《Dressed up as a Real Mom》


 CH 1

    The morning by the Qingshui River was always lively. The water is winding and the surface of the river is filled with morning fog. The laundry women were crouched on the shore, the sound of running water and scrubbing was heard one after another.


    After He Xiaoyun washed her clothes, she slung the basin on her waist and walked home along the riverside path.


    It is already mid-April, the weather is getting warmer and the rain is gradually plentiful. Yesterday, it rained a little. On the Huangshi Road, there were puddles connected to each other. She watched her steps carefully lest she steps into the mud.


    The Qingshui River is surrounded by mountains on one side and fields on the other. The plowed paddy fields are cut into pieces by the ridges. The fields are filled with water to prepare to plant seedlings in the next few days. The breeze gently stirs the water, making small waves. A few people can be seen wading through the water to pick food,


    A sister-in-law of the same clan approached, He Xiaoyun who was not very close to her only intended to nod slightly but then the sister-in-law yelled upon seeing her, "Xiaoyun, you''re here. Your family''s Jianwei is back! Go home now!"


    He Xiaoyun felt her heart pound and sink.


    The sister-in-law neared and then said to her: "Yesterday they said that Xiaojian is a man who cares for his family. No one can match your family''s Jianwei. When he came back, he was commissioned as a cadre but still plant rice. Why is he still so diligent?"


    He Xioayun was absent-minded and couldn''t catch what the sister-in-law said and nodded her head indiscriminately.


    The other party mistakenly thought she was in a hurry to get home and joked: "Look at me, still nagging at you. Go home quickly and I''ll come to visit your house later to ask for candy!"


    "Then sister-in-law must come." He Xiaoyun forced a smile and staggered away from the other party, she then inadvertently stepped half of her foot into a puddle. Looking down, she saw her grey cloth shoes dipped into the water and covered the surface with mud.


    In her previous life, she had never worn such shoes since she was able to earn money.


    The cancer had brought her death and had also given her a strange new life. She was now the mother of the protagonist in a book. A role that would never leave her an impression if not for having the same name and surname as her.


    It is now 1975 and the plot of the book doesn''t begin until 20 years later. At that time, the male protagonist''s father was already in a high position and is a big shot. But He Xiaoyun was not that happy to take over such a promising husband out of thin air.


    Because the marriage was not a happy one. It was forced by the original owner to marry the protagonist''s father, she pretended to fall into the water and let him save her.


    What''s even more troubling is before coming here, He Xiaoyun had never even hold hands with the opposite sex. But now, not only did she get a husband out of nowhere, she even got a three years old son! Every time that chubby boy called her mother, she wanted to ask herself: "Who am I? Where am I? What am I even doing?"


    If it weren''t for the general environment here, she really wanted to get a divorce!


    But it''s not without fortunate news, At least she had not lived in vain. This alone was enough for her to cheer up and prepare herself for all sorts of trouble. (T/N: I tried in this part really hard but I just don''t get it. )


    She was never afraid of cancer even when she was dying, why would she be scared of a man? Full of energy, He Xiaoyun strode home again, head held high.


    As for the sayings of "The opposite sex is more fierce than a tiger for a single death house" (T/N: ???) She conveniently ignored it.


    Just as He Xiaoyun walked in front of the house, she heard a voice of a child coming from the courtyard. The rest of the family had something to do today so except for her three years old son, Wei Yuanhang, and his grandmother, there''s also Wei Jianwei who had just returned from the army.


    He Xiaoyun originally planned to sneak a peek at the door first but she didn''t expect the child inside to be so sharp-eyed, he rushed out and grab her at once: "Mom, Dad''s back. And he bought us a lot of orange candies!"


    He Xiaoyun was like an ostrich whose head was pulled off from the sand. She had to bite the bullet and walked in slowly and stiffly.


    She caught a glimpse of Wei Jianwei, a tall man with an imposing aura that ordinary people don''t have. Such aura often makes people overlook his appearance but from the photos on the wall at home, his face is very handsome, how else would the original owner target him?


    "Xiaoyun is back and Jianwei just arrived home. The two of you talk first, I''ll get him a bowl of noodles." Wang Chunhua, the grandmother of the protagonist, said.


    He Xiaoyun didn''t want to stay here and talk and so she put the tub on the stone wall and said, "Mom, I''m going to make noodles."


    Wang Chuanhua waved her hand and took off her apron, then put it around her waist as she quickly walked into the kitchen, "I should do it instead, I''m quick."


    Before He Xiaoyun could say anything, the little kid Wei Yuanhang ran over and grabbed the hem of her clothes, "Mom, come and see, there are a lot of orange candies! So many of it!"


    He Xiaoyun has no choice but to follow his lead, passing by Wei Jianwei, she said, "I''m back." with a voice that only the two of them can hear. After completing the greetings, she felt more at ease.


    Many of the bags that Wei Jianwei bought were indeed quite large, two big bags. Now that supplies are scarce, let alone sugar, even the salt needs to be saved.


    She also saw yesterday a child holding a candy fruit bar, breaking the fruit bar through the packaging, and then distributing a few pieces to his friends, so they will regard him as their leader. The scene can be said to be both funny and sad.


    When Wei Jianwei came home, Wei Yuanhang was the happiest, mainly because of the orange candies, otherwise, how could he remember a man that only come home ten days a year? After all, children who were two to three years olds tend to be forgetful. (T/N: Damn, so his son only remembered him because of the candies? What a life.)


    "Mom, can I have one?" The chubby boy was holding a candy in his hand and looking at her eagerly.


    Although He Xiaoyun didn''t like children very much, just like any ordinary people, when she saw a cute kid, She can''t help but soften. Wei Yuanhang has a round head and a plump white face, he was rarely spoiled by his family, he has not spoiled his temper, and even if he''s occasionally naughty, he was not annoying.


    Even at a young age, he understands the reasons. The other day, when he caught a cough because of the changing seasons, he can''t eat sweets. He Xiaoyun won''t let him eat it and he would obediently obey and wouldn''t be upset. Interestingly, the little boy was being deliberate in front of He Xiaoyun today.


    "I can''t eat sugar, or my cough will be worse."


    "Did you cough last night? If not, go take one." He Xiaoyun touched his little head and saw Wei Jianwei walking in the courtyard from the corner of her eyes, not knowing what to do.


    "No cough!" Wei Yuanhang''s eyes lit up. " I didn''t cough today either!"


    She nodded and said, "You can eat more without the cough."


    "I know that if I eat too much candy, I will cough." Wei Yuanhang said obediently.


    "You are such a clever ghost." He Xiaoyun said amusedly.


    Hearing the sound of clothes rustling, she turned her head and saw Wei Jianwei had taken the clothes she had put on the stone wall to dry.


    "Wait..." He Xiaoyun tried to stop him but remembered they were all WeiYuanhang''s clothes, it wouldn''t matter if he hang them dry. It was a little surprising for her that he would take such initiative. After all, the men here only thought of earning work points, from their point of view, housework was women''s business.


    However, the relationship between Wei Jianwei and the original owner seems ordinary. From the time she entered the door and to the present, the two of them did not have any communication, she didn''t say any serious greetings nor had she heard him comment about it. This couple seems to represent the saying, ''Respect each other like ice.''


    But thinking about the ''good'' deeds the original owner had done, maybe it was better this way.


    Wei Yuanhang asked for another candy to share with the little girl next door. After the boy ran out, He Xiaoyun entered the house to avoid embarrassment in the yard.


    Wei Jianwei dried the clothes, leaned the tub in the stone wall, glanced at her back, and then went to sort out the luggage he brought back.


    Wang Chunhua was cutting noodles in the kitchen, He Xiaoyun filled the pot with water and sat under the stove to start the fire.


    Wang Chunhua shook the noodles and glanced at her.


    This second daughter-in-law, Wang Chuanhua was not very satisfied with her from the very beginning. Her personality was too aggressive and she always argues. At that time, she(HX) insisted on marrying Jianwei and threatened them with her life, it was simply too arrogant. Wang Chuanhua was afraid that she(HX) will really seek death and endanger her son''s future in the army, so she(WC) had no choice but to agree to the marriage.


    After the marriage, she(HX) settled down a little. As an elder, she turned a blind eye and went away. In the past two years, her little grandson has grown up and she then suddenly heard her second daughter-in-law wanted to separate from the family.


    Wang Chuanhua thought that sooner or later the family will separate anyway. When the second son returned this time, it would be better to discuss it with the whole family together so that the second daughter-in-law won''t make any trouble again, lest the outsiders found out and make a joke out of them.


    But for a while, she''s(HX) calmed down and her temper has cooled down considerably.


    When Jianwei returned from the past, she(HX) was always the first to go through his luggage, for fear that some good things will be taken away. She also asked a lot about the allowances and wages, in fear that they will be stolen. But today, she hasn''t said any words and even volunteered to boil water for her. (T/N: How sus.)


    "Tomorrow, let Jianwei accompany you back home. I will start planting rice in two days and won''t have the time to move around." When the water boiled,  Wang Chuanhua put the noodles in the pot and stirred them with chopsticks.


    He Xiaoyun stilled and realized that she(WC) was talking about going back home to her family. Since Jianwei rarely comes back, he rarely visits his father-in-law''s house but He Xiaoyun wasn''t that comfortable regarding her identity as a married woman who had a child yet. At this time, she felt strange and uncomfortable. A song then played on her mind: " A chicken in the left hand, a duck in the right hand, and a fat baby on her back!"


    A sudden ‡å burst upon her heart


    -----


    T/N: I would never urge translators for an early release of chapters ever again. Now that I experienced translating a chapter myself, I got the urge to stop but I want to read up what''s next ;-;


    -----

 CH 2

    The little girl next door wasn''t home, so Wei Yuanhang ran back home quickly.


    Wei Jianwei was eating noodles with his back turned away from the door, Wei Yuanhang leaned against the door to watch him. He is a little curious about his ''father''. The last time his father left, he was only two years old. A year has passed and the memory of being together was long gone.


    After watching for a while, he moved slowly and walked across the table. He was just a little higher than the table, so he put his chin on the table surface and watched his father with his head tilted.


    Wei Jianwei had his chopsticks in his hands and glanced at the chubby boy opposite of his. Wei Yuanhang looked back with his mouth full of orange candy and bulging cheeks. His big black eyes made Wei Jianweni uncomfortable.


    "Xiaohang[1], come here." He Xiaoyun just returned from changing her shoes that got wet. As soon as she came back, she found a certain chubby boy staring at someone eating, so she called him.


    "Oh!" Wei Yuanhang ran out of the house, squatting by the drain in the yard and watching He Xiaoyun brushing her dirty shoes. "Mom, what do you want me to do?"


    He Xiaoyun glanced at him and deliberately said, "I can''t call you if I have nothing to do? Can''t you just keep me company?"


    Wei Yunhuang wrinkled his little brows and thought for a while, before nodding his head earnestly, "Okay."


    He Xiaoyun was amused, thinking of the scene earlier, she asked, "Have you eat this morning?"


    When she woke up this morning, the child is still soundly asleep, when she came back from doing laundry, he had already run away and she had no idea if the child has eaten his fill.


    "Yes. I also bought you some porridge." Wei Yuanhang held out his chest and looked proud.


    The three-year-old boy is already fluent in speaking and is often talkative. But sometimes, he couldn''t say what he wanted to say. For example, he couldn''t say Xiao Ming without a stutter but nothing less, it sounds cute.


    "Are you hungry now?"


    "I''m not hungry. I''m eating orange candies." Yuanhang opened his mouth to show his mother.


    He Xiaoyun said, " Then don''t stare when someone eats. They will be embarrassed you know?"


    Wei Yuanhang tilted his head in wonder, "What is an embarrassment?"


    He Xiaoyun immediately stopped talking. If she said that being embarrass was shy, what would she do if he asked what is being shy? She wouldn''t know how to explain it to him. She simply turned her eyes to the vegetable plot in the yard. She pointed at a moth. "Get rid of that moth, it will give birth to worms who will eat our vegetable."


    Sure enough, Wei Yuanhang''s attention was diverted. He immediately stood up and rushed to the vegetable plot, "Get away from my food, you bad moths!"


    Seeing his rushing back, He Xiaoyun gave herself a big thumbs-up in her heart.


    After washing her shoes, Wei Jianwei was no longer in the main room. It can be estimated that he''s tidying their room, and so, she didn''t want to enter their room. She turned to the kitchen to find a basket.


    Although she was suddenly sent to the 1970s from the 21st century, He Xiaoyun adapted well. Probably because she was used to doing such chores in her previous life.


    In the kitchen, Wang Chunhua is holding a bowl in her hand. Upon seeing her, she said, "Jianwei left out half of the noodles and the poached eggs weren''t move. Feed this to Xiaohang."


    He Xiaoyun was a little surprised. It was probably because Wei Yuanhang was staring at him so intently that he(WJ) thought the child is hungry. Otherwise, he would have finished that bowl of noodles.


    The Wei family is quite well off in the whole brigade. The family has enough work points and Wei Jianwei''s wage. But even so, they couldn''t afford to eat rice and white noodles every day.


    They don''t have refined flour in the house that much and every year, they only have that enough. Wang Chunhua carefully puts it away and already planned where to used it. Every time Wei Jianwei comes back or returned, he has to eat noodles once, which means smoothness and safety. Recently, a sister-in-law got pregnant and needed to eat and she(HX) was the one who normally cooks.


    Wang Chunhua put the bowl on the table and walked outside and said to her, "I''ll go to the pond and see if someone is fishing today. I''ll make fish soup for lunch. Guard the house."


    He Xiaoyun responded and gave up the idea to go to the mountains for a while. When Wei Yuanhang came to eat noodles and when he was about to be sent out to play, he turned and asked, "Mom, why do moths give birth to insects?"


    "It gives birth to eggs, and eggs will turn into small insects." He Xiaoyun casually replied while washing the bowl.


    Wei Yuanhang was even more puzzled, "But why?"


    "Uh..."


    He Xiaoyun has no phone or popular science books to show him, so she decided to find him something to do, lest he asked more ridiculous questions.


    She pulled out a wooden box in a corner, took the curious son out, and said, "Let''s catch a few eggs. You can observe how the eggs turned into insects. And then you''ll tell me, ok?"


    "Okay!" The child felt eager when he heard the plan and was enthusiastic, "Get eggs!"


    In Wei''s small plot, He Xiaoyun found a lot of yellow and white eggs on the back of the leaves. She trampled most of the eggs to death while only leaving a few for Wei Yuanhang to play with.


    "Mom, there''s more here! There''s one here!" The child''s immature voice sounded from time to time.


    Wei Jianwei finally finished organizing his luggage and walked out of the room. He saw both mother and son squatting on the vegetable plot looking for worm eggs.


    Wei Yuanhang quickly discovered him and showed off his little box, "Dad, Mom caught me a lot of worm eggs!"


    With that said, the boy ran over to show him but he ran too fast. With both hands holding the box, he tripped and had a mouthful of mud, and the box also fell on the ground.


    He Xioayun was going to pretend to be a mushroom because of Wei Jianwei''s presence but heard the little guy tripped. She didn''t care about being a mushroom anymore and rushed to the child, "Why did you fall? Hurry and get up!"


    She lifted the child off the ground and checked his hands and knees. Fortunately, the floor of the yard is flat, there were no broken stones either. The little palms were rubbed a little, not too serious.


    Wei Yuanhang lips trembled while standing before crying out, "Wa--"


    "It''s okay, nothing''s wrong. You just scrape it a little, it didn''t bleed. I blow it for you,"


    As a result, the boy cried out, "My box! My eggs!"


    Wei Jianwei walked over and picked up the box. It was completely broken, and the wood had been left so long that it was rotting and falling apart. It couldn''t be put together again.


    "My box!" Wei Yuanhang cried even harder after it saw this.


    He Xiaoyun was about to say ''Don''t cry'' when Wei Jianwei made a move first. "I''ll made you a box again."


    The cry stopped abruptly, Wei Yuanhang sniffed loudly before demanding, "I want a big box."


    Wei Jianwei nodded and the little brat added, "I want Mom to find eggs."


    "Okay, I''ll get those eggs again." He Xiayun responded, seeing that the child still want to bargain, she opened her mouth, "Go wash your snot and tears, When Yanyan sees it, you be ashamed."


    Yanyan was the little girl next door, about the same age as Wei Yuanhang, who likes to play together with him. Her threat worked as Wei Yuanhang obediently followed her to the house to clean himself up.


    When he came out again, the broken wood and leaves of vegetables had already been swept away, and Wei Jianwei was holding a wooden board and saw in his hand, and he seemed to have to make a box now.


    Wei Yuanhang ran over and watched, asking him what is what for. Wei Jianwei''s answer was short and concise. It was obviously for the making of a new box.


    Usually, the little brat would surround her, He Xiaoyun feels that the brat was annoying but now that he wasn''t around her, her heart became sour. ''Little brat with no conscience.''


    She looked up for a moment and stared at the sky. It was still too early to make lunch, but the weather was fine today. She could take out the blankets and winter clothes to dry. Otherwise, the clothes in the cupboard would surely get moldy in the rainy season.


    When she entered the room, she spread out the quilt, folded it in half, so that she could move it out to dry, and Wei Jianwei came in. Pretending not to know, He Xiaoyun glanced furtively at him and saw him rummaging out of his luggage bag. She saw him dig out a pen, which was probably used as a marker for the wooden board.


    She waited for him to go out first, but he put the pencil in his pocket and continue rummaging in his luggage, pull out an envelope, and walked towards her. He Xiaoyun quickly retracted her gaze and pretended to be very serious in folding the quilts and then hurried up to the locker.


    As soon as she turned around, an envelope was handed to her. She unconsciously took a step back and awkwardly sat on the bed. "Wait, what?"


    "Living expenses." Wei Jianwei''s tone was rather calm. Because once upon a time, he arrived home, the other party would ask him about money and he had to take it out on the spot. After that experience, he learned to distribute it in advance and put money in a separate envelope for the family, so she would not get involved again. Surprisingly, she did not seem to be in a hurry this time.


    There are three brothers in the Wei Family that had not separated yet. Wang Chaunhua is in charge of the family''s finance and they all had to eat and live together.


    She took the envelope with a touch of hesitation. As soon as it fell into her hand, her face burned as if the money were burning hot. "Well, thank you."


    -----


    T/N: This is really hard ;-; but still ok.

 CH 3

    Before long, Wang Chunhua returned and brought back a fish from the pond. In the Wei Family, there are a total of eight members. Wei Jianwei''s father went to another brigade to repair the roof. He did not come back for dinner at noon.


    Wei''s eldest son accompanied his wife to visit her natal family. Wei Jianwei is the second child and had just returned from the army. The third child is also a son, he was in a high school commune and only went home on weekdays.


    For lunch, they made sweet potato rice. It was made by crushing the potato into puree and mixing it with rice with a spatula. It tasted sweet and was still hot. Thanks to Jianwei''s arrival, there is a fish soup on today''s menu, there''s also potato cabbage stew, and the pickles left in the breakfast.


    After dinner, a few women from the brigade came to visit. Wang Chunhua grabbed two handfuls of orange candies and several handfuls of dried peanuts, putting them on a tray to serve it to the guests.


    This is also a local custom: When someone comes back from another place, whether they are soldiers, part-timers, or businessmen, the neighbors will come begging for sweets.


    There was a burst of laughter coming in from outside while He Xiaoyun was washing the dishes in the kitchen. She didn''t want to go out after washing, for fear the women outside will make fun of her and Wei Jianwei.


    She walked from the back door of the kitchen to the backyard. The yard behind is not big. It was next to a bamboo forest and planted persimmon trees. It was a season of lush foliage. There''s also a pig pen and chicken coop.


    The commune allows up to three chickens and two pigs to be raised privately. The three little hens of the Wei Family were looking for food in the bamboo forest. By the end of the year, one chicken will be handed over to the public to complete the purchase task. It can be considered to be a tax payment. One will be slaughtered at home to eat and the last one will be sold to the small market to change from some daily necessities.


    On the pigpen, there''s only one pig. Most people can''t afford to raise two because just feeding one pig is a big problem already. If it was fattened enough, they can''t slaughter it privately. They need to take it to the food station. After the pig was slaughtered, the public will buy half and the other half goes to the family. Raising a pig is equivalent to not making money, but the states reward clothe tickets which many people go for.


    He Xiaoyun swept the backyard and passed the time idly. It''s estimated that all the people who came to the door are now in the front yard. We Jianwei had already finished the wooden box and grabbed a few insect eggs. Wei Yuanhang happily ran out with the box to show it to Yanyan.


    Wang Chunhua blamed her son: "You had many tricks. Such a good wood was wasted on some box. Can the insects be raised for eating or wearing?"


    He Xiaoyun bit her tongue, too embarrassed to say that it was her idea. She quickly picks up a basket and went to Wang Chunhua to say that she will go to the mountains and fortunately escaped happily.


    Seeing her going out, Wang Chunhua glanced at her silent son and can''t help but murmur: "You and Xiaoyun. It''s not good. You two keep ignoring each other. Others will joke about this and if Xiaoyang hears about this, he''s going to be sad. I think her temper has changed a lot recently, she became more diligent. If she thinks well, we should be glad..."


    As she spoke, she sighed. It was true that this second daughter-in-law is so aggressive that she can''t believe her changes. She(WC) was afraid that she would suddenly start acting up again in a few days or something else.


    He Xiaoyun strolled in the mountain. On the way, she picked up a handful of fern, a few clumps of mountain fungi and her harvest is not bad. After going down the mountain and before returning home, She saw Wei Yuanhang playing outside the house. There were puddles on the ground. The boy jumped to the shallow pits and splashed his clothes with water and mud.


    In the past, He Xiaoyun didn''t understand why mothers always yelled at their children whenever they play, but now she deeply understood them, It''s now clear. It''s because the clothes that looked like it was rolled into a pigsty was going to be washed by her!


    "Wei Yuanhang!"


    The child who was happily playing raised his head. Upon seeing her, he happily jumps into few more pits while making his way to her, "Mom is back!"


    He didn''t realize that he''s in deep trouble and continue to walk around He Xiaoyun liked a little chicken. "Mon, where have you been? Mom, what are you carrying? Is it delicious?"


    He Xiaoyun glared at him but didn''t scold him, "Who told you it was fine to play with mud? Are you a little piggy? Your clothes yesterday haven''t dried up yet, now what you wear today depends or you simply be naked."


    Wei Yuanhang immediately covered his little bird. (T/N: You know what I mean~) and shook his little head, "I don''t want to be naked."


    He Xiaoyun took his hand and hummed, "What''s the use of covering your little bird? Your butt will still be seen."


    "I don''t want to be naked!" Wei Yuanhang believed her words and pouted his little mouth. After entering the house, Wei Jianwei can be seen weaving bamboo baskets in the yard. The ones in the family are already old. Wang Chunhua asked him to make two more because his craftmanship was better than his father and brothers.


    When Wei Yuanhang saw his father, he felt wrong and leaned in to complain, "Dad, mom wants me to go out naked."


    When He Xiaoyun saw this, she felt that this chubby boy had no conscience at all. She suddenly doesn''t want to do his laundry and sleep with him at night. Although she hadn''t possessed this body for too long, she''s still better than Wei Jianwei who only just returned, right?


    It''s only the first day since the man came back, and the boy''s heart immediately turned to his father. Where is her status in his heart?!


    Wei Jianwei stopped what he is doing and stared at his son before glancing at He Xiaoyun. Thinking that she was like before, hitting and scolding the child, he then asked, "What''s wrong?"


    He Xiaoyun is sour in her heart, and seeing the man glancing at her, she became annoyed at his question. The guilty conscience she have for the original''s owner''s doings vanished. She stared at him and said: "Look at him. His body is muddy while playing with the puddles outside. Aren''t you home?  Why haven''t you seen it?"


    Hearing this, Wei Jianwei looked at Wang Yuanhang again, and indeed, his clothes are dirty. He was immersed in weaving baskets and didn''t pay attention to the child playing outside. Now facing He Xiaoyun''s accusation, he has nothing to say.


    Seeing him surrender, He Xiaoyun straightened her waist, "Wei Yuanhang, come here."


    Wei Yuanhang glanced at her and then turned to glance at his silent father. His little head finally realized that her mother ranked above his father, so he can''t turn for help with his father, because his father will also be scolded.


    It was already evening, He Xiaoyun boiled the water to washed the child. Xiaoyuan took his clothes off, and the little white body trembled in cold.


    While washing the child, He Xioayun carefully asked, "Boy, tell me honestly. Who do you like most? Me or your Dad?"


    Learning from the previous lesson, Wei Yuanhang immediately yelled mom. "I like my mother the most!"


    "Hmph. Naughty monkey." She finally felt soothed in her heart.


    The few people who went out came back and had a lively meal. After that, the men gathered to repair tools and chat. The women folk cleaned and chattered. After that, they went back to their rooms when the sky darkened.


    Wei Yuanhang wanted to carry his wooden box to bed but He Xiaoyun resolutely forbids it. He had no choice but to put it on the table and observe it there.


    The clothes washed in the morning were all dried, He Xiaoyun pull them out, folded them, and put them in the cabinets. There is almost no entertainment here at night so she can only talk to the chubby boy and answer all his endless why''s.


    When He Xiaoyun entered the bedroom with Wei Jianwei, she realized a serious problem: ''Will he sleep with her at night?!''


    Looking at the single bed in the room, He-single-Xiaoyun-dog panicked. Fortunately, Wei Jianwei didn''t come to sleep but to take a change in clothes and went out again. But she knew he would definitely come later.


    At this moment, her mind turned fast and her heart throbbed. To be honest, except for the little boy Wei Yuanhang, she didn''t lay with the opposite sex in the bed before.


    Wait! There''s still this chubby boy! He Xiaoyun immediately focused on Wei Yuanhang. The kid had a troublesome sleeping posture, he would kick the quilt six or seven times every night. Last night, she looked at him with disdain. Tonight, she looked at him like a life-saving straw.


    "Xioahang, come here and sleep." While Wei Jianwei was still out, He Xiaoyun planned to let the chubby boy sleep as soon as possible.


    "Wait a minute." The boy murmured while talking to the eggs.


    He Xiaoyun rushed out of the door to urge the child, "Come sleep, or I will snatch your quilt."


    "No. No! Mom can''t snatch my quilts!" Wei Yuanhang quickly leave the wooden box and rushed over his beloved quilts. The quilts had been with Wei Yuanhang since he was a baby. He just held it every night.


    Succeding on her plan, He Xiaoyun carried the child to bed, took off his coat, and tucked him to the bed. She laid beside him and had her heart on her throat.


    With Wei Yuanhang at her side, her sense of security rose a lot, but she still can''t help but think about things. The man would not intentionally step on her, right? Would he snore when he sleeps? If she farted, can she push the blame to Xiaoyuan?


    The child beside her falls asleep in a short time while her mind is still active like a horse running wild.


    Wei Jianwei finally walked in. He Xiaoyun laid motionless but was always watching his movements. She watched him swept the floor and proceeded to take out a straw mat, then spread it on the floor, he also took a thin quilt out of the cabinets.


    He turned off the lights and comfortably sleep in.


    He Xiaoyun: "..." Worried for nothing!


    -----


    T/N: Assuming things will lead you to awkwardness. Learn from this He Xiaoyun~


    -----

 CH 4

    He Xiaoyun did not fall asleep until late at night. The next morning when she woke up, the child was still soundly asleep. Wei Jianwei was no longer in the room and the mat and quilts were also put away.


    He Xiaoyun laid in the bed for a while before remembering that she needed to go visit her ''natal home''. So she sat on the bed, lifted the quilt, and got out of bed.


    There was a big mirror in the big closet in the room. She stood in front of it and started combing her hair. The person in the mirror has a goose egg-shaped face. Although she''s living in the countryside, her skin is fair and her eyes are lightly round, the bridge of her nose is straight and under it was fleshy pink lips. Even with no makeup, the woman is a little beauty.


    He Xiaoyun is also a beauty but compared to this body''s beauty, she''s still a little worse. In this way, not only did she gain a new life, but she also gained a healthy and beautiful body. Even if the current situation is not good, there''s nothing to complain about.


    After getting dressed and going out, the rest of the family started to get up. Wang Chunhua was about to enter the kitchen, He Xiaoyun saw another sister-in-law trying to help and stopped her, and decided to go herself.


    "Wait for dinner and take this with you." Wang Chunhua cut a few sweet potatoes into a pot, covered it with a lid, and gestured for her to take the pot.


    When she was putting things in, He Xiaoyun noticed that there were about two or three catties of peanuts, half a packet of orange candies, a dozen eggs, and two more buns at the top.


    Among other things, the eggs alone are not easy to come by. On average, three hens can lay two eggs every day, now that a sister-in-law got pregnant, she needs nutrition and therefore needs to eat egg custards every day. Occasionally, Wei Yuanhang can get one egg but because the eggs are limited, she''s afraid that all of them can''t get to eat one.


    He Xiaoyun felt a little sorry. "Mom, forget about our egg, leave it to sister-in-law."


    Wang Chunhua gave her a surprised look. Her expression was sincere and didn''t look like she(HX) was pretending. Did her temper really change?


    She shook her(WC) head, "I have already saved some for your eldest sister-in-law. This was intended for you."


    Of the two daughters-in-law, Wang Chunhua prefers the eldest daughter-in-law but she needs to keep it fair. Wang Chunhua knows that in such a big family like the Wei''s, it''s easy to have conflict. If she became partial, the children will be uneasy. (T/N: First time for me to read a mother-in-law that is impartial in CN, there''s always gotta be a favorite son or daughter on others.)


    After breakfast, Wei Jianwei carried the pot and He Xiaoyun led Wei Yuanhang to set off. The brigade they belonged to is called Qingshuihe Brigade because of the river at the foot of the mountain. There were two teams on the Qingshuihe Brigade, the Wei Family belonged to the first team and He Xiaoyun''s family is on the second team.


    The second team happened to be at the end of the village, two kilometers away.


    On the way, they met a lot of people. The whole brigade and even some from the commune heard about their marriage. Now that people saw the three of them walking together, many stopped to say hello and asked them where they are going.


    Halfway through the journey, Wei Yuanhang''s steps slowed down, the child became lazy from walking. "Mom, I''m so tired."


    He Xiaoyun glanced at the chubby child condescendingly, "So you''re okay when you run around playing but you''re tired after two steps?"


    "It''s not two steps! I''ve had taken many steps!" The child gestured with his hand, indicating that he took many steps with big circles.


    "Then what are you gonna do? I''m also tired so I can''t carry you on my back." He Xiaoyun ruthlessly said.


    The child has no choice but to continue walking, groaning, and grumbling while he walks. After walking for a little and a half, he stopped and cried to her, "Mom, I really can''t walk anymore!"


    He Xiaoyun remained unmoved. She knows what exactly this little kid is trying. When she saw this rascal playing with Yanyan the other day, he moved and run the whole day and isn''t tired. If the child only went out with her, the child wouldn''t be so squeamish but when Wei Jianwei entered the picture, he became coquettish, hoping this father will carry him.


    Who says that children don''t know how to scheme?


    Seeing that she still ignored him, Wei Yuanhang turned his head and went to Wei Jianwei to pretend to be pitiful. "Dad, my legs are so tired."


    He Xiaoyun watched and the man really stopped and squatted down in front of the child.


    "Dad is so good!" Wei Yuanhang cheered and rushed over his back, not forgetting to flatter his father,


    His chubby body is a heavy burden for He Xiaoyun but for Wei Jianwei who is a soldier, easily lifting the child is nothing. Seeing that Wei Jianwei still need to carry a basket, He Xiaoyun neared and said, "Leave this to me."


    Wei Yuanhang happily threw his hand on the air while on his father''s back, looking like a child who got something good. "Mom, you''ll think you''re tall but now I''m taller than you."


    He Xiaoyun patted the child''s butt. "Be safe and be careful, don''t let yourself fall."


    The child was obediently quiet for a while before energetically began looking again. Wei Jianwei was strong, it was evident how stable he walked even after a mass of meat dumpling is placed on his back.


    There was still a bit of distance from the He''s home. He Xiaoyun saw Li Yuegui sitting in the yard from a distance, picking up beans and looking up from time to time.


    "Grandma, I''m coming to see you!" Wei Yuanhang cried out loud before entering the door.


    Li Yuegui stood up quickly and wiped her hands on her apron and came out to greet them with a smile, "Jianwei is back?"


    Wei Jianwei nodded, called her mom, and put down the chubby child. Before the child even touched the ground, Li Yuegui gave him a hug, "Aiyah. Xiaoyuan has grown up again, grandma can''t hold you anymore."


    As she said that, she ushered them to come into the house. Seeing He Xiaoyun bringing in a big basket, she can''t help but say, "Next time, tell your mother-in-law not to pack too many things. You have many family members so you need to be frugal."


    "Got it." He Xiaoyun responded, seeing the little guy still clinging to his grandma, she spoke, "Xiaoyuan, come down. You little fat guy, you''re grandmother is tired."


    Wei Yuanhang pouted but didn''t dare disobey her words.


    As someone who cherished her grandson, Li Yuegui immediately defended the child, " Where is Xiaoyuan fat? Children need to be round and chubby to look good." But she didn''t hug Wei Yuanhang anymore, instead, she let him sit with Wei Jianwei and entered the kitchen.


    Yesterday, Li Yuegui heard that her son-in-law returned. She was 80% sure that her daughter will visit. She had boiled water when she woke up this morning. Now, she poured some hot water into the pot and ignited the stove.


    He Xiaoyun followed to help, seeing Li Yuegui beating up the eggs, she tried to stop her. The He''s family situation is much worse than the Wei''s.


    "No need." Li Yuegui replied. "Usually, if it''s only you, it''s fine. But Jianwei is here today. All of you were guests."


    He Xiaoyun shook her head helplessly. No matter what era, this kind of thinking seems to exist. Many people thought that since their daughters were already married to another family, they can only come back home as guests.


    She knew that this kind of thinking can''t be changed in just a few words and He Xiaoyun didn''t dare argue.


    Li Yuegui looked at her, "Why don''t you talk to Jianwei outside?"


    He Xiaoyun thought to herself, ''I have something to say to him but I''m not yet ready.'' She has no choice but to divert the question with another one.


    "Where is dad? Why isn''t he at home?"


    "He was called back to the team to discuss rice planting. He''ll come back soon." Li Yuegui beat six eggs in a row, covered the pot, and simmered it for a while, then turned to look for brown sugar in the cabinet. "Your eldest sister also came yesterday."


    There are three children in the He Family. Both the first and second are daughters while the third is a son who''s still studying. He Xiaoyun ranked second in the family. The eldest sister married another brigade and give birth to two daughters. He Xiaoyun nodded and waited for her to continue.


    Li Yuegui pulled out a paper bag from the cabinet and sighed. "These candies are from the last year''s baby shower. I bought more and saved them. She quarreled with your brother-in-law yesterday."


    "Because of the baby?" He Xiaoyun guessed. The eldest sister''s mother-in-law wanted a boy and was a bit dissatisfied with having two granddaughters. Not long after the eldest sister''s confinement, she urges another for another baby. The eldest sister want to talk about it later but the mother-in-law insisted. So it has been noisy.


    This kind of thing is not uncommon. In the Qingshuihe brigade alone, someone gave birth to five daughters in a row in hope of having a son. Some people are black-hearted, seeing that the baby born is a girl, they will drown them in the washbasin and tell others that the child died after birth.


    He Xiaoyun was born in a mountain village in her previous life. At that time, family planning has already been implemented. The country only allowed families to have one child. But in their place, if the first child is a daughter, her birth will be concealed and they need to wait for a son to take over the first child.


    Her family is in this case, she had a brother three years younger by her, who is almost brought up by her.


    Many of the girls in the mountains do not go to school. They went to work before graduating from junior high and after few years, gave birth to a child and leave them to their houses, and then continue to go work again. Once the children grew up, they will repeat the same cycle.


    He Xiaoyun has better luck than the others. Her grades in elementary and junior high are good, and she''s number one in the high school entrance examination. Originally, her parents wanted her to work but the school teachers and the principal rushed to her house to persuade them and promised to help He Xiaoyun. They reduced her tuition fees so she can continue going to school.


    However, they are a poor county with a lack of educational resources. Although her grades were not bad, she can''t get to the few key colleges. Still, she was the first college student in their small village. At first, her parents felt happy and glamorous, Later they heard that she needed to study for four years before she could work. It costs a lot of money to pay the tuition fees every year.


    Then one day, a woman in the village with a particularly good house came to visit her parents and repeatedly seek her out. He Xiaoyun became vigilant in her heart and overheard the woman''s talk with her parents. It seems like the woman had a son who has intellectual problems and wanted him to marry an intellectual woman and see if they will give her a normal grandson.


    He Xiaoyun received a bolt out of the blue. She thought her parents wouldn''t agree to the matter but choosing over a daughter or money, they didn''t hesitate to choose the latter. Her parents not only locked her in a room but also burned her college admission. If not for her brother that let her go, she''s afraid she''s already a wife of a fool.


    When she ran out of her house, she had nothing else on her body but her clothes. In those years that she''s outside, she was beaten, deceived, and was almost sold off. Later, she struggled and live like a little bit of a human. But it didn''t take long for her to found out that she have cancer.


    Precisely because of her experience that He Xiaoyun knows that some deep-rooted thoughts are difficult to change.


    The eggs in the pot were already cooked. Li Yuegui took out three bowls and put some brown sugar in them and filled them with the eggs. She said to He Xiaoyun, "If it was me, I''ll take advantage of giving birth more since the body is healthy. Your life is better than your eldest sister, you gave birth for the first time and it was a son. Jianwei has a future. Follow him and live well in the future. Don''t always make him angry, okay?"


    He Xiaoyun didn''t answer, her eyes staring at the dizzying sparks in the stove.


    -----


    T/N: Woah. Life in the past sure is tough. Wouldn''t want to go there, I wouldn''t last a week.


    -----

 CH 5

    The three of them left after having lunch. Li Yuegui gave them a basket filled with potatoes for them to take back.


    Along the way back, He Xiaoyun didn''t talk much. Wei Yuanhang probably sensed her mood and decided to hold her hand along with his father, urging them if he can fly.


    He Xiaoyun looked at the child''s sunburned face before finally agreeing. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She exhaled all the depressing thoughts out of her mind and silently glanced at Wei Jianwei.


    "Are you ready? The plane is about to take off."


    Wei Jianwei held Wei Yuanhang upper hand and nodded.


    "Fly!" He Xiaoyun gave a little cheer, holding the child''s arm before rushing forward.


    Wei Yuanhang was picked by the two of them and his chubby body was suspended in the air, he exclaimed with great excitement, "The big airplane is coming! The plane is coming!"


    ''Flying'' all the way home, a lot of people who saw them laughed.


    He Xiaoyun didn''t feel anything while on the road but after stopping, she felt that her arms were sore, the chubby boy is clearly a bit overweight.


    Only the eldest sister-in-law was at home when they came back, sitting at the door and knitting. Seeing them back so early, she asked, "You three, why are you so back so early? Have the three of you eaten yet?"


    "We already did. Where is mother-in-law, sister-in-law?"


    "Mother went to the commune early today to see if there is any fat for sale. She''s going to buy a few catties back."


    He Xiaoyun nodded. She remembered that Wang Chunhua mentioned this matter before, the planting of seedlings. She''s going to replenish the family with some meat and oil. Otherwise, the bodies might be weak and it would be too hard in planting.


    After finishing knitting a ball of yarn, Feng Qiuyue pulled a new ball of yarn out of the basket. He Xiaoyun saw it and went over to help her wind it.


    She moves naturally but Feng Qiuyue was a little surprised. Although the two of them are sisters-in-law and have lived on the same roof for three or four years, the two of them are not close. Having married for several years and never bearing a child, Feng Qiuyue knew that this sister-in-law was a bit contemptuous of her and tried not to provoke her.


    As soon as Wei Yuanhang got home, he ran back to his room to see his eggs and brought them to bask in the sun.


    He Xiaoyun teased him while winding the yarn, "Just leave the box there to bask and come in. You were chubby and white so you can be called cute. What would happen if your skin darkened? You''re gonna be called fat and dark."


    "I''m not fat!" Wei Yuanhang pouted and ran to his father for backup. "Isn''t that right, Dad? I''m not fat at all."


    Wei Jianwei was about to go out and fetched water with a bucket in his hand when he heard his son''s question. He then looked down at his son''s figure. He didn''t say ''fat'' nor did he break the child''s confidence.


    "When you grow up, you''ll lose weight."


    Unable to catch the hidden meaning of his father''s words, Wei Yuanhang rushed to her mother to retort back, "Dad said I''m going to lose weight!"


    "You''re still fatter than me. FATTER than me." He Xiaoyun continued to tease him.


    The child then hurriedly asked his father, "Mom says I''m fatter than her, what to do?"


    Wei Jianwei glanced at the two of them back and forth. The child looked anxious while He Xiaoyun smiled triumphantly.


    He then said, "You''ll be taller than your mom in the future."


    Wei Yuanhang eyes lit up. "Really? I will be taller than mother? Would she looked like a dwarf?"


    "Hey!" Wei Jianwei hadn''t spoken yet but He Xiaoyun didn''t like the topic.


    "Who is a little dwarf? Are you butt itching for a beating?" She used to be nearly 1.7 meters tall, but now she''s about 1.65 meters tall. Although she''s no match for Wei Jianwei''s long legs, she couldn''t be compared to this little dumpling, right? This is pure slander!


    She was about to get up and grab the naughty child when he giggled and hid behind his father. With someone to rely on, the child pokes his head out and said with courage, "Mom''s going to be a dwarf! A dwarf in the future~"


    He Xiaoyun glared at the child, "You''re fat, your father''s fat, you are fat!" She shot back.


    "Short Dwarf!"


    "Fatty little boy!"


    "Dwarf Dwarf!"


    "Fat Boy!"


    The mother and son fought childishly but the man who led the fight was long gone. Feng Qiuyue smiled at them. Just now, she saw a little smile on her second brother''s mouth, which is really rare.


    It was not until the afternoon that Wang Chunhua returned and bought back three catties of fat. Different from the price of meat in the future, fat meat is more expensive than lean meat. Sometimes, when the supplies are limited, some people who have friendships with the salesperson can buy the fat meat but a meat ticket is needed. The Wei''s meat ticket came from Wei Jianwei from the army.


    They cut the meat into many slices, put it in a pot, and let it boil. The whole room then suddenly smelled of meat oil. The lard was packed in an oil jar, and the oil residue was kept well, so it can still be used to stir fry some dishes.


    Wei Yuanhang hungrily circled the stove several times and Wang Chunhua filled a bowl with oil residue and sprinkled him some salt flowers. It''s not that she didn''t want to give the child more but the oil residue is delicious, the child might burn his tongue for eating too much.


    Wei Yuanhang ran out while holding the bowl.


    He Xiaoyun was rummaging through Wei Yuanhang''s old clothes in their room. If there''s still good, she''s planning to left it to the child in her sister-in-law''s stomach to use in the future.


    "Mom, food for you." The child came running in with something in his mouth.


    "What are you eating?" He Xiaoyun shook aside her clothes one by one and took a moment to look at him.


    "It''s Youjia. It''s delicious."


    He Xiaoyun got curious and look to see what Youjia is. Then saw the bowl full of lard, looking at the child''s mouth, it''s full of oil.


    "I won''t eat. Continue eating it but remember to wash your face and hands after eating."


    "Yeah." Wei Yuanhang stuffed another greasy residue of oil into his mouth, but his chewing stopped. He asked her with eyes wide open, "If I eat a lot, will I become fatter?"


    He Xiaoyun didn''t expect that the child would begin paying attention to his image. She couldn''t help but smile.


    "No. I was joking before. You looked just right."


    Of course, that''s not true. But although Wei Yuanhang has some meat, he was well proportioned. Moreover, looking at the Wei''s family genes, she knew the child will grow up handsome.


    The little kid had taken an inch and wanted a mile, "Does mom like me?"


    "Like you." He Xiaoyun rubbed his little head. "I like you the most."


    Wei Yuanhang also happily replied, "I also liked Mom the most!"


    At the dinner table, Wang Chunhua distributed tasks to her family about planting the rice for tomorrow.


    The three men of the family were sure to go to plant. Feng Qiuyue is pregnant and needs to stay at home. But even if she is pregnant, she still has to cook for the family, watch Yuanhang, and feed the chickens and the pig. But she won''t be able to do that all, and so another one is needed to accompany her.


    "The eldest and the second daughters-in-law will stay and cooked. And deliver it to the fields." Wang Chunhua decided.


    Feng Qiuyue and He Xiaoyun looked at each other and said, "Mom, you and sister-in-law can both stay here, I''ll go."


    Wang Chunhua waved her hand and said, "Don''t look at my old age, I have more experience than both of you two when it comes to working. I won''t be slower than young people. And cooking is not so easy, you two can practice your crafts."


    He Xiaoyun wanted to speak but Wang Chunhua waved her hand, "Don''t push around. I''ll do it."


    She held a firm attitude so the others can only give up. Because she(WC) needed to get up in the morning, she left and got to her room to rest for the evening.


    Since knowing that Wei Jianwei wouldn''t go to the bed to sleep, He Xiaoyun was calmer than last night and was not anxious to urge the child to sleep.


    The child sat on the bed while holding two dolls, playing and mumbling words.


    Wei Jianwei laid on the floor with a mat as usual. When he did this the last night, the child hadn''t seen him, and so, he was curious.


    "Mom, why is dad sleeping on the floor?"


    He Xiaoyun felt that the child was not friendly at all. He always asked questions she couldn''t answer. Seeing Wei Jianwei looking like the dead on the floor, He Xiaoyun decided to throw the hot potato into his hands.


    "I don''t know. Ask him yourself." As expected, the child turned around to his father.


    "Dad, why are you sleeping on the ground?"


    Wei Jianwei glanced at He Xiaoyun. He Xiaoyun stared at the roof innocently. She regretted talking so quick, what if the man decided to sleep on the bed because of the child''s question?


    Fortunately, the man was considerate had a ready answer, "I''m going to wake up in the morning and might wake you up."


    Wei Yuanhang gave a snort and stopped playing with dolls. He laid down on the bed and stared at the mats laid on the floor with interest. He turned to He Xiaoyun and said, "Mom, I want to play with dad."


    He Xiaoyun thought it over. There seems to be no reason why the child shouldn''t get along with his father. She could only say, "Come up to the bed after a while."


    The brat slipped out of the bed and went to his father. As soon as he laid with his father, the brat is as talkative. He Xiaoyun listened attentively but disliked it afterward. What a flattering fellow.


    Recently, she''s been waking up early and sleeping early. At some point, she became confused. She didn''t even notice when Wei Yuanhang''s voice stopped.


    She thought she only closed her eyes for a while. When she opened it again, she saw Wei Jianwei standing by the bed and approaching her.


    "What are you doing?" She cried out in surprise, she sat in the bed and clutched her chest.


    Wei Jianwei looked at her fixedly.


    The room became silent for a moment, except for the small snores of Wei Yuanhang. He has fallen asleep and is being held by Wei Jianwei. It looks like he was putting the child to bed.


    He Xiaoyun was silent for a while, she slowly laid down, quietly pulled the quilt up, and buried herself in. Pretending that nothing happened just now.


    -----


    T/N: That was awkward. Oh well, the fifth chapter finished!


    -----

 CH 6

    The next day, the whole family woke up before dawn. They took a quick shower and after finishing, some goes outside to refill the water, and some goes to the kitchen.


    A pot of sweet potatoes was boiled on the stove and the tortillas made in advance were steamed. Some pickles and wet radishes were cut and put on the pot. Breakfast was made.


    If they slack, the breakfast would just be porridge and the busy farmers will just eat some dry foods such as cakes and steamed buns to satiate the hunger.


    After the meal, Feng Qiuyue sent the family to the fields and He Xiaoyun washed their clothes. He Xiaoyun was afraid that Wei Yuanhang would wake up alone so she took him with her to the river.


    Children rarely get up so early, he yawned while walking but upon seeing the river, he became energetic.


    He Xiaoyun found a shallow spot and asked Wei Yuanhang to squat beside her and play with the sand.


    After a while, a woman from the same village came to wash clothes, she greeted her and asked, "Why did you bring the child here so early in the morning?"


    "Everyone in the family has gone to the fields. I''m worried about leaving him in the house alone." He Xiaoyun responded with a smile.


    "Okay." The woman said, squatting down not far from her spot, and then went to tease the child, "Your Dad is back, is xiaoyuan happy?"


    Wei Yuanhang was playing and digging on the sand when he heard his name, he raised his head and answered with ''happy'' before continuing his play.


    The woman continued to say a few pleasantries while the women arrived one by one, by then, the river became lively.


    After washing their clothes, He Xiaoyun carried the tub with one hand and dragged the reluctant child home with the other.


    Wei Yuanhang couldn''t help but look back at the pit he had dug, "I will come tomorrow with you again, Mom."


    "Let''s talk about that when you can wake up early, you little slacker." He Xiaoyun teased unceremoniously.


    When they arrived at home, Feng Qiuyue had already returned. She had washed the bowls and the chopsticks and was currently picking beans at the yard.


    He Xiaoyun aired the clothes and was about to beat a basket of hogweeds, otherwise, the pig will run out of feed.


    Fearing that Feng Qiuyue would be alone, she said to the child, "I''m going to get some pig feed. Your aunt is all alone, will you accompany her?"


    "But.." The child was reluctant. "I want to go with Mom."


    "I want you to go with me too but your aunt has a little baby in her belly. What if bad guys came and we''re not at home? Who will protect the little baby?" He Xiaoyun coaxed.


    "Then...I protect the little baby?"


    "Yes." He Xiaoyun pat his little head.


    "Xiaoyuan is going to be an older brother. You must be a great brother who will protect the little baby, ok?"


    Wei Yuanhang suddenly felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, he nodded his head and said, "I am a good brother!"


    After coaxing the child, He Xiaoyun turned to Feng Qiuyue and changed her tune, "If he isn''t obedient, don''t worry about it and don''t make yourself angry. When I come back, you can tell me and I will sort him out."


    Feng Qiuyue smiled, "You can go, Xiaoyuan is obedient."


    He Xiaoyun went out carrying a big bag and walked along the riverside and the paddy fields where there were lush weeds on the way. The spring plowing had already begun, she stood on the river bank and glanced at it.


    The fields are full of people bending to work. She hopes the weather would be smooth this year and the hard work will be rewarded.


    She went home with a basket of pigweeds on her back, now it''s time to prepare lunch.


    She and Feng Qiuyue discussed what to do. One was to wash the vegetables and ignite the fire, the other would cook three dishes. The dishes were fried eggs, fried cabbage with oil residue, and a hot soup, pair with a steaming large pot of rice.


    The lunch was heavy so He Xiaoyun didn''t ask for Feng Qiuyue to send it, so she brought it to the field by herself.


    Yesterday, Wang Chunhua already told them where they''re going to plant the seedlings so she quickly found the place.


    It was time for lunch, the people on the fields came to rest and eat under the trees beside the side of the field.


    Before she can reach them, Wang Chunhua said to her, "The team said that there was a shortage of people working near the river. Jianwei was arranged there, you need to again."


    He Xiaoyun nodded, thinking that she hadn''t seen Wei Jianwei when she was washing clothes nor when she was picking pigweed.


    Fortunately, she had brought clean and extra bowls, which were originally meant to cover the food so dust won''t fall to it.


    When Wang Chunhua and the others finished eating, she carried the remaining food and walked to the river. Because of the extra trip, when she arrived, there were a lot of people who were already eating. Only Wei Jianwei was left to the field.


    Seeing her passing from a distance, others shouted, "Jianwei! Your wife is here!"


    Someone joked, "Well, what did you make? Is it delicious for it to take so long?" Then he craned his neck to the basket she was carrying.


    He Xiaoyun politely smiled without answering.


    Wei Jianwei came out of the field, wash his hand and feet by the river, and splashed his face with water, before walking over.


    Because she didn''t want to listen to other people talking and laughing, He Xiaoyun deliberately placed the basket some distance away from everyone.


    Wei Jianwei arrived and sat down to eat. He Xiaoyun stood there for a moment and feel awkward sitting down. She want to go sit down farther but was afraid to be made fun of by the people.


    She thought for a while and sat down on a rock near him. Although it was only April, she felt the heat while basking under the sky. The wind blew and immediately cooled her down.


    People who spent the whole day on the field must felt hotter. Thinking of this, He Xioayun couldn''t help but glance at Wei Jianwei.


    He was slurping the soup. His face dripping with sweat, his neck and chest were wet. His clothes tightly clung to his chest, and his muscles rose and fell as he breathe.


    He Xiaoyun felt a little uncomfortable, feeling like she''s molesting him. She moved her eyes but she met Wei Jianwei''s eyes instead.


    She suddenly felt embarrassed and guilty of having been caught peeking at him but she gotta be strong, bluffing to him, "What are you looking at?"


    Wei Jianwei lowered his eyes and continued to eat without a word. That demeanor seems to be lazy to care about her.


    He Xiaoyun became upset.


    When he finished eating, she packed up the dishes and chopsticks and walked back home stiffly.


    The men at the field ate and drunk enough. They sat and rested for a while, chatting with Jianwei.


    "Jianwei, what did you say to your wife? Look at her, she''s angry."


    "Yes. I''m afraid you won''t be able to enter your bedroom tonight."


    "If it was me, it would be kneeling to the washboard!"


    The others burst into merry laughter.


    When He Xiaoyun came home, she found out there was another person at home. Wei Jianhua, Wei Jianwei''s younger brother who only returned from school at weekends.


    Wei Jianhui is 19 years old this year. Because he was naughty when he was young, he dropped out of a grade and he is only a second-year high school now.


    It was now a ''Five-Two-Two'' System (T/N: Anyone who knows about that?) You can study for high school for two years and participate in labor. If you want to go to the university, you need to be recommended by your unit or the production team.


    Workers, peasants, or soldiers with two years of practical experience have the opportunity to be recommended.


    However, it is now 1975. He Xiaoyun remembers that the country will resume the college examinations at the end of 1977.


    When she was in high school in her previous life, a teacher once showed a video about the college examination being resumed. She remembered the fanatical appearance of the students in the film. It''s not just an exam, it was more like a fight for destiny and faith.


    At that time, she said to herself that she must study, get out of the backward mountain village, and enter university. It was almost her obsession.


    Later, while wandering around the big city, she also wandered at the gate of the university several times but hadn''t any opportunities to enter because of her cancer.


    Seeing Wei Jianhua, He Xiaoyun felt her heart throbbing. A thought appeared on her mind: ''Since god asked her to live again, is this giving her a chance? An opportunity to retake the Gaokao exam, opportunity to walk in the university?''


    Being married and having children, it''s not an obstacle. She remembered when the college exam resumed, the country especially relaxed the age limit to take care of the older educated youths. So at that time, it was common for husbands and wives to go to the same examination room.


    And she still has two years to prepare, enough to pass the examination exam!


    As soon as this thought appeared, she couldn''t restrain it anymore. She took a few deep breathes and managed to calm down her throbbing heart.


    After she came here, she encountered all the unsatisfactory things: the backward environment, the lack of materials, the embarrassing situation of being forced to marry, and children. Now it all disappeared.


    He Xiaoyun felt that she had never been so grateful, so happy. At this moment, she truly admitted that it was a new adventure for her.


    When she felt better, everything seems pleasing to the eyes. In the evening, Wei Yuanhang said that he''s going to play with Wei Jianwei, He Xiaoyun hugged the chubby boy and asked, "What so funny about him? Mom will accompany you to play hide and seek."


    The child talked about it several times before and wanted to play hide and seek. She felt that it was too naive and didn''t want to cooperate and let it go.


    When Wei Yuanhang heard this, he was overjoyed. "Okay!"


    He Xiaoyun put him down, turn her back, and said, "Hurry up and hide! I will find when I count to ten. One, two..."


    "Mom, slow down!"


    Hearing her counting so fast, the child yelled in hurry, walking around the room, trying to find a place to hide.


    He Xiaoyun slowed down and listened attentively. She heard Wei Yuanhang open a cabinet door. Maybe because there are so many clothes in the cabinet, he couldn''t hide there.


    He can only give up and ran to the table and walked to Wei Jianwei''s side, and said in a low voice, "Dad, I''m hiding with you, don''t tell mom."


    Wei Jianwei had just made his bed, he looked at the child''s bright eyes and him urging him, "Dad, lay down already!"


    He Xiaoyun can clearly hear the child''s voice and counted ten. Turning around, she saw the obvious bump on Wei Jianwei''s bed. In order not to undermine the child''s self-confidence, she decided not to reveal him on the spot.


    She looked through the cabinet and looked behind the door. "Where is xiaoyuan? Why can''t I find him?"


    After a full circle of cooperation, she was about to lift Wei Jianwei''s quilt when the child couldn''t stand it anymore, Suddenly he came up, his cheeks flushed, "I''m here!"


    He jumped straight to her, "It''s mommy''s turn! Mommy hides."


    He Xioayun felt speechless but this was a game she promised the child, no matter how naive it is, she had to finish it with a smile.


    Wei Yuanhang had already closed his eyes and began to count. The numbers from one to ten were counted smoothly not long ago, otherwise, he will need his dad''s help when counting.


    He Xiaoyun looked around the room, there were only a few hiding places. Under the bed was too dirty, behind the door was too conspicuous. She gently opened a closet door and pushed the hanging clothes aside. Stand in, close the cabinet door, hang the clothes in front to cover her.


    The cabinet was dark, with only a gleam of light coming through the slit of the cabinet door. She heard Wei Yuanhang finished counting and began to look for her. The first place where the child started looking for was Wei Jianwei''s bed, she felt funny and angry inside.


    The child''s eyes are so big, is it a decoration? She''s so big that she can''t hide there, can she hide near that man''s feet?


    The pattering footsteps approached and she held her breath. When Wei Yuanhang came close to the closet, both hands worked hard to open the closet door.


    He Xiaoyun thought she had been found and was about to go out when the child just looked inside, seeing that it was dark, turned his head back and left without closing the closet door. She stared outside.


    Wei Yuanhang looked around the room but couldn''t find her. He ran to Wei Jianwei and asked him in a low voice, "Dad, did you see where mom is?"


    Through the open closet door, He Xiaoyun clearly saw this scene. She saw Wei Jianwei put down the book he was reading and looked over at her. He Xiaoyun looked at him threateningly.


    But it was too late, the child understood the hint, the child ran to the closet again and pulled the clothes covering her. "I found mother!"


    He Xiaoyun could only get out and settle the accounts with Wei Jianwei, dissatisfied, she glared, "How can you cheat?"


    She could count the words that they have said to each other these past two days with a single hand. If not for this unkindness, she wouldn''t heed him any mind.


    Wei Jianwei silently looked at her.


    Wei Jianwei was clearly sitting but He Xiaoyun felt short so she puffs up her chest, "You didn''t follow the rules of the game, Do you know what it means to watch chess without talking? It''s the same with games."


    "I didn''t speak." Wei Jianwei replied.


    "But you hinted with your eyes, isn''t it the same?" He Xiaoyun wouldn''t let him make excuses.


    Wei Jianwei still has a calm tone, "My eyes are not good as yours."


    "What do you mean?" He Xiaoyun reacted subconsciously.


    Did the other party mean that he knows she stared at him at noon?


    Her face turned red all of the sudden. Her ferocious aura weakened and she retorted, "What is it that I will look at? I did not stare at you!"


    She dared not settle the accounts again and hurriedly turned to the child to coax him to sleep. She regretted not keeping her eyes in check.


    When the awkwardness passed, she felt her mind calmed, but then felt something wrong...


    This Jianwei, she always thought that he looked taciturn, calm, and reliable. But to think he has a teasing heart! Not honest at all!


    -----

 CH 7

    After Wei Jianhua came back, another person worked at home, but He Xiaoyun and Feng Qiuyue were still in charge of cooking.


    At noon, they prepared a stir-fried garlic sprout with preserved meat, a stir-fried squash, and a bowl of vegetable soup.


    As usual, He Xiaoyun delivered the meals to Wang Chunhua and the others and then went to go to the riverside. Wei Jianwei and Wei Jianhua worked at the same place.


    Wei Jianhua followed the genetic of the Wei''s of having thick eyebrows and eyes filled with youthful vigor. He Xiaoyun felt what would he looked like when he grows in the future with just a look.


    Unlike the reticent nature of the Wei''s, Wei Jianhua talks a lot and he resembled his younger uncle in this regard,


    "Today''s meal is delicious. First sister-in-law and second sister-in-law have good crafts!" He was hungry but he didn''t forget to flatter her while eating.


    He Xiaoyun felt that this kid is much better than the one next to him (T/N: Jianwei~ lol), at least this kid knows how to be a sweet mouth.


    She listened to Wei Jianhua''s flattery with a sense of comfort and picked up the portions of bacon to give half to him. A good kid needs to be rewarded.


    "This is enough, sister-in-law. You can leave some for the second brother." Wei Jianhua tried to stop her.


    "It''s okay. Your second brother will allow you." He Xiaoyun shot down his refusal.


    Wei Jianhua laughed drily and glanced at his second brother.


    He knew that his second brother and second sister-in-law has a bad relationship, he''d always known. But when he came back, he felt that the two of them were strange. He saw the two of them not talking to each other like strangers. But there was no such subtle aura between strangers.


    Yes, subtle.


    Wei Jianhua praised himself for wording it like that in his heart.


    Isn''t it subtle? Why did his second sister-in-law become enthusiastic about him when she didn''t in the past? She keeps filling his bowl with meat.


    But if he eats more, his second brother will eat less meat. His second brother may not settle the accounts with his wife, but he will settle it with him.


    As a follower of his second brother since he was a child, no one knows him better than he does. Since childhood, every adult says that his second brother is a good, sensible boy.


    Only the children knew that this second brother of his is a fierce fighter. In the past, the small bullies in the commune will pick fights with the good children, but now no one dares.


    Those who mess with his second brother have no eyesight and were beaten into fearing him.


    What angers the little bullies more is that when they tried to tell on him(WJ), the adults around wouldn''t believe their claims, because who didn''t know that the second child of the Wei''s is honest? How could he pick a fight!


    Over time, when the small gangsters saw his second brother walking around, they will turn around and run away. Fortunately, as Wei Jianhua was the brother of this fierce fighter, he was hardly bullied.


    But him not being bullied by others doesn''t mean his second brother wouldn''t bully him. For example, at this very moment, although his second brother wasn''t looking at him while he eats, Wei Jianhua can feel that he''s been targeted because of the meat in his bowl.


    He struggled hard. The smell of the meat was fragrant but fearing that if he ate it, his second brother would settle the scores.


    Suddenly, Wei Jianhua saw a familiar figure from afar, he hurriedly changed the subject, "Isn''t that Teacher Zhang? Is she also here to deliver a meal?"


    He Xiaoyun followed his gaze. Not far away, there was a young girl that seems twenty-four with two big braids. The young men and women all look the same as her.


    He Xiaoyun remembered that were the educated youths from the city. The teacher Zhang in Wei Jianhua''s mouth is a private teacher from the commune''s elementary school. The current private teacher here has the same meaning as a ''substitute teacher'' in the future.


    Coincidentally, this Zhang Yurong was once Wei Jianwei''s blind date.


    Speaking of this, Wei Jianwei was 28 this year. Four years ago, his age was already old for men in the countryside so Wang Chunhua arbitrarily gave him a match, and that was Zhang Yurong, an educated youth.


    Although the educated youths are from the city, there''s no way and no hope that they can return to the city sooner. So many educated youths choose to marry locally.


    Although Wei Jianwei was born in the countryside, he was already promoted in the army and his conditions are fairly good.


    The thing here is, there exists the original owner, He Xiaoyun. She is about the same age as Zhang Yurong and even looked better than her. She has always been the target of the team''s young men to pursue.


    But after Zhang Yurong came, people compared the two of them and said that Yurong was way nicer and literate than her. He Xiaoyun took this as a provocation and opposed Zhang Yurong whenever they met.


    When others introduced Zhang Yurong to Wei Jianwei, The He family was also preparing to introduce him to the original. When the original saw this, she became uneasy, that''s why later, she pretended to fall into the water and relied on Wei Jianwei to rescue her.


    After Wei Jianhua said that, not only did the atmosphere improve, it became stranger. He then added, "Ms. Zhang taught me for a year. She plays the violin very well and is patient..."


    Seeing no one speaking, he became silent. After bowing his head and taking a bite on the meat, he remembered the entanglement between his second brother, his second sister-in-law, and teacher Zhang.


    Wei Jianhua closed his eyes and wished to slap himself on the cheeks several times. How could he forget about this!


    Indeed, you shouldn''t open your mouth carelessly!


    If his second sister-in-law quarreled with his second brother because of this, he won''t be able to forgive himself.


    He Xiaoyun didn''t feel anything regarding Wei Jianhua''s words, she wasn''t the original owner anyway, why would she care about that?


    Moreover, as far as she knew, Wei Jianwei and Zhang Yurong has nothing to do with each other.


    Seeing that Wei Jianhua was still upset, she simply stood up, "I''m going to the river to wash my hands. You two eat slowly."


    As soon as she walked away, Wei Jianhua put the meat on his bowl to his second brother. "Brother, eat more."


    Wei Jianwei didn''t say a word, he still ate his share of food.


    Seeing him not saying a word, Wei Jianhua became frustrated and had no choice but to continue giving Wei Jianwei meat pieces that his second sister-in-law gave him. One, two, three pieces. Looking at the fragrant meat leaving his bowl, Wei Jianhua wanted to weep.


    "Second brother, please say something." Wei Jianwei finally condescendingly glanced at him. "Speak less. Eat more."


    "Okay." Wei Jianhua sniffed and nodded. Thinking of the pieces of meat that he had given away, his heart trembled in hurt.


    When they finished eating, He Xiaoyun sat down on the river, washed her hands, and brought the dishes home. Wei Jianhua watched He Xiaoyun walked away, he looked at his brother and wanted to inquire if his sister-in-law was angry, but didn''t dare ask.


    After returning home and preparing to wash the dishes, He Xiaoyun found out that there was no water in the water tank.


    Feng Qiuyue said, "I''ll go to the field and ask your elder brother to fetch water."


    "No need for you to go, sister-in-law. I''ll go do it."


