Starting a new chapter in life

However, when Aunt Liu passed away, her own mother-in-law was also on her deathbed, so she couldn't come back in time, which was a great regret in her life. Now, when they talked about it, the two sisters hugged each other and cried, expressing their sadness and longing.

When the two of them calmed down and were about to take a nap, it was already dawn. They yawned and asked, "Fourth Sister, shall we get up first?" Jingyan asked sleepily.

Jinghuan patted her shoulder: "No need, they should know we'll be up late last night. They can take care of their own dinner. Let's get some sleep first."

With her fourth sister's support, Jingyan closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.

After He Zhijun and Peng Chunsheng got up and washed, He Zhijun said, "Brother-in-law, shall we cook first and then call them up to eat? But I'm not good at using this kind of earthen stove, so could you help me light the fire?"

Peng Chunsheng shook his head: "Let's just have a bowl of noodles for a meal. These two sisters probably didn't sleep much last night and probably won't get up until noon. After we have breakfast, I'll prepare the dishes for lunch, and your fourth sister can cook when she wakes up. Her cooking skills are much better than mine."

He Zhijun nodded obediently. Peng Chunlai started the fire, and he cooked the noodles. The two of them ate a simple meal and then sat on small stools in the yard to bask in the sun, listening to Peng Chunsheng talk about Jingyan as he remembered her from her childhood.

To put it simply, it shocked his perception. In his mind, Jing Yan was bold, meticulous, hardworking... a bit lazy when it came to housework, but overall a very insightful and pragmatic person.

In Peng Chunsheng's account, however, he was a village bully who, as a child, led a bunch of kids to cause trouble everywhere. Of course, his sister was also one of his little followers. Teasing cats and dogs was a minor matter; when they encountered thugs causing trouble, he would recklessly rush forward.

She didn't care whether she could win or not. Fortunately, she had two older brothers who were protective of her, so the local thugs didn't dare to go too far. Over time, they didn't even want to mess with her.

When did Jingyan start to understand things? It must have been after her mother passed away. The child grew up overnight and started working in the fields to earn work points, supporting both sisters on her own.

Later, after she was recruited into the army canteen, he never saw her cause trouble again. On the contrary, she thrived in the canteen, and his sister was also taken care of by Jingyan.

As the older brother next door, he doted on Jingyan. As her brother-in-law, he felt sorry for his sister-in-law. When she resolutely decided to marry far away, he and his wife were most worried, fearing that she might suffer grievances outside but would not tell her family.

They only felt relieved after they spoke on the phone and heard the ease and joy in her voice. Originally, they had planned to go to Beijing to attend An'an's wedding.

But before they were to leave, her older brother stopped them. His reasoning was that An'an's fiancé's family was well-off, and if they went there without proper etiquette, it would be unseemly. In the end, they only sent the monetary gift.

He Zhijun couldn't help but explain, "You're really overthinking it. Go back two or three generations, and everyone here was a farmer in the countryside. What's with all the formalities? Jingyan thought you couldn't get away, and the journey was indeed long, which is why she didn't insist you participate."

After all, my husband and I didn't come back for our children's weddings, so we can't be too picky. If we had known it was for this reason, we would have brought you over even if we had come to pick you up.”

Peng Chunsheng was very happy to hear this: "Why don't you stay at home a little longer this time? Is there anything important you need to take care of over there?"

He Zhijun shook his head: "I'll listen to Jing Yan. You can ask her later."

Peng Chunsheng smiled brightly: "Jingyan didn't marry the wrong person. Someone like me is known for spoiling his wife all around. Compared to you, I can only admit defeat."

He Zhijun smiled and said, "She takes care of me too. When you're married, you care about each other and stay together for life."

The two chatted enthusiastically, from their daily lives to their work experiences. Before they knew it, it was noon. The two sisters woke up after a good nap and came out to find the two brothers sitting and chatting arm in arm, looking quite friendly. The awkwardness from yesterday was completely gone.

"Fourth Sister, is this the friendship between men? So fast?" Jingyan looked up and asked.

Jinghuan shook her head. "Who knows what those two are whispering about? Let's ignore them and go cook."

Jingyan nodded: "Okay, sis, I'll help you."

The two sisters entered the kitchen, and Jingyan immediately noticed the vegetables that had already been cleaned and chopped on the cutting board. "Wow, these two are quite capable, they're pretty self-disciplined."

Jing Huan smiled and said, "It's because you're here. His cooking skills can't compare to mine, otherwise we could have eaten right after we got up."

