After the college entrance examination, life began to follow one's heart

Chapter 183 Return Journey, Farewell, Arrival in Jiangdu
The next day.

After breakfast, Xu Lin started taking care of the child again.

Now, the two siblings, Sui Sui and An An, are very attached to Xu Lin, wishing that their brother-in-law Xu Lin would always be by their side.

In the morning, Ning Haifeng went out, saying he was going to the mountain to find some medicinal herbs to make herbal tea, and he would make herbal tea when he came back.

Xu Lin was quite interested when he heard this.

As for my grandparents, they also went out to hoe the fields.

Grandma is over seventy and Grandpa will be eighty tonight, but they both look quite healthy. According to Ning Yuhan, they haven't been sick at all over the years.

The elderly can't stay idle, and they might even get sick if they're idle. But when the elderly man was hoeing the fields, Ning Yuhan and Wu Xiulin went along to help.

The location was right across from the large playground, very close by. Xu Lin had excellent eyesight and could spot everyone at a glance.

That area was farmland, and there was also land for growing other crops, such as vegetables, peanuts, and sugarcane.

Xu Lin is currently at home taking care of the child, and plans to go over and visit later.

Sui Sui and An An were playing and frolicking in the yard.

Upon seeing this, Xu Lin had a sudden inspiration.

"Sui Sui, An An, look over here."

"Look over here!"

Both of them were very obedient and quickly looked over.

Xu Lin snapped a picture of the two of them.

"Brother-in-law, are you taking pictures of us?"

An An is so cute. She makes a peace sign with both hands and puts them on her head to make bunny ears. It's really adorable.

"Brother-in-law, I want to take more pictures!"

"Okay, I'll take the picture for you!"

Xu Lin couldn't help but chuckle and took a few more pictures of An An.

Then Sui Sui wanted to have her picture taken, and Xu Lin took a few pictures of her as well.

Xu Lin was very interested and sent it to Chi Linyue.

"Are these your younger brother and sister? They're so cute!"

Chi Linyue replied almost instantly; she really likes children.

"I am an only child, and these are my girlfriend's younger brother and sister, twins."

Xu Lin: "Isn't it cute?"

"So cute! They'll definitely grow up to be handsome men and beautiful women!"

Chi Linyue: "Where are we now? This building, is it in the countryside?"

"My girlfriend's hometown."

"So the son-in-law has arrived?"

"I'll take her home and drop by her place. As for my future son-in-law, that's still far from certain. I'm only a freshman in college."

Xu Lin chatted with her for a few minutes. Then, the two siblings came over, and Xu Lin finally ended his conversation with Chi Linyue.

"Brother-in-law, I need to pee!"

"Brother-in-law, I need to pee too!"

"You two little brats, you need to tell me when you need to pee?"

Xu Lin was both amused and exasperated: "Hurry up and go to the toilet to pee, one after another."

"Oh!"

An'an went to pee first, followed by Sui Sui. The two of them even flushed the toilet; they were very well-behaved.

"Let's go see Grandpa and Grandma!"

"Uh-huh."

Xu Lin picked them up, one in each arm.

Four or five-year-old children still have some weight. It's not a problem for most people to carry one child, but it's a bit difficult to carry two. However, this was a piece of cake for Xu Lin.

Xu Lin carried them and first went into a convenience store to buy drinks.

The convenience store was crowded during the day because everyone knew that Xu Lin drove a luxury car worth over two million yuan and that Xu Lin was an extremely wealthy man. So when he entered the convenience store, everyone treated him with more respect, and no one dared to call him a young man.

"Young man" is how the older generation here refers to young people.

After buying drinks at the convenience store, Xu Lin carried Sui Sui and An An to the field opposite the playground.

At this time, the fields are empty and there is no water, so you can walk across them.

Xu Lin put Sui Sui and An An down and let them walk on their own, while also reminding them to be careful.

Xu Lin brought the two children to Ning Yuhan and the others.

Ning Yuhan and her grandmother were seen picking a type of grass in a nearby field.

Xu Lin recognized this grass; it was called "Ai," which is also the colloquial name. It could be used to make a kind of green glutinous rice cake.

Ms. Ren made it, and Xu Lin's grandmother also made it; it tasted pretty good.

"Grandma, are you going to use it to make mugwort cakes?"

"Yes, I'll go back and do it this afternoon!"

