Traveling back to 1952, starting a comeback from a relief station

"Brother-in-law, I've been looking forward to your visit every day!"

Qin Jingru clung tightly to Wang Anping's leg, her short arms wrapped tightly around him.

The little girl had a small red velvet hair clip in her short hair, which Qin Huairu brought her when she came home last time. It made her rosy cheeks look even cuter.

Qin Youcheng and Qin Youcai stood to the side, their faces showing a hint of shyness, and quickly stepped forward to take the cloth bags from the two men.

Qin Youcheng, as the eldest brother, scratched his head and said somewhat embarrassedly:

"We have everything we need at home, so why did you bring all this stuff?"

This time when they went back to her parents' home, Wang Anping and Qin Huairu brought two cloth bags with them, which were bulging with stuff, indicating that they had brought quite a lot of things.

Although Qin Huairu was heartbroken when Wang Anping bought these things.

But now he waved his hand with great magnanimity:

"We're having dinner with our relatives in the village today, so Brother Anping specially bought some rare items from the city to bring back for everyone to try."

Wang Anping greeted him with a smile:

"Big brother, you're talented. Thank you for your help again today."

With his hands free, he took out two pieces of fruit candy from his pocket, stuffed them into Qin Jingru's hand, picked up the little girl, and followed Qin Youcheng and his brother towards the Qin family home.

Looking from afar, a large crowd had already gathered in front of the Qin family's house; they were all relatives of the Qin family.

As Wang Anping and his group approached, although everyone was too embarrassed to rush over, their eyes were all fixed on Wang Anping, and they huddled together whispering among themselves.

If it were any other young man, encountering such a scene at his future father-in-law's house, he would definitely feel awkward and uneasy.

But Wang Anping has always been confident and not at all intimidated.

Young and accomplished, yet not self-conscious.

He first greeted Qin Shouyi and Li Xiulian with a smile, then took out a pack of lotus-shaped cigarettes, opened it, and handed one to each of the elders and male relatives present, greeting them with a smile.

That calm and composed demeanor immediately put the scene in control.

On the other side, a group of young women and married women surrounded Qin Huairu, asking her about life in the city.

These people were all related to the Qin family. Qin Huairu was the first in the family to marry into the city. Everyone had long yearned for the life of city dwellers and their eyes were full of envy.

Qin Huairu's face showed a mixture of shyness and pride.

In the past, if she had encountered such a situation, she would have blushed and hidden to the side, not daring to say a word.

But now that she's a "city dweller," she has a lot more confidence. Although her cheeks are still flushed, she answers her relatives' questions with confidence and talks about the latest happenings in the city.

Qin Youcheng and Qin Youcai were carrying cloth bags and about to walk into the courtyard when they were stopped by several relatives:

"Youcheng, Youcai, wait a minute! Let everyone see what good things Huairu's city boyfriend has brought!"

This is also a little-known rule in the village.

If the gifts the newlyweds bring on their return visit to their parents' home are presentable, they should be shown off, both to give the Qin family face and to let the relatives share in the joy; if they are ordinary items, they can simply say "I just brought some random things" and no one will feel uncomfortable.

Qin Huairu was confident and walked forward confidently, opening the cloth bag.

Everyone crowded around to take a look, and their eyes widened instantly—

Inside the bag were a shiny enamel basin, two patterned enamel mugs, two pounds of white sugar, two pounds of brown sugar, four glass jars of canned fruit, several pounds of fruit candy, various Beijing-style pastries, two packs of lotus-shaped cigarettes, and four bottles of baijiu (Chinese liquor) from a city winery.

In the other bag were seven or eight pounds of fresh pork, four bundles of snow-white noodles, a bag of kelp, a bag of vermicelli, four bars of soap, two bars of scented soap, two boxes of face cream, and three pairs of sturdy rubber shoes.

These things are extremely rare in rural areas.

Take those shiny enamel basins, for example. Most people in the village use earthenware or wooden basins. And as for white sugar and canned fruit, they might not even get to eat them during the New Year.

"My goodness, Huairu, all these nice things you brought must have cost a fortune!"

"These items look so stylish; they're definitely something you only find in the city!"

"Huai Ru is so lucky to have found such a capable city guy; his family is really well-off!"

"Er Ya (Qin Huairu's nickname) has finally made it! From now on, she'll be a proper city dweller and enjoy a life of leisure!"

The elders praised her one after another, their tone full of envy.

Qin Huairu listened, her smile almost reaching her ears; the heartache she felt when buying the things earlier had completely vanished.

She finally understood what Wang Anping meant by "emotional value".

This feeling of being envied and bringing honor to the family.

It really makes you feel comfortable!

After exchanging pleasantries, the men smoked and chatted in the yard, while the women who were close to them voluntarily went into the kitchen to help with the cooking.

Nowadays, in rural areas, unless there are too few people to handle the banquet or the banquet is particularly large, a professional chef will not be hired.

Most of the time, family members and relatives work together.

This makes it even more lively and festive.

Qin Huairu was worried that Wang Anping was tired from the bumpy journey, so she pulled him into the inner room and whispered:

"Brother Anping, you must be tired from your journey. Please take care of yourself and get some rest."

"Hmm... there are still people outside."

Suddenly, voices came from outside, and Qin Huairu panicked. Only then did Wang Anping pull his hand away.

Qin Huairu hurriedly straightened her clothes, fastened the loose buttons, smoothed her hair, and added with a blush:

"I'll do whatever you say when we get home tonight."

After saying that, he hurriedly pushed open the door and ran out.

Wang Anping smiled and shook his head, then pulled the blanket over him, intending to take a short nap.

But not long after I lay down, the door was gently pushed open again, and a petite figure slipped in:

"Brother-in-law!"

It's Xiao Jingru.

His mouth was stuffed full of the candy Wang Anping had just given him, and he was still sucking on it with relish.

She moved a small stool, sat down beside the bed, clenched her little fists, and gently massaged Wang Anping's legs, tilting her head up to ask:

"Brother-in-law, are you tired?"

"I'll massage your legs, does it feel good?"

"Is the force enough?"

Looking at the little girl's eager expression, Wang Anping knew perfectly well that this little one was probably thinking about going to the city again!

But this isn't something he can decide with just a few words.

not to mention.

He's currently enjoying his time alone with Qin Huairu, and having this little tagalong is actually inconvenient.

Wang Anping responded intermittently.

The little girl's massage was really comfortable, and Wang Anping fell asleep without realizing it.

When he was gently shaken awake, it was almost noon. A burst of noisy laughter and the clattering of bowls and chopsticks came from outside.

Qin Jingru leaned over the bed and whispered:

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, wake up!"

"We're going to a banquet!"

After saying that, she leaned down and whispered in Wang Anping's ear:

"Brother-in-law, there's so much delicious food on the table outside! Hurry up and get up, or everyone will eat it all!"

Seeing the little girl's anxious look, Wang Anping rubbed her head.

I got up, tidied myself up, and then walked outside.