Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Mother and Daughter

Although it was a bit troublesome to go down and fetch things from the cellar every day, for them, this was already a very happy life.

They were classified as part of the “Five Black Categories,” the despised “Stinking Old Nines.” She remembered the first year they arrived—during the harsh winter, Zhong Zijun had struggled to dig through the snow and gather some dead branches to heat the kang. That very night, everything was stolen.

The new cotton quilts they brought, their warm clothes, their food—all of it was gone by morning.

That was true despair. No one would stand up for them; people only said they deserved it.

No matter how they cried out, no one would answer.

Fortunately, they still had one tattered quilt and the clothes on their backs to keep out the cold.

The family had nothing to eat or drink, lying on the freezing kang, waiting for death.

Zhong Zijun had just been betrayed by Gu Yunchuan, and then life hit her with another blow. Her spirits were crushed—she should have died that winter.

But Zhong Weiqian, for the sake of his wife and daughter, swallowed his pride and went to the village secretary, knelt down, and begged the village to give them some food.

The secretary, moved by a shred of compassion, saw how hard it was for an old man like him and finally gave them a hundred jin each of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cabbage—the most abundant things in the village.

The three of them survived that long, bitter winter on those three hundred jin of coarse food, and finally saw the spring.

So now, with a life like this, they were truly content.

This cellar was also built with Ji Linhai’s help. Zhong Zijun could never have done it alone.

When Zhong Zijun introduced their “secret base” to Gu Qinghuan, she felt a bit guilty.

Thinking back, Ji Linhai had quietly done so much for her, but at the time, she hadn’t realized his feelings and had accepted it all as a matter of course.

Now, looking back, she felt she’d taken advantage and then acted ungrateful—burning the bridge after crossing it. It wasn’t right.

Gu Qinghuan could already see a lot from Zhong Zijun’s expression and eyes.

From her own perspective, Gu Qinghuan felt it didn’t matter whether a woman had a man or not—women could live well on their own.

Besides, Zhong Zijun had her daughter to support her.

But she forgot—not everyone was like her. Not everyone could do without a partner or companionship.

Seeing all that Ji Linhai had quietly done for Zhong Zijun, Gu Qinghuan was moved, but also suddenly realized that neither she nor Lanting had done enough for Zhong Zijun.

In this long life, she ought to live for herself at least once.

If there was someone who truly cared for her, someone to share life with, to look after her and accompany her into old age—that would be wonderful.

In fact, over these past days, Gu Qinghuan could see that Ji Linhai was sincere about Zhong Zijun. The truth is always in the details—a person’s intentions are revealed in their actions.

Ji Linhai might not be good with words, but he would never let Zhong Zijun suffer with him.

At their age, to find someone genuine to spend the rest of life with was a rare blessing.

Especially since Ji Linhai had never married, had no children, and his family was simple—just an elderly father.

He really was a good match, but in the end, it was up to Zhong Zijun.

Gu Qinghuan didn’t beat around the bush. She called Zhong Zijun aside and asked directly, “Mom, what do you think about Uncle Ji?”

Zhong Zijun’s eyes flickered. Her daughter was already married, and now she was having a second spring—she felt a little embarrassed to face her child.

“There’s nothing between us, don’t overthink it,” she said instinctively.

“Mom, I can tell that Uncle Ji is serious about you.

He’s a reliable person. If you’re willing to accept him, I have no objections.

What I want to say is, no matter how old you are or what your situation is, you have the right to pursue happiness, to love and be loved.

I hope you won’t have any concerns because of us. As your daughter, I’ll only give you my blessing,” Gu Qinghuan said sincerely.

The seriousness and blessing in her daughter’s eyes broke through Zhong Zijun’s defenses. Tears welled up instantly.

Years of endurance, pain, torment, and struggle had long since numbed her—she’d learned to shrink into her shell like a turtle.

But her daughter’s encouragement brought down the high walls she’d built around her heart.

She had once been a bright, lively girl, but the years had weighed her down with too many heavy chains.

Countless times, in the dead of night, she’d hated her own blindness, wished she could tear up her painful past.

But for these two children, she’d never once regretted it—they were her last bit of salvation in a dark life.

Gu Qinghuan gently hugged her mother.

Many times, she truly wished Zhong Zijun were her real mother.

She couldn’t imagine how happy a child would be to have her as a mom.

But it didn’t matter—even if they hadn’t been mother and daughter in the first half of life, they could make up for it in the second half.

Zhong Zijun wiped away her tears, a little embarrassed. “Uncle Ji is a good man, but given our situation, it’s still too soon to talk about these things.

Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. Let’s just let things happen naturally.”

Gu Qinghuan nodded. As long as Zhong Zijun knew her attitude, that was enough. As a daughter, she wouldn’t interfere—she would only give her blessing.

On the second day of the new year, they spent the whole day together in the cowshed.

Xu Huaian kept busy, shoveling cow dung and melting snow to wash out the cowshed.

Ji Linhai had carefully divided the cowshed into two areas—one for the animals, one for people.

There was still a smell, but at least it was separated, and with daily cleaning, it wasn’t too bad.

Xu Huaian also helped with some odd jobs, repairs, and maintenance.

The two of them stayed there until the afternoon before heading back.

After that, the days were spent with the children, making good food at home.

Time slipped by quietly, and before they knew it, it was the tenth day of the new year.

During this time, Xu Huaian found a chance to call Zhuo Yifan in the county town.

Zhuo Yifan wasn’t surprised that he agreed. He told him to report to the Ministry of National Defense in Beijing after the Lantern Festival. The specific position wasn’t mentioned, but from what he said, it seemed he wanted Xu Huaian to lead the formation of a special operations team.

In any case, he’d have to go there to find out. Some things couldn’t be said over the phone.

This meant that after the Lantern Festival, Xu Huaian would be leaving.

Gu Lanting and Ming Ruxue would also have to return to their studies after the festival.

Zhong Luoning would take little Youran back to Beijing to look for work.

So everyone decided to leave together, to look out for each other.

They booked train tickets for the sixteenth. This time, without Ming Ruxue’s connections, Xu Huaian used his veteran’s certificate and managed to get two sleeper tickets and two hard seats.

It was enough—Zhong Luoning and Ming Ruxue would take the sleepers, Xu Huaian and Gu Lanting, the two men, would take the hard seats.

With travel plans settled, everyone started to feel a bit melancholy.

Who knew when they’d all be together like this again?

This period had truly been the happiest time for everyone in years."