This time I didn't take the train back; I bought a plane ticket and flew back, which took just over three hours.
As soon as Shu Yan and Fang Zeyu stepped out of the exit after getting off the plane, they saw Shu Jianyang already waiting there, holding up a sign.
Shu Jianyang didn't even glance at Shu Yan and Fang Zeyu, constantly looking inside and muttering under his breath, "Why haven't they come out yet?"
"Third Brother, Third Brother..." Shu Yan called him several times but he didn't respond. She came to his side and patted his shoulder. "Third Brother, I'm here!"
Shu Jianyang looked at Shu Yan in disbelief, "Shu Yan?"
Shu Yan tilted her head, looked at him with amusement, and nodded, "Yeah, it's only been a short time since we last met and you've already forgotten me. Third Brother, you've really hurt my feelings."
"Are you really Shu Yan?" Shu Jianyang was still a little incredulous. He looked closely at her face. She did look somewhat like his second uncle, but he really couldn't recognize her. "You've changed so much. It's like you're a completely different person."
Even though she was his own sister, Shu Jianyang couldn't lie and say that Shu Yan was pretty. Her only redeeming quality was her diligence and virtuousness. In just one year since their divorce last year, the changes were drastic.
She's lost weight, gotten fairer, and become more beautiful. Most importantly, her demeanor has changed. She used to be a downtrodden country wife, but now she's confident, poised, and has a noble air about her—she's a completely different person.
Shu Yan smiled. Her changes were indeed significant, so it was normal for the three of them to be surprised.
"Third Brother, this is Fang Zeyu, whom I told you about. He came back with me this time. Ayu, this is my third brother, whom I often talk about. He's very good to me, even closer than a biological brother." Shu Yan introduced the two of them generously.
"Hello." When Fang Zeyu saw Shu Jianyang looking in his direction, he immediately stood up straight and greeted him respectfully.
Everyone who sees Fang Zeyu will be immediately drawn to the scar on his face. However, before they returned to Xicheng, Shu Yan had told him about Fang Zeyu. Although he was a hoodlum, he admired those who protected their country. Besides, he said that it's okay for a man to have scars. He himself had several scars from being slashed by others, but it didn't matter as long as he was good to Yan Yan.
"Just call me Third Brother like Yan Yan does." Actually, Fang Zeyu was older than him, but since he was Shu Yan's third brother, he couldn't argue with it.
I thought Fang Zeyu would say something, but he generously called me Third Brother, which made Shu Jianyang seem a bit stingy.
"It's still more convenient to fly. It only took a short time to get here. Next time I go to Nancheng, I'll fly too," Shu Jianyang changed the subject.
"When are you taking your sister-in-law to Nancheng for a trip? I'll cover all the food, clothing, accommodation, and transportation." Shu Yan hadn't met the bride yet, and she was very curious about what kind of girl could tame Shu Jianyang.
Shu Jianyang is no longer just in the construction business; he has started to get involved in real estate. This year, he just bought a piece of land and plans to build houses on it. He plans to build more than a dozen villas in a good location, one for himself and one for Shu Yan.
So they haven't moved yet and are still living in the house that Shu Yan sold to him. They've renovated it and are using it as their wedding home for now. They'll move over there once the villa is finished.
"What are you leaving me? If I want a house, I'll buy one myself. Besides, I might not even come back from Xicheng." Shu Yan felt that he probably wouldn't come back.
There are two children here, and they are now considered residents of the South City. They probably won't go back to the West City. Anyway, they have money, so they can buy whenever they want.
"What nonsense are you talking about? This is your hometown no matter what. People believe in returning to their roots. When you get older and your children have their own homes, won't you come back to live here?" Suddenly, he saw Fang Zeyu, a tall and strong man next to him. He seemed to be from Nancheng. After Shu Yan married him, she probably wouldn't come back when she got old. Thinking about this, he suddenly felt uneasy. "Anyway, I'll leave you a house. When you come back, you'll have a place to stay."
“That works too. Yan Yan’s hometown is here, and we’ll definitely be coming back often in the future. Having a house here will make things more convenient.” Fang Zeyu tugged at Shu Yan. People should give and take, and if Shu Jianyang ever needs anything, they will be there for him without hesitation.
They had originally planned to stay in a hotel, but the bride had already prepared a room for them.
"We live on the second floor ourselves, and the third floor is also renovated. Grandpa, Grandma, and my parents will live on the third floor too," Shu Jianyang said with a smile as he drove.
Shu Yan frowned. "Third brother, you know better than anyone else that my relationship with the family is unknown to third sister-in-law. I won't stay with grandpa and grandma. We can stay at a nearby hotel."
"Grandpa and Grandma treat you differently now." They felt that Shu Yan had made them proud, and her status was now second only to Shu Jianyang.
That's not good either. Shu Yan isn't the real Shu Yan, and she doesn't really have any feelings for them. It would be too awkward for them to live together.
Shu Jianyang thought about it for a moment. Shu Yan wasn't alone; she was also with Fang Zeyu. It wouldn't be convenient for them to stay at his place, so he agreed to let them stay outside.
The hotel was the same one where Shu Jianyang held his banquet; it was considered the largest hotel in Xicheng. Shu Yan booked two rooms.
Seeing that Shu Yan had booked two rooms, Shu Jianyang was immediately relieved. He also gave Fang Zeyu a meaningful look, feeling both relieved that they hadn't had any physical relations yet and contemptuous that Fang Zeyu hadn't succeeded by now.
Fang Zeyu paused for a moment as he took the room key, ignoring Shu Jianyang.
