Chapter 182 Arrival at Ertuozi Village
The morning of the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month.
The family arrived safely at Ertuozi Village.
Zhou Nanxu drove the car directly into the courtyard.
Jiang Wenying, the next-door neighbor, heard the sound of a car and came out of the house with a bowl of rice.
At a glance, he saw Liu Rong who was leading Zhou Dabao out of the car. Liu Rong also looked up, and their eyes met. They were both stunned for a moment, and then the corners of their mouths raised and they laughed out loud.
Jiang Wenying quickly put down the bowl, and ran over from her own yard in surprise and joy. She was so excited that she could hardly speak clearly, "Arong, I finally got you back. I thought you guys wouldn't come back for the New Year."
This person was Liu Rong's close friend. Last time when Zhou Zhengfu was besieged by the Luo family, it was she who called the villagers to help.
"Hey, you're back. It's New Year's Day, how could I not come back?" Seeing her friend whom she hadn't seen for a long time, Liu Rong's eyes sparkled, and she felt both emotional and happy.
It's sad that Jiang Wenying's wrinkles have become much deeper in just such a short time since we last met.
If she had not chosen to open a clothing store in Hebei Province, but instead returned home to continue tilling these acres of land... Alas, time is merciless after all, and she has changed from a little girl to an old woman today.
Zhou Nanxu and others also got out of the car one after another and greeted Jiang Wenying with a smile.
Zhou Zhengfu, "Aunt Wenying."
Zhou Nanxu said, "Aunt Wenying."
Rong Mei, "Aunt."
Zhou Dabao, "Grandma Jiang."
"Hey, hey..." Jiang Wenying nodded repeatedly in response, and the wrinkles on her face were filled with smiles.
He took Liu Rong's hand, looked around at Zhou Nanxu and the others, patted them lightly and said happily, "Look, this is a neat and tidy family. How happy it is. It will be lively to come back and celebrate the New Year together."
Liu Rong smiled and said, "Everyone knows that your family has the most people and the most lively New Year celebrations in our village."
Jiang Wenying gave birth to three sons and one daughter.
Two of the three sons work in the county town, and the daughter also married into a working-class family. Jiang Wenying, the mother-in-law, is usually reasonable, and the daughters-in-law are not unreasonable like Luo Xiuxiu, so she has a good relationship with them.
During the Chinese New Year, their son who works in the county town would come back with his family. In addition, Jiang Wenying and her husband have elderly parents above them, and Jiang Wenying's husband has several brothers, and they all have a good relationship. The elderly are still alive at home, so every year several families get together to celebrate the New Year, which is particularly lively.
To be honest, in the past, Jiang Wenying had always been the object of Liu Rong's envy, especially after Zhou's father passed away.
Having a harmonious family is so rare and important. She dreams of having a harmonious family like Jiang Wenying's.
Jiang Wenying patted her elder sisters' hands, nodded at Zhou Nanxu and Rong Mei standing behind them, and said comfortingly, "Of course not. Won't your family be lively in the future? It's so nice to have a complete family, and you have such a capable and sensible daughter-in-law. Nanxu will give you a big fat grandson in the future. You still have a lot of blessings to come."
Without waiting for Liu Rong to speak, Jiang Wenying pulled Liu Rong aside and invited her warmly, "Okay, okay, let's not stand here anymore. It's freezing cold. Let's go inside and talk. It's so early, you haven't had breakfast yet, right? Come on, let's all go to my place and eat."
Zhou Nanxu wanted to refuse, "No need, Auntie, we..."
Jiang Wenying interrupted again and tried to persuade them, "You guys have to clean up again when you go back. It will take a long time to cook by the time you finish cleaning up. I have some pre-kneaded dough. It's very quick to roll some noodles. Just have a bite, but don't be disgusted."
Having said that, Liu Rong smiled and said, "Then I won't be polite with you."
Then he turned around and told Zhou Zhengfu and Zhou Nanxu, "You two brothers should move all the things into the house first. I'll go to your aunt's house to help roll the noodles."
After saying that, he took Zhou Dabao and Jiang Wenying out of the yard. Of course, he did not forget to bring Rong Mei along when he left.
