Going home for the Chinese New Year with a year-end bonus of 100 million

As the car drove out of the village, Yang Ya sighed softly:

"Brother, did you see that? Xiaoyu's family is so kind. Her parents are so simple and honest. We sent them a box of fruit, and they practically gave us everything they had in return."

"Yes." Yang Fan nodded. "It's quite good. Children raised by families like that are bound to be good."

"Of course," Yang Ya pouted. "They're much better off than my uncle's family. My uncle's family has some money, so they look down on everyone else."

When his uncle was mentioned, Yang Fan didn't respond, but just focused on the road ahead.

The car returned to the main road and headed towards its village.

Twenty minutes later, the familiar village entrance came into view.

From afar, Yang Fan could see a large red shed erected on the open space at the village entrance, with several motorcycles and tricycles parked nearby. Inside the shed, there was a bustling atmosphere, steam rising from the shed, and the aroma of food wafting through the air.

"Who's hosting a banquet?" Yang Fan slowed down the car. "I haven't heard anything about it."

"I don't know either." Yang Ya also looked around curiously. "Is it someone getting married? Or is it an elder's birthday celebration?"

The village road was not wide to begin with, and with the banquet taking up some space and cars parked on the side of the road, Yang Fan could only slow down and drive forward slowly.

When people eating in the greenhouse heard the car, many turned their heads to look.

"Hey, whose car is this? I've never seen it before."

"Mercedes-Benz! The Mercedes-Benz with the upright emblem!"

"This car doesn't look cheap; it must cost several hundred thousand, right?"

"Whose relatives are visiting? They're driving such a nice car."

"..."

Yang Fan originally intended to drive discreetly and go straight home. But a quick glance revealed a familiar figure—

His parents were sitting at the table further inside the shed.

Father Yang Jianguo, wearing a slightly worn military green cotton-padded jacket, was eating from a bowl.

The mother, Wang Xiuying, sat beside her, holding chopsticks but barely moving them, her eyes fixed on the dishes on the table, lost in thought.

Yang Fan felt a pang of sadness; it was impossible not to tell his parents at this moment.

Xiaoya, who was standing next to her, couldn't hold back any longer. She rolled down the car window and shouted, "Mom and Dad! We're back!"

He rolled down his car window and called out, "Dad! Mom!"

The greenhouse fell silent for a moment.

All eyes were on them.

Yang Jianguo and Wang Xiuying looked up at the same time, and when they saw their son and daughter's faces in the car window, they were both stunned.

Wang Xiuying forgot to put the chopsticks in her hand into her mouth.

Yang Jianguo slowly stood up, squinted for several seconds, and then confirmed that they were indeed his son and daughter.

At that moment, the man in his fifties seemed to straighten his back a little.

The back, slightly hunched from years of hard work, straightened unconsciously at this moment.

His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out for a moment.

Wang Xiuying was the first to react; her eyes instantly reddened, and her voice trembled slightly:

"Fanfan...Xiaoya...you, you're back?"

"Yes! You're back!" Yang Ya replied happily.

Yang Fan looked at his parents, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up inside him. He steadied his voice:

"Dad, Mom, you two eat. Xiaoya and I will go home first to put our things down, and then we'll come over."

"Okay...okay..." Yang Jianguo finally found his voice and said "okay" twice, then added:

"Are you tired from the journey? Have you eaten? We didn't cook at home; we're having a feast here."

"We've already eaten at the service area," Yang Fan said. "Shall we head back first?"

"Okay, okay." Wang Xiuying wiped her eyes. "You guys go back first and park the car. Come over later for something hot."

Yang Fan nodded, closed the car window, and slowly drove away from the greenhouse.

The car drove away, but the discussion inside the greenhouse erupted.

"Old Yang! Are those your Fanfan and Xiaoya?"

"Oh my god, is that car Fanfan is driving? A Mercedes!"

"Jianguo, your son's really something! Driving back in such a nice car!"

"I was wondering why that car looked so unusual; it turns out it belongs to your Fanfan!"

"I've always thought this child was smart! And now he's really made something of himself!"

Yang Jianguo sat down again, trying to keep his face calm, but the corners of his mouth still involuntarily turned up.

He picked up the wine glass on the table, took a big gulp, and only then did he feel his heartbeat gradually calm down.

Wang Xiuying lowered her head and wiped away her tears. The aunt sitting next to her patted her shoulder:

"Xiuying, why are you crying? This is a happy occasion! Your child has made something of himself; your hard times are over!"

"Yes, yes," the uncle at the other table chimed in.

"Jianguo, Xiuying, you're going to enjoy a life of luxury from now on!"

Yang Jianguo took another sip of wine. He was not a talkative person, nor was he one to show off.

But he knew a saying: "For the first thirty years, observe how the father respects the son; for the next thirty years, observe how the son respects the father."

He felt proud that his son was successful.

But he still spoke humbly:

"The kids just got back, and the car was just bought on loan, so the pressure is quite significant..."

"So what if you took out a loan? Being able to get a loan to buy this car is a skill in itself!" someone chimed in.

"Exactly! How many people in our village can afford a Mercedes? Jianguo, your family has really turned their lives around!"

Discussions, exclamations, and envious glances surged forth like a tide.

Yang Jianguo and Wang Xiuying sat there, listening to these words and feeling those gazes.

It's been many years.

I haven't received this much attention or been envied in the village for many years.

In the past, when other parents drove to parent-teacher meetings, they rode old bicycles. In the past, when there were weddings or funerals in the village, other parents gave generous gifts, but they could only give a small red envelope.

In the past, when I walked around the village, I would mostly hear people say things like, "Old Yang's family is supporting two college students, and they're barely making ends meet..."

Today, everything is different.

Wang Xiuying wiped away her tears again, this time with a smile.

She looked in the direction her son's car had disappeared, with only one thought in her mind: her son was back, and her daughter was back too.

This year, we can finally have a family reunion.

And at this moment, on the village path.

Yang Fan drove his car into his yard. After the old house was renovated, the yard was much more spacious, and the cement ground had been laid, making it perfect for parking.

As soon as the car came to a stop, Yang Ya jumped out and took a deep breath: "Ah—the air at home is so much better!"

Yang Fan got out of the car and looked at his newly renovated home—the exterior walls had been painted white, the windows had been replaced, and the roof had been renovated.

Although it can't compare to houses in the city, this is where he grew up, a home his parents worked hard for half their lives to save up for renovations.

"Brother, shall we move the things inside first?" Yang Ya had already opened the trunk.

"Um."

The brother and sister began carrying things into the house, trip after trip. New clothes, a new computer, gifts for their parents, New Year's goods, and sausages given by their mother...

The house was also kept clean and tidy.

The new sofa hasn't arrived yet; the old one is covered with a cloth. An old-fashioned wall clock hangs on the wall, ticking away.

Yang Fan put the clothes he bought for his parents on the table and took out the burgundy wool sweater to look at it.

He imagined what his mother would look like wearing this dress.

It will definitely look great.

"Brother," Yang Ya suddenly spoke, her voice soft, "did you see the expressions on Mom and Dad's faces just now?"

Yang Fan paused for a moment, then said, "Hmm."

"Dad's back... seems to be straighter a bit." Yang Ya's eyes reddened again.

"I hadn't noticed before, but Dad's back was a little hunched. But just now, when he stood up to look at us, his back was perfectly straight."

Yang Fan didn't say anything, but carefully folded the clothes.