After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

The season is finally over.

Yan Yuan returned home from Porto that very night.

The first thing I did when I got home was to hang my UEFA Nations League champion medal together with the other four medals, and I also sent a text message to the professor to share the good news.

At the same time, Lin Jianwei's WeChat message arrived on time, accompanied by a picture of Xiaoshan Airport.

"Sweetie, Mommy's home! It's a bit muggy in Hangzhou tonight, but the scent of osmanthus makes me feel much happier. Are you done there? You must be exhausted." The words were filled with familiar concern.

Yan Yuan looked at the screen, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his lips, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he replied.

"You're addicted to being a mom, aren't you? I can fly to Shanghai the day after tomorrow. As soon as the event in Shanghai is over, I'll come to Hangzhou to see you (Sunglasses)."

The thought of seeing her soon seemed to dispel much of the fatigue from the days of battle.

"Okay, baby, Mommy's waiting for you!" followed by a happy bunny emoji spinning around.

Simple, witty, and sweet chat dialogue.

The next afternoon, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the villa in the suburbs of London.

The suitcase was laid out in the center of the living room.

Yan Yuan was folding the clothes inside one by one.

The season is over, and the vacation has officially begun.

This trip back to China was far more enriching and full of human interaction than any of my previous trips.

The doorbell suddenly rang, and Yan Yuan jogged to open the door.

My parents were standing outside the door.

"Dad, Mom, what brings you here? Come in quickly." Yan Yuan stepped aside to let his parents in.

Yan's father (Yan Zhen'an) was also carrying an insulated bag.

"Knowing you're packing to go back to China today, your mom made some soup for you. You're leaving tomorrow, and it'll be for over a month. There are some things I need to explain to you in person."

As Yan's father spoke, he changed his shoes and walked into the living room. His gaze swept over the half-open suitcase, and his brows furrowed slightly as usual.

Yan Ma (Li Shuwen) gently patted her son's arm.

"Are you tired? I saw your final match was really intense. Have some soup first, your favorite black chicken soup."

The family of three sat on the sofa in the living room, the aroma of soup filling the air.

Yan's father took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and his expression became serious.

"Son, when you go back this time, there are three things you must remember." He held up three fingers.

"The first and most important thing is to meet Weiwei's parents. They are our future in-laws, and this is their first formal visit, so we must be very polite."

Your mother and I have prepared the gifts: some British whiskey, black tea, jewelry, and a set of golf clubs for your future father-in-law. They've all been shipped with your luggage.

Weiwei's parents are university professors. When you meet them, talk less, listen more, and be sincere, okay?

Yan Yuan nodded earnestly: "Yes, I know, Dad. Don't worry about that."

"The second thing," Yan's father paused, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes, a mixture of nostalgia and wistfulness, "is to ask me to visit your second uncle, Zhendong, when we get back."

Mentioning my second uncle.

Yan Yuan pictured a smiling, dark-skinned man from Guanzhong with rough hands.

Yan Yuan doesn't return to China often; the last time he returned was when he was three years old.

Although it wasn't often, every time he returned to China, his second uncle would always give him the sweetest pomegranates and take him to eat the most delicious roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) and Qiaozikou cured beef.

"Your grandfather passed away early," Yan's father said, his voice lowering.

"Back then, all we had at home was that old house and a few acres of land at the entrance of the village."

Your grandfather…sigh, the older generation, old-fashioned thinking, always felt…that I, as the eldest son, was a risk-taker, and the family business should be left to the younger son who could hold onto it. So your second uncle got the house and land in the old family home, and I, on the other hand, only received a symbolic amount of money.”

Yan's father sighed, without much complaint, more like a sense of acceptance of fate.

"Looking back now... every cloud has a silver lining."

If I hadn't been so determined back then with that little bit of money, I wouldn't have gritted my teeth and borrowed more to travel all the way to England to make my way in the world.

Later... I endured so much hardship before I met your mother, and then you came into being. So, sometimes, you never know what fate has in store for us.

At this point, Yan's father smiled wryly.

"Your second uncle is honest, upright, and even a bit stubborn," Yan's father continued.

"After he acquired the family property, he simply stayed in his hometown, farming and working diligently. Later, he saved up enough money to renovate the old house. His life was neither good nor bad."

In his heart... he always felt sorry for me, his older brother. During festivals and the anniversaries of the death of our elders, he would lead the whole family to take care of the arrangements, and he never missed offering my incense.

On the phone, your second uncle always tells me, "Brother, I'll take care of things at home. Just do well out there." He'll be overjoyed when you go back this time; he's been talking about wanting "Yuanwa" to come home for a visit.

Yan Yuan listened quietly, and he could feel the deep, unspoken brotherly affection in his father's words.

Blood ties are something that cannot be diluted by thousands of miles or by time.

Yan's father's expression darkened slightly.

"As for your third aunt, Zhenyu... just pretend you don't have that relative."

