I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 275 - 271: An Unexpected Gift from the Lu Family
Standing at the entrance of the Lu Family.
Jiang Zhengye nudged his youngest son.
"Xiao Ran, go on, your grandparents love you the most."
Xiao Ran immediately hid behind Jiang Mingyue: "If they love me, why haven’t they visited? I’m small, but not easily fooled."
"..."
Originally intending to mend the father-son relationship, Jiang Zhengye couldn’t really force him, but he definitely wouldn’t give up on having his youngest act as a stepping stone.
"Xiao Ran, if you go call your grandparents, I’ll take you to the state-owned restaurant for some braised pork."
Jiang Ming’an scoffed: The braised pork Yueyue makes is even better than the state-owned restaurant’s.
Jiang Mingyue was equally confident: If Xiao Ran wanted braised pork, when hadn’t she satisfied him?
But in the next second, Xiao Ran’s eyes lit up as he stared at Jiang Zhengye: "Do you mean it?"
Jiang Zhengye, proud: See, there’s nothing braised pork can’t achieve.
"Of course. I’ll take you to eat it as soon as we head back."
"Deal."
Jiang Ming’an and Jiang Mingyue were both dumbstruck: "..." This face feels really hurt!
With Jiang Zhengye’s promise, Xiao Ran seemed to see in front of him a large bowl of shiny, fragrant braised pork waiting for him, needing only to charge forward as per his dad’s instructions.
"Bang bang bang..." A child’s little hands, small and weak, knocked with all their might, thinking the sound echoed to the heavens, though inside it was still faint.
The Lu Family had just finished their lunch, preparing to rest before heading to work to earn their afternoon labor points.
Eldest of the Lu Family, Lu Jinqian, was nearly ten years older than his second sister, Lu Jinlan. Now fifty-five, with half his hair white, ever since his sister left, both of their parents couldn’t bear the blow and passed one after the other. As the eldest, he basically raised his younger siblings. The bond goes without saying, and because of this, he aged quickly these past years, and the grey hair came then too.
Fortunately, he and his wife had two sons, both now married with children.
Eldest son Lu Tianyang married early, and now first grandson Lu Kuan was already seven, while second granddaughter Lu Yu was five.
The younger son, Lu Tiangan, and his family were in Yun Dian, busy with work, only returning for New Year or festivals, rarely seen otherwise. But as long as their children had prospects, the couple was happy.
The door knocked again, prompting Du Qinglan to speak: "Husband, you go see, perhaps it’s the fifth family’s neighbors coming to borrow a sieve. Yesterday, the fifth son’s wife mentioned they dried fresh corn kernels in the yard and got caught in the rain. Their kids are little, so by the time they rushed back from the fields, the corn was mud-covered. Now they’re calling some sisters-in-law to help sift and wash them clean in the river, but they lack a sieve. Fortunately, ours didn’t need drying again, it was already quite dry."
Lu Jinqian didn’t want to move and called his grandson playing with corn husks under the eaves, "Lu Kuan, go open the door. Quickly."
Lu Kuan, building blocks at a crucial point, didn’t want to run, so he ordered his sister, who was watching, "Lu Yu, you go, and later I’ll let you build, I’ll guide you to make it taller than mine."
Lu Yu finally moved her little legs.
Du Qinglan chuckled angrily, "The lazy commanding the lazy, the lazy commanding the doorstep. You’re a farmer, it’s a wonder you lived this lazy to now."
Lu Jinqian ignored his wife’s teasing, turning to watch the doorway.
Xiao Ran finally waited for the door to open, barely holding back the word ’Grandma’ as he saw a little girl about his size standing there.
Xiao Ran stood on tiptoe to peek inside, catching Lu Jinqian’s attention as he turned his head.
Lu Jinqian stood up with a start, that little one at the door resembled his second sister too much, all things considered, the child she gave birth to should be about this size now.
Without hesitation, Lu Jinqian came out.
Xiao Ran and Lu Yu stared at each other, until an adult stood behind Lu Yu, causing Xiao Ran to look up, seeing his grey hair and thinking he must be grandpa, he shouted: "Grandpa."
Lu Jinqian staggered immediately, heavens above! His nephew calling him grandpa.
Indeed, upon seeing Jiang Zhengye at the door, Lu Jinqian self-confirmed this was his little nephew Jiang Ran.
Not only Lu Jinqian almost lost balance, but even Jiang Zhengye, upon hearing that ’grandpa’, nearly choked.
Only Jiang Ming’an, looking up at the sky, with a smirk at the corner of his mouth.
Who to blame?
Jiang Mingyue nudged her brother, after all, when seeking help, one must present oneself rightly.
Fortunately, Jiang Zhengye hurriedly corrected: "Xiao Ran, this is your uncle."
To Xiao Ran, the term ’uncle’ was a bit unfamiliar, momentarily stuck.
Coal jumped around Xiao Ran’s feet: Heavens! Little master, don’t mess up, or I’ll bang my head to death.
Indeed, Coal crashed, though only into Xiao Ran’s leg.
Lu Yu, drawn by Coal, asked: "Grandpa, is it a rabbit? How is it so black? I’ve never seen a rabbit as black as the bottom of a pot!"
The pot-black rabbit Coal: "..." I’m just a legend; you can’t envy.
Lu Jinqian looked at the rabbit, then at his little nephew, finding them more endearing the longer he looked, leading him inside with reddened eyes.
"Wife, come quickly, our little nephew has arrived."
Du Qinglan took a long moment to react, looking between Xiao Ran and the others. Recognizing Jiang Zhengye, she too confirmed, filling her eyes with tears.
"Xiao Ran, indeed you are Xiao Ran. I’m your aunt."
Xiao Ran, though feeling inexplicable, sensed no malice from her, and looked to his father, then replied accordingly.
"Yes, I’m Xiao Ran, hello Aunt! Hello Uncle!"
Using the manners his sister taught him.
Lu Jinqian and his wife grew increasingly fond of their little nephew.
Lu Jinqian picked up his little nephew, wanting to lift him onto his shoulders for a ride but fearing it might scare him.
Du Qinglan directly scooped up her little nephew, rubbing him affectionately, seeing more of her little sister-in-law in him, emotions overflowing.
"Good that you’ve come, good. You haven’t eaten yet, right? Wait, I’ll go make something."
They watched Du Qinglan breeze into the kitchen.
Jiang Ming’an and Jiang Mingyue exchanged a glance, both puzzled.
These uncle and aunt don’t seem to dislike them, nor do they seem to harbor resentment against their family!
So why hadn’t there been any contact these past four years?
