WRS – Chapter 75

After hearing this, Jin Xiuzhu froze for a moment. She had indeed noticed it while they were eating, but she hadn’t thought much of it. She wasn’t familiar with this child, Wu Xiaojun, and assumed he was simply used to using his left hand. There were people like that—just not many.

But hearing Wang Ling say this now, it was clear there was a reason behind it.

She asked, “I really didn’t pay attention. Did something happen?”

Wang Ling, sitting on Jin Xiuzhu’s bed, sighed at the question. “It’s my fault, really. I was too busy that day and couldn’t get away, so I asked him to go to the army base to fetch something for me. I thought he was familiar with the place, so it wouldn’t be a big deal. Never expected something like this to happen.”

At this point, Wang Ling paused, guilt filling her expression. “That kid ran into someone bullying a girl halfway there, and in a fit of anger, he rushed over and drove them away. Who knew that after he left the army base, the thugs he chased off returned with reinforcements, blocked him on the road, and beat him up. You didn’t see how terrible it was—blood everywhere, a broken rib, and his right hand not only fractured but his tendons were damaged too. Now he can’t even grip things properly, and he can’t join the army anymore.”

“I’ve never wronged anyone in my life, but I can’t stop feeling I’ve wronged this child. I even used to think he wasn’t a good kid, too temperamental. But thinking about it now—anyone who’d step in to help the weak can’t be a bad kid.”

There were too many good kids around them. Someone like Wu Xiaojun—average, a little spoiled—was naturally seen as someone with no prospects.

Hearing this, Jin Xiuzhu frowned. If it were something else, maybe there was still hope. But tendon injuries—those she might not be able to heal. And so much time had already passed…

She said, “It’s a pity.”

“Isn’t it?”

Wang Ling sighed. “I really regret it. If I hadn’t sent him, or if I had let him go with someone else, maybe none of this would’ve happened. A perfectly fine child… and now he’s like this.”

“Qian Yufeng and her husband are honest people; they didn’t blame me. They said that if not for Wu Xiaojun, that girl would have suffered terribly, and if he can’t join the army, then so be it. But I can’t accept that. So I promised to keep him at the factory permanently and promote him to an official worker next year.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded. “You did the right thing. Even if they don’t blame you, you still need to give the child some hope. Otherwise, it will weigh on them.”

Wang Ling murmured agreement. “Since then, he’s been quieter and quieter. He used to be lively, always telling people that he’d join the army someday.”

That was why Wang Ling felt so uneasy—she felt she had truly wronged him. “His right hand isn’t convenient anymore, he doesn’t have much education, and he’s not remarkable at work. If he becomes a permanent worker next year, people will definitely talk. I don’t even know if he can handle it emotionally.”

“The factory’s prospects are getting worse and worse too. Who knows how much longer it can survive? And who knows if we can give that child any real security in the future?”

Thinking about these things gave Wang Ling a headache. She wasn’t looking to Jin Xiuzhu for advice—she just had no one to talk to about it. Now that she had said it out loud, she felt a little better.

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t speak, but from the lower bunk opposite, Fu Yanyan suddenly asked, “Auntie, what about the girl he rescued?”

Wang Ling, surprised to hear another voice, looked up and saw Fu Yanyan’s calm face. She didn’t think too much of it, assuming the girl simply had a kind heart and cared about the one who almost got harmed.

She answered, “She’s fine. A kid from a nearby production team. A very pretty little girl. She’s in high school in the county. She was returning home on break that day, but who would’ve thought she’d run into something like that? She was terrified. Later, her family brought lots of things to the hospital to thank Wu Xiaojun.”

Fu Yanyan responded with a soft sound.

But inside, she was shaken.

What Auntie Wang described about Wu Xiaojun was almost identical to what happened to He Yan in her previous life. Back then, shortly after the college entrance exam, He Yan saw Tang Ying being harassed, rushed in to save her, and was beaten in retaliation. He ended up with a broken leg. Ironically, after he was discharged, he received his admission letter to a military academy.

Only this time, everything happened a year earlier—and the injured one wasn’t He Yan but Wu Xiaojun.

