WRS – Chapter 49

Ji Ling came in carrying a large bag of things and explained, “I’ve been attending training nearby recently. After it ended, I took a few days off to go home. When I called my sister, she said Mom was here, so I came over.”

Fang Min invited him to sit down.

In the living room, Zhu Ying felt her anxious heart finally settle when she saw her son. She quickly said, “Your sister called this morning. She said both of the kids are sick, and Zai Min’s hurt too. She can’t take care of them and asked me to go back for a while.”

Ji Ling’s expression turned serious. “Are you leaving now? I’ll go with you.”

Zhu Ying hesitated for a moment before nodding. It wasn’t easy for her son to come here, and he probably hadn’t rested much on the way. But when she thought of her daughter, she agreed.

“You carry this bag. I’ll go next door to let them know. That Jin girl next door has been taking good care of me lately.”

Fang Min saw that Ji Ling had just arrived and was already about to leave. She felt torn — she wanted to ask him to stay, but was worried An’an’s situation couldn’t wait. So she looked at her husband, then hesitated before asking, “How about you eat before you go?”

Zhu Ying looked at her son.

Ji Ling crouched down, unzipped his bag, and took out the snacks and candies he had bought on the way as gifts. Then he zipped it back up and picked up the bag his mother had packed. “No need, Auntie. There’s food in the bag — I’m not hungry.”

Then he turned to Commissar Zhu and said, “Uncle, I’ll visit you next time.”

Commissar Zhu walked him out. “You’re welcome anytime. An’an’s side is more important right now.”

Zhu Ying took Fang Min’s hand. “I’ll try to come back soon. Take care of yourself while I’m gone. Don’t tire yourself out — let brother handle things if anything comes up.”

“Okay.” Fang Min was reluctant to see them go. “Big Sister, you and Ji Ling be careful on the road.”

Zhu Ying smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m fine as long as Xiao Ling’s with me.”

Hearing that, Fang Min finally relaxed a bit.

Commissar Zhu took one of the bags from his nephew and walked them toward the army compound gate.

As they stepped outside, Zhu Ying knocked on the door next door. It was opened by Jin Xiuzhu. Seeing Zhu Ying’s anxious face, she couldn’t help asking, “What’s wrong, Big Sister?”

Zhu Ying briefly explained what was going on at home, then added, “Just wanted to let you know — I don’t know when I’ll be back. You’ve stabilized now, but still, be careful. Don’t eat anything raw or cold, and don’t sit around drawing all day. Get up and walk once in a while.”

Jin Xiuzhu felt touched. “Alright. Take it easy on the road.”

Zhu Ying waved her hand with a soft “Mm.”

Jin Xiuzhu watched them go downstairs. She noticed two people in camouflage uniforms walking ahead of Zhu Ying but didn’t think much of it. Once they were out of sight, she went to tell Fang Min before closing the door.

Back in the living room, Jin Xiuzhu suddenly remembered the pastries she had just made that morning. She quickly wrapped two packets in oiled paper, then called out to the girl doing homework in the other room. “Jingzhi, come out for a moment.”

Bai Jingzhi came running out with quick little steps. “What’s up, Sister-in-law?”

Jin Xiuzhu said, “Big Sister Zhu has some family trouble and just left in a hurry. You go and give her these — she should still be nearby.”

Bai Jingzhi didn’t hesitate. She nodded and said, “Okay.”

She took the two packets of pastries from Jin Xiuzhu’s hands and ran out quickly.

Zhu Ying and the others were walking fast. By the time Bai Jingzhi caught up, they were already near the cafeteria.

Bai Jingzhi called out, “Auntie! Auntie—!”

Hearing the familiar voice, Zhu Ying turned instinctively and saw Bai Jingzhi running toward her. The girl must have run hard — her fair little face was flushed pink, and her hair was slightly messy.

Panting lightly, Bai Jingzhi said, “My sister-in-law made these this morning. She said you should take them and eat on the road.”

She handed over the oiled paper packets as she spoke.

Zhu Ying’s heart softened. “Oh my, you didn’t have to bring so much.”

Bai Jingzhi smiled, lips curving sweetly. “There’s still plenty at home.”

