Chapter117-118: Two in One

The next day, after Mingcheng and the others went to class, Wang Qian felt that she should take a trip to the mountain. Zuo He had been talking about how there would be no firewood at home if Grandma went back to the city, so she decided to gather some pine baskets from the mountain. This way, they could use it to fuel the kang at home and also send some over to the elderly lady’s place.

After sharing her thoughts with her mother, she had originally planned to go alone, but Zhang Lan was worried and insisted on going with her. During lunch, they mentioned their plans to the two elderly gentlemen, and to their surprise, Zuo Zhanshan and the others also had the same idea. The elderly gentlemen living in the production team had been talking about the cold weather these days, and the firewood in the team was not to be used lightly. They also planned to gather some firewood to get through the winter.

Upon hearing Zhang Lan’s plan, Old Wu quickly set aside his meal and went to call old chen to  go up the mountain together with the Old Zuo.

Hao Lianchun couldn’t help but shake her head. “Old Wu is still as impulsive as he was when he was young.”

“Auntie, while we’re up the mountain, you can stay at home and sew fur vests for the elderly gentlemen. I can sew the buttons when I get back. The ones we have are too small, and I’m afraid you won’t be able to sew them properly.”

The elderly lady agreed with a smile. “Be careful when you’re up the mountain. I’ll be waiting for you at home.”

Old Wu led the others over, and Zhang Lan brought out the empty hemp bags from home and borrowed a few hand carts from nearby neighbors. This way, they could gather more firewood and save some effort.

In the rural areas at that time, hand carts were considered important items. Families with slightly better conditions would have one, but those with poorer conditions couldn’t afford one. Zhang Lan’s family still hadn’t acquired a hand cart, so they had to borrow one when needed. Fortunately, the couple had good relationships, and so far, they hadn’t encountered anyone unwilling to lend them one.

The elderly gentlemen and Zhang Lan’s mother and daughter were all bundled up tightly before setting off. They made sure that the elderly gentlemen wore the patched cotton-padded jackets at home. Zhang Lan was worried that the strong wind on the mountain might cause them to catch a cold, which was no trivial matter.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, Zhang Lan led the elderly gentlemen to the home of He Zhengkui. The couple was threshing corn at home. Upon seeing the mother and daughter leading a group of people, they quickly welcomed them. “Sister-in-law, it’s been a long time since we last met.”

Zhang Lan also chatted with the couple with a smile. “Brother He, Sister-in-law, we’re here today to gather some pine baskets from the mountain to use as firewood. These uncles are with me. I’m not too comfortable leaving the hand carts outside, so I’ll leave them at your place. We’ll gather the pine baskets first and then take them away.”

The couple readily agreed, and He Zhengkui wanted to guide them, but Zhang Lan stopped him. They had been there several times and were familiar with the area, so they didn’t want to waste their time.

The group headed up the mountain with hemp bags in hand. There were only a few households at the foot of the mountain, and almost no one came to gather pine baskets on the mountain. The ground was covered with them. The elderly gentlemen began filling the hemp bags, while the mother and daughter each squatted under a tree, picking up the pine baskets.

Picking the pine baskets was not difficult. After Wang Qian and Zhang Lan filled a bag, they emptied it into the space and continued picking. Wang Qian shared her plan with her mother, and Zhang Lan had no objections. They were all family, and it didn’t matter who used the firewood. Besides, there were plenty of pine baskets all over the mountain, and they would soon fill a bag if they worked diligently.

Due to the large number of hemp bags they brought, the mother and daughter and the others dispersed. In the meantime, Wang Qian also caught three rabbits and a wild chicken, which Zhang Lan tied up and placed in the space.

When there were enough pine baskets in the space, they heard the call from the elderly gentlemen in the distance.

The mother and daughter then dragged the hemp bags back, and the elderly gentlemen had picked a lot, piling them up on the ground. They all stuffed them into the hemp bags carried by the mother and daughter.

