Chapter 19: The Beautiful Young Widow

“Yueyue, you…”

“Sister, you don’t need to worry about me. I went into labor early this time only because I was too emotional after hearing the news.”

“Besides, after going through a life-or-death situation, I’ve figured things out. As long as the children are safe and healthy, that’s all that matters.”

“I’ll also tell the children about Brother Zhen often. I hope they can grow up to be like their Dad, someone who contributes to society.”

Lei Zhenzhen choked up and nodded. “Alright, we’ll tell the boys too. Let An An and Lele know what kind of person their Dad was…”

At that moment, Grandma Zhao stood at the door with tears streaming down her face.

Lin Muchen, seeing that it was getting late, had come to the second house to fetch his wife and take her back to town. When he arrived, he saw this emotional scene.

He was startled, thinking that something was wrong with Grandma Zhao, and quickly stepped forward to support her.

“Mom, are you feeling unwell? I’ll take you to the clinic right away.”

Grandma Zhao lifted her sleeve and wiped away her tears.

“Mom’s fine…”

Inside the room, the three women had heard the commotion and all came out together.

They called out in unison: “Mom…”

They knew that Grandma Zhao must have overheard their conversation.

“Eh, Mom’s alright, don’t worry.” The elderly lady stepped forward, took Si Yueyue’s hand tightly, and said with a trembling voice,

“You’ve suffered so much.”

She and her old man had lived many years and seen so many things. How many people had they come across? How many widows had they seen trying to raise children on their own?

That Widow Chen from their village, even raising just a grandson, was living in hardship. How much harder must it be for Si Yueyue, raising two children?

The saying “a widow’s home invites gossip” wasn’t an exaggeration—especially for someone like Yueyue, such a beautiful young widow.

Right now, she and her husband were still around. But what if one day they too were gone?

“Mom, it’s alright. Yueyue isn’t suffering. I have parents, Eldest Uncle, Big Sister-in-law, and all the older sisters by my side. It’s not hard at all.”

When Lei Zhen passed away, their grief was no less than Yueyue’s. And yet, they still had to pretend like nothing happened in front of her. That was the real hardship.

“Mom, don’t worry. We’re a family—we’ll support each other. No one will be left behind.”

“Yes, yes. Good, good…”

All she hoped for now was that this big family could live in harmony and raise her second son’s only two children well. That way, when her time came, she could face her son without shame.

Lin Muchen observed them and had a vague idea of what was going on, but he had no choice but to interrupt.

“Um…”

Everyone turned to look at Lin Muchen.

Facing all those pairs of eyes, Lin Muchen felt the pressure but braced himself and said,

“Ahem… Zhenzhen, we’re going to be late.”

“Ah! Why are you only telling me now? Hurry, hurry, hurry… if we don’t go now, we’ll really be late!” Lei Zhenzhen stomped her foot anxiously.

The group was suddenly jolted out of their grief and sorrow. The tears on Grandma Zhao’s lashes clung stubbornly, as if reluctant to fall—evidence they had once been there.

Grandma Zhao quickly shifted roles. With her voice still a little hoarse, she said,

“Oh, then hurry up! Mom’s already packed everything. Just load it up and you can go.”

“Go, go, go! Quick! You’ll really miss it otherwise!”

Lei Zhenzhen rushed out, dragging Lin Muchen with her. Once they reached the main hall, Grandma Zhao handed her daughter the packed vegetables and pickles.

“Muchen, ride slowly on the road. Be careful, alright?”

“Got it, Mom.”

As she walked off carrying the things, Lei Zhenzhen called back,

“Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, Yueyue, Eldest Uncle and Aunt… we’re heading back now!”

“Alright, alright. The road’s bumpy. Be careful!”

The elders watched the couple leave, then everyone returned to help tidy up the dining area.

There were still some leftovers. Grandma Zhao asked the family to pack some to take home. There wasn’t much meat left, but the cold cabbage and pickled vegetables were tasty.

And since they were vegetarian dishes, nobody felt awkward about packing them. Food was precious these days anyway. Everyone thought they’d send more fresh vegetables from home later on, delivered by the younger kids.

Si Yueyue and Zhang Guihua also came out to help. The task of watching the children was handed over once again to Lei Qingyao and her brother.

The big family worked in an orderly manner. After fifteen minutes, the house was back to normal, the kitchen dishes washed and clean. Everything was ready for each household to collect their own bowls before leaving.

