Widow Remarries in Sixties

Outside, Jin Xiuzhu couldn’t help but ask Jiang Mingchuan, “What’s going on with Zhong Xue?”

She remembered Fang Min telling her that Jiang Mingchuan once had a marriage arrangement with his brother’s lover.

Jiang Mingchuan didn’t know how to explain. “In the past, my adoptive parents and brother treated Zhong Xue very well. The best of everything was given to her. Her parents were very influential. Her mother knew my mother, and they once jokingly arranged a marriage for us, but it was a long time ago, and I didn’t know about it. Since my parents weren’t around, her parents often sent her to play with me when we were kids, but I was too quiet, so she didn’t like playing with me. Instead, she got along well with my brother.”

Pan Jun marrying Zhong Xue was considered a step up for him. It seemed that her parents had even tried to prevent the marriage through an engagement, but at that time, he was in the army. His younger brother wrote to him about it, and he didn’t oppose it, so the two eventually got married.

But now…

Jiang Mingchuan’s heart sank. He suspected that something had happened to Zhong Xue’s family. Otherwise, why would they treat her so poorly?

Jin Xiuzhu also thought of this and seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. “So, it must be something happened in her family. Alas, when people leave, the tea gets cold. Such cold-heartedness! Treating Zhong Xue this way and you as well. What a heartless family.”

Jiang Mingchuan remained silent.

Jin Xiuzhu stopped there, saying nothing more.

No matter how much she said, it wouldn’t be as effective as Jiang Mingchuan figuring it out himself.

She never liked to interfere in men’s affairs. If things went well, fine, but if not, she could be blamed. Historical records are full of stories of femme fatales who took the blame for men’s mistakes.

Her outburst last night was due to her vengeful nature, which made her unable to tolerate being mistreated.

She had come all this way not to be given the cold shoulder.

Jiang Mingchuan took Jin Xiuzhu and their two children to the home of the elderly Elder Zhang, whom he mentioned.

Elder Zhang didn’t live in this area but in a compound on the next street, with stricter guards at the entrance.

Jiang Mingchuan went forward to negotiate, and soon Jin Xiuzhu and the two children also had to register. They didn’t need to be announced; a phone call was made instead.

After a while, Jin Xiuzhu saw an old man walking briskly with a cane, accompanied by two middle-aged men. When they saw them, the old man’s face showed great excitement. The genuine emotion was a stark contrast to Pan Shenglin’s performance, so much so that even He Yan noticed it and whispered to his sister, “I like them. I wish they were our new grandpa.”

Fu Yanyan reminded him, “Later, call him great-grandfather, don’t get it wrong.”

“Okay.”

When Elder Zhang approached, he didn’t even need his cane. He enthusiastically patted Jiang Mingchuan’s shoulders and arms. “Good, good, you still remember to visit this old man. I thought you’d never come back after getting married.”

Then he looked at Jin Xiuzhu with satisfaction. “Not bad, not bad. This girl looks blessed.”

Jin Xiuzhu’s smile froze for a moment but she still politely greeted, “Hello, Elder Zhang.”

“Good, good. Everything’s good. Are these your children? They look smart.”

Then he turned to his son, “Where are the red envelopes? Hurry and get the red envelopes.”

Jin Xiuzhu told the children to greet them.

The two sons were amused and embarrassed. Having rushed out upon hearing the news, they hadn’t remembered the red envelopes. “They’re at home, we’ll get them soon. Let’s go inside first, it’s cold outside.”

“Yes, yes, let’s go inside.”

Elder Zhang held Jiang Mingchuan’s hand tightly, scrutinizing him closely. With teary eyes, he said, “You look just like your father. When your father was young, he looked exactly like you, but he was smarter and more resourceful…”

Jiang Mingchuan felt the old man’s warm hands and listened quietly. He used to feel very inferior whenever he heard these things, thinking he had embarrassed his parents and let down their expectations as well as those of the elders. So, even when he was wronged, he didn’t dare tell them, fearing it would make him look useless.

But over the past year, Jin Xiuzhu often praised and affirmed him in front of the children, slowly making him feel he wasn’t that bad after all.

This was the first time he had ever voluntarily visited during the New Year.

