Chapter 99: Extra Chapter Five

Chapter 99: Extra Chapter Five

Jin Xiuzhu sat on the bed for a long time after waking up. She looked at the exquisite decorations in the room and touched the soft, delicate silk fabric, unable to come back to her senses for a while.

For a moment, she couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality—like Zhuangzi dreaming of being a butterfly, or the butterfly dreaming of being Zhuangzi.

Jiang Mingchuan had already gotten up to cook in the kitchen. While chopping vegetables, he accidentally cut his hand, causing it to bleed profusely. So he came into the room pinching his finger to find a band-aid. He didn't mind this minor injury, but thinking about hygiene while cooking, he knew Jin Xiuzhu and their daughter would scold him otherwise.

When he entered the room, he saw Jin Xiuzhu sitting on the bed in a daze and couldn't help saying, "Why did you wake up so early? Go back to sleep for a bit."

Hearing his voice, Jin Xiuzhu turned her head to look at him, feeling slightly disoriented by the familiar features of the man.

Jiang Mingchuan waved his hand in front of her, "What's wrong?"

Jin Xiuzhu withdrew her gaze and smiled lightly, "I had a nightmare."

Jiang Mingchuan sighed with relief and comforted her, "It's okay, dreams are often the opposite. Get up quickly; we'll be having breakfast soon."

As he spoke, he went to the cabinet to find a band-aid.

Seeing this, Jin Xiuzhu frowned, "Are you hurt?"

Jiang Mingchuan dismissed it, "Just a small cut, nothing serious."

Jin Xiuzhu didn't say anything more. After Jiang Mingchuan left, she also got up and went out.

Yanyan and Liu Liu knew that Yang Yingxiong was bringing his partner home today, so they both came home early. However, the two children usually loved sleeping in, so Jin Xiuzhu didn't wake them up and went downstairs to wash up and have breakfast.

Downstairs, Jiang Mingchuan was still busy in the kitchen. It was the weekend, and he was at home.

Breakfast consisted of porridge and two side dishes.

After eating, Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan started preparing lunch.

Jiang Mingchuan had already bought the ingredients early in the morning. Yang Chaoying had been pestering him over the phone to cook his favorite dishes, and He Yan had also said he would be coming back, ordering several dishes before even arriving.

While they were sitting in the living room picking vegetables and kneading dough, Zhu Ying and Fang Min arrived. They knew about this too and came early to help.

Zhu Ying asked, "I prepared a fifty-yuan red envelope, do you think it's enough?"

Jin Xiuzhu hurriedly replied, "More than enough, it's too much."

Zhu Ying said, "I feel it's not enough. Every time Yingxiong comes back, he brings me lots of delicious treats."

Jin Xiuzhu smiled, "That child has always been considerate. If you really feel bad, just take good care of him."

"Of course I will. I've made some braised meat and stewed chicken soup, thinking we could eat at our place tonight."

"That's enough."

Fang Min added, "Sister has already made clothes and shoes for Yingxiong's child."

Zhu Ying blushed slightly, "They're just toys, not as good as yours."

Jin Xiuzhu said, "How wonderful, Yingxiong will definitely be happy to see them."

A little past ten in the morning, Jiang Mingchuan took the two children to the train station to pick up the guests. Jin Xiuzhu and Fang Min stayed home to prepare lunch.

Halfway through cooking, Jin Xiuzhu heard a commotion outside and thought they had returned, so she ran out excitedly. But instead, she saw her eldest son looking disheveled.

Jin Xiuzhu was taken aback by her tall son, "Why are you back?"

He Yan said sadly, "Isn't Yang Yingxiong bringing his partner back today? So I came to see too."

Jin Xiuzhu patted her head. The dream last night had been so vivid that she was still confused upon waking. She quickly went to check on her son, seeing He Yan's handsome, childish face, her heart softened. Indeed, this was her good son.

She tiptoed and reached out to touch his head, cooing, "Oh, my son must have suffered, look how thin you've become."

He Yan immediately grinned, "Right? I feel thinner too. Mom, I'm starving, I want something delicious."

Jin Xiuzhu's tenderness lasted only a few seconds before she slapped his arm irritably, "Hold on, wait for Yingxiong to come back and eat together."

"Mom, am I not your good son anymore?"

In the kitchen, Zhu Ying and Fang Min heard the commotion and laughed, "Your mom is teasing you. She was just wondering when you'd return and if you've lost weight. Come, Auntie will give you a bowl of meat to taste."

He Yan became even happier, "I knew Auntie cares about me."

Without caring about anything else, he rushed straight to the kitchen.

Jin Xiuzhu shook her head helplessly and carried his bag to the side.

Soon, voices filled the kitchen.

Around twelve-thirty, Jiang Mingchuan and the others returned. Before entering, they heard the noise, including Liu Liu and Yang Chaoying's chattering voices, as well as Jiang Mingchuan and Yang Yingxiong's steady tones.

