After time travel, share a space with your modern family.

As night fell, moonlight bathed the earth, and stars twinkled faintly. Inside the Ruan family ancestral hall, lights flickered, and a brand-new table was laden with delicious food. The family sat harmoniously around the table, creating a peaceful and joyful scene.

After dinner, Ruan Mumu stood up and said, "Mother, eldest brother, second brother, I'll wash the dishes tonight."

Looking at her daughter's slightly tired face, Chen Donghua said with heartache, "Mumu, you've been working hard all night. Let me wash the dishes!" She reached for the bowls and chopsticks, but Ruan Mumu stopped her.

"Mother, you've had a long day, let me do it." Ruan Mumu smiled, a hint of determination in her eyes. Although she knew she hadn't fully recovered, she still wanted to do her part.

Chen Donghua glanced gratefully at her daughter, nodded, and said, "Okay, then be careful and don't overwork yourself." She knew Ruan Mumu was a sensible child, and while watching her skillfully clear the dishes with a sense of relief, she also felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

Ruan Mumu smiled and nodded, then picked up the bowls and chopsticks and walked to the courtyard. She carefully washed each dish, her movements practiced and efficient. Despite feeling somewhat weak, she did not give up and persevered to complete the task.

After Ruan Mumu finished tidying up, she said to the two brothers, "Big brother, second brother, we still have a lot of braised meat left. It won't keep for long in this weather. Why don't you two go and deliver some to Grandpa Village Chief and Grandpa Clan Chief? It's a bit dark on the road, so you two can go together and keep each other company. Also, don't forget to bring that 'angry wind lantern'."

Ruan Lin and Ruan Sen answered in unison, "Okay." One of them went to find the lantern, and the other went to get the basket. They quickly completed the preparations.

Chen Donghua quickly filled two large bowls with braised meat, carefully covered them with plates, and placed them in her basket. Then, she covered the basket with a wicker lid to prevent dust or other unclean things from falling in.

"It's getting late, you two should hurry back," Chen Donghua instructed.

With everything ready, brothers Ruan Xiaojun and Ruan Xiaohai, carrying lanterns and baskets on their backs, left home. They walked along the village paths, their figures gradually disappearing into the night.

While the two brothers were out, Ruan Mumu took out the new clothes she had just bought that day, took a nice shower and a relaxing bath, and changed into the new clothes, completely washing away the fatigue of the whole day.

"Ah! I can finally sleep by myself tonight. Mom, our future will definitely get better and better." After changing her clothes, Ruan Mumu fluttered onto her new bed like a happy little bird, then lay down in a starfish position, rolling around on the bed, her face beaming with a happy and satisfied smile.

As Chen Donghua tidied her new clothes, she smiled at her daughter, her eyes filled with doting affection and tenderness. Seeing her daughter so happy, Chen Donghua couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions; after all, this was the first time she had felt so full of anticipation and hope for the future.

In the past, she had silently endured her mother-in-law's harassment and torment to care for her three children, never considering resistance or leaving. It wasn't until Mumu's injury that she mustered the courage to ask her mother-in-law to let her go. At the time, she wasn't confident, worried that as a woman, she couldn't shoulder the responsibility of raising three children alone. But now, it all seems worthwhile.

Thinking of this, a resolute glint flashed in Chen Donghua's eyes: "Mumu, in the past, your mother was unable to protect you; your mother was too cowardly. But from now on, I will strive to become stronger. I will definitely stand in front of you and protect you properly." When she said this, her tone was exceptionally firm, as if she were making a vow.

Ruan Mumu jumped out of bed, went to Chen Donghua, gently hugged her, and tenderly comforted her, "Mom, from now on, my brother and I will protect you."

Chen Donghua felt a little embarrassed as Ruan Mumu hugged her tightly. Since her three children turned five, they rarely had a chance to cuddle with her anymore. Every day, they were busy with endless chores, and all they heard were the old woman's scolding and hunger. How could she have the mood to be sentimental?

"In the blink of an eye, my Mumu has grown up so much, and she's about to become someone else's wife," Chen Donghua said sadly, patting Ruan Mumu on the back.

"Oh, Mother, how could you say such things that make me cry?" Ruan Mumu said reproachfully.

"Mom, we're back!" came the excited voices of the two Ruan brothers from outside the door.

Chen Donghua and Ruan Mumu came out of the room and asked them why they were so happy.

"Mom, when we went to the clan chief's house just now, Uncle Dongyang said he knows a construction team that specializes in building houses. He'll go ask them tomorrow if they have time and can come to our house to help build it. Then we can move into our new house sooner!" Ruan Xiaohai said happily, recounting what had happened at the clan chief's house.

"That's wonderful. I want to live in a big house now," Ruan Mumu said happily.

Her words expressed the feelings of the whole family.

"Brother, we still have quite a lot of braised meat at home. How about we send some over to Sister Jinhua's house?" Ruan Mumu asked tentatively.

"No...no need...don't ruin the young lady's reputation," Ruan Xiaojun stammered.

"Mother, we should find a matchmaker to ask Sister Jinhua's family as soon as possible. Otherwise, Sister Jinhua might already be engaged." Seeing her older brother's shy appearance, Ruan Mumu couldn't help but tease him.

“Okay, I’ll have someone ask tomorrow,” Chen Donghua said with a smile.

Good days are about to begin today; wonderful good days begin with having meat to eat.