Wu Tingting and Wu Shijin exchanged a look and said, “Auntie, teacher, we are willing to study.”

Jiang Lin was pleased to hear that.

They arranged a schedule for their study sessions and check-ins.

She emphasized the importance of self-study and suggested they regularly visit the university library to borrow books and interact with professionals in their fields of interest.

They agreed to follow her guidance.

Jiang Lin asked them to prepare and told them she would give more detailed instructions when she returned from school the next day.

After Wu Tingting and Wu Shijin left, Wu Shuxian stayed to chat with Jiang Lin, discussing Wensheng and Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yun’s arrival.

Jiang Lin didn’t feel the need to disclose everything, just giving an overview of the current situation.

There was no need to delve into the past and its pains.

When Wu Shuxian heard that Wensheng had suffered a mental shock and now had the mind of a child, she felt deep sympathy. “Such a promising young man. Does this mean he can’t get married?”

Jiang Lin replied, “He doesn’t want to, and we also think it’s better for him not to marry. He can’t take care of a wife and children, which would just create more problems.”

At his mental age of about ten, he couldn’t understand family responsibilities.

His focus was solely on being with his mother and family.

After Wu Shuxian left, Jiang Lin saw her out, and then He Liang returned with Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yun.

They had bought some vegetables, managing to get around market limits by encountering an old farmer on the roadside.

He Liang also used Fang Chengguang’s name to get two pounds of meat and three ribs from the canteen using meat coupons.

Jiang Lin introduced them to each other.

Wu Shuxian immediately warmed up and offered some of her stockpiled dried tofu to add to their meal.

Jiang Lin wanted to invite them for dinner that evening, but Wu Shuxian refused.

She explained that with food, vegetables, and meat being scarce, it wasn’t common to have a feast unless it was for a wedding.

They were just moving into their new home, so a simple gathering was enough, and they couldn’t accept a dinner invitation.

Wu Shuxian went back to get some vegetables and four pounds of grain tickets as a gift.

Jiang Lin only accepted the vegetables and refused the grain tickets, but Wu Shuxian insisted, so she reluctantly accepted.

Cheng Yunzhi and Wen Sheng helped wash the vegetables, while Yan Runzhi cut the potatoes into thin strips.

Wu Shuxian was surprised by Yan Runzhi’s excellent knife skills, saying, “Auntie, your knife work is impressive!”

She noted that Yan Runzhi was beautiful, in good spirits, and had a serene demeanor, dressed in an old-style coat, looking like a typical rural elderly lady.

She found this very likable.

When Wu Shuxian heard that Yan Runzhi loved opera and that Cheng Yunzhi had even written opera scripts, and Wen Sheng could sing, she became quite excited.

She said, “How coincidental! I work in the provincial cultural department, handling props and costumes. Whether it’s for the provincial theater or the military arts troupe, they all need to get approvals from me. When you’re free, come along with me to watch some operas.”

Yan Runzhi thanked her warmly, “No wonder everyone likes coming to the city; there’s so much to see.”

Wu Shuxian replied, “It’s not all that. Although the city seems big and bustling, it’s also chaotic. People here can be quite scheming, so we need to be cautious.”

Yan Runzhi smiled and said, “With more knowledge and experience, one becomes sharper. Unlike us country folk, who are a bit naïve.”

After a brief chat, Wu Shuxian left to prepare dinner and promised to invite Yan Runzhi and others to watch opera.

Yan Runzhi gave her a beautifully embroidered pocket as a gift, which was convenient for carrying handkerchiefs and wallets to work.

Wu Shuxian admired the bucket bag that Jiang Lin had, which was slightly smaller but embroidered with golden wheat ears. She immediately liked it.

“Auntie, if you give me this bag, I can’t just take advantage. It must have cost at least two feet of fabric. I’ll give you some good fabric in return.”

Jiang Lin was glad to see them getting along so well.

She had been worried that Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yun would feel bored at home when Cheng Rushan wasn’t around and she was at school.

After Wu Shuxian left, Jiang Lin escorted her out and went to call Wensheng for dinner.

She saw Da Bao and Xiao Bao leading a group of children home from school, playing with Wensheng.

The kids all called Wensheng “big brother” and were having a great time.

Before bringing the kids, Da Bao had warned them, “If anyone dares to bully my big brother or calls him dumb, they can’t play with us anymore!”

The children, who enjoyed playing with Da Bao and Xiao Bao, readily agreed.

They even promised to stand up for Wensheng if any other kids bullied him.

