1959Siheyuan, a Turnaround

When Chen Suzhi and Li Weilan followed Li Weiguo to the Li family courtyard, a lively atmosphere hit them.

When Grandma Li saw Li Weiguo and his men coming back, she greeted them with a big smile. "Suzhi, Weilan, come quickly."

Her eyes were full of kindness, and the wrinkles on her face seemed to have smoothed out.

Chen Suzhi hurried forward and said apologetically, "Aunt, I'm sorry to bother you again. Look, we can cook for ourselves. We can't always let you cook so much by yourself."

She lowered her head slightly, a look of guilt on her face.

Grandma Li waved her hand disapprovingly and said, "What's the big deal about cooking just this little bit of food? I can cook more food in the village. Your uncle will be happy to see you, so come in." Her tone was kind and made people feel warm.

Seeing how enthusiastic Grandma Li was, Chen Suzhi felt a little relieved from the guilt in her heart.

She walked into the yard and saw Grandpa Li sitting at the table, looking at them with a smile.

"Uncle, I'm sorry to trouble you." Chen Suzhi said respectfully.

Grandpa Li laughed heartily and said, "It's not a big deal. A family should be lively and cheerful. Come and sit down and prepare to eat."

His eyes were full of joy and his tone was heroic.

At Grandma Li's invitation, Chen Suzhi and Li Weilan washed their hands and found a seat to sit down.

Now two large tables have been set up in the Li family's yard.

Li Weiguo sat at one table with his younger brothers and sisters, and the adults sat at another table.

Chen Suzhi originally thought that she would have to help with the cooking, but she didn't expect to be able to sit down and eat the ready-made food.

She felt extremely guilty. It was the first time she was treated so well by her elders since she married Li Dahu.

"Aunt, you've worked hard today, cooking for so many people. Next time, wait for us to come back and cook together!"

Grandma Li also knew that Chen Suzhi was embarrassed to eat ready-made food, so she waved her hand and said, "Weiguo and his friends caught a lot of fish today, so I cooked them in one pot. Don't feel embarrassed to eat ready-made food. We are all family, so don't say two different things!"

"That's right, Suzhi. You'll get used to it slowly. Dahua and I are the same. We can't help with anything after get off work. Why don't you help us wash the dishes later?"

Wang Guifang was teasing Chen Suzhi, trying to get her to relax a little.

"Okay, okay, I'll help wash the dishes and clean up the mess!"

Seeing Chen Suzhi's nervous look, Wang Dahua also joked: "Okay then! I won't compete with Sister Suzhi for washing the dishes. I'll give them to you!"

"Pfft!" Wang Guifang was amused by Wang Dahua's pretentious tone.

Grandma Li looked at her two daughters-in-law and glanced at them with a smile: "You two funny guys, don't even think about bullying Suzhi!"

"Haha... Got it, mom. We won't bully your niece-in-law!"

The family was chatting and laughing. Li Dajiang and his brothers were eating with smiles on their faces. They looked at each other and joined in the jokes.

Chen Suzhi was also amused by this scene. She picked up the bowl and started eating with a smile.

"Suzhi, try this braised fish. It's been stewed for half a day!"

Grandma Li put a large piece of fish in front of Chen Suzhi, fearing that she would be too shy to let go.

"Okay, Auntie, I'll pick it up myself!"

Chen Suzhi looked at the big family in front of her and was deeply moved.

How lucky their family is to have such a group of relatives around them.

"Suzhi, please come over often to eat together. It will be more lively when there are more people around." Grandma Li said with a smile.

Chen Suzhi nodded and said gratefully, "Okay, auntie, I understand!"

The afterglow of the setting sun gradually faded, but the Li family courtyard was still brightly lit and bustling.

The meal made by Grandma Li was rich and delicious. The children ate until their bellies were full and played contentedly on the side.

The adults sat around the table, happy smiles on their faces, chatting and enjoying this warm moment.

After dinner, Chen Suzhi and Li Weilan took the initiative to help clean up the dishes.

Chen Suzhi stacked the dishes deftly, while Li Weilan wiped the table with a rag.

Seeing how diligent they were, Grandma Li was filled with satisfaction, and she kept saying, "You two kids, you're already tired after just one day at work, and you're still helping with the work, take a break."

After cleaning up, everyone sat down in the yard again.

Grandma Li took Chen Suzhi's hand and said with concern: "Suzhi, you just came to this compound, you may not be used to it yet. If you don't want to go to the public toilet over there, come to our house. Our toilet is spacious and divided into men's and women's toilets, so it's convenient to use."

Chen Suzhi looked at Grandma Li gratefully, nodded slightly and said, "Aunt, you are so thoughtful. Living in the city these two days, I really feel that it is different from living at home. I will not refuse your kindness."

Chen Suzhi was also shocked by how difficult it was to go to the toilet here. It was the first time she experienced the feat of having to queue up to go to the toilet.

Now that her aunt-in-law had taken the initiative to bring up the matter, she naturally wouldn't refuse.

Grandma Li smiled and patted her hands: "We are all family, don't be so formal. You will understand after a while. You need to be thick-skinned to live in this city."

"I understand, auntie. I'll remember it!"

Chen Suzhi looked at Grandma Li's kind face and was deeply moved.

Her own mother-in-law had always been very harsh on their family and had never shown such care and concern.

But the aunt-in-law took care of their family like her own mother.

Thinking of this, Chen Suzhi's eyes turned slightly red and tears welled up in her eyes.

She secretly made up her mind to treat Grandma Li as her own mother in the future.

On the other side, Li Weiguo played with his younger brothers and sisters for a while and then walked over to Li Weilan.

He patted Li Weilan's shoulder gently and said earnestly, "Weilan, you just started working at the supply and marketing cooperative, so I have to tell you something."

Li Weilan raised her head, looked at Li Weiguo obediently, and said, "Brother, go ahead and talk. I'm listening."

Li Weiguo frowned slightly and said seriously: "When you work in the supply and marketing cooperative, you should watch and learn more. If you don't understand something at work, you should ask for clarification. Don't panic when encountering problems. As long as you don't make a big mistake, no one can do anything to you. You should know that you have so many uncles and aunts behind you, and I also support you."

Li Weilan nodded vigorously and said, "Brother Weiguo, I remember everything you said."

Li Weiguo continued, "Also, you have to take time to learn more. Whether you learn to read with Weimin or go to night school, you have to learn more knowledge so that you can be better qualified for this job."

Li Weilan said firmly: "Brother Weiguo, I will. I will study hard and live up to your expectations."

Li Weiguo looked at Li Weilan's obedient appearance and nodded with satisfaction.

Then, he solemnly instructed: "When you are at work, you must keep your mouth shut. When others ask you something, you must think about it before deciding whether to tell them. Stay away from those who gossip. You must learn to protect yourself in the supply and marketing cooperative."

Li Weilan took Li Weiguo's words to heart and said, "Brother Weiguo, don't worry, I know what to say and what not to say."

"That's good. When you start working, you'll be an adult. You're a girl, so you have to know how to protect yourself when you work outside. Don't take things given by others easily, especially when men are courting you. You must never ask for their things easily. If you encounter difficult things, you can tell your family or me. Don't keep it to yourself. Remember?"

"Remember, Brother Weiguo, I will remember what you said!"