"I’ll treat everyone to lunch." Back in the classroom, Yi Roujing looked at Yu Cuiyu and the others and said, raising the envelope in her hand.

"You should keep the reward for yourself or buy some tasty Baozi; why treat us to a meal?" Yu Cuiyu laughed and declined.

"Hey, it’s quite a bit, and ever since the school term started, you’ve spent so much effort on me. Let’s have a simple meal; don’t feel sorry for me, I’m willing." Yi Roujing said generously, making Yu Cuiyu and the others laugh.

Of course, there were seven of them at noon, calling Rong Junxi, and eight people headed to a state-run restaurant. Yi Roujing ordered braised pork, a plate of scrambled eggs, two stir-fried seasonal vegetables, a pot of radish minced meat soup, four bowls of noodles, eight large meat buns, and four bowls of rice.

"I haven’t enjoyed meat this much in a long time." Gong Jue’e patted her belly and burped contentedly.

"It’s just like New Year’s." Yu Cuiyu’s mouth was filled with delicious flavors, making her miss her daughter far away at home even more, wondering if the package she sent had arrived.

"I just sent a package yesterday; it’ll take about ten days to reach Sichuan Province." Ren Xuejuan’s eyes seemed to sparkle with bright stars. "It’s the first time I’ve been this far from home, and both my brother and I have left; they must be missing us dearly."

Inside, people were imagining, while outside, people watched those imagining while covering their mouths.

"That, that is..." Ning Hong covered her mouth, choked with emotion.

Cheng Jinyong also found it hard to bear, looking at the side profile that resembled himself; he recognized it at a glance, perhaps due to the connection by blood, and felt particularly close.

"I..."

Cheng Jinyong quickly stopped Ning Hong, "Let’s not go in now, so we don’t scare the child; I’ll talk to the child’s husband first."

Hearing this, Ning Hong’s tears fell; a child she hadn’t cared for was now married, making her feel like a failed mother.

"Alright, let’s head back; that child’s husband is a capable person." Cheng Jinyong had a great fondness for Ren Xuejuan’s husband, Fang Zuxin, saying this with a smile on his face.

"That child is fortunate; Zuxin even if in Jing City would still stand out." Cheng Jinyong praised enthusiastically, "Our child being able to marry someone like him is just right."

"Just like you, gone from home for days, what’s right." Ning Hong glared at Cheng Jinyong. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Cheng Jinyong felt a bit guilty since he owed his wife in this regard.

"Our child grew up with theirs, with deep feelings and great tacit understanding. Once Zuxin applies for the house, I’ve heard Xuejuan will join the army, so they’ll have many chances to meet."

Ning Hong snorted, "Better to sit in an office, at least could tend to the home, smelly soldier."

"Hey, Comrade Ning Hong, that’s a personal attack; I’m fragrant, nowhere smelly."

Cheng Jinyong’s words made Ning Hong burst into laughter, glancing at him coquettishly, feeling a lot better.

"Is Fang Zuxin really good?" Ning Hong snorted, "Invite him over; I want to meet him. You smelly men don’t understand."

"Yes, yes, everything listens to Comrade Ning Hong."

On April 15, a Saturday, Fang Zuxin received an assignment from the superior, carrying a bundle of documents to the compound and knocked on the Cheng family’s door.

Ning Hong personally came to open the door, and seeing the upright, sturdy soldier with a dashing face standing outside, her dissatisfaction lessened somewhat; he looked pretty good.

"Hello, I’m Fang Zuxin. May I ask for Cheng Si..."

"Looking for Cheng Jinyong, right?" Ning Hong interrupted, stepping aside to invite him in, "They’re in the living room; you go in."

Fang Zuxin felt a bit surprised but maintained a calm appearance, striding inside. However, seeing a crowd of people seated in the living room with all eyes staring at him made his previously calm expression slightly stiff.

"Alright, those who have business, go do it." Mr. Cheng spoke to the family, although he was looking at Fang Zuxin.

Slowly rising from the sofa and chairs, the Cheng Family watched Fang Zuxin closely, getting up and walking past him, then turning their heads to look back, making Fang Zuxin furrow his brows slightly.

Now only Mr. Cheng, Cheng Jinyong, and Ning Hong remained in the living room.

"Zuxin is here, sit down." Cheng Jinyong smiled, greeting him.

"Cheng Si..."

Fang Zuxin’s words were interrupted by Cheng Jinyong, "Zuxin, no need to be so formal. We..."

"How old are you?" Ning Hong cut straight to the point, disregarding Cheng Jinyong’s words.

Cheng Jinyong twitched at the corners of his mouth; for days, Ning Hong had asked him numerous questions about Fang Zuxin, and now upon meeting him, she started again.

Fang Zuxin was extremely surprised but still answered honestly, "Twenty-five."

"Four years older, four years older is good." Ning Hong muttered to herself, "Who else do you have at home?"

Fang Zuxin frowned, "I don’t know what this is about?"

"Am I wrong to care about my son-in-law?" Hearing this made Ning Hong somewhat angry, but thinking about how well the Fang family treated her daughter, the anger came suddenly and went quickly.

"I’m sorry, I got a bit emotional and misspoke." Ning Hong sighed in apology.

"Zuxin, here, take a look at this." Cheng Jinyong handed the authentication and investigation reports to Fang Zuxin.

Fang Zuxin took them and flipped through, his pupils vibrating, raising his head in disbelief, seeing Ning Hong’s eyes slightly reddened, Cheng Jinyong’s face with guilt, and Mr. Cheng’s eyes both hopeful and slightly worried.

"We went to see Xuejuan yesterday but didn’t dare recognize her immediately, thinking to talk to you first." Cheng Jinyong apologized, "We only thought to invite you over this way."

"Firstly, we’re really grateful to you for taking care of Xuejuan; we’ve been neglectful parents, though luckily she’s blessed to have met a good family like yours."

"Secondly, we’re hoping to reunite with Xuejuan, which might require some procedures, and we’d trouble you to assist. We plan to visit Sichuan Province sometime this year, meet your parents, our in-laws."

"Zuxin, what do you think about having a meal together tomorrow?" Cheng Jinyong asked.

"I need to ask Xuejuan first." Fang Zuxin didn’t immediately agree, feeling somewhat conflicted as suddenly there were many people eager to share his wife.

After a brief pause, Fang Zuxin said, "She’s kind-hearted; about her origins, she’s never complained, never resented parents she’s never met, always thinking there must be a special reason."

Upon hearing this, tears overwhelmed Ning Hong’s eyes, "It’s all our fault; how can parents not recognize their own child, remain oblivious to the swap for twenty-one years. The Deng Family must not be let off easily."