WRS – Chapter 98 Extra 5

After waking, Jin Xiuzhu sat on the bed for quite a long time. She looked around at the exquisitely decorated room and touched the soft, delicate silk fabrics, unable to collect her thoughts for a while.

For a moment, she couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality—Zhuangzi dreaming of a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming of Zhuangzi.

Jiang Mingchuan had already gotten up and gone to the kitchen to cook. While chopping vegetables, he accidentally cut his hand, and there was quite a bit of blood. He came into the room holding his finger, looking for a bandage. He didn’t worry much about such a small wound, but he thought about hygiene while cooking—otherwise, Jin Xiuzhu and their daughter would scold him.

Seeing Jin Xiuzhu sitting on the bed lost in thought, he couldn’t help but say, “Why are you awake so early? Go back to sleep for a bit.”

Jin Xiuzhu turned to look at him. Seeing the familiar features of the man, she felt slightly dazed.

Jiang Mingchuan waved his injured hand in front of her. “What’s wrong?”

Jin Xiuzhu averted her gaze and smiled faintly. “Had a nightmare.”

Jiang Mingchuan breathed a sigh of relief and comforted her, “It’s okay, dreams are always reversed. Get up now—breakfast will be ready soon.”

Then he went to the cabinet to find a bandage.

Jin Xiuzhu noticed and frowned. “You’re hurt?”

Jiang Mingchuan waved it off, “Just a small cut, it’s nothing serious.”

She didn’t say anything further. After Jiang Mingchuan went out, she got up and went out as well.

Yanyan and Liuli knew that Yang Yingxiong was bringing his girlfriend home today, so they had returned early. But since the two kids usually slept in, Jin Xiuzhu didn’t wake them. She went downstairs to wash up and have breakfast herself.

Downstairs, Jiang Mingchuan was still busy in the kitchen. Since it was the weekend, he happened to be home.

Breakfast was porridge with two side dishes.

After finishing, Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan started preparing lunch. Jiang Mingchuan had bought the ingredients early in the morning. Yang Chaoying had called to demand Jiang Mingchuan cook his signature dishes, and He Yan also said he would come back. Even before arriving home, several dishes had already been requested.

While they were in the living room peeling vegetables and kneading dough, Zhu Ying and Fang Min came over. They knew about the visit and had come early to help.

Zhu Ying asked, “I’ve prepared a fifty-yuan red envelope. Is that okay?”

Jin Xiuzhu quickly replied, “That’s enough, that’s plenty.”

Zhu Ying said, “I even feel it’s too little. Every time Yingxiong comes back, he brings me lots of treats.”

Jin Xiuzhu laughed, “He’s always been a thoughtful child. If you really feel embarrassed, just pamper him a little more.”

“Of course, I will. I made some braised meat at home and even stewed chicken soup, thinking we’d have it tonight.”

“That’s plenty.”

Fang Min added, “Sister has already made little clothes and shoes for Yingxiong’s child.”

Zhu Ying felt a bit embarrassed. “Just for fun, not as good as what you make.”

Jin Xiuzhu said, “It’s wonderful. Yingxiong will definitely be happy to see it.”

Around ten in the morning, Jiang Mingchuan took the two children to the train station to pick someone up, while Jin Xiuzhu and Fang Min stayed home to prepare lunch.

Halfway through cooking, Jin Xiuzhu heard some noise outside. Thinking they had returned, she ran out in surprise, only to see her eldest son looking dusty and disheveled.

Jin Xiuzhu was stunned seeing her tall, grown-up son. “Why are you back?”

He Yan looked a little sad. “Wasn’t Yang Yingxiong bringing his girlfriend today? I wanted to come back and see too.”

Jin Xiuzhu patted her head. The dream from last night had been so vivid and deep that she still felt a little disoriented upon waking. She hurried over to her son. Seeing He Yan’s handsome yet playful expression, her heart softened—indeed, this was her good son.

She skillfully stood on tiptoe, reached out to pat his head, and coaxed, “Oh, my poor boy, you look thinner.”

He Yan immediately grinned happily. “Right? I feel thinner too. Mom, I’m so hungry—I want something delicious.”

Jin Xiuzhu couldn’t maintain her gentle tone for even two seconds before lightly swatting his arm. “Wait, eat together when Yingxiong comes back.”

“Mom, am I your good son?”

In the kitchen, Zhu Ying and Fang Min heard the commotion and laughed, “Your mom’s teasing you. She just said she didn’t know when you’d be back and wondered if you got too thin from hunger. Come, auntie will serve you some meat first.”

He Yan was even happier. Ignoring everything else, he ran straight into the kitchen.

Jin Xiuzhu shook her head helplessly and moved the bag he had brought aside.

Soon, voices could be heard from the kitchen.

