Chapter 54

That single word “Mom” undoubtedly declared his identity to everyone. He was Guo Yumei’s son-in-law, Xia Qingning’s husband.

Guo Yumei was stunned for a second, then her eyes immediately welled up with tears. She just kept saying:

“Yes, yes.” Then she turned her back, wiped away the tears in her eyes, and turned around with a smile on her face. She said to Lu Jingzhe:

“Come in, come in quickly.”

Back then, her husband died saving Xia Lulidong. Before Lu Baichuan returned to the city, he arranged for her daughter to marry Lu Lidong. She didn’t feel like she was climbing above her station or taking advantage of them. On the contrary, if her husband were still alive, she would rather not have this marriage.

But later, her daughter slept with Lu Jingzhe. Although she was just a simple, unsophisticated woman from the countryside, she understood that Lu Lidong owed a debt, and she shouldn’t let Lu Jingzhe repay it.

Not only did Lu Jingzhe marry her daughter, but now he even acknowledged her as his mother in front of so many people. How could she not be surprised and touched!

Xia Qingning, standing at the door, was also truly surprised to hear that “Mom.” Although it was just one word, it showed Lu Jingzhe’s attitude towards Xia’s family. He not only acknowledged his identity but also gave them enough face.

The people standing around, after hearing that “Mom,” their expressions changed in unison. Some were surprised, some were suspicious, some were puzzled, and of course, some were watching the show…

Lu Jingzhe was about to go inside with Guo Yumei when a loud male voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard:

“Jingzhe.”

Xia Qingning looked up and saw a man in dark blue clothes standing at the fence, looking anxiously into the courtyard, his face full of joy.

Although the man’s clothes were heavily patched, and he looked dusty, his facial features were still handsome. This was the original owner’s brother, Xia Qing Shu.

Lu Jingzhe saw his childhood playmate and a rare smile appeared on his face. He was about to go forward, but the next second, he saw him limping towards him.

Lu Jingzhe didn’t know that Xia Qing Shu’s leg was broken. When he left the village and returned to the city, Xia Qing Shu had come to see him off. At that time, his leg was still intact.

Confusion, surprise, sadness… various emotions alternated on his face, but it was only a blink of an eye before his expression returned to normal. He walked towards Xia Qing Shu, didn’t ask anything, just patted his shoulder heavily.

The affection between men didn’t need many words. A pat on the shoulder encompassed everything.

Soon, the group went inside. Xia Qing Shu also saw Xia Qingning. He was stunned for a moment, as if he couldn’t recognize her, then he suddenly smiled and called her as he used to:

“Xiaoning.”

“Brother.” Xia Qingning called softly.

In the real world, she was an only child. She didn’t have any brothers or sisters. Suddenly having a brother and a younger brother here made her a little uncomfortable.

“Don’t stand there, sit down. You’ve traveled so far, you must be hungry. Have something to eat.” Guo Yumei greeted Xia Qingning and Lu Jingzhe, then placed two sweet egg soups in front of them.

Xia Qingning looked down at her bowl and Lu Jingzhe’s bowl. She saw two eggs in each. Then she looked at Guo Yumei and Xia Qing Shu’s clothes and the dilapidated house with only two decent pieces of furniture. She understood how heavy these two bowls of sweet egg soup were.

Seeing that neither of them had started eating, Guo Yumei seemed to realize something and quickly explained:

“Don’t worry about us. We’ve already eaten. You eat quickly, eat quickly.”

They had just come out of the kitchen together. How could she have already eaten? Xia Qingning went to the kitchen and took out a bowl. She separated her egg. Guo Yumei quickly came over to stop her. Xia Qingning didn’t expose her, she just said:

“You’ve eaten, Qing Cao hasn’t eaten yet. This is for him.”

Guo Yumei was about to speak, but Lu Jingzhe had already put both of his eggs into Xia Qingning’s bowl. Then he picked up his bowl, drank the sweet soup inside, and said to Xia Qing Shu, who was beside him:

“Can you borrow a car now?”