    "Our bucket is big, you can''t pick it up." Feng Qiuyue said worriedly.


    "If the bucket is big, I''ll just make sure it wasn''t full." He Xiaoyun responded with a smile.


    The Qingshuihe brigade has no shortage of water. In addition on the river at the foot of the mountain, there are three wells on the team. The people on the team usually washed clothes in the river and washed vegetables with the groundwater in the well.


    The water at home was refilled by Wei Jianwei a few days ago. He probably forgot about it because of the planting of rice seedlings on the field.


    He Xiaoyun picked up the pole and two buckets and walked to the closest well to the house. Wei Yuanhang followed her like a little tail.


    The well is close to the river, and the people planting the seedling just finished eating and were resting. The child''s eyes are good and he quickly found his family.


    "Dad! Uncle!"


    Wei Jianhua saw his little nephew and his second sister-in-law carrying buckets, so he wanted to help and stand up, "Is there no water at home? Let me help sister-in-law." But there are people around him that are one step faster.


    Wei Jianwei picked his hat on the branch, wore it in his head, and strode over.


    The bucket at home is deep and made of iron. A bucket of water is thirty or forty catties in weight. He Xiaoyun shook the bucket twice in the well. After filling the bucket, she lifted it up and found it difficult. When she was preparing to pour out some water, a hand stretch out to stop her.


    "Eh?"


    She turned her head to take a look and found that it was Wei Jianwei. The two were a little close and she could see his profile under the hat, cold and silent.


    He Xiaoyun wanted to speak but didn''t know what to say.


    "Dad is amazing!" Wei Yuanhang leaped beside them and clapped his hand vigorously.


    At this point, Wei Jianwei had already filled the other bucket, picked up the pole, hooked the two buckets, and easily lifted it up and walked forward.


    He Xioayun has no choice but to lead Wei Yuanhang to keep up. Passing by the fields, a few people resting saw their family of three walking by, someone even joked, "I saw Jianwei in a hurry. It turned out he was carrying water home, you really loved your wife, Jianwei?"


    He Xiaoyun walked behind and couldn''t see what Wei Jianwei''s expression was. But the man turned his head and nodded at the person talking and walked away quickly.


    She also glanced over there, Zhang Yurong, whom Wei Jianhua was talking about was also looking at them. She seemed to noticed He Xiaoyun''s gaze and looked over, but then turned away and continued talking to the person beside her.


    The water well was about three to four hundred away from home. There were paddy fields on both sides of the road. He Xaioyun was blocking the sunlight with her hands when her eyes fall on the back of a certain someone.


    The Wei family members are generally born taller. Wei Jianwei seems a little bit stronger too. His clothes are soaked in sweat and stuck to his back.


    The broad and thick back muscles rise and fall with his steps. If he didn''t turn his head, she wouldn''t be caught looking, right? He Xiaoyun thought so and deliberately glanced at his back repeatedly.


    She then said in her heart, ''If you have the ability, have eyes behind your back!''


    -----

 CH 8

    It''s been sunny for two to three days. When the planting of the seedlings was almost done, it rained. It rained early in the morning on the fourth day. The rain was strong so the people who were planting had to stay at home.


    When people suddenly became idle, it made them feel a little uncomfortable. He Xiaoyun remembered that their bedroom hasn''t been cleaned for many days. She carried a bucket of water and planned to wipe the bedside and closet.


    In the bedroom, her spot and Wei Jianwei''s site are different. The bed and the wardrobe belong to her and the table desk and the suitcase belong to him. As for Wei Yuanhang, there are traces of him everywhere.


    After cleaning her own place, He Xiaoyun looked at Wei Jianwei''s side, remembering that this man helped her carry the water before, she felt that she shouldn''t be so petty, so she twisted the towel again and wiped the other side.


    When wiping the table, she found a book lying on the side. He Xiaoyun knew that Wei Jianwei would sometimes read a book at night. Looking at the book in front of her, she thought of her ambition on passing the college entrance examination. she couldn''t help but flip through it


    This book is one of the volumes of |One Hundred Thousand Why''s|. He Xiaoyun originally thought it was funny. Wei Jianwei, an elder that was not too young was still reading this kind of children''s book.


    But it turns out to be different. The current |One Hundred Thousand Why''s| actually teaches people how to use firearms and military tactics!


    He Xiaoyun had originally flip through it casually but after reading a few pages, she put the towel aside unknowingly and read the book seriously.


    When she noticed that Wei Jianwei had walked in, it was too late to put the book down.


    "Um..." She was found using the other party''s things, she felt a little guilty and then explained in a low voice, "I intend to clean the table for you."


    Wei Jianwei glanced at the book in her hand and didn''t say anything. H walked forward and opened a drawer of the desk before digging out a comic strip inside and handing it to Wei Yuanhang who came in behind him.


    He Xiaoyun''s eyes became dazzled. She hasn''t moved the desk much. Before Wei Jianwei came back, every time she cleaned the bedroom, she only wiped the surface. She never knew that the three drawers of the desk were stuffed full. of. books!


    "Mom! Dad gave me a comic book!" Wei Yuanhang happily said, showing off the comic strip in his hand.


    He Xiayun nodded absent-mindedly, her heart was already taken away by Wei Jianwei...''s books.


    This era advocates that reading is useless. Many people don''t like reading and students didn''t have any tutoring materials other than textbooks. Some schools don''t even teach textbook knowledge. The students basically read for half a day and they''re free whatever they want at the other half of their time.


    During the time He Xiaoyun appeared here, she hadn''t seen a book, only when Wei Jianhua was at home on the weekend two days ago.


    As a result, Wei Jianwei, a soldier who can''t even be regarded as an educated youth, has so many books. Why wasn''t she too surprised?


    After finishing the sanitation of the bedroom and walking to the main room, the neighbor Aunt Zhang and her granddaughter Yanyan came to visit. Wei Yuanhang and Yanyan were leaning together to look through the comic strip.


    Wang Chunhua and Feng Qiuyue were knitting sweaters while chatting with Aunt Zhang


    He Xiaoyun took a small stool and sat under the eaves to watch the rain. In the dense rain curtain, the mountains in the distance and the fields nearby seemed to be covered with a thin veil.


    Aunt Zhang suddenly mentioned the fool at the head of the village. Someone led him to the commune next door where a fool was also living. "If they can birth a normal child, even if my sister-in-law is gone, she can peacefully close her eyes,"


    The old sister-in-law in Aunt Zhang''s mouth was the mother of the fool. When she was young, her husband died early and she guarded her silly son. Now that she''s getting older, she''s afraid that her son will be left unattended, so she wants her son to marry someone and have a baby.


    While she still can work for a few more years, she will the grandchild, and when she finally goes, the grandchild can continue raising her son


    He Xiayun listened with rapt attention and couldn''t help asking, "What if the child is born abnormally?"


    Both the parents are fools, what is the probability of conceiving a smart child? And even if it did happen, when the child grows up, the elderly grandmother and the fool parents will be weights on their shoulders. How heavy is that burden?


    Aunt Zhang said: "The parents are already born stupid, a good one will always be born next.


    He Xiaoyun became speechless.


    Feng Qiuyue subconsciously touched her bulging stomach, she frowned and said regretfully, "The child born is going to be pitiful."


    "It''s pitiful. Who said it wasn''t?"


    "My old sister-in-law has worked hard for her stupid son all her life. We can only wish that his next life will be good."


    While the women were emotional, the two children, who already finished the comic strip who-knows-when ran to the bedroom and took out the wooden box containing the eggs.


    Wei Yuanhang exclaimed excitedly, "Mom! Come and see, the eggs really became bugs!"


    Seeing him stumbling, He Xiaoyun opened her arms nervously and caught him with the box.


    After catching the eggs that day, Wei Yuanhang took the wooden box to the room. During the past two days, he took it from time to time to look at. It was just that the eggs never hatched.


    The child lost patience and threw the box behind his mind. But today, he showed Yanyan the box and the eggs were already hatched.


    He Xiaoyun looked at the box, five insects have hatched out of six eggs. One egg remained silent and probably would remain that way.


    The newly born insects were light yellow and had some burrs on its body. They crawled on the rotten leaves that were left for several days.


    "I''ll pick vegetables for the little bugs!" Wei Yuanhang ran to the kitchen as he said that. He tore off a leaf from a cabbage that was picked this morning, Yanyan followed his movement closely and also tore off a piece.


    When Aunt Zhang saw this scene, she hurriedly stopped her granddaughter, "Yanyan! Don''t pick it up!"


    "It doesn''t matter." Wang Chunhua waved her hand, "A few leaves of cabbage were not valuable. You didn''t know but the second child is the one who likes to indulge the child. Making a wooden box and raising the insects, he doesn''t look like an adult at all."


    Aunt Zhang Laughed upon hearing this, "Jianwei has a lot of ideas. No one but him can think of raising insects."


    "Farts have ideas." Wang Chunhua took a sip of water and smiled.


    He Xiaoyun helped the children replace the cabbage leaves on the box. The two children leaned their heads to watch and she also observed for a while. It was boring, remembering the books in the drawer, she ran back to the room.


    Wei Jianwei sat at the table and was reading a book. He Xiaoyun walked in casually, made the bed, touched the closet, flicked the non-existent dust on the mosquito net, and coughed a few times, yet the person at the table was calm and motionless.


    She couldn''t hold back anymore and stomp her feet while approaching the table.


    The light was blocked and the other party finally raised his head.


    He Xiaoyun squeezed a smile off on her face, "Can you lend me a book?"


    He Xiaoyun recalled her attitude towards Wei Jianwei in the past few days. Although it wasn''t thoughtful and enthusiastic, it was a proper courtesy.


    Wei Jianwei behaved generously, he opened the drawer and took out a large stack of comics from the inside, |Journey to the West|, |Romance of the Three Kingdom|, |Water Margin|, and the |Dream of Red Mansions|, Four masterpieces.


    He Xiaoyun stared at the stack of books. The other party showed Wei Yuanhang the |Journey to the West| just now. What did this man mean? That she looks so uneducated that she can only read children''s books?


    "Don''t be like this, I can also read."


    Wei Jianwei then took out a copy of |Selected Essay for Primary School Students|, but seeing that she didn''t respond, he took out another copy of |Juvenile Literature and Art|.


    He Xiaoyun saw it, this guy was being deliberate!


    In that case, she would stop being polite and civilized with him. She simply rolled her sleeves and took a look by herself. Well, she picked the |Youth Travel Manual|, this one is worthy of her level!


    The two sat and continued reading their book. In the hall, Aunt Zhang saw that she went back to the room and there was no movement, she couldn''t help asking Wang Chunhua: "Did Xiaoyun and Jianwei reconciled?"


    In the past, she used to be in her own home next door, and at each end of the day, she would always hear the blatant voice of this second daughter-in-law. To be honest, she privately felt that this second daughter-in-law was shrewd and blatant but was actually stupid.


    Anyone with eyes can tell that Jianwei will have a great future. With such a husband, why was she always quarreling with him over nothing? Isn''t this losing the watermelon and picking up sesame seeds?


    Speaking of this, Wang Chunhua''s smile diminished. But she can see that the other party did change a lot these days, She didn''t want to display their dirty laundry in front of others and said, "Young people nowadays, it''s better for them to still quarrel."


    "That''s it," said Aunty Zhang. "My stinky boy had a quarrel with his wife the day before and he looked so good waking up this morning. I said he was a dog and has a bad temper."


    "Where are the puppies?" Wei Yuanhang was playing next to them. Hearing the second half of the sentence, he asked them immediately.


    Aunt Zhang became amused and decided to tease him: "There are no puppies here but only children. Your parents are planning to give birth to little sisters for you in the bedroom."


    Wang Chunhua patted her and said with a smile, "Be serious, don''t tell children about this kind of thing."


    "What are you afraid of? He doesn''t understand it." Aunt Zhang''s smile widened more


    Indeed, the child didn''t really understand but he has a good memory. That night, Wei Yuanhang was playing on his dad''s bed when he suddenly remembered what Aunt Zhang said, he turned and asked, "Where is my little sister?"


    Wei Jianwei looked down at him and then stared at He Xiaoyun.


    On the other side of the bedroom, He Xiaoyun was also at a loss, "What little sister?"


    Wei Yuanhang said loudly, "Aunt Zhang said that you and father are planning to give me a little sister!"


    He Xiaoyun almost choked to death with her saliva. She took the child back to the bed in two steps, stopped her reading, and coaxed the child to sleep.


    -----

 CH 9

    When the spring plowing is finished, it''s already late April. Seeing that the Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, Wang Chunhua is going to buy some glutinous rice dumplings.


    It just so happened that the weather was getting hot. Wei Yuanhang wore the same clothes from the year before last summer. By this time, he was still too small to wear them and they needed to be remade.


    They also made one or two clothes for the child in Feng Qiuyue''s belly. Wang Chunhua simply took out the food stamps and cloth stamps at home and lets her two daughters-in-law take a trip to the county.


    He Xiaoyun was excited when she got this task. She had been here for such a long time but the furthest she''d go was her mother''s house. She had long wanted to go out and have a look.


    Moreover, since she decided to take the college entrance examination, she secretly set a few small goals for herself. The most recent one is to find some related books first. She wanted to go to the bookstore in the county.


    The night before, she took out the living expenses previously given by Wei Jianwei. When she got it that day, she directly hid the envelope in the closet, without seeing how much money was inside.


    Tearing the envelope open, five pieces of Great Unity were revealed inside. He Xiaoyun gazed at the money and her heart started beating faster.


    Fifty yuan, in her time, may not be enough for a meal, but here, more things can be bought.


    For a catty of pork that costs eight cents, she can buy more than sixty catties of meat. For an egg that costs five or six cents, she can buy more than 800 eggs.


    Of course, these things require tickets and cannot be bought randomly. Just now, she asked her first sister-in-law how much money was needed to take a back and forth trip.


    The travel to commune cost 25 cents per trip, which means it cost 50 cents back and forth. She had fifty yuan, which means she can take a hundred buses back and forth! She''s rich!


    Wei Jianwei, who can give her so much money has become the representative of the local tyrants in He Xiaoyun''s heart.


    As for whether it would be bad to spend other people''s money, He Xiaoyun had struggled for a long time before picking up the envelope.


    Some problems are inherently hard to be calculated seriously. If she continued to struggle with this kind of thing, she probably won''t survive in this era.


    Besides, she had also thought about it. The money she borrowed from Wei Jianwei will be returned to him when she gained her income from her future work.


    So for now, she has no psychological burden of spending the money and just immerses herself in the joy of being rich.


    When He Xiaoyun woke up early the next morning and was about to go out, Wei Yuanhang acted like a baby and said he wanted to go with her. Thinking that the child didn''t need a ticket anyway, Wang Chunhua waved her hand and approved of it.


    On the way, He Xiaoyun made an agreement with the child: "Let''s talk about it first. After arriving there, no matter what you see, you are not allowed to say you wanted to buy it. You can only look at it. Otherwise, I won''t let you follow in the future, do you understand?"


    Wei Yuanhang happily jumped around her and nodded, "I know!"


    He was probably happy to be able to come out to play. It took half an hour to walk from the brigade to the commune and she didn''t see him complaining that he''s tired.


    When the commune arrives in the county, there are two busses. One to go in the morning and the one that will go back in the afternoon. If someone were to miss the bus, they can only walk back.


    Of course, some people choose to walk for two hours to save 50 cents.


    Wei Yuanhang sat on the bus for the first time as if he was Grandma Liu that entered the Grand View Garden. Sitting on He Xiaoyun''s lap and looking around, he keeps asking He Xiaoyun what is that. When the car started, his mouth couldn''t stop chattering.


    He Xiaoyun who was holding the little chatterbox just want to give him to others.


    The car bumped all the way and the passengers staggered in the bus seat. Although the county is considered to be a city, the place is not big, and there is no trace of tall buildings.


    There is only one street with shops. The most conspicuous one is the supply and marketing agency at the intersection, and it also took the name of a department store.


    In her previous life, He Xiaoyun was a person who lived in a big city. In her view, this place has nothing to do with prosperity. But after staying in Qingshuihe for a long time, it''s hard to see the previous life''s scenery.


    The places of this era are not what she has seen before, so it is inevitable to look left and right. As for Feng Qiuyue and Wei Yuanhang, they are even more dazzled.


    He Xiaoyun calmed her mind first and pointed directly at their destination, the department store in front of them, "Let¡¯s go and buy what we need first, and then we take a look at the place later."


    When they entered the department store, the three of them looked dazzled again. Behind the bright glass window, all kinds of goods were dazzling.


    The salesperson behind the counter was even young and fashionable. He Xiaoyun and Feng Qiuyue, who was the same age were put together in a lively manner.


    After a brief glance, He Xiaoyun held Wei Yuanhang in one hand, and from time to time paid attention to the pregnant Feng Qiuyue. The three of them squeezed to the cloth counter first.


    Because she didn¡¯t know whether the child in her belly was a boy or a girl, Feng Qiuyue didn¡¯t buy any floral cloth. Instead, she chose a piece of blue fabric.


    He Xiaoyun also picked a small piece of blue cloth and a small piece of dark blue cloth. She planned to make clothes for Wei Yuanhang, a small blue shirt, and a pair of dark blue shorts.


    Of course, she doesn''t have that much time to sew, she will have to trouble Feng Qiuyue at that time.


    After buying the children''s fabric, the two adults looked at the colorful silk scarves behind the counter. In the eyes of the previous He Xiaoyun, this kind of silk scarf was earthy and vulgar.


    But if you see gray and black dresses every day, you will probably be envious of these cheesy rainbow colors.


    After that, they went to buy glutinous rice and then went shopping in the store for a while.


    Wei Yuanhang obeyed their early agreement. He looked at the colorful candies and all kinds of novelties that he had never seen before.


    Although he said a word or two that he wanted to buy something, if the adult doesn''t buy it, he won''t fussed about it. In the end, He Xiaoyun couldn''t bear it herself, so she bought him a bunch of candied haws, which made the child happy.


    After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, they walked around the street. He Xiaoyun went into a bookstore and take a look. The bookstores in the small county have very few types of books, most of them are "The Chairman''s Quotations" and the like. There are no textbooks for students, and there are no tutorial materials.


    He Xiaoyun couldn''t hide her disappointment. Seeing that it was getting late, they had to walk back to the station.


    There is a recycling station next to the station. When waiting for the bus, He Xiaoyun rushed to the recycling station to find old textbooks.


    She was happy that she managed to find something and then she went to pay with money. "Friends of Military and Civilian Talents".  Although she doesn¡¯t know the specific content is, but thinking that Wei Jianwei might be interested, she still bought the book. The books were bought together and two of them cost 30 cents.


    Back at home, to avoid Wang Chunhua¡¯s eyes, He Xiaoyun transported the two books back to the bedroom undercover. Then put the book in front of Wei Jianwei with great pride and she said, "I''m giving this to you."


    Although the gift was only worth a dime, she didn''t feel it was inappropriate.


    The book is a bit old. Although she wiped the dust off on the surface, it still looks tattered. Wei Jianwei picked it up, looked through the catalog carefully, then raised his head and said to her, "Thank you."


    "It''s not much." He Xiaoyun waved her hands happily and carefully put away her own book.


    When she was about to go out, she thought of Wei Yuanhang''s performance today. To be honest, children nowadays are much pitiful than they were later.


    There are no snacks, no toys, not to mention there are no mobile phones and computers. Give them candy and they will be happy. Thinking of that chubby boy in the store today, He Xiaoyun felt a bit uncomfortable.


    She leaned in front of Wei Jianwei, "I have something to discuss with you."


    In the afternoon, Wang Chunhua got a headache again when she found that her second son had taken out some wood at home and spoiled it.


    The wood was placed there, it was sawn into small pieces. He is saying that it was toys for children.


    Fart toys! He really does what he likes!


    He Xiaoyun hid in the bedroom, listening to Wang Chunhua''s loud voice scolding Wei Jianwei, she keep saying that he was a dead fellow. Fortunately, Wei Jianwei, a fellow daoist was reliable, and he never confessed that she was the perpetrator from the very beginning.


    Wei Jianwei worked carefully and his hands and feet were quick. By the end of the night, he had already made more than two dozen blocks of various shapes.


    He Xiaoyun wiped them clean, she then moved them to the bedroom enthusiastically and said to Wei Yuanhang: "Mom will teach you how to play a new game. Let''s start by building a castle, in the castle..."


    "What is a castle?" Wei Yuanhang curiously asked.


    He Xiaoyun thought about it and explained it in the simplest terms: "It''s just a very big house."


    "Oh." The child nodded understandingly.


    "A dragon is living in the castle, do you know what a dragon is?"


    "I know! I know! There is a dragon in the strip comic!"


    The child has seen the comic strip of "Journey to the West" before. He Xiaoyun guessed that he was talking about the little white dragon in it. Although they are all dragons, the appearance of the Eastern dragon is quite different from that of the Western dragon.


    "Yes," He Xiaoyun nodded, "It''s that kind of dragon. The dragon lives in the castle, and one day it caught a princess."


    "What is a princess?"


    He Xiaoyun waved her hand and was prepared for this question. "A pretty little girl is a princess."


    Wei Yuanhang frowned thoughtfully, and after a while, he clapped his hands excitedly and concluded, "Yanyan is also a princess!"


    He Xiaoyun whispered secretly in her heart: this kid''s mouth is quite sweet, he knows the way to coax the girls.


    As she was about to continue, Wei Yuanhang asked again, "Why did the Dragon catch the princess?"


    He Xiaoyun got stuck and fell into deep thought because of this question. Yeah, why did the Dragon catch the Princess? To give birth to a little dragon?


    But let''s not mention the issue of reproduction. The haplotype difference is enough to be eye-catching. The dragon''s schlong is probably thicker than the princess'' waist.


    He Xiaoyun regretted it a little. She was fine playing with the little child but to find herself a bunch of difficult problems. Fortunately, after thinking about it, she came up with a plausible answer:


    "Because the dragon is very lonely. It catches the princess and accompanies her to play hide and seek."


    Wei Yuanhang nodded, there are no other problems for now.


    He Xiaoyun breathed a sigh of relief and continued: "The dragon caught the princess and locked her in the castle. Now we have to defeat the dragon and save the princess¡ª"


    When her words are not finished yet, the child found another problem, "Why do we need to fight the dragon? Can''t we just play hide and seek with him?"


    He Xiaoyun: "..." She stopped playing.


    -----

 CH 10

    On the second day after returning from the county, Li Yuegui asked for He Xiaoyun to go back to her natal home.


    Worried that something might have happened at her natal home, He Xiaoyun went back that very afternoon.


    She learned that the roof of the house was leaking when it rained for the past few days. Yesterday, when the weather was good, her father went to the commune to pick up tiles to repair the leakage when he accidentally slipped off the roof when he was fixing it.


    The house was not that high, the thing is her father''s feet still got injured. The roof of the house is still unrepaired. Seeing that the rainy season is approaching, Li Yuegui wanted to ask Wei Jianwei if he can help them when he''s free.


    If it happened to an ordinary person; when the wife''s family needed help, the son-in-law will go help without saying a word. He Xiaoyun felt that this was a bit difficult because she and Wei Jianwei are not a normal couple at all.


    She only gifted him a book yesterday and today she wanted him to help. The relationship between the two of them is not harmonious. But the problem at her natal home had to be resolved.


    Throughout the afternoon, she was thinking about how to speak this request to Wei Jianwei. When the evening arrived, Wei Jianwei took the initiative to ask her.


    "What happened?"


    He Xiaoyun hadn''t reacted at first but when she knew he was talking to her, she was a little flattered. This was the first time Wei Jianwei take the initiative to talk to her.


    She didn''t worry anymore and quickly seized the opportunity to talk about the situation, and finally said: "My mother wanted to ask you for help... If it isn''t convenient..."


    "Let''s go tomorrow." Wei Jianwei has no other thoughts about the matter and directly agreed.


    He Xiaoyun rejoiced: "Tomorrow, I will go with you."


    As soon as her worry got resolved, He Xiaoyun''s whole person relaxed and she hummed. Wei Yuanhang flattered on the sidelines, "Mom sings so nicely."


    He Xiaoyun didn''t even notice that she was humming, she was a little bit embarrassed when she heard his praise.


    She picked up the chubby child, slumped her hands quite laboriously, and said, "It''s useless to flatter. When you grow up, I won''t be able to hold you anymore."


    "When I grow up, I will hug you instead!" The child proclaimed loudly and faithfully.


    He Xiaoyun put him on the bed and pinched his little nose, "Who did you learn such glib tongue skills?"


    "My mouth is not full of oil." The child pursed his mouth unhappily.


    "Yo-yo, I didn''t even say that. Why is there no oil?" He Xiaoyun teased him and even tickled his neck.


    Wei Yuanhang immediately rolled over with a laugh: "Hahahaha it tickles...Dad help! Hahahaha tickles..."


    The two of them had a lot of fun and Wei Jianwei seemed a bit deserted reading there, but he didn''t seem to feel it much. After reading a few pages, he raised his head and glanced over the bed, and then continued reading.


    The next day, while making breakfast, He Xiaoyun told Wang Chunhua the matter about going home.


    Wang Chunhua said: "Go early. If you don''t have enough manpower, come back and say, your elder brother is also free anyway."


    "Don''t bother big brother, my dad already repaired some yesterday, so we can fix it today." He Xiaoyun handed Wei Yuanhang to her. After breakfast, she went to her natal home with Wei Jianwei.


    After arriving, they visited to see how her father''s foot injury was. To make sure it was nothing serious, Wei Jianwei climbed the wooden ladder to the roof.


    Li Yuegui asked He Xiaoyun from the bottom: "Have you eaten this morning? The fire in the stove hasn''t gone out yet, I''ll cook two eggs for Jianwei."


    "Don''t cook it now," He Xiaoyun pulled her back, knowing that today''s eggs could not be saved. She didn''t persuade her mother instead she just said: "We just ate before coming here. It''s better to keep those two eggs for noon. You can fry him some poached eggs."


    "Okay." Li Yuegui thought about it and agreed.


    After returning to her natal''s family house, Wei Jianwei was repairing up the roof with tiles. He Xiaoyun helped her mother chop off the cabbage in her plot and put it on the low stone wall for drying. After a few days, they could put it away and make pickles.


    "After harvesting these vegetables, what else do you want to grow?" He Xiaoyun asked her mother as she peeled off the yellowed leaves.


    "Grow some radishes and small rapeseed. Oh... this leaf is still edible." Li Yuegui picked up a leaf that He Xiaoyun had thrown and torn off the yellowed part of the upper head and set it aside.


    As for the leaves that are dropped, they won''t be wasted, they will be fed to the chickens later.


    "Is eldest sister coming back recently?"


    Li Yuegui said: "She didn''t come back, but your aunt did come to the house two days ago and said that she wanted to match your cousin a girl to marry."


    He Xiaoyun recalled who this cousin was, and then asked, "Are you optimistic about it?"


    "No, not so fast. It''s not easy to meet a good girl and the two of them are eye-catching." Li Yuegui said.


    After finishing the dishes, He Xiaoyun took a pot of tea and sent it to Wei Jianwei along the wooden ladder.


    She stood on the wooden ladder and watched him sipping tea, the sweat on his forehead rolled down, she couldn''t help but ask, "Should you come down and rest for a while?"


    "No." Wei Jianwei shook his head, poured himself two bowls of tea, turned around, and continue his work.


    At lunch, Li Yuegui took the spoon and He Xiaoyun started to stir-fry a piece of Chinese sausage left over a year ago. The cabbage just picked today was fried for a dish, and Wei Jianwei was also fried two eggs separately.


    Wei Jianwei was covered in dust and felt that it was inconvenient to eat on the table. No matter what Li Yuegui said, he didn''t get down. He Xiaoyun decided to send the dishes.


    After eating, He Xiaoyun washed the dishes while Li Yuegui stood at the back door to feed the chickens, she turned to suddenly ask her: "Xiaoyuan is now so big, do you and Jianwei plan to have another one?"


    When He Xiaoyun heard this, she subconsciously paid attention to the sound of the roof and made sure that Wei Jianwei was on the other side and couldn''t hear their voices. She relaxed and smiled, "I think one is good enough."


    Li Yuegui frowned, "Is it good to be alone? Just give birth to Xiaohang¡¯s brothers and sisters. So when you two get old, he will have a helper. Why not give birth?"


    He Xiaoyun sighed secretly. She had experienced the marriage urging routine that people often said in her previous life.


    Single women were urged to find a boyfriend, after having a boyfriend they urged you to get married, after getting married they will urge you to give birth to a child, after having a child they urge you to have a second child and even giving birth to a third child.


    Some elders are thinking about having three grandchildren, anyway, in their opinion, as long as they have food, they can support them.


    She is now a little grateful that Wei Jianwei and her is not a normal husband and wife. If others urge her, even if she is willing, he might not agree.


    "Let''s talk about it later." She diverted the topic. Anyway, she will wait for Wei Jianwei to return to the army. Let''s see if there are people who still want to urge her then. She couldn''t give birth alone after all.


    Li Yuegui shook her head, still muttering to herself: "Your elder sister wants to give birth to a son, but you don''t want to anymore. While you''re still young now, you should give birth so your mother-in-law can also help take care of it."


    The older generations like to have more children, especially in the countryside. When there are no brothers to help them, they will be bullied everywhere, so Li Yuegui can''t understand her daughter''s thoughts.


    Before the evening, Wei Jianwei finished the work. Li Yuegui invited them for dinner. Seeing that they didn''t agree, she forcibly stuffed a basket of cabbage and asked them to take it back.


    On the way home, the sun slanted westward, and there were paddy fields on both sides of the road. The seedlings in the fields had only been planted for a few days, but they had begun to sprout.


    "Hey, Xiaoyun, where did you and Jianwei come from?" Two women were passing by when they saw them, one of them asked.


    He Xiaoyun smiled and said, "We just came from my mother, how about you?"


    "Isn''t it raining the other day? We went up the mountain today to pick some wild mushrooms. We were late and didn''t pick much." The woman motioned to He Xiaoyun to her back basket.


    He Xiaoyun take a look and said, "It''s a lot. I haven''t been up the mountain for a few days. I will go up with you in another day."


    "Okay, I will call you then."


    After a few more words, the four separate and gone to each other ways. When they were far away, one woman lowered her voice and said to the other: "He''s back this time, have you seen them quarrel?"


    Looking back at the two people in parallel, the other said: "No, the rice was planted a while ago, and the rice was delivered every day. You think it''s rare?"


    "Isn''t this always the case for husband and wife? The head of the bed is noisy and the end of the bed is harmonious." The two of them whispered and exchanged knowing glances, and giggled.


    At the other end, He Xiaoyun and Wei Jianwei walked to the river bank. Seeing that they would be home after a few steps, he put down the basket and crossed the embankment to the bank.


    "What''s the matter?" He Xiaoyun didn''t know what happened so she followed.


    But then she saw Wei Jianwei squatting down by the river and splashing cold water on his face. He Xiaoyun also washed her hands and squatted aside to look at him.


    Wei Jianwei was holding the water and washed his head, face, and neck. His short hair was covered with drops of water.


    He Xiaoyun looked at his appearance and didn''t know why but she suddenly thought of a duck playing in the water and plunging his head into the water over and over again, washing the feathers on its body.


    As soon as this idea appeared on her head, the more it looked like it and the more she felt like it. Imagining a duck with Wei Jianwei''s face while walking in all directions with a spirited posture, she couldn''t help but laughed.


    Hearing her laugh, Wei Jianwei turned to look at her.


    The drops of water rolled down from his forehead, along the bridge of his nose, along with his cheeks, and then down to his neck. Most of it fell on the placket. The clothes on his chest were already soaked and pressed against his muscles tightly.


    The last time she saw this familiar picture, He Xiaoyun lost a lot of momentum and failed miserably. This time she learned her lesson and straightened her waist.


    She wasn''t seen looking anyway, why is she feeling guilty? You can''t lose in this round! You must hold on! It depends on this time whether you can find your place back.


    After repeatedly cheering herself up in this way, He Xiaoyun turned her neck to him, not only did she not look away but also looked up and down at him. She suppressed the urge to blush and asked him, "What?"


    Don''t think that using the same trick twice can still be useful, she won''t be tricked anymore! In the end, Wei Jianwei looked away first.


    He Xiaoyun let out a big sigh of relief, only to realize that she had been holding her breath, her heart pounding because of poor breathing.


    Before she could be relieved, Wei Jianwei suddenly pulled up the collar of his clothes, proceeded to take off his shirt, and plunged into the water with his bare sturdy chest.


    He Xiaoyun exclaimed, hurriedly covering her eyes and running away.


    This smelly rascal! Surely he did this on purpose! He Xiaoyun secretly smiled when she saw him entering the water.


    -----

 CH 11

    A few days before the Dragon Boat Festival, He Xiaoyun went up to the mountain but didn''t pick many wild vegetables, she found an ownerless bayberry tree instead.


    The bayberry is not big, only the size of a thumb finger. It hangs red on the branches and can make people drool.


    He Xiaoyun climbed the tree, she then spotted a big and red bayberry. She took it off and put it in her mouth in two mouthfuls. The next second, her face crumpled into a frown.


    It''s too sour. No wonder there are a lot of fruits hanging on the tree but wasn''t picked yet.


    Anyway, it was the only fruit that she had eaten these days, He Xiaoyun wrinkled her face and still swallowed it wholeheartedly. She didn''t dare try to eat one again but looking at the red fruit on the tree, she was too reluctant to just give it up, she picked some and placed it in her pocket, and took it home.


    Wang Chunhua was packing rice dumplings. Though there were still a few days before the Dragon Boat Festival, the commune high school won''t be closed that day. She was afraid that her younger son wouldn''t be able to eat the rice dumplings.


    When He Xiaoyun stepped into the courtyard with bayberries in her arms, she saw Wei Yuanhang was pouting and playing in the mud by the small vegetable garden while Wei Jianwei chopped firewood in the courtyard and cooked rice dumplings for a while.


    She rolled her eyes, walked towards Wei Jianwei with a smile, picked out a red bayberry from her pocket, and handed it to him, "Here."


    Wei Jianwei stopped his work and looked at the bayberry in front of him, and then at her smile without moving.


    Wei Yuanhang, who was next to them, saw this scene and ran over, he curiously asked: "What is that? Mom, I want to eat one too!" He pulled He Xiaoyun''s sleeves and stood on tiptoes to look.


    Fearing that the chubby boy might leak her scheme, He Xiaoyun didn''t care about anything else anymore and hurriedly stuffed the bayberry into Wei Jianwei''s mouth. She thought that the other party wouldn''t let her succeed but she didn''t expect that he would actually open his mouth to take it.


    He Xiaoyun was surprised but she was soon immersed in the anticipation of seeing his face turning ugly, she''s waiting for him to spit out with sour teeth. Let''s see if you still keep that calm face all day long!


    She watched as Wei Jianwei chew the bayberry in a few mouthfuls, his expression not changing at all.


    "Huh?" He Xiaoyun frowned in confusion and stared at him, she then picked a bayberry in her pocket. What''s the matter? Isn''t his bayberry sour? Could it be her own bad luck that she ate a sour one?


    Wei Yuanhang yelled in a hurry: "Mom is partial and only feeds Dad!"


    While He Xiaoyun was wondering, she heard this. She glanced at Wei Yuanhang and thought of doing another experiment with him. This is what you asked for, chubby boy. If you suddenly cried, don''t blame your mother for being partial.


    She picked the reddest one for Wei Yuanhang.


    The child took it and hurriedly put it into his mouth and chewed it, the smile on his chubby face disappeared. The child tried to chew it again and finally gave up by spitting it up: "It''s so terrible, so sour!"


    He Xiaoyun originally wanted to see Wei Jianwei be a joke but it changed to Wei Yuanhang, she couldn''t stop laughing when she saw the chubby boy, and his dramatic expression changes just now.


    Wei Yuanhang¡¯s cry shocked Wang Chunhua. She walked out of the kitchen and saw her little grandson screaming and jumping around. Her second daughter-in-law was smiling, leaning forward and backward due to laughter, even her second son was smiling.


    It''s not easy to talk to her daughter-in-law but she''s not polite to her son. She cursed at the moment: "How old are you? You''re still playing with the child. Hurry up and finish cutting the firewood, I will use it soon!"


    After speaking, Wang Chunhua took Wei Yuanhang to the kitchen and stuffed him with a candied date.


    He Xiaoyun held back a smile and heard Wei Yuanhang pitifully complaining to his grandmother, saying that his father was really bad because he hadn''t warned him. She couldn''t help laughing but she was afraid of being heard by Wang Chunhua, so she lowered her voice and told Wei Jianwei: "I heard it and he said you are the worst, even tricking a child."


    Wei Jianwei can only bow down his head to this kind of practice.


    The remaining bayberries were washed by He Xiaoyun and placed on Wei Jianwei''s table. The snow-white porcelain bowl is filled with bright red fruits, which are good-looking. Since he can eat it without changing his expression, he should eat more.


    Wei Yuanhang''s young heart was traumatized and he stayed beside Wang Chunhua until he had lunch before coming to He Xiaoyun again.


    "Mom, why doesn''t the little bug move?" He was holding the wooden box of insects.


    He Xiaoyun took a closer look. The insects in the box had grown a lot and the color had turned turquoise. It was fat and fleshy. At first, it was a bit disturbing but after a long time, it was now a bit weird and cute.


    "It''s about to form into a pupa. It builds a small house to wrap itself up and the insects will transform secretly in it, then they will become butterflies and fly out in a few days." She patiently explained to the child.


    Wei Yuanhang asks: "Why do they secretly transform? Why can''t we watch it?"


    "You can''t watch it. It will become shy when you are watching and won''t become a butterfly."


    "Oh..." The child nodded understandably. He Xiaoyun asked him to put the wooden box away and leave it alone for a few days and just wait for the butterfly to fly out.


    Today is Saturday and Wei Jianhua will arrive at home in the afternoon. Wei Yuanhang is very close to this young uncle and he will be around him as soon as he comes back.


    Wei Jianhua has also a child''s disposition. He put the child on his shoulders and walked around while holding him. The yard was full of Wei Yuanhang''s chuckles.


    "Be careful, don''t fall!" Wang Chunhua didn''t feel relieved. Feng Qiuyue smiled and said, "Jianhua is well-measured.


    "It''s weird if he is." Wang Chunhua said, thinking of her second son deceiving her little grandson in the morning, she couldn''t help but mumble, "Jianwei is the same as Jianhua. He usually looks quite calm but he is actually playful ."


    He Xiaoyun quietly stuck her tongue out. A few of them are picking soybeans, they began picking out the good ones before soaking them overnight. Wang Chunhua plans to make some tofu tomorrow.


    After picking the beans, there was no other work for them to do, so He Xiaoyun went back to the bedroom to read a book.


    She picked up the book again, except for Wei Jianwei and Wei Yuanhang, no one knew that Wei Jianwei was not a talkative person. It is very early for the resumption of the college entrance examination policy, He Xiaoyun doesn''t want other people to know of her plans yet. Even if someone asks later, she''s just going to say that she became interested in reading books.


    After a while, Wei Yuanhang ran in after playing profusely, he leaned against He Xiaoyun, "Mom..."


    He called her without saying anything. He Xiaoyun knew he was sleepy. This child sleeps a lot. He woke up early in the morning and played around every day, and consumed a lot of energy. Wei Yuanhang had to sleep for a while almost every afternoon.


    He Xiaoyun wipe off the sweat on Wei Yuanhang''s body, she then took him to the bed and covered him with the quilt, and gently patted him with one hand. Wei Yuanhang quickly fell asleep in a daze.


    He Xiaoyun sat on the side of the bed and flipped through a book. Wei Jianwei was a little farther away, sitting at the table, the wind of early summer blowing in from outside the door, comfortable and quiet.


    The child suddenly uttered a few babbles in his sleep. He Xiaoyun listened intently and found that he was saying "So sour...sour..."


    She couldn''t help turning her head to look at Wei Jianwei. The man happened to look over and the two of them looked at each other for a while, "Puff ha ha ha..." He Xiaoyun couldn''t help but laugh again.


    Wei Jianwei hooked the corner of his mouth with a smile in his eyes.


    "Why is sister-in-law laughing?" A head suddenly entered outside the door and Wei Jianhua walked in, "Where is Xiaoyuan?"


    "He just fell asleep." He Xiaoyun still smiled.


    Wei Jianhua lowered his voice and asked silently, "I just heard sister-in-law laughing, what''s so funny?"


    If only her second sister-in-law laughed, he wouldn''t be so curious. The key is that his second brother was also laughing, that is the surprise.


    When Wei Jianhua mentioned this, He Xiaoyun had the urge to laugh again and only said: "Ask your brother."


    Wei Jianhua was secretly surprised. When did his second sister-in-law ever mention his second brother in such a pleasant manner? When he came back last time, he found that the atmosphere between the two had really changed a lot.


    He noticed it when he walked in. It seemed that as soon as he came in, he became the light bulb in the room. He saw his second sister-in-law smiled and his second brother is also smiling, so he scratched his head with curiosity.


    He couldn''t help but approached Wei Jianwei and said, "Second brother, please tell me."


    Wei Jianwei didn''t look at him, "Aren''t you busy?"


    Wei Jianhua couldn''t help but secretly curl his lips. Look at this cold and ruthless brother! Look at his attitude towards him! It''s like autumn wind sweeping the fallen leaves. Look at the difference he is being treated, the most hateful thing is that he didn''t hide it at all!


    But Wei Jianhua didn''t dare to complain, and honestly said: "I''m here to borrow a book from you."


    Wei Jianwei opened the drawer and let him find it himself. The book was found but Wei Jianhua was still reluctant to depart, he then looked for words, "Second Sister-in-law, what book are you reading?"


    "Just take a look," He Xiaoyun smiled, "I read a few books with your second brother last time. It''s not bad to pass the time when I''m bored."


    Wei Jianhua didn¡¯t want to continue expressing his surprise. His second sister-in-law, who has always look extremely sharp, actually reads a book like a young intellectual and regarded the books as a pastime.


    If he came to borrow a book, he could only borrow one book at most from his second brother but his second brother let his second sister-in-law picked a book so casually. What''s wrong with this world?


    Wei Jianhua felt that he was maligned. When he looked up and saw the bright red bayberries on the table, his eyes lit up, "Where''re these bayberries came from?"


    "Just picked up from the mountains this morning." He Xiaoyun smiled.


    "Can I have one?" Wei Jianhua''s paws were ready to move.


    He Xiaoyun was about to remind him that it was sour but when Wei Jianwei nodded in agreement, she commented, "It tastes good."


    When Wei Jianhua heard the comment, he didn''t doubt it at all. He picked up one and threw it into his mouth. In an instant, his face wrinkled into folds.


    He Xiaoyun tried to endure her laughter.


    "Second brother! We are brothers, how can you do this--" Wei Jianhua complained.


    Wei Jianwei was merciless: "Keep your voice down."


    Wei Jianhua felt very wronged.


    -----

 CH 12

    The soybeans were soaked overnight so that they became swollen. The next day they were taken to the threshing ground and grind into soy juice with a stone mill.


    When the soy milk was being boiled, Wei Yuanhang hovered nearby the stove, when the soy milk was boiled, Wang Chunhua filled him with a bowl and put a small spoonful of sugar.


    Just after sending him away, He Xiaoyun bought tofu with white vinegar, when the bean curd gradually formed, Wei Jianhua came, just like his three-year-old nephew, he peeked into the pot.


    Wang Chunhua said in a frustrated voice: "Just how old are you? Still greedy." While saying that, she also gave him a bowl of tofu and after thinking about it, Wang Chunhua simply served a bowl to everyone in the family and made a special sauce.


    The freshly baked tofu flowers are white, tender, and slippery, the fragrance of soybeans is a rare delicacy these days.


    He Xiaoyun felt that she was a bit deprived. She was not a greedy person before but now she wants to have another one after eating a bowl. She touched her belly and sighed that it was all caused by a lack of resources.


    There were more than one who had the same idea as her and wanted to have another one after eating. Wei Jianhua and Wei Yuanhang took empty bowls and ran to the kitchen again. The smaller one got half a bowl, but the larger one was rejected by Wang Chunhua. He was politely driven out.


    Wei Jianhua was not discouraged either, his eyes rolled, and he ran to coax his little nephew.


    When the tofu is ready, Wang Chunhua asked for He Xiaoyun to give a piece to Aunt Zhang next door. The two families live close to each other. Neighbors will give each other something they usually have.


    When Wei Yuanhang heard that someone was going to Yanyan''s house, he also came over.


    Aunt Zhang¡¯s yard is smaller than that of Wei¡¯s. There''s also a small vegetable garden in the yard. At this time, she squatted in the vegetable garden to weed. Seeing He Xiaoyun coming to the door, she asks: "Yo, what are you giving me?"


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "Mother just made a plate of tofu. We will give you some to taste."


    "Your mother is really generous. There are so many people in your family, why are you still sending some to me?" As said that, Aunt Zhang stood up hurriedly and wiped her hands on the apron, she then took He Xiaoyun''s bowl. "This bowl will be cleaned. I''ll send it to you again."


    "Okay." He Xiaoyun simply nodded. Wei Yuanhang had already run into the house by himself, looked around inside and outside, and ran out again, "Auntie, where''s Yanyan?"


    "You''re late," Aunt Zhang smiled, "Yanyan went to her grandmother''s house with her mother this morning." The child was a little disappointed.


    Upon seeing this, Aunt Zhang teased him: "You like Yanyan so much. When you grow up, let her be your wife and stay together every day, okay?"


    Wei Yuanhang tilted his head and thought about it seriously, and then asked, "Is it being together during the day and the same at night?"


    Aunt Zhang laughed and said, "Of course we have to be together, otherwise how do we call it husband and wife?" Wei Yuanhang lowered his head to think again.


    He Xiaoyun laughed, "Auntie Zhang is teasing you. Yuanhang, let''s go first."


    "En. You go back first, I will go to talk to your mother in the afternoon."


    The mother and son left Aunt Zhang''s house. Thinking about this time, there is nothing to do when they go back. He Xiaoyun simply took the child for a walk outside.


    When she walked to the riverside, seeing the grass beads grow well, He Xiaoyun picked up a handful, when she was free, she could string two bracelets to play with.


    "Mom, I don''t want Yanyan to be my wife." The child who had been silent suddenly said.


    After hearing this, He Xiaoyun almost fell into the river and supported herself hurriedly. She looked back at Wei Yuanhang''s serious expression, she felt funny: "You really dare to think about it. Aunty was just teasing you and you just take it seriously? Yanyan doesn''t want you yet."


    Without waiting for the child to speak, she asked again: "You tell me, why don''t you want Yanyan to be your wife?"


    Wei Yuanhang frowned, "Because I will sleep on the floor and let her sleep in the bed."


    He Xiaoyun didn¡¯t understand at first, it took a while for her to figure out that it was about the current state of her and Wei Jianwei, which made the little kid think that after getting married, he would give up the bed. The wife comfortably sleeps but he can only sleep on the ground.


    She was a little bit dumbfounded. She wanted to say a few words to fool him. She was worried that the child would continue to misunderstand. She''s also afraid that someone would ask the child one day and let people know that she and Wei Jianwei had been sleeping in separate beds, there were going to be a lot of rumors.


    She thought for a while then she squatted down, and looked at the child, "You don¡¯t have to give her the bed. After you get married, you two will sleep together. Your father slept on the ground because our bed was too small and he was afraid of turning over and overwhelming you. When you grow up a little bit later, you will sleep with your own bed, your dad can sleep on the bed then."


    "Does Dad want to sleep in my place?" Wei Yuanhang asked with wide eyes.


    "It''s not your place, it''s where you sleep for now, and it''s your Dad''s in the future."


    "I don''t want it!" The kid rushed to hug his mother, "I don''t want to separate from my mother, father can continue to sleep on the floor!"


    "Uh..." He Xiaoyun drily laughed. She thought that the chubby kid loved his father who was sleeping on the floor, but then it turned out he was only worried about whether his site would be robbed. It seems that the father and son can also be a plastic relationship.


    They wandered around before returning home to help cook lunch. Suddenly there was the sound of firecrackers outside, it seemed that there were still many people talking.


    Feng Qiuyue walked to the door to take a look, "It''s the Dongtou side, is there anyone having a wedding?"


    Wang Chunhua thought for a while, "Your aunt Zhang mentioned a while ago that it was the fool who got married."


    Feng Qiuyue and He Xiaoyun let out a cry and stopped asking.


    After listening to Aunt Zhang that day, the two of them had chatted privately, and both of them didn''t agree with letting the fools have children.


    He Xiaoyun used to live in an era that emphasized prenatal and postnatal care. Although some people believed that having children is everyone¡¯s right and that even fools should not be deprived of them, most people are more rational. It is a matter of decades. If the child born is also suffering from the disease, who is responsible for his life?


    Feng Qiuyue is about to be a mother. She hopes to give the best to her children, so when she thinks of what a fool''s child will face in the future, she felt a little pity.


    But the fool''s mother did this because of her love for her child, and she was afraid that she would die and no one would care about her son. So in this matter, it''s impossible to tell who is right and who is wrong.


    Unlike the complicated feelings of adults, children only need to have fun.


    As soon as the firecrackers rang, Wei Jianhua took Wei Yuanhang to see the bride. He did not come back until the dinner was about to start. Everyone was holding a handful of peanuts and melon seeds.


    "I''m going to eat, don''t eat those messy things outside. You''re already so big, don''t do something bad and led Xiaoyuan to learn to do this kind of thing every day." Wang Chunhua inevitably has scolded Wei Jianhua again. But looking at the way he was still smiling, he obviously didn''t listen.


    Aunt Zhang came to the house in the afternoon and she talked about the fool''s marriage.


    "I went to see the bustle. The bride looks good, you can''t see anything from her appearance, but her brain is  definitely abnormal."


    Wang Chunhua said, "The silly A Bao is actually quite energetic. If both of them are good, they will match well."


    A Bao is the name of the fool at the east end of the village. Aunt Zhang and Wang Chunhua said it was a pity. There is no entertainment at night in the countryside. After dark, everyone washes up and returns to their bedroom early.


    What He Xiaoyun said to Wei Yuanhang by the river in the morning was already forgotten in her mind. She thought the little kid had also left it behind when she saw the child playing passionately.


    That night, Wei Yuanhang didn''t go to Wei Jianwei to play as usual. Instead, he climbed up to bed to play with building blocks. After playing for a while, he had look at his father. It looked like an evil dragon guarding its gold coins.


    Wei Jianwei noticed it and glanced at him.


    The more Wei Jianwei stare, the more vigilant the chubby kid became. Later he forced He Xiaoyun to the bed and sat in her arms. With her mother and bed beside him, he turned to Wei Jianwei and said, "Dad has his own bed, don¡¯t grab me of this."


    Wei Jianwei was a little confused when he heard this sentence. He asked He Xiaoyun, "What did he say?"


    He Xiaoyun shook her head innocently. There were only two people in the room who knew everything that had happened, it was hard to tell Wei Jianwei what happened in the morning. The kid couldn''t explain it, so she just pretended not to know.


    Wei Yuanhang was also afraid of what he said and hurriedly denied it: "I didn''t say anything, my mother also didn''t say anything. I didn''t say anything, right, mother?"


    His performance was a lively interpretation of what is called "There are no three hundred silver taels here". He Xiaoyun smiled and nodded in cooperation, "Yes, we didn''t say anything. It''s your father who thinks too much."


    The child was then relieved. After a while, he fell asleep. He Xiaoyun lay down for a while and suddenly...she wanted to go to the toilet.


    The dishes in the evening were a bit salty. She drank more water and would go to the toilet before going to bed. But today, Wei Yuanhang kept watching and refused to let her go so she failed.


    She originally wanted to endure it but in the end, she couldn''t. Under her endurance, she felt the need to go more and more. In desperation, she sat up.


    The light in the room was already gone. Wei Jianwei''s figure didn''t move, he probably fell asleep. Not wanting to wake them up, He Xiaoyun didn''t turn on the light but waited for her eyes to adjust to the dimness and then fumbled to stand up.


    The furniture in the room was placed against the wall, only Wei Jianwei¡¯s floor was placed in the middle. She walked slowly along the wall and finally came to the door of the room. She ran out to the bathroom to relieve herself before running back again.


    The night outside was slightly brighter than the inside of the house. She just came in from the outside and the darkness in front of her was darker than before, she couldn''t adjust and see anything.


    He Xiaoyun had to rely on her memory to tentatively move forward in the dark. Turn right first, one step, two steps, three steps... Go to the wall, then turn left, one step, two steps, three steps...It should be fine. He Xiaoyun left the wall and walked in the direction where she thought was the bed.


    One step, two steps, three--


    "Puff--!"


    She fell headlong into Wei Jianwei''s bed.


    -----

 CH 13

    He Xiaoyun fell over and Wei Jianwei moved, she reacted and immediately got up in a hurry, but because it was dark, she didn''t know where the person was, where the bed was. She slipped and stepped on Wei Jianwei a few more times in the meantime.


    In the end, Wei Jianwei sat up and helped her avoid more embarrassment. He Xiaoyun''s face burned like fire and for a while, she began to rejoice that it''s dark and that no one could see her embarrassment, "I''m sorry..."


    Wei Jianwei just hummed and his voice seemed to be deeper than the night. He Xiaoyun quickly slipped back to the bed and pulled the quilt up to cover her face, only revealing a pair of eyes. She held her breath and attentively listened to the movement at the other end of the room, when she heard him lying down, she felt relieved and her breathing slowed.


    The next day, Wei Jianhua went back to school before dawn. Wang Chunhua sent him away and then counted the eggs they had saved in recent days, she decided to go to the market.


    The commune collects food every five days and many people take the eggs and vegetables they grow at home to collect and exchange them for daily necessities such as salt and oil.


    This small-scale private transaction is permitted by the state, but if someone buys the farmers¡¯ eggs and resells them, it won''t work. After being discovered, they will be sent to the quarry for labor reform.


    When He Xiaoyun first came, she also thought about whether she could do something to earn some money. After all, life without money on hand is always frustrating. Later, she passed the quarry by chance and saw those who were "re-education through labor". She immediately dismissed her idea.


    Now she focuses on reading and studying hard to make progress every day.


    She and Wang Chunhua went to the market together. Wei Yuanhang, the little tail naturally followed. In addition to a dozen eggs, they also carried some cabbage and pickles.


    There are many people at the market, there are farmers who sell things like them, and some come from communes and counties to buy things.


    Wang Chunhua chose a place, put down the back basket, and asked He Xiaoyun to show Wei Yuanhang around, "I''ll do it alone here. You and Xiaohang will go shopping to see if there''s anything you want to buy." She said that she wanted to take out some change for them.


    He Xiaoyun hurriedly said, "I have money here."


    "Then you go, don''t go too far."


    He Xiaoyun nodded and led Wei Yuanhang to walk slowly. In fact, there is nothing to look at. The only things that farmers sell are those that are not their own products, but they are picked from the mountains and fished in the water. Pork and grain are not allowed to be traded privately, so they cannot be seen in the market.


    Wei Yuanhang is different. He''s happy as long as he can go out, saying that He Xiaoyun led him around was a lie, in fact, he dragged his mother to run forward, squatting in front of other people''s stalls for a while, watching the live fish in the bucket, and then ran to watch others catch them.


    "Dang¡ªDang¡ªDang¡ª" There was a sound of iron flicks in a corner of the market, and He Xiaoyun looked at it. It turned out that someone was selling maltose, and the stall was surrounded by children.


    Wei Yuanhang''s eyes lit up and he quickly trots over there with her hand. The snow-white maltose is packed in a shallow iron plate. If someone wants to buy it, the stall owner will knock a piece of it with an iron piece and cut it into small pieces.


    He Xiaoyun had eaten this kind of candy when she was a child. At that time, they could bargain it with something they didn''t need at home. She once exchanged a pair of broken shoes for a small piece of candy.


    Although there are many children onlookers, few just actually buy them, because the price of sugar is not cheap. After all, it is made of grain, these days, grain is more precious than anything.


    A child was annoying his mother for a long time, crying and making trouble, insisting on buying sweets. The woman couldn''t help but scold and finally used two eggs for a piece of candy the size of a child''s palm.


    "Mom..." Wei Yuanhang shook He Xiaoyun''s hand and looked at her eagerly. He Xiaoyun said, "Don''t you still have orange candies at home?"


    "But..." The child narrowed his mouth and swallowed exaggeratedly, "I haven''t eaten this candy before." His reason was so straightforward that He Xiaoyun didn''t know how to argue back.


    She didn''t plan to buy it for him. What if he became spoiled? But then thinking about it, who can be spoiled in such a time of nothing? It''s better to spend a little money to cheer up the child, to save him from thinking about it later.


    However, she still told the child in advance, "You can only buy a little bit. After you buy the candy, you can''t buy again."


    "Hmm!" Wei Yuanhang agreed. He Xiaoyun bought a copy for 30 cents, and the stall owner cut it up and wrapped it in the newspaper. She gave the paper bag to Wei Yuanhang, when the child got it, he first gave her a piece, "Mom, eat it."


    He Xiaoyun looked down at him and smiled, bent over and opened her mouth to take it, she then said, "Thank you, remember to give grandma a piece later."


    "I know." The chubby kid nodded, he held the small paper bag and walked and jumped around, when he saw someone selling baby chicks, he squatted and watched for a long time but remembered what He Xiaoyun said, he didn''t make a fuss about buying it.


    The market wasn''t big so the two went to see Wang Chunhua after they went shopping.


    The eggs brought by the family have been sold out. Eggs have always been a hot product. Most of the people who come to buy them are factory workers or grassroots civil servants. Because they need tickets to buy eggs in the supply and marketing cooperatives, they will come to the market to buy them.


    When Wang Chunhua saw that Wei Yuanhang was holding maltose in his hand, she was about to say something when the little grandson had already stuffed a piece of candy in her mouth, "Grandma, eat some candy!"


    She couldn''t say what she wanted to say anymore. The three rushed home before noon. Feng Qiuyue had already prepared lunch and washed the dishes. He Xiaoyun took Wei Yuanhang back to the room.


    After walking for a long time today, the child was obviously tired, otherwise, he would have already run out to play at this time.


    "Mom, where''s Dad?" He Xiaoyun smiled, "Your father has disappeared for most of a day, but you only found out now?" Wei Yuanhang stopped playing with the quilt and asked, "Is my father a soldier again?"


    In the past when Wei Jianwei was away, Wang Chunhua would always point to the pictures in the hall to teach her little grandson that her father would serve as a soldier in the army, and when he returned home, he would bring delicious food. So in the child''s head, if his father is not at home, he went to serve as a soldier.


    He Xiaoyun teased him: "Yes, Dad has gone as a soldier." Wei Yuanhang pouted, "He didn''t even say goodbye to me."


    "Are you reluctant to see your dad left?"


    "Reluctant." The child nodded.


    He Xiaoyun: "Now that dad is gone, you don''t have to worry about him coming to grab your bed."


    The kid thought for a while, his thoughts goes like this: If his father isn''t there, his mother and the bed all belong to him. Although Dad would buy him orange candies and make wooden boxes for him... But compared with his favorite mother and bed, Dad should go as a soldier.


    He figured it all out and loudly said: "Then father should go."


    He Xiaoyun laughed out loud, rubbing his head, and said: "You''re funny. Your father will return to the army, but not now, he went to his comrades-in-arms house today."


    Wei Yuanhang couldn''t understand what the comrade-in-arms meant but it didn''t prevent him from knowing that his mother was lying to him again.


    He snorted and turned over to point at He Xiaoyun and muttered: "Humph! I''m not talking to mom anymore."


    He Xiaoyun stretched out her hand and patted his little ass. The child was still muttering at first but quieted. He Xiaoyun probe him and found the child was already asleep.


    She pulled up his little quilt and covered him with it. The sky was getting darker. He Xiaoyun stood up and got ready to take a book to read but saw Wei Jianwei walk in from outside.


    "You came back so early?" She asked in a low voice. In the morning, she heard that he was going to visit his comrades in the county and thought it would take a whole day.


    Wei Jianwei nodded and glanced at Wei Yuanhang''s back, "Asleep?"


    "Yeah." He Xiaoyun stopped her hand holding the book and decided to go out instead. What happened last night, she still feels a little embarrassed when she thinks about it. This guy is the kind of person who can make you a bad person. If he makes fun of her, then her face will be lost. It''s better to hide.


    Before leaving the room, she remembered to ask, "Have you eaten lunch?"


    Wei Jianwei had walked to the big box and seemed to be looking for something. Hearing her question, he answered, "I have."


    He Xiaoyun walked to the yard, Wang Chunhua happened to come out of the backyard: "Jianwei just came back, I forgot to ask him if he had eaten any food."


    "I asked, he has already eaten."


    "That''s good." Wang Chunhua said, nodding her head secretly. In the past, her daughter-in-law never cared about her son. Now she can ask him whether he has eaten or not. It seems that the relationship between the two is getting better. If the juniors can be in harmony, she''s naturally happy as an elder.


    The vegetables in the yard were harvested for the first two days. You can pick the pickles after they are exposed to the sun. He Xiaoyun laid hands-on Wang Chunhua and spent a long time busy picking up this year''s pickles.


    After that, she went back to the room, ready to call Wei Yuanhang up, to prevent sleep too long during the day and not able to sleep at night.


    Wei Jianwei was no longer there. He Xiaoyun walked to the bed and was about to speak when she suddenly found an iron flashlight next to the pillow. She picked it up and pressed it, and the bright light shone on the bed.


    She had seen this flashlight before, it was placed under the suitcase. Although many people don''t have flashlights in their rural areas because they can¡¯t replace the batteries and small light bulbs, very few people actually use them. This one is in her hand because the battery is empty, has been idle.


    She seems to remember that Wei Jianwei was looking for something in his suitcase. So he bought the battery and replaced it?


    He Xiaoyun was a little touched. Just now, she mistakenly thought that the other party would make fun of her about what happened last night, but he unexpectedly prepared a flashlight for her.


    "You shouldn''t wake me up next time."


    While she was feeling moved, Wei Jianwei appeared from nowhere and said such a sentence.


    The moved heart of  He Xiaoyun was immediately banished by him, this guy is still so annoying!

 CH 14

    The rice in the field isn''t even finished after planting the seedlings. The growth of the seedlings requires a lot of water, they often need to be flooded, and sometimes they have to be watched all night. The first team was assigned the task of looking at the fields for each family. After dinner, that day, the head of the family Wei Zhenxing and his eldest son Wei Jianguo went to Tiantou.


    After dinner and at home, the sky was still very bright. Many people sat at the shades in the courtyard and chat, they will sometimes visit a neighbor''s house.


    Yesterday, Wang Chunhua wanted to replace the bamboo bed at home. She lay on it for a nap at noon in the summer or sat on it to enjoy the cool in the evening. But after the fall and winter, one leg of the bamboo bed was rotted by bugs. The wood is empty, even if there are three good legs left, it''s not enough.


    Wei Jianwei went to chop a Moso bamboo today, preparing to replace the bamboo bed with a new leg.


    While he worked, He Xiaoyun was chatting with both Wang Chunhua and Feng Qiuyue, while Wei Yuanhang rushed to the yard.


    "Xiaoyun, I heard that your uncle''s family wants a daughter-in-law?" Feng Qiuyue asked so suddenly. He Xiaoyun remembered that her mother had mentioned it the last time she went home but she almost forgot. She couldn''t help but be curious: "Sister-in-law knows?


    Wang Chunhua asked: "Could it be... the girl from the commune over Qiuyue?"


    Feng Qiuyue smiled: "Mom is right at the first guess. It''s near my home and she has the same surname as mine. If you count it seriously, she''s still a relative. Her family knows about my relationship with Xiaoyun, so they ask me about your uncle''s condition."


    These years, blind dates are very wary. Not only does the man has to inquire about the woman, but the woman has also needed to understand the man¡¯s family background, character, and relatives clearly. After all, girls value fame more. If the date falls twice, it won''t sound pretty if it''s spread outside.


    He Xiaoyun nodded, knowing that Feng Qiuyue wanted to inquire from her, so she thought about it, and said, "I won''t be polite to my sister-in-law then. The situation of my uncle''s family isn''t very good but he isn''t poor. The family affairs are usually controlled by my aunt. My aunt is good, she has a knife-mouthed but tofu heart and is very protective of her own. Once, dad quarreled with my mom. My aunt gave him a shot and scolded dad face to face. Later, he hid when she saw her. She also had said long ago that if she would have a daughter-in-law in the future. If ever her son quarreled with her daughter-in-law, she would beat the son first!"


    Feng Qiuyue and Wang Chunhua couldn''t help laughing when they heard this.


    "But," He Xiaoyun said, "I didn''t play much with my cousin when I was young. I didn''t know much about his character but I knew he didn''t talk much."


    Wang Chunhua conveniently said: "It''s okay to talk less, just be diligent. If a boy talks a lot, it''s really...just like Jianhua, he really makes my head ache when I get home."


    "Mom is worried again, the third brother isn''t even at home." He Xiaoyun smiled. Wang Chunhua also laughed, "What parents don''t worry about their children? If Xiaoyuan isn''t in front of you for a while, I think you will worry too."


    Wei Yuanhang, who was playing beside them heard his name and ran over, "What did grandma tell me to do?"


    Wang Chunhua hugged him to her lap, "I said your mother would be worried when she sees you out to play."


    After listening to Wang Chunhua, Wei Yuanhang thought about it for a while and looked at He Xiaoyun, "Next time I will take mother to play together!"


    The three adults all smiled.


    "What kind of joke are you all laughing about?" Aunt Zhang took Yanyan and walked in from the door, still carrying a small bamboo basket in her hand.


    "Laughing at you!" Wang Chunhua joked with her.


    As soon as Wei Yuanhang saw Yanyan, he slid off his grandma''s knees and the two little kids held hands to played aside.


    Feng Qiuyue said happily: "He just said that he will bring his mother to play together but when the little girl came, he left us all behind."


    He Xiaoyun shook her head in cooperation and sighed: "You shouldn''t trust the promise of kids."


    Several people laughed again.


    Aunt Zhang sat down and put the bamboo basket on the ground. When she turned her head and saw Wei Jianwei, she asked, "Jianwei can even make bamboo beds?"


    Wang Chunhua shook her head, "He doesn''t, he''s just creating a new leg."


