Chapter 106 Returning Home
After reading for three hours, Huo Xining and Huo Xiyu put away their books and began quietly playing with the jigsaw puzzles they had brought.
It was a jigsaw puzzle of a map of China. The two of them worked together and quickly put the provinces into the correct positions.
The two children were talking in hushed tones, so quiet that they wouldn't disturb the other passengers.
Lin Xili looked at them, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.
She recalled her childhood, the days when she desperately tried to get first place in exams to gain her parents' attention, and the times when her brother and sister could get everything by simply being affectionate.
Different families and different educations create different children.
There is no absolute right or wrong, only different paths.
Huo Nanchen seemed to sense her thoughts and gently squeezed her hand.
Three hours later, Wen Qing peeked out from behind and said, "Xi Li, my mom just sent me a message saying she's cleaned your house and changed the sheets and blankets."
"Thank you, Auntie," Lin Xili said sincerely.
"Don't mention it, my mom is so happy, she says she finally has a chance to show off her skills."
"You wouldn't believe it, she's already planned out everything, from what flowers to use on the wedding day to what dishes to serve."
As we were chatting, the train's announcement came over the loudspeaker: "Dear passengers, the next stop is Maluan County Station. Passengers who wish to disembark, please prepare in advance..."
A slight commotion arose in the carriage as some people began packing their luggage.
Huo Xining and Huo Xiyu packed the books and puzzles into their backpacks, checking to make sure nothing was missing. Their movements were so practiced that they didn't seem like seven-year-olds.
Lin Xili looked out the window, and the familiar scenery gradually became clear.
Lixiang Town, after two years, she has returned.
This time was different from the first; she didn't come alone, nor did she come with pain.
She brought her lover, her elders, her two children, and her hopes and promises for the future.
The train slowly pulled into the station and finally came to a stop.
Grandma Huo took a deep breath, tears welling up in her eyes: "She's back, she's really back."
Huo Nanchen and Lin Xili carried their luggage, with the two children following obediently beside them. Wen Qing carried a bag and helped Grandma Huo.
Huo Xining suddenly tugged at Lin Xili's hand: "Auntie."
"Um?"
"Thank you for bringing us here." The little girl looked up and said earnestly, "This is the first time my brother and I have ridden the high-speed rail."
Lin Xili squatted down and looked her straight in the eye: "There will be many more firsts in the future. Aunt and Uncle will take you to experience them."
Huo Xiyu also came closer, and the three people whose names all contained the character "Xi" formed a small, warm scene.
Huo Nanchen watched this scene. Xi Jin Nanchen, a precious gift, the children were right.
Lin Xili was the most precious gift in his life, and he was hers too.
As soon as we arrived at the exit, we saw Wen Qing's mother, Aunt Wang, waving from the exit.
She was short, with a round face, and her eyes curved into crescents when she smiled; she was the typical warm-hearted small-town woman.
Today, I specially wore a festive maroon cheongsam, and when I saw Grandma Huo, I quickly came to greet her.
"Grandma Huo, you must be tired from your journey." Aunt Wang held the old woman's hand and looked her up and down. "You still look so healthy!"
"Ah Ying, I'm troubling you again."
"What trouble? We're overjoyed!" Aunt Wang turned to Lin Xili and Huo Nanchen. "Dr. Huo, you've finally returned to your hometown to have your wedding! You said you'd have it later when you got your marriage certificate, but it's been three years already!"
Lin Xili smiled and said, "We've been busy with work, so it's been delayed until now."
"Sigh, I always heard people say that working in the system is easy, but I didn't expect it to be so busy. Wen Qing is so busy that she still doesn't have a boyfriend, and she's almost thirty."
Wen Qing quickly interrupted, "Mom, what are you saying here? Don't I have any shame?"
Aunt Wang ignored her daughter and squatted down to look the two children in the eye: "These must be Xining and Xiyu, right? They're so handsome, just like little dolls from a painting."
The two children bowed politely and said, "Hello, Grandma Wang."
"Oh my, how thoughtful of you!" Aunt Wang smiled broadly, stood up and said, "The car is ready, let's go back now."
Huo Nanchen asked her to hire a seven-seater minivan, which was spacious.
As the vehicle entered the rural road, Huo Xining's face was almost pressed against the glass, his eyes sparkling as he looked out the window.
Although Huo Xiyu sat upright, her gaze was also firmly drawn to the scenery outside the window.
“The houses here…” Huo Xiyu suddenly began, “are just like our home, with blue bricks and gray tiles.”
