I'm back in 1990

Chapter 594: Homesick

Before they knew it, the Huang, Zeng, and Yu families had been in Hong Kong for almost half a year. But in the end, they couldn't resist their deep-rooted hometown sentiments and decades-old habits. Time quickly passed and it was December. The climate in Hong Kong in December is completely different from that in mainland China. It is somewhat similar to the late autumn season in Jiangnan, but the minimum temperature is generally no lower than 11°C. Although this temperature is considered extremely cold for Hong Kong people, it is quite warm for the Huang, Zeng, and Yu families who come from Jiangnan, which makes them feel a little uncomfortable.

Although life in Hong Kong was comfortable, several elders, including Lao Huang, felt homesick. As the saying goes, there's no place like home! However, they understood that it was Huang Xiaochuan's good intention, so they kept it to themselves and never mentioned it to him.

No matter how busy he is, as long as he is not traveling for work or long distances, Huang Xiaochuan will visit his grandmother every week to have a meal and chat with her about everyday life.

After dinner that day, Huang Xiaochuan accompanied his grandmother for a walk in the garden, and the two chatted about everyday things.

"Little monkey, the waters outside in Shanghai are probably frozen over by now, aren't they?"

Huang Xiaochuan nodded and said, "Yes! I checked the weather forecast a couple of days ago, and it said that Shanghai was already below zero."

The grandmother told her grandson her thoughts on Hong Kong: "It's nice here, but it doesn't have distinct seasons. It's green all year round, and it gets boring after a while. Winter should feel like winter, a bit cold, with some snow, that's what makes it feel like winter." She paused, her gaze seemingly traveling across mountains and rivers, finally settling on the streets of a small town in southern China. "I wonder how Grandma Lin is doing lately? Her old leg pain is probably starting to flare up again in this weather."

Huang Xiaochuan's heart tightened; he suddenly realized that his grandmother was homesick.

The old lady mentioned Granny Lin, who was her friend in the small town and about the same age as her. Ever since Huang Xiaochuan brought the old lady to Shanghai, the two old friends have rarely seen each other.

Huang Xiaochuan felt that he had overlooked some things. Some things were not something that he could solve just by having money. For example, the language problem. No matter how rich he was, he couldn't make all the people in Hong Kong speak Suzhou dialect or Shanghai dialect, could he?

No matter how rich he is, he can't make his grandmother adapt to life in Hong Kong. Even if he has done his best, he can't move the entire town or a lane in Shanghai and all its people to Hong Kong, can he?

"Grandma," Huang Xiaochuan stopped, bent down slightly, and looked at his grandmother with gentle and earnest eyes, "Are you homesick? Do you want to go back to Shanghai, or visit Suzhou?"

The old woman's eyes flickered, and she immediately waved her hands repeatedly like an old child afraid of troubling her children and grandchildren: "No, no! I'm quite good here. I eat well, live comfortably, and it's good to have you all by my side, very good." But her slightly evasive eyes and that forced sigh already revealed the longing in her heart. Huang Xiaochuan felt a pang of sadness. Having lived two lives, how could he not understand the feelings of his grandmother, who loved him the most and was his dearest in the world?

Huang Xiaochuan immediately made a decision: safety was important, but his family's comfort and happiness were paramount. He couldn't force his family to stay in Hong Kong because of unseen risks. Making them force smiles while longing for him was certainly not his original intention in bringing them here.

"Grandma, you're right. Celebrating the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong lacks the liveliness of our hometown. With the New Year just around the corner, I'm planning to arrange for everyone to go back! Let's go home early, prepare properly, and celebrate the New Year in a lively and festive manner! You should also visit your relatives and friends back home, as well as Grandma Lin and the others!"

Upon hearing this, the old lady's eyes lit up immediately: "Really?"

