Chapter 31: Farewell

Dry pot ribs, stir-fried fat intestines, Dongpo pork…

Wen Wan looked at the table full of delicious dishes, her mouth watering uncontrollably.

“Xiaowan, these are just some home-style dishes. If you like them, eat more,” Old Man Lin said enthusiastically as he sat down, inviting everyone to pick up their chopsticks and eat.

Wen Wan spoke gracefully, “Grandpa Lin, I’ve heard Haoge talk about your cooking skills. You’re one of the best chefs in our town, even in the county.”

Although she hadn’t tasted Old Man Lin’s cooking yet, judging by the aroma alone, it was better than the high-end private kitchens she had been to, costing thousands per person.

Old Man Lin felt very pleased. Xiaowan was a very nice girl; a high school graduate, cultured, and poised.

“It’s alright,” Old Man Lin said modestly, his tone hinting at a nostalgic longing for his adventurous past. “I’ve been learning from my grandfather since I was three. I also went out and explored in my younger years, and I’ve dabbled in various cuisines.”

The three adults and one child ate everything except the decorative carrot flowers.

After the meal, Wen Wan helped clean up the dishes and chopsticks and put them in the kitchen.

Old Man Lin knew Zhou Haoting’s train was leaving this afternoon, so he urged, “Haoting, you and Xiaowan should go and take care of your business.”

Zhou Haoting checked his watch. It was 1:30 PM. He still needed to take Wu Sen to the county. He nodded. “Grandpa Lin, we’ll go then. We’ll get together again next time we come back.”

At the gate, Old Man Lin instructed, “Xiaowan, you’re family now. You work at the supply and marketing cooperative. If anything happens, just let me know, and Grandpa Lin will back you up.”

Wen Wan smiled and nodded. “Grandpa Lin, I’ll come visit often. Don’t get tired of me.”

Just Old Man Lin’s cooking alone was worth countless visits.

Leaving Lin’s courtyard, Zhou Haoting and Wen Wan walked for more than twenty minutes.

“Haoge, have you packed your bags?” Wen Wan casually asked.

Knowing Zhou Haoting was leaving today, and she didn’t have anything particularly good to give him, she had made some spicy pickled radish from her own space, and her mother had made meat sauce for her to bring to Zhou Haoting.

Zhou Haoting stopped, looked up at Wen Wan, his eyes full of reluctance, his voice hoarse. “I’ve already packed. I’ll leave after I get my luggage.”

Remembering Wen Wan was starting work tomorrow and he wouldn’t be able to see her off, Zhou Haoting worriedly said, “Xiaowan, have your older brother send you over tomorrow. Grandma has prepared your room; you can just bring your clothes…”

“Haoge, don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Grandma Guo,” Wen Wan playfully assured him.

Zhou Haoting smiled softly. He knew Wen Wan was pretending to be relaxed so he wouldn’t worry.

If Wen Wan could read minds, she would say, “Little brother, your sister owns her own company; working at the supply and marketing cooperative is a piece of cake.”

As they talked, they reached their destination.

Zhou Haoting heard noises inside and knocked on the door.

Grandma Guo, who was watering vegetables in the small courtyard, heard the sound. “Haoting, wait a moment.” She put her hoe against the wall.

“Haoting, did you bring Xiaowan?” Grandma Guo asked as soon as she opened the door.

Before she finished speaking, Wen Wan peeked out from behind Zhou Haoting, smiling sweetly and waving. “Grandma Guo, I’m here.”

Grandma Guo happily slapped her thigh. “Xiaowan, come in and sit.” She awkwardly wiped the mud off her apron.

She secretly regretted not finishing her work earlier. Now, she was all dirty and worried about making a bad impression on her granddaughter-in-law.

“Grandma Guo, we came in a hurry and didn’t buy anything good. Don’t dislike it,” Wen Wan offered the biscuits she had specially bought from the supply and marketing cooperative.

Grandma Guo’s eyes crinkled into a smile. “Xiaowan, Grandma loves milk biscuits the most. You’ve hit the nail on the head.”

Wen Wan linked her arm with Grandma Guo’s, her clear voice filled with sincerity,

“Grandma, it seems like we’re destined. I was worried about having no place to stay since I’ll be working in town and having to commute every day, but you and Haoge specially prepared a room for me.”

“Xiaowan, we’re family, no need to be so polite,” Grandma Guo patted Wen Wan’s hand and continued, “Haoting is going to the army, and you two are engaged, so living here won’t cause any gossip.”

Zhou Haoting, watching the two most important people in his life getting along harmoniously and laughing, felt warm all over, as if soaking in a hot spring.

As soon as they entered the hall, a neatly packed army green duffel bag sat on the solid wood table in the living room.

Zhou Haoting quickly stepped forward and skillfully began to untie the straps.

“Haoting, I’ve packed everything. Just take it,” Grandma Guo said in confusion. For years, she had been the one packing Haoting’s bags. Was something missing?

Zhou Haoting couldn’t help but smile, his magnetic voice filled with unconcealed joy. “Grandma, Xiaowan specially made me spicy meat sauce and spicy pickled radish.”

Seeing Zhou Haoting’s elated expression, Grandma Guo couldn’t help but feel happy. Since that family incident, Haoting rarely showed such overt emotions.

“Zhou Haoting, Xiaowan is a good girl. You can’t bully her,” Grandma Guo warned sternly, raising her voice.

She worried that Haoting, in his youth, might not know how to be considerate, and might unintentionally hurt Xiaowan’s feelings, causing friction between the young couple.

Zhou Haoting’s eyes were dark and firm. “Grandma, I will never do anything to make Xiaowan unhappy. I will be as loyal to Xiaowan as I am to my country.”

Looking at the sincerity in his dark eyes, Wen Wan’s heart trembled, a hint of guilt rising within her. Her initial intentions weren’t entirely pure, and she couldn’t reciprocate his deep feelings yet.

“Alright, don’t just stand there, quickly pack your things, Xiaolin will be here to pick you up soon,” Grandma Guo nodded.

Then, she turned and led Wen Wan to the room on the right. “Xiaowan, the sheets and quilt covers are new ones I sewed for the New Year. Do you like them? If not, we’ll buy new ones tomorrow.”

The room had a 1.5-meter-wide wooden bed with blue gingham sheets and a quilt cover with two different colors—cream on one side and crimson on the other.

A small desk stood against the wall on the right, and even the wooden chair had a blue cushion.

Wen Wan smiled. “Grandma, they’re lovely. I like them very much. Thank you for your trouble.”

She really liked the room; it was cozy and beautiful, and she noticed a pair of brand-new transparent sandals by the bed.