Both of them nodded, feeling especially happy listening to the old lady's rambling.

“Cheng Guangxi, our Er Ya is quiet and doesn’t like to talk. She keeps everything to herself, so you’ll have to take better care of her.”

Your job is important, but you also need to take care of your family, your wife and children.

It's not easy for a woman to live alone. She has to manage everything at home, big and small. You must cherish her.

"Grandma, I will. I'm not a proud person, so I'm very willing to let Er Ya join the research institute as suggested by Chief Gu."

Even though I might not be able to take care of her there, at least we'd be close to each other, and that makes a difference.

“Good, that’s a good idea. My great-aunts are all hard-working. As long as you treat them sincerely, they will give you the same in return.”

Stone didn't care what they said. He just kept eating sunflower seeds on the side.

Sanya sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), listening with great interest as the old lady lectured them.

The sound of a chicken being slaughtered came from the courtyard. "Great-Grandma, my aunt is slaughtering a chicken again. I've been wanting to eat chicken for ages."

"My little aunt is so clever, do you think she'd skimp on your food if you went to your sister Hongmei's house?"

“That’s different, Grandma. Let me tell you, everyone says that the food outside is delicious, but I still think ours is the best.”

Sanya made the old lady beam with joy.

Cheng Guangxu witnessed once again how cunning his sister-in-law was at flattering people.

Seeing that the house was all tidied up, Li Cuihua hurried to her mother's house to let her know. Although Er Ya had said she would go in the afternoon, she was afraid her mother would complain, so she decided to go herself.

When Zhu Zi saw his aunt coming over, he said, "Grandma, my aunt is here."

"Let her come if she wants."

"Mother, who has upset you this time?"

"It's all because of Zhu Zi. This kid's getting more and more disobedient as he grows up. I've introduced him to so many girls, but he hasn't liked a single one of them. It's driving me crazy."

Li Cuihua hurriedly sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed) next to her mother. "Mother, the child is all grown up and promising. Maybe he'll find someone else on his own? Didn't Er Ya bring her boyfriend back with her? If that boy weren't Hongmei's classmate, I would never have agreed to their engagement on the first day of the lunar new year."

"What did you say? Er Ya brought her son-in-law back?"

"That's right? But the young man has all the connections he needs, a good job, he's a college graduate, and he even came back from abroad with Hongmei."

"Mother, they're all college graduates. They can get along well. You're trying to find Zhuzi a farmer, but he can't really just stay home with his wife and farm, can he? Besides, even if his wife goes to the city with Zhuzi, to the capital, she won't be comfortable. She doesn't know anything, and they'll be fighting and getting angry all the time."

"What you're saying is obvious to me, but this brat is so weak he's practically untouchable. If I let him find a wife himself, I won't even live to see him die."

"Mother, isn't Hongmei still in the capital? Would she just watch Zhuzi remain a bachelor? With her around, Zhuzi can stay in the capital and find a job if he wants. If he really does stay in the capital, Hongmei will definitely help him find a wife!"

To be honest with you, Er Ya told me to advise you not to worry about Zhu Zi's matter.

"I'm just afraid of causing trouble for that girl Hongmei."

"You're overthinking it. They grew up together, so Hongmei won't abandon them. Besides, Zhuzi has a job in the capital, and our family will pay for a house for him there. Who knows what kind of wife he'll find then?"

"What if we find someone who looks down on our family?"

"How could that be? Is Zhu Zi stupid? How could he want a wife like that?"

“I’m afraid that once this kid gets a wife and a family outside, he won’t come back.”

“He’s successful. He can’t stay at home, can he? Even if he goes to the ends of the earth, he’ll still be your grandson.”

"Okay, then let's wait and see. I still feel that I don't know anything about the girls outside."

"In a couple of days, I'll take you to call Hongmei. While she's still able to move, let's help Zhuzi make some arrangements."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm pregnant, and with twins!"

"That's great! When is Er Ya leaving?"

"The son-in-law has to go to work on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, and they have to go back on the morning of the second day."

"I need to make cotton clothes for the child. I'll have Zhuzi take them back. Okay, you can go do whatever you need to do now."

"Mother, Er Ya is with the old lady. She asked me to tell you that they're coming over this afternoon."

"Okay, I'll have your brother go buy some more sugar candy. And have your sister-in-law roast peanuts and melon seeds. Freshly roasted ones taste better." After saying that, the old man got out of bed to give instructions to his son and daughter-in-law.

Li Cuihua got out of bed and put on her shoes, deciding to go to the canteen. She knew the children had gone to the old lady's house, so they would definitely stay for a meal. She thought she should take this opportunity to greet everyone she knew. Her daughter was getting engaged, so a banquet wasn't necessary. But she was worried her daughter wouldn't be able to come back for the wedding, so she decided to invite all her close friends and acquaintances.

As soon as she entered the cafeteria, a group of women surrounded her.

They were chattering away, all asking about Er Ya.

"Hehe, yes, I'm a mother-in-law now too. The day after tomorrow, the first day of the new year, we're having a banquet for them. Come and have a drink!"

Everyone chimed in, as Li Cuihua and Liu Maocai were well-liked in the village. Since their daughter's engagement was to be a grand affair, naturally all their acquaintances would attend.

Besides, Er Ya is a college student. That's how people are; they unconsciously look down on those who are successful. It's not necessarily flattery, but they just subconsciously look up to those who are successful.

Da Shan's mother said, "Even if you don't want me to go, I still have to go. It's a promise, I'll be in charge of cooking that day!"

"It has to be you. You're so skillful. If you don't go, I'll drag you from my house."

Everyone burst into laughter. They were all thinking that they should at least help out with breakfast that day, since it was such a joyous occasion.

Wang Hongxi's wife was also smiling, but she was a little unhappy inside. Needless to say, Er Ya's boyfriend must have been introduced by Hongmei. It's just that her daughter is silly. If she had gotten along well with Hongmei, she could have found a husband in the capital, right? She wouldn't be like this now, having to be subservient to her son-in-law.

Liu Maocai wandered around the market, buying a basketful of things he should and shouldn't have. Since everyone in the surrounding villages was from there, and Liu Maocai was considered a local celebrity, many people asked him about his purchases.

"Maocai! Why are you so happy?"

Who isn't happy during the Chinese New Year?

"Come on, do you think we wouldn't know? What good news could there be?"

"What good news or bad news? It's just Chinese New Year. All the children are back."

"to be honest!"

"My second daughter is back to get engaged."

"That's great news! Congratulations!"

"Thank you everyone."

"Your second daughter is a college student, and her boyfriend is too, right?"

"Yes, he's a student at Capital University, and he even studied abroad. He just came back this year."

"Wow, all the good people have come to your house."