Some people aren’t just shrewd and cunning; they don’t even know how to be grateful, like Zhou Yunmei and Luo Zhiming. Some, although tough in their ways, know right from wrong, like Yu Fen. So even though Fang Pingying didn’t particularly like Yu Fen, seeing that she had come specifically to express gratitude, she was still very hospitable, smilingly saying, "It was all Cheng Fei’s own effort; I didn’t help much." "It’s all thanks to you and Brother Zhiyong that he found work," said Yu Fen, her face full of gratitude, then remembering her mother-in-law’s instructions, she quickly asked Fang Pingying, "Oh, sister-in-law, my mother asked me to inquire about those pickled cowpeas and dried sweet potatoes from last time; did they taste good? How much should I bring this time? We’ve prepared quite a lot at home this year." In fact, these items were something that Aunt Yuchun was also making these days, but not wishing to disregard the feelings of the family, Fang Pingying still smiled and said, "Just pack about the same amount as last time. Don’t prepare too much; keep more for yourselves to eat." "Alright, I’ll pack it for you when I get home." After agreeing, Yu Fen greeted Fang Pingying before turning to head back home. Looking at her leaving back, Fang Pingying said to Yu’er with a smile, "It seems your sister-in-law is much better now than before." This was the first time Yu’er didn’t scoff at the mention of her sister-in-law, instead responding with a subdued smile, "Yeah, she has improved. My elder brother earned some money and came back; apart from the money he gave me secretly, which I gave to my parents, he handed the rest to her. Now that she has money in hand, she doesn’t make a fuss at home anymore. Indeed, this year has been much better than before." Fang Pingying nodded, and couldn’t deny that, in fact, many family quarrels stem from financial issues. It’s like the saying ’a poor couple has a thousand woes’; without money, life is stifling, and they’ll always look for an outlet for frustrations. When life gets a bit better, many things can be more tolerable, even if only just. But there are always some people in this world who, despite not lacking money, still like to create chaos at home every day as if it’s world war three, like Zhou Yunmei’s family. Thinking of all the mess Zhou Yunmei had caused, Fang Pingying chuckled and shook her head, not wanting to dwell on it. She remembered the last time she was home, Luo Dahu wasn’t feeling well. Turning to Yu’er, she asked, "How’s uncle’s illness? Did he go to the hospital for a thorough check-up?" Yu’er nodded, "My dad has been seeing a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in town. He’s been taking herbal medicine for two months and feels much better. His complexion looks fine, and his cough has improved a lot since what I heard over the phone before." "Is the Chinese medicine practitioner in town reliable?" When Fang Pingying was at home, she hadn’t heard of any good TCM doctors in town and was somewhat concerned. Yu’er nodded, "Yes, reliable. Many people from our village go there for treatment. I’ve heard that if you find a good TCM doctor, it can be better than Western medicine." That wasn’t wrong, Fang Pingying nodded, but still advised, "Well, once he’s fully recovered, he should still visit the hospital for a check-up, just to be sure." Yu’er nodded in agreement, saying she would come back in a few months and accompany Luo Dahu to the hospital for a check-up. Paused for a moment, Yu’er looked at Luo Cuilan who was helping Fang Pingying pack things on the side. She glanced outside and, seeing no one around, whispered to Fang Pingying, "Sister-in-law, do you know about Sister Hong Lan’s situation? In fact, I sneakily called your house this afternoon, and then Aunt Yuchun told me you came back. I finally breathed a sigh of relief in my heart. I was really afraid that Second Aunt would actually force Hong Lan to marry Li Shunbai." Yu’er sighed, "Li Shunbai seems nice, but he’s definitely not as good as Brother Chen. I think Sister Hong Lan would definitely be happy if she married Brother Chen." "Indeed, Chen Jie is a really nice guy," Fang Pingying whispered a few words to Yu’er and, seeing that it wasn’t too late, stopped Hong Lan from packing her stuff and called out, "Hong Lan, you and Chen Jie go to your room to pack your things. Pack up all of your things. From now on, if there’s nothing important, don’t come back." Luo Honglan quickly set Fang Pingying’s things in order and said, "Alright, I’ll go now." Fang Pingying chatted with Yu’er for a while, and then they went to Luo Dahu’s house together. She saw that Luo Dahu’s complexion was indeed much better than the last time she came back, so she felt a lot more at ease. After chatting with Luo Dahu and Qiu Xiu for a while, Fang Pingying shouted that she was going back home. Logically, since Fang Pingying came back during the New Year festivities, she was supposed to bring some gifts to visit Luo Dahu, but due to the hurried return, she hadn’t prepared anything in advance. So Fang Pingying directly took out 50 yuan and gave it to Qiu Xiu, letting them buy some food for themselves. Qiu Xiu refused to accept the money in any way. Now that her son and daughter both relied on Fang Pingying for stable work in the city, Qiu Xiu was truly grateful and did not dare to accept Fang Pingying’s money. But Fang Pingying stubbornly said that she would go to the village’s small grocery store to buy things right now, and reluctantly, Qiu Xiu had no choice but to accept the money. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel•fire.net After chatting with Qiu Xiu for a bit and seeing that it was getting late, and since Fang Pingying had to catch a ride early the next day, she had Yu’er bring a flashlight to walk her back. Coincidentally, in the courtyard, they bumped into Luo Honglan who was sending Chen Jie to sleep at his second uncle’s place, and they all went together. Regarding Luo Honglan’s situation, Zhou Yunmei and her family had gained nothing and naturally wouldn’t let the matter rest easily, but as Luo Dashan was holding the fort at home and Fang Pingying was providing support, aside from Zhou Yunmei deliberately smashing things at home to make a thunderous noise while Fang Pingying and the others were asleep, complaining indirectly, she didn’t dare to do anything else. Moreover, to avoid trouble, Fang Pingying, early the next morning when it was barely light out, packed up with Luo Honglan and, after saying goodbye to Luo Dashan, went to the next door to call Yu’er and Chen Jie. Several of them then hurried back to the provincial city. Back in the provincial city, it was already the eighth day of the first lunar month. The pastry shop was reopening on the ninth, and Fang Pingying took Chen Jie, Fang Xiu, and a few others like Yu’er to clean up the shop, while Luo Honglan stayed at home to look after the two little ones. The two little ones had always been with Luo Honglan and were very attached to her. Having not seen their aunt for a long time, they grinned broadly upon seeing Luo Honglan, revealing their pink little gums, extremely adorable. Luo Honglan held the two of them and, recalling all that had happened at home, felt a twinge in her nose and muttered, "From now on, Auntie will only have you guys." Fang Pingying gave her a reproachful look, hugged her shoulders, and said with a smile, "Don’t talk nonsense, you still have me and your big brother. From now on, your big sister-in-law’s home is your home. Whether you marry or not, there will always be a room for you here." Fang Pingying looked inside the house and pointed to the small study room, "That small study, let’s clean it up tomorrow and take proper measurements; that will be your room. The big room is for these two little ones to stay in. When they grow up, they’ll need desks and such, and the small room won’t be able to accommodate all that."