Chapter 106
Gu Xi and Xu Yuansheng led their two children home.
On the way, they encountered some people from the family compound. They stopped, looked at the two children with curiosity, praised their good looks, and asked whose children they were.
It's rare to find such a beautiful child in the family compound; she has fair skin and looks like she's from the city.
Gu Xi introduced them, "These are the children of the newly arrived Battalion Commander Xiang. He is the older brother, Xiang Zhao, and she is the younger sister, Xiang Yun." Then she had the children greet them.
The two children greeted people politely.
"The newly arrived Battalion Commander Xiang?"
Everyone looked on with curiosity. Whenever a military family member came over, it always attracted a lot of attention, just like Gu Xi back then, who was stared at quite a bit.
Battalion Commander Xiang was transferred here and just arrived at the unit yesterday. Not many people have seen him yet.
Gu Xi didn't explain much, but told them where Battalion Commander Xiang's house was, and then said, "Battalion Commander Xiang's house is under renovation, and it's a bit messy there, not suitable for children. Let them come to our house to play for a while first."
Upon learning the location of Battalion Commander Xiang's home, everyone looked understanding.
That house has been uninhabited for a long time and is quite dilapidated; it needs some repairs before it can be moved into.
Noticing the two children's reserved and silent demeanor in front of strangers, the sisters quickly led them away.
Back home, Gu Xi had the brother and sister sit in the main room, gave them some candy and cookies as snacks, and made them each a cup of malted milk powder, telling them not to be shy.
She and Xu Yuansheng sat beside her, also drinking malted milk powder.
Perhaps seeing that they were both drinking, the brother and sister carefully picked up their glasses and slowly drank, their expressions gradually relaxing.
Although my uncle and aunt have jobs, they have many children and don't often give them malted milk powder. My brother and sister also rarely drink it.
Gu Xi tried to talk to them, asking them what they usually liked to do and what they liked to eat, guiding them to speak little by little, while Xu Yuansheng also chimed in a few words.
Knowing that the siblings have been living at their uncle's house for the past few years inevitably makes people wonder.
Living outside of one's biological parents is never suitable for a child. Even if the uncle treats them well, he cannot replace the parents. Moreover, judging from the reaction of the brother and sister, they are probably not happy living with their uncle.
Gu Xi understood that feeling of being dependent on others very well.
While soaking red beans in the kitchen, Xu Yuansheng muttered to himself, "They're quite pitiful. I guess they're not doing well at their uncle's house. They're very wary."
Gu Xi hummed in agreement, then looked at her and smiled, "They're much better off than Yuan Sheng was before."
Speaking of defensiveness, Xu Yuansheng used to be the most defensive, almost treating her parents and relatives as enemies. She was cynical and resentful, and I was worried that she would go to extremes.
Xu Yuansheng looked helpless. "Why are you talking about me? I'm fine now, and I've come to terms with everything."
Since leaving Xujiatun, she vowed never to go back, choosing to let go of everything in Xujiatun, good or bad.
She didn't want to make things difficult for herself anymore, and she was very content living with her older and younger sisters.
Soak the red beans and make red bean cakes for the brother and sister in the afternoon.
Gu Xi went to the study and brought out some books for her siblings to read, mainly because her brother Xiang Zhao said he liked reading.
Then she took out paper, pens, and paints and taught her younger sister, Xiang Yun, how to draw, asking, "Xiao Yun, do you like rabbits? How about we draw a rabbit?"
"I like it." Xiang Yun smiled and asked curiously, "Aunt Gu, where are your rabbits?"
Gu Xi pointed to the rabbit hutch under the pomegranate tree in the yard, "It's over there, do you want to go take a look?"
"Yes!" Xiang Yun said expectantly, obediently letting her pull her up.
Xiang Zhao, who was reading a book over there, looked over.
Gu Xi said to him, "Xiao Zhao, come along too. You can each pick a rabbit and take it home to raise after your house is renovated."
Upon hearing this, Xiang Zhao couldn't sit still any longer and hurriedly followed.
A little while later, the brother and sister squeezed together in front of the rabbit hutch to watch the rabbits.
The fluffy rabbit brought a look of joy to their faces, their affection evident.
Seeing this, Xu Yuansheng went to the vegetable garden and picked some vegetable leaves, handing them to the brother and sister so they could feed the rabbits.
After feeding the rabbits, Xiang Yun turned to ask, "Aunt Gu, this rabbit hutch is so cute! Where did you buy it? I'll ask my uncle to buy one too."
Gu Xi said with a smile, "I made it myself. If you want one, I'll make one for you too."
"Really?" Xiang Yun was pleasantly surprised, then hesitated. "Won't it be a lot of trouble?"
"No, it's quite simple. As long as you have wood, you can make it. I'll have someone send some planks over tomorrow for you to make." Gu Xi said it as if it were a very simple matter.
For her, woodworking is indeed very simple; she has all the tools at home and can start working anytime.
