Chapter 36.1
"Auntie, if you trust me and Xiaoxiao, we can take care of Zhuzi until adulthood. Nothing will change."
Han Cheng understands the old woman's concerns. Her son is gone. She is old, and her grandson is still so young. When she departs from this world, she doesn't have anyone to whom she can entrust her grandson except her daughter-in-law, and she is also the mother of her grandson. She can't control or stop her from remarrying, but she only has her to rely on.
The old woman thought so. In these years, there are many children in every household; if they can't manage their own children, how could they have the energy to take care of Zhuzi? Grandma Zhang couldn't find ease in entrusting her grandson to other people.
The most reassuring thing about Zhuzi's mother is that she promised Grandma Zheng that, she would not change Zhuzi's surname.
At this time, the idea of inheriting the family name is still deeply rooted. As long as Zhuzi does not change his surname, wherever she goes, he will always be the person of their old Zhang family, and she will feel fulfilled for a hundred years more. During holidays, there would be someone who would take care of the ancestral tomb and offer a glass of wine to give honor to the ancestral tomb of the Zhang family. With this, she would not be regarded as the sinner of the old Zhang family.
Grandma Zhuzi looked at Han Cheng with her dim old eyes and then thought of the very kind Su Xiaoxiao. 'This couple are good people.'
"My wife will go to work in the future. My family's Xiao Doubao is less than two years old. It is not convenient to take Xiaoxiao to work. If he has to stay at home, he needs someone to take care of him at home. If you like, you can help take care of Xiao Doubao during the day. We will take care of your and Zhuzi's meals. My family's Fantuan and Zhuzi are about the same age. They can go to and from school together. After dinner, Zhuzi can stay at my house to study and go home after they are done with their homework.
Zhuzi's mother won't even give Zhuzi a bite of meat; do you really expect her to take good care of Zhuzi? Most probably, when Zhuzi becomes an adult, he will become a permanent worker for his mother's new family. As long as he does the work, will Zhuzi's mother care if he can go to school or if he has eaten enough food?
You don't have to worry about us, managing your money. The amount of money the organization subsidies is very transparent, if you need the money, we will return it to you. We are just afraid that you might become softhearted and give the money to Zhuzi's mother. If these funds were given to Zhuzi's mother, they will never be returned, and Zhuzi will be the only one who suffers in the future. This move is not the worst choice in planning for Zhuzi's future. You must think about it carefully."
Han Cheng's words can be said to reflect a sincere feeling of worry toward Zhuzi.
Zhuzi is a child who is worth extending your hand for; that's why he had said so much. Besides, Xiaoxiao also wants to help Zhuzi.
He and Su Xiaoxiao are not saints. Asking Grandma Zhang to take care of Xiao Doubao was not an excuse at all. Fantuan needs to go to school after the new year, and Xiao Doubai is too young to be left alone either. They can bring Xiao Doubao to work; nonetheless, asking Grandma Zhang for help still wasn't a made-up excuse. Isn't this just killing two birds with one stone? If they can ask for help, why not do it?
Grandma Zhuzi was actually excited inside. If it was somebody else and not the Han family, she might think that there might be a hidden motive. However, it was Han Cheng always had a good reputation in this area, and he was also the Head of the Military Hospital. Not to mention that his wife, Su Xiaoxiao, is also a kind-hearted young girl. Alas, her only worry and the main reason she didn't want other people to take care of Zhuzi was that she was afraid that she would take advantage of her.
"Even if we exhaust all of the tickets and money in our family, we can't afford to eat meat. Zhuzi and I will only take advantage of your family too much if this happens. Besides that, if I don't give money to my daughter-in-law, she might make a fuss, and might bother your family too. In case she doesn't recognize Zhuzi (as her son) in the future….."
Grandma Zhang began to cry as she spoke: "Our family's Zhuzi has no father, and his mother will not care about his well-being in the future. How pitiful he is, woo woo woo…"
In this era, people still value blood ties. Grandma Zhuzi felt that if she left and his mother didn't care about him, Zhuzi would really become an orphan.
Chen Aimin handed Grandma Zhuzi a candy and asked her, "Grandma Zhuzi, what do you think of me?"
Grandma Zhuzi also couldn't laugh or cry when she saw candy being handed down to her. She was not a child. Doctor Chen also coaxed her with sugar.
Doctor Chen was very warm and helped her with her meals in the hospital. Other patients' meals were delivered by the nurse attendants, but it was Doctor Chen who delivered her meals in person.
She nodded: "You are handsome and kind."
Doctor Chen said: "Then you let Zhuzi recognize me as a godfather, and I will take care of Zhuzi in the future. What do you think?"
Grandma Zhuzi was even more puzzled: "Come on, Doctor Chen. Don't join in the fun, you are not married yet, how can there be a single man who will be a godfather to other people's child."
Doctor Chen regretted: "That would be a pity. If I became Zhuzi's godfather, surely I could go to Head Han's house for a meal if I had this title. You don't know how delicious their meal is. "
Grandma Zhuzi certainly knew that. She had smelled it several times when she passed by. Otherwise, why did she sell the stone snail to Han Cheng's wife? Wasn't it because she knew that they ate well?
But she can't take advantage of others because of this. But if she helps take care of the children, it won't be regarded as taking advantage of them too much. Didn't Han Cheng's wife say that the vegetable garden in their home is still empty? She can also help her plant and help with cleaning and serving the dishes. In short, she can Xiaoxiao with work and not shamelessly eat other people's food for free.
After Grandma Zhuzi settled down and understood the setup, she had no more worries about accepting their offer. She knows that Zhuzi's mother was unreliable, but no matter how unreliable she was, she was Zhuzi's mother.
However, Han Cheng reminded her that, if she wanted to bring Zhuzi to live with her, why not do it now? Why in the future? Was she waiting for Zhuzi to grow up to make him become the permanent worker of their family? If so, won't this be harming her grandson instead of paving the way for him to live a good life?
Thinking of this, Grandma Zhuzi broke out in a cold sweat.
Han Cheng almost forgot what he was talking about when Dr. Chen interrupted him.
"Auntie, what do you think?" Han Cheng said all that should be said. If Grandma Zhuzi still doesn't want to, he can't force it anymore.
The old woman nodded: "OK, then this old woman will thicken her face to accept your kindness, and will trouble you later. But if Zhuzi's mother comes to make trouble, it may trouble you even more."
Han Cheng shook his head and said, "We are waiting for her to come back. You haven't settled with her for the injury, and she shouldn't have taken all the pension. At least half of it should be left for you and Zhuzi."
It's just that Grandma Zhuzi couldn't get it back since she was the one who offered her the money in the first place.
Grandma Zhuzi sighed: "It's not easy for her either. If she doesn't marry with a little dowry, it won't be so easy for others to accept her. Forget it, it's my son's poor life that made her a widow. She gave birth to Zhuzi for our old Zhang family anyway. After she left, I'll count it as a blessing for Zhuzi."
Han Cheng guessed that this would end like this. If she was not been such a kind-hearted old woman, she could not raise a child like Zhuzi. It was a blessing.
Now that it is finalized, Han Cheng has also completed the task assigned by Su Xiaoxiao.
Since Grandma Zhang has finally recovered, she can leave the hospital tomorrow morning. She had nothing to worry about, so she went through the discharge procedures directly, and went to the logistics department with the other soldiers. Under the witness of Zhao Xianfeng, she transferred the ownership of the food ticket to Han Cheng. Then, everything was settled.
Chapter 36.2
In half an afternoon, little Fantuan has learned pinyin, and he has also recited "Ode to the Goose" and "Pity the Farmers." He recited to his younger brother: "Goose, goose, goose. You bend your neck toward the sky and sing. Your white feathers float on the emerald water, and your red feet push the clear waves…."
Xiao Doubao thought it was very funny, and followed his brother: "Goose, goose, goose, goose, goose…" Then he kept giggling.
Xiao Doubao rarely laughed so happily, and he took the initiative to speak. Su Xiaoxiao felt very relieved.
For the first time in Su Xiaoxiao's life, she realized the learning process was faster than the teaching process. Fantuan is a knowledge incinerator, and anything taught to him is absorbed by him in a blink of an eye.
Such a child really cannot be taught step by step, so Su Xiaoxiao had to assign writing tasks to him in the extra time. Every word he learns will be written together with pinyin. There is no shortcut to writing. He can only learn one word from the simple to the deep at such a small age. He must master the basic skills well. If he is still energetic, Su Xiaoxiao plans to let Han Cheng teach him to write in the evening.
Su Xiaoxiao also studied with him for nearly two hours before kneading persimmons.
Fantuan and Doubao also like to pinch persimmons. Since Doubao's other hand was injured, he could only poke the persimmon with his uninjured finger. After two pokes, Su Xiaoxiao took the cub aside and let him eat the half-finished persimmon.