    "That''s already great. Don''t even look at my kid, he wasn''t that good. Jianwei is so skillful, he can do everything, and he has a good job in the army, Xiaoyun will be fortunate in the future."


    He Xiaoyun lowered her head and smiled. Others thought she was embarrassed, but in fact, she wasn''t able to cope in such a situation, so she had to disguise herself as embarrassed.


    Aunt Zhang exaggerated a few more words before pointing to the bamboo basket she had brought and said: "The plum tree in our backyard has grown a lot this year. It was a bit sour to eat but it was quite tasty."


    "Not small." Wang Chunhua wasn''t polite to her either.


    He Xiaoyun got up and carried the plums into the house, she emptied Aunt Zhang''s basket and washed another plate of plums.


    Several people took two of them, Wei Yuanhang also ran over and took one before putting it in his mouth, he took a bite and shivered with sourness, afterward, the taste seemed good, so he took a second bite and shuddered again.


    He Xiaoyun was amused and asked: "Is the plum sour or the bayberry that sour?"


    "It''s both sour." Wei Yuanhang wrinkled his face as he said that, but he was still going to get plums.


    "Only one more or the teeth will be sour." He Xiaoyun gave him another one and was about to sit down. Suddenly remembering that Wei Jianwei hadn''t eaten it yet, she walked towards him.


    "Do you eat plums?" she asked.


    Wei Jianwei was working with the bamboo bed so he only turned his head to her side.


    What''s the meaning of this?


    He Xiaoyun looked at him for two seconds before slowly reacting. This guy wants her to feed him?


    Why does he think so beautiful?!


    She turned her head and was about to leave him when from the corner of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of Wang Chunhua and Aunt Zhang smiling and looking to this side, she then stopped her feet abruptly.


    In their opinion, it''s quite common for young couples to feed their spouse with their hands. It would look abnormal if she left just like that.


    Moreover, Wei Jianwei has no time in his hands. Who told her to talk to him and ask him and then let her behavior be seen...


    He Xiaoyun muttered in her heart and finally took a plum and stuff it into his mouth. She moved very fast, for fear of being bitten on by him. The plum was half blue and not red. Wei Jianwei ate it without changing his face. He Xiaoyun hurriedly carried the plate and walked away, afraid that he would want a second one.


    In the evening, Wei Yuanhang rolled on the bed with a quilt, "Mom, my teeth are so blue."


    "There''s no way to feel comfortable," He Xiaoyun said in an angry voice, "Who told you to eat so many plums secretly?"


    They put the plate of plums on the side when they were chatting. When they turned their heads, they saw that the two children stole them some time, their mouths stuffed like hamsters.


    He''s only suffering from a toothache, not stomach pain, he''s already lucky.


    Wei Yuanhang pouted his mouth and pitifully said, "I will never eat plums again."


    He Xiaoyun wanted to laugh, she''s afraid that when he got up early tomorrow morning, he would forget what he said tonight.


    Wei Jianwei washed outside and went into the room. The child complained to him, "Dad, my teeth are hurting."


    Hearing this, Wei Jianwei came over, pinched the child''s face and looked at his teeth, and said, "It''s fine."


    Wei Yuanhang was on the bed. He Xiaoyun was sitting on the edge of the bed. Only one side of the bed could sit on all sides. As soon as Wei Jianwei walked over, she felt a bit cramped and was about to walk away when the child pulled her clothes. Beep, this monkey is acting like a baby again, "Mom huhuhu..."


    He Xiaoyun had no choice but to call this chubby kid a ''hypocrite'' twice in her heart. Wei Yuanhang was still pulling Wei Jianwei with his other hand didn''t let him go, he kept groaning. Upon seeing this, He Xiaoyun guessed that his body should indeed be a little uncomfortable, otherwise he wouldn''t be so squeamish.


    She changed her position and held the child in her arms, patted his back, and shook it lightly,  "Does your stomach hurt?"


    "It doesn''t hurt." Wei Yuanhang shook his head.


    "No matter what, you can''t eat a lot of plums at once, you know?" He Xiaoyun said, reaching out for his little quilt when Wei Jianwei leaned over and handed her the little quilt.


    She took it, wrapped the child with it, and prepared to hold the child to sleep temporarily.


    "Let me." Wei Jianwei was about to take the child.


    He Xiaoyun shook her head and glanced down. Wei Yuanhang''s eyelids were drooping and his sleepiness was already coming up.


    "I''m going to fall asleep soon," she informed him. Wei Jianwei didn''t go away but sat on the side of the bed. Neither of them spoke. There was only the child''s slight breathing in the room and He Xiaoyun stared at the kerosene lamp on the table slightly in a daze.


    After an unknown period, she came back to her senses and found that the child was already asleep, there was no longer discomfort looking at his expression, so she settled down and put him on the bed.


    The night outside was a bit darker. Originally at this time, Wei Jianwei would have already made his bed and was ready to go to sleep. Tonight, because of Wei Yuanhang, he is still at the side of the bed.


    Seeing that he had never intended to make his bed, He Xiaoyun''s heart suddenly thumped and jumped up. He won''t sleep in a bed tonight, will he?!


    f he really wants to, she has no right to object at all. After all, this is his home and his room. Even the bed belongs to him, but... she just can''t help but panic... She looked around and saw Wei Yuanhang who was snoring on the bed, she couldn''t help but cry: Son, you slept so soundly and left such a big problem for your mother.


    Wei Jianwei stood up. He Xiaoyun acted like a frightened bird. When he moved, she immediately stood up, as if ready to run out at any time. That action was so sudden that Wei Jianwei couldn''t help but glanced at her, "I''m going to Tiantou and will take turns guarding with dad. I''ll come back early tomorrow morning. Please pay attention to our child."


    He Xiaoyun was surprised and she couldn''t speak very well, "You, you won''t sleep at home?"


    "Yeah." Wei Jianwei nodded and put on his rubber shoes. After packing, he was ready to go. He looked back and saw He Xiaoyun still looking at him.


    "Don''t dare to sleep?" he asked.


    He Xiaoyun widened her eyes and choked in one breath, she retorted: "Don''t you dare be a big-headed ghost!"


    It''s a pity that after the other party made fun of her, he had already sneak away.


    -----


    T/N: Wei Jianwei keep teasing his wife~

 CH 15

    The next day, Wei Jianwei didn''t come back until dawn. He didn''t go back to the room, he just changed his clothes and slept on the newly repaired bamboo bed. When Wang Chunhua got up in the morning, she was shocked when she saw a person lying in the hall.


    As soon as she walked in, Wei Jianwei woke up, rubbed his temples, and sat up, "Mom."


    Wang Chunhua knew that he had barely slept and felt a little distressed, "What should I do if you catch a cold while sleeping here? You take a rest, I''ll make you a bowl of porridge, you can drink a bowl and then go back to the room to sleep."


    "I''m not sleepy anymore." Wei Jianwei said. In the army, sometimes during the exercise missions, he wouldn''t be able to sleep for several nights, he could only squint in the daytime. He just slept for a while, now he was full of energy.


    He got up and went to the yard, scooped up the water in the water tank to wash, and then carried the bucket and pole to carry water.


    His father and his brother didn''t have such good energy, although they came back from the field earlier than him, they''re still sleeping. In the room, He Xiaoyun was combing her hair, and Wei Yuanhang was also awake. One night pass and he became active and performed a somersault on the bed with the quilt.


    He Xiaoyun doll herself up and changed his clothes, "Don''t roll around, come and put on your clothes."


    "Mom, my teeth don''t hurt." Wei Yuanhang got up, grinning with joy, he showed his small white tooth at her.


    "Yes, yeah," He Xiaoyun decided to mocked unceremoniously and put his clothes on his head. "Eat more plums today, your teeth will definitely be better."


    "Don''t wanna, I won''t eat plums." The child''s head was wrapped in his clothes as he shook his head repeatedly.


    He Xiaoyun dragged his clothes down, exposed his head, and took his hands into the sleeves. After the jacket was worn, the remaining pants were easier to wear, so she asked the child to put it by himself, she then went to the kitchen to help make breakfast. Wang Chunhua had already started a fire in the kitchen, when He Xiaoyun came in, she said, "Jianwei was lying on the bamboo bed this morning. When I saw him, I thought he was a thief."


    "He''s back?" He Xiaoyun was a little surprised. When she got up today, she specifically called Wei Yuanhang up just to wait for Wei Jianwei to catch up in peace. No one was seen in the yard just now, she thought that he was still in the field.


    "He came back soon after dawn."


    It''s been an hour or two since he came back. Although the sky is getting hot, it''s still very cool in the morning. The bamboo bed is even more chilly and there''s no quilt. He must have been uncomfortable. He was probably afraid of waking them up so he didn''t go back to the room.


    He Xiaoyun had to admit that except for sometimes that he''s teasing her, that guy is very reliable most of the time. Wang Chunhua took out two eggs from the urn and washed them clean, "Will you make Xiaoyuan a bowl of noodles for his birthday today?"


    Wei Yuanhang''s birthday is today? He Xiaoyun was surprised, why didn''t she hear this last night?


    But when you think about it, it''s normal. At this age, many people barely fill their stomachs until they finish their work in a year. There''s no time to care about birthdays or whatnot, so the Wei family¡¯s situation is better, Wang Chunhua can still make noodles especially on the birthdays of family members.


    Today is the fourth day of May. It turns out that the chubby kid was born the day before the Dragon Boat Festival.


    He Xiaoyun remembered that the birthdays of children in her time were always full of cakes, gifts, balloons, and new clothes. Now, Wei Yuanhang''s bowl of noodles and two eggs are considered the best.


    Seeing that Wang Chunhua was about to scoop the flour again, she felt move and suddenly had an idea, she discussed with Wang Chunhua: "Mom, can I not make noodles this year? I want to make a snack for Hanghang, I will also use eggs and flour."


    Wang Chunhua glanced at her and nodded in agreement. Although in her opinion, eating noodles on birthdays is the same as eating zongzi at Dragon Boat Festival. It''s a rule left by the older generation, but her second daughter-in-law has other ideas, she can''t say anything about that.


    After breakfast, Wei Jianwei filled the water tank. He Xiaoyun called at him in the yard, "You can go to the bedroom to sleep, I will ask Hanghang not to disturb you."


    "No, I''m not sleepy." Wei Jianwei said.


    He Xiaoyun looked at him up and down to see that he was indeed in good spirits, and said: "Then I need to discuss something with you."


    The last time she said this, it was for him to make building blocks for the child. After that, Wei Jianwei was scolded by Wang Chunhua for several days. Today''s tone is exactly the same as that day, even her facial expressions are the same.


    Wei Jianwei looked at her, "What''s the matter?"


    He Xiaoyun also thought of the situation last time and waved her hand: "Don''t worry, it''s something mom has agreed to. She won''t scold you again. I''ll tell you to come to the kitchen after breakfast."


    Wei Yuanhang didn''t know that today was his birthday. After breakfast, he just played in the yard, and He Xiaoyun didn''t tell him to avoid trouble.


    She and Wei Jianwei were the only two in the kitchen. She separated the egg white from the yolk, put the egg white in a large clean bowl, dripped a few drops of vinegar, added a spoonful of sugar, took out three chopsticks, and said to him: "Help me beat up the egg whites, beat them like cotton."


    Fearing that he would not understand, she even separated the chopsticks between her fingers and stirred the egg white a few times. That move looked a little funny. Wei Jianwei slightly raised his eyebrows without moving.


    "Oi, it''s really serious." He Xiaoyun stuffed the bowl into his arms and stuffed the chopsticks into his hands, making stirring movements in his hands, she urged, "Hurry up and stir."


    In the end, Wei Jianwei moved, the chopsticks stirred the egg liquid quickly, and soon large foam eyes appeared.


    He Xiaoyun looked at it for a while and nodded in satisfaction, "Just keep beating like this." She handled the other part herself, adding milk to the egg yolk such as flour, sugar, and a little oil. Milk should be added, but there''s no such thing for now, so she has to leave it alone.


    While mixing the egg yolk and flour evenly, she turned her head to glance at  Wei Jianwei from time to time.


    Chopsticks were in his hand, his stirring almost appear like a phantom, after a while, his speed was still the same, it never slowed down. She stared and saw his fingers clamp the chopsticks and his arm muscles were highlighted. It felt a bit like Wolverine using his claws to beat eggs, and the more she looked, the more it looked like it.


    Afraid that the other party would tease her, He Xiaoyun hurriedly turned her eyes away, pretending to be intently staring at the egg yolk paste in front of her, but the images of the previous scenes kept playing back in her mind, so she had to squeeze her mouth and work hard.


    What she didn''t know was that Wei Jianwei''s eyes had long discovered her. While the two of them were busy, Wang Chunhua and Feng Qiuyue came in to look with curiosity. They watched the gradually forming egg whites for a while before they went out.


    "What are they doing? Beating the eggs like that." Wang Chunhua whispered to her eldest daughter-in-law.


    "It''s a cake. The last time we went to the county seat, we saw it in the store. It was a small piece and cost a few cents. It''s very expensive."


    Wang Chunhua asked, "Can it be done at home?"


    Feng Qiuyue smiled, "Since Xiaoyun is going to do it, she must have a plan in her heart." She was actually surprised that someone like her second brother would obediently listen to the command and beat that egg white there.


    "I just let them." Wang Chunhua finally said, there''s no big deal in spoiling a few eggs and white noodles, she can just make a bowl of noodles for her grandson.


    In the kitchen, Wei Jianwei took ten minutes to beat the egg whites, He Xiaoyun mixed the egg whites with the egg yolk paste and steamed them in a pan. When the cake was about to come out of the pan, she went to the courtyard and called Wei Yuanhang in.


    The child''s face was flushed from the sun. As soon as he entered the kitchen, he sniffed and his eyes lit up, "Mom, I smell something delicious."


    "Puppy nose." He Xiaoyun smiled and pinched his little nose, "Today is your birthday, don''t you remember?"


    Wei Yuanhang tilted his head and thought for a moment. At his age, he certainly had no impression of his last birthday, but someone in the family had a birthday and ate a bowl of noodles, he remembered that and he immediately clamored, "I want to eat noodles! "


    He Xiaoyun said: "There are no noodles. Grandma was going to make noodles for you, but I told her I''m going to make something else."


    "What is it? Is it delicious?" The child only cares about this question.


    "You won''t know unless you eat it." He Xiaoyun lifted the lid of the pot and the sweet smell came over to her face. The pale yellow cake was already formed. From the outside, it was considered a success. She pressed her chopsticks on the cake and felt the elasticity.


    Wei Yuanhang was too short and couldn''t reach the stove, he turned around anxiously, "I want to see too! Mom, I want to see it too!" The child saw Wei Jianwei standing on the side so he hurriedly opened his arms at him, "Daddy, hug."


    Wei Jianwei picked him up and the child hurriedly probed into the pot, gulping his saliva, he asked, "What is this, mom? It smells so good."


    To make sure that the cake is ripe, He Xiaoyun puts a rag on her hand and lifts the big bowl out of the pot, "This is called cake, it''s also eaten on birthdays."


    "Mom is amazing!" The child was busy flattering his mother so that he could eat it quickly. He Xiaoyun glanced at him with a smile and said, "Your father is the one who has done the most today. Without him, cakes can''t be made."


    Wei Yuanhang hurriedly said, "Dad''s also amazing!"


    He Xiaoyun stopped teasing him, she took the cake out of the bowl, cut off a piece, and put it in a small bowl, she then handed it to the child, "Be careful."


    Wei Yuanhang hurriedly took it, digging it with a spoon, it''s really hot, he watched the cake and then puffed up his mouth to blow it. After getting for it to be a little cooler, the child couldn''t wait to put it in his mouth, he chewed twice, and vaguely said: "It was sho good."


    He Xiaoyun cut the cake into small pieces and told the child, "You can''t eat it by yourself. You can divide it between your grandparents, uncles, and aunts."


    Wei Yuanhang looked at the cake cut into pieces on the table, then looked at the bowl in his hand, he was reluctant to put down the bowl to run errands, so cleverly shouted: "Grandpa, grandma, uncle, come and eat some cake!"


    He Xiaoyun shook her head, she took a piece and handed it to Wei Jianwei, "You can try it too."


    Wei Jianwei was still hugging Wei Yuanhang. She thought he would put the child down, but she was too tired of holding the cake so she lowered her head and feed the man, hoping he finished it with one bite.


    Wei Yuanhang stared at them and loudly declared: "Mom is feeding Dad with her hands!"


    It just happened that Wang Chunhua and Feng Qiuyue came in when they heard the child''s words, they both chuckled. He Xiaoyun just wanted to put the whole cake into Wei Jianwei''s mouth and choked him to death.

 CH 16

    On the Dragon Boat Festival, Wang Chunhua got a few salted duck eggs from somewhere. When they drank porridge in the morning, she gave half of them to everyone in the family, she then hung wormwood at the door. Apart from that, it was no different from ordinary days.


    In the morning, He Xiaoyun walked home from the river after washing her clothes. She heard the loudspeakers at the entrance of the village announcing there. The commune''s projection team will show a movie at the threshing ground tonight for everyone to watch.


    During the slack season, the screening team would go to the countryside and take turns showing films in each brigade. This time, it happened to be the Qingshuihe brigade''s turn during the Dragon Boat Festival.


    Someone next to He Xiaoyun was on the same road. She heard the radio and asked, "Xiaoyun, are you going to the movies tonight?"


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "I will, I''ll take the child with me, he''s restless. We will take a look."


    "Yes, the three-year-old kid, chubby and naughty."


    Entering the courtyard gate, she saw Wei Yuanhang sitting on a small stool gnawing on the rice dumplings. The rice dumplings at home had been wrapped a few days earlier, they were almost finished by now.


    He Xiaoyun dried her clothes and was about to go back to her natal''s home. Last time, her father had an injured foot. It''s been several days. She didn''t know if it was better. She want to go back to see if they needed any help at home.


    He Xiaoyun talked to Wang Chunhua, then went to the bedroom and said to Wei Jianwei: "I''ll go back to my natal home today, look at the child and don''t let him play with mud." She intends to come back before lunch, bringing the child will inevitably slow her down, the kid has been a bit sticky to her recently.


    "Is there something at home?" Wei Jianwei was reading in the room, when he saw her come in, he put the book down.


    "No," He Xiaoyun combed her hair in front of the mirror and pulled her clothes, "Just going back to take a look."


    "Do you need me?" He asked. He Xiaoyun didn''t dare to ask him to go back with her, otherwise, her mother would cook eggs again when she saw her son-in-law come to the door, "I''ll go alone."


    After tidying up and going out, Wei Yuanhang wasn''t seen in the yard. She listened to the voices and found the child was talking to his grandma in the backyard. He Xiaoyun quickly slipped away while he was distracted.


    When she got to her natal home, Li Yuegui had just finished her housework and had taken a breather. When she saw He Xiaoyun, she stood up again, "Have you had breakfast? I''ll get you a zongzi."


    He Xiaoyun pressed her down to sit again and said, "I already ate a zongzi." As soon as she walked in, she saw the rice dumplings hanging on the beams of the room, just a small bunch of them, probably about ten, just save them for the elderly to eat.


    "What about Dad? How are his feet?"


    Li Yuegui sat down again. Hearing her questions, she said with anger: "After having breakfast, he went out, saying that he was bored at home and everything was boring. He just goes as he pleases! Don''t he dare come to me saying his feet hurt!"


    He Xiaoyun also moved a chair and sat down, she said with a smile: "If he can go out, it means nothing happened."


    "Let''s not talk about him, what about Jianwei? Why didn''t he come back with you?"


    "It''s okay. If he came, it will cost you two eggs."


    Li Yuegui playfully slapped her, "You kid, what are you talking about? Couples walk in pairs, no one will gossip about that."


    He Xiaoyun curled her lips in her heart, she''s afraid that when others see her walking with Wei Jianwei, there will be more gossip.


    But she can also understand Li Yuegui''s mood. In the beginning, how many people had read the jokes about her daughter''s insistence on Wei''s family, now that things are getting better, she wants her daughter to live a prosperous life and hit those people in the face.


    "Is there any work at home? Is the vegetable field about to plant new seeds?" He Xiaoyun changed the subject.


    "Your eldest sister came back the day before yesterday and has already done it for me."


    He Xiaoyun nodded and remembered something, "I heard that uncle''s family has already targeted a girl?"


    Speaking of this, Li Yuegui sighed softly, "I''m still a relative of Jianwei and his sister-in-law. I heard from your aunt that the girl is very good, she looks good, has a strong body, and is hardworking. It''s her house..."


    "What''s wrong with her family?"


    "Oh, it sounds pitiful. there is an older brother above her. He was sick when he was a child, and one of his legs was broken. He''s lame. I heard that their family wanted to marry their daughter out to give him more gifts and money."


    He Xiaoyun frowned slightly when she heard this. They used their daughter''s dowry money for their son to get married. This is a real thing, and it''s not uncommon nowadays. There are even bad habits of changing relatives in some places.


    "What did aunt say about this?" He Xiaoyun curiously asked.


    Li Yuegui replied: "Your aunt really likes that girl. She''s considering whether to let your cousin meet her first. If the two young people get along, other things are easy to discuss. After all, your cousin, that person, if he doesn''t marry a better wife, how can she control him."


    He Xiaoyun didn''t have much impression of this cousin, she only remembered that he was a person that didn''t talk much, but listening to her mother''s words, it seemed that he became quite an uncomfortable individual.


    Seeing everything is okay at home, He Xiaoyun talked to her mother for a while, and after seeing her father, she went back.


    At the beginning of May, the scorching sun was shining, the vegetation was dense, and the Huangdi Road was covered with dog''s tail grass. He Xiaoyun pulled a few sticks in her hand and planned to bring them to Wei Yuanhang for fun. She didn''t tell him that she''s going out and hoped that she would be able to appease the child.


    Just thinking about it, she suddenly heard the child shouting.


    "Mother--!"


    He Xiaoyun raised her head, the sun was shining brightly. While she built a small pergola with her hand on her forehead, she could see the chubby kid running towards her not far away. Wei Jianwei followed behind him.


    The child stumbled when he was approaching, he tripped under his feet and almost fell. He Xiaoyun hurriedly stepped forward to catch him.


    "Mom! Mom! Mom!" Wei Yuanhang threw his head into her arms and kept calling out with his head up.


    "I heard, I heard." He Xiaoyun replied helplessly, wiping the sweat from his forehead with her hand, "It''s such a hot day, why didn''t you stay at home well, why did you run out?"


    It would have been okay not to say it because as soon as she said that, the child stopped calling her mother, he immediately changed his tone and complained rather aggrievedly: "Mom left, you didn''t tell me!"


    He Xiaoyun expected such a complaint and said, "I''m here, right?"


    She replied so readily that the child didn''t know how to answer it for a while. He turned his head to think about it. Mom had apologized, it seemed that there was nothing to make trouble about, so he had to say: "Well then, mom can''t do this in the future."


    "Okay, I''ll not do this again." After wiping his sweat, He Xiaoyun found that his eyes and nose were a little red, so she asked: "Were you crying and embarrassed just now?"


    "No!" Wei Yuanhang immediately denied. Just as Wei Jianwei also came to the front, He Xiaoyun decided to ask him: "Did he make a fuss at home?"


    Wei Jianwei glanced at his son. The kid was shaking his head vigorously at him. Before he could answer, He Xiaoyun saw a bit of sticky liquid on his chest and said to the child in disgust: "You must be crying. Look, there are still snots on your Dad''s woolen clothes."


    Wei Yuanhang hurriedly took a closer look, and it was indeed true that he can only hum and couldn''t speak.


    He Xiaoyun took him by the hand and said as they walked: "You can''t do this in the future. Mom didn''t tell you when I went out, that was my wrong was wrong. But you cried and made trouble at home and soiled your father''s clothes. That''s your fault. The next time you became this unreasonable, I''m going to beat you up."


    "...I know." The child replied with his head hanging down and his mouth pouting. He couldn''t understand in his little head. Before he went out, he was ready to criticize his mother, so that she would never leave him to go out by herself. Why was he criticized by his mother now?


    The three of them walked home and passed by the door of a house. The other person was sitting at the door. When they saw them, they joked: "I just saw Jianwei holding Xiaoyuan. I thought about where he was going, it turned out he''s picking Xiaoyun home. Jianwei, you can''t stick to your wife too much. I won''t believe this if I didn''t see this!"


    He Xiaoyun smiled, she didn''t answer, and asked, "Did Aunt eat yet?"


    "Not yet, how about you?"


    "Neither did we."


    After walking a short distance, Wei Yuanhang shook He Xiaoyun''s hand and said, "Mom, it''s not that Dad is coming to see you but I''m looking for you!"


    The child feels very proud, he was ready to take credit. He Xiaoyun ignored him and glanced at Wei Jianwei. The snot on his chest was gleaming in the sun. He deserves it. She suddenly remembered a sentence: a bit of tofu in brine, one thing loses one thing.


    Sure enough, the wisdom of the ancestors is endless. As if perceiving her gaze, Wei Jianwei looked at her, and He Xiaoyun immediately turned her head.


    After doing this, she silently despises herself again, why did she turn her head, as if she''s afraid of him?! But she really didn''t dare to turn back and look at him again.


    At the lunch table, Wang Chunhua mentioned the movie in the evening and said, "You''ll go and watch it."


    He Xiaoyun said, "I''m afraid Hanghang won''t be able to sit still, so I won''t go."


    "Let him follow me then. It''s rare to show movies and go lively." Wang Chunhua said, and then lowered her head to ask his grandson: "Can Xiaoyuan be with grandma at night?"


    The child shook his head like a rattle, "I want to watch the movie!"


    Wang Chunhua then said: "Then go take him. If he can''t sit still, just come back early."


    He Xiaoyun was to say something more when Feng Qiuyue said: "Xiaoyun, you can go, if the movie wasn''t good, we can come back."


    "Yes, Jianwei needs to go too. You were rarely at home. Go with Xiaoyun. I heard that young people in the city would eat and watch movies together when they weren''t married yet. What do you call it?  An appointment¡ª"


    "Dating." Wei Jianwei added.


    "Yes, it''s a date! You two can also go on a date tonight." Wang Chunhua nodded.


    He Xiaoyun was sipping on a soup and almost choked to death. She hurriedly swallowed, secretly staring at Wei Jianwei. The man took a mouthful of food leisurely as if nothing happened, he even hooked up the corners of his mouth!


    He Xiaoyun became angry, this guy is absolutely being deliberate! She just made fun of the snot on his clothes, that''s all! Meanie! I will remember this hatred!


    -----


    T/N: Wei Jianwei was surely having fun teasing someone.


    -----

 CH 17

    The sun has just set, half of the sky is full of crimson clouds. In the current weather, although it''s hot during the day, it''s cool in the morning and evening. The evening breeze blows across the paddy field and the seedlings in the field swayed.


    Wei Yuanhang jumped and walked in front. He couldn''t bear it at home just now, so he kept urging He Xiaoyun to take him to go with Wei Jianwei in the movie. Feng Qiuyue was left behind to finished cleaning.


    Wei Jianwei is carrying a long bench in his hand. One stool can fit a family of three. Those who go to the movies have to bring their own chairs.


    "Mom and Dad, hurry up!" The child ran for a while, when he turned around, he saw that his mother and father were walking slow, he couldn''t help but urge. He Xiaoyun walked two steps and said: "Don''t run around, come over and I will lead you."


    Wei Yuanhang let out a cry and ran over to hold her hand, and without taking a few steps, he took Wei Jianwei with his other hand and said, "Mom, I want to fly!"


    "No flying." He Xiaoyun refused without even thinking about it. She had just taken a shower, she didn''t want to sweat.


    Not discouraged, the little boy let go of her hand, turned to hug Wei Jianwei''s legs, and said, "Daddy, hug." He was very shrewd, knowing that his mother said no, he didn''t make trouble, instead, he went straight to his father.


    Wei Jianwei stretched out one hand to hug him but He Xiaoyun said, "There''s no hug either."


    Wei Jianwei stopped his movement and looked up at her. He Xiaoyun looked back: "He says he wants to hug so you really went to hug him? It will become a habit. Next time you''re away, who will hug him?"


    Regarding educating the child, Wei Jianwei naturally lost his right to speak because he wasn''t at home all the time. He had to obey her words obediently. At further thought, his father was really unreliable, Wei Yuanhang pouted.


    He Xiaoyun held him again, pointed at the other children on the road, and said in a slow tone: "Look, everyone else walks by themselves. Is Xiaoyuan lazier than them?"


    The child can¡¯t listen to this kind of provocation and immediately said, ¡°I¡¯m not a slacker!¡±


    "Yes, Xioayuan will walk by himself, right?"


    Wei Yuanhang nodded vigorously, holding his chest up, and began to walk vigorously.


    When they arrived at the threshing floor, the big screen of the movie had been set up, and there were four or five rows of people close to the screen. They arrived neither early nor late and sat in the middle.


    There are more and more people, almost half of the brigade is here, there are also people from other teams. He Xiaoyun took a look and found that most of the people from other teams were young people, and they seemed to come on a blind date. Several young girls got together, pointed at the boys on the other end, whispering around at each other from time to time, and letting out a few sweet laughs.


    In a row in front of them, two women were sitting. After He Xiaoyun sat down, the women turned around and looked at them a few times.


    He Xiaoyun thought for a while and found that the women had some feasts with the original owner in the past. The original owner has a bad personality and can¡¯t get along with many people. It¡¯s just that during this period, except for work and returning to her family¡¯s home, she didn¡¯t go out much and didn¡¯t meet them. In today¡¯s movie, people gathered whether they wanted to meet or not.


    "Isn''t that Teacher Zhang?" one of the two women said suddenly, her volume wasn''t low, as if to let someone hear on purpose.


    He Xiaoyun looked up and found that several educated youths on the team were not far away. The teacher Zhang in their mouths, as Wei Jianhua mentioned earlier, was Zhang Yurong who had been Wei Jianwei''s blind date. When the original owner forcibly lied to the Wei family, everyone in the brigade knew that even Zhang Yurong had suffered and became the object of people''s gossip for no reason, saying that she was robbed of a man by the original owner.


    Another woman echoed: "It''s Teacher Zhang. Teacher Zhang is a good-looking woman and has a kind heart. It''s a pity that she hasn''t gotten married yet."


    "Isn''t it? At first, I thought she could marry. Who would have thought she would be robbed by others." The other woman echoed before the two looked at He Xiaoyun from the corner of their eyes.


    He Xiaoyun pretended not to hear. She glanced at Wei Jianwei. He was giving Wei Yuanhang candy. He noticed her sight and handed her one, "Eat?"


    He Xiaoyun didn''t want it, but when she thought that someone(gossipers) was staring at her, she deliberately took it, peeled the candy wrapper, and stuffed it into her mouth, with a bulge of her cheek.


    "Mom also eats candy?" Wei Yuanhang sat between the two, looking at her with a little surprise. In his impression, adults don''t eat sugar, only children eat it.


    "Yes, I also eat sweets." He Xiaoyun lowered her head and pinched his cheeks, "After eating this one, don''t eat it again at night, otherwise your teeth will fall out."


    Hearing this, the child quickly covered his mouth and murmured: "I don''t want my teeth to fall out!"


    The child thought that there were still candies in Wei Jianwei''s pocket, so he turned his head and said generously to his father: "Dad can eat the candies, I won''t eat it anymore."


    "You are clever." He Xiaoyun couldn''t help laughing. The few gossips that she had just heard were thrown behind her mind in a blink of an eye. Wei Yuanhang was still forcing Wei Jianwei to eat the candies, "Daddy can eat one, one for father, one for mother, one for me."


    He stretched out a fleshy palm and counted with his fingers, he somehow became happy, clapped his hands, and said happily: "Let''s eat sweets together!"


    He Xiaoyun wanted to see Wei Jianwei''s funny appearance eating candies with bulging cheeks, so she followed the child''s words: "Just eat it to make your son happy."


    "To make him happy, or to make you happy?" Wei Jianwei raised his eyebrows and slightly to look at her.


    He Xiaoyun pretended to be indifferent, "What am I happy about you eating candy?"


    "Daddy, eat quickly..." Wei Yuanhang urged. Wei Jianwei looked at the two of them and finally ate it. He peeled off the sugar paper, stuffed the sugar into his mouth, and pressed it on his tongue, so there was no such funny scene that He Xiaoyun expected.


    She didn''t give up, and bowed her head to coax Wei Yuanhang, "Xiaoyuan, have you seen Dad''s candy? Can you see it?"


    The child stared at his father''s mouth and didn''t find any trace of the candy, so he said, "Did Dad swallow the sugar in his mouth?"


    "I don''t know, go and touch his face."


    Whatever his mom said, Wei Yuanhang would obediently do. He stretched out a chubby finger and poked one side of his dad¡¯s face, then poked the other side, and said strangely: "Dad, what about the candy? You can¡¯t swallow it, dad. Spit it out."


    Wei Jianwei didn''t bother much and stuck out a tongue with the candy on it to show the child. The little kid saw his father still holding the candy in his mouth, and thought his father didn''t know how to eat it, so he taught him like an adult, "You can''t be like children, dad. You have to be like this..."


    As he spoke, he opened his mouth to reveal the sticky candy ball in his mouth, and pressed his small tongue to make his cheeks more prominent. Wei Jianwei looked at him and then at He Xiaoyun. The mother and son looked at him with puffed cheeks and round eyes, like two dogs, one big and one small.


    Finally, he moved his tongue, pushed the candy to the side of his mouth, and bulged his cheeks.


    "That''s it, Dad is so smart!" Xiaoyuan clapped his hands to encourage him.


    He Xiaoyun suppressed a smile and quickly turned her eyes away, but within a few seconds, she turned back, staring at him with a rare and funny look. Unfortunately, she doesn''t have a camera at hand, otherwise, she can take a picture and hang it on the wall to enjoy it in the future.


    The family of three had a good time, the two women in front of them who were gossiping before were ignored, they angrily kept their mouths shut. This scene also fell in the eyes of Zhang Yurong and others further away. A little girl next to her said: "Sister Yurong, look there."


    Zhang Yurong looked over, her expression remained unchanged, and turned her head back. The little girl was rather angry, and said, "What is she laughing about! She had snatched from someone else."


    "Don''t talk nonsense." Zhang Yurong stopped her. The little girl curled her lips reluctantly. As the sky gradually darkened, He Xiaoyun saw Feng Qiuyue and Wei Jianguo arrived at the threshing floor, but because they came late, they were placed in the back row and had some distance away from them.


    Everyone was buzzing and talking, after waiting for a while, the movie finally started. Tonight is an old military movie. Many people have already watched it, but they still watch it with gusto.


    Wei Yuanhang sat on a chair. Because he was short, he stretched his neck and was still blocked by the person in front of him. He could only hear the sound but couldn''t see the pictures. He became anxious and said, "Mom, I can''t see."


    He wanted to get up and stand on the bench. He Xiaoyun was afraid that he couldn''t stand still and was worried that he would block others, so she took him to sit on her lap, the child settled down and watched intently. Someone came over and asked her: "Xiaoyun, can I sit on your other stool?"


    She turned her head to see that it was someone familiar with the team. She probably came to watch the movie and didn''t bring a chair. Seeing that there was an empty space between her and Wei Jianwei, she came to ask. People wanted to borrow a seat, and she happened to have it, she couldn''t help but gave it to him to sit there, He Xiaoyun had to hold Wei Yuanhang and next to Wei Jianwei.


    "Thank you." The woman sat down and thanked her a few times before turning around to watch the movie. The other party is a bit fat. It''s okay to sit on this bench with their family of three. After all, Wei Yuanhang doesn''t take up a lot of space. Now that three adults are sitting on it, it''s a bit crowded.


    He Xiaoyun felt the side of her leg lean against Wei Jianwei''s thigh. The clothes she was wearing were of thin fabric, his body temperature was constantly transmitted from the place where the two of them touched, making her feel uncomfortable for a while. She couldn''t help whispering in her heart, saying that the body temperature of a normal person is about 37 degrees Celsius. Why is it that he''s like a stove that people can''t ignore even if they want to ignore it?


    The content of the movie was not very interesting, Wei Yuanhang soon became unable to sit still, wriggling in her lap. He Xiaoyun was very fortunate to have him, otherwise, she would feel even more embarrassed. Seeing that the child wanted to slip down and play, she coaxed: "You can''t play. You see it''s dark everywhere. If you fall, I will not be able to find you. What would you do then?"


    The sky was completely dark, and a small area in front of the movie screen was lit, making the surroundings even darker. The child looked around. It was as dark as his mother said. He didn''t dare to go alone: "Okay then."


    "Sit for a while, and we''ll go home, okay?" He Xiaoyun coaxed.


    Wei Yuanhang nodded and played with her hands boredly. It didn''t take long for him to think of a new way of playing. He climbed from her lap to Wei Jianwei''s lap. Before sitting firmly, he crawled back to her, using his parents'' legs as cushions. The child had a great time.


    He Xiaoyun was a little impatient when he was tossing around, she patted his little butt and said, "Be careful."


    The child pouted and reached out for Wei Jianwei to hold him, "Daddy hug." Wei Jianwei didn''t move but glanced at He Xiaoyun first. She snorted, "Look at what he''s doing, since your son wants you to hold him, why don''t you hug him?"


    She didn''t say that when the child asked him to hold him, and when he was about to stretch out his hand. Wei Jianwei thought somewhat helplessly and carried the child over. The little fat man reached his father''s arms and turned his head to the other side as if pissed off his mother. He Xiaoyun ignored him and raised her head to concentrate on watching the movie.


    After a while, she noticed that Wei Yuanhang hadn''t moved for a long time, she turned her head to look.


    "Fell asleep." Wei Jianwei said. He Xiaoyun touched the child''s head and whispered: "Little troublemaker."


    She asked Wei Jianwei: "Shall we go back?" The man nodded.


    He Xiaoyun said to the person next to her: "Auntie, we have to go back first. The child fell asleep. We leave this stool for you." The other party looked at them and assured, "It''s okay, I''ll return the stool to you tomorrow."


    Wei Jianwei hugged the child, and the two got up and left. He Xiaoyun also gestured to Feng Qiuyue, motioning that they will to go first, and then leave. Before going on the road back home, He Xiaoyun put on a flashlight, and a small piece of light fell on them in front of them. The night was quiet, only the crickets were noisy. He Xiaoyun turned her head and saw two long shadows behind her, following her all the way.


    The next day, Wei Yuanhang woke up. He had forgotten the anger with his mother the night before. He Xiaoyun naturally didn''t care about him. After breakfast, she went back to her room and changed her clothes, ready to go up the mountain.


    "Going up to the mountain?" Wei Jianwei walked in from outside.


    "Well, I go pick some tea."


    She packed up, went to the kitchen to take a basket, and preached to Wei Yuanhang to follow his grandma obediently and not to be naughty, and then go out. As soon as she walked to the yard, she saw Wei Jianwei wearing a hat and waiting there with a hatchet.


    "Are you going to chop wood?" He Xiaoyun asked him. He nodded. The two dropped in and went up to the mountain together.


    The tea trees on the mountain are unowned and there are not many in number, but if they are found, they can be dried for a little half a year. After walking for half an hour, they found a tree on the mountainside. He Xiaoyun stopped, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and said to Wei Jianwei: "You go ahead first, I will finish picking here."


    Many areas at the foot of the mountain and the mountainside were reclaimed into terraced fields, and the trees were scarce. What Wei Jianwei was looking for was the dead trees, which could only be found at the top of the mountain. He looked up, pointed to a small piece of wood near the top of the mountain, and said, "I''m going for that piece of wood."


    "Well, then you go." He Xiaoyun said. There are no wild animals in the mountain. He Xiaoyun was left alone and didn''t feel scared.


    Wei Jianwei looked around the surrounding area before walking to the top of the mountain. The wild tea tree was as tall as a person. He Xiaoyun stood on tiptoe, pulled the tea branch with one hand, and pulled the leaves down, she quickly picked off the young leaves. After picking the leaves of a tea tree, it only filled a few centimeters at the bottom of the basket. As she searched around, she continued to move forward and found some wild vegetables such as purslane and fungus.


    Wei Jianwei was almost at the grove. She looked over and saw only a small figure. Seeing that the other party seemed to be looking over, He Xiaoyun waved at him and then buried her head in looking for tea trees and wild vegetables.


    They were in the mountain early in the morning, and when the sun was about to reach the top of their heads, He Xiaoyun''s basket was full, she also picked it from the middle of the mountain all the way to the top of the mountain.


    She found a shade of the tree and stopped, put the back basket down, sat on the stump, took out the kettle, and poured two sips of water, half of the heat subsided, the wind from the mountains blew on her face, cooling the rest of the heat


    Wei Jianwei was not far away. He had already cut down two dead firs, cut the branches down, and then cut them into sections.


    "It''s almost noon, shall we go back?" He Xiaoyun asked him after having enough rest. Wei Jianwei responded and tied up several pieces of wood with rattan. Suddenly, he seemed to have discovered something, and said to He Xiaoyun: "Come here and see."


    "What?" He Xiaoyun walked over curiously. He kept his back to her, when she approached, he turned around abruptly, holding a snake in his hand.


    "Ah!" He Xiaoyun stepped back in fright, stepping into the puddle formed by the mountain spring, her shoes and trousers soaked. With a smile in his eyes, Wei Jianwei slowly revealed the whole picture of the "snake". It turned out to be a cane with one end that looked like a snake''s head.


    He Xiaoyun''s face was pale and her chest was violently heaving up and down.


    Unexpectedly, He Xiaoyun had such a big reaction. Wei Jianwei smiled. He Xiaoyun stood up, turned back to the place where she had been resting, and left with her basket on her back. On the way down the mountain, she walked fast and without saying a word. When she returned home, she saw Wang Chunhua sitting at the door but she didn''t say anything and rushed to their bedroom.


    Wang Chunhua saw that her expression wasn''t right, and asked Feng Qiuyue, "What''s the matter?"


    Feng Qiuyue shook her head, "Is she hungry?"


    Wang Chunhua shouted to the room: "Xiaoyun, pack it up and come out for dinner!"


    "Mom, you eat first." He Xiaoyun returned to the room. Wang Chunhua and Feng Qiuyue carefully identified her voice, lowered their voices, and discussed: "Did she cry?"


    "It shouldn''t be but it sounds a bit dull nasal."


    "She''s fine when she got out this morning."


    "Why hasn''t Jianwei come back yet?" Feng Qiuyue chirped. Wang Chunhua immediately found out the reason, "Could it be that he made her angry?"


    While talking, Wei Jianwei walked in carrying the bundle of logs. Before he put it down, Wang Chunhua asked, "What''s wrong with Xiaoyun? You quarreled with her?"


    "Boom--"


    Wei Jianwei unloaded the wood on the ground, glanced in the direction of their bedroom, and twisted his eyebrows slightly.


    "You did." Wang Chunhua asked.


    Wei Jianwei bent down and untied the cane from the wood, and handed it to Wang Chunhua, "She got scared."


    The cane really looked like a snake. Wang Chunhua took a look and was also startled. She stared down and asked her son, "You use this to scare Xiaoyun?"


    Seeing his silent acquiescence, Wang Chunhua felt angry and funny.


    Her second son has been a good boy since he was a child and doesn''t need others to worry about. When the boy became a teenager, he didn''t tease girls all day. He didn''t touch any of them. As a result, he grew up to 28 years old this year, almost 30 years old, and even had a child ran around before he started to tease his wife. This obedient son teases his wife to be angry!


    Feng Qiuyue also thought it was funny. She didn¡¯t expect that her second brother would do this kind of thing privately. She said with a smile: ¡°Xiaoyun will probably be angry for a while, we just need to wait. Mom, don¡¯t worry."


    Wang Chunhua guessed the same but still said to Wei Jianwei: "Go and coax your wife out for a meal. If she doesn''t eat, it''s your fault."


    He Xiaoyun had already taken a shower in the room, changed into clean clothes, and was combing her hair in front of the mirror. When Wei Jianwei came in, she didn''t even give him a glance at the corner of her eye.


    She was really frightened. She grew up in the mountains and was used to seeing all kinds of small insects and small animals. He Xiaoyun is not afraid of anything else but snakes, because she was bitten once when she was a child, her family didn¡¯t take it seriously. Her ankles, and feet were swollen for more than a month. During that time, she was afraid that she would become lame in the future. Even if it gradually recovered later, her trauma of snakes has continued to this day.


    Others didn''t know about this. Wei Jianwei didn''t want to scare her, that was not his intention, but she just didn''t want to talk to him right now. Between the two of them, she has always been the one who talks a lot, when she doesn''t speak, the atmosphere became a little stagnant.


    "Mom, it''s time to eat!" Wei Yuanhang flopped in.


    He Xiaoyun just combed her hair, washed her hands in the basin, and led him out, "Let''s go."


    The child passed by his silent father and raised his head, "Dad won''t you eat?"


    Before Wei Jianwei could answer, the child was led out of the room by his mother. In the hall, the food was already served. Seeing He Xiaoyun''s face, Wang Chunhua didn''t mention the matter before, thinking that the matter was over.


    At the dinner table, as usual, He Xiaoyun served Wei Yuanhang with vegetables, listened to the child while eating and muttering, and also talked to Wang Chunhua about today''s harvest in the mountains, chatting with Feng Qiuyue about last night''s movie, but didn''t look at Wei Jianwei''s.


    After eating, she spread out the picked tea leaves to dry, sorted out several wild vegetables, and chatted with her family for a few words, and then went back to the bedroom.


    Wei Yuanhang was going to take a nap as usual. He Xiaoyun leaned on the bedside and read a book for a while, and then yawned.


    "It was my wrong at what happened this morning."


    "Oh."


    Wei Jianwei had been on the other side of the room for a long time without any movement, and suddenly such a sentence came out. He probably rarely apologized to people as his tone was stiff. He Xiaoyun uttered, unable to resist the sleepiness, and simply lay down and fell asleep. Looking at her back lying on the bed, Wei Jianwei''s eyebrows were a little deeper.


    What does ''oh'' mean? Is she still angry? Or not?


    He was holding the book, unprecedented, without reading a word.


    Last time He Xiaoyun and the three went to the county town to buy some fabrics for the children. In the afternoon, Feng Qiuyue was about to start making clothes. He Xiaoyun helped and the two measured the fabrics and discussed styles, Wang Chunhua served as a staff member for them.


    "The kind of small lapel I saw in the store last time, I think it looks pretty." Feng Qiuyue said.


    He Xiaoyun joked and said, "Anyway, I''m clumsy and can only rely on my sister-in-law. I think what my sister-in-law makes is pretty."


    "Look at this bullshit," Wang Chunhua said with a smile, "Qiuyue, you make her an old man''s clothes, see if she can still praise you."


    "As long as first sister-in-law does it, I still boast." Feng Qiuyue smiled at her replies and waved her hand, "I don''t dare, when Xiaoyuan sees the clothes and was unhappy, Mom will feel distressed again."


    "Yes," He Xiaoyun teased, "Mom will feel more distressed than me."


    Wang Chunhua nodded at the two of them and then shook her head with a smile. At night, He Xiaoyun took the clothes that had been drying out in the room. The cloth shoes that she wore on the mountain today had their soles open when she was washing them. Although the clothes He Xiaoyun do were not good, she still can do a few stitches. She was under the light and sewn the soles stitch by stitch.


    Wei Yuanhang played with Wei Jianwei for a while, then ran to her, He Xiaoyun told him not to get too close, "I have a needle here, you go to bed and play."


    The small one walked away, and the big one came over, "Still angry?"


    He Xiaoyun didn''t look up, and said, "Angry? Why am I angry? I''m not angry at all, I''m very happy." (T/N: What all women reply when they''re really angry. Wei Jianwei''s going to have a headache.)


    She didn''t even look at him when she said she wasn''t angry. Wei Jianwei has a headache. He has no experience in coaxing people. (T/N: knew it~)


    Wei Yuanhang played alone for a while. When he looked up and saw his father standing beside his mother, he immediately said, "Mom has a needle, dad can''t be there."


    The child is overbearing. He''s not allowed to play with his mother. He naturally refuses to let his dad stand there. He has to also go! Seeing that Wei Jianwei has not moved, he even said: "Dad go away!"


    He Xiaoyun raised her head and said, "You heard him, go away, or I will prick you with a needle."


    She raised the needle and performed the classic gesture of Rong Rong. (T/N: ...? Can someone help?!)


    Wei Jianwei looked at his big wife and small son and felt that he had become an enemy to both of them, he was overwhelmed by the two of them in the next second.


    Wei Jianwei became depressed but He Xiaoyun is secretly rejoicing. By now, she had calmed down about the prank matter, but it was rare to see Wei Jianwei deflated. She naturally wanted to account for what he had done during this period so that he would also taste aggrievement.


    This night, she slept very soundly. Wei Jianwei wasn''t in the room when she woke up in the morning, He Xiaoyun didn''t pay attention. Later, there''s still no one at the dinner table, so He Xiaoyun asked Wang Chunhua, she said that he had gone to the county to do errands.


    The tea leaves plucked yesterday were dried for one afternoon and dried for another night. Today, Wang Chunhua kneaded the juice out of them and continued to dry them.


    The fragrance of tea floated all over the yard. He Xiaoyun sat at the door to pack up the leftover cloth from making clothes. Next door Aunt Zhang came to visit and chatted with Wang Chunhua about the recent news.


    "Jianming''s daughter-in-law gave birth in the middle of the night last night."


    "Is she going well?"


    "It went smoothly. She was down in an hour or two. Her first child was a son. The family is happy regardless of whether it is male or female."


    Wang Chunhua said, "I would also be happy."


    Aunt Zhang glanced at Feng Qiuyue''s belly and smiled: "Do you think everyone is like you? I said Qiuyue and Xiaoyun are blessed. How many people would not be envious of such a good mother-in-law like you."


    He Xiaoyun and Feng Qiuyue both smiled.


    In the afternoon, He Xiaoyun went back to the room and read a book for a while. She leaned against the bed and fell asleep. When she woke up, Wei Yuanhang was still asleep. She got up and stretched and found a box on the bedside cabinet. It wasn''t there before.


    In their bedroom, no one else in the family usually comes in, this box is placed next to her bed, except for Wei Jianwei, no one else would do this.


    She opened the box with curiosity, and inside was a pair of women''s leather shoes that are rare nowadays, and a book.


    He Xiaoyun stared at it for a while before realizing it. Could it be...This is Wei Jianwei''s apology gift?


    -----


    T/N: I was supposed to update this yesterday and only realize that when I was already comfortably laying on the bed so...yeah. Here it is! I will update My Animal Legion and this one tomorrow, I promise y''all!

 CH 18

    He Xiaoyun took out the shoes and gestured at her feet. It was indeed her size. She didn''t know how Wei Jianwei knew. He, a big man, ran to buy women''s leather shoes, that scene must be very eye-catching.


    In terms of current aesthetics, this pair of shoes is very fashionable, with glossy leather and a little high heels. She only saw one or two people wearing it when she went back to the county town. She had never seen it in the countryside. The price was high. If she wears these shoes to go for a walk or stop by outside, it won''t take a day before the whole brigade to talk about it.


    He can just give me a pair of black cloth shoes, which are more practical than these leather shoes. Thinking that way, she still put the shoes in the cabinet very carefully, and the book on the bedside.


    Wang Chunhua was making jelly in the kitchen. When He Xiaoyun came in, the black jelly was already formed, cut, and placed in a large bowl.


    "Mom, why did you think of making jelly?"


    "Didn''t your Aunt Zhang make it a few days ago? Xiaoyuan ate it at her house and kept talking about it after he came back. He said that there was jelly there, and asked me for it."


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "Xiaoyuan''s a gluttonous ghost, he can play as long as he eats, so don''t be coaxed by him, Mom."


    Wang Chunhua spoke for her little grandson: "Which children don''t like to eat? Lets Xiaohang be chubby."


    She dipped the jelly in the water, waited for it to become cold, then mixed it with sugar, and had a bowl on a hot day. Nothing was more refreshing. He Xiaoyun shook her head helplessly when she heard the grandma''s full of love for her grandson. Jelly is not a rare thing, but sugar is valuable. You have to buy sugar with a ticket. Others may not be willing to buy it once a year.


    "Jianwei is back, in the bamboo forest behind." Wang Chunhua said.


    He Xiaoyun nodded her head. She didn''t intend to move but think about the gifts that the other party ran all the way to the county seat and brought her back. She felt that she couldn''t be too stingy. He expressed his sincerity, so she would be generous and forgive him. Thinking about this, she wandered out on the back door.


    There is a bamboo forest in the backyard. Wei Jianwei cut the bamboo to make bamboo bed legs two days ago. The bamboo branches are still in the forest. Now he uses them to make brooms.


    He Xiaoyun walked over, "You''re back."


    This was the first time she took the initiative to speak to him after the unilateral cold war yesterday. Wei Jianwei raised his head to look at her, nodded, and continued his hand movements a few more times. He probably felt that she was finally willing to talk to him and could not appear too cold, so he added: "Wake up?"


    He Xiaoyun couldn''t help but laugh at this false social etiquette, and squatted down in front of him, happily: "Do you think we two are playing officialdom?"


    Wei Jianwei also hooked his mouth.


    He Xiaoyun said, "Thank you for your gift. I like it very much, but don''t buy it in the future. I stay at home and can''t put on those shoes."


    "Go out and wear it."


    "Where can I go? Either to the mountain or to the river, I can''t bear to wear it out."


    Wei Jianwei frowned slightly, "They say that young girls like it."


    He Xiaoyun estimated that the ''they'' he was talking about were the shop assistants, and said: ¡°They have to say so to be able to sell the goods. I don¡¯t like it either. I just can¡¯t put them on. It¡¯s a pity to put them on.¡±


    Wei Jianwei nodded again. There was a sudden awkwardness, now the two of them have stayed together, but the atmosphere seems to be more natural and harmonious than before.


    He Xiaoyun helped him to tear off the bamboo leaves from the bamboo branches. The two worked together, and their speed was much faster. In the meantime, they created a bamboo elephant. She ran home and took a thread and tied it to the bamboo elephant¡¯s nose.


    When Wei Yuanhang woke up, he was so happy when he saw that there was jelly to eat and bamboo elephants to play with.


    "I''ll show it to Yanyan!" He ate the jelly and couldn''t wait to pull the string out to show off.


    Xiaoyun shook her head, "When this kid is big, he will definitely marry a wife and forget about his mother."


    Feng Qiuyue chuckled when she heard it, "I just heard Mom say this today."


    "What''s wrong with mom?" He Xiaoyun was curious.


    "It''s Jianwei," Feng Qiuyue looked at her teasingly, "At noon, not long after you went back to the room, Jianwei came back with a box. Mom opened it and looked at the shoes. At a glance, I could tell that they were worn by young people. After Jianwei returned to the house, mother talked to me, saying that her son was so old, but he had never bought shoes for her but knew that he should buy shoes for his wife, she became a forgotten mother!"


    He Xiaoyun didn''t expect to be embarrassed by Feng Qiuyue''s teasings because of those shoes. Feng Qiuyue said again: "But mom just jokingly said that, don''t take it to heart. She also told me that Jianwei was not at home all year, and you took care of the child by yourself and had to work. Since it''s rare for him to come back, he should be considerate."


    She said this to console her but when He Xiaoyun listened, not knowing why, she felt embarrassed, and hurriedly said: "The shoes he bought can''t be worn at all."


    "It''s not surprising that you can''t wear it. Do you know that when Jianguo and I first met, he gave me a hair tie? Guess what color is it?"


    "Red?"


    "It would be great if it was red, he gave me a green one!"


    He Xiaoyun laughed, "Then did you wear it?"


    "No, when he saw that I didn¡¯t wear it, he was ashamed to ask why I don''t wear it at all. So these men who don''t know to buy things, we can open one eye and close the other." Feng Qiuyue smiled rather helplessly.


    After Wei Jianwei finished making the broom, he saw that there were a lot of bamboos left, so he re-arranged a fence for the chicken coop for the original one was old. He Xiaoyun cooked with Wang Chunhua over the fire, and the dinner was ready and went to call people back for dinner. Wei Yuanhang followed He Xioayun around.


    "Mom, does the bamboo elephant eat bamboo?"


    "They eat bamboo shoots a lot. After being eaten, bamboo shoots can''t grow into bamboo anymore."


    The child said: "Then they are bad bugs!"


    "It''s a pest." He Xiaoyun smiled and corrected.


    Wei Yuanhang nodded and asked, "Why are they called Bamboo Elephants?"


    He Xiaoyun thought for a while and said: "It should be because they are like elephants, with long noses."


    The child nodded again, seeming to understand, and then asked again in the next second: "What is an elephant?"


    "It''s a very big animal with a very long nose." He Xiaoyun replied casually, fearing that he would still have questions, she hurriedly said: "Here, let''s see if Dad is ready, we''re going to eat. "


    The child''s attention was diverted, and he jumped and ran to his father, "Dad, we are going to eat!"


    Wei Jianwei just finished and packing up his tools, he stood up, "Okay."


    He Xiaoyun walked over and said, "Let''s go quickly. When the sun goes down, there will be more mosquitoes in the bamboo forest."


    "Yeah." Wei Jianwei nodded, glanced at her, and then turned back his head.


    "What are you looking at?" He Xiaoyun joked, "Is there a mosquito on my face?"


    Wei Jianwei nodded, "There are mosquitoes." He stretched out his hand. He Xiaoyun subconsciously wanted to step back but stopped, she was a little uncomfortable: "Where? I''ll do it myself."


    One of Wei Jianwei''s fingers had already landed on her cheek, and he wiped it down, then showed her the finger, "It''s a big mosquito."


    She fixed her eyes to see that there was no mosquito, it was clearly a small piece of firewood dust, which should have floated on her face when it was just burned. When he touched it like this, she must have a black mark on her face now.


    She looked at the smile in Wei Jianwei''s eyes, raised her fist, and attacked him, "I will give you a punch!"


    Wei Yuanhang heard it and remembered the Journey to the West that his mother had read to him before, and quickly said: "Mum and dad are wrong. It''s, ''Hey, take my stick!''"


    -----


    T/N: These two are becoming more lovey-dovey (???)

 CH 19

    It rained the night before, when He Xiaoyun got up in the morning, the ground was still a little wet. Wei Jianguo went up the mountain before dawn and brought half a sack of green bamboo shoots back. After breakfast, He Xiaoyun and Feng Qiuyue peeled the bamboo shoots in the yard.


    Only the two of them were at home in the morning, the three men were called by the team to repair the canal. Wang Chunhua took Wei Yuanhang to the commune to have a drink and be a guest. Without the little talker, the house was quite deserted.


    "Xiaoyuan always sticks to you but suddenly, he''s not by your side, which definitely makes you unaccustomed."


    He Xiaoyun said, "I feel pure without him twittering."


    "Look at you, had a hard mouth but a soft heart didn''t see that for a while" Feng Qiuyue laughed at her.


    "Sister-in-law, don''t laugh at me. When you become a mother in the future, I will laugh at you too." He Xiaoyun countered.


    Feng Qiuyue happily said, "Then I will wait."


    They talked and laughed while they finished the work quickly. The stripped bamboo shoots were cut into strips, then they were blanched in a pot, leaving a bowl of minced pickles for noon stir-fry, and most of the rest was spread out and dried on the stone wall.


    "Xiaoyun."


    He Xiaoyun was standing next to a half-person high stone wall, when she suddenly heard someone calling her, she looked up and found that it was her elder sister He Xiaofen and her little niece.


    "Sister? Why are you here? Come in quickly." She hurriedly walked around the door and greeted them both.


    He Xiaofen walked in with her daughter, and took a look at the hall, "Your mother-in-law is not at home?"


    He Xiaoyun stretched out her hand to take her little niece, "Someone got married today, she took Xiaoyuan to drink a wedding cup." He Xiaoyun lowered her head and teased the little dumpling in her arms, "Huihui, I am your auntie, do you remember me?"


    The little girl is only a few months old. She looked at He Xiaoyun with her eyes open and her mother again. She didn''t cry or make trouble, she was very cute. She teased for a while, then remembered, "Sister, come sit in the house with me."


    Feng Qiuyue heard the voice and walked out of her room, "Xiaoyun, does your eldest sister eaten breakfast?"


    He Xiaofen hurriedly said: "I have eaten, You don''t need to prepare."


    He Xiaoyun said: "Sister-in-law, please rest, my eldest sister is not an outsider, so don''t be so polite."


    Feng Qiuyue smiled, "Well, you sisters speak very well. Okay, I won''t bother."


    He Xiaoyun took her sister back to their bedroom and let her little niece sit on Xiaoyuan''s bed to play, and the two of them sat on the edge of the bed.


    "Your room is really clean," He Xiaofen surveyed the room. "It''s not like my house, which is like a pigsty."


    "Why do you say that? If your room is a pigsty, what have you become?" He Xiaoyun laughed.


    He Xiaofen scoffed at her and said, "If I talk like that, you can just listen to it, don''t think about it."


    He Xiaoyun smiled and shook her head, and took a building block to tease the little child, "How''s your family going? How are brother-in-law and the two children?"


    "What can be wrong with them? It''s you I''m worried about, brother-in-law has been back for a while, you two quarreled again this time?"


    "Nope."


    "It''s fine if you don''t have it. Where''s your husband?"


    He Xiaoyun said: "He went to the ground to build a canal."


    He Xiaofen nodded: "Last time I went home, I wanted to come and find you but the time was a bit rushed, so it didn''t happen. Next month is our mother''s birthday. I want to surprise her, can you help?"


    "Yes." He Xiaoyun nodded in response.


    "It''s better to take advantage of brother-in-law''s at home and give mom a birthday in advance. I''ve made an appointment to go back together."


    After hearing this, He Xiaoyun couldn''t help but calculate it in her heart. Wei Jianwei''s vacation, excluding the time on the road, was a month. He returned in mid-April, and now it is almost mid-May. There are only five or six days left before he goes. It turned out that he was leaving. She suddenly realized this problem.


    "Do you need to discuss it with brother-in-law in the evening?" He Xiaofen asked.


    He Xiaoyun came back to her senses and nodded, "Okay."


    The two sisters agreed on a specific time and what to do that day. He Xiaofen came directly from her house and had to return to her family''s house and left soon. Near noon, He Xiaoyun and Feng Qiuyue went into the kitchen to cook lunch.


    Feng Qiuyue asked her: "Why didn''t you keep your eldest sister for dinner?"


    "My sister''s personality is always up and running. If she doesn''t want to stay, no one can keep her."


    "Looking at her gentle appearance, she''s as beautiful as you, but you can''t see that she has such a temper."


    "Sister-in-law''s words, I take it as a compliment to me." He Xiaoyun smiled.


    Feng Qiuyue also laughed: "Isn''t it just complimenting you."


    The lunch is ready, it was still delivered by He Xiaoyun. The canal on the team is drawn from the Qingshui River to irrigate the crops far away from the river. The entire canal runs across the field and is more than two kilometers long.


    The three of Wei''s men were not in the same place. He Xiaoyun sent Wei Zhenxing and Wei Jianguo''s portion first before finding Wei Jianwei. The two looked for a willow tree, sat down in the shade, and brought out the food.


    "Have you eaten?" Wei Jianwei asked her.


    "Yeah, Dad and Big Brother also ate already, the rest is yours." Only then did Wei Jianwei picked up the bowl and ate the rice.


    He Xiaoyun sat aside, picked up a branch boredly, and tossed it in her hand. She told about He Xiaofen''s coming home in the morning, "My sister wants to go back to my mother together the day after tomorrow. Is it convenient for you?"


    Wei Jianwei nodded and swallowed the food in his mouth, he then said, "The canal will be repaired tomorrow, it will be fine the day after tomorrow."


    "Then it''s settled." She gave a final word. The noon sun was bright and dazzling, the cicadas were screaming, and the shade was quite refreshing. The breeze blew, and a few leaves fell. He Xiaoyun picked up one and played with it, and suddenly muttered, "I don''t know if the little chubby kid had a good meal at noon."


    It took a few seconds for Wei Jianwei to understand that the little chubby kid in her mouth was their son, he comforted, "His body shape is normal."


    He Xiaoyun glanced at him, "Be honest. You can''t blindly ignore the facts just because you are his own father."


    Wei Jianwei didn''t think so and said: "I can hold him with one hand."


    He Xiaoyun didn''t even glance at him, "Then you can still carry a bag of rice with the other hand."


    Wei Jianwei was a little helpless, "The two are not comparable."


    "If I said it can be compared, it can compare." He Xiaoyun waved her hand, "You eat quickly or else the leaves will fall to the rice."


    After speaking, she lowered her head as if she was earnestly studying the leaves in her hand, she no longer gave him a chance to wrestle.


    He Xiaoyun remembers that when she was watching TV, she often saw the protagonist sitting under a tree and playing music with leaves. Although she''s not the protagonist, she''s the protagonist¡¯s mother. She should have this skill too, right?


    Thinking like this, with a bit of self-confidence, she put the leaf in her mouth and blew it hard.


    "Puff--" (T/N: The second-hand embarrassment I got because I once also thought I could do it just like that (¥Î¤Ø£þ¡¢))


    He Xiaoyun immediately put down her hand and glanced at Wei Jianwei nonchalantly. Seeing that he continued to lower his head to eat, he seemed to haven''t paid attention to her movement, so she was relieved and quietly threw the leaves away.


    Wei Jianwei finished eating. She put the dishes and chopsticks away and put them in the basket. She was just about to stand up when a melodious tune like a saxophone suddenly sounded in her ears.


    He Xiaoyun raised her head and saw that he pinched the leaf with both hands and placed it in his mouth, blowing out a tune easily. His eyes were still looking at her, the twinkling in those eyes was obviously mocking her!


    -----


    T/N: Lol, you think you''re not going to be busted, Xiaoyun? Jianwei''s always watching you~ Ok that sounds creepy. Now...(£þ©n£þ£») I humbly apologize for not updating per my schedule. I''m very sorry! I was preparing for our presentation and thesis defense so hard that I didn''t remember updating at all.

 CH 20

    In the afternoon, Wang Chunhua and Wei Yuanhang came back. The child''s cheeks were flushed red as he bounced inside the door. The child shouted for his mother but she can''t be seen in the yard. He Xiaoyun heard the sound and put down her book, she stood up and as soon as she walked to the door, she picked up the child.


