After Shen Youchu came back from buying water, Chen Hansheng suddenly stopped the topic of conversation. Wang Zibo knew that Chen Hansheng didn't want Shen Youchu to hear these things.
Even if it was a dream, it wouldn't work.
"Damn, Xiao Chen really considered everything except that he couldn't fully commit to his feelings."
Wang Zibo thought silently in his heart.
Before leaving Shuangliu Airport, Wang Zibo insisted on going to the mall to buy Melatonin. He still remembered the promise he made last year.
"My mother-in-law is in good health and doesn't like to eat these. Don't waste money."
Shen Youchu whispered.
"Let him do it."
Chen Hansheng waved his hand indifferently: "You helped them to intercede last time, I guess Zibo is grateful."
Shen Youchu lowered her head, holding Chen Hansheng's thumb in her hand. She just helped to pass on the message, but she didn't expect Chen Hansheng to agree directly for her face.
In fact, Shen Youchu is much more tolerant than Chen Hansheng. In her eyes, Shang Yanyan is a good girl. Huang Hui, who is good at concealing, probably has a similar evaluation.
Wang Zibo bought four boxes of Melatonin, which is said to be a course of treatment. Then the three of them began the long process of transferring, and finally arrived at Shen Youchu's door at around 8 o'clock in the evening.
The scenery here is similar to last year, and the temperature is also very low. The hot air exhaled condenses into frost flowers when it leaves the mouth. There are cool moons in the sky and white snow in front of you.
Little Aning still ran over from a distance to hug Shen Youchu, and her mother-in-law still stood at the entrance of the alley with a candle in her hand. Chen Hansheng felt like it was the same day last year. He quietly asked Wang Zibo: "Can you sing "Yesterday Once More"?"
Wang Zibo nodded: "Yes, we learned it in high school. Have you forgotten it?"
Chen Hansheng didn't remember it at all, so he had to fool around and said: "I can sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". You call me daddy and I'll sing it for you."
"Fuck, you want to take advantage of me again!"
The two of them followed into the small courtyard of Shen Youchu's house, whispering to each other. Little Aning's hand was held by Shen Youchu. From time to time, she turned her head to look at Chen Hansheng and Wang Zibo, and she was not as shy as she was last year.
"Hey, little Aning, do you still know Brother Zibo?"
Wang Zibo bent down to speak, a standard student greeting.
Aning opened her round eyes and nodded.
Chen Hansheng was different. He picked up little Aning and used one hand to pinch her face.
"Wow, she's a little fatter, and her face has some flesh."
Chen Hansheng weighed her twice and said, "It's the New Year, so it's a good time to sell her."
Last year, little Aning had skinny arms and legs, and only big eyes could be seen on her face. This year, probably because she's well-nourished, her eyebrows are deeper, her face is rosy, and her nose and mouth seem to have grown.
"Brother Hansheng."
Aning was a little embarrassed to be held in his arms after not seeing her for a year.
"Huh?"
Chen Hansheng was a little surprised. Children usually have short memories, so he asked, "How do you remember me?"
Aning would not lie: "Grandma said that we have meat to eat at home because of my brother."
"Oh."
Chen Hansheng looked at the grandmother who was leaning on a cane in front of him, turned his head and said with a smile: "Thank you, sister. My brother never cares about these trivial matters."
······
The layout of the yard has not changed much. Chen Hansheng was looking at it in the moonlight when he suddenly heard two "woof woof" barks of dogs, and a gray four-legged animal jumped out from the corner.
Chen Hansheng remembered that Shen Youchu seemed to have a small dog at home.
"Don't make noise!"
Little Aning in Chen Hansheng's arms became very brave, struggling to jump to the ground, and stood in front of Chen Hansheng and Wang Zibo with his hands on his waist to protect them.
The little dog saw its owner standing in front, "woof" twice without making any trouble, and also stared at the two strangers curiously.
"You bastard, I touched it last year."
Chen Hansheng whistled at the dog and followed him into the small kitchen.
Because they had not eaten all the way, Shen Youchu put down her luggage, put her hair up and started to heat the stove.
They all burned firewood here, and soon the small kitchen was filled with smoke, but it was warm inside. Chen Hansheng took off his down jacket because he felt hot, put on a neat leather jacket, and pressed the dog that had just barked at him to the ground and bullied it.
