Widow Remarries in Sixties

The day before He Yan’s school started, there was a problem with Jin Xiuzhu’s work in the cafeteria.

It started because someone reported to the higher-ups that Jin Xiuzhu was using the cafeteria’s ingredients without permission and often bringing home cafeteria food to eat.

This matter was really hard to explain. Even if they cooked according to the number of people every day, they would try to make a little more to prevent some people from not having enough to eat or for other reasons. There would definitely be some leftovers.

The leftovers from meals and breakfast were usually eaten by the kitchen staff. Sometimes, when it wasn’t enough, everyone would cook something for themselves. After Jin Xiuzhu arrived, if there were extras, she would take them home, which wasn’t wasteful, and there weren’t actually that many.

Even if the higher-ups knew about it, they wouldn’t say anything. But if this matter were put on the table, Jin Xiuzhu’s actions would be seen as taking advantage of the unit, which would have a very bad impact.

And it would make more military spouses feel resentful. Not only did Jin Xiuzhu have a salary, but she also took the unit’s ingredients. Who knew how much she had taken? It’s no wonder both children were eating so well and getting chubby.

Especially since Jin Xiuzhu often gave away pastries she made herself, many people have seen this happen.

Jin Xiuzhu was recruited by Chef Zhang, and it was Chef Zhang who came to her and said, “Military spouses have a strong reaction to this matter now. You should take a break at home for a while and see how things go after this period.”

Upon hearing this, Jin Xiuzhu couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed, but she quickly adjusted her mindset and said frankly, “Okay, I’ve caused trouble for you. If I can’t come back, then so be it. I can’t let you be in a difficult position.”

After saying this, a conflicted expression appeared on her face, then she continued, “However, after I left the cafeteria, they can’t make the pastries I made. Those recipes are passed down from my family. Technically, they belong to me. I can eat them myself, but I can’t take them outside.”

Although Jin Xiuzhu deliberately avoided people when preparing the recipes, some of the pastries were simple enough that others could almost replicate them just by watching.

She wasn’t the type to be taken advantage of. She could leave, but the cafeteria couldn’t produce the pastries she brought in. What’s the difference between that and beating a dead horse?

Chef Zhang was still worried that Jin Xiuzhu wouldn’t leave. After all, she earned twenty yuan in wages every month. Hearing her words, he breathed a sigh of relief and was also somewhat touched. Jin Xiuzhu’s words showed her concern for him.

Hearing Jin Xiuzhu’s words, he immediately said without hesitation, “Don’t bother making anything. No one can eat your pastries. Just stick to making steamed buns.”

Those who reported Jin Xiuzhu were just being spiteful. During the six months she worked in the cafeteria, she showed more restraint than anyone else. Even if bags of flour were left open in the cafeteria, she never thought of taking any. She always spent her own money to ask someone to help her buy them.

Not to boast, but the pastries Jin Xiuzhu made were once the signature dishes of the shopkeepers during the era of landlords. Didn’t many people come to the kitchen to pack them and give them as gifts during festivals?

Jin Xiuzhu smiled at Chef Zhang and said, “With your words, I can rest assured.”

At noon, when Jiang Mingchuan returned home for lunch, Jin Xiuzhu told him about the incident.

Jiang Mingchuan looked at her, seeing her calm expression, unsure of her thoughts. He could only offer comfort, “If you don’t want to do it, then don’t. It’ll be easier. Waking up early and staying up late every day is quite harmful to the body. My salary is enough to support our family.”

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t seem particularly pleased after hearing this. Instead, she asked, “Can’t we find out who reported it?”

Jiang Mingchuan shook his head. “It was anonymous. We can’t trace it.”

Jin Xiuzhu frowned.

The two children, one on each side, looked at her, sensing the strange atmosphere, but neither spoke up.

Thinking that she was still unwilling to accept it, Jiang Mingchuan tried to reassure her, “I heard that the army will also be opening a school next year. Study hard, and maybe you can be a teacher next year.”

He was just trying to comfort her with these words. Even if she wanted to be a teacher, she would need qualifications. Not to mention someone like Fang Min next door who graduated from college, but at least she would need to have completed junior high.

Jin Xiuzhu also knew he was trying to comfort himself. She understood clearly in her heart that it would be difficult to return to the kitchen area.

