Chapter 811: But It's Good That He's Still Alive — I Am Already Content

Zhao Lamei walked a lap around the courtyard. This house was even bigger than the one they had built in Willow Village: five rooms in the main house, two rooms each in the east and west wing-rooms, and behind it nearly three fen of land that could be used for growing vegetables, with a latrine in the northwest corner.

She took a look at the kitchen. Running water had already been piped in, and a drain had been installed too, connected directly to the drainage on the street outside — so convenient.

She discussed it on the spot with Xiao Changsheng: the easternmost room of the main house would be set aside for the old man, so he could come for short stays whenever he liked; the next one over would be for the couple themselves; the middle room would serve as the parlor; the one past that would be for Chuxue; and the westernmost room would be for Chunxiao.

One of the west wing-rooms would be kept for Xia Qiu to stay when she visited her natal home, and the other would be reserved for Dujuan's niece.

When Xiao Laoyezi Xiao heard his second daughter-in-law's arrangements, the smile on his face could not be hidden.

Looking again at his second daughter-in-law's belly, which was not yet showing much, he thought: if this baby happens to be a boy, then when he goes to the netherworld and meets Chunyi someday, he believes she too would be able to rest easy.

The old man did not stay on this side too long, afraid of making his son and daughter-in-law uncomfortable: "I'll head back today. Once you've settled in, take a look around the neighborhood and get used to things as soon as you can."

Once the old man left, Xiao Changsheng took Chunxiao to put all the things they had brought in order, then said: "Lamei, let Chunxiao make you some simple dishes. I'll go to the steel-rolling mill to find Chuxue and bring her back, so she can come over and learn the way."

Zhao Lamei naturally agreed at once: "Yes, yes, yes, let her come back for a visit."

Looking at this house, she felt it was somewhat unreal in her heart. She really hadn't expected that, in less than a year, their lives would have changed so much.

And the Xiao Laoyezi Xiao, who had left, returned to the compound and went straight into his study. From a drawer he carefully took out that photograph: "Chunyi, I've finally brought our son back. Although he has suffered quite a few hardships, it's good that he's still alive. I am already content."

When Miao Yiqiu came back, she asked casually: "Has the old man come back yet?"

The household aide assigned by the organization replied: "He's back, but as soon as the chief came back he went into his study, and he hasn't come out until now."

Having said that, she withdrew to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Miao Yiqiu took off her coat and hung it up, then went to the study door, gave a light knock, and said: "I'm coming in."

Miao Yiqiu had been married to Xiao Yude for so many years, and only when the old man was home would she enter the study. Whenever the old man was not at home, she never went near the study, and the rest of the family was not allowed to enter his study either.

Xiao Yude was roused by the knock. He looked at the photograph in his hand and gave a soft sigh, then carefully put it away: "Come in."

Miao Yiqiu's cousin's grandson was holding his one-month celebration banquet today, so she had not gone along with them. In fact, she had also wanted to leave the old man more time alone with the second son and his family, whom he had just been reunited with.

She pushed the door open and went in: "Is everything settled over there?"

Xiao Laoyezi Xiao pointed at the chair opposite: "I had already had everything tidied up beforehand. Today they came over and just put away the things they brought."

Miao Yiqiu asked with a smile: "Why did you come back so early? Didn't you stay and have a meal with them?"

Xiao Laoyezi Xiao thought of his second son's honest, simple manner, and a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips: "If I stayed there, their family would feel somewhat ill at ease. I figured there is plenty of time ahead, so it's better to wait until they've settled in and take things slowly."

Miao Yiqiu smiled and nodded: "That's true too. Coming up from the countryside, they'll probably need some time to adjust. When we're free, we should drop by more often. After a while, they'll get used to our presence."

"You and I think alike. By the way, did you explain things to your cousin when you went over today?"