The autumn wind rustled, and before they knew it, winter had arrived.
The autumn in Sijiu City was always surprisingly short, as if it had barely begun when a chill set in after just a few days. Counting the days, it was already the start of winter. Zhao Guihua led the courtyard comrades in their latest business venture: selling sweaters, both men's and women's styles, along with hats and scarves.
It’s worth noting that wool was a precious commodity. In the past, when ration coupons were required, it wasn’t something ordinary people could afford. But now, with more places not requiring coupons, even sweaters could be bought freely.
This time, Zhao Guihua, Aunt Wang, and Aunt Zhou all sourced the same goods. Previously, they had different stock because others had less capital and couldn’t afford expensive items in large quantities. But now, after doing business for over half a year, everyone had some savings, so they all decided to buy the same items. Zhao Guihua didn’t mind. In business, what one person could do, another could do too. She wasn’t the type to monopolize opportunities.
It wasn’t worth it.
Since everyone was selling similar items, the prices were driven down.
Zhao Guihua also ordered a batch of scarves. When the goods arrived, everyone gathered at He Lan’s house to divide the stock according to their share. They then assigned each other to different locations. Among the group of women, Yinlai stood out like a crane among chickens, though he didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed.
Making money wasn’t something to be ashamed of.
After dividing the goods, he called out, “Brother, brother…”
Jinlai rushed out the door, “I’m here!”
Yinlai said, “Help me carry these back, will you?”
“Sure.”
Recently, Jinlai had become much more reliable than before. Although he still hadn’t found a job, he had at least started helping out at home. Whether he did a good job or not, Wang Xiangxiu was happy. After all, turning over a new leaf was the best outcome.
Jinlai helped Yinlai carry the goods back and said, “I’ll go set up the stall with you.”
At this, Yinlai shuddered and quickly replied, “No, no, that’s not necessary.”
Jinlai, completely oblivious to his brother’s hesitation, said cheerfully, “It’ll be better with me there. We’ll have an extra pair of hands. What’s wrong with that? When brothers work together, they can overcome anything.”
Yinlai: “…” He felt utterly miserable.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want his brother to come along, but… it was just so frustrating!
The trouble started when Jinlai suddenly decided to turn over a new leaf. At first, Yinlai was happy to see his brother improving.
But then came the first day they went out together. They set up their stall near the textile factory, and coincidentally, Guan Hong and Zheng Huimin were also there. They weren’t selling the same items, so even though they often ran into each other while doing business, there was no awkwardness. Everyone just minded their own business.
But Guan Hong had a grudge against Su Jinlai. She immediately started mocking him, “Well, well, look who it is! Isn’t this the coward Su Jinlai? What, you’re selling stuff now? Or are you just here to flirt with girls?”
How could Su Jinlai take that?
He fired back, “What kind of person do you think I am? Mind your own business! Why are you picking a fight?”
“So what if I’m picking a fight? I just don’t like you! If you can’t handle being called out, then don’t act like a useless man. You call yourself ‘Big Bird’? Pfft, more like ‘Little Sparrow’!”
Su Jinlai retorted, “What does my nickname have to do with you? You’re just jealous of my reputation. If you dislike me so much, why did you chase after me back then?”
Guan Hong spat, “Who hasn’t had a moment of blindness? I thought you were good-looking, but you turned out to be all show and no substance. Look at you, a grown man who’s worse than your younger brother. Trash! Useless! Idiot!”
Su Jinlai trembled with anger, “You, you, you… You’re completely unreasonable! That’s all in the past. Why are you bringing it up now? Could it be… you still have feelings for me? Is that why you’re dredging up old grievances?”
“You’re delusional! Shameless! Arrogant! Do you really think you’re worth it?”
“You…”
The two of them started arguing, and soon a crowd of women gathered to watch the spectacle. Yinlai swore it was the first time he’d ever been surrounded by so many onlookers. That day, he didn’t sell much, but he was thoroughly embarrassed by the attention.
Zheng Huimin and Guan Hong didn’t make much money either.
The gossip was so entertaining that no one bothered to buy anything. The day was practically a waste, with dismal sales.
From the second day onward, Yinlai and Zheng Huimin reached an unspoken agreement: they would stay far apart to avoid another confrontation.
So, on the second day, they moved to a different spot. Business was better, but then another problem arose. The promotion was “buy ten, get one free,” meaning a pair, not a single item. But Jinlai miscounted and gave away an extra item. Fortunately, it was caught in time, and Yinlai smoothed things over with the customer.
Jinlai muttered, “Giving away a pair for free is such a loss. One item would’ve been enough.”
Yinlai thought, *Who does that?*
He said, “Then help me count the underwear.”
Even though no one would buy ten pairs of underwear at once, people often bought in bulk, so they usually sold them in sets of ten. Surely, there wouldn’t be another mistake, right? But Jinlai mixed up the sizes, giving away a large pair instead of a small one.
The customer, realizing they’d gotten a better deal, quickly left without a word. When they counted the stock that evening, Yinlai discovered they were missing three large pairs of underwear, one small pair, and three pairs of socks.
His heart sank. Even on his first day of selling, he’d only lost one pair of socks. But now… it was like someone had knocked over a bottle of soy sauce, leaving a dark stain on his mood.
Still, Jinlai was trying to help, and Yinlai couldn’t bring himself to hurt his brother’s feelings. After all, Jinlai genuinely wanted to improve. Yinlai gritted his teeth and said, “It’s fine. No one’s perfect on their first try. You’ll get better with time.”
