"Uncle, have someone renovate the roof," Chun Nuan said. "If it rains or snows, it will be drafty and freezing."
"We’re planning to renovate."
In fact, their finances were limited; even though Nuannuan had brought some silver notes with them, it was far from enough.
In this rundown place, even having a full meal required quite a bit, not to mention buying vegetables and meat.
The Xiao Family had been aware since childhood of one truth: the body is the most important, and the aim is to eat well, dress warmly, and avoid cold and freezing.
So most of their money was spent on food.
Because of this, the Xiao Family’s health improved greatly after the last epidemic; they weren’t easily caught with colds and coughs like other families.
Of course, much credit also goes to the pills made by Chun Nuan that the family sent.
Moreover, for a bit of freedom, it was necessary at times to "honor" the local officers.
The result was that sometimes they would turn a blind eye, making life a little easier for everyone.
"Oh right, Nuannuan, you sit down, I’ll cook something."
Third Uncle rolled up his sleeves: "Nuannuan might not know this, but Third Uncle can cook now."
"Third Uncle, let me do it."
Chun Nuan almost shed tears seeing the scars on Third Uncle’s arm; the Xiao Family had truly endured trials from heaven to hell!
Each of them had transformed from pampered ladies and gentlemen to self-reliant individuals.
"Nuannuan, take a rest, we’ll cook, we can all do it now." Xiao Changhe said: "Try our cooking, it’s quite good."
"Uncle, Third Uncle, Xiao Hu will help with the chores."
Xiao Hu was the expert at odd jobs and immediately got started.
"I’ll help too."
Zhao Minghua volunteered to help with the fire.
Chun Nuan watched the small kitchen with several men busy, feeling both bittersweet and gratified.
Indeed, nothing is beyond change.
"Nuannuan, at home..."
Xiao Changhe cautiously asked about the situation at home.
"Uncle, everything’s quite well at home."
She handed over the family letters one by one, also passing the one for Third Uncle.
She wondered what Third Aunt, Mrs. Huang, had written in her letter?
Would it mention sending her daughter back to the Huang family as a concubine?
Hmm, probably not daring to!
Even though the Xiao family wasn’t what it once was, as Aunt said: there’s still a need for propriety.
"Muyang is literate and recognizes medicine now?"
Xiao Changhe was quite surprised after reading his wife’s letter: "He’s still so young!"
"Muyang has a great memory and is very smart; Aunt said he should inherit the Xiao family’s legacy."
"That’s good," Xiao Changhe said. "Our generation is unskilled; when your grandfather had trouble, none of us could support the family, luckily we have you..."
It carries a bit of guilt towards the ancestors.
"Uncle, don’t blame yourselves, as long as our family is together and safe, that’s good."
"But, your grandmother..."
The elderly lady was gone, and the three brothers hugged and cried, while the family also kept vigil here.
"It’s Nuannuan who didn’t take good care of Grandmother, failing Grandfather’s trust."
"Don’t blame yourself, child, you’ve done well, luckily we have you."
Xiao Changhe knew what Chun Nuan had done; his old wife had said everything in the letter.
She even mentioned Mrs. Huang’s words and behavior.
"Your Third Aunt has some little issues; I’ll have your Third Uncle write to her and give her a talking-to later."
"It’s not entirely Third Aunt’s fault; every mother will have such wishes."
"But the Xiao family’s reputation mustn’t be lost—that’s the bottom line." Xiao Changhe said: "Your marriage with the Zhao family, we can’t attend, but that boy seems quite good, seeing him puts us at ease."
Chun Nuan... If anyone can win hearts, it’s the Zhao surname.
On this journey, he chatted warmly with Uncle and them, shortening the sense of distance, earning favorable evaluations from the three elders.
"Xiao Hu is?"
One is the Xiao family’s future son-in-law, Qingsheng is the attendant; this is easy to discern.
But that child called Xiao Hu?
"He’s a child from the station..."
Chun Nuan immediately explained Xiao Hu’s background.
"No wonder," Xiao Changhe said. "Manager Ma is the well-known King Yan at the mine; I was wondering why he was so kind today to let us out early, turns out it was Xiao Hu helping."
"Yes, he also said several uncles from their village work at the mine, he’ll go find them later."
"Nuannuan, thank you for your efforts."
Xiao Changhe, feeling himself not as perceptive as this niece.
Back in the day, she was someone who wouldn’t step out of the medicine room; after that major change, her nature shifted dramatically, showing how much she suffered to grow like this.
"Right, Uncle, I’m going to diagnose Manager Ma’s wife, do you have any instructions?"