In the western suburbs of Nanpu County, in Chen Yang's bungalow, Han Xuehua was bustling about in the kitchen, a happy expression on her face.
Today, her son called to say he was coming home, and he was bringing his girlfriend. Although Chen Yang said he would also bring a few friends and told Han Xuehua not to prepare any food, as they would take it out, Han Xuehua still went to the fields to pick a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, and bought a few pounds of pork ribs, preparing to cook a few dishes herself.
It was her future daughter-in-law's first visit, so she had to take it seriously!
The sky outside was gradually darkening. Han Xuehua neatly arranged the prepared dishes on the round table in the main room, wiped the water droplets from her apron, and looked expectantly towards the door.
…
At the Dongfang Hotel in the county town, two cars drove out one after the other. Anyone with even a slight understanding of the system would immediately recognize that the second black Buick sedan was the county's number three car, the official vehicle of Comrade Han Wenhai, the deputy secretary of the county party committee. The car leading the way was even more luxurious—a top-of-the-line Audi Q7 SUV.
After leaving the pyrite mine, Chen Yang and his group didn't stop in Xingwang Town. They returned to Nanpu County, where the city lights were just coming on, as dusk fell.
After a short rest in their rooms at the Oriental Hotel, everyone quickly showered and then got back into their cars to head towards Chen Yang's house.
Chu Xiaobai got into Han Wenhai's car, while Chen Yang and Su He drove the other way.
Su He was quite nervous, a little excited, and a little shy, knowing she was going to Chen Yang's house for dinner that night. After all, this was practically meeting the parents.
Chen Yang guessed Su He's thoughts and said with a smile as he drove:
"Su He, don't be nervous, my mom is very easygoing! And you're so cute, she'll definitely like you!"
"Mmm!" Su He replied softly, her head bowed, her heart filled with sweetness and joy.
The car quickly arrived at Chen Yang's house. Chen Yang parked the car, got out, looked at Su He, and smiled as he extended his hand. At this moment, Han Wenhai, Chu Xiaobai, and Su Weimin from the car behind also got out and came over. Su He hesitated shyly for a moment, but Chen Yang, without a word, took her hand, their fingers intertwined tightly.
Holding hands with Chen Yang in front of so many people, Su He's face flushed instantly. Han Wenhai and the others couldn't help but smile at the sight.
Although Chu Xiaobai had seen Chen Yang's seemingly unusual relationships with Xu Qingya and Liu Xinyao in Beijing, he considered it perfectly normal for a man to be a little flirtatious. He himself worked in media, managed many popular artists, and naturally had more than one female confidante, so he wasn't surprised at all.
Su Weimin, who was busy unloading the pre-packed food and drinks and gifts prepared by Han Wenhai with the driver, was momentarily stunned when he saw Chen Yang and Su He holding hands. He quickly pretended not to notice and continued unloading.
Chen Yang noticed that Su He's palms were quickly sweating, a sign of her nervousness and shyness. He smiled, gently squeezed Su He's hand, gave her a reassuring look, and then invited everyone inside.
Han Xuehua, hearing the car, guessed that Chen Yang had returned and came out of the main room to greet him. She saw Chen Yang leading Su He through the courtyard gate.
In the dim light of the courtyard, Han Xuehua carefully observed the graceful young woman before her and couldn't help but admire her:
What a beautiful girl!
Su He was wearing a white linen long dress and a white cotton t-shirt, her hair tied in a playful ponytail, making her look youthful and energetic. A blush crept onto her delicate face; though a little shy, she firmly intertwined her fingers with Chen Yang's, and the two walked side by side into the courtyard.
"Mom! I'm back!" Chen Yang called out loudly with a smile.
Han Xuehua, however, ignored her son, her admiring gaze lingering on Su He's face. She stepped forward, took Su He's hand, and said with a beaming smile:
"You must be Su He! You look like a wonderful girl!"
Su He smiled slightly and nodded, saying:
"Hello, Auntie!"
"Oh! Good, good, good!" Han Xuehua smiled broadly. Seeing that Han Xuehua ignored him the moment she saw Su He, Chen Yang felt a little jealous. He stepped forward and said,
"Mom! Don't just talk to Su He! There are a few of your buddies here!"
Han Xuehua then noticed Chu Xiaobai and the others in the yard. She quickly smiled, released Su He's hand, and said,
"Hello! Welcome to my home!"
Chu Xiaobai stepped forward and said with a smile,
"Hello, Auntie! My name is Chu Xiaobai, and I'm Chen Yang's good friend. I'm sorry to have come so abruptly!"
"Not at all! I'm overjoyed that you've come!" Han Xuehua said warmly, then glanced at Chen Yang and said, "That boy is never home. I get so lonely at home all by myself! With so many young people here today, my yard is much more lively!"
Perhaps Han Xuehua was excited about her future daughter-in-law's visit, because she was more talkative than usual. At this moment, Han Wenhai also stepped forward. Chen Yang glanced at Han Xuehua and introduced him casually:
"Mom, this is also my friend, Han Wenhai. He was recently transferred from the National Development and Reform Commission to our county to serve as the deputy secretary of the county party committee!"
While introducing him, Chen Yang had been observing Han Xuehua's expression. When she heard the name "Han Wenhai," Han Xuehua visibly trembled, a complex look appearing in her eyes. However, she concealed it well; the stiff expression on her face vanished quickly, replaced by a warm smile, though there was always a hint of awkwardness.