Xiao Fantuan had pinched the persimmons well. When he saw Xiao Doubao puncture the persimmons and was able to eat one, he deliberately poked two persimmons: "Mom, look, it's broken!"
Su Xiaoxiao said angrily, "Baby if you want to eat it, you can't poke it intentionally next time. This one will taste much better when it is dried, and it will taste better in the spring, so, let's save it and eat it slowly."
Little Fantuan smiled like a little fox: "I know, Mom, but I think it's delicious now."
Su Xiaoxiao shook her head and helped little Zhuzi, who was pinching the persimmons as soon as she came back from school.
When they were done, Su Xiaoxiao asked little Zhuzi to eat one, and told him not to eat too much, or else he would have a bad stomach.
Xiao Zhuzi shook his head and said that he wouldn't eat. Before his voice fell, Xiao Fantuan stuffed half of a persimmon into his mouth, which, by the way, was the persimmon he was eating a while ago.
"Xiao Zhuzi, since you have eaten my saliva, you will listen to me from now on!"
Little Zhuzi: "… " Not even eating it or swallowing it.
Su Xiaoxiao was speechless: "Fantuan, don't bully Zhuzi."
Xiao Fantuan blinked twice with big eyes and secretly said to his mother, "Mom, I lied to him. I tore the half. It doesn't have my saliva, I just wanted him to listen to me."
Su Xiaoxiao:"…"
Xiao Zhuzi: "… I heard."
…
The sun is almost setting, so it's time for Su Xiaoxiao to prepare dinner.
Li Yufeng brought a lot of dried plum vegetables to Su Xiaoxiao. She soaked some of them at noon. Now she used half a catty of lean meat bought by Han Cheng in the morning, added a few pieces of rendered lard, and chopped it into meatloaf. Then she dices, soaks the dried plum vegetables, and mixes them with other ingredients. She beat it vigorously and made it into meatloaf with dried plums.
Dried plum was originally a local dish (the dishes that need a lot of oil or meat. In our hometown, they are all called local dishes, such as dried vegetables, dried bamboo shoots, dried beans, etc.). It is a dish that absorbs oil, and you have to use meat that is 30% fat and 70% thin to make a meatloaf. But the pork belly has been used for oil refining by Su Xiaoxiao. A few pieces of pork scraps are already very good, so she can't do much about it.
Xiao Zhuzi and Xiao Fantuan worked together to set the fire. Su Xiaoxiao put the chopped meatloaf on the rice to steam, and then prepared the tiger skin pepper.
Su Xiaoxiao used a little oil to fry the two sides of the pepper until the tiger skin rose, then added a little lard and garlic to stir fry until fragrant; she drizzled the sauce mixed with sweet and sour salt afterward.
Su Xiaoxiao let it cook for a while, then finally used corn flour to boil a little starch water to collect the juice, and the barren version of the tiger skin pepper came out of the pot.
This dish was supposed to be deep-fried and seasoned with fermented soybeans and oil-intensive chicken essence to make it tastier. Due to the limited ingredients, it could only be made like this. With the addition of lard and garlic, the taste was almost the same.
In the 1970s, lard was a rare item. Su Xiaoxiao was forced to use lard as a seasoning because lard is so versatile that it can make whatever dish delicious.
When the food was out of the pot, Han Cheng came home from work, and Su Xiaoxiao came forward to take his briefcase as usual.
Han Cheng narrated to Su Xiaoxiao the decision of Grandma Zhang in Zhuzi's matter.
"So, she has gone home this afternoon?" Su Xiaoxiao asked.
Han Cheng looked around: "Didn't she come?"
Su Xiaoxiao shook his head: "No."
She called little Zhuzi and said, "Little Zhuzi, grandma has come home from the hospital. Can you go back home to call your grandma and tell her to come over to eat dinner together?"
Little Zhuzi bowed his head and kept silent, then raised his head: "Aunt Su, we will cause you a lot of trouble. I'd better go home and eat with Grandma later."
Su Xiaoxiao was surprised.
Then she said gently, "No, Xiao Zhuzi helped me do a lot of work today, right? You helped in taking care of Xiao Doubao, kneaded persimmons, set the fire, and fed the chickens. You have to help with the work in the family in the future, and Grandma and your food tickets will also be transferred to our family. You are not a freeloader. You and Grandma are also part of our family. Do you understand?"
Xiao Zhuzi bowed his head for a long time, and finally nodded: "Then I'll go home and call Grandma."
Su Xiaoxiao: "Go, be careful."
"Mom, I want to go with him!" Little Fantuan wants to go out again.
"Okay, go with Zhuzi." Anyway, with Xiao Zhuzi, Su Xiaoxiao didn't have any worries about letting the baby go out for a walk.
As a result, the food was only put on the table here, and the two pups came back. When the little Fantuan arrived at the door, he shouted, "Mom, Grandma is not at home!"
Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng looked at each other. Grandma Zhuzi had been home for several hours since she was discharged. How can she not be home at this hour?
Chapter 37
As Grandma Zhuzi came out of the hospital, the more she thought about it, the more she felt that Han Cheng's words were reasonable.
It was right to give Zhuzi's mother a dowry, however, she shouldn't take away their money completely, and besides that, she also gave Zhuzi's mother her pension every month. It may seem like it was just a meager amount, but it was a large amount after it was accumulated over several years.
Mother Zhuzi said that she remarried in the next town. Grandma Zhuzi still decided to ask for clarification. At least she had to make it clear that half of the money had to be left to Zhuzi. The food tickets had to be handed over to Han Cheng. If she didn't make it clear, she would still come to ask for money next month.
After making up her mind, Grandma Zhuzi asked people she met on the way for directions.
…
As soon as Su Xiaoxiao heard that Grandma Zhuzi was not at home, she asked Zhuzi if his grandma would usually go out at this time.
Zhuzi shook his head and said no, as long as she was still in the school or outside, his Grandma never went out.
Han Cheng guessed that she might have gone to Zhuzi's mother.
"Zhuzi, does your mother live in the next town?" Han Cheng asked.
Zhuzi shook his head and said, "I don't know, but she can come back and forth every time in just half a day. She can take the money and tickets and leave."
Zhuzi doesn't know why his mother is like this. Sometimes she doesn't even look at him or ask him a question.
Han Cheng estimated the distance. If Grandma Zhuzi went to find Zhuzi's mother, she would be back at least at six or seven o'clock.
"Let's eat first. After eating, Zhuzi will go home and have a look. If she hasn't come back yet, Zhao Xianfeng and I will take several people and split up to find Auntie." Han Cheng said.
This was originally an extremely delicious and comfortable meal, but everyone was worried about Grandma Zhang. Everyone's appetite was greatly reduced. Even the little Fantuan rarely played tricks.
The whole family ate quietly.
Zhuzi wasn't even full, but he finished eating and said he wanted to go back home and have a look if his grandma arrived home.
Han Cheng was worried that a small child would walk back home alone in the dark, so he quickly finished eating the last mouthfuls and went out with Zhuzi.
Today's meatloaf was a little salty. Su Xiaoxiao ran to the door and asked Han Cheng to bring some water.
"Be careful. Don't look for Auntie all by yourselves."
Han Cheng squeezed the back of Xiaoxiao's hand and said, "Don't worry, I have discretion. If I come back late, you and the children should go to bed early."
Little Fantuan wanted to say that he would go too, but Han Cheng glanced at him: "Dad is not at home. You are the biggest man in the family. Take care of your mother and brother."
Su Xiaoxiao: "…" Comrade Han Cheng, your son is five, not fifteen, not twenty-five!
Little Fantuan straightened his chest and patted it with his small hand. A sense of responsibility and pride came into his system: "Don't worry, Dad, I am at home!"
Su Xiaoxiao: "…" The father and son are really….
When Han Cheng and Zhuzi's shadows were not visible, little Fantuan asked Su Xiaoxiao a little sullenly, "Mom, would such a big person like Zhuzi's Grandma, get lost?
Su Xiaoxiao replied: "It's reasonable to not get lost, but it's so late and the road is dark. It's dangerous, she might fall somewhere because of the rocky road."
Little Fantuan looked down for a moment, looked up, and asked Su Xiaoxiao seriously: "Mom, Can Xiao Zhuzi be my brother? He can also be a big brother to my little brother. Can you also be little Zhuzi's mother? I would like to give half of you to Xiao Zhuzi."
The relationship between people depends on fate. Fantuan likes little Zhuzi very much. He feels that Xiao Zhuzi is pitiful without his father and mother. He is willing to give him half of his favorite brother and mother.
Su Xiaoxiao squatted down and touched the child's head: "Fantuan, mother can't recognize him as my son randomly. Your situation is different from that of Zhuzi. Your mother is gone, and I will marry your father and become the mother of you and Xiao Doubao. But Xiao Zhuzi has his mother, and whether she is good or not, she is still his biological mother. We can treat Xiao Zhuzi as a family member, but this can't be out in the open, do you understand?"
