He Yuan’s younger brothers, He Ze and He Han, were studying at an artillery unit on an island.
Because it was a confidential matter, the two of them could rarely return home.
This time, it was likely due to their graduation and assignment that they were finally able to come back.
They would stay home for a period of time before directly reporting to their assigned units for work.
Thinking about seeing less of her two sons in the future, their mother, Wang Shufen, felt a pang of sadness.
But she also knew this was unavoidable.
Children grow up, and there always comes a day when they must leave home and soar high.
Hearing He Yuan say this, Ji Shuyu quickly pulled him along to go shopping.
“How could you forget such an important occasion.”
In such matters, Wang Shufen would naturally tell He Yuan; she wouldn’t tell Ji Shuyu.
“Shuyu, slow down. It’s fine. It’ll probably take a long time for them to get here anyway.”
He Yuan only knew that the place where He Ze and He Han studied was a fully enclosed island.
He figured it would take quite a while for them to travel from there.
Ji Shuyu ignored He Yuan. While saying she was going shopping, she had actually quietly opened the Points Mall.
From previous information, she knew about her two younger brothers-in-law’s personalities.
One was lively, the other steady.
They were older than He Min, ranking as the fourth and fifth children in the family.
What gifts should she give them?
The Points Mall interface slowly unfolded on the light screen, Ji Shuyu’s finger hovering in mid-air.
Fragments of information about He Ze and He Han replayed rapidly in her mind.
He Yuan had occasionally mentioned that the fourth brother, He Ze, had been a wild child since childhood.
Once, he even ran off to the deep sea alone, scaring Wang Shufen so much she fainted on the spot.
If not for He Ze’s excellent swimming skills, he probably wouldn’t have made it.
The fifth brother, He Han, was completely the opposite. He Min had secretly said that her fifth brother loved listening to the news on the radio since he was a child, and even when playing with building blocks, he would follow the instructions precisely without any deviation.
They were twins and looked very similar.
If not for their different personalities, even Wang Shufen and He Junshan might have mixed them up.
“Lively… steady…”
She murmured softly, her eyes scanning the array of products.
The island was humid, and artillery training was physically demanding. He Ze loved running around; perhaps a pair of durable combat boots would be practical?
But then again, the equipment issued by the military was certainly more professional, and what she chose might not fit well.
How about something fun?
The mall had a new portable military chess set, with pieces made of high-strength alloy, said to be deformation-proof even if dropped. He Ze, who loved bustle, might enjoy playing a game with his comrades.
As for He Han, Ji Shuyu’s finger paused on a hardcover copy of “A History of Modern Weapon Development.”
She had seen this book in the library before; it contained detailed records of the development history and technical parameters of various artillery pieces. She thought it would be appealing to someone studying artillery technology.
Ji Shuyu spent 400 points to buy gifts for the brothers.
Just then, He Yuan came over carrying a bag of fresh seafood: “Mom said they often eat canned food on the island, so we should make them some seafood soup when they’re back.”
Ji Shuyu smiled and replied, “Sure, let’s add some vermicelli they loved when they were kids. It’ll be delicious.”
The couple bought some more groceries before heading home.
However, Ji Shuyu’s expression shifted slightly upon seeing the person sitting in the main room.
“What’s wrong, third sister-in-law, aren’t you going to welcome me?”
“I’m still married to He Jiang; this is my home too. I heard He Ze and He Han are coming back, so I came specifically to see them.”
Li Cuihua sat to the side, smiling as she said this.
He Min, sitting nearby with her arm around He Ming, snorted coldly.
She didn’t believe Li Cuihua was sincerely back.
Li Cuihua was the kind of person who never lifted a finger without a motive.
Who knew why she came scurrying back this time.
“Mom, Dad, He Yuan and I bought some things. We’ll cook them for He Ze and He Han later.”
Ji Shuyu automatically ignored Li Cuihua, signaling He Yuan to place the items in his hands on the table.
Wang Shufen responded repeatedly and was about to say more, but Ji Shuyu had already left the room, heading towards the east room.
He Min quickly pulled He Ming along to catch up.
“Auntie,” “Third sister-in-law,” “You need to be careful of Li Cuihua.”
They spoke in unison, which made Ji Shuyu laugh.
She invited them in and asked with a smile, “Why do you say that?”
“We just think she’s up to no good. She says she’s back to welcome Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother, but look, she didn’t bring anything.”
While it might not be entirely fair to say that, since she’s using the welcome as her reason, she couldn’t even be bothered to put on a show. He Min didn’t believe she had any good intentions.
“I just heard Auntie say something about making lots of seafood for you to eat, Auntie.”
He Ming tugged on He Min’s sleeve as he said this.
Although he was young and didn’t fully understand some things, he knew that seafood was a cold-natured food and shouldn’t be eaten by pregnant women.
His mother had told him, so He Ming remembered clearly.
Ji Shuyu’s hand gently rested on her lower abdomen, a flicker of coldness passing through her eyes.
Did Li Cuihua really think everyone else was a fool with such petty tricks?
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
She patted He Ming’s head. “And you two, don’t confront her head-on. You’re still young. If anything happened, I’d worry about you.”
Just as they were speaking, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate. He Junshan returned from outside, frowned when he saw Li Cuihua in the main room.
“What are you back for?”
Li Cuihua immediately put on a smiling face. “Dad, I’m just concerned about Ze’er and Han’er. They’re finally back for a visit…”
He Junshan didn’t give her a pleasant look. “I thought you were getting a divorce and didn’t plan on coming back to this house.”
She had stayed at her parents’ home for so long, not even asking about her own son.
He Jiang had to work every day, so the child could only be left with the elderly couple.
But Wang Shufen was getting older; how could she handle He Qiang?
This remark hit Li Cuihua’s sore spot. Her smile stiffened for a moment before she forced another smile. “Dad, you’re joking. I’m still a daughter-in-law of the He family, after all.”
Wang Shufen came out of the kitchen with a plate of washed apples and pushed the plate towards He Min and He Ming.
“Last time, the eldest made it very clear. If you want to live properly, no one will say anything. But if you still want to cause trouble, then our family can’t keep you.”
Hearing this, Li Cuihua nodded repeatedly. “Mom, don’t worry. I know I was wrong before. I came back this time because I want to live properly with He Jiang.”
Her words were earnest, portraying an ‘I’ve admitted my mistake’ attitude.
Wang Shufen didn’t say anything more. Just then, He Qiang returned from a classmate’s house. Seeing his mother, he rushed straight into her arms.
“Mom! You’re finally back!”
As the saying goes, only a mother is truly good. Without his mother, He Qiang felt like everyone in the family could pick on him.
He could no longer eat more than He Ming, and he didn’t get two eggs every morning anymore.
What he ate and drank was exactly the same as He Ming.
He Qiang had almost had enough of this hard life.
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