When Yan Sui returned to Yan Shunzhong’s house, she met a pair of twins.
They were Yan Shunxia’s sons, Yan Junqing and Yan Junming.
Both were handsome young men.
Old Madam held Yan Sui’s hand, grinning from ear to ear.
As Tian Xiangjuan put it, “Mom hasn’t smiled this happily all these years put together—not even once before today.”
“These two little monkeys go to high school in town. Usually, they only come home on weekends.”
This time, they’d heard about what happened at home and specifically asked their teacher for leave so they could hurry back.
“Old man, get cooking. Junqing and Junming still have to go back to class.”
They would be taking their college entrance exams in June, and their studies were extremely demanding.
Tian Xiangjuan hurriedly rolled up her sleeves and called Yan Shunzhong to come help her in the kitchen.
“Mom, we’ll do it. Let Dad take a break, too.”
Old Madam clicked her tongue. “What’s he tired from? You have to go to work every day—you’re no less tired than he is. Let the eldest and the youngest go. You rest, too.”
There was no rule in her family that only women could enter the kitchen.
Yan Junqing and Yan Junming were fraternal twins, and they looked completely different.
The elder was steady and reserved; the younger, outgoing and lively.
Sure enough, Yan Junming wasn’t shy in the least. He darted over to Yan Sui like a monkey.
“Holy crap! You’re really my sister? My actual sister? I have a celebrity sister?”
Yan Sui: “…Keep your voice down. Is this something to brag about?”
The whole internet was full of antis who’d photoshopped her into memorial portraits. Being associated with her wasn’t exactly a good thing.
Yan Junming froze, looking bewildered, his cowlick sticking straight up.
“What’s the big deal? The more famous you are, the more people talk about you. Every celebrity has a few haters. There are even Yan Sui fans in my class. If they knew you were my sister, they’d be so jealous.”
Yan Sui frowned. “I have more than a few haters, don’t I?”
Yan Junming waved a hand. “Same difference.”
At least now he had a sister.
“Mom told me you’re incredible—you can slap a three-hundred-jin pig flying, and you beat those yellow-haired thugs until they knelt down and called you Sis! That’s freaking awesome!”
Yan Sui: “Who? Who’s spreading rumors?”
Yan Junming got it and lowered his voice conspiratorially. “I know. We have to keep it low-key.”
Yan Sui: “…”
Yan Junming was just too noisy.
One minute he was asking for her autograph, the next he was complaining that her signature wasn’t stylish enough.
Then he said he wanted her to take him on as a disciple so he could learn her moves, especially the one where she slapped a three-hundred-jin fat pig to death.
They said a rumor repeated by three people became the truth. Just a moment ago, she’d sent a pig flying; now she’d killed one with a slap.
Yan Sui couldn’t be bothered with Yan Junming anymore, so she stepped outside to get some air.
Yan Junqing rapped his younger brother on the head.
“Stop bothering Sis. If you annoy her, she might not come stay with us.”
Tian Xiangjuan overheard him and immediately said, “Your sister is staying at her older aunt’s house.”
Yan Junqing: “…Older Aunt, she should stay at our house. We have more room.”
Tian Xiangjuan gave him a reproachful look. “There’s plenty of room at your older aunt’s house, too.”
“My house is quieter.”
“My house is livelier!”
“My mom’s cooking is better!”
“You’re saying your grandpa’s cooking isn’t good?”
Yan Junqing: “…” He couldn’t say that.
Meanwhile, Yan Sui wandered around the courtyard.
The Yan family’s courtyard was spacious, with an open view.
Beyond it stretched broad, level fields, with layer upon layer of mountains in the distance.
They’d planted green beans and cherry tomatoes along the wall, but after a whole winter, the plants had withered.
Yan Junqing had appeared behind her at some point. Seeing her stare at the wilted tomato plants for a long while, he asked, “Sis, do you want cherry tomatoes? There’s a supermarket in town. I can buy you some.”
Yan Sui came back to herself. Looking at his concerned, slightly awkward expression, she smiled.
“No, I just think they’re not dead yet. Maybe they’ll still bear fruit.”
“Huh?” Yan Junqing looked at the drooping tomato plants.
Tian Xiangjuan had planted them. Once spring came, she would pull them out and plant new ones.
