WRS – Chapter 67

By November, the weather gradually turned cooler, though the days were still hot, with a significant temperature difference between day and night.

It was unclear whether it was because she had been having too much fun at school, but Liuliu suddenly started coughing over the past few days. Jin Xiuzhu felt her pulse, then went to a nearby traditional Chinese medicine clinic to get some herbs, which she boiled into a decoction for her to drink. Although it contained licorice, Liuliu gagged after taking just a sip and refused to open her mouth again.

This child had clearly inherited someone’s stubborn streak. He Yan had rough skin and thick flesh, and Yanyan was obedient and sensible; neither of them ever resisted taking medicine. But Liuliu was different. Every time she had to drink medicine, it was as if poison was being forced down her throat. Even a gentle touch on her lips would make her insist she had finished, and if fed more, she would cry. It wasn’t the kind of tantrum with screaming and flailing, but a quiet, tear-filled, aggrieved look that made it impossible for her older brother and sister to be harsh, even if Jin Xiuzhu could steel herself.

Jin Xiuzhu was at her wit’s end. She coaxed Liuliu into going to the hospital, thinking that perhaps taking some white pills prescribed there would be easier.

But no matter what she did, Liuliu refused to take them, saying they were bitter and she couldn’t swallow.

Finally, in frustration, Jin Xiuzhu gave her two sharp slaps on the buttocks.

The usually gentle Jin Xiuzhu, when angry, could indeed be strict.

Liuliu cried loudly. Fu Yanyan couldn’t bear to watch and carried her sister outside into the sun. Somehow, she managed to coax Liuliu into swallowing the white pills.

Soon enough, laughter from Liuliu echoed through the yard.

However, the little girl seemed to hold grudges. At dinner that night, she didn’t speak to Jin Xiuzhu and only ate plain rice, refusing any vegetables.

That Sunday, Jiang Mingchuan didn’t return, saying he needed to go out to train the troops.

Jin Xiuzhu noticed Liuliu’s little scheme but deliberately did not coax her.

Eventually, He Yan couldn’t resist and put some of her favorite meat on her plate. The little girl, proud and stubborn, left it untouched and only scooped up rice.

Both He Yan and Yanyan looked at Jin Xiuzhu. After finishing her own meal, Jin Xiuzhu left first. “When you’re done eating, wash the bowls. I’ll finish my painting.”

He Yan responded, “Okay.”

As soon as their mother left, he filled Liuliu’s plate with all the good dishes, saying, “Mom’s just worried about you. How can you be angry with her?”

Fu Yanyan also served some food to Liuliu. “There’s no reason to be angry. When we were kids, Mom hit us too. Eat first, you can be upset after you’re full.”

With her older siblings coaxing her, Liuliu stopped being angry and started eating the meat, thinking to herself that she would make up with Mom tomorrow.

But perhaps due to the chill at night or catching something from the children, the next morning Jin Xiuzhu woke up with a sore, swollen throat and a dizzy head. Touching her forehead, she realized she had a slight fever.

She didn’t think much of it and planned to brew herself a medicine to break the sweat.

She made a pot of noodles for the three children. He Yan’s school was across the street, so she didn’t need to worry. The younger two didn’t need her escort anymore; Yanyan was already familiar with the route. They left around 7:30, holding hands as they crossed the busy street, occasionally meeting classmates along the way.

Jin Xiuzhu ate noodles with her daughter. Fu Yanyan, being perceptive, noticed her mother’s cheeks were slightly flushed and couldn’t help asking, “Are you sick?”

Hearing this, Liuliu furrowed her brows and looked at Jin Xiuzhu with concern.

Jin Xiuzhu coughed twice and shook her head. “It’s nothing serious. Just a couple doses of medicine and I’ll be fine.”

Fu Yanyan didn’t push further and simply said, “Take care of yourself.”

“Mm.”

As the sisters left, Liuliu suddenly let go of Yanyan’s hand, turned back, and hugged Jin Xiuzhu. Looking up seriously, she said, “Mom, you have to rest properly. Don’t skip your medicine.”

Jin Xiuzhu’s heart softened, and she playfully pinched Liuliu’s small nose. “So now you know you need to take medicine.”