Zhu Ying was in a rush, so she didn’t insist. “Alright then, I’ll take them.”

She accepted the packets and waved for Bai Jingzhi to go back and study, knowing the girl always read a lot and didn’t want to delay her.

Ji Ling, walking ahead, glanced back at them briefly, then looked away.

After they had gone a bit further, Zhu Ying suddenly remembered something. She let out an “Oh!” and jogged a few steps to catch up to her son, lowering her voice as she said, “Did you see that girl just now? Mom really likes her. She’s the younger sister of the couple next door — pretty, smart, a university student too. I was thinking of having your uncle ask around, and if it’s suitable, maybe we could match you two up.”

At that, Ji Ling immediately frowned and said, “Don’t mess around. She’s still in school. What are you talking about matchmaking for?”

Seeing her son’s serious face made Zhu Ying a little guilty, and her voice softened. “I just don’t want someone else to snatch her away. A few days ago, people were already asking about her. You know what they say — a good girl has many suitors. If we don’t act fast and someone else takes her, what then?”

“You can’t just do things like that. We’re neighbors, and you all know each other. You came here to help Uncle, not to make things awkward for his family. I know you worry about me, but I can handle my own matters. You don’t have to run around meddling. I don’t like it.”

Hearing that, Zhu Ying’s spirit deflated immediately. When he said he “didn’t like it,” she thought he meant he didn’t like Bai Jingzhi. Her expression turned a bit troubled, and she muttered softly, “She’s such a beautiful and outstanding girl, and you don’t even like her. Then who do you like?”

Ji Ling heard her, realizing she misunderstood, but he only pressed his lips together and didn’t explain.

He just said, “Our families get along well. What you’re doing will only make things awkward. I already told you before — be mindful of what you do, and don’t make a fuss.”

“I—”

Commissar Zhu, who had been listening nearby, quickly stepped in. “Xiao Ling, that’s no way to talk to your mother.”

Ji Ling turned his head aside and fell silent.

Zhu Ying looked at her son, feeling a little wronged, then glanced at her brother.

Commissar Zhu comforted her, saying, “It’s alright. Family isn’t trouble. And you haven’t even said anything to anyone yet.”

He knew very well that back then their family had been poor, her husband’s health was bad, and his sister had held the whole household together. Her children had suffered a lot growing up — especially Ji Ling, who had always been mature and self-reliant, afraid of burdening others. Even with his own uncle, he hated owing favors.

Ji Ling gave a soft hum in reply.

Zhu Ying finally felt a weight lift off her chest. She had always felt she owed this son too much. When she was young and being bullied by relatives, he secretly stood up for her. She didn’t know and thought he was out fighting, so she beat him with a stick in anger. Even when it hurt, he never tried to explain himself. It wasn’t until later, when her daughter told her the truth, that she realized what he had done for her.

After that, he started helping her with work and supporting the family, taking on every burden she had carried. All these years, if not for her son, she could never have held on.

Seeing that her son wasn’t angry anymore, she coaxed him carefully, “Mom won’t say anything else. I promise I won’t interfere anymore, alright? Don’t be angry. From now on, I’ll listen to you.”

Ji Ling gave her a helpless look. “You say that every time.”

Zhu Ying quickly replied, “This time I really mean it! Even if you never get married, I won’t nag you anymore.”

What was the point of talking about marriage anyway? Her son didn’t even take a liking to Jingzhi. Before, she thought that other woman’s younger brother had high standards, but now she realized her own son’s standards were even higher. She truly didn’t think she could find anyone better.

Ji Ling’s tone softened, but he still said, “When we get back, let your daughter scold you.”

Zhu Ying winced as soon as she heard that.

Her son was softhearted and easy to coax, but Ji An — that girl had a fiery temper. Who knew what she’d say once they got home?

Before coming here, her youngest daughter had warned her over and over not to stir up trouble.

Commissar Zhu, watching from the side, found it funny. His elder sister had been hot-tempered when she was young, but who would’ve thought both her children would grow up even more short-tempered than she was.

He walked them to the door and said, “Alright, don’t be upset anymore. I’ll see you off here. Be careful on the way back.”

