Chapter 56 The pursuit of happiness knows no age
On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, in the early morning, before the thin mist on the sea had dissipated, many workers had already gathered on the rocks of Black Rock Bay.
After several days of intensive work, all the improved parts have been completed. Today is the day for the turbine to be reassembled and undergo final testing.
Jiang Suining left early in the morning. When she arrived, Zhao Zhenhai and Chen Yongqiang were already waiting at the site, guiding and arranging for the workers to install the blades. The new bearing components and sealing parts had already been installed.
"Start filling with water, simulate a high tide!" With everything in place, Zhao Zhenhai issued the command in a calm voice.
Seawater surged in, crashing against the blades. Zhao Zhenhai held his breath, pressing his hands tightly against a steel frame next to him that conducted the vibrations, sensing the internal movements.
"The drive shaft is running smoothly!" Zhao Zhenhai's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible excitement.
As the water flow continued to increase, the turbine speed increased significantly.
All eyes were drawn to the key sealing points that had been modified. Chen Yongqiang practically lay beside the equipment, squinting as he carefully inspected every interface and shaft seal.
"Dry! No leaks!" Chen Yongqiang straightened up, patted the dust off his hands, and the deep wrinkles on his face smoothed out.
"This phosphating method seems to work!" Zhao Zhenhai said with a delighted expression.
"The output power is stable, reaching more than 95% of the design value!" The technician in charge of monitoring the data in the control room loudly announced the reading.
A barely suppressed cheer erupted from the crowd. Lü Aiguo let out a long sigh of relief, turning to look at Jiang Suining; both their eyes were filled with excitement and a sense of relief. This step was a success! They had jointly overcome the core problem of the tidal cold storage's power source.
"Thank you all for your hard work," Jiang Suining greeted everyone. "Today is the 28th of the twelfth lunar month. We've cooked Laba porridge in the kitchen. Come and have some porridge."
Everyone cheered and went to the kitchen. Jiang Suining walked to the water turbine, grabbed a steel frame that conducted vibrations, and felt the stable vibrations inside. She knew that there were still more challenges to come, such as the commissioning of the refrigeration unit and the insulation of the cold storage. But the most crucial and basic step had been taken. This cold storage, which relied on the sea to breathe, finally had a stable and powerful "heart".
***
As the twelfth lunar month approached, before the festive atmosphere of the New Year had fully set in, Jiang's mother had something even more important on her mind: to quickly finalize the marriage arrangements for the two children with Liu Hong's parents.
The Liu family was a kind and honest family, living in the shipyard's residential compound not far from Coconut Grove Village. Liu's father was a shipyard worker, with a dark complexion, rough hands, and few words, but his eyes revealed his sincerity. Liu's mother worked in a food factory, a typical Nan'ao Island woman, petite in stature, speaking with a soft local accent, bustling around serving tea and water, and offering them dried mangoes from her own home.
After exchanging pleasantries, the conversation turned to business.
Jiang's mother sat up straight, placed her hands on her knees, and spoke first with a gentle yet solemn smile: "Brother Liu, Sister-in-law Liu, today Fengnian and I came here to talk about the two children. We adults see that Fengnian and Ahong get along well, and we are happy to see it. We thought that we should settle the important matter before the end of the year so that we can put our minds at ease."
Mr. Liu nodded and said in a low voice, "Fengnian is a reliable child. We trust Ah Hong to be with him."
Liu's mother smiled and chimed in, "Yes, as long as they are both doing well, we parents are happy."
Jiang's mother felt a warm glow in her heart, and then said according to what she had planned in her mind: "In our hometown of Jiangcheng, we have a tradition of 'exchanging gifts.' We have prepared four gifts, which we have brought today as a token of our goodwill. Before the formal wedding, we will follow all the proper procedures, including pork, vermicelli, liquor, and wedding cakes, to ensure that Ah Hong is not wronged."
Thinking about the lively wedding procession, she added, "On the wedding day, have Fengnian bring a few more young men. Although we can't have gongs and drums, it must be a lively affair to show that we value it!"
At this point, her tone became even more solemn: "The rituals of bowing to heaven and earth, bowing to one's parents, and the couple bowing to each other are the most important parts of our old customs. They are to comfort our ancestors and to formally marry. They cannot be omitted."
In this new era, many young people don't follow these trends anymore, but Jiang's mother is very insistent.
Upon hearing this, Liu's mother's smile grew even more genuine, and she quickly said, "Auntie, that makes sense! Paying respects to Heaven and Earth is important on our island too! How can we not pay respects to Heaven and Earth and our ancestors? It's a fundamental custom, and we all do it the same way!"
Hearing that her in-laws also valued the wedding ceremony, Jiang's mother felt relieved, and her smile became even more radiant.