Even if she could return, she wouldn’t want to. How could they just drive her away whenever they wanted? She wanted to surprise everyone. Jin Xiuzhu could not only handle the cafeteria work but also other things.

With determination in her eyes, she firmly refused, without hesitation, “No need. I want to write articles and submit them like Fang Min.”

A well-written article could leave a lasting legacy in history. Haven’t you seen the poems in He Yan’s books? They were all written by ancient poets.

“…”

Jiang Mingchuan looked at Jin Xiuzhu, who was excited, with a somewhat complicated expression on his face. He wasn’t sure where Jin Xiuzhu’s confidence came from.

What he didn’t tell her was that Fang Min came from a well-off family. Her grandparents were literary giants, and he had met them a few times when he was young. This was also why, when he took Jin Xiuzhu to Captain Yan’s house for dinner, she took the initiative to help defuse the situation.

But Fang Min had always been quiet since she was a child and didn’t like crowded places. This was also related to her childhood experiences, so even if the two of them bumped into each other outside, they rarely spoke or greeted each other.

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t know about these things, but she firmly believed that if others could do it, she could do it too.

So in the following days, Jin Xiuzhu would occasionally borrow books from Fang Min next door to read. After finishing one, she would earnestly take notes and summarize it.

However, what she wrote always felt like it was missing something. She took her articles to Fang Min, who read them in silence for a while before telling her that their thoughts were still quite different. The background and items in her articles were all from ancient times, and even if there were modern elements, they seemed out of place.

Jin Xiuzhu was not discouraged. She went back and revised her work, but she knew deep down that although she had borrowed someone else’s skill in this place, she was still fundamentally the Jin Xiuzhu from the Dajing Dynasty.

Her perspective and knowledge were stuck in the past, and she didn’t have much understanding of this place. She hadn’t even heard of the foods, customs, and objects mentioned in other people’s books.

Fang Min had also heard about Jin Xiuzhu’s situation.

She wasn’t very good at cooking, and her husband brought her food from the cafeteria every day. Over the past six months, the breakfasts at the cafeteria have been diverse and colorful, and she looked forward to each meal.

The last time she went back to her hometown, her husband had specially ordered some pastries from the cafeteria for her to take back. Everyone in her family praised them and asked where she had bought them. It was the first time her whole family had surrounded her to talk.

Seeing Jin Xiuzhu working so hard, she couldn’t help but feel touched. Others might have been angry, complained, or even given up, but Jin Xiuzhu was thinking of seeking another way.

She rarely interfered in other people’s affairs, but when Jin Xiuzhu came to her again, she couldn’t help but say, “I think instead of writing articles, you could try submitting your drawings. I think you might have a better chance.”

When Jin Xiuzhu heard this, she looked at her somewhat confused, not understanding what she meant.

Fang Min paused, organized her thoughts, and explained, “In addition to accepting articles, newspapers also accept drawings. Many books have illustrations, such as students’ textbooks, newspapers, book covers, and illustrations, etc. There are many good works, but there are very few artists that can be contracted, and from what I know, the prices are not low.”

“I think you have a talent for drawing. Your drawings are lifelike and exquisite. You should give it a try.”

Fang Min’s words were sincere. During this time, Jin Xiuzhu probably felt that she was bothering her too much, so she embroidered a handkerchief for her.

The handkerchief was made of silk, embroidered with a bunch of orchids and her pen name. This was a double-sided embroidery she had heard about from her grandmother, with a pattern on one side and words on the other. It was exquisitely crafted.

Fang Min liked it very much and carefully treasured the handkerchief, only occasionally taking it out to admire.

She even felt that just by taking her embroidery to the textile factory, they might hire her. This skill wasn’t something everyone possessed.

After hearing Fang Min’s words, Jin Xiuzhu fell into contemplation.

She wasn’t inflexible. She had been stubbornly focusing on her creative pursuits, but now, hearing that there were other avenues to get her work published, she quickly asked, “How do I submit my work?”

She decided to follow the advice and give it a try.

Fang Min wasn’t very knowledgeable about these things. “It should be similar to us. Initially, I saw submission information in the newspaper with an address. I’ll give you the address of my current newspaper office. If you don’t like it, you can try other newspapers. There are many out there.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded.