*Wahhh…*
Yinlai’s heart was heavy, but he couldn’t say a word.
On the third day, Jinlai eagerly joined Yinlai again. Yinlai thought to himself, *First time’s awkward, second time’s familiar. It’s the third day now. Surely, he’ll do better.*
Whether he was trying to encourage Jinlai or himself, he wasn’t sure. But either way, he needed the morale boost.
“You handle the money. Don’t make any mistakes, okay?”
Jinlai replied confidently, “No problem!”
But that day, they lost three dollars. Yinlai was on the verge of tears.
Running a business was hard enough, but with Jinlai’s “help,” it was becoming impossible. Jinlai didn’t seem stupid, so why did he keep messing up?
Jinlai asked cautiously, “Yinlai, did I lose money for you?”
Yinlai forced a smile and said through clenched teeth, “It’s… fine! As long as you’re trying to improve, that’s what matters.”
Jinlai: “…”
Suddenly, Jinlai seemed to understand his brother’s distress. Tears welled up in his eyes as he hugged Yinlai tightly. “Little brother, don’t worry. I’ll become your right-hand man. I know I haven’t done well these past few days, but I’ll keep trying.”
Yinlai replied flatly, “Okay.”
*Give him one more chance. Just one more.*
On the fourth day, they ran into competitors. Yinlai usually handled such situations calmly, either moving to a different spot or simply ignoring them. But Jinlai, eager to redeem himself after his poor performance, got into an argument and then a fight.
The other party wasn’t one to back down either. A punch was thrown, and Yinlai, trying to protect his brother, took a hit to the cheek.
“Yinlai!” Jinlai was furious. He already felt guilty for failing his brothers in the past, and seeing Yinlai get hurt because of him was too much. He swung a punch back, but Yinlai quickly stepped in to separate them. After some calming words, they managed to make it home without further incident.
On the fifth day… well, actually, there was no fifth day.
Su Yinlai felt like his head was about to split open. On the fifth day, he had quietly gone to sell off the remaining items, and thankfully, there weren’t many left. He managed to clear them out, finally freeing himself from having to set up a stall with his older brother. It wasn’t that he was being overly sensitive—it was just that he couldn’t handle his brother’s knack for causing trouble.
He used to think it was impossible for someone to lose money by setting up a stall, but after watching his brother operate for a few days, Su Yinlai was absolutely certain that if his brother continued, they’d be bankrupt in no time.
Su Jinlai’s situation served as a wake-up call for everyone. Although their business had been doing well, it wasn’t a guarantee that everyone would make a profit. Some people just weren’t cut out for it. They were lucky to be doing well, and it also showed that they had some talent for it. For a moment, everyone felt a sense of pride.
Su Jinlai lamented, “Why is it always me who gets the short end of the stick?”
He looked miserable, but both Su Yinlai and Su Tonglai tried to comfort him. “Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. You might not have a knack for this, but who knows? You might excel in other areas. Don’t sell yourself short.”
In the past, no one would have bothered to comfort him. But now that everyone was trying to turn over a new leaf, they couldn’t just ignore him.
Everyone tried to cheer him up, and Su Jinlai asked eagerly, “So, what do you think I’m good at?”
That question stumped Su Yinlai and Su Tonglai.
The two of them exchanged glances: “…” Can’t you tell we’re just trying to comfort you?
Apparently not. This was truly worrisome.
Everyone was feeling a bit down.
Su Yinlai looked to Su Tonglai for help, and Su Tonglai took a deep breath before saying, “You actually have a lot of good qualities. Like, you’re handsome, and you have a good personality. Those are definitely strengths.”
“I have a good personality?” Su Jinlai sounded skeptical.
Su Tonglai nodded earnestly. “A good personality can mean different things. You’re one of those people. For example, Guan Hong is always picking on you, but you never lose your temper or hold a grudge. That’s a sign of a good personality, right? And remember when you were lazy and didn’t want to work, and people talked behind your back? You never let it bother you or held it against anyone. That’s also a sign of a good personality. Sometimes being thick-skinned is a form of resilience, and that’s a good thing. Sure, you’re lazy, but when people in the neighborhood ask you to help out, you never refuse. That’s also a sign of a good personality, right?”
Su Yinlai: “…” Damn, his little brother really knew how to spin things. He had no idea these could be considered good qualities. But seeing his older brother nodding along, looking satisfied, Su Yinlai was at a loss for words. His brother actually believed all that?
Such an outrageous explanation, and he bought it. His brother really was a simple-minded guy.
Su Jinlai said confidently, “Yes, I do have my flaws, but I also have many strengths. I’m just not used to selling things yet. Once I get the hang of it, I’ll do just fine.”
“Right, right,” the others chimed in.
Su Jinlai’s smile grew even brighter.
Su Yinlai and Su Tonglai: “…”
Su Yinlai really didn’t want his brother involved in his business again. He’d rather have their mother, Wang Xiangxiu, help out. He thought she was much more capable than his brother. But saying something so harsh was difficult.
Luckily, there wasn’t much stock left, so they could take a break for a few days.
While Su Yinlai was “resting,” he still had to go to work. Su Jinlai, on the other hand, had nothing to do and took over cooking duties at home. He even sought out Li Weiwei for advice on how to make the food taste better.
Li Weiwei: “…You have no idea how much you annoy me.”
