Madam Zhao nodded, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Madam Huang, and then took the two girls back with her. As the girls departed, they both bid farewell to Madam Huang. Chun'er seemed quite cheerful, saying she was grateful for imposing on the Lin He family for this while, and invited Lin He and the others to visit her home if they weren't bothered by it in the future.

Lin He had initially intended to ask Chun'er to stay, but considering she arrived with Tao Hua, keeping Chun'er behind alone might lead to misunderstandings. Furthermore, Chun'er mentioned that things at home were getting busy and she needed to return to work, so Lin He didn't press the matter. Tao Hua, on the surface, showed no particular emotion either; she exchanged some polite words and then followed Madam Zhao home.

Two days later, Madam Huang had Er Niu take a considerable amount of provisions with Madam Zhao to return the girls to their home. Upon arriving at Chun'er's house, Chun'er's parents were still working in the fields. It was Chun'er's younger sister who called them back. Chun'er's parents were simple, honest folk, and seeing the gifts Er Niu brought, they felt extremely embarrassed. They tried hard to find something from their home to give back to Er Niu and the others, but truly had nothing presentable to offer. In the end, they could only invite Er Niu and his companion to sit for a while.

Madam Zhao also had quite a few relatives, and they were well aware that Er Niu’s family had become prosperous and wealthy over the years. Many flocked to flatter Er Niu, expressing a desire to work for his family. Madam Zhao helped Er Niu manage these relatives from her maiden side. Naturally, many offered Madam Zhao sweet words, saying she had raised a good son who would now only enjoy a life of ease. Madam Zhao's visit to her maiden home was quite a spectacle; she couldn't stop smiling. Since she still needed to take Tao Hua back, she didn't linger long at her relatives' place before seeing Tao Hua safely delivered.

Tao Hua's family resided in the town. When they arrived, Tao Hua's parents were initially overjoyed to see her return. They spent some time chatting with Madam Zhao and Er Niu, persistently steering the conversation towards the matter of marriage. However, Er Niu and Madam Zhao offered no response. Tao Hua’s parents likely sensed something, and their expressions soon soured, losing the warmth they displayed earlier. Madam Zhao noticed the shift and called Er Niu to leave.

When Er Niu and Madam Zhao returned home, dusk was beginning to settle. Before even stepping into the courtyard, Er Niu heard numerous voices. Logically, this was the time for the evening meal, and there shouldn't be many people around. Yet, the courtyard was indeed quite lively, with several voices talking. Er Niu felt a touch of curiosity and quickly walked toward the courtyard, finding Hong Xia, Hong Yun, and the others all gathered, engaged in some discussion.

Upon entering and inquiring, he learned that Hong Xia’s former husband, Zhou Dafa, had encountered serious trouble. Apparently, he had done something in town and was beaten to the brink of death. His relatives refused to get involved, sending only a distant cousin to inform Hong Xia, urging her to bring the children to see Zhou Dafa for one last time, no matter what.

Hong Xia recalled the incident where Zhou Dafa sold their children and flatly refused to go. She declared she had severed ties with Zhou Dafa; his death was his own affair. Was she expected to arrange his funeral now? She also forbade the children from going, stating such a man didn't deserve anyone’s concern.

Everyone in the house tried to persuade her, arguing that life was fleeting and past grievances should be set aside. After all, Zhou Dafa was dying alone. While his past actions were indeed outrageous, Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bao were his biological children, and seeing him one last time before death seemed appropriate. Yet, Hong Xia remained steadfastly unwilling, strictly forbidding the children from going.

As the others were still urging Hong Xia, someone noticed Er Niu's return and immediately asked him to try persuading her. When Er Niu entered the courtyard, he saw Hong Xia seated to the side, with Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bao standing near her. After understanding the entire situation, Er Niu spoke: "Hong Xia, no matter how many mistakes Zhou Dafa made, even if you won't go, let the children at least take a look. He is, after all, their father."

"Did he ever treat Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bao like children? I gave him thirty taels back then. The children have nothing to do with him anymore; how can this be happening? For so many years, he never inquired after the children while they were here. Now that he’s dying, someone should attend to him? Such a man doesn't deserve it," Hong Xia ground out through gritted teeth.

"How about this: Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bao are quite grown now. Ask them themselves. If they are willing to go, let them; if not, then forget it," Er Niu suggested.

"That's right, Hong Xia. No one will blame you if you don't go. However, it would look bad if Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bao didn't go. Outsiders might say Zhou Dafa died without a single child present, and those who know might say Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bao are heartless. Regardless, let the children go over once; it will silence gossip," Madam Huang also chimed in.

Hong Xia looked at Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bao beside her and asked, "Yuan Zhu, Yuan Bao, do you want to go? If you do, I won't stop you. I'll take you to the village entrance, you go see him, and then come right back."

Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bao exchanged glances and remained silent initially. Yuan Bao was still quite young. When Zhou Dafa cast them aside, Yuan Bao was only about four or five. He only remembered his mother taking him to his maternal grandmother's house, where he finally had enough to eat, was no longer beaten, and had playmates every day. As for his father, he never asked.

Yuan Zhu, however, was somewhat aware back then. From snippets of conversation between her mother and grandmother, she knew her father had abandoned them, taking a significant amount of silver from her mother before selling them off. She certainly held resentment toward Zhou Dafa in her heart. But after arriving at her grandmother's home, she saw her mother happier than before, and her younger brother was joyful too. She felt nothing was wrong, and over the years, she rarely recalled what her father looked like.

Now, hearing that their father was dying and they were expected to return to see him, Yuan Bao was indifferent; if his mother wanted him to go, he would go; if she didn't, he wouldn't. Yuan Zhu thought it over for a moment, finally deciding to heed her Second Uncle's advice and return to see her so-called father.

Seeing the children willing to go, Hong Xia didn't say much more, only stating she would escort them to the village entrance. Er Niu, worried because of the darkness, called over a hired hand to take them, and he decided to accompany them as well.

When the ox cart reached the entrance of Zhou Dafa's village, Hong Xia and Er Niu did not alight, letting the hired hand take the two children inside. In a short while, the hired hand returned with the two children, reporting that they couldn't locate anyone, so they came back.

Hong Xia asked with a degree of confusion, "Impossible. Yuan Zhu, you don't even know where your old home is?"

"No, the former house is occupied by others now. I asked, and they said they didn't know, then shut the door. I couldn't see anyone on the road either, so I didn't know where to look and returned," Yuan Zhu replied.