Widow Remarries in Sixties

He Yan’s mouth was stuffed full as he nodded vigorously and then carefully carried the basket out, with Fu Yanyan following behind.

Jin Xiuzhu herself carried the other two plates of zongzi and pastries to the neighboring house.

The neighbor’s house was livelier than theirs. Today was a school holiday, so Wu Xiaojun and Daya were at home. Grandma Wu was quite traditional; she had them clean the house early in the morning while she and Qian Yufeng were busy in the kitchen.

Daya was scrubbing shoes in the yard. Noticing Jin Xiuzhu, who hadn’t been around for a while, Daya, who had become much bolder, lifted her head boldly to greet her, calling out, “Aunt Jin—”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded. “Where’s your mom and grandma?”

Wu Xiaojun was chopping wood in the yard. Even though he was a boy who had been pampered, he still had to work when it was time to work.

Hearing Jin Xiuzhu’s question, he shouted into the kitchen, “Mom, Aunt Jin is here.”

After chopping the wood in his hand, he threw away the axe and approached with a smile, “Auntie, what delicious food did you bring?”

Jin Xiuzhu handed him the pastries, “Try them. They were made fresh this morning.”

Wu Xiaojun didn’t hesitate to take a taste.

Qian Yufeng came out to see them off. After a brief chat with her, Jin Xiuzhu prepared to leave. Grandma Wu brought out two sausages from the kitchen and handed them to Jin Xiuzhu. “These were sent from our hometown. They taste good steamed or fried. Take them back and give them a try.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled, “Thank you. Then, I won’t be polite.”

“Why be polite with our family?”

Qian Yufeng escorted her to the door, and Jin Xiuzhu asked curiously, “Are these sausages sent by Xiao Jun’s uncle?”

If he did, that would be nice.

Qian Yufeng looked disdainful. “Impossible. How could it be? They were sent by my mother-in-law’s younger brother’s family. They want to find a match for their granddaughter. They’re city folks. They used to look down on our family, but now their granddaughter wants to go to the countryside as a sent-down youth, so they’re eager to find out if we know anyone suitable. My mother-in-law also wants to help, but their family looks down on ordinary people.”

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t know what to say and just replied, “Sister-in-law, you can talk about this in front of me, but please don’t mention it in front of Aunt Wu.”

Qian Yufeng smiled, thinking Jin Xiuzhu was looking out for her, “Of course, I’m not that foolish.”

At noon, Jiang Mingchuan came back for a meal and then left. Before leaving, he said to Jin Xiuzhu, “I won’t be back for dinner tonight. Oh, there’s a performance at the auditorium tonight at seven. Do you want to go and see?”

“At seven?”

He Yan glanced at Jin Xiuzhu with bright eyes.

Jin Xiuzhu hesitated, “Let’s talk about it later.”

But she said to He Yan, “After you finish eating, go watch with Xiao Jun. I’ll let your Aunt Qian know.”

He Yan nodded, but his enthusiasm waned.

He still preferred to go with his mother and sister.

However, in the afternoon, Jin Xiuzhu received news that she didn’t need to go to the literacy class tonight. He Yan, upon hearing the news, was the happiest. He immediately ran to the next door to tell Wu Xiaojun that he would sit with his mom and sister tonight, not with him.

Jin Xiuzhu smiled helplessly at the scene. “He’s really just a child.”

Hearing this, Fu Yanyan tilted her head, wondering if she had been too mature in her usual behavior.

At half past six in the evening, Jin Xiuzhu took the two children out. She had learned beforehand that because there were many people, it was best for them to bring their own chairs, as there might not be seats available.

He Yan carried two chairs by himself, showing great enthusiasm.

When they arrived, the front rows were already full, all in military uniforms. At a glance, it was hard to distinguish who was who. The stage was decorated very festively, all in bright red, with people taking photos below.

Jin Xiuzhu came with the Qian family. Qian Yufeng had experience and led Jin Xiuzhu to the right side, then found a seat in the middle towards the back, enthusiastically describing to her, “Usually, there will be singing and dancing. But last year, there were also acrobatics and Huangmei Opera. It was so good to watch.”

Jin Xiuzhu knew about acrobatics. Once she went to a teahouse banquet with the Marquis, and there was a performance of that. She was so engrossed that she forgot to pour tea. It was indeed exciting.

