They asked about the maternal grandmother and younger brother.

Tiantian and Panpan excitedly hugged their Lin mother’s legs and rubbed against Grandma’s legs, finally Lin Shu took one in each hand and led them back.

Seeing the family return, Old Lu was very happy.

He greeted Lin’s mother and told them to put down their things and rest.

Xu Xiaoyou was also very happy that Fang’s grandmother’s eyes were fine.

She had been worried these past few days.

Since there wasn’t enough time and Old Lu had to work in the afternoon, Fang Dihua decided not to tell him about the third son’s matter yet, fearing he might get too excited.

She would wait until evening.

Seeing Old Lu cooking, she was somewhat displeased, “Where are the second son’s family?”

Old Lu replied, “She’s at work. I have time, so cooking doesn’t interfere with my job.”

He used to work overtime, but now that there are family matters, he doesn’t work overtime, which everyone understands.

Fang Dihua sensed something was off and asked about the family situation.

Old Lu said, “Everything is fine. Very good.”

Fang Dihua realized he was only reporting good news and not the problems.

She specifically asked about the eldest and second son’s families.

Panpan and Tiantian immediately pulled Fang Dihua aside and whispered.

The eldest brother Lu Dage was definitely causing trouble, neglecting tasks like collecting firewood and watering vegetables when Grandma wasn’t home.

Not only did he make the second brother do the laundry, but besides the work assigned by the production team, he practically made the second brother do everything.

Second Uncle Lu Erge helped with the cooking.

As for Second Aunt, she was the one who… was sneaking food.

She always said that Mom was sneaking food, but Mom wasn’t sneaking food—Second Aunt was!

On the first day Mom and Grandma left, Grandpa went to the county.

Second Aunt cooked, and the next day, she cooked again.

In the evening, Grandpa noticed a huge pile of eggshells outside.

It turned out that Second Aunt had come home at noon, cooked several eggs with lard, and eaten them secretly!

The smell of lard-fried eggs was so strong and persistent that as soon as they got home, they could smell it.

The problem was that Second Aunt pretended she couldn’t cook, so she didn’t make egg custard for the children in the morning and just made pickled vegetables instead.

Ah, Second Aunt was so cunning.

Her cooking skills for everyone were quite average, but when it came to sneaking food, it was delicious.

Aunt Li even smelled it.

Chang Xiaogang was still limping around the back of the house, sniffing the smell of lard-fried eggs.

So, after two days of cooking, Grandpa Lu took away Second Aunt’s cooking rights.

Grandpa kept giving the children signals not to say anything, saying it would only make Grandma angry.

What Second Aunt ate couldn’t be spit out anyway.

Fang Dihua was more angry not just because of the stealing but because Second Aunt only cared about herself and neglected the children.

If Second Aunt had snuck food with Lu Cuicui, it would have been different.

This wretched person is just like the eldest one!

The Lu Dage can be beaten, but the daughter-in-law can’t be beaten.

After cooking, Fang Dihua went to deliver food to the fields.

Lin Shu prepared a small pot of egg flower soup for everyone and soaked some pig liver in water to cook in the evening.

Fang Dihua took the soup container and a small basket with dry food and pickles to the fields.

The production team had started arranging the autumn harvest, picking what was ripe first.

Fang Dihua first delivered food to her two sons and then went to the cotton fields to deliver food to Second Sister Lu Er.

Sister Lu Er looked at the food, which only included steamed corn buns and pickled vegetables, without any eggs, and frowned. “Mom, where are the eggs?”

Fang Dihua replied, “There are pickled vegetables.”

Lu Er seemed displeased. “But there are no eggs?”

Fang Dihua snorted, glaring at her. “Oh, are you still craving eggs?”

So mean?

She was feeling quite aggrieved.

Once Fang Dihua left, Song Chunfang leaned close to Lu Er and whispered, “Your mother-in-law is scolding you for not laying eggs. Aren’t you pregnant yet?”

Lu Er replied rudely, “Whether I’m pregnant or not is none of your business. Are you going to raise my child?”

Song Chunfang retorted, “Why are you biting the wrong person?”

Lu Er snapped back, “What are you, a dog? You’re just a dog.”

After venting her frustration, she realized she was only making herself angrier, her nose and mouth twisted in irritation.

In the afternoon, Fang Dihua went to work.

Her eyes were fine and didn’t hinder her from working.

She had no choice but to work and earn work points, she couldn’t just sit idly at home.

In the evening, Fang Dihua asked Lu Erge to go to Lin’s family village to find Aunt Lin, help measure the supplies, and also to ask Aunt Lin to help feed the pigs and chickens for a few days.

Lu Erge was quick on his feet, and he returned soon, informing Lin’s mother about the family situation.

Aunt Lin and Uncle were staying at her house for the night. They were taking good care of the chickens and pigs.

The village had organized young men to patrol, and the Sun family didn’t dare cause trouble anymore.

Lin’s mother sighed in relief and said to Lin Shu, “Your aunt truly helps when needed.”

Lin Shu replied, “Uncle and my father are brothers after all. Besides, my father and Lin Yue will be tractor drivers in the future, which will also help the family.”

