Chapter 418: Chapter 416: Returning Home_2
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 weren’t this enthusiastic about them.
The fact that their family ran a restaurant wasn’t kept secret, so it was normal for the villagers to know, but the son opening a distillery, they hadn’t told anyone about that. Even Lin Yinghui’s elder brother’s family was unaware.
She was puzzled, not knowing who spread the news; it wasn’t 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 weren’t together, they could still exchange a few words.
Lin Yinghui ultimately did not tell his mom about Ye Qing’s business. He felt such matters concerning someone’s reputation are better left to fewer people.
During the few days of travel, Lin Yinghui figured out Ye Qing; whenever she had time, she’d 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 Qing’s praises for Han Yi, subtly reflecting her admiration in her eyes.
If Lin Yinghui hadn’t known about Ye Qing’s matter, he would’ve 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; it’s uncertain if the younger sister is aware of this.
Liang Hongmei could only nod along. It wasn’t 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 uncle’s bicycle to take Mom to town for New Year’s shopping.
They returned loaded with goods, with just several pounds of meat alone, making the villagers envious.
Liang Hongmei didn’t feel like exchanging pleasantries with them. After returning home, Saozi and Aunt helped her cook some glutinous rice cakes.
In the south, they don’t eat steamed buns or noodles, so preparing New Year’s 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 Zhishu’s house.
The current Zhishu isn’t Ye Qing’s 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 Zhishu’s 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 isn’t a big deal; it’s easy to migrate out of the village, but sometimes difficult to get into the receiving place.
They brought so many things, and since it wasn’t 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 Liang’s eldest son doesn’t have a son, his daughter’s 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 Liang’s second son’s family had business in the county; Liang’s second son’s 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 son’s 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 son’s 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 couldn’t 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 couldn’t act.
Even if there’s 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 wasn’t 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.
Isn’t it frustrating?
...
Besides changing the household registration, returning this time was also for visiting Little Grandmother’s family, and considering repairs for their old house, so they could ease the minds of their deceased parents.
Since they aren’t home for the house construction, the elder brother would have to fully support them. Fortunately, the elder brother’s family also plans to build a house.