Fu Yanyan felt a chill inside. She suddenly had a terrifying thought—perhaps some things were destined to happen. If not He Yan, then Wu Xiaojun.

She couldn’t help confirming again, “Auntie, do you know who beat him?”

Wang Ling thought carefully. “I think their names were Zhou Guowen or Zhou Wenqiang—two brothers. The older one even had a criminal record. He went to jail before for injuring someone in a fight.”

“That day when I went to the hospital to visit Wu Xiaojun, the police happened to bring those two brothers in. They didn’t look like good people at all—vicious eyes, scary faces.”

Fu Yanyan’s heart skipped.

In her previous life, the ones who hurt He Yan were also the Zhou brothers.

She thought that since He Yan and Tang Ying weren’t here this time, the event would never happen. She never imagined it would repeat itself with Wu Xiaojun.

Then what about Dad Jiang?

Would his fate repeat too? The thought made her afraid to keep thinking.

Wang Ling continued, suddenly remembering something, and said to Yanyan and Liuliu on the bed, “You two girls are especially at risk—you’re young and pretty. Never assume everyone in the world is good. Listen, no matter where you go, stay with others. Don’t go out too early or too late. If you run into people like those two brothers, you’ll have nowhere to cry. If you’re lucky, someone might save you. If not… you might not live.”

“I heard that not long ago, a female worker from the county mechanical factory went home late and disappeared. The police searched for ages but couldn’t find her. In the end, someone washing clothes in the river found her body. It was terrifying.”

Liuliu’s eyes widened in fright.

Wang Ling slapped her own mouth and gave an embarrassed smile to Jin Xiuzhu. “Look at me talking too fast. Don’t be scared; that was a long time ago. Just remember—girls shouldn’t go out alone, especially at night. You never know who’s lurking out there.”

Fu Yanyan knew Wang Ling meant well, so she obediently responded, “I understand, Auntie.”

Wang Ling then turned back to Jin Xiuzhu. “That girl was lucky, really. Without Wu Xiaojun, who knows what would’ve happened. Those brothers have bullied people for years. They thought they could get away with it because they ran. Didn’t expect Wu Xiaojun to recognize them from school. And Wu Erzhu works at the police station—once he found out, he immediately arrested them. They won’t have a good time now.”

Fu Yanyan chimed in, reminding Jin Xiuzhu, “They bullied brother before too, mom—you asked dad to confront them.”

Jin Xiuzhu suddenly remembered. “Ah, so it was them! No wonder the names sounded familiar.”

After thinking for a moment, she suggested, “Xiaojun… I misjudged him too. I always thought he wasn’t as sensible as his sister, and not as obedient and bright as my He Yan. Let me tell you—if you plan to keep him at the factory, giving him a permanent position isn’t enough. He’ll think you’re just pitying him.”

Wang Ling’s smile faded, and she asked seriously, “Then what should I do?”

Jin Xiuzhu said, “If possible, take him under your wing. Give him small tasks, let him watch how you handle different people, how you speak, how you work. These are skills. If he learns even a little, then even if the factory collapses one day, he can still make a living. And if he learns well, he might even become someone you can truly rely on.”

Wang Ling had never thought of this. She believed giving him a permanent job was enough. Her only worry had been what would happen to him if the factory shut down. Even though she and Jin Xiuzhu had made other plans, they were still uncertain.

She thought about it and realized Jin Xiuzhu was right. “Then I’ll arrange for him to work by my side. Let others talk if they want—after all, I really owe Xiaojun.”

“If he can’t withstand some gossip, then he’ll never get anywhere.”

Wang Ling nodded firmly.

The next day, Jin Xiuzhu brought the three children to the army base. True to her word, Wang Ling called Wu Xiaojun over in the morning and had him escort them.

Although puzzled, Wu Xiaojun agreed and carried Jin Xiuzhu’s things.

Before they left, Wang Ling told him, “After you come back, go to my office. I have a meeting in the city this afternoon. Arrange the vehicle and bring the red folder from my office. Pick me up at the garment factory.”

