Cheng Su prepared a lot of valuable supplements for Qi Taiguo to bring back to his in-laws, and additionally gave him one hundred yuan, telling him to buy something nice for his father-in-law.
Qi Taiguo had mixed feelings and said, "Susu, I’m sorry you’ve had to endure this."
She specifically mentioned buying for her father-in-law, without mentioning her mother-in-law, as she always felt distant from her.
From this, one could see her nature, typical of returning what one received in kindness, unfortunately, his mother did not understand this principle.
Qi Taiguo carried bags of items back to Huangtian Village, while Cheng Su herself went back to the company to discuss the best way to make the Cherry Jam with several technicians.
It was already June now, the weather was hot, and the days were long; Qi Taiguo returned home at six o’clock, but the sky was still bright.
Father Qi was sitting at the doorway, his foot was wrapped up like a zongzi with a couple of splints, and because of the hot weather, he was only wearing a vest and shorts up to his knees, with a pair of crutches placed beside him.
And Mother Qi was scattering a bucket of chicken feed on the ground, clucking to call the chicks over.
Qi Taiguo was tall and sturdy; he could see this scene over the courtyard wall and could not help but call out.
"Dad, Mom, I’m back!"
Hearing Qi Taiguo’s voice, Father Qi was taken aback, looked up, and was somewhat surprised to see his son had really returned, wanting to stand up.
Unexpectedly, Qi Taiguo quickly stepped forward, dropped the things, and pressed him back, saying, "Dad, your foot is like this, don’t stand up."
"You, why are you back?" Father Qi asked in astonishment, then realizing something, he glared at Mother Qi: "Did you tell the children? I’ve always told you not to inform them. You, old lady, always treat my words like the wind past your ears!"
The latter part of his words carried a bit of sternness.
Mother Qi, feeling guilty, said, "You fainted from the pain, I was just afraid something might happen, so I told them."
"You just keep arguing!" Father Qi was so angry his beard was bristling.
"Dad, Mom was just worried about you, and besides, something happened to you, of course, you should tell me, how can you keep it a secret?" Qi Taiguo persuaded.
"Exactly, exactly!" Mother Qi was very happy, the eldest son was on her side.
"It’s just a twisted ankle, it’ll be fine after a few days, what’s the big deal? Your mother is just making a fuss. With how busy you are in the army, how can you always be taking leave?" Father Qi was also happy to see his son, appreciating his filial heart, but he was more concerned about his son’s future, saying this while glaring at Mother Qi again: "It’s all because of your thoughtless mother."
Mother Qi pursed her lips, muttering, "Clearly, he’s happy on the inside." Her eyes then glanced at the items placed by Qi Taiguo’s feet, looking behind and asking, "Taiguo, your wife didn’t come back?"
"She’s busy at the company and couldn’t get away, so I didn’t let her come back, but all these supplements are what she bought for me to bring back." Qi Taiguo explained.
Mother Qi pulled a long face, displeased, and said, "What? Company is busy, is that more important than your dad having an accident? Really, no filial piety at all."
Qi Taiguo furrowed his brows, feeling annoyed; it was no wonder Cheng Su felt distant from her, with such an attitude, how could they become close?
"Mom, Cheng Su wanted to come back with me, but I didn’t let her!" Qi Taiguo said discontentedly and then said to Father Qi, "Her company is about to participate in a competition, and she’s busy with the competition every day. She’s lost weight. She heard about your foot fracture last night and also said she wanted to come back with me to visit you. I just saw her tired, and besides, I have to leave tomorrow, so I didn’t let her go through the trouble of coming and going again!"