The dinner was eaten at the large villa, prepared by Li's mother and Li Min. Yu Ziyu also helped in the kitchen, though her mother-in-law and Li Min only had her pick vegetables. This meal was a true family gathering, and Yu Ziyu, now a daughter-in-law of the Li family, dined with all of them for the first time.
After the meal, Yu Ziyu began clearing the table, and the Li family didn't stop her. Big Wheat, Little Wheat, and Li Weibo all helped Yu Ziyu clear the table. They didn't let Yu Ziyu do these chores alone, nor did any elders participate, as if it were normal for the younger generation to handle such tasks. Big Wheat and Little Wheat washed pots and bowls, while Li Weibo took Yu Ziyu to wipe down tables and sweep the floor. Yu Ziyu was happy doing these chores because the Li family treated her like Big Sister Mai and Little Sister Mai. And Big Sister Mai and Little Sister Mai, feeling sorry for her, took on the most strenuous kitchen work, which touched and delighted her.
When they finished, Li's mother called them to sit down for fruit and a rest. The Li family split into male and female groups to chat. They talked about everything, rambling on about anything that came to mind. As they chatted, the conversation turned to returning to Kushan the next day. They had been out for over ten days, and the thought of returning hadn't truly registered until it was mentioned. Once it was brought up, they were eager to go home. They decided to stop talking and go to their rooms to pack, as they would be leaving early the next morning. The "symposium" thus dispersed.
Li Weibo took Yu Ziyu back to the villa across the way and instructed Aunt Cai that after they left the next day, she should tidy up the large villa. She was to air out and put away bedding in each room, and wash and dry sheets and blankets. Furniture like mattresses, dressing tables, and wardrobes were to be covered with cloths. Living room and kitchen furniture were also to be covered, and all tableware and teacups were to be put away.
Aunt Cai agreed to everything. Although she didn't understand the point of covering so much with fabric, she followed the mistress's instructions: "When will you be back?" Yu Ziyu looked at Li Weibo. Li Weibo lowered his head and asked her, "Would you like to stay home for a few more days?" Yu Ziyu nodded, "Of course I would." Li Weibo made the decision for her, "Then you can come back after Lili's wedding. After the third of next month." Yu Ziyu repeated to Aunt Cai, "I'll be back between the third and fifth of next month. Take good care of both places. My mother will visit occasionally." "Yes," Aunt Cai replied and withdrew. Yu Ziyu clasped Li Weibo's hand, "Will you go back after you've seen off the guests?" Li Weibo shook his head, "I'll stay home for Lili's wedding. You'll have to come back by yourself then." Yu Ziyu smiled at him, "Don't worry, I'm not a child." Li Weibo saw sadness in her smile, but he didn't say anything, as it wouldn't change anything. "Let's go back to our room and rest. You've been tired all day."
The next morning, when the young couple arrived at the villa across the way, the Li family was already eating breakfast. Seeing them, Li's mother urged them to eat quickly so they could prepare to depart. Aunt Cai arrived before the Li family left. Li's mother handed the messy dining table over to Aunt Cai, "Little Cai, thank you for your hard work." Aunt Cai waved her hands, "It's no trouble, no trouble, it's what I should do." Tian Jing gave Aunt Cai a red envelope, "This is your bonus, take it." Aunt Cai accepted it. Since the mistress's mother-in-law called it a bonus, it was recognition of her work, and she could accept it. After the Li family left, she opened the red envelope. Inside were five hundred-yuan bills. Five hundred yuan was equivalent to half a month's salary for her. She didn't know the Li family's financial situation. She did know about the mistress's family background. She also knew that both villas were bought by the mistress's in-laws, the Li family. She heard that the Li family also came from a farming background. The same origins, yet different circumstances, it was incomparable!
