Widow Remarries in Sixties

Jiang Mingchuan scheduled the banquet for noon. Originally, he planned to hold it in the cafeteria, but considering the clash with mealtime, it would be inconvenient with people coming and going. Therefore, he decided to host it at home.

Fortunately, the sun was shining brightly today, so eating outside wouldn’t feel cold.

Early in the morning, he and He Yan swept the courtyard and the snow at the gate until it was spotless. Then, they went to the cafeteria to bring back the pre-ordered vegetables. Aunt Wu and Qian Yufeng from next door came early to help. Wu Erzhu brought two people to carry tables, chairs, and tableware, all borrowed.

Around nine in the morning, the head chef from the cafeteria arrived with a basket of seasonings and busied himself in the kitchen.

After Jin Xiuzhu had tidied up herself and the two children in the room, she also came out to help.

She knew that things were different here from the Dajing Dynasty, where there weren’t so many formalities, so she adapted quickly.

Aunt Wu said she was the new bride today and didn’t need to burden herself so much, so she pulled her aside to pick some vegetables together.

Aunt Wu spoke gently, “Mingchuan is a good boy. Although he’s twenty-eight now, there are many things he doesn’t understand, and no one has taught him. He always likes to sacrifice himself for others.”

Jin Xiuzhu turned to look at her.

Aunt Wu seemed to recall something and sighed, “This child likes to keep everything to himself, even when he’s wronged. I don’t know if he’s told you, but both his parents died in the war. His father was from the same village as me. When he was young, his family was poor. After everyone in the family starved to death, he went out to beg for food and never came back.

Later, we found out he had joined the army. His mother’s family used to be wealthy merchants. I heard they owned a street in X Province. She studied abroad in Country Y when she was young and then returned to work in a hospital run by foreigners. She secretly passed on information and saved many people. Both of them were great heroes, but unfortunately, neither of them survived.”

“What happened next?”

“At that time, Mingchuan should have been around the same age as He Yan is now. After we were liberated, he was adopted by his father’s comrade-in-arms.”

At this point, Aunt Wu’s expression turned somewhat cold, “Some things are hard to say, but this child has always been good. Like his parents, smart and capable. Actually, he knows a lot of things in his heart, but he just doesn’t say them out loud.”

Jin Xiuzhu understood. Jiang Mingchuan’s foster parents probably hadn’t treated him well.

Suddenly, Aunt Wu remembered something. “Oh, he also has a younger sister.”

Jin Xiuzhu turned her head to look at her. Aunt Wu’s eyes softened a bit. “I haven’t seen that child. When their mother passed away, she was just born. Her mother probably sensed something and found a family for her in advance. She’s in S Province now. Mingchuan visits her every year. You’ll know more later. I heard she’s in university now, a very bright girl.”

“That’s good,” Jin Xiuzhu smiled.

Aunt Wu also smiled. “Yes, things are good now. Wait a couple more years, and you two can have another child. This house will be even livelier.”

Jin Xiuzhu’s eyes lit up. Yes, she could have her own child in this lifetime.

She not only felt no shame but was also very excited, eager to have a child now.

Aunt Wu sensed Jin Xiuzhu’s eagerness and couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking she was very fond of Jiang Mingchuan. Well, it’s good for the two of them to be harmonious. Their days will only get better.

Before noon arrived, people started to arrive one after another. Some were in military uniforms, while others brought their families. Soon, the yard was filled with people.

After everyone had arrived, the food was served without much ceremony. They sat down and ate. Jiang Mingchuan had just pulled the head chef to the main table when he was teased by someone.

He had to stand up, and Jin Xiuzhu quickly stood up too, which caused laughter among the guests.

Initially, Jin Xiuzhu, who was quite composed, couldn’t help but blush.

Jiang Mingchuan pressed his hand down. “Don’t laugh. She’s not familiar with this. Let me say a few words. First, let me introduce everyone. This is Jin Xiuzhu. From today onwards, she’s my, Jiang Mingchuan’s, wife. And these are our two children, Xiaoyan and Yanyan. I’m very happy that everyone could come to our banquet. I won’t say anything formal. I just hope everyone enjoys the food and drink today, and may good luck be with us in the future. Here’s a toast to everyone. Thank you.”

With that, he raised his tea cup and finished it in one gulp.

“Cheers!”

Someone cheered, and then everyone applauded enthusiastically.

Jiang Mingchuan sat back down with Jin Xiuzhu, and she refilled his cup with tea.

