Chapter 222: There’s Still a Long Way to Go

“When they heard I was coming to Beijing, everyone crowded around to ask all sorts of questions!”

“They all said I’m overflowing with good fortune, and I feel it too! It’s like I was destined for a sweet life!”

As she spoke, her smile never faded.

The mother- and daughter-in-law had just reached the gate when Yang Wanqing and Xiao Xiao happened to be walking out, carrying seven or eight bulging bags.

The bags were tied shut with thin string, and faint grease stains and wisps of steam hinted at their warm contents.

The moment Yang Wanqing looked up and saw Song Yao, she called out cheerfully.

“Well, what a coincidence! We were just talking about you!”

She held out the bags in her hands.

“These are fresh off the stove. Still hot!”

Then her gaze fell on the woman beside Song Yao, and she asked hesitantly.

“And this is?”

Before Song Yao could speak, Wei Guilan had already put down her things, quickly wiped her hands on her apron, taken a step forward, and extended both hands.

“You must be Song Yao’s grandmother, right? I’ve heard so much about you!”

“I’m Song Yao’s mother-in-law. My surname is Wei, and my name is Guilan. Please, call me Xiao Feng or Guilan, either is fine!”

“Oh, my goodness! So you’re my in-law!”

Yang Wanqing exclaimed, her hand already grabbing Wei Guilan’s wrist and pulling her into the courtyard.

“Old man! Come out, quick! Our in-law is here!”

Shen Lixin was still inside, wondering.

“Whose in-law?”

Before he could finish, Yang Wanqing added…

“Song Yao’s mother-in-law is here!”

By then, they had entered the courtyard and were standing face to face.

Wei Guilan was all smiles, bowing her head slightly.

“You must be my in-law, sir. You look like you’re just in your early forties!”

“My name is Wei Guilan, Song Yao’s mother-in-law. Please, call me whatever feels comfortable!”

Shen Lixin said repeatedly, “Quick, quick, please come inside! Don’t stand out in the sun!”

As soon as they were seated, he turned his head and instructed Xiao Xiao.

“Hurry and brew a pot of good tea!”

Wei Guilan’s heart skipped a beat as she took a single glance at the green bricks, gray tiles, and intricately carved window lattices. ‘This is no ordinary family,’ she thought. ‘Their ancestors must have paved their paths with gold!’

When she sat down, she only dared to perch on the edge of the chair.

Once everyone was settled, Yang Wanqing picked up an enamel mug and asked with a smile, “You arrived yesterday, didn’t you?”

Wei Guilan nodded hurriedly.

“I got off the train at noon yesterday. I wanted to visit right away, but it was already getting dark. I was afraid of disturbing your dinner and sleep, so I forced myself to wait until this morning.”

Yang Wanqing felt reassured upon hearing this.

She had dealt with Li Hanchen before.

The young man was sincere, sharp, and reliable.

Now, seeing his mother, she was even more relieved.

‘He comes from good stock, with a good upbringing.’

She pushed a dish of sunflower seeds toward Wei Guilan and said with a smile, “You’re being far too formal. You should have just come. Why bring gifts!”

Wei Guilan fiddled with the hem of her clothes, a little embarrassed.

“It’s just a few live chickens, a basket of free-range eggs, and I also brought some freshly milled rice and vegetables from my own garden… Please don’t think my gifts are too humble.”

“Oh, this isn’t humble at all! This is sincerity!”

“Carrying all this from your hometown all the way to Beijing, your arms must be aching, right?”

Listening from the side, Song Yao immediately chimed in, gesturing as she spoke.

“That’s not all! Grandma, she even brought brown rice, dried noodles, radishes, and greens—her shoulders were red from the weight! The carrying pole she used was worn smooth and left several deep marks on her back. When I helped her apply ointment last night, she kept insisting it didn’t hurt.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Wanqing immediately replied with a laugh.

“Oh, my. You’re such a caring mother! To be thinking of them from so far away is just so heartwarming.”

Wei Guilan’s face turned red, and she waved her hands dismissively.

