Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Hand Over the Red Envelopes and Go Earn Work Points

“Sigh, Xu Huaian, something’s not right. How come you’ve been so clear-headed these past two days?” His improvement was almost unbelievable.

After the meal, Gu Qinghuan handed him a cup of spiritual spring water mixed with medicine, as she had prepared.

As usual, Xu Huaian didn’t ask any questions and drank it all in one go.

“I’m not really sure myself. It seems like as long as I don’t dwell on the past or think about things that make me angry, I can keep my violent emotions under control.”

These past two days, Gu Qinghuan had kept him so busy—sometimes sweet, sometimes melancholy—that he hardly had time to reminisce about the past.

Gu Qinghuan wasn’t sure if this counted as being stable, but it was definitely better than before.

“Your leg still can’t handle much movement, but you can take care of yourself now. The kids are finally free. They’ve been stuck at home every day to look after you and haven’t been able to go anywhere.

Dabao, Beibei, you get the day off today. If you want to go out and play, go ahead!”

The two little ones, still busy eating at the table, looked up at her.

“Mama, really?” At four years old, Beibei was at the age where she loved playing with other kids. She had been bored at home these days, but she was so well-behaved she hadn’t complained.

Gu Qinghuan nodded. “Of course. When you go out, let Grandma give each of you a peach pastry to share with your friends.”

Kids always make friends more easily when they have snacks to share, right?

In the original story, these two were loners from a young age—no one wanted to be friends with them.

When Dabao heard this, he quickly turned to his sister to discuss, “Beibei, let’s go dig wild vegetables in the mountains! If we dig up a lot, we can sell them—last time we made twenty cents!”

Beibei hesitated.

She was finally wearing new clothes and had peach pastries to eat. She wanted to go show off a little in front of the village kids who used to look down on them.

But what her brother said made sense too.

Her little face was full of conflict.

Gu Qinghuan held back a laugh. Dabao was already so money-minded at such a young age. But it wasn’t a bad thing to develop a sense for making money early on. She respected the kids’ choices and didn’t interfere too much.

“Dabao, wherever you go, remember to look after your sister and don’t do anything dangerous. And don’t talk about Grandma’s situation outside. Also, keep a low profile when you make money! If anyone asks about our family, just say I spend money like water and we’re almost out of food,” Gu Qinghuan reminded them.

“Mama, I know. Oh, and here—this is the red envelope Great-Grandma gave us last night.” Both kids pulled out their red envelopes and handed them to Gu Qinghuan.

Dabao had meant to give it to her last night, but it got late and they forgot.

This was a new experience for Gu Qinghuan. She took the envelopes and checked them—Grandma had given each of them twenty cents.

They shouldn’t have much money. The leftover money from the hospital had already been given to her. These forty cents were basically all they had—a generous gift.

She’d have to bring some fine grains to the old folks when she had time.

“This money was given to you by Great-Grandma, so you should keep it yourselves. Whether you save it or spend it, it’s up to you.” After checking, Gu Qinghuan handed the envelopes back to the kids.

They looked at her in surprise.

They’d heard from other village kids that red envelopes received at New Year’s always had to be handed over to the adults—they never got to keep them.

But Mama was actually letting them keep so much money?

Twenty cents could buy a lot of good things.

Zhong Zijun, wiping the table, smiled and told them, “When your mom was little, Grandma let her keep her own spending money too. It’s a family tradition. You’ll need to learn to manage your own money in the future.”

Dabao and Beibei both let out a little “wow” in envy. Mama must have had a happy childhood.

Thinking of the past, Zhong Zijun’s eyes grew a little red, and the two kids, sensing the mood, didn’t ask any more questions.

Seeing everyone had finished eating, Xu Huaian took the initiative to help clear the dishes. Gu Qinghuan didn’t stop him—she didn’t believe in those old-fashioned ideas about men staying out of the kitchen.

Now that he could move around, he should start taking on some responsibilities.

Xu Huaian learned she was going out to work today and hesitated several times, but in the end said nothing.

He wanted to tell her that if she didn’t want to work, she didn’t have to. Once his leg got better, he’d take care of the fields.

But looking at his own unsteady legs, he could only sigh inwardly.

After these days together, he could tell that Gu Qinghuan had been pampered since childhood. Farm work must be especially hard for her to adapt to.

Xu Huaian, hurry up and get better! That way, you can support her and the kids.

He had never wanted so badly to be a healthy man.

Before Gu Qinghuan left, Xu Huaian filled her military canteen with water and packed a few persimmons for her. “If you get tired, take a break. It’s fine to earn a few less work points. Let the kids bring you lunch at noon so you don’t have to run back and forth and tire yourself out.”

His earnest advice sounded just like a wife sending her husband off to work.

Gu Qinghuan couldn’t help but laugh. “Your soldiers must have loved you, huh?”

Who teaches people to slack off? And wouldn’t it tire the kids out to run back and forth?

Xu Huaian’s face turned bright red.

He’d always been strict with his men—so strict they’d secretly called him the Demon King. In his view, only tough training could give them a better chance of survival in wartime.

But later on… what happened later? He couldn’t remember. He just felt like he’d forgotten something important.

Seeing his embarrassment, Gu Qinghuan didn’t tease him further and headed out.

—

This was Gu Qinghuan’s first time going to work since getting married, and everyone’s eyes were on her.

Most people thought she’d fallen from grace—from a high-and-mighty princess to someone even worse off than an ordinary person. How pitiful.

Some wanted to watch her make a fool of herself, others were secretly curious.

But they were all wrong. After marrying a “madman,” Gu Qinghuan didn’t become a mess—her life actually seemed better than before.

Just look at her face. It used to be sallow, but now it was fair and rosy.

She even looked a bit plumper.

Gu Qinghuan acted as if she didn’t notice everyone’s stares and whispers, standing quietly to the side, waiting for the team leader to assign tasks.

That cold, aloof air was just like before.

“Sister Guifen, you’re really blessed. Both your sons married educated youth, and they’re both beauties you’d be hard-pressed to find in ten villages. Are you planning to find an educated youth for your third son too?”

At that moment, Liu Guifang’s vanity was thoroughly satisfied. Her two daughters-in-law really were a credit to the family—city girls, pretty, educated, much better than the local country girls who couldn’t even read.

She conveniently forgot she herself was illiterate.

“Our third son is a high school graduate, so of course he needs an educated city wife!” Liu Guifang said proudly.

She had actually considered matching Gu Qinghuan with her third son.

But after careful thought, Xu Mingshan hadn’t agreed. Gu Qinghuan’s mother had been labeled a “class enemy.” If anything happened, it could ruin their third son’s future.

But with the second son, there were no such concerns. He was already “crazy”—things couldn’t get any worse. Having someone willing to look after him was already a blessing."