That evening, Old Man Lin and Madam Zhao summoned the families of Er Niu and Zhou Shi into their room. Madam Zhao began, "I’ve called you all here today for something. Your father and I have been living with your elder uncle these past few years, and it has been very comfortable there. However, as one ages, one naturally wishes to return to one's roots. Your father and I have decided that once we return this time, we won't be going back. In a few days, I will invite people over to renovate the house, and the cost will be split among the three of you families, with the third son's wife covering half. Once the repairs are done, we will move into our own little courtyard here and will not return to your elder uncle's house."

Lin Er Niu was somewhat aware of this matter; Madam Zhao had hinted at it, mainly as a precaution in case Zhou Shi ever decided to leave and needed to care for the two children on her own. Er Niu knew his mother didn't particularly care for his wife, but there was no reason to stop his parents from moving back.

When Huang Shi and Lin He heard this, their hearts skipped a beat, but as the younger generation, they certainly couldn't voice any objection. Little Bao, however, was delighted, exclaiming, "Great! Grandpa and Grandma can stay and play with me now." The child didn't grasp the implications, and the two elders indeed doted on Little Bao.

It was Zhou Shi whose face immediately changed upon hearing this. They had all assumed Madam Zhao would return to town after this short stay; now, hearing they planned to live here long-term, she feared her life ahead would become difficult.

Of course, Huang Shi was also extremely reluctant internally, but no matter how unwilling they were, what could they say? Even if the elders were to live under their roof and require their support, it was their duty. At least for now, the elders were only moving into their own house, and thankfully, not under the same roof as them.

In this era, if one was labeled unfilial, they would never hold up their head in front of others again, and even their descendants would suffer whispered gossip.

The matter was thus settled in the household: in a few days, someone would be invited to repair the old couple's rooms. The repairs were only minor—fixing the roof to prevent leaks during rain; no other part of the house needed work.

As the group filed out, Lin He noticed Zhou Shi’s expression was quite grim; it was likely due to the grandparents intending to stay. Actually, it wasn't just that; Madam Zhao had also dropped hints to Zhou Shi a few days prior.

Back at her own home, the words Madam Zhao had spoken that day still echoed in Zhou Shi's ears: "Third daughter-in-law, our third son was unfortunate; he left so young, leaving behind a wife and children. Life must be extremely hard for you. If you have other plans, I won't stop you; you are still young and shouldn't have to live like this forever. However, Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun are children of the Lin family. If you find a new path, we two elders will take care of the two younger ones."

At the time, Zhou Shi thought Madam Zhao was merely speaking hypothetically and hadn't expected them to actually move back. While the elders might cherish their old home and wish to settle where they were born, the main concern was their fear that she wouldn't be able to manage alone and the children would be left unattended.

Zhou Shi’s heart was conflicted. She knew firsthand how difficult life had been, a woman raising two children alone. If it weren't for the occasional help from Huang Shi's family, she might not have survived this long. But she couldn't live like this forever; the children were small, and she lacked the skills—knowing only a little embroidery, she couldn't support her entire family, and she still needed to send some filial support to the elders annually. Xiao Shan’s maternal grandmother had also urged her to remarry while she was still young.

Zhou Shi had been tempted by her mother's persuasion, but the children were still so young, and she couldn't bear to leave them. Xiao Zhu wasn't even three yet; although the grandparents looked after them, it wasn't the same as having their own mother. Looking at her two sleeping children beside her, she resolved to wait until they were a little older, perhaps until Xiao Shan could look after his sister.

Just as she was thinking this, she heard a knocking sound outside. Hearing Lin He calling, "San Niang, San Niang," Zhou Shi quickly got up to open the courtyard door. It turned out to be Huang Shi and Lin He. Zhou Shi welcomed them in, and the three climbed onto the heated brick bed to sit. Huang Shi noticed Zhou Shi’s eyes were red and guessed she had been crying.

Huang Shi knew a bit about the situation and advised, "Third sister-in-law, don't overthink it. The elders are doing what they believe is best for the children. After all, you are still very young, and managing alone with children is genuinely difficult."

Zhou Shi nodded. "I know Father and Mother are thinking of the two little ones; I don't blame them. In fact, I’m grateful to them. But right now, I have no other thoughts; I only want to raise the two little ones well. I’m not thinking of anything else yet."

Lin He, sitting further away, finally began to piece things together, understanding why the grandparents insisted on staying and why Zhou Shi’s face had turned so grim when she heard their decision. In Lin He’s past life, remarriage for women was common, and few scruples were attached; even with children, at worst, the children would go with her.

However, the customs of this age were clearly less open. Xiao Shan and Xiao Yun were descendants of the Lin family, and it was likely that even if San Niang wished to remarry, the elders wouldn't allow her to take the children, even if she wanted to. But the children were pieces of her own flesh; how could she bear to leave them unless it was absolutely unavoidable?

Hearing Zhou Shi say this, Huang Shi realized that Zhou Shi had no immediate plans to leave, so she dropped the topic. She then pulled out a small silk pouch from her bag and handed it to Zhou Shi. "This contains five hundred large coins. The old couple will need to repair their house in a few days, and I imagine your household is short on money right now. This isn't much, but take it for now."

Zhou Shi looked at it and pushed the money back. "Second sister-in-law, your family has already helped us so much; I can't accept more money from you. For the elders' house repairs, I only need to contribute half, and I still have some funds. Between the embroidery I've done over the years and your timely assistance, I still have some reserves."

Lin He took the money and placed it in Zhou Shi's hand, saying, "San Niang, this isn't for you; it's for my little brother Xiao Shan and little sister Xiao Yun. Winter is coming; look, your heated bed is still cold. Go buy some cotton and make a thick quilt so they don't freeze."

Zhou Shi still refused to take it and tried to push it back, until Huang Shi spoke up, "Take it for now. After this winter passes and you are more comfortable, you can return it to me. Don't let the children suffer the cold over this small sum of money."

Seeing her two little ones sleeping nearby, Zhou Shi accepted the coins. Winter indeed required funds, so she would keep it for now and plan to repay it next spring.

The group chatted a while longer before Lin He and Huang Shi rose to leave.

A few days later, Lin Er Niu planned to hire some workers to help repair the old couple's house. Madam Zhao said it was sufficient for their own people to help with the repairs; there was no need to spend money hiring outside help. It mostly involved re-tiling the roof, fixing the main gate, and patching the dilapidated sections of the courtyard wall. Otherwise, Huang Shi and Lin He could thoroughly clean the interior.

The furniture and household items were all existing ones, and the pots and pans in the kitchen were all present; there was no need to purchase anything new. No money was spent, so Er Niu covered all the labor himself, not asking Zhou Shi or his elder brother for any contribution. After working for most of the day, the house was ready for occupancy. That evening, Huang Shi sent over another thick quilt, and the old couple slept in their own courtyard that night.