Widow Remarries in Sixties

Sure enough, her grandson’s words proved that she hadn’t misjudged.

Her grandson had endured so much at such a young age. She and her old man didn’t know how many more years they had left; they just hoped they could watch over him for a few more years.

“He Yan is a good kid, and his family is also very nice. You should play with him more.”

Wei Ningqing knew that Grandma was doing this for his own good, so he obediently responded with an “Okay.”

Mrs. Chen patted his head, her eyes showing a hint of pity.

***

Recently, Jin Xiuzhu had been feeling a bit anxious. It had been almost a month since she sent out nearly a dozen paintings, but she hadn’t received a single reply.

Although she told herself to stay calm, she knew that success doesn’t come overnight. There must be something lacking in her paintings, and she just needed to improve.

So, while worrying and waiting, she started to work even harder on her paintings. She also borrowed a few books and earnestly studied the styles and characteristics of the drawings in them.

Seeing her working so diligently, the whole family didn’t dare to disturb her. Initially skeptical, Jiang Mingchuan gradually took the initiative to help her collect information from newspapers, such as what kind of articles a particular newspaper preferred or the preferences of another newspaper. Then, based on this information, he helped her analyze what kind of paintings she should draw.

Amidst this complex mix of emotions, Jin Xiuzhu received the first letter from a newspaper.

The letter was brought by Fang Min.

Jin Xiuzhu was at home sewing clothes for He Yan. He Yan always seemed to wear out the seat of his pants, and Jin Xiuzhu used to mend them with thread of the same color so that the repairs were barely visible. But now she had learned to be lazy and simply cut out a piece of scrap cloth, making it look like a big pudding with patches of different colors.

Anyway, many children dress like this.

When Fang Min came over, she saw He Yan’s pants, which had several patches on them, and couldn’t help but be surprised.

Jin Xiuzhu warmly greeted her and offered her a seat, then got up to pour her tea. Fang Min told her not to bother, “I just came to deliver a letter. When I went to mail my manuscript, I saw there was a letter for you, so I brought it along.”

As she spoke, she handed the envelope to Jin Xiuzhu.

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t react immediately. The first thought that came to her mind was that her family from her hometown was asking her for money, but then she quickly realized that couldn’t be right, as her family wouldn’t know where she was now.

She took the envelope absentmindedly, but when she saw the recipient’s name on it was “Hongmei Jushi” she froze.

Since Fang Min had other matters to attend to at home, she didn’t stay long. After she left, Jin Xiuzhu was still in a daze.

It was then that Fu Yanyan calmly took the letter from her hand and helped her open it.

Jin Xiuzhu clenched her fists nervously, sitting beside her, watching intently.

Fu Yanyan pulled out the paper from the envelope, and as she did, a few banknotes fell out.

Both mother and daughter’s eyes lit up at the same time. Without even reading the letter, they began counting the money, and it added up to a total of two yuan.

Touching the money, Jin Xiuzhu’s mood calmed down a bit, then she opened the letter.

It was written by the editor-in-chief of a newspaper, expressing their admiration for Jin Xiuzhu’s paintings. They had already used two of the paintings sent to them and enclosed two yuan as payment.

The newspaper hoped for long-term cooperation with Jin Xiuzhu… and so on, along with a contract for collaboration.

Jin Xiuzhu was eager to write back immediately, but it was Fang Yanyan who stopped her, calmly saying, “Let’s not rush. There might be replies from other newspapers. Let’s wait a little longer.”

Excited and carried away by the news, Jin Xiuzhu nodded immediately, “Yes, that makes sense. Let’s wait a little longer.”

But her face was beaming with joy. She couldn’t believe that she, a woman from a humble background, a concubine who couldn’t show her face in public, would one day be able to earn money by painting. If she told anyone, they probably wouldn’t believe it.

Fang Yanyan was also touched. After all, when Jin Xiuzhu first mentioned submitting her work, nobody took it seriously. Who knew she would actually succeed? Every day, she buried herself in drawing. Her fingers holding the brush even became deformed, but she just squeezed them and continued.

