Upon hearing Cheng Ruhai’s voice, Yan Runzhi stopped crying.

She gave a cold laugh, having anticipated he would come to probe for information, but she wasn’t going to let him have his way!

Cheng Ruhai could already hear the sounds of laughter and tears from the courtyard, but since they didn’t open the door, he didn’t dare to barge in.

He raised his voice, “Dongsheng, your return has brought joy as the eldest brother. Whatever you want, just say it, and I’ll bring it to you. I’ve bought wine and slaughtered a chicken, wanting to share a few cups and talk about brotherly affection.”

He feared Cheng Rushan might be instigated by Yan Runzhi to settle scores with him, yet he also wanted to see how much money Cheng Rushan had brought back.

In the past, Cheng Rushan always returned with money; this time, it was likely even more.

Just as Cheng Rushan was about to speak, Yan Runzhi pressed his hand, signaling him not to speak.

Cheng Rushan quietly ate his meal.

He actually wanted to confront Cheng Ruhai face-to-face and ask, what happened to the past promises of brotherhood and mutual support?

Was making money together brotherhood, and being thrown into prison just a mishap?

Cheng Rushan wouldn’t stand by him, he dared to bully his mother and Jiang Lin while he was away.

What else did he dare to say about brotherhood?

If the Cheng family could be exonerated, would some things also have to be returned?

If Cheng Ruhai severed ties with the family, then he wouldn’t have a share in these things, right?

Haha, just thinking about it made her feel quite relieved.

A cheerful smile spread across her lips.

The rage boiling in Cheng Rushan’s heart slowly calmed when he saw the smile on her lips, and he pointed at the plate of smoked bacon. “Try and see how my cooking skills have improved and where it could be better.”

This bacon wasn’t just salted and air-dried; it had also been smoked with pine and cypress wood, and some citrus peel.

Such smoked meat was only found in special places, at least not locally made.

She tasted a piece.

The bacon, with its alternating layers of fat and lean meat, after being cured, dried, and smoked, had solidified its fat into a transparent state.

It was sweet and aromatic, not greasy at all, especially appetizing.

She couldn’t help but narrow her eyes and nod, “Delicious!”

She couldn’t help but wonder where Cheng Rushan had been all this time.

Yan Runzhi kindly said, “Bao’er’s wife, if it’s delicious, eat more.”

Cheng Dabao also served Jiang Lin some meat, saying, “Mom, if it’s good, eat more.” Cheng Xiaobao followed suit.

Jiang Lin replied, “… Let’s all eat together.”

The family didn’t care that Cheng Ruhai was outside seething with anger.

They chatted, laughed, and enjoyed their meal.

Because they were happy, the food was delicious.

Yan Runzhi drank quite a bit of wine, Jiang Lin had two big bowls of noodles, and Cheng Dabao and Xiaobao had one bowl each.

After eating, the two children dragged Jiang Lin into the yard to play a game of “eagle catching chicks.”

They were often excluded by other children and had no one to play with, so they played their games alone.

Having their mom play with them was something Cheng Xiaobao yearned for the most, and having both mom and dad with them was the children’s greatest wish, which was finally fulfilled now.

Yan Runzhi was happy in her heart, but her mind was clear though her body began to disobey.

She watched Jiang Lin playing with the children and quietly said to Cheng Rushan, “Dongsheng, Bao’er’s wife has seen the glamorous world in the big city and doesn’t fancy our little place here. It’s understandable. We couldn’t afford it before, but let’s live well from now on and treat your wife well.”

Cheng Rushan tapped his wine bowl against hers and replied, “Mom, I’ll remember.”

Yan Runzhi waved her hand. “Mom’s a bit drunk. I’ll go sleep first. You tidy up the table and wash the dishes.”

Cheng Rushan asked, “Just finished eating and already sleeping?”

Yan Runzhi said, “I didn’t eat meat, so I’m not afraid. I need to occupy the kang.”

Cheerfully humming a little tune, she climbed into the bed in the eastern room, rubbing her belly and dreaming about the next family reunion and the addition of a new member next year.

Jiang Lin played with the children for a while and then helped Cheng Rushan tidy up once he finished eating.

Cheng Rushan asked, “Do you want to go out for a walk to aid digestion?”

Jiang Lin really wanted to avoid him, but she couldn’t refuse outright.

She immediately yawned, “I’m so sleepy.”

Cheng Rushan said, “It’s still early. Sleeping too early causes indigestion. They ate quite a lot.”

Bringing up the children, Jiang Lin found it difficult to refuse and unconsciously took on the role of actively caring for the two children.

Meanwhile, Cheng Ruhai had already left long ago.

It was quiet near the brigade headquarters, with the night filled only with the chirping of cicadas and the sounds of grasshoppers, making it even more peaceful.

In the dim light, she couldn’t think of anywhere interesting to stroll.

The two children were particularly energetic after their nap.

Hand in hand, the family of four walked in circles around the yard.

The children were reluctant to let go.

Dabao and Xiaobao were thrilled.

Finally, they had both mom and dad together!