Because of Gu Xi's words, the brother and sister looked at her with great admiration.
Seeing this, Xu Yuansheng couldn't help but laugh. It seemed that her sister not only had a lot of tricks up her sleeve when it came to women, but she could also easily manipulate children.
She took a ruler out of the house and measured the two children's dimensions.
Xiang Yun looked completely bewildered, but Xiang Zhao understood what she meant and, feeling uneasy, whispered, "Aunt Xu, are you going to make clothes for us?"
“Yes,” Xu Yuansheng said. “I’m a tailor. I make all the clothes for my family. The weather is getting warmer, so I need to make some spring and summer clothes. I’ll make a couple of sets for you too.” Then she said casually, “I can make clothes very quickly. I can finish them in no time for little kids like you. It doesn’t take much effort.”
The clothes worn by the brother and sister were decent, but they looked very old, probably hand-me-downs. Some of the stitching was even very rough and could easily tear.
Although these days, it's common for younger children to wear hand-me-downs from older children, Xiang Zhao and Xiang Yun are children of the Xiang family. They were raised by their maternal uncle's family, and given Xiang Changchuan's character and way of doing things, he must have sent them a lot of money. However, the family didn't buy them any suitable clothes, and instead gave them rough, altered clothes, which was a bit excessive.
No matter how meticulous Xiang Changchuan is, he is still a grown man and often has to go on missions, so there are always times when he can't take care of things.
It would have been better if they hadn't met, but now that they had, and given the relationship between the two families, Xu Yuansheng couldn't help but take it to heart.
She sighed inwardly. Seeing the two children reminded her of the three sisters who had suffered greatly in their childhood, living a life worse off than having parents. She felt a pang of pity for them.
Xiang Zhao quickly said, "Aunt Xu, no need, we have clothes."
"It's alright." Xu Yuansheng patted their heads. "If you feel bad about it, just come over here these next few days and help us water the vegetable garden and feed the rabbits."
Xiang Zhao wasn't the kind of kid who was easily fooled. Watering vegetables and feeding rabbits couldn't possibly cost as much as clothes.
Unfortunately, his refusal was useless. After taking their measurements, Xu Yuansheng rushed back to her room to make clothes. She was very busy with work and had many orders to complete.
Making money is currently her biggest interest.
Gu Xi looked at the two bewildered children and found it amusing. She beckoned them over, patted each of their heads, and said, "It's alright. Yuansheng loves making clothes, especially clothes for children. She'll be happy to see you dressed so beautifully."
The two children looked at her, finding her words unconvincing.
As it was almost noon, Gu Xi took her two children to cook.
She didn't let the children sit idle; she had them help with chores, such as picking vegetables in the garden, washing vegetables, helping to start a fire, and doing whatever they could.
Sure enough, the two children's attention was quickly diverted.
After preparing lunch, Shen Mingzheng brought Xiang Changchuan, whose clothes were all wrinkled, over to eat.
During the meal, Xiang Changchuan took a special look at his nephew and niece and found that in just one morning, they had become very close to Gu Xi and Xu Yuansheng, without the restraint they had shown the day before.
It seems that putting them here was the right thing to do.
"By the way, Xiao Zhao and Xiao Yun are going to school, right?" Gu Xi asked. "What grade are they in?"
These days, there's no uniform standard for the age at which children start school, so it's really hard to say which grade they should be in.
Xiang Changchuan said, "Yes, they will. Xiao Zhao is already in the third grade, but Xiao Yun hasn't started school yet."
Gu Xi said "Oh," and turned to ask Xiang Yun, "Xiao Yun, do you want to go to school? You're seven years old this year, you can go to primary school now."
Xiang Yun looked somewhat bewildered and subconsciously glanced at her brother.
Xiang Zhao said, "Xiaoyun is going to school, I can take her with me." Thinking of what his uncle had said last night, he mustered up his courage and said, "When I was in school, my aunt made her do chores at home... Sometimes my third cousin would bully her, so I would secretly take her to school."
Xiang Changchuan's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
However, he didn't lose his temper in front of the child and still had a smiling face. "Then let Xiaoyun go to school. If she can't keep up, Xiaozhao can come back and teach her more."
"OK."
Xiang Zhao's expression brightened.
Gu Xi said, "Then Yuansheng and I will take them to school to register tomorrow."
Xiang Changchuan said gratefully, "Thank you for your help, sister-in-law and sister Yuansheng."
After lunch, Xiang Changchuan and Shen Mingzheng continued repairing the house, while Gu Xi let the two children take a nap in the study.
There is a small bed in the study, but no one sleeps on it. Sometimes when Gu Xi is tired, she will rest on the small bed.
In the afternoon, Gu Xi made red bean cakes with her two children and roasted sweet potatoes for them, letting them participate in the process.
The two children had a lot of fun and became increasingly relaxed.
That evening, Xiang Changchuan asked them, "Did you have fun at Aunt Gu's house today?"
