"Grandpa, I'm back!"
Gu Han pushed open the door with practiced familiarity and called out from the courtyard.
There had not been many changes in the yard. The only difference was a chicken coop by the wall, with eight chickens inside.
Old Gu was sitting in a reclining chair against the wall outside, basking in the sun with a palm-leaf fan covering his face, looking every bit like a stereotypical old man.
Hearing Gu Han's voice, Old Gu immediately removed the fan and sat up.
The moment he saw that it really was Gu Han, a smile spread across his face.
"Haha, Xiao Han, you're back."
Then his gaze fell on the three people behind Gu Han, and his smile became even warmer as he hurriedly beckoned them over.
"We've got guests too. Come, come, all of you, sit inside."
Gu Han stepped forward and introduced the three of them to his grandpa, along with their relationship to him.
Once inside, there was naturally a round of pleasantries.
Old Gu lived alone. As the village chief, he had made many contributions to the village and was already highly respected by its residents. Now, with the benefits Gu Han's growth had brought back to the village, making life better for everyone, Old Gu was naturally held in even greater esteem.
During this time, the villagers finally gathered together and came to Gu Han's doorstep carrying chicken, duck, fish, meat, and eggs, saying they wanted to thank Gu Han for the good life he had brought them.
Naturally, Gu Han did not accept any of it. But so as not to disappoint everyone, the villagers gathered together, hired a cook, and had all the ingredients made into dishes. Everyone ate, drank, and had a proper reunion.
Of course, Gu Han had not