After thinking for a moment, Liu's mother added softly, "However, we have some unique customs for marrying off our daughters on this island. The time when the girl leaves home must be at low tide, symbolizing that she will leave her parents' home without longing and settle down with her son-in-law. After the wedding ceremony, the new bride must offer 'betel nut tea' to her parents-in-law, signifying filial piety and becoming part of the family..."
Jiang's mother listened attentively and took careful notes, afraid of offending Liu Hong: "Going out when the tide is out is an auspicious saying! Offering betel nut tea is even more appropriate; it's only natural for a new bride to offer tea!"
Her understanding words brought smiles to Mr. and Mrs. Liu's faces. Mrs. Liu even took Mrs. Jiang's hand, saying, "Auntie, it's so wonderful that you think this way! We've combined good fortune from both sides, making the children even more blessed!"
Regarding the bride price, the Liu family was understanding and did not make many demands, repeatedly emphasizing that as long as the young couple lived happily ever after, that was more important than anything else.
Jiang's mother insisted that everything that needed to be provided for Liu Hong would be provided, including furniture and new clothes, all in a presentable manner. In the end, the wedding date was set for the lively fifth day of the Lunar New Year in a harmonious and amicable atmosphere.
As Jiang's mother left the Liu family home, the warm winter sun shone on her. She breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling an unprecedented sense of peace and joy as she finalized her son's marriage.
***
The Spring Festival of 1980 arrived quietly.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Ye and Jiang Suining returned to the residence of Jiang's mother and Jiang Fengnian in Coconut Grove Village, carrying large and small bags of New Year's goods.
This small courtyard was the one Jiang Suining had chosen and bought with great difficulty. Now it is kept clean and tidy, and the papayas in the yard are hanging with unripe fruit, exuding vitality.
"Mom! Brother! We're back!" Jiang Suining's voice arrived before she did, carrying the joy of the New Year.
Wearing an apron and with flour still on her hands, Jiang's mother greeted him with a smile. Jiang Fengnian followed closely behind, taking the heavy things from Lu Ye's hands with a simple and happy smile on his face: "Come inside quickly, it's windy outside."
A fire was burning in the stove inside, dispelling the damp chill unique to Nan'ao Island in winter.
Lu Ye rolled up his sleeves and went to the kitchen to help Jiang's mother cook. Jiang Suining and Jiang Fengnian sat on the sofa, chatting and eating sunflower seeds. They talked about the construction of the cold storage site and the future development of real estate. Jiang Fengnian had a hint of getting involved, and Jiang Suining slightly revealed some of the future development trend of real estate and expressed her support.
The family had a lively lunch. After the meal, Jiang Fengnian rubbed his hands together, glanced at his mother, and after receiving an encouraging look, took out a cloth bag neatly wrapped in a handkerchief from the inner room.
“Sui Sui, brother-in-law,” he walked up to Jiang Sui Ning and solemnly handed her the cloth bag, “This is the money we used to buy the house. Please count it.”
Jiang Suining was taken aback. When her mother and older brother wanted to settle on the island, she helped them buy a house. Her brother had written her an IOU. She wouldn't refuse the money for the house; after all, even brothers keep clear accounts. But it was the Lunar New Year, and she was being treated like a debt collector. She immediately refused, saying, "Brother, what are you doing? It's the New Year. I have money on hand and I'm not in a hurry. Aren't you planning to marry Liu Hong? Keep the money for now, and we'll talk about it later."
"Take it!" Jiang Fengnian said firmly, shoving the cloth bag into his sister's hand without further ado. "It's because I'm getting married that I have to pay you back the money first."
Jiang Suining suddenly realized, and without refusing, took the cloth bag and held it tightly in her hand: "Okay, brother, I'll take the money."
With the debt repayment settled, the atmosphere at home became more relaxed and harmonious.
As evening fell, Jiang's mother began to busy herself in the kitchen. She skillfully kneaded the dough, but her movements were somewhat absent-minded. Outside the window, bursts of laughter and chatter from the neighbors' homes only served to highlight the emptiness in her heart.
She couldn't help but think of Zhong the tailor. Although he was a local, his parents had died early, he had no relatives, and he was a widower without any children. During the New Year, while other families were having a lively celebration, he was all alone, facing four walls. How lonely he must have been.
Thinking of his usual help, Jiang's mother slowed down her movements.
She quietly kneaded an extra dough and prepared an extra portion of cabbage and pork filling. She wrapped the dumplings quickly, arranging them neatly on the bamboo mat like ingots.
After cooking, she carefully filled the pot more than halfway with the best enamel jar she had at home, and added some of her homemade pickled cucumbers to the side.
“Xiao Lu,” Jiang’s mother said, carrying a steaming jar, as she walked to Lu Ye, who was talking to Jiang Fengnian. Her voice was lowered, with a hint of pleading in it, “You, you go and take this to Master Zhong. He’s spending the New Year alone, it must be so lonely. Eating some hot dumplings will make it feel like the New Year.”
