Chapter 92: Grandma Shen's Return Trip

Busy with the trivial matters of taking over the factory, a week passed by as quietly as a white horse leaping across a crevice.

On Saturday morning, Shen Yan drove Shen Nainai back to Cangnan, with Danta accompanying them.

There was no helping it; Shen Nainai had too many things she couldn't let go of back in her hometown. Even though she had made many new friends here, she remained stubborn in her opinion and insisted on returning to that small county town.

A golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as one's own dog kennel.

That is likely exactly what is meant.

After a four-hour drive, Zhongxinyuan, draped in its pale blue coat, appeared before their eyes once again like an old, familiar friend.

Several neighbors were chatting and gossiping at the entrance of the convenience store, while the children were playing wildly in the open space in front like untethered horses; their innocent laughter lingered in the ears like the music of heaven.

Noticing the grandmother and grandson getting out of the car, Li Shen, the owner of the convenience store, instantly brightened up and went up to greet them: "Oh my! Grandma is back. How was the trip to Hangzhou?"

Several others also crowded around to show their concern.

Shen Nainai was so happy that her mouth split open like a torn seam on a leather shoe, and she said: "Hangzhou really is a big city. Xiao Yan took me everywhere these past few days. Have you heard of that West Lake? It's the place where Bai Niangzi and Xu Xian met on TV. It was absolutely magnificent..."

Shen Nainai's educational level was not high, and her words were simple and authentic. Although her vocabulary was plain and unadorned, the others listened with great interest and praised Shen Yan's filial piety endlessly.

"Xiao Yan is a truly good child, so filial to his elders."

"Grandma, you have blessings in your later years!"

Shen Yan just smiled and said nothing. Seeing that Shen Nainai was immersed in the conversation with her neighbors and unable to extricate herself, he didn't disturb her, preparing to go home to rest for a while before driving back to Hangzhou later.

At this moment, Li Shen called out to him and asked with a smile: "Xiao Yan, you must be staying for at least two days since you're back, right?"

"There are still some things to take care of at school, so I'll be leaving after resting for a bit."

"Ah! So soon!" Li Shen was taken aback, then continued: "It's like this, Xiao Yan, my Cai Zhijin has been thinking about going to Hangzhou to work lately. Could I trouble you to give him a ride?"

Li Shen's son was named Cai Zhijin, the same age as Shen Yan. He had been unrestrained since childhood and had no interest in studying. Having failed to get into a vocational college, he did nothing at home all day but eat, drink, and indulge in video games.

However, such a life was destined to suffer the endless cold looks and disdain of his elders. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he decided to step into that vast and boundless world to start a new chapter of his life.

And Hangzhou was Cai Zhijin's first choice.

Shen Yan had no interest in learning about any of this and only said: "It's on the way, that's no problem for me."

"Good, good! I am so grateful to you." The smile on Li Shen's face became even brighter.

Then she said: "I heard your place is a two-bedroom apartment, and the other room is just sitting empty. Could you let Xiao Jin stay there for a while? Don't worry, he'll move out as soon as he finds a job."

Hah! She was already starting to push her luck.

Shen Yan naturally wouldn't indulge her and said: "Sorry, I'm a bit tight on money recently, and I've already rented out the other room."

"Is that so!" Li Shen's voice dropped significantly, but her smile didn't fade.

Actually, she wanted to say that sleeping on the sofa in the living room would also be fine, but judging by Shen Yan's attitude, it was clearly unrealistic, and she even suspected that the other room hadn't been rented out at all.

Having run the shop for so many years, Li Shen had long since trained a pair of sharp eyes. She didn't say anything more, turned around, and brought a box of Nutri-Express out from the store.

Her family had only this one seedling, and he would be alone in Hangzhou; he would likely need to trouble Shen Yan in the future, so the proper etiquette had to be observed.

Shen Yan didn't decline, taking it as payment for the ride.

After resting at home for two hours, a refreshed Shen Yan sat back in the car. He glanced at the passenger seat where Cai Zhijin had a conspicuous 'shamate' hairstyle; his hair was dyed pink, and his bangs covered his right eye, fully displaying the boy's ostentation and rebelliousness.

Shen Yan said nothing and drove off straight away.

Cai Zhijin also had no intention of communicating. Although they were the same age, Cai Zhijin just didn't like Shen Yan, who had been the "neighbor's child" since he was little, and even felt a heartfelt disgust toward him.

Without comparison, there is no harm; if it weren't for Shen Yan, he wouldn't have been belittled by his family until he was worthless, like a piece of trash.

Even though the other party had now won a big prize and had a car and a house, he had no intention of befriending him.

Amidst the light and cheerful music, Hangzhou was already drawing near. After getting off the highway, Shen Yan spoke for the first time: "What type of factory are you planning to work in? I'll find a suitable place to drop you off."

Cai Zhijin said the words "electronics factory" in a hoarse voice.

Then there was another bout of silence.

After searching online, the page showed that there were the most electronics factories in the Binjiang High-tech Industrial Development Zone of Hangzhou.

Nothing more to say, he started navigating to the destination.

After a day of tossing and turning, when Shen Yan returned to the bustling Zijin Road, night had already fallen. A full moon hung in the sky, surrounded by twinkling stars, like children begging their mother for food.

The starving Shen Yan wasn't too picky; he found an empty spot to park on the side, walked along Gourmet Street, ordered a portion of sweet osmanthus rice balls, a portion of egg waffles, and a portion of teppanyaki squid, then sat down at the stall.

"Slurp! Slurp!"

It had to be said that although these snack stalls had simple facilities and the environment was not ideal—and there might even be hygiene issues—the taste was still worth affirming.

Otherwise, so many people wouldn't keep coming back.

Just as Shen Yan was eating with great relish, his back was suddenly tapped lightly.

Turning his head, he realized it was Wu Yue'er.

Wu Yue'er stood there prettily, her face meticulously painted with exquisite makeup, her pink cherry lips slightly upturned, her golden eyeshadow shimmering, and her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Her tall figure drew frequent glances from passersby, and the long legs under her blue high-waisted denim shorts were truly long, white, and shapely, without a single ounce of fat; she wore an ice-cream-colored knit top on her upper body.

This was the first time Shen Yan had seen Wu Yue'er wearing makeup, and his eyes couldn't help but light up. He wiped his mouth with a tissue as if nothing had happened and asked casually: "Are you out to eat too?"