Chapter 36: Returning Home

Upon receiving the news that his daughter-in-law and eldest grandson were returning home, Jin Chunfen and Old Sixth Gu were excitedly beside themselves.

The train was scheduled to arrive at ten, so the elderly couple hurriedly packed their things and set off for the train station early, around six or seven in the morning, to wait for their family.

As soon as Gu Xiaobao stepped off the train, he rushed into Old Sixth Gu’s arms. “Grandpa, hug!” he exclaimed.

Old Sixth Gu quickly squatted down and embraced Gu Xiaobao tightly.

Su Nianmei smiled and said, “Xiaobao, you’ve grown so much! Come down now; don’t tire out, Grandpa.”

Old Sixth Gu wanted to lift Gu Xiaobao into his arms. He held his grandson around the waist and attempted to lift him, but he could not manage it.

Gu Xiaobao gently touched Grandpa’s hair and, with concern, asked, “Grandpa, are you tired?”

Old Sixth Gu shook his head and replied, “How could I be tired? Grandpa is holding my grandson! How could holding Grandpa ever tire me out?”

He thought that he must have positioned himself poorly just now. Adjusting his stance, he prepared to lift Gu Xiaobao again.

This time, he finally managed to lift him, and Old Sixth Gu’s old face lit up with joy.

However, just as Gu Xiaobao’s feet barely left the ground, there was a sudden “crack.”

Old Sixth Gu quickly set Gu Xiaobao down and rubbed his own waist. When he looked at his precious grandson again, he had to face the fact that Gu Xiaobao had gained weight.

His face had rounded out more than before, with a bit of chub even around his ankles.

This was wonderful; it meant that the child had not suffered while in the capital.

His grandson looked handsome, and even though he had gained weight, he was still the most charming little bun among them.

Gu Xiaobao’s expression immediately changed. He squatted down and rubbed Old Sixth Gu’s waist with his little chubby hands, puffing out his cheeks and blowing gently, asking, “Grandpa, does it hurt?”

Jin Chunfen also squatted down to rub her husband’s old waist. After confirming there was nothing wrong, she smiled and pulled Gu Xiaobao’s hand, saying, “Grandpa is fine. It’s just that your grandpa hasn’t been exercising properly these days, which is why he’s tired. He’ll be fine in a bit.”

Old Sixth Gu continued, “Grandpa isn’t hurt. I was just playing with my little bun. It was so hard to see my grandchild come back; I was too happy and couldn’t lift him. Once I get up, I’ll definitely be able to carry him.”

Gu Xiaobao’s little face scrunched up, his lips pouted, and his eyes blinked rapidly as he tried not to let his tears fall. “Grandpa, I missed you too,” he said.

Jin Chunfen playfully pinched her grandson’s little nose and teased, “You little rascal, you didn’t even think of me?”

Gu Xiaobao then giggled, shaking Jin Chunfen’s hand and saying, “I missed both Grandpa and Grandma! I want both of you!”

Su Nianmei shook the things in her hands and said, “Baby, don’t you have gifts for Grandpa and Grandma?”

Gu Xiaobao smacked his forehead and exclaimed, “Right! I almost forgot!”

He ran over to take the items from Su Nianmei’s hands, pulling them out one by one to show Jin Chunfen and Old Sixth Gu. As he showcased them, he explained that these were all delicious treats from the capital. They were especially tasty, and he and Mom had brought them back for them to try.

Old Sixth Gu fondly stroked his grandson’s head and sighed, feeling grateful to finally have a grandson. He also thought about how he had concealed the existence of his grandson for so long and felt guilty for doing so.

Jin Chunfen looked at Su Nianmei and thought that this girl was truly wonderful. Just looking at her made one feel good.

She had a remarkable charm that had enlivened their eldest son and had also taught their grandson so well.

Jin Chunfen quietly promised herself to treat this hard-won daughter-in-law with kindness.

Lin Aiqiu knew that Su Nianmei was coming back today, so she had been waiting at Old Sixth Gu’s doorstep early in the morning.

A few days earlier, when she went to borrow money from the Gu family, Jin Chunfen had used all sorts of excuses to turn her down.

After some thought, she concluded that Su Nianmei must have said something to make them so unkind to her, as it was not normal for her in-laws to treat her so rudely.

That dead girl, Su Nianmei, should just wait. Even if it meant losing her face, she would get the money from the Gu family and also have the chance to humiliate that dead girl properly.

Having just rained, the ground was muddy. Old Sixth Gu asked for help carrying the luggage and told Su Nianmei to take the child home first.

As soon as Lin Aiqiu saw Su Nianmei, she immediately started berating her. “You heartless little wolf, you finally know to come back! Your mother-in-law has been aging for several days, and you didn’t even think to come back on your own. I had to beg and call you several times to get you to come back! Even a dog knows to love its owner; what use are you?”

Su Nianmei cast a glance at the newcomer and took a moment to recognize who she was—Lin Aiqiu, the original owner’s mother.

She was a fifty-year-old rural woman skilled in causing a scene and had been the one to arrange the original owner’s marriage to Gu Xichao, making her a key player in the original owner’s tragic fate.

Lin Aiqiu grabbed Su Nianmei’s arm and, seeing only that dead girl and a chubby child, shouted, “Everyone in our village is coming to see! Our ungrateful child finally knows to come back!”

Many people were working in their fields nearby, and they began to peek out to see what was happening.

Su Nianmei shielded Gu Xiaobao behind her, feeling increasingly irritated as the crowd grew. “Have you said enough yet?” she asked.

