"I'm telling the truth."
"Just say that at home, and absolutely don't let anyone else hear it." Yu Xiaohua was happy, but upon further thought, it still felt strange, though she couldn't pinpoint why.
Zhang Xiaomei also realized her previous statement might not have been entirely appropriate, but since it was already said, there was no way to take it back.
"I know, I'll only say it at home and won't let others hear." Zhang Xiaomei was pregnant now and often thought how wonderful it would be if she could have children as capable as her third brother.
But she also knew that such things couldn't just happen because she wished them to. After all, a good man like her third brother was one in a million.
"What Xiaomei said is what I wanted to say too. Mother-in-law has indeed contributed immensely to this family." Jiang Qingqing, after hearing her sister-in-law's words, also found them reasonable. If it weren't for her mother-in-law giving birth to such a good son as Liunian, she wouldn't be living such a good life now.
"You all just love to joke with me. Eat your food quickly, this braised pork ribs is something I specially made for Qingqing. I heard you like it, so Qingqing, eat more." Yu Xiaohua was overjoyed and beaming when her daughter-in-law also praised her. She reached out and placed a few bites of braised pork ribs into Jiang Qingqing's bowl.
The reason she knew Jiang Qingqing liked this dish was from asking her second son.
"Okay, thank you, Mom." Jiang Qingqing was flattered. She glanced at her husband and, seeing him nod slightly, felt a surge of emotions.
Her mother-in-law suddenly being so kind to her, an indifferent daughter-in-law, left Jiang Qingqing flustered. Fortunately, it was New Year's Eve dinner, and she could just focus on eating.
Zhang Liunian, seeing his wife at a loss, reached under the table and squeezed her hand, giving her a reassuring smile.
Jiang Qingqing returned his smile and then also served Zhang Liunian a few bites of food, "You eat too."
"Okay." Zhang Liunian happily ate the food his wife served him.
Seeing this, the others couldn't help but stifle their smiles.
The mute, seeing this, followed suit and served Zhang Xiaomei some food. Zhang Xiaomei felt a bit embarrassed but still reached out and served the mute a few bites.
At the same time, a figure outside the courtyard gate was heading towards Zhang Liunian's house. They quietly pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped in. After a few more steps, they stopped and called out towards the house, "Dad, Mom, I'm back."
The people inside the house seemed to hit a pause button, all their actions ceasing, and they fell silent. They looked at each other, no one making a move.
But why did that voice sound so much like Zhang Liuxing's?
This was impossible! Wasn't he in jail?
"Did I just hear the second son's voice?" Zhang Wenxue, seeing that no one else was speaking, couldn't resist breaking the silence first.
Yu Xiaohua also put down her chopsticks and said, "I think I heard it too, but isn't he inside?"
How could they hear his voice? This was impossible.
As Yu Xiaohua was pondering, Zhang Liuxing's voice sounded again from outside. This time, it was closer and clearer, "Dad, Mom, are you all at third brother's place?"
Boom!
Now everyone heard it clearly. It was indeed Zhang Liuxing's voice. The first to get up and leave was Zhang Xinghua, "Dad."
With a creak, the door, which shouldn't have been opened at this time, swung open. Zhang Liunian and the others all looked towards the door and indeed saw Zhang Liuxing.
At this moment, Zhang Liuxing looked disheveled and thin, his face pale, as if he had suffered greatly.
Zhang Liushui instinctively looked at his third brother, his face filled with worry. His second brother shouldn't be here, yet he was? This made Zhang Liushui anxious, wondering if he was here to cause trouble for his third brother again.
"Dad, Mom," Zhang Liuxing hugged his unexpectedly appearing son, then entered the house, put his son down, and walked up to Zhang Wenxue and his wife.
"Second son?" Zhang Wenxue stood up, his old eyes reddening.
Yu Xiaohua was the same, "Second son, why are you back?"
As soon as she asked this, Yu Xiaohua realized she had asked something she shouldn't have. But her second son truly shouldn't have appeared at this time.
When their second son was arrested, they had personally gone to inquire and visit him. They had learned that their second son was sentenced to over twenty years. How could he be out at this time?
Yu Xiaohua couldn't figure it out, and neither could Zhang Wenxue. However, he knew it wouldn't be good if outsiders saw their second son. He immediately turned and closed the main door, then looked at his thin second son and asked with concern, "Second son, why are you home?"
"I just wanted to come and see how Mom and Dad are doing. Now that I see you are all well, I can rest assured." Zhang Liuxing did not explain why he was out, only stating that he was a filial son who wanted to visit his elderly parents.
After saying this, he turned to leave, but Zhang Wenxue stopped him, "Since you're here, why don't you have a meal with everyone before you go?"
Zhang Liuxing's body stiffened upon hearing this, and he said pitifully, "Can I?"
Seeing his usually proud second son like this, Zhang Wenxue's old eyes reddened again.
"Third son, you prepared this meal for everyone. Now that second son is back, can you let him eat with us?" If they were at the eldest son's house now, Zhang Wenxue wouldn't have asked Zhang Liunian, he could have decided to let the second son stay.
But this was his youngest son's home, and after finally repairing some of their relationship, he couldn't act without permission.
Zhang Liunian looked up at Zhang Liuxing when he heard this, intending to see what he was up to, but only saw his pale and gaunt face.
"Liunian, why don't we let him eat one meal!" Jiang Qingqing didn't want her in-laws to be embarrassed, so she tugged at her husband's clothes and whispered.
Zhang Liunian patted his wife's hand and squinted, thinking that Zhang Liuxing must have had someone's help to get out at this time, otherwise he couldn't have.
But who could have helped him?
Could it be someone related to him, Tang Family's Third Uncle? The Red Gang? Or the Zhu family?
If they got Zhang Liuxing out, were they planning to deal with him?
"Third brother, if you mind, second brother will leave." Seeing Zhang Liunian remain silent for a long time, Zhang Liuxing turned to leave, but was still pulled back by Zhang Wenxue.
"Second son..." Zhang Wenxue looked at Zhang Liunian, not finishing his sentence.
Zhang Liunian understood his meaning and finally replied, "It's just one meal, I'm not that stingy."
He wanted to see what Zhang Liuxing would do after the meal.
Hearing his youngest son agree, Zhang Wenxue immediately pulled Zhang Liuxing to sit down, saying happily, "Our family hasn't been this complete for a long time. Wife, get second son a bowl and chopsticks. No matter what, we must finish this New Year's Eve dinner. We can discuss anything after eating."
Zhang Wenxue said this to everyone present.
Zhang Liunian raised an eyebrow and remained silent. Zhang Liuxing, on the other hand, raised his eyes to scan Zhang Liunian and his wife, then opened his mouth to speak.