"Then, wait a few days for to co over. Before I leave, I will talk to your Aunt Jiang about this. I feel relieved with you going there; you’ll eat well and can also study."
"Dad, it’s just a bit embarrassing." Guodong finished speaking and laughed awkwardly.
"It’s nothing. I try to return the favor when I can. Actually, I thought about moving here too, so I can take care of you, but if I did that, our living situation would be too tight."
"Dad, please don’t think that way. Jing Chu and I have grown up. Listen to , hurry and find soone else. Otherwise, with you alone at ho, we can’t help but worry."
"You cheeky boy, what makes you worry about ? I’m doing well on my own." Originally, I had thoughts about Jiang Xinyu, but now that’s a pipe dream. I really don’t see any other woman I like. Living alone my whole life is perfectly fine.
The main reason is that I don’t have a woman I like. Back then, I married the kids’ mom because we were young, but there was no great love. But at least we respected each other. Until that other woman, I just despised her from the heart.
Now that there’s no chance, I’ll just live my life steadily, waiting for the two kids to co back.
Really, when I get old, I won’t need them to look after ; I’ll find a place in the village and won’t impose on the kids.
Guodong genuinely felt that Dad was too stubborn. No matter what was said, he wouldn’t listen.
Fine, if Dad really doesn’t want to remarry, then when I grow up, I’ll just take him wherever I go.
The father and son talked until the latter half of the night. When Guodong fell asleep, Lv Beiguang still wasn’t sleepy.
Today, having learned the truth, he was hit hard.
He had never felt his heart moved, but the first woman to stir his heart left him with no chance at all.
Lv Beiguang wondered if he would have had a chance if he hadn’t been so cautious. If he had confessed to Jiang Xinyu as soon as he realized his feelings, would things have been different?
Wei Kaiyun sure was sly. He must have secured Jiang Xinyu early on. Did he use his job to blackmail Jiang Xinyu?
In the end, Lv Beiguang sighed dejectedly. Although he didn’t know Wei Kaiyun very well, he understood his character; he wouldn’t do such a thing.
If Jiang Xinyu wasn’t moved, they wouldn’t be together now.
It can only be said that Wei Kaiyun had feelings all along and gradually won over the heart of that wonderful woman.
Perhaps I am destined to live this life alone. But that’s not so bad, I can devote myself wholeheartedly to the two children.
Old Yang also couldn’t sleep; he was full of anticipation. At over thirty, he was finally about to have his own wife and family.
He knew he had so perfectionist tendencies, which was not ideal. Xiao Wei was right; he needs to slowly cultivate feelings with his wife. It won’t happen overnight.
Early the next morning, everyone except Old Yang got up later than usual.
The two girls rushed to make breakfast. Even though they would have lunch together as a family today, there was still a lot to do.
Especially Jing Chu, as today was Zhao Xiaoli’s big day; she didn’t want to ask her to work.
Old Yang ca back last night and hung the at by the well; otherwise, in this weather, it would have spoiled.
For breakfast, they had noodles with shredded at, using about a pound, making it especially delicious.
After breakfast, Lv Beiguang helped his daughter stew the at.
"Jing Chu, there’s too much at. We can’t finish it today. Let’s salt it first, then store it in a shady place. I’ll see if there are any fruitwoods around. If there are, we’ll hang it up to smoke. It should last a long ti.
This thod was suggested to us by your Aunt Jiang."
At this mont, Guodong ca running over. "I’ll go to the village to find so fruitwood. Are any fruitwoods okay?"
"Any fruitwood should be fine."
Guodong ran out. Lv Beiguang and Zhao Xiaoli helped Jing Chu cut the at for today, while the rest was cut into pieces weighing two or three pounds each, and the three of them began salting it.
"Dad, today might not be suitable for smoking at, right? It’s a big day."
"Once salted, hang it in the shed. It’ll be fine for a few days."
"Xiaoli, you go get yourself ready. You don’t have to help here; we’ve got this."
Zhao Xiaoqiang was on the side and quickly chid in, "Sis, you go ahead; I’ll stay here to help."
"No need; if I help, we’ll finish faster. Besides, there isn’t much to prepare."
Everyone thought it made sense. There couldn’t be any ceremonies or lavish displays now. Given their special circumstances, it was better to keep things simple and proper.
Then there was a knock at the door, also Shi Jing’s voice calling. Old Yang ca out of the room.
"Uncle Yang." "Uncle Yang."
The three children smiled as they greeted him.
"Hurry, co inside. Are you thirsty? I’ll get you so water."
"Not thirsty. We brought water and drank on the way."
Lv Beiguang saw Wei Kaiyun arrive, and he also put down his work to greet him.
The three children called out "Uncle Lv" and then clustered around Jing Chu.
"Sister Jing Chu, are you just starting with the at now?"
The two girls were a bit embarrassed by the question.
"Feifei, Sister Jing Chu was too tired yesterday."
"We understand. Do you need our help?"
"No need. It’ll be ready soon. There are so sweets inside; help yourselves."
The three children had never suffered any hardships in life, and they weren’t particularly fond of sweets.
Lv Beiguang greeted them and went to the woodshed to hang strings. The at would be hung there soon, so nothing should be too close, as there were rats and stray cats around.
Old Yang and Wei Kaiyun also helped, and soon, the salted at pieces were all hung up.
The three children were very well-behaved; unfamiliar with the place, they stayed in the courtyard and didn’t wander off.
At this mont, Guodong returned, pushing a cart of wood. "Dad, this is hawthorn wood, and there are a few pieces of crabapple wood."
"Great, just put them by the wall."
Guodong greeted Wei Kaiyun and the three children.
Now, the entire household was focused on preparing lunch. Lv Beiguang took a glance. "Guodong, take these four out to play; we’ve got the chores here covered."
"Alright then. Shi Jing, how about I take you all fishing?"
The two boys were naturally excited. "Brother Guodong, today is Uncle Yang’s special day; getting all muddy might not be the best idea, right?" Feifei glanced at Lv Guodong, thinking how childish he was despite his age.
Lv Guodong patted his forehead. "Oh right, I forgot. Then we’ll go find so kids to play with."
"Brother Guodong, why don’t we go pick wild vegetables? Otherwise, what will we eat for lunch?" Jiang Feifei was exasperated.
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