Chapter 53

Jiang Xi was puzzled by why Qin Yue in the book rushed to cling to any opportunity as soon as she was reborn.

Even with limited knowledge, knowing the future should show that the opportunities of this era could benefit countless people. Most could make some fortune if they dared to act.

Jiang Xi didn’t seek to be rich but was content with a modest fortune. This was why she dared to promise to support the elderly in their old age.

If the Pei family hadn’t treated her well, she wouldn’t have married so easily. There were ways to deal with people like Zhang Hu and Zhang Xiuyun, though they were difficult. However, compared to risking her entire life, the cost was minimal.

If Qin Yue and Lu Jianguo were deeply in love and didn’t mind his remarriage, it would be fine.

But Jiang Xi couldn’t understand Qin Yue’s situation. The noisy and chaotic three children in the book made it hard for her to continue reading.

No one knew when Qin Yue managed to win over these three children and how she established herself in the Lu family.

Still, Jiang Xi hoped Qin Yue could stand up for herself. Before leaving, she intentionally said that to remind her. If it helped Qin Yue wake up, it would be good. If not, then it was no matter.

Jiang Xi returned home happily.

Pei Hejun had prepared all the seasonings. Jiang Yu and Jiang Mi sat at the table eagerly, neither picking up their chopsticks until Jiang Xi arrived. The three looked at her expectantly.

Jiang Xi washed her hands and sat down: “Eat quickly.”

“Yeah!” Jiang Yu nodded and picked up her chopsticks.

The delicious taste of the dumplings burst between Jiang Xi’s lips, and she ate with gusto. Pei Hejun stole glances at her while eating. His gaze was so obvious, it seemed he was waiting for her to notice.

But Jiang Xi was too relaxed to pay attention and said nothing.

She seemed unaware until she finished eating.

Pei Hejun finally couldn’t wait any longer. He pulled her into the house and asked tentatively, “I was unconscious when we got married last time and didn’t know anything. Besides, my comrades are all here. Do you think we should hold another banquet and invite everyone to dinner?”

Jiang Xi’s heart was slightly moved: “You’ve been hesitant all afternoon about this?”

Pei Hejun narrowed his eyes slightly: “You knew? Then why didn’t you respond?”

Jiang Xi replied innocently: “I didn’t know what you were planning.”

Pei Hejun felt a bit frustrated and rubbed her head. He had long known Jiang Xi liked to tease him, and her smile and puffed cheeks made him feel a bit itchy. He moved closer.

Jiang Xi suddenly felt her cheek being gently touched.

The relaxed atmosphere froze. The two looked at each other, silent. Heat rose on their faces until Pei Hejun could no longer stay. He looked at the bright sky outside with regret, took a deep breath, and said in a muffled voice: “I’ll go to the army first.”

Jiang Xi nodded.

He ran out.

Jiang Xi also went outside. The air was cool and relaxing. She called, “Jiang Yu, Jiang Mi, shall we go for a walk?”

“Okay.” The two girls, bored and playing string-picking, nodded immediately.

Jiang Xi reminded, “Bring your rubber bands.”

Jiang Yu went back to get them.

_

The temperature was cool, not hot, with a sea breeze on a cloudy day.

Jiang Xi took them for a stroll. The place resembled a village, with neatly arranged houses and similar small courtyards in different sizes. Some military wives grew vegetables, others grew flowers.

The nearest village was about a mile away.

There were many lively children. When they saw Jiang Xi and the other three, they were curious but didn’t approach. However, when the boys saw Jiang Yu and Jiang Mi, they didn’t come over.

Two little girls, about seven or eight years old, stared at them and asked, “Are you the aunt who brought dumplings to my house at noon?”

Jiang Xi smiled and nodded: “Yes, that’s me.”

The little girl grinned: “Hello, Auntie, is this your child?”

Jiang Xi shook her head: “No, these are my sisters. Her name is Jiang Yu, and her name is Jiang Mi.”

She introduced the two girls.

The two little girls realized and asked, “Then do you want to play with us?”

Jiang Xi replied, “I don’t need to. She has a rubber band. Do you want to play with them? Invite a few more children to join.”

“Okay!” The girl nodded and tried to pull Jiang Yu, who was a bit shy. Instead, Jiang Mi smiled and followed her, so Jiang Yu followed as well.

Jiang Xi waved and watched them leave.

Children make friends quickly. She wasn’t worried at all. She walked around, familiarized herself with the area, and then went back.

As soon as she returned, Pei Hejun also came back.

He said, “I went to the team and stopped by the canteen. I’ve arranged for them to buy food directly. We just need to provide money and tickets.”

“Fast work!” Jiang Xi gave him a thumbs up but then asked, “We don’t have many meat coupons left at home. We used up the last bit yesterday. Can we buy on credit at the canteen?”

Pei Hejun suddenly remembered and quickly handed over some items from his pocket to Jiang Xi: “By the way, I’ll also collect the allowances and various tickets I haven’t received in the past few months. See how much you can spare for buying meat?”

Jiang Xi took the items and looked at them. There were cloth tickets, meat tickets, and industrial tickets. She smiled with relief and said, “This is enough. Take whatever you need.”

She gave him the meat ticket and asked him to handle it himself. Then, she counted the other tickets and found ten industrial tickets. Adding the more than a dozen she had saved herself, she asked eagerly, “How many industrial tickets do we need to buy a washing machine?”

Even though it’s an old-fashioned washing machine and not fully automatic, she didn’t mind!