Su Jinlai: “Why are you being so cold? We’re neighbors and grew up together. We’re practically brothers.”
Li Weiwei: “…I can’t believe I’m falling for this.”
Su Jinlai: “Come on, don’t be so harsh. I’m a good guy. Besides, if you teach me how to cook, I can help you out in the future. Don’t you want to open your own restaurant? I’ll be your assistant. How’s that for being a good friend?”
Li Weiwei’s face instantly turned horrified. He knew better than to trust Su Jinlai. The guy couldn’t even keep track of selling underwear—who in their right mind would hire him? Everyone in their neighborhood was into small businesses, and Su Jinlai was the first person he’d ever heard of who could mess it up so badly.
Thankfully, he was just helping out. If he were actually running the business, they’d be bankrupt in no time.
Li Weiwei was determined not to let Su Jinlai anywhere near his kitchen. Even if he had the capital to start a business, he’d make sure to keep Su Jinlai at arm’s length. The guy was toxic.
Li Weiwei said firmly, “Don’t drag me down. I don’t need your help. Besides, our family’s cooking skills are a closely guarded secret. If my grandfather found out I was teaching someone outside the family, he’d break my legs. Stop causing trouble.”
Su Jinlai: “…I’m not asking to be your official apprentice. Just give me a few tips. Why are you being so cold? We were friends when we were kids.”
Li Weiwei’s mouth twitched. “We were never friends.”
He and Hutou were the ones who hung out together. Su Jinlai? They never played together.
Li Weiwei was firm. “No.”
Su Jinlai: “If you’re going to be this cold, I’ll just follow you around every day.”
Remembering his brother’s comment about his thick skin being a strength, Su Jinlai grabbed Li Weiwei’s sleeve and said, “You’re not getting rid of me, you jerk.”
Li Weiwei: “Ugh!!!”
From that day on, Li Weiwei’s life became even more difficult.
Not only did he have to avoid his own family elders, but he also had to dodge his neighbor Su Jinlai. Life was truly miserable.
Li Weiwei even took the opportunity to complain to Su Yinlai when Su Jinlai wasn’t around. “Can you please do something about your brother? He’s been pestering me nonstop, just like Guan Hong used to pester him. I swear he learned it from her. My cooking skills are a family secret—I can’t just teach anyone.”
Su Yinlai: “Alright, I’ll talk to him. But he’s been trying to improve lately, so I can’t be too harsh. I’ll do my best, though.”
Li Weiwei sighed. “I’ll be waiting for good news.”
Su Yinlai kept his promise and tried to reason with Su Jinlai. After much thought and some advice from Su Tonglai, he finally managed to talk Su Jinlai down. But a few days later, Su Jinlai brought up the idea of helping out with the stall again.
Su Yinlai regretted ever asking his brother for help. He shouldn’t have done it!
Su Jinlai was enthusiastic. “This time you’re selling sweaters. I definitely won’t mix them up.”
Su Yinlai: “…”
Dear heavens, save me!
At that moment, Su Yinlai wished he could think as quickly as Su Tonglai. How should he refuse? How?!
He truly believed Su Jinlai wasn’t cut out for business. His incompetence showed in every aspect.
Su Yinlai took a deep breath and said, “Let’s wait until Mom and Tonglai get back. I’m not sure if they need your help with anything. If they do, then…”
Su Jinlai beamed. “I didn’t realize I was so important and in demand.”
Su Yinlai: “…” Whatever makes you happy.
Honestly, dealing with his brother made him want to complain all the time.
In the end, it was their mother, Wang Xiangxiu, who saved the day. When she came home from work, she resolved the issue effortlessly. The family held a rare family meeting.
Wang Xiangxiu looked at her three sons and said, “I have something important to discuss with you.”
The three of them sat up straight. Wang Xiangxiu continued, “I’ve decided to let Jinlai take over my job. Do you have any objections?”
Su Jinlai, Su Yinlai, and Su Tonglai were all shocked, but Su Yinlai quickly nodded. “I don’t have any objections.”
Su Tonglai: “Me neither.”
Su Jinlai stammered, “M-me? Why me?”
Jobs were a big deal. In most families, people would fight over a stable job, but here they were, just handing it to him? Su Jinlai couldn’t believe it as he stared at his mother.
Wang Xiangxiu: "This job was your father's, and I took over after him. By rights, it should be passed on to you. Jinlai, as the eldest son, it’s only natural that it goes to you. Before, I was hesitant because you seemed unreliable, but now things are different. Since you’ve shown you can change, I’m more than happy to hand it over to you. Your temperament isn’t suited for business, so it’s better not to get involved with your younger brother’s ventures. Besides, it’s not fitting for a grown man to stay at home cooking and doing laundry. It’s better to have a proper job. I’ll give you the job, and I can handle the household chores just fine."
Jinlai: "This... this..."
"Your reputation isn’t the best, and there might be some gossip at the factory, but I know you don’t care about that. That’s one of your strengths. Since that’s the case, it’s better for you to start working sooner. Having a steady job will help you settle down."
Wang Xiangxiu was trying to encourage him. What "good attitude" and "not caring about gossip"? Nonsense! She knew her son better than anyone. Jinlai wasn’t the type to brush things off easily, but since her younger son had been praising him, she, as his mother, had to play along. The more she hyped him up, the more likely he’d start believing it himself. And wasn’t that a good thing?
Moreover, she had been considering giving the job to Jinlai for a while now.
Yinlai already had a job and a side business, so he didn’t need this one.