As he spoke, he pulled some money from his pocket and, while Zhu Ying wasn’t looking, slipped it into her coat pocket.

When she realized, Zhu Ying tried to take it out, but Commissar Zhu held her pocket closed. “Take it. Buy something good for the two kids. Once An’an’s situation gets better, you’ll probably have to come back again.”

Ji Ling nodded at his uncle upon hearing that, then turned to his mother. “Let’s go.”

Zhu Ying didn’t refuse anymore. “Alright. Take good care of Fang Min, I’ll come back later.”

“Okay.”

After they had walked some distance, Zhu Ying reached into her pocket and pulled out the money and ration coupons. Seeing there was over a hundred yuan, she clicked her tongue. “Why did your uncle give us so much?”

Ji Ling didn’t look surprised. “When we come back next time, buy some good things for them.”

Zhu Ying sighed. “It’s still too much. The two of them have everything they could want — it’s me who’s been eating well since I came here. The neighbor is pregnant, a few months later than your aunt. Her husband was injured, so I helped look after her a bit. She’s such a sweet girl — whenever she makes something delicious, she always brings me a share. Those pastries she makes are even better than the ones you buy from the department store.”

Every New Year, even if her son didn’t come home, he would still go to the department store or the supply co-op to buy pastries and candies to mail back. When they were young, the family was poor and could never afford such treats — An’an even once picked up sweets dropped by someone else. Ji Ling still remembered that to this day.

“That whole family is really kind, and that Jingzhi girl too. Whenever I’m cooking, she helps me out — she’s so thoughtful, and she talks so nicely too.”

As she spoke, she snuck a glance at her son. Seeing no change in his expression, she immediately shut her mouth, afraid she might say something to upset him again.

She feared no one — except her two children.

Ji Ling’s mind drifted to the girl he had just seen. Pushing down a vague, unfamiliar emotion, he said in a low voice, “Let’s go.”

He had no intention of relenting. He knew he wasn’t good enough for someone like her. Though his uncle was now a commissar, that was his uncle’s status, not his. He was just a poor boy from the countryside, while that girl was clearly from a well-bred city family.

His mother might not see reality, but he did.

Zhu Ying obediently murmured, “Oh.”

——

When Bai Jingzhi got home, she told Jin Xiuzhu that she had delivered the pastries.

Jin Xiuzhu nodded and told her to go back to her room and keep reading.

Once the girl had gone, Jin Xiuzhu hesitated before turning to Jiang Mingchuan. “I was actually worried that Sister Zhu might bring up her son. I could have refused Aunt Wang’s proposal easily, but with her, I wouldn’t know what to say.”

These days, Sister Zhu had been a big help to their family.

Jiang Mingchuan had also heard from his wife that Zhu Ying often talked about her son, sounding like she was quite fond of pairing him with Jingzhi.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “If she really brings it up, just say they can get to know each other first. Even if it doesn’t work out, we shouldn’t hurt the relationship between our families.”

Then he added, “If the young man’s really motivated, that’s not a bad thing.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded — that was exactly what she thought too.

Jingzhi would have to marry someday. The earlier they started looking, the better the chance she’d find a good match. Otherwise, if they waited too long, she might only have leftovers to choose from. Like that man Aunt Wang tried to introduce — she really couldn’t stand him.

Still, it wasn’t something she could say outright, or it would sound like she couldn’t tolerate her sister-in-law. It was better if Jiang Mingchuan thought of it himself.

But Jin Xiuzhu had it wrong — when Zhu Ying returned from her hometown later, it was as if she had completely forgotten the matter and never mentioned it again. But that would be a story for another time.

After Zhu Ying left, Bai Jingzhi and He Yan took on the chores of cooking and grocery shopping, while washing the dishes was Jiang Mingchuan’s job.

Although he was still a bit clumsy, he was getting better at it and could manage to get them clean.

At first, Bai Jingzhi felt bad for her brother, but her sister-in-law told her, “Our family doesn’t raise idle people. You should trust your brother.”

Then, seeing her four-year-old niece wiping the table with a rag, Bai Jingzhi felt like she was the one who needed to catch up.

