Chapter 246

After a simple breakfast, Pei Jing and Sister Zhang bid farewell and the couple went out.

When they arrived at the An family, Zhou Nan was helping Zheng Suchun clean up the bowls and chopsticks while the children played in the yard.

Seeing them, Zhou Nan was in a good mood and pleasantly surprised, "Little Jing is back! When did you get home?" "Mom, we got home last night. We already ate breakfast," Pei Jing still had things in his hands. In the meantime, An JingZhi and An Zhiren had already come out to usher Pei Jing into the house.

Zhou Nan stopped Zheng Suchun who had just come out of the kitchen, "Suchun, it’s almost done, don’t be busy anymore. Since Jing is here, why don’t you take Jia to chat for a while and get to know each other."

After doing housework alone for so many years, Zhou Nan was finally able to enjoy her daughter-in-law's help.

Although Liu Ling would also help out sometimes, she spent most of her time at school. At home, she had to prepare lessons and grade assignments, as well as take care of the children, so there was little time for housework.

"Oh, alright," Zheng Suchun agreed with a smile. The cleaning up was done anyway, it would be impolite to refuse.

She had already changed out of yesterday's clothes. The fabric she was wearing now was also new, bought by An Zhiren when they went shopping in the city. She had made it herself.

This was the first time Zheng Suchun felt hopeful about life. She was well-dressed and well-fed. Her parents-in-law had given her a big red envelope today with a full 160 yuan inside.

She had never seen so much money in her life.

Because Liu Ling had given 200 yuan as betrothal gift when she married into the family, Zhou Nan and An Jingzhi did not favor one daughter-in-law over the other.

But in the village, the average betrothal gift was only a few tens of yuan, and was not usually brought to the wife’s family.

Zheng Suchun married up. As the Zheng family did not ask too much for the betrothal gift, Zhou Nan let her give a symbolic 50 yuan so as not to make the bride lose face. The rest would be given to her after she joined the family, as living expenses for the young couple.

Even in the countryside, 50 yuan was considered a high betrothal gift. Four years ago, when Jia married into the Gao family, she was only worth 20 yuan.

Of course, she was so battered back then that it was no wonder she wasn’t worth any money.

Since An Zhiren no longer lived here, his former room was given to An ZhiXian. It would also be inappropriate for Zheng Suchun to move in there.

Pei Jing was chatting with them in the living room, so the two women could only go to the other side of the house.

"Jia, I made shoes for everyone in the family, including pairs for you and the kids. The three little ones can't wear them yet, so I sewed each of them a pair of socks instead. I already tried Chenye and Wanqing’s on, they fit perfectly," said Zheng Suchun as she took out the shoes she made for Jia. The pure handmade cloth shoes were embroidered with flowers, showing her skilled craft.

"Thank you so much Sister-in-law! Let me try them on first," Jia enthusiastically took the shoes and sat on a stool to try them on.

They fit her feet nicely and felt very comfortable. Jia complimented Suchun's dexterity.

Zheng Suchun smiled from ear to ear, "I asked Grandma for everyone's shoe sizes a while ago when brother-in-law wasn't home yet. So I didn't make a pair for him. Don't blame me."

Of course, this was just pleasantries. With current material shortages, it was already great that she could make shoes for her in-laws upon marrying into the family, let alone for so many people. It must have taken great effort.

Jia quickly said it was fine, he wore military-issued liberation shoes anyway.

She did not prepare gifts for Zheng Suchun and did not expect to receive shoes for herself and her children.

Fortunately, she was going out today and had a sling bag with a water bottle inside. She reached into her bag and took out two scarves, just the right kind to tie around the neck in this weather.

"Sister-in-law, I don’t have hands as skilled as yours. I could only prepare two scarves, one for each of you and sister-in-law. Liu Ling isn’t here now,” she whispered, “You pick the color you like and keep that one. Please help me give the other one to sister-in-law later. Well, it serves her right for not being home,” Jia joked.

Zheng Suchun also laughed along. The two scarves were very brightly colored and certainly not cheap.

But she did not refuse them. After all, gifts helped bring people closer together. If the little sister had prepared them, it would be petty of her to reject.

After chatting with them for a while, Pei Jing went over with a child in each arm. He nodded politely to Zheng Suchun and said, "Let's go, while it's still early and not too hot. Otherwise when the sun gets higher..." Hearing they were going out to play, Zhou Nan hurried over, "Come back for lunch, okay? It's your second brother's honeymoon these two days. We can drink to it at lunch."

Pei Jing looked to Jia and she nodded before he agreed.

Once they were out the door, Jia asked him, "Where are we going?"

She was not very familiar with Jincheng. Memories from her past life had long been drowned out after so many years. And in this life, with several children in tow, she rarely had the time to venture out.

"I'm taking you somewhere...a place I went as a kid," he said, a smile tugging at his lips.

Jia had no idea there was such a place in Jincheng, tucked away in the most remote corner, adjoining a mountain path.

He parked his bicycle at the door of a farmhouse and called inside, "Old uncle, are you home?"

But it was a middle-aged man who emerged, "Who are you looking for?"

Pei Jing was not surprised, "I'm looking for an old uncle who used to live here. Is he in?"

"You mean my dad? He passed away two years ago. May I ask what business you have with him?" There was a slight sadness in the man's tone when he mentioned his father.

Pei Jing had not expected the old uncle to be gone already. It seemed he had come too late.

"Well, when I was a mischievous child, I stole cherries from your family's mountainside trees. Your dad caught me red-handed but instead told me to just come and pick them directly next time I wanted some. Later when I left, it had probably been years since I came back. Today I brought my wife and kids, hoping to see the old uncle again, but it turns out I am too late," Pei Jing lamented.

But the man suddenly recalled something and chuckled, "So you're the little boy who stole cherries that my dad used to talk about. My mom even fought with him because of it..."

Realizing he shouldn't have mentioned that, the man awkwardly laughed it off, "But later when my mom found out your dad and brother were soldiers, she picked cherries and delivered them herself. Who would've thought..." Back then, Pei Jing's mother had already passed away. Old Grandpa An had taken him in while Old Pei had gone off to war. It was not until the founding of the PRC that Old Pei returned and Pei Jing went back to live with him. By then, his ill mother was on her deathbed, delirious and pining for the cherries from their childhood yard.

It was his first time stealing and the shame of getting caught overwhelmed him. Fortunately the old uncle was kindhearted.

"Ah, let's not bring up sad old tales," the man waved it off. "My dad may be gone but the cherry trees up the hill still bear fruit every year. The old trees don't yield anymore and got chopped down. The ones there now are new trees grown from the old roots. They're full of ripe cherries. Let me take you to pick some."

There was farmland around Jincheng too, just not very much. Locals would plant vegetables in their spare time for their own consumption.

That old uncle had been quite protective of his few cherry trees. It was only because Pei Jing was an old acquaintance that he generously offered now.