Liu Gang rolled out the dumpling wrappers quickly, enough to feed several people. Yu Huiru and her daughter He Yuhan also made dumplings very quickly. Finally, Gu Qishen got up and joined in.
Han Yixian saw that there was already too much room for people to stand around the table while making dumplings, so he didn't get up. But when he saw Gu Qishen and He Yuhan standing together making dumplings, he frowned but didn't say anything.
The dumplings were quickly made, and He Yuhan cooked them in a large pot. She also stir-fried a few other dishes, making for a fairly lavish lunch, more than enough to entertain Zhou Zhengye.
Everyone sat down at the table, and Zhou Zhengye ate a dumpling and exclaimed, "It's been a long time since I've had dumplings. Today I'm treating myself to something nice."
Han Yixian said, "Living alone isn't a long-term solution. Why don't you consider bringing your wife over? At least you'll have someone to take care of you."
Zhou Zhengye shook his head and sighed, saying, "Then I might as well just keep eating in the cafeteria."
Han Yi patted Zhou Zhengye on the shoulder sympathetically and said, "Then come to my house on weekends whenever you want to eat dumplings. I can easily make that happen."
Zhou Zhengye turned to Han Yixian and said, "Thanks then. Don't find me annoying in the future."
Yu Huiru said, "It must be tough for you living alone out there. Come to our house more often from now on, and let them improve your living conditions."
Faced with He Yuhan's mother's concern, Zhou Zhengye felt an indescribable sense of gratitude. He was even a little jealous of Han Yixian. Han Yixian not only had wonderful parents, but also understanding parents-in-law, and an exceptionally good wife who had given him a healthy baby boy. Han Yixian had been blessed with all sorts of good things. Why didn't he have such good fortune?
Zhou Zhengye finally got to eat He Yuhan's cooking again and didn't hold back, eating his fill. It felt even better than what he ate during the Chinese New Year, and he was completely satisfied.
The others, of course, didn't hold back either, burying their heads in their delicious dumplings. The three children did the same; Gu Huayang and He Haobo each ate more than half a bowl of dumplings, and even the youngest, Xu Rui, ate several.
Zhou Zhengye was driving, so no one drank alcohol, and in the end, all the dumplings and vegetables were eaten.
After the meal, Han Yixian and several other male comrades took the initiative to clean up the dishes, not letting He Yu lift a finger.
Looking at the diligent group of people, Yu Huiru said, "I won't feel bad even when I'm not here anymore. These men aren't the chauvinistic type; they all know how to help with housework, so I won't worry about you being too busy."
Hearing his mother's words, He Zhenhua laughed and said, "Mom, your worries were unnecessary. Yixian was just worried that his wife would get tired. Even if we didn't help, Yixian would still rush to help Yuhan with the housework. Besides, we can't just stand by and watch. Of course, the housework should be shared by everyone, so you don't need to worry."
Yuhan is my sister. How could I let my own sister suffer? I will keep an eye on her for you.
Yu Huiru rolled her eyes at her eldest son and said, "You two still have to rely on your sister to take care of you. If it weren't for Yuhan taking care of Haobo, you'd be completely helpless."
Upon hearing this, He Zhenhua chuckled and said, "That's right, I'm especially grateful to my little sister for that. Yuhan's meticulous care for the children is truly remarkable; I doubt many women can match her. Haobo also listens to Yuhan the most. When Haobo grows up, I'll definitely make him take good care of his aunt."
He Yuhan smiled and said, "Big brother, Haobo is my nephew, it's only right that I take care of him. We're family, no need for thanks."
After tidying up, Han Yixian and the others sat in the living room drinking tea and chatting, while He Yuhan took the three children to take a nap.
The three children slept in He Yuhan's bedroom. They lay side by side on the big bed, and He Yuhan lay next to her son, patting him gently while telling them stories.
Now that Gu Huayang and He Haobo sleep with their fathers at night, there are no bedtime stories anymore. So the bedtime stories have been moved to before their afternoon nap.
He Yuhan's soft voice carried to the living room next door, and everyone in the living room unconsciously lowered their voices.
He Yuhan's voice as she told the story was different from her usual tone, carrying a touch of childlike innocence and gentleness. That voice drifted into Zhou Zhengye's ears, seemingly stirring his heart. He thought again of the dream he often had, a dream where He Yuhan was his own.
If Han Yixian hadn't pursued He Yuhan back then, He Yuhan would have been his. That kind of life would have been his.
He knew that his thoughts were wrong; Han Yixian was his good brother, and he shouldn't think like that. But these thoughts involuntarily occupied his mind, pulling at his heartstrings.
His life now presented a stark contrast to Han Yixian's. Han Yixian's life was happy and fulfilling, while his own was the complete opposite. There was not a trace of joy in his life, let alone happiness. This contrast made him unable to help but feel envious of Han Yixian.
It seems he must seize power, greater power than the Wang family, or for the Wang family to fall from grace, in order to have a chance to get rid of his current wife, Wang Guixiang. Otherwise, they will have to maintain this cold marital relationship indefinitely.
His current marital relationship seems to suffocate him, restricting everything he does. He has to consider whether his actions will implicate his family.
When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. If the Zhou family falls, he won't be able to escape unscathed. Therefore, he must be extremely cautious in everything he does.
He now hopes that Wang Guixiang will succumb to loneliness and have an affair, then find someone better and dump him, so at least the responsibility won't fall on him. Even if he and Wang Guixiang eventually divorce, no one can say anything; he'll just be the victim.
Sometimes I think he's really helpless. He can't even control his own marriage, and it's truly tragic that his life has turned out like this.
Seeing that the children were almost asleep, He Yuhan's storytelling voice gradually faded away.
As Gu Qishen listened to He Yuhan's gradually fading voice, a tenderness flashed in his eyes. His son was enjoying the maternal love that he couldn't give her, making his son's childhood very happy. This was one of the reasons why he and Han Yixian had come to Qianyuan County together.
Now that his son can live with him and receive He Yuhan's gentle comfort, his past emotional trauma should have healed, and he has become a happy and sunny child.
All of this should be thanks to the He family and He Yuhan. When he was in his most difficult time, the He family extended a helping hand, providing his son with a comfortable and peaceful living environment, allowing the child to receive genuine care, and thus enabling him to gradually become more lively.
I hope these beautiful and peaceful days will continue forever. If anyone tries to destroy this beauty, I will never allow it.
It was past four in the afternoon when Zhou Zhengye reluctantly drove away. He longed for the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere of the Han family home, but he knew it wasn't meant for him. Even if his path was full of thorns and pain, he would continue on it.
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