As for Tonglai? Wang Xiangxiu firmly believed her son could get into university. Although he wasn’t in the same grade as Hutong, academically, Tonglai was stronger. Besides, Tonglai was an arts student, and she had some confidence in him. Even if he didn’t get in this year, she believed he could retake the exams. And if he had to look for a job, he’d have more options than Jinlai.
So, this job was really only suitable for Jinlai.
While Jinlai seemed to have turned over a new leaf, no one could say for sure how long it would last. His change of heart came from guilt over the incident with the kidnapper, and his desire to become a better person. But how long would that desire last? Who could know?
If he reverted to his old ways over time, she’d be left worrying again.
That’s why Wang Xiangxiu’s first thought was to "anchor" Jinlai with a proper job. She hadn’t given it to him before because he seemed unreliable. When he first returned from the countryside, he was full of himself and looked down on everything. She didn’t dare hand over the job then—if he messed it up, it would be a huge loss.
But now things were different. He wanted to change, so giving him the job was the right move.
Besides, Wang Xiangxiu was struggling to balance her job and selling goods on the side. Handing the job over to Jinlai would allow her to focus on household chores and rest a bit. She’d also have more energy to help Yinlai with his stall. Wang Xiangxiu had thought this through carefully, which was why she brought it up herself.
Jinlai looked at his two younger brothers, stammering, "You... you agree with this?"
"Of course we agree. Why wouldn’t we?"
"Exactly, big brother. If you take the job, you’d better work hard. Don’t embarrass our family."
Jinlai: "Ah, this..."
"Go on, go on."
Who would’ve thought? Wang Xiangxiu had decided to give her job to her eldest son ahead of time.
The news spread quickly, causing quite a stir in the neighborhood. But at the same time, it felt like a logical move.
Over at the Zhuang household, Ming Mei was chatting with Zhuang Zhixi. "Why do you think Wang Xiangxiu suddenly decided to give up her job? I thought she’d hold onto it for her retirement."
Zhuang Zhixi: "There are several reasons. Mainly, she’s seen how the aunties in the neighborhood manage their lives. She’s realized that you don’t necessarily need a job to secure your retirement. You can do other things too. Besides, giving the job to Jinlai is also a way to keep him in check."
Whether Jinlai would truly change for the better or if it was just a temporary phase, no one could say. But as long as he had the intention to change, supporting him in every way would help keep him on the right path.
"That’s actually a good thing," he said. "If their family wants to live well, they’ll do just fine. After all, the kids are grown up now—they’re proper working adults."
"That’s true," Ming Mei said lazily, leaning against Zhuang Zhixi. The weather had turned cold recently, and she particularly enjoyed snuggling up to him—he was so warm.
She leaned on him and asked, "How’s work been lately?"
Zhuang Zhixi: "The project has started. We’ve set up a mock train carriage, and I’ve been helping out there every day."
He chuckled and wrapped his arm around his wife. "This job is really different from the propaganda department."
Ming Mei: "Will you stay there?"
"Ah, my silly wife, it’s not that simple."
Ming Mei blinked, and Zhuang Zhixi laughed. "Transferring isn’t easy. We’ll see how things go."
"And what about you? What do you think?"
Zhuang Zhixi: "I think doing business is more interesting."
He spoke frankly. "Whether it’s the propaganda department or this new role, the jobs are good, but compared to business, where I can see tangible benefits, I prefer the latter. I’m just a simple person—I like the feeling of money in my hands."
Ming Mei nodded. "I get it."
Who doesn’t like money?
She did too. And because of her dreams, she knew more than most and felt things more keenly. She said, "No matter what happens, I’ll always stand by you."
Zhuang Zhixi: "I know."
He leaned down and kissed his wife’s forehead. Just then, their two children came home from school, bursting through the door and catching them in the act. The two kids turned away in unison, muttering, "Boys and girls in love, so embarrassing."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? Why is it embarrassing? You didn’t even knock before coming in—that’s rude. Besides, this is my wife. It’s perfectly normal for me to kiss her. You’re too young to understand."
"We understand," the kids protested.
Zhuang Zhixi: "Understand what? Go on, don’t disturb me bonding with your mom. Who knows, we might even give you a little brother or sister."
The two kids turned back, staring wide-eyed at their parents.
Ming Mei burst out laughing. "Don’t listen to your dad. We’re perfectly happy with the two of you. Raising you is already a lot of work—we don’t plan on having more kids."
The kids blinked. "We’re not that expensive."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Not expensive? Little Yuanyuan, those leather boots on your feet cost ten yuan a pair. And your backpack is four yuan. Your scarf... the milk we order for you every morning, the peach cakes you love, and..."
"Mom, Dad, we’re going to do our homework!"
The kids didn’t dare listen any longer. It did seem like they were quite expensive.
The two of them quickly ran to their room. They shared Yuanyuan’s room and did their homework together every day. At their age, they were always hungry. Yuanyuan opened a drawer and pulled out a box of cookies, munching away.
"Give me one too."
The siblings quickly finished the whole box.
After eating, they looked at the empty box and couldn’t help but sigh. "We really are expensive."
Tuantuan nodded but smiled. "But Mom and Dad said kids need to eat well to grow tall and strong. So everything we eat is useful."
"That’s true."
The two kids opened their notebooks and started studying.
"Tuantuan, Yuanyuan!"
Bai Qingqing came over to study with them, and soon other kids joined in.
