Since Lu Shaotang could now be publicly recognized, Fang Dihua decided to spread the word that her son had returned.

Lin Shu said, “Mom, you should take some candies and share them with the neighbors. It’s a celebration.”

“Huh?”

Fang Dihua and Panpan looked at Lin Shu with wide eyes.

“Why do we need to give candies to the neighbors when we have such good news?” they seemed to ask.

Lin Shu said, “It’s a big event that Shaotang is back, so of course, we need to share the joy and give out some candies.”

Fang Dihua replied, “Alright.”

She then looked at Panpan.

Panpan, with a sad face, said, “Grandma, it would be better to keep the candy for Dad. It feels like a waste to give it to others.”

Tiantian chimed in, “Don’t be stingy!”

Fang Dihua argued, “It’s not a waste. Your dad coming back is a great joy. Sharing candies with others makes them happy too and supports your dad’s return.”

Lin Shu explained to Panpan, “It’s like when a new bride throws candy at a wedding. It’s a joyous occasion, and we want to share the happiness with everyone.”

Hearing that it would be beneficial for their dad, Panpan immediately hurriedly moved the large candy bucket and poured out all the candy, including the pear syrup candies.

There was quite a bit!

Lin Shu instructed her mother-in-law to take the kids and distribute the candies while she prepared dinner.

It looked like even if she weren’t there, her mother-in-law would manage to make do with the cooking.

With the weather getting cold, they had moved inside to cook, keeping the fire burning on the kang (a traditional heated platform).

Lin Shu was making food with a large iron pot.

She was now quite skilled, cooking pancakes in the pot with ease.

She had another pot simmering with potatoes, radishes, and a bit of salty meat, creating a rich, savory aroma.

The food smelled delicious and was perfect for a hearty meal!

Of course, she also had her homemade chopped chili and chili oil to add some extra spice.

Everything was warm and inviting.

As she worked, she heard excited voices outside. “Oh my gosh, really? That’s amazing!”

“Thank heavens!”

Outside, Fang Dihua, Auntie Li, Jin Ping, and others had spread the news and quickly called over close neighbors and friends to share that Lu Shaotang had returned.

“I always said Shaotang was blessed and would come back safely,” someone remarked.

“Right, the army only said he was missing, not that he was dead. Look, he’s back!”

“That’s wonderful!”

The 93-year-old Uncle smiled broadly, showing his toothless grin, and said, “Shaotang is back, and your family is going to grow!”

Fang Dihua was thrilled and gave him two pieces of candy, saying, “Thanks to your good fortune.”

Fang Dihua handed out candy on the street, and soon the news spread throughout the village.

Old Head Chang didn’t believe it and sneered, “They must be so desperate for their son to return that they’re just making up stories to comfort themselves. The government already declared him dead—how could it be false?”

Old Lady Chang added, “It’s pitiful. That couple just refuses to accept that their son is gone.”

Song Chunfang quietly went to inquire at Widow Sun’s house, asking, “Does your husband, the one at the commune, know anything about this?”

Widow Sun replied, “He didn’t say anything about Lu Shaotang coming back. It must be false. If he were really back, the commune would have known.”

Head Bald, who had connections at the commune, was sure that Lu Shaotang had died.

If he were alive, the commune would have heard about it.

It seemed like Lu’s family was just fooling themselves.

Back at Lin Shu’s place, everyone except Lu Da gradually returned for dinner.

Even though the autumn harvest and winter wheat planting were over, the tractor drivers still had to plow the fields to prepare for spring planting.

This would help kill off any pests buried in the soil during the freezing winter.

Old Lu and the kids, Tiantian and Panpan, happily shared stories about Lu Shaotang’s childhood.

Lu Dage put his arm around Lu Erge’s shoulders and said with a smile, “See, Second Brother? I told you Shaotang was fine. I wasn’t lying!”

Lu Erge’s eyes were sore, soon moist, and red.

He couldn’t help but start crying, tears streaming down his face.

Previously, when Big Brother told him that Third Brother was fine, he didn’t believe it, always thinking Big Brother was just deluding himself like their parents.

But it turned out to be true.

Really true. How wonderful!

Third Brother is okay!

He had previously refrained from crying openly because of their parents and would sometimes sneak out in the evening to cry if he couldn’t stand it any longer.

Now, he was crying with tears and snot streaming down.

Panpan and Tiantian looked at their second uncle in surprise. “Second Uncle, Second Uncle, why are you crying? Father is back!”

Lu Erge quickly wiped his tears, choked up, “I, I…”

Big Brother Lu Dage smiled and said, “He’s crying tears of joy. He’s so happy he’s crying.”

Panpan immediately generously handed out a piece of candy to each of them.

Lu Dage peeled the candy and stuffed it into Lu Erge’s mouth. “Don’t say Big Brother isn’t caring for you.”

Lu Erge’s wife Lu Er was stunned. She had no idea what was going on.

Lu Shaotang is back?

Why is Lin Shu so lucky?

