"Brother Dayong, Uncle Mingqiang... everyone's here!" Jiang Qiaoqiao and Yang Jianguo greeted everyone politely.

When everyone saw them arrive, they quickly stopped their discussion.

Yang Yong stood up, patted Yang Jianguo on the shoulder, and greeted him, "Jianguo, Qiaoqiao, you've come over."

Yang Mingqiang spoke up somewhat anxiously, "Jianguo, Qiaoqiao, we're all here waiting for your definite answer: whether the duck farm will still be built or not, and whether we'll still be needed to do the work."

If you don't want to build it anymore, we all understand, so please don't make things difficult for us.

Yang Jianguo repeated what he had just said to Yang Mingcai, and finally said, "Everyone will do the same work as before, just like when my dad was here!"

"I'll definitely build this duck farm!"

Yang Jianguo's words immediately lifted everyone's spirits, which had been somewhat apprehensive.

Yang Mingqiang took the lead and said, "Okay, Jianguo, if you have this ambition, we uncles and brothers will definitely help you!"

"Come on, everyone, let's get to work! This isn't just their duck farm, it's the duck farm of our Yangjia Village!"

Soon, everyone was working enthusiastically in the pond that was half-dug on the foundation of the duck farm.

Yang Jianguo didn't rest either, helping to carry bricks and cement.

Jiang Qiaoqiao originally wanted to help, but as soon as she picked up a brick, Yang Jianguo snatched it away, saying, "Qiaoqiao, this is not your job. Go and rest over there."

Seeing that she couldn't really help much here, Jiang Qiaoqiao went home first.

At home, Lin Xiaohui had already invited her aunts and sisters-in-law who had helped with cooking to come over, and they were preparing lunch for the workers.

Seeing the smoke rising from the chimney of her home, a scene full of life, Jiang Qiaoqiao felt a great weight lift from her heart.

Yesterday, seeing Lin Xiaohui's condition, she thought it would take Lin Xiaohui a long time to recover.

Unexpectedly, Lin Xiaohui was even more open-minded than her.

When Lin Xiaohui came out of the kitchen, she saw Jiang Qiaoqiao standing there looking at them, and she knew what she was thinking.

She walked over to Jiang Qiaoqiao and said, "Qiaoqiao, your father is gone, but we still have to live well and look forward. Don't worry about Mom, Mom will live well for your father's sake too."

The weather is neither too hot nor too cold this season, making it a perfect time to get things done.

To save time and get more work done, Yang Minghui and the workers he hired usually don't come back for lunch; instead, the person who helps with cooking delivers the food to them.

Today was no exception; Jiang Qiaoqiao and Lin Xiaohui went together to deliver food to everyone.

When Yang Jianguo was eating, Jiang Qiaoqiao sat next to him.

After finishing his meal, Yang Jianguo said to Lin Xiaohui and Jiang Qiaoqiao, "Mom, Qiaoqiao, I took a look at the work today. The duck farm can't function without people."

My idea is to stay home. Mom, you and Qiaoqiao go back to the city first, and we'll hire another person to help out at the duck products shop. What do you two think?

After Yang Jianguo finished speaking, he said to Lin Xiaohui with some guilt, "It's just that we haven't been able to hire anyone for the store, so Mom will have to work hard during this time. Mom won't be able to stay home with Dad for much longer."

Lin Xiaohui couldn't help but feel excited when she heard Yang Jianguo's arrangements.

Yang Jianguo has been honest and kind since he was a child. In the past, when there was something going on at home, he would either listen to his parents or Qiaoqiao.

This was the first time he had made such a big decision on his own.

Looking at Yang Jianguo, Lin Xiaohui felt as if her son had grown up overnight. She nodded excitedly and said, "Yes, when I get old and can't work anymore, I can come back to accompany your father."

Since Yang Jianguo had already decided to stay, Jiang Qiaoqiao and Lin Xiaohui went back to the city with Huo Beixiao that afternoon.