The room, which had been quiet with just the two of them, quickly became lively.
Yuanyuan felt a little embarrassed. "We finished the cookies."
"That’s okay. I had a peach cake at home earlier."
"Me too."
Kids their age had fast metabolisms and were always hungry after school, so they usually ate something at home before coming over. They didn’t want to freeload at the Zhuang household all the time.
Everyone gathered together to study. Ye Sitian, who was still in kindergarten, held a picture book, while Li Zhenzhen suggested, "I wonder how Xing'er is doing with her studies. Should we invite her to join us next time?"
"Sure."
"Alright."
"I'll go call her now."
"Go ahead."
In no time, Xing'er came running over with her small backpack.
Xing'er had also started school now, attending the same elementary school as them, in the first grade. Although she had started a few days late, the little girl was very diligent and had caught up with her classmates. Now, she was always excited to go to school every day.
Back in her hometown, everyone knew her family was poor and that they had a sick family member, so people often avoided her. But here, the other children didn't know much about her background and simply treated her as a new classmate, being friendly and kind.
As a result, the little girl had visibly become much more cheerful.
Moreover, Erlin was doing well in the hospital, which further eased her worries. Ever since Erlin was born, their family had been shrouded in sadness, but now things were finally different. Erlin's illness was on the verge of being cured.
The children sat together to study. Xing'er said, "We learned a lot today, and I understood everything."
Li Zhenzhen reassured her, "It's okay if you don't understand everything. We can teach you. I'm in a higher grade now."
"Yeah, yeah," the others chimed in.
Xing'er nodded earnestly and hummed in agreement.
Yuanyuan asked, "Xing'er, how is Erlin doing?"
They all knew that Erlin was going to have surgery.
Xing'er replied, "I visit him every day. He's already had the surgery. The doctor said that as long as he rests well, he'll gradually recover."
The little girl swung her legs, feeling extremely happy. She said, "The doctor is the best, the very best."
"That's great! When can Erlin leave the hospital?"
Xing'er answered, "It'll still take some time. I don't really know, but he should be able to come home around the New Year."
"Ah, that's still a long time."
"Yeah, it's almost winter break."
"But it's good too. Once he's cured, you won't have to worry anymore."
"Exactly."
Knock, knock, knock. A knocking sound came from the door. Yuanyuan called out, "Come in."
It was Ming Mei, who entered with a smile. "I made some pear soup for you. Come, have some."
"Thank you, Mom."
Ming Mei warned, "Don't spill it on your textbooks, or you won't get this kind of treat again."
"Okay, we'll put our books away first before drinking."
Ming Mei handed each child a cup and poured them some warm pear soup. It had a hint of sweetness from the rock sugar and a refreshing taste from the pears. The children loved it. Ye Sitian cooed, "Aunt Ming, I like you the most, the very most!"
She snuggled up to Ming Mei and said, "Can I be your daughter?"
Ming Mei burst out laughing.
Ye Siyuan and Ye Sijia exchanged looks.
So embarrassing.
Their little sister always acted silly when there was good food around.
"If you keep this up, we'll tell Mom when we get home."
Ye Sitian immediately straightened up and said, "I was just joking! You're all big kids now, how can you believe that?"
Everyone else: "..."
Haha.
Ming Mei laughed even harder and said, "You can't be my daughter. Yuanyuan is my only daughter."
Yuanyuan immediately puffed out her chest proudly. Mom loved her the most!
Ming Mei gently tousled her daughter's braids and added, "But little Sitian, when you grow up, you can be my daughter-in-law!"
"Ah!"
"Ah!"
Two exclamations followed, and then: "No way!"
Tuantuan and Ye Sitian spoke in unison.
Ming Mei was thoroughly amused. "Why not? Hmm, didn't you want to come to Auntie's house, Sitian? Why don't you want to? Is it because you don't like Tuantuan?"
Ye Sitian fiddled with her fingers. "Tuantuan is just like my brother, always bossing me around."
A bossy brother was a noisy brother, and she didn't want to marry a noisy brother.
Tuantuan: "..."
He never expected to be rejected by a little kid.
He poked Ye Sitian's cheek and said, "And you? You little foodie, if I married you, I'd never be able to afford to feed you. You eat way too much."
Ye Sitian's older brothers nodded in agreement. "She really loves to eat."
Ye Sitian immediately turned to Li Zhenzhen. "Zhenzhen, look at them! They're saying I eat too much!"
Li Zhenzhen firmly declared, "Eating a lot is a blessing!"
She loved eating too. Li Zhenzhen was practically a bigger version of Ye Sitian.
"What's wrong with loving good food?"
"Exactly!"
"Eating a lot means you're blessed."
"Exactly!"
They were in perfect sync.
Ming Mei laughed heartily. Under the children's reproachful gazes, she quickly made her exit, but she was still thoroughly amused.
Zhuang Zhixi asked, "What are you laughing about?"
Ming Mei replied, "I think the kids are so funny."
Zhuang Zhixi said, "I think you're even funnier."
He took his wife's hand and led her outside. Ming Mei asked, "Hey, where are you taking me?"
Zhuang Zhixi explained, "Mom asked me to buy some lamb soup. It's cold, so we'll have some lamb soup tonight to warm up."
Ming Mei said, "Oh."
"Come on, keep me company."
"Alright."
The couple went out together, their relationship as strong as ever. They had been married for over ten years and had always been very sweet, with no major conflicts.
