Deng Jing smiled and said, "It's true. He said he has already bought the tickets and will be home on the twenty-eighth."
The smile on Su Bingcheng's face simply could not be contained. He paced back and forth in the living room, nodding repeatedly, "Good, good, good! Second Son is finally willing to come back! We must have a proper reunion this time!"
Seeing the right moment, Fan Biyun chimed in with a smile, "Dad, since Second Son is also coming back, why don't we have a good family gathering for the New Year this year? Our family of four, Second Son's family of four, plus you and Mom, and youngest brother's family—it will be so lively and wonderful!"
Su Bingcheng was in an excellent mood. Hearing her say this, he didn't think much of it and waved his large hand, "That's a given! The New Year is all about family reunion. Everyone should come back, everyone!"
The smile on Fan Biyun's face deepened as she turned her head to glance at Su Ding.
Listening from the side, Deng Jing vaguely felt that something was off, but for a moment she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
When Xu Yueyun returned from grocery shopping, she was taken aback the moment she walked in and saw Eldest Son and his wife, along with Second Son's wife, all present.
"Why are you all here?"
Su Bingcheng greeted her with a beaming smile, "Yueyun, Second Son sent a letter saying he's coming back for the New Year this year! He'll be home on the twenty-eighth!"
Xu Yueyun's eyes lit up, "Really?"
Deng Jing repeated, "Really, it was written very clearly in the letter."
A smile also appeared on Xu Yueyun's face as she said repeatedly, "Good, good, good. It's been hard on you. The two children haven't seen their father in a long time."
"Mom," Fan Biyun took a step forward, "I just told Dad that our whole family should have a good get-together this New Year. Our family will also come back so we can have a lively holiday."
The smile on Xu Yueyun's face paused for a moment.
She gave Fan Biyun a look and then turned to Su Bingcheng.
Su Bingcheng was still immersed in his joy and didn't notice the change in his wife's expression. He just went on saying, "Yes, everyone come back, everyone! It's so rare for Second Son to come back; the family must reunite!"
Xu Yueyun remained silent for a while, gave a faint hum of acknowledgment, and didn't say anything more.
Seeing that she was unhappy, Auntie Yu tried to smooth things over, "Comrade Xu, let's have them bring the things inside first."
"What things?" Fan Biyun was the first to ask.
Xu Yueyun ignored her, and Auntie Yu replied, "New Year goods sent over from Zhilan on the island."
Even though Fan Biyun and Deng Jing both lived in the capital and interacted more with Auntie Yu, in her heart, Auntie Yu actually preferred Lin Zhilan.
Every time Lin Zhilan sent things, she would prepare an extra portion specifically for her.
The purpose was to have her take good care of Xu Yueyun.
Hearing that Auntie Yu's son had polio with lingering effects, Zhilan even specially taught her a set of massage techniques.
Others might not understand, but Auntie Yu knew in her heart exactly why Xu Yueyun favored Lin Zhilan more.
When someone truly cares about you, pretty words are useless; you have to look at their actions.
The movers unloaded the goods and brought them all the way into the house.
Xu Yueyun hurriedly said, "You two young comrades, come in quickly and have a sip of water."
At the same time, she secretly took out some money and ration coupons and stuffed them into their hands.
The movers quickly declined, "No need, Auntie, Brother Lang already rewarded us."
After saying that, they hurried off.
Only then did Xu Yueyun take a good look at the room full of items.
Two sacks of rice, two sacks of white flour, a large jug of peanut oil, a large tub of salted fish, as well as dried bananas, coconut slices, kelp, dried scallops, and dried abalone—all packed in massive bags.
There was also a bunch of fresh plantains, a basket of pomelos, and a basket of mature coconuts.
Even more eye-catching were two baskets of lush green vegetables.
Wrapped in straw, they fortunately hadn't suffered frost damage and were still a vibrant, jade green upon arriving at the house.
In the capital's winter, there were hardly any fresh vegetables; the main staples were just radishes and cabbage.
Lush green lettuce and celtuce like these were even harder to buy than dried abalone and scallops.
Fan Biyun rolled her eyes slightly, praising with a smile, "Third Sister-in-law is truly thoughtful. It's just that with so much, I'm afraid the two of you won't be able to finish it all."
Xu Yueyun didn't save her any face, "If we can't finish it, I'll chop it up, make stuffed buns, and freeze them outside to wait for Su Lang and Zhilan to eat when they return."
Deng Jing didn't mind.
If her parents-in-law gave her some, she would take it.
If they didn't, it was no big deal.
Having been rebuffed, Fan Biyun looked somewhat embarrassed, "That's also a good idea."
Taking advantage of the time while her parents-in-law and Deng Jing were sorting the items, Fan Biyun went to take a peek at the room prepared for Su Lang's family.
With just one look, her eyes turned red with jealousy, and her heart soured.
A complete set of elm wood furniture, light blue bed curtains, brand-new bedding, clothes, shoes, socks, books, and toys—almost everything imaginable had been fully prepared.
Thinking the snow-white walls were too monotonous, Xu Yueyun had even specially put up wallpaper.
The room had great lighting, and she had great taste. Under the sunlight, the elegant wallpaper cast a hazy, warm glow across the room.
"Biyun," Su Ding called her from over there, "we should head back."
Fan Biyun came out, just about to utter a few sour remarks, but seeing that Su Ding and Deng Jing were both holding a bunch of plantains in their hands, she temporarily suppressed her anger.
Her goal had been achieved anyway; she could settle other matters later.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, she pulled Su Ding along and took her leave.
Deng Jing also left with her child.
Once everyone was gone, Xu Yueyun finally put down the things in her hands and looked at Su Bingcheng, "Why did you agree to let Eldest Son's family come back for the New Year?"
Su Bingcheng was taken aback, "What's wrong? Since Second Son is coming back, shouldn't Eldest Son's family come for the New Year too?"
Xu Yueyun sighed and sat down on the sofa, "How many days has it been since Eldest Son's family finally gave us some peace?"
Su Bingcheng frowned, "But it's so rare for Second Son to come back... If only Eldest Son's family doesn't come, what would that look like?"
Xu Yueyun didn't speak.
Su Bingcheng sat down next to her and softened his tone, "Yueyun, I know you are unhappy about it."
"Su Lang's wife is coming back for the first time. If she finds out that we won't even let Eldest Son's family through the door for the New Year, what will she think? Will she feel our family is discordant? Will she think you are an evil mother-in-law?"
Xu Yueyun punched him lightly in annoyance, "You're the evil mother-in-law!"
Su Bingcheng laughed, "Just this once for the New Year. From now on, I'll listen to you on everything."
After a good while, she finally spoke, her voice somewhat exhausted, "I know what you mean. Jiajia is gone, and with three sons left, you hope they will help each other and twist together like a single rope."
"But look at the temperaments of Eldest Son and his wife. When Xiao Lang comes back, let alone brotherly affection, I'm afraid whatever little bond they had from childhood will be completely ruined by them."
Su Bingcheng held her hand, "Yueyun, I know you've been wronged. Just this once. It's rare for Second Son and the third son to run into each other, and for us, every time we see them is one time fewer we have left."
Xu Yueyun didn't speak; she just sighed softly.
She thought of Fan Biyun's face full of smiles just now, her mind as clear as a mirror.
They weren't here to discuss the New Year at all; they were clearly here to take advantage.
But what could she say?
Lao Su was right. Second Son was coming back, and Xiao Lang was coming back too. It was hard enough to get the whole family together.
She would just fulfill this wish of his.
