Yan Runzhi was now invited by Wu Shuxian to be a costume consultant for the theater troupe, guiding the seamstresses and helping design new costumes.

Cheng Yunzhi also provided some traditional costume elements and suggestions to help improve them.

Wensheng was a guest performer in the troupe, initially singing Huangmei Opera, but later insisted on joining the Peking Opera troupe and refused to sing Huangmei Opera.

Everyone was puzzled by this sudden change since he was well-suited to Huangmei Opera both in appearance and vocal style.

Huangmei Opera also has slightly simpler singing requirements compared to Peking Opera.

It was only when Jiang Lin asked that Wensheng shyly admitted, “Mother, they always want me to sing romantic roles, but I don’t like them.”

Huangmei Opera has many romantic plays, like The Fairy Pair, The Female Imperial Consort, and Butterfly Lovers, which involve male and female pairs.

He felt uncomfortable playing romantic couples that weren’t like real-life couples.

The troupe members told him it was just acting, not real, and wouldn’t affect anything.

Still, he couldn’t get over it and switched to singing Peking Opera.

His straightforward nature and rapid learning made him popular despite not being a master yet.

His good looks and excellent vocal quality made him well-liked.

Dressed as a young scholar, Wensheng sang various roles, and everyone enjoyed it.

Neighbors came over when they heard the noise, and some even brought erhu to accompany the performance.

Zeng Hongjie busily took photos to record their Winter Solstice festivities, planning to submit them to the provincial newspaper.

She enjoyed photographing Jiang Lin and Cheng Rushan, the couple’s affectionate interactions were filled with sweet tenderness.

During her photo session, she captured several moments where Jiang Lin seemed to give Cheng Rushan suggestive glances with a faint smile, and Cheng Rushan responded with a knowing smile.

Their tacit understanding was quite touching!

All of this was captured by the camera.

Meanwhile, Dabao sat upright, and Xiaobao leaned in and whispered in his ear with a mischievous smile, their faces full of playful secrets.

Fang Chengguang was sitting on a bench next to Bie Dongshan, leaning against him with his eyes closed in relaxation.

He looked entirely unmilitary, with none of the stiff, upright posture typical of soldiers.

While Bie Dongshan’s posture was relaxed, Zeng Hongjie’s eyes and camera were glued to the front where Wensheng was capturing every moment, every pose, every expression, and every glance, not missing a single detail.

He looked so good!

He Liang was carrying a basket filled with roasted peanuts and sunflower seeds fried by Yan Runzhi, as well as some dried sweet potatoes.

He served everyone with the grace of a butterfly.

Jiang Lin took a handful of peanuts and put them in Cheng Rushan’s hand, then grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and placed them in his other hand, slowly chewing.

She shelled a peanut and put it in Cheng Rushan’s mouth, “Delicious, right?”

Cheng Rushan’s eyes, brightened by alcohol, looked as if they were about to tear up. He gazed at her rosy lips, “Delicious.”

She had also drunk a couple of shots, her cheeks flushed, making him unable to stop looking.

Although they lived together happily, they couldn’t always kiss and hug or lift each other up.

Cheng Rushan was pondering whether he should take his wife out.

After an hour or so of fun, the neighbors began to disperse.

The winter afternoon was particularly leisurely and lazy; even just sitting idly or napping seemed appropriate.

Young people, if they had no pressing matters, would gather and entertain themselves, playing cards and the like.

Today, no one felt like reading.

He Liang and Bie Dongshan brought out a deck of cards to play.

Dabao and Xiaobao took out the stories they had written with their grandfather and Wensheng. “Auntie Xiaojie, can you help us submit these? We also want to earn some money.”

Zeng Hongjie took a look.

The two kids had written quite a few stories before.

She thought they were good, though the writing was still a bit immature.

With the year of learning and accumulation, Dabao and Xiaobao’s storytelling skills had improved significantly.

According to her, their work was better than many adults’.

She picked out a few of the best stories, all of which were adventure tales featuring Dongsheng and Linlin. “I’ll submit them for you.”

