The Feeling of "Home" That Big Cities Can't Give You

In Shanghai.

It's so prosperous that you can find anything you can imagine or can't imagine here.

If you want to have a very luxurious meal in a small county town, it would only cost a few hundred to a little over a thousand yuan per person.

But in Shanghai, this number can keep going up indefinitely, seemingly without any limit. Whether it's luxury goods or food, people always vie for and pursue things that are increasingly unique and expensive.

Even though these things might be something that an ordinary family could only acquire with years or decades of wealth, they seem insignificant in a place that is considered a major city in the world.

This has led to a sense of oppression that naturally arises in the context of this prosperity.

Countless things seem so close, like they're right there in a shop's glass display case as you walk by, while you're just a wage earner making five or six thousand a month, barely enough to pay rent and avoid starvation in this big city.

But the thought of "at least I'm here" and "seeing this city makes me stand up straight involuntarily" drives my numb self to work hard day after day.

Hidden beneath the torrent of steel and prosperity are countless instances of numbness and relentless effort.

In contrast, small county towns in the north have fewer people and their buildings are much older and more dilapidated than those in big cities.

I don't know if it's because of winter, but the people walking on the street are mostly elderly. There are very few young people and children to be seen. It's as if only these elderly people live here.

But this place feels more like "home".

It was a warm feeling she had never experienced before.

Hua Xin looked out the window at the heavy snow falling outside with a flicker in her eyes, not knowing why she was thinking this way.

If it had been any later, I'm afraid my whole body would have been buried in snowflakes.

"I don't know if you like tea. Xia Yan and Xia Fen haven't come back, so there aren't any drinks that young people like to drink at home."

An old voice rang in her ears, bringing the girl, who had been gazing absently at the heavy snow outside the window, back to reality. She quickly waved her hand and took a cup of hot tea from her grandfather's hand.

"No, no, I really like tea."

Seemingly realizing that her words might be somewhat perfunctory, Hua Xin quickly added:

"Hot tea is perfect for winter; it warms you up. Thank you, Grandpa."

"You are welcome."

Grandpa also sat down opposite Hua Xin, holding a cup of tea.

Seeing her grandfather still smiling and kind, Hua Xin couldn't help but relax a little, no longer feeling so nervous and confused that she lost her mind.

When she entered the house, a barrage of questions almost caused the girl's already slow-running CPU to completely crash. She only calmed down a little while Xia Yan was busy making dinner in the kitchen and her grandfather was making tea.

However, on the other hand...

She really has to thank Xia Yan for the "Hua Xin Transformation Plan".

If Xia Yan hadn't insisted and strictly followed the plan, gradually helping her to overcome her hatred of the world and fear of strangers, how could she have worked at the cat cafe for so long, or even thought of adding a polite remark just now?

Fortunately, Xia Yan revised some of the standards of the plan in the final stage.

Otherwise, Hua Xin felt that not only would she not get rid of her social anxiety, but she would become even more socially anxious, and might even start making Zisha pottery.

"You know Xia Fen too, right?"

"Ah, yes! I know Xiao Fen too!"

Sitting upright, Hua Xin seemed to be the pitiful child facing a strict father-in-law and a vicious mother-in-law, whose boyfriend happened to be absent, and who could only answer "Here!" with great enthusiasm.

"When Xiao Fen came to Shanghai for summer vacation, we worked at the same store and that's how we met!"

She swallowed the "over" that was on the tip of her tongue, her heart pounding as she took a sip of tea, trying to appear less nervous.

But inside, he was already in unbearable agony.

What on earth is she doing...?

This is Xia Yan's grandfather, not the jailer interrogating prisoner 9527! The way she's behaving will definitely lower his opinion of her; it's not the composed demeanor one would expect from someone who's with Xia Yan.

What should I do if Grandpa doesn't agree?

After such an abstract presentation, even a normal person would think she's abnormal, right?

The more she overthinks, the more flustered she becomes, causing her to completely forget the comforting words Xia Yan had said to her at the door.

Hua Xin remained silent, simply drinking her tea.

However, because the tea was too hot, she could only sip it little by little each time. Within just a few minutes, Hua Xin picked up her teacup more than thirty times.

"Oh, I see... Xia Fen never mentioned this to me, she only told me that her brother is dating."

"Puff..."

Hua Xin almost spat out the tea as she carefully took another sip from her teacup.

She quickly adjusted her expression and then asked:

"Xiao Fen already told you?... Ahahaha, is that so, is that so..."

Although Hua Xin really wanted to cry, she had to pretend that nothing was wrong.

How should I put it...?

It's like when you finally reach adulthood and graduate after a long time of dating in your youth, only to find that your parents already know everything when you finally go to meet them. The first impression you carefully prepared for the visit was already formed long ago.

[Hello, Uncle, I am a social elite, an excellent boyfriend, and a graduate of a top university.]

[Oh, you, didn't you used to ride around on your electric scooter and dye your hair blonde when you were in high school? When did you dye your hair back to normal?]

—This feeling of déjà vu.

But there wasn't anything particularly outrageous between her and Xia Yan that Xia Fen would know about, right?

Hua Xin didn't think Xia Yan would tell Xia Fen about their romantic relationship.

Well, there's no harm in saying it.

But still... it's so embarrassing.

"Don't be nervous, child."

Grandpa leaned back in his chair, and his previously energetic state suddenly turned into a somber and quiet one.

It's like the feeling of being "tired".

Hua Xin knew what this feeling was like, and she also knew what might happen next.

She had seen it many times.

She had that feeling.

The girl's eyes also lowered.

"I'm already very happy that you can be with Xia Yan."

"You are a good boy."

"And he was a very complicated child."

Grandpa spoke in a melodious tone, and although his eyes were looking at Hua Xin, they seemed to be looking at Xia Yan from a long time ago.