Sisi didn’t know why these two foreigners, Ben and Finn, ended up following her home.
Ben and Finn were college classmates, Ben from Germany, and Finn from England. They had just graduated from college and planned to travel the world, with mysterious China—the land of delicious food and magical skills—as their first destination.
It was only when Ben mentioned he wanted to come to China to find beautiful paper-cuttings that Sisi piped in saying she was from that place. As a result, those two foreigners clung to her, insisting on following her to that beautiful place where paper-cuttings originated.
Unable to shake them off, Sisi had to bring the two foreigners back home, startling Old Man and Granny Zhao. She had to explain that these two were going to Huang Yuan for a survey and would accompany her when the time came.
Tian Lili had been allowed by the Old Man to leave the house these past few days, mainly because she was about to start working, and the Old Man couldn’t prevent her from going to work. However, he laid down the law, saying that if Tian Lili went to see Song Xiaowei again, she’d be kicked out of the Tian Family and should no longer claim to be their granddaughter.
Of course, Tian Lili knew the Old Man would do as he said. After all, her younger aunt was a living example!
The timid Tian Lili, despite longing for Song Xiaowei, feared being thrown out by the Old Man. So, she felt wronged by everyone in the family, sulking every day as if everyone owed her a million.
Sisi respected her even less. If Tian Lili had the determination to marry Song Xiaowei, that would’ve shown some spirit!
But her current half-dead, half-alive attitude was truly annoying to witness. Sisi couldn’t be bothered to meddle in Tian Lili’s affairs anymore, already regretting that she revealed the news about Song Xiaowei being gay. Latest content publıshed on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⁂𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⁂𝕟𝕖𝕥
Not a word of thanks, and all Tian Lili had for her was a ’mind-your-own-business’ look. Sisi was disgusted.
Anyway, she was about to return to Huang Yuan soon. Out of sight, out of mind. The only pity was the Old Man and Granny Zhao, who had to worry about this granddaughter every day.
"Granny, why not let Sister Lili marry Song Xiaowei? It would save her from complaining about you and Grandpa every day, never having a kind word," Sisi couldn’t help but complain.
Granny Zhao sighed, "Marriage isn’t something you can rush into in a fit of pique. Initially, your younger aunt suffered for so many years because your grandfather and I didn’t hold firm. Even though her life is better now, the hardship of the early years was real! Sister Lili is young and naive; she might be happy to marry him now, but if she can’t stick it out, won’t she have to come back home and be a burden?"
Sisi pursed her lips, fearing that Tian Lili couldn’t appreciate the two elders’ true feelings.
When Tian Lili saw Sisi, she showed no good face, but she was still polite in front of the Old Man and Granny Zhao. She also knew her standing in the hearts of the two elders was diminishing.
"Grandpa, Granny, I’m moving to school tomorrow to stay there. It’s more convenient for going to work," Tian Lili said softly.
Granny Zhao wanted to object, but the Old Man waved his hand in agreement, sternly saying, "Moving to school is fine, but if you dare mess around, don’t blame me for being rude."
Tian Lili shrank slightly, nodded meekly, and showed joy as she returned to her room to pack. The Old Man sighed deeply; he was truly disappointed in this granddaughter!
He and his old wife were getting on in years and couldn’t handle much more trouble. He let her be! Whether she lived or died, it would be her own fate!
These days, the Old Man was worn out by the fuss Tian Lili caused. After all, they were separated by a generation; he couldn’t over-discipline. And Tian Aiguo was utterly disappointed in this daughter, telling the Old Man over the phone that there was no need to bother with Tian Lili anymore, to consider her no longer a granddaughter of the Tian Family.
Thus, Ben and Finn stayed in the Tian Family, and they couldn’t stop praising the delicious foods made by Granny Zhao, especially loving her dumplings. They could eat more than thirty each, exaggerating their enjoyment after every dumpling, which brightened Granny Zhao and the Old Man’s mood considerably.
Since she would be leaving the Capital City soon, Sisi had brought Du Du over for the past few days, spending the nights playing with her son.
Ben and Finn were astonished to find that Sisi had such a grown son, bombarding her with questions about her age. When they did the math, it turned out that Sisi was two years older than them; both Ben and Finn were only 22 years old.
Sisi could tell that these two foreigners probably came from well-off families. Although they dressed modestly, the bags, water bottles, cameras, and even the shoes and socks they wore were all luxury brands.
On August 27th, Sisi left the Capital City, taking Ben and Finn to Huang Yuan. Tian Xinhua had already sent Old Xu to wait for them at the airport. Old Xu, surprised to see the two foreigners following Sisi, didn’t ask any questions and simply helped put the luggage in the car.
"Ben, Finn, I’ll take you to a hotel first, and then I’ll pick you up for dinner at my place tonight," Sisi said.
Ben and Finn were not keen on staying in a hotel, having grown accustomed to staying at the Tian Family’s house over the past few days. Therefore, Finn whispered, "Sisi, can’t we stay at your house? Ben and I just need one bed."
Look at how pitifully he’s speaking, coupled with his innocent blue eyes and long eyelashes, it feels like you’d become the wicked Huang Shiren if you don’t grant his request!
"Sisi, please let us stay at your house? Ben and I don’t eat much, and we’ll be scared staying outside."
Ben started to act pitiful as well, but his robust build and angular face meant he couldn’t stir sympathy easily; he simply couldn’t move Sisi’s heart.
A twitch appeared at the corner of Sisi’s mouth. Dammit, a guy who eats more than forty dumplings in one meal has the cheek to say he doesn’t eat much?
Just like Shangguan, they both have no shame!
Unable to resist their persistent pleading, Sisi had to say, "I need to discuss it with my husband first. If he doesn’t agree, then you can only stay in a hotel."
Ben and Finn made up their minds to put on a good pity act when they met Sisi’s husband, as Granny Zhao had said, the Chinese are very kind-hearted and always like to help others.
Old Xu didn’t understand what the two foreigners were chattering about. Poor him, he couldn’t understand a word and was just impressed that the secretary’s wife spoke English even more fluently than Mandarin. She truly was a gifted graduate from Tsinghua University!
Old Xu took Sisi straight to the courtyard. Tian Xinhua had just finished work, and he happily lifted her up, spinning her around several times in the spot. He had been dry for two months and missed her terribly.
"Brother Xin Hua, hold on, we still have guests!"
Sisi, feeling dizzy from the spinning, hurriedly reminded Tian Xinhua that there were guests, and Tian Xinhua then noticed the two foreigners getting off the car.
"Who are they? What are they here for?"
Sisi briefly introduced Ben and Finn to him, "They really like the local papercutting here and specifically came looking for authentic papercut artwork. Seeing them wandering around like headless flies, I brought them over. It’s also a good chance to promote Huang Yuan."
In truth, Sisi had her own motives; she believed that Huang Yuan had all it took to develop its tourism industry. The local waist drum performances, cave dwellings, Xintianyou folk music, papercutting, and many other folk customs were unique and could definitely attract foreign tourists.
And Ben and Finn were the pioneers of Huang Yuan’s tourism industry. She believed that as long as Ben and Finn promoted it after returning to their country, Huang Yuan would surely become a popular tourist destination.