She rolled up her sleeves and began preparing to cook. Jingyan sat on a small stool by the stove to help her fourth sister tend the fire. After many years, the two sisters cooked together again, as if time had never passed. They chatted and laughed, reminiscing about their childhood.

The two brothers-in-law, listening to the laughter and chatter coming from the kitchen, exchanged a glance and smiled.

After the two finished cooking, Fourth Sister called out, "Dinner's ready! Come and set the table!"

Peng Chunsheng came in excitedly and hurriedly went to the cupboard to get bowls and chopsticks. "The rice in the rice cooker in the main room is ready. We can just set the table. Can we have a drink together later?" The last question was directed at Jing Huan.

Jinghuan glanced at the menu, took out a hundred-yuan bill from her pocket and handed it to him: "Go to the convenience store and buy some cooked food to go with your drinks. I'll fry some peanuts too. Go and come back quickly."

"Did you buy them all?" Peng Chunsheng asked, holding up a hundred yuan.

Jing Huan glared at him: "Can you finish eating it all? Of course, buy as much as you can eat. Keep the rest of the money for now. Buy whatever you want to eat these next few days. Ask me for more when you run out. Oh, and don't spend it recklessly, especially cigarettes. Smoke less."

Peng Chunsheng happily agreed, put the money in his pocket, and said to He Zhijun, "You stay home and help serve the rice. I'll be back soon. Let's have a couple of drinks at noon."

He Zhijun smiled and nodded, then went to help with the tasks.

Four dishes were served, rice was served, and chopsticks were set out. The three of them sat down first, and Jingyan asked Jinghuan, "Fourth sister, how are eldest and second sisters doing? Third brother is still acting like a deadbeat?"

Jinghuan smiled and said, "My eldest sister is doing well; she's living a fairly comfortable life. Although her husband wasn't very doting on his wife when he was younger, who would have thought he'd become so loving as he gets older?"

Their family moved from Changtu County to Tieling City with their child. We've talked on the phone for the past two years during the Spring Festival. The eldest sister is doing well and seems quite happy.

As for my second sister, well, her husband is incredibly stubborn, and he's just so-so. We'll just get by. He never lays a hand on her, and he certainly doesn't help with housework. That's how it will be for him.

"When do we have time to go visit? Is Third Brother still in the village? Have you kept in touch these past few years?" Jingyan asked.

Jinghuan pouted: "That soft-hearted guy only knows how to listen to his wife. You know that Third Sister-in-law doesn't like us. We hardly ever visit each other during holidays."

But his children are alright; they come to pay their respects during the Lunar New Year and bring me some gifts. So, overall, things are going well. What, you want to go see him?

Jingyan sighed, "After all, we are siblings. How could I really not visit him? I didn't prepare a gift for him. I'll just give him a 500 yuan red envelope later as a token of my appreciation."

“Oh, giving money is good enough. At least Third Sister-in-law will be happy. Giving her gifts might make her complain and dissatisfied. Giving money is better; she can buy whatever she wants.” Jinghuan’s expression was very dissatisfied.

Jingyan patted her hand: "Alright, it's been so many years, why are you still hung up on it? Don't hold a grudge against them, it's not worth it."

Peng Chunsheng bought some cooked food and came back. He took a plate from the kitchen, poured the cooked food onto the plate, and put it on the table. "Come on, let's eat."

He Zhijun took the Laolongkou Baijiu from the table and filled two small wine glasses. After eating a few bites of food, the two gently clinked glasses, took a sip, exhaled a breath of air from the spiciness, but were all smiles as they drank.

The two sisters frowned as they watched them drink. "This stuff is really spicy, what's so good about it?" Jing Yan complained, then ignored the two and chatted and ate with Jing Huan.

After the meal, as expected, the two brothers-in-law had flushed faces, as red as a monkey's bottom. Peng Chunsheng, having drunk too much, became quite talkative, pulling He Zhijun aside and repeatedly saying how happy he was to have them back.

He Zhijun felt dizzy and wanted to sleep because Peng Chunsheng kept nagging. He slapped Peng Chunsheng's face to the side, his disgust evident in his expression.

The two sisters stood by and watched with ill intent, making no attempt to intervene. No matter how much the two girls made a fuss, they went back to the west room, sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), and continued chatting.

"Chunlai, we've only kept in touch by phone occasionally over the years, and it feels like our relationship has faded quite a bit. Every time we haven't had a chance to talk enough, she has to get busy, and her husband is no good either, always interrupting our conversations."