As they walked out, they ran into Wang Zizhen, who was carrying some things. Ming Mei asked, "Oh? Where are you going?"
Wang Zizhen replied, "I'm going to my mother-in-law's place. Daqiang's older brother's daughter is getting married, so I'm going to deliver some gifts."
Ming Mei nodded and said, "You're going alone?"
Wang Zizhen said, "Yes, Daqiang has to work overtime tonight. I'll be back soon. Can you watch the kids for a bit?"
Ming Mei said, "No problem, it's nothing."
Wang Zizhen smiled.
Since marrying into the Ye family, her life had been relatively easy. Although her mother-in-law was cold toward her and didn't offer much help, the lack of interference also had its benefits. Her mother-in-law didn't meddle in their affairs, and that was fine by her.
The couple lived a comfortable life. Although her mother-in-law clearly favored the eldest son, she didn't demand much from them, which was good enough.
They only had to pay a small amount for her support each year, and otherwise, they didn't need to interact much.
Honestly, Wang Zizhen had never seen this kind of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship back in her village, but after experiencing it, she found it quite nice. She was still puzzled as to why her mother-in-law was so cold toward them.
It was said that the year Daqiang was born, his father had an accident. Although he survived, he lost most of his ability to work. A fortune-teller passing by at the time claimed that this son was bad luck for his father, so the elderly couple became cold toward their second son.
Later, when Daqiang was scammed in a marriage and insisted on paying for the other person's medical treatment, it further angered his parents, and they grew even more distant. Although they were family, their relationship remained cold.
However, they still fulfilled their responsibilities. For example, when Wang Zizhen gave birth, her mother-in-law came to help during the postpartum period, staying exactly one month before leaving. When Wang Zizhen needed money for her business, her mother-in-law also lent her the funds, but with agreed-upon interest.
Some people might not like this kind of relationship, but Wang Zizhen found it perfect. She was afraid of the kind of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships she had seen in her village, where the mother-in-law would torment the daughter-in-law for years before finally becoming the matriarch herself, refusing to let the family split up.
This way was much better. Wang Zizhen got on the bus, waving goodbye to Ming Mei and her husband. Ming Mei sighed, "I almost forget what Zizhen was like when she first came here."
Zhuang Zhixi said, "Why remember the bad times? She's doing well now, isn't she?"
Ming Mei nodded. "You're right."
The couple didn't have far to go for the lamb soup, so they didn't need to take the bus. They bought a bucket of lamb soup and carried it back home.
Although it was cold outside, the couple didn't mind. They walked hand in hand, enjoying each other's company. Thankfully, it was already getting dark, so no one could see them clearly. If it were broad daylight, someone might have accused them of being indecent.
As they returned to the compound, they ran into Bai Fendou coming back.
Zhuang Zhixi asked, "Brother Fendou, how was business today?"
Bai Fendou chuckled with pride and said, "My business is doing just fine. If it weren't for my wife worrying about me and insisting I come home for dinner, I would have worked a bit longer. The colder it gets, the more people take the bus."
Zhuang Zhixi replied, "That's true."
The weather was indeed chilly, and no one felt like moving much.
Bai Fendou hurried inside, where He Lan had prepared a hearty dinner of braised pork belly with pickled cabbage. She looked up with a smile and said, "You're back? Go wash your hands and call your daughter home for dinner."
Bai Fendou nodded, "Got it."
He stepped outside and called out, "Bai Qingqing, come home for dinner!"
Bai Qingqing immediately jumped up and ran over, her two little pigtails bouncing. "Coming!"
Bai Fendou smiled and ruffled her pigtails. "Dinner's ready. Your mom made something delicious."
Bai Qingqing beamed, "I've been hungry for a while now!"
Although they weren't a dual-income household, He Lan's stall business brought in more money than a regular job, so their standard of living was quite good. Bai Qingqing, growing up in the warmth of her parents' love, chattered away, "Mom, today Aunt Ming Mei said she wanted Sitian to be her daughter-in-law, but both Sitian and Brother Tuantuan loudly said no! Hahaha..."
She continued, "Erlin's surgery is done, and Xing'er said he'll be back by New Year. That's such a relief. I was so worried he might not make it..."
Bai Qingqing kept talking, "Today, Jiang Tao from my class wore a new scarf. It was so pretty! She said... Oh my gosh! Mom, is this for me?"
The little girl was chattering away when her mom placed a new hat in front of her. It was her favorite shade of pink, a knitted pink hat. "It's so cute!"
He Lan laughed, "Try it on after dinner."
"Okay!"
Bai Fendou watched his daughter chatter away with a smile, feeling that home was the warmest place in the world.
Deep down, he knew that he and He Lan weren't exactly a perfect match. Someone like He Lan—educated, capable, and far more attractive than him—could have married anyone she wanted. Many couples with complicated backgrounds had split up after being rehabilitated, and the same went for many educated youths who had gone to the countryside. He had heard plenty of stories at work.
But He Lan had never shown any signs of wanting to leave. She remained diligent in managing their household, treating him well and caring for him. Thinking about this, Bai Fendou felt a warm glow in his heart. He had truly found a good person.
He didn't even want to imagine what his life would have been like if he had settled down with Guan Guiling. He would have been in deep trouble.
Life now was truly good.
He happily sipped his pickled cabbage soup and ate the pork belly, saying, "Our life is getting better and better."
