Along the way, the jeep deliberately drove past several scenic spots, allowing Ning Yuan to see the Beijing landmarks described in the book.
Finally, we arrived at a quiet residential compound for employees of a work unit.
After passing through several registration checkpoints and being checked by guards multiple times, I was finally allowed to pass.
The young men became much quieter and less boisterous.
The car stopped in front of a small building. Chen Chen got out first and told the others to carry their luggage into the two-story building.
Two women, both in their fifties, with short hair reaching their ears, were already standing in front of the door.
One of them looked very similar to Chen Chen, with thick eyebrows and big eyes; the other was wearing an apron, but their clothes were very simple.
As soon as they saw Chen Chen, they rushed over to greet him. One of them, who looked very much like Chen Chen, hugged him tightly and said, "You little rascal, you finally know how to come back!"
Chen Chen chuckled and turned to Ning Yuan with a smile: "Sister-in-law, this is my mom. You can just call her Aunt Qian."
Ning Yuan knew she would be staying at Chen Chen's house during her trip to Beijing, but she didn't expect that Chen Chen's house would also be in the compound!
She paused for a moment, then quickly recovered and smiled brightly at Chen Chen's mother: "Hello Aunt Qian, I'm sorry to have bothered you these past few days."
As she spoke, Ning Yuan handed the gift she was carrying to the other person.
Aunt Qian was taken aback for a moment when she saw Ning Yuan, but then she couldn't help but like her.
"Oh my, this young lady is so beautiful! She's so cheerful and lovable! Why bring a gift? You're being so polite!"
Ning Yuan keenly noticed the momentary stunned look on Aunt Qian's face.
She secretly wondered if she and Ye Qiu really were somewhat similar?
However, Rong Zhaonan never revealed this.
Given his personality, his straightforward nature probably means he never truly felt like Ye Qiu.
As she spoke, she glanced at Rong Zhaonan and said reproachfully—
“Nan lad, I heard from Old Chen and Chen Chen that you got married. It’s been more than two years since you got married, and you’ve finally decided to come back to see us old folks.”
A helpless smile appeared on Rong Zhaonan's handsome and aloof face: "Aunt Qian, I'm also busy with work."
"Alright, alright, Mom, stop talking here. Is dinner ready?" Chen Chen said with a grin, putting his arm around his mother's shoulder.
Aunt Qian rolled her eyes at him: "Eat, eat, all you know is eating. When will you bring home a wife like Zhao Nan before you start grinning like that!"
The older woman following her wiped her hands on her apron and said with a smile, "The food is all prepared, you won't go hungry."
Chen Chen then put his arm around the old lady's shoulder: "Third Auntie still loves me the most."
Third Sister was the nanny who helped Chen Chen's family and had raised him since he was a child.
Aunt Qian shook her head: "Third Sister, just spoil him!"
As she spoke, she took Ning Yuan's hand and led her home—
“My old man has taken a bunch of kids to work in the mountains, so the house is all empty. You and Nan can stay here comfortably in Beijing. Everything is prepared for you, so make yourself at home.”
Ning Yuan was led around the small building by the enthusiastic Aunt Qian.
Then, she and Rong Zhaonan were placed in a spacious, bright, and warmly decorated room.
It even has a private bathroom!
This used to be Chen Chen's room, but after Chen Chen joined the army, the room was left empty and was renovated by Aunt Qian!
I was hoping that my son and daughter-in-law could live here in the future, but it has been empty for too many years!
Chen Chen was shoved into the small study next to the kitchen by his mother, feeling wronged.
Aunt Qian even secretly pulled her aside and said—
The young couple staying here is meant to bring her some good fortune; who knows, maybe her son will bring a daughter-in-law, or even a grandson or granddaughter, someday.
Ning Yuan was both embarrassed and secretly amused, now she understood who Chen Chen's straightforward personality came from.
Although we were tired when we first arrived in Beijing, we had a great day. In the evening, we all enjoyed a lively lamb hot pot meal.
Good times always fly by.
The next morning, Ning Yuan changed into a more elegant dress, and her long curly hair was braided into two large braids. She then carried the gifts and went with Rong Zhaonan to another large courtyard nearby.
It's very close, only a ten-minute walk.
"Am I doing this right?" Ning Yuan asked Rong Zhaonan in a low voice, tugging at her clothes nervously as she entered the courtyard.
Rong Zhaonan smiled and took her hand: "You look good in anything."
Aunt Qian also got off the bus, smiling and saying, "Xiao Ning is pretty, she looks good in anything."
Rong Zhaonan specifically invited her to come along, just in case the atmosphere got awkward and someone could help ease the tension.
As they talked, they arrived at their destination.
Rong Zhaonan looked at the slightly worn yet dignified and exquisite Soviet-style building nestled among the flowers and trees, remained silent for a while, and then prepared to knock on the door.
But he had only taken two steps when the door suddenly opened.
A graceful figure wearing a blue pleated long skirt and a white polyester shirt stood at the door.
She looked up at him, stunned for a moment, her expression excited: "You..."
Rong Zhaonan stared at the beautiful girl before him, his body stiffening, his clear, narrow eyes filled with shock: "...You..."
In that instant, his eyes involuntarily reddened, and he stared stiffly at the person in front of him: "Sister Ye Qiu?!"
The next moment, the girl's eyes also welled up with tears. She threw herself into his arms, choking back sobs, "You're finally back! I've waited for you for so, so long!"
Rong Zhaonan raised his hand and slowly placed it on her back. He looked down at the person in his arms, his expression a mixture of sorrow and joy: "Sister Ye Qiu... you're still alive."
Ning Yuan stood behind him, silent.
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