She advised Lin’s mother not to feel like she owes others. Mutual help is the same in the end.

After dinner, the children gathered around Fang Dihua and Lin’s mother, creating a lively atmosphere.

Now that the weather had cooled down and the cicadas were gone, they no longer went outside to play.

At this time, the children hadn’t been far from home, and since they hadn’t seen much of the outside world, they were curious about any visitors from other villages.

Even a visit from someone from another village could attract their attention.

Moreover, Fang Dihua and Lin’s mother had been to the city, so the children were especially interested in what the city and hospital were like, asking about everything.

Especially Tiantian and Panpan, who, after questioning both grandmothers thoroughly, were satisfied and went to bed with Youyou.

Children are very active during the day, and after eight in the evening, they were exhausted and quickly fell asleep.

Bao’er was already sound asleep.

Lin Shu led the three children back to their room. In no time, the children were dreaming.

Tiantian had a small notebook with a palm-sized needle and thread next to her pillow, and she dreamt several times about her father, mother, and both together…

In the east room, Fang Dihua was helping Old Lu roll up the bedding, suggesting he stay at Lu Dage’s house for a few days.

Old Lu wasn’t keen on the idea but…

The old woman didn’t want to share a bed with the eldest son, but she still followed the arrangements.

Mother Lin kept saying she was sorry for the trouble.

Lin Shu stepped out of the doorway and whispered, “Mom, Dad, I… saw the children’s father yesterday.”

Fang Dihua responded with a casual “Hmm,” but then suddenly stared at Lin Shu, “What? You… really saw him?”

Old Grandpa was about to leave with a blanket and nearly stumbled, but Fang Dihua quickly helped him.

Mother Lin was still puzzled, “Who?”

Lin Shu whispered, “Be quiet and don’t be surprised. I saw Lu Shaotang.”

Mother Lin was still trying to figure out who Lu Shaotang was, but then it clicked—wasn’t he the tall, handsome, and wealthy son-in-law who was supposed to be dead?

Seeing the disbelief on the faces of the two old women and the old man, Lin Shu felt satisfied.

Why should I be the only one shocked?

The in-laws were relatively okay; they had been mentally prepared.

They were only surprised, not shocked, when they heard that Lu Shaotang had returned.

Mother Lin was different.

She, like Lin Shu, thought Lu Shaotang was dead. Hearing this was a complete shock to her.

If Lin’s Mother had seen Lu Shaotang on the street, she would have been so frightened she might have fainted.

So, it was quite impressive that Lin Shu was only stunned for a second… or two, and then quickly regained her composure.

Lin Shu quickly found her sense of superiority as someone who had traveled through time.

Mother Lin was shocked for several seconds before starting to wipe her tears and sob. “Oh, this is wonderful, wonderful. The third son-in-law isn’t dead. That’s great.”

Now she didn’t have to carry the guilt of advising her daughter to remarry.

The in-laws had been so kind to her family.

It would have felt wrong to advise her daughter to remarry. It felt even worse to let her daughter live as a widow.

Now, it’s all good. The son-in-law is alive. Oh, thank heavens.

The gods are merciful.

Mother Lin immediately clasped her hands together, kneeling on the bed, and prayed to all the gods and deity she could think of.

Even Old Lu, usually so composed, couldn’t help but express his excitement, nearly dancing with joy and go around and make some noise, especially to beat the drum and shout in front of Old Chang’s house: My son is back!

Previously, when he received his son’s letter, seeing the familiar handwriting, he knew his son was fine.

But having his son come back was entirely different from the money transfers and letters.

They hadn’t seen their son for several years. His return was indeed a great joy!

Old Lu: “Tomorrow we need to burn paper and offer sacrifices to the ancestors.”

Lin Shu: “Perfect, I saved a piece of pig liver for this.”

Old Lu was no longer picky about his eldest son, humming a tune as he went to the Lu Dage’s bed in the dark.

In the darkness, Big Brother Lu Dage asked, “Dad, why are you and Mom crying and laughing? My mother’s eyes…”

“Your mother’s eyes are fine, nothing’s wrong.”

“So, is the family of the in-laws okay?”

“They are doing well too.”

Lu Dage asked, “So, does that mean… Third Brother has news?”

Old Lu was surprised and asked, “How did you know?”

Big Brother Lu Dage chuckled, “Dad, I never believed Third Brother was dead. With his mischievous, troublemaking nature as a child, do you think the King of Hell would want him? To avoid more trouble, the King of Hell wouldn’t even bother collecting him.”

Old Lu smiled and suddenly found his eldest son more agreeable. This rascal still had some insight.

He closed his eyes, feeling satisfied, and said, “Tomorrow morning, you go and burn paper for your grandparents and let them know.”

Seeing the person meant his son was definitely fine.

Big Brother Lu Dage happily rolled around on the bed and hugged Old Lu, “Dad, will do!”

My father still loves me.

I can now openly drink a little wine for our ancestors, haha.

Third Brother, hurry back! Then Big Brother will be able to enjoy drinking a little wine every day.