Chapter 371 Meeting a Fellow Villager in a Foreign Land

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When they arrived at their destination, they drove directly to the best local hotel.

Because they booked in advance, the hotel was fully prepared and they were very satisfied.

The money was well spent and the service was also in place!

They set off at eight o'clock in the morning and it took more than an hour to get here.

They rested first and enjoyed a delicious lunch later, and then went out for a walk.

The town of Port Jervis has a total population of less than 10,000 and is less than 100 miles away from New York City.

Due to the rising rent in New York City, many artists and shop owners have flocked to the town, where they can rent large shops that are unprecedentedly good value for money.

Now, tourists can visit artists' galleries, exquisite antique shops, and taste delicious American dishes: stuffed pork chops and pumpkin stew.

The art here is very strong, and people who come and go here can always find something they like.

For example, antiques that men like, jewelry that women like, and food lovers can eat many delicious foods including signature dishes such as stuffed pork chops and pumpkin stew.

The biggest feature here is that it is quiet and not crowded.

It is completely different from the bustling New York.

When we come here, everyone is in a quiet and relaxed mood.

Appreciating art is to appreciate it with heart; when buying things, we should also follow our true inner thoughts, not the kind of impulsive shopping caused by the noisy atmosphere.

After a delicious lunch, we took a short break, put on sunscreen, put on a sun hat, and started to go out for a walk.

Qi Zhenghan pushed Grandma Qi San, who was sitting in a wheelchair, and the group talked and laughed. When they saw something they liked, they would always stop to watch.

When they passed a jewelry store with very oriental characteristics, Grandma Qi San said: "I just look at those foreigners' stuff, and I don't understand their meaning. If you like them, you can buy them. Now I want to visit the shop I like."

"Okay, mother, what kind of jewelry do you like, let's buy some." Qi Shuliang smiled, he is now trying his best to satisfy his mother and honor her.

"Whether to buy or not, we will talk after seeing it. The most important thing is the good mood of shopping in the shop." Grandma Qi San was excited. This shop reminded her of the jewelry shop in the county town before.

Entering the shop, no one greeted us, only jewelry locked behind glass doors.

There was only an elderly craftsman who was polishing a piece of jewelry.

"Master, can you take out this hairpin and show it to me?" Grandma Qi San asked, eager to try.

The old man looked up, glanced at Grandma Qi San, and asked, "Is it from the mainland?"

"Yes!" Grandma Qi San was stunned, "Don't you sell it to people from the mainland?"

"Sell, of course." The old man smiled and said, changing his previous indifference, "I'll get it for you right away!"

The old man took out the exquisite golden hairpin and said, "This is an old craft, passed down from my ancestors."

"Are your ancestors very good?" Grandma Qi San asked with a smile while looking at it.

It's rare to meet someone who can speak Chinese, and she can say a few words in person.

"Of course it's good. My ancestor was a casting master in the palace's internal affairs department. He made jewelry for Empress Dowager Cixi back then." The old man said proudly, "You can take a look at it. If you like it, I'll give you a discount."

Grandma Qi San took it in her hand and shook it to see the quality and style.

"The craftsmanship is really good." Grandma Qi San praised, "Let me see those two gold hairpins."

The old man quickly took the hairpins, and Grandma Qi San put them on her head, looked at herself in the mirror, and said, "Not bad, not bad. I don't want this hairpin anymore, give me four gold hairpins, plum blossom, chrysanthemum, lotus, and peony flowers."

"Okay!" The old man was very happy to see that the old lady was a connoisseur, unlike Westerners who think that gold jewelry is not as beautiful as diamonds.

Grandma Qi San bought four, one for herself, and the remaining three for Anna, Qi Zhengmin, and He Tiantian.

She also picked a jade pendant for Qi Zhenghan and Qi Shuliang.

Because these were all newly made, the material cost and labor cost plus a small profit were not expensive.

After buying and packing, the old man quickly took out his business card and said, "Old sister, my surname is Qi, and my ancestral home is Huai City, Ontario. When I was 1930s, I followed my master to the United States to make money, but I didn't expect that I couldn't go back once I arrived."

"Oh, your ancestral home is Huai City!" Grandma Qi San was surprised, "You never went back after you left?"

"No, it's been 40 years in a blink of an eye." Old man Qi said with emotion, "I saw in the newspaper that the two countries have established diplomatic relations now, but I don't know when I can go back. I want to go back to my hometown to find my family!"

"Well, it should be soon, wait a little longer, I wish you a glorious return home soon!" Grandma Qi San said, the situation of this old man Qi is also very pitiful!

"When I heard my elder sister's accent, I missed my hometown even more." Old Man Qi said, "Although I have married and had children here and integrated into the life here, I still miss my hometown when I dream at midnight. I wonder how my brothers and sisters are doing."

Grandma Qi San knew the feeling of missing family and said, "What's your name? If you have plans, I'll ask someone to help you find them."

Old Man Qi was waiting for this sentence, and quickly took the paper and pen beside him, wrote his name, and said, "My name is Qi Da, my brother is Qi Tong, my brother is Qi Bin, and my sister is Qi Fei'e. My hometown is No. 56 Ginkgo Street, Huai City."

Grandma Qi San took the note and said, "Okay, I'll keep it. If there's any news, I'll have someone send you a letter."

"Thank you, old sister." Qi Da said excitedly, "These things are not respectful, but given to you as a thank you for helping me find someone."

"How can that be!" Grandma Qi San, I may not help you find these people, how can I accept such a heavy gift from you. Brother Qi, how much is it, I'll give it to you. If you don't ask for more money, I won't use it. "

Helping this old man Qi is also because he has been separated from his relatives for decades. She has experienced such pain and empathizes with him. She doesn't want anything from old man Qi.

"Old sister, this thing doesn't cost much..." Old man Qi continued, "Just keep it."

"I said no, absolutely not." Grandma Qi San said, "Let's go!"

Grandma Qi San was very tough.

"Okay, okay, can't I take the money?" Old man Qi said with a bitter face, "Three hundred dollars for the chief engineer! "

Qi Shuliang raised his eyebrows. The three hundred dollars was probably just the price of the materials. The old man didn't ask for the labor fee. Normally, it was worth at least five hundred dollars.

"Son, is it suitable?" Grandma Qi San didn't like to take advantage of others.

"It's probably the cost of the materials." Qi Shuliang said softly, "Just give an extra two hundred dollars for the labor fee."

Grandma Qi San smiled and said, "Okay! Pay it."