Widow Remarries in Sixties

True to her word, Jin Xiuzhu brought over a plate of red date cakes to Wang Ling’s place the next evening.

Wang Ling handed her a stack of thick paper, including letter paper, plain paper, and some patterned paper. Wang Ling also asked her, “Do you need fabric? Something happened to one of our recent factory orders; luckily only half was made. We’ve decided to sell the remaining half at a discount for domestic sales. If you want, I can bring you some. It’s all good fabric, specially customized high-end four-piece sets. But I think making clothes out of it would be great.”

Jin Xiuzhu’s interest was piqued. “What kind of patterns?”

“We have all sorts. Solid blue, solid white, and also some with patterns. Buying more won’t lose you money. These fabrics sell for seventy to eighty in department stores in big cities. We’re selling them domestically for ten. If you buy more, I’ll give you a discount. I’m not just saying this; you have two kids, and you can save them for their weddings in a few years. This stuff won’t spoil, it’s really good. I’m even planning to hoard four or five sets myself.”

Since Wang Ling had made the offer, Jin Xiuzhu couldn’t refuse. She counted her money and said, “Alright, bring me a set first. If it’s good, I’ll buy more. I’m a penny-pincher by nature. I’m still a bit unsure about things I haven’t seen or touched.”

Hearing this, Wang Ling didn’t feel that Jin Xiuzhu doubted her. Instead, she thought Jin Xiuzhu was straightforward and said with a smile, “Okay, I’ll bring you a set. Let’s say eight yuan, not making a single extra cent from you.”

“Thank you then, sister-in-law. I want the patterned ones.”

“Sure thing.”

Jin Xiuzhu took the paper back home and was surprised to find that the paper Wang Ling gave her was all good quality. It felt like she had spent quite a bit on it.

Fu Yanyan followed behind her and couldn’t help but ask, “Mom, are you and Aunt Wang Ling good friends now?”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded as she touched the paper. “Of course.”

Fu Yanyan glanced at her.

Jin Xiuzhu turned to look at her and smiled. “Do you know who reported your mom’s job at the cafeteria?”

Fu Yanyan frowned, “Isn’t it Aunt Liu?”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled softly, “It is her, but also not her.”

Fu Yanyan didn’t understand and tilted her head in confusion. Suddenly, she thought of Zhao Yun, whom they had dinner with last night.

Perhaps because of her own pettiness, she never liked Zhao Yun and her daughter. But in her past life, everyone said Zhao Yun was gentle and kind, and Tang Ying was clever and well-behaved. Compared to them, she and Jin Xiuzhu were seen as thieves and jokes.

Jin Xiuzhu explained briefly, “After the incident, who was the first person Liu Hongyue seeked out?”

Zhao Yun.

Fu Yanyan answered in her heart.

Jin Xiuzhu seemed to think of something and sneered, “She didn’t go to anyone else but Zhao Yun. Why? Is it because she trusts her? But compared to Zhao Yun, who she’s known for a shorter time, isn’t your Aunt Wang more reliable?

Or is it because in her heart, Zhao Yun has more responsibility in this matter? Zhao Yun would feel guilty and help her resolve the immediate crisis. Zhao Yun has been here for two or three months and has had some interactions with Liu Hongyue. How could she not know Liu Hongyue’s nature? Isn’t it interesting that she didn’t ask anyone else but went directly to Liu Hongyue?”

With Jin Xiuzhu’s explanation, Fu Yanyan understood.

Indeed, Aunt Wang is Captain Yan’s wife and has a certain authority among the military wives. She’s also easy to get along with. When something happens among the military wives, they usually go to her for mediation. Logically, Liu Hongyue should have gone to Aunt Wang, but she went to Zhao Yun instead.

When people face difficulties, their first reaction is to find someone who can help them. Why did Liu Hongyue think Zhao Yun could help her? Because Zhao Yun is kind and gentle?

No, it’s because Liu Hongyue felt that Zhao Yun owed her. Zhao Yun had to help her, or else Zhao Yun would suffer as well.

And Zhao Yun’s words last night confirmed this. Zhao Yun cleverly involved Aunt Wang, using the dinner to bring the facts to light and downplaying her own influence. Even if Liu Hongyue spoke out later, no one would suspect Zhao Yun of anything.

Following Jin Xiuzhu around every day, Fu Yanyan often listened to her gossiping with Aunt Qian and had become familiar with most of the military wives in the unit.

She also knew what kind of person Liu Hongyue was: petty, jealous, and openly malicious. For instance, she directly went to Captain Qi’s superior to cause trouble at the military academy, and she would also go to people’s homes to argue with them. She wasn’t very smart, and this kind of reporting didn’t seem like something she’d understand unless someone prompted her.

Understanding all this made Fu Yanyan break out in a cold sweat.

She suddenly thought of her past life. Back then, her and Jin Xiuzhu’s reputation in the unit had gotten worse and worse. Whenever they went out, people would point and whisper about them.

Could all of that have been related to Zhao Yun as well?

Jin Xiuzhu saw her daughter looking down in silence and thought she didn’t understand. She reached out and touched her little head, saying, “You’re still young. It’s okay if you don’t understand. Mom is just talking casually.”

If they were still in the Dajing Dynasty, Jin Xiuzhu would have explained these little tricks to her in detail. Life in the inner courtyard for women wasn’t easy. One careless move could cost a life. Just like the former wife of the Marquis, who raised the fourth young lady to be naive and spoiled. When the lady passed away, the fourth young lady became a pitiful girl with no protection and was married off to a widower just as she came of age.

