Chapter 56

Chapter 56

When Zhang Qiulai returned, not only did Fang Min feel much more at ease, but Jin Xiuzhu also felt much better. She discussed with Fang Min that she would give some money every month. Once Bai Jingzhi and the two children started school, she was sure to come over for meals frequently and couldn't keep eating and drinking for free.

Fang Min knew Jin Xiuzhu's personality and didn't refuse.

With this arrangement, Jin Xiuzhu felt much more comfortable when she and the children went next door for meals. Otherwise, she always felt like she was taking advantage of their hospitality, which she disliked.

During the day, the children had to read and do homework, as did Jin Xiuzhu. She would take Liu Liu next door and stay in the study with Fang Min, painting and reading together. Fang Min even prepared a new desk for her so they could work side by side without disturbing each other.

After the two children were fed and put to bed, Zhang Qiulai would occasionally peek into the room.

The two little ones now recognized each other. Whenever they were placed on the bed together, they knew it was time to sleep. They would immediately yawn and close their eyes, needing no coaxing.

Previously, Fanfan was quite domineering and wouldn't let Liu Liu sleep in his bed, pulling and crying whenever Liu Liu lay down. However, he was fine sleeping in Jin Xiuzhu's bed, with Liu Liu watching him curiously with wide eyes. Sometimes, perhaps annoyed by the noise, he would turn away from her.

Now, when Fang Min heard her son cry, she didn't rush to comfort him. Instead, she would leisurely drink some water and wash her hands before picking him up.

Perhaps realizing that crying was useless, Fanfan cried less now. When he woke up, he would just lie there with his big eyes open, reaching out to touch the small person lying beside him.

Liu Liu had a good temper and wouldn't get angry even if woken up. Thinking it was a game, she would smile widely.

Every time Jin Xiuzhu saw this, she felt helpless. She wondered how someone as smart as herself could have such a sweet and silly daughter.

Could it be because of her father? It must be.

However, Jiang Mingchuan thought his daughter was perfect in every way. Previously, when Political Commissar Zhu joked about arranging a marriage between the children, he pretended not to understand and changed the subject. He thought Fanfan was too domineering and not suitable for his own daughter. Moreover, who knew what Fanfan would grow up to be like? That would be unfair to his own daughter.

In this matter, his mind was unusually clear.

He later told Jin Xiuzhu about it and asked her not to agree to Fang Min's requests.

Jin Xiuzhu gave him an annoyed glance. Fang Min wasn't as bored as them two men. She herself admitted her son had a bad temper and worried about the trouble he might cause in the future. She probably hadn't thought about marriage yet.

Indeed, Fang Min hadn't thought about that. These past few days, Fanfan had suddenly developed a cough, so she stopped letting Jin Xiuzhu bring the children over, fearing they might catch it.

After drinking the cough remedy Jin Xiuzhu provided, Fanfan improved significantly last night. In the morning, Fang Min came over to thank Jin Xiuzhu, but due to having to care for the children, she looked rather pale and tired, yawning several times while speaking.

Jin Xiuzhu urged her to go back and get some rest, saying they could discuss matters after she woke up.

Fang Min nodded and left.

However, before Fang Min could wake up, someone arrived at her house.

It was Political Commissar Zhu who brought them. Hearing voices outside, Jin Xiuzhu curiously looked towards the door, wondering who Political Commissar Zhu was talking to.

She didn't get up to check, continuing to paint while holding Liu Liu, who had just woken up. Her older daughter, sitting nearby, also heard the voices and turned to look at Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu told her to continue reading.

Fu Yanyan reluctantly lowered her head and idly flipped through the book.

A while later, around half-past eleven, there was a knock on the door. He Yan and the others, who had finished their homework, came out of the room. Upon hearing the sound, He Yan said, "I'll open it," and rushed to the door.

Fu Yanyan simply sat back down.

It was Zhang Qiulai, coming to invite them for lunch. Afterward, she added, "My cousin... Lady Fang's family has arrived."

She was used to calling people by certain names and often got them mixed up.

Hearing this, Jin Xiuzhu frowned. "Family?"

Zhang Qiulai nodded. "They came from the capital."