Wu Xiaojun dazedly agreed.

After saying goodbye, Wang Ling hurried off.

Wu Xiaojun accompanied Jin Xiuzhu and the others to the docks, then took a boat to the army base. On the way, he stared blankly at the water.

Jin Xiuzhu glanced at his right hand, then spoke gently. “From now on, do your best following your Aunt Wang. Do whatever she asks, but don’t just work mindlessly. Watch how she deals with different people—speaking, acting, reading situations—those are skills. There’s a lot to learn. It all depends on how much you can absorb.”

“If you can master even half of her skills, then even without joining the army, your life won’t be bad.”

Wu Xiaojun turned his head, staring blankly at her.

She smiled at him and continued, “I misunderstood you before. I always thought you weren’t as sensible as your sister, and not as obedient or clever as our He Yan. Let me say it clearly—I’m sorry. Auntie was wrong.”

“Xiaojun, last night I heard about what you did. You did the right thing. You were brave. You were kind. I admire you, and I’m proud of you. Since you can’t join the army anymore, then look forward. There are opportunities everywhere in life. Follow your Aunt Wang, learn skills, become someone indispensable.”

As Wu Xiaojun listened, his eyes slowly reddened.

After the incident, for a long time, his mother cried until her eyes were swollen. His father said he did what he should have done. His sister felt sorry for him. Aunt Wang apologized with guilt and said she’d make him a permanent worker so he wouldn’t worry about the future…

Everyone told him to stay positive. That although he couldn’t join the army anymore, he had saved a life, and being made a permanent worker wasn’t so bad.

But no one had ever praised him.

No one had ever said he was brave, or kind.

No one had ever said he did well.

No one had ever said they admired him.

No one had ever said they were proud of him.

Wu Xiaojun’s nose stung. He turned to look at Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu said, “Auntie believes you’ll only get better and better. Everyone needs to go through many setbacks in order to grow. The greater the hardship you endure, the higher you’ll stand in the future.”

Wu Xiaojun etched those words deeply into his memory.

After sending the four of them to the entrance of the military compound, he prepared to leave. Just before walking off, he suddenly said to Jin Xiuzhu, “Auntie… thank you.”

Then he nodded toward He Yan and the others before turning around and walking away.

He had only taken a few steps when He Yan’s voice came from behind him. “Xiaojun, I’m super proud of you too! You’re a hero. You’re going to get better and better.”

Wu Xiaojun paused mid-step. He didn’t turn around—he only lifted his left hand and waved it behind him once He Yan finished speaking.

His eyes were red, but his face was covered with a wide smile.

The young soldier guarding the gate didn’t recognize them, so Jin Xiuzhu said she was a relative of Commissar Zhu, visiting family.

The young soldier called the commissar, and not long after, Commissar Zhu rushed over. When he saw Jin Xiuzhu and the children, his face lit up with surprise. “What brings you here?”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled. “We came to see Fang Min.”

He Yan, Yanyan, and Liuliu all greeted him enthusiastically, “Uncle Zhu.”

Commissar Zhu greeted them one by one with a smile, then signed them in at the guard pavilion and escorted them toward his home.

Jin Xiuzhu quickly said, “You go ahead with your work. We can find the way ourselves.”

“It’s fine. I’ll send you over. I told the commander I’d be stepping out anyway. It’s almost noon—perfect time for us to have lunch together.”

“That’s even better.”

They chatted as they walked. Commissar Zhu even asked about Jiang Mingchuan’s plans. Jin Xiuzhu answered honestly, “We’ll see. He says he’ll return when he gets the chance, but it probably won’t be anytime soon.”

Commissar Zhu nodded, then turned to He Yan. “You’re taking the college entrance exams next year, right? Have you thought about where you want to apply?”

He Yan smiled. “Yes. I’m planning to apply to the military academy in the neighboring province’s capital. That way I’ll be closer to my parents.”

“That’s good. Spend more time with your family while you can. Once you enter the army, you won’t see them as often.”

He Yan chuckled helplessly.