Liuliu nodded vigorously. “You said if I don’t take medicine, I’ll stay sick. Mom needs to take it too.”

“Alright.”

Only then did Liuliu leave, reassured.

Once the two children were out of sight, Jin Xiuzhu closed the door and brewed herself the medicine.

The medicine was indeed unpleasant. She drank only half before lying down in her room, sleeping straight through until 2 p.m.

She glanced at the time and belatedly remembered she needed to prepare lunch for the children. But when she went outside, she found that the table in the living room was already set with food, along with a note.

The note was from He Yan, telling her to eat after waking up and mentioning that he had brewed medicine for her. It reminded her to take it after finishing the meal.

Jin Xiuzhu felt warm inside as she ate. Since she hadn’t bought groceries that morning, only some cabbage and radish remained, but He Yan had cooked everything and even steamed a bowl of egg custard, leaving a quarter for her.

Halfway through the meal, He Yan climbed over the wall from outside and seemed relieved to see Jin Xiuzhu up.

“Why are you back?” she asked, puzzled.

“I was worried you were still asleep. I couldn’t wake you at noon and thought maybe it was serious. I was considering taking you to the hospital,” he explained.

Touched, Jin Xiuzhu said, “It’s fine, really. Don’t worry too much. I haven’t been sick in a long time. It hit me like a mountain. A few more doses of medicine will fix it.”

“That’s good. Eat first; I’ll go back to class. Remember to take your medicine. Don’t bother washing the dishes, I’ll do it when I get back.”

“Alright, go quickly.”

He Yan climbed back over the wall and left.

Jin Xiuzhu finished her meal, then drank the medicine. Thinking it was brewed by her son, she endured the sour bitterness and drank it all.

Ignoring He Yan’s advice, she washed the dishes, grabbed her basket, and went shopping for groceries—buying tofu, potatoes, and chili peppers. Wanting to take a shortcut, she also stopped by the state-run restaurant to buy braised pork, chicken stewed with mushrooms, and several large steamed buns and meat buns.

Though she didn’t have to cook herself, waiting still took time.

By the time she returned, the high school across the street had already let out. She glanced over and unexpectedly saw her son walking out of the school gate.

He walked alongside a thin, small girl, chatting as he handed her a notebook from his bag, which she hesitated to take.

Jin Xiuzhu approached and greeted him, “Xiaoyan—”

Then she smiled at the girl, “This is your classmate, right?”

He Yan introduced with a smile, “This is Lin Zhaodi, and this is my mom.”

The girl nervously said, “Hello, Auntie.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled, “Hello. How about having dinner at our place tonight? I bought a lot of food.”

“Thank you, Auntie, but no. My home is a bit far. If I go back late, it’ll be dark.”

“I see.”

Jin Xiuzhu handed her two meat buns from the basket. “Here, take these. Eat on the way; they’re still warm.”

“No, no.”

Lin Zhaodi waved her hands anxiously. “You keep them for yourself.”

Not wanting to impose, she felt she had taken too much already—He Yan bought her buns every morning, and now his aunt was giving her more.

“Here, take this too.”

He Yan directly handed it to her. “Mom likes giving food away. She does it to anyone.”

Lin Zhaodi glanced at He Yan, shyly pursing her lips, and smiled. “Thank you, Auntie.”

She then said goodbye, “I’ll head back now. Goodbye, Auntie. Goodbye, He Yan.”

“Goodbye, come visit us sometime.”

“Mm-hm.”

Holding the buns, she walked down the right street. Even as she moved away, she could still hear He Yan talking with his mother behind her.

“Why are you out? Weren’t you sick? You never make things easy.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I feel better now.”

“You were still scolding Liuliu yesterday. I don’t think you’ve fully recovered. Not obedient at all.”

“You little brat, scolding me when I’m sick, huh?”

“Hmph, who dares to scold you? I’ll tell Dad later.”

Listening to the fading voices, Lin Zhaodi couldn’t help but smile faintly. She felt a bit envious of how close He Yan was with his mother.

More than that, she was happy for him. No wonder he was so kind and cheerful—he had such a good family.