Grandma asked with a smile in Cantonese, "Does A-Lin like it?"

"Zhongyi!"

"Then Grandma should do more!"

Xu Lin chatted with her for a while, then went over there to help hoe the ground.

When I came back at noon.

Ning Haifeng has returned home and is brewing herbal tea.

When Grandma got home, she washed the mugwort, put it on the cutting board and started chopping it into small pieces. Since Xu Lin was leaving tomorrow, the mugwort cakes were being made today.

Another half hour later, Ning Haifeng's herbal tea was freshly made.

Ning Yuhan came over to greet Xu Lin, "Xiao Lin, the herbal tea is ready. Let it cool for a while before you drink it."

"Let me see what it tastes like." Xu Lin nodded.

This herbal tea is pale green and has a unique aroma.

Ning Yuhan said, "We can add a little salt to taste later, otherwise it will be too bland."

"Can I add salt?"

"Otherwise it will be too bland, of course you can add it!"

"so."

Ning Yuhan poured Xu Lin a bowl of herbal tea. After about ten minutes, the temperature dropped, and Xu Lin took a sip. He found it mild and quite delicious.

Xu Lin was curious about what it would taste like to add some salt, so he added a little, took a sip, and sure enough, it tasted even better.

"Xiao Lin, how are you?"

Ning Haifeng couldn't help but ask.

"It's delicious!" Xu Lin said with a smile.

"Haha, that's good."

"Be careful, it's hot. You two be careful."

Ning Yuhan was giving her wishes for a peaceful year, while the two little ones were drinking herbal tea, enjoying each other's company.

It was past three in the afternoon.

Grandma and Ning Yuhan started making glutinous rice cakes.

This type of glutinous rice cake is made with glutinous rice flour, kneaded into a ball, and then divided into smaller balls. The filling consists of brown sugar and crushed peanuts.

The old lady's skills are beyond question. Rural women, especially the older generation, generally know how to make many snacks.

Ning Yuhan, a girl born in 05, can also do it, and her handiwork looks quite good; she seems very skilled.

An'an watched from the side and followed suit.

She made a piece of glutinous rice cake, then held it up in her small hands and gave it to Xu Lin, saying, "Brother-in-law, look at what I made, isn't it delicious?"

"It's not ready to eat yet, but An'an made it look really good!"

Xu Lin couldn't resist gently pinching her little nose.

Her nose is exactly the same as Ning Yuhan's, and both are very beautiful, typical of a high-bridged beauty.

"Brother-in-law, you have to eat what I made!"

An'an stood there and said.

"Okay, I'll eat An'an's cooking once it's steamed!"

"Uh-huh!"

An An is very lively and makes people smile.

It took more than half an hour to make the glutinous rice cakes. A total of forty-seven glutinous rice cakes were made, each about the size of a child's fist. They were wrapped in banana leaves, placed on a bamboo steamer, and then put into a large pot to steam.

This process took about two hours.

It wasn't until after 5 p.m.

"Brother-in-law, it's time to eat rice cakes!"

She jogged over, grabbed Xu Lin's hand, and urged him to go eat glutinous rice cakes.

"My brother-in-law knows." Xu Lin said, both amused and exasperated.

"Brother-in-law, you have to eat what I made!"

"Brother-in-law remembers!"

"Ah Lin, it's still very hot, be careful!"

Grandma reminded her that she was always speaking Cantonese, and the old lady couldn't speak Mandarin.

"Grandma, I understand."

Xu Lin smiled and nodded.

Wu Xiulin brought out two glutinous rice cakes for Xu Lin, wrapped together in banana leaves.

The steamed product has a bluish-green color, just like a banana leaf, and it has a nice shape, but it is indeed very sticky.

Wu Xiulin also reminded him, "Ah Lin, be careful of the heat."

"Thank you auntie."

"Mom, is this rice cake I made?"

An'an looked up and asked.

"It was you who made it for my brother-in-law!"

Wu Xiulin patted her youngest daughter's head.

"Humph!"

An An gave a haughty snort.

"Brother-in-law, is my cooking delicious?"

"It's delicious. An An wants to eat it too."

Xu Lin brought the glutinous rice cake closer, and An An opened her little mouth and took a bite.

"Brother-in-law, I want some too!"

Sui Sui also ran over, wanting to come closer and take a bite.

"Sui Sui, you can't eat this. This is for my brother-in-law!"

An'an was unhappy.

