Chapter 74 The Orange Candy Is So Sweet~

Chapter 74: The Orange Candy Is So Sweet~

With Shen Yan's discreet help, the little one's packing progressed much faster.

The three-year-old still hadn't grasped the art of packing—like placing heavier items at the bottom and fragile ones on top.

Shen Yan watched Su Youli toss items haphazardly into the suitcase, grateful he'd brought a large enough one this time.

The little one toiled for over an hour before finally getting the large suitcase packed.

He stood up, mimicking someone unknowingly, let out a deep sigh, and vigorously patted the dust from his hands. "Finally done."

"Little brother, I’ve packed your suitcase," Su Youli announced, his voice still endearingly childlike.

The little one stood before the suitcase, which towered over him, and used both hands to try to lift it.

No matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't budge.

Su Youli: "..."

Shen Yan pressed his lips tightly, struggling to suppress a laugh.

He crossed his arms, his voice laced with amusement. "You You brother, do you need my help?"

"Yes, thank you, little brother, for helping me."

Even while receiving assistance, the little one still made sure to emphasize his status as the older brother.

Shen Yan bent down, effortlessly lifted the suitcase, and pushed it to the door. When he turned back, he wasn’t surprised to see the little one’s adoring gaze.

"Big brother, you’re amazing!" The little one had completely forgotten he was supposed to be the older brother now.

As someone accustomed to constant praise and positive reinforcement, the little one never hesitated to offer compliments.

Shen Yan crouched down and gently pinched his cheek.

After packing his "little brother’s" suitcase, the little one moved on to his own Stitch suitcase.

There wasn't much in his—just two sets of small pajamas, a few pairs of tiny socks, and finally, his little pillow from the bed.

The small suitcase was more about symbolic participation than practical necessity.

The two brothers spent two hours getting everything packed. Shen Yan stood by the door with the suitcases, waiting for You You, who was saying goodbye to the chicks and ducklings.

A child’s world is pure. Su Youli had grown fond of the chicks and ducklings after feeding them for the past two days. As soon as he approached, they waddled over eagerly.

Su Youli pursed his little lips and reached out to stroke the duckling’s soft feathers.

"Goodbye~"

Shen Yan watched as the little one waved goodbye to the chicks and ducklings with practiced gestures, his face etched with reluctance.

He smiled, then glanced at the tightly shut main house.

Grandpa Tian had disappeared after breakfast that morning. Shen Yan had wanted to take You You to thank him in person and give him the prepared gift.

"Big brother, where’s Grandpa Tian?" The little one asked, after bidding farewell to the chicks and ducklings, he ran over and took Shen Yan’s hand.

Shen Yan shook his head. "Big brother doesn’t know either. Grandpa Tian might be busy in the fields. Let’s leave the gift here. He’ll see it when he returns."

They had to leave soon, or they would run out of time.

The little one nodded. He quite liked Grandpa Tian.

Even though Grandpa Tian seemed stern, he had been very kind to him.

Su Youli was shy around strangers and wouldn’t warm up to someone he just met.

Grandpa Tian had a formidable appearance and personality, rarely smiling.

But Su Youli remembered—on the first day, when his brother got lost, Grandpa Tian had waited for them at the door until they returned.

Grandpa Tian had heated water for him, cooked eggs and made millet porridge, and even played with him and the chicks and ducklings...

Holding his big brother’s hand as he stepped over the threshold, the little one glanced back at the empty yard, his eyes welling up with tears.

He hadn't even gotten to say goodbye to Grandpa Tian.

The little one hung his head, looking utterly forlorn.

Shen Yan simply picked him up and carried him on his back. "You You, hold onto big brother’s neck, or you might fall."

The little one snapped out of his sadness and wrapped his arms tightly around his big brother’s neck.

Su Youli rested his head on his big brother’s shoulder, enjoying the wide view. As soon as they turned onto the path outside, he tugged at his brother excitedly and called out, "Grandpa Tian!"

By the roadside, a thin old man wearing a worn traditional jacket and holding a red plastic bag stood.

Before he could even see clearly who it was, he heard the familiar voice of the little one from his yard.

"Grandpa Tian—" Su Youli called out again.

Shen Yan hadn’t expected such a coincidence—running into him halfway.

"Grandpa Tian," Shen Yan also stopped to greet him.

Tian Hai’s gaze lingered on the two suitcases for a moment, his voice aged. "You're leaving already."

Su Youli struggled to get down from his big brother’s back and ran over to Grandpa Tian.

The little one was short, so when he looked up, his eyes met the red plastic bag in Tian Hai’s hand.

Tian Hai crouched down, using both hands to open the bag and show him.

Inside was a bag of orange candies, shaped like golden oranges and coated with a layer of sparkling white sugar.

There weren’t many types of candy sold in the village. Tian Hai had taken his time choosing and finally picked this kind—both pretty and delicious.

Su Youli, seeing this candy for the first time, immediately exclaimed in wonder.

The old man told him to take one and try it. Su Youli turned to look at his big brother, and only after seeing him nod did he reach into the bag.

"Is it good?" Tian Hai asked.

The little one took a bite of the orange candy. The white sugar crunched loudly, as if bursting in his mouth, while the sticky candy inside had a light, sweet orange flavor.

Watching the child’s innocent expression, Tian Hai truly couldn’t bear to see him go.

When the program crew first came to the village to find a place to rent, they visited every household. That day, he had just been passing by with a hoe when they pulled him in to join the excitement.

"A big star is coming to film a TV show, and just today alone, seven or eight cars came through. They said they’d pay rent to anyone in the village who rents a house to them."

Tian Hai had no interest in such things and turned to leave with his hoe on his shoulder.

As soon as he moved, he was pulled back. The villager, familiar with him, knew the old man lived alone and had a hard time making ends meet. "Don’t you have two empty rooms in your house with no one living in them? You should go put your name down—what if you get chosen?"

Tian Hai couldn’t even remember how he was selected that day. He only knew a few young people came to his house, took a look, asked if there was anyone else living with him, and then that was that.

He guessed it might be because he was alone with no family, which made things easier for filming.

After receiving the payment, he began to worry belatedly—what if the big star didn't like his place?

He’d heard they would bring a child along, and city kids could be awfully fussy. What if the child cried?

......

Even after Shen Yan and his younger brother arrived, Tian Hai remained cautious and tried to steer clear of them as much as possible.

But the little one was so good-looking—the cutest little baby he'd ever laid eyes on.

With a pair of bright, shining big eyes, he even called him "Grandpa."

Such a well-behaved little child could soften even a heart of stone.

Before Tian Hai could collect his thoughts, something sweet was pressed to his lips.

"Grandpa, the orange candy is so sweet. You should have some too~"