Jin Xiuzhu followed beside them. Perhaps fearing she might be neglected, the two middle-aged men started talking to her, “When did you come back?”

“Around six or seven last night.”

“Is this your first time here? The north might be colder and drier.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded, “It’s alright, I can adapt. It’s cold and damp where we are too.”

“That’s good. The old man has been wanting to meet you all since he heard Mingchuan got married. Didn’t expect you to come this year.”

“Mingchuan thought the same. He wanted to bring us back to meet the elders.”

“Good, he’s become more sensible.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled.

Soon they reached Elder Zhang’s house, a two-story building but much larger, with a yard, trees, a swing, and a water tank with a few withered lotus stalks.

“Come in, come in.”

They all entered, and upon hearing the voices, two middle-aged women came out smiling.

Elder Zhang introduced them to Jin Xiuzhu, “You can call them First Aunt and Second Aunt.”

Jin Xiuzhu greeted them, and another woman, slightly older, came out from the kitchen door, smiling shyly.

Elder Zhang said, “She’s a relative who usually takes care of the old man’s food and drink. You can call her Auntie.”

“Auntie, happy new year.”

The woman shyly waved her hand and then covered her mouth, laughing.

Elder Zhang’s second son went to get teacups and pour tea, while the two aunts pulled Jin Xiuzhu aside to chat. “The children didn’t come back this year. Otherwise, you could have met them.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled, “There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”

“Yes, yes, yes, make sure to come back and visit often. The old man talks about you all the time,” said Second Uncle Zhang, placing the tea cups on the table for them to drink. He then took out three thick red envelopes from his pocket, one of which was for Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu initially wanted to politely decline, but the two aunts stuffed the envelope into her pocket, saying, “Take it, we’re family. No need to be so formal.”

The old man seemed particularly happy and loudly instructed his son, “Go call Xiao Zhao and the others to come over for lunch. Tell them Mingchuan is back.”

First Uncle Zhang sighed, “It’s the first day of the New Year. Many people are visiting their families. Let’s call them in a couple of days.”

Suddenly calling people over would surely cause some dissatisfaction among the younger ones.

The old man snorted.

Hearing about the meal, First Aunt Zhang instinctively asked Jin Xiuzhu, “Have you had breakfast?”

Given their old age, it was normal for them to wake up early, but for the younger folks, it might have been too early.

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t respond immediately, hesitatingly looking at Jiang Mingchuan.

Jiang Mingchuan felt a bit embarrassed. He had originally planned to take Jin Xiuzhu and the children out for breakfast, but then remembered that state-owned restaurants were closed on New Year’s Day. Since they were already out, it felt awkward to return home, so they just came straight over.

Although nothing was said, it was obvious to everyone that there was an issue. First Aunt Zhang patted Jin Xiuzhu’s hand understandingly without prying further and said, “I’ll ask Xiao Gu to make you some noodles.”

Jin Xiuzhu quickly replied, “No need to go to any trouble. We’re not hungry. We ate a lot last night.”

This was actually true.

First Aunt Zhang didn’t say much more, just smiled and asked her to sit down and rest for a while. Second Aunt Zhang pulled Jin Xiuzhu to sit on the sofa.

In the middle of the sofa sat the old man with the two children, while Jiang Mingchuan was on the other side. Seeing the women come over, First Uncle Zhang and Second Uncle Zhang moved to sit on small stools nearby.

The old man, having overheard the conversation, looked a bit displeased. He didn’t question Jiang Mingchuan directly but instead asked the children, “What? You don’t have food at home?”

He Yan looked at his sister.

Fu Yanyan obediently replied, “I don’t know, but Mom and Dad were unhappy last night.”

Jiang Mingchuan was surprised to hear his daughter say such a thing.

The old man frowned but didn’t lose his temper. Instead, he gently asked, “Why were they unhappy?”

Fu Yanyan glanced up at him, calmly stating, “Because Grandpa and Grandma don’t like us. Grandpa smiles, but it’s too fake. And Grandma doesn’t even pretend. When we arrived, she didn’t treat us well. That uncle also spoke in a strange tone. After dinner, Grandma made Mom wash the dishes and said there were no rooms for us to sleep in. Dad said we could sleep in the small villa and asked Grandma for the keys and the property certificate. Then Grandma said it was a misunderstanding and let us stay.”

