Zhou Ning was walking ahead when he turned back and found his husband hadn’t followed. “Shen Linchuan, why aren’t you coming?”

Shen Linchuan’s lips twitched, but no words came out. He really wanted to grab his Fulang’s shoulders and ask—seriously, are you really not feeling any discomfort at all?!

Shen Linchuan adjusted his expression and flashed his standard smile. “Coming.”

Just wait for him to avenge his earlier humiliation!

The weather was pleasant today, though the sun felt a bit warm. At the threshing yard near the village entrance of Dayangshu Village, people sat in small groups, some playing leaf cards, others mending clothes, while children chattered and ran back and forth.

Shen Linchuan walked by with a smile, greeting everyone regardless of whether he knew them or not.

“Oh, Linchuan is visiting his natal family, is he?”

“Indeed, it’s time to go back today.”

The Fulang deliberately emphasized the word ‘natal family,’ clearly hoping to provoke Shen Linchuan. To his surprise, Shen Linchuan didn’t get angry at all, but responded with a smile.

“You brought so many things.”

“My father was generous and let me take extra.”

The village entrance was crowded with onlookers—some eager for a spectacle, others simply curious about the contents of the baskets. Shen Linchuan and Zhou Ning quickly moved away. Once they reached a deserted path, Shen Linchuan noticed Zhou Ning’s demeanor had softened considerably.

Shen Linchuan felt a chuckle rising—so his Fulang had a touch of social anxiety after all.

Once they were far enough away, the onlookers began whispering. “Good heavens! That huge chunk of meat—Zhou Da sure is generous!”

“You bet! Just look—meat, chicken, wine… more than what people bring as betrothal gifts! If only my ger could find such a generous family.”

Many envied Shen Linchuan for bringing back such lavish gifts from his return visit. Everyone knew Zhou Da was generous, but this was excessive.

Granny Diao curled her lips in disdain. “Think of why Zhou Da let him take all this? He’s just scared his hard-won son will run off. Who’d want to be a son who marries into the wife’s family? It’s nothing but shame.”

Granny Wang arrived carrying her sewing basket just as she heard Granny Diao’s remark. She retorted irritably, “Enough, Granny Diao. You’re just sour grapes.”

“Sour about what? My son would never be a son-in-law who marries into someone else’s household.”

“Oh, come on. It’s just that the couple asked you for money yesterday. You don’t have to hold a grudge against them. Who told you to refuse to pay them back?”

“What business is it of yours?”

Granny Diao was still fuming. Yesterday, Shen Linchuan and Zhou Ning had turned her household upside down. “It’s all Shen Linchuan and Zhou Ning’s fault! They stirred up such a commotion in my chicken coop that my hens stopped laying eggs altogether.”

Someone nearby chuckled. “You should’ve paid them earlier. Shen Linchuan’s right—the debtor always has the upper hand.”

Granny Diao had intended to badmouth the pair, but finding no one willing to take her bait, she slunk away. Her steps, however, veered toward Zhou Er’s house. Now that the Zhou family had taken in a son-in-law, Zhou Er’s household was the first to feel resentful. She was off to stir up trouble.

Shen Linchuan and his companion made their way along the winding path toward Xinghua Village. The distance wasn’t exactly far, but it wasn’t close either—it took nearly half an hour on foot. If they had pack animals, it would have been much quicker.

The spring scenery along the way was lovely. The field ridges were covered in lush green wild grass, dotted with colorful little flowers that looked quite pretty. Shen Linchuan walked briskly, treating it like a leisurely outing. He squinted slightly, savoring the rare sunshine.

For someone like him, toiling like a beast of burden, even sunlight felt like a luxury. His days began with the subway commute into the office tower, ending only after nightfall. Such freedom and relaxation were truly rare.

“Zhou Ning, Ning-ger.”

Zhou Ning turned to look at him. “What is it?”

“Nothing, just calling your name.”

Zhou Ning ignored him and kept walking ahead. Shen Linchuan was in a good mood, a smile lingering on his lips. But just as he was enjoying himself, he noticed Zhou Ning’s gait seemed unnatural. Shen Linchuan’s smile vanished. He quickened his pace to catch up and grabbed Zhou Ning’s hand. “Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

Zhou Ning’s expression shifted uneasily. “I’m fine.”

Shen Linchuan’s expression turned stern. “You say nothing’s wrong? You really are uncomfortable. Why are you so foolish? Every time, you just plop right down like that. You idiot.”

Bringing this up in broad daylight made Zhou Ning blush involuntarily. “I said it’s nothing. Let’s just go already.”

Shen Linchuan held Zhou Ning’s hand tightly, refusing to let go. “Idiot.”

Zhou Ning glared at Shen Linchuan. “You’re the fool.”

“Fine, fine, I’m the fool. I’m the fool.”

Shen Linchuan readily admitted it. He really was a fool—it took him three whole days of rolling around to realize his Fulang was uncomfortable. He’d been so caught up in his own pleasure, yet he refused to admit his technique was lacking. He’d have to buy some books to study later.

His silly Fulang didn’t even complain about the pain, just focused on making babies with him. They were both fools.

Shen Linchuan chuckled, teasing Zhou Ning, “They say if the mother is a little silly, the father is a whole lot silly.”

Zhou Ning froze, quickly protesting, “You’re not silly! You’re not silly! Our kids won’t be silly either!”

Shen Linchuan laughed even harder—he was teasing the honest soul.

