"Yangzi, you're right, I'll take the children to the city later."
"Money is meant to be spent, it doesn't reproduce if you keep it at home."
Shen Guangfu chuckled. He now followed Chen Yang's lead. Chen Yang had promised him a good life ahead, so what was there to fear?
"Brother, should we have a feast today to celebrate for Yangzi?"
Shen Guangfu glanced at his elder brother. It was a happy occasion, with his nephew-in-law discharged from the hospital.
"Let's not do it today. He just got out of the hospital, let him rest for a few days. The New Year is less than a month away, and we'll have plenty of opportunities to gather for drinks then."
Shen Futang glanced at Chen Yang. They said it takes a hundred days for bones to heal. His elder daughter's husband had just been discharged, and it was better to let him recuperate further rather than make a fuss.
"Alright, I'll head back then. Kiddo, what was that thing you wanted me to bring? I almost forgot."
Seeing that there was nothing else he could help with, Shen Guangfu patted his head. He had come to visit his nephew-in-law but hadn't even put down the gifts yet. He would be embarrassed if people said he, the second uncle, visited empty-handed.
"Dad, I have it."
Hearing him, Shen Mei took out a packet of white sugar from her person and also a red envelope.
"Brother, I'm leaving."
After placing the items in Shen Futang's hands, Shen Guangfu leisurely took his daughter and left.
His life was good now. People were like this; with money came confidence, and one could walk with their head held high wherever they went.
Of course, he was still respectful at his elder brother's home, but he would still put on a show outside when necessary. After all, he had a promising nephew-in-law.
This was fate, born with it, something others couldn't envy.
"Your second uncle has a bit of a temper. He likes to show off in front of outsiders and cares about appearances. Don't take it to heart."
Shen Futang handed the sugar to Liu Chunmei to put away and the red envelope to Chen Yang. Fearing that his son-in-law might think his second brother had become arrogant, he added this remark.
"Dad, we're family. I understand."
Chen Yang glanced at his father-in-law and muttered to himself that no matter how much his second uncle liked to show off, it couldn't compare to his father-in-law. These two brothers were birds of a feather, both concerned with appearances.
Afterward, more people came to visit Chen Yang, and the old village chief also made time to stop by.
By the end of all the visits, Shen Xue's little notebook was filled with several pages of gift receipts. These were social obligations, and when people in the future had joyous or somber occasions, or were hospitalized, they would have to reciprocate with gifts.
That was how things were in those days. Among neighbors, relatives, friends, and colleagues, social interactions were highly valued. Although keeping track of these things was a bit tedious, it fostered a strong sense of community.
Chen Yang's home also had a pile of gifts. Although most were not valuable, Chen Yang and his wife carefully put them away. They represented everyone's goodwill.
The gifts were mostly nutritional supplements or household items, all of which they organized neatly.
After returning from the hospital, life returned to its normal routine, and Chen Yang slept much more soundly.
However, Chen Yang could clearly sense that his parents had been somewhat distracted these past few days.
"Dad, is something on your and Mom's minds? Look at you, you keep staring at the sky, lost in thought."
Chen Yang looked at his father. The elderly couple had clearly not been themselves since returning from the hospital.
"Yangyang, your mother and I originally planned to visit our grandchildren and stay for about a week before returning. Your younger sister is very mischievous, and without anyone to supervise her, I'm afraid she'll become unruly."
"Your elder sister is also pregnant. Your brother-in-law has to take care of her and Yu'er. I'm afraid he'll be too busy."
"Now that you've had an accident, your mother and I can't rest easy and can't go back. Now that you're discharged, your mother and I are thinking it's time to return."
Chen Liming looked at Chen Yang. His trip to Wan Province this time had been pleasant, spending time with his in-laws, fishing, and hunting. He had also seen his grandchildren whom he had missed dearly, and he was quite happy.
If not for Chen Yang's accident, his trip to Wan Province would have been extremely fulfilling.
However, after being away for several weeks, he also worried about his elder and younger daughters at home.
Moreover, with the New Year approaching, they needed to return to prepare for the festivities. Without them, there would be no one to entertain relatives.
"Dad, Mom, just the other day, Zheng Weiguo and Liu Maosheng told me that arrangements have been made in the county, and they'll be returning to Jinling in a few days."
"I'll ask them. Why don't you and Mom go back to Jinling with them then? You'll have each other for the journey."
Chen Yang naturally knew his parents were worried about his elder and younger sisters. After all, they had never been away from them for so long since they were born.
"Alright."
"Do you want to come back with us for the New Year?"
Chen Liming glanced at Shen Xue, who was rolling noodles in the house, and the two little ones playing around her. To be honest, if not for his concern for his two daughters at home, he would have hated to part with these two little ones.
"Dad, I won't be returning for the New Year this year. After the New Year, I'll take their mother and the three of them back for a visit. We can pay respects to Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, and Aunt."
If he took his wife and children to Jinling, only Shen Rong would be left at his father-in-law's house.
His father-in-law would likely be so angry he'd smash bowls on New Year's Eve.
"With our two precious grandchildren gone, and only three people, we won't even fill a table. What's the point of celebrating the New Year?"
Chen Yang could imagine his father-in-law cursing him if he took his wife and children to Jinling for the New Year.
Therefore, Chen Yang decided to stay in Wan Province with them for the New Year. After the New Year, he would first visit Shen Xue's relatives and then take them back to Jinling.
Besides, Shen Xue's family didn't have many relatives. His mother-in-law's side of the family had few relatives left. His father-in-law's second uncle lived in the village, and his aunt was in Liuhe County.
As for his aunt on his mother's side, they had a falling out last time, so they probably wouldn't interact. The New Year visits could be completed in one day, so going to Jinling wouldn't cause delays.
If they went to Jinling for the New Year, after he had paid his respects to all his extended family, it would probably be the fifteenth day of the lunar month.
So, after considering everything, Chen Yang decided to celebrate the New Year in Wan Province. After the New Year, he would go to Jinling to pay his respects, thus being able to attend to both his father-in-law's and mother-in-law's families, as well as his own parents.
"You're a father now, so you know what you're doing."
Chen Liming didn't insist. Chen Yang hadn't spent the New Year at home for several years. Today, his elder daughter was married, and he didn't know if she would go back to Shanghai for the New Year with her husband. That was why he wanted his son to bring his wife and grandchildren back to Jinling for the New Year.
However, since Chen Yang said he would visit after the New Year in the first lunar month, that was acceptable too.
This way, even if his elder daughter went to Shanghai for the New Year with her husband, she would return in the first lunar month, and the family could be reunited.