So she contentedly went back to her room to read.

Her favorite thing in the room was the desk. Back at her adoptive parents’ home, she and her younger sister had a desk too, but it had been something her adoptive father picked up off the street — old and uneven, with stones wedged under the legs to keep it steady.

That room was tiny, with a north-facing window that never got sunlight all year round. Unlike her niece’s room now — the tall, south-facing window let in plenty of light, and when you looked down, you could see far into the distance. Beside it was a bookshelf filled with books — some hers, some the little girl’s. The bed was big, with a rug spread out underneath so she could walk barefoot.

This time when she returned, there was even a new wardrobe in the room, with a few new clothes inside — all hers.

Her sister-in-law said her brother planned to buy them a bunk bed by New Year, so she and her niece could each have their own.

Although Bai Jingzhi thought things were already perfect as they were, her brother and sister-in-law always seemed to think it wasn’t enough.

After reading for a while, her little niece quietly came in, sat beside her, and began flipping through her picture book.

After a moment, the girl turned to her and asked in a whisper, “Auntie, did you see Aunt Zhu’s son just now?”

Bai Jingzhi froze for a second, not understanding. “What son?”

Fu Yanyan explained, “It’s Aunt Zhu’s son. He came over, but when he heard that his mother was leaving, he left with her too.”

It was Fang Min who came to say this. Since there was no one at home and she was feeling bored, she came over to chat with Jin Xiuzhu — that’s how Fu Yanyan overheard it.

Curious, she asked, “Did Auntie see him? Is he handsome? Aunt Zhu said he’s even better-looking than my dad.”

Bai Jingzhi tried to recall — when she’d caught up earlier, there had indeed been someone walking ahead, but she hadn’t paid attention at all, focused only on completing the task her sister-in-law had given her.

She shook her head. “Didn’t see him.”

Fu Yanyan let out an “oh,” a little disappointed.

She thought, if Aunt Zhu’s son was really that good, maybe he could be her little aunt’s husband.

If her little aunt got married, that would truly rewrite Bai Jingzhi’s fate from her previous life.

The more time Fu Yanyan spent with Bai Jingzhi, the more she came to appreciate her gentle and beautiful nature— and the more she felt heartache for her tragic past life.

Fu Yanyan said softly, “Alright then, Dad must still be the better-looking one.”

Bai Jingzhi laughed, not taking her niece’s words to heart, and lowered her head to continue reading.

Outside, Fang Min and Jin Xiuzhu were sewing baby clothes while chatting. Jin Xiuzhu asked worriedly, “Will Sister Zhu be back before you give birth?”

Fang Min wasn’t sure. “Elder Sister said she’ll come once things settle down over there. The kids are still too little.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded. “Then it shouldn’t be too long. By the way—what about your parents?”

To be honest, Jin Xiuzhu found Fang Min’s parents’ behavior quite chilling. Even back in the old marquis household, where the rules were strict, when a woman was pregnant or giving birth, her family would at least send someone to visit if they couldn’t come themselves.

But now, with transportation so convenient, Fang Min’s parents hadn’t come to see her at all—and they rarely even wrote.

When Fang Min heard that, she looked more relaxed. “After you told me not to write anymore, I stopped. I don’t know what they’re thinking—suddenly they started writing to me first. I just replied with a word or two, sometimes not at all. Now they write every month.”

As she spoke, she looked at Jin Xiuzhu with genuine confusion in her eyes. In the past, she might have felt moved or happy—thinking her parents finally cared. But now, she didn’t think that way. She was simply puzzled as to why they were acting like this.

Jin Xiuzhu found it almost funny. There was no way to properly comment on such parents— they clearly had never treated Fang Min as their real daughter.

If they had, they wouldn’t have been so controlling—disliking her, yet refusing to let her go.

So when Fang Min became distant, they started to panic.

She said, “Just do what your heart tells you.”

Fang Min hummed softly, then added after a pause, “The strange thing is, before, I wanted them to notice me more. Now that they write every month, I don’t even want to read their letters.”

She wanted to ask, Have I changed?

But in the end, she didn’t. Not because she saw Jin Xiuzhu as an outsider—but because it no longer mattered.