At the door, Liu Liu eagerly shouted, "Mom, we're back—"

Before Jin Xiuzhu could respond, He Yan ran out from the kitchen. Seeing her big brother, Liu Liu excitedly rushed towards him, "Brother—"

Her shout nearly lifted the roof off.

Jin Xiuzhu came out of the kitchen, "Quiet down, quiet down."

Liu Liu and He Yan ignored her, and soon began arguing. Liu Liu pointed at the grease on He Yan's mouth, "You ate without us!"

He Yan teased her, taking her arm and rubbing it against his mouth before quickly running away.

Liu Liu screamed, "Ah! That's disgusting, I'll get you."

Yang Chaoying loved to join in the fun and hurried over to add to the chaos.

Fu Yanyan smiled calmly at the girl beside her and said, "Don't mind them; you'll get used to it."

Yang Yingxiong's girlfriend was a bit shy and whispered, "It's so lively here."

Jin Xiuzhu walked up to the girl and said with a smile, "How pretty! Our hero is so lucky. This child is instantly likable. Come in and sit down; the food is ready. You must be hungry; let's eat first."

Yang Yingxiong introduced her, "This is my girlfriend, Zhou Min. Minmin, this is my aunt, Jin Xiuzhu."

"Aunt, hello."

Jin Xiuzhu smiled and led her to the living room, "Good, good, come in."

Then she turned to Yang Yingxiong and said, "Quickly take the things to the room. The bed sheets are new; they've been washed and dried. Minmin can stay here tonight, and you two brothers can sleep in the next room. That room has slightly less sunlight."

Yang Yingxiong laughed, "Okay."

Zhou Min also smiled upon hearing this. Before coming, she had been puzzled as to why Yang Yingxiong wanted to bring her to see an aunt who wasn't related by blood. But from the moment they got off the train, she felt different. Uncle Jiang, as Yang Yingxiong called him, cared for them like a family elder, and the two younger sisters were especially nice, making her feel like part of the family.

Jin Xiuzhu poured Zhou Min a cup of tea, "Try it; this is the flower tea I brewed this morning. It tastes quite good and helps cool you down."

Zhou Min received the cup with both hands, very politely saying, "Thank you, Aunt."

"No problem, no problem."

Jin Xiuzhu shouted at the siblings playing on the other side, "Stop fooling around, wash your hands and come eat. How old are you?"

Fang Min and Zhu Ying came out with dishes, smiling and greeting Zhou Min.

With Yang Yingxiong absent, Zhou Min felt a bit lost. She didn't have many family members, and it was her first time seeing so many people eating together.

Jin Xiuzhu gently introduced her, "You can call Fang Min 'Aunt' and Zhu Ying 'Auntie'."

"Aunt Fang."

"Auntie Zhu."

"Ah."

"Such a good girl."

"That's right; our hero has great taste."

Zhou Min smiled and lowered her head.

Yang Yingxiong ran down the stairs two steps at a time, calling out, "Aunt, Auntie."

Jin Xiuzhu told him, "Have some tea too."

Then she went to the kitchen to bring out more dishes.

Yang Yingxiong didn't pour a new cup but took a few sips from Zhou Min's cup, then whispered to her, "I told you they're all nice, didn't I?"

Zhou Min smiled and nodded lightly.

Yang Yingxiong asked her to sit down while he brought out more dishes.

Zhou Min didn't sit but stood beside the table, adjusting the chairs.

At lunch, a large table full of dishes was enjoyed together. When Zhu Ying and Fang Min left, each gave Zhou Min a red envelope.

Zhou Min and Yang Yingxiong instinctively wanted to refuse, but Fang Min pulled them aside and laughed, "Take it. Your name is Zhou Min, mine is Fang Min, which means we're destined to meet. This red envelope is a token of affection from your aunt. Take good care of our hero; we all love this child."

Zhu Ying added, "We're all family now, don't be so formal."

Zhou Min looked at Yang Yingxiong, who nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Aunt and Auntie."

She echoed, "Thank you, Aunt and Auntie."

"Good girl."

"Perfect. Hero has set a good example. Now we just need to wait for Xiaoyan to bring his partner back."

He Yan, who had been standing aside with a silly smile, suddenly felt the pressure when he heard this.

Yang Yingxiong deliberately teased him, "It's all on you now."

He Yan waved his fist in front of him, "Feeling brave, are you?"

After a busy morning, Jin Xiuzhu was tired and went to take a nap with Jiang Mingchuan.

The children weren't sleepy yet and gathered in the living room, chatting animatedly about their childhood and Yang Yingxiong's upcoming wedding at the end of the year.

He Yan suggested inviting Wei Ningqing to be Yang Yingxiong's groomsman, and Liu Liu anxiously asked, "What about me?"

