Chapter 132 – Third Aunt Returns to Her Parental Home

Going back for a day?

Zhou Yimin asked, “Is Third Aunt’s parental home close by?”

Third Aunt smiled and said, “Not too far. It’s Xinghua Village in the Anping Commune—just over three hours away.”

She had been quite worried about her natal family. In the past, it wasn’t like worrying would do any good—her own household was barely scraping by and had to rely on others for support. But now, things had improved at home. They had some surplus grain, and they could be considered somewhat capable.

Especially the three kids—ever since they started following their eldest brother, they’d been eating well, drinking well, and had all put on some weight.

Sometimes, when she came over to mooch a meal and had something tasty to eat, she couldn’t help but think of her parents.

The last time she went back was during the New Year, and her parents had even slaughtered the hens that laid eggs to serve them.

Lately, although she’d been concerned, she hadn’t mentioned anything to her husband. It wasn’t until last night that Zhou Xuqian took the initiative and told her to bring some things to visit her parents this morning.

In that moment, she was truly moved.

Zhou Yimin said, “That’s not far at all, huh? Isn’t my Third Uncle going with you?”

Of course, he supported his third aunt going back to visit. If they had the means, they should help out a bit.

“He has to go to work. And besides, there has to be at least one adult at home, so…”

Zhou Yimin said, “Aren’t Grandpa and Grandma adults? Caitai, go call your dad back.”

Huang Lan’s heart warmed, not knowing what to say. Just from this, she could tell Zhou Yimin really saw their whole family as his own.

Zhou Yimin turned to his grandma and said, “Grandma, can Third Aunt take two of the cured ducks back home? And that half bag of corn we haven’t finished—give that to her too! Do we still have canned food?”

Huang Lan quickly waved her hands. “Yimin, no need, really, I have—”

Before she could finish, the old lady shot her a disdainful look. “What do you have? Sweet potatoes? Potatoes? Cornmeal? Enough. Just remember how good our Yimin is.”

All those things were brought back by her own grandson, but it was still up to her to decide how they were used. That made the old lady quite pleased. Her dear grandson was so thoughtful and always took their feelings into account.

And over the years, the way Huang Lan and her husband treated the two elders had not gone unnoticed. People’s hearts aren’t made of stone, after all.

So, she had no objections to her grandson letting his third aunt bring something back to her parental home.

As long as she wasn’t hauling everything over or being the kind of person who prioritizes her natal family above all else, it was perfectly understandable.

After speaking, Grandma went to fetch the cured ducks and canned food. As for the half bag of corn—it was already in the corner. Once Zhou Xuqian got back, he could carry it.

Huang Lan was deeply moved once again.

That half bag of corn easily weighed at least sixty jin—it would be enough to last her parents until the wheat harvest, maybe even longer.

And cured duck and canned food? That was something her family could only dream of. Even though she hadn’t gone back yet and didn’t know her family’s exact circumstances, just judging by the other villages, she could tell they weren’t doing great.

She knew full well—this was her nephew helping her save face.

Even if there were no cured ducks or canned food, just that half bag of corn would earn her ancestral-level treatment from her parents.

Zhou Yimin brought out the half-jar of tiger bone wine. “Grandpa, this was a gift from Doctor Chen at our courtyard. You can sip some now and then, but don’t overdo it.”

Tiger bone wine was not just good for virility, it had other health benefits as well. A sip now and then would do no harm.

The old man broke into a grin the moment he heard that.

“Good, good, good!”

Not long after, Third Uncle Zhou Xuqian came back.

“Third Uncle, didn’t you already learn to ride a bike? Just pedal over! I’m not planning on going back to the city the next couple of days,” Zhou Yimin said to him.

Hearing that, Third Uncle’s eyes lit up.

Lately, whenever he had time, he’d been practicing on his nephew’s bike. He was already pretty steady at it.

“Then I won’t be polite.”

Huang Lan quickly went back home and quietly returned a box to its original place.

They were already taking so much stuff—it wouldn’t be right to clear out all her daughter’s “stash” as well.

Laifang didn’t know any of this, and she was smiling as she massaged her big brother Zhou Yimin’s legs and back. This little girl often scored snacks from him with these tactics.

Luckily, her mother had a sudden pang of conscience. Otherwise, when Laifang got home, it might’ve felt like the sky had fallen.

Zhou Xuqian rode the bicycle, carrying his wife. They set off joyfully. With so many things to bring—and all of it food—he felt proud. He’d be the flashiest son-in-law in Xinghua Village.

With the bicycle, they made good time. In about an hour, they reached the entrance of Xinghua Village.

The villagers immediately recognized Huang Lan.

“Xiaolan’s back!”

As soon as she saw the villagers, Huang Lan knew things weren’t going well in Xinghua Village. Some people were so thin from hunger that she almost didn’t recognize them.

Zhou Xuqian stopped and pulled out some good cigarettes to hand out.

As they watched the couple walk away, everyone was envious. That was a bicycle! It looked like Huang Lan’s husband had really made it.

They also noticed the stuff in Huang Lan’s arms. Though it was in bags, it clearly looked like food.

And food was so precious now—yet she was carrying so much back to her natal family.

“Looks like Xiaolan has finally made it.”

“Yeah! A bike alone must cost a hundred or two, right?” In Xinghua Village, there was only one bicycle, and it belonged to the brigade leader’s family.

Back when Huang Lan got married, everyone said she hadn’t made a good match. Her husband’s family was poor.

But as they say, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. She didn’t even need thirty years—she turned her life around.

“All right, finish your smokes and get back to work. In twenty days or so, we’ll be harvesting the wheat. I want everyone energized,” the middle-aged man in charge said.

Zhou Xuqian and his wife followed the village path to a low house.

“Auntie, Auntie…”

As soon as they stopped, some children playing at the doorway recognized the couple and shouted excitedly. Three or four kids, all bare-chested, just wearing pants.

Huang Lan had two older brothers—these kids were theirs. Two older boys were missing, probably out helping in the fields.

Kids in Xinghua Village didn’t have it like those in Zhoujia Village. They had school, enough to eat, and new clothes to wear.

The comparison made Zhoujia Village feel like paradise.

Huang Lan set down the bag of corn and rubbed her numb thigh. Then she pulled out a bag of candy—Yimin had given it to her.

“Where are your grandpa and grandma? Go call them back,” she said as she handed out candy.

The kids didn’t even wash their hands—covered in dust—but in the countryside, who paid attention to that? A little dirt never killed anyone. Only her nephew Yimin always made her three kids wash their hands before eating.

“Auntie, I want some too!”

Once they got the candy, the kids ran off to find their grandparents.

The youngest couldn’t keep up and started crying as he ran.

Inside, Huang Lan started tidying up. She was the kind of person who couldn’t sit still.

(End of Chapter)