As for Huangmei Opera, she wasn’t familiar with it.

As more and more people arrived, Qian Yufeng even moved the chair closer to Jin Xiuzhu’s side, and the two had to squeeze together to sit comfortably.

Around seven o’clock, a couple in military uniforms took the stage, holding something and speaking loudly into it, their voices echoing throughout the auditorium.

Qian Yufeng explained to Jin Xiuzhu, “This is a microphone.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded in surprise.

After the host delivered an eloquent speech, a middle-aged man was invited to come up and sing. His voice was exceptionally robust.

The songs here were quite different from those in Dajing. Although Jin Xiuzhu wasn’t accustomed to them, she found them amusing.

Next, the literary soldiers performed a dance. Each of them had slender and graceful figures, exciting the young men sitting below, who clapped enthusiastically.

Jin Xiuzhu couldn’t help but comment, “They dance really well.”

Their smiles were as radiant as flowers, making them instantly likable.

“Of course, those who can become literary soldiers are no ordinary people. Just to meet the physical requirements, many people are eliminated. Moreover, most of them will marry well in the future,” Qian Yufeng said, sounding somewhat envious. She glanced at the child in Jin Xiuzhu’s arms. “Our Yanyan is so pretty. I’ll have her join the literary troupe in the future. I heard that many literary soldiers end up marrying the sons of leaders.”

Jin Xiuzhu glanced down at her daughter.

The little one seemed to have heard, her expression somewhat puzzled.

Jin Xiuzhu chuckled at her reaction, patting her head gently. “Don’t think about that too much. Let her decide for herself in the future.”

Qian Yufeng nodded indifferently, thinking that Jin Xiuzhu and her husband spoiled their child too much, unwilling to let her suffer.

If her eldest daughter looked like this, she would have sent her to learn dancing early.

Only Fu Yanyan remembered something. In her past life, Zhao Yun’s daughter, Tang Ying, had become a literary soldier and then met the grandson of a big leader, sparking a thought in her mind.

She suddenly remembered what Jin Xiuzhu had said that night, that she and He Yan had a long future ahead and shouldn’t be affected by trivial matters.

Yes, in this life, she would live the life she liked and wouldn’t be influenced by others anymore.

The evening was lively, especially when the acrobatics performance came on stage. The applause was continuous, and the Huangmei opera was also delightful. When it ended, many people couldn’t help humming along.

The event ended at half past nine.

At the end of the event, Jiang Mingchuan appeared out of nowhere and took Yanyan from Jin Xiuzhu’s arms. With so many people around, Jin Xiuzhu was worried about people stepping on her daughter, so she held her in her arms.

After taking his daughter, Jiang Mingchuan reached out and touched his son’s head. Then he took out a few pieces of chocolate from his pocket. They had been in his pocket for quite a while and were starting to melt.

He handed the chocolate to Jin Xiuzhu first.

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t hesitate either. She awkwardly unwrapped the candy wrapper and looked at the dark chocolate, somewhat uncertain, before glancing at Jiang Mingchuan.

Jiang Mingchuan explained, “This is chocolate, candy from abroad.”

Jin Xiuzhu then bit into it cautiously, furrowing her brow.

It was bitter, with a strange taste, but as she continued to eat, it became fragrant, with a hint of sweetness amidst the bitterness.

She looked at Jiang Mingchuan again. He held his daughter in one arm and unwrapped the chocolate with the other. Yanyan opened her mouth wide and ate it, while his son’s mouth was stained black from eating. Only he hadn’t eaten any.

So Jin Xiuzhu fed him the remaining chocolate in her hand.

Jiang Mingchuan hesitated to eat what she offered. “You eat it yourself. I’ve eaten plenty of these before.”

Jin Xiuzhu found this amusing. It was just candy. What hadn’t she eaten before?

But Jiang Mingchuan didn’t know any of this. To him, this chocolate was the best thing ever.

Ignoring his words, Jin Xiuzhu continued to offer it to him. “But I want you to taste it too.”

Jiang Mingchuan’s heart warmed, so he reluctantly lowered his head and ate it. It tasted the same as the one he had tried as a child, but somehow it seemed even more delicious now.