——

Inside the second house—

An An and Lele, the little brothers, were still awake. The two little ones were babbling to each other with soft “ah-oh” and “ah-oh” sounds.

“Big Sister, look, Little Brother is talking!”

Lei Qingyao hurried over, and she and her little brother both climbed onto the heated brick bed, peering down at the two little dumplings from above.

“Ah-oh…”

“Ah…”

“Little Brother, are you calling me Second Brother?”

“Xiaoyun, the babies don’t know how to talk yet. That wasn’t them calling you.”

“Yes, Big Sister. If you don’t believe me, I’ll have Little Brother call me right now.”

“Little Brother, say Second Brother!”

“Ah-oh…”

“Oh…”

Lei Qingyun turned to his older sister, eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Big Sister, did you hear that? Little Brother really called me Second Brother!”

“Where did he call you Second Brother? It was just a bunch of ‘ah ah ah’ sounds!”

“No, that was talking—he was calling me Second Brother.” Lei Qingyun insisted and sat down next to the two dumplings, starting a conversation with them.

“An An, Lele, you two need to grow up well, okay? Second Brother will protect you in the future.”

“Ah…”

“Ah ah…”

“Xiaoyun is Second Brother. I don’t need you to protect me. But we have to protect Big Sister because she’s a girl.”

“Ah…”

“Ah-oh…”

“Mm-hmm, that’s right. We’re little men, and little men must protect girls…”

The baby talk of the three little brothers—“ah ah.” “oh oh”—echoed through the room, making Lei Qingyao, who sat to the side, incredibly exasperated. But her little brother seemed to really understand, earnestly responding to the baby babble.

At that moment, Si Yueyue, who had been busy helping outside, was sent back to the room to rest. She looked at Lei Qingyun gesturing and chattering on the bed, puzzled.

“Xiaoyun, what are you doing?”

“Second Aunt, I’m telling stories to the babies!”

Si Yueyue was instantly intrigued.

“Oh? Xiaoyun knows how to tell stories now? That’s impressive! Can Second Aunt listen too?”

Lei Qingyun’s eyes lit up as he looked at Si Yueyue and gave a firm nod.

“Mm, Second Aunt can listen.”

“Great.”

Si Yueyue sat cross-legged on the bed, joining Lei Qingyao, and occasionally clapped or nodded along.

The story Lei Qingyun told was about Sun Wukong—the Monkey King—and his magical cloud that could travel 108,000 li in one leap. It was a story he had heard from his Uncle Lei Yu.

Now, though still a bit clumsy, he could retell it on his own. Even if it wasn’t perfectly told, for a child his age, just being able to narrate was already impressive.

When he finished, Si Yueyue applauded and gave him sincere encouragement.

“Hehe~” Lei Qingyun scratched the back of his head and grinned goofily.

Knock knock knock…

Before anyone could respond, Zhang Guihua came into the room, shouting as she walked.

“Yaoyao, Xiaoyun—Da Hu and the others are at our house looking for you two to come out and play!”

Lei Qingyun scrambled off the bed.

“I wanna go play! I wanna go play!”

Lei Qingyao followed him off the bed and out the room.

Si Yueyue smiled as she watched the siblings leave.

“Still just kids after all.”

The house had been busy all day, and the children had helped in their own way by watching the babies. After being cooped up all day, of course they’d be excited to go outside and play.

Zhang Guihua chuckled as she patted her youngest son on the butt.

“You’re not allowed to play by the river, understand? Yaoyao, keep an eye on your brother. If he doesn’t listen, tell Mom—Mom will deal with him.”

“Okay, Mom. Yaoyao will definitely watch him and won’t let him go near the river.”

“Mm, and you’re not allowed to go either.”

“Got it, Mom.”

Just as Lei Qingyao responded, wailing and shrieking could be heard from outside.

“Big Sister…”

“Yaoyao…”

“Big Sister, hurry up!”

“Coming, coming!”

Zhang Guihua felt a gust of wind blow past, and her daughter had already disappeared.

“This child…”

“Sister-in-law, come sit.”

“Eh.”

“Is everything done outside?”

“Yes, it’s all done. Shan Zi’s father took Xiao Yu and Shan Zi to return the tables and chairs.”

“You really cooked well today. I’d say Sister-in-law picked up quite a few tricks from you.”

The little dumplings on the bed widened their round eyes, looking around when they heard people talking. But in the end, sleep overcame them, and they slowly drifted off to the sound of their mother and Aunt Zhao chatting.