Dinner was still at Su Manxiu's house, and Chen Zi'an had also returned early.
Su Laosan and Chen Zi'an talked about some work matters, mostly about what Su Laosan saw and heard while driving outside.
The children were not very interested in these things, so they took Chen Xiuyuan and went out to play.
Su Xiaomei and Su Xiaocao had been eating at the Chen family's house for several days and already felt embarrassed.
After discussing it, the two decided to help in the kitchen.
In fact, there were already three women in the kitchen, which was quite enough, but the two of them insisted. Su Manxiu knew that if she didn't let them help, they would feel uneasy, so she tacitly agreed.
Inside, the women chatted about trivial household matters, while in the courtyard outside, a group of boys played happily.
The Chen family's courtyard had only a small vegetable garden; the rest of the space was suitable for children to play.
After discussing it, the boys decided to play "Eagle Catches Chickens" with Chen Xiuyuan.
This child, for some reason, had seen others play "Eagle Catches Chickens" before. However, he was too young, and others were unwilling to have him join. He had been pestering them for a long time, and today he finally had the chance.
Little Eagle Chen Xiuyuan ran until he was covered in sweat, but he didn't catch a single chick.
Su Xiaotian watched from the side, amused.
"Sister, sister, help!" Chen Xiuyuan finally realized that his strength as an eagle was too weak and sought external help.
Su Xiaotian smiled, held Chen Xiuyuan in her arms, and said, "Xiuyuan, you're still too young. Let's not play this, okay? How about we play cat's cradle?"
She was also worried that the child would catch a cold after running for too long and sweating, which was why she was persuading him.
Chen Xiuyuan thought about it and realized he was indeed tired, so he nodded in agreement.
However, the little fellow did not forget to say, "Sister, play with me!"
This meant that he wanted Su Xiaotian to play cat's cradle with him.
Su Xiaoba and Su Xiaojiu found it a bit boring, thinking that cat's cradle was a game for girls and not suitable for them, who were considered men.
As for the other older children, they gathered in groups and talked about what they had seen and heard in the county town. In short, everyone was very happy.
Just then, they heard Su Manxiu call out loudly.
"Wash your hands and let's eat!"
Qi Liangying also poured warm water for the children and placed it under the jujube tree, then brought out towels.
Su Xiaotian carefully washed Chen Xiuyuan's little hands until they were clean, then wiped them with a warm towel before taking the little fellow's hand to eat.
After the whole family had eaten, Su Laosan heard that they would be returning the next morning and also felt the urge to go back and see.
"I'll go tell the captain. I'll go back tomorrow too," Su Laosan said. "Second sister-in-law, Xiu'er, are you two going back?"
"Neither of us is resting tomorrow, so we won't go back for now!"
Liang Xiu and Qi Liangying had returned ten days ago, and they still had four or five days before their next rest day.
Taking advantage of the early hour, Su Laosan went to Tian Yuanzi's house.
When Tian Yuanzi heard that Su Laosan planned to go home to visit, he naturally agreed immediately and even let Su Laosan drive the car, saying, "Go early and come back early."
Su Laosan knew that this was a convenience given to him by the captain, and he thanked him repeatedly before returning home.
The boys had been staying at Chen Zi'an's house for the past two days, so there were only three girls in their family, quietly busy with their own tasks.
Su Manxiu bought a pound of yarn for Su Xiaomei and Su Xiaocao each, letting them learn to knit sweaters.
The two young girls were now busily knitting sweaters with full confidence. As for Su Xiaotian, she was lying on the small bed pretending to sleep, but in reality, she was busy reading.
Even during the two days of exams, she had not forgotten to study diligently, as this was a very stable salary, and she had never intended to give it up.
As for Su Laosan and Liang Xiu, they were like newlyweds and had already gone to their room to rest.
At Chen Zi'an's house, the couple lay on the bed talking.
Su Manxiu told Chen Zi'an that the children had rescued a person named Tan Zishi.
Chen Zi'an was silent for a moment and said, "This Tan Zishi is no ordinary person. Decades ago, he was known as Tan Bancheng."
