Chapter 40:

Yu Xiangyan didn’t just want to teach Liang Yong a lesson; he also wanted to make up for Zhou Boyang’s.

When Yu Xianghai had previously ambushed Liang Yong with a sack, Yu Xiangyan hadn’t been there, which he now regretted. Now that he was back, it was only natural to settle the score.

After a good night’s sleep, the next day, Yu Xiang’an, Yu Qingshan, and Yu Manchang went to work, leaving only Yu Xiangyan and the others at home, along with Yu Xiangqing, Zhao Qiaoniang, and the two children.

With Yu Xiangyan around, laborious tasks like grinding beans were no issue. Since Wen Ruzhen and Wen Yizhen weren’t familiar with the household, Yu Xiangyan took them under his wing.

Yu Xiangqing had assumed her sister-in-law, coming from a privileged background, might be clueless about manual work. To her surprise, Wen Ruzhen was more skilled than expected.

On second thought, it made sense—when the siblings were sent to the countryside, they must have adapted gradually.

Indeed, they had endured all kinds of hardships when they first arrived. It was only after adjusting to rural life that Wen Ruzhen accepted Yu Xiangyan’s courtship. Before that, she had done everything herself.

After helping grind the beans, Yu Xiangyan took his wife to visit his grandparents. Since his wife had arrived, it was only right for the elders to meet her.

He reassured the nervous Wen Ruzhen, “My grandparents are very kind, just like my dad. They’re open-minded. We don’t have many relatives in town—my grandfather and uncles are all in the countryside. They’ll definitely like you.”

Yu Xiangyan was confident in his family’s approval. His grandfather, seeing such a wonderful wife for his grandson, would only have praise.

After all, his wife was truly exceptional—beautiful, kind-hearted, skilled, and loyal.

Qin Qiang and Yao Cuifen, now retired, mostly stayed home. If not for Yu Xiangqing’s heads-up, they might have been out.

Otherwise, Yao Cuifen would have continued introducing Yu Xiangqing to her old friends.

Like Yu Xiangqing, Yu Xiangyan had tanned from rural labor. He had gone to the countryside earlier than her, and besides darkening, he had also grown stronger and taller, with a sturdy build.

Yao Cuifen patted his arm approvingly. “You haven’t neglected yourself.”

“This must be your wife. Her name is Zhenzhen, right?”

Wen Ruzhen smiled shyly. “Yes, Grandma. My name is Zhenzhen, and my full name is Wen Ruzhen.”

Yao Cuifen already knew, so she didn’t ask about her family. Instead, she handed over a prepared red envelope. “You two have a long life ahead. I hope you’ll grow old together in harmony. As long as you’re united, life will only get better.”

Wen Ruzhen nodded earnestly, glancing at Yu Xiangyan. “We will, Grandma.”

Hearing this, Yu Xiangyan couldn’t help but grin, his eyes shining.

This scene had once only existed in his dreams. Now it was reality—pure bliss.

“Your uncles are all at work, so it’s just us old folks at home. We’ll arrange a time for everyone to meet properly,” Qin Qiang said.

Yao Cuifen added, “They’re not on break yet. Once the New Year comes, the whole family will be together.”

The proper introductions should have happened at their wedding, but distance had made it impossible. Now that they were back, it was time to make up for it.

Yu Xiangyan nodded. “Grandpa, in the countryside, I’m known as a decent cook. People often invite me to prepare banquets, but there’s one dish I’ve tried many times and still can’t get right…”

He and Qin Qiang began discussing cooking, while Yao Cuifen pulled Wen Ruzhen aside to explain the family members and their names.

Yu Xiangyan had already told her, but Wen Ruzhen listened patiently again.

When they left, Yao Cuifen watched their close-knit figures and nodded. “Old man, what do you think? Will they live peacefully?”

Qin Qiang took a sip of tea. “For now, she seems sincere toward him. Even if it’s not deep yet, with time and children, shallow feelings can grow deeper.”

Yao Cuifen agreed. “I rambled a lot, but she was very patient—not dismissive at all. She’s polite and a good girl. But what about her family situation? Will it be a problem?”

Qin Qiang waved it off. “Her and her brother’s household registrations were moved with their mother. That means they’re disconnected. Once they’re back in the countryside, who’d know about her family?”

He knew about the Wen family’s past—once a prominent household. In another era, his grandson would’ve only been able to admire from afar.

“She seems sensible. I bet she won’t go out much from now on.”

Indeed, Wen Ruzhen and Wen Yizhen stayed indoors afterward, as she had explained to Yu Xiangyan. She didn’t want to risk being recognized, which could bring trouble or gossip. Staying home was safer.

Besides, there was plenty to do for the New Year. As a new bride, she ought to be diligent.

