Chapter 6

The cold wind howled outside, but inside the kiln, it was warm and cozy, offering an indescribable sense of peace and comfort.

Jiang Jiang rummaged through the cabinet and found a clean handkerchief. She went outside to the well, grabbed a handful of snow, and wrapped it up.

The handkerchief had been left by her mother. Jiang Jiang usually couldn’t bear to use it, and after several years, it still looked brand new.

The snow felt pleasantly cool against her face. He Guijuan raised her hand to touch her face, only to realize it was already swollen.

The child’s movements were gentle, and she even lowered her head to blow on her face a bit.

He Guijuan’s heart melted in an instant. Unable to resist, she reached out to hug the child.

Jiang Jiang hadn’t expected He Guijuan to suddenly act this way. She froze for a moment before gently hugging her back.

A lovely fragrance emanated from Third Aunt.

It was neither the scent of grass and wood ash nor the fragrance of osmanthus oil; it was a unique and delicate aroma that Jiang Jiang had never encountered anywhere else.

After He Guijuan ran outside, the quarrel at home continued.

The two older brothers remained detached while Fengyin clung to Grandma Lin’s arm, complaining about Jiang Jiang.

Li Hongmei wore a gloating expression, occasionally adding fuel to the fire with a few more remarks.

Lin Youqing suddenly felt a chill in his heart toward this family.

This was his family, who usually acted so close-knit, yet when it came to interests, they were even worse than strangers.

He watched his mother sitting on the ground and throwing a tantrum, and his gaze grew distant.

Over the years, his mother had become accustomed to this behavior. Whenever things didn’t go her way, she would sit on the ground and throw a fit like a shrew.

“Mother, my decision with Guijuan won’t change. It’s cold outside, so if you’re not afraid of getting rheumatism, just stay there on the ground,” he said.

With that, he turned and went back inside to get a flashlight, heading outside to look for He Guijuan.

The flashlight was made of metal and powered by large batteries. Without a plastic moisture-proof film, the batteries would fail as soon as they got damp.

Lin Youqing searched along the riverbank for a while but didn’t see any sign of He Guijuan.

Where could she have gone?

The only person his wife knew in Dongxi Village was Wang Shuwen, but Wang Shuwen was still in her postpartum period. Her family was likely enjoying a warm and cozy time together in this snowy weather. His wife wouldn’t dare to disturb them. Could she have gone to Jiang Jiang’s house?

“Jiang Jiang, are you asleep?”

It was Lin Youqing’s voice. Jiang Jiang glanced at He Guijuan, planning to leave the kerosene lamp in the kiln and head to the door in the dark to let him in.

He Guijuan noticed her intention and got off the kang. “I’ll go with you.”

Lin Youqing held up the flashlight, and upon seeing his wife and Jiang Jiang coming to open the door, he couldn’t help but smile slightly. “I knew you’d be here.”

He Guijuan shot him a glance. Remembering Grandma Lin, she wasn’t inclined to engage with him.

“Let me see your face.”

“What are you looking at? There’s nothing to see.” He Guijuan couldn’t help but raise her voice.

“It’s my fault. I didn’t handle things at home well.”

As soon as he spoke, He Guijuan felt much of her anger dissipate. Her eyes turned red, and she secretly clenched her fist and punched Lin Youqing lightly.

Lin Youqing leaned in to take a closer look; it seemed the swelling had gone down after some treatment.

“Uncle, Aunt, please come in and have a seat.”

“Jiang Jiang, Uncle and Aunt are just about to head back; we won’t stay,” Lin Youqing said.

The couple expressed their wish to adopt her, and Jiang Jiang seriously considered it. She could sense that they were decent people in the days they spent together. Being with them was certainly better than being alone and not knowing when she might starve.

Moreover, Lin Youqing and his wife treated her genuinely well.

But Jiang Jiang felt conflicted. Would she have to call other people “dad” and “mom” from now on?

“Jiang Jiang, do you know Second Uncle’s daughter, Fengyin?”

“I don’t know her,” Jiang Jiang shook her head. “Is she your niece?”

Her expression did not seem to be feigned; she truly didn’t know Fengyin. Lin Youqing sighed, “Yes, she’s about your age; you could have a companion.”

Though he said this, both he and his wife felt very disappointed regarding Fengyin.

Jiang Jiang had no friends and didn’t like playing with the village children who looked down on her. However, since Lin Youqing’s family had another child, why not adopt one from among their other siblings?

Yet, they specifically wanted to adopt her, a girl with no blood relation to them at all.

“I talked to your aunt about the matter the other day. Please think it over; we genuinely want to have you as our daughter… Tomorrow, Uncle will take you to the market for some fun.”

“Okay, then I’ll go back and get some sleep. You should rest early, too.”

—o—o—o—

After winter arrived, the nights grew longer. Around six-thirty, the sky was just starting to lighten. Thinking about Lin Youqing’s promise to take her to the market, Jiang Jiang woke up as soon as the sun was up. She had slept soundly the night before and felt quite energetic today.

Jiang Jiang boiled some hot water and, after washing up, fumbled around to braid her hair into two plaits.

She spent quite a while getting her hair just right.

Not long after she finished getting ready, before she could even prepare any breakfast for herself, Lin Youqing and his wife arrived. They looked like they hadn’t slept well, their faces showing signs of fatigue.

A black permanent-brand bicycle was parked at the entrance.

“Jiang Jiang hasn’t had breakfast yet, right? Uncle brought you some steamed buns with peanut and sesame filling; eat them while they’re hot.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” Jiang Jiang didn’t reach for the buns; she pressed her lips together and stood in place, saying earnestly, “Uncle, Aunt, I’ve thought about the matter you asked me a couple of days ago.”

Lin Youqing and his wife immediately became serious.

“Dad, Mom.”

Previously, Zhou Fugui’s wife had asked her to call her “mother,” but Jiang Jiang was unwilling.

However, she was willing to call He Guijuan “Mom.”

As soon as she uttered the word, Jiang Jiang was taken aback herself.

She had thought it was just a term of address, but she didn’t expect such a strong emotional impact when she spoke those words.

She looked at Lin Youqing and He Guijuan in front of her, her nose feeling a bit sore.

Did this mean… she was going to have new parents?

“Oh, good child.”

Lin Youqing and his wife were overwhelmed with emotion, tears welling up in their eyes. After passing thirty, they finally had their own child.

He Guijuan wiped away her tears. “Quick, eat your buns while they’re hot. They won’t taste good once they cool down.”

Jiang Jiang took the bun He Guijuan handed her. It was still warm, exceptionally fluffy, and soft, with a thin skin and generous filling. As she took a big bite, it was delicious and sweet.