"Hello, Auntie! I'm sorry to bother you..." Han Wenhai, unaware that the person before him was his own aunt, stepped forward to greet her politely.
"Hello! Welcome, welcome..." Han Xuehua's expression had returned to normal, and she replied with a gentle smile.
A surge of emotion welled up within her. The imposing Han Wenhai before her still bore a faint resemblance to the infant she remembered. Moreover, Han Wenhai now bore a striking resemblance to her elder brother, Han Lingfei, in his youth—they were practically identical. This stirred a deep longing within Han Xuehua.
Next came Su Weimin, who was somewhat perplexed. His boss, Han Lingfei, addressed Han Xuehua as "Auntie," so logically he should at least do the same. However, his niece, Su He, was Chen Yang's girlfriend, meaning he should be of Han Xuehua's generation.
Han Wenhai noticed Su Weimin's awkwardness and coughed lightly, saying,
"Weimin, this is a private gathering. Let's keep to ourselves!"
Su Weimin immediately breathed a sigh of relief and flashed a warm smile at Han Xuehua, saying,
"Hello, sister-in-law!"
Han Xuehua, still reeling from seeing Han Wenhai, paused for a moment upon hearing this. Chen Yang stepped forward to explain:
"Mom, Director Su works for Secretary Han...he's also Su He's uncle!"
"Oh! Director Su, hello!" Han Xuehua snapped out of her daze, realizing she had almost neglected her future in-laws, and quickly stepped forward to greet them as well.
After everyone had exchanged greetings, Su Weimin busied himself moving the food and wine to the main room, while Chen Yang and Han Xuehua invited everyone inside to sit down. Han Xuehua chatted warmly with Su He, but her eyes kept glancing at Han Wenhai. Chen Yang noticed all of this.
Since it was already late, everyone went straight to the dining table after entering the house. Chen Yang and Su He sat on either side of Han Xuehua, and the others followed suit.
Since this was a courtesy visit, Han Wenhai had only brought a bottle of red wine. Everyone poured a small glass, just enough to show their appreciation.
They ate and chatted, and the atmosphere was quite pleasant. Especially after seeing Su He and Chen Yang openly declare their relationship, Chu Xiaobai and Han Wenhai couldn't help but tease Chen Yang several times, making Su He blush with embarrassment.
Han Xuehua observed carefully from the side, noticing that Han Wenhai showed no airs of a deputy county party secretary in front of Chen Yang, acting like a close friend. A big question mark appeared in her mind, because she sensed that Han Wenhai didn't know she was his aunt. So why did he and Chen Yang have such a close relationship?
One was an ordinary college student, the other a deputy county party secretary and the scion of a top-tier wealthy family in Beijing—they seemed like complete strangers!
Han Xuehua found her son increasingly unfathomable.
"Secretary Han..." Han Xuehua suddenly spoke.
Han Wenhai quickly replied:
"Auntie, just call me Wenhai! There's no Secretary Han in your family..."
Hearing Han Wenhai's words, Han Xuehua was briefly lost in thought once again. Little Wenhai from back then has grown into a handsome young man. Han Wenhai is the first of the three generations born into the Han family, and everyone loves him. Han Xuehua often holds and plays with him. However, two or three decades have passed in the blink of an eye, and now, standing before him, he doesn't recognize his aunt at all…
Han Xuehua composed herself and asked:
"Wenhai, you're from Beijing, aren't you?"
Han Wenhai respectfully replied:
"Auntie, my ancestral home is Lixian County, Hunan Province, but I was born in Beijing."
Lixian County, Hunan Province, is the hometown of Han Changzheng, the late patriarch. He started his revolution there, so all the Han family members share the same ancestral home: Lixian County, Hunan Province.
Han Xuehua asked calmly:
"I heard from Yangyang that you used to work at the National Development and Reform Commission. Why did you suddenly come to the grassroots level? Wouldn't it be better to work near home in Beijing?"
Han Xuehua's words sounded like those of an ordinary elder caring for a younger generation, nothing special.
"My father believes that from the perspective of personal development, it would be best for him to gain experience at the grassroots level…" Han Wenhai replied.
"Oh? It was your father who suggested you come to Nanpu County?" Han Xuehua continued, Chen Yang clearly sensing a subtle tension in her voice.
"Yes, Auntie!" Han Wenhai felt a little strange, but didn't think much of it and answered politely.
He didn't realize that Han Xuehua had previously said "grassroots level" while the second question mentioned "Nanpu." To him, there was no difference, but for Han Xuehua, it was very different. If Han Lingfei had directly arranged for Han Wenhai to take up a post in Nanpu County, it meant that Han Lingfei already knew his whereabouts and still cared about him!
Although Han Xuehua had made this analysis when Fang Hongda told her about Han Wenhai's posting last time, Han Wenhai's personal confirmation of the news today still made her very excited!
Dinner lasted about an hour before everyone got up to say goodbye. Su He also bid farewell to Han Xuehua. Chen Yang booked rooms for her and Su Jun at the Oriental Hotel. Han Xuehua held Su He's hand, repeatedly urging her to visit often. It was clear that Han Xuehua liked Su He very much.
Being able to gain Chen Yang's mother's approval also filled her with joy.
After a short while, all the guests left, and the courtyard returned to tranquility.
After washing up, Chen Yang walked to Han Xuehua's door, took a deep breath, and knocked.