With tears in her eyes, Li Yuzhu said, "Never mind her. It's the child's first birthday, and his father and aunt should be there."

"You're being ridiculous. Fine, I'll help you get her back."

After saying that, Dong Sanmei ran out of the house and downstairs without waiting for Li Yuzhu's agreement.

She rode her bicycle to the long-distance bus station. In those days, there weren't many people waiting at the bus station, and even buses to towns and villages were infrequent. She believed the old lady wouldn't have left so soon.

Dong Sanmei easily found Li Yuzhu's mother in the waiting hall, walked up to her, took her hand, and said, "Auntie, please go back with your daughter. Our Dong family isn't attending the child's birthday party today; nobody from the family will be there."

The old lady had a good impression of Dongqing's three older sisters and didn't want to hurt Dong Sanmei's feelings, so she lied and said, "My dear, you've misunderstood. I have something to do back home today, so please help me celebrate the child's birthday!"

Dong Sanmei, not feigning ignorance, smiled and said, "Oh, I see. I misunderstood you, Auntie. My daughter is so petty and narrow-minded. You insisted on attending the child's first birthday, no matter how busy we are. One more day won't make a difference. Don't you think my daughter is right?"

It's not polite to hit someone who's all smiles, and besides, the old lady also wanted to celebrate her grandson's birthday, so she could only give in and say, "My dear, what else can I say? I'll go back with you."

Dong Sanmei said, "Auntie, you're right. Putting aside the matter of my brother and your daughter's divorce, Yusheng is your grandson and also our nephew. In a sense, we're still relatives. Don't you agree?"

The old lady said, "Yes, they are relatives."

Dong Sanmei smiled and said, "Auntie is right, let's go back."

Dong Sanmei rode her bicycle back to the family quarters, let her get off and go upstairs by herself, said "see you in a bit," and then went home to inform her eldest and second eldest sisters to take the day off to celebrate her nephew's birthday.

Li Yuzhu was sitting on the living room sofa with her son in her arms when she suddenly heard someone knocking on the door. She went to the door and opened it, only to see her mother standing outside. She couldn't say a word and started crying as she looked at her mother.

The mother reached out to wipe away her tears, helped her daughter into the house, and sat her down on the sofa. With tears in her eyes, she said, "Perhaps I was wrong. One thing at a time. No matter what kind of person Dongqing is, he is still the child's biological father. I've thought it through. Let his family attend the child's birthday party today."

The mother's words were very clear: although she had agreed to let Dongqing's family attend her grandson's birthday party, her opinion of Dongqing remained unchanged.

Even so, Li Yuzhu was satisfied, at least the two families could happily celebrate the child's first birthday.

Dong Sanmei returned from her eldest and second eldest sisters' homes and saw that her younger brother had already gotten up.

Dongqing asked, "Third Sister, how did I get home last night? I can't remember anything."

He couldn't remember how he got home that night, which explains why he didn't recognize his sister outside the family quarters at night.

Alcohol can sometimes make people temporarily forget their troubles, but once they sober up, everything is the same as before, and nothing has changed.

Dong Sanmei felt a pang of heartache upon hearing this. She said, "Look at your pathetic self. The old lady has been harsh on you for a long time. Do you really have to make yourself like this?"

Dongqing said, "I'm sorry to have troubled Third Sister."

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Dong Sanmei paused for a moment and said, "Grandma has agreed to let us hold a birthday banquet for the child. Let's go out and book the banquet. Even if her whole family comes, there are only five people. We have a large family, so let's book two tables."

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Dong Qing went to the door, opened it, and saw Li Yuzhu standing outside. He said, "Come in."

Li Yuzhu walked to the sofa and sat down. She said, "I believe you already know, my mother has agreed. Let's go out and book two tables for the banquet, and also order a birthday cake for our son."

Dongqing said, "Leave this to me. I'll have my third sister call you from home when we go to the hotel."

After hearing this, Li Yuzhu nodded, said "I'm going back," and stood up to walk towards the door.

"etc."

Li Yuzhu stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Dong Sanmei.

Dong Sanmei handed Li Yuzhu a house key, saying, "Take this house key with you; it'll be more convenient when you come to our house in the future."

Li Yuzhu nodded, took the house key, put it in her pocket, and turned to leave the house.

Around 10 a.m., Li Yuzhu's father, sister, and brother arrived, but the two families across the street did not visit each other, and the atmosphere remained stiff and cold.

Around 11 a.m., Dong Sanmei went to Li Yuzhu's house to invite the whole family to a restaurant for lunch.

The restaurant is not far from home, and Dongqing's son's birthday banquet is scheduled at the Zhulin Hotel.

Today is the child's birthday. Li Yuzhu's mother appeared very generous at the banquet. She sat at a table with Dongqing's sisters, and they chatted happily. Even if she was just pretending, she could still make Dongqing's family feel satisfied.

Dongqing didn't invite any other guests today, only his relatives. The machinery factory only invited Yifei and her husband, who live in the same residential area to avoid them making trouble later.

In short, the child's first birthday party was very joyous, just the kind of scene Dongqing and Li Yuzhu wanted.

Li Yuzhu's parents, younger brother, and younger sister took the child back to their hometown in the afternoon.

On behalf of the Dong family, Dong Ermei took them to the bus station, bought five tickets, and put them on the bus home.

They returned home, and life returned to normal.

Dong Qing and his ex-wife arrived at their front door. Li Yuzhu took out her key, opened the door, and said, "Come in."

Dong Qing followed Li Yuzhu into the house and casually closed the door behind him.

They sat down on the sofa, and Dongqing said, "It's too much trouble for you to cook at home alone. You have a key to the house, so come over for meals from now on."

Li Yuzhu nodded in agreement after hearing this, and then asked, "When will the project in our Su Village start?"

Dong Qing said, "The construction team has already started bringing in equipment and materials. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 AM on the 16th of this month. We will both be attending, and the provincial television station will also be broadcasting it live."

Li Yuzhu was surprised when she heard this. She did not expect that the project would cause such a big commotion, and that it would even attract the attention of local and provincial television media.

She asked, "How did the regional and provincial TV stations find out?"

Dong Qing said, "Do you think the county has the right to decide on such a large project? It must be approved by the prefecture. We've only been in the reform and opening-up period for a short time now. Isn't it normal for the prefecture to invite the provincial TV station to promote the project?"

After hearing this, Li Yuzhu felt a little hesitant. Was Dong Qing's investment in this project the right thing to do? She said, "I hope this investment is the right one. Tomorrow, Su Wei and I will go to the porcelain factory to load the trucks. We should be able to return in time for the opening ceremony."

Dong Qing stood up and said, "That's what I planned too. Running around all day is exhausting. You go back to your room and rest for a while. I'm going back now. Remember to come home for dinner tonight!"