Chapter 79:

Upon inquiring, the only entry point was Yu Yegui.

He was a British university graduate who stayed in the UK after completing his studies, becoming a respectable lawyer. Now, he had come to the Special Administrative Zone with his employer—someone Yu Xiang’an also knew—a major automobile manufacturer.

Everything about him seemed above board.

When the news reached home, it undoubtedly caused a stir in the Yu family.

Yu Changcun, upon learning of this, asked daily, “When are they coming?”

After all these years, he had assumed they were long gone. How many of their peers, the old men and women from their generation, were still alive?

Now, at last, there was news. His third brother had indeed passed away in his fifties. Their separation back then had been their final farewell. Even though they never saw each other again, knowing that his brother had lived well brought him an undeniable sense of comfort.

And now, he could finally meet his third brother’s wife and children.

His third brother’s son was named Yegui—”fallen leaves return to their roots.” Wasn’t the meaning of that name obvious?

He wanted to come home.

Surely, he must have wanted to see his brothers too.

Zhang Chahua was equally excited, often reminiscing with Yu Changcun about their youth. Though they had recounted these stories countless times, they never tired of them, still finding joy in the retelling.

Yu Qingshan, watching their enthusiasm, felt both happiness and a headache. How was he going to gradually reveal that Xiao’an had quit her job to start a business in the Special Zone?

Truly, parents in this life were destined to repay their debts to their children.

If he didn’t prepare them beforehand and the truth came out abruptly, the shock might be too much for the elderly to bear.

In the end, he decided to drop hints, casually mentioning how so-and-so had made a fortune in business or bought this and that for their family. He brought it up so often that Zhang Chahua grew suspicious and asked him outright why he kept talking about it—it wasn’t like him.

After hesitating, Yu Qingshan finally confessed. Zhang Chahua was stunned, but surprisingly, she didn’t react with much displeasure. Instead, she remained calm.

“I thought it was something serious. As long as Xiao’an’s in-laws know, her business is doing well, and her life is stable, that’s all that matters. What difference does the job make? The point of work is to provide a better life, and Xiao’an has achieved that—she’s even excelling at it. You should be happy and proud of her.”

Yu Qingshan was left speechless. He hadn’t expected his mother to be so open-minded.

In comparison, was he the one who was outdated?

Meanwhile, on the other side, when Cui Yufeng heard Yu Yegui mention the matter, she frowned immediately.

“Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake? Are they really who they say they are? Isn’t it too much of a coincidence? You’ve only been back for a short while, and suddenly you find out about this. Could they have known about us beforehand and set this up deliberately?”

Yu Yegui shook his head. “Mom, I’ve looked into it. They’ve been posting missing person notices for almost a year now. A year ago, I was in the UK, and you were in Hong Kong—there was no way we could’ve been on their radar. My coming to the Special Zone was pure coincidence; I was originally more likely to go to Japan.”

“Besides, I don’t think they’d have any reason to deceive us. Our family isn’t wealthy enough to be worth scamming—we’re just middle-class. And from what I’ve seen, they’re doing just fine themselves.”

Cui Yufeng scoffed. “How do you know they’re doing fine? Just because they say so? How do you know they’re not lying?”

Her tone was full of skepticism.

Yu Yegui sighed. “Mom, I’m not a child anymore. I can tell. Their mannerisms, the way they spoke—people from poor backgrounds don’t carry themselves like that. I observed everything—where we ate, how they conducted themselves. Later, I even asked around. They’ve been in the Special Zone for about a year. They’re descendants of our great-uncle. The nephew works in construction and manages dozens of workers. As for the niece, she’s a graduate of Qingmu University and now runs a factory in the Special Zone, exporting goods overseas. We’ve even bought the hotpot base her factory produces—remember the one you bought last time I came back? It was delicious and convenient. They’re doing well. Why would they bother deceiving us?”

Cui Yufeng was deeply guarded, but his explanation softened her stance slightly. Still, she remained cold. Yu Yegui understood why—his mother had unresolved feelings toward these uncles and cousins.

She was an only child. Her father had mastered massage therapy, and their family had lived comfortably in their hometown. But without a male heir to inherit his skills, her uncle had schemed against them, forcing her to flee to Hong Kong—nearly dying on the way. That bitterness might never fade.

“Mom, let’s just go meet them. If they’re unpleasant, we don’t have to interact further. But we should at least visit our hometown. Dad talked about it for half his life.”

Though he had never lived on the mainland, just listening to his father’s stories had given him a deep understanding of the customs and culture of their ancestral home.

Hearing this, Cui Yufeng finally nodded. “You’re right. Fine, go tell them. Arrange a time to visit. Your father’s situation was different from mine.”

