Chapter 036: Dream Fulfilled

When Yang Tian and Yang Xueling rushed home, out of breath, they found old Mr. Yang pacing beside the family’s greenhouse vegetable garden, hands behind his back, coughing as he scrutinized the plants.

The old gentleman was tall but thin, dressed in a simple Zhongshan suit, with a black, modern rural-style fountain pen clipped to his front pocket.

As Yang Tian and Yang Xueling hurried over, the old man paused with a smile and called out, “Xiaotian, you’re back!”

“Grandpa!” Yang Tian replied with a genuine smile, his heart swelling with contentment. The old man had come to their home—Yang Tian was certain it was because he’d seen the award ceremony for the calligraphy competition. Otherwise, the old man would not have come.

“Not bad, not bad. I saw the characters you wrote—you’ve made great progress!” The old man was, as always, a calligraphy enthusiast. As soon as grandfather and grandson exchanged greetings, he brought up the subject of calligraphy.

“Thank you for your praise, Grandpa!” Yang Tian was certain he’d guessed right. Since the old man had come, it meant his dream this time had not ended in failure—it had come true.

“Oh, Xiaotian, you’re back! Come, let’s go home for dinner. Since Grandpa is here, your mother’s cooked a table full of wonderful dishes!” At that moment, Yang Bao and Li Xiuying emerged from the greenhouse. Li Xiuying took Yang Tian’s hand and led him home, whispering, “Your grandfather is acting so odd this time—he even brought all his luggage. Looks like he’s planning to stay with us!”

Seeing her smile, Yang Tian’s heart warmed. Was Grandpa really planning to stay? Then this dream was truly fulfilled.

Back inside, Yang Tian indeed found that Yang Qingtang had brought a great deal of luggage—mostly calligraphy works, ink treasures, and only a few clothes. He wasted no time moving everything into an empty room behind the main hall, a space Yang Bao and his wife had always kept ready for the old man, though he’d never agreed to live with them before. Each time Yang Bao and his wife passed by the door, their faces betrayed their disappointment. Now, surely, they would be pleased.

Later, Yang Tian learned that the old man’s willingness to come stemmed from three reasons: first, his acceptance speech; second, Yang Bao had quietly sent the district’s first prize certificate to the old man, allowing him to see Yang Tian’s passion for the Yang family’s Yan-style calligraphy—a passion his cousin Yang Yang could not match, even though Yang Yang had placed third citywide. But in the old man’s eyes, that was as high as Yang Yang could reach.

Most importantly, the old man saw Yang Tian’s striving and determined heart. Otherwise, no single high school calligraphy competition could have changed their relationship so completely. His grandfather was not so shallow.

With the old man’s arrival, the household grew livelier than ever—three generations under one roof, laughter echoing through the rooms. This was the most beautiful scene of a peasant family’s simple happiness. Though conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, or fathers and sons, were common in the countryside, none of that existed here. Yang Bao and his wife were honest and kindhearted people.

Yang Tian’s life after his rebirth became even more fulfilling. From Monday to Friday, he was at school—attending classes during the day, working out with Huang Juan during PE, tutoring Zhang Xinyu in the evenings, and practicing martial arts deep into the night.

Weekends at home were even more lively. Besides enjoying the lavish meals prepared by both the Yang and Huang families, he played with Yang Xueling, practiced boxing with Huang Biao, practiced calligraphy with the old man, and helped tend the greenhouse.

There were often awkward moments—Huang Biao would want to spar, while the old man would want calligraphy practice, leaving Yang Tian to feign a stomachache and escape to the banks of the Bailang River to go fishing with Huang Juan and Yang Xueling.

One sunny weekend, Yang Tian was at the village entrance playing badminton with Huang Juan and Yang Xueling. Yang Qingtang sat nearby on a tree root, smiling with narrowed eyes. Since coming to Yang Tian’s home, he’d realized how much it had changed over the years. There was a happiness here that could not be found at Yang Yang’s house.

After a while, the sound of an engine approached from the village entrance. The villagers craned their necks to see a brand-new green JAC truck rolling slowly into view.

Everyone was astonished. It was the first time such a beautiful and imposing truck had come to Daliushu Village, and soon a crowd gathered around.

“Wow, what a pretty truck!” Yang Xueling exclaimed. Huang Juan stopped playing and looked over joyfully, while Yang Tian stood quietly to the side.

Then, to Yang Tian’s great surprise, Zhang Xinyu jumped down from the truck’s cab and ran cheerfully toward the crowd, followed by Zhang Qiang and Fang Li.

Only then did Yang Tian realize this must be the new JAC truck just bought for Zhang Qiang’s textile factory.

“Excuse me, do you know where Yang Tian’s house is?” Zhang Xinyu asked the crowd sweetly.

“Yang Tian?” The villagers all knew him well and immediately turned to look at Yang Tian standing by the old willow tree.

“Brother Yang Tian!” Zhang Xinyu spotted him in the distance and darted over, with Zhang Qiang and Fang Li following, smiling.

“Xinyu! Godfather, Godmother!” Yang Tian was surprised at first, but quickly greeted them politely.

“Xinyu has been pestering us to visit your house for ages! She wanted to surprise you, so we didn’t tell you in advance—we hope you don’t mind!” Fang Li said with a hearty laugh.

“Of course not! I’m delighted to have you all here!” Yang Tian replied sincerely. They were good people, and he was happy to befriend them.

“Big brother, who are they?” Yang Xueling ran over and, pushing Zhang Xinyu aside, pouted as she asked.

“I told you before—they’re my godfather and godmother from town,” Yang Tian said, ruffling her hair.

“Hello, I’m Zhang Xinyu!” Zhang Xinyu greeted Yang Xueling, but Yang Xueling ignored her.

“Hello, Uncle Zhang. Hello, Aunt Fang!” Sensing the awkwardness, Huang Juan quickly stepped forward to break the ice.

“Oh, you must be Huang Juan! Yang Tian’s told us about you—what a fine girl!” Zhang Qiang and his wife gave Huang Juan an appraising look, clearly pleased.

Huang Juan blushed, glanced at Yang Tian, and immediately looked down, not knowing what to do with her hands.

“Xiaotian, these are…?” At that moment, Yang Qingtang walked over, hands behind his back, looking puzzled.

“Oh, you must be Mr. Yang! Yang Tian often talks about you, says your calligraphy is extraordinary. We’ve always wanted to visit, but the textile factory keeps us busy. Today, being the weekend, we finally made it! By the way, we made Yang Tian our godson a long time ago!” Zhang Qiang said admiringly, and when the old man still looked confused, hastened to explain their relationship.

“Ah, I see. Please, come inside and have a seat!” Yang Qingtang ushered the Zhangs into the house, while Yang Tian and Huang Juan stayed behind to look after the younger ones. For Zhang Xinyu, everything in the countryside was new and interesting, but Yang Xueling was another story. Normally gentle, she became petulant the moment she heard Zhang Xinyu call Yang Tian “big brother.”

PS from the author: “Dream of a Fulfilled Life” is written with great care, and I believe the frequent updates show my dedication. I’m deeply moved by the many readers who support me! But this afternoon, someone threw five ‘bricks’ at the story, which left me a bit disheartened. It’s not that I care too much about such things, but it made me wonder—do you all not like this book anymore? So I earnestly ask everyone to help out—let flowers outshine the bricks! Whether or not you think ‘Dream of a Fulfilled Life’ is good, please consider my hard work and lend your support!