Dabao and Xiaobao thanked her.

Zeng Hongjie teased them, “Why do you want to earn money? Your family isn’t short of cash.”

Dabao replied, “The money at home isn’t mine. If I want to spend it, I have to fill out a request.”

Zeng Hongjie laughed, “How much money do you need to request? What do you want to do?”

Dabao: “There’s a lot I want to do—buy books, buy toys, buy various parts…”

Xiaobao whispered, “Buy candy! Hehe.”

Then he quickly glanced at Jiang Lin, who was leaning on Dongsheng’s shoulder discussing which card to play, and sighed in relief.

Zeng Hongjie whispered, “Then you should choose a pen name. It’s better to have one in case your work gets published.”

Wensheng asked what a pen name was.

Xiaobao explained, “It’s like Lu Xun’s real name was Zhou Shuren, and Lao She’s real name was Shu Qingchun.”

Wensheng understood, “I’ll be Wensheng.”

Dabao: “Let’s use one pen name for all.”

Xiaobao: “Let’s call it Baosheng.”

Zeng Hongjie discussed with them and they decided to temporarily use the pen name Lin Shi.

They went to tell Jiang Lin.

Jiang Lin was surprised, “Why Lin Shi?”

Xiaobao replied, “Because we’re all stones, haha.”

Jiang Lin: “…”

But after thinking about it, she understood.

They had been whispering, and she had overheard.

She smiled and said, “Take care of your reputation and write well.”

The three siblings immediately puffed out their chests, “We promise to write well!”

Jiang Lin: “I heard that to write a good book, you need to observe a lot, think a lot, and chat with the old folks and children in the streets and alleys.”

Dabao: “That’s what Bai Juyi said, right?”

Jiang Lin: “…” Sorry, I’m not very good with literature.

Xiaobao was already excitedly discussing with his grandparents how to spend the money earned from writing.

All the candy and snacks, he wanted one of everything!

He heard from Zeng Hongjie that writing could earn money, with small articles earning between five to ten yuan, and if done well, even up to fifty or a hundred yuan!

Jiang Lin invited Zeng Hongjie to stay, but she refused, saying she needed to go back and write articles.

He Liang said, “Xiaojie, you can stay here. Bie Dongshan and I will clear a room for you.”

Zeng Hongjie said, “No, I’ll keep Jiang Lin company when Captain Cheng is on a business trip.”

Yan Runzhi packed a box of dumplings for her to heat up on the stove later.

Noticing that Zeng Hongjie was only wearing a wool coat, she asked, “Xiao Jie, aren’t you cold without a cotton-padded jacket?”

It was freezing outside, and she was worried about Bao’er’s mother.

Not only did she have a small cotton-padded jacket, but also a large cotton-padded jacket and a military overcoat.

This winter, Cheng Rushan had also bought Jiang Lin a wool coat, which blocked the wind but wasn’t very warm.

Yan Runzhi was constantly worried that Jiang Lin would catch a cold.

To reassure her, Jiang Lin decided to keep it for spring and not wear it now.

Yan Runzhi started to worry about Zeng Hongjie getting cold.

Zeng Hongjie smiled and said, “Auntie, I’m not cold. There’s a heater indoors, and I’ll be outside for just a bit.”

Jiang Lin suggested that Cheng Rushan should see her off.

Zeng Hongjie replied, “No need, I can take the bus.” She waved to Wensheng, “Wensheng, I’m leaving now.”

Wensheng waved back.

He Liang said, “It’s fine, I’ll see her off.”

Fang Chengguang said, “I’m heading out to run some errands, so I’ll come along.” He took the keys from Cheng Rushan and said to the two of them, “Let’s go.”

Watching the three leave, Yan Runzhi whispered to Jiang Lin, “Aren’t you going to ask Liangzi to come back?”

Jiang Lin smiled, “Why should I ask him to come back?”

She knew Yan Runzhi thought Zeng Hongjie and Fang Chengguang were quite compatible, but dating was a personal matter.

Zeng Hongjie was an outstanding girl, the university’s most eligible bachelorette, with many excellent boys pursuing her.

