Yan Runzhi supported an elderly man whose leg was not quite steady.

The old man was tall with gray hair, and he had a pleasant appearance, resembling the old master from years ago.

Though they wanted to go up and greet them, to get acquainted and show respect now that they were exonerated as a revolutionary family, they somehow hesitated seeing the family return.

They felt unsure about disrupting this atmosphere.

They figured Cheng Rushan might kick them away if they approached, so they resisted the urge to step forward.

“Dad, you’re back!” Cheng Ruhai finally couldn’t wait any longer and came running excitedly.

It was already dark, and from a distance, it was hard to see clearly.

He ran straight towards Cheng Ruzhou, mistaking him for the image of his father from memory.

After so many years, he seemed to have forgotten that his father had aged, no longer retaining the youthful and handsome appearance.

Seeing someone rushing towards him, Cheng Ruzhou thought it was someone coming to harm his mother, and shouted, “Who’s this thief!” He kicked towards Cheng Ruhai.

Cheng Ruhai, caught off guard, stumbled from the kick, quickly got up, and asked in surprise, “Brother?”

Cheng Ruzhou said, “Heavens, why is another Dongsheng here again? Doesn’t look like him! Are you the old Dongsheng?”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao shouted, “Big brother, he’s not Dongsheng, he’s Cheng Ruhai!”

Cheng Ruzhou frowned, “Who’s Cheng Ruhai?”

Cheng Ruhai couldn’t help but burst into tears, “Brother, it’s me, I’m Yaosheng!”

Cheng Ruzhou spat, “I don’t care if you’re wild or from a good family, just stay away from my mother.” He grabbed Cheng Ruhai and pulled him aside, carefully supporting Jiang Lin, “Mom, let’s go home.”

Because Cheng Yunzhi was present, Jiang Lin naturally didn’t interfere much and nodded, “Let’s go.”

Cheng Rushan glanced back and saw Yan Runzhi gesturing for them to go ahead, reassuring them.

With the annoying ones gone, only Yan Runzhi remained supporting Cheng Yunzhi.

Cheng Ruhai felt uneasy and quickly stepped forward to help support Cheng Yunzhi’s other arm as they continued forward.

“Dad, are you feeling okay?”

Cheng Yunzhi nodded, “I’m doing alright.”

Cheng Ruhai asked, “Dad, all these years, have you blamed me?”

Cheng Yunzhi sighed, “Blame you for what? Back then, I just wanted all of you to stay clear of trouble. How’s your wife and children?”

Cheng Ruhai, relieved that his father didn’t blame him, nodded happily, “Dad, they’re good, doing well. They all miss you too.”

He glanced at Yan Runzhi.

Though it was getting late, he could still see the mocking expression on her face.

He enthusiastically said, “Mom, Dad’s back. From now on, let’s live a good life together as a family.”

Yan Runzhi exclaimed internally, “What a joke!”

Cheng Yunzhi was surprised and turned to look at Cheng Ruohai, “Eldest son, you call her mom now?”

Back then, Yan Runzhi was also young.

With her family undergoing drastic changes and losing her father and elder brother, she was left alone and desolate.

Several times she attempted suicide but was saved by Cheng Yunzhi, which led to her placing great trust and dependence on him.

Others suggested that their similar names, his elder brother’s acquaintance with her father, and his saving her life must be fate, so they should just live together.

Cheng Ruhai and his younger siblings caused quite a ruckus, crying and refusing to accept her as their stepmother, accusing her of being wicked.

He even considered not getting married at all.

But he couldn’t bear to abandon Yan Runzhi, and they eventually married properly.

After marriage, she transformed completely, as if finding a purpose in life.

She no longer showed signs of past sadness and fear, joyfully taking on her role as his young wife.

Especially after having Dongsheng, she became even more beautiful and cheerful, as if nothing could touch her soul.

He felt their marriage was going well.

Moreover, she cared for Cheng Ruhai and his siblings attentively, despite their awkward age difference, treating them like her own younger siblings.

