1970s: My childhood sweetheart ran away, and I turned around and married the wildest chief.

Miao Cuiying also didn't want to live in the main house, so she chose a room in the east wing. Qiao Wanqing didn't care and let them go. Anyway, she wasn't going to live in this house, so they could stay in whichever room they wanted.

Miao Cuiying saw that the room was fully furnished, and all of it was new. The materials didn't look top-notch, but they weren't cheap either. With so many rooms, it must have cost a lot of money.

"Wanwan, are these furniture new? Here's the money for you."

Qiao Wanqing refused. She didn't care about the money at all. "No need, Mom. You can't move this furniture. If you leave it here, I'll need to furnish it again when I rent it out. You and your second brother can use it for now. It's not made of high-quality materials, so it won't cost much."

"These aren't bad either. If you buy so many, it'll definitely cost over a thousand yuan."

Qiao Wanqing smiled and said, "Then let's consider it our way of showing our respect to you. You have been very helpful to Mingzhou and me for so many years. We don't need to show any respect to you at home. Now that we've come to the capital, it would be unreasonable for me to take your money for a little furniture."

"Stay here for now, put your luggage down, come back with me for dinner, rest a bit, and come back to unpack tomorrow."

Miao Cuiying didn't refuse. She had come all the way to Beijing and didn't even know where her son's new home was. She would definitely have her first meal at her son's house so she could get acquainted with the place.

After putting their things down and taking a few personal belongings, the group got into the car and headed to the family compound.

The family compound in Beijing was much more prosperous than the one in Beichuan. Looking at the completely new environment, Miao Cuiying felt very gratified. This was all the result of her son's hard work over the years!

She left home in her teens, braved gunfire, and now, in her thirties, she has finally achieved something. She stared intently at everything outside the car window: a safe environment, guards on duty, armed patrols—the security was excellent. She knew that her son had made it big, and his children, growing up in such an environment, would have a bright future.

Miao Cuiying was very excited, feeling that all her years of dedication and support for her son had been worthwhile.

Once inside their yard, the twins were playing. Qi Ya watched them from the side. It was hot, and these two mischievous kids loved playing in the water. Every day, whenever they heard the sound of water, they would go over to check it out. They couldn't resist the sight of water.

There was no other way but to put two big basins in the yard for them to play in the water. Otherwise, they would get too greedy and run out if I didn't keep an eye on them and went to the water's edge, which would be dangerous.

The two children were soaking wet from playing when Qiao Wanqing came in with her entourage. "Dabao and Erbao, look who's here!"

The two children looked up at the person who came in. Miao Cuiying looked at the two little ones expectantly. The older child had a good memory and quickly recognized Miao Cuiying, sweetly calling out, "Grandma! Grandma!"

"Oh!" Miao Cuiying was so excited that she quickly went over and hugged Ningning.

She had visited Beichuan when Qiao Wanqing gave birth to triplets and met the two children. More than half a year had passed, and she never expected that her beloved granddaughter would still recognize her.

Looking at Erbao beside her, Erbao stared at Miao Cuiying with wide, confused eyes. "Grandma?"

Does he know this person?

It feels like I know them, like we're somewhat familiar.

"Erbao, don't you recognize Grandma? Call her Grandma!" It was Qiao Wanqing who spoke.

Erbao only had a vague memory in his mind. When his mother said that, he quickly followed suit and called out to everyone. Behind him were his uncles and aunts, and his older sisters.

Once the children were taught to greet the guests, the whole family came into the house. Qi Ya and her third aunt were overjoyed. People from their hometown naturally brought a special kind of warmth. Without Qiao Wanqing saying anything, they had endless things to talk about.

The children were left in the living room, and Qiao Wanqing didn't care anymore. She let them chat as they pleased and went to the kitchen to check on how lunch was going.

Miao Cuiying was truly overjoyed to see the house. Her aunt noticed her expression and laughed, "Aren't you proud? This is all thanks to your son. I saw it back in Beichuan. Usually, people who get this kind of treatment are in their fifties or sixties, with a bunch of sons and grandchildren. Where can you find someone as young as your Mingzhou?"

"Later, when I came to Beijing, I thought that since it was the capital, there would definitely be more talented people here, and the treatment might not be as good as in Beichuan. But when I got here, I found out that the houses here are much better than in Beichuan. Look at this yard, it's huge."

Miao Cuiying is indeed proud; how could she not be?

Her son was so young, so the family favored him a bit and gave him some financial support, but his current achievements are something that money couldn't have bought.

Miao Cuiying looked around, her excitement still lingering. Seeing her third aunt's envious expression, she took her hand and said, "I was truly proud, but I was also truly worried back then. During the years when my fourth brother went to the battlefield, I couldn't sleep at night, fearing that one day the army would bring me bad news."

"Thankfully, after all those years, my son came back safely. But even now, thinking about it still makes my heart pound. Children have their own thoughts, and we can't control them. I'm just content as long as he's safe and sound."

"You're lucky. All your kids are easy to take care of. Those who should be getting married are doing so, and those who should be in school are going to school. Two of your kids have been admitted to university and will be graduating and getting jobs soon. Your days of enjoying life are just around the corner!"

Thinking of her own children, Auntie San smiled.

Her children all grew up around her. Although these years have been tough, they have always been safe and sound. They certainly haven't worked as hard as Lu Mingzhou.

Was that battlefield an ordinary place? Many young people from their village went there, but how many returned safely?

Some were crippled, and some only had their ashes returned.

The two talked for a long time. Auntie San was very concerned about the children back home. Miao Cuiying's visit brought a lot of news. The two talked until lunchtime and still hadn't finished.

Miao Cuiying was supposed to tidy up the courtyard in the afternoon, but Qiao Wanqing wouldn't let her. After all, this was Lu Mingzhou's mother and older brother, so why was she in such a hurry to leave? It wasn't like the house was too small.

Over the years, her in-laws have never troubled her in any way, and Qiao Wanqing's attitude towards them has always been very good.

That night, they stayed in the family compound. The next morning, they were going to clean up the new compound. There wasn't much to clean, since Qiao Wanqing had already had someone clean it. But Lu Mingzhou wasn't home, so it was pointless for them to stay there any longer.

They came to the capital to stay for a while and make a living, so of course they had to make the most of their time.

When the group arrived at the courtyard, Lu Mingyue and Lu Mingyu were already waiting.

"Mom, second brother and sister-in-law! Sister-in-law!"

Seeing her two children, Miao Cuiying was overjoyed, beaming from ear to ear. These two promising children are now back in their hometown, and everyone who sees her gives her a thumbs up!

"Mingyue, Mingyu, how are you? How have you been lately? How's your studies going?"