Xiao Fantuan couldn't understand, but he still nodded his head.
He didn't know how to describe his current mood, and he appears to be a little happy: "So you will only be the mother of my brother and me, not the mother of others, right?"
Su Xiaoxiao thought for a while and didn't want to hide from the child. She replied truthfully, "Your father and I… You may have a brother or sister in the future. No matter if it's a brother or sister, Mom will only give birth to one. So, maybe, Mom will be the mother of three children."
In the beginning, Su Xiaoxiao thought that if she really didn't like Han Cheng after getting along, she would divorce him and participate in the college entrance examination.
At that time, the cubs would also grow up, but now, she is certain that she likes Han Cheng and also likes the two cubs. So, she also wants to be completely part of Han Cheng's family, and have another child with Han Cheng. No matter if it's a boy or a girl, it is enough for her to have three children in her life.
Xiao Fantuan's eyes lit up, and he remembered that before Xiao Doubao was born, his mother had a big belly, and soon he had another brother.
Xiao Fantuan looked at Su Xiaoxiao's belly and frowned: "But Mom's belly didn't bulge. So, there's no brother or sister in it?"
Su Xiaoxiao became embarrassed. Come to think of it, Han Cheng and I are now in the holding hands and kissing cheeks stage. How can there be brothers and sisters there?
But how can this cub know everything?
Su Xiaoxiao didn't say anything yet, but little Fantuan said, "I want a brother. Mom, give birth to a brother, so that, four men in the family can protect you."
Su Xiaoxiao became speechless. How can you say you are a man when you are five years old?
"Isn't the sweet and beautiful little sister better?" Su Xiaoxiao has two sons. She really wants a soft and cute girl for herself.
After Su Xiaoxiao spoke, she realized that she had been misled by Xiao Fantuan!
What brothers and sisters? She and Han Cheng haven't gotten any proof of marriage at all, nor have they shared a room. Why did she tell a five-year-old cub this? However, by accident, she found out that Fantuan does not reject this matter.
"Well, let's not talk about this, and don't tell this to your father. If you want a brother and sister, you have to wait until you become a man."
Xiao Fantuan: "Mom, Dad just said I'm a man!"
Su Xiaoxiao patted his head and said, "Well, man, let's hurry to clean up."
…
Han Cheng didn't come back for a long time. Only when Su Xiaoxiao and Fantuan cleaned the table, washed the dishes, bathed, and recited many poems, did Han Cheng come back, and he was the only one who came back.
Su Xiaoxiao looked behind him and said, "Where is Xiao Zhuzi?"
Han Cheng put down the bottle in his hand and drank several mouthfuls of water, took a few deep breaths, and then said, "In the hospital, Grandma Zhang is in the emergency room. We have to be prepared psychologically. Grandma Zhuzi may not be able to survive it."
The expression on Su Xiaoxiao's face changed: "What do you mean? What do you mean she's dying?"
Han Cheng: "Zhuzi and I heard on the way that she went to find Zhuzi's mother. When we arrived at Zhuzi's house, we didn't see anyone, so we asked Zhao Xianfeng to send someone to find her. Zhao Xianfeng's people found her in a ditch…she was dying… Probably…" Han Cheng shook his head.
Su Xiaoxiao covered her mouth, and tears could not help flowing down: "How could this happen? Where's Zhuzi?"
Han Cheng replied: "He refused to leave the hospital."
Su Xiaoxiao never thought that the old lady who was still alive and kicking two days ago, who was discharged a while ago and would come to their home to help her look after the children, would be gone…
Han Cheng hugged her and said, "Things in the world are impermanent. There are many situations that we can't control. The only thing we can do is move forward through all kinds of changes. I will take a bath first and go to the hospital. Take the children to sleep first, you don't have to wait for me to come back."
Su Xiaoxiao understood what Han Cheng meant, and she became sadder for Zhuzi.
When they were sleeping at night, Su Xiaoxiao still told them bedtime stories, but Fantuan was not in high spirits, and asked Su Xiaoxiao, "Mom, what do you mean by gone? Will Grandma Zhuzi, like my mother, leave Zhuzi forever?"
Su Xiaoxiao doesn't know how to explain the heavy topics of birth, aging, illness, and death to a five-year-old child. She could only say: "Fantuan, each of us has a certain number of days to stay on the earth. Some people had more time on earth, and some had a lesser amount of time. However, all of us will eventually leave Earth and go to another place. Maybe we will live on the moon, or maybe, we will become a star in the sky. Like Fantuan and Doubao's mothers, Zhuzi's grandmother might become a star in the sky. Although you can't see her, she will always be watching you grow up happily in the sky."
Su Xiaoxiao's explanation erroneously confirmed Fantuan's thoughts all along, and he suddenly smiled: "Mom, tell me in secret, aren't you the little fairy sent by mother from the heavens to protect us?"
Su Xiaoxiao patted the child's head: "The happiest thing that happened to mom is to, meet the two little angels, Fantuan and Doubao. Promise to your mother to be happy every day, and your mother will continue to watch from the sky."
Fantuan and Doubao were finally not affected by Grandma Zhuzi's incident, and they fell asleep with sweet smiles.
Grandma Zhuzi didn't survive the night and left that night.
But she was able to meet her grandson for the last time and said a lot of words to bless her grandson, but in the end, she left with regrets. She told Han Cheng and Zhao Xianfeng that Zhuzi's mother told her that she could not give birth to children at all, and don't always think about pushing Zhuzi to her. Zhuzi was not her son. He was the son of his husband and his other woman. She just pretended to be pregnant for ten months.
Grandma Zhuzi's last words were to ask Han Cheng and Zhao Xianfeng to find Zhuzi's mother and entrust her with her, but to make sure that she must not change Zhuzi's surname. Zhuzi has been in the blood of their old Zhang family all his life, and future children and grandchildren can only be surnamed, Zhang.
Grandma Zhuzi died after she finished speaking.
Chapter 38.1
The funeral of Zhuzi's Grandma was handled by the organization, and it was handled according to the standards of honorable military families, and it was handled very decently.
However, Zhuzi's mother never showed up. The organization sent people to investigate. They found out that Grandma Zhang's departure was an accident.
Zhuzi seemed to have lost his soul and didn't even ask about his mother.
When Zhuzi returned to Su Xiaoxiao's home, he ate and worked without crying or making any noise. Su Xiaoxiao felt distressed looking at his actions.
It was slightly cool, and you could see the bright moon and a few stars in the sky, and the stars sparkled from afar. It was clear and far away.
Xiao Zhuzi, who had taken a bath, sat on the stone bench in the yard and looked at the stars in the sky for a moment.
Su Xiaoxiao was worried that there might be something wrong with the child, so while Han Cheng was taking the children to take a bath, Su Xiaoxiao went outside to find Zhuzi.
She sat down beside Zhuzi and said: "Zhuzi, would you like to talk to Auntie?"
Zhuzi looked back from the sky, then looked at Su Xiaoxiao. He smiled with difficulty and shook his head: "Aunt Su, don't worry, I'm fine."
Su Xiaoxiao came closer to him, pointed to the stars in the sky, and said, "See the brightest star? It's called Sirius, the brightest star in the sky on an autumn night. It's very bright, right? The constellation over there is called Andromeda, which can only be seen in the autumn."
Su Xiaoxiao's voice was very light and soft. It has the power to warm people's hearts on a cool autumn night.
Zhuzi was successfully distracted. He pointed to the constellation Cepheus and asked, "Auntie Su, Xiao Fantuan said that you are the fairy sent by his mother to protect him and Doubao. Are you from that constellation?"
Su Xiaoxiao was surprised: This Xiao Fantuan…..
Su Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, "I'm not." Su Xiaoxiao put her hand close to Xiao Zhuzi's ear and said, "Let me tell you a secret. I'm not a fairy. It's Fantuan's own fantasy. I married Fantuan's father by chance and became a member of this family. Just like Xiao Zhuzi, you also became a member of our family by chance."
Xiao Zhuzi stared at Su Xiaoxiao.
Su Xiaoxiao looked into the child's eyes and said: "Fantuan should also have told you that our family is united and friendly, and everyone is equal. So, Xiao Zhuzi, I welcome you on behalf of our family. Aunt Su hopes that you can be as happy as Fantuan and Xiao Doubao every day in the future, and then study hard and make progress every day. I will tell you another secret, which is that knowledge can change destiny. Xiao Zhuzi, you just need to study hard and grow up well. Whatever happened in the past, let it pass. "
Xiao Zhuzi cried.
He laid his head on Su Xiaoxiao's shoulder and cried, 'Grandma left. He has no home, but he has a new home now. Xiao Fantuan and Aunt Su said that their family welcomed him.
