Reborn in 1966

Chapter 444 Returning to My Mother's Home

Seeing Pei Yin's wide-eyed surprise, Zhou Qiang felt he had completely lost face today. So he simply followed his father into the house. Zhou Qiang figured that since his father had already beaten him, he might as well get beaten again. It was just getting beaten, no big deal.

Actually, Zhou Qiang is a bit lecherous, but also a bit cowardly and a bully who picks on the weak. He has been traumatized by Pei Yin's fierceness. After entering the house, Secretary Du asked Zhou Qiang to sit down. Zhou Qiang sat down despite his father's disapproving look. Pei Yin poured a glass of water for each of them. When the water was handed to Zhou Qiang, he visibly flinched, which Pei Yin found amusing.

Old Zhou recounted what had happened. Du Kunpeng was furious, but seeing Old Zhou's ashamed expression and his own son, who was badly beaten, Du Kunpeng suppressed his anger and kept saying it was all a misunderstanding. Since Pei Yin was also involved, Du Kunpeng asked her to sit down and talk with him. Pei Yin, seeing Du Kunpeng's expression, knew that she was the one who had to forgive him, so she said, "Uncle Zhou, Brother Zhou doesn't know me. If we did, and I were being bullied on the street, wouldn't Brother Zhou be the first to step in?"

Hearing this, Zhou Qiang quickly nodded and said, "Yes, yes, I'm the most loyal of all." However, when he turned his head and saw the murderous look in his father's eyes, he finally lowered his head. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Pei Yin repeatedly stated that there was nothing between her and Du Qianqian. Only then did Old Zhou take Zhou Qiang away. Before leaving, Pei Yin packed a few freshly cooked jujubes into a cloth bag, repeatedly stating that she had made them herself and that they were not worth much money. She said that she made them to add some festive cheer for the New Year.

Old Zhou took his son home. When they arrived, the old lady was quite surprised to see the jujube mountain in the cloth bag. The old lady was from the south and had never made this before, but it smelled good. She heard that it was steamed by the youngest daughter-in-law herself, so she quickly made some glutinous rice cakes from her hometown and asked Zhou Qiang to deliver them to her. Over time, the two families became much closer.

On New Year's Eve, Pei Yin put her best skills to use. Since Du Kunpeng was going to visit people and usually returned the same day, his driver and secretary had been on standby for the past few days. This meant Pei Yin had to cook for several people. After Du Kunpeng, his driver, and secretary ate New Year's Eve dinner at home, he set off with Pei Yin, who had packed several thermos containers of food for the visit. This time, Du Kunpeng was going to several remote mountain villages in the northern part of the province and needed to eat on the road. Knowing this, Pei Yin prepared the food in advance for Du Kunpeng to take with him.

On the evening of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Du Kunpeng rushed home exhausted. It was already past eight o'clock when he got home. Pei Yin and Du Qianqian's family were waiting in the living room. When they saw Du Kunpeng come back, Pei Yin quickly went to the kitchen and made a bowl of hot soup noodles. After Du Kunpeng drank the hot soup, he felt like he had come back to life.

Du Kunpeng didn't need to rush back, but Pei Yin was a new bride and had to visit her parents' home on the second day of the Lunar New Year. Although Du Mingjun wasn't home, Du Kunpeng still wanted his daughter-in-law to have a proper visit to her parents' home. Even though he couldn't go himself, he could see Pei Yin off.

Pei Yin knew Du Kunpeng's predicament. Her father-in-law had come all this way just to take her back to her parents' home early the next morning. It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved. Shenjia Village was hundreds of kilometers away, but there was a road that led from here to Xijiang. The road conditions were okay, and it would probably take four or five hours. Although the temperature had been low these past few days, it hadn't snowed, which relieved Pei Yin. No snow meant she could make the trip by car. Du Kunpeng had already made arrangements: if the weather was good, Pei Yin would take a car; if the weather was bad, she would take the train. For his daughter-in-law's trip back to her parents' home, what did it matter if he owed her a few favors?

The car had already been arranged. Since the road was quite far, two drivers would share one car. Pei Yin would have to return to Beijing after staying in Shenjia Village for a few days. The next time she would come here would probably be during the summer vacation. Du Kunpeng took out some gifts for his in-laws. Pei Yin looked at them and saw that they were all high-end tonics. Du Kunpeng said, "These are all prepared by your father for Mingjun. He can't accompany you back to your parents' home due to special circumstances. As his father, I'm helping him prepare some gifts. Please apologize to your family for us."

This is how relationships between people are built. I remember your kindness to me, and then I treat you even better. Over time, people naturally develop very good relationships. Du Kunpeng has seen how well Pei Yin takes care of her family. Now, not only because of his own child, but after spending the past ten days with Pei Yin, Du Kunpeng feels that his son has excellent taste in marrying such a wonderful girl as Pei Yin. With Pei Yin's help, Du Mingjun can only make his work and life better and better.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Pei-yin got up at around 4 a.m. to prepare breakfast. She had chopped the filling and kneaded the dough the night before. She got up early to wrap the dumplings, setting aside the ones she needed to cook in the morning and freezing the extras. After the family had a heartwarming yet bittersweet breakfast, it was only a little past 6 a.m., and it was still dark outside, when Pei-yin began her journey back to her parents' home.

