Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Jiang Yunyi was almost flattered by the praise, modest...
Jiang Xiaoci was going to Yuncheng with her parents. She got up early and arrived at the county town before dawn. She caught the earliest long-distance bus and arrived at noon. Wu Hehua sent her all the way to the county town, reluctant to let her go.
Before, her youngest son and daughter were at home, and she was worried about them until they got very old. Then, good news happened: her son and son-in-law were admitted to university, one went to the provincial capital and the other went to the capital, but now even Jiang Xiaoci is leaving.
Wu Hehua tried to suppress her reluctance and persuaded herself that Xiaoci was going to a new home and would bring happiness to the new home, which was a great thing. She persuaded them in return: "Don't be nostalgic. Mom has let it go. The better your life is, the happier Mom will be."
Jiang Xiaoci hugged Wu Hehua and said, "Grandma, I will write to you often. You will be happy when you receive the letter."
Jiang Weihai couldn't bear to leave every time: "Aunt Wu, I will bring Wen Ying and Xiao Ci back to see you in the first month of the year."
Wu Hehua waved her hand hurriedly: "The journey is so long, don't come back unless you have time. You must be filial to your adoptive parents and don't let them feel disappointed."
Jiang Xiaoci opened the car window and waved to her grandmother until she could no longer see her. Then she turned around and observed her mother's situation in the back seat.
Mom suffers from severe motion sickness, so Jiang Xiaoci insisted that Mom and Dad sit in the same row, thinking: this way Dad can take care of Mom and they can also cultivate their relationship.
Jiang Xiaoci was carrying a bag on her back and holding a flowerpot the size of a large teapot in her arms. There was a small seedling in the pot. It was hard to tell what kind of plant it was. It had a few leaves and the main trunk was only as thick as a chopstick.
Jiang Weihai had never seen this pot of seedlings at home before. When he saw her holding it when she set out, he had long wanted to ask, "Xiaoci, you brought this potted plant all the way here. Does it have any special meaning?"
This pot of young rice seedlings has been raised by Jiang Xiaoci since it was young. The better her spirit is, the greener the leaves of the rice seedlings will grow. Don't underestimate these leaves, they can cure diseases.
Jiang Xiaoci told her father: "It's called Xiaoya, and it's my good friend. I've raised it for many years."
Afraid that Jiang Weihai wouldn't understand, Gu Wenying explained, "She has really been raising it since she was little, for more than ten years. When the leaves grow healthy, she is healthy. Sometimes when all the leaves fall off, she gets sick. It's quite mysterious, so I let her keep it as a weather vane."
Jiang Weihai thought that this was just a psychological effect, but it was very tenacious that such a fragile seedling could be kept for more than ten years. He praised and encouraged: "That is very meaningful. You have to take good care of it."
…
The car was bumpy all the way, and Gu Wenying was too uncomfortable to sit still. Jiang Xiaoci looked back at her mother from time to time, handing her water and a handkerchief: "Mom, this is tea made from orange peels, have a sip."
Gu Wenying felt dizzy and was suffering from motion sickness. He shook his head weakly: "I can't eat or drink anything now. You drink it yourself."
Jiang Xiaoci worriedly suggested: "Mom, if you feel uncomfortable, just lean on Dad's shoulder for a while. Dad's shoulders are so broad, it must be very comfortable to lean on them."
Gu Wenying felt dizzy with shame. Suddenly, Jiang Weihai lifted her head and gently pressed it on his shoulder, saying, "Listen to the child."
Gu Wenying closed her eyes in shame and had no strength to struggle anymore. She simply moved to a more comfortable position and leaned firmly on his shoulder. It was really comfortable to lean on his broad shoulder.
Jiang Xiaoci smiled sweetly at her father and handed him another thermos cup: "Dad, this is the longan and wolfberry tea that grandma made for you before we went out. Grandma said it's good for you to drink."
Jiang Weihai is strong and healthy, so there is no need for him to take longan and wolfberry to nourish his body. Only then did the adults understand the meaning of wolfberry tea, and the lover on his shoulder was laughing.
