The son gave a call to the family in advance, and Saozi helped them tidy up a few days earlier.
They originally planned to go to town early in the morning to buy some food and supplies, but before they even left, they were surrounded by several neighbors.
To be honest, based on the past, the neighbors around their house werenât this enthusiastic about them.
The fact that their family ran a restaurant wasnât kept secret, so it was normal for the villagers to know, but the son opening a distillery, they hadnât told anyone about that. Even Lin Yinghuiâs elder brotherâs family was unaware.
She was puzzled, not knowing who spread the news; it wasnât about fearing the villagers knowing, just not wanting to be too conspicuous so as not to incite jealousy.
Liang Hongmei was puzzled about this, but Lin Yinghui understood clearly. When they were returning from S City, they happened to meet Ye Qing on the same bus.
Although the seats werenât together, they could still exchange a few words.
Lin Yinghui ultimately did not tell his mom about Ye Qingâs business. He felt such matters concerning someoneâs reputation are better left to fewer people.
During the few days of travel, Lin Yinghui figured out Ye Qing; whenever she had time, sheâd run over to their seats, and cozy up to his mom, looking amiable and smiling brightly, but the smiles never reached her eyes.
Many times, she brought up Lin Wan and Han Yi, and the most he heard were Ye Qingâs praises for Han Yi, subtly reflecting her admiration in her eyes.
If Lin Yinghui hadnât known about Ye Qingâs matter, he wouldâve thought Ye Qing was just admiring Xiao Wan for marrying a good husband.
It seems what Xiao Wan said was right; Ye Qing harbors resentment towards them. Besides this, it probably has to do with Han Yi too; itâs uncertain if the younger sister is aware of this.
Liang Hongmei could only nod along. It wasnât until after ten that these people finally dispersed.
The elder brother and Saozi opened a rice noodle shop in the county, and business is good in the morning and afternoon, earning money.
The family acquired a bicycle, and Lin Yinghui rode his uncleâs bicycle to take Mom to town for New Yearâs shopping.
They returned loaded with goods, with just several pounds of meat alone, making the villagers envious.
Liang Hongmei didnât feel like exchanging pleasantries with them. After returning home, Saozi and Aunt helped her cook some glutinous rice cakes.
In the south, they donât eat steamed buns or noodles, so preparing New Yearâs goods is simpler.
Aunt knew they would be returning and specially made new clothes for their family. In the evening, Lin Yinghui carried two buckets of malt milk, two cans of fruit preserve, one can of meat, and two boxes of cigarettes costing eighty cents each to the Zhishuâs house.
The current Zhishu isnât Ye Qingâs Grandpa, but the reputable Uncle Hu from the village.
He never looked down on them just because they were poor, an orphaned mother and son.
For village matters, the family always sought out Uncle Hu; this time, the matter of changing the household registration also required Hu Zhishuâs help. Lin Yinghui brought so many gifts to ensure Zhishu would pay more attention, just in case of village chief Li Fugui.
Changing household registration isnât a big deal; itâs easy to migrate out of the village, but sometimes difficult to get into the receiving place.
They brought so many things, and since it wasnât a hard matter, Hu Zhishu effortlessly agreed.
Hu Zhishu was aware that the Liang Family was witnessing a turnaround; three college students emerged from the family. Although Liangâs eldest son doesnât have a son, his daughterâs fate is bitter, but daughters have skills, marrying a city person who was a soldier, and the son attended university and did business, which sets a promising future. Even Liangâs second sonâs family had business in the county; Liangâs second sonâs eldest grandson was even arranging to contract a mountain recently. Truly, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.
Their eldest sonâs family contracted a mountain, with increasingly frequent dealings in the future.
In the few days since Liang Hongmei returned, not only were the neighbors warm, but matchmakers from several nearby villages came knocking, mostly targeting her sonâs marriage.
Not long after, the villagers knew Lin Yinghui had a partner, but some displeased individuals set their sights on her.
Liang Hongmei refrains from showing anger to others, as during this time, Liang Zhi is looking out for a girl, so offending them is out of the question, leaving her to navigate with a forced smile.
The Liang Family has indeed been the talk of the village these days. Village Chief Li Fugui silently plotted his move.
He clearly saw Liang Hongmei on the day she returned. No wonder young villagers like to venture to the city; urban life nourishes people. Originally, after being worn by years, Liang Hongmei still looked better than the village women. Spending two years in the city has transformed her; she looks like a city person, with her skin fairer and more delicate than before, not much different from a young lady.
Her dressing and appearance paid more attention, exuding charm.
For several days, Li Fugui couldnât shake the image of Liang Hongmei smiling at the village entrance from his mind, leaving him preoccupied.
An evil thought arose within him; however, with Liang Hongmei rarely leaving the house
and her son home at night, he couldnât act.
Even if thereâs an opportunity, he still has some reservations considering her soldier son-in-law.
Damned, Liang Hongmei is his fate, fixated for most of his life. When she wasnât married, she was watched closely by family, then when she married, she was wed to a formidable man, and then her husband died, leaving two pesky Little Buds in front of him for half his life, never succeeding even once.
Isnât it frustrating?
...
Besides changing the household registration, returning this time was also for visiting Little Grandmotherâs family, and considering repairs for their old house, so they could ease the minds of their deceased parents.
Since they arenât home for the house construction, the elder brother would have to fully support them. Fortunately, the elder brotherâs family also plans to build a house.