She, too, had a hometown, but she had no desire to return to the place that had brought her so much pain.

If she died, she wouldn’t want to be buried there either. She had no attachments left.

Yu Yegui then went to inform his elder brother, elder sister, and younger sister.

His elder brother, who took their mother’s surname, was named Cui Qiangsheng. His elder sister was Yu Shuhua, and his younger sister was Yu Wanxin. None of them were young anymore—no impulsive hotheads here. Upon hearing the news, they felt a mix of emotions but quickly began making practical preparations.

Before the New Year, they made the trip. All four siblings came, along with Yu Yegui’s sister-in-law Li Shengnan and his wife Wang Anqi—seven people in total.

They first arrived in the Special Zone to meet Yu Mansheng and Yu Xiang’an, then took a train back to Baishi County.

Yu Xiang’an had booked sleeper tickets, which were easier to obtain now, especially given her tax contributions.

When they arrived at Baishi County’s train station, Yu Qingshan and Yu Xianghai were already waiting.

From there, they took a bus back to the commune, then onward to Hongxing Brigade.

The moment Cui Yufeng set foot on the mainland, her emotions became complicated. After decades, she was back. Even the air felt different from Hong Kong’s—more pronounced the further inland they traveled.

Hong Kong was small, coastal, with constant sea breezes and the scent of saltwater. Here, it was all mountains and trees.

And once they left the Special Zone, the sight of foreigners—blond, blue-eyed, or dark-skinned—vanished. Here, everyone had the same black hair and yellow skin, their weathered faces all bearing a similar look.

Cui Yufeng fell silent. Yu Yegui and Cui Qiangsheng supported her on either side.

Their own emotions were just as turbulent.

This was their father’s hometown.

The place he had longed for—where “fallen leaves return to their roots.”

In other words, this was their roots too.

Zhang Chahua and Yu Changcun had been up since dawn, cleaning the house thoroughly and digging out old photographs.

They had pictures—many from Xiao’an’s wedding, and a few more taken over the years. Thank goodness for them; otherwise, Zhang Chahua wouldn’t even have had a face to talk to when she spoke to her late husband.

As she traced the edges of the photo of Yu Changyou, her voice carried a hint of reproach.

“Today, your third brother’s descendants are coming. Why couldn’t you have waited a little longer? Then you could’ve seen them with your own eyes, asked them how they’ve been. Now I have to pass on your words for you. Who knows if you’ve even met your third brother down there, had a chance to catch up? I don’t even know what he looked like. If only you’d taken photos back then… but we were so poor, who could afford such things?”

Yu Changcun had also changed into a neat new outfit. He couldn’t sit still at his sister-in-law’s place, constantly getting up to peer out the door.

Yang Huili chuckled. “Second Uncle, don’t fret. They won’t be here so soon. Sit down and wait.”

Yu Changcun smiled wryly. “I just can’t stay seated.”

Yang Huili didn’t press further. After decades apart, it was only natural to feel this way.

Finally, their figures appeared. Given the limited transportation options—no public buses on this route—Yu Manchang had brought an oxcart to fetch them, worried that Third Grandma might be too exhausted from the journey to walk.

Cui Yufeng climbed onto the oxcart without hesitation.

As the cart swayed along, she realized she hadn’t forgotten after all.

The man who had left so early had often spoken of his hometown, promising to take her here and there if they ever returned—to visit their parents’ graves, to tell them their third son had married and had children, to ask for their blessings for health and peace…

Looking at these mountains and rivers, she thought, *So this is the home he wanted to show me.*

Yu Manchang kept up a steady stream of commentary along the way.

“This stretch is called Thunder Pass. That one’s Mountain Hollow—full of myrtle berries. Kids love coming here in July and August to pick them. And up ahead, there’s a pond where you can catch fish…”

He also mentioned the feast prepared for them—a pig slaughtered, over twenty pounds of meat bought, an old hen killed, a big fish purchased, and even a pair of pigeons for soup. They had everything—from the sky, the land, and the water.

Despite his chatter, the atmosphere never grew awkward, with others chiming in now and then.

Surprisingly, Yu Xiang’an and Yu Wanxin hit it off. They were close in age.

Yu Xiang’an, hoping to scout for property in Hong Kong while prices were low and having visited the city as a tourist in her past life, had a rough understanding of the place.

Hong Kong wasn’t exactly peaceful these days, but economically, it was undeniably stronger than the mainland. Yet life there was stifling—still under British rule, with Chinese treated as second-class citizens.

Yu Wanxin was surprised to find that no matter what she brought up, Yu Xiang’an could respond knowledgeably. Meeting them in person finally convinced her that her second brother was right—they weren’t after anything. Their lives were decent, but not so lavish as to warrant elaborate schemes.

