"What do you mean by 'cut'? Are you deaf? I'm talking about tubal ligation. Do you even know what tubal ligation is? You're really uneducated."

Old Xu looked at them with disdain, selectively forgetting that his own huge reaction when he first heard Xu Minghan talk about this was no less than theirs.

"Isn't that the same as being a eunuch in the imperial palace in ancient times? How can that possibly work?"

Xu Baiqiang was no longer in a hurry to stay angry. He and a few other busybodies gathered around and carefully inquired about Xu Minghan's situation. He was the first man in their village to have his vasectomy, which was quite remarkable!

Old Xu stomped his feet hard and shouted, "It's different, it's different! It just means we can't have children, but it doesn't affect our sex life. Why don't you understand? Didn't the family planning office also publicize this?"

"Yes, yes, it won't affect anything, we all know, don't worry!" The group exchanged glances as they spoke. See, he's getting anxious, there must be a problem. Xu Minghan is finished, poor thing!

Xu Minghan, far away in Tianshui City, sneezed several times for no apparent reason. He rubbed his nose and muttered to himself, "I caught a cold? But I don't feel anything. Could it be that Dad misses me?"

Xu Baiqiang stepped forward and patted Old Man Xu on the shoulder, earnestly comforting him, "Since it has already happened, just take it easy. You have two grandsons now, so there are successors. It's alright."

As he spoke, he made a point of looking at the two large bags at Old Man Xu's feet. It turned out that these were to appease Old Man Xu's hunger. He said, "So that's how it is. When did the third son of the Xu family become so rich?"

"Dad, you're back? This is..." Zhou Nianmei walked over carrying a vegetable basket. From afar, she saw several old men gathered around. The voices sounded like her father-in-law. As she got closer, she realized it was him. But what was with the bag on the ground? Was it for her?

"Oh dear, you're back just in time, Mr. Mingri! Take your father-in-law back with you. Look, he even brought back quite a few things for you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Nianmei was overjoyed and immediately helped pick up the bag. As she walked away, she turned back and said, "Dad, come to my house. We'll have noodles for lunch today."

Old Xu glanced at his eldest daughter-in-law and then at the group of old men, thinking that he must have explained things clearly, so everything was fine. Time to eat noodles.

So he picked up another bag from beside him and walked straight to his eldest son's house. This show-off was still not quite there yet!

He should let them see what he brought back, but what if they ask him? Should he give it to them or not? Old Xu looked conflicted.

"Look, how much of what Old Xu said is true or false?"

"I think it's probably true, but do you really think that a man getting a vasectomy has no effect?" Some skeptical people continued to harp on this question.

"I think," Xu Baiqiang touched his chin, "it should have an impact. You can't just lose a piece of flesh for no reason and be fine!"

"Yes, I think it definitely has an impact."

“Hey, I’m telling you guys, but don’t tell anyone else, my maternal grandparents’ nephew’s brother-in-law got his vasectomy. He said he can’t do anything after getting it done.”

He shook his head as he spoke, looking sympathetic.

"What are you old men gossiping about here? Tell us what's going on!"

Passersby saw several old men huddled together, talking and pointing, with rather intriguing expressions, and guessed they weren't talking about anything serious.

"Go away, that's all men's talk. Do you old women listen to that? Go get your curtain clips."

...

Zhou Nianmei glanced at the bag and asked curiously, "Dad, are you all alone? Mom hasn't come back?"

Old Xu untied the bag and took out another bag, handing it to Zhou Nianmei. "These are clothes Xuemei brought for you. They're short-sleeved, for adults and children. The sizes should be about the same. Take a look for yourselves."

"Oh dear, there are our clothes too. Look how polite Xuemei is. We're all family, and she always brings us gifts. This time she's even letting us get a free ride."

Zhou Nianmei opened the bag, picked up a piece of clothing, shook it out, and looked at it. Hmm, this one is for men, probably for Mingri and the others. This red one must be for her and Fengjuan. There are also a few smaller ones for the two children. Xuemei is quite thoughtful, taking care of everyone. That's really good.

Old Xu rummaged through the bag again and pulled out two packs of White Rabbit milk candy and two cans of yellow peaches. "Here, these are for Xiaowen and Xiaokai. You can share them with Fengjuan later. The same goes for the clothes. Two pieces for each adult and one for each child. You can divide them up yourselves. I'll take the things back first and come over for noodles later."

After saying that, he gathered up the bag, picked it up, and walked out. Zhou Nianmei looked at the still bulging bag, then at the milk candy and canned food on the table, and wondered to herself if her father-in-law had hidden all the good stuff!

Zhou Nianmei muttered to herself, her hands moving quickly as she divided the items into two parts and went straight to the next room. "Fengjuan, Dad's back. He brought some things and clothes for me. I've brought them all over for you. You can choose the clothes first, and the rest is for me."

"Dad's back? I haven't been feeling well this morning, I've been in bed all morning and only just got up now." Chen Fengjuan was pouring water in the kitchen, and her complexion was indeed not very good.

"What's wrong with you? You didn't mention feeling unwell yesterday." Zhou Nianmei stepped forward and touched Chen Fengjuan's forehead. She didn't have a fever.

Chen Fengjuan shook her head. "It's nothing, I just had my period. I also touched cold water yesterday, so my stomach is really uncomfortable."

"You should also be careful. It's only a few days a month, so keep track of the days. Never mind, you don't need to cook lunch. I'll make noodles for the three of you."

"No need, I haven't reached that level yet."

"Alright, why are you being so polite with me? Let's just leave it at that. Dad will be having lunch at my house too. I also have something I need to ask him, so you can listen in too." Zhou Nianmei had her own little idea in mind, but she wasn't sure if it would work.

The noodles are made quickly; a large pot of noodles is ready in less than twenty minutes, and once everyone is served a bowl, the pot is almost empty.

"Slurp slurp," the sounds of the three grown men and two young boys eating noodles rose and fell, each with their heads buried in their bowls. If you didn't know better, you'd think you were in a pigsty!

Zhou Nianmei thought for a moment and then asked, "Dad, you still haven't told me why Mom hasn't come back yet? How's Xue Mei's foot?"

Old Xu took a big gulp of the noodle soup from his bowl, then let out a long sigh. "Ha, that feels so good. You know, your mother is in the city taking care of the children. Xue Mei's foot is alright, almost healed. When I got there, I thought it would be good for your mother to stay a little longer. After all, they really need help. I'm still a reasonable person, right?"