Chapter 93 The Grand Finale

Chapter 93 The Grand Finale

In a couple of days, Fang Min returned from Commissioner Zhu's hometown, accompanied by Zhu Ying and Ji An. This year, they planned to celebrate the New Year in the capital, as it was still somewhat inconvenient in the countryside.

This trip was also prompted by Zhu Ying’s poor health, which had led to her hospitalization. Fang Min went back to visit her.

Upon returning, she brought many local specialties from her hometown, including the fermented soybean paste and pickles that Zhu Ying usually made. She gave Jin Xiuzhu several jars.

Fang Min had been traveling for two consecutive days and was truly exhausted. As she massaged her legs, she said to Jin Xiuzhu, "I’m getting old; I can’t take this anymore. It feels like my bones are falling apart."

Jin Xiuzhu brewed her a cup of flower tea. "Have some hot tea to warm your stomach."

Fang Min took the cup and drank. "When I came back, Qiulai told me that Huahua has been coughing badly due to a cold these past few days and asked you for a prescription to make soup."

Huahua is Fang Min’s youngest daughter, whose full name is Zhu Hua, but she is called Huahua at home.

Jin Xiuzhu nodded. "It’s mainly because of the immense study pressure, coupled with the sudden drop in temperature. She didn’t keep herself warm enough."

Fang Min shared her worries. "That child is so competitive. With her siblings excelling academically, she fears being embarrassed by her own performance. Actually, both the commissioner and I think it doesn’t matter as long as she’s happy."

Jin Xiuzhu comforted her. "It’s the same with my family. Liu Liu studies late every time she comes back. Fanfan and Chaoying have skipped grades, and her sister got into Capital University. She’s holding onto a grudge about it."

Fang Min shook her head helplessly. "When her aunt came to see her, she was heartbroken, always saying how thin she looks. Right now, she’s preparing dinner at home. I came over to let you know that we’re having dinner at our place tonight."

"Sure."

"Oh, by the way, when is Jingzhi coming back?"

"In a few days. Her break starts later. She called me the other day, saying that Jiliang and Jimi fight every day after their break started, and she finds it very annoying."

Fang Min laughed. "Those two kids are indeed lively."

Jin Xiuzhu shook her head. "I should blame myself. I sent them two clothes I made myself. Since the patterns and colors were different, the siblings argued endlessly, each wanting the green one. In the end, Jingzhi got so angry that she confiscated both and gave them to a colleague’s children."

Jin Xiuzhu knew those two loved to fight and bicker, but she thought identical clothes with only different embroidery patterns would be fine and even convenient for identification. She didn’t expect it to cause such trouble.

The colleague was delighted to receive two new outfits.

Fang Min couldn’t stop laughing. "Those two kids are too funny."

In the evening, Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan took their two children to Fang Min’s house for dinner.

Fang Min now lived in the small villa left by her grandparents, which was smaller than Jin Xiuzhu’s house but sufficient for their needs.

Commissioner Zhu had also returned and was bustling around the living room, moving tables and chairs. The women were gathered in the kitchen cooking.

As Jin Xiuzhu entered, Fang Min was placing dishes on the table. Seeing her come in, she quickly greeted her. "Come in and sit down. It’s cold outside, isn’t it?"

The two children followed behind, calling out cheerfully, "Aunt Fang—"

Fang Min responded with an “Ai” and called upstairs to her youngest daughter, "Huahua, come down quickly. Yanyan and Liu Liu are here."

Soon, they heard the sound of hurried footsteps as Huahua ran down.

Jiang Mingchuan went to help Commissioner Zhu, while Jin Xiuzhu headed to the kitchen. Inside, Zhang Qiulai was cooking, and Ji An was using another stove. Zhu Ying and Fang Min were assisting, and Jin Xiuzhu greeted them.

Zhu Ying immediately put down the garlic she was handling and came over smiling. "You look younger and younger. What have you been eating?"

Jin Xiuzhu smiled. "What else could I eat? Just pickles and steamed buns every day. Ever since He Yan left, I’ve been too lazy to cook."

Zhu Ying said irritably, "What about Commander Jiang?"

Although Jiang Mingchuan had been promoted, she still called him Commander Jiang, just as Fang Min still referred to her husband as the commissioner.

Jin Xiuzhu replied, "He’s not much better. He barely gets up twice a week. With the kids away, we just make do."

Zhu Ying sighed. "You two, really."

Jin Xiuzhu asked Ji An, "Where are the two kids? Why haven’t I seen them?"

"They’re busy. They can’t come back for the New Year this year."