"An'an, why can't I eat?"

"Because this is what I made for my brother-in-law!" An'an stood in front of Xu Lin, preventing Sui Sui from eating.

Xu Lin laughed and said, "You two, you need to get along well, understand? No fighting allowed."

Xu Lin then said, "How about this glutinous rice cake? Brother-in-law takes a bite, An'an takes a bite, and Sui's takes a bite."

“Mmm, brother-in-law takes a bite, I take a bite, and Sui Sui takes a bite!” An An said.

"Where's Suisui?"

Xu Lin asked year after year.

He nodded every year.

Xu Lin took a big bite of the glutinous rice cake, leaving half for the two siblings to each take half.

Xu Lin instructed, "No more conflicts from now on, understand?"

"Okay!" An'an said.

"Brother-in-law, I will remember!" Sui Sui nodded earnestly.

In the afternoon, Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and Mom, Ning Yuhan, Sui Sui and An An, and Xu Lin were all eating glutinous rice cakes. Later, Uncle and Aunt came down and ate with them.

Because Xu Lin is leaving tomorrow, we're slaughtering a rooster tonight too.

In addition, Ning Haifeng also bought a large fish from someone in the village who had a fishpond.

So there will be fish tonight.

In addition to vegetables, there were also homemade pickled cowpeas and sauerkraut from Ning Yuhan's family.

These pickled cowpeas and pickled cabbage are rubbed evenly with salt once, then sealed in a sauerkraut jar for at least a month to make them. The flavor is very strong, unlike the pickled cabbage snacks sold on city streets or in alleys. Those snacks may not even take more than three days to make, and you can't see any hygiene issues at all.

Dinner was plentiful, and the same people ate with us tonight were my uncle and aunt, just like last night.

"Honey, what time are you leaving tomorrow?"

That night, Ning Yuhan nestled in Xu Lin's arms.

"About nine o'clock."

"Yes, but you need to be careful while driving, okay?"

"Don't worry about my driving skills!"

Xu Lin smiled.

"I trust your driving skills, but I don't trust other people. You know how some people drive, so you have to be careful of the cars around you."

"Okay, I'll be careful."

The two talked for quite a while tonight, and it's unclear exactly what time they went to sleep.

Xu Lin is leaving tomorrow, and Ning Yuhan can't help but feel reluctant to part with him.

the next morning.

Xu Lin got up early in the morning and was just about to have breakfast when his grandmother brought over two red envelopes.

"Ah Lin, this is a red envelope from your grandma and grandpa. May your journey be smooth!"

"Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa! Wishing you good health!"

Xu Lin accepted the red envelope. It was a blessing from an elder to a younger generation who was about to embark on a long journey. It carried many meanings and was all well-intentioned, so Xu Lin accepted it. As for how much money was inside, that was not important.

Then Ning Haifeng and Wu Xiulin each took out their own red envelopes and gave them to Xu Lin.

"Ah Lin, your aunt and uncle are also giving you a red envelope. May your journey be smooth!"

"Thank you, Uncle! Thank you, Auntie!"

Xu Lin accepted the red envelope.

"Xiao Lin, drive carefully. It's almost the end of the year, so there are a lot of cars, especially roosters and big trucks around here. Please be careful."

"Uncle, don't worry!"

Breakfast was over quickly.

Knowing that Xu Lin was leaving, Sui Sui An An, who was usually very talkative, became quiet.

Children's world is simple. When they are young, they look forward to adults coming home, to their parents' company, and to the company of their relatives. Xu Lin is now a very important member in their world.

"Brother-in-law, when will you come to see us again?"

An'an looked aggrieved and reluctant.

Sui Sui didn't speak, she just looked at Xu Lin with longing eyes.
"If you want to see me, you can have my sister video chat with me, then you can see me, understand?"

"OK."

However, An'an was still reluctant to part, just like with her sister. This year, they could only be together in the summer and now. Even when they video chatted, she couldn't let her sister hug her.

"You have to be good at home, okay? Don't accept snacks or toys from strangers, understand?"

"I know!" An'an nodded.

"Where's Suisui?"

"Brother-in-law, I understand."

Sui Sui nodded.

Xu Lin pinched the two little heads.

On the other side, Ning Haifeng and the others prepared some things for Xu Lin, such as cured meat and dried fish.

Just then, Ning Yuhan came over and asked, "Do you want some pickled cabbage and green beans?"

