Widow Remarries in Sixties

There were several boats docked at the pier. One of them was nearly full. When the boatmen saw them approaching, they quickly called out, “Are you getting on? If you are, we’ll leave immediately.”

Jiang Mingchuan led Jin Xiuzhu onto the boat. After paying, the three of them sat down. The boatman then slowly pushed off with his pole. Most of the people sitting around were visiting relatives, chatting with each other in the local dialect, which Jin Xiuzhu couldn’t understand.

When the boat reached the town, the family of three changed to another boat, which was much smaller and could only accommodate four or five people.

Jiang Mingchuan explained to Jin Xiuzhu, “There are many waterways here, that’s why most people travel by boat when going out. It’s not very convenient for a trip, so you can tell the people at the military supply and marketing cooperative what you want to buy. They can help you bring things when they restock.”

It didn’t matter much to him when he was alone before, but now it was different. He had a family to support.

Thinking about this, he felt as though an extra burden had been placed on his shoulders, but it also gave him a sense of belonging.

After the boat had traveled on the water for about half an hour, it stopped at a rudimentary landing area paved with several large slabs of stone. Jiang Mingchuan first carried the child off the boat, then turned around and lifted Jin Xiuzhu down. He pinched her underarms with both hands and gently lifted her down.

Jin Xiuzhu had become accustomed to all of this by now and could face it without changing her expression, but she still felt a bit embarrassed, so she remained silent on the way.

This side was a mountain road, narrow and winding. But there should have been many people walking on it recently. The snow and yellow mud underfoot were mixed together, creating a muddy mess.

Jiang Mingchuan walked ahead, saying, “We’ll be there soon.”

However, even though he said “soon,” they had walked quite a distance. By the time they arrived, Jin Xiuzhu’s back was covered in a thin layer of sweat.

The young soldier guarding the gate recognized Jiang Mingchuan. After saluting him, he opened the gate for them to enter.

From the outside, nothing seemed extraordinary, but once they stepped inside, Jin Xiuzhu realized it was a hidden paradise. It was spacious, with rows of houses neatly arranged like pieces on a chessboard, surrounded by well-kept greenery.

Everything around, from the grass to the trees, emits orderliness.

She also noticed a long line of people walking past not far away, chanting “one-two-one,” with an impressive momentum.

Jiang Mingchuan led her towards the residential building at the back. The further they went, the more vibrant the atmosphere became. They even saw several women gathered together chatting. When they noticed Jiang Mingchuan and Jin Xiuzhu, they looked at them with curiosity and scrutiny.

Since Jiang Mingchuan didn’t recognize them, he didn’t greet them and went straight to his own residence.

In front of the residential building were two rows of five-story buildings, but they were not yet completed. Only a small number of people had moved in. Behind them were rows of old single-story houses. Jiang Mingchuan’s accommodation was one of the older houses, closer to the foot of the mountain.

Jin Xiuzhu felt increasingly disheartened as they walked, until she saw Jiang Mingchuan stop to open the door. She looked at the dilapidated house in front of her and felt a sense of despair. Didn’t her elder sister “Jin Xiuzhu” say she would have a good life in the city?

It doesn’t look very good either.

Jiang Mingchuan noticed that Jin Xiuzhu wasn’t keeping up and turned his head to glance at her. Sensing her mood, he thought for a moment and explained, “After the family quarters were built two years ago, many families moved in. At that time, I was still living in the dormitory. It was only after I adopted He Yan that I applied for this house. This is the only one left.”

However, he was usually busy, sometimes training for ten days or half a month without returning home. He would leave He Yan next door during those times. He hadn’t lived in this house for long, which was why it looked a bit messy.

He had originally planned to visit his adoptive parents during the Chinese New Year this year, tell them about his intention to get married, and then come back to finalize the wedding date with his sister-in-law. By the latter half of next year, the family quarters should be almost finished, and they could move in directly.

He just didn’t expect this trip to have an accident, and he would also need to apologize to sister-in-law.

However, since he had promised to marry Jin Xiuzhu, he would definitely fulfill his promise.

Jiang Mingchuan asked Jin Xiuzhu and the child to rest for a while, while he picked up a broom at the door to start cleaning.

—

In the yard of the house next door.

Qian Yufeng hurriedly entered carrying a basket of vegetables. Seeing her mother-in-law picking vegetables at the door, she said quickly, “Mom, I heard that Captain Jiang has brought a woman and a child back. Look at their appearance, it doesn’t seem like an ordinary relationship.”

Her maternal family was from a nearby village, so she often visited them. Vegetables were expensive in winter, so she became even more diligent, almost going home every other day. Her sister-in-law wouldn’t say anything, and she would also bring some back to her maternal family when her husband received allowances or something.

Originally, she felt bored recently. Several of her close military wives had all gone back to their hometowns for the New Year, leaving her with no one to talk to. Unexpectedly, she was stopped on the way back and informed about this matter. Her husband and Jiang Mingchuan were good brothers who often interacted, so everyone came to ask her about it.