Lin Zhaodi didn’t eat the two buns. She endured the hunger all the way home. Her house was in a remote mountain area. As she walked along the mountain path, she kept her footsteps light, afraid of encountering anyone. She had known since childhood that encountering people at night could be scarier than encountering wild animals.

Back home, she had no idea what time it was. She set down her backpack and went inside to check on her mother. Her mother wasn’t asleep, lying in bed and supervising her younger siblings’ homework. Seeing her daughter enter didn’t surprise her. Her gaunt, waxy face looked even older in the dim light of the kerosene lamp. She smiled weakly and asked, “You’re back?”

Lin Zhaodi nodded.

Her younger siblings were delighted to see her, crowding around her, their small faces dark and smudged.

Having seen He Yan’s two younger sisters, Lin Zhaodi thought they were very pretty—fair and tender-skinned, dressed nicely.

Feeling a pang in her heart, she took the meat buns from her pocket and gave them to her siblings.

The children looked puzzled—they had never eaten these before.

Lin Zhaodi smiled, “Eat, these are delicious.”

Hearing that, their eyes lit up, and they eagerly bit in. Her little brother bit larger, discovering the meat inside. Excited, he exclaimed, “Sister, there’s meat inside!”

Lin Zhaodi smiled and nodded.

Her younger sister, more sensible, offered a bite of her bun to their mother. But the mother shook her head. “Mom doesn’t like it. You eat it yourself.”

The sister then ate it herself.

Her brother imitated her, trying to feed the sister.

Lin Zhaodi said she had already eaten.

Only the mother knew that the eldest daughter hadn’t eaten. She couldn’t help but ask, “Did this come from your classmate too?”

Lin Zhaodi nodded. “I met his mom at the school gate. She gave it to me.”

The mother’s face showed unease. “This isn’t good. Always getting things to eat and help with schoolwork… Zhaodi, our family is poor. Don’t keep taking from others. We can’t repay them…”

Hearing this, Lin Zhaodi lowered her head and bit her lip.

The woman sighed. “I don’t know why you insist on studying, getting up early and coming home late every day. Getting married would be so much easier—you’d never go hungry. Your father works all day and still has to go up the mountain at night to hunt wild game, all for you…”

Lin Zhaodi couldn’t help interrupting her. “Mom.”

She didn’t want to hear these words. Every time she did, she felt as if her insistence had been wrong. But she truly, deeply wanted to study. She didn’t want to be like her parents, trapped in these mountains for life, like a frog at the bottom of a well.

The woman sighed again. “Forget it. I can’t control you. It’s all my fault for being useless and dragging you all down.”

Lin Zhaodi looked at the lower half of her mother, covered by a tattered quilt. When she was younger, such words would have tortured her unbearably. Now, hearing them, she could remain expressionless. Sometimes Lin Zhaodi felt cold-hearted; other times, she felt pity for her mother, who had spent the second half of her life lying in bed, having borne younger siblings.

In a calm voice, she said, “I’m going to do my homework.”

Her mother looked at her daughter’s silent face and said weakly, “Go ahead. I left some rice for you in the pot.”

“Mm.”

Lin Zhaodi went to the kitchen, took the steamed potatoes, and returned to her room to do homework while eating.

The next morning, as she left the house, her father had already returned. She paused when she heard voices from next door.

“Why did you only catch this little last night?”

“Not easy to catch anymore. Many people have been hunting wild game to sell.”

“Sigh, you know, if you hadn’t been soft-hearted and agreed to let the eldest go to high school, you wouldn’t be working so hard now. What about Fufu and Lanlan in the future?”

“The eldest is our daughter too. Don’t say such things anymore.”

“I just think she doesn’t understand. When I was her age, the second one was already born… sigh, forget it, do as you please. I can only worry blindly.”

“Why are you still saying this? That child has been sent away, so stop. It’s annoying to hear.”

“You’re blaming me, but I only wanted to give you a son. I’m paralyzed now because of giving you a son.”

“Alright, enough…”

Lin Zhaodi raised her arm to wipe her tears and quietly left the house.

——

After taking two doses of medicine, Jin Xiuzhu’s fever had subsided, but she still had a cough. This illness came suddenly and was somewhat serious, not easily cured completely.

Jiang Mingchuan returned half a month later. Seeing Jin Xiuzhu and Liuliu coughing, he couldn’t help frowning.

