Chapter 33 Chapter 33 "It's okay, I can't eat another one...
During this year's Spring Festival, Wu Hehua's family was the most anticipated. Originally, the villagers said that she, an old woman, had sent all her children away. Her children were now well, but she was left alone and helpless. Unexpectedly, the whole family would come back in the twelfth lunar month.
Everyone envied: "Xiao Ci's mouth is so good at talking about marriages."
Wu Hehua was extremely happy. Even He Suwen and his wife came, and her eldest grandson, whom she hadn't seen for more than ten years, also came back this time.
The village arranged a tractor to pick up people at the county station after lunch. No one objected because Jiang Hongyu made money selling clothes in the capital and installed a telephone in the village. When people had urgent matters, they no longer had to go to the township to make a call. Even the people in the neighboring village came to borrow the phone when they encountered an emergency.
Wu Hehua was waiting at the entrance of the village early in the morning. She knew that the person would not be home until the afternoon, but she couldn't wait at home, so it would be more reassuring to stay at the entrance of the village.
At noon, the village chief came over and told Wu Hehua to go back and eat first: "Sister Hehua, didn't Wei Hai say on the phone that he won't arrive until the afternoon? Especially by car, it's good if he's not late. He won't arrive early. Come back after lunch and wait for him."
Wu Hehua had no appetite, so she just made some instant rice and ate it, then checked the prepared New Year's goods again.
The money used to buy these New Year goods was from her daughter's earnings from selling clothes in Beijing, and she sent it back to her in advance, saying that Wei Hai's adoptive parents had also come and they couldn't be neglected. She only picked out the best ones to buy, and they were enough to last until the tenth day of the first lunar month.
The more I thought about it, the happier I felt, and I went to the village entrance to wait.
After lunch, the village chief came over to wait with Wu Hehua. Then, many villagers came one after another.
Everyone was talking about it: "At the beginning, we were worried that Wen Ying and Xiao Ci would not be welcomed if they followed Wei Hai, but we didn't expect that she would repair the relationship between your two families."
Wu Hehua knew that this was all the luck that Xiaoci brought to the two families.
Soon, someone with sharp eyes saw the tractor coming and pointed it out to everyone: "That's it, it's finally back."
After Jiang Hongyu earned some money, she gritted her teeth and got a phone from the village office. The village was very kind to her family. When her sister-in-law brought Xiaoci to settle down, how could they have stayed there without the village's strong support? She has to give back the money she earns. It is very expensive to install a telephone nowadays. After this trip, everyone in the village respects and envies her.
Jiang Xiaoci saw her grandmother in the crowd from a distance. Her mother had told her in advance that this time she could only call her Grandma Wu and must not do anything that would cause any rift between the two grandmothers.
As soon as the tractor stopped, she couldn't wait to pull her eldest brother out first: "Grandpa and grandma, you guys take your time getting off. I'll go over to say hello to my eldest brother first."
He Suwen felt sad, but Xiaoci still loved her grandmother in the countryside very much.
Jiang Peizhong held his wife's hand and whispered: "That was before you, grandma who took her in and loved her, don't be jealous."
He Suwen hurriedly said, "How could that be? I can't thank you enough. Without Sister Wu's kindness, we, Wenying, and Xiaoci wouldn't be able to become a family."
…
Jiang Xiaoci took her eldest brother and ran to Wu Hehua first. She hugged her and called her "Grandma Wu" affectionately. Then she nestled in her arms and said, "When there's no one around, I'll call you grandma."
Wu Hehua hugged her lovingly and said, "Grandma knows everything, so stop talking."
Wu Hehua's eyes stopped at her grandchildren. At first, He Suwen was afraid that her grandchildren would get close to her, so she didn't bring her two grandchildren back home after they started primary school. Now she really doesn't recognize them.
But it could not stop the blood relationship at all. Wu Hehua had to look up to see her tall grandson clearly. She rubbed her eyes and suddenly wanted to cry. How could she face him when she had never raised him?
Jiang Xiaoci pulled the eldest brother over and said, "Grandma Wu, this is the eldest brother. The second brother is in the army and can't come back. I will bring him to see you next time."
For some reason, Jiang Yunzhong felt sad. It was also a kind of happiness for a family to care for each other and live in harmony.
He softened his voice and called politely, "Hello, Grandma Wu."
Wu Hehua quickly held his hand and said, "Okay, everything is fine."
