As soon as the sky turned pale, Grandma Huang got up early and prepared a hot breakfast for Huang's father and mother. The aroma of the food was mixed with a hint of reluctance.

After the meal, she personally escorted Huang's parents to the door and repeatedly reminded them:

"When you get to your in-laws' house, help your mother-in-law with some work. Your father and I are doing fine, so you don't have to worry."

After that, he fished out four festive red envelopes from the depths of his clothes, his eyes full of tenderness: "These red envelopes are for my grandchildren, you keep them for them first."

As he spoke, he gently nudged Huang's mother, signaling them to hurry up and leave. Not long after the car started driving, Huang's mother, unable to conceal her reluctance to leave, quietly opened the red envelopes, only to see five ten-yuan bills neatly laid out in each.

With tears in her eyes, she couldn't help sobbing, which frightened Huang's father so much that he stopped the car suddenly and asked anxiously why. Huang's mother handed him the red envelope with a trembling voice, choking with sobs:

"Look, my mother packed so many red envelopes for the children. This is her return of all the money I gave her! Woohoo, even though I told her I could make money, she still wasn't reassured."

Seeing this, Huang's father patted his wife's back gently and said, "Mom loves you and the children. I didn't do well before. Let's come back more often to show our filial piety to her when we have time."

After a few words of comfort, he started the bike and continued on his way. When the bike slowly drove into his own village, Huang's father went straight to his brother's house to visit Huang's grandmother.

Grandma Huang was sitting in the yard peeling peanuts. When she saw the couple come in, she took a quick look and asked Huang's father, "Second brother, it's New Year's Day, and you come to see me empty-handed?"

Huang's father smiled awkwardly and pulled out fifty yuan and a bag of White Rabbit candy from his pocket, handing them to Huang's mother. "How could that be, Mom? These fifty yuan are a gift to you for the New Year, and this bag of White Rabbit candy is for the children. I'll also give them lucky money as soon as everyone is here."

Grandma Huang took the money and candy and went back into the kitchen. Mother Huang followed and wanted to help, but the old lady waved her off and said, "I don't need you. You don't even eat my meals twice a year. It's rare for you to come back. Go out for a walk."

Upon hearing this, Huang's mother felt relieved and hurried out of the yard, but the awe she felt for her mother-in-law still lingered in her heart.

Strolling in the countryside she had not seen for a long time, she first returned to her old house, and then stopped by her good friend Yang Honghua's house to chat for a while. After exchanging a few words, she hurried back for fear of missing dinner time.

The courtyard was already bustling with activity; Uncle Huang's family had also arrived. Huang's mother smiled and greeted her nephew, Huang Jianhua: "Jianhua, it's been a while since I last saw you. The college entrance exam is almost here, right?"

Huang Jianhua smiled shyly: "Yes, Second Aunt, there are still a few months."

At this time, Yinliang and Erya ran over, hugged her and asked, "Second Aunt, why didn't Wenxia come back?"

Seeing this, Jin Liang quickly pulled the two apart and asked Huang's mother to sit down: "Second Aunt, Happy New Year, let's have lunch in the main hall."

Huang's mother praised him, "Jinliang, you're getting taller and taller. You must be over 1.7 meters tall, right?"

Jin Liang chuckled, "Second Auntie still has the best eyesight."

Entering the main room, the table was already set, and the three sisters-in-law were sitting together, excitedly chatting about family matters. The nanny in the kitchen called out, "Serve the dishes!" and the three of them immediately ran to the kitchen.

The atmosphere at lunchtime was harmonious. Uncle Huang discussed his children's studies and the progress of their crops; Uncle Huang remarked on the well-maintained oxen; and Father Huang shared the progress of his family. Everyone listened intently, occasionally laughing and exclaiming in admiration.

Suddenly, Grandma Huang sighed and asked, "Big Brother, how old do you think Mom is this year?"

The uncle was stunned for a moment and replied, "Mom, you are 61 this year."

Huang Nai sighed, "He's 61 now. I don't know how many more years he has left to live."

Hearing this, Huang's father quickly comforted her, "Mom, don't say that. It's so unlucky during the Chinese New Year. I'm sure you'll live a long life!"

Grandma Huang waved her hand and said, "I don't want to live to be a hundred. I've lived with the Third Brother's family for more than ten years, and the work in the fields has been getting worse every year. I was a widow from twenty-one to sixty-one, and I can't do it anymore. Second Brother, your family is doing well now. Do you think I can come with you to the mines and enjoy a peaceful life?"

Huang's father and mother were both stunned when he heard this. Huang's father nodded absentmindedly: "Yes, of course. I'll take you to the mine to enjoy a good life and provide for you in your old age!"

Huang Nai smiled comfortably: "Hey! I knew my son could be relied upon. It's settled then. You will come pick me up after the fifteenth day of the lunar month so that I can spend another reunion year with your brothers and sisters."

Mr. Huang's drunkenness gradually wore off, and the dinner ended in a warm yet somewhat hurried atmosphere. Mrs. Huang accepted the four red envelopes from Mrs. Huang and set off with Mr. Huang on their way home. The two of them remained silent, preoccupied with their own thoughts.

When I returned to the mining area that night and just turned into the Qiu family's yard, an alluring spicy aroma hit my nose. Walking into the main room, I saw four children sitting around, eating with gusto. Wenxia, in particular, was so spicy that she wiped her tears and snot, then buried her head in her food again. Seeing her parents return, she greeted them warmly:

"Dad, you're back! My second sister made spicy hot pot, it's super delicious, come and try it!"

Huang's father nodded silently. Huang Wenrong stood up to serve his parents some food, but Huang's mother looked exhausted. She shook her head and said, "I'm tired. I don't want to eat anymore."

After saying that, he turned and walked into the inner room. Xu Mengyao noticed the strangeness between her parents and understood that something must have happened.

She quietly followed him into the room and asked softly, "Mom, what happened?"

Huang's mother's tears instantly fell, "In a few days, your grandma will come to our house to live in her old age."

Her voice was filled with a hint of helplessness and worry. Although Xu Mengyao was surprised, she quickly understood her mother's concerns. She gently hugged Huang's mother and comforted her:

"It's okay, Mom. You earn more than Dad now, and we brothers and sisters are all grown up. Don't be afraid. You will definitely still be the head of our family."

Huang's mother took out eight red envelopes from her pocket and handed them to Xu Mengyao: "This one yuan is the New Year's money given by your grandma, and the fifty yuan is given by your grandmother. She didn't keep a penny of the money I gave to your grandmother. I owe my parents, and I will never be able to repay them in this lifetime." Her voice was choked with sobs.

Xu Mengyao understood her mother's concern, which was the disparity between the efforts and rewards of the elders on both sides. She said softly:

"Mom, when the house at Dad's company is ready, we can invite Grandpa and his family to come and live here. As for Grandma coming, I think it's a good thing too."

Huang's mother looked at her in confusion. Xu Mengyao explained, "I was just worried about how to convince Dad to rent a house near the school. If we rented a house there, you'd just have to cook for the students while they were in school. You'd earn more than you do now, and it would be easier. And now it's perfect, Grandma is coming, and we can't accommodate her, so I just proposed this idea to Dad. You and Dad can live there, and we'll stay here with Grandma."

Huang's mother's eyes lit up: "Juan'er, is that really your plan?"

Xu Mengyao held her mother's hand tightly. "Of course it's true, Mom. I'll discuss it with Dad later. Now I'll make you a bowl of noodles. I stewed the old hen soup for four hours this afternoon. It's very delicious. Try it."