Chapter 720

Jiang Ning and Song Peifeng followed willingly, placing their things in the main room.

Somehow, a cloth portrait of Chairman Mao appeared on the wall—new, along with portraits of Grandpa Jiang, two Zhu grandpas, and Grandpa Zhou, all famous figures. Someone had bought them recently in Shuibu Town, bringing some life into the room.

The room was kept very clean by Uncle Jiang’s wife and her daughter-in-law. Father Jiang and Mother Jiang didn’t need to clean; the house had hot water, gas tanks, a gas stove, and an induction cooker.”

She placed everything in order and then, like a guest, sat down, leaving her backpack casually on a chair.

At this moment, Jiang Jun and his wife, along with Uncle Jiang’s wife, arrived.

Jiang Ning handed the gifts for her, Jiang Jun’s family, and Grandma Jiang to them—among peers, no gifts were exchanged; otherwise, the giving would never end.”

Jiang Ning told Song Peifeng to accept the red envelope.

Father Jiang, seeing her give one to Song Peifeng, slapped his forehead in realization—he had forgotten to prepare red envelopes! He quickly gave a signal to Mother Jiang.

Mother Jiang was good with etiquette, though often stingy in how much she gave. But with her sister-in-law giving first, Mother Jiang, as Jiang Ning’s own mother, could never give less. Since they hadn’t agreed beforehand, Mother Jiang hesitated in the room, torn between 380 and 500 yuan.

Normally, 380 yuan would be considered quite generous.

Father Jiang, seeing Mother Jiang hadn’t come out, checked on her and immediately knew her old stinginess was acting up again. He counted six 100-yuan bills from the cash she held, tore a piece from a fresh stack of red paper bought yesterday, wrapped the money inside, and came out to hand it to Song Peifeng.”

The Song family knew etiquette well; it made no sense for the Jiang family not to.

Song Peifeng smiled and accepted the red envelope, thanking Mother Jiang and Father Jiang.

Uncle Jiang’s wife grew more pleased with Song Peifeng, “The New Year’s still early; stay in Jiang Village a few more days. You haven’t seen Ning Ning’s new house, have you?” She lifted Song Peifeng’s bag, which he immediately took onto his back.”

Jiang Ning turned and smiled at him, “Aunt said you only got back yesterday, so there’s no tea yet. It’s fine—I’ll just take Peifeng to see the house. I haven’t been back for over half a year and don’t know how Grandpa is doing.”

She picked up the gift meant for Grandpa Jiang and headed towards the barren hill.

Father Jiang had no choice but to follow.

Two aunts who came along awkwardly smiled and said to Father Jiang and Mother Jiang, “Ning Ning’s really grown up, huh? She’s the spitting image of you two—tall and well-proportioned.”

Another aunt laughed, “Yes, yes, look at that barren hill house, how big and beautiful it is—first-class around ten miles in every direction.”

The two aunts chimed together, finally lifting the mood.

Father Jiang smiled and followed Jiang Ning towards the barren hill, Mother Jiang trailing behind alone. The two aunts walked beside Mother Jiang softly advising, “Your daughter’s really something—there’s no one like her in ten miles.”

“Yes, yes,” the other aunt said, lowering her voice sincerely to Mother Jiang, “You used to have a bad temper when you were young, but you can’t be like that anymore. Ning Ning was small then, so hitting her was normal in the village, but now she’s grown and doing well.”

“Exactly, you gotta know when to soften,” one aunt winked at Mother Jiang squeezing her rough hand, patting her winter-chapped skin. “Girls these days have their own homesteads. If they don’t want to marry out, they can build their own houses right here. With sons and daughters around, it’s one more layer of security. If your home’s uncomfortable, you can go stay with them.”

Mother Jiang knew these truths well. Others might not realize it, but as a mother, she understood every bit of the pain.

Earlier, when Father Jiang came to pick her up, Jiang Ning was greeting everyone warmly, calling out happily. When she saw Father Jiang and Mother Jiang she smiled but didn’t change her expression.

