The dog nodded repeatedly, then picked up the little monkey and went to find food, leaving only the two of them.
He Jiuniang looked at Lu Baichuan and asked, "Shall I take a look at you now?"
"Let's do it later, I haven't washed since yesterday."
I was out and about outside the city last night, covered in dust, and I haven't even had a chance to clean myself up yet.
He Jiuniang nodded. Fortunately, she had taken a quick shower before going to bed, so she was in better condition than him.
Before long, Aunt Xu had finished cooking, and Old Man Lu and Mrs. Sun returned. Seeing Gou'er playing with a little monkey, they went over to take a look, and then the family sat down to eat.
"Take off your mask. We're all family. We won't really look down on you."
After sitting down, He Jiuniang looked at Lu Baichuan intently.
The dog nodded repeatedly. He had never seen what his father looked like before. His father hadn't eaten much of the dumplings that morning, and it wasn't very convenient to have the mask covering him.
It was understandable that it was inconvenient to take it off when you were on the street back then, but now that there are no outsiders, there's no need to pretend.
Seeing that He Jiuniang really didn't dislike her son, Madam Sun also said, "Yes, pick them. It's so hot and stuffy."
As a mother, she was more heartbroken than anyone else to see her son like this. The reason she had shown disdain before was to make her daughter-in-law feel more at ease. Now that she saw that her daughter-in-law didn't mind, she naturally had even less reason to say anything more.
Lu Baichuan glanced at everyone, and was actually a little uneasy. He had taken the dog out for a day without letting the child see his face. He was afraid of scaring the child and being disliked by the child.
The dog said very considerately, "Daddy is a great hero. He was injured while protecting our country. Mr. Kang said that every wound on a hero's body is worthy of respect. Don't worry, Daddy, I'm not afraid."
Lu Baichuan felt a warmth in his heart, thinking that his son was truly a little sun, and that even his words were so heartwarming.
He slowly reached out and removed his mask, revealing his wrinkled skin to everyone.
Although she had seen it once before, Mrs. Sun still felt a pang of heartache. Other people's injuries would just leave a scar, but how come her son's injury was all wrinkled up?
She really wanted to ask how she got hurt, but she was afraid she couldn't bear it, so she kept quiet.
The dog stared intently at his face without saying a word. After a while, he reached out his little hand and touched his father's face, asking with some discomfort, "Daddy, does it still hurt?"
He didn't really understand these things, but he felt that being injured must be very painful, especially for someone like his father, whose perfectly good skin was all bunched up together.
"It doesn't hurt."
Lu Baichuan smiled. His son not only didn't dislike him, but also knew how to care for him. He was overjoyed.
He held his son in his lap, snuggling up to feed him.
The dog was very cooperative, eating whatever it was fed until its belly was round and full.
No matter how sensible a child is, he is still just a child. After he finished eating, he couldn't sit still and ran to play with the little monkey, while the adults continued eating.
As soon as Gou'er left, Sun asked, "Third brother, you've been away from home for so many years, you haven't done anything to wrong your wife, have you?"
Lu Baichuan stopped eating abruptly, completely surprised that his mother would ask such a question.
Fortunately, he quickly replied, "No, I usually live with my brothers."
Looking at Madam Sun, He Jiuniang was genuinely happy. This mother-in-law was even kinder to her than her own mother.
Since Lu Baichuan returned, she hasn't asked him how he's been living all these years or what he's doing now. Instead, she's been concerned about the relationship between him and his wife, fearing that his sudden return might cause discord and unhappiness at home.
"That's good. The men of the Lu family, regardless of anything else, must be good to their wives. Remember that."
Old Lu also spoke up, "You've been away from home for many years. Your wife endured so much pressure to give birth to Gou'er and raised him so well. You should be grateful for the rest of your life. If you dare to do anything to betray her, I'll kick you out and simply disown you as my son."
Old Lu's tone was calm, revealing no emotion, but everyone present knew he was serious.
He Jiuniang quickly spoke up for her: "Father and Mother, don't worry. My husband told me that he has been hiding in Nantai all these years, living a life of constant danger. Naturally, he has no time to indulge in pleasure. Besides, he gave me the money he has saved over the years as soon as I arrived this morning. I will go and get some to give to you in a little while."
It's actually in her online space, but she can't just take it out directly, otherwise the man next to her will definitely get suspicious.
"No, no, what are you going to do with us?"
Without a second thought, Mrs. Sun waved her hand and said, “He has been away from home for many years and has let the family down, but he has let you and Gou’er down the most. Keep the money you are given to us and do whatever you want. We are an old couple with our share of the family income, and we don’t usually have any expenses. It’s no use to give us more.”
“If our family hadn’t fled the famine, hadn’t gone through all this, and hadn’t split up, then after so many years away, he would naturally have to give back to the family. But you did more than anyone else during our journey of fleeing the famine, and the fact that our family is living such a life is all thanks to you. You’ve filled the void he’s left over all these years. Your third branch doesn’t owe the first and second branches anything, and the people in the first and second branches are all kind and won’t think too much about it.”
“Now that the family has the means, whatever they want to do in the future, whatever kind of life they want to live, they will have to work hard and make their own way. We can't ask you to help them with everything. Don't overthink it. Keep the money safe. The third son is in the government, and he will need money for many things in the future.”
Sun spoke at length, and after finishing, she patted He Jiuniang's hand to reassure her.
He Jiuniang was easily warmed by this little old lady. The little old lady was very clever. She would often be a bit fierce to her in front of the first and second wives, but whenever it was just the two of them, Sun Shi would be much gentler. In fact, she did this to maintain the peace of the family.
It's truly remarkable that an elderly woman from a rural background could accomplish all this.
"Alright, I'll keep it myself. If you need any money, please don't hesitate to ask."
Finally, she added, "I'm rich now!"
She was met with a slap from Mrs. Sun, who glared at her and said, "How can you say such things so casually? Don't you know that wealth shouldn't be flaunted? You're so stupid!"
"Hehe, I just love showing off my wealth in front of you!"
He Jiuniang smiled shamelessly, and her smug little face made Lu Baichuan smile as well.
So this is how my wife and mother get along. They don't seem like mother-in-law and daughter-in-law at all. They're more like friends or close sisters.
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