Chapter 95: Extra Chapter 2

Chapter 95: Extra Chapter 2

Jin Xiuzhu kept her word and took the two children to the county supply and marketing cooperative the next day. Electric fans were in short supply in the county, and they had already sold out when they arrived. The clerk said they needed to place an order in advance.

The two children were somewhat disappointed upon hearing this.

However, Jin Xiuzhu was not disappointed. After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, she directly said, "Let's go to the city and see."

Upon hearing this, the two children’s eyes widened with surprise and delight as they looked at Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu walked ahead, "Come on."

The three of them returned to the pier where they had started and then took a boat to the city. Although many years had passed for Jin Xiuzhu, she still found everything familiar upon returning.

She led the two children straight into the department store. It was their first time in the city, so they curiously observed their surroundings as they walked. Jin Xiuzhu felt a bit heartbroken seeing this and smiled, saying, "After we buy the electric fan, if there's money left, I'll buy some fabric to make you both new clothes."

He Yan heard this and happily looked at Jin Xiuzhu.

Her daughter, however, didn't react much. To her, new clothes meant picking up He Yan's hand-me-downs.

But this time, it was beyond her expectations. When they reached the department store, Jin Xiuzhu first took them to the second floor to buy an electric fan. Electric fans were quite expensive; ordinary brands cost around seventy to eighty yuan, while better ones could be over two hundred yuan. Jin Xiuzhu chose for a long time and finally picked a large standing electric fan for one hundred and fifty yuan.

She had brought plenty of money today. After buying the electric fan, she also purchased a piece of fabric and three pairs of shoes—two for the children and one for herself.

Her daughter held the fabric and shoes, while she and He Yan carried the electric fan out.

The two children did not expect her to buy so many things but obediently helped carry the items and lift the fan without complaint.

Passing by the State-owned hotel, Jin Xiuzhu went in and bought a few meat buns.

On the way back, because the electric fan was heavy, Jin Xiuzhu spent extra on another person's boat fare.

Despite this, the three of them were very happy, eating meat buns while enjoying the scenery around them.

Especially the two children, who rarely went out except during the New Year to buy supplies in the county. Today’s experience felt like a dream.

But this dream was particularly real and long. When they got home, Jin Xiuzhu turned on the electric fan, and the cool breeze instantly made the room feel fresher.

Jin Xiuzhu washed her face and hands with cold water, then gave He Yan two yuan and a meat ticket, asking him to buy one and a half kilograms of meat and ice pops from the supply and marketing cooperative nearby.

He Yan, upon hearing about ice pops and meat, forgot his fatigue and ran out eagerly.

Fu Yanyan glanced at Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu was looking at the fabric, commenting that it was poor quality while holding it against herself.

Meanwhile, He Yan hurried home after buying the meat and ice pops. On the way, he encountered Wu Xiaojun, who stopped him and asked why he was running. Wu Xiaojun noticed the meat and ice pops in He Yan’s hand and tried to grab them, but He Yan dodged away.

He Yan moved aside, feeling a bit unhappy but not showing it. When he first came here, he stayed at Grandma Wu’s house for half a year and remembered the kindness.

However, he couldn’t bring himself to like Wu Xiaojun. They used to play well together, but later Wu Xiaojun suddenly stopped wanting to play with him, thinking Uncle Jiang was more impressive than his father. Because of this, Wu Xiaojun even tried to isolate him behind his back.

What annoyed He Yan the most was that Wu Xiaojun, despite his poor grades, continued to study, having been in the second year of junior high for several years now. Meanwhile, his sister Daya, who wanted to study so badly, hadn’t even started primary school. Wu Xiaojun even said that when his sister married, the dowry would be his.

Even though He Yan often bullied Fu Yanyan, he never thought of taking Fu Yanyan’s dowry, even if Jin Xiuzhu offered it to him.

Thinking of this, He Yan suddenly looked behind Wu Xiaojun and shouted, "Dad—"

Wu Xiaojun, about to scold He Yan, was startled and quickly turned around, only to find nothing behind him.

Confused, he turned back to ask He Yan where his dad was, but He Yan was already gone. Frowning, he looked around and saw He Yan running away.

Realizing he had been tricked, he chased after He Yan, but He Yan ran too fast. After chasing for a while, he saw He Yan getting further away and cursed angrily before turning back home.

When Wu Xiaojun returned home, he saw his mother and sister sitting in the living room picking vegetables. Seeing the vegetable leaves on the ground, his face darkened, and he angrily said, "We’re eating these again? Can’t we buy some meat?"

"Meat is so expensive. Who eats meat every day? Just bear with it. Once your sister gets married, you’ll have meat to eat."

At this, Qian Yufeng’s eyes brightened, thinking of her future son-in-law working at the meat processing plant, which improved her mood.

Wu Xiaojun’s expression softened slightly but he still grumbled, "I saw He Yan buying meat and ice pops. They always eat meat."

Qian Yufeng frowned, "Why is he buying meat again?"

Still, she comforted her son, "Your Aunt Jin has been in a bad mood lately. Buying meat is just temporary. Things will get better soon. You’ll be eating meat every day soon, so don’t envy He Yan. Here, take five fen and buy yourself an ice pop."