Jiang Weihai held Gu Wenying's soft palm, and when she struggled, he held it even tighter. He felt sweet in his heart, and then said to Jiang Xiaoci: "Longan and wolfberry are sweet when soaked. Dad doesn't like it. You drink it. Give Dad the orange tea."
Jiang Xiaoci handed the orange tea to her father and drank the longan and wolfberry tea herself. The longan tasted quite good after being soaked in this way.
…
They took the 6:30 a.m. bus from the county town and arrived in the provincial capital at 9:30. They then changed buses and arrived at Yuncheng Bus Station at 12:30.
We had originally planned to go back home first, but an uncle in uniform at the station told my dad that there was an emergency meeting at the bureau. My dad was in a dilemma, so my mom waved and asked her to call my dad over so that he could take care of the business first.
Jiang Weihai was in a dilemma. It was really inappropriate to leave the mother and daughter at the station and ask his colleagues to take them back.
Gu Wenying endured the discomfort and said, "I can still distinguish the priorities. It doesn't matter who is sending me off. Please don't delay the important matters."
Jiang Weihai was worried that he would not be there to ease the relationship between Gu Wenying and the second brother on their first day of meeting. He was afraid that there would be friction between the stepmother and stepson, but he had to go.
He suppressed his uneasiness and said, "The second brother is very thoughtful and hard to figure out. If he gets angry, just ignore him and wait until I get back."
Gu Wenying forced a smile and said, "I know how to get along with others. I won't change my attitude in front of others and behind their backs. It doesn't matter whether you are at home or not."
Before the marriage, Gu Wenying once said that she had a very bad temper and was very serious, but now it seemed that she was the most reasonable person. Jiang Weihai was grateful for her understanding. He moved all the luggage he brought into the trunk and helped Gu Wenying sit in the back seat.
He told Jiang Xiaoci: "Take good care of your mother. If you feel that your second brother is difficult to get along with, don't talk to him. Wait until Dad comes back before discussing anything."
Jiang Xiaoci thought that since her father had such a good personality, the brother he raised should not be difficult to get along with. She waved her hand and said, "Dad, go get busy and come home early after you finish your work."
"Okay, Dad, try to go home as early as possible." Jiang Weihai turned around and told his colleagues, "Make sure to send the mother and daughter home."
The police officers in the bureau took a look through the rearview mirror and saw that the sister-in-law was very carsick and closed her eyes as soon as she got in the car. The little girl was in good spirits. Judging from the way she and Director Jiang get along, they are like his own daughter. Director Jiang is really lucky.
Gu Wenying didn't feel dizzy when riding on a tractor, but she would feel very dizzy when riding in a car or a small vehicle like this. The little bit of energy that she had just recovered from before made her feel even more uncomfortable.
When we got there, my colleagues helped carry the bags to the door: "Sister-in-law, I have to go back to the bureau."
Gu Wenying barely stood up and thanked him: "Thank you for your hard work."
It was not enough to just say thank you. Jiang Xiaoci grabbed a handful of about five or six White Rabbit candies from her pocket and stuffed them into the other person's pocket: "Uncle, this is the candy my father bought for me. I'll treat you to it. Thank you for sending us back."
The colleague who sent them back was flattered and couldn't bear to refuse: "Thank you, little sister, I'll take it."
After getting in the car, I peeled a White Rabbit candy. It was so sweet. No one should dislike having such a cute little sister. She should be able to get along well with her two stepbrothers, right?
…
Jiang Xiaoci didn't know if there was anyone at home. Although her father had given her the key, if her second brother was at home, it would be very impolite to open the door and go in directly.
She knocked on the door, and her clear voice could be heard from upstairs and downstairs: "Second brother, are you home? We are back. If you are home, please help us open the door. If you are not home, I will open the door myself."
Jiang Yunyi knew that the people outside were his father's new wife and stepsister. What did they mean by "back"? It was as if they had lived here before.
The person is already at the door, and you have to see him no matter how unwilling you are.
The door opened, and Jiang Yunyi looked at the person outside. This cold and aloof auntie didn't look easy to get along with. She might be suffering from motion sickness, as she couldn't even stand steadily.