That evening, Yu Xianghai, Yu Xiangyan, and Yu Manchang excused themselves after dinner, saying they were meeting friends.

No one knew where they went or what they did. But the next day, news spread that Liang Yong had been dragged into an alley and beaten, left with a bruised face for the New Year, with no culprit found.

Yu Xiangqing connected the dots and felt both touched and anxious. Hearing Liang Yong vow to find and punish the attackers, she fretted, “What if someone saw? It’s not worth getting into trouble over someone like him.”

Yu Xiangyan feigned innocence. “What are you talking about? We really just met friends. If you don’t believe me, ask my deskmate—you’ve met him. Liang Yong getting beaten has nothing to do with me. Well, actually, it does—whoever did it is a hero. I’d like to meet them and be friends.”

Yu Xiangqing burst out laughing. It was obvious they were behind it. Her brother’s thick skin never failed to amuse her.

As she laughed, her nose tingled, and the weight in her chest lightened. Secretly, she thought the beating was well-deserved. If she weren’t a woman, she’d have done it herself.

Having brothers stand up for her felt wonderful.

Later, the Yu family learned the news. Yu Qingshan gave a half-hearted warning about safety but slipped an extra egg into each of the brothers’ bowls.

The three brothers, discovering the eggs: “…”

Was this a reward… or a reward?

With Zhao Qiaoniang handling meals, using three eggs at once could only mean Yu Qingshan’s approval.

After two days at home, Wen Ruzhen and her brother grew more comfortable. As Yu Xiangyan had promised, no one looked down on her. Everyone showed kindness, including Zhao Qiaoniang, who never questioned her bringing her brother or brought up her family background. The mutual respect and consideration made her envious—her own family had once been like this.

Another surprise was the Yu family’s better-than-expected living conditions.

Since their return, they’d had bone broth, homemade tofu, fish, eggs, or duck eggs—every meal included meat. While this was partly due to the New Year’s ample supplies, maintaining such a diet required some means.

This eased Wen Ruzhen’s guilt. During their wedding, she had contributed nothing—everything came from Yu Xiangyan.

Her relationship with her sisters-in-law was also smooth. Typically, a new bride’s biggest challenges were with her mother-in-law or sisters-in-law.

At the Yu household, the mother-in-law dynamic was uncomplicated—Zhao Qiaoniang was a stepmother who had joined when Yu Xiangyan was older, so mutual respect sufficed. She lacked the leverage to make things difficult.

As for the sisters-in-law, Wen Ruzhen won them over effortlessly with her needlework. Yu Xiangqing even asked her for sewing tips, while the younger one admitted defeat but got along well with her. Yu Xiangqing also brought books from her factory dormitory to keep them occupied.

These were approved readings. Wen Yizhen, a bookworm deprived of books in the countryside, could sit motionless for hours, engrossed.

Since Yu Xiangqing’s return, Yu Xiang’an had moved back home, only using her factory room for naps.

Yu Xiangqing had seen the place, but Yu Xiangyan hadn’t. When Yu Xiang’an invited him, he agreed eagerly. “I was about to ask. I heard from Big Brother’s letters that you fixed it up nicely. I’d love to see.”

Yu Xiang’an hesitated. “It’s really nothing special. You’ll see.”

Yu Xiangyan insisted, “It’s different—this is your own achievement. I want to see your ‘medal.’ This was your idea. Brilliant. Why didn’t anyone think of it before? Now so many factories are building these, all inspired by you.”

Yu Qingshan beamed with pride. “Your sister’s clever.” Just like me, he thought but didn’t say aloud—that would sound too much like Yu Xiangyan.

Wen Ruzhen and her brother opted to stay home, so Yu Xiangqing took him.

“Xiao An’s at work. I’ll show you. The gatekeeper remembers me.”

Yu Xiangju raised his hand. “And me!” He’d stayed there for a while.

At the factory, the gatekeeper let them in after a brief check.

Approaching the apartment buildings, Yu Xiangyan nodded approvingly. “Not bad. Xiao An lives in the back, right?”

He thought the location was ideal—living near so many leaders meant easy access to information.

As the saying went, “The moon is brightest closest to home.”

Song Shujing’s door was open as she knitted in the sunlight. Spotting them, she smiled. “Xiao Qing, you’re here. And this is…?”

Yu Xiangqing introduced, “This is my second brother.”

Song Shujing, realizing he was also Yu Xiang’an’s brother, smiled. “Hello.”

Yu Xiangqing added, “This is Xiao An’s neighbor. We call her Sister Song.”

Unlocking the door, Yu Xiangqing said, “This is the place Xiao An got.”

Yu Xiangyan looked around. “It’s fully equipped.” Perfect for his sister’s future marital home—no need to live with in-laws.

Even as a man, he knew how fraught those relationships could be.