Qian Yufeng’s family stood nearby, waiting for the others to leave first. Wu Xiaojun’s eyes were fixed on the candy. He tugged on Qian Yufeng’s clothes out of shape, wanting to eat them but feeling too embarrassed to ask.

Qian Yufeng felt awkward and whispered to him, “Your dad also has some at home. Let’s go back and eat.”

Wu Xiaojun pouted, “What if Dad doesn’t have any?”

Qian Yufeng didn’t know how to respond because she was just casually placating her son.

When He Yan heard this, he hesitated, glancing at the candy in his hand. After a moment’s thought, he reluctantly gave some to Wu Xiaojun. “Here, for you, Xiaojun. You can share it with your big sister.”

Wu Xiaojun’s eyes lit up as he immediately took it, asking hesitantly, “Really for me?”

Although he was asking He Yan, his eyes were on Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan.

Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan remained silent. He Yan told him, “You have to share it with your big sister. Otherwise, I won’t give it to you.”

Daya waved her hand quickly, “You guys eat. I’m not hungry.”

Hearing this, Wu Xiaojun hesitated. Coupled with his big sister’s refusal, he quickly said, “She’s not hungry.”

Before He Yan could say anything, Grandma Wu intervened, “Give half to your sister.”

Wu Xiaojun wasn’t afraid of his mom, but he was a bit afraid of his grandma because at home, both Mom and Dad listened to Grandma. He pouted, but still gave half to his sister. He slowly ate the other half and then grinned at He Yan, “It’s really delicious.”

If it were up to him, he wouldn’t want to give any to He Yan, but He Yan generously gave him some. Wu Xiaojun felt both happy and embarrassed.

However, He Yan didn’t think much about it. Compared to the candy, he valued Wu Xiaojun’s friendship more.

His mom expected him to be a gentleman, but he didn’t understand what being a gentleman meant. He just felt that sharing like this was what a gentleman would do.

The two families parted ways at the entrance of the meeting hall. Qian Yufeng and the others had to wait for Wu Erzhu before heading home, while Jin Xiuzhu and the others left first.

Qian Yufeng heard Jin Xiuzhu praise He Yan for knowing how to share and called him a good kid. Jiang Mingchuan also said that sometimes it’s not good to value material things too much; spiritual pursuits are more important.

From far away, you could hear the cheerful laughter of that child Xiao Yan.

Qian Yufeng felt a bit surreal because Xiao Yan had been living with her for almost half a year, but she had never seen the child laugh so happily.

Wu Erzhu soon emerged, walking over with a smile and greeting people along the way. After waving goodbye to someone, he took the stool from Grandma Wu’s hand and asked how they had enjoyed the show.

Wu Xiaojun wasn’t interested in this. He directly asked his dad for candy.

Wu Erzhu was puzzled, “What candy?”

Wu Xiaojun became anxious, “It’s that dark candy. Uncle Jiang has it, Mom said you have it too.”

Wu Erzhu suddenly realized, “Oh, you mean chocolate? That’s what foreigners eat; it doesn’t taste good.”

“How could that be? I just had some, it’s so delicious. Uncle Jiang took some, where’s yours?” He even planned to share a piece with He Yan.

Wu Erzhu shrugged. “With so many people around, how could I take some? Besides, didn’t you already have some?”

Wu Xiaojun wanted to say something, but Wu Erzhu frowned at Qian Yufeng and complained, “Why do you have to tell our son about those things?”

Qian Yufeng felt uncomfortable hearing this, “Do you think I don’t know what kind of person your son is? When he causes trouble, it’s embarrassing. If I don’t say anything, what can I do? Why didn’t you take any? How come Captain Jiang wasn’t embarrassed to take some?”

Wu Erzhu felt wronged. “With so many leaders here today, how could I have the nerve to take it?…”

Seeing that they were about to argue, Grandma Wu spoke up to stop them, “That’s enough. If you have something to argue about, go back and do it. Don’t let others laugh at you outside.”

Wu Erzhu had no choice but to shut up.

Qian Yufeng snorted and turned her head away, feeling aggrieved.

She thought of how Jiang Mingchuan had come over as soon as the performance ended, not only taking the child from Jin Xiuzhu’s arms to lighten her burden but also handing the first piece of candy to Jin Xiuzhu. He hesitated when Jin Xiuzhu fed him, and even wanted to keep it for his wife.