Jiang Yunyi turned sideways and said, "Hello, Aunt Gu. Please come in first."
Since his stepson was so polite, it shouldn't be difficult to get along with him. But at the moment, Gu Wenying had a splitting headache and couldn't stand steadily, so he really didn't have the energy to make small talk.
Jiang Xiaoci immediately replied: "Brother, my name is Jiang Xiaoci, my mother's name is Gu Wenying, and my father gave me the key, but knocking on the door is polite, thank you brother for opening the door for us."
Judging from her appearance and height, the girl in front of me is at least fifteen or sixteen years old. But when I hear her speak, my mental age does not match her physical age. Moreover, she has some problems focusing her eyes.
The stepmother was weak and would get dizzy and unable to stand even when riding in a car. The little sister seemed to have not grown up mentally and had eye problems. Jiang Yunyi was too embarrassed to be mean to her.
After letting them in, Jiang Yunyi said, "Aunt Gu, your room is on the south side. Go and rest first."
Jiang Xiaoci can adapt quickly to any place and get familiar with everyone. She helped her mother sit down on the sofa, turned to look at Jiang Yunyi, and corrected his arrangements.
"Brother, your room is not arranged correctly. Dad said that you and brother should live in the large south-facing bedroom, and dad and mom should live in the north-facing bedroom. Then brother should let me sleep in the small study room."
Jiang Weihai did make such arrangements. The two stepsons had grown up and had been living in the large south-facing bedroom. Jiang Weihai asked if they wanted to change rooms. Gu Wenying didn't care about the size of the room and there was no need to damage the harmony of the family over such a small matter.
Gu Wenying propped her head up on her arm, leaning on the sofa. She really wanted to have a bed to lie on. Her weak voice became softer as she helped Jiang Xiaoci confirm, "Your father said that we won't move our rooms after marriage. I'll live in his north bedroom."
Jiang Yunyi was surprised that his stepmother didn't live in the large south-facing bedroom.
Just as he was surprised, the new stepsister had already run to the north bedroom to check, and then she ran out with a happy face.
"Mom, the room is so clean. I checked the quilt and pillows. They all smell good."
The north bedroom belongs to Jiang Weihai. He had just changed the mattress after he came back and had only lived there for one night. Since they were married, they naturally had to live together. Gu Wenying nodded at her stepson and walked into the north bedroom.
The bed in the north bedroom was only one and a half meters wide. The bedding and pillowcases were dry, and there was a faint scent of soapberries when you got close. As soon as Gu Wenying's head touched the pillow, she felt much more comfortable. Jiang Xiaoci shook out the quilt that was folded like a tofu block and covered her mother with it.
Gu Wenying held Jiang Xiaoci's hand and said, "Xiaoci, explain it to your brother. If mom doesn't get some sleep, she won't have the energy to get up."
Jiang Xiaoci nodded quickly: "Mom, don't worry, my brother and I will get along well."
…
Jiang Xiaoci settled her mother down, closed the door quietly, and ran to Jiang Yunyi to arrange the room change: "Brother, move your current desk to the big room and put it by the window. Is that okay?"
Jiang Yunyi was confused by the behavior of her stepmother and stepsister. They acted as if they were back home and there was no sense of strangeness at all.
He couldn't help but ask, "Are you really willing to live in this small study?"
Unexpectedly, Jiang Xiaoci didn't answer the question at all. She had already run to the toilet and screamed in surprise as if she had discovered a new continent.
"Brother, there is a flush toilet at home. It's so clean. Don't worry, I won't mess up anything you put there."
Jiang Yunyi had just followed him to the bathroom door when his stepsister, who was in such high spirits that she didn't feel tired at all, ran to the kitchen and asked for advice with envy in a tone that sounded exaggerated.
"Brother, we actually use gas cylinders to cook at home, but I don't know how to use it. Can you teach me?"
Jiang Yunyi had no choice but to turn back. He put his hands on his shoulders and asked stiffly with resistance: "Are you going to cook?"
Jiang Xiaoci nodded quickly: "Of course, otherwise what are we going to eat for lunch?"
