Widow Remarries in Sixties

When Jin Xiuzhu and her family returned, it was already past four in the afternoon. They had brought two boxes of sweets and pastries on their way out but returned with several bags of good things and a few bulging red envelopes.

The two children were very well-behaved, handing their money over to their mother on the way back. They were used to getting pocket money from their mother for sweets, but this was too much to keep for themselves.

Jin Xiuzhu took the money, saying, “Alright, I’ll save this for you. When you grow up, I’ll give it back to you.”

Fu Yanyan glanced at Jin Xiuzhu upon hearing this. In her previous life, her mother had said the same thing but never followed through. She wondered if things would be different this time.

Only He Yan, oblivious as always, said, “I don’t want it. I want to buy clothes for Mom.”

Jin Xiuzhu’s face immediately lit up with a smile. “My son is so good,” she praised.

He Yan grinned foolishly.

Jiang Mingchuan and Fu Yanyan simultaneously looked at him, thinking he was just a little flatterer.

By the time they arrived home, it was already dark. When they opened the door, they saw a family of six eating dinner. Instead of plates, they were using various pots and bowls.

Seeing them return, Tao Qianyun pulled a long face and continued eating, while Pan Jun didn’t even lift his head.

Zhong Xue glanced up but quickly lowered her head to feed her child. Only Pan Shenglin greeted them with a polite smile, “You’re back? Come and eat.”

Jiang Mingchuan looked at him, paused for a moment, then nodded. He handed his things to Jin Xiuzhu, saying, “You take these upstairs. I need to talk to Mom and Dad.”

Thinking it best to keep Jin Xiuzhu away from more potential unpleasantness, he watched her head upstairs with the items.

The two children hesitated but followed their mother upstairs.

As soon as Jin Xiuzhu was out of sight, Tao Qianyun remarked sarcastically, “What good stuff do you have that you need to hide? Afraid we’ll steal it?”

Jiang Mingchuan wanted to retort, but he wasn’t as eloquent as Jin Xiuzhu. Pressing his lips together, he decided to ignore her.

Pan Shenglin glared at her, then turned to Jiang Mingchuan, inviting him to sit down and eat.

Zhong Xue got up to fetch chopsticks from the kitchen, but Jiang Mingchuan stopped her, saying, “No need. I’m not hungry.”

He pulled out a chair and sat opposite Pan Jun.

Zhong Xue hesitated, but Pan Jun sneered, “He said no, why are you still standing there? Are you stupid?”

Zhong Xue lowered her head and sat back down.

Jiang Mingchuan frowned at Pan Jun.

Pan Shenglin gave his younger son a cold look, then explained to Jiang Mingchuan, “The young couple had a fight recently. Don’t mind them.”

Jiang Mingchuan pursed his lips tightly. Pan Jun, sensing his gaze, looked up defiantly, “What? Not happy? Do you want to meddle in how I talk to my wife?”

Before Jiang Mingchuan left, he had asked First Uncle Zhang about Zhong Xue’s parents. Only then did he learn that two years ago, her parents had been accused of misconduct and both were sent to the countryside.

He couldn’t understand how such upright and honest people could be accused of such things. But First Uncle Zhang confirmed that evidence of bribery had indeed been found at their house.

Zhong Xue had always been proud, and for her to endure this, she must have been hoping her adoptive father would help her parents.

But Jiang Mingchuan doubted that someone who could change so quickly in the face of family troubles would offer any help.

This realization struck Jiang Mingchuan deeply. He thought about his own experiences and Zhong Xue’s upbringing. She had been cherished and pampered, with Pan Jun always finding ways to make her happy. Although they rarely spoke, Jiang Mingchuan had always regarded her as a sister, and Zhong Xue had respected him.

Their relationship with Zhong Xue had changed so drastically over the years. What about him? Would he be treated the same way if he lost his value to them?

Jiang Mingchuan’s heart felt cold. He believed he wouldn’t be an exception.

After some internal preparation, he decided to speak directly, as he wasn’t good at beating around the bush. He said, “Mom, I want my property deed back. That house was left to me by my mother before she died. You said you’d keep it for me when I was younger. Now that I’m grown and have a family, can I have the deed and keys back?”

Tao Qianyun’s face stiffened, not expecting Jiang Mingchuan to ask her so directly.

After a brief pause, she feigned ignorance, looking at him with confusion, “What property deed and keys? When did I ever take your things? Are you out of your mind?”

Jiang Mingchuan looked at her silently, feeling another wave of coldness wash over him.

He hadn’t expected such a blatant denial. He had thought she might just delay returning it.

He looked to Pan Shenglin, who showed no emotion, only frowning at Tao Qianyun, “Did you take his property deed? If you did, give it back to him.”

