Gu Yi thought she absolutely had to help the Ye Family and the Gu Family live better lives, partly to repay the debt of her past life and also to gain more say in future divorce matters.
She was lost in thought as she walked, and soon she could see the village. The Gu Family was the first house upon entering the village, with a river in front.
From a distance, Gu Yi saw someone washing clothes in the river and could hear them chatting.
Gu Yi had left the Ye Family early. Although she went around to the town, the sun had only just begun to rise a little.
Gu Yi checked the calendar at the Ye Family, noting that today was June 2, 1988, the 18th day of the fourth lunar month.
The people in the village were mostly weeding, fertilizing crops, and checking rice paddies for water, so this time of year was not particularly busy.
Gu Yi walked onto the bridge and the people washing clothes in the river saw her.
"Yiyi is back!" One of them shouted to her.
Gu Yi recognized her as Aunt Chen, who owned the village's small shop and was warm to everyone.
Gu Yi recognized the others as villagers but couldn't recall their names, so she just smiled at them all.
"Yes, I missed home."
Gu Yi didn't say much more to them and continued on her way home. She pushed open the gate to the courtyard, where Gu's mother was hanging clothes and Gu's father was having breakfast.
"Dad, Mom, I'm back."
Gu Yi placed the things in her hands in the living room and came out to help Gu's mother hang clothes.
"Why did you come back today? You don't need to help here, go get something to eat, you must be hungry."
As Gu's mother spoke, she gently pushed Gu Yi aside. Gu's father brought over a bowl of porridge from the kitchen and poured a glass of water.
"Come here and have some water, then eat a little. Why didn't you send word? You should have let your brother pick you up."
Gu's father called to her while going inside to fetch a small stool.
Gu Yi didn't stand on ceremony; she was truly exhausted.
Even though the morning was quite cool, she was weighed down by a hundred or so pounds of flesh. By the end, she was worn out and thirsty, pushing on with sheer willpower.
Gu Yi resolved to practice yoga when she returned. In this place where transport relies mostly on walking, she needed to shed some weight to avoid the constant burden of walking.
Gu Yi drank all the water Gu's father poured for her in one breath.
"I just decided last night because I missed you guys. I didn't have much to do, so I came back."
Gu Family parents exchanged a surprised glance after hearing Gu Yi's words.
They hadn't expected Gu Yi to answer. Previously when she was home, at most, she would respond with a hum when they talked to her. This time, not only did she answer, but she also said she missed them, which was hard for them to believe. Had marriage really made her more sensible?
To a parent's eye, their child is always good, and the Gu Family parents immediately found a reason for Gu Yi's change.
In her past life, Gu Yi later followed Ye Hao to B City.
They didn't live in the barracks; instead, the military had allocated them an apartment in a community within the city.
Initially, when she arrived there, because she was not talkative and a bit plump, not many people were willing to associate with her.
Later on, it was the sister-in-law of one of Ye Hao's good comrades who noticed that Gu Yi was alone with a child and unfamiliar with the place. She constantly helped her and took her to some of the military wives' gatherings.
Over time, Gu Yi opened up and got along well with the military wives, learning a lot from them.
So today, Gu Yi naturally said she missed her parents, but she hadn't expected it to surprise them.
Gu's mother finished hanging the clothes and sat down to eat breakfast.
Gu's mother asked a lot about the Ye Family, wanting to understand more about Gu Yi's life there.
Aside from not being Ye Hao's beloved, everything else was good. Gu Yi picked some happy stories to share with her parents, and the three of them enjoyed each other's company as they tidied up the dishes.
The Gu Family brothers brought Xiao Bao over, and after exchanging a few words with Gu Yi, they went to work.
Gu's mother called after them, telling them to come home for dinner early.
Thanks to Gu's father's prior work and the Gu Family Brothers' efficient working style, they had a good reputation in nearby villages, so the brothers mainly relied on their skills to support their families.
Gu's father also left, and Gu Yi took her two nieces to get the candies she bought, giving each little one a pastry. She handed the wine and remaining items to Gu's mother.
"Why did you buy things, dear? You need to save your money, there's still a lot to do in the future."
Parents are the same everywhere; even when children grow up, they still worry about everything. Gu Yi quickly held Gu's mother's hand.
"Mom, I know. What's wrong with bringing some things home? Next time Ye Hao comes, I'll have him buy more to show his gratitude to you and Dad. After all, you raised such a beautiful and capable wife for him, didn't you? These are from my mother-in-law, and the peanuts I cooked myself. Try them, see if they're good."
Gu Yi's playful banter made Gu's mother laugh, and she no longer pressed the issue, sighing inwardly how marriage really changes someone.
"Mom, could you make me a fried egg for lunch? I'm craving them. My mother-in-law made some, but they weren't as good as yours. Do you have a secret recipe you could teach me?"
"There's no secret recipe. Use low heat, flip it often so it doesn't burn, keep the yolk runny, add soy sauce and vinegar after you take it out of the pan. Don't put soy sauce in the pan, or it'll taste bitter."
"No wonder yours taste so good; you make them with such care." Gu Yi showered compliments, making Gu's mother grin non-stop.
Gu's mother soaked some dried long beans and fermented black beans in water, then went to the vegetable garden to pick some just-planted greens and a few cucumbers, cutting a handful of chives to bring home.
Seeing the cucumbers in Gu's mother's basket, Gu Yi took one to wash it, sharing it with her two nieces.
Fruits and veggies taste the best now, she thought. In a few years, they won't have this flavor.
Gu Yi was playing house with her nieces when Gu's father entered the courtyard, carrying fish in one hand and meat in the other.
"Dad, why did you buy so many groceries?"
Gu Yi took the things from Gu's father to the kitchen and poured him a glass of water.
"You like fish, and someone happened to be selling it in town, so I bought it. The little chicks at home are too small, and the three hens are laying now, so I got some meat for your mom to cook for you tonight."
"Thank you, Dad. You know me well, love how I adore meat. I'll have to eat more tonight."
Gu Yi said this and then went into the kitchen to help, while the little ones were used to playing on their own. Even when Gu Yi left, they played quietly together.
"Mom, do we have any dried mugwort at home?"
Gu Yi was helping wash vegetables while Gu's mother was cooking lunch on the stove.
"Seems like there's plenty in the outside storeroom. Why do you ask?"
"I'll take some back later to soak my feet. A doctor mentioned I have some cold in my body and should soak my feet in mugwort water."
"Take as much as you need home. You're not staying overnight?"
"I'll stay next time. I have a bit to do today."
Though slightly disappointed, Gu's mother didn't say anything. At lunch, Gu Yi's brothers and sisters-in-law didn't come back either, so they ate simply and rested a while before Gu's mother started preparing dinner.