Just after twelve noon, Jiang Mingchuan and the others returned. Before entering, they could hear the noisy chatter of Liuli and Yang Chaoying, along with Jiang Mingchuan and Yang Yingxiong’s steadier voices.

At the door, Liuli called out excitedly, “Mom, we’re back—”

Before Jin Xiuzhu could respond, He Yan ran out from the kitchen. Seeing her eldest son, Liuli rushed over in excitement. “Brother—”

She shouted loud enough to almost lift the roof.

Jin Xiuzhu came out of the kitchen as well, saying, “Lower your voices, lower your voices.”

Liuli and He Yan ignored her. The siblings soon started bickering, with Liuli pointing at the oil on He Yan’s mouth, “You snuck a bite!”

He Yan teased her, rubbing her arm on his mouth before quickly letting go.

Liuli screamed in anger, “Ew! I’ll get you!”

Yang Chaoying, who loved chaos, ran over to stir things up.

Fu Yanyan calmly smiled at the girl beside her. “Don’t mind them, you’ll get used to it.”

Yang Yingxiong’s girlfriend was a little shy and whispered, “It’s really lively here.”

Jin Xiuzhu walked over to the girl and smiled, “So pretty. Our Yingxiong is lucky—this child is just so likable. Come in, sit down. Food’s ready; you must be hungry, have some first.”

Yang Yingxiong introduced, “This is my girlfriend, Zhou Min. Minmin, this is my aunt, Jin Xiuzhu.”

“Auntie, hello.”

Jin Xiuzhu laughed and led her to the living room. “Yes, yes, come in quickly.”

She then turned to Yang Yingxiong, “Quickly put your things in the room. The sheets are new, washed and dried. Tonight, Minmin will stay there. You two brothers will sleep in the next room; it doesn’t get as much light.”

Yang Yingxiong laughed. “Okay.”

Zhou Min also laughed. Before coming, she had been puzzled why Yang Yingxiong wanted to bring her to meet an unrelated aunt, but since getting off the train, she had already felt the difference. Uncle Jiang seemed like a family elder who cared for them, and the two younger sisters were especially kind. Being together felt natural, like one big family.

Jin Xiuzhu poured a cup of tea for Zhou Min. “Try it, this is the floral tea I brewed this morning. It tastes pretty good and is refreshing too.”

Zhou Min took it politely with both hands. “Thank you, Auntie.”

“No problem, no problem.”

Jin Xiuzhu called out to the siblings playing on the other side, “Stop fooling around, wash your hands and come eat. You’re not kids anymore.”

Fang Min and Zhu Ying came out carrying dishes, smiling as they greeted Zhou Min.

Yang Yingxiong wasn’t there, and Zhou Min felt a little out of place. Her family was small, and this was her first time seeing so many people eat together.

Jin Xiuzhu gently introduced them. “You can just call them Auntie Fang and Auntie Zhu.”

“Auntie Fang.”

“Auntie Zhu.”

“Oh.”

“So obedient.”

“Of course! Our Yingxiong has excellent taste.”

Zhou Min smiled, pressing her lips together.

Yang Yingxiong ran down the stairs two steps at a time, also smiling and calling out, “Auntie, Auntie!”

Jin Xiuzhu said to him, “Have some tea too.” Then she turned and went back to the kitchen to get more dishes.

Yang Yingxiong didn’t pour himself new tea but took a few sips from the cup in Zhou Min’s hand. After drinking, he leaned close and whispered, “See? I told you, they’re all really nice people.”

Zhou Min smiled and softly responded with a nod.

Yang Yingxiong gestured for her to sit while he went to get more dishes.

Zhou Min didn’t sit immediately but moved a chair to the table.

At lunchtime, a big table of food was served, and everyone ate lively together. When Zhu Ying and Fang Min left, each slipped Zhou Min a red envelope.

Zhou Min and Yang Yingxiong wanted to refuse without thinking, but Fang Min grabbed her hand, laughing, “Take it. You’re Zhou Min, I’m Fang Min—this shows our connection. This red envelope is Auntie’s small token, treat Yingxiong well. We all like this kid.”

Zhu Ying added, “We’re all family. Don’t be so polite.”

Zhou Min looked at Yang Yingxiong. He nodded, smiling, “Then thank you, Auntie Fang and Auntie Zhu.”

She echoed, “Thank you, Auntie Fang and Auntie Zhu.”

“Good girl.”

“How nice, Yingxiong really got off on the right foot. Next, we’ll see when Xiaoyan brings a partner home.”

He Yan had been standing there smiling foolishly, but upon hearing this, he felt immense pressure.

Yang Yingxiong mischievously teased from the side, “That’s all on you now.”

He Yan shook his fist in front of him, “Cheeky!”