Xiao Zhuzi felt that Xiao Fantuan was right. Aunt Su was the fairy who flew down from the Andromeda galaxy to protect them.
Xiao Fantuan and Xiao Doubao were sitting in the bucket, playing with water. Xiao Doubao's hands could not touch the water. Han Cheng lifted the little guy's hands and washed them up. Suddenly, they heard Xiao Zhuzi crying in the yard. All of them were shocked that Xiao Fantuan jumped up and splashed Han Cheng with water.
Han Cheng pressed the little guy back: "Don't move, your mom is comforting Xiao Zhuzi. He cried, so he will be fine tomorrow."
Xiao Fantuan rolled his big eyes and said, "Dad, how do you know that Xiao Zhuzi will be fine tomorrow?"
Han Cheng replied: "Because he is the son of a hero and he is as strong as a hero, you can't bully Xiao Zhuzi in the future, do you understand?"
Xiao Fantuan seemed to understand; he lay on the side of the bucket with puffed cheeks, blinking: "Xiao Zhuzi is my brother, I won't bully him!"
Han Cheng didn't eat this set, and threw the towel that had been used to wipe off Xiao Doubao onto Fantuan's head: "Okay, get up, dry off the water, and put on clothes."
Xiao Fantuan reluctantly got up from the bucket and murmured, "Mom is the best. If she helps me take a bath, she will help me dress." After murmuring, he did not forget to flap a few times and make the water spread everywhere.
Han Cheng wanted to hit his ass.
When sleeping, Xiao Doubao slept between Zhuzi and Fantuan as usual. He had fallen asleep and struggled to get up again. Xiao Zhuzi worried that he would touch Doubao's hands, and gently held him up and sat down: "Xiao Doubao, what's wrong with you?"
Xiao Doubao's big black and white eyes slightly bent up, looked at him, and he cried: "Bro…"
Xiao Fantuan heard the noise, got up from the bed, grabbed Xiao Doubao, and asked, "Xiao Doubao, what did you just say? Did you talk? Did you call me?"
Xiao Doubao puffed his cheeks, blinked his big eyes, and looked at Xiao Fantuan, then laid down from the uninjured side with his head tilted, closed his eyes, and ignored his brother.
Xiao Fantuan looked excited and shook Xiao Zhuzi's arm: "Xiao Zhuzi, did Xiao Doubao just call me? He called me brother, right?"
Xiao Zhuzi stopped talking and looked at Fantuan. Finally, he told the truth: "It looks like he called me…"
Xiao Fantuan disagreed, hugged Xiao Doubao, and kissed his face: "No, Xiao Doubao called me!"
Xiao Doubao got away from him in anger: "Noisy…"
Su Xiaoxiao came in after taking a bath and saw the three cubs still making noise. She reached out and patted Fantuan's buttocks and said, "It's late. Go to bed now."
Xiao Fantuan reported to Su Xiaoxiao first: "Mom, Xiao Doubao started talking. He just called me brother and said I was noisy!"
Since Xiao Doubao called Su Xiaoxiao "mother", he has never spoken again. Even when Han Cheng teased him, he didn't say anything. It is a very happy event that he was willing to speak the word "brother" now.
Su Xiaoxiao patted Fantuan's little butt again: "You are too noisy. Go to bed now. Zhuzi needs to go to school tomorrow."
The three cubs fell asleep in Su Xiaoxiao's warm and healing fairy tale storytelling.
That night, Xiao Zhuzi also slept very soundly. He dreamed of his kind grandmother. His grandmother smiled and said to him that she had become the brightest star in the sky.
Whenever Zhuzi thought of his grandmother, he looked up at the stars in the sky. She would always be there with him. His grandmother also told him to listen to Su Xiaoxiao, study well, and grow up well.
Han Cheng raised a lantern and fought at night to catch up with the report. He has been busy with Grandma Zhuzi's work these days, which has slowed down a lot of progress on his work. [1]
Su Xiaoxiao knocked at the door and opened the door. He hugged Han Cheng from behind and caressed his neck.
Han Cheng pulled her over with his backhand, hugged her on his lap, and just like Su Xiaoxiao did, he caressed her neck: "Are the children asleep?"
Su Xiaoxiao nestled in his arms and nodded: "They are all asleep."
"Zhuzi may not be the child of the Zhang family," Han Cheng said suddenly.
Su Xiaoxiao raised his head and looked at him in surprise: "What do you mean?"
Han Cheng told Su Xiaoxiao what Grandma Zhuzi said before she died and finally said, "Zhuzi's father is a fair and honest person. Even if it can be hidden from Grandma Zhuzi, it can't be hidden from the organization. It should be true that Zhuzi's mother can't have children. She hasn't had any children for several years after she married."
Su Xiaoxiao remembered the gossip of those big moms, saying that the man hated Zhuzi's mother and didn't touch her at all. In retrospect, it might also be that Zhuzi's mother could not give birth at all.
"Is Zhuzi an adopted child?" Su Xiaoxiao asked.
Han Cheng remembered what Zhao Xianfeng said to Zhuzi after his grandmother's funeral. He asked him meaningfully: "Han Cheng, who do you think Zhuzi looks like?"
Zhuzi used to be very tanned, and he didn't pay much attention to hygiene, and his clothes were also shabby. People didn't pay much attention to him.
After arriving at Han Cheng's house, they raised him together with Fantuan and Doubao for a few days. After growing some meat, put on clean clothes. It is not difficult to see that he is a very remarkable child. His facial features are deeper than those of ordinary people, and the most remarkable feature is the tall nose with a little pointy.
When he was young, the bridge of his nose would not so prominent. After the age of six, it was much more obvious.
Zhuzi looks neither like his father nor his mother, so when Zhao Xianfeng asked this question, he also has the same answer.
At least Han Cheng first thought of who it was.
For such a big matter, Zhuzi's father can't hide it from the outside world. The only answer to this was that it was arranged by the organization so that Zhuzi would become the child of the Zhang family.
Zhuzi's father and Zhuzi's mother did not have children for several years after their marriage. Zhuzi's father should know Zhuzi's true identity and have accepted this arrangement willingly. Even recognizing Zhuzi as his own son may be his proposal.
In these years, it is fatal for a woman to be unable to have children. To stop the crowd's gossip about how Zhuzi's mother can't have children. As long as she pretends to be pregnant for a few months, Zhuzi will become their child. She may have recognized Zhuzi for this reason.
As for what Zhuzi's father told Zhuzi's mother, that's unknown, or Zhuzi's mother believed from the beginning that Zhuzi was his child with another woman, after all, she couldn't give birth to children.
Han Cheng has seen the pensions issued by the organization, which were richer than ordinary soldiers of the same level and may also mean special care, but he didn't expect that most of them went into Zhuzi's mother's pocket in the end.
Zhuzi lived well, and the organization will not pay too much attention to it. In addition, Grandma Zhang has never reported this matter to the organization, so it took several years for the organization to find out about Zhuzi's situation.
If it hadn't been for Grandma Zhuzi's last words, Zhao Xianfeng would not have associated Zhuzi with the man they know at all, and Han Cheng would not have thought of it either.
However, Zhuzi's life experience needs to be kept secret for the time being, and it is not 100% certain. He and Zhao Xianfeng were only speculating. Not many people should know it yet, this is for the best. He should not disclose too much to Su Xiaoxiao now.
Han Cheng rubbed her head and said, "It's very confidential. You can only know this much for now. We just need to remember that Zhuzi is a martyr's orphan and a hero's descendant."
When Su Xiaoxiao heard Han Cheng, say that it may be the organization's arrangement and that it can also be associated with something, she didn't ask further. In this sensitive period, there are too many innocent people involved. Even the grandparents of Fantuan and Doubao, Han Cheng dared not contact them too much, let alone other people with more sensitive identities.
Su Xiaoxiao sighed: "Grandma Zhuzi values blood ties so much. If she knew, she would be very sad."
Han Cheng shook his head: "Zhuzi will always be Zhang Zhuzi of the old Zhang family, and will not have any other identity, but the matter that Grandma Zhuzi asked me and Zhao Xianfeng to help find Zhuzi's mother will have to be put on hold."
In short, this matter has come to a temporary dead-end here.
Han Cheng clasped Su Xiaoxiao's hand tightly and looked at her with deep eyes for a moment: "President Yao told me today that the political trial has come down, and I will be allowed to leave next Monday. We will go to get evidence and buy a red quilt cover to decorate our wedding room."
Su Xiaoxiao almost forgot about this matter. She came down from Han Cheng's leg, her shallow pear vortex raised, and clasped her fist at Han Cheng: "I will congratulate Comrade Han Cheng first; soon enough, you will be able to embrace the beauty."
Han Cheng laughed and said, "I have already embraced it."
