Font Size:
The old Jiang family was eagerly looking forward to their return, especially Zhou Guiyun the mother. After her daughter got married, she found it hard to sleep through the night, constantly worrying about whether her daughter would suffer any grievances in her new home.
She also regretted not keeping her daughter for another two years, but was reprimanded by Jiang Qian’s father, who said that Jiang Xiaogu was right there in Han Family Village so what trouble could there be that she wouldn’t notice?
Moreover, they had already investigated the Han family. Han Shiguo and his mother weren’t the kind of harsh or mean people, and they were satisfied with their son-in-law.
In just three days, they would return to visit, and she could personally ask her daughter how things were going—why worry so much?
Still, Zhou Guiyun couldn’t help but feel anxious.
Jiang Xiaogu seemed to understand her sister-in-law’s concerns. After Jiang Qian got married, she made a special trip back to reassure her sister-in-law that her niece was doing just fine in her new family!
With that, Zhou Guiyun finally relaxed.
But today was the day when her daughter and son-in-law were coming back for a visit, so Zhou Guiyun got up early, made breakfast for the whole family, and began to wait.
Not just her, but also the nephews and nieces were excited. Knowing that their little aunt was returning, they reminded their parents the night before to wake them up!
Thus, when Jiang Qian and Han Shiguo finally arrived, the whole family was already waiting for them.
“Father, Mother, we’re back!” Jiang Qian exclaimed, not quite sure what to do. Although she felt very happy, her eyes were slightly red.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Zhou Guiyun was initially happy, but upon seeing her daughter like this, she quickly asked.
Jiang Qian felt a bit embarrassed and wiped her tears, “I’m fine, I just… really miss you both.”
Han Shiguo smiled and said, “Mother, I haven’t bullied Qianqian; don’t wrongfully accuse me!”
Zhou Guiyun chuckled, “I know you care for Qianqian. It’s just that she hasn’t gotten used to being in your family yet, that’s why she’s like this when she comes back.”
“Aunt, we miss you so much!”
Aside from the older cousin Jiang Weiguo feeling a bit shy, the four little ones—Weihong Weijun Weidang and Weimin all rushed over, especially the three-year-olds, Weidang and Weimin, who had big tears rolling down their cheeks.
They had missed their little aunt so much!
One by one, they all looked aggrieved.
Jiang Qian embraced her nephews and nieces, comforting them, “Auntie misses you all too! I even dreamed about you in my sleep!”
That was no exaggeration; even though she had gotten married, she had dreamt of being back home, steaming pastries and making egg custards for them.
Jiang Shouhai, Jiang Shoutao and Jiang Shouhe along with Zhao Aiying and Zhao Aifeng all wore smiles as they watched.
As for their sister-in-law, Su Zhirou she had been sent to work at school by Jiang Shouhe right after breakfast.
Han Shiguo chuckled as he took out the snacks he had brought—yesterday’s egg cake and milk candy that he had bought in town.
These were meant to please the children, but he also brought back a bottle of Maotai for the elders as well as a pack of fine cigarettes, along with two pounds of brown sugar for his mother-in-law.
Jiang Qian’s parents were, of course, very pleased.
After chatting a bit outside, Han Shiguo continued to talk with Jiang Qian’s father, while Zhou Guiyun called Jiang Qian back inside.
“How have you been at the Han family these past few days?” Zhou Guiyun asked, smiling as she looked at her daughter.
Although she asked this, she had also observed closely. Even though her daughter cried as soon as she entered, her complexion was rosy, and the delicate look in her eyes was no different from before she got married—clearly, she hadn’t suffered any grievances.
Zhou Guiyun had a lot of confidence in her son-in-law, Han Shiguo!
“My in-laws are quite nice. Even though we live together after the division of the family estate, they hardly interfere with our matters. Whether it’s Han Shiguo cooking for me or me sleeping in until late morning, they’ve never said a word,” Jiang Qian said with a smile.
“You still let Han Shiguo cook for you?” Zhou Guiyun teased.
“Mother, you don’t know! Han Shiguo is really skilled; he can do anything. The other day, he made me steamed buns, and they were absolutely delicious! Yesterday morning, he boiled dumplings for me, and for lunch and dinner, he made chicken soup and noodles. This morning before I left, I had a big bowl of wontons. His hands may be rough, but they are very nimble. He learned to make wontons from the chef in the kitchen brigade…”
Jiang Qian excitedly recounted her life over the past few days, feeling quite content in her new marriage.
Of course, it wasn’t without its downsides—at night, Han Shiguo could be a bit noisy.
But he spoiled her so much that she found herself indulging his antics.
Zhou Guiyun’s eyes sparkled with joy. Once Jiang Qian finished, she whispered, “In marriage, it should be mutual. You can’t be too lazy. If he’s relaxing at home, it’s fine to let him do some chores, but when he comes back from a busy day, you need to make sure he has a warm meal. Don’t let him face a cold stove!”
“Don’t worry, Mother. I know,” Jiang Qian replied, understanding that letting him show off a bit now and then added spice to their marriage.
“I know you’re sensible. Just take good care of Han Shiguo and give him a healthy baby soon,” Zhou Guiyun said with a smile.
Jiang Qian felt her cheeks flush as she quietly mentioned the little incident that had occurred on her wedding day.
Zhou Guiyun laughed, “What a coincidence! It seems like heaven is just teasing your husband.”
“Han Shiguo makes me ginger tea with brown sugar every day,” Jiang Qian added with a smile.
Zhou Guiyun felt reassured, convinced her daughter wouldn’t suffer any grievances in her marriage.
Then she shifted the topic to her sisters-in-law. Jiang Qian had a lukewarm impression of Li Xia, saying, “We won’t be staying long at home, so there’s no way we can’t get along during such a short visit; you don’t need to worry about that.”
Zhou Guiyun was pleased. Although her daughter appeared delicate, she was also quite insightful.
She then brought up Jiang Yue , saying, “The suitor’s family came to propose yesterday. She’s getting married in mid-next month.”
Jiang Qian responded, “She’s getting her wish fulfilled.”
“I see that the suitor’s family doesn’t seem to value her much. They probably look down on her for being pregnant before marriage, which isn’t very respectable. I expect there will be some arguments later!” Zhou Guiyun whispered.
“Really?” Jiang Qian was surprised. “Isn’t Wang Hesong set on her?”
“I don’t know about that Wang kid, but his mother is definitely not pleased. Originally, they promised you a sewing machine, forty-eight legs, and fifty in wedding gifts, which I mentioned to your second aunt before. By the time it got to Jiang Yue, it was down to just fifty in wedding gifts and thirty-six legs; the sewing machine was completely gone.”
“Gone?” Jiang Qian was taken aback.
“Exactly! Your second uncle thought it was too disgraceful, so he insisted on buying a sewing machine himself and claimed it was a dowry from the suitor’s family!”
—
Thus, the conversation flowed on, with family news and laughter filling the air as Jiang Qian comfortably settled back into her family life, cherishing the warmth of her loved ones.