In just over a month, the house was filled with hundreds of paintings.

Fang Yanyan felt that with Jin Xiuzhu’s serious and diligent nature, it seemed that she would succeed in whatever she did.

Fang Yanyan’s prediction was correct. Soon, envelopes from other newspapers arrived one after another, including one from a well-known national newspaper.

They were also quite straightforward. In addition to expressing their desire for cooperation, they also sent a book, saying that this book was going to be republished and needed some illustrations. They had seen how well Jin Xiuzhu painted with a brush and asked if she could paint some scenes with ancient characteristics. They offered quite generous terms.

Jin Xiuzhu flipped through the book briefly. It was a collection of ancient prose. She has a rough understanding of this place now. There had been many dynasties here, just like in the Dajing Dynasty. People collectively referred to it as the feudal era. Now it was a new era, and the people were in charge.

Several pieces were about scenes she had experienced. She found them too simple—something that could be sorted out in two or three days.

Jin Xiuzhu’s first manuscript fee was fifteen yuan. She hadn’t forgotten about the incident Liu Hongyue had reported before.

This was something Qian Yufeng had told her because that day some military spouses happened to be at the administrative office and heard her reporting to someone.

Jin Xiuzhu took the ten yuan and went to the cooperative store to buy a bag of flour, brown sugar, and red dates. Then she went home and made a large pot of date paste cakes.

She cut the date paste cakes into small squares and put them all in a basket. With her daughter in tow, she went to the building where Liu Hongyue lived.

Starting from the ground floor, Jin Xiuzhu began knocking on doors to deliver the date paste cakes. When someone opened the door, she asked, “Excuse me, does Liu Hongyue live upstairs?”

The woman who opened the door looked somewhat puzzled but still nodded. “Yes, what’s the matter?”

“Great, this is for you.” Jin Xiuzhu handed her the date paste cakes. “I used to work in the cafeteria, but later I couldn’t work there because someone reported me. Now I write articles for the newspaper. This is made with the ingredients I bought with my first paycheck. I just want to tell someone that capable people can make a living anywhere. These date paste cakes were just made and are still warm. I hope you like them.”

“…”

With a bewildered expression on the woman’s face, Jin Xiuzhu moved on to the next door and said the same thing.

After Jin Xiuzhu went upstairs, the two women next door looked at each other, and they could both see a glint in each other’s eyes.

Jin Xiuzhu went through the entire building, delivering the date paste cakes to everyone, before finally returning to the third floor and knocking on Liu Hongyue’s door.

Liu Hongyue opened the door and was surprised to see Jin Xiuzhu. She frowned impolitely and asked, “What are you here for?”

Jin Xiuzhu looked at her with a cold expression and calmly said, “Liu Hongyue, since I arrived at the army, you’ve been embarrassing me. Later on, you even instigated your son to bully my children. I didn’t want to make a fuss about it originally, but my generosity doesn’t mean I’m easy to bully.

Even a clay Buddha has a temper. I came here today to tell you that I, Jin Xiuzhu, have acquired many skills. Without the cafeteria job, I can still earn money by writing articles based on my abilities. Meanwhile, you can only resort to underhanded methods out of jealousy behind my back.”

When she spoke the latter part, she deliberately raised her voice. She left out the part about working for the newspaper here, fearing she might be targeted again.

“I warn you, this is the last time. Three strikes and you’re out. If I encounter such things again, I’ll hold you responsible.”

After saying this, she left with her daughter.

Seeing many people standing at the stairwell, Liu Hongyue’s face alternated between red and white. She hurriedly shouted, “What nonsense are you talking about? What cafeteria job? Don’t falsely accuse good people.”

She pretended not to understand.

Jin Xiuzhu sneered and turned back, “You know very well whether you did it or not. I know it, too. You dare to do it but not admit it. That’s all you’re capable of. I advise you not to call yourself Liu Hongyue anymore. Just call yourself Envious Liu.”

