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Father He and He Zhilan had just gone to the kitchen, leaving brothers He Teng and He Da alone in the yard. Despite the years that had passed since their last encounter, their brotherly bond remained uncut by time.

Father He might not be suspicious, but that didn’t mean He Da wasn’t.

He Da remembered that not long ago, when he’d spoken to He Dongxue over the phone, He Dongxue mentioned that He Teng would be busy participating in the National Day military parade and probably wouldn’t be able to make it back before the year ended.

It had been less than a week since that call, right? How is it possible that he was too busy then but has now returned without any notice?

"Brother, did you and sister-in-law come back this time because of some issue?" He Da asked bluntly.

He Teng gave He Da a meaningful look, and then they walked together to a corner of the yard. They pulled up a couple of stools and sat down before He Teng spoke, "It is about something, concerning your sister-in-law."

"What happened to sister-in-law?" He Da glanced toward the kitchen.

"She had a miscarriage due to an accident after the holidays." He Teng didn’t hide it from He Da and told him everything about He Zhilan’s miscarriage, including her current condition, "So, I brought her back to relax a bit."

He Da was at a loss for words. Their family had installed a telephone at home, and they often stayed in contact, but who doesn’t just share good news and keep the worries to themselves?

Fearful of causing the family to worry, a significant event like He Zhilan’s had happened, yet He Teng, He Zhilan, and even He Dongxue had not breathed a word of it.

"Also, in the next few days, when you’re walking around the village, pay extra attention and see if any strangers have come to the village. If there are..." He Teng said, "If there are, find out what the strangers are here for."

"Our village is far from the county town, and it’s a long walk to get to the town.

Throughout the three hundred and sixty-five days of the year, it’s rare to see strangers enter the village.

" Now, He Da was genuinely worried, "Brother, your return with sister-in-law isn’t just for relaxation, is it?

Otherwise, why would you tell me to watch out for strangers in the village? "

"You are aware of your sister-in-law’s situation; just taking precautions, that’s all." He Teng also thought it was always good to be vigilant, although it seemed like the crisis in the capital had been resolved, but being cautious is always better than being negligent.

"Hmm." He Da half-understood, not fully grasping what exactly He Teng meant regarding He Zhilan’s situation, but he agreed nonetheless.

The two continued to talk about their recent lives in the yard. When they heard the call for dinner from the kitchen, they finally headed inside.

"Second brother, Dad told me that your cooking skills have gotten much better. It’s really unfair of you; I rarely come back, and you don’t even show off your skills?" After serving the dishes on the table, He Zhilan teased He Da.

"How about I show you some skills tomorrow noon?" He Da said, shaking his head with a smile, "If it wasn’t for the fact that big brother’s so fond of you, I’d really think that he was starving you in the army."

"Him~ Hmph, he’s always watching hawkishly what and how much I eat, that Hitler!" After saying that, He Zhilan chuckled when she met He Teng’s gaze, then turned to Father He and said, "So Dad, if I’ve gained weight, it’s all thanks to big brother! He’s been so diligent in taking care of me!"

"Definitely, how can someone your size not gain weight with three meals a day. Just a few months ago, the little piglets Dad caught are now weighing dozens of pounds! They’re growing even faster than you!

" Father He teased heartily, but as a father, seeing He Zhilan finally putting on some weight naturally made him happy, indicating that the young couple was doing well in the army, taking great care of each other.