However, this person's reputation at the time was not very good, and he didn't know that he had fallen to such a state now.
"No wonder the name sounded familiar. I really didn't expect it. He looks so pitiful now!" Su Manxiu sighed.
She had actually heard of this person, but only occasionally, so she hadn't thought of it.
When Tan Zishi was young, besides being Tan Bancheng, who owned thousands of acres of fertile land and over a hundred shops, what was most talked about was the affairs within his family.
After he brought a beautiful woman back from outside, he doted on his concubine and neglected his wife. He allowed his concubine to give birth to his eldest son and then took control of all household affairs, forcing his wife to live in seclusion in the Buddhist hall.
She suddenly thought, she didn't know if the old lady accompanying him now was the former concubine or the wife.
"He was too rich before, and he has suffered a lot in recent years. Those people always wanted to get more good things from him," Chen Zi'an said while playing with his son.
It was said that Tan Zishi had no money several years ago, but no one knew if this was true.
In any case, Chen Zi'an believed it was not true. A centipede dies but never falls stiff. How could Tan Zishi, with so much money, not make arrangements in advance and hide some of it?
This was perhaps the thought of most people, which was why Tan Zishi was tormented every few days, unable to live or die!
Su Manxiu suddenly remembered that Su Xiaotian said she would go to see him again tomorrow, and she became anxious.
"Xiaotian also said she would go to see him again tomorrow. I have to stop her!"
Since many people were watching, what if someone targeted Xiaotian and thought she knew Tan Zishi and had a connection?
"There's no need for that. I think this policy is about to change. We might see some signs of it soon!" Chen Zi'an said after a moment of silence.
The person had already been saved, and even if they avoided suspicion now, it would be too late.
Moreover, those radical elements in the county town had been quiet lately, and even Su Xiaoqin, who was the most troublesome, had quieted down recently.
"Really?" Su Manxiu had never told Chen Zi'an these things before, and she was very surprised to hear this.
"Really!"
"My father is letting the children study. I was worried they would learn bad things at school."
Although she hoped her children could go to school, Su Manxiu was still worried that they would learn bad things at school.
If they just didn't learn anything, it would be fine, but what if they turned out like Su Xiaoqin?
Now, there was no need to worry!
"You worry too much!" Chen Zi'an said with a smile. "Is your father someone without discretion? Isn't the fact that the children haven't gone to school for the past few years the best example?"
Chen Zi'an had always believed that his father-in-law was a very wise person, otherwise, their family's life would not have gotten better and better.
By interacting with the people in the cowshed and letting them teach the children, they were able to protect the entire family from any repercussions.
This was not something an ordinary person could do.
"Yes, I'm just worrying unnecessarily!" Su Manxiu said with a smile. "Let's go to bed early too! We have to get up early tomorrow to make breakfast for the children."
Su Manxiu was extremely grateful to Chen Zi'an.
Compared to Chen Zi'an, their Su family was a much greater burden, but Chen Zi'an had never disliked them and always made proper arrangements.
She knew very well that this was Chen Zi'an respecting her and giving her face.
However, she was too incompetent, just a housewife, and couldn't help Chen Zi'an at all.
"How about you go and stay at Hongxin Brigade for a couple of days tomorrow? I'm going to the provincial capital in a few days."
"Why are you suddenly thinking of going to the provincial capital?" Su Manxiu asked curiously.
"To see my old leader."
Chen Zi'an's tone was relaxed, but in reality, it was not so relaxed.
Although he felt that the situation would improve, and the situation in the county town had clearly improved, the people in the province seemed to have become even more frenzied lately.
He didn't know if those people were feeling that the end was near, which was why they were even more frantic.
The reason he wanted to go to the provincial capital was that he heard his old leader was also encountering some trouble.
He had to go and see if there was anything he could do to help.
However, he didn't say it explicitly to avoid Su Manxiu worrying!
"You should go and see. I'll prepare some gifts for you to take," Su Manxiu said, remembering the many times the old leader had helped their family.
