Widow Remarries in Sixties

Jiang Mingchuan didn’t think too much about it. After hearing Jin Xiuzhu’s question, he seriously recalled and then said, “She’s quite nice.”

Indeed, she was quite nice. She made a piece of clothing for He Yan the first time they met; even though it was too big, it was still a thoughtful gesture.

Jin Xiuzhu’s smile deepened on her face as she asked again, “And me?”

Jiang Mingchuan didn’t understand what she meant. “What?”

Looking at him, Jin Xiuzhu asked again, “Compared to her, what kind of person am I in your heart?”

Jiang Mingchuan seemed to find this question a bit difficult. He frowned and finally said, “Different.”

Jin Xiuzhu’s smile faded from her face. “How am I different?”

Jiang Mingchuan hadn’t realized the danger yet. Thinking about how Jin Xiuzhu usually coaxed him, he wanted to say something to please her. So he said, “Even if you’re not good, I still like you.”

Jin Xiuzhu chuckled and said, “So, in your heart, I’m not a good person?”

“I didn’t mean that.”

Jin Xiuzhu waited for his explanation, but Jiang Mingchuan couldn’t figure out how to explain it to her after thinking for a while. “She cares a lot about what others think, while you prioritize your own feelings. The two of you are not comparable…”

Fu Yanyan, who was being held in Jiang Mingchuan’s arms like a little adult, sighed. She tugged at Jiang Mingchuan’s collar, wanting to remind him not to say more. The more he explained, the more likely it was to be misunderstood.

Did he really think Jin Xiuzhu’s temper was very good?

Jin Xiuzhu couldn’t be bothered to listen to Jiang Mingchuan’s nonsense and instead turned her gaze directly to her son. “Did your dad just say something bad about me?”

He Yan didn’t quite understand what the two of them were talking about but nodded foolishly when he heard Jin Xiuzhu’s question.

He did hear the words “not good.”

Jin Xiuzhu’s smile reappeared on her face as she looked at Jiang Mingchuan, her voice cold. “See, even our son said he heard it.”

“…”

Jiang Mingchuan was completely confused. He didn’t remember saying anything bad about her.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something else, but Jin Xiuzhu turned and walked away.

Father and son looked at each other in confusion.

It was Fu Yanyan who couldn’t help but curse, “Two big idiots.”

Jiang Mingchuan also realized that Jin Xiuzhu was angry. He looked at his son with displeasure. “Why did you nod?”

He Yan felt wronged. “You did say that just now.”

“…”

Jiang Mingchuan couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. He bent down to put down his daughter. “You two, hurry and catch up.”

Then he hurried to catch up.

He Yan was still a bit aggrieved. He complained to his sister, “Dad clearly said so, but he won’t admit it.”

Fu Yanyan rolled her eyes at him. “Admit it, you big blockhead.”

After saying that, she quickly catch up.

Feeling rejected by both his father and sister, He Yan felt even more aggrieved. He thought his mother was better because she always praised him. After catching up to his sister, he looked at his parents walking not far ahead and tried to please his sister. “You hold my hand. Big brother runs fast, I’ll hold onto you and keep up.”

Fu Yanyan: “…”

Didn’t you see that Dad specifically put her down?

She turned her head to look at He Yan. The features of the little boy overlapped somewhat with his future handsome appearance, but the clear eyes revealed a hint of foolishness. She bluntly said, “You’ll definitely have trouble finding a partner in the future.”

He Yan didn’t hesitate to ask, “Why?”

“Because you have a pig’s brain!”

“You’re insulting people again.”

***

The day before Captain Yang hosted the banquet, he specially came to the Jiang household to inform Jiang Mingchuan and his wife. They had just finished dinner. Tomorrow was the weekend, and Jiang Mingchuan planned to take them to the city for a big meal because he had received his salary.

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t know why Captain Yang was so insistent on them going, but she didn’t want to go. She looked directly at Jiang Mingchuan, who also didn’t want to go, and refused, “We have something to do at home tomorrow. We need to take the children to the city.”

Captain Yang seemed a little disappointed and nodded. “Alright then.”

