WRS – Chapter 95 Extra 2

True to her word, Jin Xiuzhu took the two children to the county supply and marketing cooperative the next day. Electric fans were considered scarce in the county. When they arrived, they had already sold out, and the clerk said they needed to be pre-ordered.

Both children looked a bit disappointed.

Jin Xiuzhu, however, wasn’t disappointed. After leaving the cooperative, she said directly, “Let’s go to the city and take a look.”

The two children’s eyes immediately widened, their faces lighting up with excitement.

Jin Xiuzhu walked ahead. “Come on.”

The three of them returned to the dock they had first used and took a boat to the city. Although many years had passed since Jin Xiuzhu had last been there, returning made everything feel surprisingly familiar.

She led the children straight to the department store. It was their first time in the city, and they looked around curiously as they walked. Jin Xiuzhu felt a twinge of sadness but smiled and said, “After we buy the fan, if there’s any money left, we’ll get some fabric to make you both new clothes.”

He Yan’s face lit up upon hearing this.

Her daughter, however, didn’t react much. To her, the “new clothes” her mother mentioned were always whatever was leftover from He Yan.

But this time was different. Once they reached the department store, Jin Xiuzhu first took them to the second floor to buy an electric fan. Fans were expensive; a basic brand cost seventy or eighty yuan, while a better one could be two hundred. After much deliberation, Jin Xiuzhu chose a large standing fan, spending 150 yuan.

She had brought a fair amount of money with her. After buying the fan, she also bought a bolt of fabric and three pairs of shoes—one for each child, and one for herself.

Her daughter carried the fabric and shoes, while she and He Yan carried the fan out.

The two children hadn’t expected her to buy so much, but they obeyed without objection, dutifully helping carry the items and the fan.

Passing a state-run restaurant, Jin Xiuzhu went in and bought a few meat buns.

On the way home, because the fan was so heavy, Jin Xiuzhu had to pay for an extra boat ticket.

Still, the three of them were very happy, eating meat buns while taking in the scenery.

Especially the children. They rarely went out, only following Jin Xiuzhu to the county to buy New Year goods. They had never been to the city before, so today felt like a dream.

But it was a dream that felt real and lasted long. Once home, Jin Xiuzhu turned on the fan. The cool breeze immediately made the room feel much more comfortable.

She washed her face and hands with a basin of cold water, then gave He Yan two yuan and a meat coupon, telling him to go to the cooperative at the door to buy a pound and a half of meat and some popsicles.

Hearing “meat and popsicles,” He Yan perked up and ran out excitedly.

Fu Yanyan glanced at Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu was examining the fabric, holding it against herself and commenting on the quality.

Meanwhile, He Yan had finished buying the meat and popsicles and hurried home. On the way, he ran into Wu Xiaojun. Wu Xiaojun tried to grab the meat and popsicles from him, but He Yan dodged.

He Yan stepped aside, feeling a bit annoyed, though he didn’t show it. When he first arrived, he had stayed at Grandma Wu’s house for half a year, and he remembered that kindness.

But he could never like Wu Xiaojun. At first, they got along, but later Wu Xiaojun refused to play with him, thinking Uncle Jiang was better than his own father. Because of this, Wu Xiaojun even instructed others to isolate him.

What annoyed He Yan most was that Wu Xiaojun was bad at school yet insisted on studying, repeating second grade multiple years, while his elder sister never even went to first grade. Wu Xiaojun had also said behind her back that his sister would marry soon, and the bride price would all be his.

Even though He Yan often teased Fu Yanyan, he never thought he’d get her bride price in the future. Even if Jin Xiuzhu gave it to him, he wouldn’t take it.

Thinking this, He Yan looked behind Wu Xiaojun and shouted joyfully, “Daddy—”

Wu Xiaojun, about to scold him, was startled and turned around—only to see nothing behind him.

Confused, he looked around again, only to see He Yan running farther away. Realizing He Yan had tricked him, he chased after him in anger, but He Yan ran too fast. Frustrated, Wu Xiaojun muttered a few curse words before turning back home.

Back at home, Wu Xiaojun saw his mother and sister picking vegetables in the living room. Noticing the vegetable leaves on the floor, he scowled. “Again with these vegetables? Can’t we eat some meat?”

“Meat’s expensive. Be patient. When your sister marries, you’ll get meat.”

At this, Qian Yufeng’s eyes brightened. Thinking of her future son-in-law working at the meat factory, her mood lifted.

Wu Xiaojun’s expression softened, but he still complained, “He Yan buys meat and popsicles. Their family just eats meat.”

Frowning, Qian Yufeng said, “Why meat again?”