As she spoke, she played with a piece of candy in her hand she had received from the two grandmothers when they arrived.

The atmosphere in the living room momentarily froze.

The old man was taken aback by how articulate and organized the little girl was. He couldn’t help but take another look at her. He asked, “What small villa?”

The little girl continued, “It’s the one Dad’s parents gave him. Dad said that when he was little, Uncle found the property certificate and threw a tantrum to get it. Grandma saw it and took it away. Later, when Dad asked for it back, Grandma wouldn’t give it to him.”

Although the story was essentially accurate, the exact words weren’t the same.

The old man looked at Jiang Mingchuan, “Why didn’t you ever tell us about this?”

Jiang Mingchuan was at a loss for words, but Fu Yanyan explained for him, “Because Grandma told Dad not to say anything. Last night, Mom scolded Dad, so today he came to find you.”

Jin Xiuzhu: “…”

Jiang Mingchuan: “…”

Elder Zhang paused. He was very angry at first, but upon hearing this, he couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Mingchuan. “You’re a grown man, yet you can’t see things as clearly as a child. At least you’re not completely stupid and knew to come find us.”

However, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. “If it weren’t for your wife scolding you, would you have just given up the house? No matter how much gratitude you owe your adoptive parents, that house belongs to your parents and is yours. No one can take it from you!”

He then slammed his cane on the ground, the sound echoing loudly. “Just like our country, not a single piece of territory can be lost. If anyone tries to take it, we fight back! Have you forgotten the spirit of those soldiers? Without that spirit, could we have the stability we enjoy today?”

Jiang Mingchuan pressed his lips together.

Elder Zhang asked loudly, “Did you hear me?”

Jiang Mingchuan quickly responded, “Yes, I heard you.”

Elder Zhang looked at him with a touch of compassion. “Having a kind heart is good, but you mustn’t be weak and easily bullied. Today, the old man will teach you that you must reclaim what is rightfully yours. Let them say whatever they want. Who cares? Look at those foreign devils. Who speaks well of us? Once our country develops, they will naturally praise us.”

“Being a person is the same. You must be strong, decisive, and invincible.”

It was the first time Jiang Mingchuan had heard such words.

First Uncle Zhang feared that the old man’s stern tone might scare Jiang Mingchuan away, so he said, “Mingchuan coming to us shows that he knows what’s right, which is a good thing. I’ll talk to Pan Shenglin later.”

But the old man, being stubborn, retorted, “Talk about what? He should go himself. If he can’t handle this small matter, how can he lead soldiers in the future?”

He pointed at his two sons, “It’s your fault for spoiling them. Jiaming and Jiasheng are the same, acting indecisive and lacking any spirit. When Mingchuan was little, I wanted to take him back and raise him. But you all insisted that since he was already adopted, people would gossip if we took him back. Look what’s become of the boy? He’s been so tormented he ran off to the south, too scared to come home. If I were younger, I would have dealt with you severely.”

Uncle Zhang felt guilty. He indeed hadn’t handled things well.

Jiang Mingchuan calmed himself and said firmly, “No need, I’ll go myself.”

The old man was finally satisfied, giving him an approving look. “Go get it back today. If you don’t, don’t come see me again. It’ll just make me angry.”

Jiang Mingchuan couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

The old man’s mood improved, and he reached over to pat the head of the little girl beside him. “This child is good, smart and clever. She’ll pair well with our Xiao Si in the future.”

Fu Yanyan: “…”

He Yan only caught the first part and was thrilled to hear his great-grandfather praise his sister. He was even happier than if the praise had been for himself. “My sister is very smart. She knows lots of words even though she hasn’t started school yet. She’s the smartest person in our family.”

The old man laughed heartily, “Good, good. Our Xiao Si is also smart.”

Without thinking, Fu Yanyan said, “When I grow up, I won’t get married. I want to dedicate myself to building our country.”

The old man liked her even more. “That’s the spirit! Then don’t get married! Our country still has many uncompleted tasks, and we’re counting on your generation to complete them.”