Dabao and Xiaobao simultaneously exclaimed, “Grandpa!”

Jiang Dongjian, as if awakening from a dream, quickly responded, “Yes, yes.”

He wanted to hug the children, but he had a big grass carp in his hand, still smelling fishy, so he reluctantly refrained.

His eyes couldn’t help but stay on the two brothers, identical and handsome children, always particularly charming to him.

He asked the children their names, ages, what they liked to eat, and so on, eager to learn everything about them.

Dabao and Xiaobao answered clearly and seriously, then looked at Grandpa expectantly.

Xu Aimei urged Jiang Dongjian to greet his in-laws quickly, and the older relatives began various friendly exchanges.

Dabao and Xiaobao exchanged a glance: Huh? Why isn’t Grandpa giving money?

The two brothers whispered to each other.

Dabao: “Grandpa definitely has no money. Look, our grandfather never carries money.”

Xiaobao: “But what about the fish?”

Dabao: “Grandma must have given him money.”

Xiaobao: “Grandpa has no money, so sad.”

Dabao took out his own coin. “How about… I give it to Grandpa?”

Xiaobao hesitated, “Can I keep mine to buy candies later?”

Dabao: “Okay.”

When Jiang Dongjian went to wash his hands, Dabao quietly slipped the coin into his pocket. “Grandpa, this is for you to buy candies.”

After saying this, he smiled and ran off to play with the children.

At first, Jiang Dongjian didn’t understand what was happening.

He checked his pocket and found that Dabao had given him a coin!

Normally, elders would give children small amounts of money during festivals, usually a few cents or a dime.

Dabao had given him a whole coin, which meant he could spend his grandson’s money.

Jiang Dongjian’s eyes welled up with tears at this thought.

He quickly and quietly asked Xu Aimei for two coins, “Grandsons are giving me money to spend.”

Xu Aimei felt a mixture of sourness and tenderness in her heart.

These two children were really good.

She quickly handed the money to Jiang Dongjian.

Normally, she wouldn’t even spare a nickel, considering a dime a luxury.

But seeing her grandsons for the first time, she gladly took it out and let Jiang Dongjian use it to make up for what Grandpa owed Dabao and Xiaobao.

When Dabao and Xiaobao received the money, they hesitated, “Grandpa, you keep it.”

Jiang Dongjian happily said, “Grandpa earns money from work. You keep it. Next time you come, Grandpa will pay you back.”

The two brothers happily accepted, and also gave Jiang Dongjian two loving kisses from their grandsons, which made Jiang Dongjian very happy.

Xiaoke was older and less inclined to imitate his younger brothers.

Xiaoluo, being younger, liked to follow his older brother and also went to kiss Jiang Dongjian.

Jiang Dongjian patted his head and asked him to play with Dabao and Xiaobao.

Soon, Jiang Big Brother and Jiang Second Brother also returned together, carrying a bundle of fruits including apples and hawthorns, which local fruit farmers sold at their factory gate.

Dabao and Xiaobao ran over again, as they had already said many times, now even more proficient and neat, “Hello, Big Uncle, Hello, Second Uncle.”

They looked up with their pink, tender faces and stared with their shiny eyes at Jiang Big Brother, then turned their necks and looked at Jiang Second Brother.

Their eyes were like stars, like obsidian, full of warmth and a subtle desire, smiling softly, giving an indescribable feeling.

Jiang Second Brother couldn’t help but smile, “You two look exactly alike. Who’s older and who’s younger?”

Dabao chuckled, “Second Uncle, I’m taller than Xiaobao, so I’m definitely older than Xiaobao.”

Xiaobao grinned, “Big Uncle, guess! If you get it right, we’ll give you some candy.”

Jiang Big Brother hesitated, planning to give them apples and hawthorns, but now he was intrigued.

He gestured towards Dabao with his chin, “You’re older.”

Dabao was about to confirm when Xiaobao loudly declared, “Wrong!”

Jiang Big Brother paused, then handed the fruits to the two children, “Have some apples.”

Dabao asked curiously, “Big Uncle?”

Jiang Big Brother responded, “Yes?”

“Are you working at the radio factory?”

Jiang Big Brother corrected him, “It’s actually the electronics factory.”

“Can you install a radio for us?” He pointed to himself and Xiaobao. “One for each of us so we don’t have to fight over the stations.”

Xiaobao added, “One for each isn’t enough sometimes. We need one for every two, because sometimes I want to listen to several stations.”

Jiang Big Brother was at a loss for words.

The others were already laughing uncontrollably.

These two children were so outgoing.

Comparing them to their own children, who would shy away from strangers and hide in the door crack like mice, afraid to be seen by others.

Jiang Second Brother laughed and wanted to hug Xiaobao, but then started coughing and had to stop.

Xiaobao looked at him curiously, “Second Uncle?”

Jiang Second Brother coughed and said, “Uh, what is it?”

“Did you sneak some candy?”

Jiang Second Brother awkwardly responded, “No, I didn’t.”

“Don’t deny it, you’re already coughing. When I sneak candy when I have a cold, my cough gets worse, and my mom always finds out,” Xiaobao teased.

