Chapter 64.1

Xu Zhao handed over the clothes from beside the bed. “Mom’s train is this afternoon. I took the day off to pick her up. I’m not sure if the train will be delayed, so don’t wait for us for dinner. You can eat first.”

Jiang Suihan took the clothes and retreated under the covers to change. She suddenly pulled back the covers, her hair a mess. “While you’re out, could you see if there’s any pork ribs for sale? I want to make pork ribs and corn soup.”

Recently, her tastes had become quite peculiar, and she often had sudden cravings for specific foods. If she couldn’t get them, she would feel very sad and down.

Xu Zhao nodded and brushed the stray hair from her face. “Alright.”

He planned to leave around eleven and would reach the county town in just over two hours. By then, the meat at the local shops would likely be sold out, so he would have to check the black market and try his luck.

Jiang Suihan remembered the tomato-braised beef she had last time—tender and flavorful beef in a rich sauce, which was perfect with rice.

She took his hand, resting her chin on the back of his hand, and looked at him with pleading eyes. “I also want to eat tomato-braised beef.”

Xu Zhao found it hard to resist her pitiful pleading. He almost said he would get it for her but then regained his composure and tried to reason with her. “Beef is rare. Last time, it was just our luck. If we can’t get the tomato-braised beef, we’ll have something else. Didn’t you say you wanted spicy chicken? I’ll buy a chicken and cook it for you.”

Jiang Suihan shook her head. “That was before. I don’t want it now. Forget it. I’ll stick with the pork and corn soup.”

She used to be unable to handle spicy food, but her tastes had changed during pregnancy. She could now eat spicy food and had even started enjoying meat and fish again, which was quite miraculous.

Seeing her seemingly resigned yet hopeful gaze, Xu Zhao couldn’t guarantee he could get beef. He feared that if he gave her false hope and returned empty-handed, she would be even more disappointed.

Jiang Suihan pouted and made a new request. “Then could you also bring back some osmanthus cakes? I really like them.”

Xu Zhao felt a bit exasperated. Osmanthus cakes weren’t a regular item at department stores, and pastry factories didn’t always include them in their deliveries. It was as much a matter of luck as the beef.

He had noticed that Jiang Suihan had developed a bad habit—she liked pastries a lot but was only mildly interested in cookies. After eating pastries, she would often claim to be full and skip meals.

Even with no common sense, Xu Zhao knew that pastries were just snacks. Relying solely on them wasn’t healthy, especially since she needed extra nutrition while pregnant.

Xu Zhao said vaguely, “Alright, I understand.”

It was Sunday, so there was no need to go to school. Jiang Suihan made herself a cup of malted milk and sat by the window, enjoying the breeze while reading a book.

“Teacher Jiang, are you home?”

A little girl’s voice, tender and innocent, came from outside. Looking up, Jiang Suihan saw a small head peek through the door, followed by another.

Jiang Suihan waved them in. “Come in.”

Hong Chunmei and Zhang Xiaocao entered the courtyard. Hong Chunmei glanced around and saw that no one else was home except for Teacher Jiang.

The two students were nervous about seeing Xu Zhao and lingered outside for a while.

Before Jiang Suihan could ask anything, Zhang Xiaocao excitedly spoke about last night’s events. “Teacher Jiang, I succeeded! I can continue going to school!”

The eleven or twelve-year-old girl, small and slender, beamed with a bright smile, which seemed to blend with the blue sky behind her, creating a touching scene.

Hong Chunmei clapped happily beside her, pleased that her friend could continue her education. “Xiaocao was so brave. When her mother beat her, she went to her father to complain. When her father wanted to listen to her mother, she ran out to seek help from the uncles and aunts in the courtyard. In the end, Xiaocao’s father agreed to let her go to school.”

She added indignantly, “Xiaocao’s mother was very angry and didn’t let her eat dinner. I left a steamed bun for her this morning.”

Hong Chunmei felt quite brave herself for providing that bun. Without it, Xiaocao would have gone hungry today.

Jiang Suihan was astonished. “Did your parents really agree to let you continue going to school?”

It seemed unbelievable that Xiaocao managed to resolve the issue in just one night and appeared so brave.

Zhang Xiaocao smiled shyly. “My father said so himself, in front of many people.”

She knew her father cared a lot about his reputation. Last night, she had made a big fuss, turning their family issues into a public spectacle. Her father was very angry but had to agree due to the public pressure. When he tried to punish her, her younger sisters clung to his legs, preventing him from hitting her.

Her mother had scolded her for being ungrateful and selfish, only thinking about herself and not the family. She said Xiaocao was being selfish just for wanting to continue her education, making a scene in front of everyone. Her mother was furious and didn’t let her eat dinner. Her father, despite being unhappy, also tacitly accepted it. Her younger sisters tried to secretly save some food for their sister but got scolded for it.

Though her parents were angry and she had to go to bed hungry, Xiaocao didn’t regret it. As Teacher Jiang said, one must fight for what they want. She had fought for her education and could endure this hardship.

Jiang Suihan sighed with relief and asked, “Did your parents hit you? Are you hurt?”

If her advice had led to Xiaocao suffering, it would be her fault.

