Shuzhen and the others had only just gotten warmed up for two days when they sent off Wei Lai, Wu Hao, and Feng Anhuai, who were hastily departing for their new posts. They came empty-handed, possessing barely any material wealth, yet when they left, they carried large bags filled with everyone’s blessings and concerns. In the name of the Liu Family Village Production Brigade, all the members contributed one set of brand-new bedding for each person. Wu Yinghong and Su Hongying, the sisters-in-law, made three sets of new Zhongshan suits, and Lian Yue crafted thousand-layer cloth shoes. Lian Hai and his wife gave a generous amount of hazelnuts, pine nuts, mushrooms, and black fungus, saying those were local specialties for them to enjoy after returning or to give as a gesture of kindness to others. Lianshan and Shuzhen didn’t prepare much, only handing each of them an aluminum lunch box. Inside were white flour and meat buns made from Lianshan’s minced stuffing and Shuzhen’s dough kneading, a collaboration of the couple. For them to nibble on the train, as train food was notoriously expensive and unpalatable. The three of them cherished each item they received, saying they’d immediately send a telegram back to report their safe arrival after reaching their destination, then reluctantly boarded the train. It was only at meal time that they discovered a hundred yuan and some national grain coupons, wrapped in layers of plastic at the bottom of the lunch box. The four characters "poor family, rich journey" scribbled flamboyantly on a palm-sized note moved them to tears instantly, considering everything from their perspective, even giving money in a way that preserved dignity. Even a blood relative couldn’t have done better than Lianshan and his wife. They wiped their tears, and none of the three said much more. They carefully hid the money and grain coupons close to their bodies, etching Lianshan and Shuzhen’s care and concern deeply into their hearts. Farewell, Liu Family Village. Farewell, my second home. Farewell to those who are closer than family, even if they’re not blood relatives! No matter how far I travel, I’ll never forget this beautiful, fertile second home. I’ll never forget the family, friends, and elders who brought sunshine and warmth during the hardest and bleakest times of my life, brightening the rest of my years. Realizing that they likely don’t have much savings, and that establishing food relations or waiting for the monthly salary would truly involve some hassle, given how harmonious and friendly things have become, it seemed better to give the same support till the end. So they stuffed a hundred yuan, twenty kilos of national grain coupons, and two industrial coupons into a lunch box. After all, with the abilities at hand and the super luxurious dowry left by her father, money was really not an issue for Shuzhen. Who would’ve thought this small, spontaneous act would make the three, originally full of gratitude and good intentions toward the couple, even more moved, directly considering them as their own family? For the following decades, there was a continuous exchange of letters, considering everything big and small for her family before they even mentioned it. Having such a strong backing made Dai Weiguo, who dreamed of reclaiming custody of Lian En, hesitant at every turn. He had to abandon using power to oppress others and instead took the route of tempting with benefits. He launched a full-scale offensive on Lian En with promises of future prospects, fame and fortune, and familial affection, hoping he would clearly and wisely choose a path more beneficial to himself. Of course, that’s all in the future. At this moment, Shuzhen and her husband are entertaining their second aunt, who insists on coming over to take care of her postnatal confinement. They say it takes a hundred days for muscles and bones to heal. After Zhuangzi was injured and his wife was about to give birth, it was hard enough to care for the wife until she completed her full month and the son’s recovery. They wanted to continue caring for Shuzhen, but unexpectedly, Zhuangzi and his wife wouldn’t allow her to come over. The repentant couple knelt before their second aunt, crying their eyes out and swearing to heaven that they’d definitely care for their mother properly from now on, allowing her to enjoy her later years in comfort. Not only did they clean up their second aunt’s small room spotlessly, but they also transported several carts of firewood. Though notoriously frugal, the couple even spent money to have a well dug in their second aunt’s yard to make it easier for her to fetch water. They also stocked up on grain and vegetables at home, capturing four chickens, ducks, and geese out of the ones Zhuangzi’s wife was raising without hesitation. They replaced all the pots and pans, preparing complete bedding and clothing. Having rarely contributed and mainly taken money from the old lady before, this time Zhuangzi and his wife truly did not hold back financially. Yet not a single cent of the expenses was ever brought up with their second aunt. Even if she mentioned it, Zhuangzi’s wife would smilingly say, "As a son and daughter-in-law, isn’t it right and proper to spend money on their mother? It’s just that this unworthy son and daughter-in-law realized it too late, Mom. Please don’t hold it against us!" One act after another, even a heart frozen to the core couldn’t help but thaw a bit, considering perhaps giving the couple a chance. After all, no matter how lousy, a child of your own still has their merits. No matter how difficult, this is the child you bore through ten months of pregnancy, raising through countless struggles! If there’s an opportunity to have a loving, filial family, who would choose to be as cold and sharp as a knife? Having been hurt by a child herself, Shuzhen understood the second aunt’s feelings deeply. She generously offered her another month’s salary, telling her if things didn’t go well at home, she was welcome to come back any time, and then she saw the second aunt off. Half a year passed in the blink of an eye, and relationships between mother, son, and daughter-in-law remained harmonious and joyful. This time, the second aunt returned because she was concerned about the many children in Shuzhen’s house and the absence of an elder present, as well as seeing how Shuzhen’s belly was due in about eight to nine months. After discussing with her son and daughter-in-law, she planned to come over and help take care of Shuzhen’s postnatal period, partly as thanks for the many years Shuzhen and Lianshan treated her like their own elder, taking care of her in many ways. Once the second aunt decided not to continue working, Lianshan began searching for someone around. But no matter how he looked, he couldn’t find anyone with such a strong sense of responsibility, working efficiency, and good heart, capable of leaving behind all her other obligations at home. Worried about how to manage his wife’s postpartum period, the second aunt voluntarily came over, which made Lianshan unimaginably overjoyed. He expressed his gratitude profusely and didn’t hesitate to promise triple her usual salary. However, with a resounding "smack," the second aunt gave him a hard thump on his back, saying: "You little rascal, showing off your money to your second aunt, are you? If you’ve got money, hire whoever you want, but your second aunt truly isn’t here for that this time. I just figured we’ve been getting along really well these past years, and I wanted to help you as much as I can. No other reason, just that with me in the house, you can feel at ease going to the hospital to have the baby, isn’t that right?" After being ’hit,’ Lianshan grinned foolishly: "Exactly, dear auntie, you’ve solved our biggest problem for us. Really, thank you, thank you, auntie, for thinking of us this way! Otherwise, unable to find a suitable person, I’d have to consider separating Lian En, the twins, and Xinyue. Sending each of them to their uncles and aunts, like my eldest brother-in-law, second brother-in-law, Hai Zi, and Xiao Yue, for a few days each and having my eldest brother-in-law run back and forth at home. Although we could get by, it would be troublesome and worrying!"