1979: Reopening Wenhao Road from the Village

"What are you daydreaming about? Hurry up and get going, there are still two acres of land to be hoed today."

Widow Li glanced at Liang Xiao, who was a step behind, and a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes. He looked tall and big, but he had no strength at all. He wasted his big size.

Aside from consuming a lot of food, it's completely useless.

"Okay!"

Liang Xiao replied, lowered his head, and quickly followed.

It can only be said that there is always something hateful about a pitiful person!

Such a person does not deserve sympathy.

……

Clang, clang~

After a two-day journey, Chen Weidong and his family finally got off the train.

Not only did Chen Xiaosui lose her initial enthusiasm, but Chen Weidong and Su Man also looked exhausted.

"Driver, go to No. 17 Mao'er Hutong."

Chen Weidong hailed a rickshaw. With all these bags and packages, plus Chen Xiaosui and Chen Xiaoan, taking the bus would definitely be too much of a hassle.

"Please take a seat!"

The instructor gave a reminder, then pedaled hard.

"Wife, look over there, that's the Drum Tower."

"This is Di'anmenwai Street, the bustling commercial area of ​​Yanjing. Our home is on this street."

"This is Nanluoguxiang, and Houhai is not far away."

"This is Wanning Bridge, also known as Houmen Bridge. From here you can go to Di'anmenwai Street and Shichahai."

"This is Mao'er Hutong where our family lives. In front of it is the former residence of the last empress, Wanrong. This used to be the private garden of Grand Secretary Wen Yu."

Chen Weidong introduced the scenery along the way to Su Man and Chen Xiaosui, and even Chen Xiaoan stared at him with great curiosity.

"Dad, what's a former residence? Can you eat it?"

Chen Xiaosui scratched her head and asked, somewhat puzzled.

"The former residence is just a house, like our home."

Chen Weidong said it simply and plainly, without explaining much.

"Given your familiarity with Yanjing, are you a local from Yanjing?"

Seeing how familiar Chen Weidong was with the place, the rickshaw driver smiled and asked him a question.

"Yes, I grew up here."

"No wonder, we've arrived at No. 17 Mao'er Hutong."

Chen Weidong paid the fare and left his things at the door.

"Wait for me a moment, I'll go get a few people."

Chen Weidong said something to Su Man, then carried Chen Xiaosui in one arm and a large package in the other, and walked inside.

"Aunt Wang, Weidong is back!"

Liu Juan was sitting facing the door when she looked up and saw Chen Weidong walking in. She hurriedly reminded Chen's mother, who was busy sewing insoles.

At this moment, several women were sitting at the entrance of the hanging flower gate, chatting and busy with their work. Among them were Chen's mother and Chen's sister-in-law.

Chen's mother looked back and immediately stood up.

"Weidong, when did you come in? This must be Suisui, Grandma will hold her."

When Chen's mother saw Chen Xiaosui on Chen Weidong's body, she immediately shifted her attention. The family already had two grandsons, and Chen Xiaosui was the only granddaughter in the family. When she saw her, she liked her from the bottom of her heart.

"This is Grandma, quickly greet her."

"grandmother!"

Chen Xiaosui called out, but instead of responding to her mother, she buried her head in Chen Weidong's arms, unwilling to leave.

Although she is usually lively and outgoing, she is still a little timid in unfamiliar environments.

"Mother, sister-in-law, Suman and An'an are still outside."

Chen Weidong put the package in his backyard and said something to his mother.

"Why didn't you say so sooner, child?"

Chen's mother originally thought that only Chen Weidong had returned this time, but she didn't expect that her daughter-in-law would also come back.

He hurriedly handed the insoles to Liu Juan across from him, dusted himself off, and walked outside.

"Su Man, this is Mother, and this is Sister-in-law."

Chen Weidong introduced the two sides. Although Su Man had been married into the Chen family for several years, this was the first time the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had met in person. In the past, they had only communicated through letters.

"Mother, sister-in-law."

Su Man hurriedly called out, feeling a sudden surge of nervousness. As a mother of two and a long-time member of the Chen family, she had prepared herself mentally on the way, but she still felt a little awkward when she actually met him.

"Come on in. Weidong didn't even tell us you were coming back. Are you tired from the journey? You must be hungry. What do you want to eat? Mom will make it for you."

Chen's mother was very enthusiastic. She had been a daughter-in-law, a mother-in-law, and a mother herself, and she knew very well how difficult Su Man's life had been.

"It's alright, not too tiring. We just had some breakfast."

Su Man breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Mother, let's go inside first. Let Su Man and Wei Dong go in and rest for a bit."

Sister-in-law Chen picked up a package and said with a smile.

The three women chatted as they walked inside, and Chen Weidong could only follow silently behind.

"Aunt Wang, is this Weidong's wife?"

Liu Juan looked at Su Man as she entered, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. How could such a good girl marry Chen Weidong? It's like a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung.

"Yes, this is Weidong's wife, Su Man, and these are Liu Juan, Grandma Yu, and your Aunt He from our courtyard."

Aunt He is Grandma Yu's daughter-in-law, and she is about the same age as Chen's mother.

"Weidong, you're not leaving again this time, right? Your mother and the others talk about your family every day, they're just looking forward to your return."

Aunt He asked Chen Weidong with a smile.

"Yes, I'm not leaving again this time."

Chen Weidong replied.

"Then you all sit down first, I'll take them home."

When Chen Weidong said he wasn't leaving, Chen's mother's smile became even brighter.

Passing through the hanging flower gate, we entered the Chen family's own courtyard.

"Who was it?"

Hearing the noise, Old Mrs. Chen sat up on the kang (a heated brick bed) and called out to the outside.

"Mother, Weidong and his wife are back!"

Chen's mother put down her things, said something, and then greeted Su Man and Chen Weidong, "Weidong, you and your wife go inside and sit down. I'll go get some meat at the door."

He went inside, took the money, and walked out.

"Mom, there's no need to go to so much trouble. We can just eat whatever we want."

Su Man quickly interrupted.

"That won't do. You've just gotten back, you should at least have something good to eat. Please come in and sit down, I'll be right back."

"Let's do as your mother says. I'll take you inside to see Grandma first."

As soon as Chen Weidong led Su Man and the two children into the main room, they saw that Old Mrs. Chen had already gotten out of bed and was picking up her cane to leave. She was in such a hurry that she hadn't even put on her coat.

"Grandma, I've brought your granddaughter-in-law back."

"It's good to be back. This girl is really pretty and has a blessed look. She looks so cheerful."

Grandma Chen finally saw Su Man clearly and praised her.

"Grandma, you've never praised me like this before."

Chen Weidong said with a smile, and Su Man smiled back. The tension she felt earlier was swept away by the enthusiasm of Chen's mother and the old lady, especially the old lady's genuine recognition, which made her happy from the bottom of her heart.

"If you don't praise me enough, I'm already on top of the world; if you praise me any more, I'll be on top of the heavens."

"Haha, Grandma, this is my daughter Chen Xiaosui, nickname Suisui. Call her Great-Grandma."

"Great-grandmother."

"Oh, good child! You're so pretty. Those eyes look exactly like your dad's when he was little. Have some candy."

As she spoke, Old Mrs. Chen took a bag from the wardrobe, opened it, took out a piece of candy and handed it to Chen Xiaosui, then unfolded the bag and placed it on the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Weidong's wife, have some peanuts and melon seeds. Weidong, go and pour some hot water for your wife and child."

Chen Weidong felt that his status in Old Mrs. Chen's heart had instantly dropped a notch.

……

P.S.: Wishing all my dear readers a Happy New Year, smooth sailing in your careers, and lots of money!