Jin Xiuzhu nodded. Ji An’s two children were serving in the military, so it was normal that they couldn’t return. She consoled her, "Send them some food later."

"I already do that every month."

Another dish was ready, and Fang Min efficiently carried it out. Jin Xiuzhu stepped aside to let her pass and then went to the sink to help wash vegetables.

For dinner, ten dishes were prepared, symbolizing perfection. Everyone gathered around a large table, chatting and eating, creating a lively atmosphere.

Dinner started at six-thirty and ended at eight-thirty.

On their way back, Jin Xiuzhu was slightly tipsy. Jiang Mingchuan supported her out the door. After a few steps, when no one was in sight, he squatted down and carried her on his back.

The two children saw this and Liu Liu winked at her sister.

Fu Yanyan smiled and reminded Jiang Mingchuan, "Dad, be careful. The road is slippery."

Jiang Mingchuan acknowledged with a grunt. "You go ahead."

Fu Yanyan understood his embarrassment and led her sister forward.

Jin Xiuzhu, lying on Jiang Mingchuan’s back, felt a bit dazed but not entirely clear-headed. She reached out and pinched his ear, mumbling, "Today was so lively. It would have been perfect if Xiaoyan were home too."

"He’ll be back on the twenty-fifth."

"How do you know?"

"He called and told me."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"There's no phone at home."

"Hmph, that's still not acceptable."

"I'll beat him up later."

"Don't hit too hard; just a couple of slaps will do."

...

Listening to her parents talking, Liu Liu couldn't help but whisper to her sister, "When I grow up, I want to find a husband just like Dad."

Fu Yanyan ruffled her hair and teased, "How old are you, thinking about marriage already?"

Liu Liu also raised her hand to touch her head, "You have the nerve to say that. When Fourth Brother comes back, he'll definitely visit our house again."

Hearing this, Fu Yanyan reached out to hit her.

Fourth Brother was the youngest grandson of the Zhang family, one year older than Fu Yanyan. He was currently stationed in the southern military unit. When they were young, Old Man Zhang had joked about setting up a childhood engagement between the two, but after his passing, no one from the Zhang family mentioned it anymore, and Jin Xiuzhu never brought it up either.

As they grew up, Zhang Mingjun kept visiting their house. At first, it wasn't clear why, but eventually, it became apparent. However, Fu Yanyan had no feelings for him and had privately turned him down.

Liu Liu cleverly ran away.

On the twenty-fifth, He Yan returned, accompanied by the Yang brothers, Yang Yingxiong and Yang Chaoying.

In recent years, the Yang brothers always came to celebrate the New Year with them. Because of this, Jin Xiuzhu had specially prepared a room for them.

The brothers were very considerate, bringing many gifts, including wine and nutritional supplements, even bird's nest. It was unclear how much they had spent.

Jin Xiuzhu also took out the clothes and shoes she had made for the brothers and asked them to try them on.

The brothers were particularly delighted and immediately changed into the clothes. Jin Xiuzhu had made a black cotton jacket for Yang Yingxiong, with a stand-up collar and black mink fur along the edges. The cuffs were embroidered with red swastika patterns, both beautiful and warm. Wearing it, Yang Yingxiong looked more upright. Yang Chaoying's jacket was silver-gray, with white mink fur at the collar and cuffs. His design was more lively, with auspicious cloud patterns on the cuffs and little bull patterns on the pockets.

Yang Chaoying really liked it. He touched it all over and then pointed at the little bull, saying helplessly, "Auntie, isn't this a bit childish?"

Jin Xiuzhu slapped him lightly, "What's childish about it? It looks pretty good, doesn't it?"

Then she asked him to try on the shoes.

Yang Chaoying put on the cloth shoes Jin Xiuzhu had made for him. They felt a bit tight at first, but he said, "Just right."

"That's good."

After trying them on, the brothers folded them neatly, not wanting to wear them yet.

He Yan had already put on Jiang Mingchuan's old military coat and went to help in the kitchen, loudly asking what they wanted to eat.

Liu Liu boldly ordered, "I want sweet and sour pork ribs."

Yanyan followed, "Shredded pork with green peppers."

"Red-braised pork."

"Shredded potatoes."

"Garlic shrimp."

...

One request after another.

In the kitchen, He Yan said irritably, "You guys are really not being polite."

Liu Liu laughed happily and then pulled Yang Chaoying to Fang Min's house to play with Fanfan. The three children had grown up together like siblings. Especially Liu Liu, who knew Fanfan was dating someone and was determined to use this to tease her thoroughly.

Yang Chaoying loved joining in the fun. The two of them left laughing, but soon outside came the screams of a snowball fight.