After they left, Jin Xiuzhu asked Jiang Mingchuan, “He came to invite us in person. Should we give a gift as a token of appreciation?”

Jiang Mingchuan hadn’t thought about it yet and looked uncertainly at Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu was just asking. It was certain they should give a gift, but she felt unhappy about it. They weren’t going but were still giving a gift. She wondered what others would think.

Thinking like this, she blamed Captain Yang, “Why did he have to come to our house? He’s really something.”

Jiang Mingchuan didn’t want to think badly of others. “Maybe he thought that since he had already asked, not coming to invite us in person would seem insincere.”

Jin Xiuzhu narrowed her eyes and sarcastically said, “Yeah, you’re all good people. I’m the only one with a bad heart, always thinking the worst in people.”

“…”

Jiang Mingchuan’s voice sounded a bit hollow. “It’s all in the past now, aren’t you over it?”

With a disdainful snort, Jin Xiuzhu turned and went to the neighboring house to ask Qian Yufeng if there was anything fun in the city.

Living next door, any commotion between the two households was immediately noticed. When Qian Yufeng saw Jin Xiuzhu coming over, she immediately asked curiously, “Who was that just now? Why did they look somewhat familiar?”

Knowing Qian Yufeng’s personality well, Jin Xiuzhu explained the situation.

After listening, Qian Yufeng furrowed her brow, and even Aunt Wu, who was sitting by the door mending clothes, chimed in, “That was handled quite improperly. While they may have saved face for themselves, they put you both in an awkward position.”

Qian Yufeng felt something was off but couldn’t quite grasp it. Upon hearing her mother-in-law’s words, she immediately understood and nodded, “Indeed, you should go, but it’s going to be quite a spectacle. If you don’t go but still send the gifts, it might not sound good. People might think Captain Jiang hasn’t given up on you. What should we do?”

Jin Xiuzhu said, “We definitely have to send the gifts, especially since they’ve come to us. But their notification was too last-minute, and we weren’t prepared. We thought of waiting until they finish their banquet tomorrow to make up for the gifts, but I’m not sure if that’s appropriate.”

Qian Yufeng didn’t quite understand these matters and looked directly at her own mother-in-law.

Aunt Wu calmly said, “What’s inappropriate about it? Morning or evening, it’s all the same. As long as the blessings are delivered, it’s fine. Nowadays, it’s a new era; we don’t fuss over those formalities.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled and felt more comfortable speaking with intelligent people. “With your assurance, I feel relieved.”

Anyway, if someone mentioned anything, she would just bring up Grandma Wu, considering it as consulting with elders. And since Grandma Wu said so, it was like she had her backing.

Jin Xiuzhu asked about the situation in the city, knowing that they could go to the department store, the supply and marketing cooperative, and play at Heping Park, she then left.

After she left, Qian Yufeng couldn’t help but ask her mother-in-law, “Why does it feel like she’s hiding something in her words?”

Grandma Wu ignored her, feeling that she was far inferior to Jin Xiuzhu. She thought if her son had married a wife like Jin Xiuzhu, their family would definitely be better off. Xiaojun wouldn’t be so clueless, and Daya wouldn’t be so timid.

Without comparison in the past, she didn’t have much feeling. Now, seeing the two children Xiao Yan and Yanyan getting better and better, she felt uncomfortable in her heart, thinking that marrying a smart woman was better.

But she was just thinking about it. Each person had their own destiny. If Jin Xiuzhu really entered their family, she would probably have to listen to her then.

Seeing her mother-in-law ignoring her again, Qian Yufeng lowered her head and pursed her lips, feeling that her mother-in-law treated outsiders better than her.

Early the next morning, the family of four went to the city.

They set off just as the sky was getting bright. Jin Xiuzhu had specially asked for a day off.

They first took a boat to the county town, then transferred to a bus, and arrived in the city around ten in the morning.

Today was the weekend, and there were many people in the park, most of them families bringing their children out to play. There were also young men and women, but even if they walked together, there was still some distance between them.

He Yan was visiting the park for the first time and found everything fascinating. He held Jin Xiuzhu’s hand tightly, afraid of getting lost.

