After Pei's mother got up, she saw the luggage piled in the living room and knew that her son was back. Then she opened the door of the guest room and saw Pei Donglai and Lin Xiaojie lying on the same bed.
Mother Pei was overjoyed and excited. She tiptoed out of the room and closed the door gently.
"What are you doing? It's mysterious," Father Pei asked.
"Your son is back," Mother Pei said softly.
"Oh, tell him to get up and go with me to prepare New Year's goods."
"Let's go later, don't ruin his good deeds."
Father Pei was puzzled and opened the door. The sound was a bit loud. Lin Xiaojie was woken up and saw Father Pei. She shyly got under the quilt.
After a while, Lin Xiaojie got up.
"Hello, uncle and aunt, happy New Year!" he said while handing over a New Year's red envelope.
The two elders laughed from ear to ear, "Xiaojie, don't call me uncle or aunt from now on. Just use the previous titles," Pei's mother said.
Pei Donglai didn't get up until noon. When he got up, he saw Lin Xiaojie helping his mother prepare food.
Before the two were divorced, Lin Xiaojie was not so diligent. After the divorce, she became more diligent.
Maybe Lin Xiaojie has really changed, maybe she is just doing superficial work, but no matter what, in the eyes of her parents, she is a qualified daughter-in-law.
The next day, Pei Donglai and his father drove a pickup truck to the countryside to haul pigs. Years ago, Pei's father ordered a local pig in a nearby countryside and planned to kill the pig for the New Year after his son returned.
In a small county, many residents in the community are familiar with each other, unlike in big cities, where many neighbors are unknown.
On the morning of New Year's Eve, many relatives and friends came. Pei Donglai also asked Heizi and Xiaoyu to come over to kill pigs for the New Year.
The scene was very lively. During the meal, a distant relative suddenly asked: "Xiao Pei, how old is your child? Has he gone to school?" The scene was very embarrassing.
Before Pei Dong could answer, Heizi said: "Auntie, in big cities you have to have children later, unlike here, where you have to have children before you get married."
Everyone burst out laughing, resolving the awkward atmosphere.
After dinner, everyone dispersed. It was the Chinese New Year and everyone was busy.
"Heizi, you and Xiaoyu stay here, let's have some drinks and leave tomorrow," Pei Donglai said.
"No, my brothers and sisters have all gone home and are waiting. Xiaoyu and I bought some things in the county and left."
On the night of New Year's Eve, the family cooked a lot of dishes. Father Pei poured wine for everyone and said: "Today's Eve, let's all drink a little."
In the past few days, the two elders did not ask about their affairs, and the mother did not give birth to the child as soon as they met like before, which made Pei Donglai feel very relieved.
Since Pei Donglai can bring Lin Xiaojie home for the New Year, the relationship is self-evident. Even if they don't say it, their parents know it very well.
Tonight, Pei Donglai drank a lot of wine with his father. Lin Xiaojie only drank a little and then went for a walk with Pei's mother.
"Son, let me ask you, are you and Xiaojie remarried?" Father Pei finally spoke after enduring it for so many days.
"No, I was going home that day, and she said she wanted to come with me. I thought about it. After all, we have been together before, and she has some feelings for you, so I brought her with me, even if I didn't bring her with me. Come, she will come by herself."
"Since you brought her here, does that mean you are single now? Where is the girl from before?"
"We broke up and now I am alone."
"Son, tell the truth. Is it possible for you and Xiaojie to still be together? To be honest, Xiaojie is really good to us. She buys this and that. After arriving here, she also helps your mother busy all day long. As a girl from a big city, she is pretty good."
Pei Donglai knew that after Lin Xiaojie came here, she didn't treat herself as a guest. She rushed to do everything and acted like a good wife.
Seeing Pei Donglai's silence, Pei's father added: "Of course, you are the one marrying your wife, not someone else. You don't have to care about other people's feelings, including me and your mother. Anyway, we won't live with you in the future and go to a big city. I'm not used to it".
Although his father didn't say it, Pei Donglai could feel that his father had already done his mother's work. This time, his mother did not bother with her marriage, unlike last time, when she relied on her old age and forced herself to marry Lin Xiaojie.
"Dad, I understand, thank you."
"Okay, no matter what, even if you and Xiaojie can't get together in the future, you should be nice to others. This girl has more directors than you, and she calls us more than you."
Father Pei got up and went back to his room to sleep. After a while, Lin Xiaojie and Mother Pei came in talking and laughing.
Seeing Pei Donglai sitting alone on the sofa, Pei's mother smiled and said, "You two keep watch, I'm going to bed first."
After Pei's mother left, Lin Xiaojie sat next to Pei Donglai and asked in a low voice, "What is a night vigil?"
"I just can't sleep all night. This is our custom here."
"Yeah, this is good," Lin Xiaojie said excitedly.
"Xiaojie, let's have some drinks. I know you were not embarrassed to drink just now."
"Haha, you really understand me."
Pei Donglai brought a bottle of red wine and some snacks and put them on the table, "Is that all right?"
"That's enough, it's mainly about drinking," Lin Xiaojie said excitedly.
It's been a long time since the two of them drank together alone. Lin Xiaojie was in a good mood tonight. Although the two of them didn't talk much, the atmosphere was still very good.
"Coming from the east, I think the environment in County B is quite good, with good mountains, good water, and fresh air."
"You just think it's new. There are no decent industries in B County. The economy is backward and it's only suitable for retirement."
"Will you come back here when you get old?" Lin Xiaojie looked at Pei Donglai and asked.
Pei Donglai turned to look at Lin Xiaojie. She was wearing light makeup today, her face was slightly red, her face was like a peach blossom, she was very beautiful.
This is the first time Pei Dong has looked at Lin Xiaojie since his divorce. In fact, Lin Xiaojie is still very beautiful. Although not as stunning as Zhang Yutong, she is very attractive.
"My parents are here, and they will come back eventually. Fallen leaves return to their roots."
After drinking a bottle, Lin Xiaojie fell asleep leaning on Pei Donglai's shoulder.
Today, Lin Xiaojie got up very early and helped Pei's mother prepare the New Year's Eve dinner. At the end of the day, she was exhausted.
There is a coal stove burning in the house and it is very warm.
The next day, both Pei's father and Pei's mother wore the clothes bought by Lin Xiaojie. On New Year's Day this year, according to local custom, they all wear new clothes.
Lin Xiaojie also put on new clothes and felt the atmosphere of the New Year.
"Donglai, why don't you wear new clothes?" Lin Xiaojie asked.
"Oh, I'm not a child. I wear the same clothes."
"You have to wear it, you have to wear it, everyone is wearing it," Lin Xiaojie said coquettishly.
Pei Donglai knew that Lin Xiaojie bought herself a set of clothes, all of which were famous brands. Of course she wanted to wear them too.
In the end, Lin Xiaojie dragged Pei Dong to the room and changed into it.