She didn’t know what was going on. She hadn’t even seen the person yet. Wasn’t Jiang Mingchuan introduced to someone by the team leader’s wife? She had seen that person twice, and she was really beautiful.

Aunt Wu frowned upon hearing this, feeling that she was making a fuss. “Don’t talk nonsense. Captain Jiang is such an upright person. How could he do something inappropriate? There must be a reason.”

Qian Yufeng didn’t care. “What reason could there be? He just brought the person straight home.”

Aunt Wu looked at her suspiciously. If he really brought someone home like that, it was indeed a bit unusual. Who would dare to do such a thing these days? Aren’t they afraid of being drowned in spit?

After some careful thought, she asked cautiously, “Are you sure you didn’t see it wrong? Isn’t she the prospective partner he brought? The two of them are quite close. There’s nothing wrong with having a meal together at home.”

“Oh, if it really was her, I wouldn’t be so surprised. I didn’t see it, but Zhang Zhihua and a few others did. They said that the woman had long hair, dark skin, and looked like she came from the countryside. Jiang Mingchuan was even holding a two or three-year-old girl in his arms.”

Aunt Wu remained silent after hearing this. She remembered that Qian Yufeng had returned with news before, saying that Jiang Mingchuan’s prospective partner had skin as white as tofu, spoke gently, with a bobbed haircut, and didn’t look like someone who had been married or had children. She had scolded her at the time, saying she lacked discretion in her speech, and if someone overheard, it wouldn’t end well.

Qian Yufeng didn’t think much about it. She just felt uneasy. “Wasn’t it agreed that he would come back in half a month? He’s returned now. Shouldn’t we return half of the money?” And the rice and oil she had taken back to her parents’ home.

Before Jiang Mingchuan left, he had left He Yan at their house and gave them a lot of things, very generously.

Aunt Wu’s face darkened upon hearing this. “Don’t keep your eyes fixed on such trivial matters. Captain Jiang has never shortchanged our family. And there’s our Xiao Jun. Back then, when he nearly drowned while playing by the river, it was Captain Jiang who saw and saved him. All things considered, he’s still a benefactor to our family.”

Qian Yufeng dared not retort and remained silent, lowering her head.

Aunt Wu, seeing her like this, became angry. “What others say is their business. Don’t meddle in it. At least, don’t interfere with Captain Jiang’s affairs. You should have some conscience as a person.”

Qian Yufeng murmured softly in rebuttal, “I didn’t say anything.”

Aunt Wu didn’t believe a word of it. When her son wanted to marry her, she wasn’t very happy. She talked too much and was always prying into other people’s business, she had jinxed their family’s blessings by constantly gossiping.

Qian Yufeng was a little afraid of her mother-in-law and tried to salvage the situation. “I’m just worried that the child, He Yan, might suffer. Captain Jiang’s previous prospect was so good, always smiling at everyone, making people like her. I don’t know about this one…”

Seeing her mother-in-law glaring at her, her voice became quieter and quieter, not understanding where she had gone wrong.

Aunt Wu didn’t want to talk to her anymore, waved her hand, and told her to hurry up and leave. Just seeing her made her annoyed.

What kind of brain did she have? Just because someone smiles, they’re considered good people?

Qian Yufeng, feeling embarrassed, carried the basket of vegetables and went to the nearby small kitchen. As soon as she entered, she saw a six or seven-year-old boy wiping the stove with a cloth, standing on tiptoe.

Her face instantly became awkward. She forced a smile and said, “Xiao Yan is here too. Where’s Xiao Jun? Why didn’t you go out to play with him?”

He Yan turned to look at her, shook his head, and obediently said, “Xiao Jun went out with the others. I don’t like playing.”

Aunt Wu outside heard this and sighed inwardly. It wasn’t that he didn’t like to play; it was that this child was too sensible. Clearly, he was two years younger than their Xiao Jun, but he already knew how to help with chores and tasks.

Qian Yufeng didn’t think too much about it. Seeing the boy being well-behaved, she couldn’t help but smile and teasingly said, “You’re going to have a stepmother in the future. Are you happy about that?”

After saying that, she deliberately teased him further, “Your stepmother will have a baby with your dad, then your dad won’t love you anymore.”

Upon hearing this, the old lady outside turned dark with anger and scolded loudly towards the kitchen, “Why are you saying these things to him? You don’t even know what’s going on. You’re just gossiping here.”

She felt that Qian Yufeng had a pig’s brain, blurting out whatever came to her mind.

Qian Yufeng shrunk her shoulders in fear, knowing she had said something wrong again, she quickly tried to make amends with the boy, “Your auntie is just talking nonsense. Don’t mind her.”

He Yan shook his head and squeezed out a smile, “I know.”

Qian Yufeng breathed a sigh of relief, quickly put down the basket, picked up the water bucket, and headed outside.

Outside, Aunt Wu couldn’t be bothered to look at her. She called into the kitchen, “Xiao Yan, don’t listen to your auntie’s nonsense. Your dad is good, even if he gets married, he won’t stop caring you.”

Qian Yufeng pumped water by the well, agreeing as she pumped, “That’s right, your dad loves you very much.”