He Lan replied, "Of course. I heard Auntie Zhao and Auntie Zhou say that as they get older, they can't work much longer, and they don't know how to invest their money. So, it's better to play it safe and buy property. Once you own a house, you can rent it out, and the rental income will cover your daily expenses. The house will still be yours. I think that makes a lot of sense. I was thinking we should take advantage of the current housing prices and buy a house as an investment."
Bai Fendou didn't understand much about these things. "I'll leave it to you."
He Lan continued, "The population in Beijing is growing. All the people who went to the countryside are coming back, but the number of houses hasn't increased much. Sure, there's housing allocation, but how many people actually get that? So, housing prices are bound to rise."
Bai Fendou agreed, "That's true. I see so many people coming into the city every day at the train station. They all need somewhere to live."
"Exactly."
Bai Qingqing blinked her big eyes and asked, "Mom, are we buying a house?"
He Lan replied, "Yes. If we work hard, we can rely on rental income in the future, and we'll even have a house to leave for you."
Bai Qingqing didn't fully understand, but she still said, "Let's buy it. I think buying a house is a good idea because everyone says so."
Her friends had talked about it too.
He Lan laughed, "I'm looking into it. We'll buy when we find the right one."
Bai Qingqing went home for dinner, and soon Qijin was called away too. The children gradually left, and Wang Zizhen returned to take her three kids home. As she led them back, Ye Sitian asked, "Mom, why are you so late? Everyone's already gone home."
Wang Zizhen replied, "I went to your uncle's place. Your older sister is getting married."
Ye Sitian said, "Oh."
They didn't live in the same district as their cousins, and there was a big age gap, so they didn't interact much. The kids weren't interested and asked, "Are we going home for dinner now?"
Wang Zizhen answered, "Yes."
She took the three children home and prepared dinner for them. Ye Sitian said, "We're not hungry. We each had a bowl of lamb soup."
Wang Zizhen asked, "You ate at your aunt's place again?"
Ye Sitian replied, "Yeah, Auntie said it was fine."
Wang Zizhen shook her head with a smile and poked her daughter. "You little rascal."
"Zizhen, are you home?"
Wang Zizhen replied, "Yes, I'm here."
She quickly stepped out. "Auntie Chen?"
Auntie Chen lowered her voice and said, "I heard you were thinking about buying a house. Are you still interested?"
Wang Zizhen nodded, "Come in. Yes, I am. As you can see, my three kids are crammed into one room. They're getting bigger, and it's getting inconvenient."
Auntie Chen explained, "My child's workplace allocated them an apartment, so they want us to move in with them. We're thinking of selling our old house. Since we've been neighbors for over ten years, I thought of offering it to you first."
Wang Zizhen's eyes lit up. "Of course, I'm interested."
Auntie Chen lived right next door, so buying her house would be perfect for Wang Zizhen's family.
Auntie Chen said, "As for the price..."
The two quickly began discussing the details.
It seemed like overnight, everyone wanted to buy a house.
The kids didn't pay much attention to these matters, but the adults were quick to act. Surprisingly, Wang Zizhen was the first to buy a house. She purchased two rooms next door and, before the cold set in, painted the walls and did some basic renovations. Ye Sitian was still too young to sleep alone, so Ye Siyuan and Ye Sijia finally got their own room. Previously, the family of five had shared one room, but now the two boys had their own space, and Ye Sitian would move into the other room when she was older.
Interestingly, Wang Zizhen's purchase didn't just inspire their courtyard neighbors—it also motivated Auntie Yu's family.
Auntie Yu had something to say about it. Look at Wang Zizhen, who had only been doing business for a little over half a year, and she could already afford to buy a house. If they worked hard, couldn't they do the same? Her house would eventually come back to her.
Although Auntie Yu had sold her house, she still felt a pang of regret.
With this new hope, she threw herself into her daily tasks with renewed energy.
While everyone was busy setting up stalls, looking at houses, and preparing for winter, Su Jinlai quietly took over his mother's job at the factory. This came as quite a shock.
After all, Su Jinlai was the most unreliable member of the family. It was surprising that Wang Xiangxiu would pass her job to her eldest son. But on second thought, it made sense. On his first day at work, Su Jinlai put on his uniform, and it gave him a completely different feeling.
He, he, he—he was now a respected worker!
Although he was just an apprentice, Wang Xiangxiu repeatedly reminded him, "The work here isn't complicated. If you put in the effort, you'll definitely get promoted. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just focus on learning. Even someone as clumsy as me got promoted, so you can too."
She added, "I know you and Guan Hong don't get along well. She's still upset with you, but a real man doesn't argue with a woman. If she says something, just let it go. It's embarrassing for a man to fight with a woman."
Besides, you used her as a shield, so it's natural for her to be angry when she sees you.
Wang Xiangxiu continued, "And besides, even if you're not together anymore, you should still remember the good times. She used to buy us breakfast and help out around the house. You should at least remember that and not pick fights with her."
Su Jinlai nodded reluctantly, but he couldn't help feeling that his mother had a point.
Wang Xiangxiu: "Many people at the factory are our neighbors, so you probably know most of them. You should greet them when you see them, not like before. Your apprentice salary isn’t high, so I won’t take it from you. Save it for yourself. You’re not young anymore; you should start saving some money."
Su Jinlai: "Don’t I still have money with you?"
Wang Xiangxiu calmly replied, "But aren’t you going to get married? If I give it all to you now, what will you do when you need it later?"
After a pause, she added firmly, "And most importantly, you can’t skip work, understand?"
Su Jinlai nodded, "I understand."
