country bumpkin

In Xingfu Village, Aunt Du sat alone in the courtyard, staring blankly at the dazzling moon in the sky.

The old village chief walked over from a distance, carrying a vegetable basket. Inside were a bowl of braised pork, a bowl of chicken stew with potatoes, and a few mooncakes.

He walked into the courtyard, handed the basket to Aunt Du, and said, "Old sister, are you missing your son?"

Aunt Du smiled and said, "Yes, from childhood to adulthood, Ke'er has never left home, never left me."

After saying that, she raised her arm and wiped her tears with her sleeve.

The old village chief sighed and said, "Why don't you come to our house for the festival? It'll be more lively with more people there, and you won't miss your child so much."

Aunt Du waved her hand, "Thank you, Village Chief, but I'd better not go. It would be too much trouble for you."

She glanced at the basket and said, "Brother Village Chief, why are you bringing so much food? Take the chicken and braised pork back for the children at home; they're still growing. It's a waste for an old woman like me to eat it. You should take it back! Just leave me a couple of mooncakes."

The old village chief said sternly, "Old sister, what are you doing? There's still some at home, and the children have already eaten. I can still afford this little bit of food. Please accept it! It's just a token of my appreciation."

Since that was the case, Aunt Du had no choice but to accept it. The old village chief said a few more words and then went back.

Aunt Du carried her basket and went into the house. She took out her bowl and chopsticks to eat when she heard footsteps, as if someone else was coming.

The footsteps approached from afar, and soon two figures appeared.

One male and one female.

The man had bronze skin, a strong and upright posture, and an air of masculinity. The woman was fair-skinned, elegant, and delicate.

When Aunt Du saw the woman, tears immediately welled up in her eyes.

She walked out of the house toward the woman, who ran over and hugged her tightly, crying and shouting, "Mother, your daughter is back... Waaah!"

Aunt Du also burst into tears. The two embraced and wept bitterly.

"My good child, my sweet daughter is back... Waaah!"

Seeing the two of them crying together, Xiao Zhe didn't know how to comfort them.

Let them cry for a while! He didn't say anything, just carried the bags and packages he had brought into the house.

The two hitched a ride on a passing donkey cart to Xingfu Village. They bought a lot of food because they were coming back to celebrate the festival with Aunt Du.

The two also brought some money, intending to give it to Aunt Du as a token of their respect.

Xiao Zhe has now opened a transportation company. He has found several friends from his hometown to partner with in the transportation business.

After Zhang Qingjiao fell ill last time, she didn't go out to work and stayed at home to recuperate and do housework.

Zhang Qingjiao is currently pregnant, but only for a month. The pregnancy is still very short, so she is still quite flexible in her work.

Aunt Du and Zhang Qingjiao cried for a long time before they separated.

Aunt Du pulled Zhang Qingjiao into the house. Seeing Xiao Zhe arranging things, she quickly said, "Xiao Zhe, thank you for your hard work. Please sit down for a while."

Xiao Zhe smiled憨厚ly, "Auntie, it's no trouble at all."

Zhang Qingjiao scolded, "Call me 'Mother,' not 'Auntie,' understand?"

Xiao Zhe said with a grin, "Okay, okay, I'll listen to my wife."

He turned to Aunt Du and said, "Mother~"

Aunt Du happily replied, "Oh! Good, they're all good children."

Zhang Qingjiao then told Aunt Du that she was pregnant.

Aunt Du looked at Zhang Qingjiao with a happy smile, her face full of affection. "Jiao'er, you're pregnant now, so you have to take care of yourself."

Zhang Qingjiao nodded with a smile, "Mother, I know, don't worry."

At this moment, as if remembering something, Aunt Du asked, "Jiao'er, how long do you plan to stay this time?"

Zhang Qingjiao looked at Xiao Zhe and then said softly, "Mother, we want to stay with you a little longer. Anyway, the brothers are taking care of things at the transportation department for now."

Aunt Du beamed with joy upon hearing this, "Great, great!"

Then she turned around and took out a small cloth bag from the cabinet. Inside was a pair of silver bracelets. "Jiao'er, these have been passed down from our ancestors. I originally intended to give them to my future daughter-in-law, but today I'm putting them on you."

As he spoke, he took Zhang Qingjiao's hand and gently put the hair on her wrist.

Zhang Qingjiao declined, saying, "Mother, this won't do, I can't accept it. Let's save it for Brother Ke after he gets married!"

Aunt Du said, "That's different. You're my daughter, so I'm happy to give it to you. When Ke'er gets married, he can buy it for his wife himself."

Zhang Qingjiao no longer refused, her fingers touching the bracelet, tears of gratitude welling in her eyes, "Thank you, Mother."

Xiao Zhe watched this heartwarming scene from the side, his face beaming with a happy smile.

After exchanging pleasantries, the mother and daughter sat down to eat together. After the meal, Aunt Du chatted with Zhang Qingjiao again.

They asked many questions about Song Ke. Although Song Ke often sent letters and money home, he himself never returned.

He's always either at work or working overtime, he never has time to come back.

The family's debts have been paid off. We're just used to a simple way of life, which is why we're so frugal.

The mother and daughter talked for a long time. It was getting late, so Aunt Du made up the bed and prepared to go to sleep.

Zhang Qingjiao hugged Aunt Du and said, "Mom, I want to sleep with you, is that okay?"

Aunt Du was a little taken aback and said, "No way, this old woman is used to sleeping alone. It's so relaxing and comfortable. Don't try to squeeze me in!" With that, she smiled and went to her room.

Xiao Zhe looked at his wife with a resentful expression. He took her hand and led her to another bedroom, the one Zhang Qingjiao had previously lived in.

After entering and closing the door, he hugged Zhang Qingjiao tightly and said softly, "Wife, you've changed your mind. You don't love me anymore."

Zhang Qingjiao playfully pinched his nose and said mischievously, "No, I've always loved you. I just wanted to have a good talk and chat with my godmother."

Xiao Zhe said with his puppy-dog eyes, "Isn't it the same talking to Mother tomorrow? Besides, Mother needs to rest tonight too."

Zhang Qingjiao thought about it and realized she was right; her mother was getting old and needed to rest. She had almost ruined her mother's health.

Then, looking at her husband with starry eyes, she said, "Honey, let's rest too!"

Hearing her call him that, Xiao Zhe couldn't resist the urge and kissed her on the lips.

Zhang Qingjiao was startled and quickly dodged, saying, "Honey, let's just sleep together tonight, okay? Behave yourself, okay? Mom's still next door!"

Xiao Zhe smiled wryly, "Wife, what are you thinking? I just wanted to kiss and hug you, that's all. You're overthinking it, hehe..."

Zhang Qingjiao blushed deeply when her thoughts were guessed. She glared at him sheepishly.

What a captivating glance! It made Xiao Zhe's heart flutter once again.

It was already quiet at night, so he stopped fooling around, picked up Zhang Qingjiao, and walked to the bedside.

He helped her take off her clothes, then took off his own, and whispered something to Zhang Qingjiao while embracing her.

After saying only a few words, the sound of even breathing could be heard. Zhang Qingjiao was already fast asleep.

Xiao Zhe gently kissed her forehead, then held his wife and fell asleep.

Only the bright moonlight shone outside, illuminating the quiet little mountain village. It was as if the prayers of the gods were blessing every kind person in the village.