Qin Huairu came to Zhang

Zhao Dongchuan was reading in his room, so Zhao Zhengguo and Guo Ping didn't disturb him and started doing housework.

Today was Sunday, a day of rest, and with rare free time, the couple cleaned their home and then planned to go out to buy some things.

"Old Zhao, it's a pity to just use Dongchuan's national coupons like this. How about we ask around outside to see if anyone is going on a business trip, and we can exchange these coupons for theirs, adding a bit extra?" Guo Ping said while changing into thicker clothes.

"Hey, you've got a point! We can exchange these national grain coupons for more local grain coupons! Let's go, let's ask around!" Zhao Zhengguo, having an opportunity to show off, naturally agreed with both hands.

The two dressed neatly and left the house.

"Old Zhao, your son is back?"

A an old lady washing clothes in the distance, seeing them come out from afar, asked with a smile.

"Yes, that kid took a family visit leave to come back for the New Year and to see us!" Zhao Zhengguo responded with a smile.

......

Meanwhile, He Yuzhu had gathered quite a bit of information. After leaving Zhao Zhengguo's house, he headed directly towards Qin Huairu's home in the main courtyard.

Qin Huairu had just finished washing clothes and was hanging them out in the courtyard. Seeing He Yuzhu approach, she smiled and greeted him: "Sha Zhu!"

He Yuzhu walked closer, his hands tucked into his sleeves, and said with a chuckle: "Qin Huairu, I've already asked around..."

Just as he was about to continue speaking, Qin Huairu gave him a look. He Yuzhu understood and whispered: "I've asked around. It turns out that kid didn't run back secretly; he got approved for a family visit leave from his unit before coming back!"

"Where would a sent-down youth like him, who settled in the countryside, get a unit? Would the village let him come back?" Qin Huairu asked, puzzled.

Seeing that his suspense-building had worked, He Yuzhu couldn't help but chuckle and continued: "I heard that kid joined a unit in Huangyuan and is now eating imperial grain!"

"Oh, so the Jia Family, usually so quiet, actually pulled off something big!" Qin Huairu thought, assuming the Jia Family had spent money and effort.

"That's not possible. First, Huangyuan is in a remote location, so they wouldn't have such far-reaching connections. But also, because of Guo Ping's illness, the Jia Family has spent a lot of money, and his salary isn't high. Where would he get so much money to do this? This is no small matter; it would cost a lot!" He Yuzhu said with a serious expression.

"Then this..."

"I heard Old Zhao imply that it was Zhao Dongchuan's own ability, that he gained the appreciation of a benefactor to get into the unit!" He Yuzhu, seeing that Qin Huairu still hadn't understood, continued to explain.

"Oh, so after only a year apart, that kid has really made something of himself?" Qin Huairu said thoughtfully upon hearing this.

"Isn't that right? I chatted with that kid for a bit, and not only does he look much more pleasant than before, but he's also become polite, calling me 'Brother Zhu' and 'Brother He' ! I have to say, going to the countryside for re-education really does temper a person, huh!" He Yuzhu said, uncharacteristically serious.

He Yuzhu, due to his bluntness, single-mindedness, and fondness for arguing, often caused trouble, so everyone in the courtyard, young and old, called him "Sha Zhu." Although he didn't mind it himself, hearing Zhao Dongchuan call him Brother Zhu, he still knew the difference between good and bad.

Qin Huairu nodded, silently calculating in her mind.

"What are you two whispering about behind my back? What kind of unspeakable secrets are you sharing!"

As the two were talking, a plump, slightly portly Old Lady Jia walked over and shouted loudly.

"Hey... what are you talking about? I didn't say anything unspeakable, Old Lady Jia, don't you dare slander me!" He Yuzhu couldn't hold back and immediately retorted.

"Mom, we were just talking about Old Zhao's son; we weren't talking about anything!" Qin Huairu said, seeing her mother-in-law approach.

"I'm telling you, Qin Huairu, your husband is dead, but you are a Jia Family person in life, and our family's ghost in death. Stop thinking about those fanciful things!" Old Lady Jia scolded fiercely.

"Hmph, I don't even bother to talk to you!" He Yuzhu, seeing that Old Lady Jia had exposed his thoughts, felt there was no point in staying and simply left.

"Mom, we really weren't talking about anything!" Qin Huairu said.

"I know. I was just giving that Sha Zhu a warning, to make him rein in those little schemes!" Old Lady Jia glanced at Qin Huairu, saying pointedly.

Then, changing the subject, she asked with a puzzled expression: "By the way, what were you saying? What's the scoop with that Old Zhao family's kid?"

"Sha Zhu asked around at Old Zhao's house. Their kid got recruited into a unit in Huangyuan and then took a family visit leave to come back and see his parents!" Qin Huairu said indifferently.

"That Old Zhao family, they've really hit the jackpot! For their silly kid to get into a unit, they must have gotten incredibly lucky!" Old Lady Jia said, looking indignant.

"He came back from so far away, he must have brought back a lot of good things. If you get a chance, go see if there's anything tasty! Get some back for our eldest grandson to eat!" Old Lady Jia swallowed her saliva and said.

"Mom, what are you thinking? I'm not related to them, so how can I possibly go ask them for things!" Qin Huairu said, feeling speechless and helpless inside.

"I don't care, somehow you have to figure out a way to get some things back!" With that, Old Lady Jia turned and went back into the house.

Leaving Qin Huairu standing there, stunned.

......

After Zhao Zhengguo and Guo Ping left, only Zhao Dongchuan remained in the room, reading. Zhao Dongchuan read for an hour, felt a bit bored, so he put away his book, boiled himself a kettle of hot water, quickly wiped himself down, and then got into bed.

The two-day and two-night journey was indeed a bit tiring; even with his physical fitness, he felt a wave of mental exhaustion.

With his eyes half-closed, he didn't cultivate, slowly emptied his mind, and simply drifted off to sleep.

...

After an unknown amount of time, a knock on the door came. Zhao Dongchuan slowly opened his eyes and felt the room's light dimming.

It seemed to be evening already.

He was about to get up and open the door, but a moment later, the door was pushed open, and light footsteps gradually approached.

He immediately sensed something was off about the footsteps; it wasn't the presence of Zhao Zhengguo and Guo Ping.

"Who is it?" Zhao Dongchuan asked softly.

The footsteps paused, followed by a clear, gentle female voice: "Oh, Dongchuan, is that you?"

Zhao Dongchuan was not familiar with this voice. While quickly getting dressed, he asked again: "Who is it!"

"I'm your Sister Qin!"

......

Zhao Dongchuan was a bit speechless. Was it really that Sister Qin?

What was she doing here...? The thought of these "beastly" antics made him a little uneasy.

Qin Huairu wouldn't be setting a trap for him, would she?

"Sister Xiao Ru, I was sleeping. Is there something you need?"

Zhao Dongchuan, now dressed, said from the inner room towards the outside.

"You were sleeping? I heard you were back, so I came to see you!"

......