He Yan had actually complained to him, saying that Mom didn’t take her medicine properly and stopped early, and that she went out every day.

Jin Xiuzhu glared at him secretly, and He Yan turned his head, pretending not to see.

Jiang Mingchuan had lost some weight on this trip. Jin Xiuzhu took out some money for her daughter and had Yanyan take her younger sister to the state-run restaurant to buy two big dishes.

Liuliu raised her hand. “Mom, I want to eat popcorn.”

“Use the leftover money.”

He Yan followed. “I want some too.”

Liuliu immediately teased him, “Shy, big brother still wants popcorn.”

He Yan huffed, picked Liuliu up onto his shoulder, and she screamed in surprise.

Once everyone was gone, Jiang Mingchuan frowned and asked her, “Why didn’t you take medicine when you were sick?”

Jin Xiuzhu denied it. “You’re just listening to Xiaoyan. Too much medicine is bad. I only have a slight cough now, nothing serious.”

She even changed the subject: “I saw him walking with a female classmate, chatting and laughing. Several times, I’ve never seen him play with girls before.”

Maybe because he was bullied by his younger sister since childhood, He Yan had avoided girls after starting school.

Jiang Mingchuan raised an eyebrow but didn’t say more.

Jin Xiuzhu breathed a sigh of relief. It was hard to say whether it was because Jiang Mingchuan’s rank had risen, but now when he frowned, she felt a little afraid.

However, during meals, Jiang Mingchuan casually asked his son, “I heard you often walk with a female classmate.”

Jin Xiuzhu: “……”

Who asks questions like that?

He Yan instinctively looked at Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu acted innocent, curious, and looked back at him.

He Yan was unsure, looking at his two younger sisters, unable to tell who had said it.

“No, just an ordinary classmate.”

“Not true!”

Liuliu looked skeptical. “Big brother even gave snacks to sister, I saw it.”

A few days ago, Jin Xiuzhu had taken two days off for Liuliu. Restless after recovering, she secretly went to play with He Yan and saw him giving snacks to sister at noon.

He Yan retorted, “You’re so stingy, never sharing anything good.”

Liuliu pouted. “I gave it to sister.”

“What about me?”

“You were born many years before me. Haven’t you had enough?”

He Yan really couldn’t argue with that.

Liuliu, seeing her brother speechless, proudly lifted her chin and snorted.

The whole family laughed at her mischievous behavior.

After dinner, Jiang Mingchuan went to the kitchen to wash dishes. He Yan stayed and helped, intending to explain: “Dad, it’s really just a normal classmate relationship.”

“I know.”

Jiang Mingchuan joked, “Why so nervous?”

He Yan earnestly said, “She’s a good kid. Can’t let you misunderstand.”

Jiang Mingchuan nodded with satisfaction. “Alright, I misunderstood. Sorry, son. Invite your classmate over for a meal anytime.”

He Yan finally relaxed, smiling, and helped Jiang Mingchuan clean the kitchen.

The next day, He Yan invited Lin Zhaodi to their home for a meal, but she refused, apologizing that her family didn’t agree.

He Yan didn’t know Lin Zhaodi’s family situation and didn’t press, smiling, “It’s okay.”

Lin Zhaodi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for He Yan’s thoughtfulness.

She was afraid he would keep inviting her. She really didn’t want to go, fearing her parents would be upset and feeling inferior seeing He Yan’s happy family.

——

Because Jin Xiuzhu and her daughter were still not fully recovered, Jiang Mingchuan rode his bike home every night for the next few days.

Jin Xiuzhu tried to persuade him not to overwork, but he didn’t listen.

She obediently took her medicine. Even after the cough subsided, Jiang Mingchuan still came every night, saying, “Think of it as exercise. I’m happy seeing you every day.”

Since he didn’t mind the effort, Jin Xiuzhu didn’t complain, and she was happy to see him every night.

Far away, Fang Min also received a letter from Jin Xiuzhu.

The neighbor’s sister-in-law brought it to her. Newly arrived, she wanted to establish good relations and often helped deliver letters.

Fang Min, having spent time with Jin Xiuzhu, understood some social etiquette and politely invited her in for tea.

