Chapter 6 Cake
◎I have something I want to ask you for help◎
On November 18, 1991, autumn was approaching.
Zhao Xiangwan received a package from her hometown, which was a bright green round-neck sweater. Seeing the familiar double-strand twisted stitch, bright colors, and the sweater that fit her perfectly, Zhao Xiangwan's eyes sparkled with joy.
Her roommate Zhang Yalan came close to her, looked at the sweater and said "tsk tsk" twice, "This color...this style..." Although she didn't finish her words, Zhao Xiangwan heard it clearly.
[This sweater is so brightly colored and so tacky in style, can I wear it outside? ]
Zhao Xiangwan turned his head and glanced at Zhang Yalan.
Zhang Yalan blushed and raised her hands in embarrassment: "I know, I know, I shouldn't criticize this sweater in my heart, but... this extremely bright green is really dazzling."
Zhao Xiangwan pressed the sweater against his cheek, feeling its soft touch.
My aunt only knew two stitches: the plain stitch and the double-strand twist stitch. But she was fast at knitting and could finish one piece in a week. Every year she would knit one piece for Zhao Xiangwan.
Although his adoptive parents only cared about their biological daughter, Zhao Chenyang, and oppressed Zhao Xiangwan in various ways, his aunt Zhao Dacui was the warmest color in Zhao Xiangwan's childhood.
Rural people give simple and direct names. Zhao Xiangwan's aunt Zhao Dacui and his father Zhao Erfu are siblings. Zhao Dacui is honest, kind and hardworking. After marrying to a neighboring village, she gave birth to three daughters and was not liked by her parents-in-law and husband for a long time. Zhao Erfu married Qian Shufen and gave birth to two sons and a daughter. They lived a good life.
As a woman, Zhao Dacui felt pity for Zhao Xiangwan because she saw that she was as obedient as herself but not loved by her parents at home. She often secretly sent her food, daily necessities and clothes. When Zhao Xiangwan was nervous and scared during her first menstruation, it was Zhao Dacui who took her to buy menstrual belts and sanitary napkins, and gently taught her to pay attention to menstrual hygiene and try not to touch cold water.
In Zhao Xiangwan's mind, his aunt is the closest relative.
After putting the sweater into the closet, Zhao Xiangwan took off the student uniform issued by the school, put on a simple white floral shirt and a pair of blue cloth trousers, combed his hair into two braids, and after packing everything, he prepared to go out.
Zhang Yalan rarely saw Zhao Xiangwan in casual clothes, so she asked curiously, "Where are you going? You're dressed so beautifully."
Zhao Xiangwan pursed her lips and did not answer.
After living in the same dormitory for two and a half months, everyone gradually became familiar with each other. Zhang Yalan was a carefree person. She reached out her hand to pat Zhao Xiangwan on the shoulder, jokingly saying, "What? Any more secrets?"
Zhao Xiangwan didn't like physical contact with people and took a half step back.
Zhang Yalan's hand was hanging in the air, feeling a little annoyed, but she adjusted her mentality quickly, took back her hand and smiled to smooth things over for herself: "Okay, okay, I won't ask anymore."
[There must be something going on! Zhao Xiangwan usually doesn't talk much in class, but she's dressed up so seriously, is she in love? Strange, who is it? She looked at me, and I didn't dare to say a bad word, which boy is so brave? ]
Zhao Xiangwan has heard similar voices too many times.
After pausing for a moment, she quickly left the dormitory.
I walked out of the dormitory building and headed toward the teachers' residential area along Xiangzhang Road. I walked into 201 of a unit building with a familiar look. As soon as I knocked on the door, I heard Zhou Qiaoxiu's gentle and cheerful voice from inside: "I'm coming!"
Ever since she rescued little Xu Zhenbao, Zhou Qiaoxiu has taken extra care of Zhao Xiangwan and informed her early in the morning to come home for dinner today.
The teachers' dormitory of the People's Public Security University was built in the 1970s. It is about 50 square meters, with two bedrooms and a living room. The living room is not big and can only accommodate a square table by the window.
As soon as he entered the door, a sweet fragrance hit him. Zhao Xiangwan looked up and saw a round cream cake on the small dining table in the living room, emitting an enticing aroma.
Zhou Qiaoxiu put the last dish on the table, took off her apron, and smiled brightly: "The birthday star is here. Today, your uncle Xu, the baby, and I will celebrate your birthday together!"
Zhao Xiangwan's feet were nailed to the tile floor and he couldn't move an inch.
The square table in the center of the living room was filled with all kinds of food, and in the center was a large cake decorated with red, green and yellow cream flowers. In the center of the cake was a decoration made of white chocolate: a little girl in a princess dress and a crown.
Zhao Xiangwan had imagined this scene countless times in his dreams.
——My biological parents took me to their side and gave me a big cream cake on my birthday. There were candles and a little princess on the cake. My parents smiled and said, "Happy birthday, baby!"
Unfortunately, there was no news until I was eighteen.
Zhou Qiaoxiu took out two candles, one red and one green. One candle was a "1" and the other was an "8". She smiled and helped Zhao Xiangwan put the candles in. Xu Songling took out a lighter and lit them. The baby looked up and pulled her hand: "Sister, come on, happy birthday."
