Chapter 4: Returning to the Village

Seeing the state of the two children, Wen Youshan frowned. It was only then that he realized he had been away for many days. He had left in such a rush that he had only given Sun Laifu a few brief instructions, failing to properly settle the children. Fortunately, while they looked a bit dirty, they were neither starving nor sick.

Before Wen Youshan could breathe a sigh of relief, Wen Yuanzhen suddenly coughed twice. The little girl didn't pay it any mind, looking at Wen Youshan with teary eyes, feeling deeply aggrieved. "Dad, I missed you."

For the past few days, Wen Yuanzhen had been living in fear. The village matrons all said that their parents had abandoned them. She had cried herself to sleep several times and was too scared to even close her eyes at night. But now, Dad was back, and it seemed he had brought Mom back too. That was good; she was finally not a child without parents.

Wen Youshan felt a pang of heartache as he picked up the two children, who felt light as feathers. After comforting them thoroughly, he headed out.

Seeing his father leave, Wen Yuanliang, who had no desire to boil water, gave Wen Yuanzhen a few instructions and slipped away.

When Wen Youshan arrived at Sun Laifu’s house, he found Sun Laifu about to head to the fields. He quickly called out, "Laifu, I’m back."

The voice was like a thunderclap on a clear day, startling the entire Sun family.

Sun Laifu’s mother, Mrs. Li, ran out from the backyard clutching a handful of grass, shouting excitedly, "Youshan! You’ve finally returned! How did it go? Did you find her?"

Her shout brought the neighbors out as well.

"Auntie, slow down. Don't worry, I found her. My wife is fine," Wen Youshan said with a simple, honest smile.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Li’s expression soured. "What could be fine about her? I’m asking how you spoke to the Deng family. A wife like that is truly not fit for living a proper life. When your mother was alive, she kept her in check, so we didn't say anything even when she was pampered and lazy. But now that your mother is gone, she’s still acting this way—how is your family supposed to go on? She has a maiden family, after all; didn't your in-laws have anything to say?"

At the mention of the Deng family, Wen Youshan’s face darkened significantly. He explained with a heavy heart, "Auntie, my wife isn't that kind of person. She didn't stay away on purpose; she was nearly killed by that father and son from the Deng family. Fortunately, we ran into the County Magistrate on the road, otherwise, it would have been dire. She’s still injured, so she can't come to thank you herself. I’ve troubled your family for so many days, so as soon as I got back, I rushed over to pick up the children. Once she’s feeling better, I’ll bring her over to thank you properly."

The Sun family listened in stunned silence, and even the villagers who had come to watch the commotion were dumbfounded.

Sun Laifu stepped forward and felt Wen Youshan’s forehead, muttering, "You don't have a fever. Why are you talking nonsense?"

"Go on, go on! You’re the one with the fever!" Wen Youshan swatted Sun Laifu’s hand away. "I’ll explain the details when I have time. Right now, I need to take the children back so my wife doesn't worry."

Seeing that his behavior was normal, Sun Laifu reluctantly accepted what he had said and hurried to tell Mrs. Li, "Mom, go wake the children up so Youshan can take them home."

"Oh, oh, wait a moment." Mrs. Li, having regained her senses, trotted into the house. Before long, she and Sun Laifu’s wife came out, each holding a child. Mrs. Li affectionately touched the little face of the baby boy in the swaddling clothes and said to Wen Youshan, "The little one hasn't had milk since his mother left. We don't have any nursing women in the house, so we had to feed him rice porridge. We also managed to get some goat milk from the old uncle’s house in the village, so he’s barely full and hasn't lost weight. Take him back and see if your wife still has milk."

Mrs. Li had grown attached to the two children after caring for them for several days, and she felt a bit reluctant to part with them now.

Wen Youshan carefully took the two children, one in a basket on his back and one in his arms, and thanked the Sun family repeatedly before striding away.

When Wen Youshan returned home, he saw smoke rising from the kitchen chimney. Upon entering, he found Wen Yuanzhen and Wen Yuanhong cooking porridge. He quickly brought the two children into the room and handed them to Chen Ningya. "I’ve brought the two little ones back. You look after them for a moment while I get you something to eat. I clearly told the eldest to boil water and cook porridge for you, but in the blink of an eye, he ran off and left Yuanzhen and Yuanhong to do the work. When he gets back, see if I don't break his legs!"

Hearing the names Yuanzhen and Yuanhong, Chen Ningya’s heart sank. In her previous life, these two children never grew up; she had heard they died of illness after she left. She never knew what kind of illness it was, and it had been a source of deep regret in her past life. Now, hearing their names, her tears flowed uncontrollably. She struggled to get out of bed. "I want to go see them."

"Don't. Just lie down and rest. I’ll handle everything. I’ll boil some water for you to wash up, you’ll eat some hot porridge, and get a good night's sleep. We’ll see how you feel tomorrow before you try to get up," Wen Youshan urged.

Thinking of her own body, Chen Ningya complied for fear of worrying Wen Youshan. She lay on the bed playing with the two children. In her previous life, she had been so cold toward the children that the three sensible ones were never close to her, and even two-year-old Wen Yuanjing didn't rely on her much. Only the youngest, Wen Yuanxing, nuzzled against her chest in the familiar embrace, habitually looking for food. Unfortunately, her injury had caused her milk to dry up, and she had nothing to give him, so she could only let him suckle in vain.

After soothing the youngest, Chen Ningya looked at Wen Yuanjing with maternal love. Poor children grow up early; despite being only two, Wen Yuanjing was unbelievably well-behaved. The tiny girl sat at the foot of the bed without a sound, watching her younger brother to keep him from crying. Seeing this, Chen Ningya felt even more like a failure. She beckoned to Wen Yuanjing and asked softly, "Jingjing, are you hungry?"

Wen Yuanjing stared at Chen Ningya’s face, seemingly in thought, before nodding honestly.

Chen Ningya felt a deeper ache in her heart. She looked outside the room, then back at Wen Yuanjing, and comforted her, "Dad will cook porridge for you in a little while. Once you’re full, your tummy won't be hungry anymore, okay?"

Wen Yuanjing nodded obediently, pursing her lips without a word.

Chen Ningya didn't push her, thinking that there would be plenty of time; she would slowly make it up to the children.

The mother and children sat in silence until Wen Youshan brought in the porridge.

Wen Yuanjing clearly relied on him much more. Seeing him, she immediately climbed off the bed and stumbled toward him, seemingly wanting to help while also seeking a sense of security.

Wen Youshan affectionately patted Wen Yuanjing’s head and said dotingly, "Second girl, sit down. Dad will feed you in a moment."

"Let me do it. You go get busy," Chen Ningya said, reaching out to Wen Youshan.

Wen Youshan wanted to refuse, but seeing the persistence in Chen Ningya’s eyes, he complied. He served her a bowl of porridge and placed Wen Yuanjing beside her.

The so-called porridge was actually rice soup so thin the grains were visible, mixed with wild vegetables—barely enough to half-fill one's stomach.

It was the time of year when the old harvest was gone and the new one hadn't yet arrived, and most people in the village survived this way. Wen Youshan didn't find it strange, but Chen Ningya frowned slightly, though she said nothing more.