Everyone was the same now. Thinking like that made it easier to accept.
As more and more families returned to the village, the place slowly became lively again.
This day, Floyd was directing water from the creek into the fields when he saw Old Liu, Dahai, and Aunt Liu entering the village.
It had been months since they left, and their clothes were all shabby.
Aunt Liu, in particular, looked much older.
Old Liu appeared to have aged several years, his back hunched.
Dahai's eyes were dull, and he looked listless.
The family's clothes were full of patches.
Floyd feared Old Liu might cause trouble for Gianna and the kids.
He quickly returned home.
As he reached his door, he saw Old Liu knocking.
"Floyd, please, just give us something to eat!" Old Liu cried out.
He was starving. If it weren't for his determination, he'd have died out there.
Floyd's face darkened, and he stormed to the door. "What are you causing trouble for?!"
Old Liu's family shivered in fear.
Old Liu began crying, "Floyd, please, help us! I was wrong, I shouldn't have treated you like that."
They say you only appreciate what you have after losing it.
He never understood this saying before.
But after going out and experiencing the world's harshness, he finally understood what family love meant.
He realized that Floyd had truly been kind to him.
Out there, no one would spoil him.
For a simple bun, they would beat them.
Dahai looked sickly, his face pale from hunger. These past months had been difficult. When they left, they had hoped for a better life, but along the way, they met refugees who would kill for a morsel of food.
Their food was stolen, and if it weren't for what happened later...
Dahai couldn't bring himself to think about it, his head hanging low, unable to even look Floyd in the eye. "Floyd, as brothers, could you spare us some food? I promise we will never cause you trouble again."
Floyd gave him a cold glance. "You think you can get food from me? Don't you still have a house? You can exchange that house for food."
He was referring to the old house of Old Liu, the place where the Liu family once lived. It was a bit run down.
He would never soften his heart for Old Liu's family again.
It was his softness before that caused all the conflicts with the whole village.
Old Liu looked at Floyd in disbelief.
He was this miserable, and Floyd still wouldn't help him.
Furious, he pointed at Floyd and cursed, "Have you lost your mind? At a time like this, you're still thinking about my house! Without land, how will we live in the future? You're trying to drive us to our death!"
Old Liu's return attracted attention.
When he argued with Floyd, several returning families came to watch.
Floyd didn't care about what others thought of him.
No matter how good he was, people would still find fault with him.
Since that's the case, he might as well do as he pleased.
He glanced indifferently at Old Liu. "Don't speak nonsense. Am I really pushing your family to the edge? I'm giving you a way out. If you go ask around, you'll find out just how merciful I am. No wealthy person will come to buy your house here in the remote village."
Floyd paused and then sneered, "Go ahead, ask around if anyone is willing to trade food for your house. Once you've done that, then decide."
"But I'm still your uncle. That's something that will never change," Old Liu said arrogantly.
The scene had already attracted quite a crowd, and the more people looked on, the more embarrassed Old Liu became.
He had no choice but to keep a straight face.
---
Floyd's face became more and more mocking. "You know you're my uncle? Looking at you so confidently, anyone who doesn't know would think you're my dad! You want food? Trade it for your house."
He had already planned it. Getting the house would make him feel much better.
After saying that, Floyd looked at the people in the village who were watching.
He loudly said, "I, Floyd, after seeing clearly what kind of people you are, swore to never put up with you again."
Gianna and the three kids were eavesdropping behind the door.
Dennis's eyes were shining as he looked at the door.
His dad was amazing today.
What he said made him feel like his dad was no longer as weak as before.
Before, his dad was so weak! Whatever others said, that's what he did. When others scolded him, he didn't even reply.
It seemed like his mom started getting tough, and then his dad began changing too!
But with this kind of dad, he wasn't scared at all. He thought this dad was great.
Xeno clapped his hands. "Dad is so amazing!"
Gianna helplessly looked at the three kids.
Nori didn't say anything, but the admiration in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
She opened the door and gently said, "Hubby, you've been busy all morning. You must be hungry. I made some noodles."
She didn't actually cook noodles. She had plenty of them in her space, but right now, she couldn't take them out in this house.
However, the porridge made with grains was ready.
She always carefully added some compressed cookies to the porridge.
And it worked. After the first time when Floyd asked why it tasted a little sweet, everyone got used to it.
Floyd knew Gianna did it on purpose.
While closing the door, he said, "Didn't I tell you not to cook noodles? Save them for the New Year."
Gianna covered her mouth and quietly laughed.
She cleared her throat and said seriously, "Our life will get better and better from now on. We won't eat noodles for New Year. We'll eat fish and meat!"
This really annoyed people.
Uncle Lao outside the door shivered.
Aunt Liu didn't dare to say anything and could only shrink her neck, looking at Uncle Lao for help.
Her stomach made a growling sound.
Uncle Lao looked helplessly at the villagers watching.
But everyone avoided his gaze and no one was willing to help him.
Uncle Lao forced a smile.
"Let's go back first."
Standing in the corner, Dahai sighed.
After thinking for a while, he went back home and got three grain cakes, then found Uncle Lao.
Uncle Lao was extremely grateful.
"Big brother, you're the best!"