These people didn't deliberately lower their voices, and the sound reached Li Xiuxiu's ears faintly. Ye Qingqing also heard it, but she didn't understand the local dialect very well and only had a vague understanding of it.

Judging from the tone of these people's voices and Li Xiuxiu's suppressed anger, it was clear that their words were not kind and that they were criticizing Li Xiuxiu.

"Just pretend they're talking nonsense, don't get angry!" Ye Qingqing comforted her.

Li Xiuxiu nodded and pointed to the new building on the first floor in front, saying, "That's my home, a brick and tile house built last year."

The Li family's house was a two-story building, which would seem like an ordinary building to later generations. The exterior walls were covered with white tiles, but now, among the low adobe houses, it looked particularly stylish and stood out like a crane among chickens.

No wonder the villagers would seize on any small matter and ruthlessly attack it. In the end, it's all because of envy. They are jealous of the Li family's increasingly prosperous life. Those villagers who once mocked the Li family for not having a son have long since lost their pride and are now only filled with jealousy.

They had a son, but their life was a mess. Li Xiuxiu's family only had three daughters, but their life got better and better. Especially her youngest daughter, who started her own company in the big city and built a new house for her family. She bought a color TV, refrigerator, and washing machine, all rare things that they had never seen before. How could they not be jealous? Their hearts were black with envy.

"That house belongs to Li Shanxing."

Li Xiuxiu pointed to a mud-brick house at a lower elevation and said that her house was located on higher ground, with many other houses below. She could see them clearly from above. Li Shanxing's house was no different from the other houses in the village. Someone was washing clothes in the yard. Ye Qingqing recognized her as Aunt Xu, who used to work for the Sang family.

Aunt Xu has changed a lot. When she was at the Sang family's house, she was full of energy, had a good complexion, and dressed neatly, looking very energetic. Now her hair is messy, her face is haggard, and her clothes are not as neat and clean as before. At this moment, she is washing clothes in her own yard.

"Go home first, and we'll talk to Li Shanxing about it later," Ye Qingqing said.

Li Xiuxiu glanced deeply at Li Shanxing's house before walking towards her own. Her parents were working in the yard; her father was planing wood while her mother assisted him. Upon seeing Li Xiuxiu, they were first taken aback, then overjoyed, and stopped working altogether.

"You didn't even say you were coming back, child! Why did you come back without a word? Oh dear... we have guests..."

Li's mother's smile gradually froze when she saw Bruno. She looked at Li Xiuxiu with surprise and suspicion, and complained in a low voice, "Why did you bring a foreigner home? The villagers have been talking about you and the foreigner. Sigh... You really don't know any better."

“I have nothing to hide, so let them say what they want. Mom and Dad, his name is Bruno, he’s my boyfriend, and we’re going to get married.” Li Xiuxiu introduced him solemnly. Bruno understood and bowed deeply to Li’s parents. “Dad, Mom, I’m Bruno. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Li Xiuxiu's parents were stunned, as if petrified, and remained speechless for a long time.

"What exactly happened? Xiuxiu, you're such a stubborn girl, hurry up and explain!" Li's mother was anxious. She hadn't planned to find a foreign son-in-law. He couldn't even understand what she was saying. What use would he be?

"I already made it clear. He is your future son-in-law, and this is Ye Qingqing, the granddaughter of the old lady that I often tell you about."

Li Xiuxiu's parents immediately put on warm smiles and were very polite to Ye Qingqing.

"Bruno, is it really you? Did you come to find me?" A joyful voice came from afar. It was Li Shanxing, who looked haggard. Seeing Bruno was like seeing her husband who had been gone for a long time.