The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 171 - 170: Everyone is Doing Well

Xue Yue turned to look at her. Gao Cuiyun was fidgeting with the corner of her clothes, her lips pressed together. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally spoke. "Sister-in-law, thank you and Third Brother for what you’ve done for Little Chen. Thank you for always thinking of us. I was in the wrong before. I hope you won’t hold it against me."

Hearing this, Xue Yue’s lips curved into a smile. "Second Sister-in-law, I don’t even remember what happened before. As for Little Chen and the others, they’re good kids. We’re all family. If we’re in a position to lend a hand, of course we’re going to do our best to help."

Gratefully, Gao Cuiyun bowed deeply to Xue Yue and her husband.

"Oh, please don’t, Second Sister-in-law." Xue Yue went and helped her up.

"We’re family, you don’t have to do this. What would the children think if they saw?"

Gao Cuiyun patted Xue Yue’s hand, her heart filled with complex emotions.

After they returned to their room, Little Chen took out a handkerchief from the innermost layer of his clothes. He unfolded it, revealing the money inside, and handed it to Gao Cuiyun.

Gao Cuiyun covered her mouth, looking at the money, then back at Little Chen.

"Where did you get so much money?" Her voice trembled.

Little Chen smiled and pressed the money into Gao Cuiyun’s hand.

"Don’t worry, this is all I earned in the last two months. It’s 800 yuan in total. I didn’t spend a single cent and brought it all back."

Xiao Yang and his younger brother were stunned. The two of them stared blankly at their older brother and their mother.

Gao Cuiyun held the money and counted it twice, a laugh escaping her lips.

"I’ve never seen so much money in my life. But you shouldn’t be afraid to spend any of it. It’s Beijing City, after all."

Gao Cuiyun counted out ten 10-yuan notes and gave them to Little Chen. "When you’re away from home, you can’t be without a single cent on you. If you need anything, buy it yourself. Don’t always be troubling your Third Uncle and his family."

Little Chen thought for a moment, then took the money. "I understand, Mom."

Gao Cuiyun reminded him, "Your Third Uncle’s family is good to us. Don’t forget to be grateful, and make sure to do more work around their house."

"Okay."

Gao Cuiyun looked at the money in her hand and said with a smile, "Tomorrow, let’s go to town and buy some meat. We’ll have a great New Year this year."

Back in their own home, Xue Yue organized the things they had brought back. Staring at two other articles of clothing, she fell into deep thought.

He Lang glanced at the clothes laid out on the kang bed and put his arm around Xue Yue’s shoulder. "Tomorrow, let’s go to town, buy some meat, and go see your dad."

Xue Yue paused and turned to look at He Lang. "When I think about my dad, I don’t know why, but I feel both awkward and a little upset."

He Lang comforted her, "You’re just overthinking it. Just let things happen naturally. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. I’ll support you."

The corners of Xue Yue’s mouth twitched.

「The next day.」

The two children woke up and immediately ran off to the old family house to play. This was especially true for Shiyi. Mrs. He had kept Daya at the old house the previous night, and after not seeing her all evening, Shiyi kept mumbling about how much he missed his Big Sister Daya. He wanted to find her the moment he woke up, not even stopping for breakfast. He Lang had no choice but to take both children over, mentioning to his mother that he and Xue Yue were going into town.

Mrs. He waved her hand, telling them to go do whatever they needed to do.

After breakfast, He Lang took Xue Yue to town on his bicycle. They first went to the supply and marketing co-op to buy cigarettes, alcohol, and some pastries. Then they went to the police station. Xue Yue didn’t know where Zhang Qian’s parents lived, but since her brother and sister-in-law hadn’t returned, she was making the courtesy visit on their behalf.

When Zhang Hongjie saw Xue Yue and He Lang, he recognized them at a glance with almost no hesitation. The couple were both very good-looking; it was hard to forget them after seeing them just once.

Zhang Hongjie invited them to his home, but Xue Yue declined.

