RIRW – Chapter 123

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Shen Yiming’s inside information had always been quite accurate. He had said these matters would be resolved within the year, and sure enough, at the end of December, when snow was falling heavily, Shen Yiming came home from work and brought her good news. Today, Li Hui had called the newspaper office to inform him that they had already brought the Li family out and that they were currently staying in Zuo Village. The elderly couple would be brought to the provincial capital the next day.

Zuo Dan was thrilled to hear the news. If her grandmother hadn’t been there, she would’ve hugged and kissed Shen Yiming on the spot.

“When are they arriving tomorrow? Do we need to pick them up?”

Shen Yiming shook his head. “No need for that. Mom said Third Uncle is driving to the provincial capital tomorrow and will bring them along. It’s even more convenient than taking a bus. They should arrive by tomorrow afternoon. They’ll go directly to the Provincial University. Housing has already been arranged for them there.”

Although classes weren’t in session at the university, the family housing was still available. Over the years, others had moved in, but another unit had now been allocated.

Grandma Shen, upon hearing the situation, reminded them, “They’ve just come back, so they’ll likely be short on many things. You two still have that new cotton quilt left over from your wedding — send it over. It’s freezing now, they can use it. Go see them tomorrow, and buy whatever they’re missing. Dandan’s parents aren’t familiar with this area — you can’t expect them to manage everything.”

Shen Yiming nodded with a smile. “Alright, Grandma. I’ll go with Dandan tomorrow to check on them.”

Zuo Dan clung to her grandmother, not wanting to let go, feeling that her grandma was just the best. Ah, she wondered if the little baby had come yet.

She was so happy that night that she and Shen Yiming “planted the baby” again.

She hooked her leg around Shen Yiming’s waist, arms around his neck, panting as she said, “Comrade Shen Yiming, if we keep working this hard and still don’t manage to plant a baby, you can’t blame me.”

Not blame her? Then it would have to be his fault?

Shen Yiming’s eyes instantly darkened, and he began to move vigorously.

The next day, Shen Yiming took a day off. In the morning, he and Zuo Dan packed things at home, and by around three in the afternoon, they pushed their bicycle out the door, loaded with items.

Seeing Zuo Dan walking, Shen Yiming looked at her and said, “Get on the bike, I’ll push you.”

“No, I’ll walk,” Zuo Dan replied, wrapping her arms around his. She wasn’t that heartless. Even if Shen Yiming was as strong as an ox, she couldn’t push him too hard.

Shen Yiming looked at her deeply, a smile tugging at his lips. In his heart, he was already thinking it was time to start working on getting a motorbike.

The two of them strolled slowly for a long while before finally arriving at the university entrance.

Back in the day, the Provincial University was bustling, but now it was eerily quiet. Still, this kind of quiet was better than the raucous chaos of previous years. Before Li Jianghe had fallen, the university had often been used by the Revolutionary Committee for large assemblies. Locals had avoided the area like the plague.

Neither Zuo Dan nor Shen Yiming knew exactly where the Li family was staying. Shen Yiming ended up slipping a cigarette to the old man guarding the gate to get the address.

The Li family had already arrived and were busy tidying up inside.

Though they now had a house to live in, they had nothing else. As one of the first families to be released from the labor camp, the two Li elders were already very content. Being able to return in time for the New Year was far better than staying at the camp.

It was a two-bedroom unit, and with everyone bustling about, they quickly had it in decent shape. Li Hui and Zuo Dacheng had brought some household supplies from home. Although they couldn’t compare to what was available in the provincial capital, they would make do for now.

Just as they finished tidying up, Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming arrived.

Seeing Shen Yiming, Grandfather Li and Grandmother Li were both overjoyed. To them, Shen Yiming had done them an immense favor — practically a lifesaver.

Otherwise, there was no way they would’ve been released so soon.

“Yiming, we’ll never forget what you’ve done for our Li family,” said Grandfather Li, his voice trembling with emotion.

Shen Yiming quickly responded, “Grandpa, Grandma, we’re all family — no need to be so formal.”

Zuo Dacheng beamed. “Exactly, Dad. Yiming is a filial child. If you’re too polite, he won’t like it.”

Shen Yiming smiled. “This is all something I should do. You’re Dandan’s family, which makes you my family too. If you’re suffering and I have the ability to help, I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”

“Good, Yiming, you’re a good kid. Dandan chose well,” Grandmother Li said with a smile.

The whole family was warm and harmonious — except for Li Wenchang, who seemed out of place. Though this was the Li family, he felt like an outsider.

Thinking back to their time in Zuo Village and the condition his daughter Su Xue was in, Li Wenchang felt deeply saddened. He, the father, had already returned to the city, while his daughter was still suffering in the countryside.

Zuo Dan noticed something was off with him, but pretended not to see it. She smiled and pulled Grandmother Li over to look at the things she had brought. The new quilt was for her grandparents — it was warm and thick.

When Grandmother Li heard that the quilt was one of the new ones bought for Dandan’s wedding, she quickly urged them to take it back.

