Chapter 96: Old House

The car slowly came to a stop, and after a moment, the door opened.

Lin Xinyuan stepped down, feeling somewhat uneasy.

The first thing to catch her eye was a European-style black metal gate.

Looking through the gate, a European-style mansion stood prominently behind it.

The villa was surrounded by a fence, with a small courtyard in front—a typical large countryside self-built villa.

This was the new house that Second Uncle had built for the two elders.

Although it had only been built a few years ago, since all the descendants lived elsewhere, aside from the two elders, hardly anyone stayed here regularly…

Second Uncle unlocked the gate and turned back to help the mother and daughter carry their luggage.

In front of the courtyard was a small vegetable garden, planted with various vegetables as well as many flowers of different colors.

Lin Xinyuan recognized quite a few of the vegetables but was less familiar with the flowers.

“Mom.”

Passing through the garden, they headed straight upstairs.

Since the villa’s staircase was outside, they didn’t need to enter through the first floor to get to the second.

Lin Xinyuan glanced around, feeling very strange.

She hadn’t seen the two elders as she had imagined, but she didn’t ask, silently following behind.

The villa was large with many rooms, most of which were tightly shut.

Only two rooms had their doors open.

Peeking inside, it seemed someone had thoroughly cleaned the rooms—there wasn’t a speck of dust.

The furniture was complete, even the bedding was prepared, all brand new, as if the rooms were waiting for someone to move in!

The girl guessed it was probably the two elders she had never met who had tidied the place…

By the time Lin Xinyuan and her mother finished unpacking, it was already past eleven o’clock.

Second Uncle had been outside on the phone all along.

Seeing them finish, he put down his phone and smiled, “Let’s go, we’ll eat downstairs at the Old House. The food’s almost ready, just waiting for us.”

Lin Xinyuan immediately understood who Second Uncle meant and also why she hadn’t seen Grandma and the others.

Exiting the villa, the three walked down the road; this time, Second Uncle didn’t drive.

The Tang Family villa was located at the village entrance; deeper inside was the real Tang Family village.

The village paths were narrower, clearly unsuitable for cars.

Walking along the village path, Lin Xinyuan and her mother walked behind, with Second Uncle leading ahead.

The houses along the road showed obvious signs of decay.

They were plastered with cement outside, but time had worn it away, exposing the red bricks beneath.

Greenish moss glowed faintly—some kind of lichen…

Many houses appeared newly renovated and looked refreshed.

Lin Xinyuan discreetly glanced at Second Uncle in front and quietly asked her mother with some worry, “Mom… are we really going to live at Grandma’s house? Won’t it be uncomfortable…?”

This was a common mindset among many in the Celestial Empire, and she was no exception.

After all, it was rare for the maternal side to live in the paternal family’s home, so she was naturally concerned.

“Mom isn’t afraid, why would you be?” Her mother laughed at this and explained, “Don’t worry… this is what Grandma and the others want. It’ll be lively now, and your cousins will come back too. The New Year is almost here.”

“PJE…”

“What is it?” Her mother pinched the girl’s pale, tender cheek. “If you don’t get used to it, should I buy you a place in the city? You can live there, and it can be your dowry.”

Lin Xinyuan didn’t find her mother’s joke amusing; she turned her head with a bitter expression. “Mom… you know my situation. That’s impossible!”

Her mother just shook her head, sighing, “Xiaoyuan… I can’t always be with you… but it’s up to you! Just don’t regret it later…”

“I…” Lin Xinyuan wanted to speak but stopped, unable to argue when she saw the love in her mother’s eyes…

As mealtime approached, many chimneys emitted white smoke.

Walking down the road, voices could be heard from windows—mostly elders and children.

Occasionally, a dog barked.

The Tang Family’s old house wasn’t far from the village entrance; they arrived after about three or four minutes.

Grandma’s old house was also made of red bricks but had been repaired.

Even from a distance, it looked charming.

Ahead, the clanging of pots and the big iron pot was especially loud, and the smell of food drifted from the windows.

Seeing smoke rise from the chimney above, it was obviously the kitchen.

The window was wide open.

As the three passed by, a middle-aged woman cooking inside immediately noticed them.

The woman called out loudly, “Mom! Li Ge and Xiaomei are back!”

“Xinyuan, eat more! Grandma’s been raising this chicken for a long time! The flavor will be strong!” At the table, the elder used chopsticks to put a piece of chicken into the girl’s bowl.

“Thank you, Grandma…” Lin Xinyuan hurriedly expressed her gratitude, then bowed her head, quietly eating.

In Zhan Nan, it seemed there was no strict rule about silence during meals.

Talking at the table was common, sometimes even reserved specifically for mealtime…

She secretly observed with the corner of her eye.

Besides her mother, Grandfather, Grandmother, and Second Uncle, there was also a middle-aged woman.

This was Second Uncle’s wife—her Second Uncle’s Wife.

She looked ordinary but spoke gently, mostly watching the men chat and rarely joining in.

Second Uncle was currently talking with Grandfather and Grandmother about an issue with one of the factories under his company.

It seemed there were production problems, and he sounded a bit irritated.

Second Uncle’s Wife occasionally added a few words, while her mother just listened silently.

Lin Xinyuan only wanted to finish eating quickly and find somewhere to stay, afraid the elders would start talking about her again…

But fate was unkind—the less she wanted something, the more it came.

Before she knew it, the elders’ conversation drifted toward her.

All eyes turned to her—

“Xiaomei, what was that illness you mentioned about Xinyuan last time? The boy who became a girl?” Grandfather was the first to ask Lin’s mother, staring intensely at Lin Xinyuan, making her nervous.

Grandfather’s piercing gaze always reminded her of her high school homeroom teacher, making her uncomfortable…

Grandmother noticed her granddaughter’s unease and glanced at Grandfather, then patted his arm. “Look at you scaring Xinyuan like that. Just talk, don’t stare so hard!”

Grandfather said nothing but softened his gaze.

He knew his stare was a bit harsh…

Lin’s mother smiled and explained to everyone what “pseudohermaphroditism” meant…

“So… it means Xinyuan was originally a girl but showed male traits due to illness? After the correction surgery, she’s fine?” Though still somewhat confused, Grandmother roughly understood.

“Yes, that’s right.” Lin’s mother nodded quickly.

Grandfather frowned, worried, “Then… there won’t be any problems with her body, right? Will she be able to have children?”

“Hic…” Lin Xinyuan, who had been quietly eating, almost choked on her food at that question.

Her mother patted her back and rolled her eyes, “Told you not to eat so fast… suffer for it. Slow down next time…”

Before Lin’s mother could explain further, Second Uncle finally spoke up.

He had a college diploma, and although only from a junior college, he had been an advanced figure in the town back then.

Now a company owner, his perspective was naturally different. “She can, Dad! It’s correction surgery, so definitely yes.”

Lin’s mother agreed, “Second Brother is right.”

Second Uncle’s Wife didn’t say anything but nodded.

“That’s good…” Grandfather nodded in relief.

Grandmother’s expression was similar, her wrinkles deepening in satisfaction.

The older generation was like this—they didn’t absolutely favor sons over daughters but still valued having descendants…