Zhou Ning, still confused, insisted earnestly, “Our children definitely won’t be stupid. You’re literate, after all. When we have kids, you can teach them to read and write. If we have a ger, just don’t let him grow up looking like me—it’ll be hard to show him off when he’s older.”

“What’s wrong with how you look? I love you just the way you are. Don’t listen to those people’s nonsense—they’re just jealous of how handsome you are.”

Zhou Ning blushed at the compliment. “Really? They all say I don’t look like a proper ger.”

“Nonsense! You’re perfectly healthy and just the way you should be.”

The path was deserted. Shen Linchuan clung to Zhou Ning, refusing to let go. He pressed himself against Zhou Ning as they walked, practically hanging onto him. So this was what it felt like to like someone—wanting to be glued together every moment.

But he noticed his little ger felt self-conscious about his looks. He must have heard it too often. Those people just didn’t know how to appreciate beauty. His little ger was the most handsome!

Zhou Ning felt embarrassed that two grown men were still holding hands. He tugged at Shen Linchuan’s hand but couldn’t pull free. “People will see us.”

Shen Linchuan wouldn’t let go. “It’s just the two of us. Who’s going to see?”

Zhou Ning could only let Shen Linchuan hold his hand. It felt strange, his heart pounding wildly. He’d never been this close to anyone before.

They walked all the way to Xinghua Village. As they neared the village entrance, Zhou Ning finally managed to pry Shen Linchuan’s hand loose. Why was his husband so clingy?

Shen Linchuan, however, was in the best of moods. Zhou Ning was utterly adorable—he wanted to hold him close in his arms every moment.

At the village entrance, several children played beneath a large tree. Shen Linchuan’s sharp eyes spotted them—were those his own Shen Huzi and Shen Xiaoyu? He called out, “Shen Huzi! Shen Xiaoyu!”

Shen Huzi recognized his second uncle returning and promptly tossed aside his pebbles, running over. “Second Uncle, you’re back!”

Shen Xiaoyu, blushing shyly, approached obediently and greeted him. Shen Linchuan ruffled the ger’s hair affectionately. Little gers were such a delight—both were running around outside playing. Shen Huzi, the older brother, had a runny nose, but Shen Xiaoyu was clean and tidy.

Shen Linchuan handed the chicken he was carrying to Shen Huzi. “Hold this for your second uncle.”

“Got it!”

This hen was no lightweight. With its legs and wings bound, it still flapped wildly, requiring both of Shen Huzi’s hands to hold it steady.

Shen Xiaoyu timidly looked up at Zhou Ning. “Uncle Ning, I’ll carry it for you.”

Zhou Ning smiled. “You can’t lift it. Let me handle it.”

“I can carry it. I can carry it.”

“Alright then, help me carry one side.”

“Got it!”

Only then did Shen Xiaoyu perk up, stretching out his little hand to grab one side of the basket. Zhou Ning hadn’t even exerted any force, merely playing along with the child. It was so heavy—how could a little ger possibly manage it?

Shen Linchuan watched from the side, a smile curling his lips. His Ning-ger might not be talkative, but he was incredibly patient with children and quite skilled at entertaining them.

Shen Huzi had already dashed off with the chicken. Passing by his playmates, he held his head high and announced, “I’m going home first. I’m not playing with you guys anymore.”

The other children stopped playing too, their eyes widening at the sight of the meat Shen Linchuan and his husband carried. “So much meat!”

The four headed home together. Shen Huzi raced ahead, dashing into the house first. “Dad! Mom! Second Uncle and Uncle Ning are back!”

Shen Huzi ran so fast that the chicken in his hands flapped its wings wildly. He stumbled, yelped, and fell flat on the ground, the chicken flying out of his grasp.

Shen Dasao heard the commotion and hurried out. The chicken on the ground was still flapping wildly, nearly hitting her. Seeing her little boy sprawled on the ground, his mouth full of dirt, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Why run so fast? Is our home going to disappear?”

Shen Linchuan and the others arrived shortly after. “Big Brother, Shen Dasao.”

Zhou Ning obediently greeted them, too.

Shen Dage was busy planning a wooden board in the courtyard, with wood shavings scattered everywhere. Seeing them arrive, he grinned so wide his teeth showed. “You’re here! Come inside for some tea.”

Shen Dasao picked up Shen Huzi from the ground, patted the dust off him with a couple of sharp slaps, and whispered a few words under her breath, “What did I tell you this morning? Behave yourself and don’t embarrass us.”

Shen Huzi gave a silly, goofy grin. “I know, Mom.”

Shen Dasao warmly ushered them inside—or rather, she practically dragged Zhou Ning in, leaving Shen Linchuan standing aside. “Come in and sit down! Was the journey hot?”

“Not too hot. The sun isn’t too strong yet.”

Then she spotted the huge chunk of meat Zhou Ning was carrying and gasped in surprise. “Why did you bring such a big piece? Even when we slaughter a pig at home, we don’t take that much! The last time you brought some, it was already so many, and we still haven’t finished it yet!”

Zhou Ning, not one for words, merely smiled.

Shen Linchuan followed in with his own basket. “Sister-in-law, Father insisted on bringing it. He said it’s from our own farm and wouldn’t take it back.”

Both baskets were packed to the brim. This gift was simply too much.

Shen Dasao shot Zhou Ning a reproachful glance. “Don’t ever bring so much next time. Take some back when you leave.”

Zhou Ning shook his head. “My father said we shouldn’t bring gifts in return.”

Shen Linchuan sat down by himself. His sister-in-law didn’t care for him, and he didn’t blame her—after all, the original person had done some pretty despicable things. Still, she seemed quite fond of his fulang.