"Yes, I want some! It's so delicious, give me some."

"Take the whole sauerkraut jar, otherwise it will spoil and be difficult to store."

"Isn't this a bad idea? Taking a whole sauerkraut vat."

“It’s not big, and we can pickle new ones too, so you only need one vat.”

"also."

The sauerkraut jar was for storing sauerkraut, and there were also large Coke bottles filled with pickled green beans. Ning Yuhan gave Xu Lin a jar of sauerkraut and three bottles of pickled green beans, which were all placed in the trunk.

Drive safely!

After Xu Lin got into the driver's seat, Ning Yuhan came over and gave him some more instructions.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful."

"Remember to send me a message when you get to Jiangdu."

"no problem."

Ning Yuhan gave a few more instructions, then reluctantly turned around and picked up Sui Sui and An An.

Xu Lin solemnly bid farewell to everyone. As he left, he saw two children crying in his rearview mirror.

"Life is full of regrets, like water flowing eastward forever."

Parting is inevitably tinged with sadness, but all good things must come to an end, Xu Lin sighed.

Soon, Xu Lin drove away from the village.

After driving for a while, we entered the main highway.

There's a mine at this fork in the road, and at least 150 of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse pass through here every day. Ning Haifeng and the others just repeatedly reminded Xu Lin that not only are there many of the Four Horsemen here, but the road is also narrow and has many bends.

Xu Lin drove out around 9 a.m. and encountered 20 such large trucks on the short 5-kilometer route, so he had to be very careful.

After passing these five kilometers, we entered another section of the road, which was finally wider.

Xu Lin immediately sped up.

Skill: Driving Proficiency.

start up!

Even with Ning Yuhan by his side, Xu Lin wouldn't drive fast.

But right now, he's all alone.

Once on the highway, Xu Lin immediately sped up and drove non-stop.

It's about ten o'clock in the evening.

Xu Lin finally entered the territory of Jiangdu.

Another hour later, Xu Lin had returned to the underground parking garage of the residential complex.

Are you asleep?

Xu Lin sent a message to Rong Xiyan.

"no!"

"I'm at the garage, come down and help me get my things."

"coming!"

Rong Xiyan was overjoyed; she hadn't expected Xu Lin to return.

Xu Lin said he would be back today, and Rong Xiyan sent him many messages afterward, but Xu Lin seemed to have disappeared.

Soon, Rong Xiyan arrived at the underground parking garage and saw the boy she had been longing for.

Why didn't you reply to my messages today? And you're not answering my calls.

Rong Xiyan scolded.

"I don't drive, right? Besides, there's no signal on some roads, and it's just intermittent, so I don't even bother to look at my phone."

"Humph!"

Rong Xiyan saw the pickled green beans: "Pickled green beans?"

"And there's pickled cabbage too, I got it from my senior's house."

"Oh."

Rong Xiyan pouted.

"Are you jealous again?" Xu Lin asked, seeing her like this.

"Who's jealous? I wouldn't be jealous!"

Comrade Xiao Rong gave Xu Lin a disingenuous look.

"Could you help me get something?"

"Ah."

Rong Xiyan helped carry some luggage. Xu Lin brought back a lot of things, including food such as pickled cabbage, pickled green beans, cured meat, and dried fish. He even brought back the pickled cabbage jar.

Where is Xia Xiyao?

"She went home yesterday."

"Oh."

Xia Xiyao is from western Hunan, and she took the high-speed train back yesterday.

"Xu Lin, are you hungry?"

"I haven't eaten anything all day."

Xu Lin looked at the pickled green beans in his hand, his mouth watering, and said eagerly, "Let me show you my cooking!"

Pickled green beans are easy to make; just add chili peppers and peanut oil, then stir-fry them together.

Xu Lin brought out a large bowl of pickled cowpeas.

I cooked a delicious meal late at night.

Rong Xiyan was already full, but the pickled green beans were so delicious that she couldn't resist having some too.

"Xu Lin, are you going to visit that family over there to marry Ning Yuhan?"

Rong Xiyan couldn't help but ask, after all, Xu Lin had come to her door, and Rong Xiyan had been feeling very uncomfortable these past few days.

"When I become successful in the future, I'll marry you. We'll go to Hawaii or Europe somewhere and have a large-group wedding. What do you think?"

"Ha, dream on!"

(End of this chapter)