"Uncle, we won’t come over to the house. We just got back yesterday afternoon, and our place is a mess. We haven’t had a chance to tidy up yet. My brother and sister-in-law didn’t come back, so I bought a few things for you and Auntie. Consider it an early New Year’s greeting."

Zhang Hongjie smiled and nodded. "Alright. Next time Qianqian and Hangzhou come back, you must come over to our house with them."

Xue Yue nodded. "Okay."

After leaving the police station, they went to the meat processing plant and used all their meat ration coupons to buy meat.

It was still early when they were done, so Xue Yue decided to visit her parents’ home.

They set aside four or five jin of meat, along with some specialty goods they had bought in Beijing City, and the two of them headed for Yangjia Gou. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

When they arrived, the gate to the Xue family home was open. Her father and Xue Xingjun were in the courtyard splitting firewood.

"Dad—" Xue Yue called out.

Xue Changlin turned his head, and when he saw Xue Yue and her husband, he froze for a second. The axe in his hand fell, nearly hitting Xue Xingjun’s foot, causing Xue Xingjun to jump back in fright.

"Oh, oh, you’re back?" Xue Changlin straightened his stooped back and managed a smile.

Xue Yue nodded.

Xue Xingjun looked behind Xue Yue. "Sis, where’s Big Brother? Didn’t he come back?"

Xue Yue looked at him. "Sister-in-law is pregnant, so they didn’t come back."

Hearing this, Xue Xingjun let out a sigh of disappointment and his head drooped instantly.

Xue Yue smiled faintly.

Xue Changlin seemed to finally snap out of it. "Come on, it’s cold outside. Let’s talk inside."

Xue Yue followed him inside. When Liu Hongxing saw Xue Yue, she also froze for a moment. Her gaze then fell to the things He Lang was carrying, and her eyes flickered. She didn’t say anything, simply going out to pour them two glasses of water and bringing them in.

Xue Yue didn’t greet her either.

Xue Changlin looked at Xue Yue. "Where are the children?"

"They’re with their grandparents. It’s so cold, so we didn’t bring them."

Xue Changlin nodded. "That makes sense."

Xue Yue glanced at Xue Changlin a few times. His padded cotton coat was covered in patches and so worn it had turned dark. She felt a pang of discomfort. Then she stood up and took the clothes out of the bag.

"I bought this padded coat for you. You can stop wearing the one you have on. It looks almost as old as I am."

Xue Changlin stood up and took the coat, a bright glint in his eyes. "Ah, good."

Xue Xingjun’s eyes were practically sparkling as he stared at Xue Yue’s bag. Xue Yue found him amusing.

"This is for you. See if it fits. I didn’t know your size, so I had to guess."

Xue Xingjun happily took it. "It’ll fit, it’ll definitely fit."

’Of course it would fit—it was a new set of clothes.’

Xue Yue smiled.

Then she asked, "Did anything happen at home after I left?"

Xue Changlin nodded. "Everything’s fine. The harvest was good this year; we have enough to eat." Then he paused and asked in a low voice, "Hangzhou and the others... they’re doing well, right?"

Xue Yue sighed inwardly. "They’re doing great. My brother’s birth father is in Beijing City, so he’s bound to be taken care of."

Hearing this, the expression on Xue Changlin’s face froze instantly. The hand resting on his knee trembled slightly. Seeing this, Xue Yue suddenly felt a pang of regret. ’Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.’

She quickly changed the subject. "We’re doing well in Beijing City, too. He Lang is running a small business there, and it’s going pretty well. The kids are fine, too. You don’t need to worry about us."

Xue Changlin nodded, his expression a little unnatural. "As long as you’re doing well."

Xue Changlin invited them to stay for lunch, but Xue Yue declined, saying they had too many chores to do at home.

On the way back, Xue Yue sat on the back of the bicycle, her arms around He Lang’s waist. She sighed. "Why did I have to bring up Uncle Zheng? It made things so awkward."

He Lang said calmly, "He was going to find out sooner or later. What’s said is said."