Chapter 23: Give it to Uncle San, there are changes

Song Fu was actually very reluctant in his heart, but he knew everything Song Jianjun said was true. Now that they were going to be living under the same roof, they couldn’t go on hating each other or fighting every day — life would be unbearable. Besides, his father had died early, and after his mother ran away, it was his third uncle who had played both father and mother, raising the three siblings. He’d done a lot for them, and that sacrifice meant he had never married, even at his age. Though his third uncle had a lame leg, he was known in the village as a good man and still received a stipend from the government. If it weren’t for the burden of raising them, he probably would’ve married a good wife by now, maybe even had his own children.

Whether it had been fate or someone interfering behind the scenes, the outcome was now set. He wouldn’t blame his third uncle anymore. Sure, he really liked Wang Huimin — she was beautiful — but at the end of the day, she was just a woman. Letting her go to his uncle was something he could accept. After all, he could find another woman later, but he only had one third uncle. (Classic scumbag logic.)

Though Song Fu was reckless and had done all kinds of messed-up things, he wasn’t completely ungrateful. In his heart, his third uncle still held a very important place — he was equal to a father. Out of respect for that, he had to let this matter go.

After holding it in for a long time, he finally said, “Even though I’m not happy about how things turned out, I know you didn’t do it on purpose, Third Uncle. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have spent all that money to arrange my engagement.”

“I ruined things myself. I don’t blame anyone — I just can’t get over it yet.”

“But now that it’s like this, for your sake, I won’t make trouble for Wang Huimin anymore.”

“She’s a good woman — beautiful and capable — she deserves someone like you.”

“All these years you’ve done so much for us, even gave up your chance to get married. At least now you’re making up for it a little. That helps me feel a bit better.”

“I’m going to marry Zhang Chunyan anyway. I may not like it, but there’s no other choice.”

“I’ve made you worry a lot over the years. From now on, I’ll try not to mess things up as much. I’ll try not to bring you trouble and help ease your worries.”

That Song Fu could even say such rational things surprised Song Jianjun. But in the end, his nephew had matured, and as his third uncle, Song Jianjun felt truly happy about that.

He patted Song Fu on the shoulder. “Xiaofu, it means a lot to me that you think this way.”

“You three siblings are your father’s kids, but to me, you’re like my own. Taking care of you was the right thing to do — I never saw you as a burden.”

“Now you’re grown and about to start your own family. I’m happy for you.”

“What’s done is done, no need to dwell on the past. Once you and Chunyan are married, just live a good life. That way I can finally feel at ease.”

“As for Xiaomin, I’ll talk to her. She’s a sensible girl — she won’t give you a hard time. From now on, we’re all one family. Let’s just live peacefully together.”

Hearing this, Song Fu couldn’t help but feel something was off.

“Third Uncle, you and Wang Huimin are already registered. She’s living in our house — she’s your wife now. Why are you still calling her ‘child’?”

Caught off guard, Song Jianjun’s face twitched for a moment before quickly responding, “Old habits. I’ve called her that for so long, it just slipped out. The name doesn’t matter — let’s talk about other things later.”

“Let’s go finish plastering the walls. We need to get the side room done this morning so we can move on to the main house this afternoon.”

Song Fu nodded and didn’t think much of it, continuing the work. After this conversation, the atmosphere between the two was much lighter than before — they even chatted a bit here and there.

Perhaps it was the butterfly effect from Wang Huimin’s rebirth, but in this life, Song Fu — who used to be good-for-nothing — had actually started to change.

Wang Huimin was a capable worker. As smoke curled from the chimney, lunch was quickly prepared. It was still cornmeal pancakes, though she had added a little wheat flour to improve the taste and texture. She also made a vegetable and egg drop soup — just one egg, but that was already a luxury. The dishes included stir-fried glass noodles with greens and chili peppers, a plate of pickled vegetables with soy sauce, some homemade soybean paste from the yard’s crock, and a plate of fresh veggies to dip in the paste. That’s what people ate in the summer — all green stuff. Meat was rare, and in winter, not even green veggies could be seen.

Just as the food was set on the table, Song Xiaolong and Song Xiaoxue came home from school. The village had a private school, and all the local kids went there, returning home for lunch.

Seeing that it was Wang Huimin who cooked today, the two kids were a bit shy when they came inside. But eleven-year-old Xiaolong understood that Wang Huimin was now his third uncle’s wife. He took the initiative to greet her, “Third Aunt, we’re home.”

Xiaoxue also followed and called her “Third Aunt.”

The greeting made Wang Huimin break into a bright smile. “Xiaolong, Xiaoxue, welcome home. Wash your hands and come in.”

“Your third uncle and your big brother are plastering the walls in the side room. Go call them in for lunch after you wash up.”

Xiaolong nodded and quickly took his sister to wash their hands.

Wang Huimin uncovered the pot — a rich aroma burst out. The pancakes were golden and crispy. She scooped them out one by one with a spatula and placed them in a basin. Just then, the uncle and nephew came in.

Xiaoxue sniffed and her eyes lit up. “Third Aunt, is that egg soup? I smell eggs — it smells amazing!”

In the countryside, poor families often sold eggs for money and rarely ate them themselves. It had been a long time since they’d had eggs, so Xiaoxue was genuinely excited.

Wang Huimin smiled and said, “Yes, Third Aunt made egg soup today. If you like it, have more.”

She set out the stools, served soup for the two kids, and handed them pancakes.

Song Fu hadn’t eaten much in the morning, so seeing the food made him hungry. He helped himself to a bowl of soup and a pancake, eating it with pickled vegetables.

Wang Huimin didn’t say anything to him, just served a bowl of soup and handed a pancake to Song Jianjun.

Song Jianjun accepted it with a “thank you” and began to eat.

Surprisingly, Song Fu said nothing upon witnessing this. His expression didn’t change; he simply ate in silence. This surprised Wang Huimin a bit.

Xiaolong, already quite perceptive, understood the recent family drama and just ate quietly without saying much.

But Xiaoxue was only eight, still in her lively years — especially now, delighted by the egg soup. She quickly finished her bowl and handed it to Wang Huimin.

“Third Aunt, the soup is so good — I want more.”

When she said “Third Aunt,” Song Jianjun’s hand paused briefly as he drank the soup but continued eating as if nothing happened.

Wang Huimin, still smiling, took the bowl and refilled it for her.

“If it’s good, have some more — eat till you’re full so you can grow up strong.”

After lunch, the two children went back to school. Song Jianjun said he had some errands and left.

Song Fu didn’t pick a fight with Wang Huimin and just continued working in the side room.

Wang Huimin tidied up the house, then headed out alone — to visit her grandmother, Old Lady Tian.