Happy Valentine's Day!

Zhang Hongmei knew she was a bit emotional, but she was truly disappointed.

I've put in the effort, but I haven't gotten the result I wanted.

As for what outcome she wanted, she herself was unclear. Thinking about this, she suddenly felt a little scared. Did she really want everyone to flatter her and worship her?

Zhang Hongmei didn't want to believe she was that kind of person, but how could she explain her disappointment and heartbreak?

Thinking of this, Zhang Hongmei unconsciously shook her head.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Shouyi asked, seeing the annoyance on his wife's face.

"Brother Zhang, please let them go!"

Zhang Shouyi looked at her disapprovingly. Could he just let his wife get away with this?

“Brother Zhang, I was too arrogant and acted a bit condescending. Let Xiao Li bring them back. That way they'll have learned their lesson.”

Zhang Hongmei's words brought a sigh of relief to Liu Maocai and the others. In the rural areas of this era, human relationships were still very strong, and people were quite resistant to going to the police station. They preferred to resolve things privately, since everyone was a fellow villager and there was no real harm done.

Zhang Shouyi nodded, and Xiao Li drove off to catch up with them.

Since Hongmei had come to terms with it, the group persuaded her to stay for a while.

“Auntie, I haven’t decided yet. Coming home to live is certainly good, and it’s a long way away, so I definitely won’t be able to come back for the New Year. But it’s not good if only Brother Zhang goes back. Let’s discuss it.”

The three elderly people went back inside. They had no objection to Hongmei's decision, but they were angry that someone had come to cause trouble.

Gu Chuanming wasn't there at the time; otherwise, he might have been even more ruthless than the bodyguards.

"Girl, don't take it to heart, they're all so foolish."

"Grandpa, I'm fine. You guys go ahead and play chess. I won't take it to heart."

Zhang Shouyi was getting a little anxious. His wife had just said she wanted to go home with him, but it seemed like she was about to go back on her word.

"Su Chen, go and take Madam's pulse." I'd completely forgotten about it because of the delay.

"Sir, your wife is in very good health."

"That's good. It's good that you're alright." Hu Aifen patted her chest.

"Your great-grandmother said you should go home for dinner tonight."

"Sister-in-law, everything's arranged at my house. I've already kneaded the dough, so you'll have to come over and help make dumplings."

"Okay, I'll go tell the old man."

Everyone else left. Only the couple remained in the house.

"Wife, what is it?"

“Brother Zhang, I suddenly realized that my thoughts were filthy. I wanted them to see me as a savior.”

I haven't forgiven them; rather, I want to let myself go.

Zhang Shouyi looked at his wife with complicated feelings. Why was she thinking so much? With his status, he didn't need to care about other people's opinions at all.

“Brother Zhang, it’s really because of myself. I don’t want to become that kind of person. I just need to be true to myself.”

"Okay, whatever happens, I support you."

"Wife, are you still coming back with me?"

“Let’s go back, Brother Zhang. I realize I’ve been too selfish. Although it’s not exactly a waste of money and resources, it’s still a waste of a lot of manpower. You don’t feel comfortable leaving us here.”

"Honey, how about this, I'll stay a couple more days, and then we'll go back together."

Thank you.

"What are you thanking me for? I'm your man."

Zhang Hongmei was truly moved. This man always put her first. He wholeheartedly supported her in everything she did, and sometimes she felt like he was spoiling her.

We made dumplings for dinner, and there were three tables in total.

"Grandma, I've decided to stay for two more days. I'll be going back the day after tomorrow. You know, with Brother Zhang's status, he really can't stay outside for too long. Even the three of us are afraid that someone might try to harm us. I'd better go back. I won't come back for the New Year either, because I'm afraid the roads will be difficult to travel in the snow."

"Hongmei, is something bothering you?"

"No, I've come to terms with it. I did what I wanted to do, and I can't force the rest. I was also wrong; I was too arrogant."

The old lady patted Zhang Hongmei's hand and said, "It's good that you can think positively. People eat all kinds of food, and there are all sorts of things in life. As long as you have a clear conscience, that's enough."

The old woman, after they were brought back, personally went to see their village chief. They were actually very grateful for this outcome, and that was good enough. Sometimes, it's best to be forgiving.

"Hongmei, come to my house for dinner tomorrow?" Aunt Dashan invited them with a smile.

"Auntie, I'm going to the city tomorrow to see Brother Dashan and the others. They're all married now, and I haven't given them any gifts yet."

"What's there to give?" Aunt Dashan said, her smile a little forced. She was very dissatisfied with her daughter-in-law, Wang Xiaorui. But her son had agreed, so there was nothing she could do. Luckily, they both lived in the city and only came back once a month; otherwise, she would be worried sick.

"Hehe, how could I not send some? They're all brothers I've grown up with."

Besides, I also need to visit my teachers and friends.

"Then come back to my place for dinner tonight. I'll make you some fried dough sticks."

"I can't say for sure. We probably won't be home early. Let's just forget it. I'm going to my great-grandmother's for dinner the day after tomorrow. We'll talk about it when I come back next time."

"No, you're back now, and you still have to cook. I'll cook it and wait for you. We'll just eat rice; it won't taste bad even if it sits there."

Your uncle is going fishing tomorrow. Even though my cooking isn't as good as yours, I'll still enjoy it.

"Okay, then we'll eat at your place tonight."

"Old Gu, Xingguo, come to my house for dinner tomorrow. It's too much trouble for you two to cook at home since they're going out."

“Yes, you can come to my house for dinner,” the old lady said, and of course no one objected.

After eating dumplings, they chatted for a while longer before heading home.

Seeing someone at the entrance from afar, Xiao Li went over first.

"Hongmei, it's Shuangcun."

"Brother Shuangcun, you're back! Come in and have a seat."

Lu Jing and the others made tea, served the two elderly people, and Jin Song washed up. Only the two of them and Shuang Cun remained in the house.

"Hongmei, I'm sorry!"

"Hehe, Shuangcun, what have you done to wrong me?"

"My mom."

"That has nothing to do with you. It's all in the past. Go back and tell your family to live their lives as usual. I was just saying that in anger."

Zhang Hongmei's words made Shuangcun even more uneasy.

“Hongmei, that’s just how my parents are. I apologize to you on their behalf.”

Zhang Hongmei was at a loss when she saw Shuang Cun being so stubborn.

"Okay, I accept."

"Hongmei, I have to thank you for not pursuing the matter this afternoon. They are all my uncles and cousins."