Return

"Born of the Yin, the essence of metal and water, with flowing hair and a sword in hand, roaming the Three Realms, causing chaos and terror. Duke of the East and Queen Mother of the West, hurry to the mountains to gather fruit, lest this child bring misfortune upon you! Southern Dipper Six Stars of Longevity, Northern Dipper Seven Stars of Dispelling Calamities, I obey the decree of the Taishang Laojun Laozi!"

Su Ziyang silently chanted the incantation and gently stroked Tiantian's head.

Strangely enough, after Su Ziyang finished reciting the incantation and patted Tiantian's head, Tiantian really quieted down.

"Alright, brother, it's nothing. I'm going back now. You guys keep busy!"

Su Ziyang handed Tiantian to his brother and quickly left.

"Hey, Ziyang, have some water before you go!"

Su Ziyang was almost out the door when Su Chen remembered and called out again from behind.

Su Ziyang didn't reply and quickly returned home.

What's wrong with Little Tiantian?

As soon as Su Ziyang entered the door, he found that his father, who had gone out to visit relatives, had also returned. The two of them were making dumplings, one making dumplings and the other rolling out dough; they had already made a lot.

As soon as Su Ziyang returned, his mother immediately asked him what was wrong.

"She was scared! I tidied it up a bit, Brother Chen came back from playing cards late last night. Little Tiantian was frightened."

Su Ziyang washed his hands and joined in the dumpling-making activity.

"When you were little, if I came home late, I would sit at the door for a while and have a smoke before going inside. Otherwise, it would be easy to scare the child!"

Su Ziyang's father said with a smile.

"Yes, I'm very satisfied with your father in this respect!"

Su Ziyang's mother also praised him with a smile.

"The two of them are fighting again. I finished with Little Tiantian and rushed back."

Su Ziyang shook his head helplessly. Su Ziyang felt that spending his whole life with a wife like this was pretty damn sad.

"Are you fighting again? You went back to your parents' house after the fight you had last year, and you just had another argument?"

Su Ziyang's mother said in surprise.

"Yeah, my sister-in-law complains that I didn't buy my Brother Chen the three gold pieces for his wedding. Hahaha."

Su Ziyang chatted with his parents while rolling out dumpling wrappers.

"You've been doing nothing all these days. When your father married me, he had nothing!"

Su Ziyang's mother grinned as she pinched a dumpling in her hand.

"Stop it now!"

Upon hearing this, Su Ziyang's father quickly stopped his wife from continuing.

"What? You won't let me say it? Are you feeling guilty?"

Su Ziyang's mother rolled her eyes at Su Ziyang's father.

"Mom, Dad has nothing. What did you see in him that you liked?"

Su Ziyang joined in the commotion, laughing as he spoke from the side.

"Your dad is talented! He can draw and write calligraphy. And he's handsome!"

Su Ziyang didn't expect his mother to be so direct.

"Oh dear, I'm so embarrassed!" Su Ziyang pretended to cover his mouth and chuckle.

Su Ziyang's father chuckled to himself as he pinched dumplings, without saying a word.

"Pshaw. Who would date someone who isn't handsome! Hahaha!"

Su Ziyang's mother said something rather shyly.

"Go, go quickly and scrub that big pot. We don't need you here anymore. Go get some firewood to start a fire. We'll make some dumplings!"

Su Ziyang was kicked out by his mother. He obediently washed the big pot on the stove, then went out to fetch firewood and water to start a fire.

A plate of dumplings, a dish of vinegar with a drizzle of sesame oil—that's the taste of the New Year!

On New Year's Eve, the family gathered together to watch the show.

Su Ziyang's mother suddenly asked Su Ziyang, "Son, do you think we'll be able to hold our grandson next year?"

"Mom, what if I suddenly brought home a son for you? Aren't you scared? Hahaha!"

Su Ziyang interrupted with a smile.

"Tsk! I'm talking to you about serious matters. Ask Zijun when she's getting married to you. Look at our peers, they're all already holding their grandchildren!"

Su Ziyang's mother ate sunflower seeds and talked to Su Ziyang.

"It's alright, son. A man should prioritize his career; don't listen to what your mother says!!!"

Su Ziyang's father peeled a pistachio for his wife and said to Su Ziyang.

"I'll discuss it with Zijun then!"

The family was enjoying a happy Lunar New Year when, after the second day of the Lunar New Year, news spread like wildfire that Su Ziyang had been able to recover from his fright.

Suddenly, a young man from the west end of the village hugged his son and said that he was frightened by the firecrackers and asked Su Ziyang to take care of him.

Not only did Su Ziyang not recognize this person, but even Su Ziyang's father didn't know him.

"Go back and find a gold ring, then make a bowl of water for the child to drink."

Su Ziyang sent the man away, and within two days, Su Ziyang's house was once again bustling with visitors, just like it had been the year before.

"If you ask me, Ziyang, you should just open a clinic at home. You can see patients when you come back for the New Year. Then you can leave when you feel like it!"

One of Su Ziyang's father's friends was drinking with Su Ziyang's father at Su Ziyang's house that night.

Su Ziyang naturally joined in, saying, "Uncle, I think what you said makes sense."

"You think they're doing all this work for free? These villagers are always trying to take advantage. I've been sitting here all afternoon, and you must have done acupuncture on four or five people! Prescribed medicine for four or five people! The New Year isn't even over yet, you could at least bring a couple of pieces of candy! You're all empty-handed!"

Su Ziyang's uncle saw that Su Ziyang had been busy all afternoon and stood up for Su Ziyang.

"Hey, he'll be going back to work in a couple of days. That's all there is to it, fellow villagers!"

Su Ziyang's father raised his glass and clinked it with his friend's.

Su Ziyang felt that he was busier at home than when he was working. At least when he was working at the clinic, no one would ask him any questions or try to force him to meet someone.

On the eighth day of the lunar new year, Su Ziyang finally returned to the county town and was able to have a moment of peace and quiet.

However, this also means I have to go back to work.

Parting is always bittersweet, and Su Ziyang had already bought the tickets.

Just two days before their return journey, Fairy Li said she had a surprise for Su Ziyang.

Su Ziyang Su Ziyang accepted, and then that evening he saw Fairy Li driving a Land Cruiser in front of his own store.

"..."

Su Ziyang was stunned when he saw Fairy Li.

"Mom, look who's here!"

Su Ziyang turned around and called out, "Mom!"

Su Ziyang's parents were also taken aback when they saw Fairy Li. Su Ziyang's father looked at the car outside through the glass in the door and said in surprise, "This child, you drove all the way here?"

"Yes, Uncle! Su Ziyang, hurry up and get your things from the trunk. I brought you some cigarettes and alcohol! Auntie, I brought you a jade bracelet, try it on!"

Fairy Li took out a box from her bosom, took Su Ziyang's Su Ziyang's hand, and put a bracelet on her wrist.

"Oh my, young lady, this gift is far too precious!"

Su Ziyang's mother felt embarrassed to accept Fairy Li's gift.

"It's not expensive, it looks good on you! Su Ziyang, what are you standing there for! Go and move some things!"

Fairy Li put down the box containing the bracelets, then pushed Su Ziyang towards the door, unloading cigarettes and alcohol from the car...