At lunchtime, Old Sun had his wife put sleeping pills in the food.

He had paid a high price to buy them from the county.

After Sun Xiaohong fell asleep, the old men packed up her new clothes, bedding, and boxes, and went to borrow a donkey cart from the production team.

Sun Er drove the cart, and Sun San and Sun Si guarded it, sending Sun Xiaohong to the neighboring county for her new marriage.

The journey would take two days and nights, so they had to bring more sleeping pills.

Old Sun wiped his tears and instructed his sons, “I’m doing this for you. You mustn’t treat your sister badly. When you get there, explain things clearly to the in-laws and the groom. Make sure they treat Xiaohong well. If they dare to bully her, our Sun family will never let them off!”

Sun Er was also crying, with tears and snot all over his face. “Dad, don’t worry. I will explain things clearly to the brother-in-law. Anyone who dares to bully my sister, I will kill him!”

The Sun family naturally did not say they were sending Xiaohong off for marriage but said that she was ill and being sent to the county hospital.

The village’s sharp-eyed people all knew that they were sending Sun Xiaohong off for remarriage.

This scene was just seen by Zhou Weimin, who was delivering things and messages to the countryside.

When he got home and found his parents were not there, he learned that Lin Shu had returned to her parents’ home with her husband and child.

His parents had gone to drink.

Although he was a bit afraid of Lu Shaotang, he still…

He brought a bottle of alcohol and half a pound of sugar to the Lin family’s home.

Lu Shaotang could drink a fair amount but preferred not to drink casually.

He joined his father-in-law and Uncle Lin for a few drinks, then declined more, claiming he couldn’t handle any more.

He knew Lin Shu didn’t like strong alcohol smells, so he avoided it to not disturb her.

Standing in front of the kang (heated platform), he helped by heating and pouring the alcohol for the elders, occasionally murmuring in response.

The elders knew his temperament and didn’t press him to drink more or force him to talk.

Lin Shu’s Uncle Lin still vividly remembered his impression of Lu Shaotang at his niece’s wedding—the overwhelming presence he had, which left a strong impression.

Now, Lu Shaotang seemed less sharp and cold, more calm and approachable.

However, there was still an aura about him that made one feel they couldn’t hide anything from him.

When Zhou Weimin arrived, the aura was even more intense than before.

Zhou Weimin had once coveted Lu Shaotang’s wife! After Lu Shaotang’s death, he had hoped that if Lin Shu were to remarry in a couple of years, he might…

Seeing Lu Shaotang now, Zhou Weimin instinctively felt nervous.

Lin’s mother, understanding the situation, quickly pulled him over to drink.

Uncle Lin, not daring to force Lu Shaotang to drink, wouldn’t dare to push Zhou Weimin either.

“Late, are we? Then you’ll have to drink three cups yourself!” Uncle Lin said.

Aunt Lin added, “This is such good wine, don’t waste it. Drink slowly.”

Zhou Weimin, gaining courage from a small cup of hot wine, drank another two cups and began talking more freely.

As a mail carrier, he was well-traveled and started discussing the Sun family. “The Sun family went to the county for a checkup. Why would they need several boxes for a checkup? People say they’ve married off Sun Xiaohong.”

Lin Yue, hearing this, showed no reaction, as if it didn’t concern him. “Good for her.”

No wonder the Sun family had quieted down—they had found a good match for Sun Xiaohong.

Congratulations to her.

However, Zhou’s mother was sharp-eyed and suspicious. “They probably didn’t marry her off to a good family. If it were a good family, they wouldn’t be so secretive. The in-laws are likely far away and they don’t want others gossiping.”

Lin’s mother replied, “It doesn’t matter where she married or who she married. It has nothing to do with us anymore.”

She noticed that Zhou’s mother and Aunt Lin had eaten and drunk enough, so she offered them sunflower seeds, which Lin Shu had brought.

She had harvested a good amount of large sunflower seeds that autumn.

“Get ten or so pounds, and buy a bit more from the supply and marketing cooperative; it should be enough for the New Year.”

Fang Dihua stir-fried some and shared it with Lin Mu to taste.