Seeing his expression, Yan Sui lifted an eyebrow.
“You don’t believe me?”
Yan Junqing looked uneasy. Was it okay to tell the truth?
Yan Sui couldn’t help laughing. “Go get a bucket of water. In less than three days, I’ll bring them back to life.”
Actually, she could do it right now.
But she was afraid that if she used too much power, Yan Junqing would think he was seeing a ghost.
Yan Junqing obediently went to fetch water. He’d thought Yan Sui had some secret trick, but all she did was water the plants?
Watering them could bring those wilted cherry tomato plants back to life?
She was taking him for a fool.
Soon, Old Master called everyone to dinner.
Though this was the first meal Yan Sui had sat down to eat with them, there wasn’t the slightest awkwardness between them.
They got along so naturally, it was as if they’d always been one family.
The way the Yan family treated one another opened up a whole new world for Yan Sui.
So this was what family could be like.
Tian Xiangjuan smiled as she served her food. “Your Eldest Uncle and younger uncle aren’t much good in the kitchen. Next time, let your Younger Aunt show off her skills.”
Younger Aunt was Sui Liyuan, a cook whom people called on to cater banquets in the surrounding villages.
She was vivacious and forthright, and her big personality complemented Yan Shunxia’s well.
“Sure! Stay at your Younger Aunt’s place, and I’ll make you something delicious every day!”
Tian Xiangjuan: “…” What a blunder.
She hurriedly shot Yan Shunzhong a look.
Yan Shunzhong quickly said, “It’d be more convenient to stay at your Eldest Uncle’s house. You haven’t seen your grandparents in so many years. Spend some time with them.”
Yan Sui didn’t mind either way. Once the courtyard house was repaired, she’d be moving there anyway.
“Either is fine. I’ll let Eldest Uncle decide.”
After dinner, Tian Xiangjuan pulled Yan Sui aside to add her on WeChat.
“I’ll transfer the money to you.”
“What money?”
Tian Xiangjuan gave her a reproachful look. “The money you sent those thugs.”
Yan Sui had done the family a huge favor.
“We’re family. Why transfer money back and forth? Besides, I’ll need Eldest Uncle and Younger Uncle’s help with the courtyard house repairs. And until it’s ready, I’ll be staying with you. If you insist on treating me like an outsider, I won’t feel right staying here.”
Tian Xiangjuan was deeply touched. She knew Yan Sui was making excuses to help them.
She wasn’t one to dither, so she agreed at once.
“All right, then I won’t pay you back. Make yourself at home. Whatever you want to eat or do, just tell us.”
Yan Sui immediately made her first request. “I’d like to look around the village.”
Tian Xiangjuan paused, then clapped her hands as she caught on.
“Of course, I should show you around. Quite a few people from outside live in our village. I’ll take you around and introduce you.”
Yan Sui’s eyes widened a little. So she wasn’t the first outsider here.
Tian Xiangjuan led her outside, smiling.
“You may not know this, but our village is famous around here for its longevity. It’s been named one of Yancheng’s most beautiful villages several times.”
Though it was far from the city and not very wealthy, plenty of people came to live in the village for long stretches.
“Go farther up from our house, toward the end of the village, and there are only a few homes. See that courtyard house? It used to belong to Elder Zhao. Then his son made it big, and just as someone came along wanting to buy the house, they sold it to a big businessman.”
“A big businessman?” Yan Sui wasn’t sure she believed it. Why would a big businessman come live in the countryside?
Tian Xiangjuan sounded certain. “He’s definitely a big businessman, and he’s loaded! He even had the courtyard house renovated. They nearly put gold leaf on the walls. But he doesn’t come here often, and he hardly ever goes out.”
Yan Sui understood. “So nobody’s living there now?”
“Someone is. They arrived a couple of days ago. Don’t go bothering them—you can’t afford to offend them.”
Yan Sui obediently nodded. She wasn’t one to go looking for trouble.
Just as she was about to follow Tian Xiangjuan away, a low-key luxury car drove past them, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The moment Yan Sui covered her mouth and nose, Qu Jiang, inside the car, stared at her in astonishment.
He cursed inwardly.
He should have had Secretary An make sure everything was taken care of earlier.
He’d miscalculated. He hadn’t expected Yan Sui to be so capable that she’d find her way out to the countryside!