While Aunt Wei was still offering words of comfort, Song Yan's thoughts were in turmoil. Wei Aiguo had only been in the army for a year before returning home; he must have either made a mistake or been injured, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to come back.

His arms and legs look fine. Could he have done something wrong?

No way! What kind of serious mistake would one have to make to be discharged from the military? Given Wei Aiguo's character, this shouldn't be the case!

It would be a lie to say Song Yan wasn't worried: "Let's go inside and talk!"

Song Yan tried to pull Wei Aiguo into the house, but he couldn't budge him.

Song Yan: "?"

Wei Aiguo felt as if his legs weighed a ton. Would Song Yan despise him? What would his mother think?

Song Yan just stared at him, wondering what it meant to stand there motionless.

"Second Brother! Second Brother!" Chang Xiaohu initially thought he was seeing things, but after looking closely, he realized that his second brother had indeed returned.

Chang Xiaohu took Wei Aiguo's bag.

Wei Aiguo slowly walked into the house.

"Second son, Aiguo! What happened to your leg?" Aunt Wei's voice cracked.

Song Yan wanted to scream, but she bit her lip to keep quiet.

"Son, what's wrong?" Aunt Wei's cries startled everyone in the weaving group.

"Oh! The second son is back?"

"Does this mean you've taken leave to visit relatives?"

"Your son is back, why is Aunt Wei crying?"

Wei Aiguo nodded to the women as a greeting.

Song Yan: "Mother, let's go back inside first." Song Yan forcibly dragged her mother-in-law into the house.

Wei Aiguo is limping; he's disabled! Grandma Wei is crying very sadly. Is it serious? Now that he's back, he probably can't join the army anymore, right?

Soon the whole brigade knew. People who were close to them all came to see.

By this time, Aunt Wei had calmed down considerably. She knew her son had been injured and was lame, which was why he had been discharged from the army. Of course, she was sad; her perfectly healthy son was now crippled. But Aunt Wei comforted her, saying, "It's alright, as long as he's alright, that's all that matters."

"Isn't that right, Xiaoyan? Let's live a good life as a family."

Song Yan was also quite saddened. "You were injured, why didn't you tell me? If I had treated you personally, your leg might not be lame."

Wei Aiguo: "At that time, we were stuck in the no-man's-land and couldn't get out. We missed the best time for treatment."

Before Wei Aiguo could say much, the whole group started arriving one after another.

Everyone was concerned and asked about the situation, offering sincere words of comfort...

Cheng Yousuo: "We didn't get first place in the militia shooting competition this year. It's good that you're back. Let's see if they'll still be so cocky next time." Cheng Yousuo was still upset about not getting first place.

Chen Xiaodong punched Wei Aiguo, "Kid, missing home?"

There were also those who, oblivious to social cues, came up to annoy others.

Aunt Wei said, "Oh! You went to the army and came back looking so disheveled! And you've even become a cripple." Her eldest daughter-in-law wanted to join the weaving group, but Li Yuanzhao wouldn't allow it no matter what, thinking it was all Song Yan's fault.

Song Yan: "You can't think like that! Serving in the army is supposed to be the most honorable thing. But in your eyes, being discharged means coming back looking disheveled! There are discharged soldiers every year!"

If you put it that way, how are people supposed to enlist in the army?

"I didn't say that. I didn't say that." Aunt Wei was scared. What if they dragged him out for a lecture?

“I am lame, but I was injured on duty. I am honored. Don’t you think so?” Wei Aiguo asked his second aunt.

If she dares to say something dishonorable at this point, just try it!

Erzhuang's wife was furious; her mother-in-law was a troublemaker. "My second brother is strong and capable, and Song Yan is good at it too. Their family is doing very well; few in our brigade can compare."

“That’s not quite right. Nobody can compare. With Song Yan’s abilities, tell me, whose family in the brigade is better off than hers?” Wang Wenjuan said.

From the start of the weaving group's work, Song Yan was assigned two tasks.

Why are the weaving teams from other brigades not doing well? They don't look good.

Why is it that only Qingshan Brigade has wheat straw? It was Song Yan who suggested it. Other brigades wanted to learn but couldn't, and all the wheat straw was wasted.

Moreover, the people of Qingshan Brigade are confident that even if they keep the wheat straw next year, it won't be of any use.

They probably stored up cattails and corn husks this year, but no one wants the same product they make.

Captain Wu said that such a person is capable and should be treated well. If our brigade doesn't treat her well, other brigades will be scrambling to hire her. Not to mention half a year's worth of double work points, even a whole year's worth, other brigades would be willing to give Song Yan if they could hire her.

Everyone realized this, and their gazes towards Aunt Wei changed.

First of all, Wei Aiguo is from our brigade. Isn't this just making a fool of your own family? Besides, it's an honor that he was injured on duty.

Wouldn't mocking Wei Aiguo at this time make Song Yan feel disheartened?

The woman inside the house began to berate Aunt Wei, one sentence after another.

Aunt Wei was furious.

Aunt Wei: "These are our Wei family's children. What's wrong with me saying something? You're meddling in other people's business."

"Get out! Get out! Don't ever set foot in my house again!" Aunt Wei was furious, holding a broom handle; she was ready to attack if she didn't leave…

It wasn't until dark that everyone gradually left.

Jiang Xiaoxiao had already prepared the meal, and Wei An and Wei Ping leaned against their second uncle on either side.

"Alright! Time to eat. Stop leaning on your uncle." Aunt Wei seemed much calmer now.

Although Wei Aiguo has retired from the military and has a limp, there is still joy in the reunion, and the family atmosphere is still very good.

Wei Aiguo: "You don't need to worry too much. I have military merits and was demobilized due to injury."

I estimate I can get a job arranged for me after the New Year!

Aunt Wei was overjoyed: "This child, why didn't you say so sooner? You made me worry."

There was neither surprise nor disbelief on Song Yan's face. Had she anticipated it, or was she still troubled by her disability?

Wei Aiguo was a little uneasy.

That evening, Aunt Wei sent Wei Aiguo and Song Yan home to rest early. Wei Ping and Wei An were left behind.

Song Yan fetched some water for Wei Aiguo, "Hurry up and wash up!"

"good!"…

Wherever Song Yan went, Wei Aiguo's gaze followed. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Wei Aiguo: "I'm afraid you'll dislike me."

"What will you do if I dislike you?" Song Yan raised an eyebrow, her vibrant and lively beauty making Wei Aiguo's heart race.

Wei Aiguo: "I arrived at the commune this morning. I went to find someone to choose an auspicious day. Tomorrow is a good day."

"What auspicious day?" Song Yan didn't understand. But Wei Aiguo's burning gaze made her realize. "Superstition!"

"Hurry up and get on the kang (heated brick bed) and take off your clothes!" Song Yan ordered.