As a small-time worker, Jiang Xi preferred to relax rather than work hard.

Pei Hejun thought for a moment and said, “About twenty-five. That should be enough. I’ll check.”

Jiang Xi didn’t care who he asked, as long as he could get it. She quickly went inside, took out the other industrial tickets, and gave them to Pei Hejun. Before he could stay inside for long, he ran out again.

When he came back, the industrial tickets were gone.

Jiang Xi asked, “When will the banquet be held? You should inform your comrades in advance, right?”

Pei Hejun smiled and said, “It’s after seven days of rest. I’ll notify everyone tomorrow, don’t worry.”

Jiang Xi tilted her head and asked, “What should I do?”

“You don’t have to do anything; you are the bride,” Pei Hejun said.

Jiang Xi’s eyes curved as she said, “Comrade Pei, you are so considerate. I don’t have to worry about anything.”

Pei Hejun’s cheeks flushed slightly. He covered his mouth to cough modestly, then noticed the floor was a bit dirty. He picked up the mop and cleaned it, smiling warmly.

_

The next day

Jiang Xi and Pei Hejun reported to the school. Jiang Yu and Jiang Mi were already familiar with the local children, so there was no need to worry.

Life was returning to normal.

Life here was similar to Peijia Village, except for the added trouble of having to cook for herself. But with her two younger sisters’ help, Jiang Xi found it manageable.

On the third day, a package from home arrived, including a bicycle. Jiang Xi no longer needed to walk to work every day.

Her commuting time at noon was much shorter, and she could even take a nap before work.

On the fifth day, when Pei Hejun brought home the washing machine, Jiang Xi felt it was a wonderful day and regretted not having it sooner.

However, some people in the family quarters disapproved of Jiang Xi’s “extravagance” in buying a washing machine for just a few pieces of clothing. But no one said anything to her face and just pretended not to hear.

Jiang Xi was skilled at ignoring criticism.

She was riding her bike, carrying eggs she bought from a fellow villager. Since her newly bought chicks were not yet grown, she had to sell the eggs to eat. She passed through the family area.

Qin Yue was chatting at home when she heard the noise and saw the handsome figure on the bicycle. She felt a bit envious when someone frowned and muttered, “Buying eggs again. This daughter-in-law of the Pei family is really willing to spend money.”

“Why worry about other people’s business? If you want eggs and don’t have any, you have to buy them. It’s not like you can’t afford an egg,” another sister-in-law retorted.

The person muttering laughed awkwardly: “I was just making a casual comment. I envy her for being able to buy both eggs and a washing machine. You see, she’s almost the same age as Xiaoqin, who washes clothes for many people by hand.”

Qin Yue looked down and smiled: “I envy her too. If I had industrial tickets, I would want to buy one as well.”

The man paused and quickly advised, “Don’t waste money like this!”

Qin Yue didn’t agree. She thought that the time and effort spent washing by hand was also valuable.

She decided that since she wasn’t working now, it didn’t seem like it would matter.

That night, when Lu Jianguo came home, Qin Yue mentioned her desire to work: “With Rusong and the others starting school soon, and eldest brother getting older, I have less to do…”

Many jobs now allow people to bring their children along. Some factories even have nurseries for children.

But Lu Jianguo, who usually obeyed her, frowned: “Xiaoqin, it’s not that I don’t want you to work, but when we first married, I wanted someone to stabilize the family. If you work, who will take care of the family? You would have to work and cook at the same time, which would be very tiring.”

Qin Yue’s eyes twitched, and she explained: “I asked Zhang’s sister-in-law to help take care of the children. I’ll buy a washing machine to make things easier. If I can’t cook, Zhang’s sister-in-law can take care of the food, and we’ll cover the expenses.”

Lu Jianguo hesitated: “I think it’s very troublesome, and I owe you a favor.”

Qin Yue, not particularly assertive, backed down immediately: “…Okay then.”

Lu Jianguo’s expression softened: “If you’re tired, wait a bit. I’ll buy you a washing machine in two months so it’s easier to wash clothes.”

“Okay,” Qin Yue agreed.

Lu Jianguo added: “By the way, Captain Pei is hosting a banquet tomorrow at the cafeteria. We are invited.”

Qin Yue smiled and nodded: “I’ll prepare a red envelope.”

When she turned away, her smile faded. She was disappointed about being refused but couldn’t find another way to get a job other than asking Lu Jianguo for help.

At dinner, perhaps because they were preoccupied, they added too much salt to the food. Lu Rusong and Lu Rushan complained: “It tastes terrible. Stepmother, you used to cook so well. What happened?”

Qin Yue didn’t want to deal with the argument and ate in silence.

Lu Jianguo said firmly, “Eat your food. If you don’t want to eat, then don’t.”

Lu Rushong, who had been protected by Qin Yue, threw his chopsticks down and said angrily, “I won’t eat anymore!”

Lu Jianguo’s face darkened: “Do you want to be punished?!”

He then turned to Qin Yue and said, “The dumplings Uncle Pei sent before were much better.”

Qin Yue replied coldly, “If you think so, then go eat at his house.”

Lu Rushong was stunned. Lu Jianguo picked him up and said, “If you don’t want to eat, then face the wall!”

Qin Yue continued eating, ignoring the situation.

Lu Rushong waited a long time. Everyone finished eating, but Qin Yue didn’t plead for him. He was furious and muttered, “Bad stepmother! She’s showing her true colors now!!”

Qin Yue kept silent, determined to find a job.

***

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