Seeing that Su Nianmei’s tone had softened a bit, Lin Aiqiu thought that perhaps her normally silent daughter had become more assertive.

However, upon closer inspection, she realized that it was still the same timid girl who couldn’t stand up for herself.

Ever since Su Nianmei was little, Lin Aiqiu had disliked her. The girl had no personality and failed to charm anyone; she was the type who would worry about the dog that bit her.

Weak as a little chick.

Lin Aiqiu seized Su Nianmei’s hand and abruptly sat down in the mud, paying no mind to her mourning clothes. Her legs floundered in the dirt as she shouted and cursed, “This ungrateful girl is living it up in the city with her man while her poor father and mother are on the verge of the grave, and she still has the nerve to make us worry about this family!”

“This dead girl doesn’t care about this family at all!

A few days ago, when her mother-in-law was on her deathbed, she wouldn’t even come back!

Let everyone judge; you all say if this dead girl is right or wrong!”

Su Nianmei found it impossible to communicate with Lin Aiqiu. Fortunately, she had recently learned some self-defence techniques from Gu Xichao.

At that moment, Lin Aiqiu noticed the little chick suddenly pulling on her arm, dragging her toward a corner.

Once they reached the corner, Lin Aiqiu changed her demeanor, clinging to Su Nianmei and pressuring her for money.

Gu Xiaobao, quick-witted, saw that things were getting out of hand and immediately ran off to find Jin Chunfen.

Upon hearing Gu Xiaobao’s words, Jin Chunfen rushed back in a hurry. As soon as she arrived, she saw Lin Aiqiu gripping her daughter-in-law’s arm, her right hand raised, ready to strike Su Nianmei. Jin Chunfen’s anger flared up instantly, and she charged forward with a broom in hand.

Gu Xiaobao quickly followed his grandmother’s lead and rushed forward with a splash.

The grandmother and grandson duo began their assault, one swinging the broom at Lin Aiqiu’s legs while the other stepped on her feet.

Lin Aiqiu, experiencing pain she never should have endured, let out a cry, hopping about like a startled chicken.

Initially, she had intended to lie down on the ground. Still, seeing that there were so many people on the other side, she settled for half-squatting, clutching the tip of Jin Chunfen’s broom tightly and shouting, “Everyone come and see! This is how the Gu family treats their in-laws! You all married my daughter, and now that your mother-in-law is on her deathbed, the Gu family won’t even give a single penny! Do you think you can keep taking advantage of our Su family for free?”

Lin Aiqiu’s voice was high-pitched and shrill, sounding more like a rooster crowing, squawking in a frenzy.

Jin Chunfen tried to retort, but her words were drowned out by Lin Aiqiu’s loud cries.

How could Jin Chunfen, the reigning champion of gossip in the thriving village, concede defeat? She shot Old Sixth Gu a glance.

Old Sixth Gu promptly handed her the village loudspeaker, typically used for announcing important news.

Jin Chunfen took it and, like a hen guarding her chicks, shielded her daughter-in-law and grandson behind her, even covering Gu Xiaobao’s ears, as she tested the volume, calling out to Lin Aiqiu with a “Hey, hey!”

The sudden loud sound startled Lin Aiqiu, causing her words to be overshadowed by Jin Chunfen’s voice through the loudspeaker.

Jin Chunfen could no longer tolerate the situation. Grabbing the loudspeaker, she shouted, “So you think being loud is impressive? Our Nianmei has suffered so much since childhood in your family, and you’ve scolded her like this! Has your conscience been eaten by a dog?”

“Our Gu family has always supported you during the festivals for Nianmei’s sake, and here you are, turning the tables on us…”

Lin Aiqiu opened her mouth to retort, but her voice was lost amidst the commotion.

As the two continued to argue, they eventually began to grapple with each other.

Jin Chunfen held the loudspeaker in her left hand and swung the broom with her right.

With the friendly assistance of enthusiastic villagers, Jin Chunfen finally brought an end to the one-sided brawl.

Gu Xiaobao watched his grandmother and applauded her with delight.

Old Sixth Gu took his wife’s “weapon,” holding the loudspeaker in his left hand and the broom in his right, completely accustomed to such outcomes.

Jin Chunfen raised an eyebrow, her face beaming with pride as she held Gu Xiaobao with one hand and wrapped the other around Su Nianmei, striding into the house like a victorious general.

She touched her daughter-in-law’s arm, sighing inwardly. That poor child had to endure so much with a mother like that; she looked so frail as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

Jin Chunfen’s gaze toward Su Nianmei softened even more, filled with pity. This daughter-in-law was truly good but needed to eat more; she was far too thin!

Meanwhile, Gu Xichao stood in the empty room, finally realizing that his little wife and son had returned to their hometown.

He hadn’t intended to come home; he only wanted to wander around a bit after a long day. But as he strolled, he found himself back at home.

On the table lay a note filled with various reminders for him.

Looking at the note and the elegant handwriting, he could easily envision the expression and demeanor of the person who had written it.

He picked up a pen and imitated the writer’s style, scribbling on the back of the paper.

As he lowered his gaze to see what he had written, he suddenly felt a jolt.

Under the light, he smiled, feeling soft and vulnerable.

It read: “Wife, I miss you.”

Gu Xichao carefully tucked the note into a small bamboo tube, placing it alongside the previous note.

He then slipped the small tube into his chest pocket, letting it mix with the vibrant, surging blood within him. Just the thought that someone might take it away one day made his heartache.

Thus, Gu Xichao had to admit to himself.

He was smitten.

Completely.