But Cheng Ruhai always saw her as a stepmother and made things difficult for her at every turn.

She didn’t mind, saying that with time, he would see her sincerity and be moved.

Later on, policies changed, allowing women and children to return to the village for a normal life.

At that time, she didn’t want to leave, but he persuaded her to bring the children back to the village.

He didn’t want them to stay there forever, even though the political scrutiny had lessened.

Living there felt like wearing shackles, suppressing the children from a young age, always keeping their heads bowed.

Returning to the village, neighbors and fellow villagers were generally kind and tolerant.

For his sake, she brought their eldest son, daughter, and Dongsheng back to the village after all these years apart.

Cheng Yunzhi thought to himself that his return wasn’t about making it up to her but rather her taking care of him.

He felt deeply indebted to his wife.

At this moment, he was greatly surprised and pleased that his eldest son now called Yan Runzhi “mom”.

Cheng Ruhai said with tears in his eyes, “Dad, of course! I’ve been calling her that for a long time. Mom raised us through hardships, gave us a wife, and now I call her ‘mom’, caring for both of you in your old age is only right.”

Cheng Yunzhi was delighted and patted Yan Runzhi’s hand, saying happily, “You see, the eldest son has finally grown up.”

Yan Runzhi never did anything to dampen spirits, smiling faintly she said, “Yes, he has indeed grown up.”

Cheng Ruhai, afraid Yan Runzhi might spoil the mood, quickly added, “Mom, I was foolish in the past and made many mistakes that hurt you. I know I was wrong, please don’t blame me.”

Seeing Yan Runzhi didn’t respond, he continued, “I’ll have Honghua pour you some tea as an apology.”

Cheng Yunzhi asked, “Eldest son, what’s going on?”

Cheng Ruhai said, “Dad, it’s nothing. Don’t you love seeing our family together, harmonious and happy? I remember that.”

Yan Runzhi understood his attempt to tease her.

She didn’t want to upset his husband and kept quiet.

After all, they had just returned and he surely wanted to enjoy a warm family reunion.

As they spoke, they arrived at the doorstep, where it was already dark.

Just then, Da Bao and Xiao Bao’s voices could be heard from ahead, “Grandpa, Grandma, it’s dark, let’s go home quickly.”

Cheng Ruhai supported Cheng Yunzhi and quickened their pace, saying, “Dad, let’s get home and rest our legs.”

He understood that his father had just returned and was in high spirits, eager for a joyful family gathering.

Yan Runzhi and Cheng Rushan wouldn’t make trouble in front of his father, and to make him happy, they needed to act calm and peaceful.

This way, he could bring his wife and children back to live with them.

Cheng Yunzhi didn’t know that his sons didn’t live together.

In the limited time, Yan Runzhi said nothing about it, and he naturally didn’t know.

Jiang Lin had already opened the door and lit the lamps, even hanging a lantern in the courtyard.

She instructed Cheng Rushan to bring over cooking utensils and bedding from the southern courtyard.

Cheng Rushan handed over the things he brought, and Jiang Lin organized them in the eastern wing, locking the door and keeping the key to prevent anyone from snooping around.

Cheng Rushan led Cheng Ruzhou and Da Bao and Xiao Bao to fetch the things.

As they left, they met Cheng Ruhai supporting his father and didn’t make any gestures, simply informing their parents before hurrying off to work.

Cheng Yunzhi: “Are we moving?”

Cheng Ruhai smiled, “Dad, to bring you back, we bought back our old small courtyard. We’ll stay here for now. When the commune returns our big yard, we’ll move back there.”

Cheng Yunzhi replied, “Then you should go help out too. No need to stay with me. I’m fine. I’ve been living alone all these years, and now coming home is no trouble.”

Cheng Ruhai was delighted, “Alright, Dad, I’ll go help with the move.”

Yan Runzhi interjected slowly, “Old man, you don’t understand the situation. The two brothers… they’ve already split up.”

