"With such heavy snow, how is he supposed to get back to the county?" Xu Nian’an looked at the thick snow piled on the ground. The way back from South City to the county—can the roads even be passable?
Du Chang looked at the accumulated snow, worry in his heart, and said, "Once he reaches South City, surely there’s a way back, just a bit slower."
"Master, maybe Yicheng will arrive soon. How about I join you for lunch?" Xu Nian’an thought of bringing good news back home, so he wasn’t in a rush to head back.
Even though his younger sister hadn’t said anything in recent days, her occasional worried glances made it clear that she was thinking about when Yicheng would return.
Speaking of coming to the county today, originally his younger sister also wanted to come, but Xu Nian’an didn’t agree. The snow on the road was starting to melt, it wasn’t just cold, but the ground everywhere was wet with snow. If his sister’s shoes got soaked, she would surely catch a cold.
Xu Nian’an helped Du Chang with lunch, but unfortunately, even after they finished eating, there was still no sign of Pei Yicheng.
"Second brother." Xu Nianhua saw Xu Nian’an coming back from the window and quickly rushed downstairs, her little eyes hoping as she looked behind him.
"Don’t look, Yicheng hasn’t come back yet. But, Master said that his train from yesterday should have arrived in South City today. It’s unclear how he’s getting back from South City." Xu Nian’an returned from outside, his hands chilled to the bone.
Xu Nianhua brewed hot tea and handed it over, saying, "With such heavy snow, can the train really still run?"
Xu Nian’an looked at her worried little face and comforted her, "Don’t worry. If the train couldn’t run, it wouldn’t have departed. You can have complete peace of mind."
After drinking the hot tea, Xu Nian’an felt warmth all over. He changed into work clothes, put on rain boots, and headed to the back mountain. He wanted to dig up some winter bamboo shoots to save for the New Year and January.
In the county.
Du Chang had just seen Xu Nian’an off not long ago when he spotted Pei Yicheng and Ling Dong returning, carrying large bundles.
"How did you two get back?" Du Chang walked to the door and looked outside, seeing no car. How did they return?
"Grandpa, is there anything to eat?"
As soon as Pei Yicheng entered the house, he made himself two cups of hot tea.
Du Chang quickly said, "There is, wait a moment, I’ll heat it for you."
Earlier, Xu Nian’an had thoughtfully prepared a meal for Pei Yicheng and Ling Dong. So, there was still food in the kitchen, just needing a bit of reheating.
"No need, Grandpa, we’ll handle it ourselves." Pei Yicheng held the hot tea and turned to the kitchen.
Pei Yicheng and Ling Dong ate their fill. Then he said, "Grandpa, where did you buy this meat? It’s sweeter than usual, much tastier."
"Nian’an’s family slaughtered a pig. They specifically sent over some meat," Du Chang explained. Not just meat, but also his favorite intestines, cleaned and brought over, along with ready-made smoked meats and sausages. Honestly, they sent more meat than most would to their own daughters, let alone to just a master.
"No wonder it’s so sweet." Rubbing his full stomach, Pei Yicheng replied, "Grandpa, we walked back. The snow on the road was too heavy, it’s impossible to drive back home."
Du Chang: "..."
You cheeky boy, just to see your beloved, you’re not afraid of your legs aching.
Du Chang insisted on checking Pei Yicheng’s legs, making sure they were fine, and had both him and Ling Dong soak their legs warm and drink ginger tea to warm up. Only then did Pei Yicheng head off to Shuanghe Village.
"This cheeky boy, obviously just to see his sweetheart!" Du Chang watched Pei Yicheng’s departing figure with a bit of jealousy. This grandson rarely used to return, but now he comes back several times a year, only to run off as soon as he arrives.
Ling Dong, standing beside him, said, "Grandpa, Brother Cheng cares about you a lot, too."