Seeing her daughter looking tired, Wang Cuihua quickly stood up. “Daughter, you rest first. Mother will go attend to chores.”
Xu Ruyi nodded, then suddenly remembered her back basket might still outside and immediately rose. “Mother, I think my back basket is still out there!”
Seeing her daughter only now remembering her back basket, Wang Cuihua thought to herself that she was still just a child.
Wang Cuihua pointed to the back basket and bundle in the corner. “There, your father brought it in for you. Check if anything’s missing! Don’t be so careless in the future.”
Looking at the items in the corner, Xu Ruyi felt somewhat embarrassed. “Mother~ I was just too happy to be home!”
Seeing her daughter’s embarrassment, Wang Cuihua didn’t press further. “Alright, mother won’t say more. Get yourself settled and rest. I’ll take your little sister out with me.” After speaking, she led her reluctant younger daughter out and closed the door behind them.
When all sounds from outside had completely faded, Xu Ruyi heaved a deep sigh of relief. Even with her thick skin, she found the situation awkward.
She decided to organize the items from her bundle and back basket properly. When her grandparents arrived later, she could distribute the gifts all together.
She put away what needed storing and set aside the gifts for others. After finishing her tidying, Xu Ruyi lay on the bed and fell asleep.
By evening, when Xu Grandpa and Xu Grandma entered, they saw their eldest granddaughter sitting demurely in the courtyard.
Seeing her beautiful eldest granddaughter, Xu Grandma quickly hurried over, took Xu Ruyi’s hands, and looked her up and down.
Her voice full of heartache, she said, “Oh my, my Ruyi is back.” Look how thin you’ve gotten! You must have suffered outside!! It’s good you’re back, it’s good you’re back!!” As she spoke, Xu Grandma couldn’t hold back her tears. “Your grandparents are useless, making a young girl sell herself to save her father! My poor Ruyi has suffered!”
Xu Grandpa stepped forward and patted Xu Grandma’s shoulder, his voice also choked with emotion. “This old man is useless, making our girl suffer!! But now that you’re back, it’s good. It’s good you’re back.”
Seeing both elders crying, Xu Ruyi was also moved. She quickly comforted them, “Grandpa, Grandma, Ruyi doesn’t blame you. Ruyi went willingly. Please don’t blame yourselves.” The original owner had indeed gone voluntarily! Xu Ruyi was simply telling the truth.
Xu Sigui cleverly brought two chairs. Xu Ruyi helped the elders sit down. “Grandpa, Grandma, Ruyi really didn’t suffer much hardship. Please sit and rest. If Father sees you crying, he’ll think I bullied you!”
Only then did Xu Grandma wipe her tears and smile through them. “Good, good, Grandma won’t cry? Grandma is happy! Ruyi is back, we’re all happy!”
Xu Grandpa also smiled and wiped his face. “Grandpa is happy too!”
Xu Ruyi finally relaxed. She took the tea her brother brought and handed it to her grandparents. “Grandpa, Grandma, have some tea!”
“Good, good, good, Grandpa will drink!” Xu Grandpa took the bamboo cup and drank a sip. Then he pulled a copper coin from his sleeve and gave it to Xu Ruyi. “Here, take this. It’s lucky money. We’re happy today—use it to buy sweets.”
Xu Grandma also gave Xu Ruyi a copper coin. “Grandma has one too. Take it and buy some sweets.”
“Thank you, Grandpa, Grandma!” Xu Ruyi obediently accepted the coins without refusal. One or two copper coins weren’t much, so she felt completely unburdened.
When Xu Dagen arrived with his wife and children, everyone exchanged greetings once more.
Aunt brought along her eldest daughter-in-law to help Wang Cuihua prepare dinner, which sped things up considerably. Soon, the dishes were laid out on the table, and the whole family gathered around noisily and contentedly.
The table was laden with sumptuous dishes: a steaming bowl of braised pork, a bowl of fresh fish soup, a small bowl of pan-fried tofu, a bowl of smoked rabbit with potatoes, and a bowl of green vegetables.
With so many family members seated at one table, plates weren’t used for serving.
Xu Grandpa sat at the head of the table, with Xu Grandma beside him.
Xu Grandma held Xu Ruyi’s hand, reluctant to let go, and had her sit next to her. “You’ve suffered all these years. It’s our fault—your grandpa and I couldn’t do more, letting a young girl like you endure so much hardship.”
Xu Ruyi shook her head. “Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, Father, Mother—you don’t need to feel indebted to me. Back then, the family had no choice, and I couldn’t stand by and watch Father come to harm. Ru Yi has no regrets. Now that it’s all in the past, and I’ve returned safe and sound, we should all look forward.”
This was also the original owner’s sentiment. Having taken over her body, as long as her family did not harm her, she would do her best to treat them well.
Hearing Xu Ruyi’s words, warmth welled up in everyone’s hearts.