At that moment, Cheng Rushan came over.

Jiang Lin smiled and said, “Our sons mixed up, so you try to guess.”

Cheng Rushan smiled, ruffled the head of the child dressed as Guan Gong, and said, “Dabao.”

“That’s wrong! I’m Dabao!” Xiaobao jumped out, mimicking Dabao’s look perfectly.

Cheng Rushan said, “Dabao wouldn’t paint his face in two halves unless he was trying to trick us. If it’s not a trick, then you must be Xiaobao.” He patted Xiaobao, who looked very funny with half his face painted.

“I’m awesome!” Xiaobao jumped up, exclaiming, “Zhang Zhang Zhang Zhang cei~~”

At this moment, they heard Wen Sheng and Yan Runzhi singing.

One was performing a mother-in-law role, and the other a foolish son-in-law who accompanies his wife back to her parents’ home.

Even though Wen Sheng was older, he had mental development arrested at age 12, so he looked and sounded unusually youthful, with a clear and full voice.

Yan Runzhi’s voice was sweet and gentle, even more so with age, suited for singing Huangmei Opera and similar songs.

She was self-taught, not professional, but her singing was very charming.

Jiang Lin wasn’t a fan of opera, but since the old lady and Wen Sheng enjoyed it, she had started listening too.

Jiang Lin laughed and said, “In the future, let’s bring our parents to the city and have them visit the park every day, taking a radio and recording equipment to sing and have fun with others.”

Cheng Rushan wrapped his arms around her waist. “My wife is really wonderful.”

Dai Guohua had said that his wife was always trying to compete with her mother-in-law in front of men, causing headaches at home.

Jiang Lin proudly said, “That’s because our mother is so good.”

Even when the original owner was difficult, Yan Runzhi had been very kind to her, never criticizing her.

Now, with Jiang Lin devoted to the family, Yan Runzhi treated her even more affectionately.

Jiang Lin could honestly say that Yan Runzhi was kinder to her than to Cheng Rushan.

Yan Runzhi knew that if the daughter-in-law was good, then the son would be good, and the whole family would be happy.

Jiang Lin understood his feelings.

When someone treats her well, she naturally reciprocates with even more kindness.

They had given her a complete family, fulfilling her longing for parental affection and love, and in return, she was motivated to be generous.

On the seventh day of the New Year, Dai Guohua came to see Cheng Rushan, clearly upset.

“I told you it would work out fine, and now suddenly they’re saying it won’t work and that mistakes will be scrutinized. Isn’t it frustrating?” Dai Guohua had promised to help Cheng Rushan get a household registration at the military district, but now he received a letter saying it wasn’t possible and suggesting he find another way.

Dai Guohua felt embarrassed and guilty because he had boasted about the success, and now it seemed he had delayed Cheng Rushan’s plans.

Cheng Rushan patted his shoulder, “We were just trying. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll find another way. No need to get upset.”

Dai Guohua was even more frustrated by Cheng Rushan’s calm demeanor.

Before meeting Cheng Rushan, Dai Guohua had heard many negative things about him—cold and ruthless.

But upon getting to know him, he found Cheng Rushan to be genuinely kind-hearted.

He was generous and never lost his temper or spoke harshly, quite unlike those who constantly bragged about their superiority and had a habit of cursing.

Over the past two years, Cheng Rushan had helped him a lot.

Whenever Dai Guohua faced difficulties, Cheng Rushan did his best to assist, even smoothing over issues between his mother and wife.

However, Dai Guohua felt deeply about failing in a matter he had thought was certain.

“Maybe we should find someone else…”

“No need. I’ll find another way. I have someone who owes me a favor, and this is a good chance to use it.”

Dai Guohua nodded, though still feeling uneasy, and left Cheng Rushan to handle the matter.

Dai Guohua saw how determined Cheng Rushan was and sighed in relief. “As long as it doesn’t delay your work.”

After Dai Guohua left, Cheng Rushan told Jiang Lin that he was going to the commune to make a phone call.

This time, he contacted Gu Mingyi again.

They never exchanged pleasantries and went straight to the point.

“I want a household registration in the provincial capital.”

“Xiaoshanzi, you’re asking for a household registration in the provincial capital for a life? Do you think my life is worthless?”

“Your life was worth it last time when it helped my family get justice. This time, we’ll trade it for Zhoushanzi’s life.”

“Why would I use that silly Zhoushanzi’s life?”

“Because you share a bed with him, you must like his good looks and explosive energy.”

“Damn it! Cheng Rushan, that wasn’t written by me! It was that person… who wrote it foolishly.”

“It’s fine. My wife saw through your childish game right away. You should find yourself a good wife instead of constantly scheming against your friends.”

“Beep beep…”

The call ended.

Cheng Rushan smiled, feeling good.

When Gu Mingyi gets a wife, he’ll give him an even more generous gift.

In the blink of an eye, it was the 20th day of the Lunar New Year.

In a couple of days, Cheng Rushan would take Jiang Lin and the kids, Dabao and Xiaobao, to the provincial capital.

Cheng Rushan worked at the military district and had recently been promoted to team leader.

Gu Mingyi helped him directly change his extra position to an official one, which would allow Cheng Rushan to transfer his household registration and ration relationship.

He also planned to send Dabao and Xiaobao to the military district’s elementary school.

With time running short, they hadn’t arranged for a house yet, so they would first stay in a single-room dormitory and figure things out later.

Dabao and Xiaobao were excited about going to the city.

Dabao said to Wen Sheng, “Put on your sword and face mask. Let’s go perform for Qinqin and the others.”

Xiaobao asked, “Should we bring our chickens too?”