References
↑1 Raised a lantern and fought at night; he worked late into the night.
Chapter 38.2
The next morning, the rising sun rose in the east.
At six o'clock, Han Cheng woke up the two children on time.
Xiao Zhuzi rubbed his eyes and got up quickly.
Xiao Fantuan held the quilt and didn't let go. Han Cheng picked him up directly from the bed.
Xiao Doubao opened his eyes in a daze and looked at his father and his two brothers. He moved to the innermost part and continued to snore.
Xiao Yu also likes Xiao Zhuzi very much. Maybe Zhao Xianfeng said something to Xiao Yu.
Before, when he went running together with Xiao Zhuzi for the first time. Xiao Yu didn't talk to Xiao Zhuzi very much, he just pestered Fantuan to talk. But today, Xiao Yu brought a big white rabbit, gave Fantuan two, and also gave Xiao Zhuzi two, and said that they were all good friends. After the appointment, they ran together every day.
Three cubs are racing ahead.
Han Cheng and Zhao Xianfeng fell behind.
Zhao Xianfeng looked at Zhuzi's back and said, "I don't know if it is a psychological effect. The more I see it, the more he looks like him."
Han Cheng glared at him: "Don't talk nonsense. He is now Zhang Zhu of the old Zhang family."
Zhao Xianfeng replied: "I know, I'm not stupid. I won't mention it in the future."
Han Cheng changed the topic: "Next Monday, drive your car over to me and I will use it. I will go to the city with Xiaoxiao to get our certificate."
Zhao Xianfeng hit Han Cheng and said, "Did the approval come too soon? Yes, yes, it must be because of you. Why are you in a hurry?"
Han Cheng looked at the smiling face of his son in front of him and felt that Su Xiaoxiao was the reason why he is living a good life now. If he didn't get this done, he would feel insecure all day.
It wasn't that he was worried that Su Xiaoxiao would run away, but that he wanted the sense of security and the reality of a legitimate husband and wife.
"Now, no one can bear her absence, our family can't live without her." Han Cheng said and ran straight ahead.
Zhao Xianfeng was stunned for a long time before he realized that Han Cheng had been possessed by someone, right? What nonsense is he talking about?
If he told Zhou Yuhua about this, Zhou Yuhua, without any doubt, would think he was a ghost: "Han Cheng, you stop for me, I have goosebumps…"
…
After Xiao Doubao got up, Su Xiaoxiao made him half a cup of milk, let him brush his teeth, and let him drink it.
There is not much milk powder, so they need to save some. The other two pups can only drink one cup of malt every other day, and they can go to the city to replenish their supply on Monday.
Having the opportunity to go to the city was rare. Su Xiaoxiao plans to write a purchase list first. She plans to go to the non-staple food factory to buy all the things she can buy. Besides, no matter what method she uses, she must buy the oil back. It is really difficult to cook without oil.
Xiao Doubao handed the milk to Su Xiaoxiao, and said, "Ma Ma, drink~~"
Su Xiaoxiao was stunned and immediately smiled. The cub really loves her and will always give anything good to her first.
Su Xiaoxiao pretended to take a sip, smacked her mouth, and said, "Mom tried it, it's good to drink. It's the baby's turn to drink."
Xiao Doubao frowned, as if not satisfied with Su Xiaoxiao's drinking, and then pushed it even forward: "Drink~~"
Su Xiaoxiao was embarrassed. 'Is it so difficult to cheat a baby under the age of two?'
"Mom is an adult, so I won't drink this. Look, Dad doesn't drink it, either. Xiao Doubao is a child. When you grow up, you need to drink more to grow up as tall as your father."
Xiao Doubao thought about it carefully, and then he picked up the cup and drank it.
Su Xiaoxiao rubbed his head.
Several men who did a morning exercise finally returned. Su Xiaoxiao brought out the prepared breakfast.
Today's breakfast is very simple: sweet potato congee and dried plum.
Su Xiaoxiao fried dried plums with lard, which made them very fragrant, and a perfect match when eating congee with sweet potatoes.
Han Cheng drank an extra bowl of congee than usual.
Su Xiaoxiao found that Xiao Doubao didn't like to talk when there were many people.
He was only willing to talk when they were alone.
For example, when Fantuan teases him, he has the attitude of turning away his face and ignoring his brother.
After the meal, Han Cheng went to work, Zhuzi went to school, and the remaining people stayed at home to study.
Another busy and fulfilling day.
There are no weekends in this era. Xiao Zhuzi has to go to class on weekends. Han Cheng also works as usual.
In the twinkling of an eye, it was time for Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng to get their certificates on Monday.
Zhao Xianfeng drove the old Jeep to the door of Han Cheng's house early in the morning and stopped by, saying his congratulations to Su Xiaoxiao.
Su Xiaoxiao thanked him and gave him some pancakes and eggs that she had baked in the morning.
Zhao Xianfeng said, "The army takes care of the breakfast; you save it for the road. In short, I wish you a happy marriage for a hundred years and have a baby boy soon."
Su Xiaoxiao: "…" I have two sons. Thank you.
Su Xiaoxiao didn't force him either. Anyway, there are still congee, cakes, and eggs left in the pot for Zhuzi. It's OK to leave more for Zhuzi to eat at noon.
Su Xiaoxiao originally wanted Xiao Zhuzi to take a day off and let the whole family play in the city for a day, but Xiao Zhuzi shook his head and refused: "Aunt Su, I'm not as smart as Fantuan, and I can't keep up with him if I ask for another day off." You go, I won't go."
Zhuzi used to go to school seriously but didn't work so hard. Since Grandma Zhuzi left and after seeing Fantuan's terrible learning ability, Xiao Zhuzi really began to work hard.
Su Xiaoxiao didn't force him either, but it's not easy to tell him that anyone will be abused if he studies with Fantuan.
Fantuan patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Xiao Zhuzi; I will bring you a gift and buy you candy!"
Fantuan fed "Zhou, Fen, Mian, and Fan" and left enough water for them. Su Xiaoxiao said that Xiao Zhuzi needs to feed them when he comes back at noon. On the other side, Fantuan said his goodbyes to them solemnly and told them that he would go to the city.
Su Xiaoxiao picked a decent dress with the fewest patches, Han Cheng put on the military uniform, and Fantuan and Xiao Doubao also put on the new clothes and shoes they bought before.
With enough money and various tickets, Han Cheng drove the old jeep of Zhao Xianfeng's family, and the family set out towards the city in a mighty way.
Chapter 39.1
Su Xiaoxiao hugged Xiao Doubao in her arms.
The cast on Xiao Doubao's hands has been removed, and now he can move his hands-free as long as he doesn't bump them into any hard objects.
Su Xiaoxiao was worried about the bumpy roads or sudden braking of the car in an emergency, and baby car seats haven't been popularized in this era. For the sake of safety, it was safer to hold the baby in her arms.
The cub bathes and washes his hair every day. He is soft, fragrant, and very comfortable to hug.
"If Xiao Doubao is sleepy, go to sleep for a while." Xiao Doubao usually wakes up at about seven o'clock, but today, he woke up an hour earlier than usual.
Xiao Doubao raised his head to look at his mother. He shook his head and then reached out to point at the trees and houses on both sides of the national road that were moving back rapidly, as well as the old cattle grazing on the ridge.
A tractor, full of people passed by. Xiao Doubao excitedly grabbed Su Xiaoxiao's arm: "Mama, look~"
Xiao Doubao seldom rode a car. When he was picked up in a car last time, he was still confused about the situation. Now that he was outside again, as their car passed by the scenery, everything looked new yet strange to him.
Su Xiaoxiao looked out and thought that Comrade Han Cheng was driving so slowly that even the tractor could overtake them. This calm personality of his is good, and there are two cubs with them, so naturally, safety is their number one priority.
Han Cheng looked at the rearview mirror and said, "Xiao Doubao, call Dad."
The other day, Fantuan said Doubao called him Brother. Why wouldn't he call him Dad?
Xiao Doubao looked at Han Cheng from the rearview mirror, turned his head, and ignored his father.
Fantuan also coaxed him to call him brother and tickled Doubao's armpit, but he didn't call him as if he were deliberately ignoring his big brother and refused to call him big brother.
But as long as Su Xiaoxiao asked him something, he would talk cutely and answer every question, word for word, which made Fantuan annoyed.
The family arrived in the city at seven o'clock, but the Civil Affairs Bureau didn't work until eight or nine o'clock, so, they went to buy the more sought-after materials first.
The meat factory and the non-staple food factory in the city are close to each other, just not far from the Civil Affairs Bureau, and it is only a few minutes walk.
In the planned economy era, when people bought things by ticket, there was a shortage of materials, and the number of people queuing to buy things was huge every day. The market in the city was several times larger than that in the town, but the same number of people was also several times more. Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng joined the queue with Doubao and Fantuan.