Jin Xiuzhu nodded, considering the situation. "Then we won't come over. Tell Political Commissar Zhu that we'll eat at home."

Fang Min would definitely disagree with this.

Zhang Qiulai hesitated, unsure how to decide. "Should I ask?"

"There's no need to ask. Just say it's my decision. We still have food here."

Zhang Qiulai agreed.

After she left, the elder daughter said goodbye to Jin Xiuzhu, preparing to return home for lunch.

Jin Xiuzhu simply asked her to stay. "Don't run back and forth. You have studies in the afternoon. Let's eat together; you can help me out."

The elder daughter agreed, remembering her mother had gone to work and wasn't home.

Soon, there was another knock on the door. He Yan opened it again, and this time, it was Political Commissar Zhu. Standing at the door, he smiled and said, "Lady Fang's parents have arrived. They're not outsiders. We usually eat together, so there's no need to cook separately today. Come over and join us."

The children looked at Jin Xiuzhu.

Seeing Political Commissar Zhu personally come to invite them, Jin Xiuzhu found it hard to refuse. Smiling, she said, "Alright, I'll tidy up and come over."

Political Commissar Zhu agreed.

Jin Xiuzhu then took the children next door. The elder daughter stood there uncertainly, feeling relieved when Bai Jingzhi held her hand and followed behind.

When Fang Min's parents heard that their neighbors would also be joining them for dinner, they assumed it would only be one or two people. They were surprised to see a whole group enter.

The large table Political Commissar Zhu had previously arranged was just right for Jin Xiuzhu and the children. Today, with the addition of Political Commissar Zhu, Fang Min's parents, and the elder daughter, it became rather crowded.

Fang Min's parents didn't look pleased.

In fact, their expressions had been sour since entering the military compound. They waited for a long time at the gate for their son-in-law to arrive. They had written a letter saying they wanted to visit but received no reply. They assumed it was because mail delivery was slow during the New Year period. However, upon arriving at home, their daughter's attitude was very calm, and she didn't show much joy upon seeing them.

Thinking that her daughter had such a personality, she didn't say much more.

Who knew that when the whole family from next door came over, their daughter and son-in-law immediately put on bright smiles.

Jin Xiuzhu led the children to greet Fang Min's parents.

The couple sat in the higher seats and nodded indifferently.

Jin Xiuzhu smiled without saying anything.

Fang Min directly took Liu Liu from her arms. "Go have dinner, I'll hold her for a while."

"Where's Fanfan?"

"He fell asleep again."

As soon as the words were spoken, cries of a child could be heard from the room.

Jin Xiuzhu smiled and took the child back from her arms. "You should go check on him."

Fang Min had no choice but to return to the room helplessly.

Commissioner Zhu arranged for the children to sit down one by one. There weren't enough seats, so Zhang Qiulai hid in the kitchen. She could see that Lady Fang Min didn't seem to have a good relationship with her parents, barely speaking since they entered.

It was nothing like when she returned to her brother and sister-in-law's home after months apart, where there was always plenty to talk about.

Jin Xiuzhu sat beside her daughter as Commissioner Zhu said it was time to eat.

Fang's father asked him, "Why don't you call your sister out to eat with us?"

Commissioner Zhu paused with his chopsticks, then explained with a smile, "She said there wasn't enough room, so she told us to start eating first."

Fang's father felt he lacked manners and said sternly, "We're still family, call her out to eat with us."

Commissioner Zhu didn't say anything, smiled, and got up to call Zhang Qiulai from the kitchen.

Zhang Qiulai felt awkward, wanting to say she wasn't Commissioner Zhu's sister, she was just here to help.

Fang Min in the room also heard this and came out with the child in her arms, deliberately saying, "Cousin, take a seat, we're all family."

Only then did Fang's father realize she wasn't his daughter's real sister. When Zhang Qiulai sat down, seeing the atmosphere wasn't great, he proactively asked, "Whose relative's child is this?"

Commissioner Zhu smiled and said, "Not a relative. My sister was busy, so after staying for a while, she had to go back. Fang Min couldn't manage the kids alone at home, so she found a familiar relative to come help. Afraid others might misunderstand, she told people it was her cousin."

Zhang Qiulai politely smiled at everyone.

When Fang's father heard this, he regretted opening his mouth.