Cheng Ruhai quickly added, “Isn’t it because Dad hasn’t come back? Now that Dad’s back, us brothers naturally should live together warmly.”

But Cheng Yunzhi didn’t take it seriously, saying, “The brothers are grown up, starting families and careers. It’s natural to split up.” Back then, he had a good relationship with his older brother, but after getting married, they had to split up the family.

Even though he wasn’t dead yet, he hadn’t contributed much to the family.

It was inevitable for his sons to split up.

Sometimes, it wasn’t the brothers splitting up, it was that after they got married and had wives and children, they were no longer as close.

He understood.

Cheng Ruhai said, “Dad, even though Dongsheng and I have split up, I haven’t split up with you. Now that Dad’s back, especially as the eldest son, how could I not take care of you? It’s our family tradition for the eldest son to support the elderly.”

The eldest son inherited most of the family property and was responsible for supporting the elderly and performing ancestral rites, which was their family custom.

Cheng Yunzhi happily said, “You’re so filial, eldest son. I’m truly relieved. Before, I worried you wouldn’t treat your mother and younger brother well. Now, I see I was overly concerned. Dad apologizes to you. I shouldn’t have thought that way about you.”

Once inside the courtyard, Yan Runzhi said, “Everyone must be hungry. I’ll go cook. You all sit and talk.”

She didn’t want to upset the old man right after his return, especially since he had collapsed just yesterday.

She fetched a stool for Cheng Yunzhi to rest by the east wing window, while she went inside to find Jiang Lin.

“Are you starving, Bao’ers Mother?” Yan Runzhi checked the ingredients Cheng Rushan had bought, including fish cakes from the farm and glutinous rice cakes.

They would slice them for steaming later, along with fish and crabs.

Fresh river crabs needed to be eaten quickly, as they wouldn’t keep.

The same went for freshwater fish—they needed to be eaten promptly before they spoiled.

Jiang Lin assisted her as Yan Runzhi swiftly prepared the food.

Cheng Rushan returned with several others who brought grain and other supplies.

Shang Baozhu, Shang Zonghui, Sun Zhiqing, and others also came to help upon hearing Cheng Yunzhi had returned, bringing gifts despite not having much.

Eggs, rice, vegetables—these were all valuable gifts in their community.

Yan Runzhi accepted them all graciously.

In their close-knit community, such gestures of mutual support were common.

Cheng Ruhai continued discussing with Cheng Yunzhi, “Dad, if we move here, as the eldest son, should I live in the east wing, and you and Mom in the west? Dongsheng can have the east chamber, and Brother can take the west?”

Cheng Yunzhi glanced at him and replied, “Eldest son, you need to discuss this with Dongsheng. It’s your brothers’ matter. I’ve just returned, how would I know?”

Cheng Ruhai insisted, “Dad, now that you’re back, you’re the head of the family. We brothers will all listen to you.”

Although Cheng Yunzhi liked the idea of the family being together, he wasn’t naive.

After so many years, whatever had happened at home, he might not know the details, but he could sense it wouldn’t be pleasant.

Why hadn’t the eldest son come to pick him up together?

Dongsheng’s wife and two sons had come, but why hadn’t the eldest son’s wife and child shown up?

How had Dongsheng managed to resolve everything at home?

It couldn’t have been just smooth talking.

This morning, he had seen several deep wounds on Dongsheng’s chest and back through his clothes.

Though healed now, it must have been dangerous and painful at the time.

He dared not ask, feeling heartache.

Just then, Cheng Rushan returned, placing a water jar in the courtyard.

Cheng Ruhai said, “Brother, even though we split up before, Dad wasn’t here then. Now that Dad’s back and our family issues are resolved, the big yard will be returned to us. I think we should live together, taking care of Mom and Dad, with our family living in harmony and warmth.”

Cheng Rushan steadied the water jar, supported by both hands on its rim, and glanced up at him. “You’ve got one thing wrong.”

Cheng Ruhai asked casually, “What’s that?”