Over the next few days, Li Yi didn’t go to the store or attend to matters at the cotton mill.
Every day, aside from staying home with Jiang Xue and the child, he drove Jiang Longcheng’s car, taking his parents on tours of the capital.
Since his parents had made the rare trip to Beijing, Li Yi naturally wasn’t going to let them stay for just a short while before heading back.
So, he arranged visits to the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Old Summer Palace, the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the Wangfujing Shopping Center.
The elderly couple left their footprints at every bustling and lively spot in the capital.
In just a short two-week period, Li Yi took his parents to visit nearly every famous landmark in the capital.
Although they were exhausted, the elderly couple was overjoyed!
This was the first time in their lives they had gone on a trip, and to have their son lead the way made their pride evident.
Before they knew it, it was already late March. As the temperature gradually rose, the elderly couple began to feel restless.
Li Yi knew his parents were thinking about the spring plowing preparations for the production team.
Normally, the village began spring planting in mid-April, but by the end of March, they had to start clearing out the manure from the cattle and sheep pens, spreading it on the fields, and plowing the land to prepare for the spring farming season.
To be honest, Li Yi really didn’t want them to continue enduring such hardships in the village. Having spent most of their lives toiling in the fields to make a living, Li Yi truly hoped they could have an easier life in their twilight years.
So Li Yi decided to have a serious talk with his parents.
Today, Li Yi took his parents to the Badaling Great Wall on the outskirts of the city, and they didn’t return until five o’clock in the afternoon.
Back at the courtyard house, Li Yi was just about to head to the Jiang family’s old residence to bring Jiang Xue and the children back.
But then his father suddenly spoke up: “Xiao Yi, there’s something we’d like to talk to you about!”
“Dad, are you thinking of going back to the village?”
“Hmm, we’ve been away for over half a month now. It’s about time we went back!” his father said.
“Dad, what do you two think of Beijing? Do you have any plans to stay here long-term?” Li Yi asked again.
Li Shankui glanced at his wife beside him, shook his head, and said, “The capital is a fine place, but it’s not suitable for your mother and me. We still think the village is better!”
Li Yi frowned. “I know you’re not used to city life, but life in the village is just too hard—working the fields from dawn till dusk, braving the wind and rain day in and day out…”
Before he could finish, his mother, Zhang Yuehong, interrupted him: “Look at you, child. Isn’t that just how life is for everyone in the countryside?”
“Dad, Mom, you’ve seen for yourselves lately—I’ve built a decent little business here in the capital. That small restaurant alone is enough to support our whole family. You could totally live comfortably at home!”
“I know you’re capable of that, but we’re still young. When we really can’t work anymore, we’ll come live with you!” his mother said.
“Mom, why are you being so stubborn?”
Father suddenly spoke up: “Let’s put the idea of settling in the capital on hold for now. I heard the village is planning to distribute land to the members this year. If we don’t go back, we’ll lose our share!”
Hearing his father bring this up, Li Yi knew it was no use arguing.
He understood farmers’ attachment to the land—and his father’s was no exception.
With that in mind, Li Yi could only sigh and say, “I can’t change your minds, but there’s one thing you have to promise me!”
“What is it?”
“If the production team really does distribute the fields to the members to farm themselves, try to plant as little as possible—just enough to feed us!” Li Yi said.
“Alright, we’ll plant less!” his father said.
“Also, the old house is really too run-down and dilapidated. Once you get back, move over to the new house. Anyway, Xiao Xue and I won’t be living in the village again anytime soon, so it’ll just be sitting empty!”
Father hesitated for a moment, then agreed!
“Alright then, it’s settled. I’ll go pick up Xiaoxue, Juanzi, and the others!”
With that, Li Yi turned and walked out the door.
………
The Jiang Family’s Old House!
Jiang Xue was studying in the study, while Zhang Xinyao was playing with the two little ones nearby.
Seeing Li Yi push the door open, Zhang Xinyao immediately smiled and said, “You’re finally here. These two little rascals are such a handful—they won’t let you out of their sight for a second. Looking after them is more exhausting than a full day’s work at the shop!”
Li Yi chuckled and said, “Good to know you’re tired. You should learn how to take care of kids first and gain some experience, so you won’t be at a loss when the time comes!”
Zhang Xinyao’s face flushed instantly, and she immediately called out to the inner room, “Xiao Xue, your husband is just too mean!”
Hearing the commotion, Jiang Xue emerged from the study.
“What’s going on?”
Zhang Xinyao glared at Li Yi and said, “Ask him!”
“Hehe, Xinyao said taking care of a baby is tiring, so I told her this is a great chance to gain some experience, so she won’t be clueless when she has her own kid later!” Li Yi said with a smile.
Jiang Xue chuckled and said, “That makes perfect sense. By the way, Xinyao, how far have you and my third brother actually gone?”
Zhang Xinyao hurriedly replied, “Same as always!”
“That won’t do! You’re already living at my uncle’s house—why aren’t you rushing to plan the wedding? Even if you don’t get married, you should at least get engaged soon!” Jiang Xue said.
“Well… as a girl, how can I possibly bring that up?”
Li Yi chuckled and said, “Haha, you know what he’s like—he’s so carefree and oblivious. If you don’t bring it up, he’ll never even think about it!”
“Th—then what should I do?” Zhang Xinyao frowned.
“Alright, leave it to me. I’ll talk to him about it later,” Li Yi said.
“But… wouldn’t that be a bit awkward? Might he think I’m pressuring him to marry me?” Zhang Xinyao asked.
“Don’t worry, I’ll just make sure not to say it outright!” Li Yi said.
“Alright, then!”
Li Yi then looked at Jiang Xue and asked, “Where’s Mom? I don’t see her.”
“Mom went to the school this afternoon to process my enrollment. She also said she’d bring back a few teachers to tutor me. She hasn’t come back yet!” Jiang Xue replied.
“Alright, then. Let’s pack up and head home. Your parents are waiting for you and the baby at home!”
“Alright!”
The group packed up their things and left the Jiang family’s old residence.
Li Yi then drove Zhang Xinyao back to her uncle’s house, where she had been staying for the past few days.
After that, Li Yi drove to the entrance of Beijing No. 4 Middle School. He picked up Juanzi after school at six o’clock, and only then did the group head home.
Juanzi’s school had been arranged by Jiang Longcheng. It didn’t cost a single penny; he simply got her admitted and even arranged for her school records to be transferred to that school.
On the way home, Li Yi told Jiang Xue that his parents were planning to return to the village.
Jiang Xue wasn’t particularly surprised by this. For one thing, she knew her in-laws well—they were used to the carefree life in the village and certainly wouldn’t want to come to the capital to be so constrained.
Besides, all the people they knew were in the village; if they came here, they’d likely have no one to talk to. Therefore, she had long anticipated that her in-laws wouldn’t stay in the city.
However, Jiang Xue soon remembered something that absolutely had to be taken care of before her in-laws left!
Right then, she brought up the matter with Li Yi!