    The child threw himself into her arms and acted like a baby, "Mom, I miss you so much."


    He Xiaoyun wiped his sweat, "Is the banquet food delicious?"


    "It''s delicious," the child nodded vigorously, "I brought mother something to eat!" As he said that, he ran out.


    "Hey... your sweat hasn''t been wiped off yet." Seeing that the child disappeared in the blink of an eye, He Xiaoyun reluctantly put down her hand and followed. After the wedding banquets, the guests leave with melon seeds, peanuts, and candies in their hands.


    What Wei Yuanhang means about what he brought was a small snack from the banquet. It was the size of a child''s hand, and it was made with milk.


    "Mom, you''re back." He Xiaoyun stepped into the hall. Wang Chunhua was holding a plate with peanuts, when she saw He Xiaoyun coming over, she said, "That kid has played all the way and said he wanted to bring delicious food to his mother. Here it is."


    "It''s really delicious!" Wei Yuanhang took a small snack from his grandmother and handed it to He Xiaoyun like a treasure. He Xiaoyun smiled and patted his head, took the snack, and ate a small bite, then she nodded in praise, "It''s really delicious."


    The child watched eagerly. He Xiaoyun returned the snack to him, but he put his hand behind him and shook his head, and said, "Xiaoyuan has eaten. Giving this to mother to eat."


    He said that but he was obviously still greedy, his eyes couldn''t help but follow her hand holding the snack. He Xiaoyun happily gave out a reason, "Thank you, but your mother is too full and can''t eat it now. If I leave it to eat in the evening, this snack will go bad. You can help your mother by eating it."


    Wei Yuanhang didn''t doubt her words, so he took the snack back and said, "Then mother, don''t eat too much. If you eat too much, you won''t be able to eat the delicious snacks."


    "Got it." He Xiaoyun smiled. The child told her what he had eaten today and what he had played with. He Xiaoyun dealt with him while talking to Wang Chunhua.


    "Will the canal be finished soon?" Wang Chunhua asked.


    "Well, Jianwei explained that it would need fixing for one more day. Mom, my elder sister came to see me today." He Xiaoyun repeated what He Xiaofen said in the morning.


    After listening, Wang Chunhua repeatedly nodded and agreed: "It should be like this. The 50th birthday of a person is a big event, it will only happen once in a lifetime. The day after tomorrow, you go back with Jianwei and Xiaoyuan. You can take one of the chickens at home as a gift."


    He Xiaoyun refused, "No, we can just buy in the county and give it to my mother as a gift."


    There are a total of three chickens in the family, one is reserved for laying eggs, one has to be handed in at the end of the year, and the last one, to sell. If her mother-in-law kills one chicken on her mother''s birthday, what will they sell?


    If the others know this, they will think of Wang Chunhua as a partial in-law that only favored the second son and his wife, Feng Qieyue might not care about this but others will. Wang Chunhua didn''t know this reason, but she felt very happy that her second daughter-in-law was able to take the initiative to refuse it.


    He Xiaoyun shook her head and smiled: "I also have the money. Jianwei gave it to me before, so mom doesn''t need to worry about it."


    "Then you can buy what else you need. There are some dry goods at home you can take, don''t buy those anymore."


    "Okay." He Xiaoyun nodded in response.


    Wei Zhenxing(the father) and his son(eldest son) didn''t go home until the evening. He Xiaoyun was bathing Wei Yuanhang in the yard: "Your Auntie brought her little daughter to the house today, do you remember that little sister?"


    The child was sitting in the big tub as he slapped the water happily. Hearing what his mother said, he tilted his head and thought about it, "That little sister is very small."


    "Yes, but she has grown up a little bit now. The little sister likes your building blocks very much, so I gave her two. Will Xiaoyuan be unhappy?"


    "My building blocks..." Wei Yuanhang pouted his mouth. He''s not the kind of child who is very protective of toys. He would take the initiative to share with Yanyan if he has many toys to play with, but if Yanyan wants to take his toys away, he can only say: Go home, it won''t work.


    He Xiaoyun coaxed: "I don''t want to give it to her, but the little sister keeps crying, what can I do?"


    "Okay." The chubby kid agreed reluctantly, but he had to add a sentence at the end, "Little sister is a crying ghost."


    "Yes, so don''t cry like her." He Xiaoyun poked his nose.


    Wei Jianwei stepped in from outside the door and saw his son sitting in a tub. This scene, he has seen many times. He didn¡¯t think there was anything wrong before, but when he thought of the question of whether his son was fat or not that he was discussing with He Xiaoyun at noon, he couldn¡¯t help but look again. He looked at the fleshy little body.


    It seems...that his son is indeed a bit fat?


    "Grandpa and Dad are back!" The child both saw them, calling out to them loudly, jumping up from the basin, the flesh on his little body trembled.


    Really fat.


    A certain father came to a conclusion.


    After dinner, Wei Yuanhang began to talk to his grandfather and father about what he had eaten today, while He Xiaoyun was carrying her clothes and preparing to go to the river to wash. It was dark early before, and it was dark after dinner, so she could only save her clothes until the next day. Now, the sun has just set, and it''s still bright for a while.


    Seeing her going out, Wei Jianwei also stood up and led his son out.


    "Where are you and the child going?" Wang Chunhua asked from behind.


    Wei Jianwei answered: "Taking him for a walk and exercise."


    Wang Chunhua stared at their backs, it took her a while to say to Wei Zhenxing: "I think your son has gone crazy from being a soldier. Xiaoyuan is only three, why would he let the child exercise?"


    As soon as He Xiaoyun walked out, she heard the little kid calling her. Looking back, the father and son followed her slowly. She stood still, "What are you two doing?"


    "Dad said to take me for a walk." Wei Yuanhang immediately tattled.


    He Xiaoyun glanced at Wei Jianwei, "Okay, you guys can slowly follow, I''m going to wash my clothes."


    When they arrived at the river, there were already many people there, some of them had fast hands and feet, they had to go back after washing. One person saw the two tails following behind He Xiaoyun and joked: "Are you going to wash clothes or have a family battle?"


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "The child can''t stay at home."


    Some people joked about Wei Jianwei, "I think Jianwei is 80% afraid that Xiaoyun will be snatched by the Dragon King, otherwise, why does he looks at you look so tightly?"


    Everyone by the river laughed. Wei Yuanhang didn''t know why the adults had laughed, but he also laughed along. The others laughed louder when they saw it.


    He Xiaoyun had a smile on her face but had beaten Wei Jianwei again and again in her heart. He took a walk and then went for a walk. But why did he need to follow her to the river and make her a laughing joke? This is really hateful.


    She speeded up her hand movements and washed her clothes for a much shorter time than usual, she quickly left the place with the tub. The father and son were on the embankment, walking from one end to the other, and then slowly came back. By coincidence, they happened to meet her after washing, and they followed her again.


    He Xiaoyun walked a bit fast. Wei Yuanhang shouted from behind to ask her mother to slow down. She walked to the edge of a bamboo forest, where the others could not see, and then stopped. The little kid broke away from his father''s hand and ran over, panting a little, "Mom walks so fast."


    He Xiaoyun looked down at him, "It''s not that you don''t recognize the way back, you can just walk slowly with your dad."


    "But I want to go with my mother." The child argued. Wei Jianwei also walked up to them, He Xiaoyun raised her eyes and said, "Next time you two take a walk, don''t follow me."


    "I didn''t follow you, we''re just on the same way."


    Same way, your ghost! He Xiaoyun glared at him, slandering him inwardly. Wei Jianwei stretched out her hand to help her carry the wooden basin but she leaned aside, "No need, let''s go."


    Wei Yuanhang said, "Mom, let dad take it, I want mom to lead me."


    "Fine, I''ll lead you." She said as she carried the tub on her waist and freed her hand.


    The child hurried forward to hold her hand but didn''t pay attention to the ground. He tripped over a small stone and bumped into He Xiaoyun''s arms.


    She carried the basin with one hand, and her center of gravity wasn''t stable. When she was hit so unexpectedly, she fell backward. Fortunately, Wei Jianwei moved fast and took her hand so that the mother and son won''t fall to the ground.


    Wei Yuanhang rubbed his forehead and stood upright. He wanted to act like a baby to his mother. He raised his head to see that his father was holding his mother''s hand!


    He immediately raged, "Dad, go away, don''t grab my mother!"

 CH 21

    on October 28, 2021


    The little kid''s shout was like a thunderstorm. He Xiaoyun was fortunate not to fall and hearing the child''s words, she realized that her hand was being held by Wei Jianwei and hurriedly broke free from his grasp.


    The atmosphere was a bit weird for a while. The wrist part where he held her showed his fingerprints where his red handprints contrasted with her white skin. The heat there seemed to be higher than elsewhere, and it was hard to ignore.


    He Xiaoyun resisted the urge to touch the handprints, "Let''s go home."


    After He Xiaoyun talked, she took Wei Yuanhang away, Wei Jianwei stilled behind them for a while before slowly following along.


    <>


    The next day, He Xiaoyun got up before dawn, went to the market alone, bought chicken, eggs, and some dried fruits, and went to her natal family.


    Seeing these gifts, Li Yuegui hurriedly said, "There''s no celebration today, what is that for? You, take it back as soon as possible."


    He Xiaoyun put the back basket on the ground as she sat down and panted, she then said, "I went out early this morning and haven''t had a drink. Mom, are you going to drive me out?"


    Upon hearing this, Li Yuegui immediately poured a bowl of tea, and asked, "Have you had breakfast?"


    "Yeah." He Xiaoyun took the bowl of tea and drank it, she didn''t have the spare time to speak.


    "Slow down, don''t choke."


    After drinking the tea in one breath, He Xiaoyun sighed for a long time. Seeing her mother was about to talk about the early topic just now, she diverted her attention, "Did the eldest sister tell you when she went to us yesterday?"


    "Say what? She came back to our house and sat for a while and then left."


    "She went to mine first yesterday, saying that your 50th birthday next month, while Jianwei is still at home, she said that it''s better to celebrate it in advance."


    Li Yuegui waved her hands, "I''m so old already, and I''m not a kid to celebrate my birthday again, I''ll just be one year older after my birthday. What''s the trouble with all of that?"


    "Mom, that''s not the same. Being fifty years old means almost half of your whole life," He Xiaoyun said, "I still want to have fun with my family. Besides, Jianwei also agreed to come here tomorrow. You won''t welcome him?"


    He Xiaoyun knew her mother liked her son-in-law, so she deliberately brought Wei Jianwei out. After hearing her words, Li Yuegui''s attitude of refusal was not so firm anymore, but she still insisted: "Then you guys can just visit me. The gifts and the chicken, you need to get it back or else your in-laws won''t be that happy."


    He Xiaoyun assuredly patted her hand: "Don''t worry, mom. I have already told my mother-in-law about this and she originally wanted to gift a chicken but I refused because the chicken must be kept for laying eggs. This chicken I gifted you is bought from the store."


    "How much does it cost?" Li Yuegui felt a little relieved, but still can''t help feeling distressed.


    "It doesn¡¯t matter how much was it. Tomorrow, you and dad don¡¯t have to do anything. Eldest sister will bring meat and noodles back. Just leave the cooking of food on the stove to us, juniors. You old people can just tease your grandchildren and enjoy a day." He Xiaoyun smiled.


    Li Yuegui groaned, "I can enjoy the life of a toiled ghost for a lifetime. Only if your sister successfully gave birth to a boy, If you and Jianwei have a good relationship, and if your brother will have good future prospects, I will have the heart to enjoy every day."


    "Mom, you''re a little greedy. With so many wishes, the Bodhisattva won''t be able to grant it all."


    "What greedy?" Li Yuegui playfully patted her.


    He Xiaoyun smiled and avoided the incoming palm, "Where''s Dad?"


    "In the back yard, fixing the broken chicken coop. After complaining about it for several days, he was finally willing to repair it. Day by day, he would be laying around when there''s no work, don''t expect me to bring him water and food after that." Li Yuegui complained about it.


    <>


    After He Xiaoyun walked to the yard, her dad, He Dazhi dangled his pipe and viewed the hole in the chicken coop while in a cloud of smoke.


    "Dad." She yelled.


    "Huh?" He Dazhi replied, the pipe in his mouth moved, he raised his head in slow motion and saw someone standing in front of him. Only when he saw her did he completely recovered and realized that his daughter was calling him just now.


    "Xiaoyun is back?"


    He Xiaoyun nodded, "Dad, are you repairing the chicken coop?"


    He Dazhi looked at the tattered chicken coop and the mess of bamboo on the ground, frowning, "It''s your mother. She said I won''t be able to eat if I don''t repair it now."


    He Xiaoyun smiled and shook her head, she went to the front again to talk to her mother for a while and hurried back home before cooking at noon.


    <>


    At night, the Wei family sat in the yard to enjoy the cool breeze, when it was completely dark, they went back to their rooms.


    The clothes Feng Qiuyue made for Wei Yuanhang before were already completed. He Xiaoyun put it in the closet after washing it, and only took it out tonight, planning to make Wei Yuanhang wear it tomorrow.


    Wei Yuanhang saw the clothes and cheered: "I''m going to wear new clothes!"


    He Xiaoyun glanced at him and said, "Don''t be too happy, you''re going to wear this tomorrow. You''re not allowed to play in the mud, sweat too much, or clean your face with this."


    Every time she said a rule, the smile on the child''s face was slowly lost. In the end, his expression was a bit miserable, "Then, I won''t be able to wear the new clothes."


    "But you want to look good?" He Xiaoyun smiled when the child nodded.


    "Does Mom and Dad have new clothes too?"


    "No, we don''t, only you do."


    The child nodded but suddenly said: "Mom has new shoes!"


    Speaking of new shoes, He Xiaoyun looked at Wei Jianwei subconsciously and Wei Jianwei was also looking at her. Glancing at each other, she turned away first, and said to Wei Yuanhang, "There are my new shoes. Your dad bought them."


    Wei Yuanhang tilted his head and asked, "Why did Dad buy mom new shoes?"


    "Uh..." He Xiaoyun got stuck.


    Wei Jianwei came over and sat beside the bed, "Because I made your mother angry."


    "Dad''s an idiot." The kid said very rudely, and then proudly held up his small chest, "I won''t anger my mother ever."


    He Xiaoyun looked at him speechlessly, who gave him this kind of confidence? Wei Jianwei also didn''t expect to be evaluated like this by his own son, and he was also speechless for a while.


    He Xiaoyun saw that it wasn''t early anymore and patted the bed, she turned to Wei Yuanhang: "Don''t brag and lie down to sleep, you need to get up early tomorrow."


    "I want mother to hug me to sleep." The child opened his arms.


    "Just how old are you?" He Xiaoyun couldn''t help but complain.


    The child thought to himself and stretched out a hand that was as fat as small radishes, and said: "Three years old, did Mom forget it?"


    He Xiaoyun was feeling speechless and funny. She finally reached out her hand to hug him, lay him on her lap, wrapped him in a quilt, put one hand under the child¡¯s neck, and patted his back with the other hand, "Now you can sleep, right?"


    He Xiaoyun had just washed her hair, and after drying it, she tied it to a ponytail. At this time, some strands of her hair fell loosely on her shoulder. Wei Yuanhang was holding a few of her hair in his hand, still pouting.


    "Mom, is your mother my grandmother?"


    "Um."


    "Daddy''s mom is my grandma?"


    "Right."


    "What about grandma''s mother?"


    "Grandma''s mother is very old, too old."


    The child seemed to understand and then began to ask other questions.


    <>


    The night was getting deeper. In the grass outside the house, insects kept screeching. In the room, the child''s tender voice didn''t stop, the light shone on the two people''s side faces by the bed, dim and gentle.


    He Xiaoyun felt that her cheeks were a little itchy. It was probably because of the hair that was stuck to her cheek. She breathed out, but it didn''t blow off, she tried to blow out again, but the hair still didn''t fall off.


    The other person (T/N: Wei Jianwei( ?¡ã ?? ?¡ã)) suddenly stretched out a hand, gathered her scattered hair, and pinned it all behind her ears.


    The hand that touched her ears, and the heat it left behind were almost scalding.


    -----


    T/N: Sorry I wasn''t able to update these days. You can choose the following reasons why below:


    A.) Translator got lazy. [I wasn''t, I promise.]


    B.) Real Life is too much distraction. [It really was.]


    C.) Translator is still editing new chapters. [I don''t.]


    D.) Translator forgot to update it. [I never forget...maybe? Just a little.]


    A is probably what you''re suspecting me right now but I promise, It was B!

 CH 22

    In the morning, when He Xiaoyun woke up, Wei Jianwei was no longer in the house as usual. She got up and washed, changed her clothes, and woke up the child. Wei Yuanhang rubbed his eyes in a daze, "Mom, are we going to grandma''s house today?"


    "Yes, get up so you can change to your new clothes."


    The child rubbed his eyes a few times, "Where is Dad?"


    He Xiaoyun took off his sleeping clothes and put the new clothes on him, "Daddy has gotten up a long time ago, you''re the only one left."


    Wei Yuanhang had his own explanation, "I am a child, when I become an adult, I will get up very early too."


    "I didn''t scold you though?" He Xiaoyun felt funny.


    The child shook his head, "I''m telling Mom my thoughts."


    "Then you''re thinking too much." The child couldn''t understand her ridicule and thought she was complimenting him, so he was very happy. As the child was talking, Wei Jianwei came in from the outside, they didn''t know what he was doing but he''s sweating all over his body.


    "Ah, father sweats a lot." Wei Yuanhang said in surprise. He Xiaoyun glanced back and joked: "Did you go to the river to fish?"


    "No. I had run two laps." Wei Jianwei said. He Xiaoyun was stunned, this man was really energetic (T/N: ( ?¡ã ?? ?¡ã) I''m thinking of different things here, dear.). He was able to help repair the canal yesterday. Taking off his jacket, Wei Jianwei went to his baggage to pick up clean clothes.


    He Xiaoyun tidied up the child and when she turned around, she saw his naked upper body, she turned her eyes away uncomfortably. To be honest, she hasn''t seen him like this before. It was different from the feeling of seeing models flashing their muscles on t.v. Because the man was right before her eyes.


    The man found his clothes but still didn''t wear it nor go out. He still walked around the room and He Xiaoyun didn''t know what he is looking for. As Wei Jianwei kept walking around, He Xiaoyun didn''t know where to look and had taken a few glances at his body.


    He Xiaoyun secretly whispered in her heart that the man wasn''t leaving at all! A sudden thought then appeared in He Xioayun''s mind, ''Is this man teasing me again?''


    According to what he has done in the past, this possibility is really big. The more she hid, the more the man flaunted. In this case, she couldn''t back down in this man''s teasing. So He Xiaoyun stared straight at Wei Jianwei.


    ''Amitabha. I shall empty my thoughts and conceal my emotions.'' (He Xiaoyun''s chants.)


    Wei Jianwei finally found what he was looking for, and as soon as he looked up, he met He Xiaoyun''s gaze. He Xiaoyun stood tall, holding on to the will of looking at him. It''s not her who is showing their body, what is she afraid of, right?


    The two of them didn''t speak until Wei Jianwei slowly raised his hand and dropped it on the waist of his trousers.


    "Hey, you¡ª" He Xiaoyun stood up immediately. She will definitely hit him if he dares to take off his pants! However, the other party just lifted the waistband of his trousers and asked her: "What?"


    He Xiaoyun threw what was on her hand to the man, feeling defeated.


    "My little pillow!" Wei Yuanhang was wronged.


    Wei Jianwei caught it with one hand, took a few steps forward and delivered it to his son, and then asked He Xiaoyun: "Are you saying something to me?" (T/N: Jianwei sure is having fun teasing someone, ei?)


    I had never seen such a brazen man! He Xiaoyun slapped him on his chest and said, "Go away, you stinking shameless man!"


    After what she had done, He Xiaoyun felt her palms had gotten hot. Wei Jianwei did not get angry at all, his lips even twitched upwards as he went out.


    On the other hand, Li Yuegui also got up early in the morning, opened the door of the house and yard, and started cleaning the house.


    The neighbor saw it and quipped at her: "What are you cleaning so early in the morning, do you have a visitor today?"


    Li Yuegui smiled, ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s our family''s Jianwei who was at home during this time. My two daughters discussed that they would celebrate my 50th birthday in advance. Yesterday, Xiaoyun even bought a chicken. I say, they were young. They didn''t cherish their money and just spend it all."


    "It''s good for a daughter to be filial to her mother. Actually, what''s the use of having a son? I don''t expect him to be considerate. I have to wash and cook for him every day, lucky you, you have two good daughters."


    After hearing this, Li Yuegui was happy, as if she had eaten honey. When she thinks of the past, she gave birth to a daughter as her first child and a daughter as her second child. After that, she couldn''t get pregnant for many years. How many people had looked down on her secretly?


    Nowadays, although she has daughters, her daughters are filial, and her son-in-laws have good families. As long as her grandson grew up good, so what if she has daughters?


    While she was cleaning the yard, Li Yuegui suddenly heard her grandson calling for her, she put down the broom and greeted her visitors.


    "Grandma--!" Wei Yuanhang yelled from a distance and ran towards her. Li Yuegui bent down with open arms, and hugged him, "Oh... Xiaoyuan is here, let grandma hug you."


    He Xiaoyun lived closer than her eldest sister and came earlier. In addition to the things she bought yesterday, she had also brought dry goods such as dried shiitake mushrooms and fungus given by Wang Chunhua.


    "Mom, is Dad up?"


    "He got up, he''s still repairing the chicken coop in the back. I say, he was clumsy and couldn''t do anything. Jianwei, go in and sit down. Have you had breakfast? I had cooked eggs in the pot and you can eat them."


    He Xiaoyun shook her head helplessly when she heard her. When the three of them arrived here, they didn''t do anything else. They were first pushed by Li Yuegui to the table to ate a boiled egg.


    Wei Yuanhang ate an egg, and suddenly remembered what his mother had taught him this morning, he hurriedly squeezed his spoon out and said loudly: "Happy birthday to grandma! I wish grandma a blessing, a blessing big like a sea, and longevity...shoubi Nannan!" (T/N: Anyone who knows the meaning of this? I''m also clueless T.T)


    "..." He Xiaoyun almost squirted the soup out of her mouth, she hurriedly covered her mouth and swallowed the soup, and glanced at Wei Jianwei, the other party''s eyes were also smiling.


    She taught the child well while on the road, but she didn''t expect this little kid to be like a little monk chanting scriptures, he forgot a lot of words and just say straight the ending of her words.


    But Li Yuegui was so happy that she couldn''t close her mouth from smiling, she kept holding Wei Yuanhang and calling her baby grandson. She didn''t know that the child was saying it all wrong. She only thought that her little grandson was really good, he was able to recite poems at a young age.


    After eating the eggs, He Xiaoyun went to the backyard to see her father, then she was all ready to work. The chicken she bought yesterday was still in the chicken coop. She went around and called Wei Jianwei over and handed him a kitchen knife, "Will you?"


    In her impression, although Wei Jianwei loves doing tricks to her, he seems to be able to do the work at home. Sure enough, he nodded, took the kitchen knife from her, and walked outside the house to walk to the chicken coop. Seeing his reliable back, He Xiaoyun went to the kitchen to boil water in peace.


    Outside, Wei Jianwei entered the chicken coop by the ditch, opened the cage door, and reached in with his hand. The cock (T/N: It''s a male rooster alright! Those who have read smuts, stop your imagination right now!) inside gave him a peck aggressively.


    He retracted his hand, and this time, he grabbed the cock''s foot quickly and accurately, before lifting it out. The big cock cried, its powerful wings flapped vigorously, and its fierce strength can easily overturn a child.


    "Dad is amazing!" Wei Yuanhang ran over to watch.


    There is a saying in the countryside that children shouldn''t watch the killing of chickens, otherwise they will be frightened with nightmares every night. Li Yuegui hurriedly coaxed her grandson away, "We don''t need to watch the chickens. Come, grandma will take you to see small fishes."


    She took the child away, leaving Wei Jianwei to continue fighting the rooster. He Xiaoyun waited left and right in the kitchen, the water was already boiling, yet she didn''t see Wei Jianwei bring the slaughtered chicken in, so she could only take a look at outside.


    Hey, the chicken is running well.(Xiaoyun''s thoughts) The big cock that was supposed to be killed is still alive and running around the yard. Wei Jianwei is hunting it down.


    Now she can see his characteristics as a soldier, with long legs and the ability to run!


    -----


    T/N: Sorry if I only updated now! Well, you see... I got myself a part-time job, so i''m quite busy. But don''t worry! I make sure to make time in updating this series. Wishe you all good luck in your everything~

 CH 23

    In the end, the big cock fell under Wei Jianwei''s chopper. He Xiaoyun seriously suspected that the cock was so tired that it couldn''t run anymore, otherwise, it couldn''t die so easily.


    Just after the chicken was slaughtered, He Xiaofen''s family arrived. She was carrying a basket and held her little daughter in her arms, while her eldest daughter was held by her husband, Zhang Jinsheng.


    "You guys came quite early." After entering the door, seeing He Xiaoyun picking chicken feathers in the yard, He Xiaofen handed the child to Li Yuegui and rolled up her sleeves to help.


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "You''re not too late."


    "There are eggs stewed in the pot, you and Jinsheng can eat first." Li Yuegui said to her eldest daughter. He Xiaofen listened and turned to explain to her husband: "You can take the children to eat first, I''m not hungry, I''ll eat later."


    Wei Yuanhang was playing with a chicken tail feather, when so many people came, he ran over to lean against He Xiaoyun.


    "Why didn''t Xiaoyuan call me Auntie today?" He Xiaofen teased him. Wei Yuanhang called out to his aunt, still clinging to his mother, looking rather shy.


    "You haven''t seen him for a long time. He''s a bit shy. When you get to know him, he will turn naughty." He Xiaoyun smiled and turned her head to look at Yuanhang. "Go and play with your cousins."


    He Xiaofen and He Xiaoyun were two years apart, and Xiaofen married earlier but Wei Yuanhang was born a few months earlier than He Xiaofen¡¯s eldest daughter. As the two sisters married quite away from each other, Yuanhang and his two cousins were not as close as he was to Yanyan.


    When the chubby boy saw a new playmate, he was somewhat reserved. He Xiaoyun coaxed him with a few more words before he ran into the house to find his cousin sisters.


    "Where''s brother-in-law?" He Xiaofen''s gaze rolled around in the yard.


    The relationship between her younger sister and this Wei brother-in-law is not so good as she knows. At the beginning of the younger sister¡¯s ''misdeeds'', she also looked down upon her, but in the end, she was still her own sister. She can only wish that she lives well.


    When she went to the Wei''s house that day, she heard her younger sister talk to her brother-in-law, the two seemed to be more relaxed with each other than before, but Xiaofen couldn''t rest assured unless she saw the two kiss.


    "Shhh..." He Xiaoyun lowered her voice, glanced into the room, and then said: "He was helping Dad fix the chicken coop in the backyard. Dad started repairing it yesterday, and it still hasn''t been repaired. If mom knows that Jianwei helped, dad''s going to be scolded."


    He Xiaofen nodded very understandingly.


    "Jianwei still has his craft, unlike that brother-in-law of yours. He can''t even dry the child''s diapers. I also need to scold him to start working!"


    He Xiaoyun couldn''t help laughing when she heard her eldest sister''s tone, which was the same as their Mom''s.


    As He Xiaofen was talking, Zhang Jinsheng walked out holding his little daughter with a thick face, "Huihui won''t eat when I fed her, nor when her grandma did, when are you coming to feed her?"


    "What go?!" He Xiaofen said in an angry voice, "Didn''t you see that I was busy here?"


    "Then, I help you pull out the chicken feathers?" Zhang Jinsheng offered helplessly.


    He Xiaofen looked at her husband with disgust, "And then, mess it up?"


    Saying that, He Xiaofen stood up, washed her hands clean, and took over her daughter, "Xiaoyun, you do it for a while, I will come to help."


    Zhang Jinsheng really wanted to help but He Xiaoyun immediately denied: "I don''t need brother-in-law''s help, there are only little feathers left. I''ll just pull it out."


    He Xiaofen tugged at him, "Look at you, don''t mess around. If you really want to work, just pick two buckets of water."


    "You only know how to scold me." Zhang Jinsheng muttered, but still obediently took the pole bucket and went out.


    He Xiaoyun smiled while looking at them. Although Li Yuegui always said that her eldest sister and brother-in-law often quarreled, the relationship between the husband and wife was pretty good. Before long, she cleaned up the chicken, got to the kitchen, cut the chicken into small pieces with a knife, half of it was put in the pot to boil chicken soup, and the other half was to be fried chicken nuggets for a while.


    The chicken soup boiled in the pot, He Xiaoyun sat under the stove and burned the fire, while He Xiaofen made noodles, the two sisters chatted.


    Li Yuegui held Huihui in one hand and a big bowl in the other. The bowl contained a few peaches, which were brought by the neighbor just now. After giving out to her grandchildren, she plans to give the rest to her daughters and sons-in-law, "Where''s Jianwei? I haven''t seen him for a while."


    He Xiaoyun and He Xiaofen looked at each other and He Xiaoyun stood up, "I just saw him hanging out behind the house. I''ll take the peaches to him."


    She took two peaches from the bowl and went out through the back door. Wei Jianwei has quick hands and feet. He has repaired the chicken coop. He''s now preparing to make a cage door that can be moved. He Dazhi is not in the backyard anymore, he probably hid somewhere to smoke.


    "Hey, eat some peaches." He Xiaoyun handed the peach to Wei Jianwei and took another bite in the peach on her other hand. The peach is not big, and the juice is not too much, but it was sweet.


    Wei Jianwei couldn''t free his hands from his work and looked at the peach in front of him, he opened his mouth to bite when He Xiaoyun retracted her hand, "Do I need to feed you with my hands again?"


    Wei Jianwei looked up at her, "Can''t you?"


    He Xiaoyun felt that she was being played by this man lately. He played tricks and act like a hooligan to her, maybe it''s her time to retaliate. She can lose the game but not the momentum.


    "Yes, I can," He Xiaoyun smiled before making an unkind look, "Then beg me first."


    He Xiaoyun used to watch TV dramas and always listened to the villains saying ''why don''t you beg me?''. He Xiaoyun didn''t feel anything when she heard those lines on TV but now that she was the one who spoke it, it feels...quite weird. When He Xiaoyun said everything, it was too late to take it back. She thought that Wei Jianwei wouldn''t pay attention to her, but he complied, "Please."


    The man was squatting and had to look up at her when he was speaking and with his word, He Xiaoyun suddenly felt that she was doing something fishy. The man''s face didn''t redden at all, It was He Xiaoyun who became ashamed with red ears.


    "You''re too shameless, alright." She muttered in a low voice. She couldn''t bear this scene and squatted down, "Hey, don''t bite my hand."


    The peach is really not big, every time Wei Jianwei took a bite, his lips touch her fingertips. (T/N: I bet Jianwei was deliberately doing this. This sly man. (£þy¨Œ,£þ)¨q )


    He Xiaoyun pretended not to care, but couldn''t help thinking in her heart: It''s not obvious, but this man has such soft lips.


    In the kitchen, He Xiaofen peeked from the back door on tiptoes, and then turned to her mother with a smile: "I can see it, she''s feeding him."


    After He Xiaoyun finished feeding the man, she discarded the peach pits, her five fingers still splayed unnaturally, "Then... the chicken soup is almost done, so I go now."


    After saying her piece, before Wei Jianwei could even speak, she turned around and returned to the kitchen. When she entered the door, her mother and her eldest sister were laughing at something they were talking about.


    He Xiaoyun became curious: "What are you two talking about?"


    He Xiaofen raised her eyebrows and glanced at the backyard, she teasingly said, "I told mom that you and your husband have such a good relationship, I''m afraid that Xiaoyuan has finally a brother or sister on your stomach right now."


    He Xiaoyun was speechless. For some reason, her face burned hot and flushed. She suddenly wanted to shout out: Can you two be pure?!


    -----


    T/N: Yosh! I finally had some free time to update! So here it is! Don''t worry about the translations, I''ll make sure I do it! (Even if I had to forsake my sleeping time!)

 CH 24

    Mass Update (1/10)


    *****


    Li Yuegui¡¯s birthday was lively and the neighbors came to watch through the door curiously, knowing that it was the He sisters who started and gave their mother a birthday celebration. The neighbors all praised that Li Yuegui gave birth to two good daughters, which made Li Yuegui''s face more radiant.


    It was not until the afternoon that the two young couples took their children home.


    The next morning, when Wei Yuanhang woke up, he asked his mother: "Mom, when shall we go visit Auntie''s house?"


    "Why?" He Xiaoyun continued to dress him, "Didn''t you just meet your aunt yesterday?"


    "I have an appointment with Sister Xiaohua, and I also want to lend her my building blocks to play with."


    Xiaohua is the eldest daughter of He Xiaofen.


    He Xiaoyun smiled: "Oh, you''re not stingy with your toys this time? I will take you with me next time I go visit your aunt''s house."


    The child said with a serious face: "This is mom''s promise."


    "I know."


    After breakfast, the Wei family members were busy. He Xiaoyun sat at the door while picking soybeans, and watched Wei Yuanhang not to go out of the house. Now, the sun is getting more hot, if she doesn''t watch that naughty little dumpling, his smooth and delicate white skin might sunburn.


    "Excuse me, Is this Wei Jianwei''s house?"


    An unfamiliar voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard. He Xiaoyun looked up and found that it was a man in a military uniform, his age about thirty years old.


    "Yes, and you are?" She stood up.


    The other party smiled heartily: "I am his comrade-in-arms, my name is Lin Yuefei."


    He Xiaoyun was a little wary but hearing his introduction, she asked Wei Yuanhang to call for his father. Wei Jianwei was still in the bamboo forest so He Xiaoyun invited Lin Yuefei into the hall and poured him a bowl of tea.


    "Are you old Wei''s younger sister?" Lin Yuefei asked He Xioyun tentatively.


    He Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment and didn''t know how to answer. Whether it was "I am his wife" or "I am his lover", she was too awkward to say it.


    "Mom, Dad is here!" By coincidence, Wei Yuanhang ran in from the back door. Wei Jianwei followed behind him.


    Hearing the child''s call, Lin Yuefei''s eyes widened in surprise, and his gaze fell on He Xiaoyun again.


    He had known that Old Wei was married, but when he was in the army, he never heard Wei Jianwei mention his other half. When someone occasionally made jokes about him, Jianwei never responded. So, they secretly guessed that Jianwei was married to either a tyrant or a tigress.


    Who would have thought that Jianwei''s wife is not only young but also looks so good? Just what kind of blessing did Jianwei have? No wonder he was hiding his wife!


    Seeing Wei Jianwei''s return, He Xiaoyun sighed with relief and exchanged a few polite words with Lin Yuefei before taking Wei Yuanhang away.


    She entered the kitchen and hesitated if she should cook for the guests. Wang Chunhua and Feng Qiuyue happened to be away from home, so she have no one with whom she could discuss this.


    While she thinking about it, Wei Jianwei walked into the kitchen.


    "Why don''t you entertain your comrade-in-arms?" Isn''t this too negligent to leave the guest in the hall?


    "It doesn''t matter." Wei Jianwei said while opening a cabinet without knowing what to look for.


    He Xiaoyun watched Wei Jianwei turn over things before he finally pulled out a bottle of wine, fill a plate with fried peanuts cooked by Wang Chunhua, and was about to go out.


    She hurriedly stopped him, "You''re just going to serve wine? Did your comrade-in-arms already eat breakfast?"


    Seeing her so worried, Wei Jianwei said: "You''re busy, you don''t need to worry about him."


    Listening to Wei Jianwei''s tone, his friendship with that comrade-in-arms is very good. The person is willing to come all the way here, he shouldn''t just feed the guest with fried peanuts, right?


    He Xiaoyun was helpless with this man: "You should go out and talk to your guest first. I see what I can cook for now, at the least, I can whip out two snacks."


    She took out a few eggs, fried a dish of egg, cut off a piece of bacon, and fry it with the garlic sprouts.


    When her cooking was half done, Wang Chunhua came back. She hurried all the way back home when she heard someone that there was a guest at her home. Seeing the dishes in the pot, Wang Chunhua nodded, "The time you cooked in the rice planting, your fried bacon and garlic sprouts was delicious."


    He Xiaoyun is embarrassed, "My cooking can''t be compared to you, mother."


    "It''s not just me who praised it, but also your dad." Wang Chunhua said.


    When the dishes are ready, He Xiaoyun took them to the hall.


    Wei Jianwei and his comrades drank quietly. Most of the time, they talked in low voices.


    Seeing her coming in with the plates, Lin Yuefei said hurriedly, "Sister-in-law, you don''t need to me some food."


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "This is nothing, I''m just made it casually."


    Wei Jianwei got up to take the plates and asked her, "Do you want to sit down with us?"


    "I don''t know how to drink. Should I sit and pretend to be wooden fish with the two of you?" He Xiaoyun joked and said: "You two can eat slowly, call me when you needed something."


    Watching her leave, Lin Yuefei gave Wei Jianwei a thumbs up, "Old Wei, you really are blessed!"


    Not only does she look good, but she also treats people decently. She can go to the hall and go to the kitchen to cook.


    Wei Jianwei glanced at him, "Drink your wine."


    Lin Yuefei smiled, "Why? You''re not happy that I look at your wife? I can see your potential as a jealous husband. I really opened my eyes today. No wonder you''ve been hiding her before, not letting us people know... I won''t say anything anymore, don''t look at me that way, it''s scary."


    Lin Yuefei came today, mainly to talk to Wei Jianwei about their departure. The two of them had returned home from the army before, and of course, they would go together.


    Lin Yuefei didn''t stay in the Wei''s house for too long and left before noon. Wang Chunhua couldn''t keep him for dinner anymore.


    "Xiaolin has bought so many things, it''s so expensive." Wang Chunhua looked at the gift Lin Yuefei had brought. There were two bottles of wine, two boxes of cigarettes, and a pack of glutinous rice cakes, which cost a lot of money.


    She put away the wine and cigarettes and gave the glutinous rice cake to He Xiaoyun, which was reserved for Wei Yuanhang to eat when he was hungry.


    "What time did you negotiate with Xiaolin?" Wang Chunhua asked Wei Jianwei.


    "The morning after tomorrow." Wei Jianwei said.


    "Oh...there''s only one day left." Wang Chunhua turned around and wiped the tabletop to conceal her red eyes.


    Her son has been in the army for two years.


    He Xiaoyun stood nearby and Wei Yuanhang was leaning on her. The child seems to feel the emotions of the adults. Although he was greedy with the glutinous rice cake in his mother''s hand, he was quiet for a while.


    After dinner, the housework was done and seeing the sky was still bright, He Xiaoyun took the child out for a walk, together with Wei Jianwei.


    The sky turned crimson because of the sunset, and the black silhouettes of egrets flashed in the fields. The seedlings had been planted for nearly a month, they had grown to be lush and sturdy.


    Dogs barking can be heard from somewhere, adults were calling the children to go home, frogs were croaking in the paddy fields, the evenings in the countryside are so lively and peaceful.


    The child hopped in front of the two of them, stopping from time to time to look at the grass and bugs on the side of the road. In Wei Yuanhang''s little head, he still didn''t know what the worry or sorrow of parting was.


    "You..." He Xiaoyun cleared her throat, "Do you have to start packing at night?"


    Wei Jianwei glanced at her, "It''s not much, I will pack it tomorrow."


    This is true. After he came back home, she only saw two sets of clothes and one drawer of books.


    Wei Jianwei happened to think of his books: "Can you keep the books in the drawer for me? Don''t let Jianhua go through with them."


    He Xiaoyun half-joked and said, "I need to be paid for keeping it. Or else, I will take all your books and read them at that time."


    "You can go read them," Wei Jianwei curled his mouth, "If the books in the drawer are not enough, I show you the books in my suitcase."


    The two people''s things are separated in the room, and the suitcase belongs to Wei Jianwei.


    "Who wants to look at your things?" He Xiaoyun pretended to be disdainful.


    Wei Yuanhang pulled a few dogs'' tail grass and ran over, "Mom, I want a puppy."


    He Xiaoyun had made one for him before. After that, whenever he sees the dog''s tail grass, the child will pull a few of it. The few blades of grass he grabbed were both long and short.


    Wei Yuanhang looked up for a while, probably feeling tired, opened his arms and said to Wei Jianwei: "Dad, hug."


    Wei Jianwei saw that He Xiaoyun had no objection, so he picked him up. The child turned around in his arms, almost putting his head on his mother''s shoulder, flattering without hesitation, "Mom is so amazing."


    "If you tear the puppy again this time, I won''t make another one for you next time." He Xiaoyun was unmoved by his rainbow fart.


    "It was the puppy that broke it..." Wei Yuanhang murmured.


    "Yes, the puppy has a hand, and it tore itself into pieces." He Xiaoyun snorted.


    The chubby kid didn''t understand her, but he could hear his mother''s tone that is not good, so he didn''t dare continue to quibble. Wei Jianwei didn''t speak, but he has a smile in his eyes, looking at both of them, mother and son.


    He Xiaoyun asked him casually: "How long does it take for you to get to your troops by train?"


    "Two days and one night." He said.


    She calculated it, two days and one night are more than 30 hours. According to the current speed of the train, it''s about a thousand kilometers. In her time, transportation is convenient and communication is developed unlike here.


    The puppy was made up quickly, and Wei Yuanhang took it in his hands, planning to cherish it properly, but children''s love often didn''t last long. It''s hard to say whether this puppy can stay overnight safely. Wei Jianwei looked at her and seemed to be ready to put the child down.


    He Xiaoyun stopped him: "You hold him. You won''t be home anymore, he won''t be able to have that treatment, since I won''t hold him anymore."


    Hearing this, Wei Jianwei raised his eyebrows slightly, "Can''t bear  to see me go?"


    He Xiaoyun cut, "Stop putting gold on your face." (Like, stop putting yourself on a pedestal or don''t brag? Something like that.)


    Even if He Xiaoyun was really reluctant to see him go, she wouldn''t admit it. Wei Jianwei curled his lips, his expression seemed to be smiling.


    "What are you doing?" He Xiaoyun asked, a little baffled, "What do you mean by making this expression?"


    "It means to laugh," he said.


    "What a laugh. Just laugh, don''t make that expression."


    "No." -WJ


    "Yes, you can do it." -HX


    "No." -WJ


    "Yes." -HX


    "No." -WJ


    "Yes!" -HX


    "Well then, yes." -WJ


    He suddenly reversed it unexpectedly, and He Xiaoyun had to swallow her words, she stared at the man dryly. He looked at her, there seemed to be something else in his eyes, "Acknowledge it, there''s nothing shameful at that." ((¡£?¦Ø?¡£) Someone needs to admit she was reluctant to see someone go~)


    "What, what do you mean..." (In denial ka pa.)


    But Wei jianwei didn''t explain it: "Guess."


    He Xiaoyun thought that the smile at the corner of his mouth look so disgusting, she wants to hit him.

 CH 25

    MASS UPDATE (2/10)


    *****


    The next morning, Wei Jianwei and his father and first brother went to Houshan to weed the tombs of the ancestors of the Wei family, while Wang Chunhua began to pack things for her son one after another.


    Home-fried peanuts, newly knitted sweaters, a few pairs of thick insoles. She walked back and forth in the house. He Xiaoyun and Feng Qiuyue knew that she was uncomfortable, and they couldn''t persuade her.


    Next door Aunt Zhang finished her housework and came to drop in. Seeing Wang Chunhua walking around like a headless bird, she couldn''t help asking, "What is your mother doing?"


    Feng Qiuyue glanced at He Xiaoyun and replied to her: "Jianwei will return to the army tomorrow morning. Mom is packing his luggage."


    "Oh," Aunt Zhang nodded: "A month has passed so soon, it seems like Jianwei just came back home yesterday."


    "Yeah."


    "I remember Jianwei leaving home for the first time that year. He was only a teenager. How many tears your mother has wiped in front of me that time, now, it has been so many years in a blink of an eye." Aunt Zhang sighed with emotion.


    After finally finishing packing, Wang Chunhua finally sat down.


    Aunt Zhang patted her hand and comforted: "Days are fast, Jianwei will be back in a blink of an eye. Don''t be sad, otherwise, the second child will see you and go uneasy."


    Wang Chunhua sighed and smiled reluctantly, "I know, it''s just uncomfortable for now, it will be fine afterward."


    Aunt Zhang joked: "You can''t bear for him to leave, Xiaoyun also can''t bear for him to go. This young wife has a thin face, so don''t sigh in front of her. Later, you might provoke her tears."


    He Xiaoyun smiled and lowered her head as if embarrassed. Although she wasn''t too uncomfortable, she felt a little melancholy because of the imminent parting and the atmosphere at home.


    Wang Chunhua looked at Aunt Zhang, nodded, and cheered up, "You''re right. If I''m like this, it will make the people even sadder."


    "En. That''s right." Aunt Zhang said, thinking of something again, "I heard that some of the cadres in the army have reached high ranks and can take their family members over. I don''t know if that''s possible with Jianwei?"


    "Is there such a thing? I don''t know about such things, I will ask Jianwei when the time comes." Wang Chunhua said.


    "Of course, otherwise this young couple will be separated all year long, it will be difficult."


    Wang Chunhua nodded in agreement.


    In fact, if her second daughter-in-law had the same temperament as before, even if the family members could join the army, Wang Chunhua wouldn''t dare to let He Xiaoyun go, for fear that something might happen again, which would affect her son''s future. But now, her second daughter-in-law has changed, and has a good relationship with her son. And the child is still small. If the family can be together, then it''s better to get together.


    He Xiaoyun couldn¡¯t help but raise her head. She knew that a high military rank could allow her family to join the army, but she had never thought about it before and didn¡¯t think Wei Jianwei would want her to be there. After all, they''re not really a loving couple. Does he want to continue sleeping on the floor?


    Approaching noon, the Wei family, father, and son came back from the mountain. After lunch, Wei Jianwei went back to the room to change his sweaty clothes and prepared to go out again.


    "Are you going out again?" He Xiaoyun asked him, leaning against the door.


    He nodded, "I''m going to my uncle''s house."


    Although the elders of the Wei family are no longer there, there are still a few elderly people in the family who are close to each other. Wei Jianwei is going to return to the army, so he has to go to their house and say something.


    "Dad, are you going to play at your uncle''s house?" Wei Yuanhang emerged from behind his mother.


    He Xiaoyun touched his head and corrected him: "That''s your Dad''s uncle, you need to call him Uncle Taigong."


    The child nodded and then asked, "Will Dad go to Uncle Taigong''s house to play??"


    "If I''m going to play, will you go?" Wei Jianwei asked him.


    "Will Mom come, or not?" Wei Yuanhang raised his head and asked He Xiaoyun.


    She shook her head, "Mom''s staying at home, go with Dad if you want."


    The child struggled for a while. He did want to go out, but at the same time, he wanted to follow his mother. He was in a dilemma. He Xiaoyun flicked his forehead lightly, "Go, I''ll be waiting for you at home."


    "Okay, mother can''t sneak out and play by herself." The kid worriedly said.


    "Got it." He Xiaoyun rolled her eyes a little.


    The father and son left, and the room was deserted. He Xiaoyun walked to the desk, sat down in the place where Wei Jianwei usually sits, took a book out, and flipped through it, unknowingly, she lost her purpose to read.


    In her previous life, until she died of cancer, she was a single dog. But in her era, information is aplenty and various entertainments flooded people¡¯s lives. TV was full of dogblood drama with beautiful women and handsome men. He Xiaoyun is not ignorant of certain things.


    She knew that she had some good feelings for Wei Jianwei, and she could feel the other person''s feeling too. But she doesn''t know how far this kind of affection can last.


    Just like when Aunt Zhang mentioned about them joining the army in the morning, there was a small voice asking in her heart, if she can go, would she go?


    While in a daze, Wang Chunhua walked in with the towel in her hand.


    "Mom?" He Xiaoyun stood up.


    Wang Chunhua waved her hand and motioned to her to sit down, "I''m fine, this towel, wait for Jianwei to put it away."


    He Xiaoyun nodded.


    Wang Chunhua put down the towel and was about to go out, but came back again, "Xiaoyun, what do you think about what your Aunt Zhang said?"


    He Xiaoyun did not speak for a while. In fact, she had just thought of it, if Wei Jianwei wants her to go, she won''t disagree. Anyway, if the child is by his father''s side, it will definitely be more beneficial to his character development.


    In the end, she just said: "You have to ask Jianwei about this."


    "I''ll ask him when he comes back later. If you can go there, you''ll be together as a family, and Jianwei won''t be alone. Xiaoyuan can also see his father every day." Wang Chunhua said.


    After she left, He Xiaoyun became dazed again. In the afternoon, Wei Jianwei and Wei Yuanhang returned, and the child hopped all the way back to the room.


    "Mom, I''m back!"


    The child was flushed and sweat was all over his forehead. He Xiaoyun twisted a wet towel to wipe his sweat, and asked casually: "Is Uncle Taigong''s house fun?"


    "Yeah, Uncle and grandpa gave me delicious food." The child nodded. In his heart, it''s fun to eat delicious food.


    Wei Jianwei said a few words to Wang Chunhua and returned to the room.


    "Mom just took a new towel and told me to tell you to put it in your duffel bag." He Xiaoyun reminded him.


    "Good." Wei Jianwei nodded.


    Wei Yuanhang wiped his sweat and wanted to play but He Xiaoyun held him down, "It''s time to take a nap."


    The child complained, "I don''t want to sleep."


    He Xiaoyun is very familiar with the child''s routine. He says he doesn''t want to sleep, but when she presses him down, he can sleep like a pig in less than five minutes.


    Being forcibly suppressed by his mother, Wei Yuanhang hugged the quilt and rolled on the Kang bed. "But I''m so hot, so hot, so hot."


    Wei Jianwei walked over, holding a big fan in his hand, and said to his son: "Lie down, I will fan you."


    The chubby kid glanced at him, and at his mother. Seeing that there was no room for discussion, he had to lie down obediently.


    "Mom, Uncle Taigong said that Dad is leaving, where is Dad going?"


    He Xiaoyun glanced at Wei Jianwei and said, "Your dad will return to the army."


    "Is he going alone?"


    "Um."


    The child pouted, "I will miss Dad a bit."


    Wei Jianwei didn''t hear their conversation, he couldn''t help but look at He Xiaoyun and ask with his eyes. He Xiaoyun guessed the child''s feeling.


    "Your son can''t bear to see you go." He Xiaoyun explained.


    Wei Yuanhang was still whispering, but his voice was getting smaller and his eyelids heavier and heavier. Not long after that, the child who said he didn''t want to sleep started snoring.


    Wei Jianwei continued to fan him, and He Xiaoyun was also sitting by the bed.


    In the summer afternoon, the breeze comes in from the window, the wind smells of vegetation and sunlight, dry but fragrant.


    "I and the child are going to work hard for you." In silence, Wei Jianwei said.


    He Xiaoyun lowered her eyes and looked at her hand on the bed, "It''s not just your child."


    Xiaoyun meant to say that the chubby kid was also her child, but somehow, she sounded angry.


    When Wei Jianwei heard it, he lowered his head to see her expression, "Unhappy?"


    "No." He Xiaoyun turned her head.


    Wei Jianwei leaned over, "Really?"


    He Xiaoyun turned to the other side again, "No."


    Jianwei leaned over again, "Let me see your face then."


    After going back and forth several times, He Xiayun became impatient and pushed him a bit, "If I said no, It''s a no, why are you so annoying?"


    Wei Jianwei held the hand she used to push him. He Xiaoyun struggled for a while but still didn''t break away, so she turned her head away from him.


    His hands are very large, with many calluses in his palms, which enclosed her hands. He Xioayun looked down. Although she always did housework, her hands were still white and soft, and her slender wrists looked a little fragile.


    Wei Jianwei slowly sighed, and his tone was low: "Mom asked me about the two of you going to the army. When I returned, I will report for the two of you to go there and wait for the approval. I also need to see if there''s a suitable allocation of houses. You just need to wait for a while."


    "Who''s in a hurry?" He Xiaoyun snorted. Even if she could really go to the army, it would depend on her mood. Wei Jianwei curled the corner of his mouth, "I''m anxious, I''m afraid that you will miss me too much."


    He Xiaoyun turned her head to glare at him, "Who will miss you?"


    Wei Jianwei leaned closer as if to look at her carefully, "Let me see, did you cry just now?"


    He Xiaoyun hurriedly avoided the hand he stretched out, and said in embarrassment: "You are crying, your whole family is crying!"


    "Isn''t my whole family you and Yuanhang?" Wei Jianwei asked with a smile. (Smooth, dude~ Real smooth.)


    He Xiaoyun choked, "I didn''t cry."


    "Really? Why did you hide your face just now, then?"


    "That''s because you''re annoying!"


    "I can be more annoying, do you know?"


    "Go away, I don''t want to know."


    The two were bickering back and forth and suddenly realized something was wrong, the two turned around and found that Wei Yuanhang woke up somehow.


    The child looked at them with sparkling eyes, and said in distress, "Mom and Dad, you two are so noisy."


    "..."


    -----

 CH 26

    MASS UPDATE (3/10)


    *****


    Wei Jianwei left before dawn and did not disturb the two sleeping people in the room.


    He was washing in the courtyard and found that there was a little light in the kitchen. When he walked in, he found that Wang Chunhua was sitting under the stove in a trance. The fire in the stove was about to go out, and the orange-red light shone on her face.


    "Mom."


    Wang Chunhua came back to her senses, "You''re up? There are noodles in the pot, eat it before leaving."


    Wei Jianwei nodded, "Mom, go back to your room and sleep for a while."


    "En. I go now."


    To explain, Wang Chunhua got up at four o¡¯clock to make a bowl of noodles for her son. She walk to return to her room and couldn¡¯t sleep anymore, but she''s afraid of staying in the hall and watching her son leave.


    Wang Chunhua wiped her eyes when she walked outside the kitchen.


    When He Xiaoyun woke up, the room was quiet and only Wei Yuanhang made a small snoring sound. She turned her head and looked at the floor. Wei Jianwei¡¯s bed had been put away, and she couldn''t see any of his personal belongings. The person has left.


    The child didn''t know that his father had left long ago. After playing with himself for a long time in the morning, he finally remembered to ask his mother, "Mom, where is Dad?"


    "Your Dad has returned to the army, I said this to you yesterday."


    "But..." Wei Yuanhang pouted his mouth. "He didn''t tell me today."


    He Xiaoyun touched his head and said, "Dad left early in the morning. Seeing that you were sleeping too soundly, I couldn''t bear to wake you."


    "When will father come back?"


    "Soon, he will come back when the plum tree in my aunt''s house grows plums again."


    After coaxing the child for a while, the child was still a little unhappy, and He Xiaoyun had to let him rest in her arms. After lunch, Wei Yuanhang went to play again. Not long after, he ran to He Xiaoyun holding a wooden box, "Mom, how come the bugs have become like this?"


    The wooden box was previously used to hold the worm eggs. Ten days ago, the worms turned into pupas. He Xiaoyun asked Yuanhang to put them in the side utility room and to watch them later.


    As there have been a lot of things recently, they have forgotten them. When the child thought about the box again, the insects have turned into butterflies and flew away, leaving only a few gray pupa shells.


    After Wei Yuanhang listened to his mother''s explanation, his eyes were filled with tears, "Daddy is gone. Now, little Hudi is gone too. Wuuu!"


    The child cried too violently and shocked several other people in the family. Wang Chunhua hurried out, "What''s the matter? Did Yuanhang fall?"


    He Xiaoyun explained helplessly: "Those vegetable insects turned into butterflies and flew away."


    Wang Chunhua breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing her little grandson crying with tears and snot, she felt funny and distressed, "It''s okay, grandma will catch you a few more bugs."


    "I want a lot." The child made a nasal bubble.


    "Well, a lot then." The child''s troubles made Wang Chunhua''s sadness dissipate a lot.


    <>


    When the lotus was blooming in full bloom, Li Yuegui told He Xiaoyun that her cousin had decided to get married at the end of the year.


    At that time, He Xiaoyun was helping her mother weed the vegetable garden. Hearing her mother''s words, she asked: "What did cousin say?"


    "Your cousin didn¡¯t say yes, nor did he say no. He''s no longer young this year. Your aunt simply made a decision. The girl is good in everything except for her family."


    He Xiaoyun nodded. Although it''s not like in the old days when marriage is decided by the parents, there''s still some distance from free love, especially in rural areas like this, where young men and women are usually accompanied by an introducer.


    "By the way, your first sister-in-law''s stomach has been around for several months, right? When will the child be born?"


    "It should be around September?" He Xiaoyun thought for a while, and nodded, "It''s September."


    Li Yuegui swept the pulled-out grass outside the courtyard and said, "September is good. It''s neither cold nor hot during confinement, and there''s no need to worry about the child getting cold. Aunt Wang said that when she saw your sister-in-law on the road two days ago, she had a little stomach. She guessed that it''s 80% a girl."


    He Xiaoyun was helpless: "That''s all nonsense. She''s not a clairvoyant. How can she see a child''s gender through a belly?"


    "Old people have experience and they are very accurate. When I was pregnant with you, she said that it was a girl. Who would have thought that you really would be a girl, which made me happy for nothing."


    "Then, should I be reborn to be a boy this time?" He Xiaoyun pretended to be angry.


    Li Yuegui smiled: "I have raised you to such a large size. What else can I do if I make a mistake? I''m just talking about it."


    After pulling the grass, He Xiaoyun went to the water tank to wash her hands and poured some water on her face. Even though she was wearing a hat, her face was still red with heat.


    Li Yuegui poured her a bowl of tea and asked, "Jianwei has been away for half a month, right?"


    He Xiaoyun was washing her face and had no time to speak, so she just nodded.


    "Xiaoyuan said you miss him?"


    "Don''t believe that child''s nonsense." He Xiaoyun drank in the tea bowl on the table, sat down, and picked up the fan.


    Li Yuegui said: "Kids forget very easily. When Jianwei comes back next year, the child will have to know him again."


    She sighed again as she said, "You and Jianwei shouldn''t separate like this. When will you live with him?"


    He Xiaoyun looked at a fly on the ground and said nothing. The Wei family wanted her to live in the army, and she hadn''t mentioned it to Li Yuegui yet, after all, it won''t happen for the time being. Although her mother is now worried that she and Jianwei can''t be in the same place, she may be more reluctant to know that her daughter is really going to the army.


    She sat for a while before going back home. Before she went out, Wei Yuanhang followed his grandmother. Now, he is playing with Yanyan at Aunt Zhang''s house. He Xiaoyun didn''t call him either but said hello to Feng Qiuyue who was sitting at the entrance of the hall.


    "You''re back? Xiaoyuan is next door with mom." Feng Qiuyue said.


    "I heard them, let him play so that he doesn''t have to come back and trouble us." He Xiaoyun picked up a baby shoe that Feng Qiuyue had just made. It was small, not as big as a palm, it''s not exquisite, but it''s very cute, "Sister-in-law, your craftsmanship is so good, you can sell it."


    Feng Qiuyue smiled, "If you really like it, I will make another one in the future. I will make it for you."


    As she was talking, someone outside the door suddenly shouted: "Is Wei Zhenxing here? There is a letter from you!"


    He Xiaoyun and Feng Qiuyue turned their heads and saw a postman carrying a military-green messenger bag, standing at the door, sweating.


    "We are his daughters-in-law. Comrade, come in for a cup of tea." Feng Qiuyue hurriedly stood up and welcomed.


    The postman rummaged in his bag again, "Is He Xiaoyun also here? There''s also a letter for her."


    He Xiaoyun was pouring tea, and she subconsciously said: "I am He Xiaoyun."


    Two letters were placed on the table, and the postman drank the tea and hurried away, as he had to rush to the next house.


    Without looking at the sender, Feng Qiuyue smiled: "It must be from Jianwei."


    "Comrade Postman delivered us the letters?" Wang Chunhua led Wei Yuanhang in from the door, probably hearing the loud voice from the next door.


    Aunt Zhang also came to watch the excitement, "Is it Jianwei''s letter?"


    "Mom! Mom." Wei Yuanhang ran over and leaned at He Xiaoyun. He Xiaoyun rubbed his head.


    "I just told Xiaoyun that it was definitely sent by Jianwei, and he wrote two letters, one to the family and the other for Xiaoyun. I don''t know what to say." Feng Qiuyue joked.


    Aunt Zhang also joked: "Let me just say, Jianwei used to send a letter only one or two months ago. When did he write so diligently? This time, only half a month had passed, right?"


    "Seventeen days to be exact." Wang Chunhua said.


    "Maybe he wrote to Xiaoyun as soon as he arrived in the army. After all, the two are a young couple. It''s like mixing oil in a honeypot."


    Seeing that He Xiaoyun was embarrassed, Wang Chunhua asked her to go back to the room to read the letter. There was one letter left, waiting for Wei Zhenxing to come back in the evening before tearing it down.


    He Xiaoyun took Wei Yuanhang back to their room. The child walked around her back and forth, very curious about the paper on his mother''s hand, "Mom, is it a letter? What is a letter?"


    He Xiaoyun simply explained: "It''s what Dad wants to say to us. He had to write it down and ask the postman to send it to us."


    The child tilted his head, "Then we should thank Uncle Postman."


    "Yes." He Xiaoyun smiled and squeezed his chubby face.


    Looking at the thin envelope in her hand, it''s undeniable that He Xiaoyun has small expectations and excitement in her heart. She held Wei Yuanhang in her arms and then opened the envelope.


    Wei Jianwei''s words are with a little sharpness and calmness, which is unforgettable.


    "What did Dad say?" The paper was full of handwriting, and the little illiterate kid was dazzled, he twisted restlessly on his mother''s lap.


    "Don''t move." He Xiaoyun held him down and started to read from the beginning.


    Wei Jianwei roughly wrote about the scenery he saw on the road, the settlement after arrival, and asked how she and the child were doing.


    It was only in the second half of the writing that another person was mentioned, it was Lin Yuefei who visited their house. Lin Yuefei made a big announcement after returning to the army, saying that Jianwei had married a particularly beautiful and virtuous wife and that he was hiding her from the others. Now, a group of people came to Jianwei every day to bother him to show He Xiaoyun''s picture.


    When He Xiaoyun read this, she thought Wei Jianwei would ask for her to send a photo, but then he changed the topic. She didn''t seem to have a photo of him when she thought of it.


    Is there a photo in the envelope? Why didn''t she find it?


    He Xiaoyun shook the two papers to make sure that there were no intertwined pieces, and then picked up the envelope and poured it out, only to pour out a one-inch photo.


    The should be used for all kinds of documents. In the photo, Wei Jianwei is wearing a military uniform. The brim of the military hat is a little bit low. He has deep eyes filled with fortitude. In the words of the later generation girls, he''s handsome enough to be a star.


    "Wow, dad looks so good!" Wei Yuanhang''s flattery was never absent.


    He Xiaoyun honestly admits that Wei Jianwei is really handsome, but this is not the point. The point is that she has never seen such a cheeky man! Look at what is written in the letter!


    In the end, he wrote that she should put his photo under her pillow!


    Why doesn''t he go to heaven to ascend?!


    -----

 CH 27

    MASS UPDATE (4/5)


    *****


    The letter Wei Jianwei wrote to his home was taken apart and read together at night when the family was in the shade.


    The letter wrote about his situation in the army, asking how his family is, whether his parents are in good health, and how the crops are growing.


    Wang Chunhua was illiterate so Wei Zhenxing read the letter. Wang Chunhua took it and carefully smoothed the wrinkles on the letter, with joy on her face.


    "Jianhua will come back tomorrow, let him write a reply to Jianwei. Xiaoyun, do you want to write something? Then let Jianhua take write it and send it together." Wang Chunhua said to He Xiaoyun.


    There is no mailing point on the brigade, and postmen are not often encountered here. In the past, the letters for Wei Jianwei had to wait for Wei Jianhua to come back home, let him write a reply from them, and send them to the commune when he went to school.


    "Good." He Xiaoyun nodded.


    Putting Wei Yuanhang to sleep at night, He Xiaoyun lit the kerosene lamp, found the pen and paper from the drawer of Wei Jianwei''s desk, and began to think about what to write.


    The first line of the letter is difficult. If she writes ''Wei Jianwei'', it seems too serious and unfamiliar, but if she writes ''Jianwei'', it feels a little too intimate. Although He Xiaoyun called him Jianwei in front of others, she didn''t call him that face to face. Thinking about it carefully, Wei Jianwei didn''t seem to call her name either.


    He Xiaoyun couldn''t help taking out Wei Jianwei''s letter and wanted to see what his title was written. Although she had read it this afternoon, she didn''t pay attention to it at the time.


    He wrote Xiaoyun.


    He Xiaoyun put the letter paper on the table and poked it with her hand, and felt that it was intimate. Was I familiar with you?! (He Xiaoyun''s thoughts, of course, directed at her husband~)


    After struggling for a while, she awkwardly wrote the word Jianwei on the top line of the letter. The greetings are also done similarly. Wei Jianwei wrote how is it recently been? He Xiaoyun also wrote, how are you recently.


    In the first line, she wrote on the paper that she have received his letters, and then answered Wei Jianwei''s question about her current situation with the child, and then got stuck again, not knowing what to write next.


    He Xiaoyun stared at the short lines of words on the paper and wanted to end it there. But the words seemed too shabby, and she wanted to continue writing. Nothing happened recently.


    This kind of pain is like when He Xiaoyun''s a student in the past when the teacher wanted them to write an 800 words essay but just managed to write 600 words and can''t continue anymore.


    The sleeping child made a babble or two. He Xiaoyun turned her head and looked at him. She made sure that the child was not awake, and turned back sadly. Finally, she simply put the pen away and went to bed first.


    The next day, Wei Jianhua returned home, and as soon as he stepped into the door, Wang Chunhua made him sit at the table and asked him to write back to his second brother.


    "Mom, I''m so hot, let me rest for a while." Wei Jianhua wailed.


    Wang Chunhua said, "Just write first and it will naturally cool down, hurry up." After she finished speaking, she picked up the big fan to fan her younger son and poured him a bowl of tea.


    Faced with such a thoughtful service and the threat of a big broom on her mother''s side, Wei Jianhua didn''t dare to be angry, so he had to start writing bitterly.


