Upon learning that Grandpa Luo would be returning after the holidays with his son and daughter, Luo Zhenggang and Wen Xin were overjoyed. After so many years of persuasion without result, the surprise came so suddenly, and their spirits, previously dampened by their sisters-in-law and third sister, were considerably lifted.
Once the couple received the news, they immediately divided up the tasks. Wen Xin went to buy brand new daily necessities for the old gentleman, while Luo Zhenggang loosened the soil of a small vegetable patch belonging to the Luo Family.
In order for their father to adapt to the environment more quickly, Luo Zhenggang spent half a day chatting patiently with the elderly men and women who also gardened, informing everyone about his father’s impending arrival. He specifically mentioned that his father was a master gardener, so that everyone could exchange gardening tips in the future.
The group of elderly men and women were very pleased to hear this. People of their age all wanted to experience a bit of the pastoral life, but unfortunately, the vegetables planted in their tiny plots often perished just after sprouting, which was quite disheartening.
Having a master to offer guidance was something they eagerly awaited, especially since it was Mayor Luo’s father. The group of old men and women showed their enthusiasm by clapping their hands in welcome.
As Yang Xing was idly shooting hoops with Song Xiaoyang and Wang Wei on the playground, he looked up and was momentarily stunned before he excitedly approached, "Uncle Luo, look how sweaty you are. Let me help you?"
Luo Zhenggang declined with a smile, "Is that you, Yang Xing? You can’t handle this work. Sweating is good for your health; your uncle can manage on his own."
"Uncle Luo, is Ye’er about to come back?" Having finally caught Luo Zhenggang, Yang Xing hurriedly asked the question that had been on his mind.
The way Yang Xing referred to his daughter caused Luo Zhenggang to pause mid-hoe. The onlooking old men and women all revealed ambiguous smiles. If Mayor Luo and Mayor Yang became in-laws... well, the future would be very bright indeed!
A trace of sorrow flitted through Song Xiaoyang’s eyes, but his face bloomed with a bright smile, "Uncle Luo, Ye’er is my sworn sister. I haven’t seen her all holiday and I really miss her. When exactly is she coming back?"
"About ten more days, I guess." Luo Zhenggang wiped the sweat from his brow with a smile, "If it weren’t for her wanting to come back for the class placement list, that girl would rather return the day before school starts."
"I bet the countryside must be really fun..." sighed Song Xiaoyang, "I’m really envious of Ye’er’s freedom. I can’t do that. Though I’ve been around here all holiday, I had to complete various assignments set by my online tutor every single day. This so-called elite education is so annoying."
Luo Zhenggang just smiled and said nothing. After checking that the vegetable patch was in order, he gathered his tools and bid farewell to the onlookers. Yang Xing eagerly took the hoe and basket from him, "Uncle Luo, let me help you."
"Alright, thank you, Yang Xing." Luo Zhenggang didn’t refuse this time.
"Xiao Yang, Wang Wei, wait for me here, I’ll come over to find you guys after a while." Seeing that Song Xiaoyang and Wang Wei wanted to follow, Yang Xing quickly stopped them.
"Xiao Yang, did you notice that Yang Xing likes Luo Ye?" Wang Wei pulled Song Xiaoyang away from the old men and women, speaking in a low voice, "I really don’t understand why he likes that messy girl."
"Wang Wei, just because you’re not talking doesn’t mean I think you’re mute. Do you think I’m not observant? Am I not smart as well?" Song Xiaoyang glanced at Wang Wei sidelong, "I admit, I like Yang Xing, but I really don’t dislike Luo Ye. Even though Yang Xing is single-mindedly fond of her which makes me a bit jealous, and yes, I was a bit out of sorts just now because of jealousy, but I won’t allow you to talk badly about my sworn sister!"
"I can’t understand what you’re thinking. Can’t you see my sincere affection for you, or do you only know how to pick on my faults?" Wang Wei was full of resentment. Throughout the entire holiday, he had followed Song Xiaoyang and Yang Xing around like a dog, as per his mother’s orders, yet failed to smooth things over with either of them, who just bossed him around, treating him worse than a dog.
If it weren’t for the diminishing smiles on his parents’ faces at home, and recognizing the seriousness of the situation, he would have stopped bothering with those two a long ago. He had never felt as aggrieved in his life as he did this month.
As Yang Xing was helping Luo Zhenggang to take the tools home, Wen Xin also just arrived back. She greeted him with a smile to come in for a glass of water. The eager young man then stated his purpose, "Uncle, Auntie, I heard that Luo Ye chose science, but I’ve heard her science grades aren’t particularly great. How about I tutor her in the future?" His handsome face showed a hint of pride, "I’m the top science student in the provincial No. 1 Middle School, you can trust me."