Chapter 37

The car pulled up to the ground floor of Cheng Sulin's tenement building.

Cheng Surin took the luggage out of the car and said, "Do you want to come up and sit with me for a while? My grandparents must miss you too."

He He thought for a moment. Cheng Sulin's house was on the third floor, and climbing up and down would be tiring. There was no need to sit for a while. Besides, it was the weekend tomorrow, and her grandparents would definitely invite them over for a get-together.

She joked, "Why don't you call your uncle and aunt out and just glance at me from the corridor?"

As soon as she finished speaking, her eldest uncle and aunt came out from the stairwell of the tenement building.

My eldest uncle and aunt are almost seventy years old this year. They were both artists when they were young. Now that they are getting older, they have presbyopia and wear gold-rimmed glasses. They both have the scholarly air of intellectuals.

However, they are still in good health. They live on the third floor with their eldest son and can still climb up and down the stairs. They also maintain their habit of exercising every morning.

The two elders also doted on He He. She was the only daughter of their deceased sister and was still young, so it was only right that they pampered her more. They knew that He He and Cheng Sulin were coming back today, so they spent the whole afternoon listening for the sound of cars.

Her eldest uncle and aunt helped her over. He He was facing the stairwell and was the first to see them. She waved excitedly and shouted, "Uncle and Aunt!"

Before Cheng Surin could react, He He, who had jumped out of the car, pushed her away.

Cheng Surin turned around and called out to them, "Grandpa and Grandma, why did you come down?"

Fang Furong had He He's arm around her, and she patted He He affectionately, "Did you have lunch on the train? Do you want to come over for a meal before you go to your grandparents' place? Let your aunt see if you've lost weight, and whether Xiao Lin is taking good care of you over there."

He He glanced at Cheng Surin and saw his slightly nervous expression. She smiled and said, "I'm having lunch now. I won't go up to bother my uncle and aunt later. Xiao Lin has been very kind to me in the brigade. He has helped me with a lot of chores."

Cheng Surin breathed a sigh of relief. It was a relief that He He still had some humanity towards him; his efforts to help her in the countryside hadn't been in vain.

Cheng Datong said in a strong voice, "Xiao Hua, you don't need to show him any mercy. If he treats you badly in the countryside, just say so, and your uncle will stand up for you."

He He shook her aunt's hand, "No, Xiao Lin is very good to me. Then you two go back first, I'm going to my grandparents' house. Uncle Sun is waiting for me. You'll be coming to my grandparents' house tomorrow, right?"

Fang Furong ruffled He He's hair. "Of course I'll come. Xiao Hua, wait for your aunt at home tomorrow. Your aunt bought you lots of pretty dresses and will bring them to you tomorrow."

He He's eyes lit up, and her voice was filled with surprise, "Really? Then I'll wait for Auntie."

Back in the Qianjin Brigade, she rarely wore skirts. They were inconvenient for work and could easily attract attention. Now that she's back in the city, she's going to wear those skirts she's never worn before.

He He returned to the jeep, and Cheng Datong and Fang Furong watched the car drive away before taking Cheng Sulin home.

Cheng Sulin's home is not far from the military compound where He He's maternal grandparents live, just a few streets away.

He He's jeep slowly drove into the military compound.

Uncle Sun poked his head out to signal, and the soldiers on guard at the gate opened the gate to let He He go home. He then drove the car back to its original location.

The military compound consists of detached villas, built by foreigners when Rongcheng was occupied as a concession.

Those who were assigned to live in this area after liberation were all veterans who made great contributions in fighting the Japanese invaders. Later, as more and more young people were born in the military compound, there were also many children here who were about the same age as He He.

He He's maternal grandparents had been waiting for her to return. Besides her maternal grandparents, her maternal uncle's family also lived in the house.

My uncle's family are all in the military. They live nearby, which makes it convenient for them to take care of my grandparents. After all, the two of them are almost ninety years old this year, and that's the time when they need someone to take care of them.

School is closed today, and Cheng Fang, who is still in high school, is at home. He is the son of He He's uncle.

Cheng Fang opened the door. He has grown very tall this year, half a head taller than He He, and he is also quite sturdy.

Cheng Fang took the luggage from He He's hands, weighed it in his hand, and found it quite light. No wonder his aunt hadn't asked Uncle Sun to help carry it. "Cousin, you're finally back! We've all missed you so much!"

He He looked Cheng Fang up and down. "You've grown quite a bit taller. How come you're even taller than me?"

Cheng Fang puffed out his chest. "Of course! I'm not the shortest in the family anymore, cousin, you are!"

He He raised his fist, ready to punch someone, "You little brat, are you tired of living? Do you want to get beaten up?"

Cheng Fang gave in, "I was wrong, Auntie. I'll never do it again."

He He ignored Cheng Fang and walked ahead into the hall. She saw her grandparents sitting on the sofa and choked up as she rushed into their arms. "Grandpa and Grandma, I missed you so much. The food in the countryside is terrible. I've lost weight and gotten darker."

The two elders carefully examined He He and concluded, "She has lost weight. Our Xiao Hua has really suffered. It's all your fault for being such a useless father. Now that Xiao Hua is back, she can stay at home. We won't go back to your incompetent father's house."

He He nodded with tears in her eyes, but she still had to go back. She needed to retrieve her belongings and settle accounts with He Shuying.

Standing to the side, Cheng Fang, who had just put down He He's luggage, looked at He He's face, which was even fairer than before she went to the countryside, and her figure, which was almost the same as before she went to the countryside, but seemed to have grown a little taller, and was a little puzzled.