Lu Ye was taken aback at first, then remembered what his wife had said some time ago. Seeing the complex look in his mother-in-law's eyes, a mixture of concern, shyness and determination, he immediately understood.
He took the still-hot jar and readily agreed, "Okay, Mom, I'll go right away. Sui Sui has been busy with the cold storage lately, and the clothing store has benefited a lot from Master Zhong's help. We should thank him."
Watching Lu Ye's tall figure walk out of the courtyard gate and disappear into the twilight, Jiang's mother stood at the door, motionless for a long time.
The evening breeze from the island ruffled the stray hairs on her forehead, and she felt a mix of trepidation and inexplicable anticipation.
Inside the house, Jiang Suining watched this scene unfold, a gentle smile curving her lips. She stepped forward, took her mother's arm, and whispered, "Mom, the dumplings smell so good. Let's eat a few more tonight."
Night fell over the courtyard, and the lights inside the house were warm and inviting. A quiet warmth, like the gentle glow of the lights in the winter night, flowed gently, foreshadowing new hope and fulfillment for the new year.
***
The festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year hadn't completely faded when the Jiang family received more good news: Jiang Fengnian and Liu Hong were getting married.
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the Jiang family decorated their home with lanterns and colorful decorations, and pasted up many large red "double happiness" characters.
Jiang Fengnian, dressed in a brand-new Zhongshan suit with a big red flower pinned to his chest, led several close colleagues from the construction company to pick up his bride in a lively and bustling manner.
Liu Hong, wearing a red dress that Jiang Suining had helped her buy, with a small pomegranate flower in her hair, went out with her family at low tide.
The ceremony was held in the Jiang family courtyard in Yelin Village, simple yet lively. After bowing to heaven and earth, Jiang's mother and Liu's parents, and the couple bowing to each other, the crowd escorted the newlyweds into the bridal chamber.
The person in charge of organizing the banquet rushed over to Jiang's mother at the head table and said anxiously in a low voice, "Sister-in-law, something terrible has happened! There were some good cigarettes that were prepared as return gifts for the important male guests who accompanied the bride to the groom's family, but two packs are missing! The guests are about to leave, where are we going to find them at this time?"
The poorly prepared return gift was considered a great breach of etiquette by the bride's relatives. Upon hearing this, Jiang's mother immediately became anxious. On her son's joyous occasion, if she caused her in-laws to lose face because of something like this, how could she ever face anyone again?
She instinctively looked at her son beside her, but Jiang Fengnian was being surrounded by several of the woman's relatives and friends, who were trying to get him drunk. Lu Ye was there to help him out, and her daughter Jiang Suining was with Liu Hong, toasting along with her. It seemed that she couldn't count on anyone.
Just then, Zhong, the tailor who had been quietly helping to greet the customers, came over. After finding out what had happened, he whispered to Jiang's mother, "It's alright. I happen to have two 'Daqianmen' cigarettes. They were a thank-you gift for making clothes for someone before the New Year. I couldn't bear to smoke them. I'll take them now and make up for it. Don't let things get delayed."
For some reason, Jiang's mother felt relieved immediately.
In a short while, two packs of cigarettes carefully wrapped in red paper were quietly added to the return gift. The bride's relatives and friends received the generous gift, their smiles widening, and they repeatedly praised their in-laws for their thoughtful and considerate manner.
After the wedding banquet concluded successfully and all the guests and helpers had left, Jiang Suining inquired about what had happened at the banquet. Knowing she couldn't hide it any longer, Jiang's mother told her daughter the truth.
Today's guests are all relatives and friends, mostly from the bride's family. This matter is difficult to investigate and could easily offend people. Jiang's mother intends to keep the matter quiet and has instructed Jiang Suining not to tell Liu Hong, fearing that Liu Hong might overthink it.
This matter is neither a big deal nor a small one. If they want to find the thief, they should go to the police station. But if the police get involved, they will inevitably offend the woman's family. Her brother and sister-in-law have just gotten married, and they can't let this cause a rift between them. Jiang Suining agreed with her mother.
“This time, we owe a lot to Uncle Zhong,” Jiang Suining said, her heart stirring as she probed her mother. “Uncle Zhong is a reliable person; he’s a pillar of strength.”
Jiang's mother felt something was off about what he said, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She just sighed and said wearily, "Yes, if it weren't for him today, we would have been completely lost. He's a very reliable person."
Jiang Suining observed her mother's expression and took the opportunity to say softly, "Mother, Fengnian is married now and has his own life. You have worked hard for most of your life to raise us. Now it's time for you to think about yourself. Find someone who cares about you and can support each other in your old age. We children will be at ease knowing you have someone to accompany you."