Because there weren't many cars on the road, the speed was acceptable. In addition, they also took a section of highway. Du Kunpeng arranged for an SUV. When the car turned over the Nanling Mountain south of Shenjia Village, it was not yet eleven o'clock. Pei Yin looked at the small village surrounded by water on three sides at the foot of Nanling Mountain and felt as if she had returned to her parents' home.

Shen's mother had gone to the village entrance several times. At this time, many villagers were visiting their maternal or paternal grandparents' homes. Those who knew her knew that Shen's mother was waiting for her youngest daughter to return home. After exchanging greetings, Shen's mother felt that it wasn't good for her to stand by the roadside for so long, so she went home. But she felt uneasy doing anything at home, so she went back to the street to stand and look around. She had gone back and forth several times. Shen's father couldn't help but complain, "Yueran, Peiyin will be home soon. Don't keep going in and out like this. Look at the dishes we prepared today, how are they?"

When Shen's mother's biological mother arrived, the elders of the family gave her the warmest welcome. The mother and daughter had been separated for so many years, which was not easy in itself. Besides, their daughter had been married into our family for so many years, working hard and giving birth to several good children, all of whom were well-educated. Everyone said that Shen's daughter-in-law, Shengsi, was a good daughter-in-law. So, after Peiyin's maternal grandmother arrived, not only family members but also many relatives came to visit. Ma's mother felt very comfortable living in Shenjia Village.

Under the longing gaze of Shen's mother, Pei Yin finally returned to Shenjia Village.

Finally seeing her family again, Pei-yin felt her eyes sting, but she also wanted to smile. On the other hand, when Shen's mother saw Pei-yin get out of the car, tears immediately fell down her face. She quickly wiped them away, and with tears in her eyes, she smiled and said, "My daughter is finally back."

The family had a long and happy time together. During this time, Peihua and Peijun helped the two drivers unload their things from the car and treated them well. Before they even had lunch, they heard that Peiyin had returned. Several of their close friends from the village came to see the bride. Even Tian Aiqin brought her baby to the Shen family to talk to Peiyin.

Several aunts also returned to Shenjia Village on this day. They hadn't been there when Peiyin got married before the New Year, so they wanted to take advantage of the New Year to go back to their parents' home and have a good meal with Peiyin. Since they were all married daughters of the Shen family, their feelings for each other were naturally different from before.

After a lively lunch and seeing off the two drivers, Pei Yin lay down on her mother's kang (heated brick bed). Shen's parents were still living in the east wing of the front yard. The kang was already very warm. Looking at Pei Yin lying there lazily, Shen's mother said, "You must be tired these days. Have you received any letters from Ming Jun?"

Seeing her mother's worried expression, Pei Yin sighed and said, "Mom, Ming Jun hasn't called yet. I'm doing well with my father-in-law. He's very kind to me, and my eldest sister's family is also very welcoming."

Mother Shen sighed and said, "I originally thought that Mingjun was just doing scientific research, and that you two wouldn't be separated like your second brother and sister-in-law. Who knew that you would have to separate so soon after getting married?"

Upon seeing this, Pei Yin quickly climbed off the kang (a heated brick bed) and said, "Mother, Mingjun's situation is special, maybe he'll be back in a couple of days."

Mother Shen sighed and said, "That's for the best, my child. I was worried about you becoming a military wife. Mingjun doesn't have a mother, and his father works in another city. It's just the two of you in this big house. Mingjun has a mission that requires him to go on a business trip, leaving you all alone at home. You have to take care of everything yourself. You are our youngest daughter, and we've always cherished you. Even Peikun isn't as valued as you are in our hearts. On this joyous day of your wedding, Mingjun will go on a mission, leaving you to support yourself. Although your father-in-law and sister-in-law help out, it's ultimately just the two of you who live your lives."

Shen's mother sounded quite sad. When Pei Yin saw this, she quickly went up to her mother and said, "Mother, when people grow up, they must take on the responsibilities they are supposed to bear. Otherwise, no matter how old you are, you are not considered an adult, right? Besides, I still have you and Father by my side to help me."

Shen's mother said, "Your father and I can't always be with you, so how can we help you with everything? Alas, from now on, you and Mingjun will have to live together."

Pei Yin was deeply moved by her mother's concern for her well-being. She nestled in her mother's arms, a rare treat, and shifted to find a comfortable position before falling asleep almost immediately. Seeing Pei Yin asleep, Shen's mother gently covered her with a thin blanket. Upon exiting the blanket, she saw Shen's father standing in the yard. Noticing Shen's mother's tiptoeing movements, she leaned closer and whispered, "Asleep?"