"Why return without a word? You've been gone for so many days, we missed you terribly."
Shen Futang, with a sullen face, watched his daughter and son-in-law as the baby was held by Liu Chunmei, leaving his hands nowhere to rest. He simply clasped his hands behind his back and glanced at them.
"We originally planned to return after the New Year's greetings, but we happened to do some business there and got delayed."
"We wanted to write, but you, Dad, and Mom don't know how to read. It's not convenient to have others read a letter aloud to you."
"After Rongrong finishes her college entrance exams, we'll take you two to travel. We'll go to Jinling City, and my parents also want to invite you to our home for a visit."
Chen Yang quickly explained to the elder. Hearing his words, Shen Futang's expression improved.
"How are your parents? How long did they stay here last time? I saw that my in-laws quite liked this place with its good mountains and waters. They had a great time fishing."
Shen Futang stroked the beard he had grown during this time, feeling rather proud.
His home had mountains, water, and forests. His in-laws had loved it when they visited last time.
"My dad said he misses fishing with you, Dad. He said he'll call you to go fishing together at Xuanwu Lake in Jinling."
Chen Yang quickly chimed in. The elder had probably been holding a lot of grievances from not seeing his two grandchildren for so long, so he had to play along.
"That's fine. After we harvest the rice, Xue Yatou will probably have given birth. When she's done with her confinement, we'll enjoy our leisure and go to the city to see the sights with you."
Shen Futang took his eldest grandson from Chen Yang's arms. He had no place to put his hands, and holding the child made him feel less restless.
"You're so drowsy, your face has such a big red mark."
The little guy was sound asleep on Chen Yang's shoulder, completely groggy and still not awake.
"Put him on the bed. He must be groggy from sleep. I'll go boil some hot water to wash his face. Look at all the sweat on him, don't let him catch a cold."
Liu Chunmei looked at Chen Hao and instructed her husband to carry the child into the house.
"This young fellow is quite big. He probably eats five steamed buns in one meal."
As she spoke, Liu Chunmei noticed Zhang Dabiao, who was following behind Chen Yang and Shen Xue. It wasn't her fault; she barely reached his shoulder when standing in front of him. Without looking up, she didn't even realize she was standing in front of a person, as tall and sturdy as a small mountain.
"Auntie, I've eaten as many as eighteen steamed buns at most in one meal. They are the solid, white flour steamed buns from our Lu Province."
Zhang Dabiao grinned. Besides his height, his most boasted abilities were his appetite and strength.
In this era, there was no such thing as bodybuilding. Being strong and having a good appetite were the greatest assets for a man.
Having strength meant being able to work, and eating a lot meant being in good health.
In this era, aesthetics were that crude.
"Then this little bit of grain at home might not be enough for you. Yangzi, remember to buy more grain when you go to the county town tomorrow."
The elderly couple had long gotten used to their son-in-law often bringing people home.
After the last incident, they also understood that their son-in-law was now capable, and it was normal for him to have bodyguards.
In the past, didn't rich merchants and landlords always have attendants and guards? Otherwise, they wouldn't feel secure when they went out.
They weren't called that anymore, but knowing that this man was here to protect their son-in-law and daughter was enough. Regardless of how much salary their son-in-law paid them, she would make sure they had enough to eat when they were at home.
They had worked hard to follow their son-in-law from Jinling, so she definitely had to ensure they were well-fed, otherwise, it would dampen their spirits.
"Okay, I'll remember this."
Chen Yang replied and led Zhang Dabiao to bring the luggage into the house.
He had brought quite a few gifts for the elderly couple this time from Jinling. New cotton-padded clothes and shoes, as well as salted duck, roasted duck from Jinling, and some canned fruits...
Not only the elderly couple, but Shen Rong, Shen Pandi, Chen Yang, and Shen Xue had also prepared some gifts. Fortunately, Zhang Dabiao was there; otherwise, carrying so many things would have been a major challenge.
"Your mother and I have enough to eat and drink, no need to buy these, it's just a waste of money."
The elder, watching Chen Yang and Shen Xue take things out of the bags one by one, said they shouldn't spend money carelessly, but the wrinkles on his face revealed their true feelings.
Which elder doesn't want their children and grandchildren to care about them? They don't care how much money you spent or how expensive the gifts were, but are happy that someone is thinking of them.
Raising children, a lifetime, isn't it all for the sake of having someone to care for them in old age?
"Dad, these are all useful. Try on these new cotton-padded clothes tomorrow."
"As for the food, I don't need to say much. Mom, just cook as you see fit. Most of the good food we bought will end up in our stomachs, and those of the two little ones."
Chen Yang first organized the gifts for his father-in-law and mother-in-law. As for the food, it was all laid out on the table, leaving it to his mother-in-law to handle.
"By the way, Dad, why is our village so quiet? Shouldn't it be a busy time now? It's almost time for transplanting seedlings."
Chen Yang pulled his father-in-law aside and started chatting about everyday life. It had been his sixth year working in Shenjiaba since the New Year.
Having left this place for over a month, he found himself thinking about his father-in-law's family and the villagers.
"It's because of this. Technician Zhou is releasing fry today. This time, we'll contract these wild ponds under the name of the brigade."
"However, Director Liu of our commune came up with an idea. He said that each pond will be assigned a dedicated person to manage it. If the fish are raised well, a portion can be distributed to the people who raise them."
"If they can't take care of them well and the yield is insufficient, not only will they not get any fish, but they will also be criticized and won't be assigned management roles in the future."
"So, today, Technician Zhou is releasing fry, and those managing the fish ponds are here to receive them. Those who aren't managing ponds are watching the excitement. Your mother and I are old and lazy to join the crowd."
The elder said that this method was a good one, as those who used to slack off at work would probably stop mismanaging.
The job of exclusively managing fish ponds was voluntary, as one could earn extra money if the fish were raised well. People were quite motivated.
There were limited fish ponds in the commune and the brigade, so in the end, they had to resort to drawing lots. Whoever drew the lot was in charge.
Don't underestimate this change. In an era where everyone ate from the same pot, this was a significant change.
Although it wasn't formally proposed that more labor leads to more rewards, the fact that good management could lead to distributed fish fully embodied the principle that more labor could earn more money.
This single change was enough to mobilize the production enthusiasm of the vast majority of farmers.
"Director Liu is truly daring in his thinking and actions. Dedicated management of fish ponds is a good thing, and everyone can earn more if they raise them well."
"Perhaps next year, this kind of farming will also be managed by ourselves. If we plant more and plant well, we should get more. That would be truly great."
Chen Yang chuckled. Once the grain from Xiaogang Village is harvested this year, not only will all the outstanding public grain be paid off, but every household will have surplus grain. Only then will people realize how high the production enthusiasm of the vast peasant brothers is.
They don't ask for much. If they can get more by working more, that's enough.