Chapter 1396: A Joyous Occasion
When Wang Menglin arrived home, the Tao Family brothers and sisters were having lunch, just starting to eat.
"Xiao Zhen, I brought you some vegetable pancakes. They’re made with dried cabbage, leeks, and shrimp."
"Great, I didn’t feel like having rice."
After safely delivering their sister-in-law, Cheng Lin and the others called for someone and then left.
"Even though it’s such a short distance, your mother-in-law still worries."
"Exactly, she wanted to accompany me, but I refused. Wouldn’t she still have to work for points in the field anyway?"
"Hehe, cousin, you’re truly blessed."
" Cousin, Xiao Zhen, I went to the hospital in the morning to get an ultrasound. The doctor said it’s two boys.
I called Grandpa when I got back and told him the good news."
"Congratulations, cousin. Grandpa must be overjoyed."
"Yes, Grandpa said he’s very happy."
"Cousin, I think Grandpa should start thinking about getting you married."
"Get me married? But I need to find the right person, right? And I can’t go back."
Tao Chunhe seemed a bit unperturbed.
"Grandpa will definitely figure something out."
Wang Menglin laughed from the side. Grandpa surely has a way. Cousin is just showing off at this point.
They really guessed right; Mr. Tao was indeed contemplating potential candidates, thinking that his grandson should also produce great-grandchildren.
He wrote down the names of a few girls and planned to discuss them with his son and daughter-in-law.
Then they’d finalize the candidate and discuss it with the girl, believing the life there should be quite good.
Hearing that his granddaughter was now pregnant, he truly felt the Tao Family needed to continue the lineage.
Tao Chunhe shrugged indifferently at his two sisters’ words. Whatever happens is fine, as long as he listens to the family.
The elders could do whatever they pleased.
But there was a hint of yearning for starting a family, especially seeing people around him paired up. He felt a bit envious.
After lunch, Chaoyang went to find Jing Chu. Now that Li Xue wasn’t working, the Lu Family was all worried about her, and nothing mattered more than her health.
"Second Brother, Jing Chu is resting."
"Alright, I’ll go in and see her."
Jing Chu had already heard the commotion. "Back from the hospital?"
"Yes, we returned before lunch. I was helping my mom with some chores."
"How’s Sister-in-law?"
"Twins, two sons."
Jing Chu smiled, this was truly good news, something worth celebrating.
"Jing Chu." Chaoyang sat on the edge of the bed and held his wife’s hand.
"What’s the matter?"
"Can you go to the Capital with me? There’s no one to take care of things here, but if you’re worried, we can find someone to handle the paperwork. How about we work in the Capital together?"
Without thinking, Jing Chu shook her head. "I don’t want to go, I want to stay here with my dad, brother, and sister-in-law."
"Jing Chu, could you leave me alone out there?"
"Why wouldn’t I? You’re working there, right? Besides, I trust you."
Inside, Chaoyang groaned that he didn’t want this kind of trust.
Seeing Chaoyang looking so pitiful, Jing Chu patted his shoulder. "Comrade, keep up the good work."
"Jing Chu, I won’t be able to come back for the New Year. If you don’t come with me, maybe you can come to the Capital after the autumn harvest? Can you bear to see me spending New Year alone out there?"
"Isn’t Master Han there with you?"
"When does Master Han have time for me? I haven’t seen him in over a month.
Jing Chu, please. Even if you don’t stay, could you join me for the New Year? We could set up our home."
"I don’t want to go. It’s too much trouble. The train ride is so long."
Chaoyang shared this concern. "Jing Chu, maybe by then, we’ll find a way. I definitely won’t feel comfortable with you traveling alone by train. Perhaps you could hitch a ride on a truck to the capital?
Have some sympathy for me. Can you really bear to see me out there alone?"
After some thought, Jing Chu agreed. "Alright, if there’s a ride going over there, I’ll come visit you."
With this, Chaoyang was satisfied. "Great, I’ll find a way." If it doesn’t work out, he wouldn’t force it. He certainly wouldn’t let his wife travel alone by train.
"Jing Chu, I’ll discuss this with Dad and Brother tonight."
Jing Chu didn’t mind. Hearing the work bell, she headed out to the fields, where the tasks now involved thinning seedlings and weeding—not too physically demanding.
Chaoyang happily followed Jing Chu out to work.
In the evening, Li Xue made dumplings, and Chaoyang stayed for dinner.
"Dad, I won’t be back for the New Year this year. I hoped Jing Chu would come with me to work in the capital, but she didn’t want to leave you all. So how about letting her come with me just for the New Year? If we find a vehicle heading to the Capital, let her come see me. If not, then it’s alright, I don’t feel comfortable with her traveling alone by train."
Lv Beiguang looked at his daughter and seeing no reluctance, nodded in agreement.
"Alright, we’ll decide when the time comes. Chaoyang, you’re leaving in three days, right?"
"Yes."
"You should find your master; he’ll instruct you. There are three types of liquor here, take them to Old Han. Be very cautious, no mistakes are allowed."
"Understood."
Chaoyang understood these would be distributed through those channels, which meant a share for them.
But he was thrilled to have his father-in-law’s acknowledgment. Now, his wife could join him for the New Year, just the two of them—a delightful thought.
The next day, Chaoyang found Wei Kaiyun. "Did your father-in-law talk to you? Be careful with this liquor. Also, it must be sealed for at least three months. There are tags on them, remind Han Xiangjun."
"Yes, I understand."
Wei Kaiyun gave more instructions, and Chaoyang listened attentively.
When he returned home, he didn’t go directly to his room. He felt his parents should know about him buying a house, so he thought to mention it today.
His parents hadn’t gone to bed yet, and Li Yungui was smoking.
"Chaoyang, why aren’t you sleeping?"
"Mom, Dad, I bought a small courtyard in the Capital."
Li Yungui nodded. "Your work points are for the family. We haven’t divided the family yet, but manage any extras yourself."
This meant the house belonged to Chaoyang and wasn’t public property.
"Dad, the money came from the profit my master shared with me."
Li Yungui nodded. "Alright, keep it safe. I’ll explain this to the family."
"Yes, Dad, I understand."
Chaoyang had no objections to sharing the food and money from work points with the family. As his father said, they hadn’t divided the family yet.
This was the right thing to do. He hadn’t contributed much to the family yet, so he had no reason to feel dissatisfied with this arrangement.
That night, as the couple lay in bed, Qu Xiaoli sighed, "The children have grown up, have a wife, and now they have their own interests."
"Isn’t this perfectly normal?"