The next day was the day to head home.
Because her itinerary was finalized a bit late, Xu Yanxia was unable to snatch a high-speed rail ticket. She simply bought a flight ticket instead, which would also save her a few hours of travel time.
Her flight was scheduled for noon. Right before leaving, she made a special trip to Jiushan to take a look around. After briefing her colleagues on things to watch out for over the next few days, she finally embarked on her journey home.
By the time the plane landed, it was already past three in the afternoon.
She had just pushed her luggage out of the gates when she saw her younger cousin, Yuan Xiaoyue, waiting for her at the exit, waving happily. Sis! I am over here!!!
Since her brother and sister-in-law had been busy with their engagement preparations ever since they returned yesterday, she felt bad bothering them to pick her up. Instead, she only told her cousin, who was currently home on holiday, asking her to come and help carry her luggage.
Now that the two cousins had met up, they hailed a cab directly from the airport to head home.
It was a one-hour drive from the airport to their place.
Taking advantage of the fact that there were no outsiders around, Yuan Xiaoyue took the initiative to remind Xu Yanxia, Sis, you need to mentally prepare yourself. Grandpa and Grandma already know that you are working as a chef.
Xu Yanxia was actually a bit surprised. That fast?
In fact, ever since that variety show aired the night before last, she had been receiving a steady stream of inquiries from friends and classmates.
This proved that the show's ratings were quite high.
Her grandparents did not live isolated from the world, so they were bound to find out about her job sooner or later.
Therefore, she had already prepared herself, planning to come clean during this trip home.
It was just that the speed of the news traveling still exceeded her expectations. After all, her grandparents were definitely not the main target demographic for that variety show.
She then heard her cousin Yuan Xiaoyue say, It is all because of those gossipy old ladies from our old village. They probably heard the young people in their families mention you, and then brought it up when they came over to chat with Grandpa and Grandma these past few days. Last night, Grandpa even asked me where he could watch that show of yours.
Xu Yanxia asked, ...So did you find it for him?
Of course I played dumb and said I did not know!
Yuan Xiaoyue paused for a moment. But Grandpa did not seem too happy. He has not said much since yesterday.
Xu Yanxia took a deep breath. Got it. I will talk to them personally in a little while.
As she had mentioned before, her grandparents still held onto traditional, old-fashioned mindsets. Having done hard, exhausting manual labor their whole lives, they truly did not want their descendants to follow in their footsteps.
Especially since her brother had already taken over the family mantle, her grandparents still hoped that she, their granddaughter, could find an easier way to make a living.
But the world did not always develop according to people's wishes. The reality was already set, so it was up to people to change their own ways of thinking.
Fortunately, the major issues at home had now been resolved, and her grandfather's health was recovering nicely. She was relatively confident that she could persuade the two elders.
Little did she expect that right after she finished speaking, her cousin would add another sentence, Also, regarding your dating life... you should prepare for that too.
???
Xu Yanxia quickly said, What is going on? You told them? Plus, did I not tell you I am not dating anyone?
Just a few days ago, after photos of her and Lu Jingming at the Hainan airport were secretly taken and posted online, Yuan Xiaoyue had immediately messaged to ask if she was in a relationship, and she had specifically clarified the situation.
How could it be me!
Yuan Xiaoyue also immediately replied, Would I be that insensitive? The main thing is that you are really popular on the internet right now, and there are so many people shipping you with that handsome CEO. It is highly likely that people around here have scrolled past it too, and the gossip might reach Grandpa and Grandma's ears.
But Grandpa and Grandma have not asked me about this yet. I am just giving you a heads-up so you can be prepared.
Xu Yanxia sighed, ...Alright then.
Either way, she had to explain things to her grandparents. One more or one less thing to explain did not make much of a difference.
...
An hour later, the two cousins finally got out of the car.
Because they had not moved yet, her grandparents were still living in the first-floor residential apartment they had rented right after their old place was demolished.
It was a residential complex built in the 1990s, already somewhat old and dilapidated. However, considering it was not far from their former village, many of their old neighbors from the village also lived here, giving her grandparents people to chat with.
The cousins got out of the car inside the complex and immediately spotted their grandparents chatting with neighbors not far away.
Not having seen them for some days, the two elders looked to be in good spirits. Grandpa, in particular, had a rosy complexion, looking much better than when he had just been discharged from the hospital before she left home in the summer.
She quickly waved and called out, Grandpa, Grandma, I am back.
When she got closer, she also greeted the other elderly people, Granny Huang, Grandpa Jiang, Granny Lyu, long time no see.
The several elders also nodded politely at her, Xiaoxia is back.
Have not seen her in a while, our Xiaoxia has gotten even prettier!
Her grandparents were also quite happy. You are finally back. We have been waiting all day.
Let's go, let's head home.
Saying that, they were about to stand up from their respective folding stools.
Who knew that right at this moment, another old lady would walk over from the side and say to her with a smile, The big star has returned.
It was exactly one of those gossipy old ladies her cousin had mentioned in the car earlier, Old Mrs. Pan.
She also nodded politely and said, Hello, Granny Pan. Please do not joke with me, I am no star.
Eh,
Old Mrs. Pan said again, You have been on TV, how are you not a star? A lot of people around here saw you cooking on that whatever channel! I heard my grandson say you have a lot of... dry powder.
Pfft...
As soon as these words came out, her cousin Yuan Xiaoyue was the first to burst into laughter, saying, What dry powder, more like wet powder. They are called fans, Granny Pan!
Oh right, right, fans.
Old Mrs. Pan quickly added, My grandson said only stars have those fans, so doesn't that make you a star?
As she spoke, she asked her again, By the way, Xiaoxia, you did so well getting into university back then, so why did you end up working as a chef after graduation? Why didn't you find an office job?
As soon as this was said, everyone nearby looked over at her, including her grandparents.
The gazes of the two elders were quite complicated.
Her cousin moved her lips, wanting to speak up for her.
Xu Yanxia, however, smiled generously and said, Isn't going to university just to better serve the people? Chairman Mao also said that there is no high or low in professions; we are all the people's orderlies. There is no rule saying that everyone who went to university has to work in an office.
Well said!
Grandpa Jiang, who used to be a soldier, quickly agreed, Labor is the most glorious thing. Making a living with your own skills is nothing to be ashamed of!
That is right.
Her cousin Yuan Xiaoyue also hastily chimed in, Besides, my sister is not just an ordinary chef. She is a director at a major restaurant, the kind of big restaurant where a single table of food easily costs several thousands! If she had not graduated from a good university, she might not have even gotten the job.
Oh my!
The elderly folks all let out exclamations of awe. Restaurants in the big city are that expensive?
So an ordinary person around here could not even afford a single table of food with a whole month's salary!