Wensheng, with his storytelling and swordplay, got along well with the children.

His gentle and patient nature made him popular among them.

As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the land, Wensheng’s smile shone as brightly as Da Bao’s and Xiao Bao’s.

Jiang Lin waved to them, “It’s time for dinner!”

Wensheng, in the middle of telling a story, immediately stood up. “My mom called us for dinner. Let’s go home.”

He grabbed Da Bao and Xiao Bao by the hand and hurried off, eager not to waste a single second.

The kids who had been engrossed in the story were stunned to see their previously lively friend running away so suddenly.

They felt a pang of sadness.

“Let’s bring a gift for Wen Sheng tomorrow.”

“I have a picture book.”

“I have an art album.”

“Let’s bring these and let him choose. If we give him a gift, maybe he’ll be nicer to us in the future?”

The children enthusiastically made their plans.

When they got home, Cheng Rushan, He Liang, and Bie Dongshan had also returned.

Fang Chengguang, who was in training, wasn’t allowed to come back from the military camp.

For their first meal in the new home, Yan Runzhi had prepared a large and sumptuous feast.

She asked He Liang to invite the young men from the south wing to join the meal.

He Liang had excluded He Changjiang, Zhao Quanyou, and Du Qiang, but Fang Chengguang added three more to their number.

However, because these three were often away on duties and rarely in the courtyard, He Liang had included their names only to fill the six spots for the three rooms.

In reality, only three were present.

He Liang and Bie Dongshan handed over the grain tickets, meat tickets, and extra money for the meal expenses to Yan Runzhi. “Mother, this is the rule. We share meals, so we’ll handle the miscellaneous chores. If you need anything else, just let us know. We’ll do our best to help.”

Bie Dongshan added, “That’s right.”

Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi were very pleased.

Such good young men living with them made the elderly couple feel rejuvenated by ten years.

“Eat up, eat up. From now on, we’re all family living together. Don’t be shy with me; any sewing or mending, just leave it to me,” Yan Runzhi said happily.

She had prepared a small bowl of chestnut braised pork, a dish of vinegar stir-fried potato strips, a bowl of cabbage and tofu, a large plate of spinach with sesame sauce, and scrambled eggs with chives.

The chestnut braised pork was especially tempting, glistening with oil and giving off a delicious aroma.

Bie Dongshan was pleasantly surprised after trying it. “The food at the canteen is good, but it’s nothing compared to this!”

He Liang added, “Big pot cooking and small pot cooking are different, and this is made by our mom.”

Bie Dongshan, who had been included in the conversation, turned to Cheng Rushan and smiled, “Cheng Ge, we’re sharing meals now, even the parents get half. Thank you!”

Cheng Rushan placed a large helping of scrambled eggs with chives on Jiang Lin’s plate and smiled, “My parents now have two more sons, right?”

With them around, he didn’t have to worry about anything happening while he was away on long trips, something he had planned for.

He hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly in reality, with everyone getting along so well.

Initially, he had considered He Changjiang, who was quite righteous, but was surprised by his disdain for women, so he had to abandon that option.

He Liang and Bie Dongshan were thoroughly enjoying the meal, praising it nonstop. “When you’re hungry, just having a full meal is great. After being full, having meat is even better. Now, I think meat also varies in quality. After eating your cooking, Mom, I won’t be able to eat at the canteen anymore.”

Yan Runzhi laughed, “Alright, I’ll take your praise. From now on, you’ll eat every meal here if you want; I’ll be happy to cook for you.”

She felt content with cooking, embroidery, gardening, and strolling around, believing she was quite useful.

He Liang asked, “What about when we go on fieldwork?”

Bie Dongshan chuckled, “You’ll just have to manage with hunger, haha.”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao nudged Wensheng and asked Bie Dongshan, “When will you take us shooting?”

Bie Dongshan said, “You’re still young and can’t carry a gun. Wait until you’re older…”

“I’m old enough!” Wen Sheng interjected.

Bie Dongshan was momentarily speechless.

Cheng Rushan added, “The shooting range doesn’t allow children in.”

Da Bao said, “Oh, okay then.”

Xiao Bao giggled and winked at Wen Sheng.

Although Wen Sheng didn’t quite understand what Xiao Bao meant, he responded with a wink of his own, indicating that he got the message.

Jiang Lin said to Wen Sheng, “Wen Sheng, tomorrow when Mother goes to school, you stay at home with Grandpa and Grandma. If there’s a play, you can go watch it. Or if He Liang and Bie Dongshan have time, you can go with them to the training sessions.”