Aunt Wu relaxed a bit and pulled a stern face, saying to her, “Make a couple more dishes for lunch, I’ll bring them over later with the children.”

Qian Yufeng quickly agreed.

In the kitchen, He Yan lowered his head, his eyes slightly red. He actually understood everything. His biological father had died, his biological mother didn’t want him, his uncle and aunt wouldn’t feed him. If Uncle Jiang didn’t like him anymore, then no one would like him. He was somewhat afraid that Uncle Jiang would marry someone else.

—

Jiang Mingchuan cleaned the house inside and out, it looked somewhat cleaner now, then he went out to buy some daily necessities. On the way, he also got some food from the cafeteria and brought it back, “I have something to do, I’ll bring you dinner when I come back. Take your time eating.”

Without saying much, he put down the things and left.

The house was a bit dark, so Jin Xiuzhu moved a stool and brought the food container to the door to eat.

She took a bite, then fed the child another bite.

The child was also well-behaved, opening her mouth obediently to be fed, not crying or fussing.

Halfway through their meal, Aunt Wu brought He Yan over, holding two bowls of dishes in her hands.

Seeing the mother and daughter squatting at the door eating, Aunt Wu was slightly taken aback but quickly smiled and introduced, “I live next door to you. My son is called Wu Erzhu. He and Captain Jiang are comrades. When I heard some noise over here, I came to take a look and specially cooked two dishes for you to bring over.”

Jin Xiuzhu stood up. Upon hearing that Aunt Wu knew Jiang Mingchuan, a smile appeared on her face. “You’re too kind. Please come in and have a seat.”

Originally, she had thought of calling someone to serve tea and water, but she quickly suppressed the idea and went to fetch a stool herself.

“No, no need. There are still things to do at home. I don’t want to trouble you. I just brought the dishes for you. I was afraid you wouldn’t have anything to eat at noon.”

As she spoke, she placed the dishes on the stool. When she approached, He Yan tightly clutched Aunt Wu’s clothes and followed closely behind.

Fu Yanyan, who was standing by the stool, noticed him and instinctively took a step back, lowering her head and biting her lip hard.

Although Jin Xiuzhu was polite, she wouldn’t truly refuse. Not only did she accept the dishes, but she also deliberately wiped the stools with a cloth and placed them at the door for Aunt Wu to sit. She said helplessly, “We’ve just arrived, and there’s no hot water at home. I apologize for the poor hospitality.”

Aunt Wu’s face softened with a few more smiles. She waved her hand busily, “It’s okay, it’s okay. You two go ahead and eat. The main reason is that this child heard some noise over here and hurried to see his father.”

As she spoke, she pushed He Yan out. He Yan glanced at Jin Xiuzhu and quickly lowered his head.

Aunt Wu still had some pity for this child, so she took the risk of offending others and brought He Yan over to find out more about the situation.

To be honest, she didn’t really have high hopes for the person Jiang Mingchuan had previously shown interest in. It’s not that the person was bad or anything, after all, she hadn’t really seen the person in person, just heard others talk about her.

But everyone said that the woman was good, and they said that after her husband died, her in-laws mistreated her, how pitiful she was. But she managed to secure a job at her husband’s textile factory among all those unpleasant relatives, became a regular employee, and now somehow got connected with the brigade leader’s wife, wanting to introduce the promising young Jiang Mingchuan to her. It just didn’t seem like something an innocent person would do.

Upon hearing this, Jin Xiuzhu looked at He Yan with a smile on her face. “On the way here, Mingchuan told me that this child is sensible and well-behaved, and asked me to take good care of him in the future.”

Then she looked at Aunt Wu and continued, “Seeing that Aunt Wu is so kind-hearted, I’ll say a few more words. My child and I are also unfortunate souls. If it weren’t for Captain Jiang, we, mother and daughter, wouldn’t know how to live in the future. We might trouble Aunt Wu to take care of us more in the future.”

In just a few words, a lot of implications were conveyed. What He Yan heard was that this aunt and her sister were saved by Uncle Jiang just like him, and he inexplicably felt relieved, as if he had found a comrade-in-arms.

As for Aunt Wu, she could tell from these words that this mother and daughter would become relatives with Jiang Mingchuan and He Yan in the future. But she didn’t feel any displeasure upon hearing these words; instead, she felt like they were treating her as family.

In other words, the daughter-in-law’s guess was indeed correct. But seeing that Jin Xiuzhu had already mentioned this much, she couldn’t probe further. All she could do was go along with the conversation. “Your family of four is also destined. Mingchuan and Xiao Yan are both good children. Your days will definitely get better and better.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled and nodded. “Thank you for your kind words.”

After dinner, when they bid farewell to the guests, Jin Xiuzhu let the two children play while she went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Once Jin Xiuzhu left, He Yan relaxed a bit. He looked at the silent Fu Yanyan, thinking she was timid. After some consideration, he took the initiative to speak like a grown-up. “Hello, little sister. My name is He Yan. You can call me brother from now on.”

The silent Fu Yanyan tightened her grip on her own hands. She hadn’t expected to meet him so soon, her nominal brother.