"Once everything in the city is settled, we’ll bring you both to the city to live with us."

When Lu Yuan said this, his mother-in-law froze for a moment, then waved her hands dismissively.

"No, no. It’s enough that you two are living well in the city.

We’re comfortable living here in the village. We won’t go to the city."

’I can’t possibly leave,’ Su Liyan’s mother thought.

’I have to keep an eye on the Da Xingzi...’

’If I go to the city, there’ll be no one to watch them and keep them in line. Won’t those rascals just go wild?’

And Su Liyan’s father also nodded repeatedly, smiling in his simple and honest way.

"It’s great living in the countryside, so we won’t go. As long as you and Liyan are doing well in the city, that’s all that matters. You don’t need to worry about us back home."

Ever since his daughter had married, Su Liyan’s father had grown especially fond of the feeling of being in the village.

What feeling?

The feeling of being respected, of course.

Before, he was a marginal figure in the village, unable to get a word in when others spoke.

But now?

Even the village chief had to be polite and respectful to him.

Whenever there was any important business or a major event in the village...

...the village chief would have to hurry over to his house and invite him to help make the decision.

Su Liyan’s father didn’t want to go to the city either.

’What would I do if I went to the city? Nothing? Just be a freeloader, eating their food every day?’

’That just wouldn’t sit right with me.’

He was so respected in the village now. If things went well, he might even become the next village chief.

And Su Liyan, who was at their side, understood her family’s concerns and added her own words of persuasion.

Lu Yuan didn’t think too much about it. This sort of thing was quite common.

They had lived in Changliu Village for most of their lives, and now they didn’t have to worry about food or drink. Who would want to uproot themselves so easily?

People might call it moving to the city to enjoy a life of comfort.

But as they would say, it wasn’t the kind of comfort they wanted to enjoy.

Since that was the case, Lu Yuan didn’t press the matter.

’Living in the village is fine too,’ he thought. ’I’ll just send more food and drinks back for them. What difference does it make where they live?’

In the end, Lu Yuan and his party returned home by carriage.

They didn’t get home until around eight or nine in the evening.

Su Changliang went straight to the Government Office to report for duty, while Chang Yu followed Lu Yuan back to the Zhao Family residence.

The West Wing was empty, so he would sleep there for the night. Tomorrow, Lu Yuan would take Su Changyu to the factory.

He introduced Chang Yu to everyone in the household.

After they exchanged New Year’s greetings, he arranged for Su Changyu to rest in the West Wing, telling him to sleep early since he had to be up early the next day.

Lu Yuan didn’t get up to any trouble that night.

’What’s the point? His wife is pregnant.’

’He’d have to wait a bit before... taking care of the other two.’

「The next day.」

Before dawn.

Su Changyu came over to the East Wing to have breakfast with Lu Yuan.

"Did you sleep well last night, Chang Yu?"

Zhao Qiao’Er asked with a smile as she ladled porridge for Lu Yuan, looking at the reserved Su Changyu sitting across from them.

Su Changyu gave a shy grin and said:

"It was great, but the house is so warm."

Song Meiqin, who was pouring glasses of hot water for everyone at the table to let them cool, chimed in with a laugh:

"If it’s too warm, just open a window. It’s good to get some fresh air."

Su Changyu nodded repeatedly with a smile, not saying anything more.

Right now, Su Changyu was a walking bundle of questions.

He glanced at his brother-in-law, who was sitting in the main seat.

Lu Yuan had his legs crossed and wasn’t in a hurry to eat. He was looking at the account book the old steward had just delivered.

’This is very strange,’ Su Changyu thought.

’Didn’t they say...’

’Didn’t they say that the mistress of the Zhao Family was my brother-in-law’s Close aunt...’

’So... why are they living together?’

’And who is this incredibly noble and elegant beauty next to them?’

’I’ve never heard of her.’

’They all live together?’

’Why?’

’The Zhao Family residence must have many rooms, right?’

’I mean, the main building, the largest one, seems to be empty...’

’What is...?’

Of course, even though Su Changyu was full of questions, he would never dare to ask any of them.

After all, Su Changyu had worked in town for several years; he wasn’t some naive kid fresh out of the village.

Su Changyu knew what he should and shouldn’t ask.

"Hurry up and eat, it’ll get cold soon~"

Aunt Zhao said in a delicate voice, placing the bowl in front of Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan nodded while still looking at the account book in his hands, not putting it down.

He shoveled a spoonful into his mouth with one hand while reading with the other.

And then...

HISSS~~

Lu Yuan yelped from the heat.

It was so hot he dropped his spoon.

Working his mouth, Lu Yuan looked speechlessly at Aunt Zhao, who had also jumped in surprise.

"Hisss~~ I thought you said it was going to get cold."

Seeing her sweetheart like this, Aunt Zhao was both amused and exasperated.

"I said it *will get* cold later!

Honestly, what are you so busy with during a meal?~

Auntie will blow on it for you, alright!

You little rascal!"

With that, Zhao Qiao’Er picked up the small bowl in front of Lu Yuan, took the spoon, and began blowing on the porridge for him.

Song Meiqin immediately leaned in from the side to help blow on it as well.

After they both blew on it a few times, Aunt Zhao shot Lu Yuan a charmingly coquettish glare and said:

"There, it’s not hot anymore. Hurry up and eat~" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Heh, having two great beauties blow for you...

No, I mean, having two great beauties *feed* you, how could he not be pleased?

Immediately, Lu Yuan opened his mouth, waiting to be fed.

Su Changyu watched from the side, his face a mask of confusion.

’Wait a minute...’

’The relationship between a Close aunt and her nephew...’

’Is this... normal?’

’Why does it feel so strange?’

Just then, Su Liyan walked in from outside.

"Chang Yu, I’ve finished packing your things. I added a few extra items for you.

You don’t need to take so much bedding. Your brother-in-law said the factory dorms also have an Underground Heating System."

Su Changyu looked back at Su Liyan and nodded repeatedly.

"Thanks, Sis."

But Su Liyan sat down, looked at Su Changyu, and smiled.

"We’re all family. Why be so formal?