Chapter 36

Yuan Yuan's parents and relatives truly didn't expect that the living conditions in the countryside could be so good. In comparison, the crowded buildings in the city seemed utterly inferior. Even an ordinary villa couldn't match Wang Yong's house, as the area it occupied was at least a thousand square meters. If you included the vegetable plots and idle land in front and behind the house, it was even more impressive. Moreover, the environment here was something the city couldn't compare to. Without mentioning the mountains and orchards behind the house or the river nearby, just the huge parking lot in front of the house could easily accommodate dozens of cars. Of course, this was a drying field built by the village. However, now, very few families in the village grew grain, and this place was a bit remote, so the large drying field, paved with stone slabs during the production team period, was almost exclusively used by Wang Yong. After all, a parking space in the city could cost tens of thousands of yuan.

As the two families gradually became familiar with each other, they began to split up and act in groups. The aunts and Liu Huilan led a group of women to continue touring the house, constantly praising, envying, or criticizing various aspects. The men, led by Grandpa, chatted idly with the two uncles. Only Grandma sat there, fidgeting and constantly looking out, clearly worried about her son's family.

Seeing this, Wang Yong couldn't sit still anymore. He stood up with Yuan Yuan and said, "Grandma, don't worry. I'll go with Yuan Yuan to meet Uncle and the others."

"Good, good. Your uncle has never been to the old home. I'm afraid he might get lost. Don't take the wrong path," Grandma said, her face full of worry.

"How could a grown man get lost? Besides, as an official, he must have a secretary and a driver. Wouldn't they have checked the route before coming? Wang Yong, you two just sit there! Besides, Zhang Fang came over last time, and Qian Qian said she remembered the way. Why do you need to go meet him?" Grandpa said angrily. He understood that his wife was missing her son, whom she had thought was dead for so many years. Due to the hardships they endured during a special period, they couldn't have more children. Fortunately, his older brother's descendants were all filial, which helped them gradually forget the painful memories. But fate was kind to them, and their son was not only alive but also had a son and a daughter. When they first heard the news, his wife was stunned, and after regaining her composure, she burst into tears, releasing all the regret, self-blame, and helplessness that had been pent up for years.

After staying at her son's house for a while, she returned home and started talking about her son's family every day, making at least one call a day. She wanted to make up for the guilt she felt towards her son, as she was the one who had lost him and had not fulfilled her responsibilities as a mother for so many years. However, after a few days, her guilt shifted to her grandchildren, and eventually, it all focused on her granddaughter, Wang Qian, who was the closest to her.

Seeing this, Wang Yong decided to leave quickly. He hurriedly said, "I'll take Yuan Yuan for a walk on the mountain." He then left in a hurry, with the elders giving him knowing looks. Just as he reached the door, Liu Jun caught up, walked up to them, and said seriously, "I'm here to be a third wheel. You can't mind, as the old folks inside ordered me to. But as a peer, I understand you. Just act naturally and pretend I'm not here."

This statement made Wang Yong and Yuan Yuan blush all the way to their necks. Just as they were both feeling awkward and cursing this blunt cousin, Liu Jun's voice rang out again, making them both look up towards the village.

"Hey! Look, cars are coming! Three of them!"

Three black sedans quickly approached from a distance. Wang Yong immediately shouted, "Grandma, Uncle and the others are here."

Hearing Wang Yong's shout, not only did Grandma rush out, but everyone in the yard and the house also ran out. They all wanted to see this legendary son who had returned from the dead and was now a high-ranking official in the capital.

In no time, the cars stopped steadily in front of Wang Yong's house. A man wearing headphones, sunglasses, and a suit got out of the first car. Almost simultaneously, the door of the second car opened, and a middle-aged man got out, followed by Aunt Zhang Fang. Seeing this, Wang Yong knew that the middle-aged man who got out first must be Uncle. He couldn't help but take a closer look.

