Chapter 18: When Did I Say I’d Go Back to the Village with You

That night, Cheng Hongying slept in the same room as He Ziqing. Looking at the old photographs on the wall, she asked, “Qingqing, is this our Niu’er’s mother-in-law?”

“Yes.”

“She looks like a kind and gentle person. Did she treat our Niu’er well?”

He Ziqing shook her head. “Actually, I’ve never met Sister Yinuo’s mother-in-law. But from what the neighbors said, she treated Sister Yinuo very well. She always saved the best food for her.”

Cheng Hongying chuckled awkwardly. “You can tell from her size. In times like these, what kind of daughter-in-law eats herself into a little chubby pig? I really don’t know what my son-in-law saw in her…” Before she could finish, her eyes filled with tears. “But no matter what he saw or didn’t see, he’s gone now. How is my Niu’er supposed to get through life like this?”

She looked at the black-and-white photo of Shao Chengyuan. “My poor son-in-law too. In the prime of his life, didn’t even get to see his own children before he passed. He looked like such an upright young man. If he were still alive, living a good life with our Niu’er would’ve been wonderful.”

He Ziqing didn’t know how to comfort her. “Sister Yinuo is a strong person. I believe she’ll keep getting better from here on out. Auntie, we’ll all work together—no matter how hard life gets, we’ll make it through.”

“You’ve got such a kind heart, child.”

…

Yesterday, Zhou Anbang had come by, and they hadn’t had a chance to pickle the mustard greens.

The next day, Cheng Hongying brought both of them along to get started. He Ziqing learned quickly, worked efficiently, and never once complained. She immediately earned Cheng Hongying’s favor.

While her daughter was busy making lunch, she leaned over and whispered, “Qingqing’s a capable girl. Five yuan is five yuan—finding someone reliable isn’t easy. Once we go back to the village, just say she’s a distant cousin from your husband’s side. That’ll save trouble.”

Qiu Yinuo frowned. “When did I ever say I was going back to the village with you?”

“Your husband is gone, and your mother-in-law’s whereabouts are unknown. If you don’t come with me, where else would you go? Your father is dead too. All the more reason to go back—even if just to pay respects. The dead deserve that much. Otherwise, people in the village will gossip.”

She snorted indifferently. “Let them talk. It’s not like they haven’t before. His son can do the rites—that’s enough. It doesn’t matter if I do it or not.”

The real reason was that around this time, the male lead would be visiting home on leave, and the female lead, in a bold move for love, would chase after him all the way to their village.

Then would come the whole drama of him trying to avoid her while she chased him down—only to have him stop running and get caught.

Staying far away from the male and female leads was her one and only goal after ending up in this book.

Seeing that her mind was made up, Cheng Hongying had wanted to persuade her more. But then she suddenly recalled the rumor that the Ding family’s boy would be returning for New Year this year.

She feared her daughter might get emotionally stirred, and if she acted up again, it would bring shame to both families.

Back when she was still a maiden, Ding’s mother already looked down on her. Now that she was married and had two sons, they would surely look down on her even more.

“Fine, don’t go back if you don’t want to. The kids are still young, better not to wear them out. You can go back once they’re older.”

“We’ll talk about that when the time comes.”

Qiu Yinuo thought of her lawless little brother. “So why didn’t you bring your precious son with you this time?”

“The day I came, your grandpa threw out his back, so he stayed behind. Even though he’s a bit of a scoundrel, he still cares about your grandparents.”

“Well, isn’t that what he should be doing? My grandparents treat him like their own flesh and blood. If he didn’t at least have that bit of filial piety, then all their love would’ve been for nothing.”

Cheng Hongying opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing. She only muttered dryly, “Don’t always be so hard on him. He really does care about you as his big sister.”

“Alright, alright, I say two extra words and you get all defensive. And you say you’re not biased.”

Some things, Qiu Yinuo said so fluently, it was as if she had said them countless times before.

She knew she still carried some lingering resentment on the original owner’s behalf.

“Alright, alright, I won’t say anything more. Mom, hand me the salt jar.”

Cheng Hongying didn’t argue further. The mother and daughter duo worked together to whip up two quick dishes using chestnuts brought from their hometown.

One was chestnut braised with pumpkin, the other a simple stir-fried cabbage—two of the most basic dishes.

The moment Cheng Hongying took a bite, she was pleasantly surprised. “These taste amazing! You’ve really improved your cooking skills.”

Qiu Yinuo felt a bit awkward. The real credit belonged to her spiritual spring water.

She had stopped using it for a few days because it had been causing her milk supply to be a little too abundant.

That morning, she had just added a few drops, and already it had made a difference in the food.

He Ziqing, ever generous with praise, chimed in enthusiastically, “Sister Yinuo’s cooking is the best I’ve ever had—even better than the chefs at the state-run restaurants!”

Qiu Yinuo gave a couple of dry laughs, then nodded with a completely straight face,
“I guess I do have a bit of talent in this area.”

Well then—Cheng Hongying came to a realization. After two years apart, her daughter had not only thickened her skin, but practically reinforced it with armor.

After helping them prep vegetables for the winter, Cheng Hongying grew anxious to return to the village.

As soon as her two little grandsons were tucked in for the night, she went outside to find her daughter and bring it up.

Qiu Yinuo gave it a brief thought, then agreed without the slightest hesitation. “When are you leaving?”

All the dramatic parting scenes Cheng Hongying had imagined in her mind crumbled in an instant.

“…You’re not even going to try to keep me here?”

Everyone said daughters were like little cotton-padded jackets—soft and warm. Hers, on the other hand, was about as warm as a pair of thin underwear in a blizzard.

“What’s the matter? You don’t have travel money?”

Seeing her mother’s dark expression and silence, Qiu Yinuo thought she’d hit the nail on the head. She immediately began fumbling through her pockets.

“Why didn’t you just say so? It’s not a big deal. I wouldn’t let you leave empty-handed.”

She pulled out five yuan and handed it to Cheng Hongying—only to have it slapped to the ground.

“You keep it!” Cheng Hongying snapped, furious.

What sin had she committed to give birth to such a debt-collecting little devil?

Fuming, Cheng Hongying stormed back to the room, muttering under her breath about how at least her little grandsons still knew how to show some love.

But when she looked up, the bed was empty.

The two little ones who had just been sleeping soundly on the kang bed had vanished.

Her heart jumped straight into her throat.

She let out a shaky, panicked yell, “Niu’er! Dabao and Erbao are gone!”

They were just here! She and her daughter had only stepped outside for a bit—no strangers had come in. How could the children be gone?

Panicked, she turned and ran back outside. Qiu Yinuo had also heard her scream and was already rushing toward the room.

The two of them crashed into each other head-on, both landing squarely on their backsides.

The pain left them momentarily stunned, unable to get up—until He Ziqing came running and helped them to their feet.

Still clutching her waist, Cheng Hongying grabbed He Ziqing’s hand, “Qingqing, go look for Dabao and Erbao!”

He Ziqing poked her head into the room and blinked in confusion. “Auntie, they’re right there, sound asleep on the kang…”

“What?” Cheng Hongying hobbled over, wincing in pain.

Sure enough, her two grandsons were lying there, sleeping peacefully.

“That can’t be right! I swear they weren’t here a minute ago. Am I… am I losing my eyesight?”