She comforted her son anyway. “Aunt Jin isn’t feeling well lately. Buying meat is just temporary. Soon it’ll be fine. You’ll get to eat meat every day later. Here, I’ll give you five cents. Go buy an ice cream too.”

She took out five cents and handed it to him. Wu Xiaojun grabbed it without hesitation and ran off.

Watching him leave, Qian Yufeng said, “Remember to come back for dinner.”

From the hallway came Wu Xiaojun’s impatient voice, “I know.”

Qian Yufeng sighed, “This child.”

Only Daya silently picked vegetables, eyes slightly red. Listening to her mother and brother, she felt hurt, as if marrying a man ten years older was just to ensure the family had meat to eat, with no regard for her well-being—even though she was also her mother’s daughter.

Meanwhile, He Yan returned home with the meat and popsicles, gave the remaining change to Jin Xiuzhu, and unwrapped a popsicle to eat.

Jin Xiuzhu handed one to her daughter and ate one herself. The popsicles were a little melted, but sitting in front of the fan together made them feel very comfortable.

He Yan also recounted the encounter with Wu Xiaojun to Jin Xiuzhu. He didn’t know why he told her, only that it felt strange to sit silently together.

After listening, Jin Xiuzhu said, “We’ll let your dad mention it to Uncle Wu.”

Suddenly, she remembered something and asked, “By the way, haven’t seen Daya recently.”

He Yan didn’t think much. “She’s getting married.”

“Married?”

He Yan, thinking Jin Xiuzhu didn’t know because of her recent quarrels with Uncle Jiang, said, “Yeah, they were arranging things recently. I even saw him—he looked old and ugly, not as young as Uncle Wu, and smelled weird up close.”

Jin Xiuzhu frowned. “How old is she this year? And she’s getting married?”

He Yan snorted. “Wu Xiaojun will marry in a few years. The bride price from Daya will be his.”

“How do you know?”

“Wu Xiaojun said it himself.”

Jin Xiuzhu’s frown deepened. She realized everyone had changed a lot. Daya had gone to a good university, continued her studies, and became a college teacher. Wu Xiaojun was also very successful, working with Wang Ling and earning a lot.

The siblings’ bond grew stronger. Later, after a divorce, Wu Xiaojun even bought a house for his sister, bringing their parents to live with her. He treated his nieces well, often sending gifts and clothes.

And now, Daya was getting married, and Wu Xiaojun would take her bride price.

Though Jin Xiuzhu felt sad, she knew some things she couldn’t change.

Still, she tried to make her family’s life better. That night, when Jiang Mingchuan returned, she told him about He Yan, suspecting he was being bullied by Wu Xiaojun.

After dinner, Jiang Mingchuan called He Yan aside. What they said was unknown, but afterward, Jiang Mingchuan let He Yan return to his room.

He Yan didn’t go back but sat in the living room enjoying the fan.

Jiang Mingchuan helped Jin Xiuzhu in the kitchen as she kneaded dough, preparing noodles for the morning. He also mentioned what had happened, as Jin Xiuzhu requested to be informed of any matters.

Jin Xiuzhu frowned. “What do you plan to do?”

Jiang Mingchuan: “Tomorrow I’ll talk to Wu Erzhu about this.”

Jin Xiuzhu: “Talking won’t help. Wu Erzhu might at most beat his son, and Wu Xiaojun could hold a grudge. Here’s what we’ll do: tomorrow, buy some meat and popsicles and take He Yan to visit them. Say the families have always been close and can’t have conflicts over this. This is for Wu Xiaojun. Next time, don’t let him block your brother; he’s timid.”

Jiang Mingchuan glanced at her but said nothing.

Jin Xiuzhu asked, “Any problem?”

He shook his head and agreed.

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t care; she wouldn’t do things that offended others herself.

The next night, Jiang Mingchuan followed her instructions. A few days later, He Yan returned, saying he encountered Wu Xiaojun on the way, who dodged him.

Jin Xiuzhu smiled.

He Yan looked at her admiringly, knowing it was her idea. He had overheard her talking to Uncle Jiang in the kitchen that day.

Though he didn’t know why Jin Xiuzhu had changed so much suddenly, he liked this version of her and the feeling of being protected by family, as if someone cared for him.

Not just He Yan. That evening, Fu Yanyan received the new clothes Jin Xiuzhu had made for her. She looked at the clothes and then up at Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu encouraged her to try them on. “See if they fit. If not, I’ll adjust them.”

Fu Yanyan lowered her head, softly asking, “What about yours?”

Jin Xiuzhu replied, “Not done yet. Yours comes first.”

Then she smiled and added, “You’re my biological child, so naturally, you come first.”

Hearing this, Fu Yanyan felt a lump in her throat. She had never imagined hearing these words from Jin Xiuzhu.