Is he tanned? Is he thinner? He looks completely different from what I saw.

However, whatever my maternal grandparents and cousin say goes; they are all right.

Dinner was with her uncle's family. At the dinner table, her uncle and aunt, as well as her married cousin and his wife, all gave He He red envelopes, saying they were for her graduation and to bring good luck when she returned home.

Hehe's uncle asked, "Xiaohua, when does your school start? I'll take you there, or your cousin and his wife can take you."

He He thought for a moment: "The notice says that the reporting date is September 2nd, which is almost two months away. No rush, we'll talk about it when the time comes."

Uncle Cheng Dafeng said, "We'll talk about it later. Tomorrow, when your other uncles come over, we'll discuss and set a good date to hold a celebration for you and Su Lin to celebrate your college admission. You both got into such good universities, your uncles are so proud of you! Xiao Fang, you should learn from your cousin and get into a good university next year so I can see for myself."

Cheng Fang ate his meal in peace, but his father brought it up again. However, he dared not refuse. "Okay, I'll learn more from my cousin."

My cousin and Cheng Surin are truly inspiring figures. Back then, I heard from the elders that their grades were terrible, but who knew that even after being sent to the countryside and living such a hard life, they were still able to get into university.

He then instructed his daughter-in-law, "Hongmei, you should accompany Xiaohua to go shopping. The provincial capital has changed a lot in recent years. You young people should spend more time together and have things to talk about."

Hongmei married He He's cousin last year. The two had never met before. As soon as Cheng Dafeng finished speaking, the two looked at each other and smiled.

“Okay.” Holding a graduation banquet would surely bring in a lot of money, He He agreed. She then looked at her cousin-in-law and said, “I’ll trouble you to take me shopping then.”

Hongmei smiled gently: "No trouble at all. I'm off work at the hospital next Saturday. How about I take you there on Saturday?"

He He said, "Of course you can."

Grandpa Cheng is used to a simple life, but since his granddaughter has been admitted to the Normal University, he has to celebrate properly: "Let's have it at home. Don't make too much of a fuss, the higher-ups are watching. Just invite a few close friends."

Cheng Dafeng took care of everything. "Dad, don't worry, we'll have it at home. Xiaohua, if you have any friends you want to invite, just let me know and I'll book the table and have a chef come over to cook."

He He: "No need to wait until then. I'll tell my uncle now that I'm inviting two friends over. I met them in Qianjin Brigade, and they've both been admitted to university, Rongcheng University."

Everyone at the dinner table was somewhat shocked. Rongcheng University is not a place that just anyone can get into. It is the best university in Rongcheng. Even the son of Cheng Laosan, who had the best grades back then, did not get in.

The group all expressed their admiration.

"We'll have to find out which kid they are. They're so talented. Are they from the provincial capital too?"

“Yes.” He He lowered her head shyly. “One of them is my boyfriend. Isn’t that amazing?”

Cheng Dafeng and the others were stunned, taken aback by He He's words.

He He only stayed in the countryside for three years, and she's already found a boyfriend? Even if this person gets into Rongcheng University, it doesn't matter. They've never even met. How could she be so hasty in starting a relationship with someone?

The aunt was the first to speak, "Xiaohua, are you really dating? Where does he live? How many people are in his family? Did you meet in the countryside? What does he look like? How long have you been dating? Why didn't you tell us when you wrote back before?"

He He was so confused by her aunt's barrage of questions that she didn't know which one to answer first.

Cheng Dafeng paused for a moment, "Alright, let Xiaohua speak slowly."

He He looked to her grandparents for help, but the two elders didn't seem very happy. They seemed angry that she had kept her relationship a secret from her family for so long.

She had no choice but to confess honestly, blaming herself for speaking too quickly and trying to show off that she had a great boyfriend, which had now backfired.

He He praised Chen Jingbai and dragged Cheng Sulin into the mess, which pleased the elders somewhat. However, they still had doubts about the good match He He had mentioned and couldn't wait to bring him over to meet them the next day.

Finally, Grandma came out and said, "Xiaohua is twenty-one this year, and it's time for her to find a boyfriend. Don't be in too much of a hurry. It's not too late to meet at the graduation banquet."

Cheng Dafeng gave a thumbs up, his eyes filled with admiration, "Xiao Hua is capable, she managed to date a young educated youth who got into Rongda University. But you and Xiao Lin really kept a low profile. Luckily, your date is also from Rongcheng."

He He: "I must have started the relationship because he's from Rongcheng. I'm not that stupid."

Grandma Cheng smiled and said, "Yes, our Xiaohua is the smartest girl."

He He: "Grandma is still the best."

Grandpa Cheng tapped the table, and He He said, "Grandpa is good too."

The meal ended halfway through with the questioning of He He about her dating situation.

The next morning, He He's three other uncles came over with their families. He greeted each of them and received a red envelope in return, making her extremely happy.

The first thing everyone did when they saw her was to pat her head and say, "Little Flower has grown up."

After they found out that He He was dating, she was inevitably bombarded with questions again. However, with Cheng Surin present today, she wasn't the only one being questioned.

With Cheng Surin around, she could more easily steer the conversation toward Cheng Surin and get him to speak on her behalf.

Almost every relative, after leaving the Cheng family, was curious about who He He and Cheng Surin's partner was.

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Author's Note: I'll be posting on the app after midnight tonight, so I'm updating early today. I'll continue updating around 11 PM or midnight from now on, and I'll try my best to update daily. Thank you for your support, my little angels! There will be a random red envelope in this chapter.

(Please, please, my dear readers, come back soon! [Please][Please])