(Yesterday was still a holiday, and there was no conducive environment for writing at home. Today I'm catching up with updates, aiming for 4-5 updates!)

Hai Fu indeed went with Zhang Yurong to the Zhang Family to give New Year's greetings to Zhang Tianyi and his spouse in advance, similar to Li Yan. When they arrived at the house, Zhang Yurong realized the issue and felt a bit worried about the awkwardness that could arise from mentioning it, but ultimately did not reveal Li Yan's situation.

Because Hai Fu had been acquainted with the Zhang Family for many years, Zhang Tianyi and his spouse watched her grow up. Naturally, they knew her age was several years older than Yurong, so knowing she hadn't dated or married, it was inappropriate to bring up such topics to avoid making her feel awkward. They only expressed gratitude for her strong support and assistance to Yurong at the company.

The plans didn't keep pace with changes. Originally, Li Yan and Yurong agreed to stay at home with Zhang Tianyi and his spouse for a few days and then return to Li Yan's hometown for the New Year. However, the next day when they were ready to leave, Zhang Tianyi urged them to go back quickly!

He clearly understood that Li Yan hadn't been home for many years. This year's return for New Year's, after being 'threatened' by Li Tang, led to marrying Yurong, then working and living in S City. Although they didn't require them to live at home to allow them more time together, they still came back for dinner every weekend. In contrast, they hadn't visited the Li Family the entire year, making old Zhang feel uneasy.

Helplessly, they had to change their itinerary. Due to the sudden change, Li Yan didn't get the chance to meet with Hai Fu, Yu Xiaodi, Li Jie, Huang Ying, and others, only notifying them via phone calls.

He Zhexia, Bai Jie, and other old classmates, Li Yan didn't contact at all. Even though they might go back for the New Year, he didn't want to see them at his hometown. Including Qiao Huanxuan, he didn't contact either! The reason was the same—he was going back with his wife. What if he encountered Qiao Huanxuan?

On a journey of planes and cars, Li Yan and Zhang Yurong were both filled with nervous feelings. Yurong was anxious because it was her first visit to his home. Although she'd met his parents before, she wasn't very familiar with them, nor the environment and people in his hometown. Everything was unfamiliar to her, yet she had to go for Li Yan's sake, which naturally made her uneasy. Li Yan was due to the feeling of near hometown apprehension. The experiences over the years had created a barrier between him and his hometown, even with his irreplaceable parents there existed a barrier.

In the evening, they were finally close to home. Stepping out of the taxi, Li Yan dragged the suitcase and looked around with Zhang Yurong.

"You didn't forget the way home, did you?" Seeing Li Yan looking confused, Yurong, wrapped in a scarf, couldn't help but chuckle, surprised to see him so dazed.

Li Yan was a bit embarrassed, pointing around, "When I left home, this area was entirely different. Now it feels like 'thirty years of East River, thirty years of West River'. Maybe we should ask someone for directions…"

In the past decade, the whole Yun Country had been evolving rapidly.

Li Yan hadn't been back for twelve years, and besides the significant changes around his home, his memories had also become vague. Due to cold weather, he called ahead to notify he would be returning early but told his parents not to pick him up.

"Thirty years East River, thirty years West River... Exactly how many years have you been away?" Zhang Yurong looked at him curiously, recalling his past profile stating he didn't finish high school, could it be he left from that time and never returned? She knew very little about Li Yan's past, as he never mentioned it and she never asked. Now, she was eager to learn a bit.

"Uh... more than ten years." Li Yan responded briefly without elaborating. "Didn't make anything out there worth noting, embarrassed to return home. If it weren't for forcing marriage with you, I wouldn't have seen my parents for more than ten years…"

"Forced marriage with me?" Zhang Yurong furrowed her brows and then said calmly, "Sounds somewhat pathetic, doesn't it?"

Li Yan broke into a sweat, "I didn't mean it that way. I didn't want to come back then. My parents insisted on seeing me. At that time, I hadn't met you yet, so obviously it could be said as forced. But now I don't regret it..."

Reflecting, Zhang Yurong found her reaction over-sensitive too. Back then, he was absolutely coerced, and from the father's reaction, he must have had a hand in it.

"Let's not talk about the past. I just want to know if you could find the way home. Otherwise, standing here idly, I might start regretting." Zhang Yurong tightened her coat and scarf.

She didn't belong to these parts and always grew up in the South, even the coldest times in S City couldn't compare to here. As dusk approached and it began snowing again, although novel, it only lasted a while, replacing with straightforward cold.

"Let me make a call." Li Yan still chose not to ask anyone, perhaps due to psychological feelings, or because the two of them were obviously strangers, he felt as though people nearby were observing them, making him even less inclined to approach anyone.

To be brutally honest, he simply didn't want to interact with people. If he bumped into someone he used to know, it would make him feel uncomfortable.