Still, the conditions here were tough. She had never ridden an oxcart before—this was a first.

It was… novel.

When they finally arrived, they were met with a crowd.

The news wasn’t a secret—the long-lost family of the Yu family’s third brother had returned, all the way from Hong Kong!

In those chaotic times, many had lost touch, and reunions like this were rare unless by sheer luck.

Yu Shunwen had even reported the matter to higher-ups. Attitudes toward foreigners had shifted—now it was a point of pride. But not long ago, overseas connections had to be hidden, lest they invite trouble. Only after getting approval did he feel at ease.

Truthfully, what attachment did he have to this third uncle he’d never met?

At their age, practicality outweighed sentiment. Only if it posed no harm to the family would he openly welcome them.

When they arrived, Yu Shunwen took one look and inwardly marveled.

His father and uncles had all resembled each other—his father and eldest uncle could’ve passed for twins.

He bore some resemblance to his father, and now, seeing these cousins, he could tell they took after their third uncle. The family resemblance was unmistakable.

Faced with this crowd, Cui Yufeng and the others’ expressions grew even more complex.

When they’d met Yu Mansheng earlier, the resemblance hadn’t been as strong, so it hadn’t struck them. But now, seeing Yu Changcun, Yu Shunwen, and Yu Qingshan… their faces changed.

Did they look familiar?

Yes.

A tumult of emotions rose within them. Cui Yufeng stared longest at Yu Changcun.

If that dead man were still alive, he’d probably look like this now.

Brothers truly did share the same features.

Now that she’d seen them, Cui Yufeng had no more doubts. Even if their intentions weren’t pure, their faces alone proved they were family.

First, Cui Yufeng carefully observed the people before turning her attention to the house.

The house was a two-story building with a plain gray exterior, unremarkable at first glance. However, it had one advantage—it was spacious. Not everyone in Hong Kong could afford such a home, and this one didn’t look bad at all, suggesting the family’s financial situation was decent.

Then there was the elderly woman. Despite her age, she had a healthy build, bright eyes, and though her clothes weren’t brand new, they were well-made and of good quality.

The children in the family, though tanned from the sun, were dressed warmly enough to withstand the winter without freezing.

“Come, come, sit down quickly. Let’s go inside and talk properly,” Zhang Chahua eagerly invited.

A large group of people poured in. Fortunately, the house had been built with a big family in mind, so it was spacious enough to accommodate everyone in the living room. The seating was simple—borrowed long benches were arranged so everyone could sit and talk.

Yu Yegui hadn’t yet confirmed the family ties, so he refrained from addressing anyone formally, simply calling the elders by general terms of respect. He sat down, opened his bag, and pulled out some photos. “These are some old photos of my father.”

Yu Changcun and Zhang Chahua leaned in to look. The moment Yu Changcun saw the person in the photos, his eyes reddened, and his voice grew hoarse. He touched the youngest photo and said, “This was taken when he was in his twenties, wasn’t it? This is a wedding photo. It’s definitely my third brother, no mistake.”

He blinked away the moisture in his eyes. “He had a scar about eight centimeters long on his left arm. He got it when he was starving as a child and went up the mountain to find food. He fell and cut himself on a rock. The wound was deep, so the scar should still be there.”

Cui Yufeng nodded—this matched. Her husband did indeed have such a scar on his left arm, and she knew its origin from asking him about it. Everything lined up.

With the confirmation settled, things became clear.

Yu Changcun gestured toward Zhang Chahua. “Third sister-in-law, this is your eldest sister-in-law. I’m the second brother. There was a younger brother, but he passed early, leaving only one son behind.”

Yu Manchang stood up and pushed the door open. “I’ll go call him over.”

Yu Changcun nodded. “Yes, he should come. Today, we’re recognizing family. After our third brother went missing, we searched for him for a long time but couldn’t find him. Fortunately, the rest of us brothers managed to return to our hometown, marry, and have children. Your eldest sister-in-law gave birth to twins—your nephews. This is the eldest, Yu Qingbao, and this is the second, Yu Qingshan. Yu Qingbao has five children. The first two daughters are married and not here. The three sons include Mansheng, who came back with you—he’s the youngest and works in the Special Economic Zone. The eldest son, who drove the oxcart to pick you up, works at a brick kiln as a laborer. The second son teaches in Shanghai.”

“This is your second nephew. He also has five children. The eldest is Yu Xianghai, who went to pick you up. The second son is a state-employed official in the capital—he got there by passing the university entrance exams. Then there’s a daughter who also passed the exams and now teaches in the provincial capital. She and her family aren’t here, but you’ll meet them next time. Then there’s Yu Xiang’an, who came back with you. She’s another talented one who passed the exams and is now starting a business in the Special Economic Zone. The youngest is currently studying at university in Yangcheng.”