Zhou Mu sighed, “People really shouldn’t do bad things. The old Sun family is such a mess; they will get their comeuppance sooner or later.”

She couldn’t stand Sun Xiaohong’s arrogance but felt that Old Sun was the worst.

Aunt Lin looked at Lin Yue and said, “Lin Yue, Aunt will find you a good match.”

Zhou Mu also jumped in, saying she had suitable candidates.

Lin Yue, scared, quickly waved his hand, “Aunt, Auntie, I’m still young. I don’t want to get married so soon.”

Marriage was too frightening!

After the divorce, he found being single was great.

His mother helped with the child, he worked and earned money, and there were no in-law conflicts at home.

It was really so easy and comfortable.

Lu Shaotang wasn’t interested in their family talk, so he turned to find his wife.

Lin Shu disliked Zhou Fu and Uncle Lin’s smoking, so she was sunbathing under the eaves.

Although it was cold in the twelfth lunar month, it was very comfortable to sunbathe in a windless spot.

She was so comfortable that she squinted her eyes, tucked her hands, and napped with her still-recovering leg propped up.

Lu Shaotang walked over gently, touching her face with his large hand, “If you’re tired, go lie down in that room for a while.”

Lin Shu didn’t open her eyes, leaning her cheek into his warm palm.

Why was his palm so warm?

Such a cold person, yet his body temperature was so hot.

It was really contradictory.

Lu Shaotang gently rubbed her earlobe. Her ears weren’t very big, but the earlobe was plump and easy to pinch.

Outside, Pan pan’s crisp voice could be heard, “Don’t interrupt me. How could I be wrong? My father Lu Shaotang is a soldier; he understands the rules of dispatching troops and fighting wars. What I say must be right. You just be a good little spy.”

Lin Shu smiled slightly.

Soon, Panpan was shouting again, “You, Xu Ermao, for being a traitor and poisoning our people, everyone is now publicly trialing and voting to shoot you. Bang, you’re dead.”

There was immediately a burst of applause on the street.

Lu Shaotang felt something entirely new.

When he was young, he was a troublemaker, jumping around like a little monkey, always thinking about growing up and becoming strong.

Later, in military school, he studied and trained day and night, with his mind set on being number one!

The rest were all juniors!

Then, executing missions across the country, his mind was focused on taking down the enemy as quickly as possible, minimizing losses.

He was always in a rush, running as fast as he could, never taking the time to enjoy a cup of tea or a breeze.

After narrowly escaping danger, he suddenly felt a new sense of appreciation.

He wanted to return home to see his aging parents, his shy wife, his young child, and his lively siblings in the village where he grew up.

He had never considered or experienced how peaceful life could have its own joys.

Sitting here in the sun, with the sounds of children playing outside, time seemed to slow down.

A sense of tenderness filled his heart.

He sat beside her, holding her close, his large hand gently stroking her shoulder, sharing his warmth with her.

Lin Shu snuggled in his arms and said, “My parents want us to stay for two days. Will you stay with us? It’s close, so you can come back the next day if you prefer.”

With his wife in his arms, Lu Shaotang’s voice became soft and tender. “Of course, I’ll stay. I haven’t stayed at my father-in-law’s house before.”

Zhou Weimin, having had too much to drink and needing to use the bathroom, saw the couple outside the door, cozy and affectionate, and suddenly stopped.

He felt a pang of jealousy, wondering how they managed to create such an intimate atmosphere despite their busy lives.

Seeing Lu Shaotang holding Lin Shu and tenderly taking off her shoes to warm her feet, he quickly retreated back inside, feeling a mix of envy and discomfort.

Lu Shaotang checked Lin Shu’s feet, which were healing well, and helped her put on her socks.

His hands were warm, like a continuous source of heat, even in the cold winter.

She nestled closer to him, enjoying the warmth.

Lu Shaotang, sensing her comfort, whispered, “It’s cold outside, should we go inside?”

Lin Shu replied, “No, it’s comfortable here.”

Snuggling against him, she didn’t want to move.

Lu Shaotang felt a sense of contentment, as if his wife was a lazy cat enjoying the warmth.