How could Chu Jiangchuan possibly sleep?
With a warm, fragrant, and soft beauty in his arms, yet unwilling to harm her, he could only grit his teeth and endure.
Tang Ximian, on the other hand, fell asleep quickly. Perhaps a certain defense in her heart had loosened, as she slept soundly, even adjusting her position several times, completely unaware of the suffering she caused the man behind her.
“Ouch…” Chu Jiangchuan frowned, holding Tang Ximian gently in his arms while planting a fierce kiss on her lips. “You!”
When she woke up, Tang Ximian was startled to realize she had slept for so long—and in someone else’s arms!
She kissed Chu Jiangchuan’s cheek, then turned and got out of bed to prepare breakfast.
Nana was already fine, drawing on the ground in the yard with a twig—a small flower, a little house—completely absorbed in her artwork.
Chu Jiangrong, who had just finished washing her face, smiled when she saw Tang Ximian emerge. “There’s nothing much going on these next couple of days. Why don’t you buy some fabric you like, and I’ll make you a set of clothes!”
“That sounds wonderful.” Tang Ximian washed her face with the same water Chu Jiangrong had used, the coolness instantly waking her up. “Sis, from now on, you’ll be managing the household. Don’t dwell on the Lu Family anymore. Later, we’ll change Nana’s surname too!”
Chu Jiangrong nodded. “Mom said we should change her name as well—not Lu Na anymore, but something else. Nana can stay as her nickname.”
“Good,” Tang Ximian replied.
After Chu Jiangchuan got up and saw Tang Ximian still in the kitchen, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Just seeing her warmed his heart…
“Mianmian!”
The village chief’s voice came from the gate, followed by Lin Zhiguo and his wife stepping inside. “We heard you became a radio announcer?”
Tang Ximian hurriedly invited them to sit. “How did you find out so quickly?”
“Ha! Your mother-in-law has been singing your praises like you’re one of a kind! In this village, only the deaf don’t know by now!” The village chief’s wife laughed. “See? That old lady is just like that! And now she adores you!”
Tang Ximian was surprised. She looked up to see her mother-in-law return, full of energy. “Is breakfast ready?”
Noticing the village chief and his wife, Xu Guangfen felt a bit awkward.
The village chief whispered, “See? She’s back after showing off! She was talking so much she was practically foaming at the mouth, afraid nobody would know she has a wonderful daughter-in-law!”
The three of them chuckled discreetly.
Tang Ximian felt relieved. What she had feared was that her mother-in-law genuinely disliked her. But if she was just a tsundere old lady, then things were much simpler!
Before they could even finish breakfast, two or three families came by to offer congratulations. Tang Ximian was astonished by her mother-in-law’s promotional skills.
Chu Jiangchuan, however, felt immensely proud. It didn’t matter to him whether others knew or not.
It was bound to happen sooner or later.
When he learned that Chu Jiangrong planned to make clothes, Xu Guangfen took out five yuan and handed it to Tang Ximian. “Go buy yourself some nice clothes. Don’t embarrass our Old Chu Family when you go to the county!” She then nudged Chu Jiangchuan. “You take her! What if she gets lost?”
Tang Ximian couldn’t hold back anymore and burst out laughing. She wrapped her arms around her mother-in-law’s and swayed them playfully. “Mom~~ You’re so good to me~ I made so many mistakes before, but you’re still willing to help me! You’re like my own mother!”
“Get away from me!” Xu Guangfen, her old face flushed red, retreated into the house.
Chu Jiangrong and Tang Ximian exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.
The Chu Family only had a flatcart, but since the Supply and Marketing Cooperative was nearby, the two decided to walk.
Along the way, many people asked about Tang Ximian’s new job, all expressing their envy.
Tang Ximian held Chu Jiangchuan’s hand, openly displaying the changes in herself.
She had indeed changed—suddenly, yet timely!
The staff at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative remained as arrogant as in her memories of her past life, but that was none of Tang Ximian’s concern. Patiently, she inquired about cotton cloth and Dacron cloth, ultimately settling on white fabric for its fresh and clean appearance.
She bought seven chi of cloth, spending two yuan and forty-five fen, and paid an additional twenty fen for what the salesclerk called “useless fabric scraps.”
Useless? In her hands, they would become useful!
Returning home, the elderly woman expressed dissatisfaction upon seeing she had bought plain white fabric: “A young woman like you would look much prettier in brighter colors!”
“White is clean!” Tang Ximian measured the dimensions and began cutting: “The leftover should be enough to make a top for Nana. I also bought some fabric scraps to make something pretty for her later!”
Xu Guangfen glanced at the thin child, her heart warming, and she regarded her daughter-in-law with even greater esteem.
“Auntie.” Nana approached, cautiously taking Tang Ximian’s hand. “Nana has clothes. Nana doesn’t need any.”
“This is Auntie’s gift. Nana should just accept it!” Tang Ximian smiled, patting Nana’s head. “Auntie will teach you a saying: ‘One must not decline what elders bestow.’ Just accept what the family gives you! As long as you’re happy!”
Tang Ximian’s heart ached for this child. At such a tender age, she was looked down upon by her grandmother and biological father, while her mother was too overwhelmed to care for her properly. Now that life had finally settled, it was difficult to reclaim her lost innocence.
Throughout the afternoon, Tang Ximian and Chu Jiangrong were busy to the point of dizziness—cutting and sewing clothes. Tang Ximian’s dress needed to be slightly fitted at the waist, while Nana’s required some decorative touches…
“Your hands are as clumsy as my feet.”
“The stitches are passable… Tang Ximian, don’t you dare touch that needle!”
The elderly woman’s scolding echoed intermittently.
Nana sat in the corner of the kang, watching them with a smile.
It was wonderful—she didn’t have to endure beatings or struggle with chores beyond her strength anymore…
The next day, Nana twirled in the yard wearing her new white top embroidered with butterflies: “Auntie! I have new clothes!”
Tang Ximian emerged in her new dress as well, the slightly fitted style making her appear slimmer and taller: “Nana, do I look pretty?”
“Pretty! Auntie is pretty!” Nana rushed over, hugging her and laughing.
Chu Jiangchuan entered carrying firewood, watching them with a smile: “Be careful not to get them dirty while working later.”
“Go away! Always spoiling the mood!” Tang Ximian shot him a glare, whispering to Nana: “We both have new clothes now. When Auntie comes back at the end of the month, she’ll buy some for them too. Don’t tell them, okay?”
“Okay!” Nana grinned, her eyes narrowing into happy slits.
“What are these two up to?” Chu Jiangrong chuckled, watching her daughter. “See? Good-looking people are always popular with children!”
Chu Jiangchuan smiled tenderly and dotingly, prompting Chu Jiangrong to turn and leave immediately.
She couldn’t stand watching this—it made her hair stand on end and gave her goosebumps all over!
On Sunday afternoon, Chu Jiangchuan accompanied Tang Ximian to the county town.
This time, he didn’t go with her, but Tang Ximian managed just fine on her own.
She just missed him a little…
Watching the bus disappear into the distance, Chu Jiangchuan turned and headed to a nearby construction site.
He remembered Tang Ximian’s advice about finding lighter work. Earning less was acceptable—it was better than nothing. The family’s wheat had already been sold, and the remainder was set aside for grinding into flour. As for Nana’s surgery fees, it was merely a drop in the bucket.
Tang Ximian returned to the dormitory and met her roommates, all of whom were from the county or the local city. They were either in college or pursuing bachelor’s degrees, while the least educated among them was her, with only a high school diploma.
Their gazes toward her carried a hint of scrutiny.