After staying at the Shen family’s house for a day, An ger’s condition stabilized, and Dad Chen brought the Dad and son back.

In the afternoon, there was plenty of time, so Chen Yuping stewed a chicken, adding some medicine to it.

Chen Yuchun and Liu Guixiang ate a couple more bowls.

“Dad, I can take An ger back to the Shen family myself tomorrow,” Chen Yuchun said as the sky darkened, thinking about going home.

Father Chen lifted his eyelids while holding a bowl of strong tea: “The beds are all made.”

“Don’t trouble the child. You can handle it, but An ger might not be able to. Wait until he’s better before going back,” Dad Chen said grumpily as he turned to go inside.

That day, Zhang Zhiwei didn’t come by. It was said he hadn’t even gone to the Shen family and no one knew what he was busy with.

In front of his eldest son, Dad Chen didn’t say much. But lying in bed at night, he couldn’t hold back: “Zhang Zhiwei is really something. It’s one thing not to come to the Chen house, but he hasn’t even visited Dr. Shen. He’s not in a hurry to see the kid return, he seems quite stable.”

“Back then, he was desperate to find a companion. What can be done?” Father Chen mumbled. “Don’t keep worrying about it. The kid is fine now. If he wants to leave, let him. Once he’s married and has his own family, we don’t need to worry too much.”

After a while, Dad Chen quietly said, “I’ll see if Zhang Zhiwei comes tomorrow.”

“What if he comes? What if he doesn’t?”

“I have to have a good talk with him. If I don’t, he’ll think nothing matters. Saying something should at least be useful if he has any sense of shame.”

“Do as you like.”

The next morning, after breakfast, Chen Yuanqiu drove the ox cart to take his elder brother and nephew to the Shen family.

Dad Chen stayed home to help. Liu Guixiang came over early, carrying Qiaoniu. While she couldn’t do much else, watching the three children was fine.

“Is this the Chen family?”

“Yes, this is the Second Chen family,” Liu Guixiang replied, sizing up the young man in front of her. He was tall and sturdy, looking like he was in his early twenties, but his face still had a hint of youthful innocence. His bright eyes showed a bit of calmness.

The young man subtly glanced inside, where three children could be vaguely seen on the bamboo bed. From a distance, their faces were unclear.

“What are you looking at?” Liu Guixiang asked warily, standing to block his view.

The young man smiled, unhurried: “I saw three children on the bamboo bed. They look exceptionally well-behaved and not causing any trouble. They’re being raised very well.”

“Do you need something?”

“I heard the Chen family set up a stall selling delicious food, so I was curious and came to take a look.” The young man’s gaze landed on the stall. “Is that shrimp paste buns and five-spice tea eggs? I’ll take a portion of each to try. Will the braised pork and stewed pig trotters take a while?”

“Yes, you came too early. They won’t be ready for another hour or so.”

The young man smiled a little sheepishly: “Can I sit here and wait? My home is a bit far from Kuzhu Village, so it’s better to buy and go back directly. It saves me the trip back and forth, and I might miss out otherwise. I heard the braised pork and stewed pig trotters are the most popular.”

After a few exchanges, Liu Guixiang lowered her guard against the young man and became a bit friendlier: “Sure, if you want to wait, feel free. Our braised pork and pig trotters aren’t the most popular, the marinated pig intestines are the best sellers, and they’ll be out soon.”

Just then, Chen Yuping brought out the stewed pig intestines, releasing a fragrant and spicy aroma that was slightly overwhelming and made one salivate.

“I’ll take two skewers of marinated pig intestines.”

Liu Guixiang took the money and handed over the intestines, saying expertly, “They taste even better with the shrimp paste buns.”

“He said he’ll wait here to buy the braised pork and pig trotters.”

Chen Yuping heard his sister-in-law and glanced at the young man who was eating the marinated intestines and buns, thinking how delicious he looked eating: “I’ll get him a chair.” A stool wouldn’t suffice, the young man was tall and robust, with muscles visibly rippling on his arms. Perhaps he came from a laboring background, and maybe he even knew some martial arts.

“Thank you,” the young man said, flashing a bright smile.

That smile was so dazzling that Chen Yuping was momentarily taken aback. The young man looked ruggerd, but when he smiled, he resembled a child, exuding a hint of innocence. How interesting.

The young man devoured two skewers of stewed pig intestines, four shrimp paste buns, and two five-spice tea eggs.

Seeing the money exchanged, Liu Guixiang kindly poured him a bowl of cool boiled water. They only drank cool boiled water at home. Ping ger said one shouldn’t drink raw water directly, saying it wasn’t good for health. The family took him seriously and went along with his advice.

“Haven’t you eaten breakfast?”

“I didn’t have time. I was afraid of missing out.”

Once the stewed pig intestines were served, business at the stall picked up.

Liu Guixiang kept serving customers, while Dad Chen busied himself with chores inside and out, and Chen Yuping worked in the kitchen. No one noticed the young man sitting in the corner of the porch, who quietly shifted his position to see the three children on the bamboo bed more clearly.

He was very attentive to his surroundings, glancing at the bamboo bed every now and then, mostly using his peripheral vision.

At that moment, Cao ger rolled over again for some reason, and his small face turned towards the door. His chubby cheeks were adorable and his complexion fair.

The young man clearly saw him and seemed momentarily stunned, staring at Cao ger’s face in disbelief.

Cao ger met his gaze and smiled widely, always cheerful, smiling at anyone who looked his way.

“Oh, Cao ger rolled over again.” Dad Chen entered from the back, picking up Cao ger and placing him back in the middle of the bamboo bed. He called out to his busy third son, “Your boy rolled over again and is grinning, I wonder what he’s so happy about.”

“He smiles so nicely.”

Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Dad Chen looked outside and saw a young man, responding kindly, “This child loves to smile, just like his dad did when he was young.”

“I noticed this child has a light birthmark on his forehead but he’s well-fed and neatly dressed. It’s clear that his father and grandfather are very fond of him, loving him from the bottom of their hearts.” The young man sincerely added, “Your family is all kind-hearted people.”

He even used respectful language, and his eyes seemed especially sincere, as if hiding a hint of gratitude.

Dad Chen felt it was a bit strange, but he liked his words. He smiled as he replied, “He’s the only child of his dad, who cherishes him like a treasure.”

“Cao ger is a lucky child.”

Chen Yuping listened as Dad Chen and this young man grew more animated in conversation, his own eyes brightening with a smile, developing a bit of fondness for him.

His eldest brother-in-law hadn’t shown up, and when the youngest mentioned he hadn’t gone to see Dr. Shen either. He inquired and heard that some villager saw him carrying a hoe, working in the fields. Dad Chen didn’t say anything but had a somewhat cold expression, furrowing his brows, speaking less.

The braised pork and stewed pig trotters were ready, with a rich aroma mixed with steaming heat. It was so enticing it could draw one’s soul.

The young man stood up eagerly: “I’ll take two pieces of braised pork and two pig trotters.”

“Are you eating here or taking them away?”

“Taking them away,” the young man said, glancing towards the bamboo bed. Cao ger happened to turn his little head, saw him, and smiled broadly again, looking incredibly cute.

Chen Yuping noticed the young man’s suddenly soft expression and the warmth in his eyes, saying, “My child is adorable, right?”

“Very adorable. You’ve raised him well.”

Chen Yuping smiled, feeling quite pleased.