Mother Fang pursed her lips and interrupted, "Let's eat first, or the food will get cold."

So the table full of people started eating in silence.

After dinner, Jin Xiuzhu helped Zhang Qiulai clear the table before leaving with the children.

Once they left, Mother Fang went into the room.

In the room, Fang Min was breastfeeding her son. Seeing her mother enter, she turned her body to avoid her gaze.

Mother Fang frowned. "I'm not an outsider, why are you avoiding me? Your sister never avoided me when she was breastfeeding."

This behavior made her feel like an outsider.

Fang Min didn't say anything. She was different from her sister; she wasn't close to them at all.

Mother Fang sat at the foot of the bed, looking at her younger daughter's slender figure, feeling a rare twinge of pity. "Why haven't you been writing letters lately?"

Fang Min didn't want to talk, but eventually sighed. "I've been too busy."

Mother Fang thought about her younger daughter's job. She didn't understand it, but it must be quite busy.

"When you have time, write some letters back."

"Okay."

The room fell silent. Mother Fang looked at her unresponsive daughter, not knowing what to say. Her younger daughter was quiet, unlike her older daughter who always brought life and cheer wherever she went.

After some thought, she tried to make conversation. "Who are those neighbors? Why did they come over for dinner with so many children?"

She wanted to say that her daughter and son-in-law were foolish, letting people eat and drink for free. It was a waste of money. Once or twice would be fine, but it seemed they came often.

Fang Min picked up on the implication and explained, pursing her lips. "Our houses are close, and we usually get along well. She just had a baby, so we agreed to take turns cooking meals."

Mother Fang listened and pressed her lips together, feeling she was right. She couldn't help but say, "Aren't you losing out? Even if you take turns, they have so many people."

Fang Min wasn't happy with her mother's words. "Jin Xiuzhu pays."

Actually, she didn't think payment was necessary. During her pregnancy, she often ate at the neighbor's house without paying for a while.

Mother Fang looked at her disapprovingly. "You silly girl, even if she pays, you're still losing out. Just those two boys eat almost as much as adults. Your salaries will be gone if you keep feeding them. Don't let them come over anymore, you don't even realize when you're being taken advantage of."

Hearing this, Fang Min's face turned cold. She could tolerate other criticisms, but she wouldn't stand hearing that Jin Xiuzhu was taking advantage of her. She suddenly turned her head to look at her mother, trying to control her temper as she asked, "Did you notice the clothes and shoes on the child? Do you think they look nice?"

Mother Fang's eyes fell on the child's exquisite clothing and shoes. The material was clearly high quality, with a fine luster and intricate embroidery. The little tiger shoes were also beautifully crafted. This kind of craftsmanship was rarely seen nowadays, yet it appeared on her grandchild.

Curious, she wanted to ask her daughter where she bought them, planning to buy a few sets for her older grandson.

Without much thought, she simply replied, "They look nice."

Fang Min then calmly said, "Jin Xiuzhu made these clothes for the child, and there are several more sets in the closet that haven't been worn yet. Did you see that small bed? The bedding on it was made by her for the child. When I was pregnant and didn't know what was happening, I had stomach pain in the middle of the night, and Jin Xiuzhu accompanied me to the health station. The next morning, she took me to see a doctor in the county and taught me how to brew medicine. When Commissioner Zhu wasn't home during the day while I was pregnant, she invited me to eat at her place every day. She can make all sorts of pastries, and whenever she made something delicious, she would bring some over for me."

"On the night of my delivery, the Political Commissar wasn’t home. I was in so much pain that it was her husband who carried me to the county town. He had been injured and his hand and leg hadn’t fully recovered, yet he didn’t say a word as he carried me from here to the riverbank, then from the pier to the county hospital. The Political Commissar later told me that Commander Jiang’s lips had turned pale from the strain. And the day after I gave birth, Jin Xiuzhu came to see me despite being heavily pregnant..."

"You say she plotted against me, but I don’t know where you got that idea. In my heart, she’s been one of the best people to me, aside from Grandpa, Grandma, and the Political Commissar."

It was the first time Mother Fang had heard her younger daughter speak so much. As she listened to her calmly recounting everything, her expression gradually became unnatural.

