Chapter 32: Returning to Her Parents’ Home on the Second Day of the New Year

Dabao said a little shyly, “Grandma Xue, we don’t really like candy, better if you eat it instead!”

In truth, he just couldn’t bear to take it, seeing how frugal Grandma Xue was.

When Grandma Xue saw how well-behaved and considerate he was, her heart ached even more for him. She quickly patted his head and said, “Good child, this is what you deserve. The hard days are already behind you. From now on, the clouds will part and the moon will shine bright—you’ll live better and better.”

To be honest, Dabao didn’t really understand what Grandma Xue meant, but her tone brought him an inexplicable sense of peace. He quietly accepted the candy she gave him.

Ruan Jiaojiao brought out a handful of sunflower seeds she had roasted herself. At first, Grandma Xue and her son were embarrassed to take them since the production team had already distributed some seeds to everyone. But after tasting them, they realized—oh heavens! They were too delicious! Who could make sunflower seeds taste this good?

Both of their eyes lit up instantly. Truly, food was the best cure for the heart.

They chatted for a while before Grandma Xue pushed her son’s wheelchair and went to visit another household.

Watching their departing figures, Ruan Jiaojiao thought: although they had met late in life—one disabled, the other elderly—they hadn’t wasted the years, and they had still found each other.

Grandma Xue held some prestige in the village, so once she had visited, others came too.

In no time, the Fu household was bustling with guests.

Indeed, harmony at home brings prosperity. If you want others to respect you, you must first treat your wife well.

Ever since Ruan Jiaojiao had changed her ways, the Fu family’s life had improved day by day. And now, people were even willing to come to their house to offer New Year greetings.

Of course… some still refused to come. After all, the Fu family was still considered poor in the village, and some snobbish folk didn’t want to associate with them.

But Ruan Jiaojiao didn’t mind. As the saying goes: “When poor in a bustling city, no one asks after you; when rich in a remote mountain, even distant relatives appear.” The higher you stand, the better the quality of people around you.

By evening, Gu Yun arrived!

As soon as he walked in, he shouted, “Brother Ting! Sister-in-law! Your little brother’s here! I timed it just right, didn’t I? Let me smell—ah, so fragrant! It must be Sister-in-law cooking dinner. Hehehe, if you don’t mind, add one more bowl for me, won’t you? It’s just one more mouth to feed. On the first day of the New Year, no one drives guests away—you two understand that, right? Hahaha~”

At the foot of the mountain village, there was an unspoken rule: the first day of the year, don’t drive guests away; the second day, daughters return to their parents’ homes; the third day, people start visiting relatives.

Gu Yun had come on purpose at just the right time. Clever, wasn’t he? Hehehe…

Ruan Jiaojiao didn’t mind an extra mouth at the table. Besides, Gu Yun never ate for free—he would help her look after the children, chop firewood, and stoke the fire.

But Fu Ting was not happy—he always felt Gu Yun was like a lump of filth spoiling the whole pot.

Still, Dabao and Xiaobao liked Gu Yun very much. The three of them played together happily.

Sometimes, children had sharp eyes—they could tell Gu Yun genuinely wanted to build ties with their family.

The dumplings Ruan Jiaojiao had made weren’t finished yet, and she also cooked earth-pot chicken. She stuffed pickled meat filling into chili peppers, dropped them into the hot oil, and the peppers burst forth with the savory fragrance of pork, filling the entire courtyard.

Gu Yun practically planted himself in front of the wok, refusing to move. Each time Ruan Jiaojiao fried one, he snatched it up, eating with endless relish.

But he didn’t come empty-handed—he had brought many gifts, most of them for the children: food, supplies, and toys, all items he had specially asked someone to bring back from town.

When Dabao and Xiaobao saw the toy rooster that could “sing,” they felt this New Year was especially happy.

The next day was the time for the village girls to return to their parents’ homes.

This year, Shen Junmei went back to her parents’, but she didn’t bring Jindan with her. Yet, just as she left, her daughter Zhaodi returned—bringing her “slant-headed” husband along.

At home, only Father Fu, Mother Fu, Fu Jun, and Jindan were present. The moment Slant-head entered, he called Fu Jun—who was actually older than him—“Dad,” with a face beaming in an overly flattering smile.

Fu Jun was stunned. Father Fu and Mother Fu were even more shocked.

After all, he was the one who had personally sent Zhaodi into the hands of that old beast Slant-head. He knew just how devastated Zhaodi had been at the time.

It would be a lie to say he hadn’t felt any pain. After all, Zhaodi was his first child. She had been such a sweet, lovable little girl when she was young, always pleasing him.

But in the end, a little fatherly affection could never compare to the joy of money. Faced with the choice between his daughter and money, Fu Jun had chosen the latter without hesitation.

That night, he had watched his daughter be violated by that beast with his own eyes, yet remained unmoved. Since then, he had been avoiding them.

Even Shen Junmei had said that Slant-head didn’t care about their daughter at all, often beating and scolding her. So the couple had naturally assumed that Zhaodi would not return to her parents’ home this year.

Yet here she was—not only back, but with her husband, the two of them hand in hand, looking every bit the loving couple. There was no trace of that night’s inner struggle in the cave.

“Dad, I’ve come back with my man to see you. Why don’t you look happy? Oh, and this is the gift we brought for you—a fine wool sweater, the only one of its kind in the village!”

Fu Jun swallowed hard, still unwilling to believe it. But his gaze kept drifting toward that sweater.

The material looked so fine. It must be warm. If he wore it out, wouldn’t everyone be envious?

Zhaodi gave a mocking laugh, but on her face was the triumphant smile of a dutiful daughter. She said to Fu Jun, “Dad, I’ve figured it out. Before, I was young and ignorant, did many wrong things, and upset you. But now I’ve repented. From now on, I’ll live a good life with my husband. I’ll also take care of you and Mother, and look after Jindan!”

“…Ah! Good!”

Hearing his daughter say this, what was there left for Fu Jun to doubt?

“Dad, since Mom isn’t home, we won’t trouble you to cook. We’ll just stop by next door to greet Second Aunt for the New Year and then head back.”

His daughter and son-in-law had not only brought gifts but didn’t even stay for a meal. What greater fortune could there be?

Fu Jun was overjoyed, his face all smiles. “Good! Good! The weather’s cold, the ground’s slippery. Be careful on your way back!”

“Got it~”

Fu Jun didn’t notice the trace of sarcasm flashing across Zhaodi’s face as she left with her husband.

Once outside, Slant-head said to her, “Zhaodi, marrying you is the greatest blessing of my life. You’re so obedient, so understanding, always thinking of me and taking care of me. Where else could I find such a good wife?”

“Mm,” Zhaodi leaned against him demurely and said, “Since I’ve married you, I belong to you, of course I should think of you. That wool sweater I gave my father—naturally, it wasn’t real. Just a fake from the factory.”