Han Cheng wore the latest military uniform; he looked tall and handsome. The two cubs looked good and wore new clothes. Only the petite and sweet Su Xiaoxiao wore a patched dress that was neither old nor new.
The warm-hearted aunt in the line nearby could not help touching Su Xiaoxiao's arm and kindly admonished her: "Young lady, we, female comrades, are more than capable of carrying half the sky. Don't always cling to men and children. You should treat yourself better."
Su Xiaoxiao blinked and said, "Auntie, I treat myself very well."
'She doesn't seem to have treated herself badly, does she? How could this aunt have such an illusion?'
The aunt hated the iron for not becoming steel. [1] She raised her chin and pointed at the two cubs and Han Cheng: "Your family is very beautiful, but you are the only one dressed in rags. I just saw you come down from the car. The conditions at home should not be bad. Don't blame the aunt for not reminding you that men don't know how to love their wives. You should learn to love yourself."
The aunt straightened her back and pulled at the corner of her clothes: "Look at this dress I am wearing. It was bought at the state-owned shopping mall over there. The salesperson said it was the latest style. You are a young, delicate female comrade, and yet, you are not as well dressed as this auntie. How can that be possible?"
Su Xiaoxiao: "…?" You are an ignorant aunt. Although the cotton clothes on my body are not good looking and have also been patched, compared with the non-breathable, non-absorbent, and soon-to-be-phased-out dress, hers is much more comfortable, okay?
But Su Xiaoxiao also knows that this year, people all admire the soft, thin, and durable Dacron, so, there is no use in explaining.
Fantuan leaned into his father's ear and whispered, "Dad, it seems that Mom is the only one in our family without new clothes. Let's buy her new clothes!"
Fantuan remembered that his mother used to wear green military uniforms like his father, but his mother seemed to wear only a few patches of clothes. Only he and his brother had new clothes.
Han Cheng pulled Su Xiaoxiao's hand out of the queue without saying a word.
Su Xiaoxiao blinked: "Why?"
"Let's go buy your clothes first," Han Cheng said.
Su Xiaoxiao's original plan was to buy meat first, since it's more important, so she queued for it first. Then, after buying meat, she will go to the clothing stores and buy new clothes. It didn't matter if they got their marriage certificate in the afternoon.
At first, Han Cheng was okay with this arrangement, but now he thinks buying clothes for Su Xiaoxiao is more important than buying meat. Otherwise, if the chat continues, the aunt will think that he is abusing his wife.
Su Xiaoxiao really couldn't laugh or cry: "It's not too late; we finally got here."
The aunt at the back said, "Yes, yes, buy clothes first; remember to buy Dacron!"
Su Xiaoxiao: "…" Auntie, I reasonably suspect that you deliberately removed me from the queue to reduce the number of people in the queue.
Fantuan hugged his father's neck and turned his head: "Grandma, my mother's clothes are not as beautiful as yours, but she still looks beautiful. My family loves my mother the most. We are going to buy dacron now!" Humph!
All the people in line looked at them. Su Xiaoxiao could only say to her aunt, "I'm sorry for my son's rudeness."
Su Xiaoxiao pushed Fantuan's small head back and said, "Well, do you know what dacron is? No rudeness allowed."
Han Cheng smiled and patted his son's head. The little guy's mouth can talk.
Fantuan groaned proudly until they reached the ready-made clothing counter in the state-run shopping mall, and he still didn't stop insisting on buying Dacron.
However, Su Xiaoxiao insisted on buying only a white dress and a pair of shoes to wear for the wedding photo. She used all the remaining cloth tickets to buy cotton cloth and cotton and didn't want to buy anything else.
Even Han Cheng couldn't help asking her, "Why didn't you buy the dacron?"
The cotton had only one color, but Dacron has many fancy styles.
Su Xiaoxiao said: "Dacron is a chemical fiber cloth that is non-breathable and does not absorb sweat. It will also generate static electricity in the winter. It is light and durable. But cotton cloth is a natural cloth, which is soft and comfortable. I think comfort is more important."
Han Cheng nodded. He would also choose cotton cloth.
The logistics department also gave Han Cheng the tickets needed for marriage, but if you buy a dragon and phoenix quilt, you need to stamp the marriage certificate as well as some special items for marriage, so you have to come back after they receive their marriage certificate.
It's impossible to buy this kind of good meat. Su Xiaoxiao simply changed her plan. She changed into a white dress first and went to take photos to get the certificate.
Su Xiaoxiao came out after changing into a white dress, and Fantuan's eyes widened: "Wow, mom, you are so beautiful!"
Fantuan has always felt that his mother is a fairy, and his mother in white clothes is more in line with his image of a fairy!
After putting on the white dress, the female comrade with sparkling eyes, bright teeth, and picturesque eyes became gentler. It was not the first time that he saw her wear twin braids with a red ribbon, she saw her wear this hairstyle in the Sujia Village. Her dark, bright, and smooth hair was scattered at random. She reached out and pinned the hair on her cheeks behind her ears. When she looked back, she smiled without saying a word. She looked fresh and clean, like a reborn person, not because of her clothes, but because of her temperament. Han Cheng didn't know how to describe it. In short, she's beautiful in every way.
"You look beautiful," Han Cheng said heartily.
In recent years, everyone has liked to tie twin braids. Su Xiaoxiao has to work at home and doesn't know how to braid her hair, so she always ties her hair up casually.
Su Xiaoxiao bent down and picked up Xiao Doubao.
Xiao Doubao touched his mother's hair, patted her two small hands against her, and said to his father, "Ma~look~~"
Su Xiaoxiao kissed him and said, "Thank you for your praise. Let's go."
Han Cheng held the cloth in one hand and Fantuan in the other. They put the things in the trunk of the car first. Han Cheng took Xiao Doubao from Su Xiaoxiao's hand. Su Xiaoxiao led Fantuan. The family walked happily to the photo studio.
References
↑1 to feel resentful towards sb for failing to meet expectations and impatient to see improvement.
Chapter 39.2
The tall, handsome male comrades in green military uniform who rarely smile and the sweet and pretty female comrade wearing a white dress, who was born with a smiling face were sitting on the chair with a straight posture and their hands on their thighs.
The cameraman said, "Look how sweet the female comrade smiles, can the male comrade also smile?"
Han Cheng looked at the camera and smiled. With the "click" of the shutter, a wedding photo was freshly released.
Although it is not cheap to take photos these days, the opportunity is rare. Su Xiaoxiao proposed to take a photo with the cubs.
Han Cheng held Fantuan, and Su Xiaoxiao held Xiao Doubao. Their position was the same as the one they took for their wedding photo, but this time, each had an extra cub sitting on their lap.
This was the first time Fantuan took a picture, and he was so happy that he put on a very stupid pose.
The first family photo of a family of four was freshly released, and the photographer repeatedly praised them for being a good family.
After leaving the photo studio, the family went straight to the Civil Affairs Bureau.
The Civil Affairs Bureau registered a lot of new couples, and many have brought their children to get certificates, but it was really rare for the entire family to look so beautiful.
The clever child said "Mom" to the elegant and snow-white-skinned female comrade. They got along so harmoniously, even if she was actually their stepmother. The comrade in charge of registration couldn't help looking at them more and teasing Xiao Fantuan.
The marriage process is very simple, but this year's marriage certificate is the distinguishing feature of this time. It is red and special, a bit like the kind of certificates you get in elementary school, but it is lighter red, with a big red peony flower printed in the middle, and a few words on the four sides. There is a big red "happiness" character printed on the four sides, the chairman's quotation and the highest instruction on the top, in the middle are the three characters of "marriage certificate", then the font size, and below are the name, age, date, and certificate issuing department, etc. All the information is filled in manually and finally stamped with a red seal.
Su Xiaoxiao found it strange, is this a marriage certificate? She held it in her hand and looked at it several times, then realized that the marriage certificate at this time does not need to paste the photos of the married couple. So, the wedding photo was taken in vain? Also, the photos didn't come out quickly, showing how naïve they are.
However, it's also good to leave a souvenir, and it will serve as a precious memory when they grow old.
Fantuan also clamored to see the marriage certificate, but Han Cheng took it and put it away: "You can't understand it, you might break it."
Fantuan disagreed: "I can understand; my mother taught me a lot of words!"
Han Cheng casually pointed out a word and asked, "What is this word?"
Fantuan: "…" He was so overblown that he couldn't understand it!
Su Xiaoxiao was overjoyed: "Come on, don't bully the cubs. Let's eat lunch first."
One person picked up a child. Han Cheng held Su Xiaoxiao's hand and gently squeezed it. He smiled at Su Xiaoxiao. Su Xiaoxiao's dimple appeared. 'Yes, Comrade Han Cheng, we have become legal couples.'
