Since Zhou Qiqi went to the city, this place hasn't been cleaned for more than four months, so tidying it up is a bit of a hassle.

The two spent two or three hours tidying up, and the courtyard and house finally showed some of their former neatness.

After finishing packing, Zhou Qiqi was exhausted and could barely walk. Shen Huaichuan, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened and was even able to carry her back.

However, on the way back, Zhou Qiqi fell asleep on his shoulder.

The next morning, Aunt Jinhua prepared breakfast. Village Chief Xu came to call the two of them to eat, but seeing that they were still asleep, he did not disturb them. Instead, he took the food to the room where Zhou Shuhua's family was staying.

Aunt Jinhua's millet porridge was thick and creamy, and her cornbread was golden brown and fragrant. Paired with her homemade pickled vegetables, it was simple yet satisfying.

Last night, Zhou Shuhua took her medicine and learned the exact whereabouts of her niece. The tension that had been building up in her heart for over twenty years eased considerably, and she slept soundly.

Sitting at the kang table now, his face was still a little pale, but his spirits were obviously high. He was holding a rough porcelain bowl and drinking porridge in small sips. He was much better than yesterday when he couldn't eat or drink anything.

Lei Yuhua picked up a piece of pickled vegetable for her mother and muttered:

"Mom, isn't it strange? Who is Brother Huaichuan? In the army, he's always the first one to get up when the bugle sounds! He's incredibly disciplined! Why is he sleeping in today? The sun is already high in the sky."

As she spoke, she chuckled to herself, winking mischievously, "Even our military region's living devil has been 'infected' by Sister Qiqi!"

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

Zhou Shuhua's eyes widened, her protective instincts flaring up instantly, and she lightly tapped the rim of her bowl with her chopsticks.

"Our Qiqi is still young, what's wrong with sleeping a little longer? She needs to sleep well to grow! Do you think everyone is like you, thick-skinned and tough?"

Lei Yuhua rolled her eyes, speechless, and silently complained to herself:

My goodness! My little sister Qiqi is already married, and she's still "growing"? You're so biased!

But seeing her mother's "I'll fight anyone who dares to say anything bad about my niece" attitude, she wisely swallowed her words and secretly made a face at her father.

Commissar Lei silently drank his porridge, pretending not to see his daughter's little antics.

Zhou Shuhua put down her bowl, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and her eyes calmed down considerably.

"Let them sleep, they must be exhausted from last night. Qiqi is right, there's still a lot to do, we'll take it one step at a time. Right now, the most important thing is..."

Her gaze drifted out the window, and beyond the low earthen wall, she could almost see the few brick houses nestled at the foot of the mountain.

"I'm going to offer incense to Jianbang and my poor siblings. Last night, I heard from Village Chief Xu that their graves are right behind the house. They were hastily buried back then, without even a proper tombstone."

She paused, then said:

"I've made up my mind. Right here, I'll build them a new grave and erect a nice monument! It has to be impressive! Let everyone in the village see that Zhou Shuisheng and his wife have roots and lineage! They're not wandering ghosts!"

Her eyes were resolute, as if she wanted to make up for all the debts she had owed over the past twenty years:

"However, this is just a cenotaph, a temporary resting place. Once things are settled with Qiqi, we need to move Jianbang and my sister-in-law Qilin back to our hometown! To be buried with our parents! Let Jianbang return to his roots, and let him go to his parents' graves to tell them this wonderful news in person, so that they can rest in peace knowing that their son didn't die in the flood, but got married and had a daughter! The Zhou family's bloodline was finally not in my hands!"

Political Commissar Lei put down his chopsticks, his brows furrowed slightly, and said in a deep voice:

"Shuhua, this matter can't be rushed. Don't make a decision so quickly. It's okay to rebuild the grave and erect a monument to comfort the deceased, but moving it back to the old home... and the arrangement of the cenotaph, you have to ask Qiqi's opinion first."

Zhou Shuhua frowned immediately, her eyes full of disapproval. Knowing his wife's temper, Political Commissar Lei quickly explained gently:

“It’s true that Jianbang is your younger brother, but in Xujia Village, he is Zhou Shuisheng, Qi Lin’s man, and Qi Qi’s biological father! Whether or not to move the grave, and where to move it, ultimately depends on what Qi Qi, as the daughter, thinks. Is she willing to let her parents move from this place? Is she willing to... come back to our ‘old home’ with us to recognize our ancestors? These are all things to discuss, and it’s not something you can decide on your own.”

Zhou Shuhua's eyes dimmed. Her husband's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing some of her anxiety, but also calming her down a bit.

After a long pause, she gave a soft "hmm," a hint of reluctance mixed with understanding:

“You’re right, Qiqi should be in charge, but we can’t delay the grave and tombstone any longer! Even if it’s just a cenotaph, we need to make sure Jianbang and his wife are properly honored in the village! We’ll arrange it after we finish eating!”

The main room fell silent for a moment, with only the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

Just then—

"Zhou Shuhua! Come out here!"

A sharp, piercing scream, like a thunderclap, abruptly shattered the brief silence!

That shrewish shouting was none other than Li Guixiang!