"I'm so happy," Xiang Yun said cheerfully. "Aunt Gu said she'd give us some little rabbits and even build us a rabbit hutch. Once the house is renovated, she'll let us bring the rabbits back."
Xiang Zhao hesitated and said, "Aunt Xu is taking our measurements to make clothes for us."
Xiang Changchuan was taken aback, then noticed the clothes the brother and sister were wearing, and felt somewhat annoyed.
Over the years, he has been busy with tasks and climbing the ranks, thinking about bringing his two children to his side as soon as possible to take care of them. He has not paid much attention to his own food, clothing, and shelter, and has lived a very rough life. As a result, he has neglected the needs of his children, not just providing them with enough food and clothing.
But women are more attentive and will notice the child's needs.
“She made clothes for you, so you should remember to thank her, okay?” Xiang Changchuan said, thinking to himself that he would give the money for the clothes to Xu Yuansheng when he had the chance.
Although he had Shen Mingzheng's connection to her, Xu Yuansheng was a young, unmarried woman, so he couldn't get too close to her and would be careful not to cause her trouble.
The Xiang family is a big problem in itself. He has spent a lot of time and energy to get to where he is now, and he doesn't want to hold up other women.
**
In the morning, Gu Xi and Xu Yuansheng took Xiang Zhao and his sister to register for primary school.
Registration went smoothly, and the school told them to come to school next Monday.
Today is Friday. They just arrived at the military base and need to rest. It would be better if they officially started school next Monday.
After registering, they went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy things and let the brother and sister learn the way.
Gu Xi and Xu Yuansheng each held Xiang Yun's hand, while Xiang Zhao, feeling that he was a man and could not hold a woman's hand, walked alone beside her.
Xiang Yun skipped along, saying, "Brother, you've been isolated by us. That's not good."
Xiang Zhao pouted, "What do you know? I'm a man, and I'm the one who isolated the three of you."
Gu Xi and Xu Yuansheng were both amused by the brother and sister.
In their eyes, ten-year-old Xiang Zhao was still a child, but perhaps boys all have a kind of "manly" pride, and once they reach a certain age, they start to act awkwardly and refuse to hold hands with female elders.
On the way back, Gu Xi said to the Xiang siblings, "There are many older brothers and sisters in our compound who are in elementary and middle school. For example, Huaisheng in my family is a first-year middle school student. When you go to school, I'll have Huaisheng and her friend go and call you and take you there..."
Xiang Zhao said awkwardly, "I already know the way, I don't need Aunt Huaisheng to take me."
“Huaisheng can play with Xiaoyun.” Gu Xi smiled. “And there’s Cuiyu next door and Xiaoyue across the street. Xiaoyue is also in first grade, so she might be in the same class as Xiaoyun. I’ll ask Xiaoyue to help you out then.” She said to Xiang Yun, “I’ll invite them over this weekend to meet Xiaoyun.”
Xiang Yun was a little nervous and nodded with a straight face.
Gu Xi looked at Xiang Zhao and continued, "Xu Yongzhi, the son of Political Commissar Xu, is the same age as you. You'll probably be in the same class after you enroll, so you can play with him too."
Xiang Zhao gave an "oh," his expression shifting slightly.
-
Over the weekend, Shen Mingzheng continued to help Xiang Changchuan repair his house, and Gu Xi invited some children to her home to play.
She specially soaked some rice in advance and made osmanthus rice cakes and sweet potato soup for the children with Xu Yuansheng, as well as pan-fried potatoes that Xu Huaisheng loved.
Gu Xi introduced Xiang Zhao and Xiang Yun to the children, saying, "Xiao Zhao and Xiao Yun just moved here and will be going to school on Mondays. I'll need you to take good care of them and make sure no one bullies them, okay?"
With a mouthful of soft osmanthus rice cake, Miao Jianguo patted his chest with a sense of loyalty and said, "Don't worry, Aunt Gu, I will take good care of them!"
"Finish eating before you speak; you have no sincerity at all!" Miao Cuini slapped him.
Miao Jianshe and Xu Yongzhi both echoed their assurances.
The girls were even more enthusiastic, pulling Xiang Yun aside to talk to her, clearly liking the pretty Xiang Yun.
Xu Xiaoyin exclaimed, "You two siblings are so good-looking! Your parents must be very good-looking too!"
Xiang Yun's eyes lit up, and she said sweetly, "Xiaoyin looks beautiful too."
“If we’re talking about who’s the prettiest, I think Aunt Gu is the prettiest,” Yu Xiaoyue interjected, her face firm.
Miao Cuiyu, her mouth full of osmanthus rice cake, nodded vigorously, "Aunt Gu is beautiful, and she can cook delicious food, she can make so many things..."
“Aunt Yuansheng can also make beautiful clothes!” Xu Xiaoyin defended Xu Yuansheng. “Look at the clothes I’m wearing, they were made by Aunt Yuansheng. I don’t even want to wear them to school, afraid of getting them dirty.”
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