Gu Wenying and He Suwen came over side by side, and Gu Wenying eased the embarrassment: "Aunt Wu, my mother-in-law said that she has a lot to say to you. Let's go home and talk."
He Suwen felt very guilty towards Wu Hehua. Thanks to her kindness in taking in Wen Ying and Xiaoci, she had the opportunity to become a family with them.
Tears welled up in her eyes: "Sister Hehua, I was extreme in my thinking before, but now that Xiaoci has come to our home, my heart has softened and I have come to my senses. From now on, our two families will live in harmony and we won't mention the past anymore."
Wu Hehua had never expected such a good result. The two old sisters held hands and said, "Okay, let's not talk about it. I have already lit the charcoal basin. Go home and drink some hot tea and warm up around the charcoal basin."
…
A large group of people gathered back home. Two warm charcoal basins had been heated in advance in the main room of the house, benches had been placed in place, and several thermos bottles had been prepared.
Jiang Xiaoci arrived at her home, and she was familiar with the place and used the good tea produced in the village to make tea for everyone to warm their hands and stomachs.
Several senior members of the village stayed behind and chatted with Jiang Weihai, Yu Changqing, Jiang Chengping and others about current affairs, the latest policies, etc.
Several aunts from the same family also gathered around the women, listening to them talk about the strange things happening in the city.
Everyone sat together chatting and laughing, talking about the interesting things that had happened in the past six months since they last saw each other. Jiang Xiaoci also loved listening, and she also told everyone about the funny things she had experienced. She imitated them so vividly that the listeners felt as if they were there themselves.
Jiang Yunzhong joked: "Jiang Xiaoci, you said that books can definitely make money."
Jiang Xiaoci just ignores her elder brother.
As the house couldn't accommodate so many people at night, Jiang Xiaoci, her elder brother, her aunt, and her uncle went to stay at her aunt's house in the next village, leaving her grandparents, parents, and grandparents at home.
In the days before the Chinese New Year, the family was very busy every day. On New Year's Eve, Wu Hehua remembered that her son was married into her family, so she asked Jiang Chengping to go back to his wife's home: "Don't stay with me, son-in-law. Go spend the New Year with your father-in-law."
Jiang Xiaoci had her New Year's Eve dinner early and took her elder brother to the village office to make a phone call. Gu Wenying reminded him, "Xiaoci, don't talk on the phone for too long. Everyone wants to give you a New Year's red envelope. If you come back late, there will be none left."
Jiang Xiaoci ran quickly: "Okay, I'll make two calls."
The first call she made was to Grandma Xie's house to wish her a happy new year. The second call was to the hospital. Aunt Feng and Doctor Zhu were on duty, and Brother Han was also waiting. They had an appointment, so Jiang Xiaoci was in such a hurry to come out.
After finishing the phone call and finishing what needed to be done tonight, Jiang Xiaoci was done: "Brother, let's go back and collect the red envelope."
Jiang Yunzhong just noticed that Jiang Xiaoci and Han Jingyuan spent twice as much time talking as others: "Jiang Xiaoci, there's something wrong between you and Han Jingyuan."
Jiang Xiaoci was shocked. Her elder brother was very slow in everything except solving cases. How did he sense that?
But she wouldn't be tricked so easily: "What's wrong?"
Jiang Yunzhong felt that he could not be wrong. Many details and clues indicated: "Are you two dating without telling your family members?"
Jiang Xiaoci was shocked. "It's not what you think. I don't know how to explain it, but it is possible for us to get married."
Jiang Yunzhong's mind was full of question marks. Why did he jump to the last step?
"Jiang Xiaoci, tell me the truth."
But Jiang Xiaoci couldn't explain it clearly, so she begged her elder brother to keep it a secret: "Brother, there are still some variables between me and Brother Han. When it is confirmed, I will be the first to tell you. Otherwise, if it doesn't work out in the future, what should I do? You really can't tell me."
Jiang Yunzhong was confused. If it was yes, it was yes, and if it was no, it was no. He couldn’t figure out what the variable was?
…
During the first month of the year, Jiang Xiaoci followed her parents and grandparents, either entertaining guests at home or drinking at other people's homes. On the third day of the new year, they went to Old Man Qi's house for dinner. Everyone noticed that Qi Xiuzhu was listless and advised her to go to the hospital.
The whole family was delighted when they found out that the girl was more than a month pregnant. Old Man Qi wanted his daughter to stay at home and go to the provincial capital after she gave birth.
