Chapter 2988

Chapter 2988: Back to Hometown

She poured more tea for the two men and continued, "Specialist Ouyang, you have likely heard of her. I investigated Yan Xiwan and discovered she is the legendary figure from the Capital Medical University. She studied both Western and Chinese medicine, passing her master’s, doctoral, and post-doctoral exams in just three days."

She paused, then added, "Most importantly, she is a student of both Elder Yuan and Elder Feng. She developed the hemostatic drugs and improved anesthetics currently used by our frontline soldiers. Furthermore, she just returned from the frontline war zone. There, she created true miracles. Every soldier she treated survived completely."

The old man nodded slightly. "With your introduction, I recognize her. She is someone even the Capital’s presidents must make appointments to see. Her research has been incredibly beneficial to our nation."

Xie Tian’en nodded. "This time, we owe our thanks to her for saving Junjun. She smelled the anesthetic on her. To be honest, the trafficker was very skilled. The dosage was precise—strong enough to subdue, but not so strong that it would be easily detected by ordinary doctors. Yan Xiwan was sharper."

The old man smiled faintly. "When they return to the Capital, we must thank her properly."

Zhang Liguo agreed. "Grandpa, rest assured. Qiu Hong and I will take Junjun to thank her personally."

The old man smiled with satisfaction.

Yan Xiwan knew nothing of the Zhang family’s discussions. Instead, she felt a sense of nervousness as they approached their hometown.

For five days and nights, aside from the initial incident with the traffickers, the journey was smooth. Knowing their situation, the train conductor had given them special care.

Finally, they arrived at their destination.

After getting off the train, they took a bus and transferred to Yan Village.

It had been several years. Yan Zhong looked noticeably older, but he was overjoyed to see them.

"It is good that you are back. It is good," Yan Zhong said with emotion.

"Father, where is Mother?" Yan Tieniu asked.

"Your mother is caring for your grandmother," Yan Zhong replied.

"What happened to Grandmother?" Yan Tieniu was startled.

"Your grandmother is old and has chronic illnesses. Even if you hadn’t returned, I planned to send a telegram asking you to come back early for a family reunion," Yan Zhong explained.

Yan Tieniu was shocked again. He looked at Yan Xiwan, who nodded understandingly. "I will go examine Grandmother shortly. However, if it is simply old age, there is little I can do."

"I know. Please check," Yan Tieniu said. He understood this well.

Grandmother Yan was over ninety years old, considered quite long-lived in their country.

Yan Xiwan returned home, put down her luggage, and went to Yan Zhong’s house to examine Grandmother Yan.

Grandmother Yan’s hair was completely white, and she was very thin. Although her spirit seemed decent, Yan Xiwan was startled internally. This was clearly a hidden terminal lucidity.

Although she had known this visit was to say goodbye, facing it in person still made her heart ache.

"Zengzeng, I am back," Yan Xiwan whispered.

Because she had called her "Zengzeng" since childhood, Yan Xiwan introduced Grandmother Yan as "Great-Grandma" to outsiders, but always called her "Zengzeng" herself.

Grandmother Yan’s eyes lit up upon seeing Yan Xiwan. "My dear, you are back."

"Yes, I am back. I did well in my work and got a month’s leave, so I specifically returned to see you and Grandpa," Yan Xiwan said, sitting by Grandmother Yan’s bed.

A smile appeared on Grandmother Yan’s face. "Good, very good. Zengzeng was worried she would not see you again."

Yan Xiwan shook her head. "No, I will come to see Zengzeng."

Grandmother Yan hummed. "I just wanted to see you all."

Yan Xiwan smiled. "Yes, Zengzeng. This time, Tianyun is here too."

Ouyang Tianyun stepped forward and followed Yan Xiwan’s lead. "Zengzeng, I am here too."

"It is good that you are here. Seeing you all in good spirits makes me happy. I wonder if I will see your brother and your cousins and uncles," Grandmother Yan said, hope in her eyes.

"Zengzeng, I will make a phone call. They will be here soon," Ouyang Tianyun said hurriedly.

Yan Xiwan said to Ouyang Tianyun, "I will try to prolong Zengzeng’s life for a few days, but her lifespan is within the next half month. Tell them to return quickly."

Ouyang Tianyun nodded and went out to inform Grandpa Yan and Yan Tieniu of the diagnosis.

Grandpa Yan sighed. "Notify everyone to return."

Ouyang Tianyun said, "I will notify Zhicheng first, telling him to return immediately. I will also try my best to get Zhixin and Zhishan to return."

Yan Tieniu nodded. "I will also call my brothers."

Grandpa Yan naturally had to notify his own brothers.

Everyone separated to make preparations. Grandpa Yan asked Grandma Yan to take Wang Suyu to find the clothes prepared long ago for the elder. They needed to prepare everything.

Fortunately, this was a joyous funeral (a death at a ripe old age). Although everyone felt regret, they knew this was an inevitable part of life.

Yan Zhicheng never expected to receive a call from Ouyang Tianyun just a few days later. Hearing that Grandmother Yan’s final days had arrived, he immediately informed Tian Chunxiang. They took leave and bought tickets to rush to Yan Village.

Fortunately, the frontline war had ended. Yan Zhixin and Yan Zhishan, who were on the frontline, were preparing to return. When the unit received the news, they made special arrangements for the brothers to return first.

Yan Zhixin brought his fiancée with him.

Everyone in Yan Tieniu’s branch had been notified. Ouyang Tianyun also notified the Cheng and Ouyang families, who both sent representatives.

Yan Tieniu also notified his other brothers away from home, such as Yan Tielong. Fortunately, Yan Tiebao was at home to help.

Within a few days, everyone in the Yan family who could be reached returned.

Families rushed back one after another, solely to see Grandmother Yan off.

Grandmother Yan seemed to be waiting for them. Only when everyone was present did she close her eyes with a smile.

The Yan family members were usually scattered, but this time, almost everyone returned. This gathering showed everyone that the Yan family had become a very powerful clan.

Although they were usually dispersed and rarely gathered, this reunion included nearly seventy or eighty people. With the villagers of Yan Village joining in, the funeral procession was grand.

Yan Xiwan personally combed Grandmother Yan’s hair. As the only girl of the fourth generation in the Yan family, Grandmother Yan had always doted on her.

Therefore, for the final combing, Yan Xiwan insisted on doing it herself.