Jin Xiuzhu couldn’t produce evidence, but based on her words alone, it was enough to incriminate Liu Hongyue.

Liu Hongyue shouted angrily from behind, “Jin Xiuzhu, if you have the guts, say it clearly, or else I’ll report to the leaders…”

Ignoring her, Jin Xiuzhu had already left with her daughter down the stairs.

The women gathered around the staircase quickly made way as they saw her approaching. These were the downstairs neighbors, to whom Jin Xiuzhu had just delivered pastries.

Their gazes towards Jin Xiuzhu and Liu Hongyue were filled with curiosity and excitement. From the words Jin Xiuzhu had spoken when she knocked on Liu Hongyue’s door, they had guessed that she was the military spouse who had previously worked in the cafeteria, specially recommended by Chef Zhang.

Initially, they were quite jealous in private, thinking how capable she could be. But after tasting the pastries she had brought, which were fragrant and fluffy, better than any biscuits bought from the supply and marketing cooperative, they understood why she was the only one who could get into the cafeteria.

They were not fools. After this series of actions by this woman, even a fool could guess that it was Liu Hongyue who had reported her and caused her to lose her job. Now, she was making money by writing articles at the newspaper office, and she had come here specifically to taunt and warn Liu Hongyue. Liu Hongyue had really lost face big time.

A few people huddled together, whispering, and Liu Hongyue wanted to curse. Seeing the neighbors upstairs and downstairs pointing fingers at her, she felt both angry and anxious. She snapped, “What are you looking at? You believe whatever others say?”

Then she turned around and slammed the door shut.

Witnessing this, someone sneered and spat, “I hate those who sneak around behind others’ backs the most.”

“Sneaking around won’t help. She’s got skills.”

“It’s hilarious—she’s found an even better job.”

Some were even eager to leave immediately to share this news with their good friends.

In less than half a day, Qian Yufeng came over eagerly, asking about what happened in the morning.

Seeing Jin Xiuzhu admit it, she immediately gave her a thumbs up. “You’re still the best.”

It was even more exciting than going to someone’s house to fight. Qian Yufeng felt jealous when she heard that Jin Xiuzhu was making money working at the newspaper, but instead, she felt relieved when she heard this news.

Jin Xiuzhu proudly raised her eyebrows. Even if Liu Hongyue reported this to the higher-ups, she wasn’t afraid. She didn’t explicitly say it was Liu Hongyue who reported her; everyone just guessed it.

She was happy making money and giving out food, she just hadn’t given anything to Liu Hongyue. If she wasn’t happy about that, it was her own pettiness.

Not only did Qian Yufeng hear about this, but also in the evening, when Jiang Mingchuan came back, he also learned about it. He sat on a stool, glancing at Jin Xiuzhu from time to time.

Jin Xiuzhu got annoyed by his gaze and couldn’t help but mimic Qian Yufeng’s scolding, “If you have something to say, say it quickly. If you have gas to release, release it quickly.”

Jiang Mingchuan looked at her, then shook his head and sighed, “Forget it.”

There was nothing more to say. Anyway, the matter had already happened. Now the entire unit not only knew about this, but also the soldiers below, it was spreading like wildfire.

They didn’t know Jin Xiuzhu’s name, they just said she was Jiang Mingchuan’s wife, which made him feel like everyone was giving him extra attention when he walked down the street.

Jin Xiuzhu gave him a glare, “It’s because you don’t care about others. If you had cared, I wouldn’t have had to intervene personally.”

Anyway, no matter how wrong others were, she wasn’t at fault.

Jiang Mingchuan wiped his face, feeling a sense of frustration. How could this matter be blamed on him? He had done everything he could.

“You didn’t discuss this with me before you did it.”

Jin Xiuzhu snorted, “I thought you were tired, so I didn’t want you to worry about it. I was just trying to be considerate.”

Jiang Mingchuan: “…”

He couldn’t win an argument with her at all.

That evening, Liu Hongyue’s husband came to apologize with their child.