Jiang Yunyi really wanted to see if this new sister was really friendly or just pretending.
He took out a lighter and demonstrated: "Twist this button to the left, then light the lighter, and let go when the flame comes out. There is a problem with the stove. When Dad comes back to fix it, you won't need the help of the lighter."
Jiang Xiaoci learned it after watching it once. There were oil, salt, rice and noodles in the kitchen. She said, "Second brother, you go and take a rest. I will cook."
When she really wanted to cook, Jiang Yunyi felt embarrassed. He couldn't really let his sister, who was visiting him on the first day, cook for him. He couldn't do that.
He said, "If Dad knew that you were the one cooking for me, I would be beaten. If you want to cook, wait until he's home. Now I'd better do it."
Jiang Xiaoci was genuinely surprised: "Second brother, you are really amazing. In our village, men who can cook are all good men."
Cooking makes you a good man? Was she exaggerating on purpose?
Jiang Yunyi was almost flattered by the praise and became modest: "My parents divorced early, so if I don't do it, I won't have anything to eat."
The second brother had no mother to take care of him, and Jiang Xiaoci had no father to love him, so they felt quite sympathetic towards each other. Jiang Xiaoci's heart suddenly became closer to her second brother, at least that's how she felt.
After dinner, Jiang Yunyi cleaned up. He had obsessive-compulsive disorder in this regard. If he cooked the meal, he had to clean up the house himself. He couldn't bear to see others clean up the house in a way that was not to his liking.
When he finished cleaning and came out of the kitchen, he saw his new stepsister. He was so moved that he almost cried and kept saying how good she was.
Jiang Yunyi was overwhelmed by the compliments and wiped the water off his hands: "I'm just washing the dishes and cooking a meal, why do you have to do that?"
Jiang Xiaoci really thinks her second brother is a good person, she has a comparison.
"My biological father took me to live with him. My brothers and sisters over there deliberately made me do all the housework alone. You are different, second brother. Now I know that my two brothers in my father's family are the best."
Jiang Yunyi was almost "corrupted" by this sugar-coated bullet, and forgot her cold attitude when she discussed her stepsister with her elder brother a few days ago.
At this moment he was very generous: “I don’t know whether it’s good or not without comparison, but in this family, I won’t bully you, a little sister, to do housework.
Even though she didn't have to work, she insisted on doing it. For the whole afternoon, Jiang Yunyi watched her humming a little tune, cooking porridge, folding clothes, wiping the table, watering the flowers, and chatting with him about Dahe Village. She said that she had helped to find the most suitable partners for her uncle and aunt, and she was so proud of it. She kept chattering, but Jiang Yunyi didn't find it annoying at all.
…
Before the sun set, Jiang Xiaoci packed a bag of gifts and suddenly begged him: "Brother, Mom is still sleeping, let's go to Grandma's house first."
Jiang Yunyi felt that something was wrong and reminded: "Grandma, Dad and Mom are absent, and it's just the two of us going. Grandma won't be happy with you. Are you sure you want to go first?"
Jiang Xiaoci confirmed: "I am going, brother, can you accompany me?"
Jiang Yunyi didn't care whether to go or not: "You can go, but if grandma turns her face away, don't cry."
"Okay, I won't cry." Jiang Xiaoci promised happily.
Jiang Yunyi took Jiang Xiaoci to take a bus to his grandparents' place. On the bus, he kept rubbing his legs. The doctor told him to sit and rest more, but he had been standing for too long today.
Jiang Xiaoci heard from her father that her second brother's previous leg fracture had not yet fully healed and he was injured again, which left hidden dangers. As a result, her second brother failed the physical examination and was unable to join the army.
Jiang Xiaoci wanted to help her second brother, and she could help. She said to Jiang Yunyi, "Second brother, I will make you some tea tomorrow. If you keep drinking it, you will get better."
Jiang Yunyi couldn't stand it when others talked about his health, so he immediately turned cold and said, "Don't make such jokes in the future."
In Yuncheng, the second brother is the first person who treats him so well. Jiang Xiaoci is not joking. When the second brother recovers fully, he will not be sad because of these words.
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