    Wang Chunhua said one sentence, and Jianhua wrote one sentence. Xiaoyun, who is by Chunhua''s side, pricked her ears to listen, trying to learn some experience.


    "Everything is fine at home, you don''t have to worry. You should eat well if you are alone. You can''t sleep without covering yourself with a quilt at night because of the cold weather. If you sweat after training, you shouldn''t shower immediately."


    After listening, He Xiaoyun became embarrassed. What Wang Chunhua said was what a mother would say to a child. Even if she learned it, she could only tell it to the chubby kid, and not to Wei Jianwei. He Xiaoyun sighed rather distressedly.


    After doing the housework and having no other work to do, He Xiaoyun went back to her room, sat at the table, and poked the letter here and there with a pen. Wei Yuanhang ran in with something in his hand, and said as if offering a treasure: "Mom! Uncle caught me a worm!"


    "It''s a Ladybug." He Xiaoyun still stared at the paper, correcting her son without raising her head.


    The child tried to say it twice, but the word "lady" really tripped his tongue. He couldn''t say it correctly, so he didn''t say it at all and tried to climb onto his mother''s leg.


    "Mom, what are you doing?"


    He Xiaoyun lifted the child up and let him sit on her lap, "I''m writing to your father. Do you have anything to say to him?"


    Wei Yuanhang immediately talked: "Yes! I want to tell dad that grandma caught an insect and it turned into a butterfly. Yanyan still doesn''t believe it, she''s stupid. Uncle said that I have a perverted intention. Mom, what is a perverted intention? Grandma said that next time Dad comes back, he will bring me orange candies. I want him to bring many orange candies..."


    He Xiaoyun was speechless as soon as Yuanhang spoke. The child was like an untightened faucet. Seeing her frozen, the child urged, "Mom, write it quickly."


    He Xiaoyun put him on the ground again, "I''m going to write, you can go and play with your uncle."


    The little kid is verbose. It¡¯s really not enough to write what he said. However, his words inspired Xiaoyun. These days, no major incidents have happened, but some trivial things can be written, just to make up the number of words. (T/N: Me when teachers wanted me to write what happened at our home.)


    "That day, when you left early in the morning, the little kid woke up and didn''t see you. Later, he found that all the butterflies in the wooden box had already flown away, so he cried a lot. You say, did he cry for you or his butterflies?"


    When He Xiaoyun wrote this paragraph, thinking of Wei Yuanhang''s grievance that day when he burst into tears and bubbled his nose with snots, He Xiaoyun still wanted to laugh.


    She continued to write with a smile: "He told me just now that, when you came back, you should bring him a lot of orange candies. You''re his father but your status seems lower than his orange candies."


    "Second sister-in-law?" As she was writing, Wei Jianhua suddenly poked a head in from outside the door. He Xiaoyun looked up at him, still holding a pen in her hand, "What''s the matter?"


    Wei Jianhua walked in with a book in his hand: "I finished reading the book I borrowed from my second brother last time."


    He Xiaoyun nodded, she opened the drawer, and let him put it in, and jokingly said: "What books you still needed, you take it yourself, anyway, your second brother is not here, he won''t know if we sold all of his books."


    "Second sister-in-law dare to sell, but I dare not. Second brother will hang me up and beat me when he comes back." Wei Jianhua smiled and took another book from the drawer, looking scared.


    He Xiaoyun remembered that he had borrowed this book before, and couldn''t help but ask: "Didn''t you read this book before?"


    "Ah? Ah..." Wei Jianhua''s eyes flickered, "My classmate wants to borrow it."


    He Xiaoyun asked casually: "A male student or a female student?"


    "What male classmates and female classmates?" Wei Jianhua suddenly put on a very serious expression, "We are all in a pure revolutionary friendship, don''t think too much about this second sister-in-law."


    He Xiaoyun didn¡¯t think about anything at first, but seeing Wei Jinhua so squeamish, she''d understood. "I know. Pure. Revolutionary. Friendship. I understand~"


    Wei Jianhua felt that he stabbed himself, "Second sister-in-law, don''t tell mom, otherwise she will beat me to death."


    He Xiaoyun had teased him enough and then smiled: "Don''t worry, I am not a person with a big mouth, but since you have said that it is pure, it must be pure to the end. You can''t bully other girls."


    Wei Jianhua nodded, took the book, and ran away.


    He Xiaoyun turned her attention to the letter again, and only after looking at it did she realize that she just lowered her head and unknowingly, she had written a page full of words, and she hadn''t finished it yet.


    She pondered for three seconds, then took out another piece of paper.


    ¡ªI¡¯ve written so much anyway, it¡¯s okay to write more.


    When Wei Jianhua is at home, he and Wei Yuanhang can turn the house upside down.


    At dinner, He Xiaoyun knew that Wei Jianhua took his little nephew out in the afternoon and secretly picked the grapes from someone''s backyard. The grapes were immature, green, and sour, and the two of them eat too much and even had sore tongues.


    Now, the family is eating, the two of them are watching from the sidelines, Wang Chunhua just sits and watched them a little before letting them leave the table.


    "I''ll go and tell the other family in a moment that someone in our family has stolen his grapes."


    Wei Jianhua retorted in a low voice: "It wasn''t secretly picking! The vines have grown out of the yard."


    "That''s still someone else''s!" Wang Chunhua said in a bad mood, "And you also brought Xiaoyuan, a three-year-old kid! If this is known by your second brother, see if he doesn''t beat you!"


    Speaking of the second brother, Wei Jianhua shrank his neck and dared not speak.


    Finally, Wei Zhenxing said, "Let¡¯s eat first, and talk about this later."


    The two who made the mistake obediently sat down. Although they were allowed to eat, they were not happy at all, because their teeth and tongues were really sour and they couldn''t bite the tofu.


    "Mom, my tongue is so uncomfortable." Wei Yuanhang groaned beside He Xiaoyun.


    He Xiaoyun was ruthless: "Mom will feed you some grapes and it will be fine soon."


    The little kid groaned inwardly, and he didn''t dare to act like a baby anymore and ate grievously.


    After the meal, He Xiaoyun folded the written letter and gave it to Wei Jianhua. The two letters were put in an envelope.


    Although he couldn''t see what she wrote, the handwriting appeared densely packed from the back of the paper. Wei Jianhua asked curiously, "Second sister-in-law wrote a lot, what did you say?"


    He Xiaoyun pointed to Wei Yuanhang and sold him on the spot, "It''s all what Xiaoyuan wants to say to his father."


    The child puffed his chest and proudly said: "I have told my father a lot!"


    "More than that, there must be some sweet words from Xiaoyun to Jianwei." Feng Qiuyue laughed.


    Wei Jianhua also thinks so, and he especially wants to know, what would a person like the second brother say to his second sister-in-law? What will the second sister-in-law write to his second brother?


    Looking at the envelope in his hand, Wei Jianhua felt that his curiosity was about to move.


    But within a second, he remembered the fist of his second brother and the fierce fighting power of his second sister-in-law in the afternoon, and his little curiosity immediately wilted.


    Alas, life is not easy. I hit walls everywhere, and my teeth are still aching

 CH 28

    MASS UPDATE (5/10)


    *****


    At the hottest season in June, even people''s hearts are agitated. He Xiaoyun fanned a fan the night before and doze off in the middle of the night. When she fell asleep in a daze, she suddenly heard the sound of people arguing, the barking of dogs and chickens outside.


    The next day, Aunt Zhang went to the door early in the morning and talked to Wang Chunhua about last night, "Our surname Wei is ridiculed by that shameless Jianming!"


    The Qingshuihe Brigade is divided into two teams. Most of the people in the first team are surnamed Wei, and in the second team, He. Having the same surname is of the same family. The genealogy goes back several generations and has the same ancestor.


    For example, Aunt Zhang''s husband shares the same great ancestor with Wei Zhenxing, and Wei Jianming in her mouth is the son of her husband''s brother.


    That Wei Jianming hooked up with someone on the second team, a married woman surnamed He. Last night, he was caught by the woman''s real husband. After a beating, he was escorted to the threshing field to kneel and break the rubble. His family came and knocked on Aunt Zhang¡¯s house overnight. The family asks Aunt Zhang''s husband to help call the shots.


    When Wang Chunhua heard that her expression was also a little disgusted, "Didn''t his wife just give birth to a child? She''s just out of confinement."


    He Xiaoyun also remembered what Aunt Zhang said not long ago, that Wei Jianming''s wife gave birth to a daughter, and because their first child was a son, the family is happy whether the next child is a male or a female.


    "Yes, Xiao Min took her two children back to her natal''s house this morning, saying that she can''t afford to marry this kind of person."


    "She is ashamed of her husband, but the real one who should be really ashamed is Jianming."


    Aunt Zhang said: "I heard that because Xiao Min was pregnant, he couldn''t control his belt and frolic around. He deserves to be beaten to death!"


    Wei Jianming was brought back by a person surnamed Wei in the middle of the night. In the afternoon, the second team came back to make trouble again. This time, even Wei Zhenxing and Wei Jianguo were called. They were called out and didn''t come back until dark.


    Feng Qiuyue soaked her feet in the house. Her belly was seven months old and her feet were severely swollen. Soaking her feet in hot water every night would be comfortable.


    Seeing Wei Jianguo entering the house, she asked, "You''re back? Mom left the food in the pot. Have you eaten it?"


    "I''ve eaten it." Wei Jianguo nodded and went to the closet to look for a change of clothes.


    "What did you say about the matter over there?"


    Wei Jianguo sighed, "I want Jianming to pay and to marry the woman he frolicked with."


    The daughter-in-law of the He¡¯s family who cheated has been driven back to her natal family. The natal now want Wei Jianming to marry this daughter. This is the result of the reconciliation of the team leader and the clerk. Otherwise, the He family will fight at the beginning.


    "In my opinion, you shouldn''t help with this matter." Feng Qiuyue frowned. Any woman, knowing what Wei Jianming did, will feel unpleasant, not to mention that she was also pregnant like Xiao Min at that time.


    "We''re from the same family, who will care if not us?" Wei Jianguo disapproved, seeing that she had finished soaking her feet, he came over to help pour the water.


    Feng Qiuyue leaned to block him, "I don''t need you, I will do it myself."


    "You..." Wei Jianguo''s hand stretched out was blocked halfway, not knowing why she was making trouble.


    The foot basin was made of wood, and it had a certain weight. Feng Qiuyue was struggling to carry it. After two steps, the water in the basin was swaying.


    Wei Jianguo immediately stepped forward, took over the basin, and said, "I''ll take care of it well. I won''t deal with him in the future. Why are you so angry?"


    When he went out to pour the water, Feng Qiuyue also heard him murmur a sentence, saying that her temper was getting stronger and stronger. Feng Qiuyue lay down on the bed, thought about it, and took all the two fans, and said to her heart: Since I was angry, I would let you die of heat.


    This incident had been going for several days, and then Xiao Min''s brother came over and beat Wei Jianming, and then the accident slowly stopped.


    Today, the sun was scorching, and people can''t go out at noon. He Xiaoyun has recently got up early in the morning and went to the riverside field to collect hogweed. She stayed at home all morning and waited for the sun to go down before going out to wash her clothes.


    On this day, she walked back with the hogweed on her back, and saw a person in the distance, looking like her brother, she couldn''t help standing still, "Xiaojun?"


    Xiaojun was bored, shaking his dog''s tail grass while walking, and heard a voice When he looked up and saw her, he immediately ran over happily, "Second Sister!"


    He also carried a basket with two watermelons in it, swaying all the way.


    "Your school is off?" He Xiaoyun asked. Her brother is in junior high school in the commune and can only go home on the weekend, but today is not the weekend.


    He Xiaojun nodded, "Mom asked me to give you watermelons."


    "It''s so hot, why did you  take a trip?"


    He Xiaoyun was about to untie his bag, but He Xiaojun avoided it, "No, I can carry it. Mom said to  bring two for you and another two for the eldest sister."


    He Xiaoyun smiled and patted her brother on the shoulder. The boy was growing fast. After a while, he grew taller again. The two walked together on the same road. He Xiaojun asked, "Sister, is Xiaoyuan at home?"


    "Yes, he must be happy to see you."


    Entering the courtyard gate, He Xiaoyun rushed into the room and shouted: "Xiaoyuan, come see who is here?"


    Wei Yuanhang ran out with patter, and when he saw He Xiaojun, he shouted in excitement: "Little Uncle!" Then he rushed over like a small cannonball.


    He Xiaojun quickly put down the watermelons and caught him with his open arms.


    "Xiaojun is here?" Wang Chunhua said with a smile upon hearing the noises, "Come in and sit down, Auntie has something delicious here."


    "No, no..." He Xiaojun waved his hand again and again, "I still need to go to the eldest sister''s house."


    He Xiaoyun grabbed him and said, "The sun is getting hotter, eldest sister will go back in the evening, you can go to the house to drink some water first."


    He Xiaojun was pulled by her, and his legs were hugged by Wei Yuanhang. He couldn''t run away, so he had no choice but to enter the house.


    Wang Chunhua wanted to boil an egg, but He Xiaoyun stopped him. She only held out the sugar and dried fruit at home for her brother to eat.


    Wei Yuanhang talked at the side of his little uncle, and Xiaojun took something out of his pocket, he took out a whistle and said triumphantly: "This is what I won from my classmate. I''m giving it to you."


    "Thank you, little uncle!" Wei Yuanhang was so happy, he put the whistle in his mouth and started blowing.


    He Xiaoyun asked He Xiaojun: "How did you win? You didn''t bet anything with others, right?"


    "No!" He Xiaojun immediately said. He was the youngest at home. When he was a child, his parents were busy farming. He was almost brought up by his sisters. In front of them, he was only obedient.


    "I had a race with him, and he underperformed and lost several times before he gave me the whistle."


    He Xiaoyun saw his expression and it didn''t sound like he was lying, so she said, "That''s good. However, you will go to high school in the second half of the year, you can''t think about playing all day long. Your brother-in-law has a lot of books. Next time, I will write to him to see if you can borrow it. Look, Jianhua reads one book every week."


    "Ah?...Ok..." He Xiaojun didn''t expect sending watermelons out would return him to the drudgery of reading a book for himself, but he didn''t dare to refute, so he scratched his head and nodded.


    In terms of educating her younger brother, He Xiaoyun is well versed in the way of it. She educated him, and when she sends He Xiaojun out, she stuffed him with some pocket money, "You are growing up now. It''s easy for you to get hungry. At school eat more and add an egg to your meal every day."


    Xiaojun refused to accept, "I don''t need it... Mom said you have no money."


    "Who said that?" He Xiaoyun rubbed his head, "It''s true that I don''t have a lot of money. But I still have a little money for you. Don''t think about it, kiddo, go back quickly."


    He Xiaojun couldn''t push her hand away, he blushed and accepted the pocket money and waved his hand, and ran home.


    One of the two watermelons was temporarily put away, and the other was soaked in a water tank in the courtyard. In the evening, when they were in the cool air, the watermelon was taken out and cut open for the whole family to eat.


    The evening breeze is cool, and the watermelon is sweet and refreshing. After a day of hard work, it''s the happiest time.


    "I don''t know if Jianwei has received our letters." Wang Chunhua held the watermelon in one hand and the big pu fan in the other and sighed as she repelled the mosquitoes away from her little grandson.


    Wei Jianguo said: "Calculating the time, it should be almost there."


    <>


    The letter in their mouths had been going on the road for nearly half a month and had just arrived at the army barracks at this time.


    Lin Yuefei went to the gate to fetch some things, and saw Wei Jianwei''s, and decided to help him by taking it on the way. As soon as he entered the office building, he shouted: "Old Wei, I have your letter!"


    Lin Yuefei stretched out a hand and some ghostly hand behind him took the letter away.


    "Damn!" Lin Yuefei was taken aback, he turned around, and said in a bad mood: "You''re behind me but you''re not making a sound, you are going to scare people to death!"


    Wei Jianwei had just returned from the training ground, wearing a combat uniform with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing a strong and powerful forearm. He saw the name of the sender, Wei Jianhua, but didn''t open it immediately, and took the letter back to the office.


    Lin Yuefei followed him and asked in a humble tone: "It''s that your younger brother again? Why don''t your wife write to you?"


    Wei Jianwei paused and glanced at him, "Do Sister-in-law write letters for you?"


    "My wife''s illiterate. If she can write, she must have written three letters a day! You don''t know that when I left that day, she was crying and reluctant. chuckle." Lin Yuefei talked more and more.


    Wei Jianwei ignored him. In fact, he thought that there would be two letters, after all, he sent them back separately.


    Was she angry because he didn''t say goodbye to her that time?


    Guessing in his heart, Wei Jianwei tore the envelope open, and two pieces of paper fell out of it.


    "Huh? Your little brother wrote a lot this time." Lin Yuefei said.


    Wei Jianwei had already thought of something, his frowning brows eased out and his eyebrows were raised. He picked up the more evenly folded piece of letter, unfolded it, and the eye-catching handwriting was neat and tidy, very pleasing to the eyes.


    Lin Yuefei glanced at it, and wondered: "When did your little brother''s words look so good...wait, is this written by your wife?!"


    Wei Jianwei had already started to read, and when he heard Lin Yuefei''s words, he only gave him a haughty snort from his nose.


    Lin Yuefei stared, feeling that the letter dictated by his wife and written by his son on her behalf was not good at all.


    And there are so many things that can''t be said. Those two or three pieces of the letter are full of words. What did it say?


    Lin Yuefei scratched his head with curiosity, wishing to see the dog food from Wei Jianwei''s mouth, and read the letter to take a look.


    Look at Old Wei''s face, so arrogant!

 CH 29

    MASS UPDATE (6/10)


    *****


    When Wei Yuanhang got the whistle from his little uncle. He really liked it for a long time. He also asked Wang Chunhua to find a string to string it around his neck.


    "Mom, Yanyan wants my whistle, but I won''t give it to her."


    He Xiaoyun was cleaning the room. Wei Yuanhang sat on the edge of the bed, dangling his short legs, playing with his beloved whistle.


    He Xiaoyun took the things on the table aside, wiped the tabletop with a wet towel, and said, "If you don''t want to give it, don''t show it in front of her all day. Someday, If it got snatched by Yanyan, I won''t help you get it back."


    When Wei Yuanhang heard this, he crossed his arms in his chubby waist, straightened his chest, and put his fat belly together, "Yanyan can''t take it away, she can''t beat me!"


    "Fighting with girls, you really are amazing." He Xiaoyun was speechless.


    The little kid was quite complacent when he heard it. Since Wei Jianwei left, He Xiaoyun has been using the desk. Apart from a few books, there is also a pen holder made of bamboo with pencils.


    She poured out the contents of the pen holder, intending to wipe the dust inside, but saw that a photo fell out of the holder, which was sent back by Wei Jianwei the other day. She had no place to put it and was afraid that this little one would be lost. So, she put it in the pen holder, she didn''t expect that after a few days, she would forget about it.


    She wiped her hands dry, carefully pinched a corner of the photo, and thought about where to put it.


    "Xiaoyun, I found out a few pieces of Jianhua''s old clothes. Look at this design. Can you sew it for Xiaoyuan?" Wang Chunhua walked in with the clothes.


    He Xiaoyun recovered and hurriedly said, "Xiaoyuan has a lot of clothes, it''s better to keep that for the child in sister-in-law''s belly."


    "Grandma!" Wei Yuanhang''s voice was crisp and bright.


    "En." Wang Chunhua responded with a smile, and said to He Xiaoyun: "When your sister-in-law''s child comes out, don''t you still have Xiaohang''s old clothes for him?"


    Children in rural areas are not so particular about clothes. It''s good to be able to make a new dress throughout the year. Other times, they pick up what their older brothers and sisters used to wear.


    Wang Chunhua approached and saw the photo in her hand, "Is this Jianwei''s?"


    "Yes." He Xiaoyun showed it to her, "It was sent back with the letter last time, but I couldn''t find a place to store it."


    Xiaoyun did not dare to clip in the book, for fear that such unplasticized photos would stick to the book over time. Wang Chunhua took it, squinted her eyes, and looked at it for a while, then smiled and said, "So he looks like this in a uniform."


    Wei Yuanhang ran to his grandma, "I want to see it too. Grandma, show it to me."


    Wang Chunhua bent down and looked at the photo with him. He Xiaoyun touched the child''s head, "Didn''t you see it before? Mom, is there a photo frame in the hall?"


    There is a big glass photo frame hanging on the wall of the main hall. There are family portraits taken by the five members of the Wei family a few years ago, as well as a photo of Wei Jianguo with Feng Qiuyue when they got married. Wang Chunhua discovered that her little grandson and her second daughter-in-law were not in the photo frames outside.


    So, she said: "Yes, we do. And we don¡¯t have any photos of you and Xiaoyuan at home. Why don¡¯t we wait two days for the weather to be cooler and you can go to the county photo studio to take a photo? Let the comrades there take two photos. One can be sent to Jianwei, for him to look at you from time to time, what do you think?"


    "Huh?" He Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment.


    "Don''t worry about spending money, I''ll give it to you later."


    "No need, I have it here." He Xiaoyun hurriedly said, afraid that Wang Chunhua would give her money again, she nodded and replied: "When it hits a cloudy day, I will take Xiaoyuan for a trip."


    "Yay! I can go out to play!" The little kid didn''t even hear what they were talking about. When he heard he was going out, he cheered.


    He Xiaoyun nodded and poked his forehead amusedly, "Just pray for good weather."


    Because of her words, Wei Yuanhang looked forward to it every day, and they finally met a cool cloudy day.


    He Xiaoyun changed the child into new clothes. She also found a light-colored floral blouse from the closet that she hadn''t worn very much, with a pair of dark pants underneath. As for the shoes, she thought about them, but she didn''t wear what Wei Jianwei gave, because they don''t really fit her outfit.


    The mother and son walked out of the room hand in hand. Feng Qiuyue saw her and couldn¡¯t help but praise: ¡°Xiaoyun, you don¡¯t like to dress up, but when you do, you look like an eighteen years old girl.  I believe that none of the little girls on our two teams are better than you."


    He Xiaoyun''s face burned when she heard it, "Sister-in-law, don''t talk like that, people will laugh to death when they heard it."


    "What laughing to death? I''m telling the truth, Xiaoyuan, is your mother beautiful?"


    "Beautiful! Mom is the most beautiful!" Wei Yuanhang nodded his little head vigorously.


    He Xiaoyun smiled helplessly and shook her head.


    <>


    Even though they have been to the county town once, the child still felt novel along the way, and his mouth is rattling, and he just keeps chatting to himself.


    When they arrived in the county, He Xiaoyun found the only photo studio, took the photos, paid the money, and left their address, and asked the people in the shop to wait for the photos to be washed out and send them to the Qingshuihe brigade, to avoid the trouble of another trip.


    After that, she took Wei Yuanhang to the department store, bought a few biscuits for the child, and bought the salt that Wang Chunhua wanted, and set off on the return trip.


    When they were waiting for Wei Jianwei''s letter at home. They didn''t expect that Wei Jianwei would send another one so fast, and there were still two letters, one of which, was a small package.


    This time, even Wang Chunhua couldn''t help but glance at He Xiaoyun.


    When her son has been in the army for many years, when did he contact his family so frequently? Sure enough, the wife and the parents are different.


    The small package was for the family. When they opened it, there was a letter and three silk scarves, one of which was dark in color, one was light blue, and the last was a big red scarf, which was very eye-catching.


    Wang Chunhua knew at a glance that the big red scarf must have been given to her daughter-in-law by her son. Maybe she and the eldest daughter-in-law was just an excuse.


    Feng Qiuyue also smiled: "The last time I went to the county with Xiaoyun, I looked at the silk scarf behind the counter for a while. I didn''t expect Jianwei to understand it so well. Xiaoyun, my sister-in-law, I borrowed your light this time."


    He Xiaoyun was smiling uncomfortably. She couldn''t help but wonder why Wei Jianwei gave her such a bright scarf. Although it''s very beautiful, it''s so eye-catching. How can she wear it out?


    <>


    He Xiaoyun opened her letter after returning to the room. In addition to the letter, she also had an empty envelope and a stamp.


    He Xiaoyun picked it up suspiciously and looked at it. She didn''t see anything, so she temporarily put it aside and unfolded the letter to read.


    In the letter, Wei Jianwei talked about the origin of the silk scarf. He went to the street when he was resting and saw that the young girls on the street almost had a silk scarf in their hands, some tied to their necks, some tied their hair, and some wore them on their wrists. Although he was not able to appreciate the beauty of it, it did not hinder him from buying. He went to the store and bought three.


    He Xiaoyun thought to herself that he was clever buying three scarves. If he only bought one, she would be teased even more.


    Wei Jianwei also said that the empty envelopes and stamps were given to her in return for credit and asked her to send them separately, not to send them with the ones from the family.


    He Xiaoyun flicked the envelope on the table and said to her heart, it would be nice to write to you.


    It''s no wonder that there are so few words said in ordinary days, it was because I was holding it in my heart, and it was exposed as soon as I wrote it.


    He Xiaoyun just wrote about Wei Yuanhang''s little talks and a little about herself.


    -----

 CH 30

    MASS UPDATE (7/10)


    *****


    After receiving Wei Jianwei''s gift, He Xiaoyun slandered him, but couldn''t help but count with her fingers how many gifts that man had sent her.


    So far, the other party has given her a book, a pair of shoes, and a silk scarf, but she has only given him an old book, which she bought with his money, which seems a bit unkind.


    But she couldn''t think of what she could give away. Go to the store to buy things? The money belongs to him. Without her sincerity in it, her own pocket would be cleaner than her face if she didn''t spend his money.


    She''s been thinking about this issue for a day or two, but fortunately, the photos in the photo studio have not yet been sent, so she''s not in a hurry to write back to Wei Jianwei.


    This morning, she had finished the pig, and on the way back, she saw a peach tree in the yard of a family. The low-growing peaches had been picked, and there were a few left on the top with fluffy peaches in the middle.


    He Xiaoyun suddenly remembered that once she went up the mountain with Wei Jianwei, they saw one or two wild peaches in the forest on the top of the mountain. At that time, the green peaches were only the size of a finger, but they should be mature now. She doesn''t know how many are left.


    He Xiaoyun decided to try her luck at the moment. After having dinner at noon, she said to Wang Chunhua: "Mom, I''ll go up the mountain to pick some peaches, Xiaoyuan, you can help me take a look."


    "It''s so hot. If you want to eat peaches, I''ll go to someone else''s house and pick two for you. Don''t go up to the mountain."


    He Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment, and said, "I want to pick more and send some dried peaches to Jianwei."


    When Wang Chunhua heard that it was for her son, she couldn''t say anything else: "Then you should be careful. If you can''t find it, come back quickly."


    "Okay." He Xiaoyun nodded in response, wearing a straw hat and carrying a basket, she set off.


    In the summer afternoon, the sun was shining brightly in the sky. The excessively bright sunlight almost made the vegetation on the ground become a little dazzling. Not only was the wind blowing not refreshing, but it was also a little dry.


    He Xiaoyun looked up. Although there''s no cloud at this time, there is likely to be thunderstorms in the afternoon, and she hastened her pace.


    Hurrying all the way, she finally climbed to the top of the mountain. The shade of the forest became the best refuge from the heat. While Xiaoyun took off her straw hat and fanned herself, she pushed aside the lush weeds and found the two peaches trees based on her memory.


    Not surprisingly, the peach tree has been patronized, and there are not many fruits left, and their appearance is not very good. Fortunately, what she will do is dry peaches, which will have to be peeled and sliced. It doesn''t matter whether the peaches look good or not.


    He Xiaoyun picked the lowest circle of peaches first, then climbed up to the tree to pick the taller one. The top one was gently tapped with a bamboo pole. After the two trees were picked, the harvest turned out to be pretty good. She packed half a basket and estimated it to be one or twenty catties.


    At this time, there were some dark clouds in the sky, and after the sun hid behind the clouds, the weather became even hotter.


    He Xiaoyun hurriedly descended the mountain without stopping. When she reached the bottom of the mountain, she was relieved to see her house and the little kid playing in front of the door from a distance.


    "Xiaoyuan!" Xiaoyun shouted.


    Wei Yuanhang looked up and saw her, and immediately ran over, "Mom! Mom!"


    The chubby boy run like a little penguin, He Xiaoyun thought it looked funny, but just when she was about to show a smile, she heard a loud "boom", and the big raindrops followed.


    "..." The smile froze at the corner of her mouth.


    He Xiaoyun hurried to the house, and shouted to Wei Yuanhang as she ran, "Go back, don''t come over!"


    She don''t know whether the child heard it or not, but he still ran towards her. He tried to cover his head with his hands. Unfortunately, his head was so big that his small palms couldn''t cover it.


    The mother and son met halfway, and the little kid happily yelled to his mother. He Xiaoyun didn''t know what to say, so she had the child rush to the house.


    The distance is not too far, but the rain came hurriedly and violently. When they finally stepped into the house, they had become a big wet one and a small wet one. Not only was there water dripping on their bodies but there were also raindrops on the brim of He Xiaoyun''s straw hat, pouring like a  water curtain.


    She looked at herself, and then at Wei Yuanhang. The little kid didn''t know why, so he looked back and forth, the rain on his hair flicked with his movements, becoming more and more like a little chicken cub shaking his hair.


    He Xiaoyun finally couldn''t help but laugh out loud.


    Seeing her smile, Wei Yuanhang also grinned. When He Xiaoyun saw it, she couldn''t stop smiling. The mother and son stood under the eaves, all wet, facing the heavy rain outside.


    Wang Chunhua heard the movement outside and saw the two of them being embarrassing and stupid. She felt angry and funny: "Don''t look at the rain, take a towel and wipe your hair. I will boil the water. You two will take a bath in a while."


    "En, okay." He Xiaoyun put down the basket and led Wei Yuanhang back to their room.


    <>


    In summer, the rain came and went quickly. After the rain passed and the sky cleared, although the sun came out again, the previous heat was gone.


    He Xiaoyun cleaned herself and her child and kept the clothes she changed, before washing in the evening, she first need to deal with the picked peaches.


    The peaches were soaked in salt water for a while, then picked up, peeled, and cut in half, dig out the peach pits, and put them in a clean basin. Feng Qiuyue also came to help and cut the peeled peaches into slices.


    Aunt Zhang brought her granddaughter to visit, and when they saw the two of them busy, she asked, "What are you two doing?"


    "Drying some dried peaches for fun." He Xiaoyun said with a smile, and when she saw Yanyan approaching curiously, she took a piece of peach meat to give to her.


    Feng Qiuyue said to Aunt Zhang: "Xiaoyun is not doing this for fun, the peaches that she picked were specifically for Jianwei. She was covered in the rain just now because of that."


    Aunt Zhang listened and said happily: "The young couple has a good relationship. If you, the sister-in-law helped, how can Jianwei feel bad for his wife?"


    Feng Qiuyue also laughed, "Two days ago, Jianwei sent a few silk scarves back. I was soaked in Xiaoyun''s light and was also allocated one. This is not a bad deal."


    "What kind of silk scarf?" Aunt Zhang was curious.


    "It''s similar in style to a scarf, but it''s thin and light, and the color is beautiful. The city is very fashionable, my mother has one too."


    Aunt Zhang went into the house and went to see Wang Chunhua''s silk scarf.


    "Here, that''s it." Wang Chunhua took it out from the closet.


    Aunt Zhang took it, carefully shook it away, looked at it, and touched it with her hand, and said, "It looks good, but it''s so light and thin. It can''t be used in cold season"


    Wang Chunhua said: "I don''t need to wear it every day, just once a year"


    "This silk scarf, I haven''t seen anyone on the team wear it. When you have a guest, you can take it out. It will definitely arouse everyone''s eyes."


    Wang Chunhua said, "Hmph. That child of mine, he didn''t buy me a scarf before but because he wanted to gift something to his wife, he sent something to me."


    Aunt Zhang couldn''t help smiling, "Your tone sounds sour. If your son and daughter-in-law are noisy(arguing) all day, will you be happy?"


    Wang Chunhua sighed, "How can I be? I was thinking, if I could give birth to a girl in the past, it would be great. From childhood to adulthood, how can it be that I only had these stinky boys who have married daughters-in-law?"


    "Don''t stand while talking, it hurts your back," Aunt Zhang patted her and scolded with a smile: "You are so lucky to have three sons. If you have three daughters, I watch you cry then!"


    Wang Chunhua also laughed. If her juniors are all fine, it was enough.


    <>


    All the peaches are cut, steamed in a pot, and then dried to the sun.


    The peach itself is sour. After drying, it becomes sweet and sour, which is both delicious and appetizing.


    Wei Yuanhang knew that He Xiaoyun made it for Wei Jianwei. But still, when he tried to eat it several times, he was always caught.


    He Xiaoyun caught him on the spot again and poked the child''s puffed cheek, and said, "Do you know that if you eat too much, you will get sick? By then, your throat will be so swollen that you can''t even speak."


    The child was so scared that he touched his neck, then turned his back, tilted his head, and snorted, looking rebellious, "Who makes mother to only made it for father? Mother is being bad."


    He Xiaoyun laughed at him, and she squeezed his chubby face before saying: "Who said I will only feed it to your Dad? You originally had a share, but you kept stealing it. Now, you have eaten that share."


    When Wei Yuanhang heard this, he was immediately anxious, "No! I haven''t finished eating, there''s still a lot!"


    "Didn''t you call me bad?" He Xiaoyun squinted at him.


    The little kid immediately hugged her legs and spouted rainbow farts, "Mom is the best, Mom''s not bad at all."


    He Xiaoyun shook her head, "Okay, go in, you still can''t eat."


    "I want to watch the little bird here, I can''t let it eat the dry peaches!" Because he has his own share, the kid has a different mentality and volunteered to take care of the dry peaches.


    He Xiaoyun also went with him. Anyway, apart from this kid, there are basically no other small animals that can steal the food. After two days of drying, the peaches finally dried and the photos from the photo studio were also sent.


    Looking at the photo, Feng Qiuyue couldn''t help but say to Wang Chunhua: "Mom, look. Xiaoyun looks better than the people on the movie screen."


    Wang Chunhua also nodded. Her second daughter-in-law is indeed beautiful, and no one has a better look than her.


    He Xiaoyun was so embarrassed that she hid in her room and wrote a letter. With the experience of the last time, she wrote about the current situation at home, some embarrassing things about the child, and also included the funny scenes of her and the child in the rain last time.


    Since Wei Jianhua was not at home this time and Wang Chunhua has no ghostwriter, He Xiaoyun became the writer for now. Finally, she added the wrapped dried peaches and a photo. He Xiaoyun took the time to go to the commune and sent it out.


    Therefore, the scene where Wei Jianwei calculated to receive two letters didn''t appear, and he still received only one mail.

 CH 31

    For those who serve as soldiers in the army, because they can''t go home all year-round, the longing for their family accumulates, and the letters sent from home often become their only consolation.


    Every time someone receives a letter, they become the envy of others. In the past, Lin Yuefei was the one who walked with the wind. (envied by others.)


    His eldest son is already twelve years old and has studied in elementary school for several years, as he knows a lot of characters, he ghostwrites for his mother. Lin Yuefei and his wife have a good relationship. They are young couples who support each other. For more than ten years, if it were not for the elderly in the family to take care of, his family members would have joined the army a long time ago.


    Lin Yuefei''s letter from his home is one letter a month. For this reason, he often wailed in front of others, boasting every day how much his wife missed him and couldn''t do without him.


    But recently, he felt that his superiority was threatened. The problem lies with Old Wei.


    In the past, Old Wei only had one letter for two or three months. Like everyone else in the army, it was not prominent at all and had no sense of existence. But after returning home this year, he doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong. Old Wei started writing letters within two days of returning to the army, and then received letters, then wrote letters, and received letters again. The frequency was as high and even surpass that of Lin Yuefei!


    What was even more dangerous is, Old Wei not only receives letters, he also receives packages!


    Lin Yuefei was holding the mail that he had just received from Mengang in his hand. The flat and thin letter on his left hand was his, and the bulging package on his right hand was Wei Jianwei.


    Comparing the two sides, the gap is obvious.


    Lin Yuefei felt for the first time that he had experienced the sorrowful mood of his other comrades-in-arms while they watched him receive letters.


    When Wei Jianwei was unpacking, Lin Yuefei was in his office, dauntingly not leaving.


    "Old Wei, what did your younger brother and sister send you? Such a big bag, when I held it, it''s quite weighty."


    Wei Jianwei did not answer. Although it wasn''t the two letters he expected, the package was enough to make up for the regret. He unhurriedly opened it, and he was obviously happy.


    The first thing that caught his eye was a greased paper bag with a letter underneath. He put the paper bag aside, opened the letter, and a photo slid out along with the paper.


    Unexpectedly, there was a photo, Wei Jianwei paused before picking it up.


    It was a group photo of the mother and son. The child had to stand on the bench because of his short height, he held his mother with one hand and smiled brightly at the camera. He Xiaoyun stood behind him and also looked at the camera, with curled eyes and a small smile on her mouth.


    "Let me take a look!" Lin Yuefei suddenly took the photo away.


    "Oh, aren''t these your wife and son?"


    In fact, in Lin Yuefei''s opinion, it''s not enough to describe the people in the photo as good-looking. Old Wei''s wife is simply more beautiful than the ladies of the art troupe who came to perform before. However, to avoid old Wei''s jealousy, he swallowed all his compliments back in his stomach.


    Lin Yuefei took the photo and walked out, "I will show it to Lao Wang."


    How could Wei Jianwei let him do it? With a few steps to catch up, he caught Lin Yuefei at the door and took the photo back.


    "Hey, hey! Let go, let go!" Lin Yuefei called out in pain, "I''m just gonna share your photo around, but you almost broke my hand."


    "That helps you improve your memory." Wei Jianwei knows the people who want to see the photos of his family members. If Lin Yuefei really showed the photo out, ghosts know when will the photo return to him.


    Wei Jianwei took a few more glances and put the photo back in the drawer where he usually kept the files, and locked it, then untied the oil paper bag and read the letter while eating dried peaches.


    Lin Yuefei was jealous. He walked over and picked a dried peach, and chewed it in his mouth. It tasted sweet and sour, the taste was not bad, so he took another one.


    When he got the third one, his hand was slapped away, and Wei Jianwei said coldly: "If you want to eat, ask your family to make it yourself."


    The peaches themselves have a lot of moisture. The ten or twenty catties of peaches picked by He Xiaoyun were peeled and pitted and dried, there''s not much left as He Xiaoyun left half of it for Wei Yuanhang, so there''s not much left in Wei Jianwei''s hands.


    "You''re so stingy!" Lin Yuefei stared and wanted to grab a peach again, but after weighing his strength, he really had no chance of winning. The hand that had been twisted behind him was still aching, so he had to give up.


    But Lin Yuefei was greedy, thinking about it, he wrote back to his family, saying that he wanted to eat dried peaches.


    Of course, when his son read this to his wife aloud later, his wife complained, look at this weather! It''s not time to pick peaches!


    Not only was Wei Jianwei stingy with his dried peaches, but Wei Yuanhang¡¯s the same. No one else in the family would rob him. However, Wei Jianhua recently had a summer vacation. In terms of greediness, he and his nephew are on the same level.


    "Grandma, Uncle grabbed my peaches!" These days, there are frequent complaints at home similar to this.


    Wang Chunhua: "How old are you? Are you not embarrassed?!"


    Wei Jianhua was aggrieved, "But the second brother can also eat something like this."


    "The dried peaches were made by your second sister-in-law. If you have the ability, you can also find a wife to bring back and let her make you dried peaches." Wang Chunhua said.


    Thinking about it carefully, Wei Jianhua is nineteen years old this year, and it''s possible to get married at this age in the countryside.


    Wei Jianhua blocked his mother and turned away, he proceeded to coax his little nephew.


    He Xiaoyun also reasoned with the child: "You still have so many, can''t you give some to your young uncle? He often plays with you."


    Wei Yuanhang was holding a tin biscuit box with dried peaches inside. "I already gave Uncle one. But he still wants a lot more!"


    This petty kid, she was embarrassed to know that only one is given. He Xiaoyun regrets it. If she had known, she would have divided the peaches into three parts. Unfortunately, she didn''t think much about it at that time.


    Like a dragon guarding the gold treasures, Wei Yuanhang was holding his biscuit box, and every time Wei Jianhua came to coax him, he would give him one. If the other party took more while he wasn''t paying attention, he will immediately call his grandma out loud.


    With these two playful treasures, the house is not lonely at all.


    <>


    In the military camp more than a thousand kilometers away from Qingshuihe. One morning, Wei Jianwei found that his peaches were getting scarce. Although they were not much before, he could feel it when he picked them up with his hands, someone was eating them.


    People who can come in and out of his office will know that he has something to eat and will be covetous of his food. Wei Jianwei can''t think of any criminal except Lin Yuefei.


    Wei Jianwei asked Lin Yuefei to ''learn from each other'' to settle the account.


    So, that morning, all those who were idle in the camp gathered to watch the excitement. A battalion commander was passing by, he grabbed a soldier and asked, "What are they doing here?"


    The little soldier saluted and said excitedly: "Report, the second battalion commander and the third battalion commander are going to learn from each other. They''re on the training ground!"


    "Lao Lin and Lao Wei?" The battalion commander glared, "Is Lao Lin crazy? What did Lao Lin do?"


    "This..." The soldier scratched his head, "Report! I heard that the family of the third battalion commander sent him food and it was stolen(eaten) by the second battalion commander!"


    Old Wei''s family...


    The battalion commander touched his chin. Someone sent some food to Old Wei?


    He sent the soldier away, "Go ahead, I''ll go to the third battalion commander''s office, please keep quiet."


    Seeing that Lao Lin is going to be beaten up, it''s better to go to Lao Wei''s place to eat the food, anyway, he won''t be coming back soon.


    "...Huh?" The soldier was stunned, unable to react.


    -----

 CH 32

    Letters went back and forth between Qingshuihe and the army troops, and in a blink of an eye, July passed and August entered.


    The rice in the field has been filled, and the ears of rice are getting fuller day by day. The rice is slowly bent down. Many wild fruits in the mountains are beginning to mature. The persimmon tree in the backyard of the house is also covered with small green persimmons. You can eat it before or after the frost.


    On August 15th, Wang Chunhua went to the supply and marketing agency to buy two catties of moon cakes, five-core moon cakes, this kind of moon cakes that were miserably rejected in later generations. Now, children are looking forward to it, for they can only eat it once during the Mid-Autumn Festival.


    A few days before the holiday, Li Yuegui gave a talk to her two daughters. Their uncles and aunts are going to make an appointment for their future daughter-in-law. This kind of thing is usually not visited by the elders, regularly, it''s the matchmaker and the father of the younger generation. The maiden¡¯s family is not prosperous, and the sister-in-law has few relatives, so Li Yuegui wants her daughter to go with her.


    When that day came, He Xiaoyun got up early in the morning, finished cleaning herself, and told Wei Yuanhang that he should not throw a temper at home, and then went to the commune to meet with her sister, the two sisters continued to rush to their uncle''s house.


    It''s rare to not bring the child. ren He Xiaofen is relaxed, even walking with brisk footsteps. She asked He Xiaoyun: "Xiaoyuan has been handed over to your mother-in-law?"


    "Well, Jianhua is at home, he will take the child to play." He Xiaoyun said.


    "Your family members are good." He Xiaofen is not without envy, "Unlike my mother-in-law, All she do was urge me to give birth to a son."


    Her husband has only one sister and no brothers. Her mother-in-law stared at her belly all day long, wishing her daughter-in-law would give birth to a grandson right away.


    He Xiaoyun frowned slightly. Her elder sister''s two children are both young. If the family members are unwilling to help, even if the next child her sister can give birth to is a boy, then the other children won''t be taken care of.


    "What did brother-in-law say?"


    "Him?" He Xiaofen snorted, "He stood on his mother''s side at the beginning and said he wanted a son. Later, I had a showdown with him. If he wants a son, I will bring our two daughters away. When I go back to our natal house, he can find another woman to give birth to, any number of them will be fine! All he did was just bluffs, he''s as good as a quail."


    He Xiaoyun wanted to laugh, "Brother-in-law still values ??you. I think he loves Xiaohua and the other. If there is such a thing next time, you can ask your brother-in-law to tell your mother-in-law that she should stop arguing with you."


    He Xiaofen said strangely: "I didn''t expect you to understand it well. It seems that when you married, you have grown mature more than before."


    "Did you think that I''m so stupid?" He Xiaoyun feigned anger.


    "You''re not." He Xiaofen slowly smiled. He Xiaoyun made a gesture to beat her, and the two sisters were making trouble on the road.


    After making a fuss for a while, He Xiaofen sighed with a smile: "Actually, I know that your brother-in-law has no great skills and has soft ears (soft temper), but I have a bad temper. I want to find someone who is as bad-tempered as me. As for my mother-in-law? She can talk until her mouth broke."


    You have to live it by yourself, and only you can know whether it''s appropriate or not.


    He Xiaoyun nodded, and after a while, hesitated: "Sister, I may be with the army in the future with Xiaoyuan."


    "Really?" He Xiaofen was surprised.


    "Last time, Jianwei mentioned it before returning to the army, but I haven''t told mom yet."


    "Isn''t that good?!" He Xiaofen patted her hand, "I went to the army once, there were small families there, there are also no elders on it, it is so comfortable."


    Mother should be at ease, but what is embarrassing for He Xiaoyun is, what stage is she and Wei Jianwei on now? When it comes to the army, do they have to sleep on the same bed? Although in the eyes of others, it''s only natural for a couple to sleep together, this is not the situation for her.


    Even if she is in a relationship, their progress is not fast enough to be able to lie down in the same bed, right?


    In the eyes of a single dog, holding hands, hugging, and kissing need time. As for things like rolling on the sheets? She has no idea.


    Seeing her not speaking, He Xiaofen said, "What do you think? Can''t you bear at home?"


    He Xiaoyun couldn''t explain the real reason, so she nodded vaguely.


    "Then, you''re not willing to go?" Her sister teased.


    He Xiaoyun glanced at her helplessly.


    "Alright, I won''t make fun of you." He Xiaofen said happily, "Looking at what you said to me just now, I thought you had understood it very well, why is it that you turn childish again? What''s wrong with going to live so far? Maybe, it''s even better."


    He Xiaoyun sighed lightly, nodded, and temporarily put the matter down.


    After chatting all the way, they finally arrived at their uncle''s house. The small courtyard was quite lively. Their Aunt stood at the door with joy on her face. When she saw them, she kept saying, "Welcome! Come in and eat something."


    The matchmaker looked at the two He sisters and hurriedly asked their aunt: "Are these your sister''s two daughters? Oh yo... They are so beautiful. Are they married?"


    Their Aunt smiled, "These two are married, stop that abacus on your mind."


    The matchmaker couldn''t help but give a look of pity. If such beautiful girls asked for a matchmaker, wouldn''t the young guys in the nearby villages choose them?


    In addition to the He sisters, two lads from the clan also came to help pick the betrothal gifts. Seeing that the time was almost coming, a few people set off for the woman''s house.


    He Xiaoyun and He Xiaofen came to gather the number of people, and they talk as they walk. When they arrived at the woman¡¯s side, they followed the matchmaker through the process and saw the future bride. What surprised He Xiaoyun was that she was still very young, just seventeen or eighteen years old.


    Leaving the woman''s house, their aunt feeds them for lunch before letting them go back.


    It was already afternoon when the two rushed back to Qingshuihe. Wei Yuanhang had just woken up from a nap, and when he saw He Xiaoyun coming home, he was so happy that he hurried up to hug her.


    He Xiaoyun really couldn''t hold him now, so she gave him a small hug, and then took out the dried fruits she brought back, "Hey, this is what my aunt gave you to eat."


    "Is the bride beautiful?" Wang Chunhua popped in the hall and asked.


    "She''s pretty. She was still feeding the chickens when we went. She was very diligent at first sight." He Xiaoyun peeled an orange for Wei Yuanhang.


    Feng Qiuyue also said: "When I went back to my natal home, my mother often said that there is no one that is more diligent than the daughter of Xiao''s. If her brother hadn''t needed to marry, the family wouldn''t let her marry so early."


    When Wang Chunhua heard this, she said: "I think her parents are very biased, their daughter is so clever and sensible, why marry her off so early? "


    "There are too few people who can think like that." Feng Qiuyue sighed.


    "Your Aunt Zhang often said that since I have three sons, I don''t get back pain. I don''t think so, whether If I gave birth to boys or girls, I will feel the same pain."


    He Xiaoyun and Feng Qiuyue looked at each other and laughed.


    On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the family sat in the courtyard to admire the moon and eat moon cakes.


    <>


    Earlier today, they received a letter from Wei Jianwei stating that his application for the family to join the army had been approved.


    But He Xiaoyun thought about it and felt that it was not the right time to look for Wei Jianwei for the time being. She was hesitant in her heart. More importantly, the autumn harvest was about to come, and Feng Qiuyue was about to give birth. At this time, her sister-in-law needs someone to take care of her. How can she leave during this busy season?


    Hearing her concerns, Feng Qiuyue hurriedly said: "I''m okay,. I can let my mother come and help."


    "Your mother is getting older, how can her energy be as good as us, young people? And when Xiaoyuan was born before, eldest sister-in-law also took care of me." He Xiaoyun righteously said.


    Feng Qiuyue smiled, "Isn''t this because I''m afraid that Jianwei will be anxious?"


    Wang Chunhua said: "That child won''t be anxious for a while, since Xiaoyun is interested, just do what she said."


    Wei Yuanhang gnawed on moon cakes and asked his mother: "Mom, are we going to find Dad?"


    "Yes, but not now. We have to wait for the birth of your little brother or sister."


    "When the little brother or little sister comes out, are we going to find dad?" The child asked again.


    He Xiaoyun nodded, "Why? You don''t seem very happy?"


    Wei Yuanhang lowered his head and thought for a while, and said astonishingly: "Are we going to bring Yanyan with us?"


    When the others heard it, they were all overjoyed. Wei Jianhua directly squeezed his face and teased: "What would you do with Yanyan? Will she be your little wife?"


    The child¡¯s idea is very simple, "Yanyan can play with me."


    He Xiaoyun shook her head helplessly and said: "Don''t worry, there will be new friends to accompany you to play."


    <>


    When Xiaoyun returned to the room at night, she took out Wei Jianwei''s letter and read it again. Although the other party didn''t say it clearly, she could tell from the words that Wei Jianwei was in a good mood.


    He Xiaoyun murmured, you''re so happy, but I didn''t plan to look for you immediately.


    The letter said that the dried peaches sent to him last time were robbed as soon as he arrived in the army, and he only tasted it once.


    He Xiaoyun felt that he was a little stupid. Wasn''t it a terrible thing to bully her at home? There are no peaches left at home. Wei Yuanhang¡¯s portion has just been eaten two days ago, but the hawthorn is almost ripe recently, so she can give him a little hawthorn at that time.


    If Lin Yuefei knew what Wei Jianwei had written, he might have indignantly vomited blood and shouted ''shameless''!


    Whether it''s Lao Wang or Lao Wei, the former who goes along and puts blame on him is shameless to the end! The latter was stingy and can train people until they can''t get up, and are also calling others to learn from each other! And the latter even pretended to be pitiful at his letters!


    Lin Yuefei felt that his fate was very bad and very pitiful, why did he meet this group of rascals?


    ----

 CH 33

    He Xiaoyun went to the mountain again to pick hawthorn and dried the hawthorn for Wei Jianwei. However, before it was dried, something happened at home and Feng Qiuyue gave birth in advance.


    The night before, there was a light rain, and the ground was wet. Feng Qiuyue didn''t pay attention and slipped into the yard. Although she didn''t fall, she was frightened. Soon her stomach hurts.


    Fortunately, she has always been in good health. Counting the time, the month is almost full. After the middle wife came, she successfully gave birth to a healthy baby girl.


    The house was in chaos, feeling both surprised and happy, only Wang Chunhua was calm, and directed Wei Jianguo to inform the Yue family and let Wei Zhenxing watch Wei Yuanhang.


    When Feng Qiuyue''s family arrived, they were all packed inside and out. The baby girl was sleeping next to her mother wrapped in a swaddle. Feng Qiuyue also changed to clean clothes and leaned on the bed to rest.


    Mother Feng was carrying big bags, including dried longans, eggs, brown sugar, etc. for her daughter''s confinement, as well as clothes and diapers for her granddaughter. She wanted to bring it back in two days, but she didn''t know that there would be an accident.


    When she came, her eyes were red, and she wiped her tears when she saw her daughter was really fine. Mothers understand the pain of childbirth best and are the most frightened of their own children giving birth.


    Feng Qiuyue''s complexion was a little pale, but she was in good spirits, "Mom, sister-in-law, sit down."


    Her mother was wiping her tears and did not speak. Her sister-in-law patted her chest and said, "Qiuyue, you scared us. When Jianguo came to the house and said you gave birth, Mom even broke a bowl."


    Feng Qiuyue smiled: "It seems that next time, I have to pay mom a new bowl."


    "You girl, you still want to talk and laugh?" Mother Feng finally came over, "Didn''t you know how to be careful? If something happens, it will be too late for you to cry."


    Her sister-in-law hurriedly said: "Let''s not talk about it, isn''t Qiuyue doing well now? Mom, look at your little granddaughter, how well-behaved she sleeps."


    Mother Feng looked at her little granddaughter, she still said a few caution words to her daughter, and then began to explain what she should pay attention to during confinement and how to take care of her newborn child.


    Mother Feng wanted to stay and take care of her daughter, but when they came here, they walked in a hurry. The family didn''t make arrangements, and she saw that her daughter''s mother-in-law was really thoughtful, so she was relieved and hurried home before dark and planned to come back the next day.


    After supper was ready, He Xiaoyun first-served Feng Qiuyue with a portion. A pregnant woman could not go out, she had to eat in the room during confinement.


    "Xiaoyun, I will trouble you during this time." Feng Qiuyue said.


    The little baby was asleep, and He Xiaoyun was watching her closely. Hearing what she said, He Xiaoyun smiled, "Sister-in-law will make me angry if she says it like that."


    Feng Qiuyue also laughed, "Don''t be angry, don''t be angry."


    "Originally, the eldest brother was going to bring you the food. Mom told him to eat first. He had to take care of you and the baby at night. Sister-in-law, you didn¡¯t know. When you gave birth, I saw eldest brother¡¯s eyes were red and tears were about to fall. ."


    "That''s really shameful." Feng Qiuyue was disgusted, but her eyes were smiling.


    After busying all day, lying on the bed at night, He Xiaoyun let out a long sigh of relief.


    "Mom, why does my little sister always asleep?" Wei Yuanhang asked while holding the quilt.


    He Xiaoyun turned sideways, facing the child, and said: "You can grow taller if you sleep. The little sister is so small, of course, she has to sleep more."


    "Can she play with me when she grows taller?"


    "Yes, but even if your sister grows taller, she is still younger than you. You have to love her, don''t you?"


    The child nodded vigorously, "I am her brother, I will love my little sister!"


    He Xiaoyun smiled and poked him in the face: "During this time, grandma has to take care of your aunt and little sister, and mother would also help. You are the older child. You have to be obedient. You need to follow your grandpa. You can¡¯t run around. You also can¡¯t go to the river alone, do you understand?"


    "I know, you said that if I ran to the river alone and fell down, I would never see you again."


    "You''re so smart. It seems that Xiaoyuan has become an older brother, and he has really grown up." He Xiaoyun put a good boy on him, and the child was very happy.


    "Then, can I hold my little sister?"


    "You can''t right now. Your little sister''s body is too soft, and she will get hurt if you''re not careful. You can only take a look and talk to her. You can''t hold or touch her hard."


    Wei Yuanhang said, "That seems to be meaningless."


    He Xiaoyun laugh when she heard his adult-like tone: "You are the most interesting. Go to bed."


    <>


    At night, Wei Jianguo took care of his wife and child. During the day, Wang Chunhua, He Xiaoyun, and Mother Feng also came often. Except for the first few days, they were a little hectic. After that, everyone quickly adapted.


    The autumn harvest was approaching, and Wang Chunhua decided to drive the pigs raised at home to the food station.


    Farmers who raise pigs also need to complete the task of state monopoly, that is, buy one and keep one. If they raise two pigs, they have to hand over one pig to the state. If they only raise one pig, then the state will buy half and the family can save half.


    Moreover, the purchased pigs have a standard, and the weight needs to be more than 120 kilograms. The hogweeds, sweet potato vine, and rice bran that are currently fed to pigs do not grow fast very much. It''s not easy raising a pig, so once the pigs in the family are heavy enough, they rush it to the food station, fearing that they will lose money if they continue to raise them.


    In the past, the Wei family¡¯s pigs would be raised until the end of the year. After being slaughtered, they would be made into bacon, enough to eat for half a year in the coming year. But now Feng Qiuyue is confined and has a labor force and an extra child to take care of.


    The autumn harvest is now in sight. The family really can''t take care of the pigs, because they''re afraid that they will lose meat if they''re not fed properly, so they just rush to finish the task early.


    Wei Zhenxing and Wei Jianguo used their family carts to transport the pigs. They set off early in the morning and returned in the afternoon.


    After arriving home, Wang Chunhua sent some pork liver, pig blood, etc. to the neighbor''s house, and then cut half a fan of pork into long strips, prepared to be salted and marinated, so as not to be spoiled.


    "The meat was marinated early this year. When Jianwei comes back next year, I don''t know if it''s still be left." Wang Chunhua suddenly said, every Chinese New Year, her second son is not at home, and he has not been able to eat pork at home.


    As soon as Wang Chunhua said that, He Xiaoyun remembered that the dried hawthorn for Wei Jianwei hadn''t been sent out. The house was recently busy, she even forgot to write a letter to him.


    He shouldn''t be waiting eagerly, right? He Xiaoyun thought with a little guilty conscience, but there were just too many things to do.


    Wang Chunhua asked He Xiaoyun to pass the salt, but when she shouted, Xiaoyun didn''t respond, "Xiaoyun?"


    "Ah?" He Xiaoyun came back to her senses, and hurriedly passed the salt over, and said, "Mom, why don''t I make some jerky and dried meat for Jianwei?"


    Making more food for him is her compensation for him when she has forgotten to respond to his letter.


    "That''s fine." Wang Chunhua nodded, leaving two pieces of good meat for her. She didn''t worry that He Xiaoyun was ruining things. Recently, her second daughter-in-law is so good to her son. Young people have young people''s ideas, so why should she ask more.


    He Xiaoyun went to the supply and marketing agency to buy some raw materials. Because dried hawthorn is sweet, she was afraid that Wei Jianwei would find it too greasy to eat, so she planned to make a five-scented jerky and spicy pork jerky.


    The pork is blanched with cooking wine first. It doesn''t need to be cooked. It''s picked up and cut into thin slices, mixed with seasonings, and marinated, steamed in a pot, then spread out and placed in the sun. After drying, she will continue to air-dry. it


    To make preserved meat, you need to chop the pork into a puree, the finer the better, then mix with seasonings and beat vigorously, spread it on oiled paper, and use a rolling pin to dry it into thin slices, and then steam it and air dry.


    The whole process took a few days. After finishing it, He Xiaoyun tasted the meat. Wei Yuanhang, a little glutton, circled around her, "Mom, mom! I want to eat too."


    He Xiaoyun gave the child a slice of non-spicy meat, "You need to share a little bit more of these dried meats with your father and eat a bit less at home. He doesn''t have any meat to eat outside, but we still have more meat."


    Wei Yuanhang frowned, "All right."


    "You have to share it with your grandparents. If your young uncle comes back, you should also share it."


    "So many people..." The child pouted, feeling very reluctant, but still agreed. After thinking about it, he asked: "Should I share some with my little sister?"


    "No," He Xiaoyun said quickly, "Mom forgot to tell you that your little sister can only drink milk now, and can''t eat anything else. You can''t secretly feed her, do you hear me?"


    The child tilted his head, "Because she has no teeth?"


    "Yes, she has no teeth and can''t eat what you eat."


    "I see." Wei Yuanhang nodded, took another bite of the jerky, chewed, and suddenly sighed, "Little sister is so pitiful."


    He Xiaoyun rubbed his head amusedly.


    In the army, Lin Yuefei got up early again. He turned into Wei Jianwei''s office and asked slyly: "Old Wei, why haven''t my sister-in-law and nephew come here?"


    A while ago, the report from Old Wei was approved and the house was divided. He watched him run over in three days, tidy up the house and add some furniture later, it seemed that he was more capable and busy.


    Lin Yuefei said so many sour words at that time, He was envious because Lao Wei''s family members were going to join the army, while his was still far away.


    As a result, it has been more than a month. Neither Old Wei''s wife come nor did he see any letter from Old Wei. Lin Yuefei wondered whether the young couple quarreled, and the wife don''t like him anymore?


    Swearing by their more than ten years of comradery, Lin Yuefei absolutely didn''t mean to gloat. He just wanted to see Old Wei''s deflated appearance and make fun of him by the way.


    Wei Jianwei glanced at him and didn''t speak, but slowly took out a pack of dried pork from the drawer, another pack of dried hawthorn, and another pack of pork chop, and then ate it very slowly. (Wei Jianwei being petty here is so cute that I laughed.)


    "..." The smile on Lin Yuefei''s face slowly froze, and his eyes gradually widened.


    With so many things, when did Old Wei receive it? And why didn''t he know?!


    Ah! How can someone be so petty?!


    -----


    T/N: I finally finished my mass update. I translated and posted this immediately so please do comment if you found some mistakes. I Gotta rest now~ Bye.


    -----

 CH 34

    The autumn harvest started in a blink of an eye, and everyone else went to collect the rice, but He Xiaoyun and Feng Qiuyue were still at home.


    He Xiaoyun is responsible for cooking for the family. Although Feng Qiuyue is in confinement, she has recovered a lot and can take care of the baby. Basically, He Xiaoyun only needs to help wash diapers and serve food. Sometimes, she will deliver food. Feng Qiuyue can help to look at Wei Yuanhang.


    This afternoon, He Xiaoyun took a look in Feng Qiuyue''s room after finishing the housework.


    When He Xiaoyun was working, she asked Wei Yuanhang to take a nap with her aunt. Originally, the adult was lying in the middle, the baby was on the inside of the bed, and Wei Yuanhang was on the outside, but when she went in, she found that the little kid woke up somehow and walk inside the bed. Feng Qiuyue is probably too tired to wake up and scold Yuanhang.


    He Xiaoyun immediately said, "Xiaoyuan, what are you doing? Don''t touch your sister."


    "Hush...Mom. Don''t be noisy, sister is sleeping." Not only was the child not afraid, but he also lowered his voice to scold her.


    He Xiaoyun walked a few steps closer, only to see the little girl half-closed eyes sleepily, while Wei Yuanhang seemed to pat her with a chubby hand, actually coaxing her to sleep.


    He Xiaoyun was surprised. She didn''t dare to speak loudly. She took Wei Yuanhang out gently after the baby was asleep.


    Once outside, Wei Yuanhang said triumphantly: "I woke up from sleep and my little sister woke up too, but auntie didn''t wake up, so I told my sister to continue sleeping!"


    The three-year-old kid coaxed a one-month-old baby to sleep. The key is that he really coaxed her to sleep. He Xiaoyun was a little bit dumbfounded.


    <>


    After the rice is harvested, the family''s work is temporarily finished, and the issue of joining the army is raised again. He Xiaoyun thought about it. This time, there''s no trouble, and sooner or later, it''s better to just set it down.


    After paying attention, He Xioayun went back to her family''s house and mentioned this to Li Yuegui.


    At first, her mother was very happy, "Really? You''re not lying to me."


    "Really. Why do I need to lie to you with this?"


    "Now, it''s alright. I can feel relieved." Li Yuegui patted her hand and said with emotion: "I have been worried before. You and Jianwei are in a long-distance relationship. The relationship between husband and wife must be cold."


    He Xiaoyun was helpless: "The more you talk, the farther he is, what can he have?" (Like, what''s so good about him?)


    "That''s really hard to answer. Not to mention that Jianwei has a good appearance, he''s a tall man and also a cadre. How many young girls are staring at him? Your aunt has a sister who married a soldier twenty or thirty years ago. The man went to war and she took care of the family at home, what happened? He won the war and returned as an official, and then turned around to marry a new wife!"


    "There are few people who have no conscience like this."


    "Fortunately, your aunt''s sister remarried later, and now has a good time. By the way, when will you and Xiaoyuan go to Jianwei?"


    "This time, the family affairs are all done, and first sister-in-law is about to be out of confinement."


    When Li Yuegui heard this, her eyes widened, "You won''t wait for next year?"


    He Xiaoyun expected her mother to be reluctant when she heard her words, and she really is.


    "It''s September and the Chinese New Year was still far away. We will go now, and we will be back with Jianwei in April next year."


    Li Yuegui can''t help but complain about the rushed time: "You bad girl! Why didn''t you tell me earlier? I''m not prepared at all."


    He Xiaoyun had to appease her: "Jianwei wrote to me last month to set the matter down. He''s been busy settling this during this time."


    "When I think of you and Xiaoyuan going so far, it makes me feel uncomfortable. Is your mother-in-law willing to see her grandson go away?"


    "She will definitely be reluctant, but now that there''s a new baby in the family, she should feel better."


    Li Yuegui sighed, "Raising a daughter is a disadvantage. When the daughter is wedded and left with others, the child is also from someone else''s family."


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "Then, I won''t move in with Jianwei?"


    Li Yuegui hurriedly waved her hand, "Don''t have this kind of thinking."


    "You meant to say that I should stay, and then you proceed to shoo me away. It''s hard to be a daughter." He Xiaoyun sighed helplessly.


    "It''s just that you''re good at talking." Li Yuegui scolded with a smile.


    <>


    In the next few days, He Xiaoyun successively told her sister, her brother, and some close people about the matter.


    In the meantime, she also received a package from Wei Jianwei. The other party bought her a face cream this time, of course, it was still three bottles.


    When Wang Chunhua saw it, she said, "This is for you, young people. I don''t want it."


    He Xiaoyun explained: "This is a moisturizer. You can spread this to your face if it''s dry in winter or summer."


    "My face is the same as an old bark (of a tree). Wiping that in my face is a waste. You two can share it." Wang Chunhua resolutely refused.