While helping his grandmother up, Huang Xiaochuan nodded with a smile and said, "Of course it's true! Celebrating the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong is no fun! Exclusive! An exclusive interview with Four Seasons Leeks and behind-the-scenes stories of '1990, I'm Back,' only available on Cola Novels. Let's go back to our hometown for the New Year; it'll be more lively with more people, won't it!"

Grandma didn't say anything, she just kept patting her grandson's hand, but Huang Xiaochuan could feel how happy she was.

At the same time, Lao Huang, who was reading the newspaper after finishing his meal, suddenly put down the newspaper and sighed for no apparent reason. Although the sound was not loud, Zeng Lijuan, who was standing close by, heard it clearly.

"Why are you sighing for no reason?"

Old Huang seemed a bit down today: "Hong Kong is indeed a nice place, but..."

Although she only said half of what she wanted to say, Zeng Lijuan, who had been married to Lao Huang for decades, instantly guessed his thoughts.

"You want to go back to your hometown, right?"

Old Huang didn't hide his thoughts and continued, "At this time of year, the several large vats of pickled mustard greens at home would already be fragrant. We'd take them out, wash them clean, chop them finely, add some shredded meat, and stir-fry them over high heat—it was so good with rice!" His Adam's apple bobbed, as if he could really taste that familiar home-cooked flavor. "And there's the eel noodles from 'Zhang Ji' at the alley entrance, with freshly stir-fried toppings, piping hot and fragrant; and the freshly baked pan-fried buns, crispy on the bottom, bursting with soup with every bite. No matter how refined Hong Kong's dim sum is, it can't taste the same."

Zeng Lijuan had the same thought. Of course, she didn't want to eat it; she missed the days when she could shop freely in Shanghai, where she could choose whatever she wanted in the mall. Even if she didn't buy anything, just trying it on was a pleasure. Now, she could only choose from the catalogs first and then have them delivered to her home to try on. There was no joy in shopping at all.

At this time, Zheng Aiying did not have the servants prepare fruit. Instead, she took a fruit knife and peeled an apple herself. After finishing, she handed it to Old Yu and said, "Old Yu, the New Year is just around the corner. How about we go back to Qingjiang? It's been so long since we've been back, and I really miss it."

Old Yu took the apple from Zheng Aiying's hand and nodded: "We're thinking the same thing. It's been a long time since our two families have kept in touch, hasn't it?"

"Yes!" Seeing that Lao Yu also had this idea, Zheng Aiying said, "Then when Xiao Chuan comes, we'll tell him that we'll go back to Qingjiang after New Year's Day."

Old Yu nodded: "Okay!"

Seeing that Lao Yu agreed, Zheng Aiying immediately stood up. Lao Yu was startled and quickly asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'll call Xiaochuan and ask him to come over for dinner with Yu Xiang tonight, and I'll tell him about this as well."

That evening, after dinner, Lao Yu put down his chopsticks, cleared his throat, and said to Huang Xiaochuan, "Xiaochuan! Your mother and I want to discuss something with you. We're planning to go back to Qingjiang for the New Year."

Upon hearing this, Huang Xiaochuan and Yu Xiang exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes filled with understanding smiles. Huang Xiaochuan immediately responded with a smile, his tone relaxed and confident: "Dad, Mom, no problem! This is great news! Just let me know the exact time in advance. I'll arrange the plane and the car from home to pick you up, making sure you get home smoothly and comfortably."

Yu Xiang chimed in with a smile, "Dad, Mom, you're thinking exactly the same thing as us! Xiao Chuan's parents, Grandma, Uncle and Aunt all mentioned it today—they're planning to go back to their hometown for the New Year! We came over tonight to ask you two what you think, whether you want to stay in Hong Kong or go back. We didn't expect you'd already decided, even set a date! That's great, everyone can go back to their familiar places and celebrate the New Year in a lively atmosphere!"

Huang Xiaochuan added, "Yu Xiang and I have already discussed it, and we'll be going to Qingjiang with you all for the Spring Festival this year!"

Upon hearing his son-in-law's words, Old Yu repeatedly said "good!" His joy was indescribable.