“Niece, we’ll carry these. Old Chen and Old Wu have already taken some down. This time, we can go straight down the mountain without having to come back again.”

On the way back, they brought back a full five carts of pine baskets, each cart loaded with several hemp bags.

“Uncle Zuo, we only need one cart for our family. The rest can be given to Uncle Chen and the others. It’s just as cold in the production team as it is at home, and the elderly also like a warm kang. Let Uncle Chen use these first. Once they’re used up, we can go pick more,” Zhang Lan suggested.

The elderly gentlemen naturally had no objections and happily pushed the carts back to the production team’s courtyard. Upon returning home, Zhang Lan and the others quickly unloaded the items into the warehouse, then prepared dinner. When the elderly gentlemen came to return the carts, Zhang Lan also invited them to stay for dinner.

After a tiring afternoon, the elderly didn’t have the energy to cook. Zhang Lan simply added a few more pairs of chopsticks to accommodate them.

During dinner, Zhang Lan shared her idea with the elderly. “Uncles, I think you should have dinner at our house during the winter. I cook every day, and I don’t mind adding a few more sets of tableware. It’s also cold, and cooking is tiring. It’s better to come over and eat.”

The elderly naturally liked Zhang Lan’s suggestion, but they were hesitant. They didn’t want to cause more trouble for the Wang family, as they had already been very kind to them. They always invited them over for good food and drinks, and besides, their niece wasn’t in good health. Even though they were getting older, they couldn’t be so shameless.

Old Wu, who was listening, praised Zhang Lan’s idea. “Niece, your idea is great. We old folks don’t usually prepare food, so I think it’s fine to eat at your place. The children can have the evening classes at home, and you guys can bring over the allocated grain here. After all, the grain here at your nephew’s house is limited. We old folks can help out in any way we can. This way, you’ll feel better, don’t you think?”

Chen Minghai hesitantly said, “Niece, we’d be very happy to come over for dinner, but we’re afraid it might be too much trouble for you. Your family isn’t well-off, and adding a few more mouths to feed might be a burden.”

Zhang Lan smiled and said, “Uncles, there are different ways to live whether you’re rich or poor. As long as you don’t mind our simple meals, we can eat together in the future. It’ll save fuel and oil. Besides, our children are learning from you, so it’s only right to show our respect. You don’t need to be polite. Let’s make it official today. From now on, you can come over for dinner.”

Zhang Lan readily confirmed the future dining arrangements, and the elderly gentlemen all showed happy smiles. “Niece, I’ll bring the grain over tomorrow. With you around, we old folks will be living the good life.”

The elderly gentlemen were genuinely happy. Throughout the winter, they wouldn’t have to deal with the kitchen. Especially as the weather grew colder, the water used for cooking was icy. The several elderly men who had never cooked before were having a hard time adjusting.

“By the way, Uncle Wu, please invite the two comrades from the work team for lunch tomorrow. I’ll go catch a rabbit and build a good relationship with them. It’ll be convenient for you in the future,” Zhang Lan suggested.

Wu Changyong readily agreed. Wang Qian, who was listening, couldn’t help but admire her mother. She was truly considerate, thinking of both the practical and social aspects.

“Auntie, we’ll be able to eat meat again tomorrow. How lucky!” Zuo He raised his head from his bowl, his big eyes forming crescents. Zhang Lan found him increasingly adorable and couldn’t help but pinch his cheek. ” Zuo He, make sure to eat more tomorrow. I’ll be happy if you all gain a little weight.”

Zuo Zhanshan and his wife had no complaints about their niece, who had come into their lives unexpectedly. They truly appreciated the deep bond she had with their family. They knew that saying thank you was already beyond what was necessary, because at this moment, they felt that this place was their home, and Zhang Lan was like their own daughter, even better cared for than their own daughter.

After dinner, the elderly gentlemen settled in, and their smiles never faded. After the meal, they let the children rest for a while before going next door to teach.

