Cui Yuanjiu noticed that the Chen family didn’t mind him helping out. The next time he came to the Chen household, while waiting for the red-braised pork and braised pig trotters, he didn’t just sit idly by. Whenever he saw something he could help with, he got up promptly, moving quickly and efficiently.

Not only did Chen Yuping find this strange, but even Liu Guixiang noticed it. However, Dad Chen… seemed quite pleased with him, and she wisely chose not to say anything.

Helping out in the morning was one thing, but in the afternoon, when the stall were closed and there was no food to sell, Cui Yuanjiu still came over to help wash pig intestines. He worked quickly and methodically, becoming increasingly skilled, and the whole process became more efficient.

Dad Chen watched with satisfaction but didn’t know exactly why he felt that way. Chen Yuping was too afraid to ask or say anything. He felt that once he opened his mouth, he would hear something that would make his scalp tingle. So he remained silent, feeling stifled.

After dinner, once the household chores were tidied up, the family sat outside chatting. Dad Chen pointedly remarked, “It’s easy to see if someone is sincere. Just look at your eldest brother’s husband, he doesn’t seem to have your brother in his heart. Then look at your second brother and his wife—completely different. And then there’s that Cui kid who’s been coming over to help. He obviously puts thought into his work. The way he washes the intestines shows he’s putting in the effort, not just brute strength.”

“Dad, what does that Cui kid have to do with us?” Chen Yuanqiu was confused. “Anyway, eldest brother’s husband really can’t be compared to second brother’s. Second brother treats second sister-in-law and Qiaoniu well, always putting them first. Compared to second brother, eldest brother’s husband falls far behind.”

Dad Chen raised an eyebrow. “How does it not relate? It relates a lot.” He secretly glanced at his third son, noticing he had no reaction and was playing with Cao ger, feeling a bit disheartened. This child was really something! “That Cui kid is sincere. Your eldest brother’s husband is just surface-level, your brother thought he was honest and hard-working. What good is that? I always said it was fine if they had no money, but at least he should care for you and treat you well. Your brother wouldn’t listen and insisted on marrying him.”

Chen Yuchun knew his temperament was a bit peculiar and that most people couldn’t handle it. 

Seeing Zhang Zhiwei was honest and could tolerate his bad temper, he thought it was good to find someone like him, as he might not easily find someone suitable again.

If you’ve never lived together, you wouldn’t understand the struggles. If you’re not placed at the top of someone’s heart, life really is tough. It may seem fine on the surface, but the reality could be quite different.

“Dad, I will definitely listen to you when I choose a partner. If you approve, that’s good enough. If you don’t approve, I won’t even glance at him, no matter how good he is.” Seeing his dad getting a bit angry again, Chen Yuanqiu quickly teased him: “Third brother, what do you think?”

Chen Yuping thought, I’m trying to avoid this, and you pull me back into the fray. “Yes, yes,” he said with a smile, not saying another word.

“You.” Dad Chen looked at his youngest son. “I’m not in a hurry. Right now, your third brother is also at the age to get married. The family has a stall and a stable income, so life is getting better. The only thing left is your two marriage issues. Once that’s settled, I’ll be satisfied in this life with no regrets.”

Father Chen didn’t like hearing that. “You keep rambling, what’s the point of saying all this?”

“I’m just speaking casually,” Dad Chen replied with a warm smile, his eyes full of affection. “You all listen, it’s easy to tell if someone cares for you by the little details in everyday life. Your father thinks I’m being too negative, and he doesn’t want to hear it.”

“This old man.” Dad Chen rested his hand on his shoulder and leaned in closer. “At my age, there’s nothing wrong with saying such things, after all, it has to happen one day.”

Father Chen turned his head. “You’re rambling in front of the kids.”

Caught off guard and suddenly overwhelmed with “dog food” (couple affection), Chen Yuping remained expressionless.