A little episode happened while they were eating in the state-run restaurant. Xiao Fantuan hated the food in the restaurant and said, "It's not as delicious as my mother's food" loudly.
The waiters also heard it and rolled their eyes at him. If they weren't wearing decent clothes and Han Cheng, wearing a military uniform, they would probably drive the little guy out.
After eating their lunch, Xiao Doubao became sleepy. Han Cheng held him and let him sleep.
The family rushed back to the state-run shopping mall with their marriage certificate and bought a big red dragon and phoenix quilt, a big red basin, and a cabinet. Finally, after three turns here and there, they bought what they need.
Su Xiaoxiao wanted to add a wardrobe, but it was too big, and the style was not beautiful, so she gave it up for now.
There was nothing left in this joint meat factory. They only bought a little sausage and preserved duck, which was better than nothing.
After they bought the meat, they went to the non-staple food factory and bought a lot of things; the baby's milk powder and malted milk were replenished.
Su Xiaoxiao also bought many kinds of seasonings that could not be bought in the town, such as mung bean powder and potato powder and other kinds of powder that can be bought without tickets. In a word, the things that didn't require any tickets will only be sold in small portions.
There are also kinds of sweet cakes that can be bought only with a marriage certificate. The snacks in this era were readily available and couldn't be bought casually. These foods didn't have as many additives as in later generations; they are all organic and natural. Su Xiaoxiao wanted to buy more food and let the cubs eat it slowly.
There are not many fuel tickets, and they can only buy small amounts of gas, which will take a few days.
In the 1970s, even if you had money, you couldn't buy what you wanted if you didn't have any tickets for it, which made Su Xiaoxiao sad.
"Don't worry, let's go to the black market later." Han Cheng comforted her.
Su Xiaoxiao slapped her forehead and almost forgot that there was such a good place.
They put their things away and went to the black market as soon as they were ready.
Han Cheng drove the car to the black market.
"Why are you so familiar with the way?" Su Xiaoxiao asked.
Han Cheng parked the car and replied: "Every place that Chen Aimin had visited, there is no one in our department who doesn't know where that place is."
Well, Doctor Chen is talkative.
The black market in the city was nothing like the one in the town, which only opens for a little while in the morning.
The scale here is not small, and there are many stalls at the foot of the city wall. Han Cheng, dressed in military uniform, arrived at the intersection. Those who are in charge of letting the wind out should immediately notify everyone to withdraw if they find something is wrong. Han Cheng could already feel that someone was going to tell him the news.
A few people came out soon. Probably, when they saw Han Cheng with his wife and children, who didn't appear like he was there to clean up, they relaxed their vigilance.
It was inconvenient for Han Cheng to go in because of his military uniform, so he waited at the intersection with Xiao Doubao in his arms. Su Xiaoxiao took Fantuan in, but Han Cheng told her not to go far and asked her to buy things on the side.
Han Cheng's eyes never left Su Xiaoxiao's shadow.
Xiao Fantuan had never been to such a place, but he was excited.
Su Xiaoxiao bought some mungbean cake first, let the little cub take one to eat, and asked him to look around to see if there was any oil for sale.
Xiao Fantuan, who was holding his mother in one hand and eating mung bean cake in the other, looked around as he hopped here and there.
The little guy is not afraid of life. He directly asked an uncle who was squatting in front of him: "Uncle, do you know where I can find an oil seller? Our house has no oil for frying."
Su Xiaoxiao: "…" What is this operation?
Su Xiaoxiao just wanted to say, 'sorry, my child is not sensible.'
As a result, the uncle looked at them and said, "How much do you want? I have a few pounds. Come with me."
Su Xiaoxiao turned back to Han Cheng and gestured that she was going to follow the uncle. She took the Xiao Fantuan and walked with the uncle into the opposite alley.
There are also residential buildings on both sides of the alley. Uncle's home is probably here and not too far from the black market. The Uncle asked them to wait and took out the key from his pocket to open the door.
After a while, he took out a small jar of oil. He looked at Su Xiaoxiao again. He frowned and asked, "You don't have a jar with you? What did you bring?"
Su Xiaoxiao remembered that she had to bring her container to buy these things. She forgot to bring her small jar of oil.
"Sorry, I forgot to bring it. How about I buy your jar together with oil, is that okay with you?" This is several kilograms of oil. Su Xiaoxiao doesn't want to miss it.
When the Uncle saw that she was very kind, he said, "Well, you can put some deposit here and return it to me next time you come."
Su Xiaoxiao thought to herself: There will be a next time? Naturally, I will agree.
"Well, well, then we have an appointment. I will buy it at this time next month. Can you keep it for me?"
The Uncle was also an honest man. He shook his head and said, "I can't promise it. Every household is short of it, and it is not available every month. You can only get it on a first-come, first-served basis."
Xiao Fantuan took out a piece of mung bean cake from Su Xiaoxiao's hand, pulled the uncle's clothes, and handed it to him with his face upturned. "Uncle, I'll treat you with some mungbean cake, can you sell us your oil next time? My mother's cooking is delicious, but it won't work without oil. Next time, we'll bring you something delicious, okay?"
Uncle: "…"
Su Xiaoxiao: "…" Xiao Fantuan… Does he have the social bull syndrome that she always hears about from her previous life? He's so young, but he's better than me! [1]
What's more amazing is that the uncle unexpectedly agreed: "You are a very clever young kid. All right, for your sake, I will leave you three catty next month. You must come here at this time, don't be too late."
Xiao Fantuan nodded. He was smiling so hard that you could see all of his teeth: "Well, thank you, uncle, we will definitely bring you delicious food! Then uncle, do you know where I can buy meat? We haven't eaten meat for a long time." I couldn't eat meat yesterday; it's been a long time.
Uncle really pointed out the place to Fantuan: "The second house we passed through has several chickens. See, they have live chickens and chicken."
Xiao Fantuan replied. "Chicken. I haven't eaten chicken for a long time."
He looked up and asked Su Xiaoxiao, "Mom, can I have a chicken leg?"
Su Xiaoxiao was convinced by this little boy, she smiled and said: "Yes, hurry up and thank uncle."
Xiao Fantuan smiled and said, "Thank you, uncle."
Su Xiaoxiao gave the payment and took the oil in one hand. Before leaving, the Uncle also went into the house and took some snacks for Fantuan. Praised Fantuan for having a promising future.
A few minutes later, Su Xiaoxiao successfully bought chicken meat, which was, by the way, two whole chickens.
When Su Xiaoxiao appeared in the alley with chicken in one hand and oil in the other, followed by Xiao Fantuan with snacks in two hands, Han Cheng could not wait to come in.
"What took you so long?" He was worried that something might have happened to them.
Su Xiaoxiao gave him the oil in her hand and shook his wrist: "Our son is very good; you must take him with you when you buy things in the future."
Xiao Fantuan pulled Xiao Doubao and wanted to give him snacks: "Dad, I earned all these; am I good?"
Han Cheng was at a loss.
Su Xiaoxiao gave him a thumbs up and patted Fantuan's head: "Our little Fantuan is great. Today's harvest is very rich. Let's go home."
References
↑1 Social Bull Syndrome—A new meme was created as a mix between social niubility (means very awesome or extremely cool) and social phobia. It describes a person who is somewhere between a social butterfly and someone who has a social phobia. Social phobia when alone, but social butterfly when out with friends.
Chapter 40
It was past four o'clock in the afternoon when they arrived home.
Han Cheng unloaded the stuff in the car, took the wedding cakes and candy, and went to return the car to Zhao Xianfeng first.
The old man likes wine, so he also brought a bottle of wine from home.
Children from nearby neighborhoods came to watch the fun, and Su Xiaoxiao asked Fantuan to send two sweet candies to each of them.
Xiao Fantuan instantly became the most popular kid in the neighborhood.
Neighbors came out to join the party. When they saw Su Xiaoxiao, they all sighed that Head Han's new wife was so beautiful.
Neighbors who don't usually communicate with each other often came to chat with her when they saw that their children got some candies from Su Xiaoxiao.
Only then did they find out that, aside from having a pleasant appearance, Su Xiaoxiao also has a very gentle personality.
Su Xiaoxiao left a good impression on the people.
When Zhuzi came back from school, Su Xiaoxiao took his schoolbag and asked him to go to Fantuan to get some candy and play with other children for a while.
Zhuzi has had no playmates from childhood to adulthood.
He doesn't know how to get along with people his age.
Xiao Fantuan is different. He was born to be a social person. He pulled Zhuzi with him and quickly made Zhuzi part of the group.
Su Xiaoxiao went inside their house to tidy up the things they bought.
She felt that she was really like a hamster. When she saw the full grain in the barn, she felt a sense of satisfaction.
The point is, she has oil! Although it's not a lot, at least she doesn't have to save so much when cooking, and when frying an omelet, it will be much more delicious, and she can also try to make a variety of pastries that she likes to eat.