They arrived at Commissar Zhu’s home, which looked exactly the same as before. But to Jin Xiuzhu, the familiar stairs and rooms felt strangely unfamiliar.

The three kids felt the same. He Yan sighed, “Haven’t been back in so long… it feels different.”

“That’s normal. Once you become a soldier, you’ll be moving around often. You’ll get used to it.”

He Yan: “…”

Conversation over—he was only poking at the kid’s wound.

Fu Yanyan noticed and couldn’t help but press her lips together to hide a laugh. Uncle Zhu was still the same—he loved teasing people.

On the third floor, Commissar Zhu knocked. Zhang Qiulai opened the door. Seeing that the commissar had returned suddenly, she was confused—until she spotted Jin Xiuzhu and the kids behind him.

She instantly brightened and exclaimed, “What are you all doing here?”

Then she turned toward the study and shouted, “Cousin, come out quick! Look who’s here!”

Fang Min hurried out. When she saw Jin Xiuzhu and the children already inside, she quickly rushed over. “Why are you here?”

Her sudden movement startled Commissar Zhu and Zhang Qiulai. They hurried forward to steady her.

Seeing their reaction, Jin Xiuzhu guessed Fang Min must be pregnant. Sure enough, Fang Min lifted her head, a little embarrassed. “Three months. A couple days ago my stomach hurt a little, so they’ve been extra nervous.”

Jin Xiuzhu hurried over. “Then sit down and rest. Let me take a look.”

Fang Min obediently sat at the dining table and extended her hand.

After checking her pulse for a moment, Jin Xiuzhu asked, “Have you been taking the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine?”

“Yes. I went to the Chinese medicine hospital two days ago, and the doctor prescribed some.”

“Good. There’s no problem—just make sure you rest. Keep taking the medicine.”

Fang Min let out a breath of relief. “That’s good.”

Zhang Qiulai held Liuliu in her arms, reluctant to let go. She had raised Liuliu almost since infancy; the child had grown up eating her cooking and was very attached to her. It was natural for her to be a little biased.

Liuliu adored her too, clinging to her neck and pressing her little face against Zhang Qiulai’s chest, calling “Auntie” sweetly and demanding this and that dish for her to cook.

Zhang Qiulai agreed to everything and carried the child straight to the kitchen. She held the child with one arm and cooked with the other.

After a while, Liuliu stood beside her with a small bowl. Each time Zhang Qiulai finished a dish, she scooped a little out for her.

When they lived here before, Liuliu always snacked like this. Jin Xiuzhu said she wouldn’t change her habits, and Zhang Qiulai spoiled her by letting her hide in the kitchen and eat secretly.

Once, Fan Fan caught her and cried for ages, complaining Zhang Qiulai was biased.

Sure enough, when they sat down to eat, Liuliu couldn’t eat anymore.

Jin Xiuzhu shot her a helpless look but didn’t bother lecturing her, continuing her conversation with Fang Min.

Fang Min said, “We really didn’t plan to have another child, but since it happened unexpectedly… we couldn’t just not want it. It’s a life after all. After discussing it, we decided to keep it. A few nights ago, I dreamed of my grandparents holding a little girl and walking toward me. I really think this baby might be a girl.”

Jin Xiuzhu laughed. “That’s a pregnancy dream—usually pretty accurate.”

“Really?”

Fang Min gently touched her belly with a smile. “I’ve always wanted a daughter.”

Jin Xiuzhu told her about things at home—Bai Jingzhi’s wedding plans, sending her off in the capital during New Year, He Yan applying to the military academy, and the meal at Qian Yufeng’s house yesterday.

When Fang Min heard that Wu Xiaojun’s hand injury meant he couldn’t enlist, she was surprised. She hadn’t heard anything about it.

Ever since Jin Xiuzhu left, Fang Min had no one to talk to. She spent every day alone in the study writing. At first she still wasn’t used to it—sometimes she would look up mid-writing, wanting to talk to Jin Xiuzhu, only to see no one beside her. She would feel a hollow ache in her chest.

She had never felt lonely writing before… but after getting used to having someone by her, losing that companionship was painful.

