An Unexpected Encounter & A Heartfelt Reunion

The bustling market was crowded, humming with the voices of people and the vibrant colours of the weekend rush.

“AnAn, you and your mama go inside. I’ll park the car and come in soon,” said Baba, steering the wheel.

“Okay, but make sure to come fast!” AnAn replied with a cheeky grin.

“Yes, yes,” Baba chuckled.

As AnAn and her mother entered the market, she looked around with wide eyes.

“Mama, why is the market so crowded today? Is there some kind of event going on?”

“I don’t know, AnAn. Maybe. Let’s go inside first.”

“Okay!”

Just as they were walking, AnAn accidentally bumped into someone.

“Ouch!” she gasped.

Looking up, her expression turned to worry—it was an elderly woman, probably in her late-seventies.

“I’m so sorry! Are you hurt?” she asked quickly, bending down to help.

Her mother immediately joined her, both of them helping the old lady to steady herself.

The elderly woman gave a soft smile. “It’s alright, child. It wasn’t your fault. The market is too crowded today. See?” She raised her hands gently. “No injury at all. I’m fine.”

AnAn let out a relieved sigh. “Granny, did you come alone? Or is someone with you? Do you need help?”

The woman smiled kindly. “No dear, I came with my grandson. He went to bring the car and asked me to wait, but it was too crowded here. I was trying to reach the resting area.”

“Then let me help you get there,” AnAn offered. “It’s safer.”

Granny nodded. “Alright, child.”

AnAn gently held the bags in one hand and supported Granny with the other. She adjusted her pace to match the elderly woman’s slow steps, making sure she was comfortable.

Soon they reached the resting area. AnAn carefully helped Granny sit down and handed her belongings back.

“Thank you so much, dear,” said the woman, her eyes warm. “You’re just like my granddaughter.”

“Then Granny, please don’t say thank you,” AnAn replied with a smile. “If I’m your granddaughter, it’s my duty to care for you. But if you really want to give me something, just bless me!”

The old lady’s heart swelled with joy. “You are such a beautiful, kind girl. A man will be lucky to have you as his wife one day.”

AnAn smiled shyly.

“What’s your age, child?”

“I’m 18.”

“Then you must be a student?”

“Yes! I’ve been selected for Tsinghua University. I’ll be moving to Beijing this year.”

The lady’s eyes lit up. “My grandson studied there too!”

“Really?”

“Yes, he—” She was interrupted by the ringing of her phone. “Oh! That must be him.”

She answered happily. “Hello?”

After a short conversation, she ended the call. “He’s on his way to pick me up.”

“Then, Granny, I should leave now…”

“Oh! I forgot, you must be busy. I’m so sorry for troubling you.”

“No, Granny. If I’m like your granddaughter, helping you isn’t a bother at all.”

“You’ve been an angel, child. Thank you.”

“I’m happy I got to meet you too.”

“Wait—if it’s not too much, would you mind staying a little longer? I’d love for you to meet my grandson.”

AnAn hesitated for a moment. “I wish I could, Granny. But my brother is returning home after years, and we’ve planned a small welcome for him. I have to go help pick him up.”

“Oh, I see! Then I won’t keep you. If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”

“Yes, Granny. We will!” AnAn smiled and waved as she hurried off.

Meanwhile, the Granny’s grandson, Gu Liu Chang, finally arrived, looking around in a panic.

“Grandma! Where were you? I was so worried!”

Granny chuckled. “Nothing’s going to happen to me, child. And even if something did, my soul would still be with you.”

“Stop saying that, Grandma!” he scolded softly, hugging her. “You know how important you are to me. Don’t scare me like that!”

“I’m sorry, my dear. I just thought it would be less crowded near the resting area…”

“It’s my fault. I should’ve been quicker.”

“No, no. You’re the best grandson a grandmother could ask for.”

They shared a heartfelt embrace.

“Let’s go now,” said Granny. “We’ve made our angel wait long enough.”

At the market’s exit...

AnAn’s father returned from parking.

“My dear, where is AnAn?”

“She’s coming,” replied her mother.

“Where did she go?”

AnAn’s mother explained everything.

“Is the Granny okay?” he asked, concerned.

“Yes, she’s fine.”

Just then, AnAn appeared. “Mama! Baba!”

“AnAn! Are you alright? What about the Granny?” her mother asked.

“She’s fine. Her grandson called while I was there. I made sure she was safely seated.”

“Good,” Mama nodded. “Now let’s finish shopping.”

They bought everything they needed, their arms full of food and bags, their hearts full of laughter.

At the Airport

As they arrived at the airport, Baba turned to AnAn. “AnAn, you go inside and pick up your GeGe.”

“What? Why me? What about you two?”

“We want to surprise him! Let’s see how he reacts when he sees just you.”

“But Mama... it’s been five years. Will he even recognize me?”

“Of course he will! He’s your brother—he knows you better than anyone. Go on now!”

“Alright...”

AnAn entered the terminal. Moments later, she spotted him among the crowd.

“Xian GeGe! Xian GeGe!”

No response.

Then she remembered...

“Ye Zhu GeGe! Ye Zhu!”

Her brother froze mid-step. That name—only one person ever dared call him that.

He turned and saw her. “It’s you?! Why are you here? And why are you calling me that in front of everyone? Don’t you see how handsome I’ve become?”

Nearby women whispered admiringly, “He looks like a model!”

Xian smirked proudly—until thump—AnAn stomped on his foot.

“No matter what, you’ll always be a Ye Zhu to me!” she teased.

“You! You’re asking for it! Then you’re Shorty Piggy!”

“What?!”

“Why—getting angry now?” he smirked. “If I’m Ye Zhu, then you, my Mei Mei, must be Piggy!”

“Hmph! Just wait. I’ll tell Mama what you did today!”

“Go ahead! I’ll tell her what you called me!”

“By the way, where are they? Why didn’t they come to pick you up?”

“They didn’t come?” he asked, a little disheartened. “Isn’t it important to pick me up? I’m coming home after five years…”

“Oh, they’re free. They just said you’re a grown man—you can find your own way home,” she lied playfully.

Xian’s face fell. He looked genuinely upset.

AnAn grinned mischievously, enjoying the moment.

As they stepped out of the terminal, a voice shouted, “Xian!”

He looked up to see Mama and Baba waving at him.

“Mama! Baba!” His eyes welled up. “I knew you’d come... I thought you really didn’t come to pick me up.”

“Silly boy,” Mama said. “Of course we came. We missed you!”

“I missed you too,” he said, hugging them tightly.

“She tricked me, Mama!” he pointed at AnAn. “She told me you didn’t care!”

“Mama! He didn’t recognize me! I called him so many times, but he didn’t respond. Only when I called him Ye Zhu did he look back!”

“There were so many people! How was I supposed to know it was you?”

“Alright, alright. Enough you two,” Baba said. “You’ve met after five years and you’re already fighting.”

Mama added, “And it was our plan to surprise you, Xian. We told AnAn not to tell.”

“Fine, fine. I forgive her today,” AnAn grinned. “You can shower all your love on him—I won’t complain.”

“Thanks, Piggy,” Xian smirked.

“Say that again and I’ll—”

“Okay! Truce! I won’t fight with her either.”

They all laughed, the warmth of reunion melting every playful grudge.

Baba clapped his hands. “Now let’s go. We’ve got a celebration to prepare for!”

“Yes!”

They all got into the car, hearts full, laughter echoing, as they headed home—together again.

[To Be Continued...]

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