Reborn in 1977

Chapter 693: The House is a Little Small

December 22nd, Friday, Winter Solstice.

Chen Fan carried his backpack, held a leather bag containing a gyrfalcon in his left hand, and pushed Zhou Yali's two large suitcases with his right hand, walking out of the airport exit at a leisurely pace.

As for Zhou Yali, besides a small shoulder bag, she only had two monkeys in her arms.

It wasn't that she didn't want to push her own suitcases, but she only had two hands, and holding the monkeys meant she couldn't handle the suitcases. As for bullying her younger brother, a fantasy she had entertained for a long time, it was even more of a pipe dream.

As soon as the two of them came out, they saw Jiang Lili and Jiang Tiantian running over quickly.

Zhou Yali's eyes lit up, and she hurried to meet them, even with the monkeys in her arms, it didn't stop her from opening her arms, "Tiantian, Lili, long time no see."

The three girls hugged each other, laughing happily.

Chen Fan sniffed, looking at the crowd secretly watching them, and couldn't help but sigh, as expected, beautiful women are the most eye-catching.

He walked closer and said, "There are too many people here, let's get in the car and go back."

Although Jiang Lili was hugging Zhou Yali, her eyes had already been glued to his face, her eyes shining, and her face filled with an unstoppable smile.

Jiang Tiantian also occasionally cast her gaze over, her smile with a bit of gentleness, and a bit of concealed dodging.

Hearing Chen Fan's words, Zhou Yali immediately came back to her senses, released the two sisters, and didn't forget to hug the two little monkeys tighter in her arms.

She glanced back at her younger cousin, then looked at Jiang Lili's blushing face, her smile with a bit of teasing, her voice unconsciously rising, "Lili, is my presence bothering you?"

As soon as she said this, Jiang Lili's face turned even redder, so red that it seemed like blood could seep out.

Chen Fan rolled his eyes and whistled softly.

The little monkeys, who were originally lying obediently in Zhou Yali's arms, immediately jumped up with lightning speed, landing on Chen Fan's shoulders, one on each side.

Zhou Yali widened her eyes, "Hey, I was just joking, you don't have to do this, right?"

Chen Fan laughed and squeaked at the little monkeys twice. The two monkeys turned their heads to look, then jumped up again.

But instead of landing in Zhou Yali's arms, one landed in Jiang Lili's hands, and the other perched on Jiang Tiantian's shoulder.

The next second, Chen Fan quickly jogged, leaving Zhou Yali behind.

The two sisters looked at each other, each hugging a little monkey and running after him. Zhou Yali was immediately furious, "Stop, give me back my little monkeys."

When they arrived at the parking lot, Chen Fan took the keys from Jiang Lili, first opened the car door, and then put the luggage in the trunk.

Jiang Tiantian handed the monkey to Zhou Yali, and said at the same time, "I'll drive, here you go."

As a result, Zhou Yali pushed her into the car along with the monkey, then sat next to her, and closed the car door, "We just sat together all the way on the plane, you've driven so far, let Xiaofan drive."

Outside the car window, Jiang Lili knocked on the car window, "Cousin, I haven't gotten in yet."

Zhou Yali rolled down the car window and pointed to the front, "You sit in the passenger seat."

Jiang Lili, "…"

When Chen Fan closed the trunk, he consciously walked to the driver's seat and sat down, fastened his seat belt. Jiang Lili finally couldn't open the car door, and with a red face, pulled open the passenger seat door and sat next to Chen Fan.

Chen Fan turned to look at her, then looked at the two people in the back, laughed, and started the car.

After driving out of the airport parking lot, Jiang Tiantian stroked the little monkey and said to Zhou Yali, "I was so happy when I received Xiaofan's call last night saying you were coming. Your room has been cleaned up, it's still on the third floor. It's a bit cold in Shanghai these days, the sky is gloomy, and the weather forecast says it might snow heavily. We installed a mobile fireplace in your room, it will be warmer when it's lit."

Zhou Yali took her arm and smiled, "Thank you, you guys are so kind."

Jiang Tiantian smiled and shook her head, "It's just making the bed, it's not a trouble at all."

After a pause, she asked curiously, "You came from Beijing this time, were you there for something?"

As soon as the words came out, she quickly said, "If it's inconvenient to say, then forget it, I was just asking casually."