Shu Jianyang was busy lately, so he left after settling Shu Yan in. Shu Yan then took Fang Zeyu to explore the western part of the city.
Xicheng is still underdeveloped, and there aren't many truly lively places. Shu Yan took Fang Zeyu around for half a day, and then took him to some of the more famous local restaurants.
"The food here is all spicy, can you eat some?" Shu Yan had been in Nancheng for a long time, and her tastes had become much milder.
"I can eat mild spice." When he was in the army, he met people from all over the country and learned to eat a little spice. However, after returning to Nancheng for a long time, his ability to eat spicy food gradually declined.
"That's good. I'll order you some of the most authentic local snacks from Xicheng."
The food in Xicheng was the same as in Shuyan's original world. It had been a long time since Shuyan had eaten the food from her hometown, and she enjoyed it very much.
"Don't eat so much, you won't be able to eat dinner later," Fang Zeyu said quickly when he saw that Shu Yan had eaten quite a bit.
Snacks may be delicious, but they can't replace a proper meal; otherwise, you'll get an upset stomach.
Shu Yan looked back and realized she had indeed eaten too much, so she smiled apologetically.
Shu Yan originally planned to take Fang Zeyu to a famous local restaurant for dinner, but Shu Jianyang came to pick them up and said that his grandmother had prepared dinner and was waiting for them.
Originally, Shu Yan wasn't planning to go because her grandparents, uncle, and aunt were all there. However, she had already declined once, and if she declined again, she wouldn't be giving Shu Jianyang any face.
"I won't go," Fang Zeyu said after a moment's hesitation.
"Are you going together, or do you not want to marry me?" Shu Yan glanced at him sideways.
"Come along, I only called Shu Yan back for dinner because I wanted to see you." Shu Jianyang felt that Fang Zeyu was getting the better of him while pretending to be innocent.
When they arrived home, the meal was already prepared. Upon seeing Shu Yan, everyone—from the old man and woman to the eldest uncle and aunt—was stunned.
This is what Shu Yan looks like?
In my memory, Shu Yan was short and chubby, dark-skinned and plain-looking. Is this fashionable, fair-skinned and beautiful woman, who looks like a rich young lady, really Shu Yan?
The old lady hesitated before calling out, "Yan Yan?"
"Grandma, it's been a long time. I was ashamed to face you after my divorce, so I left Xicheng with my child. I didn't even come to wish you a Happy New Year. I'm such an unfilial granddaughter."
"The voice sounds similar," Auntie whispered in Uncle's ear.
Her uncle rolled his eyes at her and smiled at Shu Yan, saying, "It's not easy for you to raise two children on your own. Your grandparents and I are here for you."
"Yes, your thinking about developing the village is the greatest act of filial piety you can show us," the old lady said with a smile.
Shu Jianyang glanced at the old lady. "You didn't say that back then. You scolded Shu Yan for several days at home for being a spendthrift."
Unlike in her original memories, her grandparents and uncles were no longer cold and sarcastic towards her. It just goes to show that kindness is often taken advantage of. Once you have your own confidence, your family treats you differently.
Shu Yan smiled and pulled Fang Zeyu along, saying, "This is Fang Zeyu, my boyfriend, Ayu. These are my grandparents, this is my uncle, and this is my aunt."
"Hello Grandpa and Grandma, hello Uncle, hello Aunt," Fang Zeyu greeted respectfully, carrying gifts in both hands.
No matter what they were like in the past, it doesn't change the fact that they are Shu Yan's family. They still have to save face.
"Then I'll call you Xiaoyu. How old are you this year?" the old man asked seriously.
“36 years old,” Fang Zeyu replied immediately.
“He’s ten years older than our Yan Yan.” The old man frowned slightly. If his granddaughter had married someone like Fang Zeyu before, he would have thought she was marrying above her station. But after seeing her today, he felt that with her looks, she could easily find someone from a better family and with more attractive features.
“Grandpa, Ayu is no ordinary person. He’s a hero who went to the battlefield.” Shu Jianyang immediately chimed in, embellishing Fang Zeyu’s story.
Suddenly, the old man felt that his granddaughter was not good enough for the man.
"You should have a job after returning from your military service, so why are you starting your own business?" the old man asked again, puzzled.
Fang Zeyu remained silent for a moment. Just as Shu Yan was about to change the subject, Fang Zeyu began to recount his story in detail.
“Those people are beasts, how could they harm you like this? And that girl was no better, she actually turned around and bit back. They deserve their retribution,” the old woman said indignantly.
"It's good that the truth has come out." The old man raised his glass and clinked it with Fang Zeyu's, which was a sign of his approval.
After the family finished eating, the old man and Fang Zeyu sat together chatting, while the old lady pulled Shuyan along.
"He said he's going to do business. What kind of business? Is it profitable? Is he a local from Nancheng? Does he own a house? Is he really willing to accept your two children? If you don't return the two children to the Ye family, you may not know that the woman the Ye family married later has been unable to have children since she miscarried. They will definitely want them."
Li Jiaojiao miscarried? Does that mean the female lead of this world is gone?
Shu Yan was somewhat shocked by the news and quickly pulled Shu Jianyang, who was standing next to her, to ask about the situation.
"Li Jiaojiao had a miscarriage?"
"Yes, didn't I tell you?" Shu Jianyang asked, slightly tipsy from drinking quite a bit tonight.
"No."
"It doesn't matter. What happens to Ye Zhiqiang and Li Jiaojiao is none of your business." Shu Jianyang had almost forgotten whether he had said it or not.
Shu Yan thought about it and realized it really didn't matter, but the female lead was gone...
I'm sure everything's alright!
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