The villagers continued with the feast.
According to village custom, honored guests were to be served first, followed by guests who had traveled the same route, and only then by the villagers themselves.
This continued until almost evening, when all the guests had been seen off.
After the villagers had eaten, they didn't rush home but stayed to help with the cleanup.
Grandma Su decided to distribute the remaining dishes and meat to the families who had helped, and those who had lent their tools also left with gifts, be it a dish, a bowl of meat, or some steamed white buns.
By the time all this was done, it was completely dark.
The last to leave was Li Zhuzi's wife.
Grandma Su said, "Zhuzi's wife, take these leftovers home for the children to eat."
Grandma Su took out two bowls of meat and a basin of steamed white buns from under the large basin.
These were specifically saved for Li Zhuzi's family.
Li Zhuzi's wife tried to decline. Her family now ran a shop, and Li Zhuzi was busy with business, so they were doing quite well.
How could she keep taking advantage of them?
"Auntie, I can't accept this!" Li Zhuzi's wife quickly refused.
"Zhuzi is like my own son. This is for you, take it home for your father and your two children!"
Grandma Su said earnestly. They had treated Li Zhuzi well, and over the years, Li Zhuzi had also treated them well.
That's how people are; kindness begets kindness, and unkindness begets unkindness!
Hearing Grandma Su's words, Li Zhuzi's wife knew that Grandma Su was sincere, treating her as if she were her own daughter-in-law, and no longer refused.
She thanked Grandma Su with a smile and then carried the items home.
Tired from the day's events, everyone in the family ate a quick dinner and went to rest.
Liang Xiu felt a bit uneasy about the day's events.
Su Laosan saw this and thought his wife was unhappy because he had spoken harshly to her earlier.
He reached out and hugged Liang Xiu, saying, "Xiu'er, I didn't mean to be harsh with you today."
Although Su Laosan had spoken bravely that day, he was worried that Liang Xiu might feel distant from him because of it.
Seeing his wife looking listless, he naturally assumed it was related to this.
Liang Xiu smiled and said, "I know you meant well. Third Brother, with parents and brothers like mine, there's nothing I can do!"
She wished her parents were like her elder sisters-in-law's families, who brought her honor.
But this wish was likely to remain an unfulfilled dream.
She was very fortunate that her mother-in-law was not difficult to deal with.
Otherwise, she might have been divorced and sent home.
She just couldn't understand why her parents were always like this.
If her parents were like her elder sisters-in-law's families, her mother-in-law would surely have given them many benefits.
Looking at the gifts her mother-in-law had given to her elder sisters-in-law's families today, one could see that her mother-in-law was generous.
Liang Xiu was not the only one with this thought.
Many people in the village were discussing it, generally feeling that the old Liang family was foolish.
The Wang and Qi families had not caused any trouble and had returned with many benefits. Only the old Liang family had caused a scene and almost fallen out with their daughter.
In fact, even if they hadn't fallen out completely, they were close to it.
There was only the five yuan per month left.
She wondered if they would ever regret it.
The village chief's wife also said this to the village chief.
"What do you think the old Liang family is thinking? They have such good in-laws, why don't they try to get along with them, but keep causing trouble?"
Su Changjiu sighed and said, "Isn't that the truth? But some people are just like that. If you don't count others, don't we have one in our own family?"
This time, almost the entire village had gone to help, even the old Chang family, who had argued fiercely with Grandma Su years ago.
However, his second daughter-in-law, Tian Xiaohe, had not gone at all from beginning to end. Not only did she not go, but her husband also didn't go.
Su Changjiu hoped that both his sons would maintain good relationships with the old Su family.
Watching from the sidelines over the years, he knew that the old Su family was not ordinary and would surely rise soon.
The village chief's wife fell silent. Of course, she did. She had one in her own family who couldn't see clearly.
She was still putting on airs.
"Second daughter-in-law's temperament is becoming more and more unmanageable. I wonder if she will ever regret it!"
After sighing, the village chief's wife fell silent.
Su Changjiu didn't know what else to say, and the atmosphere became stagnant.
The next morning, after the Su family had packed, they set off for the county town.
They had bought tickets for the afternoon, so they had ample time.
Li Zhuzi's family also arrived in the county town together.
Upon arriving in the county, Grandma Su and the others had to visit Li Zhuzi's shop.
As soon as they reached the shop entrance, someone greeted Li Zhuzi's wife warmly and asked why the shop hadn't been open recently.
Li Zhuzi's wife replied with a smile before ushering everyone into the shop.
It had to be said that Li Zhuzi's wife was indeed capable; she had managed the shop in a well-organized manner.
"Zhuzi's wife, your shop is so clean and tidy. It makes people feel at ease!" Grandma Su exclaimed.
Cleanliness was paramount for a food business!
"We can't just think about making money; we have to make sure people can eat with peace of mind!" Li Zhuzi's wife smiled and prepared to light the stove to boil water.
In the hot weather, it was important to drink plenty of water.
Since it was still early, no one stopped them, and Liang Xiu and her two sisters-in-law went to help.
Li Zhuzi and his father-in-law chatted with the other members of the Su family.
In the kitchen, Li Zhuzi's wife chatted with the three sisters-in-law.
"I acted early and bought this courtyard for only two hundred yuan. I bought this courtyard not long ago, and it has already increased in price. This courtyard is now worth at least double."
Li Zhuzi's wife was very proud of this, as the increase in property value was also a way for their family to make money.
"Who can say otherwise? Property prices have indeed risen sharply. Fortunately, after earning some money, I also bought a house in the provincial capital. When I bought it, it looked dilapidated, and the courtyard wasn't large, but the location was good, and it cost fifteen hundred yuan." Qi Liangying also said with a smile.
If the shop hadn't been profitable back then, she wouldn't have been willing to spend fifteen hundred yuan.
However, in just a few months, it had increased significantly, which made Qi Liangying very happy.
"Fourth Aunt, look, if you still have money, why don't you buy another courtyard? It might increase in price again, and then you can sell it for a profit even if you don't live in it!"
Liang Xiu remembered what Su Xiaotian always said and offered a suggestion.
If it were in the past, she wouldn't have said such a thing, but she could now see that Li Zhuzi and his wife were living quite comfortably.
As expected, Li Zhuzi's wife did not complain about poverty but directly replied, indicating that she had the financial capability.