"I'm planning to call her back for a few days this time. I don't believe he can chase me all the way here to demand her. If he does come, I'll have my fourth brother-in-law deal with him. After all, he's his brother-in-law." Jingyan said, her resentment running high.

Jinghuan nodded happily: "Okay, I'll call her later and ask her to come back and stay for a few days."

Peng Chunlai returned quickly, before dinner. When he entered the house, he didn't know Jing Yan was back. Clutching the bag in his hand, he lowered his head and said, "Sister-in-law, what did you call me back for? Can you help me? I brought a change of clothes that are quite heavy, could you help me carry them?"

The luggage was taken from my hands. "How could your husband let you out like this? Didn't he give you a time to come home?" I heard that teasing voice I hadn't heard in a long time.

Peng Chunlai, who was looking down and patting the hem of her clothes, suddenly looked up and saw Jing Yan carrying her luggage. She jumped on Jing Yan with a shout: "Jing Yan, you're back! I missed you so much!"

Jingyan stumbled as she was tackled: "How old are you? Still so carefree? Get down right now. You've gotten quite plump over the years. Don't strain your old back." Jingyan said with a hint of disdain, but she still wrapped her arms around her waist, afraid that she would fall.

Peng Chunlai's eyes reddened, and he threw himself into her arms, refusing to let go: "Jingyan, I missed you so much."

Jing Yan scoffed, "Miss me? If you miss me, why don't you come to Haishi to see me?"

"Then you didn't come back to see me either. It seems you don't miss me very much," Peng Chunlai retorted.

Jing Yan nodded seriously: "How did you know? I've been so busy these past few years that I haven't had time to think about you. On the contrary, what are you busy with? Every time we call, we only talk for a few words before hanging up."

Peng Chunlai… She was a little embarrassed: “I’m not busy, but I used to mention you to him all the time, so after we were able to talk on the phone, you told me that you opened a restaurant and invited me to visit you. He doesn’t like me chatting with you anymore, saying that I will be corrupted by you.”

Jingyan felt utterly wronged: "When did I corrupt you?"

"He just feels that if you invite me to your place, it's like you're trying to steal me away from him. He's afraid that if I go there, I'll have to go again. He's busy with work and can't accompany me, so he doesn't want me to go out," Peng Chunlai explained embarrassedly.

"Does that mean he doesn't plan to let you travel before he retires?" Peng Chunlai waved his hand dismissively. "He'll retire in three years. We've already agreed that we'll travel around the country together, just like you guys."

Jingyan looked at her smiling face and couldn't help but laugh. She came out and said, "She's the same age as me, over fifty this year, but she looks like she's only forty. Indeed, women who live in love don't look old."

He Zhijun stepped forward and carried Peng Chunlai's luggage into the west room. He only said goodbye to Peng Chunlai before returning to the east room. Peng Chunlai winked at Jing Yan and said, "You two have a very good relationship. He really dotes on you."

Jingyan nodded in agreement: "Indeed, I never expected him to be so good. Marrying him was the best decision I ever made in my life. You're living a good life too, except that your family keeps a bit of a strict control over you. It's not bad, mainly because you're willing to be controlled."

Peng Chunlai nodded happily: "Indeed, you used to be in charge of me, and I listened to you. Later, he took over, and I haven't really had to worry about anything in my life. How long will you stay this time? As long as you're here, I won't go back. I'll spend some time with you."

Jingyan tilted her head and teased her: "Are you sure you can stay with me forever? Aren't you afraid he'll come and get you?"

"It's alright, my brother's here. He'll handle anything." Peng Chunlai waved his hand dismissively.

Jingyan... "Having you is your brother's blessing."

Jinghuan came in from the kitchen, interrupting their conversation: "Alright, let's talk again tonight. Come wash your hands and eat first. Jingyan will be staying for a while, so a couple more days won't make a difference."

After dinner, it was the same as always, except that there were three of us instead of two. We chatted until the sky began to lighten.

After getting up early, He Zhijun looked at the completely still west room and couldn't help but say, "Is he going to sleep until noon again?"

Peng Chunsheng patted his shoulder with a smile and said, "It'll be fine in a few days. It's been so many years since we last met, it's normal to miss it. I'll take you out for a walk. You've all been gone for so many years, and things have changed quite a bit here."

The two left the house hand in hand. When Jingyan and the other two got up, the house was quiet. After washing up, they started preparing lunch. "Where did those two go?" Jingyan wondered.