Tao Qianyun, emboldened by something, firmly denied, “No, I didn’t take anything. Why would I need his stuff?”

Then, she looked at Jiang Mingchuan accusingly, “When did I take your things? Are you turning your back on your own mother now that you have a wife? You’ve eaten my food, lived in my house, and now you’re asking for property? I didn’t raise you to be this ungrateful.”

“Enough,” Pan Shenglin interrupted her, then turned to Jiang Mingchuan, “You must be mistaken. Your mother may be petty, but she wouldn’t take your things.”

Jiang Mingchuan watched the couple act in tandem, feeling a profound sense of betrayal. He could understand Tao Qianyun’s behavior but now realized his adoptive father had never truly cared for him.

Pan Jun, meanwhile, looked on with a mocking smile, seeming pleased at Jiang Mingchuan’s isolation.

At that moment, Jin Xiuzhu came downstairs with the two children, her face showing concern, having overheard part of the conversation.

Jiang Mingchuan’s heart softened at the sight of them.

He clenched his fists and said as Jin Xiuzhu approached, “Then it must be that I lost it by accident. It’s fine. That house was left to my mother by my grandmother. Even without the property deed, we can get a new one issued at the police station. My mother donated all her assets to the state back then, but she kept that house under my name. The police station should have a record of it and will never take it back.”

Hearing this, Tao Qianyun’s expression changed, and she couldn’t help but steal a glance at her husband.

Pan Shenglin’s face also turned serious.

Jin Xiuzhu stood behind Jiang Mingchuan, her hand gently resting on his shoulder.

Fu Yanyan also led He Yan to stand behind their father. He Yan didn’t understand. He just felt that the atmosphere at the dining table was a bit strange. Seeing his sister holding her breath, he instinctively took a deep breath.

Jiang Mingchuan felt the weight on his shoulder and felt slightly reassured.

Pan Shenglin remained silent, just staring at Jiang Mingchuan with no trace of a smile in his eyes.

Tao Qianyun was unsure of her husband’s intentions. She was scared when she heard the words “police station,” but she also feared that Jiang Mingchuan was bluffing. Thinking of the large house, she couldn’t help but say, “You’ve changed completely since you got married. You start to fuss over everything. Even if the house is with Mom, I didn’t mean to harm you…”

Before she could finish, Pan Shenglin scolded her loudly, “Did you take it or not? If you did, give it back to him immediately. Why are you trying to take advantage of him? Have I ever deprived you of food or drink? He is someone we adopted. His things are not ours.” His voice grew louder with each sentence.

Hearing this, Jiang Mingchuan’s face turned pale.

Tao Qianyun was also startled, uncertain of her husband’s intentions. She stammered, “I… I don’t remember. I’ll… I’ll go to the room and look.”

Pan Shenglin’s face darkened, scaring Tao Qianyun into hurriedly heading to the room.

Pan Shenglin, seeing how quickly Tao Qianyun exposed herself, was filled with rage. He struggled to suppress his anger and turned to Jiang Mingchuan, saying, “Your mother has always been foolish. If she really took it, don’t hold it against her. She might genuinely have forgotten.”

This time, Jiang Mingchuan did not remain silent. He said, “She might forget, but would you? You are a soldier, and you used to be a communications officer. Your memory shouldn’t be that bad.”

As he spoke, he looked at Pan Shenglin defiantly.

He Yan, standing behind, wanted to say something. He was good at finding things; whenever his mother hid snacks, he could always find them quickly after school. He wanted to help, but his sister seemed to know what he was about to say and turned to glare at him, signaling him to keep quiet.

He Yan obediently closed his mouth.

Pan Shenglin’s expression completely changed. When he heard Jiang Mingchuan’s words, his gaze became sharp, and he looked at Jiang Mingchuan with intense pressure, coldly asking, “Are you questioning me? Don’t forget, I raised you.”

Jiang Mingchuan felt a burning anger in his chest. Normally, he might have suppressed it, but in the past few days, he realized that everything he believed for the past twenty years was wrong.

His adoptive parents never cared for him. They might have only used him. It was the same with Zhong Xue, as Jin Xiuzhu had pointed out that this family was not good people.

He asked, “I want to ask you, were you really close with my father? You don’t have to answer. I can ask my father’s friends. The reason I ask is that I already have the answer. After my parents died, their friends were immersed in grief, yet I inexplicably became your adopted son. You told me that my parents entrusted me to you before they died, so I followed you. But the story told to others was that my father had once helped you, so you decided to adopt me to take care of me.”

Pan Shenglin probably didn’t expect Jiang Mingchuan to remember all this.