Changed or not, nothing could really change the past.

Lowering her head, she gently stroked her belly, her expression tender but determined. She would never lose this child—she would love them with all her heart.

Just like Jin Xiuzhu said—she had a husband, a child, and friends. That was enough.

After seeing Fang Min off, Jin Xiuzhu went to the kitchen to help Jiang Mingchuan. He was standing by the sink, shelling beans. He’d heard their conversation earlier, and when Jin Xiuzhu came over, he asked curiously, “What advice did you give her this time?”

Jin Xiuzhu told him about Fang Min’s letters from home, then said angrily, “What kind of parents are those? Fang Min’s too kind—if it were me, I’d have cut ties long ago. If they like that adopted daughter so much, they can just live with her.”

Jiang Mingchuan couldn’t help laughing at her indignant face. “That’s their family matter. Didn’t you tell the kids not to meddle in other people’s business? Why are you getting involved?”

Jin Xiuzhu shook her head. “It’s different with Fang Min.”

She paused. “I once had a… friend, named Yatou. She was very kind to me. But her parents married her off to an old man, and she almost got beaten to death. She and Fang Min are a bit alike.”

That “friend” was her former personal maid, Ning Yue. The girl had always wanted to save enough money to buy her freedom and go home. But when she finally could, she discovered her parents had only ever visited her to ask for more silver—not because they wanted her back. When she couldn’t give them more, they sold her to an old man.

Later, another maid went home and brought back the news. Jin Xiuzhu, who was then at the height of her power and in need of trusted people, deliberately found Ning Yue again and hired her as a matron in her household.

Then came the poisoning incident—she lost her baby and was accused of trying to poison the Marquis himself. All the evidence pointed to her. At her lowest, terrified and grieving, it was Ning Yue who pretended to panic in front of the Marquis and confessed that she had done it, claiming Madam Liu had ordered her. She was tortured, then killed herself by ramming her head into a wall—avenging Jin Xiuzhu in the process.

Thinking of those days, Jin Xiuzhu could no longer recall Ning Yue’s face, but in her heart, that person always held a special place.

She lied to Jiang Mingchuan then—Fang Min and Ning Yue weren’t alike at all. Ning Yue had been cheerful and quick to smile. But every time Fang Min mentioned her parents, she couldn’t help but think of her.

Jiang Mingchuan’s expression grew serious. “If we ever get the chance, we should go back and see her. If we can help, we should.”

Jin Xiuzhu knew he was being kind-hearted again. Pretending to be casual, she said, “It’s alright. She got divorced, but remarried later—she’s doing fine now.”

Jiang Mingchuan sighed in relief. “That’s good.”

Looking at his face, where every emotion showed plainly, Jin Xiuzhu couldn’t help but smile. A man like him—if he’d ever lived in a marquis’s household—he’d have been schemed to death without even knowing who did it.

——

That evening, Zhao Yun made three dishes and a soup.

They had returned home that afternoon. Zhao Yun hadn’t wanted to come back at first, but her belly was getting bigger, and living alone with her daughter outside was becoming inconvenient. After some thought, she came back with Yang Yao.

Yang Yingxiong, seeing that his father and aunt had returned, stayed home to help his aunt cook.

During dinner, the atmosphere was uncomfortably quiet. Thinking of how lively He Yan’s home always was, Yang Yingxiong wrestled with himself for a long time before finally blurting out, “Dad, have you thought of a name for the baby brother yet?”

He assumed the baby would be a boy—adults always hoped for one.

Yang Yao glanced at Zhao Yun’s belly and his expression softened. “Not yet. There’s still time after he’s born.”

Yang Yingxiong said, “You should think about it now—then you’ll have more time to find a good name! Godmother and Godfather already came up with a few, for both boys and girls.”

He never liked his own name much anyway.

Yang Yao didn’t think much of it. “Alright, I’ll look through some books these next few days.”

Zhao Yun, however, caught the slip in his words. Her face froze. She asked before she could stop herself, “Jin Xiuzhu is pregnant?”

Yang Yingxiong looked up at her, unsure how to describe the look on her face—it was frightening. He immediately regretted saying anything.

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