Zhang Lan sat with Hao Lianchun on the warm kang, making fur vests together. The elderly lady had already made a few during the day, leaving only the buttons to be sewn, a task that Zhang Lan took on.

“Dear, we’ve caused you a lot of trouble by staying here, and now bringing a few old men over for dinner… I was startled by your words. I know your family’s situation. Take this jade pendant my mother gave me. Sell it when you get the chance to help with the household expenses,” Hao Lianchun said, taking off a sparkling and translucent jade pendant from around her neck and handing it to Zhang Lan.

Although Zhang Lan had not seen much of the world, her woman’s intuition told her that this was a valuable item. “Auntie, please don’t. This is a keepsake from your mother. We can’t easily sell it. Auntie, keep this item. Although our family’s situation isn’t great, we’re managing for now. Besides, everyone is not picky about food. The elderly are content with a warm meal. I’m happy to be with you old folks. In the past, living with my mother-in-law was always difficult. I was scolded every time. But being with you not only makes me happy, but also excites the children,” Zhang Lan said sincerely.

Zhang Lan didn’t say much, but her heartfelt welcome for the elderly was evident. Hao Lianchun could tell that Zhang Lan had a good heart. No one else would be willing to accommodate them. It was an issue of status, and each of them had fallen on hard times. No one else had extra food to spare for them. It was only Zhang Lan and her husband who would do such a thing.

“Silly child, your mother-in-law is really not a normal person. She always picks on honest people. One day, she’ll regret it,” Hao Lianchun said.

Zhang Lan didn’t know if her mother-in-law would ever regret treating her this way, but she no longer hoped for that day.

Zhang Lan took out the small padded jackets she had prepared for the five children. The weather was expected to turn cold the next day, so it was time for the children to wear their padded jackets.

The elderly lady gathered the remaining scraps and decided to sew a small fur vest for one of the children. Zhang Lan decided to give the small fur vest to Zuo He.

Before going to bed, the two helped the children put on their padded jackets. Zhang Lan then called the children and the elderly over to try on the padded jackets and test their warmth.

“Very nice and warm, and it blocks the wind. Niece, the padded jacket is very comfortable. Thank you,” Wu Changyong said after trying on his padded jacket.

Wu Changyong was the first to try on his padded jacket and found it to be very comfortable. The others also took off their outer garments and put on their new padded jackets. Old Chen didn’t even take off his outer garment. “Niece, I’m wearing mine now. The weather might change tomorrow, so I need to keep warm. You all should wear yours too and not take them off,” he said.

Zuo He put on the small padded jacket he had brought and looked around with satisfaction. “Grandma, it’s really warm. It’s much warmer than before. I feel so warm all over now.”

Of course, there was a difference between having fur and not having fur. Zhang Lan had lengthened the padded jackets for the children a few days ago, but as children grow, the jackets had become a bit short.

“Mom, we’ll wear the padded jackets tomorrow,” Mingyuan said, very satisfied with the new style of padded jacket. It was warm, and he wouldn’t have to worry about feeling cold during class.

“Okay, you all wear them tomorrow. It’s getting colder, so don’t catch a cold,” Zhang Lan said.

After seeing off the elderly, the family began to turn off the lights and go to sleep. Zhang Lan remembered that the space still needed weeding. During dinner, she had agreed with her daughter to check the space together before going to bed.

There wasn’t much grass in the space. Last time, after clearing it, no new growth had appeared. Moreover, the space was not connected to the outside world, so weed seeds couldn’t enter.

In the space, Wang Qian had left some grapes on the space, and they were growing well without any signs of falling off. The ones that had been picked were already starting to grow again. It was estimated that another batch would grow in about two months.

Zhang Lan picked a grape and tasted it. “Hmm, Qian Qian, the grapes are not sour at all. They’re sweet and delicious,” she said. She picked a bunch and shared it with her daughter. The taste was indeed different from those outside.