Jiang Second Brother sighed, “When I was young and sneaked candy too much, my cough never got better.”

Xiaobao gasped, “Wow… that bad?” He subconsciously patted his pockets, feeling the bulge of several candies in his pants and jacket.

Seeing his Second Uncle cough, Xiaobao thought that coughing from sneaking candy was worse than having cavities.

Worried that his mom might confiscate his candies if he talked more about it, he quickly pulled Dabao away to play with Qinqin and the others, not caring whether Big Uncle and Second Uncle would give them money.

Inside the house, it was getting crowded.

Xu Aimei had already moved the table to the doorway.

Despite the cool weather outside, it wasn’t cold, and everyone chatting made it lively.

Neighbors came over to greet them, some even came from the yard to see Jiang Lin’s in-laws.

Previously, everyone knew Jiang Lin had married a landlord in the countryside because of Meng Yiyi, but now she was recognized as a revolutionary local gentry, which sparked everyone’s curiosity.

After meeting them, they found it to be true. Cheng Yunzhi was calm and elegant, with a hint of a wealthy family’s demeanor in his words and actions.

Yan Runzhi, needless to say, had her hair in a bun, her clothes clean and neat, though she sewed them herself, her stitches were even and neat, so you couldn’t see anything.

Wensheng sat quietly beside Yan Runzhi. When others talked to him, he answered if he could, otherwise he just smiled.

Before they came, Yan Runzhi had rehearsed with him many times, telling him to smile if he didn’t understand.

His smile was gentle and childlike, attracting many onlookers.

And those two children, like little fairies, fascinated everyone they met.

Nearby children ran over to play with them.

Neighbors received Cheng Rushan’s candies and began sending over things—some noodles, a few eggs, or some flour, vegetables, and more to help out.

Xu Aimei was enjoying such attention for the first time.

She was busy coming and going, receiving so much care and goodwill from everyone that she felt a bit overwhelmed.

How come what she used to dislike so much before now seemed more tolerable?

“Lao Jiang, why are you standing there foolishly? Can’t you see so many neighbors? Help greet our relatives and don’t neglect them.”

Jiang Dongjian gradually felt like he was dreaming.

Since he returned home the day before yesterday, he still hadn’t completely come back to reality.

Just the day before, people were whispering about his daughter eloping and causing a scene with the Meng family, which he feared would become a joke throughout the factory.

But yesterday morning, the police station took Meng Yiyi away, and the loudspeaker across the factory exposed her for spreading rumors.

At first, he felt embarrassed and unsure how to face others.

But unexpectedly, everyone warmly welcomed him, condemning the Meng family for being unfair.

Even the cadre in charge of distributing factory housing smiled and greeted him warmly when they saw him.

Later, things got even more intense.

Meng Kaiping and Huang Meini sought to harm them with all means possible.

He was angry and ashamed, wishing he could find a hole to hide in with those two.

But then the situation changed again.

Now, even the Meng family couple were publicly criticized by name.

It seemed like they would have no say in future wage increases or awards!

Jiang Dong really couldn’t understand what was going on.

How could clearing up rumors about his daughter have such a huge impact, instantly changing how people in the factory viewed his family?

It was as if their family had been vindicated.

People who used to ignore him now smiled and greeted him warmly.

Those who used to be quiet were now encouraging him: “Lao Jiang, a person of integrity fears no slander. Honest people are not afraid of deceitful ways!”

Before, people avoided him because he spoke too directly and couldn’t play politics.

Now, though not likable, he wasn’t disliked either.

He was seen as genuine.

He sincerely thanked Yan Runzhi and the others, “Thank you for taking care of Linlin. We, as parents, have been neglectful and overlooked many things.”

Cheng Yunzhi followed the principle of smiling more, listening more, and speaking less when he went out, allowing Yan Runzhi to socialize.

Yan Runzhi smiled and said, “Relatives shouldn’t say such formal words. It’s because you raised a good daughter.”

She would never mention to anyone the things her daughter-in-law had done to her in the first few years.

In her view, those were necessary trials to achieve happiness.

Their family’s goodness was never a gift from heaven; it was all earned through their own efforts.

Dabao, Xiaobao, Qinqin, Xiaoke, and Xiaoluo played together on the side, imitating adults in their conversations.

Dabao and Xiaobao seemed a bit melancholy.

It had been several days since they last saw their mother, and just as they reunited, they had to attend to so many social obligations.

Being an adult was so tiring.

When they went out, they were absolutely polite.

Just now when they called someone, they did so warmly and clearly, from grandma to their little brother, without making any mistakes.

Although they wanted to cuddle with Jiang Lin, they didn’t act selfishly but rather spoke properly with their sister and brother here.

Dabao thought Xiaoluo looked pretty good, but he seemed like he could blow away with the wind.

He said, “Do you guys not have enough to eat?”

City kids are really pitiful.

Xiaoluo was still young and not very articulate.

He chewed on candy and laughed happily.

Xiaobao asked, “Little sister, why aren’t you talking?”