After settling Niu Erzhu's matter, the processing plant continued working. Sheng Xiping finished dealing with the factory's affairs and only went home when it was time to leave work.

"Oh, you're back? I thought you'd stay in the provincial capital for a few more days."

Sheng Liancheng got off work early today, arriving home before Sheng Xiping. Upon seeing his son return, Sheng Liancheng smiled.

"The meeting only lasts a day and a half, and everyone has work to do, so how can it take too long?"

"We just spent a day wandering around the provincial capital, that's enough." Sheng Xiping put the backpack and a bag he was carrying on the kang (a heated brick bed).

When I left home, I carried a bag of food, which was quite heavy.

When I came back, one backpack wasn't enough, so I bought a handbag.

Inside were not only the review materials Zhou Qinglan had bought for her two sisters-in-law, but also things Sheng Xiping had bought for his family. Since he rarely went out, he felt he had to bring something back for his family.

"Didn't you go to Ruiqing's house to see Chen Feng? It's been quite a while since we've seen that kid. How's he? Has he grown taller again?"

Sheng Liancheng actually still cares about Chen Feng quite a bit. Even though he's not his biological grandson, he lived in the Sheng family for two years and they have a bond.

"I saw it. I went to Brother Ruiqing's house on the day I arrived in the provincial capital."

Ruiqing's workplace allocated him an apartment, and I heard he'll be moving soon. Chen Feng is quite tall; I'd guess he's about 1.7 meters.

"They were quite friendly when they saw me, and even said they'd come back to stay in the summer." Sheng Xiping sat next to his father, chatting casually.

"Yes, that child is very thoughtful. It's good that we didn't raise him for nothing for two years."

Sheng Liancheng nodded, took out a cigarette from the cigarette case, lit it, and started smoking.

“It’s good that you’re back. Your mother said she’s going to slaughter a pig in the next few days, which will free up the pen. We can also catch a couple more small pigs.”

Zhang Shuzhen had been saying she was going to slaughter a pig for a long time, and that's why she had been waiting for Sheng Xiping to come home.

"Alright, go ahead and kill them." Sheng Xiping nodded and called out to the outer room.

"Mom, Qinglan really likes the sausages you make. This time when we slaughter a pig, let's not make blood sausages."

"Could you make some more sausages and mail them to Qinglan?"

Sheng Xiping spoke quite loudly, and Zhang Shuzhen, who was cooking in the outer room, could hear him clearly.

“Sure, as long as Qinglan likes it, Mom will make it. What’s the big deal?” Zhang Shuzhen agreed without hesitation.

It doesn't matter what we eat, as long as my daughter-in-law likes sausages, I'll make them. It's not that difficult.

As they were talking, Liu Qiang and Liu Peng led Sheng Xinhua in from outside.

Sheng Xinhua has already started attending preschool, and there is no one at home to pick him up or drop him off.

It was always Liu Qiang and Liu Peng who would take Xinhua to school in the morning and bring him back in the afternoon.

Sheng Xinhua is older now and enjoys playing with his older brothers. He goes to school happily every day.

They didn't want to go home after school; they would play at school until Liu Qiang and Liu Peng finished school, and then they would go home with their older brothers.

"Grandma, we brought Xinhua back." Liu Qiang is eleven years old (by Chinese reckoning) and in the third grade, while Liu Peng is nine years old and in the first grade.

Both children are very polite. Every day when they take Xinhua home, they greet Zhang Shuzhen.

"Qiangzi, Xiaopeng, come in quickly, Uncle bought you some things."

Hearing the commotion from inside the house, Sheng Xiping quickly called Liu Qiang and Liu Peng to come in.

The two children were still young, and as soon as they heard there were good things, they curiously went into the house.

"Hello, Grandpa! Hello, Uncle!" The two children entered the house and greeted their elders politely.

Sheng Xiping rummaged through his large backpack and soon found several pencil cases.

A metal pencil case, painted with colored paint, with a multiplication table inside.

This kind of thing is quite rare in this area. Sheng Xiping saw it at the stationery section of the department store and bought several at once.

"Here, these are for you two, and this is for Xiaogang. Isn't he going to start elementary school in the fall? Please take this to him for me."

Liu Gang is the second child in Liu Yujiang's family. He is eight years old this year and will start first grade in the fall.

Sheng Xiping had already informed the forest farm that Liu Gang would also be coming to study there.

Originally, Sheng Xiping wanted Liu Gang to go to the preschool class to keep Sheng Xinhua company, but Liu Yujiang felt it was inappropriate to keep troubling Sheng Xiping.

Anyway, Liu Qiang and Liu Peng are already in school, so they can just teach their younger brother a lesson after school. They don't need to go to the preschool class anymore.

There were no nursery classes in the Dajianchang area; the children were all herded sheep like this until they were eight years old, at which point they went directly to primary school.

After Liu Yujiang said that, Sheng Xiping could no longer insist, so Liu Gang could only start first grade in the fall.

"Wow, what a beautiful pencil case! Uncle, this must cost a lot of money, right? We don't dare to buy it."

Liu Qiang shook his head immediately when he saw the pencil case.

This thing looks expensive. If they dare to accept it without their parents' permission, their dad will beat them to death when they get home.

No matter how beautiful or rare they are, you can't accept them.

"Look, it's from my third uncle, he's not an outsider, so why can't I accept it?"

Sheng Xiping laughed when he heard this. These two kids are young, but they are quite thoughtful and think a lot.

"No, no, my dad said I can't just ask for things, or he'll break my legs." Liu Qiang shook his head like a rattle drum.

"Alright, boss, why don't you take them back later and stop by to see your master and mistress on the way?"

"Perfect timing! Invite your master over to our house for a pork stew tomorrow." Sheng Liancheng, seeing this, quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

Sheng Xiping thought about it and realized that it made sense; the fact that the children weren't accepted showed that they were sensible and well-mannered.

If he insists on giving it to them, what if his older brothers get angry when they get back and beat the child?

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!