Jiang Mingchuan walked behind, holding his daughter, and when he saw the park staff selling ice cream, he called out to the two in front to stop. He then went to buy three green bean popsicles while carrying his daughter.

Jin Xiuzhu had never eaten this before. Following He Yan’s lead, she took a lick. It was cold and sweet, refreshing in the heat.

After tasting it, she went to feed Jiang Mingchuan. Glancing around and seeing no one paying attention to him, Jiang Mingchuan quickly bent down and took a bite.

Some children saw them eating popsicles and insisted that their parents buy them too. Some parents reluctantly bought them, while others just pulled their children away.

He Yan noticed this and deliberately ate his popsicle slowly, showing off a bit.

This was his first time eating a popsicle. In the past, at his uncle’s house, his aunt bought popsicles for his cousin, but not for him. His grandmother told him that only good children could have them, but he didn’t know how to be good. He thought he was already obedient.

Also, at Grandma Wu’s house, when Aunt Qian bought popsicles for Wu Xiaojun, she asked if he wanted one. Although he really wanted one, he shook his head. He knew that if Aunt Qian asked like that, she didn’t really want to buy him one.

Fortunately, he wasn’t very upset because Daya wasn’t getting one either.

Now, he finally got to eat one, and Mom and Dad bought it for him without saying anything. He really liked his parents now, and his little sister too.

After finishing their stroll in the park, the family of four went to the state-owned restaurant and enjoyed a big meal, ordering dumplings, noodles, braised fish, and sweet and sour spare ribs, stuffing themselves until their bellies were full.

After finishing their meal, they went to the department store to have fun. They bought a pair of shoes for both children and a hair tie for their daughter.

Jiang Mingchuan also wanted to buy clam oil for Jin Xiuzhu, but she looked at the counter and felt that the homemade ointment was better, so she didn’t buy it.

By the time they returned home, it was already five o’clock in the afternoon. Just as they arrived home, Qian Yufeng brought over a plate of stir-fried wild vegetables and some dried mushrooms. “I got these from my parents’ house today. A few days ago, it rained, and my nephew went to the mountains to pick them. They’ve just been dried. I know you like to eat these, so I brought back some extra.”

“You’re always so kind, thinking of me whenever you have something good.”

Qian Yufeng felt pleased to hear this. “Of course, I’m not one to take advantage. I can’t always be eating at your place.”

After seeing off Qian Yufeng, Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan soaked and stir-fried the dried mushrooms. For dinner, they had stir-fried wild vegetables and dried mushrooms with chili. After dinner, Jin Xiuzhu took the clean dishes next door.

Fu Yanyan followed her, while He Yan stayed at home to do his homework. He hadn’t written a single word today.

When Jin Xiuzhu arrived next door, Qian Yufeng was washing dishes in the kitchen. Seeing her and her daughter coming over, she teased Fu Yanyan about whether she had fun today.

Fuyan spoke clearly, “It was fun. I had ice cream and dumplings with meat for lunch.”

Qian Yufeng laughed upon hearing this. “Always thinking about food! No wonder you’re such a chubby little girl.”

Fuyan replied awkwardly, “…”

Qian Yufeng then said to Jin Xiuzhu, “But it’s good to be a bit chubby. It looks festive. My eldest daughter is not pleasant-looking, just like her father, all skinny.”

Jin Xiuzhu comforted her, “That’s just how kids grow. When Fu Yanyan grows up, she’ll be like this too.”

Qian Yufeng was just talking casually and didn’t pay much attention. Instead, she continued, “Speaking of which, I saw Captain Yang and his wife this afternoon. They came back from outside after dinner, and I happened to bump into them at the gate when I just got back from my mother’s house.”

Lowering her voice, she added, “I heard that the couple hosted a banquet at the county-owned restaurant today. They must be really rich. This meal must have cost over two hundred yuan, right?”

Jin Xiuzhu was surprised. “Is Captain Yang so wealthy?”

Qian Yufeng shook her head. “I don’t know if Captain Yang is wealthy, but his wife certainly is. Don’t you know? Captain Yang’s wife sold her job at the textile factory and will follow the army with her children in the future. She must have made a lot of money selling it.

