Granny Yao saw the silent exchange between Aunt Luo and Qiao Yushan and knew her guess was correct.
She nudged Grandpa Nong’s arm with a smile. Grandpa Nong grunted and mumbled, "Your son is too slow, always a step behind, even now!"
This meal was the most joyful one since Huo Rou’s arrival.
She spoke little while eating, and An An was a well-behaved child at meals. Grandpa Nong and Granny Yao were even less talkative, their meals usually a whirlwind. Now that they were relaxed, they continued their usual style, barely speaking.
Qiao Yushan, however, was different. He was full of jokes and knew everything. Having traveled extensively, he’d encountered all sorts of novelties. He could talk endlessly about the customs and traditions of various places.
"Xiao Shan, how long are you staying this time?" Grandpa Nong asked Qiao Yushan after the meal.
Qiao Yushan put on a pitiable expression. "Grandpa Nong, I'll definitely stay forever and help you plant rice, okay?"
Grandpa Nong and Granny Yao were addressed by the same titles nationwide, regardless of age or gender.
Hearing this, Grandpa Nong blew on his nonexistent beard. "Planting rice? Your delicate hands are probably not suited for my work!"
"Anything my master can do, I can do!" Qiao Yushan patted his chest. "If I can't, my master can teach me, right, Master?"
Huo Rou, who had been lost in thought while scrolling on her phone, was suddenly addressed. She looked up with a hint of confusion. "Hmm?"
A flicker of heartache flashed in Qiao Yushan’s eyes, but he grinned carelessly. "Master, teach me how to plant rice? Maybe I'm a genius too?"
"Teach me hand-in-hand, okay?" He grinned cheekily, his joking words making Huo Rou laugh.
"Think you're still a child?" Huo Rou shook her head.
Qiao Yushan nodded. "Oh! Master! Once a teacher, always a father. I'm forever your son!"
His expression was solemn and serious, as if he might call out "Dad" at any moment.
Huo Rou couldn't help but slap him lightly after hearing his words. Had his skill for talking nonsense worsened since she last saw him?
An An exclaimed urgently, "Uncle Xiao Shan, I am Mom's son. You're too old to be Mom's son!"
It wasn't that he didn't want siblings, but if such an old person like Uncle Xiao Shan were Mom's son, wouldn't that indirectly make Mom old too??
That wouldn't do!
An An's mom would always be eighteen!
Qiao Yushan, having received Huo Rou's slap, didn't lose his smile. He feigned pain and recoiled.
His exaggerated movements drew laughter from everyone in the room.
Granny Yao looked at Qiao Yushan's clearly more active demeanor than in previous years. She exchanged a knowing glance with Grandpa Nong.
It seemed their little girl had indeed returned due to relationship issues.
This peacock had followed the scent. She wondered if her own little son could hurry up and impress Huo Rou…
As evening fell, the entire village gradually disappeared into darkness, only to reappear with scattered dots of light.
Qiao Yushan's hand, holding a carving knife, hadn't moved for a long time.
He glanced at Huo Rou, who was reading beside him.
He knew Huo Rou was always sharp and didn't dare to look too much. So, the piece of jade in his hand was unconsciously polished until it gleamed, reflecting Huo Rou’s serene profile.
Perhaps he should have been more proactive long ago.
"Uncle Xiao Shan, haven't you thought of what to carve yet?" An An, sitting on a small stool beside him, paused his drawing and looked up curiously.
In his heart, he thought: As expected, Mom's disciple. His hands move slower than Mom's, and his ideas aren't as good as Mom's. Yes! Mom is still the most amazing!
When An An asked, and then met Huo Rou’s gaze as she turned to look, Qiao Yushan suddenly felt guilty and flustered. He quickly covered the jade tablet on the table. "No inspiration!"
"Little An An, you haven't turned the page yet either!" he retorted, shifting the blame.
An An helplessly revealed the cover of his book.
It was a drawing book.
Qiao Yushan's mind went blank for a moment.
He had forgotten that after reading for a while, An An would start drawing. He had even told him earlier that they would see who finished first!
"It's too late, my brain isn't working well," Qiao Yushan took the jade tablet into his hand. "I'm going back to sleep. We'll compete again tomorrow morning!"
He seemed to be fleeing in a panic. An An looked triumphantly at Huo Rou. He was indeed the best! Uncle Xiao Shan wanting to be Mom's son was just a dream!