Jiang Ning’s “Dad, Mom” sounded less affectionate than the villagers’ uncles and aunts. Especially compared to the genuine warmth she showed when facing her aunt-in-law, the smile on her face and the tenderness in her eyes.

Mother Jiang’s heart ached bitterly.

When Grandpa Jiang  was busy and couldn’t look after Jiang Ning, her aunt-in-law would take her in, sometimes for hours at a time.

Mother Jiang’s three children were born close in age. Jiang Song was a handful since young, so all her energy was poured into managing that troublemaker. She was glad the obedient younger son and Jiang Ning were taken care of by her sister-in-law, so she needn’t worry.

But now that Jiang Ning was grown and still closer to Uncle Jiang’s wife than to her own mother, Mother Jiang’s feelings were complicated. She was part angry at Jiang Ning and part at Uncle Jiang’s wife.

Yet Jiang Ning and Uncle Jiang’s wife were completely unaware of Mother Jiang’s displeasure.

Jiang Ning didn’t care even if she knew. Her aunt-in-law was thick-skinned and kindhearted, always cheerful with everyone—even with the once hot-tempered Grandma Jiang and Mother Jiang.”

Jiang Ning, arm in arm with Song Peifeng and holding her aunt’s shoulder, the three walked warmly towards the barren hill.

Uncle Jiang’s wife was short and slow, while Jiang Ning and Song Peifeng were long-legged and quick. To keep pace, they walked very slowly. Jiang Ning even lifted her up a little, worried, “Auntie, you’re so thin now.”

Uncle Jiang’s wife smiled softly, “I’m not tired. Tea plants don’t need much care, and the goji berries just need watering and fertilizing.”

For her, planting tea, goji berries, vegetables, and flowers was like a natural talent—she was just better at it than most. Her crops always grew well and bore much fruit.”

Mostly, she had only ever made money from pig farming and growing some vegetables. How could she know that this year they’d made over a hundred thousand yuan? To her, making money was that easy—just cooking—and if she complained about being tired, the heavens might strike her down.

So she truly felt life was good. Her children and grandchildren were nearby. Her granddaughter was there, her second daughter-in-law was pregnant this year, and by next year, no matter boy or girl, there’d be another grandchild to hold. The house was lively, with her three sons and their wives living well. What could be better?

She asked Jiang Ning, “Are you used to eating outside? Later, you’ll eat at home. I made lots of cured meat and sausages this year.”

Jiang Ning had loved meat as a kid. Even if the sausages weren’t the best, she still liked them—who didn’t like meat?

Jiang Ning softly told her, “I’m used to it. The cafeteria has many kinds of dishes.”

Uncle Jiang’s wife had never eaten at a cafeteria and only knew the cafeteria from Grandma Jiang’s old stories, where it was a place of hunger and misery—no food, starving until dizzy.

At the moment, life in Jiang Village was better. Jiang Ning’s house had a fridge, and even if it didn’t, the cold winter meant that food wouldn’t spoil. The kitchen’s shelves were stocked with plenty of winter vegetables and ingredients.

Uncle Jiang’s wife thought to herself about making all kinds of delicious food for Jiang Ning and Song Peifeng.”

Jiang Ning knew Song Peifeng’s tastes well and replied for him, “Peifeng likes fish and shrimp, and prefers lighter flavors.”

“No, no,” her aunt-in-law declined.

The barren hill in winter was cold and bleak, even more desolate than summer. A gust of wind blew, and the leaves still clinging to the trees fluttered down, covering the ground with a layer of leaves.

Uncle Jiang’s wife occasionally used a bamboo rake to gather leaves for kindling.

Jiang Ning’s lawn was now just a patch of wild grass; the flowers and plants were bare branches. On the garden swing lay a calico cat, eyes closed, swaying in the sun—just like Grandpa Jiang used to lie in a reclining chair under a tree, rocking gently with his teapot in hand.