Li Wanyin's home was just an ordinary self-built house in the countryside.
The house had been around for some years, too. Her father had built it when he got married.
Pushing open the front door, Li Wanyin led Chen Shi'an into the living room. The furnishings inside were just as ordinary and dated, but everything was kept exceptionally clean and tidy, with a reassuring sense of everyday life in every corner.
What caught the eye most was the wall covered in certificates of all sizes. Layered like medals, they covered a considerable portion of the wall.
Chen Shi'an looked them over with interest. They all belonged to the sisters: Li Wanyin's "Outstanding Student" and "Outstanding Class Officer" awards, her younger sister Li Wanyue's "First in the Grade" and "First Prize in the Subject Competition" awards, and more.
Those bright red and yellow sheets of paper, some old and some new, were the most dazzling decorations in this simple farmhouse.
"You have so many certificates, Sister Wanyin," Chen Shi'an said with a smile.
"They're all from elementary and middle school... Most of them are Xiao Yue's. She's much better at studying than I am."
Li Wanyin smiled sheepishly and led Chen Shi'an farther inside, asking him to sit on the very old, hard wooden sofa.
Furniture like this really showed its age. Even the corners had been worn smooth. Saying a set of sofas could last three generations was no joke.
The floor wasn't the usual tile, either, but terrazzo, which had been popular decades ago.
Chen Shi'an didn't stay seated. He got up to help Li Wanyin unpack.
"Which room do you usually sleep in, Sister Wanyin?"
"This one."
Li Wanyin opened the door and showed him her room.
Knowing she was coming home to stay, her mother had already