“The family next door now is a family of four. They’re nice, but we don’t click. We interacted at first, but I think they saw that I only read books all day and gradually stopped coming over.”

Not like Jin Xiuzhu, who also loved reading—someone she could actually talk with. Only now did Fang Min realize how rare it was to meet a kindred spirit.

Jin Xiuzhu sighed. “Same for me. Now I live in the city. The three kids are at school during the day, and I’m alone at home. When I get bored, I go out to walk around or buy groceries. There’s no one to talk to.”

The two women exchanged a look, each suddenly feeling sorry for herself.

Commissar Zhu comforted them. “If nothing unexpected happens, I’ll be transferred to the capital sometime this year or next. After that, I shouldn’t be moving again. Once Jiang Mingchuan returns to the capital, we’ll all be able to live together again.”

Hearing that, Fang Min brightened and urged Jin Xiuzhu, “Tell Captain Jiang to work hard.”

She had gotten used to calling him Captain Jiang and never changed it.

Jin Xiuzhu laughed. “We’ll try. The sooner he can return, the better.”

Fang Min brought up Bai Jingzhi and Ji Ling’s situation. She was asking on the commissar’s behalf—Zhu Ying had already told them about the two families’ discussion last time, but they were worried about Bai Jingzhi’s and Ji Ling’s jobs. The two wouldn’t be living together after marrying, and that worried them, especially since they were no longer young. They didn’t know how hard it would be to conceive. And even if she did get pregnant, it would be inconvenient for Bai Jingzhi to live alone.

Trouble before marriage, trouble after marriage—endless.

Jin Xiuzhu said, “It’s not something I can decide. It’s what Jingzhi herself suggested. She and Ji Ling have discussed it. I’ll let them explain it to you when the time comes.”

“That’s fine. As long as they’ve talked it through, there’s no need to say anything more.”

Fang Min didn’t even think twice before responding. Then she changed the subject and asked about what Jin Xiuzhu was preparing for the wedding—she didn’t even know what gifts she should buy for the two children.

Jin Xiuzhu said, “Just come. There’s nothing you need to prepare. They say the maternal uncle is the most important—you’ll be sitting at the main table.”

Fang Min chuckled behind her hand.

They continued chatting. Fan Fan didn’t come home for lunch—sometimes he ate at a classmate’s house.

Fang Min said he’d probably cry for ages when he found out they had visited and he missed them.

Jin Xiuzhu laughed. “It’s fine. We’ll see him during New Year.”

Fang Min sighed. “That’s true.”

After lunch, Jin Xiuzhu stayed a little longer before taking the children to leave. Fang Min and Zhang Qiulai walked them to the gate of the compound.

Since they would see each other again during New Year—and would be one family from then on—Fang Min didn’t feel particularly sad this time. They would definitely meet often.

Commissar Zhu took them to the dock. Before they boarded, he reminded them to be careful on the way and handed them local specialties—dried mushrooms, cured meats, sauces—all things Zhang Qiulai usually bought. She gave all of them to Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu had lived here for years and loved these foods.

On the boat, He Yan stretched and sighed. “Another goodbye. Who knows how long until the next time we meet.”

Jin Xiuzhu said, “The saddest ones aren’t us—it’s the people who send us off.”

He Yan fell silent for a moment, then said, “When I was little, I couldn’t wait to grow up. Now that I’m grown… I’m scared of it.”

Jin Xiuzhu rubbed his head. “No matter how old you get, you’re still my son.”

He Yan grunted, refusing to stay in the sad mood, and changed the subject. “I wonder if Dad misses us. Suddenly I really want to go home. Even though this place used to be home too… something just feels different now.”

Fu Yanyan suddenly added, “Home isn’t a fixed place. Wherever your family is—that’s home.”

He Yan froze, then relaxed with a smile. “So that’s how it is.”

Jin Xiuzhu: They’ve all grown up. How wonderful.

Jiang Mingchuan: Finally someone remembered me.

He Yan: I miss my parents.

Fu Yanyan: So you’re a mama’s boy.

Liuliu: Then I’m a sister’s girl.