Especially at the last sentence, when her younger daughter said that Jin Xiuzhu was one of the best people to her, apart from her parents and husband, it was hard for her to accept. Was this excluding her and her husband? Or was it an accusation that they hadn’t done enough?

Unhappy, it showed on her face, and she couldn’t help saying, "Your father and I are very busy. You married so far away; even if we wanted to take care of you, we couldn’t. If you were closer, like your sister, how could you have suffered like this?"

"Don’t think that your father and I don’t care about you. If we didn’t, why would we have come all this way to see you?"

Fang Min smiled, but there was no warmth in her eyes. She looked at her mother coolly. "Mom, I’m not a child anymore. I’m past the age where I believe everything you say. Now that I have my own child, I know what loving parents look like."

At this point, she lowered her head to look at her son. The little guy was looking at her with big, round eyes while nursing. When he met his mother’s gaze, he squinted his eyes in a smile, looking adorable.

Fang Min felt a softness in her heart, which gave her courage to say what she had originally planned to keep unsaid. "If you and Dad really cared about me, you wouldn’t have waited until now. If it were my sister giving birth, you probably would have taken the train over that very night. I remember when my sister had her baby, you bought so many new clothes for the child and washed each piece three times by hand because you were worried they might be dirty. You also bought various nutritional supplements. But when it came to me, there was nothing."

"How could you say I didn’t buy anything for you?"

Fang Min thought back to the clothes she had received. "Did you buy them yourself?"

Mother Fang frowned. "I had your sister do it. I’m so busy; how could I have the time?"

Fang Min shook her head. She didn’t want to say more. "Forget it. Rest up and leave with Dad as soon as possible. It takes several hours to get to the city from here, and our place is too small to accommodate guests."

Mother Fang’s expression darkened. "What do you mean by that?"

Fang Min laid her cards on the table. "There’s no hidden meaning. I just feel that since we’re not close, there’s no need to force a relationship. Don’t write letters anymore. I don’t want to reply, and I don’t like the food you send, which I end up giving away. As you can see, I’m doing well now. Your so-called concern isn’t needed."

Mother Fang looked at her younger daughter in disbelief. She stood up in anger and demanded, "Say that again!"

Fang Min noticed her son had finished nursing. She pulled down her clothing and wiped his mouth.

The awkward conversation between father-in-law and son-in-law outside had been sporadic. Hearing voices from the room, they fell silent.

When Mother Fang raised her voice, Political Commissar Zhu hurried inside and asked amiably, "What’s going on? Let’s talk things out calmly."

Mother Fang angrily addressed her son-in-law. "Listen to what she’s saying! She wants us to leave right away and says there’s no need for us to stay in touch. Is this how children should speak to their parents?"

Fang Min laughed coldly. "Parents? You don’t even know my husband’s only sister. What’s the point of staying in touch?"

Father Fang stood in the doorway, looking at his younger daughter’s calm, indifferent expression. He wanted to explain but found himself unable to utter a single word.

Political Commissar Zhu had intended to mediate, but hearing this, he didn’t know what to say. Deep down, he had gradually realized that his in-laws hadn’t truly cared about his wife since her marriage and pregnancy. Instead, they doted on her fake sister. If he were in his wife’s shoes, he wouldn’t feel good either.

Especially since her delivery, they hadn’t shown much concern or taken any action. Unlike his older sister, who had visited twice and rushed over when something happened to his niece’s family.

The contrast was clear.

With this realization, he paused for a moment before saying with a smile, "Minmin doesn’t know how to express herself, but she means well. It’s quite a distance from here to the city, so it’s better to leave early. I still have half an hour before my shift, so I’ll take you to the entrance."

Though his tone was polite, it was essentially an invitation to leave.

Without waiting for a response, Political Commissar Zhu left the room, carrying the couple’s belongings. He politely said, "We have plenty of food at home, so please take it back with you. Since we aren’t around often, we can’t show our filial respect. Please keep the items for yourselves to nourish your bodies."

The couple’s expressions grew darker. They were respectable people in the capital, yet here they were being sent away by their own daughter and son-in-law right after dinner.

Being people of dignity, seeing this scene, they could only leave with grim faces without saying goodbye to their daughter in the room.

