Yang Yufen spent a whole day visiting the Summer Palace with Professor Wen and her group. At first, she was worried that she wouldn't get along well with these literati, but she found that they were actually very easy to get along with.
When they met the craftsmen who were renovating the buildings in the Summer Palace and noticed Yang Yufen's interest, they all stopped for a long time, allowing Yang Yufen to watch and chatting about the old days.
After a day of strolling around, Yang Yufen felt much more open - minded.
"You really like the carpenter's work. You were so engrossed in watching it and even helped out."
"I'm used to it since childhood. It's all in my mind. I just can't help it."
Yang Yufen replied with a smile.
"If you like it, you can come and see it often. Both Niannian and Xianjun have work permits that allow them to enter at any time. I'll help you get one later. Staying at home all day is so boring. There are many ancient buildings in our capital. You can go and have a look when you're free."
The more Professor Wen talked, the more she thought this idea was feasible. In the past, her daughter - in - law had helped take care of the children. Now that the children were older and had their own friends and went to school during the day, her daughter - in - law couldn't always just wait for the children to come back.
"Mom, you're back. Hello, mother - in - law."
Shen Xianjun was sweeping the yard.
"Yeah, Xianjun is at home. Where's Niannian?"
"Niannian is in the room."
Shen Xianjun stepped forward to take the vegetable basket from Yang Yufen's hand.
"I'll go and have a chat with Niannian."
Professor Wen nodded slightly when she saw Shen Xianjun's action.
"I'll just go to the backyard to see how those chickens are doing."
Yang Yufen was still very concerned about her home after being out all day.
"Mom, I've fed the chickens, swept the chicken coop, watered the vegetables in the backyard and pulled out all the weeds. You take a rest first. I'll pour you a glass of water. The kids will be back for dinner in a little while."
Shen Xianjun quickly told her what he had done all day.
Yang Yufen took a sip of the water that was brought to her. It had sugar in it.
"Is there a guest at home?"
Yang Yufen asked suspiciously.
"No. Why do you ask, Mom? By the way, Mom, you said you wanted to go back. It's approved. Pack up tonight and we'll leave the day after tomorrow. I've arranged everything at home. I've asked Aunt Wang to help look after the house. Niannian will ask her grandmother to take care of her for a few days."
"Well, that's good. When the child is older, you still have to take the child back to pay respects to the ancestors."
With one thing off her mind, Yang Yufen felt even better. She raised her hand and took another sip of water. It was too sweet.
"Why did you make sugared water if there's no guest at home?"
Yang Yufen was reluctant to pour it out, so she put the sugared water down.
"I thought you'd be tired after being out all day, so I prepared it for you specially."
Shen Xianjun looked at the more - than - half - full glass of untouched sugared water.
"Could it be that I didn't put enough sugar?"
"It's so sweet that it could kill someone. You probably emptied the sugar jar into it. Take it into the room and share it among the kids later."
Yang Yufen was a bit helpless.
Since they were going back the day after tomorrow, she had to pack up her things properly. She had to go shopping tomorrow and ask Gui Xiang if there was anything she needed to bring back.
"Okay."
Shen Xianjun carried the sugared water into the room. Yang Yufen followed him into the kitchen uneasily to see what was for dinner. There was a plate of tomatoes with sugar and noodles. It was a good choice to eat noodles in this weather.
"Boil two more eggs for Niannian."
After saying that, Yang Yufen went to the chicken coop in the backyard. She wouldn't feel at ease if she didn't take a look.
Inside the room, Qin Nian was talking with Professor Wen.
"Don't worry about the child. I'm not busy these days. I'll take care of the child. You really should accompany your mother - in - law back to visit the graves. How many days will you be back?"
"Counting the journey, it should take about eight to ten days to come back."
Qin Nian had calculated. It would take about four days to drive there and back. Her mother - in - law rarely went back, so she would definitely stay for a few days.
"That's not a long time. Take good care of your mother - in - law during this time."
Professor Wen thought for a while. The child could eat in the canteen, and she could swap classes with someone.
"Teacher's wife, I want to buy a house for my mother - in - law."
Qin Nian looked outside the door. There was no one there, and then she spoke.
"Why did you suddenly think of buying a house?"
Professor Wen was stunned when she heard this.
"Before, my mother - in - law's words made me think that she might want me, Xianjun and the child to get along more. She doesn't want to disturb us, so she's thinking of going back to the countryside."
Qin Nian told Professor Wen what she was thinking.
"But Xianjun and I have special jobs and can't be like ordinary couples. I think it's good now. We respect each other and can be busy with our own things. The child is also growing up. All this is thanks to my mother - in - law. With my mother - in - law around, I feel at ease doing anything."
Professor Wen nodded slightly when she heard this.
"Before, the things my mother - in - law bought for me were all in my name. It's not good to transfer them back. It's better to buy a new house for my mother - in - law. It's best to be close to us. My mother - in - law likes to grow crops, so it's better to be a yard like our family compound."
"You want to buy your mother-in-law a house so she can stay here, and I think that’s a good idea. I’ll help you keep an eye out for properties.
I think your mother-in-law has just been used to working hard all her life, and now that she’s idle, she feels unsettled. The kids are growing up, going to school, and making their own friends—they’re not as clingy as before. It’s only natural for your mother-in-law to feel a bit lost."
Professor Wen had noticed it too. Even now, she still occasionally went to teach her students. If she were to stop completely, she’d probably feel too unoccupied.
"I think if your mother-in-law had something to do, she might not dwell on it so much. Her woodworking skills are excellent, and with so many ancient buildings being restored these days, I can tell she’s quite interested in that."
"Wouldn’t that be too exhausting for her?"
Qin Nian worried.
"It’s not about making money—just something to tinker with in her free time. The more she sees and learns, the more people she might meet, and her mood could brighten. All these years, she’s been taking care of your children and staying here—it hasn’t been easy for her."
"Then I’ll trouble you with this, Professor Wen."
Qin Nian knew she didn’t have the time to search for a house herself.
"Don’t mention it. We’re family—no need for formalities. Your mother-in-law has helped take care of Little Baby and Zhenghao all these years. She’s done a lot for us."
After settling the matter of buying the house, Qin Nian and Professor Wen switched topics, careful not to let Yang Yufen overhear.
"Yufen, since you’re heading back the day after tomorrow, and I’m off tomorrow, why don’t I take you shopping for some local specialties from the capital?"
"Sounds wonderful! I was planning to pick up some things tomorrow too."
Yang Yufen nodded.
"Grandma, we want to come too!"
Li Wu, knowing that Yang Yufen and the others were returning to their hometown, immediately started making a fuss. Li Wen also stared at his grandmother with pleading eyes.
