When Grandma Yan saw this, she called Yan Xiaonan over and continued eating noodles. She and Nannan were eating longevity noodles. Cuihua rolled the noodles out very thin and long, and used chicken broth to make the soup base. It was delicious and shouldn't be wasted.
Liu Jin was a little unhappy. This person made his great-grandmother cry as soon as he arrived, and even took away his and Wu Jin's noodles. But his grandparents were very happy, and even his aunt happily went to the kitchen to help.
He looked at Yan Daqiang. He remembered that this great-grandfather and uncle existed in his memory. They had gone up the mountain together to eat beggar's chicken and had barbecues and picnics together. Unfortunately, he was too young at that time and could not remember many things. Moreover, they had not seen each other for five years.
Looking at the sturdy six-pounder and the five-and-a-half-pounder beside him, both of them were looking at him with very dissatisfied eyes. Yan Daqiang laughed. These two lads are even possessive of their food. However, he still rolled his eyes at Yan Aidang with envy, a look that made Yan Aidang very embarrassed.
This trip back to my hometown was for two reasons: first, to celebrate my grandmother's birthday; and second, because I received good news that prompted my father to come, even if it meant taking time off work. This disrupted all of Yan Daqiang's plans, as he rushed over with his son.
"Mom, we won't be able to stay long this time, and we might not be able to spend the New Year with you." Yan Daqiang was a little sad. He had finally come back for a visit, and now he was leaving in a hurry.
Grandma Yan knew what was going on. Her eldest son had said he would come home every four years, but he didn't come back for Chinese New Year last year. In his letter, he only said that he was too busy with work to come home. Grandma Yan was a little depressed.
Fortunately, Nan Nan had told herself early on that this was a tense period and that her uncle must be very busy. Next year and the year after would be even more crucial, so he probably wouldn't have time to come back for the next two years. Sure enough, a lot happened this year.
Since there's no time to go home, then let's not go. Work is important, especially the job my eldest son has. It's a future he earned with his life, and he can't afford to lose it easily. I'll listen to Nan Nan. When Nan Nan turns eighteen, she'll be able to see her eldest son.
I never expected that my eldest son would bring his grandson back today on my and Nan Nan's birthday. I was so happy and surprised that I couldn't help but shed tears. Yan Xiaonan could tell what Liu Jin and Wu Jinban were thinking just by looking at them.
She took Liu Jin's hand and said, "Liu Jin, your great-grandmother is so happy today that she shed tears. You should thank your great-grandfather and Uncle Aidang properly."
Wu Jinban asked in confusion, "Auntie, people only cry when they're sad. Why is Grandma crying when she's happy?"
Liu Jin suddenly realized how stupid he was, having forgotten the idiom: "Five and a half jin, Grandma, this is tears of joy, you know?"
Wu Jinban nodded as if he understood, oh, so he was crying tears of joy.
Grandma Yan smiled, a smile still tinged with her tears.
Yan Aidang anxiously inquired about Ye Chen'er's situation. Yan Xiaonan understood how many letters he had sent to the two of them over the years. Each of Yan Aidang's letters was different from others; his letters contained another letter inside. The outer letter was addressed to everyone, while the inner letter was addressed to Ye Chen'er.
Ye Chen'er would always reply to the letters she received, and each time she would trouble Yan Xiaonan to send them to Yan Aidang. Yan Xiaonan understood Ye Chen'er and their situation and happily became their messenger.
Yan Xiaonan didn't answer Yan Aidang's question, but took him directly to the cowshed to find Ye Chen'er. It was the winter season, and there wasn't much work to be done in the fields. The Ye family members were all staying indoors, some reading, some writing, and Ye Huixian and Fu Qingping were doing needlework, preparing some small gifts for Grandma Yan for the New Year.
When Yan Xiaonan and Yan Aidang went in, Ye Chen'er was scared half to death. "You naughty Nannan, Yan Aidang is coming without telling me beforehand. Look how disheveled I am now, how can I face anyone?"
Yan Xiaonan secretly rolled her eyes. It's not like it's modern times, where there's makeup and formal wear. You keep changing into these two outfits. What's so embarrassing about them?
When Yan Aidang saw Ye Chen'er, he couldn't hide the joy in his eyes. Ye Chenming wisely pulled Fu Qingping and Ye Huixian up, called Yan Xiaonan to his room, and left the room for the two of them.
Fu Qingping glanced at Yan Aidang curiously, then followed Ye Chenming out. When she learned that Yan Aidang was Yan Xiaonan's cousin and the young man who had saved Chen'er, she had already taken a liking to this righteous young man. After asking Yan Xiaonan about his cousin in more detail, Fu Qingping felt even more at ease.
"Brother Ai Dang, what brings you here? Are you on holiday?" Ye Chen'er asked somewhat embarrassedly.
"Chen'er, I only have seven days of leave. I've been on leave the rest of the time, so I can only stay here for two days. I have to leave the day after tomorrow," Yan Aidang quickly reported.
"Chen'er, I've come here today with something to tell you. Would you like to listen?" Yan Aidang asked Ye Chen'er.
Ye Chen'er felt a little excited; she had some idea of what Yan Ai's problem was.
Seeing Ye Chen'er nod, Yan Aidang spoke up: "I've received some information, although it's not entirely certain yet, but the general direction won't change. The college entrance examination may be reinstated next year, so you and your brother should start preparing."
Ye Chen'er was overjoyed: "Brother Dang, really?"
In the blink of an eye, Ye Chen'er became sad: "Brother Ai Dang, my family background is bad, I don't know if I can take the college entrance examination."
Yan Aidang felt a pang of sympathy. This girl was so pitiful; she had endured so much injustice over the years. Fortunately, the light was just around the corner, and everything was about to turn a new page.
"Chen'er, this is the second thing I want to talk about. Your grandmother and aunt's identities may be restored, and they will no longer be considered bad elements. As for when they will be restored, I estimate it will be next year, but it will definitely be before you take the college entrance examination," Yan Aidang said confidently.
Ye Chen'er was truly overjoyed. Seeing Yan Aidang's heartfelt gratitude, her seemingly casual words revealed the hardships and efforts Yan Aidang had put in.
Seeing Ye Chen'er's tearful eyes, Yan Aidang mustered his courage: "The third thing, and the most important thing, is that I, Yan Aidang, am twenty-six years old this year, and I want to establish a romantic relationship with Ye Chen'er. We will get married after Ye Chen'er gets into university."
Ye Chen'er felt relieved. She had finally waited for this day. Ever since Yan Aidang first came to Mushroom Village and they had a picnic together, she had developed a liking for him. He was a humorous and responsible young man.
Later, Yan Aidang saved her life. He not only comforted her psychologically, but also took great care of her in daily life. At this time, she had developed feelings for him, but unfortunately, her family background was not good, so she dared not think about it in that way.
After so many years of correspondence, my feelings for her had been hidden deep within me, yet I had always suppressed them. I still felt that I was not good enough for her. Since I was not good enough, I should stop dreaming.
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