After a busy morning, Jin Xiuzhu felt a bit tired and went back to the room with Jiang Mingchuan for a nap.

The children weren’t sleepy yet. After a long time apart, they gathered in the living room, chattering. One moment they reminisced about childhood, the next they were talking about the end-of-year wedding of Yang Yingxiong.

He Yan suggested inviting Wei Ningqing as Yingxiong’s best man. Liuliu anxiously asked, “What about me?”

Yang Chaoying laughed at her. “You can’t be the bridesmaid, just focus on eating.”

Liuliu pounded her fist on him in mock anger.

Zhou Min saw this and quickly laughed, “You can be a bridesmaid. I don’t have any younger sisters at home.”

Liuliu cheered, running up to Zhou Min, saying she would invite all her sisters to make it fun.

They chatted until past two, and the children finally went upstairs to sleep.

Zhou Min slept in what used to be Yang Yingxiong’s and his brother’s room, now redecorated. The bed linens were pink, and there was a dressing table with a mirror. The room was so beautiful she couldn’t help glancing at Yang Yingxiong.

Her home wasn’t well-off, and this was her first time sleeping in such a nice room.

Yang Yingxiong turned on the ceiling fan and took out a clean set of clothes from her bag. “Let’s go wash up in the bathroom, then you can rest a bit. Auntie said we’re going to Auntie Fang’s for dinner tonight.”

Zhou Min obediently nodded, whispering, “They’re really so nice.”

Even better than her own parents. Meeting Yang Yingxiong had been a coincidence—during university, she studied while working at his supermarket. If she was bullied, she wouldn’t say anything, hiding away and crying alone, until he noticed.

Yang Yingxiong took care of her, and she gradually liked him. Fearful someone would take him from her, she confessed first. Even if rejected, she wouldn’t give up. It was the bravest thing she had ever done.

Unexpectedly, he was even better than she imagined, caring for her in every way and making her feel cherished.

Thinking this, she reached out and held the corner of his shirt. Yang Yingxiong noticed and glanced at her. Zhou Min smiled sweetly.

He smiled back and lowered his voice, “Come on, let’s go wash up first.”

“Mm.”

Suddenly, there was noise at the door, hurried footsteps, and the sound of a door closing.

Yang Yingxiong tensed at the corner of his mouth, guessing that a few rascals were peeking. He shouted angrily toward the door, “What are you looking at? Wait, let’s see if you still bring partners home later.”

Zhou Min blushed, realizing what was going on.

That evening, Jin Xiuzhu took Yang Yingxiong and the others to Fang Min’s house for dinner. Zhu Ying brought out small clothes and shoes she had made. The children circled around curiously, examining them.

Zhu Ying hurriedly said, “Everything, Auntie made for you all.”

Fang Min told Jin Xiuzhu, “I said she didn’t need to make them, but she wouldn’t listen. Now every child gets something.”

Jin Xiuzhu laughed, “That’s good. At least now we’re busy with something. Otherwise, staying at home every day would be boring.”

“That’s true.”

“It’s really nice that the kids came back.”

Jin Xiuzhu glanced at Zhu Ying, who was laughing at something amusing with the children. Liuliu and He Yan were especially excited, slapping their legs with joy.

Then the children talked about other things. Liuliu eagerly turned to Jin Xiuzhu, “Mom, brother Yingxiong said after the wedding, we can all go out together, okay?”

“Where will we go?”

“Not decided yet. You just pay.”

Everyone laughed again. He Yan teased, “Mom, you’re the best. We’ll carry your bags and run errands for you.”

Yang Chaoying added, “Auntie, I’ll be your number-one helper then.”

Jin Xiuzhu laughed heartily. “Fine, you decide the place, I’ll pay.”

“You’re the best, Mom!”

“My mom is the best in the world!”

“Just knew Auntie would be the most generous.”

…

Everyone was teasing and flattering her.

The living room lights were dim, but everyone’s faces glowed with radiant smiles.

On the way home, Fu Yanyan and Liuliu each linked an arm with Jin Xiuzhu, chatting warmly. Jin Xiuzhu shared a dream she had last night. Liuliu didn’t take it seriously, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Mom must be tired. Sleep well tonight.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded, suspecting it was indeed due to her recent fatigue.

Only Fu Yanyan felt a tight pang in her chest. She glanced at Jin Xiuzhu, then relaxed and smiled. She hoped that the family in another place could also meet a mother like her now.

He Yan and Yang Chaoying walked on either side of Jiang Mingchuan. The two kids were unafraid, linking arms.

Zhou Min and Yang Yingxiong walked at the back, watching everyone’s backs. She sighed with envy, “I hope our home will be this lively and happy in the future.”

Yang Yingxiong smiled, “It will be.”

Everyone would continue to get better and better.