Chen Hu brought Madam Qian and the children out of the village to Su Sanlang’s house.
Madam Qian looked at Chen Hu nervously. Her face was pale from the cold as she held her sleeping son tightly.
Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu were also very quiet.
Chen Hu took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
Madam Zhao was washing clothes in the courtyard. When she heard the knock on the door, she quickly opened it.
Opening the door, Madam Zhao smiled when she saw Chen Hu’s family. She went forward and held Madam Qian’s arm. “Come in quickly. Sanlang has already told me everything. Don’t worry, stay here first.”
Madam Zhao had always been very kind. Madam Qian’s personality was similar to hers. The two of them had not interacted much. In the past, they only smiled at each other when they met.
Ever since she moved here and did not need to enter the village to work, she had not seen Madam Qian.
Now that she saw Madam Qian, it was as if she saw her past self. She knew that Madam Qian was definitely hesitant and afraid. Since Su Sanlang said that he wanted to become sworn brothers with Chen Hu, Madam Qian would be her sister.
Regardless of what happened in the future, at least for now, she would treat Madam Qian well.
“Thank you, sister-in-law.”
Madam Qian almost burst into tears.
Chen Hu also had a lump in his throat. When he entered the courtyard, he saw Su Xiaolu, her siblings, and an unfamiliar child sitting in a wooden wheelchair.
A few months ago, Old Wu had returned to the village. Everyone said that he had brought back a disabled grandson. Now that he saw Zhou Heng, Chen Hu thought that this should be Old Wu’s disabled grandson.
“Daniu, Erniu, come and play. We’re learning to read. You should come too.”
Su Xiaoling had already returned to the house to get cotton-padded clothes. As she spoke, she walked over to Chen Xiaoniu and Chen Erniu to help them put them on. Then, she pulled Chen Xiaoniu and Chen Erniu over to see them write and read.
Madam Zhao brought Chen Hu and Madam Qian into the house.
This was supposed to be Su Hua’s room, but now it was vacated for Chen Hu and his family.
There were ready-made beds and blankets. The house was clean and bright, and there were neatly folded clothes on the bed.
It was enough to show that the person who had cleaned up had put in the effort.
Madam Zhao said gently, “Brother Hu, you can stay here for the time being. Don’t worry about food. Just eat with us. Sanlang said that we’ll eat together before your new house is built.”
Madam Zhao shed tears. She looked at Madam Zhao and said in a choked voice, “Sister-in-law, thank you for taking us in.”
Chen Hu bowed three times to Madam Zhao.
Madam Zhao hurriedly waved her hand to avoid him.
“The days ahead will definitely get better and better.”
Madam Zhao said sincerely.
She knew that Chen Hu and Madam Qian needed space to calm down, so Madam Zhao smiled gently and left.
After Madam Zhao left, Chen Hu walked to Madam Qian’s side and hugged her. “Dear, don’t worry. I will definitely work hard to repay the money Third Brother lent us in the future. If I can’t pay it back, when our son grows up, he will pay it back.”
Madam Qian nodded and looked at the sleeping child in her arms. She said softly, “Dear, let’s give the child a name.”
Chen Hu pondered for a moment before saying, “Just call him Chen Shi1. In the future, he will be an honest person and do the right things.”
“Okay, Shi will live up to your expectations. He’ll do it.”
Madam Qian looked at the child gently. Today was a new beginning.
The word “Shi” represents many things. She liked this word and the name Chen Shi.
Chen Hu and his family stayed, and he was glad when Su Sanlang returned with firewood in the afternoon.
On this day, he and Madam Zhao prepared a table full of dishes.
Chen Hu also helped out.
Su Sanlang also gave Chen Hu the hundred taels of silver he promised.
Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu were quietly listening to Zhou Heng’s teaching in the courtyard. They did not understand, but it did not stop them from listening.
Su Xiaolu was drawing on the ground while reading a medical book.
The Su family did not act any differently upon the arrival of the Chen family.
After learning time was over, Su Xiaolu administered acupuncture to Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng as usual.
Chen Erniu had already seen it once, but when she saw it again, her jaw still dropped.
Chen Daniu was stunned. She was so stunned that she could not speak. She looked at Su Xiaoling, as if to confirm if this was a joke.
Su Xiaoling was filled with pride. She smiled gently and said, “Daniu, Erniu, don’t be afraid. Xiaolu is very smart. She’s studying medicine. Doctor Wu said that she’s gifted.”
There was admiration in their eyes.
By nightfall, Old Wu had also returned, bearing witness to Su Sanlang and Chen Hu becoming sworn brothers.
Chen Hu respectfully called out to Su Sanlang, “Big Brother, Sister-in-law, thank you.”
From now on, Chen Hu would call Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao big brother and sister-in-law.
Madam Zhao helped Madam Qian up.
“Alright, from now on, we’re a family. Daniu and Erniu are older than Simei. From now on, just call the others big brothers and sisters like Xiaolu. Xiaolu will also have two older sisters and a younger brother in the future.”
Su Sanlang was secretly pleased. Now that they had acknowledged each other, they would be family from now on.
Chen Hu nodded and solemnly said to Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu, “Daniu, Erniu, from now on, Chong, Hua, and Simei will be your older brothers and sister. Simei will also be your younger sister, understand?”
Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu nodded obediently.
They all knew that their family and the Su family would be a big family in the future. Su Xiaolu was their younger sister, and Su Xiaoling was their older sister.
As they ate the warm food, something warmed their hearts.
Memories of this scene were also deeply engraved in their minds. When they grew up, they would still find it sweet when they thought about it. Such sweetness would accompany them through all their difficulties.
After dinner, Madam Qian wanted to help clean up.
Madam Zhao quickly stopped her and said, “Sister-in-law, your body is weak. Rest for another month.”
Su Sanlang quickly said, “Sister-in-law, let me and your sister-in-law do it.”
Madam Qian’s eyes turned red. She wanted to say something, but Chen Hu said first, “Dear, listen to Sister-in-law. You and Sister-in-law should rest. Brother and I will clean up.”
Chen Hu smiled at Su Sanlang and said, “Don’t you think so, Big Brother?”
Su Sanlang smiled and nodded. “Right. You all get some rest.”
Su Sanlang and Chen Hu were like real brothers. They had a deep relationship and were like family.
Old Wu looked at the two families and clicked his tongue in discomfort.
As for Zhou Heng, he no longer needed to take care of him. Other than taking out the medicine on time, he could completely ignore him.
After washing up, he went back to his room to sleep.
Chen Erniu and Chen Erniu slept with Su Xiaoling and Su Xiaolu.
Zhou Heng, Su Chong, and Su Hua slept together.
After falling asleep, Zhou Heng suddenly said, “Ah Chong, Ah Hua, let me teach you an idiom. It’s used to describe the deep relationship between brothers. This idiom is called ‘Brothers in Arms’.”