Neither were very talkative, so after a few sentences, the conversation stalled. Fang Min opened the letter and smiled at its contents.

Jin Xiuzhu mentioned Ji Ling visiting her house for the New Year, leaving Fang Min guessing why. She couldn’t figure it out immediately.

The neighbor’s sister-in-law noticed her smiling and frowning, curious, and asked.

Fang Min had no one else to ask, so she roughly repeated Jin Xiuzhu’s words, asking if the other woman knew what it meant.

The sister-in-law asked who Ji Ling was.

Fang Min explained he was the nephew of Political Commissar Zhu.

The woman thought for a moment: “A young, unmarried man visiting, especially during the New Year, usually goes to meet the girl’s family. Does your friend’s family have a young unmarried woman?”

Fang Min was about to say Jin Xiuzhu’s family had no such woman but realized Bai Jingzhi hadn’t married yet.

Could it mean what she thought?

Fang Min widened her eyes.

The neighbor’s sister-in-law, seeing her reaction, teased, “Looks like the families are getting closer.”

Fang Min was surprised and incredulous. At noon, when Political Commissar Zhu returned, she couldn’t help asking if he knew.

He didn’t. Hearing her reaction, he was a bit puzzled, though usually unreadable. Fang Min couldn’t detect his emotions and said, “I’ll ask Xiuzhu first. If it’s wrong, it’s okay. Don’t tell the eldest sister.”

Zhu gave a small nod.

He hadn’t told Zhu Ying, but that afternoon at the office, he couldn’t resist calling his nephew. It took a while for Ji Ling to pick up. When he first heard his uncle was introducing a match, he instinctively refused. When asked for details, he vaguely said he didn’t want to deal with it yet, fearing his mother would bother the Jingzhi family.

Unexpectedly, his uncle asked: “Do you know Bai Jingzhi? I wanted to introduce her to you, but I heard she’s already seeing someone.”

“……”

Ji Ling cursed the old fox under his breath. Irritated, he said, “You already know and still test me.”

Zhu laughed. “You little rascal, keeping everything to yourself, soon meeting the family, and not telling us. Alright, call your mother and An’an today to prepare something. I’ll add a little too. First visit, don’t bring cheap gifts.”

Ji Ling softly said okay and thanked his uncle.

After hanging up, Zhu looked out the window, marveling at how fast time had passed.

That little boy, wiping his nose behind him back then, was about to marry now. Wonderful.

Busy with things, Jin Xiuzhu also started hustling at home.

A few days ago, she received a letter from Bai Jingzhi, saying she helped secure a publishing opportunity, would return on the 26th with Ji Ling, and if nothing went wrong, Ji Ling would spend the New Year with them.

This meant one more person at home for the New Year—making it livelier.

Jin Xiuzhu rarely saw boys visit a girl’s home for New Year. In her previous life, in the Da Jing dynasty, this wouldn’t happen unless the man married into the family.

But as the parent, she was delighted. She had always treated Bai Jingzhi like a younger sister. Seeing her cherished sister marry after years, she felt a bit reluctant.

Besides, it was good practice: later, when her daughters grew up, they could bring their husbands home for New Year. If a son-in-law refused, it would show her daughters lacked ability, wasting her years of teaching.

Having stayed there for a while, Jin Xiuzhu was familiar with the city, learned the local dialect, and bought two large beds from a furniture factory.

She planned for Ji Ling to sleep with He Yan, Bai Jingzhi with Yanyan. The current beds were too small.

The original beds from the army couldn’t be taken, so she sold them cheaply.

This time, she didn’t buy top-quality beds, thinking they’d stay for a few years anyway.

After ordering the beds, she went home, bought some vegetables, and planned to call Wang Ling to buy new fabrics for Bai Jingzhi’s new clothes and bedding.

After meeting the parents, the wedding would be imminent, so preparations were necessary.

Unexpectedly, just as she thought of calling Wang Ling, she saw someone at her door.

Jin Xiuzhu: Does this count as wish-fulfillment? Now she wants gold.

Jiang Mingchuan: Buy, buy, buy.

He Yan: Dad, do you have money?

Fu Yanyan: Money’s all with Mom.

Liuliu: Dad’s the stingiest, even for popcorn he has no money.