But it’s different here. Yanyan doesn’t have to deal with a bunch of scheming people in the inner courtyard. She can study, go out to work, and live a life with dignity and hope.

When it comes to understanding people’s hearts, it’s enough to grasp the basics and avoid being taken advantage of.

Fu Yanyan softly replied, “Mm.”

She thought that the current Jin Xiuzhu was not to be trifled with either. Jin Xiuzhu saw through Zhao Yun’s tricks and, instead of getting angry and confronting her, deliberately got close to Wang Ling, taking her away from Zhao Yun’s side. This probably made Zhao Yun even angrier than a slap in the face, right?

Thinking of this, she felt that Jin Xiuzhu was quite crafty, but she liked it. Unlike the woman from her past life, who only vented her anger on her children.

As expected, Fu Yanyan was right. In the following days, Jin Xiuzhu and Wang Ling became closer. Sometimes, when Wang Ling and her husband were too busy to come back, Yan Xing would come to the Jiang household for meals.

Not long after, Jiang Mingchuan came back and told Jin Xiuzhu that Liu Hongyue had returned to her hometown.

Jin Xiuzhu was chopping vegetables. Hearing this, she looked up at him in surprise and said, “She went back?”

Jiang Mingchuan rolled up his sleeves to help peel garlic and nodded, “She went back this morning. Someone saw her.”

Jin Xiuzhu frowned, “What about the child?”

“He didn’t go. Qi Min probably wants to keep him close to teach him. The child is still young. With some guidance, he should be able to mend his ways.”

Jin Xiuzhu thought he was wrong. Some children can indeed be taught well, but some are inherently bad.

Moreover, it seemed too late to think about teaching him now. She couldn’t help but say, “What were they doing before? Was the child like this from the start?”

Jiang Mingchuan sighed, “Where was the time to teach? They didn’t follow the military before. It’s only been these past few years.”

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t understand the rules here and simply said, “I don’t care about others, but you must set a good example as a father. I haven’t let you worry about household affairs, but when it comes to raising children, their education and manners, you must take charge.”

Jiang Mingchuan agreed, worried that their children might turn out like Qi Kang in the future.

So, after dinner, Jiang Mingchuan started supervising He Yan’s homework. He also gave his daughter tasks, telling her to sweep the floor and wipe the tables every morning, explaining that their mother worked hard every day and needed her help.

Afraid his daughter wouldn’t know how, he even brought a basin of water and taught her how to wipe properly.

He Yan glanced over distractedly, only to be glared at by Jiang Mingchuan. “Have you finished your homework?”

He Yan shrank back and quickly lowered his head to continue writing.

Meanwhile, Jin Xiuzhu took the crystal dumplings she made that afternoon to Captain Yan’s house.

The door was opened by Yan Xing. When he saw Jin Xiuzhu, the boy’s face lit up with a bright smile. “Aunt Jin, you brought something delicious again?”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled as well. “These are crystal dumplings that Auntie made. Have your mom cook them for you tomorrow morning.”

“That’s great! Please come in.”

Jin Xiuzhu glanced inside. “Is your mom at home?”

Yan Xing took the dumplings from her hands and shook his head. “No, she was called out in a hurry just now, and I don’t know when she’ll be back. I was just about to make dinner.”

“You haven’t eaten yet? Then quickly cook these dumplings and eat them.”

“Okay.”

Yan Xing nodded happily and went to the kitchen to get a bowl for the dumplings. When he returned to the living room, he whispered to Jin Xiuzhu, “I just heard that Qi Kang was beaten up very badly. Uncle Qi isn’t home, and Aunt Liu isn’t either, so my mom went over.”

Jin Xiuzhu raised her eyebrows and couldn’t help but ask, “Who beat him up?”

Yan Xing shook his head. “That I don’t know.”

Jin Xiuzhu returned home with the empty plate, planning to ask Qian Yufeng about it tomorrow.

Unexpectedly, early the next morning, Wang Ling came over to deliver the four-piece set that Jin Xiuzhu had requested. The fabric was indeed good, soft, and firm to the touch, with a pale yellow color adorned with pink lotus flowers and green lotus leaves, looking quite elegant.

Jin Xiuzhu paid the money, and Wang Ling only asked for five yuan. “I just got back and was worried that Xiaoxing hadn’t eaten. Then I saw the note Xiaoxing left on the table and found out he ate the dumplings you sent last night. Thank you so much. I’ll sell this to you as a defective product this time, but next time, I’ll charge the normal price.”

Jin Xiuzhu poured her a glass of water. “Have you eaten yet? There’s some leftovers at home. I’ll stir-fry it for you.”

Wang Ling gulped down the entire glass of water. “Alright, then I won’t stand on ceremony. I haven’t eaten anything since last night.”

She slumped in the chair, speaking with a weak voice.

“Then sit for a while. It’ll be ready soon.”

Jin Xiuzhu went to the kitchen to make fried rice, pouring all the leftovers from breakfast into the pan together. Soon, the kitchen was filled with a delicious aroma.

When she brought the fried rice outside, Wang Ling’s stomach was already growling with hunger.

Wang Ling ate the fried rice in big mouthfuls while Jin Xiuzhu sat opposite her reading a book.

After Wang Ling had eaten half and her hunger was slightly alleviated, she finally looked up and said, “If Old Yan hadn’t gone to the provincial meeting, I really wouldn’t want to deal with this. That child was crying and screaming in pain. The doctor checked him several times and said there were no serious injuries, just needed a few days of rest at home. But the kid just refused to get up, making my life miserable.”

Jin Xiuzhu curiously asked, “What exactly happened?”