Pushing open the gate of the courtyard house, the familiar courtyard comes into view.

The old locust tree in the courtyard still stands tall, and on the stone table under the tree are several pots of roses that Wang Xiulan has carefully tended, which are in full bloom.

"The head of the household is back!"

Wang Xiulan was busy in the kitchen when she heard the noise and immediately came out to greet them, her face beaming with joy.

Su Jianguo put his luggage under the porch and dusted himself off.

"I'm back. Everything's been arranged at the greenhouse."

Wang Xiulan took the coat he had taken off and looked him up and down.

"That's good, then we don't have to stay there all the time."

Grandpa!

Da Mao and Er Mao rushed out of the side room and pounced into Su Jianguo's arms like two little beasts.

Su Jianguo squatted down, picked up his two grandsons, one in each arm, and kissed each of their rosy cheeks.

Do you miss Grandpa?

"think!"

The two children spoke in unison, and Da Mao added.

"Grandpa, I've learned how to write my own name!"

Su Jianguo smiled and rubbed Da Mao's head.

"Good lad, you've got potential!"

His gaze passed over the children's shoulders and fell upon his eldest daughter, Su Yufen, standing at the door of the side room, holding needlework in her hands and wearing a gentle smile on her face.

Further to the side, Su Yuzhen was hiding behind the door frame, only half of her face showing, her eyes darting around.

"Yuzhen?"

He noticed that his youngest daughter looked a little strange.

Su Jianguo called out.

Su Yuzhen visibly trembled, but still slowly walked out, bowing her head and calling out "Father".

"Um."

Su Jianguo responded but didn't say anything more.

He knew his youngest daughter was still embarrassed about eloping, so he wasn't in a hurry to pressure her.

Wang Xiulan greeted them.

"Don't just stand there, everyone. Husband, go wash up. Yufen, come with me to make two dishes."

When Su Jianguo returned home, he naturally had to cook some good dishes.

After a while.

The table was laden with food: stewed green beans with pork, stir-fried leeks with eggs, and a bowl of steaming hot and sour soup.

Wang Xiulan opened a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and poured a small cup for Su Jianguo.

"Wow, this dish looks good today! What kind of cuisine is it?"

Su Jianguo asked with a smile, picked up his wine glass and took a sip. The fiery liquor slid down his throat, dispelling the fatigue of the past few days.

Wang Xiulan put food into everyone's bowl.

"I didn't know you'd be back today, so this will have to be something simple. What kind of food is it? Home-style cooking!"

Su Jianguo looked around the dining table. Da Mao and Er Mao were already eagerly shoveling food into their mouths, and Su Yufen carefully wiped the mouths of the two children.

Su Yuzhen ate in small bites, occasionally stealing a glance at him.

This family, though it has weathered many storms, has ultimately avoided any major problems.

"How's it going over at the greenhouse?"

Wang Xiulan asked, and then put another piece of meat on her husband's plate.

Su Jianguo put down his chopsticks, a rare smile appearing on his face.

"The seedlings have all been transplanted and are growing well. I estimate that the first batch of vegetables will bring in at least ten thousand yuan."

"Ten thousand?"

Wang Xiulan's chopsticks fell onto the table with a "clatter," her eyes wide with surprise.

Su Yufen also looked up in surprise.

"Dad, are you serious? Growing vegetables can earn this much?"

"This is still a conservative estimate."

Su Jianguo took another sip of wine.

"If it's around the Spring Festival, the price can double."

Su Yuzhen finally couldn't help but speak, her voice filled with disbelief.

"That...that's way more than what a worker earns, isn't it?"

Su Jianguo glanced at his youngest daughter and nodded.

"Yes, that's why I dared to invest so much money. Now that the policies have been relaxed, whoever seizes the opportunity first will be able to live a good life."

Wang Xiulan clasped her hands together and murmured.

"Thank goodness, our family's luck is about to change!"

The atmosphere at the dinner table immediately became lively, and even Su Yuzhen relaxed a lot, taking the initiative to pour her father a glass of wine.

Su Jianguo noticed that his youngest daughter's hands had stopped shaking.

Just as everyone was immersed in joy, Wang Xiulan suddenly put down her bowl and hesitated before speaking.

"Honey, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Su Jianguo picked up a piece of egg.

"What's up?"

"A few days ago, Aunt Liu from the neighborhood office came to our house, saying she wanted to arrange a marriage for Yufen."

Wang Xiulan glanced at her eldest daughter.

"The man is a technician at a machinery factory, named Zhao Zhiqiang, in his early thirties. He was widowed two years ago and has no children. I heard he's a very honest person, and his salary isn't low."

The dinner table fell silent instantly.

Su Yufen's face flushed red, and she lowered her head to pick at the rice in her bowl.

Da Mao and Er Mao, unaware of what was going on, were still focused on eating.

Su Jianguo put down his chopsticks, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Zhao Zhiqiang? The one from Dongcheng Machinery Factory?"

Wang Xiulan nodded.

"Yes, it's him. Aunt Liu said he doesn't mind that Yu Fen has two children; she just wants someone to settle down with."

"I disagree!"

Su Yuzhen suddenly slammed her hand on the table and stood up, startling everyone.

"My sister has only been a widow for a short time. I suspect those people are just trying to take advantage of us because our family is doing well now, or because they're after my sister's money!"

"Yuzhen!"

Wang Xiulan frowned and scolded.

"How dare you speak like that?"

Su Yufen took her sister's hand and said softly.

"Sit down, don't frighten the child."

Su Yuzhen shook off her sister's hand.

"Big sister, don't be foolish! Those people say they don't mind, but who knows how they'll treat Da Mao and Er Mao when they actually start living together!"

Su Jianguo slammed his wine glass down with a loud thud.

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