The four brothers each held a cigarette, offering one to everyone they met, being overly polite.

As for Du Qing, Shu Jiao, and Liu Qingyun, they could only watch the men in front, shaking their heads frequently, but the smile on their lips never faded, with a few women gathered around them, laughing as they walked inside.

A few youngsters along with Ruan Jiaojiao didn’t receive such a welcome.

The Ruan Family had many boys, all of similar age, so there was no need to play with other village kids. Besides, if they hadn’t gone to college, they either got married and had kids or went out to work, and at this time, none of them were home.

And as for Ruan Jiaojiao, she had even fewer playmates. Before the age of six, she had Wa Yiting, but they fell out. After six, with poor health and a move, plus having many brothers, no one was there to welcome her when she got off the car.

As for Rou Rou, it naturally went wild with joy. As soon as the car stopped, it threw its head back and howled, leapt off the tricycle, and started running, but when Xiaoxue gave a snort, it halted, looking back sheepishly.

Xiaoxue patted its wolf tail, glancing meaningfully at the little ones in the car.

Rou Rou could only lower its head, going back to unload the little ones one by one. Once it had gotten them all off, it dared to look at Xiaoxue. With a snort from Xiaoxue, Rou Rou then sprinted towards the village, running and howling all the way.

Some of the little ones wanted to follow but couldn’t match Rou Rou’s speed. Seeing them chasing, Rou Rou picked up the pace, disappearing in a few seconds, leaving them helplessly stranded halfway, looking around in two directions.

Ruan Jiaojiao found it amusing, laughing as she told Xiaoxue, "Xiaoxue, you should go play too. It’s safe here, this is Rou Rou’s territory, it’s fine."

Xiaoxue came up and nuzzled her pant leg, then led the little ones to follow Rou Rou, their swaying backs moving unhurriedly and gracefully.

Suddenly, Ruan Jiaojiao had the illusion that Rou Rou and Xiaoxue were a miniature version of her parents.

Watching this group of fifteen drift away, Ruan Jiaojiao entered the courtyard with Yu Rou and a few brothers, where she was immediately showered with enthusiastic compliments.

"Oh my, my dear Ruan sister, this is Jiaojiao, right? She’s grown so big in the blink of an eye!"

"Exactly, such stunning looks, you can’t find a prettier girl in ten or even twenty villages."

"Jianguo, you’re truly blessed."

"I must say, your sister-in-law knows how to birth children, each one is exceptional."

"What do you call this? This is called being blessed, my old friend. This kind of blessing is something you can’t put into words."

The outpouring of praises almost overwhelmed Ruan Jiaojiao, and Ruanlin Family and Ruan Jianguo were grinning from ear to ear, while Shu Jiao’s eyes danced with a smile.

The three children, although she rarely voiced it, were indeed the pride of her heart.

Ruan Jiaojiao felt a bit embarrassed by the compliments, and under Ruanlin Family’s guidance, greeted everyone before quickly pulling Yu Rou upstairs.

The house was built in the 1980s, with furniture bought during that time. It was quite fashionable back then, but now it seemed outdated. Though everything was still intact, it exuded a strong sense of nostalgia.

Which prompted Yu Rou to marvel once again.