Yang Yingxiong called out helplessly, "Let your sister win a bit."

Yang Chaoying protested, "She started it by ambushing me!"

Yang Yingxiong rubbed his forehead.

Yanyan comforted him, "Don't worry about it. They're just three-year-olds, their minds aren't fully developed yet."

She meant it sincerely. In modern times, kindergarten kids knew about dating. Liu Liu, however, dated purely to get help with her studies—a class representative for English and another for physics, neither knowing about the other. If she seemed fickle, she truly was, but if she seemed love-struck, she certainly wasn't. She was purely focused on her career.

As for Yang Chaoying, he was just a chatterbox. Recently obsessed with martial arts novels, he daydreamed about becoming a great hero. Not content with just reading, he also wrote his own stories, which he sent to her despite being a mess.

That night, the whole family enjoyed a warm meal together.

The next day, everyone except Jiang Mingchuan went out to buy New Year's goods. They didn't go to the department store; fewer people shopped there now, preferring the market instead.

The market used to be an illegal bazaar, but since it was no longer prohibited, more and more people set up stalls. Especially during the New Year, vendors sold everything, including goods from the south, such as clothes and food from Hong Kong.

Jin Xiuzhu led the way, asking prices for what they needed. After buying, she handed the items to the children. He Yan, like when he was younger, tugged at Jin Xiuzhu's clothes, wanting her to buy things for him.

Jin Xiuzhu found it annoying, interrupting her bargaining. She took out five yuan and told him to buy whatever he wanted himself.

He Yan hooked his arm around Yang Yingxiong's shoulder and bought several candied haws, distributing one to each person.

With these extra hands, they finished shopping for New Year's goods in a day, carrying bags full of items home. On the way back, Zhu Ying saw them pass by Fang Min's house and exclaimed, "Wow!" She also said she would ask the children to help them shop tomorrow.

He Yan grinned, "Sure, but you'll have to pay us."

"How much?"

"Not much, just one sugar-coated hawthorn."

"Enough for me."

"I knew Aunt was the best."

"Hahaha"

The day before New Year's Eve, Bai Jingzhi returned with two children, carrying numerous bags.

Many of the items were from her workplace, and she had brought back the best ones.

As soon as the twins entered, they started looking for their older siblings to play with. All the other kids loved to tease these two little ones, especially Liu Liu, who deliberately said, "Hey, why is there a flower in your hair, sister? Why doesn't brother have one?"

Yang Chaoying was also being annoying, following up by saying, "But brother's clothes look nice."

This set off a fight between the siblings, followed by heart-wrenching cries.

Bai Jingzhi was still smiling and talking to Jin Xiuzhu about taking leave when she heard the crying. Without thinking, she said, "I'll go hide at my mother-in-law's place first and come back later."

With that, she quickly turned and ran out.

Before Jin Xiuzhu could react, Bai Jingzhi was already gone.

Then the two little ones came to Jin Xiuzhu looking for their mom. Not finding her, they asked their aunt to judge.

Jin Xiuzhu was also frustrated and grabbed a feather duster to hit Liu Liu and Yang Chaoying.

Liu Liu and Yang Chaoying tried to run away, but the older kids blocked them.

The whole family was in chaos.

On New Year's Eve, both families sat together for the New Year's Eve dinner.

The children moved tables and chairs from Commissioner Zhu's house, setting up two large tables—one for adults and one for children.

The adults ate and drank while the children imitated them.

He Yan had a low tolerance for alcohol and after a few cups, he was already tipsy, even performing some martial arts on the spot.

Yang Chaoying, being a troublemaker, encouraged his older brother to join in. Yang Yingxiong was so angry he wanted to hit him, but everyone joined in the teasing, leaving Yang Yingxiong no choice but to go up and embarrass himself.

Sure enough, within three moves, he was knocked down by He Yan.

He Yan was also quite cocky, hooking his finger at Jiang Mingchuan, "Dad, come on over."

Everyone cheered him on again.

Jiang Mingchuan smiled.

In the end, He Yan lay on the ground, unable to get up for a long time.

That night, in the middle of a sweet dream, Yang Chaoying was suddenly kicked off the bed by his older brother.

Author's note:

He Yan: Dad, I was wrong.

Jiang Mingchuan: Son, you're still too young.

Jin Xiuzhu: My husband is so cool.

Fu Yanyan: Serves him right.

Liu Liu: What a lively scene.

Yang Yingxiong: I'll remember this grudge.

Yang Chaoying: Wasn't I just doing justice? Why did I suddenly jump off a cliff?

The grand finale! There are a few more side stories coming up. Love you all.