Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 83

Chapter 83: Old Acquaintances

Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan's grand arrival stirred up the whole village. People gathered around. Although Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu still had a trace of their childhood appearance, their bearing was completely different now. Some people secretly guessed who they were, but seeing that they clearly looked wealthy and distinguished, they didn't dare step forward to ask.

Then Li Ying passed by and saw that Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu had actually come back. She cried out in surprise, "Xiao Yuan, Shenggu, why are you back?"

The crowd instantly erupted.

"It really is Xiao Yuan and Shenggu! My goodness, they've completely transformed!"

"I heard Xiao Yuan and Shenggu are big bosses now. They've really made it! Back when they ran that little workshop at home, I knew these two kids would go far."

A cacophony of noise and chatter filled the air, and the whole of Guanjia Village came alive with excitement.

Everyone crowded around enthusiastically, showering the two with affectionate words. Some even shed tears, as if they had finally found long-lost relatives.

Li Ying watched from the side with a cold sneer. Among those fawning over Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu now were people who had mocked them when they were children—people who, not long ago, had accused them of forgetting their roots. Seeing them put on this act now was truly disgusting.

Li Ying pushed her way through the crowd to Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu and said loudly, "You must be tired from the journey. Come to my house. Your Uncle Guan Guo bought beef this morning. Let's go, let's go..."

After finally escaping the crowd, Guan Yuan let out a breath of relief.

He had known coming back wouldn't be peaceful. He didn't feel much about it either — he just found all this flattery tiresome to deal with. He had no desire to show off his success to the folks of Guanjia Village.

Zhao Shenggu saw his expression and asked with concern, "Tired?"

Guan Yuan nodded. "I'm used to peace and quiet. This noise is a bit much."

Even Chanchan had been a little frightened earlier. "Daddy, they sure can talk," he said, still looking a bit shaken.

Zhao Shenggu patted his bottom. "It's fine. Your daddies are here."

Li Ying watched how close and affectionate the family was and sighed inwardly. These two good children — she didn't know whether it was a good or bad thing for them to be together like this. They were married now, and they even had a child. She didn't know how that child had come about, but regardless, they were so close — they should live well together, right?

Soon they arrived at Li Ying's home. Guan Guo was watching TV inside. Seeing Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu, he rubbed his eyes uncertainly. "Xiao Yuan! Shenggu! Why are you back?"

Li Ying glared at him irritably. You idiot—of course they'd come back after getting married!

Zhao Shenggu answered with a smile, "Uncle Guan Guo, Xiao Yuan and I got married. We came back to pay respects to our ancestors and visit Mother Yuehua and my grandfather."

Guan Guo finally understood, then laughed awkwardly. "Right, right, you're married now. You should come back and visit. It's good to come back and visit." 

When they had seen Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu's wedding on TV, their jaws had nearly dropped. The last time they went to the capital, these two kids had said they were together, which had given them quite a fright. Now they had actually gotten married? The law allowing same-sex marriage had been passed, but who in the countryside paid attention to such things? So they'd been puzzling over it — how could they just get married so openly?

Li Ying and Guan Guo chatted warmly with them for a while, then Li Ying got up to cook. Guan Guo stayed with them, talking and observing them.

Guan Yuan noticed he seemed to want to say something but didn't dare. He asked directly, "Uncle Guan Guo, is there something you want to ask?"

Guan Guo scratched his head and pursed his lips before speaking. "Xiao Yuan, Shenggu, we know you two have been close since childhood, and we know it hasn't been easy for you. But other people don't know that. You made such a big splash on TV—how many people must have seen it? People who don't understand you might say unpleasant things. Can't you just be together quietly? Besides, even though you say you're married, the country doesn't recognize it—"

Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu exchanged a smile. Zhao Shenggu said, "Uncle, it seems you don't know—our country has passed a law recognizing same-sex marriage. We're together as a married couple, no different from anyone else. Besides, whatever people think or say can't affect my Xiao Yuan. Let them talk."

Guan Guo's mouth dropped open in surprise. "What? Even the country recognizes it?"

Guan Yuan sighed helplessly. If he didn't know that Guan Guo was just straightforward by nature, those words could easily be taken the wrong way. He nodded. "Yes, our marriage is legally valid in Huaguo."

After the surprise, hearing Guan Yuan's confirmation, Guan Guo smiled with relief. "That's good, that's good. Now I can relax about you two. You're right—since that's the case, there's no need to care what others say!"

Just then, Chanchan came running in from playing outside. He had just arrived in the countryside and found everything fascinating. In the short time he'd been out, he was already covered in dirt. Guan Yuan saw him looking like a little beggar and pulled him over. "What were you up to? How did you get so muddy so fast?"

