Chapter 409: The Wang Brothers Return in Glory

Chapter 409: The Wang Brothers Return in Splendor

The Wang brothers who had gone out to work with Wang Xiaocui were back.

This news spread like wildfire, causing a huge sensation in Village Ninety-Three.

Villagers who had hunkered down for winter were all drawn outside to see the excitement.

Li Yulan, seeing her sons whom she hadn’t seen in ages, was so happy that she wiped away tears.

Wang Yongshun and Liu Xiaomei had changed the most—their once skinny frames had filled out.

Especially Liu Xiaomei, whose face had lost its dull look, now lively and animated.

Wang Yongzheng’s demeanor had transformed entirely, like a sword pulled from its scabbard, radiating confidence and vigor, which delighted Li Yulan.

Everything had changed—all for the better.

Wang Yongshun lifted his head, a joyful smile on his face, and called out loud and clear, "Mom!"

Li Yulan pulled him close, examining him up and down. "You’ve filled out! Mom’s happy, Mom’s happy."

Ever since this son had broken his leg, he had never stood so tall or smiled with such confidence again. Whether or not they had made money, as long as her children were well, her heart was at ease.

Liu Xiaomei handed a few bags to Zhang Shuangshuang. "Shuangshuang, these are things Yongshun and I bought for Mom, Xiu Yun, and Jianrong—just a little something to show our thanks. Jianyong has been a handful all this time."

"Oh, sister-in-law, don’t stand on ceremony! We’re family, and Jianyong is my own nephew. Don’t say such things," Zhang Shuangshuang quickly protested.

Liu Xiaomei shoved the bags back into her hands. "Take them. They’re nothing expensive, just a little something from me and your brother."

Wang Yongzheng also chimed in, "Shuangshuang, if sister-in-law gives it to you, just accept it. Don’t worry about her spending money—she and big brother are making good money now, heh."

Only then did Zhang Shuangshuang take the bags. "Well then, I’ll thank Uncle and Aunt on behalf of the kids, hahaha~"

Liu Xiaomei breathed easier, straightening up proudly. "It’s the least we could do. All these years, Yongshun and I haven’t even bought the kids a single piece of candy."

Speaking of candy, Wang Yongzheng quickly pulled out a large bag of fruit candies and handed it to his eldest son, Wang Jianbing.

"Jianbing, hand these out for everyone to taste something sweet, haha~"

Wang Jianbing, already twelve years old, took the bag confidently and began distributing candies to the villagers gathered around.

For those with other surnames or the pushy ones, he gave two each. For the Wang family members and closer relatives, he simply opened the bag and let them grab a handful.

Two women from the Chen family, seeing this, thought grudgingly that the boy was a chip off the old block at such a young age.

By the time he finished handing out candies, half the bag was still left. Wang Jianbing promptly called his younger siblings and a few close friends inside the house—

to keep those shameless outsiders from trying to weasel more from him under the guise of asking for the children.

Zhang Shuangshuang set out hot tea inside the house and invited everyone in. Many made themselves at home.

Li Yulan brought out plenty of holiday snacks—crispy orchid root and fried sweet potato chips—and laid them on the table.

Liu Xiaomei also took out some red dates and preserved fruits she had bought.

After setting everything out, Li Yulan gave Zhang Shuangshuang a gentle push. "Go call your auntie and Hongcui in for tea."

Auntie was the wife of Village Ninety-Three’s current secretary, Wang Lihua, and Hongcui was her oldest son’s wife.

Over the past six months, both Wang Yongzheng and his brother had been away, leaving no man to manage the household. Zhang Shuangshuang was frail, and Li Yulan had bound feet (a traditional practice), so they relied heavily on the care of Wang Lihua's family.

Even the rice they ate had been husked by Wang Lihua’s eldest son.

“Oh, I’ll head over now,” Zhang Shuangshuang replied and headed out.

When she returned, she was followed by a sturdy mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo.

Li Yulan quickly pulled out a long bench and placed it by the stove. “Aunt Sheju, Hongcui, come quick! We’ve been waiting for you.”

Zhang Sheju laughed heartily. “What a crowd today! You’ve been worrying nonstop, but now that the kids are back, you can finally relax.”

Li Yulan smiled. “Exactly! You know what they say—a mother’s heart follows her child wherever he goes. Yongzheng had been away before, but Yongshun and Xiaomei—this was their first time going so far. How could I not fret?”

“Thankfully, the kids are all doing well. Hah.”

By the time tea was finished, the entire village knew that Wang Yongzheng and his brother had gone to the city with Wang Xiaocui and made money.

In every corner of Ninety-Three Village, people talked—some with envy, others hopeful, wanting to follow the Wang brothers to the city.

“Did the Wang brothers find some opportunity in the city? If there really is a chance in the city, it must be better than farming in the countryside.”

“Do you think if we asked them to bring us to the city for work, they would?”

“Hard to say. If you had a way to make money, would you share it with others?”

Though they said this, many secretly decided to find a chance to ask around and see what the Wang brothers were actually doing in the city.

Some snide comments came from the envious: “They haven’t shown anyone their money—who knows if they really made any? And even if they did, maybe they did something underhanded in the city.”

Others, resentful, accused them of putting on airs: “Right, I think so too. Just because they came back wearing new clothes means they hit the jackpot?

Nothing that good happens so easily. If we really wanted new clothes, any family here could afford them, couldn’t they?”

“Money in the city isn’t that easy to make. Before, even city-educated youths had to come to the countryside and compete with us for food. Are the Wang brothers really better than those city youths?”

“Besides, city folks look down on us country folk the most. With no connections, I wouldn’t go.”

“Oh, forget Wang Yongzheng—what could Wang Yongshun, a useless cripple [derogatory], who himself needed tending, do in the city? Beg for scraps?”

“Hah, don’t say that—maybe he’s scrap collecting…”

The Wang family had no idea they had become the village’s hot topic. Wang Yongzheng was busy preparing the duck.

Zhang Shuangshuang handed the keys to both houses to Liu Xiaomei and Wang Xiaocui. “Sis-in-law, elder sis, last month when there was still sun, I had Jianyong and Jianbing air out the quilts.

Not long ago, knowing you’d return, I specifically took them out and warmed them on the kang. They’re ready to use. I also had the kids clean the rooms. You can check if anything else needs doing.”

Liu Xiaomei and Wang Xiaocui didn’t stand on ceremony. “Alright, thank you for your hard work. If it weren’t for you looking after things at home…”

“Hah, don’t mention it! Alright, hurry back and get settled. Yongzheng is already preparing the duck. If you’re free, come help later. We’ve also invited Uncle and Brother Changyi for dinner.”