On the way back, Mr. He and Zheng Guofeng played chess on the train while Mrs. He watched the children.

Xue Xingjun started acting strange the moment he got on the train, seeming restless and uneasy.

Xue Yue looked at him. "Got ants in your pants?"

Xue Xingjun shook his head. He hesitated for a moment, then whispered to Xue Yue, "Do you think Dad will let me come back out after I go home this time?"

Xue Yue thought for a moment. "I don’t think so. I wrote Dad a letter last time, and since he didn’t reply, he must have agreed."

Xue Xingjun waved his hand dismissively. "That’s Dad’s strategy. He knew I was in Beijing City and wouldn’t come back, so there was nothing they could do. But now I’m walking right into the lion’s den. Do you think I’ll be able to get back out?"

His words made Xue Yue laugh. "The lion’s den? Is it really that serious?"

Xue Xingjun nodded vigorously. "Sis, can I ask you for a favor? If Dad doesn’t let me go back to Beijing City with you guys, you have to come and save me!" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Xue Yue smiled and said, "Alright, I’ll definitely come and save you."

Only then did Xue Xingjun quiet down.

On the way, Xue Yue asked Yang Wenxiu, "You left in such a hurry last time. What did you think of our hometown?"

Yang Wenxiu said, "It’s a lot like my hometown, just a little colder."

Xue Yue said with a smile, "Shitou’s mother must be eagerly waiting for you two to get back."

Yang Wenxiu covered her mouth and giggled. "Shitou called his mom ahead of time. She kept saying my name over and over on the phone."

Xue Yue said, "That’s wonderful. Shitou’s mother is a very kind old lady. She’ll definitely treat you well."

Yang Wenxiu nodded. She had actually figured that out the last time she visited.

They were a large group. As soon as they all got off the train, Zhang Qian’s parents were already waiting outside.

"Dad, Mom."

"Father, Mother."

Xue Xingzhou and Zhang Qian both called out when they saw them.

Zhang Hongjie and Huang Ying were all smiles.

"Guo Feng, we’ve been waiting for you all to get back," Zhang Hongjie said, shaking hands with Zheng Guofeng.

Zheng Guofeng replied, "Work wasn’t busy this year, so we got off early. I decided to tag along with the kids and impose on you."

Zhang Hongjie said, "We’ve been looking forward to your return. The more the merrier! There’s plenty of room at home, so stay for a few days. We agreed we’d have more than a few drinks, remember?"

Zheng Guofeng smiled and said, "This time, I’ll let the host decide. I’m fine with whatever you arrange."

Huang Ying was already holding Tun Tun, unable to resist giving him several kisses.

Zhang Qian said with a laugh, "Mom, he’s too heavy. Don’t carry him, he can walk by himself."

But Huang Ying was reluctant to put him down. "How old is he? Just because he can walk doesn’t mean I can’t hold him."

Tun Tun was still a round, chubby little boy. Zhang Qian was already trying to control his diet, but Xue Xingzhou felt the child was just too lazy and lacked exercise. Even though he could walk, he always preferred to sit, and could spend a whole day studying something he was holding.

’He doesn’t like to run, so everything he eats turns to fat. How could he not be chubby?’

Xue Xingzhou planned to take him running every morning and teach him some boxing or something when he got a little older. But Zhang Qian felt sorry for him, thinking the child was still too young for such a tough daily routine.

"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, we’ll head back now. Whenever you want to come over, just come straight on. I’ll get the house ready for you."

Xue Xingzhou’s place only had one room. It was fine for their family of three, but adding Zheng Guofeng would make it a bit crowded. That’s why Xue Yue had originally planned for them to come back and stay with her and her family.

Xue Xingzhou nodded. "Okay. Xing Jun, you guys help them on their way."

Xue Yue nodded. "Don’t worry."

Xue Xingjun watched with a displeased expression as Xue Xingzhou left with his wife, child, and in-laws. He thought to himself, ’Hmph, just abandoning his little brother like that. Heartless and disloyal.’

Xue Yue patted Xue Xingjun’s shoulder. "Let’s go. What are you spacing out for?"

Xue Xingjun sighed, his shoulders slumping. He still had to go back.

「At the train station, they split into two groups.」

Xue Xingzhou’s group went home with Zhang Qian’s parents, while Xue Yue’s group returned to Da Liushu Village.

As soon as they entered the village, they saw Shitou’s mother from a distance. She was standing under the large willow tree at the village entrance, constantly looking in their direction.

Shitou broke into a run.

"Mom—"

Seeing this, Yang Wenxiu also ran over.

Shitou’s mother glanced at Shitou, then took Yang Wenxiu’s hands.

"Mother—" Yang Wenxiu called out again.

Shitou’s mother’s face crinkled into a wide smile. "Yes, yes, my good child. You’re finally back. Quick, let’s go home. I’ve got the house all warmed up for you. I was just waiting for you to get back."

Yang Wenxiu smiled and glanced at Shitou, then nodded. "Thank you, Mother."

Shitou’s mother held Yang Wenxiu’s hand. "Come on, let’s go home."

Shitou turned and said to He Lang and the others, "Third Brother, we’re heading home first."

He Lang nodded. "Go ahead."

Watching them leave, Mrs. He sighed with emotion. "Shitou’s mother has had it rough. After all these years, she’s finally seen Shitou get married, and life has gotten better for her. I watched her, a single woman, struggle through those toughest years with Shitou. His father sacrificed himself, and everyone pitied her, but we were all poor back then and couldn’t help much. She insisted on not remarrying and raised Shitou all by herself."

It was true. They had all lived through that era and could mostly understand how it felt.

Xue Yue and He Lang saw for the first time the house that Little Chen and his family had built.

It wasn’t far from Xue Yue’s place, and from the outside, it really did look quite similar.

"Have you moved in already?" Xue Yue asked.

Little Chen shook his head. "It’s livable, but my mom insisted on waiting for me to come back so we could move in together."

Xue Yue smiled. "That’s nice. You’ll be able to spend the New Year in your new house then."

Xue Yue and He Lang returned to their own home. They hadn’t come back last year, so the house was covered in dust.

They put their things down and began to clean up.

He Lang lit the *kang* and then the stove. After they had been burning for a while, the house finally started to warm up a little.

Ruanruan, Shiyi, and Daya went with the others to the old family house.

The children were always incredibly excited whenever they came back.

Xue Yue left her house and ran into several people on her way to the old family house.

"You’re He the Third’s wife, aren’t you?"

Xue Yue nodded.

"Oh my, it really is you! Goodness, I almost didn’t recognize you. You’re so beautiful! The city life really suits you. Look at your in-laws, too—they both look younger."

Xue Yue gave a small smile and quickly walked away.

Some say that every time you pass through the most crowded part of the village, it’s like enduring a trial of judging eyes. People will say anything, and the mental pressure is immense.

Only after she was a good distance away did Xue Yue let out a big sigh of relief.

When Gao Cuiyun saw Xue Yue, she said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, you’re finally back! The kids have been missing you."

"Second Sister-in-law, I’ve missed home, too, and I’ve missed these little rascals. Little Chen told me you’re planning to move. When’s the big day?"

Gao Cuiyun said, "My father-in-law picked a date. It’s the day after tomorrow."

Xue Yue nodded. "That’s great. We’ll have to have a big celebration then."

Gao Cuiyun smiled and nodded. Her expression was much more relaxed; she no longer wore the constant frown she had in previous years.