They returned to the car. It was so cold, and with the snow, the windshield was covered in ice, making visibility extremely poor. Dongqing handed the things he had bought to his wife, went back to the hotel to get half a basin of hot water, and used a hot towel to wipe off all the ice on the windshield. Then he used a dry towel to wipe the water stains dry.

After returning the basin to the hotel and getting back into his car, Dongqing said, "Wife, you go to sleep in the back, I'll drive."

It wasn't cold inside the tractor while driving; in fact, it was quite warm. Li Yuzhu took off her clothes, leaving only her underwear and shorts, and then crawled into bed to sleep, which would be very relaxing. Dong Qing started the tractor and continued driving.

I covered two-thirds of the journey during the day and am getting closer to home. The snow on the road is so deep and there's no sign of it stopping, so my driving speed is getting slower and slower.

It was too cold to stop and rest on the road. If the car was parked for too long, it wouldn't start. The couple had to take turns driving, and the tractor kept running, which just meant burning a couple more tanks of diesel fuel on the road.

They didn't get home until the morning of the 27th of the lunar year. They deposited the money in the bank first, and didn't buy any more goods before the new year, keeping only some money for the New Year.

They left the bank, got into their vehicle, started the tractor, and drove home.

Dong Qing drove directly to his hometown and parked the car in front of his house. He couldn't spend the New Year at his father-in-law's house. No matter how dilapidated the house was, it was still his own home.

Li Yuzhu got out of the car and said, "Making money is really hard. Finally home."

Just then, their neighbor Dongcan walked towards them and said, "Nephew, you're back after such heavy snow. The roads must be difficult to travel on."

Dongqing said, "With such heavy snow, it must be difficult to travel. Uncle, you should go to the market."

Dongcan said, "Today is the 27th of the lunar year, and I haven't bought anything I needed to buy yet. You guys go ahead and get busy, I'm going!"

Dongqing took out the key and opened the door. They went inside. Since they were often not at home, the house was covered in dust.

Li Yuzhu said, "Let's not rest at home anymore. Fang Lin should be back by now. Let's go to Second Sister's house and pick her up."

Fang Lin was, after all, her guest, and it wasn't appropriate for her to stay at her second sister's house for the New Year.

Dongqing said, "Honey, let me discuss this with you. These days, everyone's life is tough. I'm thinking of helping my sister and your family celebrate the New Year. What do you think of this arrangement?"

Li Yuzhu said, "Do I even need to discuss this with you? Of course, we can. We're not as poor as we used to be. Now we have the ability to help them. Let's go, let's go to the city to get something to eat first. I'm starving!"

They walked into town, only to be dumbfounded when they went to eat – all the restaurants were closed. The couple looked at each other and laughed. Li Yuzhu chuckled, "We've been so busy we're completely overwhelmed! It's the 27th of the lunar year, where can we still find food?"

Dongqing said, "We were so busy that we completely forgot about it and ended up going to my second sister's house for a meal."

Li Yuzhu said, "Let's go to the market first to buy some New Year's goods for my sister to take back with her."

Dong Qing said "okay," and walked towards the farmers' market with his wife.

Citizens came out to buy New Year's goods, making the market exceptionally lively. The ground was covered with snow, but it couldn't dampen the festive atmosphere.

Dongqing and his wife bought fish and meat for their older sister, and then bought 30 jin of cooked beef. Their third sister was not married and would definitely be home for the New Year, so they didn't prepare anything for her.

The two of them were carrying too much stuff and had to rest several times before they reached the courtyard of Xiao Erjie's residential compound.

The couple carried their New Year's goods upstairs. When they reached their second sister's door, Dongqing knocked. The door opened instantly, revealing Fang Lin inside. She said, "You're finally back."

They went into the living room, where the family was eating. Third Sister was also there. Dong Ermei asked, "We've been so worried these past two days, afraid this heavy snow would prevent you from coming back before the New Year. Have you eaten?"

Dongqing and his wife put their purchases on the ground. He said, "We just got back this morning and haven't eaten yet."

The family only cooked so much food; adding two more people definitely wouldn't be enough. Dong Ermei said, "You all sit down and eat; I'll go out and buy some steamed buns."

Li Yuzhu said, "No need to buy any more, some sliced ​​beef will be enough."

Li Yuzhu took out a piece of beef, went into the kitchen, sliced ​​it, plated it, and served it at the dining table.

After dinner, Li Yuzhu asked, "The New Year celebrations haven't been held yet, have they?"

Dong Ermei said, "These days, the New Year is easy to prepare. Your brother-in-law and I will go out to buy New Year's goods in a bit."

Dongqing said, "No need to do anything, I've already taken care of everything and brought it back. Just buy some vegetables tomorrow, and let my second brother-in-law go to the trouble of sending half of the New Year's goods to my eldest sister's family."

After hearing her brother's words, Dong Ermei's eyes filled with tears. She only said one sentence: "You've really grown up."

It seemed like this was my second sister's catchphrase, something she had said many times.

For months, he saw hope for their Dong family in his younger brother. No matter how many times he said it, it was always from the bottom of his heart, and he was even happier about his brother's current achievements.

Dongqing reached out to wipe away her second sister's tears and then suddenly pulled her into her arms.

His parents died early, and he has really been a disappointment all these years, causing his three older sisters a lot of worry. With tears in her eyes, she said, "I will definitely give you a better life."

Dongqing gently pushed his second sister away from his arms and said, "Third sister, Yuzhu and I are going back to our parents' home today. You take Fanglin home to stay with us."

Li Yuzhu took out 1,000 yuan from her bag and handed it to Dong Sanmei, saying, "Third Sister, Dongqing and I are going back to our parents' home today. We probably won't be back until almost dark. Please buy all the New Year's goods on your way back, and don't skimp on them, buy as much as you can."

Dong Sanmei took the money and said, "Okay, you guys go ahead, leave the New Year's shopping to me."

Dongqing and his wife entered the long-distance bus station and boarded the bus to go back to his mother-in-law's house.

They returned to town and helped their parents-in-law prepare for the New Year.

After returning home with the New Year's goods I had bought, my mother said, "With such heavy snow, your father and I were really worried something might happen to you on the way. I'm relieved to see you back."

Dongqing put the New Year's goods on the ground and said, "Don't worry, Mom, we're all adults. What could possibly happen to us? We're back safe and sound, aren't we?"

Li Yuzhu took her son from her mother's arms. The son was already six months old and knew how to look at her face.

Every time they returned from a trip, they would stay overnight at home. Every time they came back, Li Yuzhu would hold her son and sleep with him all night. Her son was not unfamiliar with her, but he was too young to call her "Mom" or "Dad".

After having lunch at his father-in-law's house, Dongqing carried his son and wife out of the house.

Su Wei is also one of my employees, so I should buy her some New Year's goods for the Spring Festival. This is something a boss should do.

During the Spring Festival, rural people usually buy some meat, but no one is willing to buy beef. The couple bought ten catties of beef and a few fish for Su Wei in town.

They left the market and boarded the bus home.

The couple got off the bus at the Su Village intersection. Dong Qing carried the things they had bought, while Li Yuzhu carried their son and walked into the village.