Before Zhou Yali could speak, Chen Fan glanced at Jiang Tiantian in the rearview mirror, and said with a smile, "Okay, Comrade Jiang Tiantian. Although you used to talk a little more than Lili, you rarely spoke proactively. Now you've learned to take the initiative to talk, that's progress, not bad."

Jiang Tiantian's face flushed slightly, pretending to be nonchalant, "I've been in Shanghai for almost a year, I've learned so much in university, and I'm studying at the Writers Association, dealing with people every day, there should be some progress, right?"

After she finished speaking, Zhou Yali widened her eyes and glared at her younger cousin, "Why are you talking so much, drive your car."

Then she tightened her grip on Jiang Tiantian's hand, and said with a smile, "There's nothing that can't be said. Didn't they release an announcement a few days ago, announcing the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries? My dad is also one of the members. I came as his assistant, actually just to broaden my horizons and get some qualifications."

Hearing this, Jiang Tiantian and Jiang Lili couldn't help but widen their eyes.

Cousin had actually participated in such a historical event?

Seeing their expressions, Zhou Yali smiled again, "Actually, it's nothing. The truly decisive things are actually discussed directly with Carter by Mr. Woodcock. We just discuss some implementation-level details within the framework they have finalized.

Now the announcement has been issued, the matter has been discussed, and then it's over."

Jiang Tiantian came back to her senses, let out a long breath, and said with emotion, "That's also very impressive."

Jiang Lili in the front asked again, "Since everything has been discussed, then what about Uncle, why didn't he come with you?"

"Oh."

Zhou Yali leaned over to look at her, and said with a smile, "After discussing official business, we'll discuss private matters. He wants to open two offices in Beijing and Shanghai to prepare for future investment in China or conduct economic and trade activities.

There are still some things that need to be dealt with now. After it's done, he will fly over to join us."

Jiang Lili nodded thoughtfully, "So that's how it is."

She couldn't help but look up at the rearview mirror. It just so happened that her sister also looked up at her with tacit understanding.

The two sisters looked at each other and could see the tension and unease in each other's eyes.

Chen Fan's achievements had already far exceeded theirs, even his level had surpassed their father and mother. In the old days, Jiang Lili would have been considered reaching above her station.

If there was any shortcoming in Chen Fan, it was that his family background was slightly worse. He was just himself, even if he had relatives, they were overseas and unimportant.

But now that the two countries have established diplomatic relations and plan to start economic and trade cooperation, if Uncle really returns to China to invest and has a family business, it will not only add icing to the cake for Chen Fan, but also block the only shortcoming.

Originally, when Jiang Lili was in Lujiawan, she felt she wasn't good enough. Later, after her parents were able to resume their jobs, it gave her a bit more confidence.

But then Chen Fan rose too quickly and achieved too much, which made her feel somewhat inferior again.

Now with this new development, Jiang Lili naturally couldn't help but feel uneasy.

She lowered her head, took a deep breath, and comforted herself in her heart, 'It's okay, Xiaofan is definitely not a heartless person. If I stay with him, I definitely won't be abandoned.'

Thinking of this, Jiang Lili's mood relaxed slightly. She looked up and a scene from just now suddenly flashed in her mind.

'It's normal for me to be anxious, but why is my sister so nervous?'

It seems my guess was right.

Chen Fan drove wildly all the way, and had now reached the city. He hadn't noticed the changes in their expressions earlier, but now that he didn't hear any sound, he said, "You all took leave today, right? Are you going back to school this afternoon?"

Jiang Lili snapped out of her thoughts and immediately said, "Oh, no, we're not. My sister and I both took the whole day off, we'll go back tomorrow."

After a pause, she said embarrassedly, "The final exams are coming up soon, so studying is quite intense. Today was a special exception from the teacher, so we don't have that much time to spend with you."

Chen Fan turned his head to look at her and smiled, "Why do I suddenly feel like you're being so polite? It's not like I don't know your situation, and I definitely won't blame you."

As he said this, he reached out and touched her hair.

Feeling the warmth of his large hand, Jiang Lili immediately relaxed. She raised her head, pursed her lips, and looked back, smiling, "But I also want to spend time with you and my cousin."

Zhou Yali rested her head on Jiang Tiantian's shoulder and said with a smile, "I also really want to play with you, but academics definitely come first."

After a pause, she added, "If Grandpa were still here, he would definitely like you. He often said, 'Having a vast fortune is not as good as having a skill.'

No matter how much money a family has, it will eventually run out if they don't know how to earn it, but a skill is priceless. As long as you're willing to work hard, you can make a living. And if you're a bit more clever, you can go even further and create a business."