But Chen Zi'an shook his head and said, "No need to prepare gifts. My old leader has been strong his whole life and doesn't accept gifts."
Su Manxiu nodded. "I can't go to Hongxin Brigade. Second sister-in-law and third sister-in-law have to work, and Xiaotian isn't going back yet. I have to take care of her!"
Chen Zi'an nodded in agreement when Su Manxiu said this.
The next morning, Su Xiaotian remembered that some of the herbs she needed were difficult to buy in the county town, so she instructed Su Laosan to go to Doctor Li's house after they returned.
Su Laosan agreed and then drove the big truck, calling them to get on.
The children who grew up in the brigade usually walked on their own two legs, so they were overjoyed to ride in a big truck.
"Let the two girls sit in the front, and the group of monkeys go to the back!" Su Laosan scolded as Xiaoba and Xiaojiu were about to squeeze into the driver's seat.
Su Xiaomei and Su Xiaocao quickly said, "No need, we'll be fine in the back. Xiaoba and Xiaojiu are young, and it's not safe in the back!"
"You two are young ladies, you can't be exposed to the wind like this. The boys are fine!"
Although Xiaoba and Xiaojiu were disappointed, they thought of how kind Xiaocao and Xiaomei sisters were to them, so they agreed.
Soon, the car started.
Su Laosan sitting in the driver's seat, driving the big truck, looked very majestic in the eyes of the two young girls, Su Xiaomei and Su Xiaocao.
"Uncle, how did you learn to drive so quickly?" Su Xiaocao asked excitedly.
Before, Uncle only knew how to drive a tractor. How could he drive a big truck after being in the city for such a short time?
Su Laosan smiled and said, "Anyone who touches it every day will learn quickly. When you two get older, you can also learn to drive!"
"How can that be? We are girls!" Su Xiaomei quickly shook her head.
Su Xiaocao didn't say anything, but it was clear that she also agreed with Su Xiaomei's opinion.
"We don't have any female drivers in our county, but there are some in the truck teams of other counties."
As they drove and talked, the two girls kept these words in mind.
Suddenly, Su Laosan's expression changed. He stopped the car on the roadside, opened the door, and jumped out of the driver's seat, scolding the children in the back!
"You little brats, can't you sit in the car properly? Running around in the back, what if you fall off?"
He was truly frightened. Seeing Xiaosix, Xiaoba, and Xiaojiu running back and forth in the truck bed through the rearview mirror, he broke out in a cold sweat.
If they fell off, they would fall directly under the wheels!
The children were running happily and hadn't thought of the danger at all. When Su Laosan scolded them like this, they were a bit stunned at first.
But soon they sat down dejectedly.
Earlier, Su Shouwen had indeed advised them not to run around, but they were young and didn't realize the seriousness of the problem, so they didn't listen to Su Shouwen.
Su Shouwen gave them a proud smile, as if to say, "See, I told you so?"
The children in the back became quiet, and the car drove smoothly to Hongxin Brigade.
When they returned to the old house, Grandma Su had just come home from the yard to cook. Seeing that all the other children from the brigade had gotten off the truck, but her granddaughter was not there, her expression was somewhat disappointed.
"Why isn't my precious granddaughter back?" she glared at Su Laosan and said.
Her granddaughter was about to go to the county town to study, and she didn't have many days left at home. Why was she still staying in the city?
The little rascals who jumped down from the back of the truck instantly felt bad. Other families favored boys over girls, but in their family, it was the other way around!
So many of them had returned, but why didn't Grandma ask if the exam went smoothly? She only saw that Xiaotian hadn't returned?
"Grandma, isn't it okay for us to come back?" Xiaoba asked, walking up to Grandma Su.
"A bunch of brats, you're getting less and less fun as you get older. What's so special about you?" Grandma Su said disdainfully.
"Mom, Xiaotian will stay in the city for a few more days. She'll be back after finishing some things," Su Laosan quickly said.
Alright, a few more days it is. Although Grandma Su was not satisfied, she accepted it.