The clothing store has just opened, and although Zhou Yang is there, it wouldn't be good for her to not go for too long.

Moreover, the money that the neighbors in the compound lent them when they were being extorted has not yet been repaid.

She has to go back and pay back the money.

Jiang Qiaoqiao and Huo Beixiao first took Lin Xiaohui to the duck products store.

Inside the shop, Zheng Yulan was busy plucking the short feathers that hadn't grown out of the ducks. Zhou Ling'er and Xiao Guoqing each took a feather clip and were helping Zheng Yulan.

I saw Jiang Qiaoqiao come back.

Zhou Ling'er and Xiao Guoqing simultaneously scurried towards Jiang Qiaoqiao on their short legs, each grabbing one of Jiang Qiaoqiao's thighs.

Zhou Ling'er looked up at Jiang Qiaoqiao with a pained expression, carefully took out something wrapped in a notebook from her pocket, and handed it to Jiang Qiaoqiao. "Sister Qiaoqiao, here you go. These are mints that the teacher gave us. They're so sweet. Eating them will make you happy."

Jiang Qiaoqiao squatted down, and Zhou Ling'er fed her a candy. "Sister Qiaoqiao, is it sweet?"

Jiang Qiaoqiao smiled and gently pinched Zhou Ling'er's delicate nose. "So sweet, thank you, Ling'er."

"Me too, me too, Aunt Qiaoqiao, our teacher gave out cookies, and I saved some for Aunt Qiaoqiao too."

"Aunt Qiaoqiao, eat this, it's delicious!" Xiao Guoqing put an old-fashioned sandwich cookie into Jiang Qiaoqiao's mouth.

The cookies had softened, becoming neither crisp nor crunchy, but they were incredibly sweet, their sweetness seeping into Jiang Qiaoqiao's heart.

On the day of Yang's father's funeral, Zheng Yulan took Zhou Yang, Zhou Ling'er, and Xiao Guoqing, the younger children, to see him off on his final journey.

At their age, Zhou Ling'er and Xiao Guoqing may not fully understand the meaning of death, but they can sense the atmosphere of sadness, so they are trying to cheer her up in their own way.

"Auntie, Qiaoqiao, hasn't Jianguo... come back yet?" Zheng Yulan asked cautiously and nervously.

Jiang Qiaoqiao took Zheng Yulan's hand and immediately changed her address, saying, "Sister-in-law, let's go inside and talk."

After pulling Zheng Yulan back into the shop and sitting down, she told Zheng Yulan about Yang Jianguo's decision. Then, she solemnly asked Zheng Yulan on Yang Jianguo's behalf, "Sister-in-law, my brother asked me to ask you if you are willing to wait for him for a while. Once he has established the duck farm and everything is on track, he will marry you. He promises to treat you well for the rest of his life."

After Jiang Qiaoqiao finished speaking, she added, "I will also help you keep an eye on him, sister-in-law, can you wait for him?"

A blush crossed Zheng Yulan's face. "What's wrong with that? Isn't it normal for men to be busy with their careers? What's there to wait for?"

If all else fails, and he insists on focusing on the duck farm, then I'll go back with him and raise ducks.

After Zheng Yulan blurted out those words, she realized that they might sound a bit like she was desperate to get married.

She quickly explained, "Qiaoqiao, that's not what I meant. I just felt that your brother has had a hard time too, I..."

Jiang Qiaoqiao smiled and grasped Zheng Yulan's hands with both of hers. "Sister-in-law, I understand what you mean. I'm overjoyed that you support my brother!"

Having said that, Zheng Yulan didn't mince words and said directly, "Qiaoqiao, actually, I not only support your brother's decision, but I also admire it."

I used to think that although your brother was a good person, he was too honest and lacked masculinity, but this decision of your brother's showed me his courage.

I believe I won't misjudge the man I've chosen this time.