“Grandma, don’t be so polite. Yiming’s grandmother insisted we bring it. She said we couldn’t let the elders freeze. Besides, Yiming and I are young — quilts should be for the older folks. Now that you can finally enjoy some peace, you must take care of your health.” Zuo Dan spoke with heartfelt sincerity. Of course, she and Shen Yiming didn’t lack quilts, but once something was gifted, the words had to sound nice too.

She would never say things like “we don’t use it anyway.” That kind of polite talk was unpleasant to hear and could make a sincere gift seem like an afterthought.

Grandmother Li was moved to tears by her words, deeply touched.

Thanks to the items brought by Shen Yiming and Zuo Dan, the household now had pretty much everything they needed.

Once everything was settled, Shen Yiming went out again to get the Li’s a honeycomb coal stove and brought back two hot water bottles.

As for coal, there was no need to mention it — he hauled back a small cartload directly from the coal yard. It would be enough to last the Li’s through the winter.

Earlier, Li Hui had been worried about how the family would survive the cold. Now she could finally relax. She made a mental note that once their crops were harvested, she’d bring plenty over to Dandan and Shen Yiming’s household too — just to help support the Shen family. They couldn’t let Yiming keep bearing all the burden.

That evening, Li Hui and Zuo Dacheng stayed at the Li residence for a reunion dinner instead of heading back. Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming also stayed to share the meal. Everyone was so happy that Grandfather Li and Zuo Dacheng even pulled Shen Yiming in to have a couple of drinks. With the elders present, Zuo Dan didn’t stop them — she just reminded him not to drink too much.

As the drinking got livelier, Grandmother Li and Li Hui chatted cheerfully as well.

The whole family was enjoying the meal when Li Wenchang suddenly said, “Dad, I want Xiaoxue to come back.”

The dinner table instantly went quiet.

Grandfather Li’s hand, holding his wine cup, paused mid-air. Then he resumed clinking glasses with Shen Yiming and Zuo Dacheng.

“Dad, I want Xiaoxue to return to the city,” Li Wenchang repeated.

Grandfather Li was on the verge of losing his patience. He hadn’t wanted to embarrass his son in front of his son-in-law and grandson-in-law, wanting to maintain a harmonious appearance. But he’d never seen a son more thoughtless than this — bringing something like that up at a moment like this. Did he think saying it in front of everyone would make him agree?

Grandfather Li didn’t say no directly. Instead, he asked, “How would she come back to the city? She’s a sent-down youth with no assigned work unit. How would she return?”

“She’s the only child in the family. That qualifies her to come back under the current policy,” Li Wenchang said with full confidence.

Zuo Dan hadn’t expected her uncle to come so prepared.

Even Grandfather Li was stumped by the reasoning. If she qualified under the policy, then whether he agreed or not, the outcome would be the same.

Zuo Dan said with a puzzled look, “That’s tricky. Comrade Su Xue’s household registration seems to be with the Su family. She’s legally a member of the Su family now. I heard she even has a biological younger brother there, so she’s not an only child.”

“Then I’ll transfer her household registration back!” Li Wenchang blurted out, visibly flustered.

Zuo Dan nodded. “Transferring it back is good — returning to one’s roots. But it might be hard to explain to the Su family. After all, they raised her all these years, and now she suddenly returns? They probably won’t agree. Wouldn’t that also affect Su Xue’s mother’s current marriage? She’s been married for years and has a son. If this messes up her marriage, that boy wouldn’t have a mother anymore. Poor kid.”

Li Wenchang’s face turned bright red. No one else spoke.

Zuo Dan looked innocent. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, Dandan, you didn’t,” Grandmother Li said. “Some things just aren’t that simple. Our Li family can’t be the kind of people who burn bridges after crossing them, and we certainly can’t interfere in someone else’s family. There’s no rush with the registration transfer — things at home aren’t even fully settled yet.”

Grandfather Li raised his cup and clinked it with Zuo Dacheng and Shen Yiming. “Don’t worry about this family matter. It’s nothing urgent.”

Neither Zuo Dacheng nor Shen Yiming planned to get involved. Zuo Dacheng didn’t dare — when it came to the Li family, he still felt a bit of the old inferiority from when he was a lowly carpenter. Shen Yiming simply couldn’t be bothered.

After dinner, Zuo Dacheng and Li Hui stayed at the Li residence for the night. Zuo Dan had wanted them to stay at the Shen home — it was more spacious — but both declined. They planned to visit the Shen family, of course, but it had to be during the day, and with gifts in hand, to show proper respect to the elders.

Grandmother Li and Grandfather Li were both people who valued propriety, so they fully supported the couple’s decision. As a result, Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming had to leave on their own.

On the way there, the bike had been packed with goods, making it hard to sit. Now that it was empty, they could ride comfortably. Zuo Dan sat in the backseat, slipped her hand into Shen Yiming’s pocket from behind, and hugged him. “Comrade Yiming,” she said teasingly, “I can see the signs. My uncle and the two elders aren’t on the same page. He’s trying to stir up trouble.”