"Alright." Yurong, upon hearing he hadn't returned for over ten years, noticed his tense demeanor mirrored hers, which surprisingly calmed her down a lot.

At that moment, Li Yan saw someone approaching quickly. Two figures that were both strange and familiar—two elderly people whose quick steps might even be described as a jog.

"Dad, Mom... why did you come out?" Li Yan stepped forward, afraid they might fall. It was indeed his father Li Tang and mother Wang Suzhen.

He didn't believe it was just a coincidence to run into them; they weren't out shopping or anything, likely they had been waiting for them.

"You've come back..." Li Tang asked simply; with his son, the relationship had long grown distant. But after so many years, their son finally returned, and both were deeply excited.

Wang Suzhen was more focused on the daughter-in-law standing behind. Not to mention the Zhang family's economic status, Yurong's looks, competence, and filial piety were impeccable, which made her very satisfied. "Yurong, are you cold?"

Yurong, seeing it was Li Yan's parents who had come to greet them, felt a rush of nervousness but continually encouraged herself, taking a deep breath. She had already lowered the scarf wrapped around her face, smiling at the face of her mother-in-law: "...Mom." She then called out to Li Tang: "...Dad."

Though it felt awkward and unnatural, she managed to utter the words with effort, as if she had completed a monumental task or taken a significant step forward, she felt much more relaxed, and the pressure along the way had lessened substantially.

"Hey!" Wang Suzhen answered loudly and happily.

When they got married earlier this year, it was at the Zhang Family's place in S City; she had seen their conditions clearly. Although the seriously ill Zhang Tianyi valued the friendship with Li Tang from back in the day, it was apparent that Yang Yun and Yurong, the mother and daughter didn't share this sentiment. Agreeing to marry her son was entirely to satisfy Zhang Tianyi. Having such an exemplary daughter-in-law was something she looked forward to but feared it would put a huge deal of pressure on her son. This year, worried about causing him trouble and pressure, they hadn't visited S City again, and phone contact was sporadic.

Throughout this year, they gradually learned that Zhang Tianyi's health was improving, which was good news, but they worried about Li Yan and Yurong's relationship potentially fracturing due to Zhang Tianyi's recovery. Zhang Tianyi frequently contacted Li Tang, sharing only good news which slightly put them at ease. Upon hearing their son was bringing home his wife for New Year, they were excited and thrilled yet a bit worried. Would a daughter raised in a wealthy family like Yurong adapt to their place?

Now, seeing Yurong truly conquered the cold to be here, and upon meeting them called "Mom and Dad," how could she not be happy? Poor them, for so many years, worrying herself to the bone over her son's matters!

Unsure of her son's whereabouts, fearing he had been trafficked or suffered hardships; later learning he was simply settling down to learn a trade, working and timely sending his salary home, at least showed he was safe outside, easing their concerns slightly. But watching peers graduate college, work, date, they started worrying about the major life event of his marriage, continually living frugally, doing their best to help him save as much money as possible. Now, a wedding had cost a lot, especially when the bride asked for a new home, it's like facing a daunting mountain. Although their current house is still habitable, it's quite old and wouldn't sell for much.

The Zhang family's marriage proposal, whether a stroke of luck or misfortune, at least resulted in his marriage and he gained seemingly good in-laws and an exceptional wife. Yet, as parents, they worry if they may eventually abandon him...

Even though observing Li Yan and Yurong apparently had a good relationship, Wang Suzhen amidst reassurance, also worried about when they would have children. Overall, like all parents in the world, often worrying a lifetime for their children.

Li Tang also responded, then offered to help with the luggage: "Let's head home! It's much colder here than in S City."

Li Yan naturally wouldn't let them carry anything, he managed the luggage for the two of them by himself, following them home.

This seemed to be the area close to home, only slightly further from where Li Yan asked the taxi to stop. On the way, Li Tang and Wang Suzhen greeted the familiar people they met, especially Wang Suzhen, couldn't hide the joy on her face, eager to let everyone know her son had brought home his beautiful wife for New Year's!

It made both Li Yan and Yurong quite uneasy and rather embarrassed, only following silently. Yurong managed better as it was her first visit. Li Yan, being from here, although he didn't recognize anyone, others couldn't recognize him either, following behind his parents, they inevitably pointed out who was who, making him greet some old neighbors and acquaintances.

(Grateful for the rewards given these past days by brothers: 281132272, Yagami Light II, cfs generator, You Lian, Calm Like Wind, Taste Mood, White Water Elder, Cp Pampas, Small Beginning ╮, true renegade, ~Xiao Tong~, Taste Mood, No Name, Yagami Light II, Book Friend 101230032519046, dongmin8061, kimi-j, zjun971210, RoManTiC) (To be continued, to find out what happens next, please log in to www.qidian.com, more chapters available, support the author, and legitimate reading!)