Zhang Xiaocao shook her head. “I wasn’t hurt. My father wanted to hit me, but my second sister and youngest sister clung to his legs and wouldn’t let him move. So, he didn’t hit me, just scolded me.”

Hong Chunmei quickly added, “And she wasn’t allowed to eat.”

Knowing that Xiaocao hadn’t had anything to eat, Jiang Suihan stood up. “Wait here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”

After a while, she returned with two cups of malted milk, one for each of the little girls.

Hong Chunmei tried hard to control her eager hands and swallowed nervously, not daring to reach out. “Teacher Jiang, I’m not hungry. Please give the milk to Xiaocao. She must be starving.”

Jiang Suihan smiled and said, “Here’s a cup for each of you. Quickly take them, my hands are getting tired.”

The two children, feeling embarrassed, carefully took the enamel mugs.

Jiang Suihan urged, “Drink while it’s hot. It won’t taste as good once it cools down.”

Zhang Xiaocao carefully took a sip, savoring the sweet, rich flavor of the malt milk essence.

So this is what malt milk essence tastes like—it’s really good.

Hong Chunmei’s family was a bit better off than Zhang Xiaocao’s. She had a younger brother whom her parents favored. If they had three pieces of candy at home, her brother would get two, and she’d get one. Her family had some malt milk essence before, bought by her father for her brother’s health. She had tasted it once and remembered the flavor vividly.

The two children sipped their drinks slowly, reluctant to finish them all at once.

Jiang Suihan went back inside to fetch half a pack of cookies. The children shook their heads, saying they were full from the malt milk essence and couldn’t take any more from the teacher.

Despite their protests, Jiang Suihan ended up giving each child a few cookies.

Zhang Xiaocao and Hong Chunmei, red-faced, said, “Thank you, Teacher Jiang.”

Fearing that Teacher Jiang might offer them more treats, the two children quickly finished their drinks, bid farewell, and ran off.

On the roadside, Zhang Xiaocao sighed, “Teacher Jiang is so kind.”

She felt a bit guilty, thinking she was taking advantage of the teacher.

Hong Chunmei nodded in agreement, “Teacher Jiang is really nice. I wish she were your mother.”

Zhang Xiaocao’s expression darkened slightly. She had thought the same thing but knew it was impossible.

Hong Chunmei, with a nostalgic look, said, “Malt milk essence is so delicious. It’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted. When I grow up, I’m going to buy a lot of it and drink it every day, morning and night.”

Such a simple and earnest aspiration.

Zhang Xiaocao encouraged her friend, “Then you should work hard in school and get a job in the factory. That way, you’ll have money to buy malt milk essence.”

Hong Chunmei nodded, “I’ll work hard this semester to get perfect scores.”

Zhang Xiaocao chimed in, “I want to get perfect scores too.”

The two girls faced each other and laughed heartily.

Hong Chunmei held a piece of milk cookie in her right hand and nibbled it, “Wow, this cookie is so good, and it’s milk-flavored. It’s really delicious!”

Zhang Xiaocao ate one cookie and saved the rest for her younger sisters, who hadn’t had the chance to try milk cookies.

Hong Chunmei asked, “Why aren’t you eating more?”

Zhang Xiaocao replied, “I’ve already had enough. I’ll take the rest home for my younger sisters. They haven’t tried milk cookies yet.”

Hong Chunmei, after a moment of hesitation, ate two more cookies from the three she had, leaving one for her younger brother. She thought to herself that she must be a good sister.

At the train station.

Xiao Li carried a large bag and had his hands full with other items, while Su Ying followed behind.

They found a relatively empty corner to set down their things. Su Ying wiped the sweat from her forehead. “I don’t know if Xu Zhao has arrived yet. After sitting on the train for over thirty hours, I’m exhausted. Oh, my back.”

Xiao Li glanced around and said, “Comrade Su, I’ll wait at the door. You rest here with the luggage.”

Su Ying nodded, “Alright, you wait at the door. I’ll watch over the bags.”

Xu Zhao arrived at the train station half an hour early. After searching the hall without finding anyone, he returned to the station entrance and spotted Xiao Li, a tall man in military green, standing by the door.

“Xiao Li, long time no see.”

Xiao Li smiled, “Brother Xu, it’s been a while. Comrade Su is over there. I’ll take you to her.”

Xu Zhao noticed several bundles on the ground, stacked like a small hill. “Why did you bring so much? Isn’t it heavy?”

Su Ying retorted, “It’s none of your business. It’s for Suisui’s nourishment. Just stay out of it.”

Xu Zhao rubbed his nose, realizing how clear his mother’s attitude was. With a daughter-in-law now, he was pushed to the sidelines.

The three of them moved the luggage to the car. Xiao Li brushed the dust off his hands and said, “ Brother Xu, I’ll head back now.”

Xu Zhao stopped him, “What time is your train?”

Xiao Li replied, “At four in the afternoon.”

Xu Zhao said, “It’s still early. It’s only one o’clock now. Let’s have lunch at the state-run restaurant before you leave.”

Su Ying agreed, “Yes, let’s eat first. It’s not urgent to leave now. The food on the train is expensive and not good. It’s better to have a warm meal.”

They drove to the state-run restaurant. A sign at the entrance listed the day’s menu. Xu Zhao asked what they wanted to eat.

Xiao Li said, “I’m fine with anything.”