"And don’t let Hu Huihui come looking for you either."
Su Jinlai: "...How could she possibly come looking for me again?"
"You never know. If she does, don’t get involved in her schemes. If you do, I won’t acknowledge you as my son anymore. Let me tell you, a man can’t afford to be too reckless... Look at Zhou Qun, hasn’t he already fallen apart?"
This was a cautionary tale.
Su Jinlai: "Wasn’t it because Bai Fendou kicked him?"
He even knew about that.
Wang Xiangxiu pursed her lips, refraining from mentioning her brief three-second friendly encounter with Zhou Qun in the past.
As a mother, she always wanted to leave a good impression on her son. After all, in his eyes, she was still a good mother.
She said, "But he wasn’t doing well even before that. There were rumors all over the street. Just listen to me, okay?"
Su Jinlai: "Okay."
Finally, Su Jinlai went to work without any issues, and Wang Xiangxiu breathed a sigh of relief. However, as if bound by some ill-fated connection, Wang Xiangxiu ran into Hu Huihui that very evening while setting up her stall.
Hu Huihui was equally surprised to see Wang Xiangxiu. She raised an eyebrow and said, "Cousin, what are you doing with this kind of work? It’s so unlike you."
Their relationship as cousins had always been strained.
With a mocking tone, Hu Huihui added, "What’s the matter? Can’t make ends meet anymore?"
Wang Xiangxiu replied, "No matter how life is, I’m living an honest life now, unlike you, who’s still messing around."
"Who’s messing around?" Hu Huihui sneered. "Even if I am, am I as bad as your son? By the way, how’s Jinlai? Still drowning in alcohol at home? What a legend—just like you!"
She was the queen of sarcasm.
Mentioning Jinlai, Wang Xiangxiu immediately said, "My Jinlai has started working. I gave him my job, and now he’s working at the machinery factory. He’s a proper worker now. So please, don’t involve him in your activities anymore."
After a pause, she added earnestly, "I’m begging you, cousin."
Hu Huihui was taken aback by this and looked at Wang Xiangxiu seriously. Wang Xiangxiu continued, "I don’t expect Jinlai to achieve anything great. I just hope he doesn’t cause any more trouble for the family and lives an honest life. That’s all I ask. I know your line of work makes a lot of money, but it’s too damaging. Every time he came back from working with you, he needed a long time to recover. Even though he’s young, he can’t handle that kind of strain. So, as your cousin, I’m pleading with you—don’t involve him anymore. He’s simple-minded and easily tempted. I can’t guarantee he won’t fall back into bad habits if you keep calling him, but I hope he can stay on the right path."
Hu Huihui stared at Wang Xiangxiu, who remained calm. "If I’ve wronged you in the past, I apologize. But I just hope you’ll leave Jinlai alone. He’s finally turned his life around, and I want him to stay that way."
Hu Huihui didn’t respond immediately. After a long silence, she lit a cigarette, took a drag, and said, "Do you really think your son is some kind of prize? Whether I use him or not doesn’t matter. I only gave him a chance to make some money. If you don’t want that, fine. I’d rather find someone else. I can even make a profit off them. I didn’t earn anything by recommending him. Besides, his service isn’t even good—he can’t even say a few nice words. Do you think I’m desperate to use him? If it weren’t for our family ties, I wouldn’t have bothered with him in the first place. Since you’re being difficult, forget it. No one’s lining up to work with Jinlai anyway."
She chuckled, sizing up Wang Xiangxiu before saying seriously, "Since you’re against it, I won’t force it. I’m not that kind of person."
Wang Xiangxiu breathed a sigh of relief and said sincerely, "Thank you."
Hu Huihui didn’t acknowledge the thanks. Instead, she laughed and said, "You’ve changed from before."
For once, she spoke without malice.
Wang Xiangxiu replied, "People change."
She looked directly at Hu Huihui and said, "You should straighten out your life too. Always walking the crooked path isn’t sustainable. I know you look down on me, and I know I’ve done things in the past that made people despise me. But isn’t it possible for someone to turn over a new leaf? If I can change, Jinlai can too. You should stop being so careless. Some money isn’t worth the risk. You can earn a decent living honestly. Look at me—my business is doing well. If it weren’t for this, I wouldn’t have dared to give my job to Jinlai. Your get-rich-quick schemes aren’t as reliable as my steady income."
Hu Huihui scoffed, "You really like meddling in other people’s business, don’t you? You can’t even manage your own life properly, yet you’re trying to lecture me. My life is stable—unlike yours, which seems like a constant struggle. Besides, I’m scamming foreigners. Isn’t that payback? They’ve taken so much from us. What’s wrong with selling them some fake goods? Just focus on your own business and stop worrying about me. Don’t think I’m being nice just because I’m giving you face. I don’t like you."
After a pause, she said, "Give me three sweaters—two for men and one for women."
Wang Xiangxiu: "Oh, don’t worry about paying. These are on me. Consider it a thank you for helping Jinlai before..."
Hu Huihui interrupted, "No need. I’ve got money!"
She added, "I’m not going to haggle with you over this. I’d rather buy from someone else than deal with you."
She tossed the money on the counter, grabbed the items, and walked away.
Wang Xiangxiu watched Hu Huihui’s retreating figure and called out, "Come over for dinner sometime!"
After a moment, she added with a smile, "This time, I won’t cheat you out of your money."
Hu Huihui shot back, "Pfft, not a chance!"