    About the silk scarf last time, the color is dark and she can still wear it when she has a guest. But what about the gift this time? If she moisturizes her face like her second daughter-in-law, and someone happened to see it, wouldn''t others laugh at her? She''s so old but still keeps up with the manners of the young people.


    The more she thought about it, the more Wang Chunhua felt that her second son was unreliable. How could a person who was so stable in the past become like this now?


    <>


    He Xiaoyun had already decided to go to the army. She wrote to Wei Jianwei to tell them their departure time. If she waited for Jianwei to reply, the time it would take will be too long, so He Xiaoyun ran to the county again to take a telegram.


    In the next few days, she started to pack her luggage. Her things are easy to pack, a few sets of clothes, some daily necessities, a few books, and nothing else. Wei Yuanhang¡¯s baggage includes his little quilt, the building blocks, and his small pillow.


    After He Xiaoyun packed his clothes, she simply put all the other things in front of him, asking him to choose: "You are only allowed to bring two more. Choose by yourself."


    This embarrassed the child, his small brows were frowning tightly, and his fingers stretched out to point at one thing to another, undecided.


    He Xiaoyun asked: "Is the little quilt going to be taken?"


    "Yes." Wei Yuanhang nodded.


    She put the little quilt aside, looked around the pile of things, picked up the wooden box, put the pile of wood in it, and asked, "What about this?"


    Wei Yuanhang looked at the wooden box, and then at the toys on the bed, nodding hard, "...Yes."


    "Then that''s fine. We will take these two things away. You can play with the rest as soon as you are still at home." He Xiaoyun smiled.


    The child pouted pitifully, "Mom is bad."


    He Xiaoyun squeezed his face, "Who told you to be my son?"


    The closer the separation date is, the faster the time seems to pass. When He Xiaoyun goes out to wash clothes or take a walk these days, she will look at the scenery around her. Although she hasn¡¯t been here for long, she likes it a bit although it¡¯s not prosperous at all. It''s a simple and beautiful place.


    Two days later, after receiving a telegram from Wei Jianwei to confirm the pick-up time, He Xiaoyun took the child and left Qingshuihe.

 CH 35

    Wei Jianwei''s troops belonged to the Capital Military Region. He Xiaoyun took Wei Yuanhang on the train all the way to the north and finally arrived at the station in the evening of the next day.


    She was holding the child in one hand and the luggage in the other. As soon as she stepped on the platform, a gust of wind blew on her face. The north was colder than the south, and the bleak autumn mood in the wind was already obvious.


    "Is it cold?" Xiaoyun squeezed the child''s hand.


    Wei Yuanhang shook his head, holding a piece of candy in his hand, he leaned close to her side, looking at the crowd with curious big eyes.


    People were coming and going on the train platform, He Xiaoyun looked up, there were moving heads everywhere, and the sky was about to darken, her whole body was enveloped in gray tones, she couldn''t help but feel a little dazed.


    Several people squeezed over behind her, and she hurriedly protected Wei Yuanhang, but she was squeezed aside for several steps. Fortunately, someone held her arm in time to prevent her from falling.


    "Thank you¡ª" He Xiaoyun raised her head to say thank you. After seeing the person who came to help, she felt relieved, and her face revealed a little bit of joy, "You''re here."


    "Dad!" Wei Yuanhang ran over and hugged the other person''s legs, and soon, he opened his mouth: "Daddy, hug."


    Wei Jianwei was dressed in a military uniform, and his upright posture was eye-catching. He bent down to hug Wei Yuanhang, and freed up one hand to carry He Xiaoyun''s luggage, "I''ll carry it."


    "I''ll do it myself." He Xiaoyun shook her head, but she couldn''t hold back Wei Jianwei, so the luggage was picked up by him.


    When he lowered his head, Xiaoyun saw his side profile. His features looked more brave than usual with the military uniform on, and his body was full of sharp vigor.


    He Xiaoyun couldn''t help thinking that the person in front of her seemed to be different from the one who had always spoiled her at home before.


    <>


    The three of them left the station. Along the way, Wei Yuanhang kept talking, "Mother and I take the train. It''s so long and fast! Oooooh¡ªthe train is leaving!"


    Wei Jianwei nodded twice from time to time to show his response, and then turned his head to talk to He Xiaoyun: "Are you tired?"


    Of course, He Xiaoyun''s tired. They have been on the train for two days and one night, she can''t get proper rest. She also had to watch Wei Yuanhang carefully to prevent him from running around.


    "A little bit." He Xiaoyun nodded.


    Wei Jianwei originally planned to take the two to a state-owned restaurant for dinner. Seeing the tired look on his wife''s face, Wei Jianwei changed his mind and went directly to the family area to settle down.


    The family area was separated from the battalion area, apart from a few guards, no one was encountered along their way.


    The house allocated to them isn''t big and the decoration is nothing new, but it''s very clean. Wei Jianwei put down the child and the luggage, he let He Xiaoyun sit for a while and went to get hot water.


    The boiling water room was outside. When He Xiaoyun heard him walk out, a female voice called Wei Jianwei to stop.


    "Old Wei, is your family here?"


    Wei Jianwei¡¯s answer wasn''t heard clearly, but the other party continued: ¡°Liqiang mentioned it to me that day, and I remembered it. It¡¯s so late, surely they haven¡¯t eaten yet? I¡¯ve saved a meal for them, I will bring boiling water later. Tell your family to have  a good rest, this sister will come back tomorrow to disturb them."


    Before long, Wei Jianwei came back with boiling water, holding a few aluminum lunch boxes in his hand.


    He Xiaoyun got up and went to the kitchen to look for the plates and chopsticks, and decided to ask him: "Who was that just now?"


    Wei Jianwei gave her a brief introduction.


    There are three infantry battalions in their regiment. The commander of the first battalion is called Wang Liqiang. The one who just spoke is his lover. The commander of the second battalion is Lin Yuefei. His family is still in his hometown. Wei Jianwei is the commander of the third battalion.


    He''s the youngest of the three. From the total age of the other family wives, He Xiaoyun is also the youngest. In addition, there are also families of several deputy battalion commanders living in the army.


    Xiaoyun pinched her index finger, it seems that there are not many people who she needs to deal with in the future.


    <>


    Opening the lunch box, there''s rice, vegetables, and meat inside. The fragrant braised meat is oily and greasy, it whets people''s appetites greatly.


    After traveling all the way here, He Xiaoyun didn''t have any appetite, but after smelling the meat, her belly immediately sang the empty city plan. (Her stomach growled in hunger.)


    "It smells so good." Wei Yuanhang sniffed like a puppy.


    He Xiaoyun set aside a small bowl of rice for him, and another bowl of meat and vegetables, and let the child eat by himself with a spoon.


    The three of them sat at the table and ate alone for the first time. In the past, they have a lot of family members. He Xiaoyun finally understands a little bit of what He Xiaofen said before. The small families here close their doors and won''t care about how others live.


    Small family.


    He Xiaoyun repeated the two words in her mind again and couldn''t help but look up at Wei Yuanhang and then at Wei Jianwei.


    Wei Yuanhang was trying harder to fight for more food. He didn''t notice his mother''s sight, but Wei Jianwei looked up almost when she turned her gaze at him.


    "Is the food not to your appetite?" He asked.


    "No." He Xiaoyun shook her head, "This sister''s craftsmanship is very good."


    "Let''s hurry up, I''m a little sleepy."


    He Xiaoyun lowered her head to concentrate on eating to show her determination to ignore the man''s gaze. Wei Jianwei looked at her for a while before continuing to eat.


    Halfway through the meal, Wei Yuanhang''s eyelids flicked, his head drooped lower and lower, when his head was about to drop into the bowl, his little head suddenly lifted up again, in the next second, he stuffed a spoon into his mouth. After taking a bite of rice, his lips squirmed, and then his head began to droop again, lowering and lowering, and so on.


    To eat the food, the child really struggled with sleepiness.


    He Xiaoyun looked at the funny scene and stepped up to solve her son''s problem. After helping the child eat the remaining few mouthfuls of food, she went to the duffel bag to look for clothes and towels and wash him.


    While she settled the child on the bed, Wei Jianwei also washed the dishes and chopsticks.


    When there''s no child¡¯s voice in the room, it was a lot quieter, and the dim light flooded the room. He Xiaoyun suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. After walking two steps back and forth in the room, she asked him: "Well...Is there a shower room here?"


    On the train last night, He Xiaoyun can''t wash and felt dirty.


    Wei Jianwei nodded, asked her to take a change of clothes, and then took her to the public bathroom at the end of the corridor, and provided hot water.


    In a strange place, people tend to feel insecure. He Xiaoyun locked the door, washed up quickly, put on clean clothes, opened the door carefully, and stuck a head out ahead.


    Wei Jianwei stood not far away, staring at her with dark eyes.


    "You¡ª" He Xiaoyun almost bit her tongue, "You have been standing here?"


    Then the sound of her bathing has been heard!


    Wei Jianwei''s reason sounds very legitimate: "I''m afraid you won''t remember the way back."


    It''s just a straight-through corridor, how could He Xiaoyun not remember it?!


    He Xiaoyun''s face burned red. Actually speaking, the sound of taking a bath, it''s all just the sound of water, it doesn''t matter who hears it, right? But still, she felt awkward in her heart, she felt weirdly ashamed to think of him standing outside just now.


    However, him standing there means that no outsiders will come over, He Xiaoyun is a little relieved when she thinks about it this way.


    Xiaoyun carried her changed clothes and walked back sullenly. Not long after her face was washed, she felt dry. This place was much drier than Qingshuihe, so she had to put the facial moisturizer given by Wei Jianwei last time.


    During this time, Wei Jianwei kept looking at her.


    He Xiaoyun tried her best to find something to say, "Last time you sent the moisturizer home, Mom had been ranting about it for a long time. She said that she was too old and she wouldn''t dare to wipe such a fragrant thing to her face."


    Wei Jianwei hummed, "How is the house?"


    "Very good. The harvest this year is great. At the end of the year, we should be able to distribute more food. I have finished reading all your books. I told you about the early birth of the first sister-in-law''s baby, right? Everyone was terrified. Fortunately, both the mother and daughter are safe. Did you know? Xiaoyuan put his little sister to sleep. He looks like an older brother."


    He Xiaoyun took out her daily necessities on the duffel bag and started wiping moisturizer on her skin, after finishing and turning around, she almost bump into a tall figure.


    He Xiaoyun hurriedly stepped back. The composure that she had built before was gone, and her heartbeat jumped out of her chest quickly, "What are you doing standing so close?"


    Being so close, she felt that he might even smell the scent of the cream on her face.


    Wei Jianwei slowly raised a hand, and He Xiaoyun''s heart also lifted up. The hand approached her face without touching it. She felt that her face was already red.


    "There''s an eyelash." Wei Jianwei said, and took that eyelash off the tip of her nose and showed it to her.


    He Xiaoyun stared at the tip of his finger, speechless.


    Then she realized that the other party was teasing her again, He Xiaoyun punched him in embarrassment, "Go away, go far away from me..."


    "What do you think I am going to do?" Wei Jianwei asked with his mouth bent upwards.


    "Who cares about what you''re going to do?! Go away a little further, I''m going to sleep!" He Xiaoyun looked angry.


    Wei Jianwei didn''t leave. He looked at the fingertips that had touched her skin just now and rubbed his thumbs, and his mouth said, "It''s very fragrant."


    No matter what it is, Xiaoyun can''t listen anymore, this guy is playing hooligan again! This stinky hooligan!


    He Xiaoyun picked up a comb and threw it over, "Shut up!"


    Wei Jianwei caught it with one hand, and returned it to her with a grin, saying: "You should go to bed first, I''ll go wash up. You don''t need to wait for me."


    Who is waiting for you?! Your face is thicker than the foot basin! (Shameless.)


    After he left, He Xiaoyun muttered in her heart while making the bed.


    Regarding the issue of sleeping on different beds or in the same bed, He Xiaoyun had thought about it before coming. It was inevitable, but there was still Wei Yuanhang. As long as the little kid sleeps in the middle, she believes that stinky man won''t be able to make a move!


    When Wei Jianwei came back, she had already laid down on the inner side, and the child was sleeping in the middle, leaving him on the outer side.


    He Xiaoyun closed her eyes and pretended to sleep, but her ears were upright. When she heard the movement of him packing up his things, turning off the light, and coming over and lying down on the outside, she couldn''t help but cheer up in her heart. She could sleep peacefully!


    He Xiaoyun was happy in winning the battle for a while and forgot that the child is short, only occupying the upper half of the bed, the lower half is still spacious for the two adults.


    He Xiaoyun swayed her foot and accidentally bumped into someone, her foot was immediately caught by the other person. Her foot was pressed together with a larger leg, and she couldn''t pull it out. (T/N: (£þ¦á£þ) )


    He Xiaoyun shrank her shoulders, stopped humming, and went to sleep. I will avenge this grievance tomorrow.

 CH 36

    The journey was tiring but He Xiaoyun slept peacefully tonight. When she woke up, it was already bright, and the light came in through the small window near the corridor.


    He Xiaoyun sat up while holding the quilt, after a few seconds of dazing, her consciousness gradually returned to normal, remembering where she was now.


    Xiaoyun looked at the person next to her, Wei Yuanhang was still asleep, and Wei Jianwei had already gotten up and wasn''t in the room.


    The door creaked and Wei Jianwei walked in. He had finished dressing, and he was holding hot water in one hand and two lunchboxes in the other.


    He Xiaoyun was now completely awake, and quickly got up to clean up herself, "Is it very late?"


    "It''s not too late." Wei Jianwei answered.


    In fact, after getting up in the morning, he had already gone to the camp to see how the new recruits were performing exercises. Then he had gone to the army canteen and came back with breakfast.


    He Xiaoyun dug Wei Yuanhang out of the bed, she washed and dressed him, while Wei Jianwei laid out the breakfast he had brought back.


    The child was still a little confused, without opening his eyes, he said to his mother: "Mom, I dreamt that we''re going to find Dad..."


    He Xiaoyun was amused, "We have found your Dad, are you still asleep?"


    After washing his face, Wei Yuanhang woke up completely, hopping back and forth in his new "home". Taking a look here and there


    For breakfast, they have white porridge and corn steamed buns with a few pickles.


    He Xiaoyun learned about things last night. The bathroom here is shared. There''s also a kitchen outside that can be used by everyone.


    He Xiaoyun calculated that they had to cook food by themselves at noon.


    "Is there a market nearby?" She asked Wei Jianwei.


    "Yes," Wei Jianwei nodded, he stood up and took out a few things from the drawer, and gave it to her. The things included the account book, various tickets, and money, "The sister who came last night will accompany you later, I have something to do in the camp in the morning."


    "You''re busy with your matters, don''t worry about me." He Xiaoyun flipped through the account book curiously, then remembered something and asked: "Is the sister you mentioned last night that sister?"


    "Yes, her surname is Xu."


    He Xiaoyun hurriedly said: "Oh, then I have to hurry up, I can''t let other people wait for too long."


    As soon as her voice fell, someone knocked on the door outside, "Sister, are you up?"


    Wei Jianwei went to open the door, and He Xiaoyun also stood up.


    "Old Wei is here? I thought you were in the camp and wanted to call your family to go to my place for breakfast."


    The woman who came was about 30 years old, with short hair and a full smile. She looked very capable. She saw He Xiaoyun standing at the table, she walked a few steps and praised her at a glance.


    "This is your wife, right? She looks so beautiful! No wonder Old Wei devoted himself to business affairs and didn''t even look at the beauties here. It turns out that there is such a beautiful wife in the family!"


    He Xiaoyun smiled shyly, "Thanking sister Xu for the compliments. I came too late yesterday and didn''t come to visit. I had eaten your meal for nothing."


    "What are you so polite?" Xu Lanxiang waved her hand. "Your old Wei, Lao Wang, and Lao Lin are all brothers. In the future, our two families will live together, so why don¡¯t we get closer? You¡¯ve just arrived here, If there is anything you don¡¯t understand, just ask me."


    He Xiaoyun nodded, exchanged a few words with her, and then asked Wei Yuanhang to come.


    Xu Lanxiang took out a piece of candy from her pocket, "You and Lao Wei look good, and your baby son is handsome. Isn''t this Xiaoyuan? Come, I have candy here."


    Wei Yuanhang looked at her, then at He Xiaoyun, when he saw his mother nod, he took it, "Thank you, auntie."


    "Really good." Xu Lanxiang couldn''t help but say, "My monkeys at home isn''t these polite." (She meant her children)


    Lanxiang had originally planned to ask He Xiaoyun to eat. Seeing that they were already eating, and there were still a few children in her family not eating, she made an appointment with He Xiaoyun to go out for a while and went back soon.


    <>


    After breakfast, Wei Jianwei had to return to the camp, he walked to the door, remembered something, and asked her: "I will come back from the cafeteria for lunch at noon, what do you want to eat?"


    He Xiaoyun walked over and said with a smile: "I was just about to ask you. I will go to the market with sister Xu in a moment to buy some food and cook for ourselves. Can you come back to eat later? What do you want to eat?"


    "You won''t rest more?" Wei Jianwei asked.


    "No," He Xiaoyun shook her head, and stretched out her hands and feet to show him, "I slept well last night, I feel energetic now."


    Wei Jianwei conveniently said: "If you look at it, there are fewer people, so you can cook less."


    "There are fewer people, but you two people have a lot of appetites." He Xiaoyun teased. (Xiaoyun meant Jianwei and Yuanhang)


    Wei Jianwei also smiled.


    "Then... will you come back early at noon?" He Xiaoyun was reluctant to give up.


    Xiaoyun understands very well that this person will come back soon. There''s really no need to be sticky to him, but after all, in a strange place, there''s only one familiar person in front of her, so, inevitably, she was emotionally attached to him.


    "Yeah." Wei Jianwei nodded but did not step out, "If you''re bored, you can walk around here but don''t go too far. There''s a bookstore not far from the market, and next door is a department store. Take a  tram back and forth¡ª"


    Before he could finish his explanation, someone interrupted with a smile: "I''ve been watching you two for a long time. If you continue to rant, the sun will be down. Old Wei, you can go to the camp with peace of mind. Your wife has me."


    The two turned their heads at the same time and saw Xu Lanxiang standing at the door of the next room, they didn''t know how much had she heard.


    He Xiaoyun''s face was a little red, and she quickly changed the subject with Wei Yuanhang: "Xiaoyuan, say goodbye to Dad."


    Wei Yuanhang ran over, tilted his head, and waved, "Goodbye, Dad."


    Wei Jianwei gave a hum, looked at the two of them again, nodded at Xu Lanxiang, and left.


    Xu Lanxiang also held a four or five-year-old boy in her arms and walked over with a smile: "I have never seen Lao Wei look like that. Today, you opened my eyes sister Xiaoyun. If I told Lao Wang about this, he won''t believe it."


    He Xiaoyun was slightly embarrassed, seeing the boy next to her, she asked: "Is this the youngest child of sister Xu?"


    "Yes, there''s an elder sister and an elder brother above him. They have all gone to school. I will send him away in two years and I will be free. Xiao Rong, why don''t you introduce yourself?"


    While the adults were talking, the two little guys had looked at each other for a long time. After a while, the older one spoke first, "My name is Wang Derong, who are you?"


    "My name is Wei Yuanhang."


    "Wei Yuan? Your name is really strange."


    "It''s Wei Yuanhang! My mother said it was... lofty ambitions! I will be a promising person in the future!" Wei Yuanhang puffed his chest. Although he neither knows what it means to be tall and ambitious nor does he understand what it means to be outstanding, it does not hinder his contempt for others.


    "Oh..." Wang Derong scratched his head and didn''t understand. "Then do you have a slingshot?"


    "What slingshot?"


    Now, it was Wang Derong''s turn to puff up, "My father made it for me, and my brother knocked a bird off with a swish."


    "Can you use it?" Wei Yuanhang hit the nail on the head.


    "I...I don''t know how to do it now, but I will be soon! You can borrow it to play."


    As soon as the little kid heard it, he immediately put away the despised expression just now and talked with his new friend.


    He Xiaoyun packed up, and Xu Lanxiang led the child out of the house.


    As Wei Jianwei said, she has to take a tram to the market. The sky was dark yesterday, so she didn¡¯t have time to look around. Today, He Xiaoyun felt that the excitement and prosperity of the capital are beyond comparison in the small county town of their hometown.


    After getting out of the car, He Xiaoyun held Wei Yuanhang''s hand tightly and explained that he could not run around. The child was already dazzled to see many things, if it weren''t for being dragged away by his mother, he would have rushed to the crowd.


    In the morning, there were many people and children outside. He Xiaoyun didn¡¯t want to hang out. Under Xu Lanxiang¡¯s guidance, she bought all the things she wanted, only food such as rice and noodles. Because it was too heavy, she only bought enough to eat in a few days.


    Xu Lanxiang also bought some dishes and said to her on the way back: "There will be a market the day after tomorrow. The farmers in the suburbs will sell the vegetables they grow. They are fresher than the ones on the market. If you are interested, I will call you at that time."


    "Okay, thanks to my sister Xu''s help in the past two days, I will invite you to come home for dinner when we are settled." He Xiaoyun said.


    This is not a polite remark. When Xioayun ate the meal delivered by Xu Lanxiang last night, she thought about it for a few days, and when she got used to it, she would find a time when everyone was free and invite Wei Jianwei¡¯s good comrades and their family members to have dinner at home. It was to meet everyone officially.


    "Then, I''ll wait for a big meal." Xu Lanxiang didn''t shy away and said with a smile.


    Back home, He Xiaoyun put all the things she bought on the table. She bought a catty of meat, a fish, a few catties of vegetables, 20 eggs, and the essential oil, salt, sugar, rice, and noodles.


    Xiaoyun doesn¡¯t know that firewood is so expensive here. Although she was happy to spend money, she also feels distressed. She used to spend less than a few cents a month in Qingshuihe, and the vegetables were grown by their family.


    The firewood was picked up on the mountain and everywhere. There''s no need to waste money but now...


    Of course, she didn¡¯t eat fish and meat very much when she was at home. He Xiaoyun didn¡¯t plan to be so extravagant in the future. She just thought that, after all, it¡¯s the first meal she will be cooking here, the meaning is different, so she bought more.


    Wei Jianwei gave her money in the morning, in addition to various tickets, there is three great unity. At this time, more than half of the tickets have been spent. Xiaoyun thought to herself that she didn''t know how much Wei Jianwei''s salary was, and she had to plan carefully in the future.


    After calculating in a small account book in her heart, He Xiaoyun rolled up her sleeves and prepared to cook. Wang Derong ran over to play with Wei Yuanhang, and the two little guys were about to go downstairs.


    As there are guards in the military''s family area, He Xiaoyun doesn''t worry about their safety, but still said a precaution: "Don''t run too far. I will call you to eat later."


    Wei Yuanhang responded and ran out, and started running wild in the corridor. In the past, his playmate was Yanyan, and the girl was gentle. Now that a boy of the same age has appeared, He Xiaoyun can already think of how the two will turn the sky in the future. (creates trouble)


    <>


    Xiaoyun familiarised herself with the kitchen for a while, groping to make two slices of meat and one vegetable, namely braised pork, stewed fish soup, fried rapeseed, and cooked a pot of rice.


    Seeing that the time was almost up, thinking about whether to call the child back, Xu Lanxiang''s voice next door rang: "Wang Derong-come back for dinner!"


    He Xiaoyun listened attentively, and two voices soon came from the stairs, running and making noises. After a while, Wei Yuanhang sweated profusely and appeared in front of her.


    "You''re smart, if they go back to eat, you will also come back." He Xiaoyun said while wiping his sweat.


    She just doesn¡¯t know whether the big one will come back for dinner.


    In the camp, when Wei Jianwei was about to leave, Lin Yuefei caught up from behind, "Old Wei, the cafeteria is over there, where are you going?"


    Wei Jianwei glanced at him, "Going home for dinner."


    In that glance, there was contempt.


    Lin Yuefei was taken aback for a while before he realized that Wei''s family members have already arrived! Only he was the one left with his family far away, and the only one left alone to eat in the cafeteria.


    "Eh?" Wei Jianwei has gone far in just a few seconds, so Lin Yuefei had to shout from behind, "I''ll go to your place!"


    "My wife didn''t make your meal."


    "How can it be that there''s no food for me? The deal is that I will eat less than three bowls, ok? Old Wei? Old Wei!"


    -----

 CH 37

    "Dad!" As soon as Wei Jianwei appeared at the door, Wei Yuanhang saw him.


    He Xiaoyun was putting the dishes on the table, and seeing him come back, said: "You''re back, go wash your hands and eat."


    As soon as she finished speaking, Xiaoyun became embarrassed in her heart. Why did it sound like they''re an old couple? Originally, she wanted to ask him how was his work this morning, but she swallowed it back.


    Wei Jianwei opened his mouth, "Is the market bustling?"


    "It''s lively, much bigger than our small county town."


    Wei Yuanhang couldn''t wait to chatter: "I saw so many big cars and so many people¡ª"


    "Stop. Sit down and eat." He Xiaoyun pressed the child to the chair and tied a bib in his neck to save him from scattering food everywhere.


    Wei Jianwei washed his hands and sat down, "I have time in a few days, let''s go for a walk together."


    "Let''s talk about that when you''re already free, anyway, we are all free here." He Xiaoyun said.


    She put a piece of meat for Wei Yuanhang. The child smelled it, and opened his mouth, "Mom''s cooking is delicious."


    "If you at least eat it first, I can still believe you." He Xiaoyun was amused.


    "Ah ooh-" Wei Yuanhang stuffed the meat into his mouth. While chewing, he nodded his head in satisfaction, "It''s really delicious, isn''t it, Dad?"


    "It''s really good." Wei Jianwei nodded in agreement. He turned his head to her, "Thanks."


    He Xiaoyun was uncomfortable to hear this. After all, what she has done is to cook, the money is still his.


    She immediately diverted: "Hurry up or else the dishes will be cold."


    <>


    After dinner, Wei Jianwei went back to the camp. He Xiaoyun washed the dishes, and after finishing the housework, she discovered that Wei Yuanhang was lying on the bed and fell asleep at some point. No wonder there was no noise just now.


    He Xiaoyun took the child to bed and settled him in, washed the clothes she changed last night, and then looked around the room and found that there was nothing to do, so she took out a book and sat down at the table to calm down and read.


    Recently, she''s been busy that her books have been left untouched.


    When she went to the market in the morning and saw the bookstore mentioned by Wei Jianwei, which was much larger than the one in the county town, she planned to finish her current books before going to take a look.


    The family area in the afternoon was very quiet. At first, Xiaoyun could hear the sound of Xu Lanxiang making Wang Derong take a nap next door. The child groaned and didn''t want to sleep. After a while, there was no movement. She thought he fell asleep after being defeated by his mother.


    He Xiaoyun listened to the silence and thought that situation also occurs with her little kid. She subconsciously smiled at the thought.


    <>


    The weather in autumn was cool and pleasant. In a blink of an eye, the small half afternoon passed, He Xiaoyun was immersed in her book, and it wasn''t until Wei Yuanhang woke up that she realize that time had passed.


    "Mom, I kind of miss grandma..." The child just woke up, lying on the bed and playing with his little quilt, talking with nasal sounds, "And grandpa, uncle, aunt, little uncle... "


    The child counted the people in the family one by one, even Yanyan, and finally tilted his head to think about it, and added: "There''s also my little sister. I don''t know if my little sister has grown up."


    He Xiaoyun listened and she couldn''t help but pat his forehead lightly. She had forgotten to write back about their safety to the family.


    Then, she picked out a pen and paper and said to the child, "I miss them too. Come on, mom will write your words for them."


    Halfway through writing the letter, Xiaoyun got up again and cooked the rice when she heard the noise of cooking from another home.


    There''s still fish and meat at noon. They will be warmed up with the rice for a while. After finishing, He Xiaoyun held the child and continued to write.


    <>


    As evening approached, the students and workers went home one after another, and the family building became lively.


    Wei Jianwei said goodbye to his companions and stepped into his house. The smell of the food permeated his nose and the mother and son sat at the table, burying their heads in writing. The setting sun shone on them, and the golden light showed a bit of gentleness.


    "The capital is really big, there are many cars, and there are so many people..." He Xiaoyun read as she wrote, while Wei Yuanhang tilted his head, trying hard to add something to say.


    Neither of them noticed that he was back. Wei Jianwei walked behind them and found that two pieces of paper were already filled. It was rare for Xiaoyun to be this patient and write the child''s words one by one.


    He Xiaoyun realized that something was wrong, she turned her head abruptly saw that it was him, she patted her chest lightly, "You scared me, why do you keep walking like a cat?"


    Wei Jianwei glanced at the shoes under his feet. He obviously walked back with sound but it''s her who didn''t hear it. Instead, she turned around said he was like a cat. Of course, he can''t reason with her about this kind of thing, so he asked, "Writing to home?"


    "Yes, I forgot to report our safety to the family."


    "It''s okay, I have already sent a telegram."


    When He Xiaoyun heard this, she happily said: "You should be always this thoughtful. When this letter arrives, our parents will be relieved."


    He Xiaoyun caught a glimpse of the sky outside the window, stood up, and said, "Let''s prepare for dinner. I have already written about Xiaoyuan. If you have anything to say, we can write a little more in the evening and send it tomorrow."


    Wei Jianwei nodded in response, tidy up the table with her, and set the tableware.


    <>


    During the day is the most lively. Children in the hallway are laughing and making noises, and the bathroom is flushing with water.


    "Mom, I''m going to play with Rongrong." Wei Yuan said after dinner.


    He Xiaoyun felt that Wang Derong had been waiting outside, so she opened the door.


    "It''s Big brother Rongrong!" Hearing Wei Yuanhang''s words, the boy put retorted and put his head in, when he saw Wei Jianwei, he swished back and hid behind a wall.


    "You''re as young as me, you''re not an older brother." Wei Yuanhang riposted.


    "I, I am four years old!"


    "That''s still small!"


    The conversation between the two little kids was good. Seeing that they are still bickering, He Xiaoyun gave Wei Yuanhang two pieces of candy and told him to share them with Rong Rong.


    "I was thinking this morning that when this chubby kid met a small partner, the two of them will hit it off right away and were going to shake the sky." Xioayun smiled and said to Wei Jianwei as the two children ran away.


    Wei Jianwei wisely didn''t argue about when she called her own son chubby. He only said: "Sister Xu has strict control over her children, they won''t be able to do waves. (troubles)"


    He Xiaoyun ridiculed him, "You said that sister Xu is strict, but why do I think that kid seems to be afraid of you? Are you secretly scaring him? Or, you look too scary?"


    Wei Jianwei didn''t speak but suddenly leaned closer, leaving only a few centimeters between them, as if he would kiss the other person. He Xiaoyun subconsciously held her breath as her eyes widened in fright.


    They looked at each other silently, until he slowly said, "Do you think I look fierce?"


    He Xiaoyun picked her heart that fell to the ground. She was choked by her own saliva. She pushed Wei Jianwei''s face and slapped him in the arm. She then coughed, "You''re not so fierce, just look in the mirror, and stop leaning against me!"


    Seeing her blushing while coughing, Wei Jianwei had to pat her on the back.


    "Yo~yo~ The sky is still blue, what are you two doing?" Xu Lanxiang stood by the door, looking at the two being so close, with a mocking smile on her face.


    Only then that He Xiaoyun remembered that the door was open. And became aware of her ambiguity with Wei Jianwei.


    He Xiaoyun hurriedly stepped back and stood up straight, and said to Xu Lanxiang: "I just said that he was too fierce that Xiao Rong didn''t even dare to come in."


    Xu Lanxiang shook her head and walked in with a smile: "If you say that Lao Wei was not good, I can stand at your side. But if you say that he''s fierce, I can''t stand my conscience. Lao Wang said that even at the Military camp, Lao Wei was famous. Just how many girls were staring at him like wolves? The good thing is that you two are married. You two look perfect with each other, a natural couple."


    With that, Xu Lanxiang also pushed He Xiaoyun. It happened that He Xiaoyun couldn''t stand firmly and was pushed into Wei Jianwei''s arms. He Xiaoyun''s whole face blush and Xu Lanxiang laughed aloud.


    To be honest, Lanxiang just met He Xiaoyun today. She shouldn¡¯t be teasing He Xiaoyun so much. It¡¯s just that the other party was so easy. It was obvious that their child was already three years old, but her face was as thin as a little girl''s. She blushed and was shy when teased a few words. Lanxiang can''t stop her mouth when she sees this.


    He Xiaoyun hurriedly left from Wei Jianwei''s arms and looked at Xu Lanxiang''s face with a smile. He Xiaoyun gave Wei Jianwei a quiet glance saying, "You''re to blame."


    Wei Jianwei tilted his head helplessly, with a smile on his lips.


    He Xiaoyun turned her head back in silence, not daring to look at him again, for fear that she could not stop her heart from beating fast.


    Although Wei Jianwei is very good-looking, although his smile is very eye-catching¡ª


    Okay, if she''s being honest, she has to admit that his head tilt just now was a foul (too cute. (???))


    It wasn''t until Wei Jianwei went to fetch water that Xu Lanxiang''s smile gradually subsided. She rubbed her sour cheeks and said, "I almost forgot about my business. I''m going to bathe the mud monkey in my house(Wang Derong). Xiaoyuan is playing there now. Can you give me a change of his clothes? I will give them a bath."


    "How can it work?" He Xiaoyun waved her hands, "I''ll call him back."


    Xu Lanxiang grabbed her, "No, you''re too polite with me. We have to bathe those little monkeys anyway. If you feel embarrassed, they will go to your house to bathe tomorrow."


    He Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment, "This... also works. Then I will wash them tomorrow. After washing the child, let him come back, otherwise, it will be too troublesome for you."


    "What''s the matter?" Xu Lanxiang didn''t care, "Xiaoyuan is pretty gentle. I have three monkeys(children) in my family, that''s what you call troublesome."


    "If sister Xu can do it, I can''t help it." He Xiaoyun admired while looking for a change of clothes.


    "What can I do if I can''t bear it? I gave birth to them myself, so I can''t cry and throw them away, can I?"


    She was humorous, He Xiaoyun smiled.


    <>


    Wei Yuanhang was reluctant to go home and in the end, Wei Jianwei had to bring him back.


    After the door was closed, He Xiaoyun taught him: "Rongrong''s brothers and sisters are going to school. You''re so noisy, you will disturb their study."


    "But..." The child blinked, "They are also playing, not studying."


    He Xiaoyun choked for a while before remembering that students in this time basically don¡¯t need to do homework. Sometimes, a day¡¯s class is only half a day, and the remaining half a day goes to work in the field.


    She had no choice but to say: "But there''s still asleep uncles and aunts. After dark, you need to come back or invite Rongrong to our house to play. You can''t always make trouble at his house, do you understand?"


    "I know!" Wei Yuanhang nodded.


    He Xiaoyun patted his little head and put the child on the bed, she gave him his little quilt, "Then go to sleep."


    After coaxing the child to sleep, Xiaoyun sat down at the table again. The letter she wrote before was almost finished.


    Wei Jianwei came in after washing up, seeing that the child was already asleep, he eased his movements.


    "Come here." He Xiaoyun beckoned to him, and gave a blank piece of paper to him, "I''m almost done writing, you should write a little too."


    The two sat side by side under the lamp, immersed in writing their letters.


    After finishing writing to her in-laws, He Xiaoyun thought about it and wrote another to her sister. In fact, she wanted to write to her mother too, but Li Yuegui was illiterate and her brother was not at home all the time. It was better to write to He Xiaofen and let her tell their mother.


    In the beginning, she described the prosperity of the capital as usual. Then wrote about the settlement situation, neighbors, etc. Xiaoyun glanced at Wei Jianwei and wrote, "I and Hanghang were already settled here. Jianwei is also very good, you don¡¯t need to worry."


    In fact, she wanted to write "Jianwei is very good to me". After all, this would make her family feel more at ease, but she couldn''t write these words, for she felt very ashamed. After struggling for a long time, she used the above sentence instead.


    But when He Xiaoyun read it again, she felt that her writing is very formal, and she couldn''t help but glance at Wei Jianwei again. With a guilty conscience that she didn¡¯t know where it came from, she slowly wrote: "Jianwei treats me well very much¡ª"


    Wei Jianwei glanced at her.


    He Xiaoyun was like a soldier this time. When she noticed his movements, she hurriedly covered the paper with her hands, and fiercely said: "Why are you looking around? Look at your own paper."


    Wei Jianwei didn''t refute and just glanced at her one after another.


    He Xiaoyun felt guilty in her heart. When she looked at him, her face turned red, her head drooped, and finally, she covered her face with her hands, her face buried to the table.


    Her fierce voice became pitiful, "What are you looking at? Don''t look at me anymore..."


    She was like an ostrich, burying her head in the sand, thinking that it was safe, but she didn''t know that a pair of red ears were still exposed.


    With a smile in his eyes, Wei Jianwei turned to her side and kissed her ear. (Ahhhhhhh so sweeett.)


    -----


    T/N: eHehehehe.

 CH 38

    Because she wanted to invite Wei Jianwei''s comrades-in-arms to dinner, He Xiaoyun mentioned it to him at the dinner table the next day.


    "Everything that we must settle here is settled. I want to invite your comrades and their family to a meal so that we can get to know each other. So that if I met someone on the road, I would be able to say hello back."


    Wei Jianwei frowned. If it was just his comrades, he would have said no, but He Xiaoyun also mentioned their family members. Thinking that she would have to deal with the women in the family area in the future, Wei Jianwei thought that it''s fine. If something ever happens in the future, she can ask her neighbors for help.


    Wei Jianwei relented and agreed, "Then, we can invite them to eat in a restaurant."


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "Since they''re your comrades-in-arms, it''s much sincere to invite them in our house."


    "You will be busy alone." Wei Jianwei didn''t want her to work hard in cooking for others.


    "Don''t underestimate me." He Xiaoyun arrogantly raised her chin, "When our whole family was busy with farming, I have cooked for six or seven people alone. Besides, sister Xu will definitely help me when the time comes."


    Wei Jianwei was reluctant, he suggested, "Should I go to a restaurant to bring back some dishes ?"


    "Why not just listen to me?" He Xiaoyun joked, "I want your comrades-in-arms to taste my cooking skills, at that time, people will surely envy you."


    He Xiaoyun had said that but Wei Jianwei didn''t want others to taste her cooking. Seeing her insistence, Jianwei nodded in defeat, "You don''t need to cook too much."


    "I didn''t know that you''re such a petty man." He Xiaoyun thought it was funny.


    After making an agreement with Wei Jianwei, Xiaoyun went to talk with Xu Lanxiang. After all, Wei Jianwei only knew about his comrades but Xu Lanxiang knew better about the family situations of these comrades'' family members.


    <>


    Knowing Xiaoyun''s intentions, Xu Lanxiang happily explained, "Old Wei is the same as my Old Wang. Old Lin''s family didn''t join the army, and Lao Zhao''s and Lao Zhang''s family lives upstairs. You''ve been only here for two days so I haven''t had the chance to let all of you meet. As for the others, they''re not in the same area. I usually meet them but I only say hello with a smile. There''s no need to invite them to dinner."


    He Xiaoyun didn''t expect that this small family building would also be divided into different places.


    Xu Lanxiang continued, "As for the children, I have three here. Lao Zhao has one, Lao Zhang has two, plus Xiaoyuan, there are eight. Although the baby wouldn''t be included in the dinner, your house will definitely be noisy. You''ll need to be mentally prepared."


    He Xiaoyun nodded and after inquiring from Xu Lanxiang, she began to think of a recipe.


    <>


    Wei Jianwei and the others will be free until the day after tomorrow and there are still two days to go, but He Xiaoyun paid this matter considerable attention, not only for the sake of her communication with the others, but it''s also not to lose Wei Jianwei''s face. (reputation)


    He Xiaoyun was sitting at the table, thinking about the recipes she would present.


    Wei Yuanhang and Wang Derong were playing with building blocks next to her.


    Last night, Xiaoyun told the little kid that Rongrong can be invited home rather than going to the next house. After eating breakfast, the kid immediately invited his friend over.


    Thinking of last night, He Xiaoyun remembered another thing that made her fluster. Her hand subconsciously touched her ear, there seemed to be scorching heat in that area.


    He Xiaoyun swears that when Wei Jianwei kissed her ear, she heard a soft sound, and his warm breathe sprayed on her ear.


    Thinking about it, He Xiaoyun wanted to cover her face again.


    When she woke up this morning, she didn''t dare to look directly into the eyes of the other person. After a long time of psychological preparation, Xiaoyun deceived herself by saying that she was already a mother of a three-year-old child.


    What''s all this fuss? Moreover, in her time, all kinds of Xiaohuang(NSFW) advertisements were flying all over the internet, and even more, juicy ones have been seen. Wei Jianwei''s little tricks are nothing!


    It took He Xiaoyun a long time to persuade herself so that she could pretend to talk to the other person as if nothing had happened.


    But looking at Jianwei, it looks like nothing has occurred.


    He Xiaoyun couldn''t help but curl her lips. It was him who had kissed her for no reason, and it was him who also acts like he had done nothing. It was really damning that she was troubled here alone.


    <>


    After thinking for a long time, when He Xiaoyun saw the feeble dish name in the notebook, she shook her head, put the matter behind, and continued thinking about the recipe.


    "Mom, does it look like a small train?" Wei Yuanhang asked so suddenly.


    He Xiaoyun turned her head and saw that the two children used building blocks to build a simple little train. She smiled and praised them: "It''s very similar, you guys are amazing."


    The two children were very happy and excitedly wanted to build a plane next.


    He Xiaoyun looked at them for a while, and suddenly got inspired, she turned around and wrote sweet and sour pork ribs on the paper. This dish is both sour and sweet, children will definitely like it.


    When Wei Jianwei came back in the evening, He Xiaoyun had already written a long list of dishes on the paper. However, there were still many dishes to be determined, the final list had not yet been ascertained.


    He Xiaoyun planned to make three meat dishes and three vegetables dishes, then each dish would have more quantity.


    Seeing He Xiaoyun frowning, Wei Jianwei immediately suggested: "We can still go to a restaurant to order some food."


    He Xiaoyun glanced at him, "Why don''t you just come over and help me think of some dishes?"


    Wei Jianwei walked over, took the pen in her hand, and wrote a few dishes, "Here."


    He Xiaoyun stared dryly at what he wrote, and finally push him away, "Don''t mess around." She shouldn''t have asked him for help.


    He Xiaoyun temporarily put away the pens and papers on the table, preparing to serve their meal. Today, she didn¡¯t go to the market to buy vegetables. She only used the bacon she brought home to stir-fry the dish of Caixin and make a soup.


    "Sister Xu told me that there''s a market tomorrow. I will take Xiaoyuan with me. I will buy some food and prepare it first. If there''s not enough, I will go to the market to buy it the day after tomorrow." He Xiaoyun said to Wei Jianwei at the dinner table.


    Wei Jianwei nodded, "I''ll give you the money in a while."


    "When you went home(Qinghuihe) last time, you gave me living expenses. There''s still a lot left of the money, I''ll use that."


    Wei Jianwei insisted, "I was still going to give it to you, not only that, but I will also do so in the future."


    He Xiaoyun just wanted to ask, why are you letting me manage your money? Then it suddenly occurred to her, aren''t these what the later generations called in the future handing out your money to your wife?


    He Xiaoyun felt her heart go ''bang'', she felt embarrassed, and after a few bites of food, she remembered something, "What about mom...?"


    In the past, Wang Chunhua was in charge of the family''s finances. Although she and Yuanhang have come to live with Wei Jianwei in the army, they have not separated yet.


    "Last time I was at home, I told mom about this and she agreed."


    He Xiaoyun didn''t expect that, at that time, this man had already thought so much. She thought for a while, "Then, I should send some money back every month."


    The Wei family is not particularly wealthy and many people are living in one house. Recently, a new baby has been added, there are a lot of places that need money to be spent.


    Wei Jianwei agreed: "Okay, you have the final say."


    <>


    After dinner, Wei Jianwei really took out the drawer key and handed over the financial power of the family to He Xiaoyun.


    Only then did He Xiaoyun know that his monthly salary was quite a lot. It turned out to be ninety yuan.


    However, this is because of the rank he has achieved over ten years. The new recruits who have just joined the army have no salary. They only have allowances, which are six yuan a month. The army is responsible for their food and clothing.


    The salary is only available after the promotion. At that time, they have to rely on themselves to eat and dress.


    Wei Jianwei previously ate at the army cafeteria, and the food cost was based on the standard of 40 cents a day, which was almost 15 yuan a month. Apart from his military uniform, he has to buy all of his own clothes.


    Wei Jianwei usually trains and his clothes quickly wear out, this is an addition to expenses. In addition, he buys daily necessities every month, writes letters to the family, or helps out in which comrades have special difficulties and needs. Not much money would be left for the family then.


    When he returns home, he would give the money to Wang Chunhua and part of it to He Xiaoyun. This time when he was out of home for three to four months, all the money he saved was here at the drawer.


    There were more than a dozen Zhang Da Tuan(the money), and He Xiaoyun blushed and her heartbeat accelerated at the sight. (My heart would accelerate too if I was given one thousand pesos~)


    He Xiaoyun put the money in the drawer again, leaving only some change by her side, she then took the key around the room, trying to find a place to hide it.


    He Xiaoyun''s not to blame for her poor petty citizen mentality. Before coming here to the city, she just spends a few cents back in the county. She has never seen so much money. How can she not pay attention?


    Wei Yuanhang tilted his head and watch his mother walk around, then tilted his head to ask his father, "What is mom doing?"


    "Do you know what squirrels are?" Wei Jianwei asked his son.


    The child thought for a while, "Grandma said that squirrels are like mouses with very big tails?"


    Wei Jianwei nodded and continued: "What squirrels do before winter is hiding a lot of food in their tree holes. Your mother is also doing the same."


    Wei Yuanhang craned his neck to observe his mother. After a long time, he said in confusion, "But mom has no tail."


    He Xiaoyun heard their little talk and smiled angrily: "Don''t listen to your dad''s nonsense. It was him who has a tail."


    "Your mom has it."


    "No, it''s your dad!"


    "You do." - WJ


    "It was you who has a bunch of tails!" -HX


    The two adults entered a naive argument, but they kept Wei Yuanhang busy. He looked at his mother once and then tilted his head to look at his father. After watching for a long time, the child made an angry conclusion: All adults are liars, and both his parents lied to him.


    <>


    After hiding the drawer keys, He Xiaoyun sat down in front of the table again and started doing accounting. Yesterday, she went to the street and got 40 cents for the bus ticket, 80 cents for the pork, 50 cents for the fish, two eggs... and even a few green onions for three cents.


    Wei Yuanhang was already asleep, and Wei Jianwei was sitting beside her reading a book.


    It''s just that Wei Jianwei hasn''t turned a page of the book in his hand for a long time. His eyes fell on He Xiaoyun. He watched her frowning and then puffing up her cheeks. Sometimes she couldn''t remember something and poked her lips with a pen in distress. The pen was poking her pink and full lips.


    It took a long time for He Xiaoyun to notice Wei Jianwei''s sight. She thought of her dilemma this afternoon(thinking about Jianwei''s kiss~) and feeling that she couldn''t let him lead her by the nose (take the lead.), she held up her confidence, opened her eyes wide, and stared at the man, and asked rudely: "What are you looking at?"


    "Looking at you." Wei Jianwei was very honest. (Ohohoho.)


    He Xiaoyun proudly raised her chin, "There are too many people looking at me. You can take a closer look if you want."


    Hearing her confident words, Wei Jianwei slightly raised his brows. He stretched out his palms to touch her cheeks, and asked, "How about this?"


    His palm is large and warm and his temperature is obviously not very high, but He Xiaoyun felt like her skin is being burned. ((???))


    But still, He Xiaoyun had an expression of disdain, "What''s about this?"


    Wei Jianwei tilted his head and didn''t speak. He just looked at her silently, his eyes seemed to say, then I should take a really closer look.


    He Xiaoyun felt like a sitting duck and she stomped her feet cruelly. She leaned her upper body to the side and peck the man on his lips, and then stepped back, trying not to blush. She then pretended not to care at all and said: "Hmph, it''s just a peck."


    After finishing speaking, He Xiaoyun didn''t dare to look at Wei Jianwei. She buried her head in the account book, pretending to be serious. She could perceive that Wei Jianwei''s eyes fell on her, but his stares left her after a long time.


    After another long time has passed, He Xiaoyun finally dared to secretly glance at him, she saw that although the man was reading a book, he would rub his lips with a hand, and the corners of his mouth would curl up. Somehow, Xiaoyun felt like she was at a loss again.


    Hey, dating is annoying... (T/N: You two are married...)


    *****


    T/N: I''m here again(existing) to bring another update~


    *****

 CH 39

    He Xiaoyun and Xu Lanxiang went to the market the next day to buy veggies.


    Wei Yuanhang and Wang Derong sat side by side on their laps separately since they left late and the seats were all occupied in the bus.


    The bus traveled all the way from the city to the outskirts, gradually replacing the clean roadways with low sheds and fields. Along the way, Xu Lanxiang informed He Xiaoyun about the recent developments in the area.


    "How many years has sister Xu been with Brother Wang in the army?" He Xiaoyun curiously inquired after noticing that Lanxiang seemed familiar with the area.


    "What brother Wang? Just call him Lao Wang," Xu Lanxiang remarked with a smile.


    "When he''s promoted to be a deputy battalion commander, I''m already here for four to five years, and Rongrong was still in my stomach. I can be considered as one of the first batches to enter the army."


    "It''s been a long time." He Xiaoyun stated.


    "What about you? In fact, many people have been asking me and Lao Wang before to introduce Old Wei to them. You see, he''s young, decent, and has a bright future. Everyone knows that. We didn''t even know when he got married, If he hadn''t reported it to the troops, everyone would be kept in the dark. At that time, I was thinking every day, who was it? How can Old Wei be so fascinated? Does she have the appearance of a Goddess? As a result, I waited until now. Why didn''t you come here before?"


    If I had come here before, wouldn''t I be fighting that man''s pursuers? He Xiaoyun thought.


    Of course, the sentence up above can''t be said, so He Xiaoyun had to vaguely say: "My child is still young and the elders in the family thought that I''m still too green to go, they aren''t in ease to see me leave."


    Xu Lanxiang nodded in recognition, "Yes, I kind of understand. I think you''re not too old, you still have the look of a beautiful little girl. By the way, how old are you?"


    "Twenty-two."


    "That''s really young, you''re seven or eight years younger than me. How did you meet Old Wei?"


    He Xiaoyun continued to bite the bullet and said nonsense: "We''re in the same brigade, and we knew each other since we were young."


    "So, you two are childhood sweethearts? No wonder that the other little girls can''t catch Old Wei''s sight." Xu Lanxiang spoke with a smile.


    He Xiaoyun smiled and quickly changed the subject, "What about Sister Xu and Lao Wang? How did the two of you meet?"


    "I used to work in a quilt factory. The workshop director and Lao Wang''s old boss were classmates. Later, our factory formed a pact with the army."


    "Then, sister Xu fell in love with him at first sight?" He Xiaoyun guessed.


    Xu Lanxiang chuckled, "How can I? I didn''t look at him at that time. Don''t look at me like that, I was also the flower(beauty) in our factory back then. Although old Wang looks pretty good, he''s a rural man. My thinking at that time is, if you get married, it would be too tiring. So, I didn¡¯t think about him in the beginning. But he was stubborn, whenever the troops rested, he would come to guard our factory. This guard comes and goes. I don''t know what happened next, I just agreed to be with him in a daze."


    He Xiaoyun joked: "How could a clever person like sister Xu agree in a silly way? You must really be willing."


    "I''m smart, but also stupid."


    The two chatted all the way, and it didn''t take long before they arrived at the market.


    Xu Lanxiang is skillful in picking vegetables and bargaining with vegetable farmers. He Xiaoyun basically only needs to follow her in buying.


    "By the way, what are you going to cook?" Xu Lanxiang asked He Xiaoyun.


    "Braised pork elbow, sweet and sour pork ribs, pan-fried fish, and three more vegetable dishes. Does sister Xu think this will work?"


    "Of course. I have a stove you can borrow."


    "Okay, then I will thank sister Xu first."


    The two bought a lot of fresh vegetables, bought maltose for each of the two children, and went back home.


    <>


    He Xiaoyun told Wei Jianwei to invite his guests when he went out in the morning. Seeing his reluctance, she wanted to laugh a little. He obviously had a good relationship with those comrades-in-arms, but why was he reluctant to invite them?


    ---


    Because Lin Yuefei''s office was the closest, Wei Jianwei informed him first. After Lin Yuefei heard the invitation, he exaggeratedly pulled out his ears, "What? Old Wei, what did you say? You''ll let me go to your house for dinner tomorrow?"


    Wei Jianwei''s face darkened.


    Lin Yuefei thought about it and soon figured it out. He said with a smile, "It was my sister-in-law, didn''t she? She asked you to come and invite us to eat at your home."


    Now, Wei Jianwei didn''t even want to talk to him.


    But Lin Yuefei poked into it more and deliberately said next to him: "Why do I remember that two days ago, someone said that they didn''t cook for my meal? Old Wei, what do you think about this? "


    Wei Jianwei turned and walked out. Lin Yuefei caught up with him and humbly said, "Old Wei, you''re not doing it right. At least you have to give me an invitation. Where is my invitation?"


    Seeing that Wei Jianwei continued to ignore him, Lin Yuefei smiled, "There''s no invitation? You should at least say a word of invitation. For example, ''Lao Lin, please come to my house for dinner tomorrow.'' That''s how you do it. "


    Wei Jianwei finally had enough of him and reacted. He turned around and stared at Lin Yuefei, and said: "I see, so you''re not free tomorrow. I will go back and inform my wife to cook one fewer meal. "


    He left after speaking.


    Lin Yuefei was stunned on the spot. It took him a long time to recall what Wei Jianwei meant, and he hurriedly rushed to catch up, "Who said I''m not free tomorrow? I''m free! I''m very free. Old Wei? Old Wei! I won''t let this go. I was wrong, Old Wei, don¡¯t be so stingy! "


    <>


    In the afternoon, Wei Jianwei ran into Wang Liqiang, the commander of the first battalion, on the training ground. Before he could speak, Wang Liqiang spoke, "I heard that your wife wants to invite us to dinner tomorrow."


    Wei Jianwei responded indifferently.


    Wang Liqiang patted him on the shoulder and smiled, "Why are you so unhappy? I have heard that after your wife arrived, you stick to her every day. How can this be done, old Wei? "


    Wei Jianwei nodded in agreement, and then changed the subject. "I suddenly remembered something. That lady in the cultural troupe back then... Do you think Sister Xu would like to meet her? "


    Wang Liqiang''s smile became stagnant, but he quickly fought back with a grin, "As soon as you say it, I also remembered that there is a lady from the arts and crafts troupe that likes you. Should I let Sister He and her get to know each other?"


    The two played blackmail riddles. Actually, this was no secret. It was a few years ago when the cultural and art-crafts troupe had a friendship with the army troops. At that time, Wang Liqiang was interested in a lady, but the other party and another lady fell in love with Wei Jianwei.


    At that time, the troop leader deliberately grouped the four of them into two pairs, but unfortunately, the lady had no intention of going out with Wang Liqiang, and Wei Jianwei had no interest in going on a date either.


    Wang Liqiang told the people around him that they were all dead if someone told Xu Lanxiang about this matter.


    Others were suppressed by Wang Liqiang''s prestige. Before today, Wei Jianwei believed he (Liqiang) had no control over him. But now, when Wang Liqiang mentioned the lady from the arts and crafts troupe who liked him at first, Jianwei subconsciously felt that this matter could not be revealed to He Xiaoyun, even though he had a clear conscience.


    At this moment, the two men grabbed at each other''s blackmail materials, and no one wanted to back out.


    "You are ruthless," they both said quietly to each other. Then, at the same time, they turned around and left in disgust.


    <>


    The next morning, He Xiaoyun got up early and hurried to the market. This time, Wei Jianwei went with her.


    Last time, because she couldn''t carry it, He Xiaoyun only bought rice and noodles for a few days. Now that she has free labor, she can buy more with peace of mind.


    In addition to the two pork knuckles, small half-scalloped ribs, and two fish, Xiaoyun bought some fruits and candies to entertain the children. For the time being, vegetables and eggs are available at home, so she doesn¡¯t need to buy them.


    The two went back to the family building. Wei Yuanhang heard the movement and ran over from the next door: "Mom and dad, you''re back."


    Fearing that there were too many people in the market, Xiaoyun could not take the child. In the morning, He Xiaoyun left Wei Yuanhang at Xu Lanxiang¡¯s place. She said a lot of good things to coax him and promised to come back with delicious food so that the child obediently agreed. But the child still felt wrong.


    He Xiaoyun took out a few candied haws and said, "You and Rongrong each have one. You have to give each of Rongrong''s brothers and sisters one, too."


    The child ran away happily while holding the candied haws.


    Not long after, Xu Lanxiang came over, "You can just buy it for Xiaoyuan. The gluttonous monkeys in my family can''t fill their stomachs with how much they eat."


    "It won''t cost much." He Xiaoyun smiled.


    Xu Lanxiang shook her head and rolled up her sleeves to help, "Are you going to wash the vegetables?"


    He Xiaoyun hurriedly said, "I can do it by myself, and I''m not being polite with Sister Xu. When I need to open the fire in the stove, I will call you to help me. "


    Xu Lanxiang waved her hand, "I''m idle at home. Rather than watching my monkeys (children) make a fuss, it''s better to hide quietly in your place. "


    Seeing that Xu Lanqiang had already started to work with the vegetables, He Xiaoyun had no choice but to let her do it. "Sister Xu needs to eat more, otherwise you won''t be able to get back your hard work."


    The two of them washed the vegetables, and Wei Jianwei carried a bucket to fetch water.


    When Xu Lanxiang saw this, she joked: "Your old Wei is considerate. No, it should be said that you taught him well. My old Wang, I need to shout before he''s willing to move. I said he was like a stubborn cow in the field, only taking a step when being whipped. "


    He Xiaoyun was amused, "Maybe Lao Wang just likes to hear Sister Xu call for him."


    "Bah, he likes being called out by me?" Xu Lanxiang smiled and took a sip of water.


    They washed vegetables for a while, and two more women appeared at the door. They looked into the room with some hesitation. When they saw Xu Lanxiang, they sighed with peace of mind, "I was right. This is the home of Lao Wei and his family. "


    Xu Lanxiang looked up to see them both and smiled, "You two aren''t late."


    The two laughed and walked in, "That''s good. That''s good. "


    Xu Lanxiang introduced them to He Xiaoyun. The two women who came were the lovers of Lao Zhao and Lao Zhang; one was surnamed Huang, named Huang Lizhen, and the other was named Li Xijin.


    Looking at He Xiaoyun, the two couldn''t help but praise her.


    Huang Lizhen said, "Our old Zhang went home and told me that Lao Lin saw Lao Wei''s wife and said that she was more beautiful than the ladies of the cultural troupe. I didn''t believe it at that time. Now that I saw her with my own eyes, I feel that Lao Lin didn''t exaggerate. "


    Li Xijin also said: "The key is not only that she''s beautiful, but also that she''s in good shape. This old Wei, he doesn''t know what kind of blessing it is to marry a beautiful wife like this. "


    He Xiaoyun blushed with their praise. She hurriedly asked them all to sit down, and then went to serve some water.


    Xu Lanxiang grabbed her, "It''s just a few of us. You don''t need to be polite. The two of them came early, they definitely came to work instead of drinking water. "


    Xu Lanxiang is the oldest woman here, and since she said so, the two naturally agreed.


    The four women who chatted while working in the kitchen were not bored at all. It was Wei Jianwei who stood still in the house for a few minutes after bringing the water back. They were all women, which made Jianwei quite uncomfortable, so he hid outside.


    After he left, Huang Lizhen smiled, "Have you seen? Just now, the look in Old Wei''s eyes turned towards Xiaoyun. "


    Xu Lanxiang also quipped, "I found out two days ago that Jianwei almost wanted to tie Xiaoyun on his trouser belt when he went to work. "


    "Tsk tsk, I can''t tell at all."


    "Xiaoyun is really good. Give us some tips, how can you make Old Wei stick to you so much? "


    In the past, when Xu Lanxiang joked, He Xiaoyun couldn''t stand it. This time, three women were teasing her, and she couldn''t bear it. Xioayun couldn''t help but blush. She pretended to be angry: "If you do this again, I will be angry."


    "Oh, don''t be angry. What would we do if Old Wei fought for his wife? We can''t beat him. "


    The three women spoke more happily.


    He Xiaoyun had no choice but to escape under the pretext of heating some hot water.


    Wei Jianwei and Wang Liqiang were talking on the other side of the corridor, and when Wei Jianwei saw her head downstairs, he followed.


    He Xiaoyun drew water in the heating room, turned around, and almost bumped into Wei Jianwei. Xiaoyun patted her chest and asked, "What are you doing here?"


    "Why didn''t you call for me?" Wei Jianwei picked up the kettle in her hand.


    How could He Xiaoyun call him? If she really did, those teasing three women would laugh harder.


    He Xiaoyun became annoyed while looking at the man and said, "I blame you for this."


    Why did you blame me again? Wei Jianwei helplessly thought.


    He Xiaoyun continued to murmur, "You can talk to Lao Wang and the others. Don''t go back with me to the house, or else my sisters will laugh at me again. "


    Wei Jianwei guessed what happened. Seeing her embarrassed appearance, he thought for a while, "I will make an appointment with Lao Zhao and Lao Zhang to learn from each other."


    After a few seconds, He Xiaoyun understood what he meant. He was going to vent her anger.


    Although it seemed cruel to count Huang Lizhen and the others teasing her with their men, Xiaoyun couldn''t help but wonder, "Have you ever practiced with them?"


    Wei Jianwei touched her head, "Don''t worry."


    "Then practice a little bit, don''t go too far." He Xiaoyun carefully suggested.


    "I have a sense of measure."


    After she heard him, He Xiaoyun felt a little sweet, she then quietly gloated in her heart: You three women are laughing at me. Now, your men will be taught a lesson by my man!

 CH 40

    Soon, Huang Lizhen and Li Xijin''s husbands also came with a few children.


    Xu Lanxiang asked for them to place the children at her house. Since there were already four children in her family, a group of little monkeys playing around there wouldn''t matter.


    Only Huang Lizhen''s one-year-old daughter, who was still a baby, was held in the arms of Lao Zhang.


    The women were busy in the kitchen, and the men weren''t spared. They were forced to move the stove and water for a while. Because Wei Jianwei didn''t have enough chairs at his house, old Wang went to his and moved a few more.


    Lin Yuefei, who lived alone came last and brought a bottle of wine with him.


    When Xu Lanxiang saw it, she joked, "Lao Lin is the best man, unlike my Lao Wang and the others, who came here with nothing."


    Though Lin Yuefei was praised, he didn''t dare to offend several comrades-in-arms at once, and hurriedly said, "I will drink this by myself."


    Lin Yuefei jokingly laughed, handed the wine to He Xiaoyun''s hands, and quickly moved away from the women''s group, fearing that they would say a few more words to him, the men glaring over there would ask him to ''learn with them'' if he didn''t.


    When the dishes were ready, it''s already noon. The adults first call the children next door to feed them, and then it was the adults'' turn to eat.


    Wei Jianwei and He Xiaoyun, the two hosts, toasted everyone with the former using wine and the latter drinking tea.


    "This scene is a bit like the happy day when Old Wei married his wife." Lin Yuefei joked.


    "It happened that we were all absent when you got married. This glass of wine is made up. Come and drink, everyone."


    Xiaoyun''s face reddened, she put down the cup and glanced at Wei Jianwei, and said, "I don''t know what to talk about in this scene. From now on, everyone will be neighbors. As they said, distant relatives aren''t as good as the neighbors. I have to ask brothers and sisters to take care of me."


    Xu Lanxiang smiled, "You don''t know what to say? Isn''t this a good greeting?"


    "Don''t be polite, call them Lao Zhang and Lao Zhao. You and Jianwei are so beautiful." Huang Lizhen covered her mouth and smiled.


    Xu Lanxiang said to her: "Aiyah. Young couples that have been married for a few years have been together divorced a lot. Now, it''s not wrong to say that they are newlyweds. All of us are old husbands and old wives."


    What Xu Lanxiang said was to help He Xiaoyun on the surface, but in fact, she was still teasing her.


    Huang Lizhen hurriedly responded: "Yes, sister Xu is right."


    As soon as the two sang a tune, the people on the table laughed, and He Xiaoyun blushed with embarrassment.


    "All right, let''s continue eating, or else Xiaoyun is going to bury her face in her bowl." Li Xijin said.


    "Now, you''ve become a good person? Aren''t you the one who vigorously tease someone just now?" Huang Lizhen turned to her, "Is it because your old Zhao is working under Lao Wei''s, and you''re afraid that Lao Wei will embarrass him. Do you feel distressed?"


    Li Xiji lightly patted her, "You''re crazy, am I crazy like you?"


    The women joked and laughed while eating, and the men ate and drank.


    Lin Yuefei looked left and right, everyone was in pairs, but he was alone. He couldn''t help thinking about his wife.


    After a while, He Xiaoyun and the women got up and went to the room to talk, leaving the men to continue drinking.


    It wasn''t until two or three o''clock in the afternoon that the party ended. Everyone helped clean up the table and kitchen and then went home.


    He Xiaoyun went to the next door to lead Wei Yuanhang back and coaxed him to take a nap.


    Then she looked up and saw Wei Jianwei standing at the table, looking out the window, not knowing what he was looking at, she walked over and asked, "Why are you standing there?"


    Wei Jianwei didn''t answer, he turned his head to look at He Xioayun, and suddenly lowered his head, he put his forehead on her shoulder. (I found this really cute~(????))


    He was much taller than her. This action was a bit hard and it looked a bit funny. Fortunately, there was no one else in the house at this time.


    He Xiaoyun was taken aback, her hands stretched out helplessly, neither pushing nor holding him.


    Wei Jianwei had a faint scent of alcohol on his body, and the scorching breath he exhaled sprayed all over her neck, seeming to pass the smell of alcohol to her, making her red from the neck all the way to the tips of her ears.