With this place, even if she waited five or ten years to marry, she could find a decent man without family baggage.

After checking the doors, windows, and walls, he left.

This was his sister’s private space—as an older brother close in age, it wasn’t proper to linger.

Beyond spending time with his wife and helping at home, Yu Xiangyan reconnected with old friends.

He had many friends, and despite years in the countryside, they’d kept in touch via letters. Now that he was back, visits were in order.

Some friends had taken over family jobs, while others were fellow sent-down youths—the latter being the majority.

In those days, large families were common. His mother had seven children (five surviving), which was neither extreme nor unusual. One classmate’s mother had twelve—the largest family he knew.

Unless you were the eldest or youngest, being sent to the countryside was almost inevitable once you came of age.

When visiting friends near the Zhou family, he’d linger in the area.

He hated to admit he’d misjudged both Liang Yong and Zhou Boyang.

Neither had struck him as ideal brothers-in-law, but they’d seemed passable. He hadn’t objected—how wrong he’d been.

The sting of his misjudgment lingered.

Liang Yong had gotten his beating. Now it was Zhou Boyang’s turn—he’d missed his brother’s earlier ambush and needed to rectify that.

By now, the scandal had faded. Zhou Boyang had moved on, while his stepsister was eight or nine months pregnant, nearing delivery.

She rarely went out, and though he had passed by several times, he had never seen her face—only once catching a glimpse of her back as she walked past the window.

Her family had cut ties with her, so he had never met her.

On the surface, the Yu family had no contact with her, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Zhao Qiaoniang secretly maintained some connection. After all, she was her only daughter, and they were biological mother and daughter. Now that she was pregnant and needed care, as long as Qiaoniang kept it discreet and didn’t let them pretend nothing had happened or try to restore the relationship, everyone could turn a blind eye.

Generally, stepmothers were a sensitive topic—they often treated the children from previous marriages harshly, and the biological father would then become a “stepfather” in behavior.

Take Ding Minxiu, for example.

After her younger brother was born, unless someone reminded him, Ding Fahai would hardly ever think of his daughter.

But their family situation was different.

First, there were many siblings. By the time she entered the household, Yu Xianghai was already working and earning a salary, and shortly after, Ye Qijia joined the family. Except for the youngest brother, the rest were already grown. The Qin family lived nearby, and their grandmother often visited. Most importantly, their father stood firmly on their side—he wouldn’t become a “stepfather” just because of a stepmother. Back then, if they’d had enough resources and energy to care for the twins, their younger sister might have survived. Their father had married her for the sake of the children.

Second, Zhao Qiaoniang had no formal job, wasn’t from the county town, had lost both parents, had strained relations with her brothers, and brought along a daughter of her own. Since she couldn’t bear children herself, she had no leverage to stand tall.

The siblings had never suffered under a stepmother’s cruelty, so they could calmly call her “Aunt Qiao” and treat her as a distant relative.

In this matter, she was unaware. He could separate her from Ding Minxiu in his judgment. If she had known about it, the outcome would naturally have been different…

Today, he visited a high school classmate’s home. His friend had married early, right after graduation, and now had a one-year-old child. He brought gifts to see them. On his way back, he took a detour near the Zhou residence and coincidentally ran into Zhao Qiaoniang.

She kept glancing back as she walked, making him suspicious. He quietly followed to see what she was up to. Given her cautious demeanor and the location near the Zhou family, she was likely meeting Ding Minxiu?

At a secluded corner, Yu Xiangyan saw Ding Minxiu standing there.

Yu Xiangyan: “…”

There was no need for her to act like a thief just to meet her.

Zhao Qiaoniang hurried over and handed her some baby clothes she had secretly made.

With the child due soon, she had sewn two outfits.

Ding Minxiu took the clothes, examined them, and frowned slightly. The fabric wasn’t new, nor was it particularly soft—it looked like it had been stored for a long time.

She held them without a word.

Zhao Qiaoniang reminded her of a few things to be careful about, but Ding Minxiu grew impatient. “Alright, I know all that. Are you done? I need to go back.”

When Yu Xiangyan peeked again, he saw Zhao Qiaoniang’s hurried departure. Ding Minxiu remained standing there, staring at the clothes for a long time before finally turning back.

Yu Xiangyan decided to ask his elder brother later if he knew about Zhao Qiaoniang’s contact with Ding Minxiu. Had the family said something to make her act this way?

Yu Xianghai looked puzzled. “I don’t know. She never mentioned Ding Minxiu to me. They must have been in touch—we only found out about Fourth Sister’s situation because she wrote to us.”

He added, “She’s probably afraid we’d be angry. You weren’t here, but Dad’s expression was terrible when he found out. Grandma even scolded her afterward.”

Yu Xiangyan nodded thoughtfully.

