Chapter 21: Returning Home Once More

In the afternoon, the family of three finally arrived at the train station. The last time Lin Nuannuan had seen a train was when she came to the Northwest, but she had been so young then that she hardly remembered anything. Now, seeing the train standing there, she was overjoyed, circling endlessly around An Yan in her excitement.

The mood for the return journey was completely different from that of their arrival. An Yan gazed at the changing scenery outside the window, her heart full of emotions—it was hard to believe it had only been a few days. What she had expected to be a distressing experience now seemed, in hindsight, a rather good choice.

She turned to look at Lin You, who had somehow fallen asleep against the seat. Throughout their travels, Lin You had slept during the day and kept watch over the two of them at night, so she always felt safe sleeping after dusk.

Two days later, the train finally pulled into the station. Lin You didn’t go straight home; he knew An Yan liked cleanliness, so he found a guesthouse where they spent the night. Bathing in the countryside was inconvenient, after all.

Early the next morning, the three set out again for home. Lin You’s family lived in the village next to An Yan’s birth parents’ home, but it was still a decent walk.

As they entered the village, the people gathered at the entrance stood up to greet Lin You. An Yan was a little surprised—hadn’t Zhu Yan said Lin You had only returned twice in many years? Yet everyone seemed so enthusiastic upon seeing him.

However, when they saw An Yan, their faces showed confusion. One elderly woman remarked, “This girl looks a bit like Old Xia’s second child.”

Everyone paused for a moment and then began discussing animatedly.

“She really does, especially those eyes—an exact replica.”

“I heard that Old Xia’s second daughter, Cui Cui, went to the city to find her real family. They say the children were switched at birth. I thought it was just a rumor, but it turns out to be true.”

“So this girl is the one who was switched? She’s beautiful, and dressed so stylishly.”

“Is she here to reconnect with her family?”

“Come on, let’s go have a look.”

Someone suggested it, and a crowd quickly followed the two, heading toward the Xia family home.

An Yan knew the Xia family wasn’t wealthy, but she hadn’t expected them to be so poor. Their house was dilapidated, the door looked as if a strong wind could knock it down—in the countryside, it was the worst of its kind. She had seen period dramas before, but television always beautified things; this was the true face of the seventies.

“So this is my home?”

“Yes, you’ve never been here before?”

On the way back, Lin You had learned a bit about An Yan and Xia Cui Cui—he knew they had been switched at birth, but since An Yan didn’t elaborate, he hadn’t pressed further.

“It’s my first time,” An Yan nodded, handing Lin Nuannuan over to Lin You.

With a gentle push, the courtyard door creaked open, revealing piles of assorted junk that gave the place an air of neglect. Her expression remained calm as she walked to the door and knocked lightly.

Soon, there were sounds from within, followed by a voice asking, “Who is it?” The wooden door opened, and a woman with long braided hair appeared before An Yan. Seeing the bright, clean clothes and beautiful features of An Yan, the woman was visibly taken aback. “Who are you looking for?”

“My name is An Yan. I am Xia Guoliang’s daughter.”

“You… you’re my father-in-law’s daughter from the city?” The woman stood there stunned. Why had she come? Her parents-in-law had gone to see her several times but had been turned away. She almost thought she’d misheard, but seeing the man holding a child in the distance, she finally believed it. “Brother Lin.”

Lin You nodded slightly. “Is Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia at home?”

The woman shook her head, “They went to the fields early this morning. Please, come in and sit. I’ll go call them back.”

She stepped back several paces, making plenty of room for An Yan, as if afraid of dirtying her clothes.

Once inside, An Yan saw two children, about five or six years old, gazing at her curiously.

“Dahua, go to the fields and call Grandpa and Grandma back. Tell them Little Aunt has returned.”

“She’s your eldest brother’s wife—her name is Liu Juxiang,” Lin You whispered in An Yan’s ear.

An Yan admired this man—he hadn’t been home for so long, yet he remembered everyone and everything so clearly.

Seeing the pair whispering, Liu Juxiang quickly brought over two stools, wiping them with her sleeve. “Brother Lin, please sit. My parents-in-law should be back soon.”

Erwa stared at the candy in Lin Nuannuan’s hand, swallowing several times. “Mom, I want candy too.”

“I’ll buy you some during the New Year.”

“But I want it now.”

Seeing this, An Yan took a few pieces of White Rabbit milk candy from her bag and placed them in front of Erwa. “What’s your name?”

The little boy, meeting An Yan for the first time, was a bit shy and hid behind Liu Juxiang.

“Your little aunt is asking you a question.”

Liu Juxiang quietly admonished the child behind her, then turned back with a smile. “Don’t mind him, little aunt. He’s just shy around strangers… You can just call him Erwa.”

“It’s alright, sister-in-law. All children are like this.”

An Yan crouched down, placing the candy before the boy. “Erwa, take it.”

“Are you really giving it to me, pretty little aunt?”

“Of course.” Aside from everything else, the Xia family genes were quite good—the children had big eyes, and their features resembled hers from childhood.

Behind her, Lin You watched An Yan coaxing the child, feeling he had truly met the right person. As long as she didn’t mind his shortcomings, he would do everything to protect her.

An Yan stood, noticing Lin You staring at her. “Why do you keep looking at me?”

“I’m looking at an outstanding mother.”

Hearing this, An Yan rolled her eyes. “Whether I’m outstanding or not, it’s not up to you to say. Our Nuannuan knows best. Nuannuan, go play with Erwa.”

The little girl, a natural social butterfly, handed her toy to Erwa. “Brother, here.”

Erwa, however, hid behind Liu Juxiang again.

An Yan didn't interfere with the children, but sat down, carefully observing the house—earthen floors, the remnants of breakfast still on the table.

Liu Juxiang hurried into the kitchen, found two clean bowls, and poured water for them. “Brother Lin, please sit.”

Meanwhile, Dahua ran to the fields and called out to those working, “Grandpa, Grandma, Little Aunt is back!”

Xia Guoliang straightened up. “Little aunt?”

He was puzzled. Since Xia Cui Cui had met her birth parents, she hadn’t contacted them—why would she return now?

“Wife, Cui Cui’s back. You and Dahua go see.”

“It’s not Cui Cui, it’s a very pretty little aunt.”

“A very pretty little aunt?” Xia Guoliang was stunned—who could it be?

But Lin Adi suddenly remembered something, her voice trembling. “Old man, could it be her coming back?”