"Originally, you two are so beautiful and capable of working, but you still insist on going to university and diligently studying. Grandpa liked this kind of self-improvement spirit the most."

Hearing this, both sisters felt their cheeks burn slightly and couldn't help but look at each other. The next second, they both turned their gazes to Chen Fan at the same time.

If they hadn't been in a difficult situation back then, wanting to escape their predicament, and with Chen Fan's help, they probably wouldn't have had the heart to go to university, or rather, even if they had the heart, they wouldn't have had the ability.

Out of 5.7 million people nationwide who took the exam, only 270,000 were finally admitted, with an admission rate of only 4.7%. Back then, they had been out of school for several years and hadn't touched any study materials. Suddenly taking the college entrance exam, how could they possibly pass?!

The car sped along and in less than half an hour, they arrived back at the door of the house.

Jiang Lili got out of the car first to open the gate, pushed the courtyard door open, and waited for the car to drive into the courtyard before closing the gate again.

Pulling open the car door, Zhou Yali jumped out and stretched lazily.

She looked up at the small Western-style house and said with a chuckle, "Why do I feel like this place is warmer than the big house in Beijing?"

Chen Fan pushed the door open and got out of the car. He went to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and first released the three captive gyrfalcons. Hearing Zhou Yali's words, he casually said, "If you like the small house so much, then I'll give you this small Western-style house and you can give me your garden villa."

Zhou Yali took the little monkey that Jiang Tiantian handed her and said nonchalantly, "Sure, anyway, you have the key. You can move in whenever you want."

As soon as she said this, she took the little monkey that Jiang Lili handed her. Suddenly, her eyes flickered slightly, and she looked at the two sisters who were helping to take out the luggage. Her smile became somewhat meaningful, "I think you really do need a big house, this place is still a bit small."

Chen Fan carried two suitcases inside, "I'm just saying, let's forget it. Such a big house is too cold to live in, I don't like it."

Zhou Yali hugged the little monkey that she had regained and followed behind him, humming and laughing, "Don't speak too confidently, be careful of going back on your word."

Chen Fan waited for Jiang Lili to open the front door, and while changing his shoes, he turned his head to look at her with a strange look in his eyes, "Why do I feel like there's a hidden meaning in your words?"

Zhou Yali's eyes widened and she said innocently, "Is there?"

Just as Jiang Tiantian placed a pair of slippers next to her feet, she immediately smiled brightly, "Thank you, Sister."

Then she pulled Jiang Tiantian and ran into the house, "I'm so hungry, when are we eating?"

Jiang Lili had just put away the luggage when she heard this and rolled up her sleeves, saying, "I'll go make it now. The dishes are all prepared in advance, just cook the rice and heat up the dishes, it'll be ready soon."

Chen Fan then went up to the second floor, washed up briefly, changed his clothes, and went downstairs to eat.

Although today is the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, which is the cold winter season, the fireplace in the living room was lit, so the house wasn't that cold.

The dishes weren't ready yet, so he turned on the TV and plopped down on the sofa, picked up the tea that Jiang Tiantian brought, and watched the news on TV.

Zhou Yali wandered around the kitchen and was finally pushed out by Jiang Lili. Realizing that she couldn't continue to be a hindrance in the kitchen, she also came over and sat down.

At this time, the TV was broadcasting the situation of the meetings in the past few days. Looking at the content inside, she lost the desire to chat, took off her shoes, sat cross-legged on the sofa, and stared at the TV intently.

After a segment was broadcast, she stretched her body, turned her head to look at Chen Fan, and asked softly, "Little brother, is this meeting setting the tone?"

After a pause, she added, "When negotiations were still underway a few days ago, both my dad and Mr. Woodcock said that this meeting would be the key to determining future policies, and the outcome of the meeting would determine what kind of attitude, or rather, what kind of way, we should interact with the mainland.

From the current situation, it seems to be quite in line with expectations, so Dad's actions in Beijing should have a good result, right?"

Chen Fan turned his head to look at her, feeling a little surprised in his heart.

He didn't expect that this cousin, who seemed carefree, was hiding a lot of thoughts in her heart and was quite concerned about his uncle's actions in Beijing.

He nodded slightly and said, "You're right, this meeting is very important, and from the results, it is also very much in line with the expectations of most people.

Economic construction, strengthening democracy, and focusing on people's livelihoods, the direction has indeed changed."