*

On New Year’s Eve, Lin Chuanbai finally had time off. Working at the hospital meant holidays were often cut short—this year, he only had two days: New Year’s Eve and the first day of the Lunar New Year. He swapped shifts to get New Year’s Eve and the second day off instead.

That evening, everyone gathered around the table for the New Year’s feast.

But the table wasn’t full.

Lin Duzhong sat at the head.

To his left were Lin Jiqing, Xu Haili, Lin Nanxing, and Lin Chuanqiong. To his right sat Lin Chuanbai.

Only six people in total.

Earlier, Lin Duzhong had received a call from his eldest son, wishing him a happy New Year. As the factory director, he had stayed behind to celebrate with the workers who remained on duty.

Naturally, he couldn’t return.

Since he wasn’t coming back, his second wife and her children wouldn’t either.

His eldest grandson was in Shanghai. Though he had time off, the journey was too long—by the time he arrived, his vacation would already be over. It wasn’t practical.

His eldest granddaughter lived closer, but she had her own family now. If she returned, it would be on the second day of the New Year, as per tradition.

Lin Duzhong looked around the table and sighed at how empty it felt.

Unless something unexpected happened, his eldest grandson would settle in Shanghai. His younger grandson was still in school. If the family wanted to grow, it would have to rely on Chuanbai and Nanxing.

Nanxing had her mother to arrange things, but Chuanbai was different. Lin Duzhong eyed him. “Don’t you think it’s time you got married? Tomorrow, you’ll be nineteen.”

Lin Chuanbai nearly laughed.

Xu Haili’s eyes darted around—she didn’t want him marrying so soon. Her son was still young.

So she interjected, “Dad, he still has to learn from you. If he gets married now, he’ll be distracted. He’s too young—there’s no rush.”

For once, Lin Chuanbai agreed with her. “Right, no rush.”

Finding a partner wasn’t urgent. Most girls his age were only sixteen or seventeen—too young for his comfort.

He could wait until he was thirty to think about it.

Lin Duzhong sighed but didn’t press further. He moved on. “Tomorrow is New Year’s Day. Before work, you and your brother must visit Uncle Wang’s family to pay respects…”

Lin Chuanbai had two days off, while Yu Xiangan had four—from New Year’s Eve to the third day of the New Year.

New Year’s Eve was for family. The first day was for visiting relatives, the second for the Qin family, and the third for their hometown in the countryside.

Everything was planned out.

The New Year’s Eve feast was lavish. Yu Xiangan and Yu Xiangyan took charge of cooking, with Zhao Qiaoniang, Yu Xiangqing, and Wen Ruzhen assisting.

Braised beef, soy-braised pork knuckles, sweet and sour spare ribs, red-braised fish, red-braised tofu, steamed egg with shrimp, braised lotus root, steamed meatballs, steamed ham, and radish bone soup.

Ten dishes—symbolizing perfection.

When all the dishes were laid out, Yu Xiangju stammered, “S-so much food!”

His face was dreamy with disbelief.

He swallowed hard, barely hearing Ye Qijia telling him to wash his hands. His attention was entirely captured by the feast.

Was this how immortals lived?

The beef was provided by Yu Xiangan, the pork knuckles obtained through “exchange,” the fish brought by Yu Xianghai, and the ham by Yu Xiangyan.

The rest were bought after queuing for hours.

Each contribution added up to this extravagant spread.

Yu Qingshan looked at the table, then at his complete family, smiling so widely his eyes nearly disappeared.

Yesterday, while making paper, Xiao’an had told him that if things went smoothly, they might establish a collective workshop in Hongxing Village. With further upgrades, they could secure permanent worker positions, giving them a reason to bring Yu Xiangyan and the others back.

Yu Qingshan brought out his treasured liquor, pouring a little for everyone except Yu Xiangju, Yu Mingjie, and the pregnant Ye Qijia.

He raised his glass first. “The past year is over. May the next bring us fuller bellies, peace, and happiness!”

Zhao Qiaoniang: “May we always smile.”

Yu Xianghai: “Another year older—I’ll work harder for a promotion.” A raise would mean more money.

Ye Qijia: “Peace is fortune.”

Yu Xiangyan: “May we all rise higher. I want a promotion too.” He wanted to become a father.

Wen Ruzhen: “Family safety.”

Wen Yizhen: “Good health.”

Yu Xiangqing: “I’ll be an aunt again next year. I’ll strive harder too.” More writing—she’d make a breakthrough.

Yu Xiangan: “May we eat well, dress warmly, and soon travel by car.”

Yu Xiangju: “I’m an uncle now—I’ll set an example for my nieces and nephews. Next year, I’ll study hard and grow taller!”

Each shared their wish, drank, and Yu Qingshan declared, “Let’s eat!”

At once, chopsticks flew as everyone eagerly targeted their favorite dishes.