parentshiftbook Chapter 346 The Home of the Ancestral Spirit!
Chapter 346 The Home of the Ancestral Spirit!
Ye Fan led the still somewhat dazed Li Xiulan and Xian Zuling, who had been silently watching over her mother, into the store.
He pointed to the brand-new stove, refrigerator, and sterilizer, introducing the functional areas—this is the food preparation area, that is the cooking area, over there is the dishwashing area, and in front is the guest seating area... Under the bright light, everything was in good order, full of new hope.
Li Xiulan carefully touched the cold edge of the stove, feeling its smoothness and solidity.
She could almost picture the flames leaping on the stove, the spatula flying, the hot oil sizzling, and the familiar aroma filling the entire shop.
The immense fear arising from the unfamiliarity seemed to be somewhat diluted by this concrete and tangible possibility.
"Auntie, Ling'er, let's go back and rest first. From now on, this is your home turf." Ye Fan's voice was filled with laughter, bringing a hopeful end to this morning full of twists and turns.
The car started, carrying Li Xiulan, who was lost in thought, and Xian Zuling, who finally felt relieved, towards their home, a place that had endured so much hardship but now seemed to be bathed in a ray of bright sunshine.
......
The car came to a steady stop on the wider side of the road at the alley entrance.
Ye Fan turned off the engine, and Li Xiulan and Xian Zuling got out of the car.
Standing at the familiar alley entrance, Li Xiulan watched Ye Fan lock the car door, and the turmoil in her heart resurfaced.
Should we invite him?
Looking at Ye Fan's tall and upright figure, she thought of her own low, dilapidated old courtyard. The enormous contrast felt like an invisible chasm standing between her and her family.
She was afraid that when Ye Fan stepped through that creaking wooden door, even the slightest hint of disgust or unease would show in his eyes, which would make her and Ling'er feel utterly ashamed.
But looking back on this journey—his decisiveness in helping to settle wages, his thoughtfulness in arranging the shop, his affability during breakfast, and the gentle patience on his face right now... this sincerity seems to be able to penetrate the barriers of material things.
Li Xiulan took a deep breath, as if making a decision, and turned around. With a hint of tension that was barely perceptible, she tried her best to keep her voice steady: "Ye Fan, look, we're almost home. How about we have a simple lunch at your place? It's the countryside, there's not much good stuff, just some vegetables from our own garden..."
Her gaze held a cautious anticipation, but also a hint of scrutiny that was barely perceptible.
Upon hearing this, Ye Fan's face immediately broke into a bright smile, and without the slightest hesitation, he said, "Great! Thank you, Auntie! You're in for a treat today!"
His straightforwardness and naturalness were like a warm breeze that dispelled the gloom in Li Xiulan's heart.
Ye Fan then called the driver to tell him where to park, and then followed Li Xiulan and Xian Zuling into that familiar, slightly secluded alley.
Pushing open the heavy wooden door, weathered by time and with its paint peeling so badly that its original color is almost unrecognizable, reveals an old courtyard full of the marks of history.
The courtyard is small, but it is full of life.
A path paved with blue bricks winds its way from the entrance to the main house, with a few clumps of moss stubbornly sprouting from the cracks in the bricks.
To the left is a meticulously tended vegetable garden, lush with green vegetables and climbing bean vines, stretching vibrantly all the way to the backyard.
To the right is a small, clean and smooth cement area, clearly a place for drying grains and clothes.
The main house is made of red bricks, and the wooden window frames are simple yet mottled. The paint on the window frames has long been eroded by wind and rain, revealing the original texture of the wood, silently telling the story of the long years.
Step onto the blue brick path and push open the door of the main room.
The interior scene immediately comes into view: the walls are a faded yellow from years of wear, bearing traces of rainwater. An old wooden sofa is covered with a faded cloth cover, and next to it is a 8-immortal table with peeling paint.
The most eye-catching thing was that old-fashioned "big-back" television with a yellowish casing and a small screen—Ye Fan recognized at a glance that it was definitely an "antique" older than himself.
However, within this antiquity flows a sense of peace and order.
The floor was spotless, the tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and there wasn't a single cobweb in the corners or on the roof beams. Even the air had a dry, refreshing smell, as if it had been thoroughly dried by the sun.
Clearly, the host family's diligence and care allowed them to maintain a dignified lifestyle despite their poverty.
Li Xiulan and Xian Zuling both turned their gazes toward Ye Fan, their tension barely concealed.
Ye Fan, however, acted as if he were back in his own home, walking calmly to the old sofa and sitting down naturally.
He even casually picked up the old enamel water bottle with the red "囍" character printed on it, poured himself a glass of water, tilted his head back and took a big gulp, the movement so smooth that there was not a trace of hesitation or disgust.
Li Xiulan and Xian Zuling exchanged a quick glance, their tense nerves finally relaxing completely, and a relieved smile unconsciously appeared on their faces.
After settling Ye Fan in, Li Xiulan immediately picked up her bamboo basket and went briskly to the vegetable garden in the yard, preparing to prepare a proper lunch to entertain her distinguished guest.
The spirit of the ancestral spirit stayed behind to accompany Ye Fan.
Grandpa Xiansheng went to the market to sell vegetables early in the morning, pushing a cart.
Grandma Xu Hua was watering the vegetable garden when she heard the noise in the main room. She put down the water ladle, wiped her hands, and pushed open the door to come in.
She spotted the unfamiliar young man sitting on the sofa at a glance. She paused for a moment, then a kind and warm smile spread across her wrinkled face, and her eyes lit up.
Xian Zuling quickly stepped forward, affectionately took her grandmother's arm, and introduced, "Grandma, this is my classmate Ye Fan. He's the one who took me home!"
Ye Fan had already stood up, bowed slightly, and said respectfully and gently, "Hello, Grandma, I'm Ling'er's classmate, Ye Fan. Sorry to bother you."
"Oh, good boy! Good boy! Please sit down!" Grandma Xu Hua warmly grasped Ye Fan's hand with her calloused hands, looking him up and down with eyes full of affection.
Although she is old, her eyes are still bright and sharp.
She didn't know anything about family background, but she could tell that the young man in front of her had clear eyes and polite manners. He was not at all reserved or awkward in her simple home. His genuine peace and respect made her like him at first sight.
What convinced her even more was the unprecedented reliance and light in her granddaughter's eyes as she looked at the young man.
Grandma Xu pulled Ye Fan to sit down and began to talk enthusiastically.
Ye Fan was very patient and chatted with his grandmother about everyday things. The conversation naturally turned to Xian Zuling's childhood.
"Our Ling'er was such a good girl when she was little, but she was a little timid..." Grandma Xu Hua opened the floodgates of memory and vividly recounted the funny and embarrassing stories of Xian Zuling when she was a child.
Xian Zuling, standing to the side, blushed furiously, stamping her feet and tugging at her grandmother's sleeve in a low voice, protesting, "Grandma! Please stop talking..."