She married far away, to a wealthy man from the south, and never returned to her hometown, not even once.

She... she never even visited the graves of your great-grandfather and grandfather. I heard from your second uncle that her whole family has immigrated to Singapore.

"After your third aunt had children, she never took them to reconnect with their roots, nor did she ever go back to her hometown to visit them. There's no need to worry about someone who has forgotten their roots."

Yan's father's tone was resolute.

After saying that, Yan's father took out a black bank card from his briefcase and solemnly pushed it in front of Yan Yuan.

"Son, there's one million pounds in this card," Mr. Yan explained.

"When you go to see your second uncle this time, make sure he accepts it. Tell him it's a small token of my appreciation as his older brother, and that he shouldn't be stingy with the money. He should build a house if he needs to, and buy whatever he needs for the children. He shouldn't suffer as much as he wants."

Yan Yuan picked up the card, feeling its weight.

This is not just money, but also a way for the father to express his concern and make amends for his younger brother over the past decades.

"Dad, with my second uncle's temper... would he be willing to take him?" Yan Yuan asked with some concern.

In his memory, his second uncle was a person who was extremely unwilling to accept favors from others.

"That's why I asked you to think of a solution," Mr. Yan said with a somewhat helpless smile.

"Actually, I wanted to send him money a few years ago, but he refused no matter what. Later, he even changed his bank card number, just in case I sent him money."

Sigh... my younger brother... he was honest his whole life, but also stubborn his whole life.

He won't listen to me, but you're different. You're his nephew, and he loves you dearly. He might listen to you.

Just say... say the money isn't for him, it's for your cousin's education fund, or that it's an investment in his house renovation. Anyway, you have to get this done.

Yan Yuan gripped the card tightly and nodded heavily.

"Alright, Dad, don't worry, I'll definitely find a way to get Uncle to accept it. It's your kind gesture, and it's what we should do."

"Yes," Yan's father nodded with satisfaction.

"Also, when you go back to your hometown, remember to have your second uncle lead the way to your grandfather's and great-grandfather's graves, kowtow to them, and tell them that the Yan family has not brought shame to the family, that you have made something of yourself, and that they would be happy to know this in the afterlife."

This is the most traditional obsession that Yan's father, as the eldest son, holds deep in his heart.

After explaining all this, Yan's father seemed to have accomplished a great task. He leaned back, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

Yan Yuan turned to his mother and asked with a smile.

"Mom, what about you? Is there anything you need to tell me? Should I go back to our hometown in Shandong for you?"

Aunt Yan smiled gently and shook her head.

Her temperament is different from that of her father; she is more gentle.

"Me? No need. My family came from abroad even earlier. I'm already a third-generation Chinese."

My hometown in Shandong... To be honest, I only remember it being in Jinan. I think there's still a family genealogy there, but I can hardly remember who my relatives are or what their names are. We haven't had much contact over the years.

Roots, once planted in one place, are hard to move. My roots are now with you and your father.

Aunt Yan reached out and straightened Yan Yuan's collar, her eyes full of affection.

"Mom just hopes that you can go back and relax, take care of things at home, and spend some quality time with Weiwei. She's a good girl, so you need to take good care of her. Also, make sure you eat and sleep well on your journey and be careful."

"I know, Mom, I will." Yan Yuan felt a warmth in his heart and reached out to hug his mother.

After packing our luggage, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the villa's garden in a warm golden light.

Yan's parents drove their son to Heathrow Airport together.

On the way, soothing jazz music was playing on the car radio.

Unusually, Dad Yan didn't give any more instructions, only occasionally glancing at his son, who was resting with his eyes closed, in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

Aunt Yan carefully checked Yan Yuan's passport, plane ticket, and wallet in his backpack.

Arriving at the airport, the moment of farewell always comes quickly.

"Alright, that's enough for now. Go inside and complete the formalities yourself. Be careful." Dad Yan patted his son's shoulder with a heavy pat, which contained all the unspoken concern he had for him.

"Send a message home when you get to Shanghai, and let us know you're safe every day," Yan's mother hugged her son and gave him these instructions.

"Dad, Mom, you should go back now. I'm all grown up now, I can take care of myself." Yan Yuan pulled his suitcase and waved to his parents with a smile.

"I've remembered everything you told me. Don't worry."

Yan Yuan turned around, put on a mask and a baseball cap, and then merged into the bustling crowd at the airport.

Mr. and Mrs. Yan stood there, watching their son's figure disappear around the corner before slowly turning their gaze away.

"Let's go, honey, it's time to go home." Dad Yan put his arm around his wife's shoulder. "Our child has grown up and can fly now."

"Yes, the child has grown up... It's so good, my son can stand on his own now." Mother Yan looked at Yan Yuan's back with eyes full of satisfaction.

The flight Yan Yuan was on was roaring into the sky, heading east, towards home.

What awaits him is familiar land, long-lost relatives, the girl he loves, and a responsibility about family and legacy.