"It's more comfortable at home."
"Everything feels familiar."
Looking at their own yard, though the house wasn't large, everything looked warm and inviting.
The two little ones ran wild in the yard, allowed to play as they pleased within their own space. The only place they couldn't go near was the well in the yard; everywhere else was fair game for their antics.
"Yang kid, you're finally back."
"I've wanted to visit you at the hospital for a long time. Here, Er Wa caught a wild chicken in the mountains yesterday, a little something for your meal."
Before Chen Yang could even settle in after entering his home, Grandpa Tu arrived. He carried a neatly cleaned wild chicken. Goodness, this chicken was substantial, likely weighing four to five catties. Nowadays, a chicken of this size after plucking was uncommon.
"Here's some of our mountain's old medicine. This *di jing* must be decades old. This stuff can nourish blood and invigorate circulation, which will be good for your injuries."
Grandpa Tu set down the chicken and then took out a handkerchief from his pocket, revealing a palm-sized, dark lump of *di jing*, also known as *He Shou Wu*. It looked like an ordinary tree root, but since Grandpa Tu called it *di jing*, it was undoubtedly authentic. He was an astute man and wouldn't be mistaken. This item, in the future, would be no less valuable than ginseng.
"Grandpa has brought out some of the good things hidden away at home. You must recover from your injuries quickly, kid."
Tu Er Wa had developed a decent rapport with Chen Yang due to their shared experiences of fighting wild boars and their previous mountain expedition. He didn't hold back; the gifts were clearly precious. He was far less shrewd than Grandpa Tu, but his straightforward nature had its advantages. He spoke his mind, and Chen Yang found it easy to interact with him, as he didn't have to overthink his words.
"Grandpa, this gift is quite substantial. I..."
Chen Yang held the *He Shou Wu*. The wild chicken was one thing; it was already cleaned and prepared. And then there was this decades-old medicine, something not easily found. Grandpa Tu truly had him in mind. This kindness, Chen Yang would remember.
When he had been selling fish, Grandpa Tu had been a staunch supporter, protecting him. Chen Yang kept all of this in his heart. Later, when policies relaxed, he would definitely find a path to prosperity and bring Grandpa Tu's descendants along.
"Yang kid, I've lived for seventy or eighty years. I've seen many dynasties. A young man like you will definitely not be ordinary in the future. You are a person of great loyalty, and I, who have observed people my entire life, would not be wrong about you."
"Er Wa, we've delivered the gifts, so we should be going. We shouldn't delay others who want to visit Yang kid."
Grandpa Tu patted Chen Yang's shoulder, then briskly pulled his son away. One had to admit, the old man was remarkably clear-sighted. Grandpa Tu had said nothing explicit, yet Chen Yang understood everything. He didn't hide anything, recognizing that Chen Yang was intelligent and didn't need veiled hints. He was plainly telling Chen Yang: I know you are capable and will achieve great things in the future. I also know you are loyal. I am treating you well now, hoping you will remember my kindness and look after my simple-minded son in the future.
Just as Grandpa Tu left, Shen Laifu arrived with Shen Ermeng and his wife. Zhao Chunyan was already showing a slight bump. From their appearance, it was clear Shen Laifu had fully accepted his daughter-in-law, otherwise, he wouldn't have brought them to visit Chen Yang.
"Brother Yang, we never had a chance to properly thank you for our matter."
"Wishing Brother Yang a speedy recovery."
Shen Laifu chatted with Chen Yang, while Shen Ermeng and Zhao Chunyan presented a packet of malted milk extract and a red envelope. A packet of malted milk extract cost several yuan, a luxury few could afford at that time. The current prosperity of the Shen Laifu family was owed to Chen Yang. Shen Ermeng's smooth marriage to Zhao Chunyan also benefited from Chen Yang's help in guiding his parents. Therefore, he was truly grateful to Chen Yang from the bottom of his heart.
"Good kid, you're going to be a father soon."
"Work hard, and take good care of your family in the future. You are the pillar now."
Chen Yang patted the young man, who was eighteen and about to turn nineteen, on the shoulder. He was brave in love and hate – a true young man.
After the Shen Laifu family left, Uncle Shen Guangfu arrived with Shen Mei. In fact, Uncle Shen had gone to the hospital the morning after Chen Yang's accident. It would be unconscionable for an uncle not to visit his nephew-in-law when he was in trouble. Now, returning home, Shen Guangfu brought his eldest daughter to see if there was anything they could do to help. He knew his wife had offended his nephew-in-law, so he only brought his elder daughter.
"Brother, how is Yang Zi's hand? Did it leave any lingering problems?"
Shen Guangfu first greeted his elder brother, Shen Futang, then hugged the two little ones playing by the door. He sent Shen Mei to play with them before approaching Chen Yang.
"It's almost healed. The doctor said there's nothing to worry about. Just don't do any heavy lifting for a while, and you'll be fine afterward."
Shen Futang gave his niece a stick of lamp core cake. Children loved these. The Lunar New Year was not far off, so he had bought some to keep at home as a treat for visiting children. Life was getting better, and people were becoming more generous. In the past, they only bought these during the New Year, and even then, they'd be lucky to get one, let alone a handful.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Shen Mei grabbed a lamp core cake and popped it into her mouth. It was so sweet. After eating one, she prepared to share it with the two little ones. The two little ones had already eaten quite a bit and were getting tired of it. Besides, Shen Xue was very strict about hygiene and insisted on washing hands before eating. They were having too much fun to go wash their hands, so they didn't take it. Seeing that her nephew and niece didn't want any, Shen Mei happily ate another one. She didn't eat the rest, putting it in her pocket to take back for her younger siblings later. Although her father earned a lot with Uncle, her mother saved everything, and they rarely bought such snacks at home. Her younger siblings at home must be craving them. She had already eaten two, and the rest were for them. In this era, many elder siblings likely had similar experiences. Being the eldest wasn't easy!
"Silly girl, eat if you want. If it's not enough, ask me for more. Take this remaining packet home for your younger siblings."
Shen Futang saw Shen Mei putting the leftover lamp core cakes in her pocket and knew she was reluctant to eat them herself, planning to take them for her other younger nieces and nephews.
"Uncle, I don't want it. This is for entertaining guests. How can I eat it all? I'm not a child anymore."
Shen Mei was very sensible, and Shen Futang didn't insist. He gave his niece another handful.
"Second Uncle, our family's fortunes will only get better and better. Spend the money you earn. It's almost New Year. Take Shen Mei and the others to get some new clothes, buy some good food."
"With me here, what do you have to worry about?"
Chen Yang glanced at the father and daughter. Their clothes were still patched. Not long ago, during the fish selling season, Second Uncle and the others had worked with him. They must have earned at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, so they shouldn't be lacking in food and clothing.