Chapter 1029 Turning Swords into Plowshares

After leaving the restaurant, He Chuan's parents said they were in a hurry to go back and rest.

Song Chunxue didn't allow it, and pulled them along to the cloth shop with Mei Yang and the others.

“It’s a rare occasion for our in-laws to come, how can we go back empty-handed? This fabric shop is a joint venture between Meiyang and me. If you like any fabric, don’t hesitate to tell me. Let’s take some fabric back and make new clothes for our two in-laws.”

As she spoke, Song Chunxue picked up a piece of fabric from the shelf and held it up against them.

“Mother, no need. My parents have clothes to wear. Besides, this is such good material. They are farmers and can’t wear it. Making it would be a waste.”

He Chuan felt very bad and tried to stop him several times.

"If Mother really insists on giving it to me, then let's use this kind of material, the same as what I'm wearing. I think that's already very good. Otherwise, they definitely won't be willing to wear it, and it might be passed down from generation to generation, do you believe me?"

Song Chunxue laughed, "I believe you, of course I believe you. That's how I got through it. But we only live once, so we can't not make them just because we don't need them. Making two vests is fine too; they can match any clothes."

Mother He hesitated and said, "Let's forget it. These fabrics must be expensive. Even if we made them, we wouldn't dare wear them. We're just farmers."

"Make it if you like. You can wear it at home during the holidays. These fabrics are suitable for ordinary people like us and won't break the law, so don't worry." As she spoke, Song Chunxue took out some softer cotton fabric to make some close-fitting clothes.

I also took some items suitable for making shoe uppers, as well as earrings and hairpins, and put them on the cabinet.

"Mother, these..."

He Chuan tried to stop her, but Song Chunxue stopped him.

"Don't worry about it, this is my heartfelt gift. Besides, I'm so grateful to you for farming for me all these years. It's okay if your parents feel sorry for you and say some harsh words when they find out, because you're still their own child."

“I know they are old and miss their son who lives far away, so they are prepared to take your whole family with them, even if they don’t take anything else with them.”

"But if you live a good life, don't forget your parents, and don't feel burdened because of us, mother and son."

As she spoke, Song Chunxue wrapped the things up.

Mei Yang stood aside and took out a very grand and eye-catching box, which contained many small gifts. These gifts were placed inside when custom-made clothes were delivered to wealthy families. Because of this ingenious idea, the fabric shop's business improved considerably.

This ingenious idea came from Meiyang's wife; she's skillful and full of ideas.

Along the way, He Chuan's parents rarely spoke, but they smiled more often. Seeing how much effort Song Chunxue put into entertaining them, providing them with food and gifts, all their previous dissatisfaction disappeared.

They could sense that Song Chunxue genuinely wanted to entertain them, which made them feel somewhat ashamed.

They came with many purposes. While missing their son was one aspect, they also wanted him to go back to save face.

They had previously worried that He Chuan, living the life of a live-in son-in-law in the Jiang family, would surely suffer a lot.

They even thought that Song Chunxue was repaying He Chuan for all the grievances her own daughter had suffered.

But after seeing firsthand how Song Chunxue treated He Chuan, they realized that it was perfectly reasonable and appropriate for He Chuan to call her "Mom."

Compared to Song Chunxue, the care and attention that He Chuan received from his biological parents was far from sufficient.

When they returned to He Chuan's house, it was already afternoon. Song Chunxue asked He Chuan on behalf of Hongying to let the couple stay a few more days so they could check on their grandchildren's studies.

Firstly, it would put their minds at ease, and secondly, they had come from such a long way and their bodies were probably not well-rested; going back directly would definitely make them uncomfortable.

It's not too late for them to go back when they've had enough and have a clear understanding of how their children live.

"It's settled then. You can stay here for a while longer. Although what He Chuan said earlier was unpleasant, he was just trying to annoy you. Actually, every year around the New Year, Hongying told me and Qiaoqiao that he would secretly wipe away tears when he went to add hay to the donkey in a secluded place."

"Once, he didn't wipe it clean, and Hongying caught him red-handed. The two of them even had a fight because of it. He Chuan was shy and embarrassed, but Hongying just had to dig into it. Not only was he not considerate, but she also thought he had another lover outside."

These words left everyone both amused and exasperated.

He Chuan sat with his head down, his ears red, and said nothing.

Jiang Hongying smiled and said, "Mom and Dad, you two chat first. I'll go out and buy some groceries. We'll have dinner with the children tonight. I'll prepare them in advance."

“Don’t worry, what’s the rush?” Mother He said, wiping away tears with her clothes. “We meant well for the child, but we just couldn’t bring ourselves to say anything nice. It’s our fault, we weren’t good to Hongying back then…”

As she spoke, she turned around and started crying.

Everyone remained silent. Song Chunxue said gently, "I understand. We all have children. I have more than you. If it weren't for God taking care of me, our family might not be alive today."

"Don't be sad, I understand." Song Chunxue stood up and smiled. "I'll make you some tea, and we can chat while you talk. Let Hongying go buy groceries and cook."

He Chuan stood up. "I'll go too. I'll buy more dog heads and two chickens."

"Don't you raise chickens?" Mother He asked, then laughed. "Buying chickens is so expensive, but you're living a good life now. This yard is nothing like the ones in our countryside, where raising chickens is really smelly. Just pretend I didn't say anything."

He Chuan laughed, "We did raise chickens for the first two years, but Hongying said feeding chickens was too much trouble. The chicken coop was too far away, right next to the donkey pen, and people would steal them at night, so we gave up on that for the past two years."

Father He was a man of few words, but when he saw Song Chunxue take out the tea stove to start a fire, he stood up and said, "Let me do it. I do this every day."

These words made them laugh.

Unlike their initial confrontation, they gradually became quite friendly as they chatted.

When the children came back from school in the evening, the three children carried their schoolbags and hopped home, making the schoolbags fly up. Sometimes they couldn't put the schoolbags in their rooms, so they started playing with them.

Upon learning that their grandparents had returned, the three children remained silent for a moment, looking at each other as if they didn't quite remember them.

"Go to the main room and greet them. Xiao Xu will definitely remember them. You two should remember them to some extent as well. Be polite, okay? They are your father's biological parents."

Xiao Long held a football and kicked it around, looking reluctant to go.

Jiang Hongying gave Xiao Xu a wink.

Xiao Xu led Xiu Juan and Xiao Long to the main room.

"Grandpa and Grandma".

The three children shouted in unison, looking at them awkwardly.

"Oh, good, all good." Mother He smiled from ear to ear. "Xiao Xu has grown so much. You three come here and let us see you."

That evening, after everyone had settled down and rested, Jiang Hongying saw Song Chunxue out of the courtyard.

"Mother, you speak so skillfully now, turning the tide of the situation in an instant. I never thought I could speak to them so peacefully in my life. I almost don't recognize myself anymore."

Hongying grabbed Song Chunxue's arm, "Mother, thanks to you, I am where I am now."