It was difficult to have fruit in the house during the winter. Even if there were apples in the orchard, Zhang Lan was reluctant to spend money to buy them.

“Mom, it looks like we’ll make a lot of money at the end of the year. Maybe we can clear all our debts by the end of the year,” Wang Qian said. She felt uncomfortable owing money to others and preferred to clear the debts to live a burden-free life.

Zhang Lan also wanted to earn more money so that she could buy clothes and shoes for the children at the end of the year.

After finishing their work in the space, the mother and daughter returned to the house to sleep. The next day, Mingyuan and Zuo He, who were supposed to go to school, returned home with wet shoes.

“Mom, when we crossed the river on the way to school, we slipped on the stones by the riverbank and fell in. Zuo He got his shoes wet while trying to pull me out. I’ve already asked our teacher for permission to take the day off. Mom, I didn’t do it on purpose,” Mingyuan said, sounding a bit tearful.

“Silly children, Mom doesn’t blame you. Both of you, go warm your feet by the kang. Mom will go buy some cotton shoes for you later,” Zhang Lan said.

The two children, feeling as if they had done something wrong, quietly took off their wet shoes and climbed onto the kang to warm their feet.

Hao Lianchun checked the children’s small feet, which were red from the cold, and held their feet to warm them, feeling a bit sorry for them.

After cleaning the children’s shoes, Zhang Lan came back inside. “Auntie, are their feet okay?”

“They’re fine, just red from the cold. Lan, I have a few coins here. Go buy them some cotton shoes. It’s getting cold, and their shoes won’t keep them warm,” the elderly lady said, taking out the money from her pocket, but Zhang Lan pushed it back. “Auntie, I have money at home. Zuo He is like my own son. I can afford to buy him shoes. Don’t forget, we’ve been to the city.”

Although Zhang Lan didn’t say it explicitly, the elderly lady knew that she and her daughter had gone to sell things without the family’s knowledge. The fewer people who knew about it, the safer it was. She nodded in understanding. “Lan, I won’t say anything else. Let Zuo He’s parents come to thank you in the future. I consider this place my own home.”

Hao Lianchun wanted to reciprocate, but she didn’t have the means to do so. She could only accept this kindness with a thick skin. However, she made a mental note that if the opportunity arose in the future, she would ensure that the children repaid this family’s care and support during their difficult times.

Zuo He said timidly, “Auntie, please don’t be angry. We can wear the shoes once they dry.”

Zhang Lan gently picked up Zuo He and sat him on her lap. “Silly child, Auntie isn’t angry. Later, Auntie will buy you and your siblings some cotton shoes. Then you won’t have cold feet, Zuo He.”

The Wang family’s situation was clear to Zuo He, and he felt a bit embarrassed to have been staying with them. However, the uncle, aunt, and the older siblings had been very kind to him, and he was very willing to stay there.

“Zuo He, it’s okay. Out with the old, in with the new. I’ll ask my mom to buy you some nice shoes for the New Year,” Wang Qian said, winking at Zuo He. The little guy immediately burst into a smile. Grandma had told him not to mention the matter of Auntie and his sister going to sell things. Sister Wang Qian’s wink  meant that she would go to the city to sell things.

“Wang Qian, when I have a break, I’ll play with you,” Zuo He said. He had always been in school, and on Sundays, he would go to the fields with the other children. He rarely played with his sister. Now that it was winter break, he could finally play with her.

Wang Qian waved her hand generously and said, “No problem. We’ll play together when the time comes,” and they winked at each other.

Mingyuan, not quite understanding the situation, poked Zuo He’s eyes. “Zuo He, are your eyes okay? Why are you blinking suddenly? Did the wind blow into them?”

Zuo He kindly gave a big smile in response to Mingyuan’s concern. “Mingyuan, it’s okay. Maybe my eyelashes touched my eyes just now.”

