Chapter 104

Shuiqing swiftly opened the door and asked, “Has your young uncle arrived?”

Apart from Wenhua, who else could come to their house?

Besides, even if someone from the village came, Da Jiang wouldn’t be this excited.

Fan Jiang’s excitement hadn’t faded yet, and he said happily, “It’s not the young uncle, but you’ll be very happy to see this person!”

“You’re teasing us again.” Shuiqing didn’t bother to guess; since the person had arrived, she could just go out and see.

She stepped out and saw a large carriage parked in front of the spacious courtyard.

Two tall and strong horses pulled the carriage, covered with oilcloth—a very plain and simple carriage. Compared to the vehicle used by Grandma Bai and her group earlier, it was hardly impressive.

Now, there were no villagers curious enough to come and watch. Presumably, after witnessing Grandma Bai’s previous arrival, they no longer found this oilcloth-covered carriage interesting.

“Aunt Shuiqing!” A cheerful familiar voice of a young man came from afar.

Shuiqing didn’t need to see clearly to know it was Bai Ziqian who had returned!

She squinted and saw two middle-aged men and a woman of similar age standing behind the young boy.

The man was not tall, with a fair face exuding kindness, and his smile was gentle and amiable.

The woman, dressed in sturdy attire, stood tall like a poplar tree, exuding a heroic spirit!

Shuiqing had always been attracted to handsome women, and now seeing this ancient version, she couldn’t help but feel fond of her.

In an instant, the middle-aged man and woman briskly walked up to them.

Bai Manshan and Li Huyu solemnly bowed to Shuiqing and Fan Jin under the eaves.

Fan Jin stepped forward first, helping Bai Manshan up and saying straightforwardly, “This is unnecessary! We can’t accept such a grand gesture.”

Though Shuiqing didn’t fully understand the significance of this etiquette, she could see the deep respect these two had!

Quickly following Fan Jin’s lead, she helped the dignified woman up and said with a smile, “You are Ziqian’s parents, right? He must have told you that we are not familiar with these customs and don’t mind. You don’t need to be so polite.”

Li Huyu immediately treated Shuiqing warmly, turned her wrist, held Shuiqing’s hand, and said affectionately, “Even if you don’t mind, we must observe proper etiquette! Last time… we caused you trouble. My husband and I are truly ashamed!”

Bai Manshan, thinking of his wife and daughter’s behavior, though he considered himself thick-skinned, still blushed with embarrassment and apologized softly, “I apologize for last time! My wife and I have been ashamed all this time. We prepared for many days and dared to come today. Please forgive us for the past grievances, for Ziqian’s sake.”

Fan Jin had never taken Grandma Bai and Bai Ling’s words seriously.

Shuiqing wasn’t one to hold grudges.

How many parents don’t act responsibly, leaving their children to clean up their mess?

She had experienced it herself. Didn’t she have such a parent in her own family? If everyone blamed their children like that, they wouldn’t be able to live in Shanshui Village.

“You’re being too kind. It’s all in the past. We haven’t held it against you. Please don’t worry,” Fan Jin said elegantly.

Shuiqing was more straightforward, “What’s there to be ashamed of? Back then, we saved Ziqian. Hasn’t he helped us with work? He earned his keep through his own labor. It’s fair!”

Li Huyu’s fondness for Shuiqing grew stronger.

In today’s world, who hires a young child for help?

Especially when it’s their own child, with such a stubborn temper, how could she not know?

Here’s the translation of the text into English:

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He’s the kind of young master who expects everything to be handed to him on a silver platter, and she doesn’t appreciate any work, let alone from a rural household!

Shuiqing absolutely refused to mention the life-saving favor, and she casually brushed aside the more than a month she had spent raising Ziqian. With such a personality, it’s astonishing that her mother-in-law and sister-in-law still believe he’ll turn into a blood-sucking leech in the future. As her husband said, those two lack insight into people!

Bai Manshan also thought these two were a good match!

No wonder Qian’er came back seeming like a changed person.

He’s willing to follow behind him to learn business and broaden his perspective on things. His arrogant nature has also changed, becoming more able to endure hardship and hard work.

In the past, he was very picky about his clothes, food, housing, and transportation. If it wasn’t because he didn’t like the fabric, it was because he felt the bed was too small. Now, he even says the fabric is good and the bed is spacious… Except for occasionally complaining about the taste of the food, everything else is something he never dared to imagine before!

This is also the place he most wanted to thank them for coming.

At first sight today, he immediately recognized that he had come to the right place.

He happily pointed to his son, saying, “Qian’er always talks about you when he goes back, wanting to come back and see you. I thought it was a rare fate, so my wife and I prepared a small gift for our first visit.”

“Yes, just a small gift. Please accept it.” Li Huyu enthusiastically added.

Shuiqing and Fan Jin exchanged glances.

Bai Ziqian’s parents did not mention thanks, only saying that this was a thank-you gift brought on their first visit. How could they refuse?

At the same time, Bai Manshan thought that Bai’s family was truly the backbone of Nan Du Bai Ban City, and that they had such a strong family leader.

“Aunt Shuiqing, these gifts were carefully selected by my parents, who spent a long time choosing them. Please accept them!” Bai Ziqian pleaded with Shuiqing.

He only spoke to Shuiqing because he knew that as long as Aunt Shuiqing agreed, it would be settled.

In this family, the real master is Aunt Shuiqing!

Li Huyu patted Shuiqing’s hand again and pleaded, “This child has always said that your cooking is delicious, and that the family’s chef can’t compare. I’ve always wanted to come and have a few meals. If you don’t accept, how can I have the nerve to freeload?”

Shuiqing chuckled.

Would the richest man in Nan Du lack a few meals? Especially meals from a rural family.

But she also knew their sincerity, so she had to accept it.

“He’s exaggerating. I’m afraid that after you eat my cooking tonight, you’ll regret believing him!”

This playful remark elicited hearty laughter from Li Huyu.

Even Bai Manshan, who had maintained a dignified smile since entering, couldn’t help but widen his smile and laugh along.

Bai Ziqian arrogantly turned his head, “You’ll know if I’m exaggerating at dinner!”

He wasn’t exaggerating.

Aunt Shuiqing’s cooking was indeed much, much better than the family chef’s!

Meanwhile, a few young friends from the rivers and lakes secretly signaled, “Big brother, come on, let’s go dig winter bamboo shoots!”

“Winter bamboo shoots are so sweet. Mom said she wants to stew old mother chicken soup with winter bamboo shoots tonight. Let’s dig up more!”

Bai Ziqian had been thinking about them a lot during this time at home, so he turned his head to look at his parents. But the latter didn’t even notice him.

His father and Uncle Fan seemed to have met kindred spirits and wanted to talk all night.

His mother and Aunt Shuiqing seemed more like long-lost sisters who had endless things to say at this moment.

He slipped away and ran toward his young friends!

On the other hand, Bai Manshan slapped his forehead and regretted, “Why did I forget the meeting gift? Wait a moment, I’ll bring out the meeting gift first.”