Rejected by his wife, Shen Xianjun could only sit obediently. The nearly hour-long journey felt short, as his heart yearned for home.
"You two are exhausted, coming and going so early and late. Just come back when you have time off. I’m still mobile, and now that it’s hot, I’m planning to stay at the orchard with Aunt Wang for a while."
Yang Yufen could see how much her son and daughter-in-law wanted to accompany her, but those extra two hours of rest in the morning and evening would do them good. Running back and forth every day was too much for anyone.
And besides…
"Mom, if you’re going to the orchard, you must take Sister Li with you. I won’t feel at ease if you’re alone. The doctor said you’ve recovered well, but you mustn’t do heavy labor."
"Don’t worry, don’t worry. It’s just that the orchard is cooler with all the shade. Shuo manages everything there now. Aunt Wang and I are just going for fun."
Yang Yufen assured them, saying she had already packed for the orchard. Qin Nian took half a day off to personally drive her there.
"Sister Li, I’ll increase your salary for the time you’re at the orchard. Please take good care of her. Lately, I’ve been hearing Mom cough at night. Make sure she doesn’t eat anything cold, and prepare more lung-nourishing foods."
"Don’t worry, Professor Qin. I’ll take good care of the old lady."
Qin Nian had work to attend to, so she reluctantly drove off.
"Your coughing has been getting worse lately. Why haven’t you gone to see a doctor?"
Aunt Wang had noticed it too.
"Just stifled from staying indoors all day. Sister Li makes me drink soups to soothe my lungs and reduce heat."
"But constant coughing isn’t good. Pears aren’t in season yet, but loquat leaves and fritillaria bulbs can also moisten the lungs and stop coughing. If you can’t find them elsewhere, surely the Agricultural Academy can spare some loquat leaves and fritillaria. Let Shuo fetch them for you."
"Why trouble my godson? I came to the orchard precisely to avoid burdening the kids."
Yang Yufen laughed helplessly.
"Godfamily is still family. It’s his duty to be filial—it’s no big deal. Though our orchard doesn’t have loquat trees. Maybe we should plant a few."
"Old age makes it hard to bear the dryness of the capital. The orchard is near the river, with mountains and trees. Maybe staying here for a few days will help."
Seeing Yang Yufen’s insistence, Aunt Wang didn’t push her to see a doctor. Still, she had Wang Shuo find loquat leaves and fritillaria, and Sister Li brewed loquat syrup for Yang Yufen.
Whether it was the orchard’s moist air or the syrup, Yang Yufen’s coughing did ease.
When Qin Nian visited during her break, she saw Yang Yufen moving nimbly, picking vegetables with ease, her complexion and mood much improved. Relieved, Qin Nian realized how stifled her mother-in-law had been at home.
"Alright, alright, don’t worry about me so much. How much leave have you taken for this old woman? Think of the pressure you’re under, with people above and below watching you."
Yang Yufen patted Qin Nian’s hand.
"Mom…"
Qin Nian gripped her hand tightly.
"Mom, these past years have seen so many talented people rise. When I was young, I threw myself entirely into work, leaving the household to you. Our country is growing stronger every day. Your generation suffered so much—you deserve to see these better times."
"I know, I know. And I will see more of it. I’ve been blessed because of you, moving from the mountains to the capital. To witness our nation’s prosperity with my own eyes—many can only dream of that. I’m content, truly."
Yang Yufen comforted her.
"People age. Birth, aging, sickness, death—it’s the natural order. I’ve made my peace with it, and you should too. I know how filial you are, but don’t let an old woman like me hold you back. The country needs you. I want to see even greater prosperity in the years to come."
"Alright. But Mom, promise me you won’t overwork yourself at the orchard. Call us if anything happens. It’s not like the old days—you can call anytime."
Reluctantly, Qin Nian left, her arms full of treats Yang Yufen had packed for her to share with colleagues.
"Maybe next time we take turns going back. It might be easier."
Shen Xianjun noticed Qin Nian’s somber mood and embraced her.
"I just want to spend more time with Mom."
Stunned for a moment, Shen Xianjun held her tighter.
Neither spoke further. The next morning, they threw themselves into work with even greater focus and diligence.
"Grandma, you’ve lost weight!"
Li Wen and Li Wu visited the orchard. Li Wen now scheduled his breaks around Li Wu’s holidays.
"A lean old age is a blessing. Look how tall you’ve both grown—you’ll be taller than your dad soon! Grandma will cook a chicken for you today."
"Grandma, let me! I can do it! Just watch—I’ll show you my skills!"
Li Wu eagerly volunteered.
"Alright, my big grandson cooking for me—what a treat!"
Yang Yufen smiled warmly.
Li Wu dashed off to catch the plumpest chicken he could find.
The orchard raised free-range chickens and ducks. The fast-growing white-feathered chickens were for meat, while the older layers were too tough. With the fruit trees now mature and unsuitable for intercropping herbs, the poultry helped control weeds and pests while fertilizing the soil.
"Grandma, are you sick? If you are, we should get you treated properly."
Li Wen stayed by Yang Yufen’s side while Li Wu chased chickens.
"You take after your mother—so observant. But Grandma isn’t sick, just old. Like Grandpa Yang. Don’t be sad—it’s something everyone goes through."
Touched by the child’s sensitivity, Yang Yufen reached out to ruffle his hair, as she had when he was little.
Li Wen leaned into her lap, resting his head against her.
"Then stay with me for many more years, Grandma. At least until I grow up."
"Alright, I’ll do my best."
Yang Yufen stroked his back. Li Wen had always been tenderhearted and reserved—unlike Li Wu, who remained boisterous even as he grew. It had been years since Li Wen last snuggled against her like this.
Li Wu brandished a spatula under Chef Zhou’s guidance, proudly serving a pot of mushroom stewed chicken.
He went on to prepare other dishes, earning praise for his culinary talent—and promptly spent the afternoon helping in the orchard’s kitchen.
"Grandma! Aunt Wang! Li Wen! Dinner’s ready!"
At Li Wu’s booming call, Li Wen helped Yang Yufen to the dining hall, serving her food as he had in childhood before plopping down beside her.
"You stole my spot!"
Li Wu gaped at his brother, certain he’d been elbowed aside.
"I sat here first."
Li Wen calmly ladled soup for Yang Yufen, then piled her bowl with meat.
"Eat, Grandma. This looks delicious."
"Hey, you sly little—I made this! Grandma, try it, quick!"
Grumbling, Li Wu squeezed in beside Li Wen, his eyes bright with anticipation as he watched Yang Yufen.