There was also a big cat in the yard. It wanted to join in the fun, but seeing the miserable state of its little friend, it dared only lie at the feet of the grandmother. When Chen Hansheng moved his feet slightly, the big cat immediately stood up and took two steps back vigilantly.
The grandmother was old and rarely went out. She had nothing to talk about with the young people, and just squinted her eyes and watched.
Little Aning was as kindhearted as Shen Youchu. At first, she thought it was fun to see Chen Hansheng playing with the dog, but later she felt sorry for him. However, she did not dare to persuade him. She could only squat down, touch the dog's head with her hand to comfort him, and blinked at the brother from time to time, hoping that he would show mercy.
Wang Zibo thought that little Chen was a bad guy. The little girl was obviously in tears, but she pretended not to see it. He pushed Chen Hansheng.
Chen Hansheng was having fun and said impatiently, "What are you doing?"
Wang Zibo pointed at Shen Youchu who was cooking. Chen Hansheng looked up and saw a piece of bacon on the chopping board. Shen Youchu was slowly cutting it into thin slices.
"What's so strange? People's lives have improved."
Chen Hansheng turned around and said, and the little dog finally seized this opportunity and ran away.
Soon, dinner was ready. Green peppers, bacon, steamed eggs, and hot noodles were served. Chen Hansheng nodded in his heart. This was how he would eat in Hong Kong.
Shen Youchu's family was lifted up. Chen Hansheng played the biggest role. Even Hu Linyu, who was particularly opposed to this "marriage" at the beginning, gradually became acquiescent, and finally agreed.
If Chen Hansheng did not interfere in Shen Youchu's life, her college life would be peaceful, but also hard. After all, she had to work several jobs to support herself and her sister's studies.
While eating, there was a sudden movement at the wooden door in the yard. The little dog barked once and then stopped. It was probably an acquaintance.
Chen Hansheng looked up and saw a middle-aged man in his 40s who came in. He had a scraggly beard, rough skin, cracked wounds on his hands from frostbite, and a dull look in his eyes. It seemed that he had never been far away.
He was also shocked to see two young people suddenly in the small kitchen. After his mother-in-law introduced them in the local language, he nodded and greeted them.
"Who is he?"
Chen Hansheng asked in Mandarin.
"Grandpa."
Shen Youchu explained gently.
In short, he is an elder. Chen Hansheng took out his cigarette and threw it over. Grandpa hurriedly took it. Seeing that it was a beautiful cigarette, he was reluctant to smoke it and clamped it on his ear. He took out tobacco leaves and white paper from his pocket, rolled it up and lit it, mumbling a lot of words.
"Grandpa said that his daughter is getting married tomorrow, and he also wants you to stay and attend."
Shen Youchu explained beside him.
"Tomorrow?"
Chen Hansheng was stunned for a moment. He planned to go back tomorrow, but he hadn't bought the ticket yet.
"Xiao Chen, I told my mother that I would be home the day after tomorrow."
Wang Zibo actually wanted to stay and play for a few days, but he was afraid that Lu Yuzhen's stick would not allow it.
"I know, but it would be bad to just leave when they invited me so sincerely."
Chen Hansheng thought for a moment and said, "Let me ask first."
Wang Zibo nodded. He thought Chen Hansheng wanted to ask about the relationship between the great uncle and the mother-in-law before making a decision.
But Chen Hansheng turned around and asked, "Is the bride pretty?"
"Yes!"
Little Aning rushed to say, and added, "But not as pretty as my sister. My sister is the prettiest. Besides my sister, it's her."
"Is that so."
Chen Hansheng coughed, "Zi Bo has never seen a wedding here. I'll take him to broaden his horizons."
"When did I say that?"
Wang Zi Bo looked aggrieved, "Anyway, I have to go back tomorrow, otherwise my mother will definitely scold me."
"Let's do this. Since we have different opinions, I'm not used to forcing things."
Chen Hansheng took out a coin from his wallet, "Let God decide. If we guess right, we'll go back tomorrow. If we guess wrong, we'll stay one more day."
Wang Zi Bo thought about it and agreed. The probability of one in two is still quite high.
Chen Hansheng threw the coin high up, and then held it in his palm with a "snap".
"Come on, guess what year this coin was produced. If you guess right, we'll go back to Hong Kong tomorrow."