The next morning, Lu Dage (Old Brother Lu) wanted another serving of braised meat, but was met with a disapproving glance from his mother.

Fang Dihua had already put away the braised meat.

Although it was delicious, it wasn’t meant to be consumed all at once.

A pot of braised meat, if cooked well, yields seven taels of meat from one pound. If overcooked, even less.

One pot would last only a few days even if they ate it daily.

She had to freeze it and eat it slowly.

With their appetite, a whole pig would hardly be enough for their New Year’s feast!

After breakfast, Fang Dihua packed up gifts and sent Lu Shaotang on a bike to visit his mother’s family, his aunt’s family, his cousin’s family, and his eldest sister’s family to express their gratitude and check in on them.

When the news of Lu Shaotang’s sacrifice came back, the elderly lady from the Fang family was so distressed she nearly fainted, constantly burning paper offerings and praying to the King of Hell to return her grandson.

The visit to Sister Lu Da (Eldest Sister Lu’s) home wasn’t just to report peace but to personally thank the Ding family for their constant support.

Lu Shaotang spent a day and a half visiting relatives before heading to his father-in-law’s house.

Lin Shu had prepared two sets of clothes for Lu Xiuxiu to sew, leaving the sleeves and collar aside for later. “Leave the sleeves and collar for now; I’ll add them when I get back.”

Lu Xiuxiu wouldn’t make any mistakes as long as she followed her teachers or aunt’s instructions.

The next morning, Lin Shu reminded Lu Xiuxiu, “It’s New Year’s, so spend time playing with the younger kids. Sewing for three hours a day is enough; you don’t need to work all day.”

Lu Xiuxiu agreed but was wary, knowing from experience that mistakes were not tolerated, no matter how kindly words were spoken.

Lin Shu planned to discuss Lu Xiuxiu’s situation with Fang Dihua and the others after the New Year.

This was Lin Shu’s first time returning to her parents’ home with her husband.

While Lin Shu felt little emotion herself, Fang Dihua and the others had teary eyes, and Tiantian and Panpan were extremely excited.

Panpan, a brave little boy, didn’t fear the cold of the twelfth month and continued to sit on the front beam.

Fang Dihua, worried he might catch a cold, wrapped him with a small blanket and covered his head.

Lin Shu, dressed warmly in a cotton coat and pants, found it a bit strenuous to carry the plump Tiantian in her arms.

Lu Da suggested, “Put Tiantian in the basket on the side.”

Earlier, she had added two folding iron plates under the rear seat’s support frame to help carry heavy loads, allowing for two sides to be tied.

There was a basket tied up, filled with some pickles and braised meat.

Sister-in-law Lu Da suggested that Lin Shu sit on the front beam of the basket while the two children sat on the back with one basket each.

Lin Shu: “……”

Sister-in-law, you’re quite the character.

Do you really think I can sit on the front beam?

Lu Shaotang simply picked her up and set her in his lap.

Lin Shu felt like ever since Lu Shaotang came back, she was either experiencing social death or heading toward it.

Panpan in the basket waved her small hand, “Let’s go!”

Tian Tian said, “Dad, hurry up and fly!”

So, Panpan’s special little quilt was put in front of Lin Shu to block the wind.

The two kids were so excited on the way.

As soon as they left the house, they shouted, “Hello, auntie! Hello, uncle! Hello, grandpa! Hello, grandma… My dad is taking us to grandma’s house.”

From the Lu family’s gate to the village entrance, they shouted greetings at everyone they saw.

Even the horses, cows, and sheep weren’t spared.

They had to make sure everyone saw their dad riding them to grandma’s house.

This was the first time their dad was taking them to grandma’s, and they were thrilled!

Lin Shu thought of the fishing enthusiasts from her past life, who would catch a fish and run around the neighborhood excitedly, telling everyone how miraculous and rare their catch was, how lucky they were, and so on.

Now, Lu Shaotang was like that fish, and the two kids were the enthusiastic fishermen.

She was like the forced, low-profile partner of the fisherman.

The cold wind was biting, and there weren’t many people on the road.

But the two kids kept making a fuss, even greeting a cow they spotted from afar.

Lin Shu regretted not covering Panpan’s mouth before setting off, especially fearing meeting acquaintances.

Finally leaving the village, Lin Shu breathed a sigh of relief.

But as they passed through Tan Mujiang Village, Panpan actually recognized someone!

The carpenter had worked at the Lu family’s home before, and Panpan was quite familiar with him.

Panpan said, “Uncle, did you slaughter any pigs? My dad and them slaughtered a pig a few days ago. Today, my dad is taking us to grandma’s house. By the way, my dad is Lu Shaotang, and my grandma is from the Lin family in the southern village.”

Lin Shu: “……”

We didn’t need to announce who we are.

Her embarrassment escalated quickly.

She immediately covered her face with the quilt and pinched Lu Shaotang’s big hand, urging him to pedal faster.

Lu Shaotang, seeing only half of her snow-white neck exposed, turned red.

He thought, why is she so shy?

It made his heart burn with heat.

After they were a bit away from the carpenter’s place, he couldn’t hold back any longer.

He lowered his head and kissed her red neck.

Lin Shu’s sudden shiver from the kiss on her neck made her bite Lu Shaotang’s hand as she leaned on the handlebars.

They soon arrived at Linjiatun (Lin Family Village).

Lu Shaotang, with his tall stature, long legs, and strength, managed to make the ride smooth despite the bumpy path.

Zhao Laosan, who was at the back of the village watering spinach with a urine can, was startled by their arrival and ran away, dropping the can and breaking it.

Panpan stood up from the basket and shouted, “Zhao Laosan, come out and face your doom!”

Tiantian, with her sharp eyes, spotted a figure hiding near a stack of straw by the roadside and threw a small stone at him.

Zhao Laosan’s house was the first on this road, and they always saw him whenever they visited.

He was so frightened by Lu Shaotang that he ended up wetting his pants.

Not only Zhao Laosan, but others who had spread gossip about Lin Shu and heard about her tall, imposing husband were also scared off.

The children felt very triumphant, acting like little generals.

Panpan, who usually wasn’t so outgoing, was emboldened by Tiantian’s presence.

The kids shouted, “Hey, don’t you love gossiping behind people’s backs? Why don’t you come out and gossip now that my dad is here?”

“Our Village Xu Ermao had his teeth knocked out by my dad!”

“Xu Ermao is going to be shot by the commune!”

Lu Shaotang didn’t stop the kids; he let them say whatever they wanted.

He focused on keeping Lin Shu, who was curled up in a small quilt, hidden from view.

He accelerated, and soon they were inside the alley.

Panpan was still not satisfied, “Dad, you’re going too fast! I haven’t had enough scolding yet.”

Such things should be done once and then left alone; continuing would only annoy people, and they’d stop being afraid.

Before they got off, Tiantian and Panpan started shouting, “Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle!”

Lin Yue, carrying his son, came out to greet them with joy, looking as happy as a jumping monkey, “My two big nephews are here!”

Seeing the way the family sat, he laughed heartily, “Sister, Brother-in-law, you’ve really got a way with things!”

Lin Shu, feeling both embarrassed and flustered, quickly tried to get down.

Lu Shaotang, worried she might hurt her ankle again, held her waist to steady her. “Don’t rush.”

He gently placed Lin Shu on the ground.

Lin Yue, still carrying his son, went to hug Tiantian and Panpan.

The little one, Bao’er, clung tightly to his neck, holding on with all her might.

She was holding his chin tightly, afraid of being thrown off by her father.

Panpan said, “Uncle, be more steady!”