As dusk settled, three cars entered Kushan. The security team at the bridge saw the license plates and immediately raised the barrier to let them pass. The courtyard was brightly lit, and Chen Fu and his wife, along with Sister-in-law Niu, had prepared dinner waiting for their returning family. Seeing Lin Hua'er, heavily pregnant, greet them, Li's mother casually picked up a broom and was about to hit her eldest grandson. Chen An just smiled at his maternal grandmother. Li's mother threw down the broom and pointed at her eldest grandson, "Alright, you've learned to be sly now." "Heh heh," Chen Fu said with a silly smile, "We missed you, so we couldn't help but come and wait." "Hmph!" Li's mother snorted, "Before, when you were in Hot Spring Valley, you wouldn't come down for over half a year, and you never said you missed us." "It's different," Chen Fu just shook his head, unable to explain why. Sister-in-law Niu smiled at Yu Ziyu and said, "Welcome to being a daughter-in-law in Kushan." "Thank you, Aunt Niu," Yu Ziyu said with a smile, her eyes curved, "Thank you for your hard work." "It's just a small gesture," Sister-in-law Niu replied politely, then said to Tian Jing, "I'm going home now. You've all had a long day of driving, hurry up and eat and rest." Sister-in-law Niu then refused the Li family's polite offers and left. Li's mother washed her face and then called everyone to sit down for dinner before returning to their own homes to rest. Chen Fu helped Lin Hua'er sit down; they hadn't eaten yet either. Yu Ziyu saw Lin Hua'er's difficulty, feeling both envious and frightened. Pregnancy was very hard on women. Could she endure it alone when the time came? Li Weibo formally introduced Chen Fu and his wife to Yu Ziyu, "Ziyu, these are my eldest cousin and his wife." Yu Ziyu stood up and respectfully called out to them, "Eldest Cousin, Eldest Cousin's Wife." "Ah." "Ah." Chen Fu and Lin Hua'er each gave Yu Ziyu a red envelope. Yu Ziyu intended to refuse. These red envelopes were also sewn with red silk, and judging by their thickness, each contained ten thousand yuan. Li Weibo accepted them for her, "Thank you, Eldest Cousin, thank you, Eldest Cousin's Wife." Yu Ziyu could only follow suit and thank them. Everyone was tired and didn't have the energy to discuss their experiences outside. They ate their fill and then dispersed. Yu Ziyu and Li Weibo went to the back courtyard to arrange the room they would be staying in. She asked Li Weibo why he accepted the red envelopes. Li Weibo pointed at her and said, "Among the eight of us, Eldest Cousin's achievements are the lowest. But he opened a shop in Hot Spring Valley and earned quite a bit of money." "But he's a bit insecure, and Lin Hua'er, whom he married, is also quite different from you." "If we don't accept the red envelopes, they'll overthink it." "Eldest Cousin's wife is about to give birth soon; she's carrying twins. We can give it back to them through the babies." Yu Ziyu nodded repeatedly, "Eldest Cousin's wife is carrying twins? No wonder she looks so tired. I'm scared just looking at her." "Scared?" Li Weibo looked down at her, "Didn't you say you wanted to have ten or eight children?" "Nonsense!" Yu Ziyu chided, "When did I ever say I wanted ten or eight children?" "I said I definitely want to have two boys; girls don't count." "Heh heh," Li Weibo chuckled, "I plan to have six daughters and two sons." Yu Ziyu feigned anger, "You go have them yourself!" Li Weibo hugged his wife tightly and said, "I don't have that part in my body. If I could, I'd gladly experience the pain of childbirth." "So, we must become one to have our baby." "Today, it's been two nights. Tonight, let's engage in some activities about the profound meaning of life together, shall we?" Yu Ziyu's pretty face blushed, "You drove all day, aren't you tired?" "Not tired," Li Weibo shook his head, "As a novice, when I get a new car, I'm most eager to experience the thrill of driving." "Li Weibo!" Yu Ziyu angrily stomped on her husband's foot, "You've learned bad habits." "No, absolutely not." Li Weibo didn't care about the slight weight on his foot, "I really didn't learn from anyone. I just have an innate understanding from you." Yu Ziyu couldn't argue with her husband, both embarrassed and annoyed, she pretended to be fierce, "Hurry up and tidy the room." "Yes!" Li Weibo released his wife, "I'll go get water, and bring you hot water to bathe." "No!" Yu Ziyu refused, "I'll wash in the bathroom in the second courtyard." Li Weibo nodded, "Alright! Go ahead, your husband will diligently clean our love nest." Yu Ziyu pursed her lips and glared at her husband, Hmph! Men, animals who think with their lower bodies!