Fang Pingying and Fang Xiu stepped out into the courtyard, only to see Zhou Yunmei had bought a pigeon from somewhere and was holding it in her hands. Upon seeing them come out, Zhou Yunmei raised the pigeon in her hand towards them, "I bought a pigeon from someone in the village who raises them, to nourish your bodies. Tonight, we’ll steam it dry. Each of you can eat half. Eating this is really good for the baby in the womb." Fang Xiu was delighted when she saw it, "Great, I haven’t eaten this in many years, only when I was a child." Fang Pingying looked at her silently, not understanding how Fang Xiu could be so carefree. With such a significant concern in her heart, she still had the appetite for a pigeon, and even had the audacity to eat someone else’s pigeon as if it was her due. Zhou Yunmei, not knowing anything, heard Fang Xiu’s comments and squinted with a smile, looking somewhat distressed at the pigeon, "This thing is expensive, it’s just a small one, and it costs several dollars. If it weren’t for the village folks selling it, it would be an extra 50 cents." Although Fang Pingying didn’t like Zhou Yunmei, seeing her doing so much for the children, she felt somewhat grateful. She said, "Mom, don’t buy these things often, our bodies are fine, we don’t need to deliberately nourish ourselves." "It’s okay, spending some money during the New Year isn’t a big deal. You just take good care of the baby in your belly, don’t worry about anything else," Zhou Yunmei said and then pulled up a stool in the courtyard, sat down, started to handle the pigeon, and gestured for Fang Pingying to sit down and discuss, "Pingying, I was thinking, you’re already pregnant, and Zhiyong can’t take good care of you there. After New Year, just don’t go back to the provincial city. Stay at home with Fang Xiu, I’ll take care of you both until the baby is born, and I’ll look after the child after, then you both can go back to the provincial city to work." "Yeah, big sister, I’m not going to the provincial city this year either, just staying at home. You don’t go either." Fang Xiu, now sharing a secret with Fang Pingying, also wanted Fang Pingying at home, as a backup in case anything went wrong. Even though Zhou Yunmei is good now, there’s a saying that it’s easier to get along in brief encounters than in long cohabitation. Fang Pingying didn’t agree, and with a smile said, "Mom, there’s nothing wrong with my belly, I can take care of it there, and I’ve promised someone to look after their shop, I can’t just not do it." Upon hearing Fang Pingying’s refusal, Zhou Yunmei’s face fell, "What business is it, after all, how much money have you brought back, why aren’t you even concerned about your baby and just think about making money." Fang Pingying knew Zhou Yunmei meant well, and didn’t argue with her, but gently explained, "Mom, I haven’t made much money, but since I’ve promised someone, I need to be responsible. Besides, even though I’m pregnant, I can still take care of myself, you don’t need to worry too much." "What responsibility? It’s just a few months in the provincial city, why bring up all this mess to me?" Zhou Yunmei saw Fang Pingying still insisting, couldn’t help but raise her voice angrily, her approach rather tyrannical, "The child in your belly is my grandson, what I say goes. You are not allowed to go to the provincial city after the New Year, otherwise I will follow you." Fang Pingying, seeing this, became disheartened, "Mom, the child in my belly is your grandson, but he is also my son. Don’t I even have a say?" Fortunately, Zhou Yunmei was interrupted as Luo Dashan and Luo Zhiyong, who had been out getting drinks, returned at that moment. Luo Dashan, hearing Zhou Yunmei yelling from afar, scolded her as he entered, "Old lady, what are you yelling about again, both daughters-in-law are pregnant, can’t you keep the peace?" Luo Zhiming also hurried over and tried to calm Zhou Yunmei with a chuckle, "Yeah, Mom, don’t be like before, always yelling and shouting at home. I heard in the city, if a pregnant woman is frequently upset, the baby won’t look good." "Ah?" Zhou Yunmei was half-believing, and then quietly asked, "Did the city folks say anything about how to conceive a boy?" Luo Zhiming laughed heartily, "Mom, do you think I’m a god? How would I know that?" "Exactly, this old lady is obsessed with wanting a grandson." Luo Dashan also found Zhou Yunmei’s words amusing, and couldn’t help but laugh, "If city people really knew how to guarantee a boy, everyone would have sons, and no one would have daughters." Zhou Yunmei giggled, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Hehe, right, look at my silly brain." If it had been before, when Zhou Yunmei wanted to lose her temper, no one’s persuasion would have worked; there must have been chaos in the house for peace to return. But today, Zhou Yunmei backed down a bit, after laughing, she spoke to Fang Pingying, "Alright, stop arguing. Let’s talk about your trip to the provincial city after the New Year, let’s just happily celebrate for now." Rarely, Zhou Yunmei would also have these peacemaking moments. Naturally, Fang Pingying would not cling to it anymore, she smiled lightly, smoothing over the previous issue. Because Fang Pingying and the others hadn’t returned earlier, Zhou Yunmei didn’t have much money and hadn’t prepared for the New Year goods. Now that the family was back and everyone had brought out money for the New Year, Zhou Yunmei started calculating in the courtyard with Fang Pingying and others, discussing what to buy for the celebration. Back then, celebrating the New Year wasn’t like later times when they had money to buy everything. Most were self-provided from home: they would buy some meat while vegetables and fruits were grown in their own fields. Staples like steamed buns and dumplings were made at home, and snacks like fried pastries were also homemade, and then they would just buy some sunflower seeds and peanuts to complete the spread. To be honest, New Year’s food didn’t cost too much money; it was more about maintaining social obligations. While they were talking, suddenly someone knocked at the gate. Luo Zhiyong went to open the door, then peeked his head out to tell Fang Pingying, "Pingying, sister-in-law Chen Rong is looking for you." Hearing the name Chen Rong, Fang Pingying remembered, she had arranged to buy a lot of dates from her at home before, probably Chen Rong was here to discuss this. Fang Pingying stood up immediately, planning to head to the door. But Zhou Yunmei, seeing her actions, couldn’t help but frown and chided her, "Be careful, don’t be as jumpy as before." Fang Pingying rolled her eyes, feeling that previously Zhou Yunmei was annoyingly quarrelsome, and now she was annoyingly nagging, always lecturing her no matter what she did. But afraid of Zhou Yunmei’s nagging, she responded and still slowed her steps as she went to the door. As soon as Chen Rong outside saw Fang Pingying, she was extremely happy, "Sister Pingying, you really live here! I’ve been asking all the way here, afraid I couldn’t find the place." Fang Pingying smiled at her and invited her inside, "Come, sister-in-law, come inside and sit down." "I won’t sit down." Chen Rong looked at Fang Pingying, a bit anxious, and focused on her as she said, "Didn’t you arrange to buy dates from me when you were at home? My husband and I have prepared them for you, dried them all, and have brought them here. My husband is waiting at the entrance of your village." "The goods have all been brought?" Fang Pingying asked with a smile, because she had only returned yesterday and there were many things at home, she had forgotten about this. (To be continued. If you work, you are welcome to vote and send monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)