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Li Chunhua's eyes slowly brightened.

Bai Ge'er turned to Yu Daniu next: "Pa—"

Yu Daniu gave a solemn nod: "Alright, since your grandparents have agreed, you can go with them."

Li Chunhua also nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, go ahead!... I'll pack you some clean clothes for the road!"

Bai Ge'er kept a straight face, but inside he was bursting with excitement!

Yes! Everything was set!

The next day, Bai Ge'er set off with Yu Sanbao before dawn, lugging his bundle.

It was the first time her eleven-year-old son had traveled far from home, and Li Chunhua was beside herself.

At times, she couldn't resist standing by the wooden gate, peering down the road.

Bai Xiaofeng privately remarked to Yu Erhu with a hint of envy, "Eldest sister-in-law is practically turning into 'a statue waiting for her son.'"

Fortunately, after four days, Yu Sanbao and Bai Ge'er returned, dusty from the road.

Their faces were windburned and sun-darkened, and their clothes were coated with dirt.

Xingxing was playing toss with sandbags with Ju Ge'er under the elm tree at the Yu family's gate. The moment she spotted Yu Sanbao and Bai Ge'er returning, she let out a whoop and ran to them.

"Third Uncle! Second Brother!"

Xingxing called out in her sweet, childish voice, waddling over on her little legs before leaping into Bai Ge'er's arms!

Though Bai Ge'er looked a bit thinner, his spirits were high, his eyes lively and bright as he caught Xingxing: "Xingxing!"

Xingxing threw her arms around Bai Ge'er's neck, studying him, then beaming upon seeing he was in good shape.

Ju Ge'er, slower on his feet, lagged behind. Seeing Bai Ge'er holding Xingxing, he scowled and taunted, "Shameless! Second Brother just traveled so far, and you're making him carry you!"

Chapter 54: What’s a Stepmother? Is There a Before-Mother Too?

Xingxing blew a raspberry and quickly wriggled out of Bai Ge'er's arms.

Ju Ge'er shot Xingxing a smug look before sprinting toward Yu Sanbao.

Then—he launched himself at Yu Sanbao!

Ju Ge'er clung to his father: "Dad, I missed you so much!"

Hmm?

Xingxing tilted her little head in confusion.

But I thought Third Uncle and Second Brother were tired from the journey and in need of rest?

Yu Sanbao laughed and swatted Ju Ge'er's behind: "Alright, go tell everyone we're back."

The little boy, determined to beat Xingxing to it, slid down from Yu Sanbao and took off, his little legs pumping so fast he nearly tripped over the threshold of the Yu family's gate.

He yelled at the top of his lungs to announce their return: "Grandma! Eldest Aunt! Mom! Dad and Second Brother are back!"

Old Lady Wei came rushing out of the house: "They're back?"

Though Wei Pozi appeared calm and composed when sending off Yu Sanbao and Bai Ge'er, a mother's heart always worries when her children travel far. Both Yu Sanbao and Bai Ge'er were dear to her heart—how could she not be concerned?

Li Chunhua was even more worried.

These past few days, Li Chunhua hadn’t slept well at all.

Seeing her son return safely, Li Chunhua laughed and cried, gripping his arms and repeatedly checking him for any injuries.

Su Rouer also rushed out excitedly from the third branch of the family. Their marriage had just been improving when Yu Sanbao left—how could she not miss him?

Yu Sanbao gave Su Rouer a meaningful glance, signaling her to follow. He put an arm around Wei Pozi’s shoulders and steered her toward the inner room. "Mom, let’s go inside and talk."

Li Chunhua quickly nudged Bai Ge'er toward the main house as well.

Bai Xiaofeng had stayed home. Though her son hadn’t gone along, she was very curious about how much the pearl had finally sold for and tagged along eagerly.

Once everyone entered the main house, Li Chunhua hurriedly poured water for Yu Sanbao and Bai Ge'er.

"Did anything happen on the road?" Wei Pozi asked with concern.

Yu Sanbao merely laughed, but Bai Ge'er, after chugging a bowl of water to moisten his throat, launched into a lively tale about the dangers they had encountered.

It turned out that while they hadn’t run into any bandits on their way, they had encountered a thief while resting at an inn.

Fortunately, Yu Sanbao had sewn the pearl and most of their travel funds into his undergarments, leaving only a few copper coins and dry provisions in their luggage.

In the dead of night, the thief had slipped into their room and tossed everything but only finding a handful of coins and some food. Figuring they were just broke, the thief quietly slipped away.

The women gasped in shock.

Yu Sanbao then explained, "Petty thieves like this are no trouble. In these lean years, no one carries much money. Leaving a few coins in the luggage ensures they get something, so they don’t lash out in anger."

Bai Ge'er bobbed his head excitedly, his eyes shining. "I learned so much from traveling with Third Uncle this time!"

Li Chunhua didn’t know what to say!

She had originally decided never to let Bai Ge'er travel far again, but no one knows a son like his mother—his bright-eyed enthusiasm now made it clear how much he had enjoyed it!

Li Chunhua was torn up inside!

"By the way, Third Brother," Bai Xiaofeng licked her lips and blurted out, "how much did the pearl sell for?"

Yu Sanbao sighed. "Just five taels of silver."

Only five taels?!

Bai Xiaofeng was stunned, unable to hide her disappointment.

Yu Sanbao glanced at Ju Ge'er and Xingxing, then coughed lightly. "Alright, the adults need to talk. You kids scram for now."

Ju Ge'er was displeased.

Why did they have to leave?

But Xingxing, ever sensible, pulled Ju Ge'er’s hand. "Ju Ge'er, we haven’t finished our sandbag game yet!"