Captain Yan, who was sitting at the head of the table, stood up voluntarily and smiled, “Today is a good day. Let me say a few words too. First of all, I’m very happy to see this new couple. Jiang has been here for three years. He’s a very outstanding young man, and Jin is also very excellent. It’s fate that brought you two together…”

Seeing that he was about to go on endlessly, Wang Ling, who was sitting next to him, couldn’t help but tug at his clothes.

Colonel Yan ungraciously pulled back his own clothes and lowered his head toward Wang Ling. “I’m not done yet.”

Then he continued, “On behalf of everyone, I congratulate you, the new couple. I hope you two can move forward hand in hand and be of one heart. I also hope that in the years to come, no matter what difficulties you encounter, you will remember this moment and stay firm…”

Awkwardly, Wang Ling smiled.

Jin Xiuzhu couldn’t help but smile.

After Captain Yan finished speaking, everyone started eating.

After eating for a while, Jiang Mingchuan got up with Jin Xiuzhu to offer tea to each person. Jin Xiuzhu had already thought about what she wanted to say in her mind, but she didn’t need to speak at all. Whenever someone wanted to ask her something, Jiang Mingchuan would intercept and handle it for her. She only needed to smile.

After offering the tea, they returned to their seats to eat. Although there were only eight dishes, each dish filled a large plate. Midway through the meal, the rice in the pot was replenished, and each person was given a large bowl of rice.

They continued eating until half past one in the afternoon, and people slowly started leaving. Jin Xiuzhu took out the melon seeds and candies she bought yesterday and asked Jiang Mingchuan to take them to the entrance of the yard to give each departing guest a handful.

Jiang Mingchuan did as asked.

Jin Xiuzhu turned back to tidy up the bowls and chopsticks. Aunt Wu and Qian Yufeng were still helping while the head chef had finished cleaning up and was preparing to leave.

Jin Xiuzhu quickly asked him to wait and then went inside to bring out the longfeng golden cake she had specially made this morning. She didn’t make many longfeng golden cakes, as she didn’t intend to give them to too many people.

“This is a snack I made myself. I couldn’t bear the thought of making you go out of your way today. Mingchuan told me that you always take good care of him. You must accept this token of appreciation.”

Chef Zhang smiled and rubbed his chin, “What’s the big deal? I just like this kid, Jiang.”

JJin Xiuzhu unceremoniously stuffed a plate of pastries into the basket held by his apprentice.

The apprentice looked at his master, unsure if he should accept.

Chef Zhang laughed, “Take it, it’s your sister-in-law’s good intentions.”

The apprentice didn’t refuse, his mouth widening into a grin. He knew that when he got back, his master would definitely share half with him.

Qian Yufeng, not far away, saw this scene, her eyes gleaming. Aunt Wu beside her gave her a stern look and whispered, “Put away your scheming.”

Qian Yufeng shrunk her neck. Couldn’t she even think about it quietly in her mind?

But Jin Xiuzhu didn’t disappoint her. When their family was leaving, she also took out a plate of longfeng golden cakes and gave them to her. Qian Yufeng had wanted to be polite, but her son had already reached out and grabbed a piece, putting it in his mouth happily, “Auntie, it’s so delicious.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled, “If you like it, eat more. Auntie will make some for you next time.”

Wu Xiaojun hadn’t even had a chance to be happy when his grandmother interrupted him, “Don’t spoil him. This child will become too arrogant.”

Jin Xiuzhu chuckled at the remark.

In the afternoon, after finishing up, Jin Xiuzhu was in the house, trimming the unfinished fabric while tending to the fire. Jiang Mingchuan had brought back a brazier from outside, filled it with charcoal, and placed two sweet potatoes inside. It didn’t take long for the aroma to spread.

Jiang Mingchuan was also at home. He had cleaned up another small room. He felt that He Yan was getting older, and it wasn’t good for them to keep sleeping on the same bed every day. Originally, they planned to let their daughter continue to sleep with them for another two years before separating, but unexpectedly, the little guy insisted on sleeping alone.

Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan had never raised children before and didn’t understand much about it, so they went along with their wishes.

Jiang Mingchuan brought the bunk bed from his previous dormitory, sawed it in half from the middle, smoothed it out, and placed it in the small room, one on each side, with a curtain hung in the middle to separate them.

He had someone bring over everything that hadn’t been moved from the dormitory before, including several old quilts, which were neatly laid on the small beds.

He remembered what Jin Xiuzhu had said about He Yan going to school, so Jiang Mingchuan went out again and brought in an old table. After cleaning it up, he placed it in the small room.

