After a long-awaited reunion—a whole semester apart—she couldn't avoid spending another night in the county town, chatting with the elders and making the rounds to visit various relatives.
When she finally returned to her old home, Xu Changqing first went to Xiangyang Team and then back to Baizigou. Having completed her circuit of visits, she had fulfilled all the proper courtesies.
Over in Baizigou, Old Mrs. Xu and her husband were no longer living with their eldest son's family in the old courtyard—a move they'd made at the start of winter to save on firewood. They seemed to be living quite comfortably on their own now.
Xu Changqing only stayed home for one night before heading to Xiangyang Team again. The main reason was that the date for the Shen Family's banquet was drawing near, and they needed to discuss the arrangements.