Chanchan held out his hands to Guan Yuan. "Daddy, look! I caught crickets."

It turned out that when Chanchan went out, he saw a group of kids catching crickets in the grass. He was fascinated and immediately joined in. He was quick and nimble—when they counted at the end, he had caught the most of all the children. He immediately came to show off his spoils.

"Daddy, it's so fun! I caught the most! Daddy, aren't I amazing?" Chanchan wore an expression begging for praise.

Guan Yuan knew country kids all played these games, so he didn't discourage him. "Yes, how is our Chanchan so amazing!"

Chanchan raised his head high. "Well, don't you know who I am?"

His expression made everyone laugh. Guan Guo said repeatedly, "This child is so clever. You've raised him well."

Not long after, Li Ying finished cooking. Guan Yuan said with exaggerated enthusiasm, "I haven't had Auntie's cooking in so long—I've been dying for it."

Li Ying burst out laughing. "You've always been a sweet talker. The food you and Shenggu make is much better than mine. I remember when you were building your house—the workers didn't even care about their wages, they just wanted a meal you cooked!"

These memories had been buried in Guan Yuan's mind. Now that Li Ying brought them up, he realized how vivid they still were. Everything he and Zhao Shenggu had experienced in this village was deeply engraved in his memory.

Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan looked at each other—some things didn't need to be said.

Li Ying noticed Chanchan was still little and eating on his own. She said, "He's so small. How about I feed him?"

Zhao Shenggu quickly said, "No need, Auntie. Chanchan does just fine eating by himself. Kids need the practice."

Chanchan also waved his hand generously and said in his childish voice, "Thank you, Auntie. I can eat by myself."

Guan Yuan pinched his cheek. "You should call her Grandma, not Auntie."

Chanchan looked shocked. "Ah, Daddy, you're tricking me! How can there be such a young grandma?"

No matter what kind of woman she was, being called young would make her happy—especially by such a little dumpling. Li Ying was delighted. She hugged Chanchan and said repeatedly, "Oh my, Grandma's little sweetheart, how are you so good with words..."

Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu watched Li Ying's adoring expression and sighed inwardly. Another one conquered by this little devil's innocent looks!

"Xiao Yuan, Shenggu, why don't you stay with us while you're back? We have plenty of rooms. Your house is being cleaned, but it's been empty for so long—it won't be convenient. And there's a child to think about."

Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu knew Guan Guo was right. They didn't mind for themselves, but Chanchan was still young—it wasn't good for a child to stay in a house that had been empty for so long.

Zhao Shenggu agreed right away, making Guan Guo and Li Ying beam with joy. They knew this meant Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu considered them family. Otherwise, given their current status, they would have no shortage of places to stay.

The meal was filled with casual conversation about everyday matters—nothing pretentious. Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu ate comfortably.

But the peace didn't last long. Before they'd even finished eating, someone barged in — Guan Yuan's father and stepmother, Guan Mandi and Yang Feifang.

Before Yang Feifang had even entered the room, her voice arrived ahead of her. "I heard Xiao Yuan and Shenggu came back?"

The two walked in uninvited. When Yang Feifang saw Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu at the table, her eyes lit up like she was looking at a piece of fat meat.

"You silly children, coming back to the village and not going home first! How can you eat at someone else's house before your own? Come home with me—the food's already prepared, just waiting for you!" She reached out to grab Zhao Shenggu, who was closest to her, but he dodged.

Guan Yuan was thoroughly disgusted. He said coldly, "No need. We're fine here at Auntie Li's. You don't need to trouble yourselves."

"You little brat, what did you say!" Guan Mandi flew into a rage at Guan Yuan's cold tone. He glared, eyes wide, and made as if to step forward.

Before anyone could react, a pair of chopsticks went flying at him, followed by Chanchan's soft, childish voice: "Bad guy! How dare you scold my daddy! I'll beat you up!"

Yang Feifang and Guan Mandi had been so focused on Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu that they hadn't even noticed the little one sitting next to Guan Yuan.

Guan Mandi's eyes widened in disbelief. "You got married?" And even have a child.

Such a huge matter, and he hadn't known about it at all — this brat clearly had no respect for him whatsoever.

Guan Yuan snorted. "As you can see."

When Guan Mandi had cursed at Guan Yuan, Zhao Shenggu's expression had turned ice-cold. He didn't want to waste another word on these people. "Someone come."

Yang Feifang and Guan Mandi didn't understand what he meant — until two burly men suddenly appeared in the room.

Zhao Shenggu said flatly, "Throw them out."

The two men acknowledged the order, picked up Yang Feifang and Guan Mandi, and carried them straight out of the house.