From his appearance, it was clear that this was Uncle, as he looked so much like Grandpa when he was young. Uncle was also dressed in a suit, with his hair neatly combed and not a strand out of place. Behind his black-rimmed glasses were bright eyes that seemed to pierce into one's soul. Just standing there, he exuded a stern and imposing presence that made people hesitant to look directly at him. However, this was only for a moment. When he saw Grandma rushing over, a happy smile appeared on his face, and he walked towards her.

When they met, Uncle opened his arms to embrace Grandma and express his longing, but Grandma pushed his hands aside and went straight to Wang Qian, who had just gotten out of the car. This left Uncle with a bitter smile. In his mother's eyes, he didn't even exist; all she saw was her precious granddaughter.

Grandma was so eager to talk to her granddaughter that she completely ignored her son. Unexpectedly, another surprise followed. After Wang Qian, not only did her grandson, Wang Gang, get out of the car, but also her eldest granddaughter, Wang Han, who was the only girl in the family before Uncle was recognized. This made Grandma overjoyed. Her most beloved grandson and granddaughter were here, and even her eldest granddaughter, whom she had raised from a young age, had returned! (Wang Han, as the only girl in the family at the time, was the treasure of the entire family. Not only was she doted on by Grandma, but also by Grandpa, Uncle, Aunt, and Wang Yong's parents. As a child, Wang Qiang and Wang Yong often felt jealous and complained.)

It was also the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it was the day of Wang Yong's arranged marriage. With so many good things happening at once, Grandma was so happy that her eyes were almost invisible behind her smile.

"What are you standing there for? Are you watching a show? Come on, recognize the people in the family," Grandpa said, clearly unhappy that everyone was so close to Grandma and no one was paying attention to him. Was he so unloved?

Hearing Grandpa's words, Grandma laughed and said, "Girls, your grandpa is jealous."

The two girls, taking advantage of their favor, laughed and said to Grandpa, "Grandpa is jealous! Grandpa is jealous!"

"Hey! Grandpa can blush too!" Wang Han noticed something new and immediately shouted, making Grandpa's face even redder.

Everyone burst into laughter, making Grandpa stiffen and say, "Who's jealous? Do I need to be jealous?"

As a son, he couldn't let his father suffer. So, Uncle quickly walked up to the group and said, "Dad, how are you?"

"Can't die!" Grandpa was still clearly upset and replied curtly.

Uncle, not daring to provoke his strict father, who had a military background, quickly turned to Uncle and said, "Sorry, we're late and made everyone wait."

"It's fine, not late at all. Come, let me introduce you to the family," Uncle, who had met Uncle in Beijing when he accompanied Grandpa and Grandma, said. He then began to introduce the people around him one by one: Aunt, Uncle's family, Aunt's family, and then Wang Yong and Wang Liang. Uncle then specially introduced Uncle, mentioning that he was a good friend of Wang Yong's father and a retired official from Tianhai City. It seemed that Uncle already knew about him and said many words to him. Next, he introduced Yuan Yuan and her family. When he introduced Yuan Yuan's Uncle, Liu Hai, and learned that he was the city's vice mayor, Uncle specially said a few more words: "We're family now, so we should visit often. I'll leave Wang Yong to your care."

Hearing this, Liu Hai was so moved that his face turned red, and he didn't know what to say. Without any background, it was difficult for him to advance further in his current position. This made him, a man in his prime with abundant energy, feel frustrated. Now, unexpectedly, his son-in-law had such a background. He had thought that the high-ranking official Wang Yong's aunt mentioned was just a section chief or at most a department-level official in Beijing. But today, he was pleasantly surprised. As an official within the system, he immediately recognized Uncle's status.

After this round of introductions, at Uncle's invitation, everyone returned to the house. Uncle and Aunt continued to prepare the noon banquet in the yard, while Grandpa and Grandma, being the eldest, naturally took charge of welcoming Yuan Yuan's family and relatives, chatting and drinking tea with them, and talking about family matters. It was hard to tell that Uncle was a high-ranking official in the capital.