    "What do you want? Get up quickly," He Xiaoyun embarrassedly whispered.


    Wei Jianwei gave a hum but he didn''t move.


    She thought it was a bit funny. Although Jianwei''s drinking capacity was very good, the wine wasn''t bad. He drank too much but he wasn''t noisy at all, instead, he looked stunned more than usual, he looks cute.


    But no matter how cute he is, such a big head leaning on her is a bit overwhelming.


    Xiaoyun had to work hard to persuade him to go on the bed and put him to sleep.


    Looking at the father and son who were lying side by side and sleeping, He Xiaoyun smiled and shook her head.


    After that day, He Xiaoyun¡¯s social interaction in the family building was completely opened. She also learned to knit a scarf from Huang Lizhen, as she heard that it will soon snow in the north. She, a person from the south, should start preparing early.


    <>


    In Qingshuihe, thousands of miles away, the Wei family had just received the letter He Xiaoyun sent back.


    The few letter papers written by He Xiaoyun were almost entirely dictated by Wei Yuanhang and written by her as his ghostwriter. They were full of child''s childish speeches.


    Wei Zhenxing read the letter in a strong voice, and Wang Chunhua and Feng Qiuyue both covered their mouths and laughed.


    After reading a page, the head of the family really couldn''t read it any further, and handed the letter to the younger son, "Come and read it."


    Wei Jianhua didn''t have any psychological burden at all, and even learned Wei Yuanhang''s tone, deliberately squeezing his throat and talking with milky voice, making Wang Chunhua smile.


    After reading it, Wei Jianhua still had some ideas, "I have to let my second sister-in-law write more next time."


    Wang Chunhua laughed and scolded him: "Write more so that you can make trouble, isn''t it?"


    "How can I be mischievous? This is called being a ventriloquist, it''s art!"


    "It''s a fart technique." Wang Chunhua said, turning around to discuss the content of the letter with her eldest daughter-in-law.


    She took the letter from her second son and second daughter-in-law and looked at it repeatedly. Although Wang Chunhua couldn''t understand it, she seemed to be able to see her little grandson shaking his head and talking to her through the letter, and she couldn''t help but smile.


    Feng Qiuyue hugged her baby daughter and said with a smile: "Tonight, Mom can finally sleep peacefully."


    Wang Chunhua sighed contentedly.


    On the other end, He Xiaofen also received the letter and went back to her mother''s house the same day to tell her mother.


    "Why did Xiaoyun send the letter to you?" Li Yuegui was puzzled.


    "Otherwise, if she sends it home, you and dad won''t understand it either."


    In the He family, the parents, like others, prefer their youngest sons, but they''re not too bad for their two daughters. They both allow them to go to junior high school. Later it was the He sisters who didn''t want to go to school.


    He Xiaofen said: "Xiaoyun said in her letter that they are all settled, the capital is very good, and her brother-in-law is also very good to her."


    "She really said that?"


    "Can I lie to you? Just here if you don''t believe me, keep it until little brother comes back, let him read it to you again."


    Li Yuegui said with joy: "I can rest assured, Xiaoyun and Jianwei are doing well. I can rest assured. Now I will¡ª"


    "Now waiting for me to give birth to a son, right?" He Xiaofen made up for her.


    "As long as you know."


    He Xiaofen said unhappily: "It''s not like I can have a son if I say so. Others will be backed by their natal family if they have problems. If I quarrel with their family in the future, Are you not planning to accept me back?"


    Li Yuegui stopped for a while, looked at her expression, and asked carefully: "What? Is your mother-in-law embarrassing you again?"


    "Even if she''s not embarrassing me, will she make me comfortable?"


    Li Yuegui sighed, didn''t speak for a long time, and then said: "Then, you could just bring the children here and accompany me."


    Although Li Yuegui wholeheartedly hoped that He Xiaofen could give birth to a boy, it was for the sake of her daughter''s happiness, and she won''t force her.


    He Xiaofen just complained casually. She didn''t expect her mother to say that. There was some warmth in her heart, her mother still loved her no matter what.


    "If I want to go home, I will come back directly, would they dare to detain me from the Zhang family?" He Xiaofen smiled, "Let''s not talk about this. Say, the north is much colder than the south, I don¡¯t know if she and Xiaoyuan can stand it."


    <>


    The cold in the capital, He Xiaoyun felt it when she got off the train on the first day. As the days passed, it became colder and colder. She and Wei Yuanhang are now warming up around the stove.


    The first knitted scarf was almost finished, but the owner of the scarf made her a little embarrassed.


    Originally, she was going to knit for Wei Jianwei. After all, he needs to go out all day at home, and she''s a beginner. Her knitted scarf is basically equivalent to practice, not very beautiful. She wants to wait to learn some tricks before weaving a better-looking one for Wei Yuanhang.


    But the little kid didn¡¯t understand her painstaking efforts. He was a little jealous when he heard that her mother was knitting for her father.


    He wandered around her for the past two days, saying that when the scarf is knitted, he will grab it and refuse to give it to the original owner intended. He Xiaoyun couldn''t help but be speechless.


    "Mom doesn''t like me anymore." The kid pouted, his mouth pursed so long that she could hang an oil bottle in it.


    He Xiaoyun felt funny: "Just because I didn''t give you the scarf, I don''t like you anymore?"


    "There''s more," Wei Yuanhang said, "Mom said you can''t hold me now, but yesterday, I saw you hold Dad!"


    "Ahem-" He Xiaoyun was almost choked to death by her saliva.


    Yesterday at noon, she was cooking soup in the kitchen. She didn¡¯t know that Wei Jianwei had already returned. He was standing behind her. When she turned around to take a bowl, she bumped her head into his arms.


    This scene happened to be seen by Wei Yuanhang, who wasn''t seen at that time. She didn''t expect this little kid to remember it!


    Being accused of this by a three-year-old kid, He Xiaoyun was both ashamed and annoyed, she couldn''t help but glare at the initiator.


    Wei Jianwei looked at his son and thought to himself, it seems that it''s time to have a man-to-man conversation with him.


    *****


    T/N: I''m finally updated this! I was so busy with all my modules that I didn''t have time for this but when I was notified that someone donated me some delicious Ko-fi, I have forsaken my studies. Lol, so I will come back to my studies now that I have done this~

 CH 41

    Overnight, the outside turned into a white world, with high and low buildings and mountains. The treetops and grass fields were all put on silver outfits.


    Wei Jianwei opened the door and walked in. He was always the first to get up, and he came back with hot water from the boiling room.


    He Xiaoyun saw him and excitedly said: "It''s snowing!"


    "Mn. It''s a bit cold today, keep warm."


    "Yeah." He Xiaoyun answered, her eyes still staring at the snow outside, quite a bit eager to go outside.


    She was a Southerner in her previous life. She only saw a small amount of snow once when she was in her twenties. This was the first time she saw such a large amount of snow, and now, she wanted to run out and have fun.


    "Don''t play in the snow, you will have frostbite." Wei Jianwei shattered her beautiful thoughts.


    He Xiaoyun subconsciously looked at her hands. She still remembered that one year ago, her two little fingers had frostbite. The thought in her heart immediately scattered.


    "Okay..." She looked out the window reluctantly, then closed the curtains and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.


    When Wei Yuanhang got up, he saw the snow and immediately ran over to her and asked in a fuss: "Mom, what''s that outside?"


    "It''s snow."


    The child tilted his head and asked, "What is snow?"


    He Xiaoyun didn''t know what to answer, so she simply said, "It''s the ones outside."


    Wei Yuanhang frowned, not satisfied with the answer, "Where did the snow come from?"


    "It falls from the sky like rain."


    <>


    After breakfast, Wei Jianwei went to the camp, while Wei Yuanhang stood by the window, looking at the snow outside with curiosity and wonder.


    Not long after, Wang Derong ran over, seeing that Wei Jianwei was not at home, he became courageous, and shouted: "Xiaoyuan! Xiaoyuan, let''s go down and had a snowball fight!"


    Wei Yuanhang slid and was about to run out, He Xiaoyun quickly stopped him, "Don''t run out like this. Be careful and don''t be silly."


    Children have a fast metabolism, high body temperature, and blood vessels that are not easy to freeze. They will go out to play for a while and won''t worry much about frostbite. However, He Xiaoyun still found the thickest cotton clothes and put them on him, put on a scarf and gloves, wrapped his whole body tight, before letting him go out.


    "I''ll be back after a while."


    "Got it!" The two children ran away all at once.


    He Xiaoyun stood by the window and looked around, she saw that there were already several children downstairs, all dressed like big balls, swayingly running on the snowy ground. If they''re not careful, they will throw themselves into the snow, just like a clumsy little penguin, chubby and cute.


    He Xiaoyun watched for a while, then turned around and started knitting a scarf. Wei Jianwei and Wei Yuanhang already had one, so she had to knit one for herself.


    Before long, Xu Lanxiang finished her housework and came over to talk to her with the sweater half-knitted.


    "Looking at the weather, I will start to accumulate sauerkraut in two days. How much are you going to accumulate this year?"


    He Xiaoyun was confused, "Huh?"


    "Making sauerkraut, why? You didn''t make it in previous years?" Xu Lanxiang asked.


    He Xiaoyun just remembered that there is indeed a custom of accumulating sauerkraut in the north. Because it''s too cold in winter, there are basically no edible vegetables. Unlike in the south, where the fields are green all year round.


    "Do you have enough clothes for winter? Do you want to wear another sweater? I was studying knitting with Sister Xu recently." He Xiaoyun asked Wei Jianwei.


    When she and Wei Yuanhang arrived, they couldn''t bring too much luggage. The winter clothes were packed and mailed, but the cotton-padded clothes worn in the south were not enough to wear in the north. She planned to knit two more sweaters and trousers by herself and wore them.


    Wei Jianwei nodded, "It''s enough. There are two cloth tickets in the drawer. You and the child can add another cotton coat for yourselves."


    He Xiaoyun wanted to say no, but couldn''t figure out how cold the winter in the north would be. She''s afraid that she wouldn''t be well prepared and it would be difficult to get through. Wei Jianwei is a big man, unlike her and her child who are afraid of the cold.


    He Xiaoyun said: "I will ask Sister Xu tomorrow to see if it''s necessary."


    "Whether you need it or not, you need to be prepared for it." Wei Jianwei said.


    He Xiaoyun thought about it for a while. This is indeed the truth. After all, it''s their first year to spend the winter here. It''s always right to be fully prepared, "Okay, then I will buy it on the street instead."


    Wei Yuanhang stared at the sweet potato for a while. Seeing that the scent became stronger and stronger, he couldn''t help asking, "Mom, can we eat it now?"


    Seeing that he''s like a small hungry cat, He Xiaoyun smiled: "It''s okay, it''s okay, let''s check the small one first."


    He Xiaoyun touched the sweet potato with her hand. It didn''t feel very hot, so she picked it up directly. Unexpectedly, after a second or two, the hotness came from her fingertips. She hissed and put the sweet potato down again, "It''s hot."


    Wei Jianwei put down his book and held her hand to look at it. (Ehem ehem)


    When winter comes, He Xiaoyun has cold hands and feet, but Wei Jianwei''s hands remained warm. The warm palms wrap her hands, which is actually quite comfortable, but a little kid is staring at them. He Xiaoyun pulled out her hand uncomfortably, "Nothing, there''s no blistering."


    Wei Jianwei didn''t let her touch the sweet potato anymore, he broke the sweet potato into two halves, let it cool for a while, and divided it between her and the child.


    Wei Yuanhang took a bite, it was hot but he''s reluctant to vomit it out, and vaguely said, "It''s so delicious."


    "Eat slowly, don''t choke." He Xiaoyun shook her head helplessly, fanning his mouth with her hand.


    After eating the sweet potatoes, seeing that it was almost time, she move the child to bed and coaxed him to sleep, and then went back to the stove to read.


    Three stools were placed around the stove. Wei Yuanhang was originally sitting in the middle. After he fell asleep, this position became vacant.


    Wei Jianwei patted the empty stool beside him and said to her, "Sit here."


    He Xiaoyun glanced at him and did not move, "What are you going to do?" (Editor-in-charge: Do you? *dirty snicker*)


    Upon seeing this, Wei Jianwei moved and sat next to her. The chairs were placed a little closer, and as soon as he sat down, the two people were basically leaning together.


    Her space suddenly narrowed, and He Xiaoyun moved her legs, "What are you doing being so close to me?"


    Wei Jianwei did not answer. Instead, he pulled her free hand and held it in his palm, "Why is your hand so cold?" (Editor-in-charge: Such a smooth operation there, Jianwei ( ?? ¦Ø ?? )?)


    This should be better now... right?


    -----


    T/N: Oh my, sorry that I had just updated today, real-life got me hectic, wished I lived in the internet world or something. I promise to update chap 42 tomorrow.


    Editor-in-Charge: Why are updating the whole chapter when we car chop chop it into parts? ¨“¨Œ¨“

 CH 42

    <>


    Hearing Xu Lanxiang talks about the method of pickling, He Xiaoyun thought that it''s very similar to pickled vegetables, except that they used more salt, and that they have to pour in clear water to make it ferment.


    The two of them spread the cabbages with coarse salt and sealed them tightly in the new large tank. After a day or two, they have to wait for the water to dry out and pour some again. After waiting for about a month, if the cabbages tasted sour, they can finally eat it.


    Xu Lanxiang counted the dishes that could be cooked by then, such as sauerkraut stewed vermicelli, sauerkraut stew, sauerkraut fish head... just hearing the dishes names made He Xiaoyun''s saliva flood.


    <>


    The next day when the sauerkraut was marinated, the three people received a letter from home and a large bag of dried persimmons.


    When He Xiaoyun and Wei Yuanhang left Qingshuihe, the persimmon tree in the backyard was just about to mature. After the persimmons were picked, Wang Chunhua made a special treat for the three of them and sent them over as dried persimmons.


    The three people gathered around the fire, reading the letter while eating dried persimmons.


    Wei Yuanhang squeezed beside He Xiaoyun and kept asking: "What did grandma say? Does grandma miss me?"


    "Yes, grandma said she missed you very much." He Xiaoyun dealt with him casually.


    "I miss grandma too," the child said, and then asked again, "Does grandpa miss me? How about uncle?"


    He Xiaoyun had to say: "Everyone in the family misses you, even your little sister misses you."


    Only then was Wei Yuanhang satisfied and ran to the next door to play.


    <>


    After reading the letter, He Xiaoyun wrapped five or six dried persimmons in paper and sent them next door.


    Xu Lanxiang was knitting a sweater, and when she saw what He Xiaoyun had brought, she asked, "Where did it come from?"


    <>


    Wei Jianwei was writing a reply under the light, and when He Xiaoyun came back, he showed her what he had been writing to see if there was anything she wanted to add.


    When the letter was handed over, he also squeezed her fingers.


    He Xiaoyun glanced at him and said nothing. Recently, the two of them have had more physical contact like this. She feels like a frog in boiling water and has gradually become accustomed to his touch.


    After reading his letter, she said: "For now, let''s see what the little kid has to say, and then add it."


    She put the letter on the table, turned around to walk away, but Wei Jianwei held her hand.


    He Xiaoyun turned her head, "What''s the matter?"


    The child was a little crazy playing next door. On such a cold day, there was a bit of sweat on his forehead. When He Xiaoyun took him back, he was still a little bit unsatisfied, "Mom, can I sleep at Rongrong''s house tomorrow?"


    He Xiaoyun paused, and her heart jumped vigorously. She glanced at Wei Jianwei and felt a little relieved when he saw that he hadn''t noticed the movement here, but her mind still couldn''t stop.


    If the child goes to sleep next door, won''t they be the only two people in the house? Looking at Wei Jianwei''s recent behavior, Xiaoyun felt that if they were lying on the same bed without Wei Yuanhang in between, something will definitely happen!


    As a single dog who has just left the single association(in her mind), this is...


    -----


    T/N: I''m finally freeeeee! I know I had promised to update but I didn''t uphold that promise because of stupid reality troubling me but now...holidays are here! My goal is to finish translating this book! Expect updates to rain starting tomorrow!

 CH 43

    Not long after the first snow melted, the second one fell, which was bigger than the previous one.


    In the beginning, He Xiaoyun was feeling a little strange(when she saw snow the first time), but she became numb as she watched too much. The weather was getting colder and she, a southerner, had to rely on the stove to continue her life recently. Xiaoyun didn''t even dare to open the door.


    Wei Jianwei also didn''t let her go out. Now, the ingredients at home can only be resupplied when Wei Jianwei goes to the market on his rest day.


    He Xiaoyun''s daily routine became cooking, reading, knitting every day.


    <>


    There are fewer fresh vegetables in the market. Xu Lanxiang said that there are not many farmers selling their vegetables in the market in the suburbs.


    No matter how poor the farmers became, they''re not willing to go out to sell their vegetables at this time.


    After eating three consecutive meals consisting of radish, He Xiaoyun decided that she would add a few bean sprouts to eat, otherwise, she would soon become a radish.


    Xiaoyun''s grandfather used to sell bean sprouts in her past life. He will spread the mung beans layer by layer in a large wooden bucket with holes in the bottom, then cover it with bamboo leaves to shade them, he will then water the mung beans every few hours for several days in succession. If the temperature is right, the mung bean sprouts will grow quickly.


    At home, naturally, she doesn¡¯t need such a big wooden barrel. He Xiaoyun managed to find a small bamboo barrel. She proceeded to spread a layer of gauze underneath, pour it with water, spreads the mung beans, and cover it with another layer of gauze. Finally, she put the small barrel beside the stove to make sure the temperature is not too low.


    The winter temperature now was cold, but inside a house, the cold was lessened. As long as the temperature is higher than two degrees celsius, mung beans can sprout.


    Wei Yuanhang followed He Xiaoyun curiously, "Mom, will a plant grow there?"


    "It''s too early to know," He Xiaoyun said, "You''re not allowed to knock down the barrel here, understand?"


    The child repeatedly nodded, "I will watch it and won''t let Rongrong touch it."


    He Xiaoyun tapped his head and smiled, "You still care about Rongrong? You just need to take care of yourself. Where did you stop counting before? You''ve already counted twenty, so today you will count up to thirty. ."


    Wei Yuanhang stretched out two fleshy palms. His ten little fingers were like small carrots. He looked down at his feet and said with a frown, "But mom, my fingers aren''t enough."


    He Xiaoyun didn''t know whether to laugh or cry. She got up and went to the kitchen to grab a handful of mung beans and sprinkled them on the table, saying, "It''s enough now. You''ll count the mung beans and give me thirty of them."


    The child sat on the chair, stretched out his chubby hand, and started to count one by one.


    Wei Jianwei walked over while taking off his coat, touched the little kid''s head, and glanced at the mung beans on the table, "What are you doing?"


    "Mom asked me to count beans."


    Seeing some snow on Wei Jianwei''s shoulders, He Xiaoyun asked, "Don''t you have an umbrella?"


    Wei Jianwei hung up his clothes, "There''s not much snow."


    He Xiaoyun curled her lips. "When you catch a cold, you will know what it means not to listen to your elder''s words."


    Wei Jianwei walked next to He Xiaoyun, bent his mouth in a smile, and scratched her cheek, "I wonder if the elder is you?" (Jianwei is becoming more smooth in his flirting.)


    He Xiaoyun made a gesture to shoot him.


    The kettle on the stove was boiling, Wei Jianwei sniffed the air, "What are you boiling?"


    "Ginger tea, you can pour a cup yourself and drink it first."


    Wei Jianwei nodded, went to the kitchen to get a cup, lifted the kettle, and poured out a cup of tea.


    Wei Yuanhang stared at his father''s cup with wide eyes. Upon seeing this, Wei Jianwei handed the cup to the child.


    The child shook his head repeatedly, "Don''t, it''s tasted spicy."


    Just now, Wei Yuanhang drank two sips under the coercive temptation of He Xiaoyun. The sweet and spicy taste made him feel both enjoyable and tormenting.


    Seeing his father gurgling down a whole cup, Wei Yuanhang admired him, "Dad is amazing."


    He Xiaoyun glanced at him and said: "Next time you dare to sneak down to play in the snow without wearing a scarf, I will ask your father to fill you up with two cups."


    Wei Yuanhang shrank his neck with a guilty expression on his face.


    Wei Jianwei pardoned his son and pointed to the small barrel by the stove, he asked, "What is this?"


    When the harvesting was about to be completed, it happened that Xu Lanxiang and Huang Lizhen came by and she gave them some.


    Although the bean sprouts are thin, they are rare in times of ice and snow. Huang Lizhen is amazed, "I didn''t know that Xiaoyun has such an ability."


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "It''s not difficult, just cover it with a cloth and leave it there. Just remember to water it on time."


    "It''s quite simple to say, but it''s not easy to just water it on time. Who will want to get up in the middle of the night to do that?"


    "Since you don''t want to get up, don''t you know how to move your mouth?" Xu Lanxiang joked, "Just shout for Lao Zhang."


    Huang Lizhen deliberately tutted, "It''s easy for you to say. I don''t have your life where your old king is so obedient. If I dare to wake up Lao Zhang in the middle of the night, won''t he beat me?"


    "Come on, you," Li Xijin didn''t listen, "If Lao Zhang dares to beat you, won''t he need to kneel in the washboard for hours?."


    Xu Lanxiang happily said, "Listen, this is her showing off. I don¡¯t think Lao Zhang is someone who will beat his wife. Rather, it was her beating up the husband."


    Huang Lizhen laughed, then turned around and asked He Xiaoyun, "Your bean sprouts, did you water it at night, or did Lao Wei water it?"


    He Xiaoyun hesitated for a while and the three women laughed, "It must be Old Wei. I guess he loves you so much, if not, why is he willing to get up in the middle of the night just to water, right?" (That''s true love there bish)


    He Xiaoyun blushed and muttered, "I did it once too."


    <>


    It was the first night when the bean sprouts sprouted. He Xiaoyun got up at night and carefully crossed Wei Yuanhang and Wei Jianwei from the end of the bed. When she fumbled for shoes on the ground, Wei Jianwei woke up and put on his clothes, and sat up.


    "Going to the bathroom? I''ll accompany you." As the bathroom is on the corridor outside, Wei Jianwei''s afraid that she will be scared alone.


    He Xiaoyun hurriedly said: "I''m not going to the bathroom. You can continue lying down, I''m just going to water the bean sprouts."


    He Xiaoyun finished watering the sprouts. When she returned to the bed, Wei Jianwei held her hand and squeezed it. The man realized that the hand that he managed to warm under the blanket was now a bit cold, so he frowned and said, "Next time, I''ll be the one to dampen it." Jianwei''s tone does allow any resistance.


    <>


    Xu Lanxiang and the others are still talking and laughing. Li Xijin then said, "I heard from Lao Zhao that Lao Wei asked one of their comrades in Northeast China a while ago and brought a piece of leather to home. I wondered in my heart, 80% is definitely for you, Xiaoyun, right?"


    "What kind of leather?" Huang Lizhen asked curiously.


    "I don''t know, I haven''t seen it either, Lao Zhao said, after receiving it, Lao Wei went to the market street to find a tailor."


    He Xiaoyun''s heart moved slightly. So before, the gloves Wei Jianwei gave her were made of leather? She was also curious about where he bought it, but she didn''t expect that it was the leather that he had specially asked a comrade for, he even personally got a tailor!


    Xu Lanxiang asked He Xiaoyun: "Such a good thing, take it out and let us open our eyes."


    He Xiaoyun was a little bit embarrassed, after the urging of the three women, she drew out the gloves in the drawer.


    "This style is beautiful, I haven''t seen it in the store yet." Huang Lizhen took it, turned it inside and out, and handed it to the other two women. She couldn''t help but shake her head and smile: "In this family building, there is no one more caring than Old Wei."


    "No," Xu Lanxiang said, "You two are okay but I live next door. Every day, I see this young couple flirt. Look, my eyes are red(from envy or jealousy.)."


    "Let me take a look," Huang Lizhen and Li Xijin roared, "Oh, it''s really red. Xiaoyun, can you tell Old Wei to advise our husbands how to be caring and loving? So that you don''t make us jealous anymore!"


    "You three keep talking nonsense!" He Xiaoyun retorted with a blushing face.


    Xu Lanxiang smiled and pointed to Huang Lizhen and said, "Yes, I think you''re all talking nonsense. I can¡¯t be like this. I will take Xiaoyuan back home tonight. I let him and Rongrong be in a bed. It''s a thank you gift for these bean sprouts, what do you think?" (She means leaving Xiaoyun and Jianwei alone for a night~ as expected, sister xu is a good comrade~)


    Huang Lizhen happily said: "Very good, maybe Old Wei has to thank us for this."


    He Xiaoyun embarrassedly said: "I don''t want your thank you''s anymore, return the bean sprouts to me."


    "How can  you do that?" Xu Lanxiang laughed. It happened that Wei Jianwei had just come back from the camp. The three women hurriedly picked up their bean sprouts and walked out, saying, "Old Wei, go to bed early at night!"


    The room was empty after a huff. Wei Jianwei looked at He Xiaoyun and asked what was going on with his eyes.


    He Xiaoyun blushed and ignored him.


    <>


    In the evening, Xu Lanxiangguo really came to call Wei Yuanhang, "Xiaoyuan, go to Auntie''s to sleep with Rongrong at night."


    Wei Yuanhang was very excited. He ran two steps outside, and suddenly remembered that he hadn''t asked his mother yet, and turned around to ask, "Mom, can I go?"


    Before He Xiaoyun could answer, Xu Lanxiang smiled and dragged the child away, "It''s okay, it''s okay. Auntie will talk to your mother in the morning."


    Xu Lanxiang didn''t even wait in the house and left immediately after she came to pick up the kid. He Xiaoyun didn''t think of any countermeasures for this surprise attack, so she can only watch as her little shield get dragged away. (Go sister xu!!!)


    Turning around, He Xiaoyun met Wei Jianwei''s eyes, who was sitting around the table. He Xiaoyun stamped her foot in shame, "Read your book, don''t look at me."


    He Xiaoyun washed and hid after she finished. It was not as usual when she finished washing. Instead, she sat with him to read a book but went back to the room early. When Wei Jianwei came in after washing up, he saw her facing the inside of the bed and seemed to be asleep.


    However, the room was extremely quiet, and he could hear her breathing not so smoothly.


    Wei Jianwei also lay down on the bed. The bed for three people became more spacious with the absence of the small child placed in between.


    As soon as Wei Jianwei laid down, He Xiaoyun body''s tensed, she pricked her ears, and her heart was pounding.


    After a while, she felt him lie down in the middle, touching his body with her back, and it was warm.


    Knowing that she wasn''t asleep, Wei Jianwei held her shoulders, and tried to turn the person over, and said, "Lie down closer, or there will be air leakage in the middle."


    He Xiaoyun didn''t move, her voice muffled in the quilt, "No, there will be no air leakage."


    Seeing this, Wei Jianwei moved to the inside of the bed until his whole body was stuck to her back, one hand hugged her waist, and took her into his arms.


    -----


    T/N: Sister Xu is such a good assist!

 CH 44

    He Xiaoyun froze, Wei Jianwei seemed unaware, and proceeded to ask, "Are you unaccustomed that the child isn''t here?"


    "He slips faster than a rabbit, how can I stop him?"


    Wei Jianwei seemed to smile, and said, "If you want, I will bring him back."


    He Xiaoyun was silent for a while, took a deep breath, turned around in his arms, and the two face each other.


    "Then...what do you think?"


    Wei Jianwei curled his mouth, "It doesn''t matter how I think, it depends on your thoughts." (I want to order a man like Jianwei, please.)


    He Xiaoyun''s face reddened. Although the man didn''t say it clearly, she actually understood what the other meant.


    He Xiaoyun pursed her lower lip, "I...I''m a little scared."


    Wei Jianwei stretched out his hand and gently patted her back, and said with a smile, "If you don''t want to, can I still eat you? Go to sleep, don''t think about it."


    He Xiaoyun widened her eyes: "You aren''t unhappy?"


    "I''m just this big(petty) in your heart?" Wei Jianwei asked rhetorically. (can also be a sexual insinuation on jianwei''s part~)


    He Xiaoyun smiled embarrassedly and buried her head in his arms. Although they are so close, it''s strange that she isn''t nervous at all now.


    There was a faint scent of Saponaria on Wei Jianwei''s body, and his body temperature was slightly higher than hers. His whole figure was like a big refreshing heater, and He Xiaoyun rubbed him with satisfaction.


    Wei Jianwei''s hand paused his patting before continuing again.


    He Xiaoyun didn''t notice it at all, and reached out to play with the button on his chest, "I heard Xijin talked about the gloves today, and I finally knew that those were specially made. Why didn''t you mention it before?"


    "Why mention it?" Wei Jianwei countered.


    Xiaoyun couldn''t help being speechless, why mention it? Of course, it''s to ask for credit. If he doesn''t say, how could the others know how much had he spent behind her back?


    Of course, there''s a difference between the gloves bought from the store and the gloves made by the tailor who has worked so hard.


    <>


    In the afternoon, the three women have teased her. Although she was shy, she felt a little bit sweet in her heart.


    He Xiaoyun rubbed Jianwei''s arms again, only feeling that this embrace was warm, reliable, and reassuring.


    Seeing her obediently in his arms and rubbing just like a cat, Wei Jianwei both enjoyed and was distressed by it, "It''s not early anymore, go to sleep."


    "Yeah." He Xiaoyun responded, but she still held his button in her hand, she inadvertently touched his chest several times, like a fluttering feather, stirring his heart.


    Wei Jianwei endured. Knowing that He Xiaoyun won''t stop, he finally reached out and patted her hip, as if he was teaching a child who wasn''t well-behaved, "Be obedient, go to sleep."


    He Xiaoyun was taken aback. She clung to him tightly, raised her head, and stared at him with annoyance, "Why did you hit me?"


    Seeing that she really didn''t understand, Wei Jianwei helplessly sighed. In the dark, his voice was a little deeper than usual, "How can I sleep with you being like this?"


    The snow kept falling in the night. The next day, many people opened their windows and found that the snow on the ground was deeper than the previous few days.


    There is a gust of cold wind outside, because of this kind of weather, going out has become a chore.


    When He Xiaoyun woke up, she felt her body warm and soft, she didn¡¯t even want to move her eyes. She just drilled deeper into the bed and tried to keep lying until she hit a warm wall. Chaos''s creaked and turned, and all the memories of last night returned, the soreness on her body reminded her of everything.


    He Xiaoyun paused, she initially wanted to laze around but now she wanted to be an ostrich and bury her head on the bed.


    Wei Jianwei woke up earlier than her but didn''t say anything, he watched her squirming in the quilt like a silkworm and watched her finally wake up, buried herself in bed in shame, and refusing to come out, with a smile in his eyes all the time.


    After a while, worried that she would hold herself up, he spoke, "Wake up?"


    He Xiaoyun didn''t answer, she gave a dull hum after a long time.


    Wei Jianwei patted on the bulging of the quilt, "Come out quickly, you''ll suffocate there."


    "...No." He Xiaoyun refused bluntly.


    Wei Jianwei wanted to dig her out but was afraid that she would become angry because of her thin skin(easily embarrassed). Finally, he said, "Then continue lying down, I will cook us breakfast."


    Wei Jianwei lifted the quilt and got out of bed, put on his clothes, briefly washed, and went to the kitchen.


    Wei Jianwei stretched out his hand to caress He Xiaoyun''s pink face, the touch under his fingers was delicate and soft, so he couldn''t help lowering his head and kissing her lips before he said, "Finally getting up?"


    His voice was so gentle that it was like he was coaxing a child.


    He Xiaoyun covered her face and rolled around in the quilt, feeling that her heart is floating in the clouds, and the surrounding clouds were warm and soft, hugging around her whole body.


    "Don''t think about it," He Xiaoyun said.


    After she finished speaking, she was slightly taken aback, because her voice was soft and coy, and she realized that she''s acting like a baby.


    Wei Jianwei brought hot water and a cup of toothpaste, asking her to wash on the bed.


    He Xiaoyun felt embarrassed and wanted to get up, but Wei Jianwei was persistent, "It''s my rest today and I''ll cook at noon. It doesn''t matter if you get up, just stay in bed."

 CH 45

    In the winter of the north, there was heavy snow but in Qingshuihe, when it was the coldest, only some white frost was sprinkled on the roof, and the water tank in the yard formed a thin layer of ice.


    The Wei family received a letter from the army again, and it was sent back with a few cloth tickets, soap tickets, and sugar tickets saved by He Xiaoyun. These things are both necessities of life and very in demand.


    If it weren¡¯t for Wei Jianwei having a lot of share in the army, then the tickets at home and those given by the commune wouldn''t be enough for the Wei family.


    What was written in the letter made Wang Chunhua feel distressed since the people in the north can barely eat fresh vegetables.


    Feng Qiuyue then suggested: "Mom, we can take the vegetables in the yard and dry them. We can send them to the second brother there."


    Wang Chunhua thought for a while, nodded, and said, "Then it''s decided, let''s dry some sweet potatoes. Xiaoyuan would love them."


    <>


    By the time Wei Jianwei received the package from home(Qingshuihe), it was already the twelfth lunar month. At the end of his work time, he put away half of the battle plan he had read and prepared to take it back home to continue reading.


    Lin Yuefei swaggered in from the door and showed off the scarf around his neck, "This is just sent by your sister-in-law. I already told her that it wasn''t cold at all but she won''t listen. She keeps insisting to give me this." Lin Yuefei keeps complaining, but his face was smug. It was almost like he wanted to carry a big loudspeaker with him and shout wherever he went, telling others how much his wife cares about him.


    Wei Jianwei glanced at the smug man, turned his head, took the scarf from the hanger to wrap his neck, and then took out a pair of gloves and earmuffs from the drawer. Wei Jianwei put on his equipment enough to instakill Lin Yuefei, gave him a condescending stare, and then walked away. (T/N: The battle of bragging. WJ-1 LY-0)


    Lin Yuefei was left to savor this silent contempt in a daze.


    Back at home, Wei Jianwei opened the door, and the warm air pounced on his face.


    "Dad!" Wei Yuanhang shouted.


    He Xiaoyun poked her head out of the kitchen when she heard the movement, "You''re back."


    Wei Jianwei nodded in response, closed the door, and shut the cold wind and snow outside.


    "Dad, what''s in your hand?" The child dropped the toy in his hand and surrounded him curiously.


    "Is it from home(Qingshuihe)?" He Xiaoyun wiped her hands and walked out from the kitchen.


    Wei Jianwei hung his coat on the hanger and nodded, "It just arrived this afternoon."


    He Xiaoyun opened the package and wowed in surprise, "It''s dried vegetables, and there are a lot of dried sweet potatoes." When Wei Yuanhang heard this, he immediately leaned over the table and said, "Mom, I want to eat the dried sweet potatoes!"


    He Xiaoyun gave the child two pieces and sent him away, and then proceed to read the letter with Wei Jianwei. The man stood behind her with one hand around her waist and the other holding her hand holding the letterÒ»she''s basically in his embrace.


    "Why stand so close..." He Xiaoyun murmured but didn''t push him away. ((???))


    Nothing big happened in the family. Since Wei Jianhua doesn''t want to enter the factory, Wang Chunhua has other ideas and plans to give him a blind date, get married, and establish a business. This is also something that gives Wei Jianhua a headache.


    "No. I casually asked at that time, but he revealed himself." Thinking of the scene at that time, He Xiaoyun still wanted to laugh.


    Wei Jianwei lightly poked her in the cheek, "No matter, let Mom bother him."


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "You''re his brother in vain. There''s no brotherly love at all."


    It''s already love if I don''t teach Wei Jianhua a lesson. Wei Jianwei thought.


    "Ah, I''m still stewing vegetables." He Xiaoyun halfway through reading, suddenly remembered that she still has work in the kitchen, hurriedly handed over the letter to Wei Jianwei and ran into the kitchen, "Read this for me."


    Wei Jianwei leaned against the kitchen door to read the letter, and then watched He Xiaoyun go busy.


    The sauerkraut stewed vermicelli was being cooked in the pot. He Xiaoyun had never eaten this northern dish before. After tasting it once, she found that it taste very good and decided to cook it.


    He Xiaoyun lifted the lid of the pot and tasted it. When she raised her eyes, she happen to see Wei Jianwei staring at her, so she scooped some for him, "Come and taste this."


    Wei Jianwei move his head and ate from He Xiaoyun''s outstretched hand holding the spoon, "It''s delicious."


    He Xiaoyun stretched out her hand to pat him, "Be serious."


    <>


    After the relationship between the two of them has made substantial progress, He Xiaoyun is less awkward about their intimacy and won''t blush easily. As a result, Wei Jianwei has become more and more shameless these days, like touching her face and cuddling her waist. Their intimacy has become as frequent as eating and drinking.


    He Xiaoyun can now be regarded as a person who understands Wei Jinawei, who looks very serious and sullen on the outside, but in fact, is mischievous inside.


    After dinner, and after finishing her housework, He Xiaoyun took Wei Yuanhang to the next door to stop by, intending to learn a new knitting pattern from Xu Lanxiang and knit a hat for the child.


    Because there are three children in the Wang family, the next door is always noisy, He Xiaoyun brought the children some dried sweet potatoes, and they were divided up as soon as they sat down.


    Xu Lanxiang helplessly shook her head, "Just save it for Xiaoyuan next time. There''s a bottomless pit in my house."


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "Xiaoyuan is usually with you and eats a lot of your food, you didn''t say anything. Sister Xu is too polite to me, I won''t dare to let him come in the future."


    "Oh, I hear your tone''s becoming harder," Xu Lanxiang teased, "It seems that Lao Wei has been supporting you lately."


    "It''s as if Lao Wang doesn''t support you."


    Xu Lanxiang laughed, "Hold up there, Lao Wang never made breakfast for me in bed nor did he heat up water for me to wash my face for. My Lao Wang really needs to learn from your Lao Wei."


    He Xiaoyun was a little helpless, Wei Jianwei only did that once, but Xu Lanxiang has happened to see it. Seeing that she didn''t retort, Xu Lanxiang approached again, lowered her voice, and said, "Well, do you want Xiaoyuan to sleep on my side tonight?"

 CH 46

    In the second half of the twelfth lunar month, Lao Zhao and Li Xijin took their children back to their hometown for vacation.


    Lao Zhao is the deputy commander of the third battalion and a subordinate of Wei Jianwei. As the commanders of the third battalion, the two can''t take a vacation at the same time. For many years, Wei Jianwei has chosen to go home during the spring sowing.


    Although it''s approaching the end of the year, the family building isn''t as lively as it used to be because of several cadres on vacation. Fortunately, Lao Wang''s family isn''t ready to leave yet, otherwise, He Xiaoyun will definitely be bored.


    This was her first year in the army, and it was also the first time for their family of three to celebrate the New Year alone. In any case, it shouldn''t be too sloppy. Although the snow outside has not melted yet, He Xiaoyun chose a day with the sun up high to go to the streets with Xu Lanxiang to buy new year''s goods.


    The two of them tightly wrapped themselves up and didn''t take any children, striving for quick buys.


    "Are you and Lao Wang going back to visit your relatives after the beginning of spring?" He Xiaoyun asked Xu Lanxiang.


    It was too cold, and the breath that Xiaoyun exhaled became a white mist, which was blown by the wind.


    Xu Lanxiang shook her head, shrank her neck, and buried half of her face under the scarf, "Lao Wang''s family has many brothers, and we have been separated from them a few years ago. The room originally allocated to us was put aside by them because we''re not at home. Our room became their public warehouse and since we didn''t have a place to stay, we simply don''t go back these past two years."


    He Xiaoyun is not so naive to think that all families in the world are brothers and sisters(amiable), and their parents, kind. Even if siblings have good relationships when they were young, they will gradually become alienated and slowly focus on their own small family.


    "What about you?" Xu Lanxiang asked her, "Don''t be upset when I say this but I remember that there are several brothers in Old Wei''s family, do they still live together?"


    "They all still live together." He Xiaoyun answered.


    Xu Lanxiang smiled and said, "If your family is all together, it''s natural to be lively. But if all of your family do is quarrel every day, it''s better to be separated."


    He Xiaoyun suddenly remembered the plot of the book. She remembered that the Wei family was also separated, and the initiator was this body''s original owner. The cause is when the original owner saw Feng Qiuyue give birth to a daughter, she thought that her first sister-in-law couldn¡¯t compare with her birthing a son, so she was emboldened to split from the family.


    Now that He Xiaoyun has become the original owner, as long as she doesn''t make trouble, the family will naturally be harmonious.


    Thinking of this, He Xiaoyun suddenly felt a little funny. When other transmigrators traveled through, they need to fight with their wits all day long. Her situation was good, and she can become the best of herself.


    He Xiaoyun is buying the New Year''s goods for the first time as she learned from Xu Lanxiang, she bought a few catties of pork, a chicken, a plate of tofu, two fishes, some dried shiitake mushrooms, dried fungus, and other dry goods, as well as melon seeds, peanuts, and pine nuts.


    He Xiaoyun also bought two bottles of canned fruit, as well as sweets and biscuits as snacks. In addition, there are some miscellaneous things bought too.


    With so many things in hand, He Xiaoyun was so tired that she said up straight: "I knew it. We should have let Jianwei and Lao Wang come out to buy today, let''s be lazy."


    Xu Lanxiang didn¡¯t agree, ¡°I don¡¯t want Lao Wang to buy. I might as well come by myself. You don¡¯t know, seeing Lao Wei go out shopping for vegetables earlier, he volunteered to help me. As a result, I said to buy two carrots, he really only bought two. I told him to buy a few eggs and he bought twelve back. I was talking about a few, not a dozen, and he strictly denied my naggings. Really, I want to hit him."


    "Isn''t he very obedient?" He Xiaoyun was straightforward.


    "Being obedient? I just think he has no brains." Xu Lanxiang sneered.


    <>


    Back at home, He Xiaoyun put her things down and hurriedly set up the stove to start a fire.


    Wei Yuanhang was playing next door, and when he saw Xu Lanxiang coming home, he knew she was back too, so he rushed over immediately, "Mom! Mom, you''re back."


    He Xiaoyun handled a newly bought toffee and gave him, "You didn''t make trouble in Auntie''s house, right?"


    "No, I''m good." Wei Yuanhang put the toffee into his mouth, saw the goods on the ground, wowed, and vaguely said, "Mom bought a lot of things!"


    "These are to be eaten for the New Year." He Xiaoyun heated her hands a little before squeezing his cheek, and said with a smile, "After the New Year, you won''t be a three-year-old child anymore, but a four-year-old one."


    The child didn''t understand the joke but still puffed out his small breast and proudly said: "I will grow up soon!"


    <>


    Wei Jianwei came back in the evening, knowing that she was out shopping today, which he didn''t agree with: "Why didn''t you wait for me to buy it?"


    He Xiaoyun pouted her mouth and said faintly: "Stop talking, I''m already regretting it."


    Seeing that her face wasn''t right, Wei Jianwei took two steps forward, put his palm on her forehead, and felt her temperature, "Are you feeling sick? Feverish?"


    "No," He Xiaoyun shook her head, embarrassed to explain the real reason to him, and only said, "My stomach hurts a bit, it will be fine tomorrow."


    Wei Jianwei wasn''t fooled. "What did you eat today?"


    "It''s not that reason." He Xiaoyun was a little helpless, not knowing where to start.


    This is not her past life where there''s physiology class. He Xiaoyun doesn''t know how much Wei Jianwei knows about women''s physiology.

 CH 47.1

    on March 04, 2022


    The troops have to celebrate the New Year. Wei Jianwei has recently been idle and has been spending more time at home. It just so happens that He Xiaoyun has menstruation again these past few days. For many things, Jianwei won''t let her work and just does it himself.


    During the New Year, Wei Yuanhang asked for fried meatballs so He Xiaoyun went outside and asked Xu Lanxiang for advice. Then, He Xiaoyun instructed Wei Jianwei to fry a basket of pork and radish meatballs and then make a southern rice candy. One sweet and the other salty snacks were often sought after by children.


    In this kind of cold weather, the child could not be more comfortable eating snacks while watching the roasting on the stove. If it weren''t for the fear of teaching the child bad conduct, He Xiaoyun would like to eat the food on the bed while being served (Of course, by Jianwei  ).


    He Xiaoyun has finished reading two books of her own as it¡¯s not easy to go out these days. Without going to the bookstore, she has been knitting with woolen yarn all day long. She has knitted a scarf, sweater and woolen trousers, a hat for Wei Yuanhang, and Wei Jianwei¡¯s gloves and earmuffs.


    Leisurely, it''s New Year''s Eve.


    He Xiaoyun brought hot water, bathed Wei Yuanhang, and put him on a new cotton coat.


    "Auntie Xu is busy, don''t make any trouble."


    "I know." The little kid responded, and then the kid ran next door.


    Seeing him out, He Xiaoyun and Wei Jianwei began to prepare for the New Year''s Eve dinner.


    Pork, chicken, and fish may not be considered rich, but they have everything they should.


    Wei Jianwei took the knife and neatly chopped the chicken into small pieces.


    The chicken was bought a few days ago, they don''t need to worry about it spoiling, for, at this season, the cold was a natural storage.


    Seeing Jianwei''s quick movements and cold expression, He Xiaoyun thought about his embarrassment when he was at her mother''s house a few months ago, chasing the big cock all over the yard, and could not help but tease the person: "Lucky that I didn''t buy a live chicken, eh? Did you have fun chasing it back then?"


    Wei Jianwei glanced at her, didn''t speak, but suddenly came over, kissed her on the lips, then stood up straight, and continued to chop the chicken coldly.


    He Xiaoyun was caught off guard and was kissed. It happened that after he finished kissing her, she still looked as if nothing had happened. She stared at the man for a while, then pinched his waist and said, "Fine, I let you pretend for now." (pretending to be unbothered.)


    Wei Jianwei''s waist muscles shook sharply, and the chicken in his hand almost slipped out.


    The man''s unexpected reaction made He Xiaoyun think she discovered a new world. With a malicious smile on her face, she asked: "Are you ticklish?"


    As soon as her voice fell, she attacked again, coming with both hands, pinching each of his sides.


    "Is it ticklish? Or is it itchy?" (Dear Xiaoyun, I don''t think you''re tickling him but provoking him instead.)


    Wei Jianwei finally couldn''t endure it, he dropped the knife, turned around, and with one arm, trapped the naughty person in his arms.

 CH 47.2

    As night was approaching, the New Year''s Eve dinner was ready. Wei Yuanhang was called back from next door, and the family of three sat at the table.


    "Wow, there are so many delicious foods today!" The child exclaimed and sniffed exaggeratedly.


    He Xiaoyun prepared three cups and poured a cup of canned soup for herself and Wei Yuanhang, and Wei Jianwei had a glass of wine in front of him. She raised the cup and said, "Happy New Year to us, cheers!"


    "Cheers." Wei Jianwei clinked glasses with her and drank a drink, but his eyes fell on her, with a smile in his eyes.


    "Cheers!" The little kid was holding the cup with a look of excitement, he drank the sweet soup, and put the cup on the table boldly, "Mom, I want more!"


    He Xiaoyun took away his cup and gave him a dumpling, "Eat first, then drink after eating."


    "All right."


    After she finished feeding the child, she turned around and saw that there was also a dumpling in her bowl. She looked at Wei Jianwei and found that the other person was also looking at her.


    After staring at each other for a few seconds, He Xiaoyun understood what he meant and gave him a dumpling amusedly, "The chopsticks are in your own hands, why do you want me to feed you?"

 CH 48.1

    on March 06, 2022


    *****If you like this translation, you can donate me some Ko-Fi or go visit my patreon~ If you don''t like that means, you can send it on my Paypal at the Support~*****


    After the New Year, the days ran fast, and after the first month, the ice and snow began to melt. The letter from Qingshuihe said that the peach blossoms and apricot blossoms had already bloomed.


    After the snow melted, He Xiaoyun would walk downstairs every day. She took a fancy to a vacant lot behind the family building and confirmed to Wei Jianwei that the land had no owner and was useless, so she went to the market to buy it and sowed some vegetable seeds.


    A few days later, the first batch of radish seedlings appeared. When the seedlings grew to more than ten centimeters in length, He Xiaoyun cut them off. In addition to eating it at home, she also gave some to the neighbors upstairs and downstairs, and then sprinkled the seeds a second time.


    Xu Lanxiang, Huang Lizhen, and the others found her work very interesting. They planted some green onions and celery. Gradually, other people were also driven by this trend. There was a vegetable growing trend in the whole family building. The empty space was all divided by the women.


    The day when Wei Jianwei and them would go home(Qingshuihe) from vacation came, He Xiaoyun entrusted the vegetable plot to Xu Lanxiang and asked her out with her to the street to buy something for the Wei family.


    "I won''t see you for some days, I can''t bear with it." Xu Lanxiang said while helping her choose fabrics.

 CH 48.2

    *****If you like this translation, you can donate me some Ko-Fi or go visit my patreon~ If you don''t like that means, you can send it on my Paypal at the Support~ If you can''t, you can accidentally tap on the ads~ehehehe*****


    He Xiaoyun returned to the room with Wei Jianwei and the baby. Although there was no one here for several months, the room was still very clean and there was no dust on the table. She sat on the bed, pressed the bed with her hand, and sighed, "It''s the same as before we left."


    Wei Jianwei took out the things in his duffel bag, put the gifts for his family on the table, put the clothes in the cupboard, and walked over to sit next to her after packing.


    "Let''s eat the noodles, and then sleep for a while?" On the train last night, there was so much noise that they couldn''t get a good rest.


    He Xiaoyun said: "Let''s talk for a while, I''m quite energetic."


    He Xiaoyun put the baby on the bed and saw that she was able to sit firmly, so she took a corner of the quilt to tease her.


    Wei Jianwei hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.


    "You''re so heavy." He Xiaoyun moved, complaining, and then asked, "Are you tired? If you are tired, go to bed first."


    ---


    After eating the noodles, He Xiaoyun took out the presents. In addition to the cloth for Wang Chunhua, there was also Feng Qiuyue''s face cream. The men in the family had a belt and a pair of beautiful shoes was given for the baby.


    Wang Chunhua cherished the fabric, but shook her head and said, "Why did you buy these for? What a waste."


    He Xiaoyun just laughed. Feng Qiuyue said to He Xiaoyun: "Don''t look at your mother''s words, she''s actually happy in her heart."


    She lowered her head and shook the daughter in her arms, "Look at her. Auntie bought us a lot of gifts. Say thank you to auntie."


    "Huh?" The little baby bit her finger.


    He Xiaoyun squeezed the baby''s face affectionately, "Can you  already speak?"


    "It''s still too early, she can only babble." Feng Qiuyue said.

 CH 49.1

    on March 07, 2022


    Shout out to the generous Susa for giving me a lot of Ko-Fi! Marry me!(jk)


    *****If you like this translation, you can donate me some Ko-Fi or go visit my patreon~ If you don''t like that means, you can send it on my Paypal(Gcash) at the Support~ If you can''t, you can accidentally tap on the ads~ehehehe*****


    Waking up after taking a short nap is much better. He Xiaoyun was still in Wei Jianwei''s arms, and his other hand was on her waist. She moved a little and listened to him ask, "Awake?"


    Jianwei also had just woke up, his voice was a little muffled.


    Wei Yuanhang was still asleep, He Xiaoyun slightly lowered her voice and asked, "Did you just awoke?"


    "Well, it''s still early, do you still want to sleep?"


    He Xiaoyun shook her head, "No, I can''t sleep for too long."


    Having said that, the two did not get up immediately. They hugged each other quietly for a long while before He Xiaoyun sat up from his arms, "They should be cooking lunch now, I''ll go and see, you can lie down for a while."


    He Xiaoyun got dressed and went out, and saw Feng Qiuyue squatting in the yard by the water tank washing vegetables, while Wang Chunhua was peeling beans, and was about to start making lunch.


    "Did you get enough sleep?" Wang Chunhua asked her.


    He Xiaoyun nodded, and stepped forward to help peel the beans, "Where is Tingting?" Tingting is the baby''s name.


    "Sleeping in the house," Feng Qiuyue turned around, "Xiaoyuan hasn''t gotten up yet?"


    "Not yet, that little slacker, he won''t get up without me shouting for him."


    "It''s normal for children to sleep a lot. When he''s on my age, he can''t easily fall asleep even if he wanted to." Wang Chunhua said.


    Feng Qiuyue smiled and said, "Mom is still young."


    The little kid stood up and said, "I''m a man, I don''t need to look good."


    "Who told you that?" He Xiaoyun sneered, "When you grow up and like little girls, you will know that it''s important to have good looks."


    "Are you packed yet?" Wei Jianwei walked in, holding an envelope in his hand.


    He Xiaoyun saw it and asked, "That''s for mom, why did you get it back here again?"


    In previous years, when Wei Jianwei returned home, he would hand in most of the wages he had saved over the past year to Wang Chunhua for the family.


    Although he has a lot of salary, he has a lot to spend. He spent a lot of money on daily food, clothing, and daily necessities.


    Last year, He Xiaoyun accompanied him in the army. Although he had two more mouths to feed, he don''t need to buy outside food anymore, if his clothes were tear opened, a person will sew them. He Xiaoyun specially prepared a ledger and remember clearly where every money was spent. With her budgeting, the money saved this year is not any less than in previous years.


    Before when the family has not yet been separated, there are many people in the family, and he often send things. After He Xiaoyun discussed with Wei Jianwei, they both felt that they should give the money more to the family like before. So Wei Jianwei took the money to Wang Chunhua.


    "Mom only took fifty." Wei Jianwei said.


    He Xiaoyun put down the things in her hand and took the envelope, "I''ll go talk to mom."


    She found her in Wang Chunhua¡¯s room. As soon as she walked in, she heard her say: ¡°If it¡¯s because of the money, don¡¯t persuade me. I didn¡¯t want it at all. Most of the work points earned by your elder brother and sister-in-law at the end of the year are with me. I know that you and Jianwei are filial. Keep more money to defend yourself. Take it back. If we really need to spend money in the future, I will definitely follow what you two said."


    He Xiaoyun''s prepared words were strictly blocked, and she had to go back away defeated. In the afternoon, she and Wei Jianwei took Wei Yuanhang back to her mother''s family.


    The weather is neither cold nor hot, the sun is hiding behind the thin clouds, and the breeze is blowing on their face, refreshing and cozy.


    The child leaped forward and the two walked side by side behind.


    He Xiaoyun looked around as she walked, and said with emotion, "I''ve only been away for half a year, but it feels like a long time has passed."


    "Did you miss home outside?" Wei Jianwei asked.


    "It''s okay," He Xiaoyun said, "What about you? Aunt Zhang said that you joined the army when you were a teenager and only came back once a year. Did you miss home?"


    Wei Jianwei thought for a while and said, "I did in the first two years, and it became better later."


    He Xiaoyun teased with a smile: "You wouldn''t be the same as the little kid, right? You want to keep your face?"


    Wei Jianwei looked at her with his mouth slightly bent, and said, "You and my child are by my side, why will I miss home?"


    "You are being evasive." He Xiaoyun murmured. She and the child had only been in the army for half a year. There were more than ten years before that, right?


    If he didn''t want to talk about it, she will let the topic go, and said, "Mom is very worried about Jianhua, for fear that he will mix with those idle boys and learn badly. Do you know if he has a girl he likes?"


    Wei Jianwei raised her eyebrows slightly, and He Xiaoyun said: "Actually, mother is going anxious. Jianhua has a girl he likes but mother has another girl she wants him to meet. Jianhua won''t talk about it in front of mother. I can only have you talk with him."

 CH 49.2

    After listening to He Xiaoyun, Wei Jianwei had an idea in his heart, he nodded slowly, but said: "You have a good relationship with Jianhua?"


    He Xiaoyun listened to this but felt that there was something wrong with it. She turned her head to look at Jianwei, and hit him with her hand, "What are you talking about? It sounds so weird!"


    Wei Jianwei grabbed her hand and held it in the palm of his hand. His expression was deliberately stretched, and said, "I''m not happy. You care too much about him." (Jelly is delicious.)


    He Xiaoyun snorted and sniffed her nose exaggeratedly, "Hey, whose vinegar jar is broken? Why does it smell so sour?"


    Wei Jianwei also had a smile in his eyes, but he still said, "Why, I can''t be jealous?"


    "You aren''t ashamed at all," He Xiaoyun poked his chest, "I blush(in shame) for you when I listen."


    He Xiaoyun wanted to say more to make fun of him when she heard Wei Yuanhang calling the two of them to hurry up not far away. He Xiaoyun didn''t want anyone to watch the drama any further and hurried to follow.


    He Xiaoyun heard He Xiaofen''s voice when she came outside the He''s yard and before she went in, she stepped in the door and said happily: "Dad, Mom, I''m back! Sister is at home today?"


    "I am waiting for you specially." He Xiaofen said.


    As soon as the three of them entered the door, they were dragged by Li Yuegui for a long time. They commented that Wei Yuanhang grew taller, and then that He Xiaoyun became thinner. Even Wei Jianwei was tanned.


    He Dazhi was sitting at the table and knocking on his pipe. Seeing Li Yuegui talking there, he said, "Don''t be too wordy, let Xiaoyun sit down with our son-in-law first."


    "Easy for you to say it." Li Yuegui snorted. She hugged Wei Yuanhang for a while, then turned to go to the kitchen to cook snacks, but He Xiaoyun hurriedly replied that they had just eaten lunch and stopped her temporarily.


    Wei Jianwei spoke with the old man. The mother and daughter sat on the other side. Wei Yuanhang played with the youngest daughter He Xiaofen had brought with her.


    This is not the point. The key is that she is ready to take the college entrance examination and is determined to enter the university. How to have a baby in that situation? Even if a child was born, she couldn''t have time to take care of them.


    Before she was ready, He Xiaoyun didn''t want to have another child. The birth of a child shouldn''t be out of responsibility or pressure from her surroundings.


    It''s just that back then, she had a stiff relationship with Wei Jianwei, and she didn''t join the army yet. She could still use this reason to block him. Now that she''s happy with Jianwei, and they''re together every day, she doesn''t know if he wanted another child in his heart?


    He Xiaoyun can block other people''s urging, but if Wei Jianwei is not on the same page with her...


    The three of them went back after dinner. When they got home, it was getting dark. He Xiaoyun washed Wei Yuanhang. Wei Jianwei thought of the crowded bed(because of the little kid), so he raised his foot and walked to Wei Jianhua¡¯s room.


    Wei Jianhua was lying on the table in a daze. He looked up and saw him appearing at the door. He was taken aback and blurted out: "Second brother, I don''t like second sister-in-law that way!"


    Wei Jianwei frowned.


    Wei Jianhua quickly remedied: "I''m not saying that I don''t like second sister-in-law, the second sister-in-law is very good, I like her, but it''s not like that¡ª" (lol)


    "Shut up." Wei Jianwei said with a dark face.


    Wei Jianhua knew that he had said something wrong, so he closed his mouth obediently and shrank there like a quail. Wei Jianwei didn''t talk to him tactfully and started straight to the point. "Mom said you always run out recently. Are you mixing with those people(bad influence)?"


    "No, no!" Wei Jianhua waved his hand. He knew that his brother was talking about the gangsters. The second elder brother had warned him that one day, never turn into a gangster or be beaten up!


    *****


    T/N: A problem that can''t be solved has appeared! What will Jianwei answer? Will he be sent to Jianhua''s bed? Find out soon!

 CH 50.1

*****


    T/N: Taking care of a child is indeed a hassle. I remember the days when I have to take care of my little brother alone in the house while mom goes shopping. What a nightmare.

 CH 50.2

    Before the porridge was cooked, He Xiaoyun went to the river to wash clothes first, and Feng Qiuyue went with her.


    "Tingting still has to drink milk at night?" He Xiaoyun asked her.


    Feng Qiuyue nodded and said: "Yes, sometimes I can afford to do it two or three times a night. I used to see you raising a child, and I found it''s hard work."


    He Xiaoyun smiled and comforted: "It will become better when they''re older."


    "When they''re bigger, there are also bigger troubles."


    The two turned around a small bamboo forest and saw a woman walking staggeringly on another small road with a pregnant belly. He Xiaoyun saw her a little face, and then asked Feng Qiuyue softly: "Who is she?"


    Feng Qiuyue took a look, shook her head lightly, sighed, and said, "That''s Ah Bao''s wife, she''s six or seven months pregnant."


    He Xiaoyun remembered that Ah Bao was the stupid person other people said. Last year, his family married him a wife and wanted them to have a normal child. When the child grows up, he will raise this pair of mentally retarded parents.


    ...


    After breakfast, He Xiaoyun moved out the clothes in the cabinet to dry. Although Wang Chunhua and Feng Qiuyue helped to clean the room, the wardrobe smelled a bit musty.


    She turned out two more sweaters from Wei Yuanhang''s childhood and took the newer one to Tingting. The style of boys and girls did not matter. The other one was older, and the cuffs were a little out of line. She planned to disassemble and re-weave a vest.


    Jianhua wanted to ask his second brother, is it interesting to show-off in front of a single man like him? Is it interesting?! (Poor boy, tired but still got fed with dog food.)


    *****


    T/N: I want a husband like Wei Jianwei too. When will God hear me? ToT

 CH 51.1

    He Xiaoyun usually takes a detour when she sees him, but she didn''t expect to meet him in the mountains today. She didn''t know if it was a coincidence or if he followed her deliberately.


    But thinking that Wei Jianwei was nearby and that he would come over as long as she shouted, He Xiaoyun felt her anger lessen but she frowned, "Is there something wrong?"


    Lai Zihui grinned, "I just wanted to talk to you." (talk my ass)


    This man probably drank alcohol and was talking bullshit. (even Xiaoyu knows)


    He Xiaoyun didn''t want to pay any attention to this man, so she lifted her bag and left.


    "Don''t, don''t go." Lai Zihui caught up and stood in front of her, his body soaked in alcohol swayed, and a mouthful of yellow teeth appeared when he spoke. "Why are you going? Why... why are you so stingy?"


    The man even reached out and tried to pull her.


    "What are you doing?!" He Xiaoyun takes two steps back, frowning, she searched for a stone in hand.


    For this kind of rascal, the weaker she is, the stronger his offensive will be. If he dares to pull her, she''ll hit him with a rock and then run, as women were often less powerful than men.


    The words in Lai Zihui''s mouth became more and more inconsistent, "I saw you the day you came back, you went to the army with your man, you became... more and more beautiful, isn''t it¡ª"


    He Xiaoyun finally found a suitable stone and squatted down quickly. When she was about to smash the man, someone moved faster than her.


    Wei Jianwei, like a leopard, quickly rushed from behind her and beat Lai Zihui to the ground with just one punch.


    "Ah!" Lai Zihui screamed


    Wei Jianwei stepped forward again, holding his collar with one hand, and hitting him with punches with the other hand. Lai Zihui screamed and wailed at first, but he couldn''t even yell after a few punches. (protect ur wife!!!)


    He Xiaoyun was stunned, and it took her more than ten seconds to react, and she hurriedly stepped forward to hold Wei Jianwei: "Stop, don''t fight!"


    Wei Jianwei turned a deaf ear. He looked like an irritated beast, his eyes were red, and his face was full of brutality.


    He Xiaoyun pulled him twice and can''t pull him away, so she hugged his waist and dragged him back, shouting his name: "Jianwei! Jianwei, don''t fight! Stop, you''ll kill him!"


    Lai Zihui let out a faint groan.


    He Xiaoyun recovered, and quickly grabbed Jianwei''s hand and shook it, "Put him down, he can''t run anyway."


    When Wei Jianwei threw Lai Zihui away like trash(like he is), He Xiaoyun hurriedly hugged him to prevent him from hitting people again.


    It''s not that she cares about Lai Zihui. Such trash deserves to be beaten. She''s just afraid that Wei Jianwei will be angry, and it''s not worth it to be exhausted by this kind of person.


    She looked at Lai Zihui again and saw him groaning, and then felt relieved when he was still breathing.


    He Xiaoyun patted Wei Jianwei¡¯s hand to appease him, but what she said was for Lai Zihui: "For a person like him, beating him will only dirty your hands. We can just send him to the police station and sentence him for hooliganism and let him be shot!"


    Lai Zihui nodded and ran away rolling, clutching his stomach while running, making a few painful groans from time to time.


    *****


    T/N: My mood is ruined by this pervert Lai Zihui :x

 CH 51.2

    Seeing the rogue running away, He Xiaoyun was relieved and looked back at Wei Jianwei. He had calmed down this time, but his eyes were still bloodshot. He stared in the direction of Lai Zihui was running away with a sullen face. (gah, got marked down by jianwei.)


    "Don''t be angry." He Xiaoyun said softly.


    Wei Jianwei looked down at her, his expression slowly easing down, "Are you scared?"


    He Xiaoyun shook her head, then nodded again, "I''m not afraid of him, I can just smash his drunkard''s head. I only worry that you will kill him. It''s not worth it for you to be in the prison for the rest of your life."


    Wei Jianwei squeezed her hand, hugged her in his arms, and said, "Don''t be afraid, I won''t." (won''t what? kill him?)


    Even when he(jianwei) was furious, he was well-measured, and his hits just now were extremely painful, but it would be not life-threatening, at least not immediately.


    After this accident, Jianwei and Xiaoyun didn''t continue to stay on the mountain. They cleaned up and went down the mountain. Along the way, Wei Jianwei still held He Xiaoyun''s hand.


    He Xiaoyun was worried about being seen by others, but at this time, she was quite willing to lead him, and so she had to bury her head and only look at the path under her feet instead of looking at others as if by doing so, they would not be able to see her.


    Feng Qiuyue and Wei Jianguo have a very good relationship. She had been married to him for several years and hadn''t been pregnant. She became anxious and sad, thinking that her husband would think of her as a hen not able to lay eggs. On the contrary, Wei Jianguo has been comforting.


    But even if they have such a good relationship, they have never done anything like the affectionate behavior of their second brother and his wife.


    Feng Qiuyue looked at them, a little embarrassed, and a little envious in her heart.


    When they got home, He Xiaoyun quickly let go of Wei Jianwei''s hand and greeted Feng Qiuyue as if nothing had happened. Fortunately, the other party was not someone who would joke about this kind of thing, so she was relieved of embarrassment.


    "Mom!" Wei Yuanhang rushed out of the room and threw himself on her excitedly.