Shen Yiming laughed at her mischievous tone. “What are you planning to do?”

“Nothing at all,” Zuo Dan said with a nonchalant look. “As long as he doesn’t mess with me, I won’t bother with him. I have better things to do than pick a fight. I just really can’t stand Su Xue. You brought Grandpa and Grandma back—you can’t let her waltz back in and live a cushy life for nothing.”

If the Li family had come back on their own, Zuo Dan wouldn’t have cared. But since Shen Yiming had put in so much effort, she wasn’t about to let Su Xue reap the benefits without doing anything.

Back at the Li household, after Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming left, Li Wenchang started pestering his parents again about letting Su Xue return to the city.

Grandfather Li and Grandmother Li didn’t even bother responding. As for all that talk about blood ties and kinship, they didn’t take it seriously at all. They had seen too much over the years and had long realized that family wasn’t just about shared blood—it had to come with genuine care. After experiencing the highs and lows of human relationships, they now understood what was truly worth treasuring.

With no one paying him any attention, Li Wenchang grew bored and retreated to his room. Grandfather Li and Zuo Dacheng also soon went to their room. The house only had two rooms, so for the time being, the men had to share one, and the women squeezed into the other.

In the other room, Grandmother Li and Li Hui huddled together. Grandmother Li smiled and said, “It still feels like a dream to me. Everything seems so unreal. I’m scared I’ll wake up and we’ll still be stuck in that place.”

“Mom, everything’s better now. You’re home,” Li Hui said, leaning against her mother.

Grandmother Li sighed. When it all happened back then, her daughter was still young. Now her granddaughter was already married. So much had changed. Fortunately, the family was together again.

“Hui, we owe Dacheng a lot these past years. No matter what happens going forward, I just want you to always follow your heart. We can’t afford to be too selfish.”

Her words clearly carried a deeper meaning.

Li Hui understood exactly what her mother meant. Blushing, she said, “Mom, don’t worry. Dacheng and I will live well. He’s been really good to me all these years—we’re very… loving.”

Grandmother Li finally relaxed. “That’s good. We have to learn to cherish people. Your father and I have seen a lot at the farm over the years. It’s not easy that Dacheng has stayed loyal to you for ten years. Unlike that Caiping woman—she divorced your brother the moment something happened. Even though we understood, it shows she never really cared about your brother. It’s all about comparisons. And compared to that, Dacheng really is an exceptional man.”

When Li Hui heard the name Guo Caiping, she asked, “Mom, do you think my brother still misses her? Do you think they’ll get back together?”

“Absolutely not! Your father and I would never agree to that. If they got back together, wouldn’t that be ruining someone else’s family? What would that make us? I’d rather your brother stay single for life than let him remarry her. If he does, there’ll be no place for him in this family.” The old lady was firm. “Your father definitely feels the same.”

Having seen Guo Caiping’s true colors, neither she nor Grandfather Li would ever accept her as a daughter-in-law again. After finally getting out of the labor camp, the last thing they wanted was more scheming and backstabbing at home.

Li Hui didn’t say anything more. She used to be on good terms with Guo Caiping, but after so many years and knowing that she had told Su Xue about her situation, she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable now.

The next morning, Shen Yiming came to pick up Zuo Dacheng and Li Hui to visit the Shen family.

When they arrived, both were quite impressed. Even Li Hui, who had lived a good life before, had to admit the Shen family had a nice setup. The house was spacious, the furniture refined, and the courtyard was arranged with elegant charm.

Grandma Shen was thrilled to welcome them. As soon as they entered the courtyard, she came out smiling, her face full of wrinkles from joy. “Dear in-laws, I’ve been hoping for this visit for so long. I always regretted that we didn’t get to meet before. I’m so glad we finally did. Thank you so much for raising such a wonderful girl like Dandan. I adore her and have always been so grateful to your family.”

Her warm enthusiasm left Zuo Dacheng and Li Hui dazed, unsure how to respond. Before they could even gather their thoughts, Grandma Shen’s sweetness had already overwhelmed them. They could only follow her into the house and laugh along.

Li Hui was the first to recover. Moved, she said, “Yiming is a wonderful child too. Our whole family adores him. You’ve really raised an outstanding grandson.”

“He’s just a little rascal. I’m glad you don’t mind,” Grandma Shen laughed heartily.

While the elders exchanged compliments, Shen Yiming and Zuo Dan slipped into the kitchen to cook.

With the families getting along so harmoniously, Shen Yiming was in an excellent mood. He closed the kitchen door, pulled Zuo Dan into his arms, and kissed her for a long while. “Comrade Zuo Dan, let’s go on a trip after the New Year. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while but haven’t delivered. I’ve been feeling guilty—worried you’d remember one day and come after me for it.”

Zuo Dan, feeling very pampered, broke into a smile. She hugged him tighter and planted a big kiss on his lips, her eyes sparkling. “Comrade Yiming, you said it!”

“I did,” Shen Yiming said, pressing his forehead to hers. They looked into each other’s eyes and smiled.