Chen Liming and Qin Lifen, the couple, held their child, their smiles never ceasing.
The two little ones, calling their grandparents "Grandpa" and "Grandma" with every sentence, had incredibly sweet mouths.
The elderly couple pinched their grandson and granddaughter's little cheeks. They looked at them with immense affection. The two little ones were like porcelain dolls, so adorable. Holding them, they called them "little darlings" repeatedly, unwilling to let go.
Chen Yang, after searching for a long time, found an opportunity to tell his parents about Chen Hao's situation. He had only mentioned the baby in letters before, and the elderly couple didn't know about Chen Hao's ordeal.
Upon hearing that their eldest grandson was almost kidnapped and sold, and had suffered so much, the two elders felt a pang of heartache.
"Daughter, you've suffered."
Qin Lifen held Shen Xue's hand. The pain of separation from one's flesh and blood was immense. She was a mother herself and understood deeply. Chen Yang had been in the countryside for five years, and how many times had she shed tears thinking of her son? Not to mention Shen Xue, who had been separated from Chen Hao right after giving birth. The pain was unimaginable.
"Mom, it wasn't bitter. The two children are fine now, and I am very content."
Shen Xue sized up her mother-in-law. Unlike some families, where mothers-in-law were naturally difficult with their daughters-in-law, her mother-in-law had greeted her warmly from the moment she entered the house, doting on the two children with such affection. Finally, Shen Xue's anxious heart was put at ease.
"Dad, Mom, these are gifts your daughter-in-law bought for you two."
Chen Yang placed the large bags on the table and took out the gifts he had prepared for his parents.
"Dad, in your last letter, your handwriting was so beautiful. Chen Yang and I bought you a fountain pen."
Shen Xue looked at her husband, who was pushing her forward, knowing that Chen Yang was helping her earn favor with his parents.
Unlike the showy gift packaging of later generations, where the boxes looked more expensive than the gifts, theirs was a simple black Hero brand fountain pen.
"You two, why buy such expensive things? I don't lack a pen."
Chen Liming held the pen in his hand. The golden clip on the cap and the powerful characters 'Hero' engraved on the barrel indicated it was not cheap.
It was false to say he wasn't happy with such a valuable gift from his son and daughter-in-law. However, he also knew their circumstances. Earning enough work points in the countryside to afford such a pen would mean enduring immense hardship.
"Dad, your son and daughter-in-law are showing their filial piety. Please accept it. We only get to see you once every few years, so we had to bring something."
"Mom, you have something too. Your daughter-in-law bought you bird's nest and old ginseng. Your health is weak, so you should take care of yourself."
Chen Yang then brought out two small bags and had Shen Xue hand them to Qin Lifen.
"You two, why spend money like this at home?"
"The children will need a lot of money in the future. We old folks have salaries and can earn money; we don't need you to spend on us."
Qin Lifen clutched the ginseng and bird's nest in her hands, her heart filled with warmth.
This rascal, he was thoughtful and hadn't been ungrateful for her missing him for five whole years.
Although happy in her heart, she chided Chen Yang and Shen Xue not to spend money carelessly.
This was typical of most parents. If their children didn't care, they felt an emptiness. But if their children cared and bought them good things, they worried their children were being extravagant.
Their entire lives, they had only wanted to help their children and not add any burden to them.
"Dad, Mom, Chen Yang and I can earn money. As son and daughter-in-law, we can't be by your side to fulfill our filial duties. Since we've finally come back, we must bring you some gifts."
Shen Xue looked at the two elders who were wholeheartedly considering them, and her heart was also warm. From Chen Yang's parents, she felt the same care as she did from her own parents.
"Grandma, me and brother also brought Grandma something yummy."
The little ones, Chen Hao and the baby, reached into their small pockets and pulled out a handful of raisins, feeding them one by one into Chen Liming and Qin Lifen's mouths.
When the elderly couple ate the raisins, their mouths were incredibly sweet. Fed by their precious grandchildren, how could they not be sweet?
"Dad, Mom."
"I heard my brother and sister-in-law are back."
The elderly couple was overjoyed. Just as they were eating raisins, a figure came bouncing in.
Hearing the voice, Chen Yang and Shen Xue immediately stood up. It seemed their younger sister had returned.
"Brother, why have you become so dark? Is it from working in the fields and getting tanned?"
"Hello, sister-in-law."
Chen Yu threw her schoolbag onto a stool and her small eyes scanned Chen Yang and Shen Xue.
This girl was very familiar, despite not having seen them for five years. Chen Yang probably didn't remember what she looked like, but she showed no sign of shyness.
"Xiao Yu, this is your sister-in-law, Shen Xue."
"Wait, isn't it too early for school to be over? Are you skipping class again?"
Qin Lifen was about to introduce Shen Xue to the little girl when she suddenly realized it was only a little past three o'clock; it wasn't time for school yet. Anger flared up within her.
Just then, the baby was playing with a feather duster on the table.
"Good girl, give Grandma the duster."
As Qin Lifen spoke, Chen Yu immediately jumped up.
"Mom, tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival! We only have two classes this afternoon. Don't get angry, anger is the devil."
"For our mother-daughter relationship to continue, put it down, calm down, calm down."
Seeing Qin Lifen about to grab the feather duster, Chen Yu's fur bristled.
Chen Yang glanced at his lively younger sister, unable to help but smile and sigh.
"Today, for your brother and sister-in-law's sake, I'll believe you one more time. If I find out you lied to me, watch your backside."
Hearing Chen Yu's words, Qin Lifen, still skeptical, patted the baby's little head and did not take the feather duster from her.
She was so affectionate towards her granddaughter but so fierce with her daughter. Chen Yu was indignant.
"Mom, you're so biased."
Chen Yu was close to tears, but Qin Lifen remained unmoved.
"The teacher came to my house to complain. You're a young lady, and you're skipping school like a hooligan. Do you have a point? Don't think that just because your dad is reluctant to hit you, you can be lawless. If you dare to skip class again, I'll definitely beat your backside until it's in eight pieces."
Seeing this, Chen Yang was also helpless. His younger sister was going through her rebellious phase.
"Xiao Yu, a small gift for our first meeting."
Shen Xue, noticing the awkward atmosphere, quickly pulled her sister-in-law aside and placed the butterfly hairpin she had bought into Chen Yu's hand.
"Wow, sister-in-law, you're so nice! I love you to death!"
Seeing the exquisite butterfly hairpin in her hand, Chen Yu's eyes instantly lit up.
Girls her age were all fond of beauty.
"You're already seventeen, and you'll be taking university entrance exams next year, yet you still act like a child and have no sense of propriety."
"Learn from your sister. Can't you make me and your father worry less about you?"
Qin Lifen's words were harsh, but her hands involuntarily fiddled with the butterfly hairpin and pinned it into Chen Yu's hair.
The little girl was growing up rapidly, and was now a young lady. She herself was getting old.
"Mom, stop nagging me. Quickly, look at me in the mirror."
"Little ones, quickly see if your auntie is pretty."
Chen Yu was completely at ease, pinching the cheeks of the baby and Chen Hao, and began seeking compliments.