Chapter 261: Changes

Chapter 261 Changes

Ye Xiaoxiao ran over and hugged Miao Cuifang.

"Xiao Xiao, everyone's thrilled you came home out of the blue. Let's stop by your big brother's house first."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Okay."

Both Miao Cuifang and Ye Jianguo had met Jiangnan before and treated him like family, inviting him to come home with them.

Ye Changqing had bought a big compound in the county town.

It was probably to make things easier for the old folks and kids, so he didn’t choose an apartment building.

But with Ye Changqing's current financial situation, buying a few more places wouldn't be a problem at all.

Truth is, most people weren't thinking about buying property back then.

"Is big brother still at the mine recently?"

Miao Cuifang: "Still there."

But she didn’t know exactly what her eldest son was busy with.

When they got home, Zhang Xue had dinner ready.

"Xiao Xiao, let’s wash our hands and eat."

The compound was way bigger than their old place and closer to the city, making it easier to get around.

Ye Xiaoxiao felt this place would definitely get torn down for redevelopment in the future because of its excellent location.

"Eldest sister-in-law, you went through so much trouble making so many delicious dishes."

Zhang Xue smiled: "No need to be polite, we’re all family. Xiao Xiao, you got so skinny overseas."

Miao Cuifang: "Exactly, stick around a while longer this time and put some meat back on your bones."

After putting her things away, Ye Xiaoxiao went to wash her hands. "Mom, I can only stay home for a week before classes start up again."

Hearing this, Miao Cuifang grew a little anxious. "School’s starting again so soon?"

Zhang Xue laid out the dishes and invited Jiangnan to sit.

"Xiao Xiao, will you be looking for a job after school starts? Don't they assign jobs to college grads?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I have to do an internship first for a few months. I’ll graduate around this time next year."

Moreover, after graduating, Ye Xiaoxiao wasn't in any rush to start working but wanted to go straight for grad school instead.

Miao Cuifang started planning. "Then I’ll have to round up some chickens and geese for you to eat."

Zhang Xue: "Mom, no need to go all the way home for that. We’ve got some right here in the courtyard. Truth is, I think we've got too many as it is."

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. Every time she came home, the chickens, ducks, and geese wouldn’t be safe.

"Why haven’t I seen Baocheng and Baoyuan? I even brought gifts for them."

The gifts—the latest kids' sneakers—were bought in Beijing.

Ye Changning helped pick them out; otherwise, Ye Xiaoxiao wouldn’t have known the children’s shoe sizes.

Zhang Xue: "They went to Ye Mei’s house to play. They’ve made a few friends in the compound and are never home."

Miao Cuifang gave one chicken leg to Ye Xiaoxiao and the other to Jiangnan.

"You must be tired after such a long train ride. After eating, go rest in your rooms—they’ve all been cleaned for you."

Even though it’s summer, it’s the coolest season in Baichuan County.

Come fall, it gets pretty chilly here.

That’s why this place is a great place to escape the summer heat.

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded—she really could take a nap after the meal.

The meal Zhang Xue prepared was incredibly lavish, and her cooking was excellent. Ye Xiaoxiao shockingly ate two huge bowls of rice.

She vowed never to go abroad again.

Zhang Xue was stunned because their bowls were huge, and she’d never seen Xiao Xiao eat a second serving before.

It wasn’t about saving food—she just didn’t eat that much.

Miao Cuifang’s heart ached watching her. Clearly, life abroad was brutal.

After the meal, Ye Xiaoxiao walked around the yard, looking around.

One of the rooms was set up as a living room, with a TV, a sofa, and a coffee table.

The kitchen even had a refrigerator, though it didn’t get much use here.

In winter, it was useless—anything inside would just stay at room temperature.

In summer, it was good for keeping meat frozen.

But most families around here were still struggling, rarely having meat to spare.

Still, from these details, it was clear that her big brother's family had been doing well the past couple of years.

Zhang Xue and Miao Cuifang were washing dishes in the kitchen when they noticed Ye Xiaoxiao poking around.

"Xiao Xiao, go see your room in the west wing—I’ve prepared it for you. Let me know if anything’s missing."

"And Comrade Jiangnan, he’ll stay in the same room as last time. You two get some rest."

"Okay, sister-in-law."

Ye Xiaoxiao went to the west room.

The west wing had three rooms. Ye Xiaoxiao stayed in the northernmost one, with a wooden bed rather than a kang, a large wardrobe, and a desk by the window.

Through the window by the desk, she could see the big willow tree beyond the opposite wall.

It was simply furnished but cozy.

The bedsheet and curtains were made of blue flower-print cotton—obviously meant for a girl.

The bed had pillows and two freshly made sets of quilts, one thin and one thick.

Zhang Xue had prepared everything thoroughly—she hadn’t missed a thing.

Ye Xiaoxiao took out the clothes she’d brought and hung them in the wardrobe.

Now the place really felt like home.

"Sis, I really like it. There’s nothing missing," Ye Xiaoxiao called out to the kitchen, hanging onto the doorframe.

Hearing her, Zhang Xue replied, "That's good."

Miao Cuifang teased, "You two trying to out-shout each other?"

Zhang Xue chuckled, realizing how silly they sounded.

But having the kids back did make the house livelier. When Xiao Xiao and the kids weren’t around, the family hardly spoke much.

After calling out, Ye Xiaoxiao returned to her room. She lay down on the bed, pulled the light blanket over herself, and dozed off.

She slept for forty minutes and, upon waking, decided to go out for a walk.

"Xiao Xiao, you're going out? It’s still scorching out there."

It’d be hottest around two or three, but once the sun went down, it’d get cold again.

"This is nothing—I can handle way worse," Ye Xiaoxiao said.

Just as she was about to head out, Jiangnan was dead set on going with her.

"Brother Jiangnan, you can rest at home. There’s nothing to worry about now."

Jiangnan shook his head. "Nope, my job’s to keep you safe."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

Was that really Third Brother’s idea?

This friend from the south was way too hardheaded.

Ye Xiaoxiao had no choice but to let him tag along, figuring she might as well give him a tour.

Baichuan County was small—you could walk the whole town easy.

Ye Xiaoxiao took Jiangnan to Youth Cuts.

Upon entering, they saw a very pregnant woman helping a customer pick a style.

"Erni, you’re still grinding like this, pregnant and all?" Ye Xiaoxiao asked.

Zhang Erni was five months pregnant. The staff did most of the work—she mostly just supervised.

When she saw Ye Xiaoxiao walk in, Zhang Erni rushed over.

"Hey, take it easy!" Ye Xiaoxiao said, helping her sit down.

The village gossip said Ye Xiaoxiao had gone abroad, but she never thought she’d drop by the shop.

"Wait... are you here to get your hair cut? Your hair is so gorgeous - I'd be devastated if you cut it."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Nah, I just wanted to come see you."

"So you're back from overseas? Planning to go back again?"

"Not for now. I'm getting ready to start my internship."

Zhang Erni couldn't help but feel jealous as she took in Ye Xiaoxiao's youthful beauty.

"Still not married, huh? And you just keep getting prettier!"