Yan Runzhi quickly said, “You go with your mother to study. Grandpa and Grandma will stay at home with Wen Sheng. We still have land, flowers, and plants to look after, as well as the embroidery workshop and the brick kiln. Someone needs to watch over everything. Wen Sheng will oversee the brick kiln, and I’ll take care of the embroidery workshop.”

Dabao and Xiaobao were surprised and asked, “Aren’t you going?”

If Jiang Lin went alone, they would miss her and want to be with her.

Now that they had to separate from Yan Runzhi, they were reluctant, especially since only Wen Sheng would be left behind, and he seemed so pitiful.

Xiaobao was already starting to cry.

Wen Sheng said, “I’ll help watch the brick kiln for Mother!”

The brick kiln was managed jointly by Shang Zonghui, Cheng Yulian, and the team. Jiang Lin wasn’t worried.

It was just a side business for the team, not large-scale, with mature technology. Since it was a seller’s market, as long as they didn’t mismanage it, it would continue to make money.

They just needed to ensure no random appointments or mismanagement, and the rest would run smoothly on its own.

To reassure Wen Sheng, Yan Runzhi assigned him to oversee the brick kiln, and Wen Sheng agreed.

However, Jiang Lin noticed Wen Sheng was unusually quiet and even seemed to avoid her gaze.

She knew he wasn’t happy.

But the current situation didn’t allow for everyone to go together, so they had to make do and think about it later.

To avoid upsetting the children, Jiang Lin said nothing more and tried to comfort them.

Cheng Rushan said, “Don’t worry. We’ll definitely bring Wen Sheng, Grandpa, and Grandma to the city later. After the New Year, we’ll return to pay respects to the ancestors.”

Dabao and Xiaobao were still young and didn’t have a clear sense of time.

Since the New Year had just passed, they felt that time was short and that the New Year was just like next week or next month.

Yan Runzhi packed a lot of luggage.

She prepared bedding for Jiang Lin, a set for herself and Cheng Rushan, and another set for Dabao and Xiaobao.

She also packed clothes, books, and other necessities.

Additionally, Yan Runzhi made a lot of pickled vegetables, a small jar of fermented tofu, pickles, salted duck eggs, and fried sauce, as well as rice and flour.

Even though there weren’t many things at home and they didn’t need to bring too much, Yan Runzhi packed a huge pile of items, worried that the children might run into trouble if they were missing something.

She even thought about having Cheng Rushan bring two hens from home to keep, so they could lay eggs.

Xu Aimei told her that everything in the city would cost money, and expenses would add up quickly.

She also made a set of fine cotton bed sheets and covers for Jiang Lin to prevent the bedding from getting dirty.

This way, they wouldn’t need to wash the quilts as often as at home.

A few days before the New Year, she hurriedly made new clothes for Jiang Lin, including a knee-length coat designed by Jiang Lin herself.

The design was simple and elegant, and with the sewing machine, she was very skilled at it.

She packed other daily necessities like bowls, chopsticks, knives, pots, and pans, and especially the big stone garlic grinder, which was useful for making garlic paste, peanut crumbs, or sesame paste.

She also included a radio, a clock, and a bicycle.

Yan Runzhi said, “You should take everything with you. We don’t use the bike at home, and we don’t need to check the time here.”

Jiang Lin replied, “We have several radios at home, so just take one. Leave the clock and bike at home; let Wen Sheng use the bike.”

Wen Sheng was in a stable condition now. If not for his age, he was almost like a child just over ten years old.

As they talked, Jiang Lin felt a bit emotional and couldn’t help but wish they could all go together.

Cheng Rushan put his arm around her shoulders and rubbed them. “It’s not that we won’t come back. Some things can be bought there.”

Yan Runzhi said, “Buying things costs money. Since we have them at home, we should bring them along. Save money for Baor’s schooling; there will be many social occasions at school. We’re coming from the countryside, so don’t be too frugal and let others look down on us.”

Xiaobao said, “I’m so handsome, who would dare to exclude me! Hmph!”

Dabao added, “We’ll support Mom!”

The initially somber mood lightened up with the boys’ remarks, bringing back smiles.

After two days of preparation, Jiang Lin went to the brick kiln to give some final instructions.

The young people who hadn’t passed their exams would continue to help with the bookkeeping, so Jiang Lin wasn’t worried.

On the 25th day of the Lunar New Year, Dai Guohua drove over to pick them up.

This time, they weren’t transporting any goods; that would wait until February.

Yan Runzhi had them bring Jiang Lin’s hand luggage and cabinet, almost wanting to bring the wardrobe, chest, and cupboards too, to avoid any inconvenience once they arrived.

Cheng Rushan said, “Mother, there’s no rush. We’ll have plenty of chances in the future.”

As they were about to board the truck, Jiang Lin hugged Yan Runzhi, shook hands with Cheng Yunzhi, and hugged Wen Sheng.

Wen Sheng had been very quiet and didn’t speak.

He lifted Jiang Lin onto the truck’s step and waved goodbye to her.

Dai Guohua went to the back of the truck to give the driver’s seat to Cheng Rushan’s family, letting Cheng Rushan drive.

As the truck started moving, Jiang Lin waved goodbye to Yan Runzhi and the others, with Dabao and Xiaobao also squeezing in to wave.

Wen Sheng watched the truck drive away and couldn’t help but run after it.

As the truck picked up speed, he ran faster, despite Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi calling him to stop.

Jiang Lin, sitting in the passenger seat, saw Wen Sheng running after the truck and waved vigorously to him, signaling him to stop.

Wen Sheng, however, couldn’t hear her and kept running instinctively.

In a panic, Jiang Lin took off the red scarf from her neck and let it flutter in the wind.

Thinking that the scarf had fallen, Wen Sheng hurried to chase after it.

By the time he had the scarf in hand, he was no longer able to catch up with the truck.

He stood there, watching the truck get farther and farther away.