After they left, Fang Min put her son to sleep. Although she felt a bit lost, she was mostly relieved.

Political Commissar Zhu stopped at the main entrance after seeing them off. Facing their sullen expressions, he spoke gently yet firmly. "I think Minmin did the right thing. If you don’t treat her like your daughter, there’s no need to maintain contact. Before, I believed that no parent could dislike their child, so I encouraged her to stay in touch with you when she had the chance. But from her pregnancy until now, even I, as an outsider, could sense your indifference towards her."

"We’re doing well now, and we won’t force things. There’s no need to write letters to us anymore. We won’t reply. That’s all. Take care."

The couple watched their son-in-law walk away, their faces showing complex emotions.

Afraid of being seen, they had no choice but to leave.

Still, walking down the road, they felt sad. After all, she was still their daughter. Even if they didn’t like her, they hadn’t considered cutting ties.

Mother Fang blamed her husband. "If you hadn’t mistaken her identity at first, we wouldn’t have upset them."

Father Fang wasn’t pleased. "How can you blame me? As her mother, when your daughter was pregnant, how could you have let Niuniu buy clothes? She wouldn’t have had the time. It must have been that Aunt Sun who bought them. Who knows what kind of shoddy clothes she got, making Minmin so angry."

Mother Fang realized this and her expression darkened further. "I told you not to trust her relatives. You insisted it was fine. Look how it turned out?"

"What’s the use of saying these things now?"

...

They bickered all the way.

After comforting Fang Min for a while, Political Commissar Zhu had to leave due to prior commitments.

Zhang Qiulai stayed in the kitchen the whole time. Only after everyone had left did she cautiously come out. Seeing no movement in the room, she dared to sneak back into her own room.

In the afternoon, after Jin Xiuzhu woke up from her nap, she took Liu Liu next door, carrying some homemade pastries to give to Fang Min’s parents.

To her surprise, she learned that they had already left.

Jin Xiuzhu was taken aback and glanced at Fang Min’s expression, not daring to ask too much.

Fang Min directly explained what had happened.

After listening, Jin Xiuzhu looked at her in surprise.

Fang Min smiled in relief. "Every time they wrote to me, I couldn't help but read their letters, but after reading them, I always wondered why I bothered. It would have been better not to read them at all. Now it's good; we won't be in contact anymore. The Political Commissar didn't blame me. He even praised me for my actions, saying that I was clear-headed and decisive, and that I had the potential to accomplish great things."

She spoke as if she were a leader, perhaps due to attending meetings regularly, but her mood was better than ever.

Seeing that she seemed genuinely untroubled, Jin Xiuzhu took her hand and said with a smile, "Trust me, your life will only get better from here on out."

Fang Min smiled and agreed.

That evening, when Jiang Mingchuan returned home, Jin Xiuzhu recounted the incident to him. Afterward, she remarked, "I underestimated her. I never expected someone so quiet to act so decisively."

Many children who grew up under oppressive parents tend to seek their approval later in life. For them, cutting ties with their parents is incredibly difficult, much like Qian Yufeng, who, despite knowing she was treated unfairly, still went back home during holidays.

Fang Min truly surprised her.

However, Jiang Mingchuan offered an explanation, "That's one aspect of it. If I'm not mistaken, the Political Commissar will be promoted in a few years. Cutting ties then might raise suspicions. By doing it now and making it public knowledge, it'll be easier for her to refuse any future requests."

Upon hearing this, Jin Xiuzhu understood his point.

Jiang Mingchuan continued, "From what I know, her sister's husband isn't a good person."

Jin Xiuzhu looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Jiang Mingchuan shook his head. "I don't know the details, but I heard he works at some factory and often offends people."

Jin Xiuzhu nodded, acknowledging that preparations needed to be made.

The children nearby overheard their conversation, and He Yan chimed in, "Every family has its own mess."

Jiang Mingchuan chuckled and lightly tapped him on the head with the other end of his chopsticks. "How old are you to understand about family messes?"

Jin Xiuzhu laughed and commented, "Such a mischievous one."

He Yan huffed and retorted, "You underestimate me. I know a lot, okay?"

Just as he finished speaking, an argument broke out upstairs.