Wen Sheng said, “I want to see Mother off to school!”

His eyes lit up with excitement, as everyone was talking about how impressive it was for Mother to get into college.

Yan Runzhi said, “Wen Sheng, they don’t let outsiders into the university. You’re not a student yet.”

Wen Sheng’s eyes dimmed a bit. “Okay, then.”

Jiang Lin smiled and said, “The school hasn’t settled in yet. Once things are stable and no one’s keeping an eye on us, I’ll take you to play. The university is a lot of fun.”

Wen Sheng’s mood brightened up again.

Da Bao and Xiao Bao laughed, “Lin Lin, you’re so good at cheering people up!”

After dinner, they played for a bit, and then Jiang Lin and Yan Runzhi organized the household items.

Cheng Yunzhi boiled some hot water and asked Wen Sheng to take Da Bao and Xiao Bao to the small southwest corner room for a bath.

Since going to the bathhouse once cost a dime, they usually went once a week; the rest of the time, they cleaned up at home. With all the physical activity and sweating from the vegetable garden, a bath was necessary.

After they finished bathing, the adults took turns using the facilities, separating by gender.

Yan Runzhi examined the faucet and said with a smile, “It really is convenient—just turn it and water comes out. Just like they said before, upstairs and downstairs, electric lights and telephones, and the faucet turns on the water.”

Seeing that Yan Runzhi had washed her hair but hadn’t dried it yet, she took a towel and wrapped it around her, saying, “Don’t go outside with wet hair; you might catch a cold.”

The elderly couple originally planned to have Wen Sheng, Da Bao, and Xiao Bao sleep with them, but after the three boys finished their bath, they went straight to the south room to find He Liang and his friends.

He Liang and his friends were staying in three rooms: one bright and two dark.

The central hall was empty, while the two side rooms had sleeping platforms.

Fang Chengguang slept in the eastern room alone, while He Liang and Bie Dongshan shared the western room.

Wen Sheng, Da Bao, and Xiao Bao went to join He Liang and his friends, planning to sleep with them until Fang Chengguang returned.

Da Bao said, “He Liang, make sure to wash your feet properly from now on, or you’ll end up poisoning us with the smell!”

He Liang replied, “Nonsense, I wash them every day. It’s not my feet that stink, it’s the shoes. They trap the smell.”

The liberation shoes were known for trapping odors, and combined with He Liang’s sweaty feet, the situation only got worse.

Wen Sheng offered, “My grandma can make cloth shoes. If she has time, she could make you a pair.”

He Liang was pleased, but then said, “Forget it, making shoes is too much trouble. I don’t want to bother her.”

Xiao Bao added, “It’s okay, our village has a embroidery workshop; they can make them.”

He Liang immediately expressed interest and reserved five pairs.

Xiao Bao said, “Wait, I’ll ask my mother to write them a letter.”

Jiang Lin took her bath last and was dried off by Cheng Rushan.

As they passed by the western room of the south building, they overheard the discussion about making cloth shoes.

Jiang Lin said to Cheng Rushan, “I’ll discuss this with the village when I get back. We can organize a group of women who know how to make shoes to produce cloth shoes for sale. Old, coarse cloth is best for making shoes and doesn’t require cloth tickets. The Yan Hong Brigade weaves cloth themselves, so it’s convenient. Cloth shoes sold in the city make double the profit compared to the countryside.”

On the night of the third day of the lunar New Year, the crescent moon had long disappeared, and the sky was filled with a brilliant array of stars, spreading out like a dazzling river of light, sparking endless thoughts.

Jiang Lin, full of excitement, talked to Cheng Rushan about this constellation and that one.

The spring chill was still in the air. She was wearing pajamas and wrapped in a blanket but still felt a bit cold.

Cheng Rushan held her close and, after watching the stars for less than two minutes, picked her up and took her back to their room when he saw she was still very excited.

Jiang Lin whispered, “Just a little longer.”

Cheng Rushan said, “It’s cold outside. Let’s watch from the bed.”

“Watching stars from bed? Might as well watch wolves!” he thought.

He put Jiang Lin on the bed and she immediately crawled under the covers and snuggled up. “Going to sleep now.”

Cheng Rushan adjusted the curtains to let the silver starlight in and smiled down at her. “We’re watching stars.”

Jiang Lin was so tired from watching the stars that she fell asleep immediately, and didn’t wake up even when they started the morning exercises the next day!