Chapter 1560: Anxiety

Xiao Mu did not rush back to the ancestral village upon his return.

With the whole family gathered, he said to his second grandson Xiao Wanli, who had just come back from the countryside, "Since you're back, work hard. I've already spoken to someone; your wife's job should be confirmed soon."

Xiao Wanli was deeply grateful: "Grandpa, I understand. Rest assured, I will work hard and won't bring shame to the family."

Guo Yan, sitting nearby, heard this and quickly spoke up: "Thank you, Grandpa."

The old man's eyes were full of relief. Back when the family needed someone to go to the countryside, his second grandson had stepped forward voluntarily. At that time, he could have kept the boy, but for the sake of the family, his second grandson resolutely went to the countryside.

Now that he had retired, arranging a job for his daughter-in-law was no problem; he considered it compensation for them.

The old man looked at his two grandsons-in-law, who had hurried over from the army: "Kunming has been transferred to the Beijing garrison for some time and should be adjusted by now. Though you and Fu Yan Cheng are not in the same unit, I hope you will look out for each other."

Both naturally nodded in agreement: "Rest assured, Grandpa, we remember."

Then he turned to his eldest son Xiao Changjiang: "Changjiang, you are the eldest. From now on, the family is in your hands."

For some reason, Xiao Changjiang felt a pang of unease upon hearing his father say this: "Dad..."

Just as he was about to speak, he heard Xiao Mu say: "I've worked hard all my life; it's time to enjoy some peace. Unless something comes up, Aunt Miao and I won't leave the ancestral village again. This household is now yours."

As he spoke, he looked at Miao Yiqiu beside him, took an iron box from her hands, and said: "Changjiang, this is what I prepared for you. Hand it out to them."

Everyone looked at each other, momentarily unsure of what the old man was doing.

Xiao Changjiang opened the iron box and found, besides a stack of cash, several bankbooks.

Once he saw clearly, he was stunned: "Dad, what is this?"

Xiao Mu simply smiled: "Some things are better distributed while I'm still clear-headed, to avoid conflicts later."

There were two bankbooks with two thousand yuan each, one for each son; and two bankbooks with one thousand yuan each, one for the second grandson Xiao Wanli and one for the youngest grandson Xiao Wanheng, also known as Little Stone.

No explanation was needed; everyone understood. One was compensation for Xiao Wanli's time in the countryside, and the other was advance compensation for Little Stone, who was still young.

Next came three bankbooks with six hundred yuan each, for the eldest grandson Xiao Wancheng, the third grandson Xiao Wanpeng, and the daughter Xiao Nianchun.

The last daughter received a bankbook with three hundred yuan. Each great-grandchild received fifty yuan, including the one in Duan Ruirui's womb.

No one expected the old man to still have money. They wanted to say something but didn't know how to start.

Seeing the iron box empty, the old man smiled: "I won't say much more. Accept this peacefully, work hard, live well, and look out for one another."

After the reunion dinner, the old man and his wife returned to the ancestral village the next day.

Xiao Mu had wanted Liu Chuxue to stay a bit longer, but when the agreed date arrived, Fu Yan Cheng drove over to pick them up.

She looked at her grandchildren, then at her son, and tentatively proposed: "Fu Yan Cheng, they've been living well here. How about letting them stay a bit longer?"

Fu Yan Cheng looked at Liu Chuxue, asking with his eyes: What's going on?

Liu Chuxue gave him a 'I'll explain later' look, then quickly said: "Mom, Aunt Wei's grandson is still young; we can't keep the grandmother and grandson separated for long. If Aunt Wei goes back first, I won't be able to manage alone."

Fu Yan Cheng added: "I'll have leave later and will bring them back for a short stay. Just don't mind the noise when we do."

Aunt Wei had already packed her things neatly and was just waiting for the order to go.

Once they arrived at the family compound and only the couple remained in the room, Fu Yan Cheng finally asked: "What's going on?"

While changing their daughter's diaper, Liu Chuxue said: "Naturally, she wanted Aunt Wei's labor. You don't know; since Aunt Wei arrived, she's handed all household matters over to her."

Glancing toward the door, she added: "No matter what I said, she always had a retort ready. Fortunately, you arrived in time; otherwise, I might have lost my temper and confronted her."