After entering Jiang Wenying's house, Zhou Dabao went to play with Jiang Wenying's granddaughter.
Liu Rong felt sorry for Rong Mei who didn't sleep well while driving, so she said to Rong Mei, "Girl Mei, if you feel tired, go to Auntie's house and take a nap on the kang. I'll call you when the noodles are ready."
After that, he explained to Jiang Wenying, "Meiyatou and Nanxu drove the car all the way back, and we didn't get much sleep."
Jiang Wenying heard this and hurriedly said to Rong Mei, "Yes, yes, you must be very tired after driving such a long distance. Just take a nap on the kang. I and your mother are here."
Knowing that the two old sisters hadn't seen each other for a long time and had a lot to talk about, Rong Mei didn't refuse and nodded with a big smile, "Okay, then I won't be polite to my aunt."
Leaving Rong Mei alone in the kang room, Jiang Wenying took Liu Rong to the kitchen.
Jiang Wenying walked straight to the cupboard, took out the dough that had been kneaded in advance, wiped the chopping board clean with quick movements, sprinkled dry flour on it skillfully, and threw the dough onto the chopping board with a snap.
He looked at Liu Rong with a smile, "Arong, you look at least ten years younger after your visit to Hebei Province. Look at your dress. You don't look like a country girl at all. You look like a city lady. I didn't recognize you when I first saw you. If you hadn't been holding Dabao's hand, I really wouldn't have reacted. But, I missed you so much during the days you were away."
Liu Rong was not idle either. She opened the pot lid and began to wash the pot and light the fire. She smiled at the old sister's jokes and said, "You are still the same. You haven't changed at all. You always like to tease me. I miss you a lot."
Jiang Wenying kneaded the dough with full strength in her hands, her eyes narrowed into slits as she smiled. "But, I'm really happy for you now. Arong, you finally made it through. The eldest brother has divorced his wife, and no one is against you anymore. You don't have to swallow your anger anymore. The youngest brother is an officer, and his wife treats you well, treating you like her own mother. Look, you've brought back a car. Is it a dowry from your rich in-laws?"
When talking about these, Liu Rong was happy from the bottom of her heart.
He shook his head, not sparing his satisfaction and praise for his daughter-in-law, "No, that was bought by Mei with her own money. She is very capable, not only because of her good-looking face, but also because of her smart mind and courage. The Zhou family must be very lucky to have such a daughter-in-law."
Seeing the old sisters happy, Jiang Wenying was also happy, and rolled the rolling pin skillfully and quickly on the chopping board, "Then it must be that your old Zhou is protecting you in the underground, and sent you such a capable and filial child. You must burn more paper for him during the New Year."
Liu Rong just lowered her head and smiled without saying anything.
After being sisters who can talk about anything for so many years, sometimes I can sense each other's emotions and understand clearly what the other person is thinking with just one gesture.
Jiang Wenying stopped rolling the noodles and the smile on her face faded. She stared at Liu Rong for a long time, "Ah Rong, Lao Zhou has been gone for so many years. To be honest, have you ever thought about finding another one?"
Liu Rong was stunned for a moment when her good sister suddenly mentioned this question. For some reason, the figure of Uncle Li suddenly flashed in her mind, but she quickly put it aside.
She snapped the firewood in her hand and shook her head, laughing, "What are you looking for? I, as a stepmother, have worked so hard to raise the children, and now I have to cook for others and take care of their children. I really have become a stepmother."
When Jiang Wenying heard this, it seemed to be true.
Originally, she thought that Liu Rong was still young and had half of her life to live. The children would eventually have their own things to do and would not be around all the time. A partner was just someone to talk to and confide in.
But now according to Liu Rong's statement, that's right, why are you looking for her? To cook for others? To take care of others' grandchildren? She has to take care of her own grandchildren.
Originally, I wanted to make some arrangements for Liu Rong, thinking that the old man was about to retire, and his children were all employees, so there was no financial "burden". But after hearing this, I instantly gave up the idea.
If there is no financial burden, then wouldn't it be ideal to find someone to take care of the old man and the young ones to look after the children?
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