Comparing with her own man, she held two stools in her hands, but he didn’t even notice. He only saw his own mother and didn’t think about giving the two children any candy.

Thinking about being married for over ten years but never receiving a piece of candy from her husband, she suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.

Wu Xiaojun and Daya walked behind. Wu Xiaojun whispered to his sister, “I envy He Yan. His dad really loves him.”

Daya glanced at him without saying anything, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Obviously, the one in the family who was most cherished was him.

In her mind, she recalled the little girl held in Uncle Jiang’s arms, who was thin and pitiful six months ago but now chubby and healthy-looking, wearing a clean and well-fitting little jacket with two small ponytails on her head, showing she was usually pampered.

If only she could have parents like that too…

***

Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan took the two children home. On the way, Jiang Mingchuan mentioned the housing situation. “Today, the leaders asked about this matter. We should be able to move by the end of the month. They’ll arrange a lottery in a few days. Do you want to participate?”

“Where will the lottery be held?”

“I don’t know yet. Let’s see where they arrange it.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded. Before she could say anything else, her daughter, who was being carried by Jiang Mingchuan, suddenly reached out her hand. “I want to participate in the lottery.”

The little girl had a serious expression on her face, as if she were making a major decision.

Seeing this, He Yan quickly raised his hand too. “Then I want to participate too.”

Without hesitation, the little girl responded, “Your luck is too bad. No.”

In the previous life, it was He Yan who drew lots, and in the end, he lived next door to that family. In this life, anyone could draw lots except for He Yan.

Feeling a bit aggrieved, He Yan said, “I haven’t even drawn yet; why do you say my luck is bad?”

Fu Yanyan snorted domineeringly, “I said you can’t, so you can’t.”

He Yan pouted and was about to say something else when Jiang Mingchuan laughed and intervened, “Alright, alright, let’s draw together.”

Only then did He Yan feel satisfied.

Xiao Yanyan clenched her fists and gestured at him menacingly, as if to say, “You dare to draw and you’re dead.”

He Yan was annoyed and muttered under his breath, “Feisty little girl.”

Just then, someone called out from behind, “Captain Jiang—”

The family of four instinctively turned to look, and they saw a man in his thirties or forties wearing a military uniform walking behind a child, and holding a stool in his hand. Upon seeing Jiang Mingchuan turn around, he laughed loudly. “I was worried I might have been mistaken, but it turns out it’s really you.”

No one noticed, but Fu Yanyan tightened her grip on Jiang Mingchuan’s collar.

Jiang Mingchuan smiled at the man and greeted him, “Captain Yang.”

Then he introduced them, “This is Captain Yang, and this is my wife, Jin Xiuzhu, and our two children, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yanyan.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled and greeted him, “Hello.”

“Hello, hello.”

Without Jin Xiuzhu’s reminder, the two children greeted him proactively, “Hello, Uncle.”

“Hello to you both.”

The man smiled and nodded, then lowered his head to call his own child. Standing beside him was a boy of eight or nine years old. Upon hearing this, the boy shrunk behind the man and remained silent.

The man smiled helplessly at the two, “This child is shy.”

Jiang Mingchuan nodded in understanding, “They’re all the same.”

The man seemed to remember something, “By the way, I’m having a celebration in a couple of days. Could you come?”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mingchuan hesitated visibly for a moment. He glanced at Jin Xiuzhu beside him, who pretended to be unaware, smiling faintly. He replied politely, “Congratulations. We’ll see if we have time when the time comes.”

The man nodded, “Alright, we’ll see when the time comes.”

He followed Jiang Mingchuan’s gaze and glanced at Jin Xiuzhu. It was dark outside and difficult to see clearly, but he could vaguely tell that she looked good. Contrary to what he had heard, she didn’t seem old or ugly. He felt relieved and thought Jiang Mingchuan probably wasn’t secretly thinking about Zhao Yun.

After parting ways, Jin Xiuzhu waited for a moment and saw that Jiang Mingchuan didn’t seem to want to explain. She asked proactively, “Who was that just now?”

Jiang Mingchuan paused for a moment but decided to be honest, “It was Captain Yang. Before you, Captain Yan’s lover introduced me to a female worker, and now they’re together.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded, “I see.”

Then she asked with a meaningful tone, “How is that female worker?”