The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 449 - 420 Rural Life_1

Chapter 449: Chapter 420 Rural Life_1

Wang Shuping smiled and said, "It doesn’t matter who it is, as long as two people are in love, just living a good life together is what counts."

"Shuping has a good point," Zhao Dajiao said with a laugh, "the Shuliang Brothers are good-looking and well-educated, so of course, they should find good wives. In Country M, there are not many Huaxia people; if there are no suitable girls there, finding a good girl among the foreigners is also acceptable."

"Ah, I think Third Grandma Qi is quite satisfied with Anna. Her complexion looks great, and she seems much younger than before," Liang Hongyu commented. Third Grandma Qi hadn’t had it easy—other people would have found it impossible to carry on if they had lost their son and husband.

But Third Grandma Qi lived well and even waited for her own son to return.

For those who cannot see things through, even if their children achieve great things, if they die young, they won’t enjoy a single day of fortune.

Wang Shuping nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, Zhenghan and Zhengmin have also been brought up well by Anna. They grew up abroad but never looked down upon our remote and impoverished area."

"Indeed, just look at the way those two kids we’ve seen are dressed," Zhao Dajiao said enviously, "but even if we had such clothes, we couldn’t wear them."

"Our Girl Tian is still the prettiest," Liang Hongyu remarked. "Her little face is so bright and dewy, as if you could squeeze water from it. Oh, and who are those two old madams? They look familiar to me for some reason."

"Yeah, Tiantian looks a bit like one of the old ladies," Zhao Dajiao added, voicing what they were all speculating about.

Knowing Zhao Dajiao and Liang Hongyu weren’t gossips, Wang Shuping whispered, "We’re so close; I would feel bad keeping something from you two sisters-in-law. But before I say anything, please, keep this a secret for our family. Our family would be deeply grateful."

"What are you talking about?" Zhao Dajiao said, "Shuping, if it’s inconvenient to talk about it, don’t. We don’t want to cause you any trouble."

"Yes, although we won’t talk about it outside, if it’s difficult for you, then never mind," Liang Hongyu added, curious but not wanting to trouble the honest Wang Shuping.

After all, Wang Shuping was an expert in the village. The Peach Orchard in the village would rely on her and He Jingyu in the future.

"If you two sisters-in-law don’t consider me an outsider, then I can’t treat you as outsiders either," Wang Shuping said. The truth wouldn’t stay hidden when anyone with clear eyesight could see the resemblance between the daughter and the grandmother. Even if they stayed silent, people woild guess, "That’s my mother-in-law from Country M, a Huaxia emigrant. Many years ago, she returned to the country for something, and then the area was sealed off, so she couldn’t come back. This time, Tiantian went there and was helped by my brother-in-law Shuliang to find her."

"So, that’s why they look so much alike," Zhao Dajiao said, realizing their guess was right—they had thought the old ladies must be Tiantian’s grandmother or relatives.

"Yeah, your mother-in-law is pretty, but she doesn’t seem easy to get along with," Liang Hongyu spoke softly, "I’m not trying to sow discord between you and your mother-in-law, but she does seem to have a strong personality."

Wang Shuping chuckled and replied, "Tiantian also mentioned that grandma is a very strong-willed person, but our family hasn’t seen each other for over twenty years, so there shouldn’t be anything untoward."

"You have a good temperament; any family that has you as a wife is certain to have much peace," Liang Hongyu said. "You’re right that a family reunion is indeed a wonderful thing. Shuping, I only said what I did because we’re close — don’t take it to heart."

Wang Shuping laughed and replied, "How could I? I know you mean well."

The three women, all very efficient, soon had two tables of food prepared.

Zhao Dajiao and Liang Hongyu finished their tasks and then headed back to their own homes without staying for the meal.

After all, with so many people around, staying would only make things more chaotic.

When Qi Shuliang, Qi Dazhu, and He Jingyu brought Old Man Qi home, the meal was already prepared.

Qi Shuliang arranged for Third Grandma Qi and Old Man Qi to sit on either side of the Eight Immortals Table in the main house, then placed his father’s portrait on the table.

Qi Shuliang, with his family, again kowtowed and paid their respects to his mother, father, and uncle.

"Alright, everyone, get up," Third Grandma Qi said. "You are all good children, and your father and grandfather in heaven would be very happy. Alright, the food is ready, hurry up and eat."

"Indeed, my third brother is so blessed to have such good sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons, and granddaughters," Old Man Qi said, feeling envious at that moment.

Thinking of his son and wife who died unjustly, Old Man Qi felt a sourness in his heart.

Everything was fate; he had a tough life, destined to be alone for the rest of his days.

"Alright, Shuliang is your nephew, and he will also care for you in the future," Third Grandma Qi said, comforting Old Man Qi.

She knew what was in Old Man Qi’s heart.

And she knew of the help Old Man Qi had given her.

Previously she had nothing to give in return, but now at least she had found her son, to accompany Old Man Qi in his old age and repay him.

There were two tables, with the same dishes on both.

Men at one table, women at the other, with just two bottles of wine on the men’s table.

Wang Shuping brought out her mother’s Peach Blossom Wine for Anna, Bai Qiongyu, Xianglan, and He Tiantian, pouring each a cup.

"Auntie, why don’t I have any?" Qi Zhengmin complained, sniffing the aroma of peach blossoms in the air.

He Tiantian patted Qi Zhengmin’s little hand, stopping her from reaching for the wine bottle, and said, "You are still young; you can’t drink alcohol, even though the Peach Blossom Wine is a bit sweet and smells good, it is still wine after all."

"You all have some, I want to drink too," Qi Zhengmin pleaded. "Just a little bit."

"Zhengmin, you are too young to drink," Anna said. "You can drink plain water."

At the mention of plain water, Qi Zhengmin was not pleased.

Wang Shuping chuckled and said, "Don’t hurry, although you can’t drink Peach Blossom Wine, your auntie also has peach blossom honey! Mix some peach blossom honey, and you’ll definitely like it."

Having said that, Wang Shuping took out a bamboo tube from the house, opened it, put two scoops in a bowl with warm water, and stirred with chopsticks. A fragrance of peach blossoms wafted out.

"It really smells like peach blossoms; thank you, Auntie," Qi Zhengmin said. "Mom, have some."

Anna smiled and said, "It’s good if you drink it."

The dinner was simple, but everyone was hungry and found it delicious.

Because it was cold here, no one bathed in the evening.

Still, as a city dweller, Wang Shuping had He Jingyu buy ten wooden tubs from Hujia Village, three larger ones and seven slightly smaller ones.

That way, even without bathing, they could still manage personal hygiene.

After dinner, as everyone drank hawthorn water, Third Grandma Qi said, "Shuliang, Anna, Zhengmin, Zhenghan, Sister Bai, Sister Lan. The conditions of the old house are just like this, not as developed as in Country M, nor as luxurious as the hotels in Yanjing. This place is just a simple farmhouse. You might not be accustomed to it, but considering that we are all here for our relatives, please forgive us and don’t feel slighted."