Saying this, she took out five fen and gave it to him.

Wu Xiaojun took it without hesitation and ran off.

Qian Yufeng called after him, "Remember to come back for dinner tonight."

From the hallway came Wu Xiaojun’s impatient voice, "Got it."

Qian Yufeng sighed, "This child."

Only Daya, her head down, silently picked vegetables, her eyes slightly red. She heard everything her mother and brother said, feeling deeply hurt. It seemed that marrying her to a man ten years older was just to ensure the family could eat meat, disregarding her own life.

Yet she was also her daughter.

Meanwhile, He Yan returned home with the meat and ice pops, giving the leftover change to Jin Xiuzhu, then unwrapped an ice pop and started eating.

Jin Xiuzhu gave one to her daughter and ate one herself. The ice pops had melted a bit, but sitting in front of the fan, eating and enjoying the breeze, they felt particularly content.

He Yan told Jin Xiuzhu about encountering Wu Xiaojun on the way, not knowing why he shared it but feeling it odd to sit in silence.

Jin Xiuzhu listened and then said, "I’ll have your father talk to Uncle Wu."

Suddenly, she remembered something and asked, "By the way, why haven't I seen Daya recently?"

He Yan didn't think much of it, "Sister Daya is getting married."

"Getting married?"

He Yan thought Jin Xiuzhu must not know about this since she had been arguing with Uncle Jiang recently, so he said, "Yes, they've been looking for a match for her recently. I even saw him—he's old and ugly, looking even younger than Uncle Wu, all greasy, and you can smell something strange when he gets close."

Jin Xiuzhu frowned, "How old is Daya this year? Why is she getting married already?"

He Yan snorted disdainfully, "Wu Xiaojun will be getting married in a few years, and Sister Daya's dowry money will go to Wu Xiaojun."

"How do you know?"

"Wu Xiaojun said it himself."

After hearing this, Jin Xiuzhu furrowed her brows even deeper, realizing that everyone here had changed significantly. The Daya she knew had gone on to a great university and continued her studies, eventually becoming a university professor. Wu Xiaojun was also outstanding, always working with Wang Ling and making a lot of money.

The siblings' relationship grew stronger over time. After Daya got divorced, Wu Xiaojun bought her a house and invited their parents to live with her. He was also good to his nieces and nephews, as Daya mentioned in her letters that he often bought them gifts and clothes.

But here, Daya was getting married, and Wu Xiaojun would take her dowry money.

Although Jin Xiuzhu felt sad, she knew some things were beyond her control.

However, she still wanted to make things better for her family. When Jiang Mingchuan came back that evening, she told him about He Yan's situation, suspecting that He Yan was being bullied by Wu Xiaojun.

After dinner, Jiang Mingchuan called He Yan aside to talk. No one knew what they discussed, but Jiang Mingchuan sent He Yan back to his room afterward.

He Yan didn't go back to his room and instead sat in the living room, blowing on the electric fan.

Jiang Mingchuan went to the kitchen to help Jin Xiuzhu, who was kneading dough for noodles to eat the next morning. He mentioned the matter, as Jin Xiuzhu had requested that he keep her informed of any issues.

Jin Xiuzhu frowned, "What are you going to do?"

Jiang Mingchuan: "I'll talk to Wu Erzhu about it tomorrow."

Jin Xiuzhu: "Just talking won't work. Wu Erzhu might just beat his son, which could make Wu Xiaojun even more resentful. Here’s what we should do: buy some meat and popsicles tomorrow, and take He Yan along to visit them. Say that our families have always been close, and we shouldn't let this cause any friction. This is for Wu Xiaojun; tell him not to block He Yan on the road again, as He Yan is timid."

Jiang Mingchuan glanced at her without saying anything.

Jin Xiuzhu asked, "Any problems?"

Jiang Mingchuan shook his head and said, "Okay."

Jin Xiuzhu nodded.

Jiang Mingchuan wanted to say that he wasn't the only one who could handle this, but he didn't voice it.

Jin Xiuzhu didn't care; she wouldn't do anything that might offend others.

The next evening, Jiang Mingchuan followed Jin Xiuzhu's advice. A few days later, He Yan suddenly reported that he had encountered Wu Xiaojun on the road, and Wu Xiaojun ran away from him.

Jin Xiuzhu smiled.

He Yan looked at Jin Xiuzhu with admiration, knowing it was her idea. He had overheard her conversation with Uncle Jiang in the kitchen that day.

Though he didn't understand why Jin Xiuzhu had changed so much, he liked this version of her and enjoyed feeling protected by his family, as if someone cared about him.

Not just He Yan, that evening Fu Yanyan received new clothes Jin Xiuzhu had made for her. She looked at the clothes and then up at Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu told her to try them on, "See if they fit? If not, I can adjust them."

Fu Yanyan looked down at the clothes and asked softly, "What about yours?"

Jin Xiuzhu replied, "Mine aren't done yet. I made yours first."

She added with a smile, "You're my own child, so naturally, I prioritize you."

Hearing this, Fu Yanyan felt a lump in her throat. She never expected to hear such words from Jin Xiuzhu.