Xia Qing Shu didn’t understand why he wanted a car, but he still nodded and said:

“Yes, Li Ershu’s oxcart next door is empty. Do you want it now?”

“Yeah, go and borrow it.” Lu Jingzhe said.

Xia Qing Shu nodded and said okay, then he went out.

Xia Qingning looked at the eggs in her bowl. She only ate one and scooped the others out. She said to Guo Yumei:

“We had dinner in town when we came back. We’re really full now. Mom, you eat it.”

Hearing her say this, Guo Yumei didn’t want to force her anymore. She took a plate next to her and was about to cover it:

“Then save it for later.”

“It won’t be as good next time. Eat it quickly.”

The mother and daughter pushed each other back and forth. Finally, Guo Yumei couldn’t resist her daughter and ate one. The other two were left.

Soon, Xia Qing Shu borrowed the oxcart and went out with Lu Jingzhe.

At this time, Jinhua Auntie, who had gone to call them earlier, shouted from outside the door:

“Yumei Auntie, I went to call them. Your Qing Cao is cutting rabbit grass in the field. He wouldn’t come back no matter how much I called him.”

Guo Yumei quickly walked out, looking at the panting Jinhua Auntie, and asked with a puzzled look:

“Didn’t you tell him that his sister is back?”

“I did, I did. I even told him that his sister bought a lot of candy, but he still wouldn’t come back.” Jinhua Auntie said.

“This child.” Guo Yumei said softly, then looked at Jinhua Auntie: “Thank you. I’ll go call him.”

Then she called out to Xia Qingning and quickly walked out.

Not long after Guo Yumei left, a few women in their forties walked towards Xia’s house. The woman in front was clearly dressed better than the others. She was walking briskly, saying as she walked:

“I heard that Guo Yumei’s girl is back. She’s changed so much. I’m going to see what she’s become.”

This woman was called Niu Xianhua. She grew up in the same courtyard as Guo Yumei. She always liked to compare herself to Guo Yumei. When they were girls, they compared their looks. Later, after they got married, they compared their husbands, and then their children.

But she never won in any of them. But later, Guo Yumei’s husband died in an accident, and her eldest son became lame. Niu Xianhua suddenly felt superior. She was so smug in front of Guo Yumei. Over the years, she had often made fun of her, both openly and secretly.

“I saw her from afar just now. She has really changed. She’s wearing nice clothes, and she’s beautiful. No wonder all the girls in the village want to marry into the city.” A big aunt next to her said.

“What’s so good about marrying into the city? In my opinion, girls should marry closer to home. Look at our Zhaodi and Laidi. They married nearby. They can help their family a lot. They help with building the house, give money when their brother gets married, and they’re always available when you need them. Isn’t that much better than Guo Yumei’s daughter, who only comes back once every few years?”

The group of women walked to the outside of Xia’s courtyard. They stretched their necks and looked into the courtyard. They saw Xia Qingning, wearing a light blue shirt, talking to Jinhua Auntie. The girl in the courtyard was beautiful and generous, her face was as white as a peeled egg, and her exposed skin was smooth and fair.

“This Xia girl has really changed. No wonder everyone wants to marry into the city. Look how well she’s been raised.”

“That’s right. I heard she gives a whole handful of candy to outsiders. She’s so generous.”

“I think Yumei will have a good life from now on. Maybe she’ll even be taken to the city.”

Hearing everyone praise Guo Yumei, who had always been worse off than her, Niu Xianhua felt unbalanced. She pouted and retorted:

“A good life? Taken to the city? Don’t be ridiculous! I heard she only brought a small bag when she came back. She didn’t bring anything. What’s so good about marrying into the city? I think it’s better to have potatoes and sweet potatoes sent by my daughter. That’s more practical.”

As she was talking, a sixty-year-old man suddenly walked up from behind. He stood outside the courtyard and shouted to the people inside:

“Yumei Auntie, come out quickly. Your son-in-law bought you a whole cart of food and supplies. He bought dozens of kilograms of white flour alone. The cart can’t get in. Come out and help carry it.”