Back in the countryside, Yan Shi happily bought goslings and ducklings.
"Finally, I can raise ducks and geese, and rabbits too. I want to be a farmer."
Not only that, even when they go out to play, Zhuang Zhao's puppets will take good care of the pets at home, doubling their happiness.
As the twins grew up, Yan Shi and Zhuang Zhao personally taught them about the world, since there wasn't a kindergarten around.
Not long after, Catherine and Kuimei moved in as well, and Yan Shi's daily leisure activities increased to include playing mahjong and tinkering with skincare products.
Yao Tang and Bu Ke would come over every year to stay for a while. Listening to them talk about what was happening outside was even more exciting than seeing it for myself.
After years of bickering and teasing, Bu Ke and Jiang Lang finally realized their feelings for each other, and Han Yan, the pure-hearted playboy, finally found the white rose that attracted him.
When the twins were six years old, their hometown was developing its economy, and schools, factories, shopping malls, train stations, hospitals, and other facilities were built.
Over the years, Chang Ge and Bu Qing's son Bu Yi, Su Yaozu and Tong Ying's son Su Qingyu, Han Mo and Qi Yanran's daughter Han Mengmeng, and Si Yue and Yao Tang's daughter Yao Senze were born one after another.
Over the years, Zhuang Zhao and Yan Shi have traveled hand in hand through mountains and lakes, witnessed the aurora borealis and meteor showers, traversed deserts and rainforests, argued and quarreled, but never regretted meeting each other.
In their forties, the two of them had no unfulfilled wishes and had been to all the places they wanted to go, and they began to find their mundane life a little boring.
Yifan has been working for three years since graduating from university and has a girlfriend. He basically has nothing to worry about.
The twins have graduated from high school and are eagerly anticipating university life in the big city, so worrying about them is pointless.
Erwang is getting old. He eats less and less every day and can't run anymore. He already has one leg missing, so he often bumps into things when he walks. He spends a lot of time lying down every day.
Every time Yan Shi saw Erwang, she felt sad. It didn't have long to live. Although this age was considered long for an Alaskan Malamute, it would be sad for anyone to see their dog, who had been with them for more than ten years, nearing the end of its life.
All Yan Shi could do was let it live a happy life. Since it had a poor appetite, she would cook different kinds of food for it every day and spend a lot of time with it.
One day in June, Erwang's life came to an end. Yan Shi, Zhuang Zhao, and the twins buried Erwang near the old house.
Death always brings many feelings. Yan Shi looked at the familiar scenery and a thought suddenly popped into his head.
"Honey, let's go back to District Seven."
"Okay." Without saying a word, Zhuang Zhao went back and started packing Yan Shi's luggage.
Yan Shi looked at Zhuang Zhao's profile. This man had doted on her for twenty years, never finding it annoying or tiresome.
"And what about these?" Yan Shi pointed to the ducks, geese, and rabbits wandering around the yard.
"You can sell it, take it with you, or hire someone to take care of it."
“Sell what needs to be sold, take what needs to be taken, and hire someone to take care of the rest.” Yan Shi quickly divided them into three categories according to his preferences.
Within two days, all the rabbits that were struggling to breathe in the yard were settled, and the couple, along with their family of four rabbits whom they were reluctant to entrust to others, embarked on their journey back to District Seven.
Because of the pets, Yan Shi had to drive back by herself. Not wanting to rush, she had the twins memorize the route as they drove.
“Your maternal grandparents are in our hometown. We’ll be buried there when we’re gone. Don’t forget the way home. Remember it all, or I’ll draw it on your foreheads.”
"We have navigation, but who knows what the routes will look like in a few years?" Yan Nuan complained as she drew a map in her notebook that only she could understand.
Yan Han was also drawing a map, but his lines were different from his sister's; he was recording it based on landmarks.
Yan Shi glanced at them and, seeing that the two children were taking notes diligently, said nothing more.
Just like they said, with navigation available, who knows what the future holds?
She became sad again after hearing this. She wondered if anyone would visit her grave if she were gone decades later.
"What's wrong?" Zhuang Zhao noticed that Yan Shi's mood was off and asked promptly.
"I feel a little sad. I've always been sentimental, and as I get older, I tend to overthink things and can relate everything I see to myself."
"Look at me, what does this remind you of?"
Yan Shi was amused by him; this man always knew how to make her happy.
"I was reminded of you, with your face full of wrinkles, still shamelessly saying sweet nothings."
"That's pretty accurate."
Distracted by him, Yan Shi's sadness could not keep up with the fleeting negative emotions.
Summer days are long, and the sun sets just as the day is about to end. Yifan has ordered a big meal at home for them.
This was the first time Yan Nuan and Yan Han had come to District Seven. They had grown up in their hometown in Northeast China and went to school nearby. During winter and summer vacations, they would either go out with their parents or stay at home. They had been to places much farther than District Seven, but they had never been to District Seven or District Nine.
Yan Shi glanced at them and, seeing that the two children were taking notes diligently, said nothing more.
Just like they said, with navigation available, who knows what the future holds?
She became sad again after hearing this. She wondered if anyone would visit her grave if she were gone decades later.
"What's wrong?" Zhuang Zhao noticed that Yan Shi's mood was off and asked promptly.
"I feel a little sad. I've always been sentimental, and as I get older, I tend to overthink things and can relate everything I see to myself."
"Look at me, what does this remind you of?"
Yan Shi was amused by him; this man always knew how to make her happy.
"I was reminded of you, with your face full of wrinkles, still shamelessly saying sweet nothings."
"That's pretty accurate."
Distracted by him, Yan Shi's sadness could not keep up with the fleeting negative emotions.
Summer days are long, and the sun sets just as the day is about to end. Yifan has ordered a big meal at home for them.
This was the first time Yan Nuan and Yan Han had come to District Seven. They had grown up in their hometown in Northeast China and went to school nearby. During winter and summer vacations, they would either go out with their parents or stay at home. They had been to places much farther than District Seven, but they had never been to District Seven or District Nine.
Yan Shi glanced at them and, seeing that the two children were taking notes diligently, said nothing more.
Just like they said, with navigation available, who knows what the future holds?
She became sad again after hearing this. She wondered if anyone would visit her grave if she were gone decades later.
"What's wrong?" Zhuang Zhao noticed that Yan Shi's mood was off and asked promptly.
"I feel a little sad. I've always been sentimental, and as I get older, I tend to overthink things and can relate everything I see to myself."
"Look at me, what does this remind you of?"
Yan Shi was amused by him; this man always knew how to make her happy.
"I was reminded of you, with your face full of wrinkles, still shamelessly saying sweet nothings."
"That's pretty accurate."
Distracted by him, Yan Shi's sadness could not keep up with the fleeting negative emotions.
Summer days are long, and the sun sets just as the day is about to end. Yifan has ordered a big meal at home for them.
This was the first time Yan Nuan and Yan Han had come to District Seven. They had grown up in their hometown in Northeast China and went to school nearby. During winter and summer vacations, they would either go out with their parents or stay at home. They had been to places much farther than District Seven, but they had never been to District Seven or District Nine.
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