Chen Yuanqiu felt a bit shy. “Father, Dad,  you guys… how embarrassing.” He suddenly picked up Cao ger from his third brother’s arms. “Cao ger, call me uncle. I’m your uncle, hurry and call uncle! Cao ger, give me a smile, just like that!” He grinned widely. “Quick, show uncle your smile.”

Silly. Chen Yuping thought, and suddenly remembered Cui Yuanjiu. When he smiled, it was bright and dazzling.

Cui Yuanjiu was increasingly not considering himself an outsider.

Early in the morning, he came carrying two bundles of sturdy firewood, all durable timber.

“I found a fallen tree while crossing the mountains today, so I brought back some thick branches. Tomorrow I’ll gather the thinner ones. If the sun is good, they’ll dry in a day or two and be ready for use.” He said this while putting down the firewood and picking up a hatchet to start chopping more wood, neatly stacking the chopped pieces beside the firewood shed for drying.

Dad Chen poured him a bowl of cool water. “Didn’t eat breakfast yet? Don’t buy shrimp sauce buns today, Ping ger’s noodles are really delicious. I’ll have him make you a bowl to try. You’ve been such a help lately, I don’t know how to thank you. You love Ping ger’s cooking, so it’s perfect timing for a bowl of noodles. I’m not exaggerating, they really are great, and others can’t even get a taste.”

“Ping ger’s cooking? I’m quite the foodie, so I’m taking the liberty to trouble Ping ger.”

The next morning, Cui Yuanjiu not only brought two bundles of sturdy firewood but also dragged along two fat bamboo poles, tied with vines and secured around his waist. He was tall and strong, arriving at the Chen household without breaking a sweat, looking relaxed.

“I saw you needed a lot of bamboo skewers, so I brought these two poles. While I’m sitting here, I might as well whittle some skewers for later use.”

“I was just telling my family that we should whittle some bamboo skewers, and you brought bamboo today, what a coincidence!” Dad Chen poured water for him to wash his face. “Yuanjiu, I want to say something, don’t mind me being chatty. Even though you’re strong, you shouldn’t overdo it. It’s dangerous coming down from the mountain with all that firewood. Just be careful.”

“Ah, uncle is looking out for me. I’ll be more careful in the future. I’ll save some strength and pay more attention to myself.”

“Yes, yes, that’s the right way.”

Dad Chen was increasingly satisfied with Cui Yuanjiu. Seeing his third son not joining the conversation, he could no longer hold back.

“Ping ger, what do you think of Yuanjiu? From what I’ve seen, this young man has taken quite a liking to you. What are your thoughts?”

“Dad, how do you see that he likes me?” Chen Yuping was bewildered. “I didn’t even notice, and I’ve only spoken to him a few times.”

Dad Chen replied, “If he doesn’t like you,  then did he like me, this old man? Just look at how he helps our family. Everything he does is careful and thoughtful. He obviously cares for Cao ger too, and it’s clear he wants to gain your favor.”

“Dad, I think you’re overthinking it.” Chen Yuping felt that Cui Yuanjiu’s enthusiasm in trying to please the family wasn’t aimed at him. After all, he felt nothing towards him. If it were really directed at him, he would have sensed it by now. This indicated that Cui Yuanjiu’s thoughts weren’t on him at all. As for why, he couldn’t say. There was no malice, it was clear that this person was thoughtful yet upright.

Dad Chen couldn’t get through to his third son and angrily went back inside.

Meanwhile, Cui Yuanjiu was secretly pondering whether he should reveal his true identity to the Chen family soon.

In a couple of days, he would be heading to the county town, and he might not return for several months.

Originally, he hadn’t planned to get too close to the Chen family, as Cao ger was fine there. He worried that his presence might make the Chen family feel hesitant about taking care of Cao ger.

At first, he only wanted to help out the Chen family to repay them for their kindness to Cao ger. Unexpectedly, Dad Chen was so amiable that, in this roundabout way, he became more deeply involved with the Chen family and learned more about them. They were truly good people, kind-hearted and genuine.

Tomorrow, when he reveals the truth and explains Cao ger’s tragic background, the Chen family’s character should mean they won’t blame him.