The 70s Novel: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Lie Down-Chapter 108: Invitation to Beijing Together

Jiang Yan felt uncomfortable in his heart and took a sip of wine before saying, "I definitely can’t leave now. The factory is still in the construction and development stage. It will probably be a few years before things stabilize, and the organization might transfer me then..."

Liu Yulan was pleased to hear this and said, "It’s good you’re not leaving. Come over and spend the New Year with us; it’s so lonely for you to be alone at the factory." As for later, we’ll talk about that when the time comes. For now, it’s good that you’re not leaving.

They got into the factory thanks to Jiang Yan’s connections, so naturally, they hoped he would always be there, as he was their rock, their support.

They had only been at the factory for two months, received their wages, ate state-provided food, and held an iron rice bowl. They heard the factory was also building dormitories, and wondered if they might get allocated a unit.

Wang Baoxing and Wang Jia Bao also nodded happily in agreement with Liu Yulan’s words.

"Uncle, are you still not planning to go home for the New Year this year?" Cheng Xue suddenly looked up and hesitantly asked.

Speaking of which, it seems Uncle hasn’t gone back for two years. Grandma mentions him every year. Although Grandpa and Grandma don’t say anything, their expressions show they miss Uncle. If he doesn’t go back this year, sigh...

Hearing this, Jiang Yan couldn’t help but think of his family, of his aging grandparents, and he hesitated no more, "I’ll go back for the New Year. After the New Year, I’ll come over to visit Aunt and Uncle."

"Okay, I’ll be waiting for you," Liu Yulan didn’t insist, after all, he has family, and going home to reunite is only right. She hadn’t thought that much at first; seeing him living alone at the factory made her invite him.

The topic was considered over, but Jiang Yan’s mood tonight wasn’t very high; he seemed lost in thought from time to time.

Liu Yulan thought he was homesick but didn’t know how to comfort him, so she kept urging him to eat more.

Jiang Yan indeed was thinking about his home, besides his aging grandparents, he couldn’t help but think of his nagging old mother, who would hurry him to marry every time he went home. Back then, she even tricked him into going back for a blind date with the neighbor’s younger sister, whom was also his good brother.

That younger sister was someone he had watched grow up; how could he have such thoughts? But the young girl was resolutely saying she liked him, had liked him since childhood, and now that she had finally grown up, her wish was to marry him and have his children...

Jiang Yan was frightened, and that night he grabbed his unopened bag and left, not having returned for two years. Now he didn’t know how that person was, whether she got married or not... If he went back, he’d definitely run into her—how annoying!

Before leaving, Jiang Yan called Cheng Xue aside, while she eagerly watched her little uncle, waiting for him to speak.

After a long while, just as Cheng Xue was getting a bit impatient, Jiang Yan absentmindedly asked, "Did you go to Grandma’s for the New Year last year?"

"Hmm?" Cheng Xue recalled last year. Last year, her mom passed away at the beginning of the year, her dad was too busy to even come home to see her off, and she spent both the summer and winter vacations at her grandparents’. During New Year, her brother also stayed for two days, but her dad still didn’t show up. She replied sadly, "Yeah, where else would I go if not to Grandpa’s?"

Her dad’s hometown was in Sichuan. As a child, she’d been there with her parents. The old family house was desolate and shabby, and since her dad had settled in the army, he hadn’t considered going back to renovate it, especially since Grandpa and Grandma had already passed away.

Seeing her forlorn expression, Jiang Yan felt a pang of sympathy and said, "Your grandparents and great-grandparents like having you around. Spend more time with them, and they’ll be happy. I’ve heard that your dad can come home for New Year this year."

Upon hearing Jiang Yan’s words, Cheng Xue sulked and said, "Hmph, what’s the difference whether he comes back or not? When he should’ve come, he didn’t... Hmph..." She couldn’t finish her sentence and swallowed back the rest.

Jiang Yan sighed deeply at seeing her like this, "Your dad has his difficulties, don’t blame him. He’s... had a tough time."

"I know, not in control of himself... I’ve heard it all my life," Cheng Xue muttered, feeling disgruntled, "Uncle, why are you telling me this? Anything else? If not, I’m going back to find Sister Miaomiao."

"Hmm, so when you go to Grandpa’s, have you seen Auntie Xiao Qing next door..." Jiang Yan, seeing his niece’s impatience, hurriedly inquired.

"Hu Xiaoqing?" Cheng Xue replied, annoyed and resentful, "Why are you asking about her? What kind of Auntie is she? She’s just six years older than me and always tries to act superior, annoying as hell. I don’t even know what kind of elder she’s supposed to be."

Thinking about Hu Xiaoqing made her mad, and she couldn’t help but complain, "She runs to Grandma’s house every day with that fake smile on her face, it’s so annoying. Grandma really likes her, but I don’t understand how she can like such a hypocritical woman." This was a source of great frustration for Cheng Xue.

"How do you know she’s hypocritical?" Jiang Yan felt a chill at Cheng Xue’s words; it seemed that woman was still not giving up, and neither was his mom. So frustrating!

"Of course I know. I didn’t lie about that incident back then. Her fall had nothing to do with me; I was just passing by. But both families believed I pushed her when I just happened to be there laughing at her misfortune. She didn’t deny it, even saying she didn’t blame me."

Really shameless, it wasn’t her fault to begin with, what could she blame her for? For mocking her?

Yes, she used to be mischievous as a child, but she truly didn’t do it that time. "I, Cheng Xue, have always been someone who does what I say."

"Uncle believes you." He didn’t know the details of that incident back then, but now he completely believed Cheng Xue and had an even worse impression of Hu Xiaoqing.

"Uncle, you understand me." Cheng Xue felt much better hearing that.

Jiang Yan smiled slightly and said, "If you don’t like her, just ignore her. By the way, are you going back as soon as your winter break starts, or will you wait for me?"

Cheng Xue thought about it and felt going back early was pointless, so she said, "Going back early is meaningless; I’ll wait for you. I’ll stay at Sister Miaomiao’s for a few days until you get your break and then go back together."

"Okay, that works. But since you’ve troubled Miaomiao for half a year, have you thought about taking her to Beijing for a visit someday?" Jiang Yan beat around the bush and finally got to the main point.

"Take Sister Miaomiao to Beijing for a trip, you’re right, I could invite her to Beijing. We could go see the Great Wall and eat roast duck..." Cheng Xue’s mind was abuzz with thoughts of fun and food in Beijing, and she couldn’t sit still any longer. "Uncle, you should hurry up, I need to find Sister Miaomiao." Finishing, she waved her hand and ran into the house, "Sister Miaomiao..."

Jiang Yan watched her fiery back with a slight smile, thinking: I wonder if it will work out.