Chapter 62: Return to Jiangcheng

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Chapter 62: Return to Jiangcheng

After more than 50 hours of exhausting travel, the old green train finally pulled into the station with a sharp screech.

Dragging his tired body, Li Yi climbed down from his hard sleeper berth, checked his belongings to ensure he hadn't left anything behind, and stepped off the train.

The moment he left the station, a deep longing for his two precious ones at home filled his heart. Not wanting to waste time waiting for a bus, he waved down a three-wheeled vehicle and headed straight for the meat processing plant.

However, instead of going home immediately, Li Yi made a detour to the vegetable market.

Based on the time, Xu Qingnan should still be at work in the factory, and their daughter should be in kindergarten. That meant the house was likely empty. His plan was simple: buy fresh ingredients and prepare a home-cooked meal so that when his wife and daughter returned, they'd be welcomed by a warm and hearty dinner.

Today, he bought fresh pork ribs, a large carp, and some simple vegetables. His menu was set: braised pork ribs, iron pot stewed fish, and a stir-fried vegetable dish—more than enough for a satisfying family meal.

But when Li Yi unlocked the door and stepped inside, he was surprised to find someone at home. Looking closer, he realized it was his sister-in-law, Xu Qingyao!

Suddenly, he smacked his forehead in realization. He had completely forgotten that the little girl was preparing for her college entrance exams. She was probably at home these days, studying.

Xu Qingyao was equally surprised to hear the door open. But the moment she saw that it was Li Yi, her face brightened.

"Brother, you're back?" she asked excitedly.

"Why? Am I not allowed to come back?" Li Yi teased with a chuckle.

"That's not what I meant!" she quickly clarified. "My sister said you went to Guangzhou and Shenzhen. I thought you'd be gone for several days. I didn't expect you to return so soon."

"I came back as soon as I finished my work," Li Yi replied. Then, glancing at her, he asked, "Why aren't you in school?"

"I just finished the second mock exam. The teacher gave us a couple of days off to rest."

"Oh? The second mock exam is done? How did you do?" Li Yi asked with interest.

Xu Qingyao shook her head, a hint of frustration in her expression. "There's basically no hope for me getting into a first-tier university, and even a second-tier one is looking difficult. With my current grades, I'll probably only make it into a regular junior college."

"It's okay," Li Yi reassured her. "Just do your best. As long as you work hard, you won't have regrets, no matter the outcome."

"I know, brother," she said with a small smile.

Just then, she noticed the groceries in Li Yi's hands. "Brother, are you going to cook again?" she asked in surprise.

"Yep. Tonight, we're having braised pork ribs and stewed fish," he announced.

"Brother! I want boiled fish instead!" she requested excitedly.

"No problem, consider it done!"

"Brother, you're the best!" she beamed.

"Alright, alright, you go back to your studies. I'll get started in the kitchen," Li Yi said, waving her off playfully.

As she watched him turn toward the kitchen, a faint smile appeared on Xu Qingyao's face. The dependable older brother—the one who shielded them from life's storms—was back.

To be honest, she had been disappointed in him over the past few years.

Smoking, drinking, gambling—he had fallen into nearly every vice imaginable.

But after he returned last time, she noticed a change.

Over the past two days, while staying with her sister Xu Qingnan and little niece Weiwei, she had observed something different. Her sister smiled more, and whenever she talked about Li Yi, it was with genuine admiration.

It was hard to believe that the man in front of her—the same one who had once been lost in vices—was now someone completely different.

But the change was real.

Not only was he earning money to support the family, but more importantly, he had stopped wasting his life on drinking and gambling.

At first, everyone, including herself and their parents, had been worried. When Li Yi made a fortune of hundreds of thousands last time, they feared he would fall back into his old habits. But their concerns were unnecessary.

Instead of indulging himself, he had only rested at home for a few days before heading south to Guangzhou and Shenzhen for work.

And now, seeing him return home with groceries and willingly cook for the family, it was clear he had truly changed.

More than that, there was a shift in his demeanor. He no longer carried the same sharp, reckless edge he once had. The past version of him had been impulsive, even violent at times.

Now, he seemed composed, confident, and mature.

Soon, the kitchen filled with the rich aroma of stewed fish and braised pork ribs. The mouthwatering scent drifted through the house, making Xu Qingyao's stomach grumble.

She had always thought her sister exaggerated when praising Li Yi's cooking skills, but now she realized it was true.

This smell alone was enough to make her stomach cry out in hunger.

Meanwhile, Li Yi was completely unaware of all the thoughts running through her mind. But even if he had known, he would have simply laughed it off.

To him, Xu Qingyao was still just a child. He didn't care what she thought of him.

What mattered now was helping her improve her grades so she could get into a good university.

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At precisely 5:30 PM, the sound of cheerful laughter rang from outside the door before it swung open.

Li Yi immediately knew his two precious ones were home.

The moment his little daughter saw him, her face lit up with joy.

"Mom! Dad is back! Dad is back!" she squealed.

Without a second thought, she flung her schoolbag to the floor and dashed straight into Li Yi's arms.

Li Yi couldn't help but laugh as he scooped her up and lifted her high into the air.

The room was instantly filled with the joyful laughter of father and daughter.

Watching this scene, Xu Qingnan felt all her exhaustion from the day melt away. A warm, quiet happiness surged in her heart.

Once the father-daughter reunion calmed down, Xu Qingnan finally got a chance to ask, "When did you come back?"

"This afternoon. I got home not long ago," Li Yi replied.

Then, with a grin, he added, "Dinner's ready! You and Weiwei can wash your hands and eat!"

At that moment, the little girl's sharp eyes spotted the food on the kitchen counter.

"Mom! Dad made braised pork ribs! Weiwei loves meat!" she announced excitedly.

"You little foodie!" Xu Qingnan scolded playfully. "Didn't you already eat at kindergarten?"

"But there were no pork ribs at kindergarten! Weiwei wants to eat meat!" the little girl pouted.

Xu Qingnan sighed in mock exasperation. "If you keep eating like this, you'll become a chubby little girl—just like Uncle Zhou next door!"

Before she could say anything else, Li Yi chuckled. "Kids are growing, let her eat!"

"You always spoil her," Xu Qingnan sighed with a shake of her head.

"Haha! If I don't spoil my daughter, who will?" Li Yi grinned. "Right, sweetheart?"

"Yes, yes, yes!!" Weiwei cheered.

And just like that, their home was once again filled with laughter and warmth.

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