With superior peanut oil, she can directly make white-cut chicken at night.
Xiao Doubao, with candy in his mouth, circled Su Xiaoxiao's feet.
"Why doesn't Xiao Doubao go to play with his brothers?" Su Xiaoxiao asked him.
Xiao Doubao shook his head and called out in a childish voice, "Mama~~~"
"Xiao Doubao likes Mom very much, doesn't he? But you should also have to play with other people." Su Xiaoxiao led him.
Xiao Doubao still shook his head: "Ma Ma~~"
Su Xiaoxiao didn't force him either. Children who lack a sense of security are very clingy to their mothers when they are young. When he grows up, he will be fine.
He was reluctant to speak before, but now he is slowly trying to speak.
Su Xiaoxiao took him to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Because she bought two chickens at once, and the weather was not too hot, Su Xiaoxiao decided to cook one as white-cut chicken and the other as salt-baked chicken and save it for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
The method of cooking these two kinds of chicken dishes is very simple.
Su Xiaoxiao started boiling a generous amount of water in the pot and then added ginger, shallots, and a little salt. When it hit the right temperature, she put the chicken in the boiling water and let it sit there for about 45 minutes. When it's done, she dips it into an ice bath and then puts the chicken back in the boiling water. After repeating this process several times, the chicken became crispy, and the meat was even more tender. However, when cooking this, you must control the temperature of the water, so the pot cover can't be completely closed. The chicken that is fully boiled with a pot cover will generally become very overcooked and not so delicious.
(T/N: Seriously, her cooking scenes always took me so long to translate.)
In the process of waiting for the chicken to be cooked, Su Xiaoxiao went to prepare the seasoning. The authentic White Cut Chicken Seasoning is very simple, that is, the ground ginger is mixed with good peanut oil and a little salt.
On the other hand, salt-baked chicken only needs onions, oil, and soy sauce.
Su Xiaoxiao chopped ginger into a puree, added a little salt, and then added the peanut oil she bought today. Her way of cooking this was to add a little scallion, which made it fragrant and made her mouth water as she smelled it.
Su Xiaoxiao used this to make ginger and scallion lo mein in her last life, which, by the way, was also very delicious.
Han Cheng returned from delivering the car, and the chicken was almost ready to come out of the pot.
Han Cheng said that Zhao Xianfeng's grandfather's health was getting worse and worse, and he couldn't help but be worried.
Su Xiaoxiao didn't know how to comfort Han Cheng. Every human will experience old age, and no one can be exempted.
Su Xiaoxiao told him to work to distract him.
"Put the white-cut chicken in cold water and then chop it." Su Xiaoxiao can't do the work of chopping chicken. If she had done the whole chicken in her last life, she would have either done it with the help of her aunt(helper) or boiled the whole chicken until cooked, tore it with her hands, and eaten it directly.
Su Xiaoxiao pointed to another chicken and said: "Remove the head, feet, and backbone, and put it back into the pot, and then put salt on it while it is hot, and put it away for the next day."
After being salted overnight, it becomes a simple version of salted chicken.
Han Cheng did as Su Xiaoxiao told him. The hand that held a scalpel for several years was naturally talented at chopping. The chicken he cut was like a piece of art. It was a living chicken with its wings open.
"Comrade Han Cheng, you are too powerful." Su Xiaoxiao sincerely praised. "By the way, cut the two chicken legs into two; otherwise, the three children in the family will not be able to divide it evenly."
Su Xiaoxiao believes that eating chicken legs is one of the best memories of her childhood. She especially liked chicken legs when she was young, but she doesn't like them that much now that she's older. She prefers chicken wings.
"It has been cut; don't worry." Han Cheng thought of this when he was chopping the chicken.
The couple looked at each other and smiled.
Su Xiaoxiao added: "You can cut Xiao Doubao's chicken leg more vertically so that he doesn't need to cut it, and he can eat it directly."
Xiao Doubao's hand is healed, and Su Xiaoxiao plans to let him eat by himself.
After finishing his work, Han Cheng narrowed the distance between him and Su Xiaoxiao and whispered in her ears. "I will decorate the wedding room, and we will move into our room tonight."
Su Xiaoxiao thought of something, blushed, and said, "The dragon and phoenix quilts haven't been washed yet."
"The dragon and phoenix quilts are used for covering. Can we wash them tomorrow?" Although Han Cheng wanted to, he still asked Su Xiaoxiao for advice.
In her last life, Su Xiaoxiao lived in an open society. She might have never eaten pork, but she has seen the pig run. How can she not know? They are both legal couples. When it comes to love, what should happen will happen naturally. Su Xiaoxiao is not hypocritical. Han Cheng exercises for a long time and has a good body proportions. He should have many abdominal muscles.
Su Xiaoxiao nodded: "I'll listen to you." She also wanted to look at his abdominal muscles.
Han Cheng tilted his head and kissed her face: "Why are you so obedient?"
Su Xiaoxiao pushed him aside and said, "You shouldn't talk about that, Xiao Doubao's watching."
Han Cheng turned around and saw the cub sitting on the bench, looking curiously at his father and mother. He saw Han Cheng kissing Su Xiaoxiao, and the cub held his face in both hands and grinned.
Han Cheng:"…"
Su Xiaoxiao's eyes smiled and she said, "Go and find the two cubs outside. It's almost time to eat."
Han Cheng went out to find the cubs. Su Xiaoxiao put the washed vegetables into the chicken soup and then added some red dates and wolfberries she bought today.
A pot of good chicken soup with mixed vegetables was served at the table.
In the area where Su Xiaoxiao lived in his previous life, there was a saying that there was no feast without chicken. Today's meal is very rich, with chicken, soup, and vegetables, and it is also a celebration of obtaining their marriage certificate.
Several cubs sat in a row. Su Xiaoxiao poured ginger and scallions directly onto the chicken and then divided the chicken legs into each cub's bowl.
Xiao Zhuzi hasn't eaten chicken legs since he was young. Facing such a big chicken leg, he was a little at a loss.
He swallowed his saliva and wanted to say that he wouldn't eat it and leave it for Fantuan and Doubao to eat. But he also remembered Su Xiaoxiao and Fantuan telling him that he was a member of the family. Everyone in the family is equal. Everyone has their own share, and he also has his own share. Unless he doesn't treat them as his family, then he has to give it up.
Fantuan can't wait to bite the drumstick: "Mom, you are so powerful, it's so delicious! I declare the drumstick is the best in the world! Zhuzi, why don't you eat it? Eat them quickly!"
The oily, crispy chicken leg, together with ginger, scallions, and fragrant peanut oil, looked even more delicious when Fantuan savored every bite. Even Xiao Doubao grabbed the chicken leg with relish.
Xiao Zhuzi nodded and took a bite like them. It was delicious. He had never eaten such delicious food for so long.
Su Xiaoxiao likes to eat chicken wings. She put the last half of the chicken legs into Han Cheng's bowl and said, "You eat the chicken legs, I like chicken wings."
Han Cheng put it back into her bowl and said, "Eat it."
Who in the world doesn't like chicken legs? His wife is good at everything, but she's too considerate of others.
Han Cheng really misunderstood Su Xiaoxiao. Of course, everyone in this world loves chicken legs, but Su Xiaoxiao was not originally a person in this world. She prefers chicken wings.
"Han Cheng, have you ever heard a story about a couple of grandparents who have been in love for decades and thought that each other likes to eat what they like? On the last day of their lives, they found out that they misunderstood each other. I wouldn't make such a mistake. I really like to eat chicken wings." Su Xiaoxiao put the chicken legs back into Han Cheng's bowl, saying, "If you don't like to eat them, give them to the babies."
Fantuan raised his hand: "Dad, I apply for another one!"
Han Cheng doesn't want to be too used to them. Everyone has a share of the food in the family, and there is a lot of chicken. They can also eat other parts. Han Cheng has not had the chance to eat chicken legs since he was young. He likes to eat them, and since there are three cubs, it's not appropriate if he gives them to one person only.
"Your share has been eaten." Han Cheng took a bite. 'Indeed, it was delicious.'
The atmosphere in their family was also really good; adults and children were all on an equal footing and respected each other.
After dinner, as usual, they cleaned up, took a walk to digest the food they ate, studied, bathed, and told stories to coax the babies to sleep.
The only difference is that Han Cheng used a lot of soap when taking a bath. He wanted to wash a layer of skin off his body.
Su Xiaoxiao also washed her hair very carefully.
In the room to the east, the bright red dragon and phoenix quilts and the dressing table with the word "Happiness" are particularly festive.
Under the dim light, the sweat of the man with eight-pack abs slipped down the texture of his skin, and he asked the woman with snow-white skin in a deep and suppressed voice: "Xiaoxiao, can I?"
…