    He Xiaoyun rubbed his head, "Are you obedient at home?"


    *****


    T/N: Man''s deserved it.

 CH 52

    Most of the Wei family were dispatched, leaving only He Xiaoyun and Feng Qiuyue at home to cook, feed the pigs and watch the children.


    Yesterday, Wei Jianwei dug a few spring bamboo shoots from the bamboo forest behind. The bamboo shoots of this season are sweet, crisp, and tender. Whether they are stewed or cooked, they are very good for dinner.


    The two were peeling bamboo shoots in the yard. Wei Yuanhang squatted to play next to them. Suddenly, there was a cry of the little baby waking up from the room. Feng Qiuyue coaxed loudly while washing her hands and hurried back to the room.


    After a while, she came out with her baby in her arms. Although the baby stopped crying, there were still tears on her eyelashes, and her cheeks were a little bit red.


    He Xiaoyun smiled and said, "She looked pretty good, and she can fiercely cry."


    "It''s not bad," Feng Qiuyue said. "She''s hungry right now. When she''s hungry, she cries so fiercely. It sounds like a debt collection. Your first brother-in-law said she''s small but can cry like a cannon in a battle."


    "Big brother is quite good at joking." He Xiaoyun said happily.


    After lunch was finished, He Xiaoyun offered to go to the field. Several people from Wei Zhenxing came up from the field and sat in the shade of the trees to eat. Wei Jianwei hadn''t finished planting a row of seedlings and fell behind.


    "Is there something to eat at home?" Wang Chunhua asked her.


    He Xiaoyun said, "There is, all three chickens in the family lay eggs, and one of them was found by Xiaoyuan in the backyard pyre, which made him happy."


    Wang Chunhua smiled and said, "It''s his credit, he should eat the egg."


    "Then he''s going to lift his tail up to the sky(become arrogant)." He Xiaoyun shook her head and said with a smile.


    As she was talking, Wei Jianwei washed his hands in the ditch and walked over.


    He Xiaoyun handed him the bowl and chopsticks, watching the sweat on his forehead roll down, she asked, "Is it very hot?"


    "It''s okay, did you eat yet?"


    "I ate at home."


    The other people finished eating first, then went to rest under another bigger tree, and chatted with others by the way. Only two of them were left here.


    "Would you like me to cook some mung bean soup in the afternoon?" He Xiaoyun asked him.


    "Does it look good?" Wei Jianwei asked.


    He Xiaoyun calmly rolled her eyes and said, "It''s okay." (really?)


    "It''s okay?" Wei Jianwei put these two words in his mouth, and then nodded sternly, "It seems that I have to keep working hard to get a good grade, right?"


    "It''s fine if you know it." He Xiaoyun had a hard duck mouth(stubborn) and changed the subject again, "Hurry up and eat, I have to go back to wash the dishes."


    ---


    In the evening, the Wei family members returned from the fields one after another. Once they got home, Wei Yuanhang happily invited them to boast about his credit, "Grandma, I found an egg today!"


    "Really?" Wang Chunhua pretended to be surprised, "Xiaoyuan is really good."


    Wei Yuanhang nodded again, "Really! I have to keep looking for it tomorrow."


    "Okay, If you found it, let your mother cook it for you."


    "Great!" The child cheered.


    He Xiaoyun touched his head and said, "Grandpa and grandma are very tired. Don''t pester them. Go and play with your little sister."


    The children were taken away, and several people took advantage of the daylight to wash and rinse, and when they finished eating, it was completely dark.


    In the room, He Xiaoyun sat under a kerosene lamp sewing clothes. Two days ago, Wei Jianwei put on the coat she made to the mountain and was hooked by a tree branch. The hole was only discovered when he was about to put it away today.


    Wei Yuanhang took a paper airplane and ran around while humming. When he ran to the door, Wei Jianwei just walked in, and he slammed into him.


    "Dad!"


    Wei Jianwei responded and picked him up. The child twisted in his arms, a little embarrassed, "I''m an older child, so I don''t need you to hold me anymore."


    After folding the plane, Wei Jianwei tried to fly it up before handing it over to the child.


    Wei Yuanhang immediately shouted with his voice: "Uncle, look at my new plane, it can fly really high!"


    Wei Jianhua replied: "It''s very good, shall we go to sleep?"


    "But I don''t want to sleep yet."


    He Xiaoyun said: "Otherwise, let the child sleep here tonight, Jianhua, you have to get up early tomorrow, don''t let him disturb you."


    "Uh..." In fact, it''s not noisy or anything now. Jianhua has gotten used to it these days. When the lights are turned off at night, even though his little nephew keeps muttering, he can filter it out and sleep peacefully now.


    However, it would be better if he could sleep alone. Wei Jianhua opened his mouth and was about to respond. He suddenly received the glance of his second brother and immediately changed his words: "No, I don''t think it''s noisy."


    After that, Jianhua went to coax his nephew, "Xiaoyuan, let''s go to my room, my room is a bit bigger, we can fly your plane there."


    ---


    Although she doesn''t need to plant, He Xiaoyun and Feng Qiuyue are doing all the work at home. They are a lot more tired than usual. He Xiaoyun comfortably breathed a sigh of relief when she lay down on the bed.


    Perceiving the movement of the person next to her under the quilt, she held him down, "Aren''t you tired after a busy day?"


    Wei Jianwei pulled out his hand, held her hand instead, put it to his mouth, and nibbled it lightly, saying, "I need to keep working hard, how can I be tired?" (guhhhh)


    He Xiaoyun didn¡¯t understand what he meant for a while until after a long time, she was lying on the bed out of breath, and heard Wei Jianwei asking her in her ears: "How was my performance?"


    "..."


    He Xiaoyun then remembered what she said at noon.


    If it weren''t for being so tired that she didn''t even want to move a finger, she really wanted to roll her eyes at this vengeful man!


    T/N: We all know that Jianwei is petty, and we like it~

 CH 53

    on April 01, 2022


    Early in the morning, He Xiaoyun and Wang Chunhua arrived at Jianwei''s uncle''s house. Because she already had two daughters-in-law, Wang Chunhua, who was quite experienced, was taken away to discuss the details of the wedding banquet. He Xiaoyun went to the kitchen backyard to wash and choose dishes with others.


    Those who came over to help were both young and old wives from the same brigade who were familiar with each other. As soon as He Xiaoyun arrived in the kitchen backyard, someone greeted her: "Have you eaten breakfast? There are still porridge and steamed buns in the pot. You can eat before you work."


    He Xiaoyun replied: "I''ve eaten before I leave the house."


    "Just come and say if you''re hungry, are you afraid this aunt won''t give you food?" The other party joked.


    He Xiaoyun also laughed.


    Someone asked her again: "When will you and Jianwei leave?"


    "This time, the holiday is only twenty days, and there are only four to five days left."


    A few people were curious, and they asked about the situation in the army, such as where she went to live, where they eat, and whether she would go to work in the fields there...


    He Xiaoyun answered them one by one.


    "It''s good for you and Jianwei. I have a nephew who has been in the army for seven or eight years. His wife still can''t join the army." Someone said.


    Another said: "I guess it isn''t enough years. Jianwei has been in the army for more than ten years. By the way, Xiaoyun, how much is Jianwei''s monthly salary?"


    When this question was asked, everyone else pricked their ears to listen.


    He Xiaoyun still knows the truth that she shouldn''t brag about money. But if she said it''s low, they''ll think she lied. If it''s high, others will scheme something.


    She then said: "There are dozens of yuan. Since Jianwei is a soldier, his expense was only clothes and food, sometimes if his comrades got injured or retired, he lent them money. When we arrived, he got two more mouths to feed. I also need to pay to buy some fresh vegetables and firewood when winter comes."


    "Open your mouth."


    "Huh?" He Xiaoyun was puzzled and opened her mouth subconsciously. The next second, a sweet and soft thing was stuffed into her mouth. After chewing it, there was also the sweetness of honey and milk.


    It was a wedding candy that Wei Jianwei specifically brought.  He grabbed one, but he didn''t eat it himself and kept it for her.


    After feeding her, Wei Jianwei helped her pick the beans. When the others saw it, they couldn''t help but joke. He Xiaoyun was a little embarrassed and urged Jianwei to do something else.


    Wei Jianwei looked at ease and he didn''t get up until someone in front called for him. It happened that Wang Chunhua called He Xiaoyun into a room to go over. As soon as she left, the kitchen backyard began to be filled with whispers.


    "It seems that the two of them are very cordial, didn''t they say that those two couldn''t get along?"


    "You''re obsolete. When Jianwei came back last year, I often saw him and Xiaoyun taking their child for a walk. If there''s no harmony between them, will Jianwei even bring Xiaoyun to the army?"


    "Really? I lived far away and didn''t meet them. Good thing that they''re better now."


    "What do we even know about this young couple? They will fight sometimes and reconcile. Jianwei was willing to spend money on his wife. Before Xiaoyun joined the army last year, he sent her a lot of good things. When the postman came, I saw all the big and small bags from him."


    The audience listened and sighed: "Her fate really became different. In the future, Jianwei will rise to a higher position, and Xiaoyun will still be his wife and enjoy the benefits."


    "Right."


    A few years ago, when He Xiaoyun made a fuss about marrying Wei Jianwei. The people watched her make a fool of herself, they didn''t expect to envy her one day.


    It shouldn¡¯t be a problem now that he''s four, right? This kid yelled every day that he was already a big child and big children need to sleep alone. (lol.)


    However, the child might protest. If the partition was low, the child might bother them, but partitioning the wall is also another big bother.


    Or I can simply leave him to Jianhua. A certain father thought very unreliably. (Yuanhang, wake up! Your father is planning to throw you away!)


    Back home, Feng Qiuyue was in the hall, saw them, and asked, "Back so soon?"


    "Xiaoyuan is sleepy, we''re taking him back to sleep. Did sister-in-law eat at noon?"


    "Yes, your eldest brother came back earlier and brought me something to eat."


    "You are a pig, but I''m a normal person." He Xiaoyun said proudly, feeling better than him.


    Wei Jianwei thought of something and laughed.


    "What?!" He Xiaoyun fiercely asked, and her instinct is telling her it was not a good thing.


    Wei Jianwei smiled a little and said, "You''re not a mommy pig but you''re cabbage."


    "...What''s the meaning of that?"


    "You''re the good cabbage that has been swept away by pigs."


    He Xiaoyun endured for three seconds, but still can''t hold it back, jumped up and beat him, "Damn, you''re the cabbage!!!"


    T/N: Happy April Fools Day! I don''t like pranks so how about an update? Good deal ay?

 CH 54.1

    They were about to leave in two days, and He Xiaoyun went back to visit her maternal family''s house.


    This time, by coincidence, her brother, He Xiaojun was also there, and when Wei Yuanhang saw his young uncle, he pestered him to play.


    When the two went out, Li Yuegui warned loudly behind: "Don''t take Xiaoyuan to the water''s edge!"


    "Got it!" He Xiaojun replied.


    Li Yuegui looked at the door with ease before turning around and asking He Xiaoyun: "Why didn''t Jianwei come with you?"


    "He''s still working at home. Why? If your son-in-law didn''t come, you wouldn''t let your daughter in?"


    "I just casually asked. When will you not be allowed to return? I have a conscience." Li Yuegui glared at her.


    He Xiaoyun smiled, "Mom, I want to eat some Qingtuan."


    As soon as He Xiaoyun stepped into the yard, she saw a pile of barley grass on the ground, still with dew, which should have been picked in the morning.


    Li Yuegui had planned to cook Qingtuan in the past two days, and the ingredients were ready. Seeing her daughter say she wanted to eat, Li Yuegui rolled up her sleeves and was ready to do it, but still said: "You''ll ask for food as soon as you get home, Xiaoyun, why don''t you come and help me?"


    "Coming."


    The mother and daughter picked out the barley grass, washed them, blanched them and smashed them, filtered out the juice with gauze, mixed them with glutinous rice flour, and knead them into a big green dough.


    -----


    Qingtuan is also called Qingmingguo. It comes with both sweet and salty flavors. The salty Qingtuan is filled with diced bacon, diced winter bamboo shoots, diced shiitake mushrooms, etc. It''s very troublesome to make, and they don''t have enough time to make its fillings, so temporarily, Li Yuegui made some sweet Qingtuan.


    They knead the green dough into a long strip, pull off a small part, round it, patted it flat, coated it with white/brown sugar, press it into a small ball shape, pour oil into the pan, add the green ball, and slowly fry it until both sides are golden and fragrant. The Qingtuan is completed.


    If conditions permit, the fillings inside can be replaced with sweet-scented osmanthus, sesame, red bean paste, etc.


    -----


    The two talked while cooking.


    "Your cousin''s wife is pregnant, and your aunt couldn''t stop talking about it when we met."


    He Xiaoyun thought about it for a while and said, "So soon? They haven''t been married for a few months ago."


    Xiaoyun remembers going to the woman¡¯s house to prepare the banquet. Both she and He Xiaofen went to the maiden''s house to visit, but when they(Xiaoyun''s cousin) got married at the end of the year, she was already in the army and didn''t participate.


    Li Yuegui nodded, "In just a few days, she''ll be exactly five months pregnant. Back then, your aunt was quite worried. Your cousin¡¯s temperament is ambiguous, his wife is so young, and I¡¯m afraid they won¡¯t get along. To think there will be good news so soon."


    He Xiaoyun quietly listened, thinking that this is another type of urging from her mother to give birth to another son. Unexpectedly, Li Yuegui didn''t say anything about pregnancy.


    He Xiaoyun became curious, has her mother changed her temper?


    Actually speaking, in Li Yuegui''s heart, she still hopes that her eldest daughter(Xiaofen) can give birth to a boy. After all, people in rural areas value this most.


    It¡¯s just that when He Xiaofen went home and complained that her mother-in-law keep urging her to birth a son, Yuegui keep quiet and listened. She doesn''t want her daughters to think that she was the same and that they can''t even relax in their maternal home, so Li Yuegui thought and keep quiet about wanting more grandsons.


    When the Qingtuan is ready, He Xiaoyun called He Xiaojun and Wei Yuanhang back to eat. The little chubby kid was lazy and asked his young uncle to carry him on his back. When the two arrived, Xiaojun was tired and sweating profusely.


    Xiaoyun said a few words to Wei Yuanhang, then took a towel to wipe the sweat on her younger brother, "Don''t do this stupid thing next time. You''re still growing, be careful not to grow taller in the future."


    He Xiaojun scratched his cheek and smiled: "Xiaoyuan is actually not that heavy."


    "Stop talking nonsense." He Xiaoyun said, "After half a year, you''ll graduate from junior high school. When you go to high school, you have to spend some time thinking about your studies."


    He Xiaojun didn''t answer but kicked the stone under his feet with his head down.


    Seeing his appearance, He Xiaoyun guessed something, "What''s wrong? You don''t plan to go to high school?"


    "...Learning or not, isn''t it the same?" He Xiaojun whispered.


    After finishing junior high school, he''ll come home to farm. After finishing high school, he will also get a job in the field. Xiaojun didn''t know the use of reading when he''ll still go to the farm after graduating. It''s such a huge waste of money.


    "How can it be the same? The difference is big. Look at the leaders and scientists in our country. Which one of them didn''t finish junior high school?"


    And the college entrance examination will be resumed in more than a year! Which He Xiaoyun can''t say at all, so she can only persuade: ¡°If you have a high school diploma, you can be chosen(for what though?). It''s because you have what others don''t. Are you planning on farming your whole life in Qingshuihe? You don¡¯t want to visit the capital at all?"


    He Xiaojun opened his mouth, a little shaken. He Xiaoyun knew that her brother was good in nature, that was, he was influenced by the big environment in his studies and didn''t pay much attention to it. In addition, Li Yuegui and He Dazhi can''t understand him, so they couldn''t give him advice in this regard.


    Wei Jianwei: "No."


    ---


    On their last day at home, He Xiaoyun began to pack their things. Wei Jianhua brought Wei Yuanhang''s quilt and pillow.


    He Xiaoyun let the child sleep in their room tonight, to save Wei Jianhua''s the noise when they leave early tomorrow morning.


    "I have troubled you during this time." He Xiaoyun took the quilt and put it on the bed.


    "Why is Ersao so polite?" Wei Jianhua said, "In fact, it''s interesting to sleep with Xiaoyuan." (it sound so wrong to me, damn, dirty mind.)


    Even if Jianhua was made to cry without tears by his little nephew at first, he has long been used to it after more than ten or twenty days. Now that he sees them leaving, he feels a little reluctant.


    He Xiaoyun smiled and suddenly asked him: "How are you with that girl? Have you confessed to her yet?"


    Wei Jianhua suddenly stuttered, "What...What confession?"


    He Xiaoyun simply said: "You should be brave. If you don''t tell her, how would she know you like her? Do you need the girl to confess to you first? Why don''t you try holding her hands?"


    "We are very... very pure! Second sister-in-law, don''t think about it." Hearing her words, Wei Jianhua''s cheeks reddened, and he ran off after leaving such a sentence as if he was afraid that she would say anything more.


    He Xiaoyun looked at his back and shook her head. She really couldn''t see through him. A person who''s so careless in normal times can also be so awkward when talking about the girl he likes.


    Wei Jianwei walked in from outside and said, "What happened to Jianhua?"


    "He''s okay." He Xiaoyun wanted to save Wei Jianhua some face.


    Wei Jianwei walked to the bed, sat opposite her, and squeezed her face, "You''re hiding something from me."


    He Xiaoyun slapped his hand away, raised her head, and glared at him, "If you want to know, just ask Jianhua."


    ---


    When Jianwei was a child, Wei Jianhua liked to follow him all day long. If Jianwei didn''t allow him to follow, he would cry like a little girl. Sometimes, when Jianwei fights with people, the boy(Jianhua) would be so scared that his legs become weak, and can''t run. Jianhua was once chased by a big goose when he was a child, so he didn''t dare to go near them... and all other kinds of embarrassment.


    As Jianhua''s sister-in-law, He Xiaoyun still wanted to save some face for him. But his brother, Wei Jianwei, couldn''t wait to reveal all his embarrassments.


    Jianwei''s intentions are just to discredit Wei Jianhua''s image in He Xiaoyun''s heart. Who told him to be so close to his wife? (Jianwei getting jealous of his brother is so cute )


    He Xiaoyun was amazed. In Wei Jianwei''s explanation, Wei Jianhua was a pitiful and unlucky kid as a child. It surely wasn''t easy for him to grow up to such a big size and still be quite cheerful.


    So at dinner, Wei Jianhua found that his second sister-in-law looked at him like a caring older generation from time to time.


    The next day, three people got up. After breakfast, they were sent to the commune by their family members.


    It was foggy today. Before getting into the commune, He Xiaoyun looked back and saw the Qingshuihe brigade was shrouded in the morning mist, hazy and unclear. Only the peaks of the mountain were exposed, like an island, suspended in the sea of fog.


    He Xiaoyun took one last look and turned around to get into the bus.


    T/N: This chapter is so damn long that I need to split it in half to relieve some burden. And yeah, I plan to dedicate this whole week to translating DUAARM.

 CH 54.2

    One year later, October.


    He Xiaoyun was so vexed that she discussed it with Wei Jianwei and simply sent the child there. Maybe the little kid will eventually lose interest in going.  However, to her surprise, it has been more than a month, and Wei Yuanhang still insisted on it. Every day, he bounced around, bounced back and forth, and keep going to school.


    Since he''s willing, He Xiaoyun let him do whatever he wants. If the child can''t keep up with the study progress because of his young age, it will be fine for him to re-enter the first grade next year.


    Footsteps came from the quiet corridor outside the house. He Xiaoyun moved her head and looked up at the door. After a while, she saw Wei Jianwei push the door in.


    She glanced at the time and asked, "You''re so early today?"


    "There''s nothing to do in the camp." Wei Jianwei took off his coat and hung it on the hanger.


    He Xiaoyun nodded, glanced at the textbook in front of her, and remembered a problem: She has decided to take the college entrance examination, but she hasn''t discussed it with Wei Jianwei yet.


    When she was thinking about how to speak about it, Wei Jianwei walked over and sat down in a chair nearby, "Have you listened to today''s broadcast?"


    He Xiaoyun immediately understood.


    "About resuming the college entrance examination?"


    Wei Jianwei nodded and his eyes fell on the textbooks scattered on the table. He knew that she had been studying high school textbooks by herself for the past two years, so when he heard the broadcast in the afternoon, Jianwei immediately realized that she would be interested in it.


    He Xiaoyun thought for a while, decided not to hide it, and said straightly: "I want to participate, and I hope you can support me."


    Wei Jianwei didn''t speak for a while, as if thinking about something, and his face wrinkled slightly. Seeing this, He Xiaoyun felt a little stunned.


    To be honest, although she was discussing with Wei Jianwei, Xiaoyun hadn''t thought that the other party would disagree. After all, Jianwei has always been so tolerant, understanding, and respectful to her, even when it comes to the matter of children.


    Therefore, his hesitation at this moment made her heart sink.


    Going to college is He Xiaoyun''s obsession. Even if Wei Jianwei disagrees, she will go, but if she can, she hopes that he can support her and share the joy with her instead of being alone.


    "You..." Xiaoyun opened her mouth and realized that her voice was a bit dry. Then, she realized that her mood was tense, and she valued his thoughts more than she thought.


    Wei Jianwei slowly said, "After you pass the entrance examination, you''re going to be a college student, right?"


    "You''re back, what did your teacher teach in school today?" He Xiaoyun cleared her throat and asked.


    Wei Yuanhang threw his school bag on the table and said, "The teacher taught us to count. I''m good at it long ago! But my classmate at the same table isn''t. He is so stupid."


    He Xiaoyun put away the books on the table and planned to go to the kitchen to cook dinner. Hearing the child brag, she glanced at him, "I didn''t call you stupid when you didn''t know how to count before. Now that you can, you start to dislike others for being not to? "


    "But he''s already old, and he still doesn''t know how..." Wei Yuanhang retorted in a low voice.


    "Maybe his talent isn''t on counting. Maybe he can paint, sing, and do other interesting things, and not everyone has to learn to count right away, right?"


    Wei Yuanhang nodded, "Well, I won''t say he''s stupid in the future."


    "You can''t talk to others like that either." He Xiaoyun said, "It will take a while before you can eat. You can go and play for a while."


    "Okay!" The child ran out immediately.


    Wei Jianwei also went into the kitchen to help prepare dinner with her.


    ---


    He Xiaoyun didn¡¯t feel bored reviewing in the house all day long. Except for occasionally shopping at the market, she would go downstairs to check her small vegetable garden.


    Her vegetable garden isn''t very big, but she has grown a lot of things. At this time, the beans were growing well. The dense vine leaves are all over the bamboo frame.  He Xiaoyun picked up enough food to be cooked tonight and pulled out the weeds again. She was to walk away when someone suddenly mentioned Jianwei.


    Not far from her, two people were picking vegetables and talking.


    "Have you heard? Commander Wei''s wife is going to take the university entrance exam."


    "Which Battalion Chief Wei? The one on the second floor?"


    "Who else is there beside him?"


    The family building didn''t belong to any regiments, and so, many families from other regiments are also living there. Except for Xu Lanxiang and others, He Xiaoyun didn''t have much contact with other people, and she just nodded when she met familiar people during normal times.


    The two who are talking now are not from the same regiment as He Xiaoyun.


    "Chief Wei''s wife... didn''t she come from the countryside?"


    "Yes, and she suddenly said that she''s going to take the college entrance examination. She probably thought that the university is like a small restaurant on the roadside. Whoever wants to enter can enter."


    "Don''t speak so confidently, maybe she''ll be admitted."


    The other person laughed: "It''s not that I look down on anyone, but look at her, does she look like she can read a book? All she has is a good-looking face and a delicate and fragile appearance, which fascinates Commander Wei. Three times, I heard that she even asked her man to was her feet!"


    "Really? Captain Wei doesn''t look like someone who knows how to wash feet."


    "I saw it with my own eyes, can it be fake? Maybe men like women like her. Otherwise, how come when you wanted to introduce your cousin to Chief Wei before, he didn''t take a look at her? He just turned his head and got married immediately."


    "Oh, that happened so many years ago, don''t mention it."


    "Let''s not keep talking about this. Let''s just wait. It will only take a month or two for the people to announce the results. Everyone knows that she''s going to take the university entrance examination, and we''ll see how she ends up at that time."


    When He Xiaoyun''s feet were almost numb, the two people finally left. Xiaoyun straightened up her body and didn''t move for a while. Not only was she waiting for her feet''s numbness to pass, but she was also figuring something out. She asked herself if she offended anyone before, did she make someone uncomfortable?


    He Xiaoyun didn''t offend those two women before and finally thought that the reason might not be her, but Wei Jianwei.


    The person who introduced her cousin to Wei Jianwei a few years ago, although she didn''t say much, there are disdain and contempt in her words.


    In the end, Wei Jianwei is too good of a husband material and too good to her, so some people spit out bitter words here and there.


    Thinking of this, He Xiaoyun was immediately refreshed.


    They are just jealous of me, right? Take your time, you all will continue to be jealous of me in the future. (Go, girl!)


    In the evening, when He Xiaoyun was cooking in the kitchen, Wei Jianwei came back from work with a paper bag in his hand.


    Of course, a child¡¯s confidence should not be damaged. He Xiaoyun drew two small red flowers on the paper, saying: "Good, you''re writing is better than yesterday. If you can write better tomorrow, I''ll give you three little red flowers."


    "That''s great! I will have ten little red flowers soon!" Wei Yuanhang jumped up and cheered.


    He Xiaoyun made an agreement with the child that every ten small red flowers can be exchanged for a candy gourd, so the child is full of energy.


    He Xiaoyun closed her book and brought the child back to his own room to sleep. When she came out, Wei Jianwei had cleaned everything up, so she changed into pajamas and was about to lie down to sleep.


    But the man didn''t let her get what she wanted and turned her over and over again just like a pancake all night.


    He Xiaoyun finally couldn''t take it anymore and took the initiative to beg for mercy: "Jianwei, I want to sleep..."


    Wei Jianwei sucked at the corner of her mouth and said in a low voice: "Didn''t you say I was your dad? Who are you calling?" (This petty man...)


    He Xiaoyun raised her hand and landed a soft slap on the man''s face.


    T/N: I can feel that some people are gonna get slapped on the face really soon~

 CH 55

    "Mom, I''m back!" Wei Yuanhang leaped in, humming some song in his mouth.


    He put down his schoolbag, ran to the kitchen, and actively asked: "Should I peel some beans?"


    "There are no beans today." He Xiaoyun said.


    "Do I need to wash the radishes?" Wei Yuanhang asked again.


    The reason why the child''s so diligent is He Xiaoyun''s reward system. Every time he does some housework, he can get one or two small red flowers. With more red flowers, he can exchange them for snacks or toys.


    Yuanhang''s red flowers have already been exchanged for a candied haw and a tin pencil box. The pencil box has made him famous among his classmates for several days. The little kid who tasted the sweetness now comes home from school every day. The first thing in his mind is not to go out and play but to help his mother work.


    He Xiaoyun pointed to Wei Jianwei and said, "Your father already took care of today''s work. You have no work to do today."


    "Why did you do that, Dad?!" The little kid pouted and said dissatisfiedly.


    He Xiaoyun hummed a song and turned around to cook. Of course, she lied to Wei Yuanhang. Even if Wei Jianwei didn''t peel the potatoes, she wouldn''t give the kid such a dangerous job. She just wanted to find something to distract Wei Jianwei and grind his bad thoughts away. (Hohoho, we all know what this means~)


    Wei Yuanhang was still aggrieved, "Dad, you grabbed my little red flowers..."


    Of course, Wei Jianwei can ignore the child, but this is his own son after all. So he had coaxed, "I''ll fold you some Sifangbao at night."


    Sifangbao is a kind of toy for children. Children will buckle two Sifangbao on the ground. If one of them can overturn the other, they will win. The winner can take the loser''s Sifangbao as their own.


    Wei Yuanhang''s eyes immediately lit up, and he greedily stretched out two palms, "Ten!"


    Wei Jianwei sat alone in the living room for a long time without seeing He Xiaoyun coming out from the child''s room. He went in and found that she fell asleep while leaning against the child''s bed.


    Jianwei stepped forward to pick her up.


    He Xiaoyun seemed to feel she was being lifted up, she opened her eyes in a daze, took a look, hummed, and said: "Sniff, I won''t sleep with you..."


    After speaking, she fell asleep again.


    Wei Jianwei looked helpless.


    T/N: So...Sifangbao was just origami? Fine, another knowledge added to my knowledge vault.

 CH 56

    After more than a month of intense preparation for the exam, in November, He Xiaoyun participated in the first round of the college entrance examination. In this exam, some candidates were selected to participate in the formal college entrance examination in December.


    After the exam, Xiaoyun had a certain degree of assurance about her situation.


    Resuming the college entrance examination in the first year, neither the number of questions nor the degree of difficulty can be compared with the later college entrance examinations. Perhaps the current students do not find it easy, because their teachers hardly teach this knowledge in their middle school classes. But for He Xiaoyun, it''s very advantageous.


    Although nearly ten years have passed since her high school days, she still has a foundation. Coupled with her two years of self-study, He Xiaoyun estimated that she can enter a university. It only depends on her rank and grades whether she can enter a good college.


    Thinking of this, Xiaoyun was relaxed. After all, she didn''t have any grand ambitions. For example, she just needs to be admitted to the country''s best university. For her, it was the unattainable existence in her past.


    This is a deep mark left on her in her previous life. At that time, because of the economic poverty and the backward education, their entire county couldn''t produce a student who could be admitted to the Capital University. He Xiaoyun''s grades at that time weren''t top-notch, so she didn''t dare hope to pass.


    This time, her goal is to be admitted to Capital University. After all, Wei Jianwei and her child are here, and she doesn''t want to attend too far.


    After leaving the examination room, Wei Jianwei came to take her home. To take care of the examinee''s mood, Jianwei dared not ask what happened inside the examination room.


    He Xiaoyun saw his hesitation and stopped, and said with a smile: "I feel pretty good, and I should be able to pass the exam."


    Wei Jianwei''s expression loosened, and a smile appeared in his eyes: "Should we celebrate?"


    "It''s too early to celebrate," He Xiaoyun laughed, "Let''s wait for the results."


    Back to the family building, He Xiaoyun went to Xu Lanxiang, "Sister Xu, let''s accumulate sauerkraut tomorrow!"


    At this time last year, their sauerkraut had already accumulated. This year, for her exams, everything was pushed back. Now, He Xiaoyun finally felt her shoulders lighten up and started to get busy.


    Xu Lanxiang watched her expression, hesitated for a moment, and finally did not mention the examination. She just nodded and said: "Okay, Lizhen also said that she''ll be doing it too, let''s do it tomorrow."


    That night, He Xiaoyun ate well and slept soundly. The next day, Wei Jianwei and Wei Yuanhang were sent out and she went next door. Huang Lizhen came earlier than her and was talking to Xu Lanxiang.


    ---


    At a meeting in the Headquarters one day, Wei Jianwei¡¯s leader patted him on the shoulder and said, ¡°Your wife''s very good! Old Wei, you have done a good job supporting her, and you''re deeds are indispensable!"


    Wei Jianwei was a little surprised. Jianwei didn''t doubt He Xiaoyun''s strength, but he didn''t expect that she would do better. The others were even more surprised. Lin Yuefei walked over and punched Wei Jianwei''s arm, "Old Wei, your wife is so powerful! You can finally release your bated breath."


    Wang Liqiang also said: "Old Wei, you have to treat us!"


    The others also ask Wei Jianwei to treat them. They are all envious and sour. This old Wei, he married a beautiful and virtuous wife, but that doesn''t matter, what matters is his wife actually became a college student! He doesn''t want them to live anymore, right?


    At noon, Wei Jianwei returned home and told He Xiaoyun about it. He Xiaoyun couldn''t believe it.


    "You aren''t teasing me, right? With my ability, could I really rank in third place?"


    After the exam, He Xiaoyun did feel pretty good and confident about her results. But this is the capital. He Xiaoyun always thought that this place must be full of talents, and there are surely great gods hidden in sight, so how can she squeeze into the top three?!


    He Xiaoyun felt that a big pie(opportunity) fell from the sky, and it happened to fall into her arms, smashing her dizzy. She couldn''t help but confirm with Wei Jianwei again: "Are you sure your leader is right? There is no other person called He Xiaoyun, right?"


    Wei Jianwei joked with her: "Even if there is another person named He Xiaoyun, it is unlikely that her husband is also named Wei Jianwei."


    He Xiaoyun calmed down but finally couldn''t help it. She jumped and hugged Jianwei''s neck and cheered: "I passed! I''m going to be a college student soon!"


    Wei Jianwei looked at her with a smile, hugging her with his hands to prevent her from falling down. He Xiaoyun was still happy, holding the man''s face in both hands, she solemnly said: "From now on, please call me college student He!"


    Now that Xiaoyun knows that her university admission is stable, she only needs to wait for the admission notice afterward. However, before the notice came, they welcomed two unexpected visitors.


    There was a man and a woman, the admission teacher from the Capital University and the reporter of the Evening News. He Xiaoyun was not quite sure what they wanted. After having tea, she asked, "What do the two guests want with me?"


    The admission teacher is straightforward: "We know Comrade He''s grades, and we would like to ask if you have the intention to study in our school."


    "But, I didn''t report to your school..." He Xiaoyun hesitantly said.


    Capital University in Xiaoyun''s heart is the flower of Gaoling(unattainable) and her white moonlight(first love), so even if she filled a few schools in the form, she didn''t dare to fill it in randomly.


    After knowing her grades and results, Xiaoyun regretted it a little, because, with her ranking, she should be able to attend that school.


    The admission teacher took a sip of tea and said, "Don''t worry about this. As long as you agree, the school can adjust for you."


    It''s not rare for students with outstanding academic performance to be intercepted by first-class universities.


    He Xiaoyun didn''t know there were such operations.


    After experiencing the treatment of those champions and top students of later generations, who were vying for the treatment of famous universities, He Xiaoyun felt that she had become a sweet pastry(so many people want to bite~), and she couldn''t help but feel happy.


    So she nodded without thinking about it for too long. After all, Capital University is what she dreams of. People always go to higher places, and Xiaoyun has dreams too!


    After the admission problem was solved, the female reporter of the newspaper followed up. She wanted to interview He Xiaoyun and published her story from being a rural woman to a female college student in the newspaper as a typical example of striving to inspire other women.


    He Xiaoyun blushed a bit, what ambitions? She actually didn''t think about this too much, there was only her obsession to enter Capital University. She felt that there was really nothing to praise her about, let alone give some talk about the value of learning.


    He Xiaoyun''s refusal became modesty to the other party, and the reporter made her determination firm to report this news even more.


    In the end, He Xiaoyun couldn''t help but answered some questions, and repeatedly emphasized that most of the results of her exam were because of luck.


    ---


    Wei Yuanhang just didn''t understand. Going to school is indeed quite interesting. He can play with other children, but why does his mother want to play with others when she is so old?


    The little kid thought quietly in his heart, I should go to Rongrong less and spend more time with my mother.


    As a result, He Xiaoyun soon discovered that her son had suddenly become clingy.


    In the entire military region, He Xiaoyun was not the only one who was admitted to the university. Others received notices before the Chinese New Year. Only hers was late.


    He Xiaoyun knew it was because of her rank, but others didn''t know it. They only knew that she had not been admitted to any universities.


    From the moment Xiaoyun decided to take the college entrance examination, there was some gossip in the family area, and there was no lack of contempt about her participation, until the news that she had taken third place in the exam came, those people(bitches) temporarily shut their mouths.


    But with good news(admissions from universities) from other people, there''s still no movement with He Xiaoyun, and various rumors have appeared again.


    He Xiaoyun went to the water room to fetch water, and she heard people chatting in full swing.


    "Didn''t you say that she got the third rank? Why are there no universities after her?"


    "Who knows? Head Zhang''s son of the opposite building received the notice yesterday."


    "Up to now, examinees have received what they should have received. Eh, she won''t lie about this, right?"


    "It''s the news that came from the camp. No matter how good the future is for Commander Wei, would the regiment command favor them like this?"


    "This is definitely a mistake."(It''s not.) The other person firmly said, "I said it earlier, how can a rural woman who hasn''t gone to high school take the college exam and ranked third? It must be a mistake from the top, so there''s no news afterward."


    Xu Lanxiang also heard the wind(rumors) and especially comforted He Xiaoyun: "All they said are big farts. Don''t take it to the heart. Maybe your admission notice will be here tomorrow."


    He Xiaoyun forgot to talk to Xu Lanxiang about the previous admission teacher''s visit. Seeing that she(XL) was so indignant for herself, He Xiaoyun embarrassedly said: "Actually...I''m already admitted to the university I''m striving to. I met the teacher from Capital University two days ago. He came to me..."


    Before her words were finished, there was a lively noise from the corridor, followed by someone knocking on the door.


    It turned out that leader Zhang''s son, who was in the opposite building, was admitted. His mother and wife were very happy, and she(mother) bought sweets to share in the opposite building.


    One of them(Zhang''s wife) saw He Xiaoyun at Xu Lanxiang¡¯s house and immediately said to her lover, Leader Zhang, ¡°There''s a woman who did good in the examination in this building. Old Zhang, you see, this is Commander Wei¡¯s wife. She got third place in the entire capital. "


    When Leader Zhang''s heard it, he curiously looked up at He Xiaoyun and praised: "I''ve heard the name of sister-in-law for a long time ago. You''re beautiful and well-cultured, Chief Wei is so blessed!"


    "Thank you for the praise." He Xiaoyun smiled shyly.


    Another person who came with them said, "I just don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on. The others have already received their admission notice, but Comrade Xiaoyun¡¯s hasn''t come yet. Sister-in-law, do you think the leader has forgotten it?"


    "How can they forget?" Head Zhang''s wife smiled, "Maybe it''s just a little bit late, she will definitely receive it soon."


    "Could it be that something was wrong? I heard that there were a lot of people in this exam, so many points were wrongly counted. Could it be that Comrade Xiaoyun''s score was calculated wrong?" (You''re getting slapped on the face biatch)


    Another person immediately said: "Knowing that Comrade Xiaoyun did well in the exam, everyone is happy for her, if it''s found out that they made a mistake, how hurtful it would be."


    He Xiaoyun watched their performance silently, and Xu Lanxiang rolled her eyes when she heard their funny skit, wishing to sweep these people out.


    Leader Zhang''s wife felt that something was wrong, and was about to say something when the door suddenly slammed open.


    Xu Lanxiang¡¯s eldest daughter rushed in from outside, patted a newspaper on the table, and excitedly said: "Mom, look at this! Aunt Xiaoyun is in the newspaper! I met the uncle postman downstairs, and he was about to give Aunt Xioayun her admission. The notice is from Capital University! Aunt Xiaoyun is too good!"


    Xu Lanxiang had already known this a step earlier. At this moment, she was very calm, watching the changes in the people''s faces'' quietly, and she felt pleased.


    T/N: Finally, a face slapping situation. How nice to see some drama.

 CH 57.1

    The headline on the newspaper was bolded and enlarged, and He Xiaoyun caught a glimpse of the above title at a glance, "The Role Model of Contemporary WomenÒ»The Woman Who Came from a Mountain Village".


    Although it''s not incomparable to the "Shocked! Let''s go..." click baits of later generations, the interviewee, He Xiaoyun still feels particularly ashamed to look at it, and especially wants to cover her face.


    Although being in third place in the exam is nothing special, He Xiaoyun was the only woman in the rankings of the whole top ten.


    Xu Lanxiang shook the newspaper, picked it up, and read it: "Our reporter recently interviewed..."


    "Sister Xu, don''t read it!" He Xiaoyun hurriedly stopped her, "It''s too exaggerated."


    "It''s not an exaggeration, I think it fits the facts." Xu Lanxiang disapproved.


    After Leader Zhang''s wife left, the two people stood there, their faces turned blue and pale.


    Xu Lanxiang glanced at them, and said without a smile: "It''s a pity that we don''t have any candy here, so you two can only leave with nothing."


    Their(two morons) expressions were stiff, they barely said a few polite words, and left in a hurry. He Xiaoyun slightly shook her head, she felt embarrassed for them.


    In the evening, Wei Jianwei got off work. As soon as he opened the door, he heard He Xiaoyun diligently say: "You''re back."


    Her voice sounds as sweet as honey.


    Wei Jianwei glanced at his son, then at He Xiaoyun, and shook his head helplessly. He then stood up, took off his coat, and hung it on the hanger.


    T/N: I was about to update this on Thursday last week, but who told me to have unfinished projects? Who told me to be a graduating senior high????? TvT

 CH 57.2

    Soon after the Chinese New Year, Qingshuihe received a letter from the army. Wei Zhenxing opened the letter and read a few lines. He, who has always been reticent, couldn''t help but exclaim, and his face was full of joy.


    Wang Chunhua asked hurriedly: "What happened? Is it good?"


    Wei Zhenxing didn''t answer for a while and continued to read the letter.


    Wang Chunhua slapped his back in a hurry, "You, quickly say it!"


    Zhenxing hurriedly scanned the letter and then said: "Second sister-in-law ranked third in the Capital College Examination. In February, she will go to the Capital University to study."


    "Really?!" Wang Chunhua''s eyes widened.


    Wei Jianhua said in shock: "Second sister-in-law is really amazing!"


    Wang Chunhua snatched the letter, scanned it a few times, and still couldn''t understand it. She took the letter to her younger son, "Read it to me."


    Wei Jianhua read it from the beginning, and Feng Qiuyue also brought her daughter over to listen.


    After listening, Feng Qiuyue exclaimed: "I heard that many people in our brigade took the exam this year, but only two of them are admitted, including the one educated youth that came from the city. Xiaoyun is really amazing."


    "Isn''t it?" Wang Chunhua nodded afterward.


    In the first few months, as soon as the policy of resuming the college entrance examination came out, their small Qingshuihe brigade had also been lively for a while.


    Most educated youths, some of whom went to the countryside early, knew that there was no hope of returning to the city. They were already married and had children in Qingshuihe. When they heard that they could enter a university, their minds were shaken.


    And their spouses, because of the possibility of being abandoned, were very unwilling. So in the passing days, from time to time, they can hear the cries and noises of those unwilling families.


    Chunhua didn''t know if it was lucky or unfortunate that none of those people were admitted.


    Wang Chunhua was pleased that her second daughter-in-law passed such a difficult exam but suddenly remembered a question, "If Xiaoyun goes to school, wouldn''t Xiaoyuan have no one to take care of him?"


    Wei Jianhua said: "Don''t worry about it. When the second sister-in-law goes to school, Xiaoyuan also goes to school. When Xiaoyuan leaves school, second sister-in-law also goes home. Isn''t that alright? Besides, there''s still the second brother to watch them."


    "You know a lot," Wang Chunhua said, and instructed him, "Why don''t you go to your second sister-in-law''s house and say the news?"


    "Got it." Wei Jianhua pouted his mouth and walked out.


    "Wait a minute, take that bamboo shoot in the corner."


    He Xiaoyun actually wrote a letter to her family too, but Li Yuegui didn''t receive it yet for the time being. After hearing Wei Jianhua''s news, she(LY) didn''t respond for a long time.


    "You said, Xiaoyun took the exam, passed it, and was admitted to Capital University?!"


    "Yes," Wei Jianhua confirmed, "Second Sister-in-law took the exam, and is the third placer in the entire capital. If she took the exam here, maybe she''ll place first!"


    After he left, Li Yuegui went around in a circle in the yard, smiling happily for a while, and then reproached He Xiaoyun in her heart for not speaking in advance.


    After a long time, Li Yuegui made a decision to buy a string of firecrackers to set off tomorrow morning. If someone asked, she would be able to boast the news triumphantly.


    The reason why Li Yuegui is so enthusiastic is that something made her angry a few days ago.


    Coincidentally, the only person in Qingshuihe who was admitted to a college was Zhang Yurong, an educated youth. The matter of her having a blind date with Wei Jianwei who was later intercepted by He Xiaoyun was still talked about by some idlers on the team.


    Let''s see what those long-tongued(gossipers) women have to say! I let them be sour to death!


    T/N: After so many days, I finally revived! (Math is evil, like, the only thing I like about numbers is when they turn into money!) And this Zhang Yurong appeared again, and I don''t like her at all (like you can''t help but unlike her even though she''s done nothing yet.)

 CH 57.3

    Wei Jianwei accompanied He Xiaoyun to report to the university in February. The military area is not far from Capital University, but it is also not close. A tram was required to arrive on time.


    He Xiaoyun, like a child visiting a park, looked around with delight. This university is a top-tier university in the country. She had only seen it from afar outside the school gate in her previous life. She couldn''t help but jump at the prospect of spending the next four years studying here.


    Wei Jianwei, fortunately, was with her and promptly delivered her to the meeting location.


    He Xiaoyun was a Chinese literature student. Although there should be more women in a liberal art major than men, there are only four girls in the class. It can be seen that women still have a harder time being accepted and studying than men in this era.


    He Xiaoyun finally found a seat. "My name is Liu Yangyang, how about you?" said another girl who sat next to her and looked at her with curiosity.


    "Hello, my name is He Xiaoyun." She answered with a smile.


    "He Xiaoyun..." Liu Yangyang repeated her name, her eyes widening, "You''re the champion in the newspaper!" she exclaimed.


    Her voice was so loud that it drew the attention of several people. "The newspapers are all exaggerated, so you can''t take it seriously," Xiaoyun hurriedly whispered.


    Liu Yangyang was excited, and then lowered her voice: "I have read that newspaper several times and crop it out and posted it on my wall. You''re too good!"


    Seeing her eyes full of admiration, He Xiaoyun didn''t know whether to laugh or cry.


    "What were your methods? Those exam questions seem extremely challenging to me. Many of them are beyond my ability. Every day, my brother called me pigheaded (dumb) and predicted that I would fail the university exam. I passed, thankfully. He''ll tease me to death if I don''t."


    He Xiaoyun smiled as she listened to the other person, who appeared to be a teenager. This was also demonstrated by the tone and content of her speech.


    "Have you just finished high school?" Xiaoyun asked.


    "I graduated from high school last summer," Liu Yangyang nodded. "I was about to be dispatched in the south. I was informed that the college entrance examination had been rescheduled before I left. As a result, I was unable to see the countryside.


    Liu Yangyang has a curious and innocent appearance that has been a hallmark of well-protected children since childhood. Those educated youths like her who want to go to the countryside have the same passion as her, which is gradually eroded by life''s hardships.


    "Will you live in the school dormitory?" Liu Yangyang asked her again.


    He Xiaoyun shook her head, "I live with my family."


    Liu Yangyang listened and became happy, "I also live with mine. I thought that I was the only one!"


    Liu Yangyang had previously learned that the other two girls in the class were both living on campus, and she desired to live in the dorms for fear of not fitting in. Her family, however, did not agree, and she spent a long time unhappy.


    He Xiaoyun was a little bit emotional. Youths are full of vitality at the age of seventeen or eighteen.


    ---


    Students can attend one class and then go home after receiving their books because they are not required to attend on the first day of registration.


    He Xiaoyun followed the crowd out of the teaching building and saw Wei Jianwei standing by the flower bed not far away, looking up at a bird on the tree.


    He was dressed in a neat military uniform, stood straight, and had a handsome face. Not only did his appearance stand out among the unsophisticated crowd, but his expression was also cold, and his entire body exuded a mysterious aura that drew a lot of attention. People only dare to look in the distance.


    He Xiaoyun unconsciously smiled, waved goodbye to Liu Yangyang, and briskly ran to him.


    Wei Jianwei turned his head and saw her as if he was aware of her presence; the hard facade all over his body melted instantly as if the spring breeze stroked the treetops.


    "Did you have to wait so long? You could have just gone home." He Xiaoyun complainingly said.


    Wei Jianwei took the books in her hand, "Can you go home now?"


    "Yeah, let''s go."


    On the way, he asked her, "Every day, you have to take the tram, won''t you be tired? Why don''t you just live on campus?"


    He Xiaoyun glanced at him, "I''m not tired, why will I be tired? It''s not that you''re annoyed to see me every day, so you want me to live on campus, right?"


    Wei Jianwei squeezed her hand, "Nonsense."


    He Xiaoyun snorted.


    Upon seeing this, Jianwei said again: "I''m afraid that you''ll be too exhausted."


    "I am willing to be exhausted." For He Xiaoyun, the university is the ivory tower she dreams of, and her home is the harbor where she can completely relax. Traveling back and forth between the two places makes her happy.


    Wei Jianwei reached out and poked her bulging cheeks with intimacy and flattery.


    Although Jianwei asked He Xiaoyun if she wanted to live on campus, when it comes down to it, he will be more hesitant than her. His benevolence is all a ruse. If that really happens, he might sneak into the campus in the middle of the night and scale over the wall to see her.


    On the next day, He Xiaoyun will officially start university.


    She awoke in the dark and couldn''t sleep, tossing and turning in bed. Wei Jianwei later held her in his arms to keep her from moving and she then dozed off.


    He Xiaoyun grabbed her slippers and dashed into the living room, where she checked the time. She was relieved to see that she was indeed not late, and went to Wei Yuanhang''s room to wake him up.


    Wei Jianwei had already brought breakfast to the table when she finished washing.


    Seeing him wearing an apron and looking like a house-husband, He Xiaoyun leaned over and kissed him with a smile, "Fortunately, there''s you."


    Wei Jianwei hugged her waist and deepened the kiss.


    He Xiaoyun''s cheeks flushed, her eyes hazy, and she looked even more lovely and delicious than the breakfast on the table when Jianwei let go.


    The family of three had breakfast. Wei Yuanhang was sent next door to be with Wang Derong as they waited to go to school together because it was still too early for school.


    Before Wei Jianwei left for the camp, he sent Xiaoyun to the university in a military car.


    He Xiaoyun hurried to class, only ten minutes before the lesson started. The classroom was already crowded. She heard Liuyang Yangyang''s voice when she was finding a seat: "Xiaoyun, here!"


    Xiaoyun turned her head and looked. Liu Yangyang was sitting in the front row, next to the other two girls in the class, and there was an empty seat on the other side.


    "I took a good position for you a long time ago," Liu Yangyang said as He Xiaoyun approached.


    "Thank you," He Xiaoyun said, smiling and nodding to the two girls on the other side.


    Liu Yangyang introduced her to Li Lingling and Wu Jing.


    He Xiaoyun simply greeted them.


    Liu Yangyang smiled and said, "From now on, we are the four golden flowers."


    He Xiaoyun smiled as she sat down to clean up and placed the books she needed on the table.


    "By the way, Xiaoyun," Liu Yangyang leaned over and asked her, "Who was the one who picked you up yesterday? He is so handsome."


    He Xiaoyun found that she was a little cautious because, at this moment, she was thinking: No matter how handsome he is, he''s mine. It is okay for me to show him to you, but you can''t have any other thoughts about him.


    So she said, "It''s my husband."


    "You''re married?" Liu Yangyang asked, her eyes widening.


    He Xiaoyun nodded, "I have been married for many years, and I have a six-year-old child."


    Liu Yangyang was originally surprised, hearing the second half of her sentence, she cried out: "I knew it was a joke! You don''t appear to be much older than I am. How could you possibly have a child of that age? Wasn''t that your brother the day before? My brother also brought me here. In fact, my brother is quite attractive. He simply enjoys bullying me, but he is a wonderful person to others. He is not married and has worked for many years. You''ll know each other if I have the opportunity to introduce him to you next time."


    He Xiaoyun felt funny and speechless. Is this little girl making a blind date for her brother?


    She said helplessly: "I''m indeed twenty-five years old, and I''m really married."


    "I don''t believe it! You are only twenty years old at most." Liu Yangyang firmly believed in her judgment.


    He Xiaoyun shook her head. Although it''s a pleasure to be praised as young, she''s powerless when the other person refused to believe her claims.


    The four girls went to the cafeteria together after the class in the morning. He Xiaoyun was not used to making friends, and the other two girls didn''t say much. For the time being, she''s afraid she won''t be familiar with them much.


    After lunch, Wu Jing and Li Lingling returned to the dormitory, and He Xiaoyun and Liu Yangyang went to the library.


    The long-held belief that reading is useless has been disproved, and a large number of intellectuals are no longer suppressing their thirst for knowledge. The library is overcrowded, and the two took a long time to find a spot to seat in.


    Because of the atmosphere, Liu Yangyang, who had always been a talker, stopped talking and began reading quietly.


    After school in the afternoon, the two of them walked out while talking. When they arrived at the school gate, they saw a familiar figure. He Xiaoyun was surprised: "Why are you here?"


    "To pick you up home." Wei Jianwei said, nodding to Liu Yangyang.


    "Your brother is really nice. He''s picking you up from school." Liu Yangyang looked envious, "Then, I will go first."


    After Liu Yangyang left, Wei Jianwei raised his eyebrows and asked, "Brother?"


    "Don''t think about it," He Xiaoyun explained, "I told her that I''m married and already had a six-year-old son. She just didn''t believe it. That little girl is quite stubborn."


    "You really don''t look like it," Wei Jianwei said, looking at her in the eyes and nodding.


    He Xiaoyun had a slender figure, fair skin, and wearing her hair in a simple ponytail. She was holding a book and appeared to be a young female student at the time.


    He Xiaoyun was happy when she heard it, and said, "She also said that you''re handsome in the class this morning."


    "Comrade Wei Jianwei, you must stand firm against temptation. Don''t be puffed up by a little girl or else, I''m going to divorce you," He Xiaoyun solemnly said.


    Wei Jianwei looked down at her and said with a smile: "Yes."


    She told him not to be taken away by a little girl, but she didn''t know that in his opinion, all the men on the campus were his potential enemies.


    "By the way, why did you leave work so early today?" He Xiaoyun asked.


    "There are very few things to do today." Wei Jianwei took over her schoolbag.


    He Xiaoyun said: "The lack of things to do isn''t a reason for leaving your work early. Comrade Wei Jianwei, your consciousness isn''t high enough."


    "I accept the leader''s teaching." Wei Jianwei said seriously.


    He Xiaoyun chuckled. When the two returned home, Wei Yuanhang had already finished his homework and stayed with Xu Lanxiang. Seeing his parents come back, the little kid said aggrievedly: "Mom and dad, you two are so slow."


    He Xiaoyun conjured up a tea egg for him, touched his head, and apologized: "Sorry for letting you wait a long time."


    The child immediately became happy, "Thank you, mom!"


    He Xiaoyun divided the other eggs among the children of Xu Lanxiang''s family.


    Xu Lanxiang groaned, "You''re spending money again. We''re going to eat soon. Why did you buy this? Don''t buy it next time."


    He Xiaoyun smiled and said nothing. Seeing her like this, Xu Lanxiang knew she didn''t listen, shook her head, and asked, "How did it feel to go to university the first day?"


    "Very good. My classmates get along well, and the food in the cafeteria is also delicious."


    "Of course, it''ll be good. After all, it''s the best university. Old Wei was worried and especially went to pick you up. I say, isn''t he just afraid that a male classmate might cheat you away?" Xu Lanxiang teased.


    He Xiaoyun mumbled rather distressed: "Who knows about that."


    Before going to bed that night, He Xiaoyun told Wei Jianwei that he should stop picking her up after classes, otherwise, the little kid would go home after school and see that his parents weren''t there. He would definitely be disappointed.


    T/N: I am finally done with my graduation matters! I''m sorry that I just updated just now! I literally almost stopped translating because my mom was telling me to stop it and focus on my incoming college entrance exam, but of course, I didn''t want to stop and show her my name on the honor list. Mom temporarily stopped nagging me about my tranlastions then. Sorry for the rant, here''s your awaited chapter!

 CH 57.4

    Wei Jianwei did not pick her up for the next two days, and He Xiaoyun gradually became acquainted with her classmates.


    He Xiaoyun''s relationship with the other two girls in the class is improving, but it''s still not as good as her relationship with Liu Yangyang. She learned that Li Lingling was from the north and worked in a quilt factory after graduating from high school, while Wu Jing was from the south.


    Although Liu Yangyang was very enthusiastic with everyone, she was particularly close with He Xiaoyun, probably because she didn''t live on the campus either. At the university, their schedule was nearly the same.


    During a lunch break, Liu Yangyang suddenly held her chin and sighed. He Xiaoyun became curious, Liu Yangyang was happy every day, it''s rare for her to look serious, "What''s wrong?"


    Liu Yangyang turned her head over and mysteriously said: "They''re picking the most beautiful girl in the Chinese department, you know."


    "Hmm... and then?"


    "Then, it''s about you!" Liu Yangyang exclaimed, "Although I believe you are the most beautiful girl, some people believe Wu Jing is just as attractive. She''s attractive, but she''s not as good as you."


    He Xiaoyun was amused; she could finally compete in the class for the school flower title now?


    It turns out that people nowadays are so avant-garde and fashionable.


    Among the four girls in their class, Li Lingling and Liu Yangyang''s looks are relatively ordinary, but Liu Yangyang''s own lively and cheerful personality can make up for this.


    Liu Yangyang still said: "What''s the matter with those people''s eyes?"


    He Xiaoyun had to persuade her: "We can''t just look at the exterior superficially, the inside is more important."


    "You''re the person with the highest score on the college entrance examination in our department," Liu Yangyang said, becoming more justified and confident. "Is there anyone else who is more knowledgeable than you?"


    "Uh..." He Xiaoyun was blocked by her words and dryly said, "Scores don''t mean that much."


    "Anyway, if Wu Jing is the final winner, I will report them for cheating!"


    He Xiaoyun couldn''t decide whether to laugh or cry, so she took a toffee from her bag, which she usually used to coax Wei Yuanhang, and said, "Eat these candies, don''t worry about the minor details."


    ---


    Wei Jianwei arrived at the camp earlier than usual recently because he got up early in the morning to send He Xiaoyun out.


    "Why are you coming so early today? What about your wife and child?" Lin Yuefei asked him in the corridor today.


    "I''m not sure if it''s exciting or not, maybe we should ask our sister-in-law?" Wei Jianwei raised his eyes to look at him, a little disgust evident in his eyes.


    Lin Yuefei''s face froze as he remembered his wife''s washboard and his repeated pleas for mercy: "It''s just a joke! We''re good brothers, right?"


    Wei Jianwei hugged his arms with a shallow smile as if he was saying that there was no such thing as loyalty.


    "You don''t know, last time I wrote home about my younger brother and sister''s entrance to university, and asked your sister-in-law if she would like to read a few books, she scolded me and said I dislike her for being ignorant, how dare I?! Old Wei, this brother is so miserable, so please let me go," Lin Yuefei said with a bitter face.


    "It''s not impossible to let you go," Wei Jianwei said.


    Just as Lin Yuefei was about to celebrate, he heard Jianwei continue: "You''ll write the report for me tomorrow."


    "What? You''re such a big bully!" Lin Yuefei got angry.


    "You write a report or I write a letter, choose one." Wei Jianwei said coldly.


    Lin Yuefei struggled, and finally succumbed to the offer with a frustrated expression, "I''ll write it! You have nothing else to do today, why don''t you write it yourself?"


    Liu Yangyang was taken aback. After all, she had always assumed He Xiaoyun was only a year or two her senior, and she even harbored a secret plot in her heart. She wanted to introduce her(HX) to her brother for them to become in-laws. But, with such a big son already, Liu Yangyang''s heart was a little broken.


    Saying goodbye to her(LY), He Xiaoyun squeezed Wei Yuanhang''s cheek and said, "Your little mouth is quite sweet."


    Wei Yuanhang very cleverly offered the little biscuits, "Mom, I give this to you."


    "Okay," He Xiaoyun happily said, "Eat it yourself, and behave."


    The family of three stood side by side on the side of the road waiting for the bus. He Xiaoyun asked Wei Jianwei: "Why did you bring him today?"


    "He leaves school early today." Wei Jianwei said.


    "I know he''s leaving school early today. But how about you? Last time, you said that there were a few things to do in the camp, but this time, there were also a few things to do? Why have you become so idle lately?"


    Wei Jianwei replied without changing his face: "These two days are really free."


    In the camp, Lin Yuefei, crouched on the table while writing a report, sobbed in his heart.


    I blame myself for being tactless. Why did I even tease Old Wei? And I also blamed Wei Jianwei for being too ruthless. I''ve been his army brother since long ago, but just to pick up his wife, he treated me like this?


    Beast.


    T/N: A second chapter out! I''m quite motivated because I just returned from translating~

 CH 58.1

    Life is gradually returning to track. He Xiaoyun attends university from Monday to Friday. She stays at home with the child on weekends and cooks for the family. She goes to the market to stock up on groceries for the week. There will be some weekend literary activities on occasion.


    One weekend in April, the class organized an outing.


    Because it was the first group outing since the beginning of school, He Xiaoyun couldn''t refuse, so she sent Wei Yuanhang to Xu Lanxiang and promised to buy him a kite when she returned.


    About twenty people in the class were there, and they went to the People''s Park together.


    Many people are enjoying the flowers in the park in late spring. They (the group) are a group of young people who are vibrant and youthful, and they draw a lot of attention.


    Liu Yangyang jumped around with a bag in her hand, taking food from the bag and sharing it with He Xiaoyun, like a child who had come out to play with her parents.


    "Did you know? Li Lingling talked about a boy." She(LY) suddenly leaned in and said in a low voice, looking in the other direction.


    He Xiaoyun followed her gaze and saw Li Lingling walking side by side with a boy, looking intimate.


    He Xiaoyun didn''t live on campus and didn''t have much contact with her classmates, so she wasn''t informed of much gossip. In her(HX) impression, Li Lingling had been in and out of Wu Jing all the time.


    She looked through the crowd for Wu Jing but noticed a boy standing next to her. The boy was attentive and kept turning his head to speak with her, but Wu Jing appeared uninterested and unenthusiastic.


    He Xiaoyun suddenly realize that all of the students in the class were falling in love.


    "Our monitor has been chasing Wu Jing for a long time," Liu Yangyang said, gossiping again. "Wu Jing publicly stated that she didn''t intend to talk about the subject before that."


    "You know quite a lot." He Xiaoyun said with a smile.


    "That''s for sure," Liu Yangyang said proudly, "You don''t listen to gossip and only read sage books." I''m definitely not better than you at reading but in other things? Not necessarily. "


    It is the flowering period of Sophora japonica. There are a lot of Sophora japonica trees on both sides of the main road in the family area. He Xiaoyun and Xu Lanxiang picked a large basket and came back. During this time, Sophora japonica dumplings, Sophora japonica buns, Sophora japonica cakes, and Sophora japonica rice can be made.


    He Xiaoyun asked Wei Jianwei, "Have you finished writing?" She ate a dumpling as well. She thought it was a little bland after tasting it, so she went to the kitchen to pour a dish of vinegar.


    Wei Jianwei nodded, "Almost."


    Edit: Lol, sorry for the white thing errors. Didn''t proofread this one.

 CH 58.2

    Wu Jing looks like a goddess of art, quiet and cold with a hint of alienation, and the one who left just now, even though He Xiaoyun only looked at his back, she can sense his ruggedness and fierceness. They are completely opposite individuals. It''s not that one is unworthy of the other, but they don''t appear to be compatible. What brought them together?


    Wu Jing paused for a long time after saying that. He Xiaoyun assumed she would stop speaking, but she (WJ) took another deep breath and continued to tell her story.


    Three years ago, Wu Jing graduated from high school and went to the south to join a few educated youths assigned there. It was a beautiful place with green mountains and green waters and beautiful scenery. Her anxiety was soothed and she had some expectations for her future there.


    But this kind of expectation only lasted for two days. When she finished her work and returned to the farmer''s house where she was assigned on the third night, the family''s honest son broke into her room. However, the old couple who had previously been kind and honest, as well as the neighbors who were only separated by a wall, did not appear.


    She tried her best to break free and ran outside with disheveled hair. The doors of all the houses in the village were closed, and there seemed to be a pair of eyes staring at her behind the blackholed windows.


    Some people were chasing after her, and she had nowhere to go. Since was no way to ask for help, instead of being caught...


    She ran to the only deep well in the village...


    "What''s next?" He Xiaoyun asked while holding her breath.


    Wu Jing paused and softly said, "Someone was drawing water by the well, and he caught me."


    T/N: Another update! I''m going to finish this story first before focusing on All Stars are My Gourmet Fans novel.

 CH 59

    This is the first time He Xiaoyun has used the word love to describe her relationship with Wei Jianwei.


    She doesn¡¯t know how other people fall in love, but according to her experience in watching films and television dramas, and novels, two people¡¯s relationship is nothing more than the stages of ambiguity, confession, association, and marriage, and she and Wei Jianwei started at the end.


    So they never talked about words like love.


    He Xiaoyun rested her head on Wei Jianwei''s shoulder and let him carry her around the house in his arms. This sense of peace of mind, she thinks, should be love.


    Probably because of He Xiaoyun''s dependent behavior, Wei Jianwei asked with a smile, "I only found out that you really like me today?"


    He Xiaoyun nodded inadvertently, and as she moved her head, she abruptly recovered, abruptly stopped her movements, raised her eyes to look at him, and purposefully said: "Who likes you? I found out that you''re particularly stinky today."


    Even if his words are true, she can''t admit it because otherwise, this man will boast to the heavens.


    Besides, he never said he loved her, so she shouldn''t say it first.


    Wei Jianwei lowered his head to block her mouth, knowing she had always had a dishonest mouth and didn''t say much.


    ---


    Probably affected by the mood during the day, Xiaoyun had a dream that night.


    In her previous life, she hadn''t managed to get away from the mountain. Her parents duped her and sold her to a fool. She was apprehended after fleeing several times. Later, the fool''s family chained her up in her room. She can only sit by the window every day and gaze out.


    Wei Jianwei appeared outside her window one day, still dressed in his military uniform, with sunlight on his body, tall and handsome, his eyes were not fixed on her, and he walked past her window without squinting.


    He Xiaoyun called for him loudly, but he didn''t seem to hear it, and as he walked farther and farther, it didn''t take long for him to disappear.


    T/N: Ahhhhhhhhhhh I''m finally free from graduation and college interview! This chapter was supposed to be posted four days ago but my blogger keeps lagging, to the point that I even wanted to throw away my laptop from anger! Well, I posted this one using my father''s phone(mine''s long gone huehue)

 CH 60

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 CH 61

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 CH 62

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