Indeed, the architectural style of Lixiang Town is similar to that of the Huo Family Old House, both being traditional Chinese buildings.
However, unlike the Huo family mansion, the Huo family mansion is a well-organized, solemn, and secluded courtyard.
The houses here are lively, haphazard, and full of life.
“But it’s lively here,” Huo Xining replied, pointing to a small market passing by outside the window.
Although it was already evening, there were still a few stalls selling vegetables, a few elderly people sitting by the roadside playing chess, and children chasing and playing.
"Our home is very quiet."
Lin Xili saw Aunt Wang and Grandma Huo smile at each other in the rearview mirror.
Aunt Wang said, "Our town is so lively and bustling. After dinner, let me take you to the night market. It's so much fun!"
Huo Xining immediately turned to look at Lin Xili, his eyes full of expectation: "Auntie, is it okay?"
Lin Xili smiled and said, "Sure."
"Thank you, Auntie!"
"We've arrived," Aunt Wang said.
Lin Xili looked at the familiar street scene. She had planned to come back and visit during the two years she had been waiting, but she didn't dare to.
Now, she finally dares to come back.
The car stopped in front of the familiar two-story building. The guesthouse that Grandma Huo used to run had already been transferred to someone else.
"It's all cleaned up." Aunt Wang got out of the car and handed the keys to Huo Nanchen.
Huo Nanchen thanked him and went to open the door.
"The bed sheets and blankets have all been replaced with new ones, and the kitchen seasonings have been fully prepared."
"Oh, by the way, I specially prepared a children's room for the two kids. I don't know if they'll like it."
Pushing open the door, the room was clean and bright.
Aunt Wang led the children on a tour, showing them the room she had prepared for them, which was originally Lin Xili's residence.
Two small beds are placed on each side, covered with sheets printed with cartoon patterns. Children's books and colored pencils are placed on the desk, and a world map is posted on the wall.
Aunt Wang said with a smile, "If you don't like these patterns, I'll take you to buy new ones tomorrow."
“I like it,” Huo Xining said earnestly. “Thank you, Grandma Wang.”
Huo Xiyu nodded, "Thank you."
Lin Xili opened a small room, which was the laboratory that Huo Nanchen had set up for her before. It was covered with a white dustproof cloth, which was covered with a layer of dust. It must have been put up by Huo Nanchen two years ago before he went to Hong Kong.
Aunt Wang walked up to him and said, "Xi Li, I saw some bottles and jars in this room that I've never seen before, so I didn't dare to clean them for fear of breaking them."
Lin Xili turned her head, smiled at her, and said, "Aunt Wang, there's no need to clean here, thank you!"
She then took out a thick red envelope from her bag and stuffed it into Aunt Wang's hand, saying, "Auntie, I'm so sorry to have troubled you these past few days. Please accept this."
Aunt Wang quickly declined, "How can I do this? Wen Qing is both your colleague and friend. Dr. Huo has helped the town a lot; it's all I should do. No need, no need..."
"Mom, please accept it!" Wen Qing happened to be coming upstairs and saw this, so she helped to persuade her, "Mom, it would be embarrassing if you didn't accept Xi Li's gift."
Lin Xili insisted on putting it in her hand, saying, "Auntie, if you don't accept it, we'll be really embarrassed to ask you for help again next time."
After some polite refusals, Aunt Wang finally accepted the red envelope, saying, "You kids, alright, alright, I'll take it. Now you pack your things, we'll head back first."
Wen Qing followed her mother away, winking at Lin Xili before leaving: "Call me when you're trying on your wedding dress."
After seeing Aunt Wang and Wen Qing off, the twins saw Lin Xili go back to watch over the small room.
Huo Xining tugged at her little finger. "Auntie, what's this dust cover covering?"
Huo Xijue followed, looking around curiously.
Lin Xili walked in and carefully opened a corner, revealing an instrument. "This is the laboratory that Uncle set up for Aunt before, but unfortunately it's no longer needed."
Huo Xijue comforted her, "It's alright, Auntie. This is a gift from your uncle. We'll keep it safe to prove that this gift will always be precious."
Lin Xili was amused by him, "You guys really know a lot, and you even know how to comfort people!"
After Huo Nanchen finished packing his luggage in the bedroom, he came out to find one adult and two children discussing the laboratory.
He glanced at his watch and said to Lin Xili, "I'll go downstairs and prepare dinner."
Lin Xili nodded, "Okay!"
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