The noise from the children quickly drew the attention of Yang's milan mother-in-law, Zhang Guiying, and his sister-in-law Zhong Na, who were sitting under the eaves. When they saw Yang milan enter, they were both a little surprised.
Zhang Guiying, in particular, had been anxious these past few days, fearing that Yang milan might never return.
Although her daughter kept insisting that her husband would definitely come back—she even said he had torn up his transfer papers to return to the city—Zhang Guiying couldn't fully believe it. She knew her son-in-law's character better than anyone: handsome, educated, popular among women, and too proud to stay forever in a poor, remote mountain village. If he ever had the chance, he would definitely leave.
This didn't mean he was a bad man—anyone in his position would feel the same way. It was simply reality, not a flaw of human nature.
In her view, whatever Yang Milan said or did was only to comfort her daughter. Why else would he have suddenly asked for leave, returned from the city with so much money, and bought so many things? Surely, he was preparing to leave.
Zhang Guiying had been restless, worrying that if Yang milan abandoned her daughter, her precious mercy wouldn't survive the blow.
Fortunately, he did return safely.
"Xiao Yang is back!" someone exclaimed.
"Yeah, just got home," Yang milan replied with a smile.
He told maggie to play with her cousins, then handed the basket of meat, brown sugar, and malted milk to his mother-in-law.
"Mom, I bought some food and supplements. Please put them away."
Zhang Guiying was startled when she saw the valuable items. Zhong Na also peeked inside and was secretly amazed. A pound of fresh meat, half a pound of brown sugar, and even malted milk—it must have cost seven or eight yuan altogether.
"Did my uncle-in-law get rich or something?" she whispered.
Yang milan only smiled and said, "I've never given you much over the years. Please accept this as a gift."
Then he added, "Also, tonight I'll cook a table of dishes. When Father and everyone finish work, let them all come over. We can have a good meal and a chat. By the way, I also have something to announce this evening."
After that, he left maggie to play and went home.
Watching him go, Zhong Na whispered, "Mom, what's with my uncle-in-law today? It's not a holiday, yet he gave gifts and invited us to dinner. What's his purpose?"
Zhang Guiying sighed, "I'm afraid it's not a good thing. He even said he has something to announce tonight. I worry it might be about going back to the city… or worse, divorce."
"Divorce?!" Zhong Na was shocked.
Zhang Guiying explained in a choked voice, "You know his parents are intellectuals. When their situation improves, they will return to the city, and Xiaowei will only be in his way. If he divorces her, she'll not only be abandoned but also burdened with Baoer. No good family will want her again."
She felt heartbroken, imagining her daughter's ruined future.
But Yang milan himself knew nothing of these worries. To him, his gifts were just a gesture of filial piety. After returning home, he threw himself into the kitchen to prepare the evening meal.
The Li family was large: 18 people in total, plus his own family of three—21 mouths to feed. Luckily, he had bought enough rice and meat, and there were plenty of vegetables from his own garden.
He didn't want to fuss over too many dishes, so he decided to make braised pork belly with potatoes and beans, stir-fried cabbage, a cold mixed salad, and a pot of rice.
Although his cooking skills weren't fancy, he was very good at these homestyle dishes. His knife skills were neat, and his cooking movements smooth, like flowing water. In less than half an hour, the braised pork was stewing in the pot, filling the house with fragrance.
As the food cooked, Yang milan tidied the yard. Since his two-room house was too small for everyone, he moved a kang table outside, propped it up with bricks, and added a kneading board to make a long two-meter dining table.
By 6:30 in the evening, the preparations were nearly done. Just then, a sharp whistle sounded from outside the village. Yang milan knew the production team had finished work—and his "silly wife" would be home soon.
Here's the translation of the part from your latest screenshots:
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When the Li family learned Yang milan was back, they were surprised. Zhang Guiying pointed to the malted milk and other gifts under the windowsill and said,
"He sent those things over."
The eldest brother-in-law Li Jianguo exclaimed,
"Wow, the sun must have risen from the west today! Our brother-in-law actually knows how to show respect to you two elders?"
The eldest sister-in-law, Lin Aiji, also said,
"Sugar, malted milk, meat—my uncle is so generous! These things must be worth more than ten yuan. Mercy , you didn't give him all your savings, did you?"
At her words, everyone's eyes fell on Li mercy Embarrassed, she lowered her head and admitted softly,
"I didn't give him everything… only fifty yuan."
"Fifty yuan?!"
The Li family gasped. For them, fifty yuan was the total income of a whole year, sometimes even less if the harvest failed. To give such a sum just like that—it was shocking.
Zhang Guiying scolded,
"Xiaowei, that's your marriage savings! How could you just hand it over like that?"
But Li maggie defended her husband,
"Mom, isn't he going out? If he has more money with him, he won't face difficulties outside."
"You're too obsessed with him," Zhang Guiying frowned. "Have you ever thought about what you'll do if he stops wanting you and Bao'er one day?"
"Mom, you're overthinking it!" Li mercy's said quickly.
Still, her mother couldn't shake the unease. "He not only brought valuable gifts this afternoon, but also asked us not to cook and invited us to dinner. And he said he had something to announce!"
The second brother Li Guoqing was puzzled.
"But isn't that a good thing? He's treating us with respect."
His sharp-tongued wife Sun Lu snapped,
"Fool! When has he ever been so filial? People don't give such gifts without a reason. He clearly has something important to say—and the biggest issue for him now is returning to the city."
Li mercy panicked, "No, he said he wouldn't go back! He even tore up the return order!"
Sun Lu sneered, "So what? It's not hard to get another one. Maybe that's exactly why he went this time, to settle things, and now he's back to announce it!"
The third sister-in-law Wang Lixia added,
"If he really goes back, what will happen to mercy and maggie ?"
Zhong Na, heavily pregnant, sighed,
"This is what worries Mother the most. The food supply in the city isn't guaranteed. If he returns, he can't possibly take Xiaowei and maggie along. And remember, he hasn't officially married mercy yet. I'm afraid he wants to make it easier to leave!"
At these words, Li mercy trembled. Her voice shook, "No… he said he wouldn't return to the city…"
The third brother, Li harry , lost his temper. Throwing down his hoe, he shouted,
"That bastard! He only cares about food and clothes. I'll go settle this with him!"
"Stop!" said Li tau firmly. As the head of the family, his voice carried weight. "Don't jump to conclusions. These are just guesses. Let's wait and hear what Yang milan actually says."
The calmer fourth brother, Li liam agreed,
"Dad is right. We shouldn't rush. If he insists on leaving, we'll talk then."
Li tau thought for a while and said,
"If he really wants to go, let him. A forced melon isn't sweet. But remember this—if he dares abandon mercy and maggie ,his conscience will condemn him. Our Li family has five grown men. Can't we raise them ourselves?"
The eldest brother added,
"Yes! If he doesn't want my little sister, we'll support her ourselves."
Zhang Guiying asked worriedly,
"Then what should we do now?"
Li tau replied coldly,
"He wants to treat us to a feast? Fine! Let's go and see what kind of 'Happy Banquet' he has prepared for us!"
Saying this, he hung his hoe on the wall, shook the dirt off his body, and led the family out of the yard.