Chapter 40: The Changes in My Hometown

After leaving the kindergarten, Lin Chuan and his son went home first to pick up some clothes. He packed some of Lin Yiyang’s toys, along with a drawing board and some pencils, into the little boy’s backpack.

All the way, Lin Yiyang kept asking the same question, “Dad, where are we going?”

Lin Chuan only smiled and told him, “We’re going to the place where Daddy lived as a boy!”

Once everything was packed, it was nearly noon.

The father and son arrived at the apartment, where Yuan Ye was already waiting downstairs with his suitcase.

The three of them found a noodle shop for a quick meal, then set off by car directly to Spring City.

Spring City is about three or four hours from Bei Ning—not far, but not particularly close either.

It was after four in the afternoon when the BMW finally entered the city limits of Spring City.

After five or six years away, Lin Chuan noticed how much Spring City had changed. The low houses he used to see everywhere had disappeared, replaced by tall buildings rising from the ground.

Driving through the city center, they saw crowds coming and going from the large malls, the place bustling with life.

“I never expected Spring City to change so much in just a few years!” Lin Chuan exclaimed.

Yuan Ye, who was driving, smiled slightly. “These malls were built in the last couple of years. They’re really popular here.”

“Hey, wasn’t that our old elementary school? How did it turn into a mall?” Lin Chuan looked out the car window, suddenly surprised.

Yuan Ye didn’t even glance, familiar as he was with everything here. He smiled calmly. “Don’t mention it. Our elementary school closed down a few years ago. I heard they were going to build a residential area, but somehow it became a mall instead…”

“Ah, what a pity. I was hoping to take Yiyang to see our old school,” Lin Chuan shook his head with a wry smile.

“Dad, what’s an alma mater?” Lin Yiyang frowned, his eyes full of confusion.

“An alma mater is…”

Yuan Ye’s home was not far from the city center, in a neighborhood considered upscale for Spring City. People with a bit of status and money mostly gathered there.

On the way, Lin Chuan stopped at a fruit market and bought the elder’s favorite bananas and apples. Then, passing the market, he bought two pounds of pork head meat—his father always insisted on having meat with his meals, and especially loved pork head meat.

Just before five, the BMW entered a residential complex. In the central garden, many elderly people strolled with their grandchildren, chatting, some walking their dogs—a lively, happy scene, far better than Lin Chuan’s old neighborhood in Bei Ning.

Soon, the car stopped in front of a high-rise. As soon as the door opened, a sixty-something woman with a poodle approached, smiling.

“Yuan, I haven’t seen you for days. Out on a business trip again?”

Yuan Ye politely nodded. “Aunt Wang, I was out dealing with some things these past days!”

“Hey, let me tell you, I saw Old Yuan come back at noon today. He wouldn’t even say hello. Did something happen?” Aunt Wang glanced around, lowered her voice mysteriously, as if afraid someone might overhear.

Actually, Yuan Ye knew Aunt Wang very well. Despite her manner, half the neighborhood probably already knew about this.

“Hehe, Aunt Wang, you worry too much. The old man’s a bit angry with me, so I’m back to apologize,” Yuan Ye said.

“Oh, so that’s it. Yuan, you really shouldn’t provoke Old Yuan. He’s got a temper. If he gets too upset, what will you do? We older folks…”

Aunt Wang, enlightened by Yuan Ye’s explanation, launched into her advice.

Lin Chuan and Lin Yiyang stood aside, smiling at the scene. He actually enjoyed such chatter—it meant somebody cared.

Since his grandmother passed away and An Xier quietly left, Lin Chuan had raised his son alone. The silence was peaceful, but loneliness grew.

What was once ‘nagging’ to him, a kind of noise, had now become a cherished memory.

After a few more words with Aunt Wang, Yuan Ye led father and son into the elevator.

“Sigh, I can’t stand it. Whenever something happens, they always want to ask about every detail…” Yuan Ye complained, shaking his head.

“Heh, you don’t know how lucky you are. If you’d gone through what I have, you wouldn’t find it so annoying,” Lin Chuan laughed.

Yuan Ye shrugged and fell silent.

Emerging from the elevator, Yuan Ye pulled out his keys and opened the door. Inside, the old man sat on the sofa, wearing reading glasses, watching TV. The volume was loud, always tuned to the same channel—Spring City TV.