Is she going to be supported by a man for her whole life?

No need to remarry?

Lu Ping also cried out of excitement, as he had a deep impression of Third Uncle.

Lu An didn’t have much impression, but of course, it’s great that Third Uncle is alive.

Grandpa and Grandma are happy, Father and Mother are happy, and especially Big Brother is happy.

He’s happy too!

Lu Cuicui was also happy, but didn’t find it particularly exciting.

It was just like that.

After all, whether Third Uncle was around or not didn’t make much difference to her.

Third Uncle’s money wouldn’t be spent on her, but of course, having candy is still good.

In the afternoon, the brigade secretary and brigade leader, along with the cadre members of the brigade and production team, came to congratulate them.

Old Man Lu and Fang Dihua responded with smiles, “When Third son comes back, we’ll host a banquet. Everyone is welcome to come and have a drink.”

Lu Shaocai didn’t come.

He didn’t believe that Lu Shaotang was fine at all!

Old Head Chang had previously visited the brigade to quietly inquire about Lu Shaotang’s situation.

Lu Shaocai scorned this, “My second uncle is going mad with worry for his son. If Third Brother were alive, how could my father not know? How could he not call or send a telegram? They are just pretending he’s alive since they can’t bring him back.”

Lu Hehuan and Xu Xiaoyou, upon hearing the news, were also very happy and packed their things to return to Lu’s family village to offer their congratulations.

Xu’s mother said, “Why are you so happy? There’s no confirmation yet. The commune hasn’t said anything. What’s there to be so happy about?”

If someone dies, the commune will notify them.

If someone is alive, they either come back or the commune will notify them.

There’s no news yet.

“Are you just making yourself happy for no reason?”

“Could it be that you’re so worried about your brother that you’ve gone mad?”

Xu Xiaoyou had become sturdier and more assertive.

She said sharply to her grandmother Xu, “Why aren’t you wishing my Lu grandfather’s family well? Isn’t it good that my Third Uncle is alive?”

Seeing Xu Xiaoyou speaking to her so harshly, Xu’s mother raised her hand to hit her.

But Xu Xiaoyou quickly dodged, saying, “Mother, hurry up, or if we’re late, Grandma Fang and Grandfather Lu will think you’re not hoping for my Third Uncle to come back!”

Lu Hehuan and Xu Xiaoyou then happily ran off to Lu’s family village.

Xu’s mother was furious and began to complain of a headache again.

Every day, she couldn’t control Lu Hehuan and couldn’t control Xu Xiaoyou either.

“Shihua, what are you so busy with every day? Hurry up and manage your wife and daughter!”

The neighbors came to socialize in the afternoon.

Lin Shu and others were parched from talking so much.

In the evening, she made sugar-coated shredded green radish for her family.

It was sweet, crispy, and included a bit of dried tangerine peel.

Eating radish in winter helps to alleviate internal heat and ensures a better night’s sleep.

She wanted to praise the two angelic kids, Tiantian and Panpan.

These two kids were like little stoves.

Sleeping with them at night was even more effective than a hot water bottle.

It was so warm throughout the night, with excellent endurance.

Lin Shu slept at the head of the bed, holding Tiantian, and Panpan slept on the outside of Tiantian.

He said he was responsible for protecting mother and Tiantian, but Lin Shu felt it made it easier for her to adjust her position in her sleep.

As she was sleeping soundly, Panpan suddenly spoke in his sleep, “Down with Nan Ba Tian!”

Lin Shu woke up briefly due to the noise.

Since it got dark early, they were usually asleep by around 8:30 PM and had already completed one sleep cycle by midnight.

It’s no wonder people wake up early; many start working at five in the morning.

Holding Tiantian, who still had a faint smell of milk, Lin Shu heard a faint sound in the darkness.

“Clack” — a tiny sound in the dark.

Lin Shu heard it!

Her scalp tingled as she recalled the original storyline about the house being robbed.

Could it be that thieves had arrived?

She immediately got up quietly, put on her cotton coat and pants, then grabbed a stick from behind the door.

Without turning on the light, she carefully made her way to the living room.

There was an iron bar latch on the door, inserted at the top of the door frame, and there was also a bolt in the middle.

Lin Shu took another stick, about the thickness of her arm, and propped it behind the door, feeling it was secure.

She listened quietly for any sounds outside.

The autumn wind rustled through the garden, blowing through chrysanthemums, hundred-day red flowers, roses, and other plants.

There were no other unusual noises; it seemed to be just the wind.

She was too sensitive.

It was a bit cold down there, so she adjusted her cotton-padded jacket and turned to walk into the room in the dark.

She was familiar with the house and wouldn’t bump into anything.

Just as she pushed open the door to the room, a sudden cold wind blew in, and the door swung wide open!

Lin Shu: “！！！！！”

Her scalp tingled. “There’s a thief!”

Just as she was about to scream, a rough, hot hand covered her mouth.

“Don’t be afraid, it’s me.”