"You must all be hungry! I'll go make you something to eat!" Although Grandma Su disliked the brats, she was afraid they would go hungry, so she muttered as she went to cook.
The uncle and nephews exchanged glances.
Su Xiaomei and Su Xiaocao had been away from home for a long time, and they were busy returning to their respective homes. Su Laosan also told them to be careful.
Su Laosan did not rest. Since he had finally returned, he filled the water缸s at home and chopped some firewood.
Grandma Su smiled and said, "You've finally come back. Rest for a while. You don't need to worry about these chores. Your two brothers will do them."
"Mom, Eldest Brother and Second Brother are both busy. It's the same if I do it."
When the meal was ready, the other members of the Su family also returned. After the whole family ate, Grandma Su was responsible for washing the dishes and pots, while the other members of the old Su family went about their own business.
"Now the whole family is busy," Grandma Su sighed.
"Grandma, it's good that everyone is busy. When everyone is busy, our family's life will be better!"
Su Ciliang said with a grin, stating a simple truth.
Grandma Su thought about it and realized it was true. In the past, the family was complete, but their lives were not good then. Let alone eating white flour and white rice, they couldn't even eat enough coarse grains.
Look at the past two years, they ate well, and the children grew up strong!
Afterward, Grandma Su, thinking that her granddaughter hadn't returned, began to worry and prepared a lot of things for Su Laosan to take.
Su Laosan was speechless looking at the pile of miscellaneous items.
"Mom, Xiaotian will be back in a few days. There's no need to go to so much trouble." If others didn't know, they would think Xiaotian would live in the city from now on and never come back.
In his mother's eyes, Xiaotian's treatment was indeed high. He, as her son, didn't even have such treatment.
With this remark, Su Laosan undoubtedly received another glare from his mother.
"What's the trouble? You came by car, so you don't have to carry it."
What else could Su Laosan say but to obey obediently?
"My precious granddaughter loves eating the beans from home the most, and these small cabbages, they're best for making cabbage pancakes. Bring the leeks and eggs to Xiaotian to make leek boxes."
"As a father, you don't cherish your own daughter at all. I don't know what you're thinking!" Grandma Su muttered as she stuffed the items into his hands.
"Okay, Mom, I know!" Su Laosan quickly agreed, not daring to say anything else.
"Take these to Manxiu. Her family has a yard, and Manxiu is diligent, so she has enough vegetables. But she doesn't have mountain goods from our mountains. These mushrooms, wood ear, and some wild vegetables, I've dried them, and they can last for a long time!"
When Su Laosan arrived, he had also brought some candy, snacks, and meat for his family, as well as two bottles of wine from Su Manxiu for Grandpa Su, which was quite a lot.
Unexpectedly, he took back more things than he brought, and he himself felt a bit embarrassed.
"Mom, please pack these first. I need to go to Doctor Li's house." Su Laosan had been busy since he returned and almost forgot what Su Xiaotian had arranged.
"Go, go! You're busy all day, and you can't even rest when you come home," Grandma Su said with dissatisfaction, her disdain almost impossible to hide.
Her son spent most of his time in the city and rarely came back.
He finally came back, but he had to go to someone else's house and couldn't spend time talking with her, his mother. How could Grandma Su be happy?
"Mom, it's not that I want to go, it's that this child Xiaotian arranged it!" Su Laosan quickly explained.
As expected, when Grandma Su heard this, her attitude changed instantly. "Then hurry up and go. This child Xiaotian just likes to worry!"
Su Laosan was dumbfounded. Why was the treatment so different?
"Mom, when did you realize that the treatment is so different?" Su Laosan couldn't help but ask.
"Third Dad, you just realized today that Grandma's treatment is different?" Su Liuliu, who was reading in the yard, asked with a smile.
Grandma Su's contemptuous gaze made Su Laosan feel that he had asked a foolish question.
From the day Xiaotian was born, his mother had put even her grandsons aside, let alone him, her son!
Forget it, fighting for favor was not suitable for him!
"Go, go! Come back early, don't just linger, and remember you have to go back!" Grandma Su instructed, and then busied herself looking for things.