These words were so hurtful that Gu Si dared not respond. He first scolded Li Guihua for forgetting to prepare a birthday gift for his mother.

　　Finally, when Li Zhouzhou was about to leave, Li Guihua did not dare to mention filial piety or the jacket anymore.

　　After the fifth day of the first lunar month, he went to Zhu Xiucai’s house again and took a piece of candy, three pounds of meat, and cut a piece of cloth that Zhu the clay craftsman brought last time, but no wine. Li Zhouzhou thought about last year, Zhu Xiucai had a child at home, maybe he was about two years old now?

　　It’s better to take these practical gifts.

　　Zhu Xiucai’s home was still the same as before, with no changes, and the main hall was small and dim. Li Zhouzhou saw that Zhu Xiucai’s wife and mother had chilblains on all ten fingers, so he took the job and said he would do it, but the two said it was unreasonable to cook for guests, and asked Li Zhouzhou to go to the main hall to rest.

　　The husband was talking about academic matters with Mr. Zhu. Li Zhouzhou didn’t understand and didn’t want to disturb them. There was nothing to do in the kitchen, so he ended up playing with Mr. Zhu’s son.

　　The child was thin, with a yellowish face. Li Zhouzhou didn’t ask if the child was in poor health. Asking this question during the New Year would be considered unlucky.

　　But when he was also two years old, Yuanyuan from Xingger’s family was already white and plump.

　　After leaving Zhu Xiucai’s house, he went to Zhu Nijiang’s house, gave gifts and went back without eating. After that, he didn’t have to visit relatives and friends during the New Year. He just sat at home, cooked some food, and Li Zhouzhou felt that he had gained some weight.

　　”How did you get fat? I think Zhou Zhou looks even better.” Gu Zhao said sincerely.

　　When they got married, he was thin, and Zhou Zhou was thin too. Now they have both gained weight, but Zhou Zhou’s weight is where it should be, with a perky butt and a thin waist.

　　Cough cough.

　　I still don’t want to think about it in broad daylight.

　　Li Zhouzhou looked at the way his husband looked at him. How could he not understand? Suddenly, he no longer felt fat.

　　It seemed that everything would be smooth sailing after the Lantern Festival, but on the evening of the 13th, when it was already dark and snowing, the gate of the Li family’s courtyard was closed early, and suddenly someone knocked on the door, shouting, “Uncle, Brother Zhou Zhou.”

　　Fortunately, Li Da had just soaked his feet and came out to pour the water for washing his feet. He heard it and opened the door. He saw a snowman with snow all over his head and shoulders rushing in, calling him “Uncle”.

　　”Guangzong?” Li Da heard the voice and quickly took Li Guangzong’s arm and carried him to the main room.

　　”Zhou Zhou, take the oil lamp and go call Lao Er.”

　　Gu Zhao said, “Dad, let me go. The road is slippery and Zhou Zhou can help my cousin boil some water at home.” Then he went out with the oil lamp and went to Li Er’s house.

　　Li Guangzong was learning accounting in the prefecture and county, and everyone in the village knew it. I didn’t expect him to come back today, still in the same state, covered in snow, and at first glance, there seemed to be red marks on his face, not sure if he was beaten or frozen.

　　The Li family’s home was close to the village entrance, and the Li second family’s home was a little further up. It was probably because Li Guangzong had walked all the way back from the prefecture and county with gritted teeth, and he couldn’t stand it anymore, so he knocked on the Li gate and called for help.

　　The Li family has gone to bed.

　　Gu Zhao went over and knocked on the door. After a while, Liu Huaxiang opened the door with a grumpiness, “Everyone is resting late at night. What can’t you do——”

　　”Guangzong ran back from the prefecture and county. He couldn’t hold on any longer and is now at my house.” Gu Zhao interrupted.

　　Liu Huaxiang, who was originally lazy and carefree, suddenly exploded, “Impossible!”

　　But why would Gu Shulang use this to deceive people? Wouldn’t she know whether Guangzong had returned or not once she went there? Liu Huaxiang was panicking and yelled at the man to leave quickly. Li Er didn’t even put on his clothes, locked the courtyard door, and hurried to Li’s house.

　　Liu Huaxiang entered the Li family and could not see anything else. She walked hurriedly into the main room and saw Guangzong sitting on a stool, looking half dead. His face was still red with blood marks, which were obviously caused by scratches from fingernails.

　　”Who hit you?!”

　　When Li Guangzong saw his parents, he couldn’t hold back his tears and said, “Mom, I won’t go to the prefecture or county anymore. My aunt beats me, and my grandma doesn’t help me or give me food. I’m hungry every day…”