Wu Hehua disagreed: "How can a young couple be separated for so long, especially since they have a child, it's best not to separate."
Qi Xiuzhu wanted to learn from Jiang Hongyu's experience in selling clothes, but suddenly she became pregnant. She was happy and confused.
Jiang Chengping is going to be a father, and he is full of motivation: "Azhu, don't worry about money. I will set up a stall on weekends and nights, and the money I earn is enough for us."
Qi Xiuzhu couldn't agree: "It's so hard to get into university, you should study hard."
Jiang Xiaoci thought of an idea: "Grandma Wu, you can go to the provincial capital and live with your uncle and aunt. If you help them with housework, you can ask your uncle to give you a salary. If you set up a stall to make money, you can help your uncle to subsidize the family expenses. We can discuss this."
Father Qi had thought so a long time ago, and said with a smile: "Xiaoci is right, mother-in-law, you don't have to worry about the son-in-law. It's all for the good of the children. I can't retire from my job at this school for several years, and you will have to take care of the two children."
So the family decided that when school started, Wu Hehua and her son and daughter-in-law would go to the provincial capital together, while Jiang Xiaoci and her parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle would book tickets to return to Yuncheng on the sixth day of the New Year.
We took the bus early in the morning on the sixth day of the New Year and arrived in Yuncheng at noon. No one was at Brother Han's house, so Jiang Xiaoci ran back to her room to sleep and told her brother that she would wake up Aunt Feng and her family when they came back.
…
Around four o'clock in the afternoon, Aunt Feng and her family came back. She had prepared some food in advance and asked them to eat at her house that night. When she saw Jiang Xiaoci, she hugged her tightly and refused to let go: "Little girl, I just treated you as my daughter, and you're leaving."
Jiang Xiaoci smiled brightly: "Fortunately, I introduced Doctor Zhu to Auntie. You guys live your life well, and I can go out with Brother Han without any worries."
Everyone laughed, except Jiang Yunzhong, who became more worried, but he promised Jiang Xiaoci not to ask or tell anything.
Han Jingyuan was perceptive and noticed Jiang Yunzhong's abnormality. When he went downstairs to take out the trash, he asked him alone: "If you have any opinions about me, just say it directly. What's the point of being so rude?"
Jiang Yunzhong frowned and said coldly, "Be nice to my sister."
Han Jingyuan: ...What's going on? How far has Jiang Xiaoci talked to him?
Jiang Xiaoci was playing at Aunt Feng's house. She saw her eldest brother and eldest brother Han go downstairs to take out the trash. They hadn't come back for ten minutes. She ran downstairs and only saw eldest brother Han. She asked, "Where's my eldest brother?"
Han Jingyuan said, "He said he was going to stay at your grandparents' house and asked me to go up and tell them."
Jiang Xiaoci: "Brother is sensible and filial. Brother Han, my aunt and uncle and I have made an appointment to go to Beijing tomorrow night. Will you join us?"
Tomorrow is the seventh day of the first lunar month, and Han Jingyuan's good brother Qi Jiayue is getting married on the eighth day. When he started working before the New Year, he agreed to go back to work on the tenth day.
He said, "I have to attend Jiayue's wedding, so I've taken two days off. I'll take the bus on the evening of the eighth day, arrive on the ninth day, and go to work on the tenth day."
Jiang Xiaoci understood: "You asked for an extra day to celebrate my birthday, right?"
Han Jingyuan didn't answer, but tacit consent is also an answer.
…
On the eighth day of the first lunar month, Han Jingyuan went to serve as best man for his good brother Qi Jiayue and helped to pick up the bride. He was busy for most of the day, and seeing the groom's high-spirited look, he was happy for him.
Qi Jiayue was so drunk that he felt dizzy. He asked Han Jingyuan to take him to the stairwell to get some fresh air. It was rare to see a smile on his good brother's face. He was sober now and asked with a smile:
"Han Jingyuan, you don't want to get married too, do you?"
Han Jingyuan handed him a bottle of liquor mixed with boiled water and said, "Stop showing off. I might get married too."
Qi Jiayue was so frightened that he stammered, "Who are you marrying? When? How come I didn't hear anything?"
Han Jingyuan didn't know whether the throbbing heart in his chest was due to anticipation or panic, so he pretended to be calm: "In the second half of the year or the end of the year, it should not be later than the beginning of next year at the latest."
It seemed like he was serious. Qi Jiayue was very curious: "Han Jingyuan, stop fooling around. Are you afraid that your family won't agree to keep it a secret? Just tell me a secret. I won't tell anyone."
