different—she’s the one leading Yu Zhisheng to shop, while in every other group, the older ones lead the kids.”*

*“Has anyone considered Yu Zhisheng’s mental state? He’s a grown man, after all!”*

*“‘Grown man’? A man in his twenties being led by a three-and-a-half-year-old elder!”*

*“I laugh every time I see this pair. They are just too hilarious.”*

Yu Danxue and Yu Zhisheng weren't very familiar with the village, but that didn't matter because Yu Danxue was already friends with many of the local children. When they saw her, they happily crowded around.

"Little sister, where are you going?"

Yu Danxue gave a bright smile. "We’re going to buy meat. Do you know where they sell it in the village?"

The local children knew the area well. "We know! We’ll take you. There’s only one place in the village that sells it." They led Yu Danxue and Yu Zhisheng toward the butcher's house.

"Little sister, didn't you just come from town? Why didn't you buy the meat there?"

"My grandma says the meat in town is better. She often takes the bus to town to buy it, and she says there are more choices there."

"Oh, right." Yu Danxue blinked. They *could* have bought the meat in town. Why didn't they?

*“Looking at the Little Great-Aunt, she completely forgot they could buy meat in town.”*

*“I was wondering the same thing—why go back to the village to buy it? Now it seems they all just collectively forgot.”*

*“Is it possible Teacher Zhong did it on purpose? So we could learn more about the village. After all, many people will visit after the show airs.”*

*“I think that’s possible. This way, we get to know the village in advance, which makes traveling easier and prevents us from getting ripped off.”*

Led by the local children, Yu Danxue and Yu Zhisheng arrived at the butcher’s house. A few villagers were already there buying meat. It was laid out on a large table in the courtyard—some pieces were pre-cut, while others were large, whole slabs.

This was the first time Yu Danxue had seen so much pork. She circled the table several times. "Xiao Sheng, which meat should we buy? There’s so much here."

Yu Zhisheng hesitated. "...I don't know which cut we need. Which part is used for twice-cooked pork?"

Yu Danxue let out an "ah" and scratched her cheek. "What do we do? Neither of us knows which part to get for twice-cooked pork."

The two looked at each other, then back at the table of meat, completely stumped.

*“Haha, I can't take it! Teacher Zhong probably never imagined that Yu Zhisheng wouldn't know how to pick out a cut of meat.”*

*“It’s not surprising, though. Yu Zhisheng grew up in a wealthy family; he’s never had to deal with this.”*

*“Seeing this grandmother-grandson pair like this is just delightful.”*

"Well now, young man, you don't know which part to choose?" an old man asked with a chuckle.