As Hong Zhanjun welcomed Wan Xinguo into his home, he asked him to sit down and poured him some water.
"Old comrade, don't trouble yourself for me!" Wan Xinguo stood up, taking the chipped enamel basin with both hands, feeling the warmth of the hot water, "I've taken the liberty of visiting the old comrade because I was hoping to stay here for a few days."
"No problem at all!" Hong Zhanjun agreed without even asking why he needed to stay, "I'm just an old man living alone, it's quite lonely. Having you for company would keep me cheerful. Besides, this means someone is here to carry water for my home."
Usually, it was the young lads from the neighboring houses who helped, or the water vendor would deliver directly to his doorstep.
The elderly man didn't mention a word about the cost for the stay.
Wan Xinguo was deeply grateful, hurriedly handing over the package he had brought from Lu Jiang and Feng Qingxue, and explained the situation to him.