They couldn’t wait to run to the brigade and shout with a loudspeaker to let everyone in the village know that their dad, Cheng Rushan, had returned, and now they had both a dad and a mom to care for them.

They dared anyone to laugh at them!

Hmph, they planned to take a stroll with their parents in the morning to show everyone.

The two brothers were very excited and not at all sleepy.

After some time passed, Jiang Lin told Dabao and Xiaobao, “It’s time to go home and sleep.”

The two children were usually well-behaved, but today, with both parents pampering them, they wanted to be a bit stubborn and continue playing.

Cheng Xiaobao held Jiang Lin’s hand and said, “Mom, we haven’t walked enough.” Cheng Dabao signaled with actions that he wanted to keep going.

Jiang Lin reminded them, “Little children shouldn’t stay up too late.”

Cheng Rushan suggested, “Let’s walk a bit more.”

Cheng Xiaobao agreed, “Dongsheng is right.”

“….”

Jiang Lin sighed inwardly, “In the future, no voting at home, just dictatorship.”

After about ten more minutes of walking, Cheng Rushan decided it was time to go home.

The two children obediently listened, no longer holding hands but clinging to Cheng Rushan like ornaments.

Cheng Xiaobao insisted that both he and Cheng Dabao sit on their dad’s shoulders, thinking it was the coolest thing ever.

None of the other village children had ever received such treatment.

Cheng Rushan cooperated willingly.

Jiang Lin couldn’t say much and could only stand by as a guardian.

Cheng Dabao sat quietly, while Xiaobao fidgeted around.

Jiang Lin leaned against Cheng Rushan, focusing entirely on the children and forgetting her own nervousness.

Cheng Rushan felt her soft body against his arm and wanted to embrace her, but he restrained himself.

…

Upon returning home, they found Yan Runzhi, who claimed to be drunk, had already burned mugwort to repel mosquitoes.

Cheng Rushan asked Jiang Lin to wash up while he bathed the children.

In truth, Dabao and Xiaobao could bathe themselves.

When Cheng Rushan wasn’t home, Yan Runzhi couldn’t manage them, so they helped each other, washing each other’s backs and hair.

After their bath, Cheng Rushan dried them off with a towel each, carried them to bed, and then went to take his own shower.

Cheng Dabao and Cheng Xiaobao started arguing over pillows since Cheng Rushan didn’t have one, causing a bit of a dilemma.

Cheng Xiaobao asked, “How should we sleep?”

He gestured, “The two of us in the middle, Dongsheng and Linlin on either side.” Grandma said Dongsheng and Linlin are a pair.

Cheng Dabao recalled Grandma’s words and suggested, “Mom and Dad on one side, us on the other.”

Jiang Lin watched the two boys struggle with the issue and immediately climbed onto the kang. “Mom likes to sleep by the wall, so you two sleep in the middle.”

She beckoned to Cheng Xiaobao, who was already feeling sleepy.

Xiaobao snuggled into her arms, his little hand naturally reaching out to touch her ear, mumbling, “Linlin is Dongsheng’s wife.”

Jiang Lin sighed inwardly and said to Cheng Dabao, “Alright, let’s go to sleep.”

She was truly exhausted today.

By the time Cheng Rushan returned after drying his hair, Jiang Lin was already asleep with Cheng Xiaobao and Cheng Dabao.

Xiaobao lay curled up in her arms, while Dabao held her hand, as if afraid she might leave.

Cheng Rushan felt a rush of tenderness in his heart, like a small rabbit hopping around, soft and tender, filled with endless longing.

He climbed onto the kang, lay down on the other side of Dabao, and pulled him close.

Jiang Lin was truly exhausted and slept deeply, unaware of when she was suddenly startled awake by a dream.

She had dreamed of being bound and unable to escape, and the panic had jolted her awake.

She moved her arm, trying to pull away the hand of Cheng Xiaobao that was held tightly by someone.

Outside, daylight was already filtering in, casting a soft glow into the room.

Jiang Lin opened her eyes and looked at Xiaobao and Dabao sleeping in the middle, with Cheng Rushan peacefully asleep on the other side.

In fact, Dabao and Xiaobao resembled him quite a bit, with their tall noses and long, dark eyebrows.

Cheng Rushan, due to his special training and sensitivity, could immediately sense when someone was staring at him, but he didn’t move.

Instead, he allowed her to look. When she tried to pull her hand away, he intentionally tightened his grip, still pretending to be asleep.

Jiang Lin, afraid of waking him up, surprisingly let him continue holding her hand and lay back down without getting up.

Cheng Rushan smiled.

After a busy morning of washing up, cooking, and feeding the chickens, they all gathered for breakfast.

Before eating, Cheng Rushan asked Yan Runzhi and Jiang Lin to sit at the table; he had something to discuss.

Yan Runzhi was delighted, “We’ve been attending meetings all day, and now it’s our turn to have one. Come, Mom, take a seat.”

Jiang Lin thought to herself, “If this were modern times, she would definitely be a good salesperson.”

She motioned for Yan Runzhi to sit down while she took a seat beside her.

Cheng Dabao and Cheng Xiaobao obediently ran over and sat down for the meeting.