Mingyuan brushed Zuo He’s eyelashes with his hand and concluded, “Zuo He, your eyelashes are too long. I’ll trim them for you later.”

Zhang Lan playfully teased her son, “Silly boy, you can’t just trim your eyelashes. Don’t do it, or you might hurt your brother’s eyes. Besides, Zuo He’s long eyelashes look so nice, don’t they, Zuo He?”

The little guy was teased by Zhang Lan and felt a bit shy, so he hid in her arms. Auntie’s embrace had the scent of his mother.

“Is anyone home? Come and pick up a package and a remittance slip,” a voice called from outside.

Wang Qian and Zhang Lan hurried outside to see what was happening, while the elderly lady and the two children quickly crouched by the window to look outside. The recent tension caused by Wang Mei had everyone on edge.

The visitor outside was a postal worker dressed in dark green, even the bicycle was dark green. “Is this the Wang Zhenhe residence?”

The postal worker asked Zhang Lan, although he had already inquired, he still wanted to confirm. Zhang Lan nodded. “Comrade, is there something I can help you with?”

The postal worker was a stranger to Zhang Lan. They rarely dealt with the post office, so she was unfamiliar with this postal worker.

The postal worker gave a standard smile. “Hello, comrade. You can call me Xiao Bai. There’s a package and a remittance slip sent to your home from out of town. The package is quite large, and I can’t handle it alone, so I’ll need you to pick it up at the post office. Please sign here for the package and the remittance slip.”

Following Xiao Bai’s instructions, Zhang Lan signed the receipt and saw the postal worker off. She and her daughter returned to the house with the documents.

The name on the documents was somewhat unfamiliar to Zhang Lan, but the surname “Zuo” was unmistakable. “Auntie, your son’s package and remittance slip have arrived. Zuo He, come and take a look. This is from your father. I’ll go to the post office to pick it up tomorrow.”

Hao Lianchun glanced at the amount on the remittance slip and a smile appeared on her face. “That rascal, he still remembers us.”

“Lan, we have some money now. Zuo He’s parents sent us a hundred yuan. Take it and buy new clothes for the children for the New Year,” the elderly lady said casually, handing the remittance slip to Zhang Lan. The large sum of money didn’t concern her at all. Zhang Lan didn’t say anything, but she had already made up her mind about what to do with the money once it was retrieved.

“Auntie, I’ll go to the cooperative store first to buy shoes for the children. Zuo He, Mingyuan, you two stay by the kang,” Zhang Lan said. This time, she took her youngest daughter with her. “Qian Qian, when we come back, we’ll bring out a chicken. We need to entertain those two comrades at noon. In the future, your grandfathers can conveniently teach you at home. In the dead of winter, I don’t want you to suffer.”

Wang Qian had been wondering about her mother’s intentions in inviting all the elderly gentlemen over for dinner.

“Mom, don’t you think it’s a hassle to have all those grandfathers over for dinner?” she asked.

Zhang Lan held her daughter’s hand and explained, “Silly child, we cook for ourselves at home. Having them over is just like adding an extra piece of firewood. Besides, your grandfathers bring their own food, and we have enough from the produce in the space. I feel sorry for them. Although we’re not wealthy, we can afford to have them over for a meal. I also want you all to learn more. Those people are talented. I don’t want you to go through what your father and I did. I know how it feels to have such a mother-in-law. I don’t want my children to experience that. Those elderly gentlemen may be down on their luck now, but who knows what the future holds? If you all learn well, no one will look down on you. People should have their own skills to stand on.”

Although Zhang Lan only graduated from junior high school, her words made a lot of sense. Wang Qian was surprised by her mother’s long-term thinking.

“Mom, those grandfathers are good to us. Don’t worry, my siblings and I will definitely uphold our family’s honor in the future. No one will look down on us,” Wang Qian assured her mother.

Zhang Lan had had enough of her in-laws’ family over the years, so she didn’t want her children to go through what she had experienced.