Chapter 278: Returning Home

The four-hour drive passed in the blink of an eye.

At one in the afternoon, the sun was just right and the breeze was gentle; the car drove into this familiar and intimate small county town once again. Shen Yan rolled down the window and took a breath of fresh air.

It was the scent of the countryside.

Filled with tranquility and peace.

The cell phone rang at the right moment; it was a call from Shen Nainai.

"Hello! Grandma!"

"Ah, yes, I can arrive around dinner time. Understood, I will be careful."

After eating a teppanyaki feast at a restaurant, Shen Yan drove to the center of the county and found a relatively large real estate agency. He rattled off a few sentences in authentic Minnan dialect to let the agent know he was a local and not easily fooled.

After some discussion, an apartment in a residential complex named "Junrui Jiayuan" caught Shen Yan's eye: a 50-square-meter one-bedroom, one-living-room unit, complete with a kitchen and bathroom, fully furnished with appliances, for a rent of 1500.

After viewing the apartment, both Shen Yan and Wu Yue'er were very satisfied.

They rented it decisively.

One month's rent as a deposit, one month's rent paid in advance, plus half a month's rent for the agency fee.

Immediately after, the two moved in the daily necessities and bedding from the trunk. Considering that Wu Yue'er could not tell left from right and easily lost her way home, Shen Yan specifically marked the route from the residential complex entrance to the apartment.

True affection is seen in the smallest details.

Wu Yue'er could not help but tackle Shen Yan onto the Large Bed for another round of passionate kissing. Shen Yan held her and responded. After a long while, they parted, and looking at the darkening scene outside the window, Shen Yan urged, "I have to go home first. You stay here for now; I'll come over to keep you company when I have time."

Wu Yue'er nodded obediently.

After leaving the complex, Shen Yan drove straight to the mall, picked out a Haier massage chair, and bought a Merach treadmill.

He chose home delivery.

12,000 was deducted from his bank card.

Approaching five in the afternoon, on the canvas belonging solely to the city, the sun slowly slid toward the horizon. The sunset glow shone on the rows of houses, inlaying each building with a golden frame.

Tired birds returned to their nests, and human figures were sparse.

The years were peaceful and quiet.

At the entrance of the convenience store, the owner Li Juan was squatting, holding a pot brush and earnestly scrubbing the bottom of a pot. The water in the pot had become murky, but Li Juan did not seem to mind, still scrubbing hard.

Shen Nainai stood there comfortably with her hands behind her back, chatting idly with Li Juan. Her eyes looked toward the river from time to time, and when that black car appeared, a kind and amiable smile could not help but bloom on her face.

In front of the unit door was an open space. After parking the car steadily, Shen Yan pushed open the car door and was greeted by an increasingly spirited Shen Nainai.

Shen Nainai was wearing a black cotton-padded jacket, a bright purple wool hat on her head adorned with exquisite patterns, and black cotton shoes on her feet—comfortable and at ease, complementing her overall attire.

Her back was slightly hunched, a kind smile hung on her face, and her eyes revealed a wisdom and calmness settled by the passage of time.

The last time they met was in November. Separated for two months, Shen Yan did not feel a hint of estrangement. He took the initiative to step forward, bent down to hug Shen Nainai, and said affectionately, "Grandma, I'm back."

Shen Nainai happily patted Shen Yan on the back. "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Haven't seen you for a while, Xiao Yan has grown sturdier."

Seeing this, a flash of envy crossed Li Juan's eyes: "Xiao Yan, you're finally back. Your grandma hasn't stopped talking about you; now she can finally be at ease."

Shen Yan returned a smile.

Li Juan added, "It's a pity my Xiao Jin won't be on break for another two days, otherwise it would have been a perfect ride with you."

Only then did Shen Yan remember the non-mainstream youth who worked at an electronics factory in Hangzhou, Cai Shengjin. The two had an average relationship, and they had not been in contact since they last parted.

It was truly rare; that youth who previously lacked ambition actually knew how to strive and work hard.

Just then, a medium-sized yellow and white dog popped out from some corner. It stood by Shen Nainai's legs, tilted its head, and curiously sized up Shen Yan, its nose twitching lightly, its paws stepping forward and then pulling back.

It appeared hesitant.

Separated for two months, the size of Danta had clearly grown a lot. Counting the time, it was about seven months old, and its height had almost reached the knees of an adult.

Shen Yan squatted down and clapped his hands at it: "Danta, don't you recognize me so soon?"

The familiar voice and scent instantly awakened Danta's deep memory of its little master. It acted as if it had taken a stimulant, transformed into a whining creature, and threw itself into Shen Yan's arms without hesitation, its paws kicking around.

One moment it circled to Shen Yan's left, the next it nimbly ran to Shen Yan's right.

That fluffy tail wagged continuously, like a flag fluttering in the wind.

This state perfectly interpreted the saying: "A day without seeing each other is like three autumns."

Feeling that enthusiasm, the corners of Shen Yan's mouth rose slightly, and his large hand gently stroked the smooth fur, his heart full of satisfaction and joy.

The greatest pleasure of raising a dog is exactly this—building a deep emotional bond with a pet and sharing the little joys of life together.

Li Juan could not help but exclaim: "Danta is still the smart one, recognizing its master so quickly."

"Woof!"

Danta barked at her, as if saying: "Of course."

Shen Yan trained it with a few routine commands, such as "sit," "shake," "spin," and "stand up." Danta followed them one by one; clearly, these commands were already engraved in its bones.

Having completed the instructions, Danta stared at Shen Yan with bright eyes, clearly asking for a reward. Shen Yan smiled and said, "Wait until we get home, I'll give you some meat."

Danta barked excitedly.

Seeing this exceptionally harmonious scene, the soft light in Shen Nainai's eyes grew even brighter.

Afterward, Shen Yan took several handbags and his personal items out of the trunk. Seeing him with so many bags, Shen Nainai asked what was inside. Shen Yan replied, "I bought some clothes for Grandma. Try them on when you get home to see if they fit."

Shen Nainai immediately smiled from ear to ear.

Traces of time were squeezed onto her face.

Being older, there were not many things that could make her happy, and the filial piety of her children and grandchildren was one of them.

Li Juan said from the side, not without envy: "Auntie, you are blessed. Xiao Yan even knows to buy you clothes; my Xiao Jin has never spent a cent on me."

Shen Nainai said happily: "You are still so young, you haven't reached the age where you need your child to be filial. You will have your blessings to enjoy in the future."

"I hope so." A glimmer of expectation flashed in Li Juan's eyes.

Before long, the grandmother and grandson, along with Danta, returned home. The home's layout was the same as usual; the only difference was that there was an extra mahjong table beside the dining table.

An electric heater was placed by the legs of the mahjong table.

This fully automatic mahjong table is the latest model on the market; Shen Yan specifically went to the mall to buy it the last time he left home, costing a full four thousand big ones. When he is not at home, Shen Nainai often invites friends over to play.

Life is not too lonely.

After putting things away, Shen Nainai said with great affection, "Xiao Yan, you rest for a while first. Grandma bought plenty of groceries at the vegetable market this afternoon, and I will make you something delicious right now."

"Let me do it instead; you try on the clothes first to see if they fit," Shen Yan said, rolling up his sleeves to get to work.

"Oh right, in those bags there is a scarf An Qi sent you, she asked me to send you her regards, and there is also oatmeal from Shanni, who said it is to thank you for the peace talisman you gave her before."