As she left, Fang Min generously gave her a few envelopes and stamps. Afraid that Jin Xiuzhu might refuse, she jokingly said, “In the future, I might have to trouble you with my books.”

Jin Xiuzhu stopped being polite, “If that really happens, I’ll definitely draw the best for you.”

Then she went home excitedly.

So when Jiang Mingchuan came back in the evening, he found Jin Xiuzhu changing her focus back to painting.

One big and one small figure crouched at the door, one painting, the other doing homework, and there was even one sitting opposite them playing with wood. It was a little toy gun made by Jiang Mingchuan for his daughter.

Jiang Mingchuan also had some groceries in his hand.

Seeing him return, Jin Xiuzhu got up to tidy up the drawing paper and went back inside. Dinner was prepared downstairs; all the ingredients were ready because she wasn’t sure when Jiang Mingchuan would return, so she planned to cook when he got back.

Heat water in the pot, then add the tomatoes. Once the water boils and the tomatoes turn red, add the meat and mushrooms. After they’re cooked, add the noodles, salt, and MSG to taste.

Jiang Mingchuan went to the kitchen to help. He put the knife and chopping board in the sink to wash while saying, “Chef Zhang asked me to ask you if you could be flexible and allow the cafeteria to make those pastries for breakfast. Many people have come to him about this.”

After eating lots of delicious food, going back to the plain steamed buns and vegetable buns from before is hard to stomach.

Jin Xiuzhu paused in her noodle-making motion, turned to look at him, and raised an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting the same thing?”

Jiang Mingchuan shook his head. “I’ll follow your lead. Chef Zhang also said to listen to you.”

Jin Xiuzhu snorted coldly. He said he’ll listen to her, but the next time people come directly to her, wanting to negotiate these things, Jin Xiuzhu pretended to be conflicted. “It’s possible, but it’ll cost. These are family recipes passed down through generations. You can’t just use them as you please. Each recipe costs at least twenty yuan.”

Hearing this, Jiang Mingchuan looked at her, unsure if she was joking. But seeing her serious expression, he realized she meant it.

Although Jiang Mingchuan thought it was a bit expensive, he still nodded, preparing to tell Chef Zhang tomorrow.

So the next day, Chef Zhang came with his apprentice personally.

Jin Xiuzhu wrote down the recipes for bean cakes, milk sweet potato cakes, and green bean cakes in front of him. She refused to write down the rest because, even if she didn’t, others would make them. She used to make these pastries openly because she never thought she would leave the cafeteria. Fortunately, she had been making delicious pastries behind people’s backs.

Now, speaking up to sell, Jin Xiuzhu was completely relying on Chef Zhang’s good character.

Chef Zhang was very envious of her crispy abalone and sugar-steamed cheesecake, so he shamelessly asked for the recipe.

Jin Xiuzhu smiled sweetly. “These two are good stuff. No matter how much money you offer, I won’t sell them. I understand that you have it tough, and you should understand me too.”

Zhang the Chef’s face reddened, feeling embarrassed to ask further.

Jin Xiuzhu reassured him. “Don’t worry, you’ll always have your share of these delicacies in the future. But as for others, I won’t care. After all, I still have a grudge in my heart.”

Zhang the Chef nodded thoughtfully. He wouldn’t be so tolerant if he were in her shoes. “Alright.”

Then he readily paid for the recipe and left. With this recipe, he could justify himself.

However, no matter how others followed the recipe later on, they couldn’t replicate Jin Xiuzhu’s taste. Some people even gave away pastries from the cafeteria, but relatives said they weren’t as delicious as before.

Of course, these were all stories for later.

Anyway, after earning a good amount of money, Jin Xiuzhu took her daughter and son to the county town to go shopping that afternoon.

He Yan was about to start school. Initially, Jin Xiuzhu thought he was still young, so she planned to let him adapt for a semester and repeat first grade next year. However, despite starting half a year late, his grades were excellent, so he was prepared to directly enter second grade.

Jin Xiuzhu bought him a Hero fountain pen and a bottle of ink for five yuan. She also bought four notebooks and five pencils. In addition, she bought a pair of green rubber-soled shoes for both of her children.

For herself, she bought over a dozen pencils, several brushes, white paper, rice paper, ink, and envelopes.