As the introductions continued, the visiting family was astonished.

Workers, university graduates—their lives were thriving, and the family was flourishing.

“Now, about me. I have three children—one son and two daughters. The daughters married long ago. My son is the village head and also the director of our village’s paper factory. He has some influence in these parts.”

“The fourth brother only had one son. He’s honest and hardworking, tending to the fields at home.”

Why were they being so thorough?

It was because they could see from the demeanor of their third brother’s family and what they’d heard about their comfortable life that they couldn’t afford to appear lacking. They weren’t expecting anything from them, but they wanted to make their own standing clear from the start to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.

When Yu Yegui had inquired earlier, he’d only learned about Yu Mansheng and Yu Xiang’an. Now, hearing all this, he was genuinely surprised.

Especially about Yu Qingshan’s family—aside from his eldest son, the other four were all university graduates. Even the eldest, though not a graduate, was a skilled worker who would never struggle to make a living.

Their lives were indeed comfortable, and what was rare, the family was harmonious.

After their side finished introducing themselves, it was Yu Yegui’s turn. Cui Yufeng addressed Zhang Chahua as “sister-in-law” and Yu Changcun as “second brother,” smiling as she spoke. “At first, the third brother and I had a hard time, but I had my skills, and he had his strength. Together, we built a life. First, we had my son—he took my surname. Now, he runs a massage clinic in Hong Kong. The business isn’t booming, but it’s enough to support the family. Then came my eldest daughter. She went to school but later got married and had children, so many things had to be put aside for the family.”

“The third is my youngest son. He’s the most educated—he went to university in Britain and spent many years there. He even married a Chinese woman there. I’m glad she’s one of us—black hair, yellow skin. If she’d been blonde and blue-eyed, I wouldn’t have known how to talk to her!”

“This is my youngest daughter. She’s the one who lacks a teacher…”

Now, the conversation was dominated by Cui Yufeng, Zhang Chahua, and Yu Changcun as they reminisced about the past and their third brother. The younger generation listened intently, as much of this history was new to them.

Xu Xiaojuan served tea while Yang Huili, seeing that it was about time, slipped into the kitchen with Yu Shunwen’s wife to prepare the meal.

With so many people in the house, cooking was no small task. If they wanted the meal to be presentable, they had to put in the effort.

Yu Xiang’an later joined to help with lunch. Around mealtime, Yu Manchang returned with Yu Niangen—the only son of Yu Changcun’s fourth brother. He was a quiet, hardworking man who mostly kept to himself, tending to the fields.

The meal was undoubtedly lavish.

First, the clothes, then the house, and now the food—three out of the four essentials of life (clothing, food, shelter, and transportation) were accounted for, proving their lives were far from poor.

The gathering was a happy one. Later, Cui Yufeng mentioned wanting to visit the graves and asked when they could go. This was also something Yu Yegui wanted to know—he planned to move his father’s ashes there, but preparations like selecting a burial site and choosing an auspicious date had to be made first.

These weren’t small matters, but paying respects was a good thing.

Yu Changcun said, “I’ll take you there. Our ancestors are all buried in that area. We’ll find the best spot with the help of a specialist—no rush…”

They stayed for a few days. There were spare rooms in the house, as well as Yu Xiangyan’s old home, which had been well-maintained and was ready for occupancy.

Yu Xiangyan’s house had many rooms, so there was plenty of space for everyone.

During these days, Yu Xiang’an quickly grew closer to Yu Wanxin. Yu Yegui bonded with Yu Qingshan, Cui Yufeng with Zhang Chahua, and Cui Qiangsheng with Yu Shunwen… Each found someone they clicked with.

And so, the matter of Yu Xiang’an quitting her job to start a business passed without much fuss—partly because their arrival had diverted attention, and partly because Yu Qingshan hadn’t mentioned how much debt she was in.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

This hurdle had been cleared.

What a relief.

Yu Yegui and his family didn’t stay long. After a few days, they left. Yu Xiang’an visited her grandparents before boarding a train back to the capital—she was going to spend the New Year with Lin Chuanbai and their children.

This year, Lin Houpu had even called to ask if she was coming back for the holiday. Since she hadn’t returned to the capital yet, he wondered if she’d go back to Qincheng at all.

Yu Xiang’an had assured him she would.

Returning to that familiar place, she found the two restaurants as busy as ever. The street had also changed—many new shops had opened, selling food, daily necessities, clothes, and more, adding vibrancy to the area.

When she stepped inside, the first thing she saw was Lin Chuanbai reading.

He hadn’t expected her sudden return and was both surprised and delighted.

Yu Xiang’an walked over and hugged him. “Surprise! Happy?”