But he still wasn’t entirely satisfied. He fetched a pile of newspapers and pasted them on the walls.

The two children held the roasted sweet potatoes, eating while watching him set up. He Yan looked at his own little bed, couldn’t help but keep reaching out to touch it, and asked Fu Yanyan, “Sister, which one do you want?”

Fu Yanyan couldn’t be bothered to answer him, “Whatever.”

He Yan didn’t get upset either, “Then I’ll take the one near the door. It’s colder by the entrance, and it might get chilly.”

Fu Yanyan glanced at him and remained silent.

Jin Xiuzhu also came over out of curiosity, “Is it okay for two children to sleep in the same room?”

Jiang Mingchuan didn’t catch her meaning and thought she was worried because the children were still young. “It’s fine. I slept alone when I was very young. You’ll get used to it.”

He Yan quickly added, “I’ll take care of my sister.”

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t say anything further.

When no one was around, He Yan whispered to Fu Yanyan, “Don’t worry, sister. Big brother will protect you. We won’t sleep with Mom and Dad anymore because Mom and Dad are going to have a little brother for us.”

He only dared to call out “dad” and “mom” when no one else was around.

Fu Yanyan: “…”

He actually knows quite a lot.

However, the four of them still slept together on one bed at night. Jin Xiuzhu felt that the quilt was a bit thin. They would wait until the new quilt was ready before sleeping in separate rooms.

The day before the Lantern Festival, He Yan went to school. There was no school in the army, so he had to go to the village to attend classes.

He Yan was considered a transfer student, but the whole family valued his education. Jin Xiuzhu even went next door to ask if they needed to prepare anything. In Dajing Dynasty, they needed to prepare a gift for the teacher.

Qian Yufeng said that all he needed was a school bag and a lunchbox.

Jin Xiuzhu spent the whole afternoon sewing a school bag, and then used the enamel lunchbox provided by the army. The whole family got up early on the first day, and Wu Xiaojun even came over to pick him up.

Wearing a new padded jacket, He Yan left energetically.

Jin Xiuzhu reminded him at the door, “Pay attention in class and teach me and your sister when you come back.”

He Yan nodded vigorously.

In the evening, when Jiang Mingchuan came back, he saw his son teaching Jin Xiuzhu and his daughter for real. Jin Xiuzhu was learning very seriously, even pointing at the words behind the book. He Yan shook his head, saying he didn’t know; the teacher hadn’t taught that part yet.

The textbooks were newly issued today but looks old. They are obviously used by previous students.

Jiang Mingchuan asked him how his first day at school went.

He Yan looked hesitant, “I started half a semester later than them, so there are some things I can’t keep up with.”

Jiang Mingchuan asked, “What things?”

He Yan looked up at him, “Pinyin and counting. They can count up to one hundred and recognize pinyin.”

Jiang Mingchuan said, “Let’s have dinner first. I’ll teach you later.”

After dinner, Jiang Mingchuan took out pen and paper and wrote down pinyin and numbers, teaching them one by one. He Yan sat beside him, reading attentively.

Jin Xiuzhu lowered her head to work on the clothes, occasionally peeking up and softly murmuring to herself.

Under the gentle light, everyone’s faces seemed to glow.

Fu Yanyan was lying on the table, one hand propping up her chin and the other holding the little tiger plush toy Jin Xiuzhu made for her. Occasionally, she glanced up, and her calm eyes sparkled a bit more.

As the night grew late and the two children fell asleep, Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan returned to their room and lay down on the bed. It was the first time they shared a bed.

Both seemed a bit nervous, unable to hear each other’s breathing.

Jin Xiuzhu pulled the blanket up high, her heart thumping rapidly. Her mind couldn’t help but conjure up many scenarios, and as she thought more and more, her whole body heated up. She stared wide-eyed at the dark ceiling, quietly waiting for something.

But after waiting for a long time, she didn’t feel any movement from beside her. Jin Xiuzhu bit her lip, then turned her head to look beside her. She saw the man lying there motionless, like a piece of wood.

With thoughts of having her own child, she hesitated for a moment before reaching out to him. As her hand touched him, the man’s body stiffened instantly, becoming tense.

Seeing that he still didn’t move, Jin Xiuzhu simply shifted her entire body closer to him, then leaned on him and kissed his burning ear.

Author’s Note:

Jin Xiuzhu: I want a child.
Jiang Mingchuan: Who can handle this?
He Yan: Little brother, little sister, come quickly.
Fu Yanyan: The pressure is overwhelming.

The female lead still has some feudal thoughts at the moment but will change later on.