“I’m already so old,” Jiang’s mother said in surprise, “Why are you saying this?”
“Mom, you’re not even forty-five yet, how can you say you’re old?” Jiang Suining strongly disagreed. “Besides, the pursuit of happiness knows no age.”
The pursuit of happiness knows no age? These words touched Jiang's mother. She did not immediately refute them, but simply lowered her head, watching the steam rising from the basin, remaining silent for a long time.
Outside the window, the island night in early spring is quiet and peaceful.
That night, her daughter's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in Jiang's mother's heart.
She lay in bed, tossing and turning. What flashed before her eyes was no longer the blurry face of her ex-husband from distant memories, but the bits and pieces of time she had spent with tailor Zhong in the small back room of the clothing store over the past few months.
She recalled that since the tailor Zhong started working at the shop, he hadn't said much, but he would always give her some small suggestions on making clothes based on the different materials of the fabric.
Later, I don't know when it started, but probably because Danian and Suisui were too busy and didn't come to the store to see her often, their relationship gradually grew closer.
He would care about her health, whether she had eaten, and even remind her to go out for a walk when she was sewing for a long time, so as to be careful not to hurt her eyes.
She thought of her husband who had died young, a strong and honest man who had sheltered her and their children with his broad shoulders. His passing was sudden, and in those years, she raised her two children alone in her hometown, enduring countless hardships and shedding countless tears—only she knew the extent of her suffering.
Later, she followed her daughter to this island with her husband in the military. Life was better then, but the feeling of being adrift and without support never truly disappeared. Her children had grown up and had their own aspirations, which brought her comfort, but she also truly felt the bone-chilling loneliness.
She's only forty-three. Will she just grow old alone in the alternation of busyness and silence for the next few decades?
"Find someone who understands you and supports you through life," her daughter's words echoed in her ears like a spell.
Zhong the tailor was an upright man with excellent skills. He was gentle and patient, like the warm sun in winter. Jiang's mother wasn't oblivious; she could sense the care and protection he showed towards her, which was different from a mere employer-employee relationship. He just didn't say it, just like him—quiet and reserved.
After several days of inner turmoil and struggle, the decisiveness and courage inherent in the women of Jiangcheng finally overcame all hesitation and shyness on this morning.
She carefully combed her hair in front of the mirror, changed into a clean navy blue blouse, took a deep breath, and went to Xinfeng Clothing Store.
Inside the shop, tailor Zhong had arrived early and was working on his sewing machine, the rhythmic clatter of the machine filling the air.
The morning light shone through the glass shop window, illuminating his slightly graying temples and focused profile, and also brightening the tiny fibers floating in the air.
Hearing the wind chimes ring, he looked up and saw it was Jiang's mother. A gentle look appeared in his eyes. He stopped the machine and said softly, "Fengying, you're here early today."
He had gotten used to calling her by her name, and he didn't know when it started, but when it was just the two of them, he would subconsciously call her by her real name.
Jiang's mother stood in the center of the shop, unconsciously wiping her hands on the seams of her trousers, her heart pounding like a drum.
She composed herself, and instead of tidying up the counter as usual, she walked to the sewing machine, looked at him through it, and, mustering her courage, got straight to the point: "Master Zhong, I'm not here today for work at the shop. I wanted to ask you, what do you think of me?"
Her voice trembled slightly with nervousness, yet remained exceptionally clear.
Zhong the tailor was clearly stunned. He opened his mouth, but his throat tightened, and he couldn't utter a sound for a moment.
Seeing that he remained silent, staring blankly at her, Jiang's mother felt a pang of sadness. Her courage receded like the tide, leaving only embarrassment and regret. Her face paled, and she hurriedly lowered her head, her voice trailing off: "If...if it's not suitable, just pretend I didn't say anything, I..."
"No!" Zhong the tailor blurted out almost immediately, his voice hoarse with urgency.
He walked around the sewing machine, strode to Jiang's mother, stopped a step or two away, his hands trembling slightly with excitement: "Comrade Fengying," he called her again, his voice low and solemn, "you are very good. Really, very good. It's just that I'm clumsy with words, I don't know how to speak, but in my heart, in my heart I've long..." He paused, as if using all his strength, before finishing his sentence, "I, I've also been hoping for such a day."
The morning light gently bathed the two of them, and the clothing store was filled with the unique scent of new fabric.
Jiang's mother suddenly raised her head and met Zhong Tailor's gentle eyes. Her previous embarrassment and panic instantly turned into disbelief, as well as a hint of long-lost shyness and joy.
Looking at him, the tension in her heart finally eased completely. She didn't speak, but her eyes reddened slightly. Then, she gently nodded to him.
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A note from the author: The technical information in this article is from the internet. The author is not a professional, so please do not take it too seriously.
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