Yang Chaoying teased her, "You can't be a bridesmaid. Just eat, okay?"

Liu Liu punched him in frustration.

Zhou Min saw this and smiled, "You can be a bridesmaid; I don't have any sisters."

Liu Liu was delighted and leaned close to Zhou Min, saying she would invite all her sisters to make it extra fun.

They chatted until past two o'clock before the children went upstairs to sleep.

Zhou Min stayed in the room that once belonged to Yang Yingxiong and his brother. It had been redecorated with pink bed sheets, a vanity, and a mirror. The room was so beautiful that she couldn't help but look at Yang Yingxiong.

Her family's conditions weren't great, and this was the first time she had slept in such a nice room.

Yang Yingxiong turned on the electric fan hanging from the ceiling, then rummaged through his bag to find a set of clean clothes for her. "I'll take you to the bathroom to have a shower and then get some rest. Auntie mentioned we're going to Auntie Fang's place for dinner tonight."

Zhou Min nodded obediently and whispered, "Auntie and Uncle are so nice."

Better than her own parents. She met Yang Yingxiong by chance. During college, she worked part-time at his supermarket while studying. When she was bullied, she dared not speak up and would hide to cry alone, only to be seen by him.

Yang Yingxiong took good care of her, and gradually she fell in love with him. She didn't understand much else but feared he might be snatched away by someone else due to his kindness. So, she confessed her feelings to him, even if it meant being rejected; this was the bravest thing she had ever done.

But she never expected him to be even better than she imagined, always looking out for her and making her feel cherished.

Thinking about this, she gently reached out and held onto the corner of his shirt. Yang Yingxiong noticed and glanced at her. Zhou Min smiled sweetly.

Yang Yingxiong also smiled and lowered his voice. "Let's go, first take a shower."

"Okay."

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the door, followed by hurried footsteps and the sound of a door slamming shut.

Yang Yingxiong's lips twitched as he guessed those rascals were peeping outside. He shouted irritably, "What are you looking at? Wait and see if you don't bring your partners home in the future!"

Zhou Min blushed, realizing what had happened.

In the evening, Jin Xiuzhu took Yang Yingxiong and the others to Fang Min's house for dinner. Zhu Ying brought out the baby clothes and shoes she had made, and the children gathered around, curiously examining them.

Zhu Ying quickly said, "There's enough for everyone. Auntie made them all."

Fang Min overheard and told Jin Xiuzhu, "I told her not to make them herself, but she insisted. Now every child has to have one."

Jin Xiuzhu laughed. "Isn't that great? Now she has something to keep her busy instead of just staying at home all day."

"That's true."

"It's wonderful having the kids back."

Jin Xiuzhu looked over at Zhu Ying, who was telling a funny story. Everyone, including Zhu Ying and the children, burst into laughter. Liu Liu and He Yan even slapped their thighs in excitement.

Then the children started talking about something else. Liu Liu eagerly turned to Jin Xiuzhu and said, "Mom, Brother Yingxiong said after the wedding, we'll all go out to play together. Isn't that great?"

"Where will we go?"

"We haven't decided yet. You just need to pay."

This remark made everyone laugh again. He Yan joined in, "Mom, you're the best. We'll carry your bags the whole time."

Yang Chaoying added, "Auntie, I'll be your personal assistant number one."

Jin Xiuzhu laughed heartily and agreed, "Sure, you decide where to go, and I'll pay."

"You're the best, Mom."

"My mom is the greatest in the world."

"I knew Auntie would be the most generous."

...

Everyone chimed in with compliments.

The living room was dimly lit, but everyone's faces were filled with bright smiles.

On the way back, Fu Yanyan and Liu Liu each held one of Jin Xiuzhu's arms, chatting warmly. Jin Xiuzhu mentioned the dream she had last night, but Liu Liu didn't take it seriously and leaned against her mother's shoulder. "Mom must be too tired. Have a good sleep tonight."

Jin Xiuzhu agreed, suspecting she had been too exhausted lately.

Only Fu Yanyan felt a pang of worry, glancing at Jin Xiuzhu beside her, but then smiled reassuringly.

She hoped the family in another place would also encounter a mother like Jin Xiuzhu now.

He Yan and Yang Chaoying walked on either side of Jiang Mingchuan, their arms around each other's shoulders, unafraid.

Zhou Min and Yang Yingxiong walked behind, watching the others' backs. She said enviously, "I hope our home will be as lively and joyful someday."

Yang Yingxiong smiled. "It will be."

Everyone will get better.

Author's Note:

This story comes to an end here. Thank you for your company and support. The inspiration for this book came from real-life parent-child relationships. As they say online, parents are doing it for the first time without any exams, and many of the issues from the previous generation repeat themselves in the next. Many female characters who suffer from gender bias often come from such environments.

This point touched me deeply, and I decided to write about it. Thank you once again for your support and companionship. See you next time.

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