Rebirth: General, Don't Mess Around!

Hearing the familiar voice, Ye Jian quickly turned on the speakerphone so that Old Man Xia could hear Li Jinnian’s voice. On the other side, Li Jinnian heard Ye Jian’s laughter, joyous as a mountain spring.

”Brother, guess where I am?”

”Talking with Grandpa.” A smile touched Li Jinnian’s handsome brows as he looked out the airplane window at the bright lights and peaceful scene, knowing his sister was also at home, waiting for his return.

”Impressive! I didn’t even say, but you guessed it. Where are you now? Grandpa is really hoping you’ll come home for New Year’s.” After saying this, Ye Jian even winked at Old Man Xia, who laughed heartily.

What a sturdy girl!

”At the airport, about five hours from home.” No sooner had Li Jinnian spoken than he heard Old Man Xia laughing and saying, ”Everyone is coming back, everyone is coming back. Little Fu, prepare a few more dishes. Jinnian will want something to eat even in the middle of the night.”

Even though Uncle Fu was busy, he was all smiles, ”Alright, alright, I’ll prepare Jinnian’s favorite dishes right away. When he was a boy, he loved steamed pork with rice flour, I’ll make him a big bowl tonight.”

Not yet home, yet the thick, warm affection washed over him from the other end of the phone.

On the plane, other passengers were also on their phones, invariably telling their families that they were on board, each bubbling with happiness. Those away longed to return home, while those at home eagerly awaited their return.

With about twenty minutes till takeoff, Li Jinnian checked his watch, then asked Ye Jian when she had gotten home and how much holiday she had.

”I’ve been home for five days already. I was originally given only three days off, and that too because I passed through the capital city. Then suddenly, I don’t know how, they gave me an extra ten days on a whim, just enough to spend a good New Year with Grandpa. Brother, how many days do you have?”

”I have fifteen, enough to also spend New Year’s with Grandpa, even a few days more than you,” Li Jinnian said softly, a light smile on his brows, relaxing against his seatback. ”Tell Uncle Fu not to work too hard, just one steamed pork will do.”

”Uncle Fu is in a happy mood now, my father just came back, and Uncle Fu happily added more dishes.”

”Uncle-in-law is back?” Li Jinnian sat up straight, a smile emerging in his cool eyes, ”This is definitely going to be Grandpa’s happiest year.”

Exactly, Ye Jian looked toward Old Man Xia, who had stepped into the kitchen and was instructing enthusiastically. Her face radiant and bright as the sun, ”With you coming back, Grandpa will be even happier.”

Old Man Xia poked his head from the kitchen and called out to Ye Jian, ”Tell your brother to ask his father to come to Dan Gui Garden if he’s free.”

Now that Old Master Li had passed away, it was Li’s turn to handle affairs. His daughter’s husband... well, he was a pitiful man. Never mind, for the sake of his grandson, it was better to keep relations warm.

The Li family had dispersed, and the son-in-law’s return would hardly be lively, especially since Madam Li least expected her son-in-law to come home. Jinnian’s return made it essential to at least visit his biological father. The relationship between father and son was lukewarm, and face-to-face meetings hardly meant much. It was better to spend New Year’s together.

Ye Jian didn’t know Li’s Uncle-in-law very well, she had not even met him. Upon hearing this, she faithfully relayed Old Man Xia’s words, ”Brother, what about Uncle-in-law? Grandpa said to invite Uncle-in-law to come to Dan Gui Garden for New Year’s. It’s warmer with more people.”

With Old Man Xia speaking up, Li Jinnian would never object. He was silent for a while before he finally spoke, ”Okay, I’ll ask.”

In past years, when Old Master Li was still alive, if his father came back, he had to spend Lunar New Year’s Eve with the Li family. But this year, after Old Master Li’s demise, he didn’t want to go to the Li family’s old residence and deal superficially with Madam Li.