However, she had always clearly told her suitors that she didn’t feel the same way about them.

She had known Fang Chengguang for a while but had never expressed any feelings for him, and he hadn’t shown any pursuit toward her either.

The current outing was probably just to avoid any awkwardness that might arise if He Liang were to accompany her alone, a situation that might be uncomfortable with just a man and a woman.

So, Jiang Lin thought they should let things happen naturally.

After all, some people fall in love at first sight, while others develop feelings over time.

It’s possible that one day, at some moment, feelings might just emerge.

Bei Dongshan took the three of them to play table tennis and badminton, allowing Jiang Lin and Cheng Rushan some free time to go for a walk or watch a movie.

Yan Runzhi did needlework, and Cheng Yunzhi practiced calligraphy.

His calligraphy was well-regarded, and many people asked him to write couplets for them.

So he needed to practice in advance and would formally write on red paper in a few days.

Jiang Lin and Cheng Rushan were about to leave when they ran into Wu Shuxian and her nephew at the door.

They were carrying many gifts, including milk powder, canned goods, and a small rooster.

“Teacher Jiang, happy Winter Solstice!” Wu Shijin greeted Jiang Lin warmly and also asked about Cheng Rushan.

Jiang Lin and Cheng Rushan invited them inside to sit.

Earlier in the year, Wu Shuxian had asked Jiang Lin to help tutor her niece and nephew.

Jiang Lin dedicated herself to the task and taught them well.

The two children performed well in their studies.

In July, they both took the college entrance exam.

Although Wu Tingting didn’t pass, her excellent English skills led to an interview, and she was admitted to the Capital Foreign Languages University.

Wu Shijin was admitted to the Agricultural Department of the provincial agricultural university, where he thrived.

Wu Shuxian was thrilled about their success and praised Jiang Lin constantly, telling everyone about her kindness, knowledge, and teaching skills. Many people sent their children to Jiang Lin because of this.

Whenever there was a major holiday, Wu Shuxian would send her nephew with gifts to show her thanks.

Wu Tingting also wrote to Jiang Lin about her experiences at the foreign languages university.

Jiang Lin encouraged her to learn additional languages like Japanese, Korean, and some European languages, suggesting she skip Hindi and Russian.

Wu Tingting valued Jiang Lin’s advice, believing it to be very insightful.

Wu Shuxian had a loud voice, and whenever she visited, the house was filled with her laughter.

She would always praise Jiang Lin and chat with Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi about theater.

Jiang Lin, meanwhile, would talk with Wu Shijin about their studies and the interesting things happening at the agricultural university.

Wu Shijin shared gossip with her, and Jiang Lin would jot down interesting stories to help with future material for her children.

Just then, the sound of a jeep engine roared outside.

Yan Runzhi said, “Why is Chengguang back so soon?”

Jiang Lin replied, “No, Mom, that’s not Chengguang. It’s Lu Hang.”

Cheng Rushan looked at her with calm eyes that only Jiang Lin understood.

Jiang Lin laughed and quickly explained, to prevent him from feeling jealous, “It’s just that Lu Hang’s old, useless jeep—when it starts, you can hear it roaring from ten miles away, like thunder.”

Cheng Rushan’s lips slowly curved into an approving smile. “Wife, your observation is quite sharp.”

Jiang Lin shot him a sideways glance, chuckling.

Sure enough, they heard Lu Hang’s loud voice from outside: “Lin Lin, Cheng Ge! Come and help!”

Jiang Lin and Cheng Rushan stood up, and Wu Shunxian also got up to say goodbye.

Jiang Lin said with a smile, “Sister-in-law, you stay here and chat with my parents. It’s fine.”

Wu Shunxian knew Lu Hang; they had attended several dances together and had once been dance partners because Lu Hang refused to dance with Guo Yanqiu.

When Jiang Lin and Cheng Rushan went outside, they saw Lu Hang carrying two rolls of fabric.

Jiang Lin said, “Oh, Lu Hang, what are you doing? Don’t make mistakes now.”