With his son back and able to spend a few more days with him, Gu Hanting was already content.

"It's a pity your older brother just passed away a few days ago, otherwise you two brothers could have gotten together."

Jiang Qiao picked up her little brother and said, "It's okay. Later, when my uncle takes another vacation, I'll let my dad take a vacation too. Our family should have a proper reunion."

Oh, right, I got a camera. How about we take a picture together in a bit? It seems like our family hasn't taken a picture together in all these years. My brother and younger brother will be back this afternoon; they're on holiday for the farm work. We'll all take a picture together then—"

Upon hearing that they were going to take a photo, the three old men, including Gu Hanting, were delighted. "That's right, we really haven't taken a photo together in a long time. Your uncle isn't here, so we'll take the photo ourselves. We'll bring him next time."

Gu Zhengfeng and his wife hadn't seen each other for a long time, so the old men deliberately gave the young couple some space. Ma Liu and Jiang Qiao went to help in the kitchen, Gu Hanting went to work in the fields, and Qiao Jie, with his hands behind his back, strolled off to chat with his old friends.

Gu Zhengfeng kissed his son, looked at his wife, and watched her smile foolishly.

Wen Jingwan looked at her man, who was acting like a clueless young man, and gave him an embarrassed glare.

"Look at you, it's like we haven't seen each other for eight or ten years. Quickly sit down and rest. You didn't even tell us you were coming back so we could prepare."

Gu Zhengfeng pulled his wife down to sit. "You don't know, a day apart feels like three autumns. It's been so many years since I last saw you. You two are really something, going back to your hometown and not wanting to go back. Tell me how lonely I am all by myself."

Wen Jingwan sighed, "It's been so long since I've been back. Now that I'm finally back, I have to spend some quality time with the elderly and children."

Sigh, I never imagined life here would be so hard. You wouldn't believe it, so many people don't even have cotton-padded coats in the dead of winter, shivering in just a thin shirt. Some don't even have proper shoes, and the blankets they use at home are sometimes made of straw..."

Gu Zhengfeng knew his wife had taken pity on him, so he put his arm around Wen Jingwan's shoulder and said, "Everyone is like this, there's nothing we can do. We can help this one but not that one. Let's not cause unnecessary trouble later. Don't forget about our family backgrounds."

Some things are better left unsaid. We'll stay for a couple of days, then we'll leave with Qiao'er and visit Second Brother. It's been so many years since we last saw him..."

The couple chatted for a while, and then Wen Jingwan suddenly remembered the jade pendant and quickly took it out and handed it to her husband.

"You'd better put this away quickly. I'm worried you've gone out on another mission since I got back. Put it in your pocket right away—"

Gu Zhengfeng didn't stand on ceremony. He opened his pocket to show his wife and took out the small bag his daughter had sewn. "Look how worried this girl is. She's afraid I won't wear this."

Wen Jingwan sighed, "Our Qiao'er really knows how to handle things. You should quickly put this away; you couldn't get something like this even if you begged for it!"

The little stone in his arms kicked its little legs restlessly and called out to Gu Zhengfeng, as if the couple had overlooked the boy while chatting, and the little guy kept reminding his dad.

"Hehe, look how energetic my son is. Stone, do you miss your dad?"

Wen Jingwan shook her head with amusement. Gu Zhengfeng had switched into his "silly dad" mode. "He's still young and can't say anything yet. You hold the baby, and I'll go see if I can help in the kitchen."

Gu Zhengfeng shoved the child into Wen Jingwan's arms. "Come on, let's go out together. I'll turn over the soil in the yard. You don't need to help in the kitchen; Qiao'er is here. We brought back a lot of meat this time, which should be enough to keep them busy."

"Son, come on, Dad will take you to see how to farm."

The little guy was very satisfied to be able to go outside, and stopped crying. He just stretched out his little arms and pointed outside.

“Look, my son wants to go out. Come on, let’s not stay inside. Jingwan, make sure the child wears more clothes so he doesn’t get cold.”

In the courtyard, Jiang Qiao marinated the meat. It wouldn't keep long in warmer weather, so she kept it fresh for now. Ma Liu was chopping filling in the kitchen, preparing to make venison dumplings for lunch.

“Oh my, our little stone is out. Come on, sit here with your sister.”

Jiang Qiao placed a stool next to her, and the little guy stretched out his arms and leaned out, wanting Jiang Qiao to hold him.

"Oh, I can't hug you, I have to work. Wait a minute, I'll hug you when I'm done."

It seems the little guy understood what Jiang Qiao said, because he stayed obediently in Wen Jingwan's arms, watching Gu Zhengfeng work.

I have no idea what this guy is up to, he's just babbling in a language that no one can understand.

Jiang Qiao said with a smile as he sprinkled salt, "Dad, your son is telling you how to farm. Do a good job!"

Gu Zhenfeng spat twice into his palm, picked up the pickaxe, and began to dig vigorously.

"Son, watch closely. When you grow up, you'll help your dad farm—"

Stone clapped his hands happily, looking excited, probably because he found Gu Zhengfeng's pickaxe skills interesting.

Jiang Qiao finished marinating the meat, arranged it in a jar, and then washed her hands before coming out to hug her younger brother.

"Mom, we brought back some cooked meat. Could you take a couple of pieces to Grandpa Jiang's family? Grandma Jiang knows how to handle it. Just be careful—"

Wen Jingwan nodded. "I know."

Gu Zhengfeng put down the pickaxe in his hand. "Jingwan, I brought some wine and pastries in my bag. Take two bottles of wine and two bags of pastries with you. I'll go to their house for a visit tonight."

After Ma Liu finished preparing the filling, Jiang Qiao took over kneading the dough. Ma Liu then strolled out, carrying a stone.

"I'm going for a walk, we'll make dumplings together later."

Jiang Qiao lifted the lid of the pot to take a look. The taro was almost ready. She mashed the taro into a paste and fried it in oil. This was a snack that Jiang Qiao made for the old man and the others. It was nutritious and easy to digest.

Seeing that it was almost time, Jiang Qiao quickly kneaded the dough. Seeing that Ma Liu had returned carrying the stone, Jiang Qiao took out the steamed egg custard that had been cooked in the pot.

"Stone, stone, come here, sister will feed you—"

When the little guy saw Jiang Qiao come out with a bowl, he grinned and couldn't stop drooling.

The little guy is quite perceptive now. He was worried that his older sister Jiang Qiao would find him dirty, so he pursed his lips, trying not to drool. However, he's teething now, and it's something he just can't control.

Ma Liu sat down with the child in his arms. "Oh dear, did you add something?"

Jiang Qiao smiled and nodded, "I added some taro puree, Shi Tou, let's eat! Come on, open your mouth—"

I blew on the food in the spoon to cool it down, and then fed it to my younger brother little by little. The little guy pursed his lips and ate quite quickly.

Seeing that Wen Jingwan had returned, Jiang Qiao handed the bowl to her mother, saying, "Mom, you feed my little brother. Grandpa Liu and I will make dumplings."

He glanced at Gu Zhengfeng, who was planting vegetables in the field, and said, "Dad, that's enough. You should take a rest too."

Gu Zhengfeng wiped his sweat and shook his head. "I'll be right there. I still need to go over to your grandfather's land to get it done. You guys go ahead and do your work—"