Chapter 17.1| Swallows return to nests.

The members of the charity project team from Xu's Group quickly contacted Bai Ping, who then accompanied them to visit Granny Yu to gain a detailed understanding of Li Yong's situation. 

Xu Zhiyi followed the school leadership group to discuss his plan strategy and relevant experts, always being absent during break time. Therefore, the "foodie group" occasionally lacked one member, but it did not affect their "quarrels and fights" among themselves. 

Lin Xipei gave each member a keychain - a cartoon bowl with five small avatars. Meng Yin really liked it, but when she saw the keychain, she couldn't help but think of Xu's keychain. She wanted to know what Xu's keychain looked like and also wanted to understand Xu's so-called like-minded friend.

As November slipped into December, the winter wind showed no mercy, especially the bone-chilling wind in the coastal areas. 

Since the weather turned cold, Zhiyi would have his driver pick up Yin from home, then they would go to school together. 

"Why are you so happy?" Zhiyi asked Yin after she got in the car. 

Rarely arriving early and waiting for Yin in the car, Xu Zhiyi hardly ever saw her looking as happy as she did today, unable to hide her smile, her steps as light as a chirping bird. 

"Is it that obvious?" Yin chuckled, "I am very happy, exceptionally happy." 

The car was warm, Yin loosened her scarf, her eyes shining. She called out to Xu Zhiyi, "My parents are coming back, they are shifting their focus back to the country." 

Although not meet her parents often, Yin's relationship with them was neither distant nor particularly intimate. She could actually understand her parents; her parents had studied abroad on full scholarships. They met in a foreign land, quickly fell in love, studied while trying their hand at entrepreneurship. By the time they graduated, their small company had begun to take shape, with stable clients and income. Then, they decided to settle in Australia.

The arrival of Meng Yin was a gift to emotions and life, but at that time their company was in a period of growth. You can't have the best of both worlds. They were full of expectations for the child yet to be born, just as the company and career that were beginning to grow were also their children. It was a difficult decision. They had serious discussions with both sets of parents about their plans for raising the unborn Meng Yin. They wanted Meng Yin to live in the country and spend her childhood at least where she was born. Over the years, they had contact with many ABCs. Some of them were well-educated but not native speakers and did not understand the local customs; some had become disconnected from their roots; and some struggled to adapt when setting foot on the native land after years away. Both sets of parents did not oppose their decision, the only requirement being that they must come back regularly to accompany the child. 

Chen Qian, Yin's mother, returned to China in the second half of her pregnancy to care for Meng Yin after giving birth, staying in China until Yin started kindergarten before returning to Australia. 

Being human, the couple were also first-time parents. Like most parents, they hoped that Yin would grow up healthy and happy, and they also hoped to become friends with her as she grew up. They did not witness every moment of her life, but even from afar, they shared their daily lives, interests, and emotions through technology. They missed many occasions that parents should attend, but they never missed the most important occasions in her life - her birthday every year, from kindergarten to junior high school graduation ceremony, and every year of family reunion.

A year before starting elementary school, Yin faced her first major life decision - whether to stay in China for schooling or move to Australia with family. This decision later evolved into a crucial consideration before advancing to higher education. Despite criticisms of the rote learning system in China and occasional complaints about teachers and academic pressure, Yin ultimately found contentment in her present situation. She aspired to participate in the rigorous national college entrance examination, known as the "gaokao," after putting in effort like everyone else. 

During a recent video call with her parents, Yin received surprising news. 

"We have shifted our focus back to China and are planning to return for future endeavours," they informed her. These simple words resonated in her ears through the computer screen, momentarily feeling like a dream. However, the reality of her parents' decision soon sank in. The concept of "homecoming" became apparent to her as the family would finally reunite within the same time zone. 

Unbeknownst to Meng Yin, she found herself opening up and sharing her joys with Xu Zhiyi, revealing a side of her that only emerged in his presence. 

As the car came to a stop just a street away from school, Meng Yin reminisced about her childhood stories, missing out on sharing many of them with Xu Zhiyi during the 20-minute ride. It wasn't until they exited the vehicle that Zhiyi noticed the bags from Nan Chao Ji in her hands and inquired about them. 

Yin cheerfully explained that she had ordered takeout the day before and decided to share the new Nan Chao Ji products with the group.