People in the alley: A woman dressed as a man shouldn't be foolishly filial, Zhuang Chaoying

Chapter 458 Returning to Suzhou

When the nine lead designers stood on the awards stage, flashbulbs went off everywhere. They held their certificates and the 500 yuan prize money, though not much, was a high recognition of their design achievements.

Zhuang Tunan and Zhang Wanshu held hands tightly.

Facing the cameras and lenses, they not only captured this unforgettable moment, but also took a solid step towards their architectural design dreams.

Two people who share a passion for architecture understand each other implicitly and will join hands to move towards a better tomorrow.

Sitting in the car on the way back, they began to discuss tomorrow's itinerary with great enthusiasm.

Since it was their first time visiting Kyoto, they decided to explore the city thoroughly.

They planned to go to Tiananmen Square to watch the flag-raising ceremony and visit the Forbidden City;

. . . .

Three days after receiving the award, Zhuang Chaoying led Tu Nan and Wan Shu on their journey back to Suzhou.

They first arrived in Shanghai, where Zhuang Chaoying planned to visit Uncle Wang and deliver the painting she had chosen for him.

Upon arriving at Uncle Wang Yougui's office, Wang Yougui looked at the painting in his hand, complaining on the surface but his eyes were filled with delight.

"Xiao Zhuang, this painting must be expensive. Look at the peony painting, the skill of the painter. How much is it for you, Uncle Wang will give it to you?"

Zhuang Chaoying quickly waved her hand. "Uncle Wang, are you treating me like an outsider? You're my elder, so it's only right that I bring back some local specialties from my business trip. Besides, I was able to attend the training thanks to your help, so let's not talk about money."

"You rascal, alright, I'll take it." Wang Yougui laughed heartily, then added.

"Xiao Zhuang, I'll try to increase your subsidy. Just go back and wait for news."

Zhuang Chaoying smiled, carefully rolled up the scroll for Wang Yougui, and put it into the box. "Uncle Wang, I'm going home now. I've been away for more than three months and I really miss home."

Wang Yougui waved his hand and teased, "Missing home, or missing Huang Ling? Let's go. By the way, this training isn't just over yet. When I registered you, I heard they said there's a thesis defense too. You'd better start preparing."

Zhuang Chaoying walked to the door, turned around, and gave Uncle Wang a bright smile. "Thank you, Uncle Wang."

Wang Yougui urged. "Come on, come on, let's go. I think your heart has already flown away."

After everyone left, Wang Yougui took the painting out again, took out a magnifying glass from the drawer, and examined it carefully.

The painting is incredibly lifelike; it must have cost a fortune, it's from Rongbaozhai.

He thought to himself, "Chao Ying is such a rare kid. He thinks of me like this. But then again, why else would he think of me in everything? He thinks of me when there's something good. People are reciprocal, right? This kid has a sweet tongue and is very thoughtful. It's hard not to think of him."

He'll hang this painting carefully at home, so that he'll know it was a gift from Xiao Zhuang every time he looks up.

Moreover, since Xiao Zhuang lost his job because of having more children than allowed, his subsidy should at least be increased by one level.

After leaving the Writers' Association, the three of them, carrying large and small bags of luggage, boarded the train back to Suzhou.

Zhuang Chaoying was filled with anticipation; after three and a half months apart, Hu Hansan was back.

When he arrived in Suzhou, he found that Kyoto was indeed much cooler than Suzhou. He thought to himself that it wouldn't be a bad idea to settle down in Kyoto in the future, but that would depend on where Ah Ling preferred to live.

At this point, they hailed a taxi at the exit of Suzhou Railway Station.

The car drove steadily forward and soon arrived at the alley entrance.

Zhuang Chaoying stood at her doorstep, pulling a suitcase and carrying a duffel bag.

He took a deep breath, gently pushed open the door with his elbow, and looked at the familiar courtyard. An indescribable feeling of returning home made his eyes sting.

Zhuang Chaoying called out impatiently, "Ah Ling, Ah Ling."

Inside the house, Mr. and Mrs. Huang sat in the living room watching TV while watching Yuyao crawling on the floor.

Seven and a half months old, Xiaoyuyao can already crawl. A straw mat was specially laid out in the living room, and they all sat on it to play with the child.

Upon hearing the noise, Huang's mother quickly slipped on her slippers and hurriedly pushed open the screen door.

At first glance, she didn't recognize the bearded man in front of her, wondering who he was and how he had gotten into her house. But upon closer inspection, she realized it was Chao Ying.

"Oh my, Chaoying, you've grown a beard! I almost didn't recognize you! It's so good to be back!" Huang's mother exclaimed with delight.

"Mom, Dad, I'm home. Where's Ling?"

"I'll go call for you, I'll go call for you," Huang's mother said as she hurried toward the opposite door.

Then she turned to Tu Nan and Wan Shu and asked, "Tu Nan, Wan Shu, have you eaten yet?"

Wanshu put her luggage on the table in the yard. "Grandma, I came straight back after getting off the train, and I haven't eaten yet."

Tu Nan also called out affectionately.

"Grandma and Grandpa."

Huang's mother turned around. "Your grandfather and I will go out and buy you some food later."

Father Huang, with his arms around the children, smiled and beckoned them into the house. "Hey, Chaoying, Tunan, Wanshu, come in quickly."

Zhuang Chaoying quickly put down his suitcase, eagerly reached out to hug his youngest daughter, and said gently, "Yuyao, Daddy's back."

To everyone's surprise, Xiao Yuyao wasn't shy at all. She looked at her father, grinned, and reached out her little hand to curiously try to grab his beard, which was at least a centimeter long, while making "ah, ah ah" noises.

Zhuang Chaoying pouted and gently coaxed her, "Oh, oh, oh, don't pull Daddy's beard."

"Chao Ying." A gentle voice came from behind.

He turned around and saw Ah Ling, whom he had been longing for day and night.

Zhuang Chaoying immediately handed the child to Tu Nan, quickly walked to A Ling's side, hugged her tightly, and whispered, "A Ling, I'm back."

When Huang Ling heard him call her name affectionately, tears welled up in her eyes, and she responded softly.

"Super Hero".

Tu Nan, carrying his little sister and pulling Wan Shu along, tactfully walked out and back to the small courtyard next door.

They knew in their hearts that their parents had been separated for so long and must have a lot to say and need to have a good chat, so they couldn't be a third wheel.

Mr. and Mrs. Huang were very considerate, holding lunchboxes in their hands, saying, "Your dad and I will go out and buy some ready-made food so we don't have to cook."

After saying that, he went out.

At this moment, only Zhuang Chaoying and Huang Ling remained in the living room.

Huang Ling looked him up and down with heartache, and said in a choked voice, "You've lost weight, you're darker, and why don't you shave?"

He pouted, his voice tinged with a coquettish tone. "Without you watching, I'm too lazy to shave. Anyway, no one's complaining about the prickly feeling."

"Ah Ling, why don't you shave me?"