Chapter 227: Chapter 227: Lantern Festival Preparations

Whether or not that dream was really Old Wang coming to her, Gu Qinghuan had already decided she would use the money for good deeds, to help her family accumulate more merit. But since the times were still restrictive, there wasn’t much she could do right now—she’d have to wait a couple more years.

Gu Qinghuan tasted the tangyuan (sweet rice dumplings) made by Zhong Luoning and couldn’t stop praising them. Her cousin always did things with care, and even these little tangyuan were delicate and delicious.

After the meal, the whole family got busy again.

Today was not only the Lantern Festival, but also the last day at home for Xu Huai’an and the others before they left.

After breakfast, Gu Lanting tidied up and went next door to the cowshed to help Zhong Zijun shovel manure and clean up. Once everything was in order, she brought the family of three back for lunch and to celebrate the Lantern Festival that evening.

Zhong Luoning and Gu Qinghuan were in charge of making lunch.

Ming Ruxue took the kids out to play all around the village. Thanks to her “money power” and the candies in her pocket, she’d won over all the kids in the village, who followed her around like little ducklings.

Xu Huai’an, meanwhile, was sent off by Gu Qinghuan to deliver some things.

Zhong Luoning had made a lot of tangyuan in the morning—far more than the family could eat, especially since there would be other dishes for lunch and dinner.

So Gu Qinghuan had Xu Huai’an take some to Ji Linhai, Erdan’s family, and their eldest brother’s family. It wasn’t much, but it was festive.

Xu Huai’an also needed to have a word with his eldest brother.

Everyone had their own tasks, and the house was bustling.

As expected, these would be Xu Huai’an and the others’ last two big meals at Xujia Village. Early tomorrow morning, they’d be heading to the capital.

Gu Qinghuan was determined to feed them as well as she could before they left.

The lunch menu: garlic pork ribs, fish with pickled vegetables, spicy boiled pork slices, braised pork bones, lamb offal soup with white radish, stir-fried cabbage in vinegar, and cold shredded potatoes.

Fish with pickled vegetables was a family favorite, a must-have before leaving.

There was still a lot of wild boar meat stored away, so they needed to use up some of the meat and bones.

After delivering to the other two families, Xu Huai’an finally arrived at Xu Huaizhi’s house.

When Xu Huaizhi heard he was leaving for the capital the next day, he was filled with mixed emotions.

“Don’t worry, second brother. I’ll help look after your wife and the kids,” Xu Huaizhi said, patting him on the shoulder.

Xu Huai’an knew about Gu Qinghuan’s abilities; the family would never lack for food or drink, so he didn’t expect much practical help from Xu Huaizhi. What he really worried about was that after he left, Xu Mingshan and Liu Guifang might make things difficult for Gu Qinghuan—especially since she was the type to only share good news, never her troubles.

So he told Xu Huaizhi, “Big brother, I’m not worried about anything else, just that Mom might give my wife a hard time. If anything happens at home, please look out for her and try to talk Mom around.”

“Of course, don’t worry.”

“Thanks, big brother. It’s Lantern Festival today—here, try some of these tangyuan with sister-in-law.”

Lin Xiaomeng took the tangyuan, giving him a suspicious look.

“Sister-in-law, is something wrong?” Xu Huai’an asked, puzzled.

“Uh, not really. I just heard some of the village gossips saying you beat up Xu Lao’er (the second Xu brother) this morning?”

Actually, there was more to it. After coming back yesterday, Xu Lao’er had been telling everyone that Xu Huai’an had beaten him up and stolen his catch, saying Xu Huai’an was abusing his position as the Party Secretary’s son to bully others. Since his injuries were real, everyone was talking about it, debating whether it was true.

Xu Huai’an hadn’t expected that little weasel to go around spreading rumors. Maybe he hadn’t hit him hard enough.

“I did beat him up. I set a trap, and he stole the animal I caught. He refused to give it back and acted shamelessly, so I gave him a beating.”

He didn’t mind saying it—he’d do it again if he had to.

Lin Xiaomeng’s eyes visibly lit up.

Good for him! Xu Huai’an had finally done something satisfying. That rotten Xu Lao’er deserved a beating—she wouldn’t mind if he got beaten to death.

“I knew you wouldn’t hit someone for no reason. He deserved it! That kind of scum should be beaten,” Lin Xiaomeng said, her attitude toward Xu Huai’an clearly improving.

When Xu Huai’an left, she even gave him some homemade red bean buns to take with him.

Xu Huaizhi looked at his wife in confusion—why was she being so nice to Huai’an today?

Lin Xiaomeng then told him about how Xu Lao’er had harassed her before, and only then did Xu Huaizhi understand the whole story. He wished he could go beat Xu Lao’er up himself—and in fact, he did find an opportunity to do so later.

Lin Xiaomeng’s words also reminded Xu Huai’an that Xu Lao’er was a sneaky troublemaker. Before leaving, he’d have to give him a stern warning, or else Xu Lao’er might bully his wife and kids after he was gone.

Troublemakers have always been hard to deal with.

Xu Huai’an made a mental note and strolled home.

Zhong Zijun and Zhong Weiqian arrived around eleven o’clock.

When they came, Gu Lanting had a big basket on her back.

Inside were things the three of them had prepared for their grandchildren, granddaughter, granddaughter’s husband, and little Ming girl to take with them: dried wild pheasant and rabbit they’d saved from winter, fish Gu Qinghuan had given them (carefully salted and smoked), and dried goods like hazelnuts, pine nuts, and wood ear mushrooms.

Zhong Zijun had already divided everything up fairly so everyone would get a share.

Gu Lanting hadn’t wanted her to bring so much, but Zhong Zijun’s love for her children was so sincere that he couldn’t refuse her kindness.

“A mother’s heart worries when her children travel far”—it’s not just an empty saying.

Gu Qinghuan understood, so she didn’t refuse Zhong Zijun’s kindness. She had plenty of good things herself and could always send more later.

But seeing all this, Zhong Luoning’s eyes reddened with emotion.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this kind of love from elders.

She’d grown up surrounded by love and had always taken it for granted. Only when she’d fallen on hard times did she truly appreciate how precious family affection was.

The bonds between family are the most sincere and steadfast.

Cheng Shuying took her hand and said, word by word, “Ningning, don’t cry. These are just little things.

What’s more important is that when you go back, you start over and live well.

I raised you myself, and I believe you’ll find your way again.

We’ve made it through so many hardships—things will only get better from here.

Look at our little Youran—she’s smart and lively now, and that’s better than anything.”

Cheng Shuying didn’t mention any of the painful past, but that only made Zhong Luoning feel even more emotional. She finally couldn’t hold back and threw herself into her grandmother’s arms, sobbing.

During this time, everyone had been careful not to bring up her past. The Zhong family had pretended not to know, but she understood—they were just looking out for her feelings.

Everyone quietly left the main room, giving the grandmother and granddaughter some space.

Zhong Luoning had grown up with Cheng Shuying’s comfort and guidance. With her support, hopefully the road ahead would be smoother for her."