After years apart, Lin Chuan saw the old man had truly aged. Time had turned his once-black hair gray, deepened the wrinkles at his eyes.

Seeing this, Lin Chuan’s nose stung with emotion.

He remembered the last time he returned, the old man was still robust. After his grandmother’s funeral, before Lin Chuan left, the old man’s eyes shimmered with tears as he urged him: “Study hard at school. If you face difficulties, come to me…”

“Dad, look who’s here!” Yuan Ye called out, pulling Lin Chuan back from memories.

But the old man sat unmoving, as if he hadn’t heard, lost in thought.

The two exchanged a glance, worry in their eyes.

“Dad, what are you doing? Look who I brought home!” Yuan Ye called again, louder.

This time, the old man came to himself, turned to the door, and grew excited when he saw Lin Chuan.

“Xiao Chuan… Is that you, Xiao Chuan?” The old man stood, his voice trembling.

Lin Chuan had always regarded him as a father, and the old man had treated him as his own son.

“Uncle Yuan, I’m home!” Lin Chuan smiled.

In that moment, happiness filled his smile. Being here felt like being home, bringing a warmth he’d never felt before.

The old man walked over, took Lin Chuan’s hand, and looked him over from head to toe, worried he might be missing an arm or a leg.

Perhaps all elders are like that.

When the old man’s gaze fell on Lin Yiyang, he paused, then asked, “Who’s this little one? How did he come to my house?”

“Hello Grandpa, my name is Lin Yiyang!” Lin Yiyang bowed politely.

“Hahaha, good! Come here, little one. Grandpa will get you something delicious!” The old man, seeing Lin Yiyang, immediately set Lin Chuan aside.

Lin Yiyang glanced up at his father. Seeing him nod, he walked over with a smile.

Watching the old man’s joy, Yuan Ye laughed, “Thanks to Yiyang, otherwise this would have been a tragedy. Don’t just stand there, come in!”

Lin Chuan smiled and followed.

The apartment was spacious—over a hundred square meters, with three bedrooms. There was no worry about sleeping arrangements tonight.

By six in the evening, Yuan Ye was in the kitchen, preparing a full table of dishes.

Lin Chuan, the old man, and Yuan Ye gathered around the table.

“Xiao Chuan, these years you’ve been away, I always wanted to visit you, but work kept me busy. I never had the time, sigh…” the old man said, sorrow in his voice.

He knew everything that had happened to Lin Chuan outside. Several times, Yuan Ye had called to persuade him to return, always at the old man’s direction.

Lin Chuan understood this well.

“Hehe, Uncle Yuan, as a junior, I should be the one to visit you…” Lin Chuan said, feeling guilty.

“All right, today is a happy day. Let’s not talk about the past. Dad, have some pork head meat—Xiao Chuan bought it just for you!” Yuan Ye quickly broke the awkward mood.

“Haha, good! Xiao Chuan remembers what I like. Come, little one, try some too. This pork head meat is delicious—take a big bite…”

For a while, the house echoed with the laughter and joy of the four.

During the meal, the old man asked about Lin Chuan’s participation in competitions. Lin Chuan answered openly, especially about his original songs, which the old man enjoyed.

Encouraged by wine, Lin Chuan sang two of his songs on the spot, earning the old man’s praise.

From beginning to end, nobody mentioned whether the TV station was about to close, nor discussed An Xier, Lin Yiyang’s birth mother, or any news of her in recent years.

Such heavy topics were as if taboo, locked away deep in their hearts.

After dinner, Yuan Ye prepared a room for Lin Chuan and his son.

Perhaps exhausted from the day, as soon as Lin Yiyang finished washing up, he could barely keep his eyes open and fell asleep as soon as he lay down.

Watching his son’s adorable face, Lin Chuan smiled softly, standing at the bedside, reluctant to leave.

Unconsciously, the image of Wang Yue appeared in his mind, still with that cold, distant expression.

“What are you thinking about? Your eyes are glazed over!” Yuan Ye came in at some point.

“Huh? Nothing!” Lin Chuan was startled, awkwardly brushing it off.

“Heh, thinking about Teacher Yue, aren’t you? Why not give her a call, let her know you’re safe?” Yuan Ye grinned mischievously.

“Get out of here, why would I be thinking about her?” Lin Chuan laughed and scolded him.