“Song Yao is pregnant and so far away, I can’t even hand her a glass of water. I can’t help with anything on a daily basis, can’t even bring her a bowl of hot soup or half an egg. I don’t have anything valuable to give, so I just thought I’d pack more food. If they take a bite, it’s like they’re getting a taste of home.”

The tea was soon ready, and a cup was handed to her.

She clutched the rim of the cup, not daring to take a sip for a long moment.

This white porcelain cup with a delicate floral pattern… she had never touched anything like it.

She just sat there, holding the cup, which made Yang Wanqing wonder.

“Is the tea not to your liking?”

“Xiao Xiao…”

“Yes!”

Just as Yang Wanqing started to speak, Wei Guilan quickly waved her hands.

“No, no, no, it’s not that at all! It’s just… this cup is too beautiful. I can’t bear to use it!”

After saying that, she quickly brought it to her lips and took a small swallow.

Later, Yang Wanqing casually started making small talk, asking about the harvest and then about the children.

Wei Guilan answered with a cheerful laugh.

The land had been good to them these past two years; the wheat and corn harvests had been decent.

After paying the public grain tax, their granary at home was still half full.

She mentioned that her husband passed away too early, but that her three children had never given her a moment of worry.

“Just one more year, and she’ll graduate!”

As Wei Guilan said this, her eyes shone brightly.

Hearing that there was also a university student in the family, Yang Wanqing blinked, quite surprised.

“Which university does she attend?”

“The medical school in Ning City.”

Yang Wanqing wasn’t surprised that Li Ying was in university, but rather, she was thinking about how remote Wu Family Village was. To leave the village, you had to walk two kilometers down a muddy path, and going to the market required taking two different buses.

Wei Guilan had raised three kids all by herself.

And she had actually managed to support her daughter all the way to becoming a medical student.

“She’ll be a doctor in a white coat in the future!”

she said with genuine sincerity.

“Your journey must have been so difficult.”

Wei Guilan quickly wrung her hands, her voice softening.

“To be honest, it was all thanks to my second son. He’s a hard worker who isn’t afraid of a little suffering. The reason his sister can sit in a classroom is half because of the money he earned, and half because of the letters and grain coupons he sent.”

“If I had truly relied only on myself…”

She shook her head and smiled.

“I would have been overwhelmed long ago.”

Yang Wanqing immediately shook her head.

“Don’t be so modest. You’re the one who set down strong roots, which is why your children grew up so capable! Look at the children you’ve raised—every single one of them is so promising. That’s a mother’s greatest source of pride!”

Wei Guilan grew even more embarrassed, twisting the corner of her apron, her head bowed so low it nearly touched her chest.

As they talked, the sun was nearly overhead, and Yang Wanqing slapped her thigh.

“Song Yao, quick, give Li Hanchen a call. Tell him to come home for lunch after work. And while you’re at it, have him bring your second brother along!”

“Old Shen, you call Changyu and tell him to come over. Our in-law has arrived!”

Shen Lixin and Song Yao stood up.

Wei Guilan also shot to her feet, waving her hands in protest.

“No, no, no, there’s really no need to go to such trouble! Song Yao and I will leave right now, we’ll head back!”

Yang Wanqing’s brow furrowed.

“Now, what kind of talk is that? Are you treating us like strangers?”

Wei Guilan shook her head quickly, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning slightly white.

“No, no, no… that’s not what I meant… I’m just afraid of causing you trouble, I don’t dare to speak out of turn…”

Without another word, Yang Wanqing put a hand on her shoulder and pressed her back down into the chair.

“Don’t move! Sit! You’re not some distant relative just dropping by for a visit. You’re our in-law; you’re family! Why be so polite? It’s too formal! Our two families will be seeing a lot of each other from now on. The children have their whole lives ahead of them; we can’t always be so reserved, can we?”

“Just stay and have a warm meal with us. It’s a simple home-cooked meal, nothing fancy. A plate of greens, a bowl of tofu, some chicken soup, and a steamed egg custard—it’s all stuff we have on hand. Just relax and stay put.”

Wei Guilan truly couldn’t stay seated. She started to get up again and said hurriedly.

“Well… can I help in the kitchen? I can wash vegetables or chop scallions! I’m quick, I won’t get in the way. I can even learn how to use the stove from Xiao Xiao…”