sjar Chapter 85 You go too, you'll be in charge of carrying things.
Chapter 85 You go too, you'll be in charge of carrying things.
The waiters began serving the hot dishes one after another.
The aroma of seafood, stews, and stir-fries, characteristic of southern Fujian, fills the air.
The atmosphere at the table became more relaxed and casual.
Zhao Donglai asked Ye Fan with concern:
"Xiao Fan, your admission letter from Nanjing University should be coming soon, right? The top scorer is different; everything goes smoothly and effortlessly."
"Yes, Uncle Zhao, soon."
Ye Fan answered with a smile.
Zhao Donglai continued, his tone revealing satisfaction:
"If you go to Nanjing, you and your sister will be in the next province, so you can take care of each other."
Ye Zhuyan nodded:
"Yes, it's not far."
At this time.
Gu Ruoning smiled and turned the topic to Zhao Mingzhe:
"Mingzhe chose Nanjing University of Science and Technology, right? That's a great school! It has a strong military background, and the job prospects after graduation are stable!"
Zhao Mingzhe quickly responded:
"Yes, Aunt Gu."
Zhao Donglai glanced at his son and added earnestly:
"When you get to university, don't just play around! Learn from your sister Zhuyan and master your major!"
Zhao Mingzhe nodded repeatedly:
"Okay, Dad!"
During the meal.
Ye Zhuyan briefly told her parents about her studies and life in Shanghai during her final semester of undergraduate studies, and mentioned her plans to pursue a master's degree at Zhejiang University next semester.
Gu Ruoning and Ye Linzhang listened intently, their eyes filled with satisfaction and pride.
This daughter has never caused them much worry since she was a child; her excellence seems to be taken for granted.
Shen Qingtang then took Gu Ruoning's arm affectionately and naturally picked up the conversation, chatting about everyday matters.
When children grow up, they will eventually leave home. A hint of reluctance was revealed in her words, but the conversation naturally turned to lighthearted topics such as which brand of skincare products is better.
Ye Fan and Zhao Mingzhe buried themselves in their food, occasionally interjecting with a few words.
He looked completely absorbed in his work.
Ye Fan was relatively relaxed and occasionally served his sister some of her favorite dishes.
Ye Linzhang and Zhao Donglai, old friends, clinked glasses and chatted about work and current events, their laughter ringing out.
Gu Ruoning and Shen Qingtang, best friends, whispered and shared the little things in their lives. Ye Zhuyan listened quietly, occasionally responding with a few words, her demeanor serene.
Time flies!
Ye Linzhang put down his wine glass, his gaze sweeping gently over his grown children, then turning to Zhao Mingzhe, whom he had watched grow up, his tone tinged with emotion:
"It feels like just yesterday the three of them were playing in the mud and fooling around in the countryside, and now they're all going to college."
"yes!"
Zhao Donglai was also deeply moved and patted his old friend on the shoulder:
"These kids will be going to all over the country from now on. Old Ye, we can't deny we're getting old!"
Ye Fan smiled and continued the conversation:
"Dad, Uncle Zhao, you're not old at all! You're in your prime!"
Zhao Mingzhe quickly nodded in agreement:
"Exactly! The uncles and aunties look so young!"
Looking at the warm and lively scene before her, at her parents' gratified smiles, at her younger brother and Zhao Mingzhe's youthful faces, and at Uncle Zhao and Aunt Shen's family-like warmth, Ye Zhuyan felt a quiet warmth flowing through her heart.
This is home, a haven, a place that will always hold her dear, and a place she will always long for, no matter how high or far she flies.
.........
I got home in the evening!
As Gu Ruoning changed her shoes, she smiled at Ye Zhuyan and said:
"Yan Yan, do you have any plans for tomorrow? How about going shopping with Mom? It's been so long since we went shopping together."
As she spoke, her gaze precisely locked onto Ye Fan, who was trying to sneak back into his room.
"Ye Fan, you go too! You're in charge of carrying the things!"
Ye Fan froze instantly, his face contorted in a look of utter despair.
Shopping with my mom and sister?
