Bai Jiaojiao felt a pang of pity upon hearing Yang Changping's words, so she took the initiative to speak, saying, "Besides me, there are two older brothers and an older sister in my family. Although our family is not well-off, my father found a job pushing stones up the mountain after returning to his hometown. He didn't work in the production team anymore, and he can earn several yuan a day. Life is not too bad."
Bai Jiaojiao wanted to comfort Yang Changping in this way, at least letting him know that although Yang An died young, he was not living a bad life.
Yang Changping said with some guilt, "You said we haven't gone to see your mother all these years, but that's not true. Back then, there was a war, and your maternal grandfather, who was so old, was transferred to command at a very young age. Your other two uncles and I also went to support him soon. It was too chaotic back then, and we didn't take good enough care of your mother, leaving her alone at home."
Bai Jiaojiao listened as Yang Changping recounted what happened back then.
“After we came back, we only heard from the neighbors that your father’s surname was Bai, and that he came back after the war. We couldn’t find him anywhere. For so many years, our family has been looking for your mother! Also, your mother ran away with your father, but it wasn’t exactly an elopement. These days, there’s no such thing as an elopement. Wouldn’t that make her an unregistered resident? You should know that your mother has a registered household, right?”
It seems that Yang An left with Bai Zhiman when his father and brothers were not home. Although his family did not object, they did not agree either. Without the consent of his parents or the words of a matchmaker, he considered it an elopement.
Bai Jiaojiao never expected things to turn out this way.
Yang Changping sighed again, "Your mother probably thinks the same way. She resents us, which is why she hasn't written to us or sent us any news all these years."
Back then, the four of them, father and sons, went to the battlefield with the determination to die. Everyone knew that it was freezing cold there, and it was indeed so. Of the four of them, only two came back. Moreover, Old Yang was already over fifty years old at that time and only took charge of commanding from the rear without participating in the battle. That's how he was able to return home safely. As for those on the front lines, it was truly a matter of life and death.
The Yang family has a clear conscience towards the country, but for Yang An, this is tantamount to being abandoned by his entire family.
As Bai Jiaojiao listened to these stories, she understood the truth of what happened back then and thought to herself, "Fate is truly cruel."
"Let's not talk about these things anymore," Yang Changping said repeatedly. "Seeing how well you're doing now, your mother will definitely feel at ease. What do you want to eat? Your uncle will get you some food."
Yang Changping's serious face held an awkward attempt to please, just like he had done with his little sister back then.
Bai Jiaojiao hadn't yet sorted out her feelings towards this unexpected uncle, but she understood that Yang Changping had come to her seeking emotional support.
"Since none of you have eaten, how about I treat you to something? I'm familiar with this cafeteria, so let me arrange it for you. Please sit here for a while," Bai Jiaojiao said.
Yang Changping was a little excited and said "good" several times, but said to Yang Fenglin, "You stay with your sister, don't let her spend money, and help carry things!"
Yang Fenglin had just sat down when he stood up again and caught up with Bai Jiaojiao: "Is that really my aunt in the photo? She looks so much like you! How old are you? Is she really my sister?"
Yang Fenglin's mood was no less calm than Bai Jiaojiao's. He had grown up to suddenly have a cousin, no, he should say four cousins. Who could calmly accept that?
I am twenty-two years old this year.
"I'm also 22! Are you talking about your age in the traditional Chinese way or your actual age? What's your birthday?"
"Actual age: I was born young, so people usually say my actual age."
"What a coincidence, my birthday is also early; I was born on the 20th of the twelfth lunar month!"
Bai Jiaojiao understood: "Then I'm a little older than you."
"Then I should call you sister!" Yang Fenglin didn't seem to mind Bai Jiaojiao. "I have a sister too. Qi Yunxin has an older sister, and she's really fierce. She's always beaten me since I was little. Sister, next time you see her, could you help me fight back?"
Bai Jiaojiao: "..." Do I look like someone who can help you beat someone up?
"I was just kidding, we're all grown up now..."
Yang Fenglin happily followed Bai Jiaojiao and carried the breakfast for the four of them back. Luckily, the young man had a big appetite and could still eat one meal after another.
"I have class to attend later, so I can't stay with you."
Yang Changping immediately asked, "Which college and class are you in? That way we can find you next time." Would they still be able to find her?
Yang Changping wasn't oblivious to Bai Jiaojiao's aloofness, but he thought it was perfectly normal. Yang Changping felt somewhat insecure and didn't even dare to ask the rest of the question.
Yang Changping didn't dare tell his father last night that he thought he had found his niece, because he was afraid that she wouldn't acknowledge her and would make his father's hopes dashed.
Bai Jiaojiao glanced at Yang Changping and Yang Fenglin and said, "I am from Class 2, 1978, majoring in Modern Medicine. We have a lot of classes and don't have much free time."
Yang Changping and the others chased Bai Jiaojiao out of the cafeteria and accompanied her all the way to the classroom: "Are you free this weekend? Would you like to go home and see your grandfather? I know you won't feel any affection for him, but child, just think of it as helping me out, okay? It's okay if you don't want to, don't force yourself."
At this moment, Yang Changping's compromise and humility reminded Bai Jiaojiao of how her family had treated Yang An back then. She guessed that Yang An was also a spoiled daughter, otherwise she wouldn't have dared to leave her hometown without her father and brothers' consent, and even refused to contact her family again in a fit of pique.
Whether from a subjective emotional or objective point of view, Bai Jiaojiao had no reason to refuse. She simply said truthfully, "This weekend might not work, how about next weekend? My third brother happens to be in Yancheng too, so we can go together then."
"Your third brother is here too? Where is your family now?"
"We are the only ones in Yancheng. My father, my older brother, and my older sister are still in Hushan Town."
"That's perfect, that's perfect. You and your brother can come together, and your cousin can pick you up later."
Yang Fenglin said from the side, "Dad, you don't know, this is my sister, she's a few days older than me."
Yang Changping had some psychological issues after the war and couldn't find a partner for a long time, so Yang Fenglin was born relatively late.
“Okay, your sister is even better. You have to listen to your sister from now on, understand? Jiaojiao,” Yang Changping said to Bai Jiaojiao in a gentle tone, “If there are some things you don’t like to talk to us elders about, just talk to Fenglin. He doesn’t have any other brothers or sisters. Just treat him like your own brother.”
Yang Fenglin grinned broadly, "Yeah, yeah, sis, if you ever need anything, just call me. Hey, get me a piece of paper from your bag, I'll write down our home and work phone numbers for you, just call me if you need anything!"
"Yes, yes, your brother is so thoughtful." Yang Changping thought to himself that this kid was finally going to be useful.
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