Li Tang's family has lived here for decades as well. Despite changes in the environnt, so familiar neighbors remain. Li Yan is returning ho for the first ti after disappearing for more than ten years, so it took him quite a while to walk the relatively short distance back to the house.
The Li family has a small two-bedroom apartnt. Though they've lived here for ages and the entire building is quite old, it is their own property. Especially with housing prices soaring, for the average person, it's still sothing to be content with.
However, Li Tang and Wang Suzhen have witnessed the luxury of the Zhang family's villa. In comparison, their own place feels rather shabby. But in a way, this is preferable. If the disparity between the two families were smaller, they'd likely strive to catch up sohow. But knowing they can't match it, they find peace of mind. The place is kept clean and so new furniture has been added, especially in Li Yan's room, since he hasn't lived here for over ten years. Now that the two of them have returned, of course it needs to be tidied up a bit, like changing the old school-era bed.
Though it's cold outside, the house has heating, which comforts the not-so-cold-tolerant Zhang Yurong. As they waited eagerly for their return, the elderly couple had already bought groceries but hadn't yet started cooking. As it was already evening, they imdiately went to the kitchen, leaving Li Yan to heat water for Yurong's face wash while they took a short rest.
Entering Li Yan's bedroom, they saw that the small room had a new bed with a mattress and bedding, everything new and decorated in a festive style like a new ho. Even the table and other furniture had been replaced, evidently showing the parents recently redecorated it. As a result, Li Yan, whose mories are already fuzzy, couldn't find any trace of familiarity.
Looking at the arrangent, Zhang Yurong initially found it amusing, then felt sowhat shy and embarrassed. Although they have been married for a while and the other house is well-equipped, in the eyes of her in-laws, this is Li Yan's real ho, their 'new house'! So this evening...
Yet she comforted herself; considering the old house's poor soundproofing and his parents being next door, even if they share a bed, Li Yan probably wouldn't do anything.
She sat on the new bed, looked at the sowhat dazed Li Yan, and softly asked, "Is this where you grew up? Did you always live here before?"
Li Yan snapped out of his thoughts, smiled, and said, "Yes, it is. But it's been too long; I can't rember what it used to be like. Now everything's been rearranged, and I can't find any familiar sense anymore."
He moved to sit beside Yurong, and in a low voice, asked, "So what do you think, seeing my old ho? Are you disappointed? It's quite a distance from your family's place."
But Zhang Yurong didn't think so, "Why be disappointed? Just because the house isn't big enough? From my perspective, it's quite suitable for a family. Like in our place, we need staff just to clean it, and we're only living in one room most tis, while many rooms go unused throughout the year. Your parents are so welcoming to ; I wouldn't feel disappointed."
Li Yan raised his eyebrows, "Really? Is that how you see it?"
Zhang Yurong frowned slightly, thinking maybe he felt a bit inferior, patiently explained, "Of course, even soone buying a hundred restaurants can only eat so much in a al; or soone developing a hundred properties can only sleep in one bed."
Li Yan removed his gloves, touched his chin, and chuckled, "I never felt this before while living here; it looks so old and worn now after being away for so long. I originally wanted to buy them a new house, but what you said makes sense; perhaps my parents are sentintally attached to this place!"
He spoke honestly, having left ho for over a decade and lived through inhumane conditions as an assassin, feeling detached yet guilty towards his parents. As the only child, being unable to care for them is a regrettable and distressing situation. So this ti, he overca his inner awkwardness and brought Zhang Yurong back.
Even though they are both ho now, despite spending these days with the elderly parents, it's just a short holiday of about ten days. Once the New Year has passed, they have to leave. This brief reunion is not enough to fulfill their parents' longing. Now that he has money, like many others, he naturally wishes to use financial ans to enrich his parents' lives, ensuring they enjoy better material conditions.
But having heard Yurong's words, he reconsidered and realized that buying them a new house without being there might not bring them happiness.
However, his sincere words took on a different aning to Zhang Yurong. She saw Li Yan as soone who essentially earned to spend on himself, not needing to support the family. His past savings and current inco were spent similarly as when he was single. Expecting him to buy a house, at least in the short term over several years, is likely impossible. So his comnt about wanting a new house for his parents really ant using her funds to help buy one. And now, because of her words, he hesitated to ask her for help.
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