"That's wonderful! Our place will be so lively from now on."
Aunt Wang was delighted to hear this and eagerly offered her help.
"Mom, you’ll take this largest room. I’ll stay across the hall, and this one can be for the kids when they’re older. For now, we can use it for storage. You can arrange the front and back yards however you like."
Qin Nian pointed out the biggest room for Yang Yufen.
"I don’t need such a big room. You take this one. I’ll get you a large desk so you can read and help the kids with their homework. This smaller one suits me just fine—it’s sunny, close to the kitchen, warm in winter, and convenient for getting things done."
Yang Yufen had already inspected all the rooms and was mentally planning what else to add to the house.
"Later, we can get a bamboo bed. The kids suffer in the summer heat, and the yard is spacious. We can set up the bed with a mosquito net so they can sleep outside at night. When not in use, we’ll store it in the kids’ room. We should also build a cabinet—there’ll be more things to store as time goes on."
"I’ll leave it all to you, Mom. But won’t this be too much work for you?"
"These are just small tasks—nothing to worry about."
Yang Yufen was deeply touched that her daughter-in-law had reserved the largest room for her. What a thoughtful girl! If only her own son hadn’t been born with such a sharp tongue.
"Achoo!"
"Achoo!"
"Achoo!"
"Xian, are you alright?"
"Fine. Probably someone’s cursing me. Go on, Brother Lan."
"Rourou is pregnant, and it’s not safe here. I’ll arrange for someone to take you back to the mainland. There’ll be people waiting to receive you."
"You’re sending us away? No—have someone else escort Rourou. I’m staying to protect you."
"I’ve got plenty of protection. The others can’t easily blend in on the mainland, but you’re different—you already have mainland papers. Didn’t you say you wanted to find your family? Maybe going back will jog your memory."
"All the doctors you’ve brought me to said I might never remember. Maybe I don’t even have a family—just wishful thinking. Brother Lan, I want to stay with you."
"Xian, you’re the only one I can trust. I’ve left enough for Rourou to live comfortably over there. When things settle down, she’ll know where to go.
I can’t give you much now. Money from here won’t be useful there, but this watch is worth something—keep it as a memento. If we meet again someday… And this should be enough for you and Rourou to start fresh."
Inside a cigarette case were several gold bars.
Meanwhile, Qin Nian was about to call the security office for help moving furniture when Hu Jun arrived with a few men.
"Big Brother."
"Nian, you’ve lost weight, but you look livelier than before. Dad said you were moving today, so I brought some help."
"Hello, little sister."
"Remember me?"
"Brother Lin."
"Your memory’s as sharp as ever!"
Lin Hui grinned broadly—their last meeting had been nearly eight years ago.
"Let’s get moving. Nian, lead the way."
"Alright, thank you all."
Seeing there were enough hands, Qin Nian didn’t bother calling the security office.
The men, all former soldiers, were strong—two could easily lift a heavy cabinet. With Hu Jun’s borrowed truck, all the furniture and odds and ends were moved in one trip.
"Aunt Yang, we’re here to help with the move."
"Nian’s brother is here! Thank you for your hard work. Put everything in this room."
Yang Yufen directed them without delay, pointing to the freshly cleaned space.
With so many hands and a truck, everything was transported in just two trips.
"Since we’re here, let’s fix the outhouse too. You dig the pit—I’ll fetch bricks. Dinner’s on me tomorrow."
Hu Jun wasted no time. Noticing the new home lacked a proper toilet and knowing Qin Nian would soon be busy with work, he got straight to it. Tools were ready, and Aunt Wang lent whatever was missing.
"Thank you, Big Brother."
Qin Nian hadn’t expected them to help with renovations too.
"Everyone, have some water."
She brought out a thermos—luckily, there were plenty of bamboo cups.
"Thanks, little sister."
"Qin, step back—don’t want you getting dirty."
Lin Hui was the last to drink, gulping down two cups with a smile.
Yang Yufen, emerging from the kitchen, noticed.
Hmm. This one’s got ulterior motives—grinning like a fool, ears red. The others just said thanks and went back to work, but this one lingered, making small talk.
If Nian weren’t her daughter-in-law… Well, the boy worked hard, and anyone Hu Jun trusted was capable. Tall, sturdy, good-looking—under different circumstances, she might’ve played matchmaker.
Too bad.
"Nian, Dabao and Erbao will wake up soon."
"Right. Mom, I’ll check on them at Aunt Wang’s."
Qin Nian left the thermos outside for anyone who needed water.
Lin Hui glanced at Yang Yufen, who gave him a polite smile—nothing amiss.
Hu Jun returned with supplies. The pit was dug, pipes laid, and soil packed—done in no time.
By five o’clock, the outhouse was nearly complete.
"You’ve worked hard today. Nian’s brother, take these for the meal later."
Yang Yufen handed Hu Jun a dried chicken, a cured fish, and some homemade bamboo shoots.
"Thanks, Auntie. I’ll drop everyone off first, then you and Nian can head home."
Hu Jun accepted the gifts without fuss, then called the men to the truck.
"Mom, let’s put a table here for storage."
Yaoyao had returned with the twins from next door. Qin Nian pointed to a spot.
Yang Yufen agreed, figuring the old furniture from Qin Nian’s room could go there.
When it was time, Yang Yufen took a basket of groceries and led the way to the Hu household.
"Auntie! Nian!"
"Sister-in-law, let me help."
Seeing Zhou Ang heavily pregnant in the kitchen, Qin Nian rolled up her sleeves to assist.
"Xiao Zhou, Nian—watch the kids. I’ll handle things with your mother-in-law."
Yang Yufen shooed them out, joining Professor Wen in the kitchen.
"What’s on the menu, in-law?"
She worked with practiced ease.
"Fish and shrimp—steamed fish, stir-fried shrimp. Old Hu brought roast duck. He loved your bamboo shoot and cured chicken dish last night, but I don’t know how to make it."
"Easy. I brought presoaked bamboo shoots—ready to cook anytime."