Think about it, she probably made two or three hundred yuan a year from that job. Plus, they provided meals at noon and other benefits. Would she be willing to sell it for less than two or three thousand? I’m afraid even that’s an understatement.”

Jin Xiuzhu frowned, “But who would buy it?”

Qian Yufeng grinned slyly, “There are plenty of people who want to buy it. Nowadays, they encourage urban children to go to the countryside. Some parents who dote on their children and don’t want them to go to the countryside definitely want to arrange a job for them to stay in the city.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded, indicating she understood.

Qian Yufeng comforted her, “We might have to meet often in the future. Just keep an open mind.”

Jin Xiuzhu chuckled, “What is there for me not to be open-minded about?”

In her opinion, there were plenty of men out there. If Jiang Mingchuan had other intentions, she could just break up with him.

Anyway, she had the ability to fend for herself, so she wasn’t afraid of starving.

But she couldn’t say this to Qian Yufeng.

On the way back, Fu Yanyan suddenly asked, “What if Dad still likes that aunt?”

Jin Xiuzhu was somewhat surprised that her daughter would ask such a question. She stopped in her tracks and looked at her in astonishment.

Fu Yanyan lowered her head, kicked a stone by her feet, and calmly said, “If it weren’t for me, Mom wouldn’t have married Dad, and Dad wouldn’t have married Mom. If that aunt doesn’t live well and comes to find Dad…”

Jin Xiuzhu had always thought her daughter was very intelligent. She could see through many relationships that even adults struggled to understand. However, as Jiang Mingchuan said, too much wisdom could be harmful. She thought deeper than herself.

She couldn’t give an answer to her daughter’s worries because it was indeed possible that, as the child said, if that woman didn’t live well and came to find Jiang Mingchuan, there would definitely be problems between her and Jiang Mingchuan.

At that time, the choices she and Jiang Mingchuan made would be crucial in determining whether this family could continue.

After a moment of contemplation, she said, “Mom married your Dad not just for you.”

Fu Yanyan looked up at her in silence.

“It was more for myself. I didn’t want to spend my whole life in that poor mountain valley, I didn’t want to be bullied by your grandmother and aunt all the time, and especially didn’t want your aunt to live better than me…”

These were all Jin Xiuzhu’s own thoughts and had nothing to do with her three-year-old daughter.

“I brought you along because you’re my child, but these are all my own desires, nothing to do with you.”

Fu Yanyan had comforted herself in a similar way before, but hearing these words from Jin Xiuzhu’s mouth for the first time, she couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart and had the urge to cry.

In her previous life, Jin Xiuzhu didn’t say these things. She used to claim everything was for Fu Yanyan, that she resorted to unsavory means to latch onto Dad Jiang because of her, and if it weren’t for her, both she and Jiang Dad would have been fine…

Jin Xiuzhu continued, “Now, your Dad Jiang doesn’t care about those things anymore. There’s no need for us to torture ourselves. We should look forward in life. As for the future, we’ll figure it out later. If things don’t work out, I’ll take you away. We have hands and feet, we won’t starve, right?”

Then, jokingly, she added, “Besides, you’re so clever, you’ll definitely be able to support Mom in the future.”

Fu Yanyan didn’t respond as lightly as Jin Xiuzhu did. After a moment of silence, she muttered, “I’m not leaving. I want Mom, and I want Jiang Dad and Brother too. We’re a family.”

Jin Xiuzhu was taken aback, but she didn’t say anything more, just took Fu Yanyan’s hand and headed home.

***

The next morning, after returning from the cafeteria, Jin Xiuzhu carried a basket of things and took her daughter out.

At first, Fu Yanyan didn’t know where they were going, but as they walked, she started to recognize the surroundings.

Finally, Jin Xiuzhu stopped in front of a house with a collapsed wall. With a glance, she saw several women sitting in the yard.

When those women, who were chatting, saw Jin Xiuzhu, they stopped what they were doing. The middle-aged woman among them craned her neck and asked, “Who are you looking for?”