As evening fell, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of Linjia Village, resembling graceful maidens in white veils dancing in the fiery sunset.
Linjia Village is a well-known model village, where every household has thriving livestock and the village's asphalt roads are unobstructed.
Various flowers have been spontaneously planted in the farmhouses and along the roads. Although these flowers have all withered in winter, the branches are still covered with colorful lights and red lanterns, making it look exceptionally festive.
Lin Ruanruan got out of the car and took a deep breath of the cold, rural air. "Uncle Wang, I smell fertilizer... ugh..."
She initially thought she was smelling fresh grass and trees, but she felt dizzy from sitting in the car for so long.
Uncle Wang laughed heartily, "The farmland in the village has a distinct flavor all year round. Miss, you can see that every household still grows cold-resistant vegetables like cabbage and spinach in their vegetable gardens."
Lin Ruanruan peeked out and saw that it was indeed true. "Uncle Wang, it feels quite cold this evening. Will there be frost by tomorrow morning?"
Uncle Wang took the luggage out of the trunk, and Lin Ruanruan quickly went over to help, but Uncle Wang stopped her, saying, "Miss, just wait for me. The things are all light."
He carried the two suitcases directly in his hands and led Lin Ruanruan towards Grandpa and Grandma Lin's country villa. "These vegetables taste better after being frosted; they taste so sweet."
Lin Ruanruan followed behind with cheerful steps, "Then I'm in for a treat."
Hearing the commotion, Grandpa Lin and Grandma Lin came out to greet her. When they saw Lin Ruanruan return, they called her "my dear grandson" affectionately.
"You must be exhausted from such a long flight and car ride," Grandma Lin said tenderly, gently rubbing Lin Ruanruan's icy little hands. "Grandma made you some braised pig's trotters, eat more of them later."
Grandpa Lin offered Uncle Wang a cigarette, saying, "Little Wang, come in and have dinner with us."
Uncle Wang put his suitcase down, smiled, and accepted the cigarette. "Grandpa, I won't be having a free meal today. My family has already prepared a meal for me and is just waiting for me to come back!"
His home is in the next city. This time, after he brought the prostitute back, his boss gave him a holiday so that he could spend the New Year with his family.
Grandpa Lin patted Uncle Wang on the shoulder, "It's so late, have a meal here and rest for the night before going back."
Even though it was late at night, Grandpa Lin was worried about Xiao Wang driving such a long distance. Xiao Wang was a veteran like him, so he couldn't help but want to take extra care of him.
However, Uncle Wang missed his family very much, so after exchanging a few pleasantries with the old couple, he left. Before leaving, he told Lin Ruanruan, "Miss, it's getting cold, so please wear more clothes. I'll come back after the New Year to take you home. Just call me if you need anything."
Lin Ruanruan reluctantly saw Uncle Wang off at the door, saying, "Uncle Wang, please be careful!"
She had complete faith in Uncle Wang's driving skills, but she still couldn't help worrying.
Uncle Wang chuckled and patted Lin Ruanruan's shoulder, saying "Good!" He thought to himself that he would be perfectly content if his son were half as well-behaved as the young lady.
Watching the car disappear from sight, Lin Ruanruan rubbed her hands together and returned to the villa with Grandpa Lin.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Lin Ruanruan found that Grandma Lin had already laid out the dishes, and she went to help get more rice. Grandma Lin frowned and called out, "My dear grandson, Grandma will do it. Don't burn yourself."
Lin Ruanruan smiled helplessly. She placed the food in front of her grandparents and then went to get her own food. "Grandma, I'm almost 17. I'm not a child anymore."
Grandma Lin smiled as she held the rice bowl that Lin Ruanruan had given her. "Yes, our Ruanruan is all grown up now. I wonder which young man will be lucky enough to marry her in the future."
Grandpa Lin frowned. "Why bring this up now? Our Ruanruan is still so young."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruanruan pursed her lips, and a figure involuntarily appeared in her mind. She shook her head, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Afraid that Grandma Lin would notice something, he quickly lowered his head and ate his rice. "Wow, this braised pig's trotter is so tender and delicious."
Grandma Lin assumed she was just excited about the delicious food. "That's right, this pig was the strongest one in our pigsty behind the mountain. It was just slaughtered the day before yesterday."
"I've been simmering it on low heat since this morning, and it's so delicious with green beans in it."
Something flashed through Lin Ruanruan's mind, but she couldn't quite grasp it.
She couldn't help but think of Mr. and Mrs. Lin, "It's just a pity that they're not coming back this year..."
Last year, her family spent the Spring Festival in Linjia Village, and she was still mentally challenged then. This year, Lin's parents went to her maternal grandmother's house in the north to celebrate the Spring Festival.
Grandma Lin couldn't help but sigh when she heard Lin Ruanruan say that, "Your maternal grandmother..."
"Ahem," Grandpa Lin interrupted Grandma Lin, "Let's eat, let's not talk about anything else today."
Grandma Lin realized she had spoken out of turn, so she quickly put some food on Lin Ruanruan's plate and told her about the interesting things that had happened in the village recently.
Lin Ruanruan knew that her parents didn't want her to go with them because her grandmother didn't like her, fearing she would be mistreated there.
She was bullied during the Lunar New Year when she was a child. Her grandmother saw it but did nothing, and even told Li Shuzhen to have another son, saying that the girl was stupid and useless.
From then on, Lin Ruanruan was sent to Linjia Village every year for the Spring Festival.
This year, Li Shuzhen even asked Lin Ruanruan for her opinion, asking if she wanted to go back to her maternal grandmother's house for the New Year together.
Lin Ruanruan refused without even thinking. Since the other person didn't like her, she wouldn't bother with them. She didn't know how to deal with difficult people, and she'd rather spend that time with her loving grandparents.
After dinner, Lin Ruanruan sidled up to her grandmother and told her about her experiences at school. Both her grandmother and grandfather listened attentively.
They would often be amused, and the three of them would chat until quite late.
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