Braised duck, sweet and sour spare ribs, steamed crucian carp with fermented black beans, stir-fried pork with chili peppers, stir-fried chicken, stir-fried lettuce... the rich aroma filled the air, mixed with the aroma of butter and rice. Zhao Xiangwan, who had been treated harshly by his adoptive parents since childhood, felt his eyes warm and his chest burning, unable to utter a word.
Zhao Xiangwan was born in Zhaojiagou, Huangtian Township, Luo County, Hunan Province, which was close to the county town. He made a living by growing rice, and worked hard every year to make ends meet. His mother Qian Shufen was frugal and reluctant to spend money. Even during the Chinese New Year, the family had never had such a rich meal, not to mention buying an expensive birthday cake for Zhao Xiangwan's birthday.
She said, "My family is poor and we have no money."
But what the mother was thinking was: My own daughter has gone to the city to enjoy a good life, and you should suffer in the countryside, and I won’t give you any money to spend.
Zhao Chenyang, the twin sister who grew up with Zhao Xiangwan and went to the city to enjoy life as a rich lady at the age of ten, is actually the biological daughter of Qian Shufen and Zhao Erfu. However, because she envied Zhao Xiangwan's biological parents who were wealthy people in the city, she secretly replaced Zhao Xiangwan and went to the city.
After knowing the truth, Zhao Xiangwan, who was left in the countryside, endured it for eight years. This year, she finally got rid of her adoptive parents who had always prevented her from making progress and was admitted to Hunan Public Security University.
"Hurry up and blow out the candles, Zhao Xiangwan. Today is your eighteenth birthday. Your family is not around, so your teacher is celebrating with you."
Zhou Qiaoxiu is the class teacher. After looking through the student's files when she entered the school, she remembered that Zhao Xiangwan was born on November 18, 1973. Today is her 18th birthday. This child is quiet and introverted, and never asks for anything from anyone. Zhou Qiaoxiu didn't know how to express her gratitude, so she discussed with her husband and arranged this birthday party at home.
Seeing Zhao Xiangwan’s slightly red eyes, Zhou Qiaoxiu felt distressed.
As a senior class teacher, she has come into contact with many rural children. Because of their poor family conditions and lack of worldly experience, they are more or less lacking in confidence when they first enter university.
Zhao Xiangwan is so smart and clever, but because of her family's financial situation, she cannot enjoy better treatment. Zhou Qiaoxiu feels sorry for her. She pretends not to notice Zhao Xiangwan's emotion and urges her in a relaxed manner: "Close your eyes and make a wish, then blow the candles, and your baby will sing a happy birthday song for you."
Zhao Xiangwan closed his eyes as he was told and heard the truest voices from Zhou Qiaoxiu and Xu Songling's hearts.
[This child must have suffered a lot when he was young. His eyes turned red when he saw the big cake.]
[Poor families often produce exceptionally talented people. Children like Zhao Xiangwan, who are tenacious and patient, often achieve great things.]
The cold and hard heart suddenly broke, as if a snow lotus, the most holy and beautiful in the world, had bloomed in the ice and snow. Zhao Xiangwan's eyebrows were slightly curved, with a faint smile on the corners of his mouth. He put his hands together at his lips and silently made a wish for his 18th birthday.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..." The baby's childish birthday song rang in my ears.
Phew! The candle is out.
Zhao Xiangwan looked at Zhou Qiaoxiu and mouthed two words: "Thank you!"
Everyone sat down and ate happily. Zhao Xiangwan stood up and offered tea to Xu Songling as if it were wine: "Officer Xu, I have something I want to ask you for help."
Xu Songling laughed and picked up the wine glass in front of him: "Don't be polite, classmate Zhao. You are Mr. Zhou's student and our baby's savior. Just tell me what you want to say."
There was one more thing Xu Songling didn't say: Thank you for helping us recognize Meimei's true face and eliminating a hidden cancer in the family.
Meimei was officially adopted by Xu Songling and Zhou Qiaoxiu, so it was impossible to return her to the orphanage. Considering that this child was deep-minded and deliberately abandoned her sister, Xu Songling would naturally not keep Meimei at home. Even though Meimei cried and begged for mercy, Officer Xu still reprimanded her severely at the police station, and then sent her to boarding school without saying a word.
Before parting, Xu Songling said to Meimei earnestly: "Not all mistakes are worthy of forgiveness. If you dare to do it, you must dare to take responsibility!"
Although Xu Zhenmei is still the child of Xu Songling and Zhou Qiaoxiu legally, they have severed their emotional relationship.
Zhao Xiangwan could hear what Xu Songling was thinking, and secretly praised Officer Xu for being able to let go of the issue. He continued his plea, "I would like to ask you to find someone in Xing City. Her name is Zhao Chenyang, her father is Zhao Qingyun, and her mother is Wei Meihua."
When Xu Songling heard about this, he patted his chest and promised, "I dare not say anything else, but finding people is our public security system's forte. As long as the name is correct and the person is still in Xing City, I will ask my colleagues in the household registration department to help search for him. It will take at least a week and at most a month to find him for you."
Zhao Xiangwan's hand holding the tea trembled, his heart was surging, and his eyes were filled with unconcealed joy. Great, Zhao Chenyang, you are a fake imposter, I finally have a chance to catch you!
Zhou Qiaoxiu was very attentive. Seeing Zhao Xiangwan's expression, she couldn't help but ask, "Xiangwan, who is this Zhao Chenyang to you?"