Army Commander Liao noticed the couple had returned but saw no sign of Yang Yufen, so he called her. Only then did he learn she hadn’t known they were coming back today.
"Mom, we were just about to head to the orchard to find you. Hello, Aunt Wang," Qin Nian explained.
"No need for that now. Let’s go home. Xianjun, go buy some groceries. We’ll keep dinner simple tonight."
Yang Yufen had been so overjoyed by the call that she rushed back without bringing anything. She stepped out of the car and handed the keys to Shen Xianjun.
Qin Nian moved forward and linked arms with Yang Yufen.
"Come on, let’s go home with Mom."
"I won’t intrude any further. We’ll have a meal together another time."
"What’s the hurry? It’s on the way anyway."
Yang Yufen found it amusing how her old friend was so eager to make space for them.
"Don’t rush, Aunt Wang. I’m on leave for a whole month this time. I won’t return to work until after the Asian Games," Qin Nian said.
"A whole month’s break? That’s wonderful."
Hearing this, Yang Yufen thought they could also visit Li Wu during that time.
Once home, Qin Nian immediately guided Yang Yufen to sit down.
"Mom, let me pour you some water first."
They had already boiled water after arriving.
"Good, good."
Yang Yufen took the cup and drank it all in one go. Meanwhile, Qin Nian began unpacking items and displaying them on the table for her to see.
"Mom, this is astragalus root—good for boosting energy. You can steep it in water daily, maybe add some red dates and brown sugar. I’ve also prepared a portion for Teacher’s wife and Aunt Wang."
"Wonderful, you’re so thoughtful. Mom has something for you too."
Yang Yufen led Qin Nian into the room and opened the safe, revealing a bright red property deed.
"This is our family’s newly bought house, registered under your name and the children’s. Little Fan sent over the dividends—who knew the appliance factory would be so profitable? You young people are truly impressive."
Beneath the deed were several velvet boxes. When opened, they gleamed with gold.
At first glance, it all seemed to be gold, but then Yang Yufen opened another case, revealing gemstones and jade.
"I don’t know much about these things, but Aunt Wang said they’re good quality. I thought they’d suit you. They weren’t too expensive, and if you don’t wear them, they can go to Li Wen and Li Wu’s future wives."
Qin Nian looked at her plainly dressed mother-in-law. The clothes she wore were ones Qin Nian had bought, now patched up. Yang Yufen’s ears bore no piercings, her neck and wrists bare of any adornment.
"Mom, those dividends were yours. You should’ve spent them on yourself."
"I did! Aunt Wang and I bought a big truck for the orchard. It’s been so busy lately that the truck hasn’t had a moment’s rest."
Yang Yufen smiled warmly. Now that she’d handed over these assets to her daughter-in-law, she felt at ease.
"Money in the bank barely grows. I converted most of it into property and these things, keeping just a little aside for emergencies."
"Mom, we’ve said before—you manage the family’s money however you see fit. Xianjun and I haven’t spent much of our salaries or allowances these past two years. We’ve saved it all—let me bring it to you."
"No need, no need. The family has enough. You shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. I’ve even let the kids handle their own money."
Back when finances were tight, they had to budget carefully just to get by. Now that they were better off, there was no need for such strictness.
"The kids have their own bank accounts now. Their bonuses and such go straight into their savings."
"Then I’ll start depositing their monthly allowances directly into their accounts too. That way, they won’t have to go through any hassle when they need money."
Qin Nian thought this was a good idea. Neither child was wasteful, and learning to manage money was important.
"I’ll give you their account details. Are you both on leave for the whole month?"
Yang Yufen handed the items to Qin Nian.
"Xianjun and I have the same leave period."
"Then let’s pick a few days to visit Li Wu. Call him—it’ll make the child happy. Tomorrow, we’ll go see Li Wen. Teacher’s wife is staying with them in the old courtyard. It’s no longer rented out, just for family use now."
Yang Yufen had considered buying another courtyard, but run-down old houses were being snapped up at prices higher than newly built apartments. She gave up—not only were they hard to find, but people were reluctant to sell.
"Alright, we’ll follow your lead, Mom."
Qin Nian nodded.
"The residential compound is going to be rebuilt again."
Yang Yufen dropped another big piece of news.
Qin Nian hadn’t heard about this.
"This time, our entire area is part of the plan. They’re replacing everything with high-rises. So take all these things I’ve given you with you when you leave, or store them in the new house or the old courtyard. The old area isn’t as safe, and the new place is a villa—though it’s not furnished yet."
As for decoration, she was too old for that. The younger generation would live there. She was content staying at the orchard. She and her old friends had even discussed hiring a doctor for the orchard to handle minor ailments.
They weren’t expecting someone to stay there full-time, but if anyone was willing, that would be ideal.
"It’s near the university district too. I’ll take you to see it tomorrow. Construction starts next spring. I’ve already moved a lot of things to the orchard."
"What about Aunt Wang and the others? Where will they stay?"
They couldn’t possibly leave people to find their own accommodations, but unlike the crowded tenements, their small courtyard homes had fewer residents, so it shouldn’t be a major issue.
"I haven’t paid much attention to others, but Aunt Wang bought a place in the same neighborhood as ours. Hers is already being decorated. I figured I’d let you all decide on the design when you have time."
Qin Nian looked around the familiar courtyard. Since marrying Shen Xianjun and being cared for by her mother-in-law, this had been their longest-standing home. It was hard to believe it would soon be demolished.
"After the rebuild, the assigned homes will be more spacious and brighter than now—just no land for planting. But everyone’s busy anyway."
Yang Yufen spoke casually.
The compound was filling up with more and more young researchers, and space was truly running out.
Early the next morning, Yang Yufen took Shen Xianjun and Qin Nian to see the new house. At this hour, Li Wen and the others were still at school. They’d visit the old courtyard at noon.
"Wait—Mom, is this entire three-story building ours?"
Shen Xianjun suddenly realized how little he knew about the family’s assets. Just how much money did they have?
"It’s Nian’s. The factory she runs with Little Fan earned this. Otherwise, how could we afford it? You know exactly how much your allowance is."
Shen Xianjun rubbed his nose sheepishly.
"Still, I used your money to buy a flat for Li Wen and Li Wu. We’ll go see it later—it’s not furnished yet."
Yang Yufen led them inside.
"The left unit belongs to Teacher’s wife, and the right one is Aunt Wang’s. We’ll all still be neighbors. It’s just a shame Aunt Liu’s family moved away. Aunt Guixiang said she’d wait for the new construction."