This is truly a marathon of both mind and body.
If he had a choice, he would rather climb the Five Sacred Mountains.
He tried to make a final stand:
"Mom...I have an appointment for tomorrow..."
"I have to cancel all my appointments with everyone!"
Gu Ruoning interrupted him without room for argument, and said with a smile:
"Your sister just got back. What's wrong with her going shopping with Mom and her? It's settled then! There's no room for negotiation!"
Ye Fan immediately turned his gaze to his father, Ye Linzhang, seeking a final ally.
Ye Linzhang was unbuttoning his shirt when he received a signal from his son's eyes. He immediately cleared his throat and subtly changed the subject:
"Oh, right, I have something important to tell you."
"Your grandfather called from his hometown this afternoon."
This statement successfully attracted everyone's attention.
Ye Linzhang smiled:
"Grandpa said he's already had someone calculate an auspicious day, the day after tomorrow, when we'll go back to our hometown of Luxi to hold a banquet for Ye Fan's college entrance! We've notified all the elders, relatives, and friends in the clan; it's going to be a big celebration to mark the occasion of our family producing a top scholar!"
Gu Ruoning beamed with joy:
"The old man is so quick! And the timing was perfect!"
Ye Zhuyan also smiled and nodded:
"I was planning to go back to see my grandparents in a couple of days, but now I can go back together with them."
Ye Linzhang continued, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity:
"The old man specifically instructed that after the graduation banquet, he should take Ye Fan to the ancestral hall to worship the ancestors. This is both to thank the ancestors for protecting our Ye family over the years and to pray for Ye Fan, wishing him a smooth academic future, a bright future, and that he will live up to the family's reputation."
On this land of southern Fujian.
Clan concepts have always been deeply rooted, and ancestor worship in ancestral halls is a solemn and important event.
Ye Zhuyan nodded seriously:
"This is the proper thing to do, and it's a tradition we've always continued."
Four years ago, she went through the same ceremony.
At this time.
Ye Zhuyan seemed to suddenly remember something, got up and walked towards her room, pushing the suitcase she had just brought back.
"Oh, right, Mom and Dad, I brought you some little things this time I came back."
She opened the box and first took out a beautifully wrapped gift box, handing it to Gu Ruoning:
"Mom, this is a custom-made face mask recommended by a friend who works at a biology lab in Shanghai. The ingredients are quite natural and gentle, and it's said to have good anti-aging effects. You should give it a try."
Gu Ruoning accepted it with delight:
"Oh, our Yan Yan is the most thoughtful! Thank you, my darling daughter!"
Her face couldn't hide her happiness.
Then, Ye Zhuyan took out a long, rectangular leather gift box and handed it to Ye Linzhang:
"Dad, I brought you a belt. I noticed yours has been used for many years, and the leather tip is almost worn out."
She's always like that—meticulous and composed.
They always manage to take just the right amount of care into their family's most practical needs.
Ye Linzhang took the box, opened it, and saw a finely crafted, heavy-textured dark brown cowhide belt, clearly of exceptional quality.
His face immediately lit up with a smile, and he said repeatedly:
"Good! Good! My daughter is so thoughtful! She knows how to care for her dad!"
He immediately unbuckled his old belt and fondled the new one with obvious delight.
Watching this scene, Ye Fan thought to himself: So this is targeting me? My son isn't considerate anymore, is he?
His eyes darted around, sensing an opportunity, and he immediately stepped forward with a grin, saying:
"Dad, don't you think your old car should be...hehe, maybe you should get a new one? That car has been driven for so many years, the air conditioning isn't very cold anymore, and it's not comfortable to sit in...I'm worried it will break down on the way on long trips."
Upon hearing this, Ye Linzhang's eyes lit up, and he looked at the family's finance minister with great anticipation.
What man can resist the allure of a new car?
He could almost hear the roar of the engine.
Gu Ruoning was originally admiring the face mask in her hand with great satisfaction.
Upon hearing this, the smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a serious expression:
"Change cars? What cars are you talking about! The old car is still drivable, isn't it?"