No one can tell Han Jingyuan, and Jiang Xiaoci has to say it.
He said, "You will know it when it's your turn, don't ask nonsense."
…
Jiang Xiaoci, her aunt and uncle set out on the evening of the seventh day of the Lunar New Year and arrived on the morning of the eighth day. Brother Cheng picked her up at the station.
Grandma Xie prepared a table full of delicious food at noon. Jiang Xiaoci talked about the lively New Year celebrations in the village. She said that everything in the city was good except that it was not as lively as in the village during the New Year. Xie Shuju loved listening to her words.
Uncle Cheng and Aunt Cheng came in the evening and had dinner together. Jiang Xiaoci asked, "Uncle, how are your preparations for opening the business going?"
Cheng Lianjin was confident: "I am sure that we can open the store on time on the 16th day of the first lunar month. You must buy some flowers and plants to take care of the opening business."
Jiang Xiaoci assured: "Of course I will buy it."
She stayed at Grandma Xie's house for a night. The ninth day of the first lunar month was her birthday, and Xie Shuju wanted her to go back to work after her birthday celebration. However, Brother Han was arriving today and would definitely go to the matchmaking agency at noon, so Jiang Xiaoci had to go and promised Grandma Xie to come back early in the afternoon.
She chose the time of 8:08, lit a string of firecrackers, and opened the door for business.
Only two members registered in the morning. When I was copying, I felt that the natural light was a little dim. I looked up and saw that it was cloudy outside and it was drizzling. I was about to get up and close the window when Brother Cheng came.
The school doesn't start until the 16th day of the first lunar month, and Brother Cheng still has several days off. When we were having breakfast together in the morning, Brother Cheng clearly said that he was going to a classmate's house. It's only been an hour, so why is he here?
Jiang Xiaoci felt strange and walked in to ask, "Brother Cheng, why are you here? I'm not going home for lunch. Go get busy."
Cheng Yanshu looked shy and said awkwardly, "Xiaoci, I want to register for my dad. My dad has met his first love, and they both have some interest in each other. But her husband who has been missing for half a year has returned. I am worried that the three of them will be entangled and there will be another quarrel. Why don't you introduce someone to my dad first to avoid unnecessary bad fate?"
Jiang Xiaoci was even more puzzled. If it was such a big thing, why didn't she hear anything about it during dinner last night?
Although she was confused, Jiang Xiaoci still agreed: "Sure, I know Uncle Cheng's information. What are your requirements for your future stepmother? You must tell me in detail."
Cheng Yanshu said: "It mainly depends on whether my dad and the girl like each other. I also hope my stepmother is healthy and doesn't let my dad experience the pain of losing his spouse again. I also hope she is gentle and can accept my dad's hobby of tending flowers and plants. It would be best if she likes flowers and plants too. There is nothing else to ask for."
Cheng Yanshu remembered something else: "Oh, by the way, my dad's flower shop is opening tomorrow, and Zheng Yunzhi will definitely come. When the time comes, you can find a chance to talk to my dad about registering for a date, and see if she can give up?"
Jiang Xiaoci looked at the drizzling rain outside again and asked, "Brother Cheng, your uncle's flower shop will open on the 16th of the first lunar month, right?"
Cheng Yanshu was surprised: "Yes, it's tomorrow, it hasn't changed. I hope the rain will stop tomorrow and it will be a sunny day for the opening."
But today is only the ninth day of the first lunar month, and Brother Cheng said that the flower shop will open tomorrow. So, judging from this, he came here on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
She regained her sunny smile: "Okay, I will definitely help Uncle Cheng find a partner, but I can't guarantee the exact time for now."
Cheng Yanshu nodded: "I know, it depends on fate."
…
After seeing Cheng Yanshu off, the rain was still there and Jiang Xiaoci saw Brother Han coming. She stared at him blankly as he entered the store, opened the luggage bag he brought, got her food, and took out a towel to wipe the moisture off her hair.
Looking at the alert Jiang Xiaoci, Han Jingyuan guessed: "Have you encountered another supernatural incident?"
Jiang Xiaoci didn't dare to relax and asked him, "What day is today?"
Han Jingyuan immediately became serious: "Today is the ninth day of the lunar new year, your birthday. We are on the same day, right?"
Jiang Xiaoci fell into a chair and breathed a sigh of relief: "Fortunately, I can't handle another one."
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