Chapter 53: A Birthday Story and Family Troubles

Xiang Chen’s birthday fell in the twelfth lunar month, not long before the New Year.

Originally, Xu Hengzhou had planned to celebrate it for him in secret, but Song Wenbin unexpectedly brought up the topic beforehand.

It was then that Xu Hengzhou recalled that Xu Dashan’s youngest child also seemed to have been born in winter. He subtly probed for information and confirmed that Xu Dashan’s youngest child’s birthday was indeed in the same month, though Song Wenbin did not know the exact date.

This made things simple. Since Xu Hengzhou himself didn’t know the child’s precise birthdate, when Song Wenbin inquired, he merely provided Xiang Chen’s birthday.

On Xiang Chen’s birthday, Xu Hengzhou put considerable effort into making him a cake.

Without an oven, the steamed version lacked the desired fluffiness, resembling an egg pancake more than a traditional cake. However, the taste was remarkably good, and Xiang Chen devoured several slices by himself.

Children of that era were often delighted to simply have an egg for their birthday and didn’t typically expect extravagant gifts.

Nevertheless, Song Wenbin still prepared a present for Xiang Chen. Lacking experience, he asked Xiang Chen what he wished for, then proceeded to buy him a few books.

Extracurricular books for children were scarce in Qingjiang City. Song Wenbin had to visit several bookstores repeatedly before he managed to acquire these few volumes.

Xiang Chen flipped through them. They were stories imbued with a touch of science fiction, simply printed, but the content appeared quite engaging.

For dinner, Xu Hengzhou made noodles, and Song Wenbin assisted with their preparation. The family gathered around to enjoy a longevity noodle meal together.

Later that night, as they lay in bed, Xu Hengzhou asked Xiang Chen if there was any gift he desired.

After all, the supplies within his spatial dimension could practically fulfill any of Xiang Chen’s wishes.

Xiang Chen tilted his head, contemplating for a long while, before finally taking his brother’s hand and whispering, “When I was little, my greatest wish was to have an older brother to play with me and protect me from bullies. So, I’m truly content now.”

Xu Hengzhou’s eyes brimmed with affection. He gently ruffled Xiang Chen’s hair, which was remarkably soft. Xu Hengzhou had once heard it said that children with soft hair often possessed soft hearts.

“Do you have any other wishes?” Xu Hengzhou inquired.

Xiang Chen looked at him and softly replied, “Brother, tell me a story.”

Xu Hengzhou paused, a flicker of hesitation in his gaze. He genuinely hadn’t read many stories; fairy tales, for instance, were something he hadn’t heard told, nor had he ever encountered them himself.

“How about I tell you about something I experienced before?” Xu Hengzhou suggested. “When I was a teenager, I attended a military summer camp and encountered some rather interesting things.”

“Wow, like a scout camp?” Xiang Chen’s spirits lifted instantly. He had no idea his brother had such an experience.

Xu Hengzhou froze for a moment, then, remembering Xiang Chen’s fondness for military uniforms, he understood why his brother was so excited.

“Not exactly,” Xu Hengzhou began to narrate unhurriedly. “On one occasion, during an outdoor training exercise, we pitched our tents….”

****

“Xiang Chen, hurry, hurry!” The sky was still a hazy grey, yet the family residential building was already bustling with activity. Little Tiger, clutching a bamboo basket, urged impatiently, “Hurry up! If we’re late, all the good stuff will be gone!”

“Coming, coming!” Xiang Chen hastily wiped the water from his face with a towel, grabbed a basket in one hand, closed the door with the other, and followed Little Tiger down the stairs.

“Your brother and your eldest uncle really dote on you,” Little Tiger said, still running. “My mom woke me up in the middle of the night. If I hadn’t told her I was coming to get you, I’d have been dragged off to queue by now.”

The New Year was fast approaching, and every household was eagerly awaiting this month’s wages and various ration coupons to purchase food and supplies for the festivities.

Yesterday, the factory distributed salaries, and there was news that today’s supply allocation included many desirable items. Consequently, every family had gone to queue early that morning.

Furthermore, because the items they wanted to buy were numerous and not in the same queue, it was customary for entire families to mobilize at this time, with each person standing in a different line.

The Song family was small to begin with. If Xiang Chen didn’t go, his eldest uncle and his brother would have to spend significantly more time.

“My brother turned off my alarm,” Xiang Chen said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. He had deliberately set an alarm yesterday, fearing his brother wouldn’t wake him, only to be roused by Little Tiger to find everyone else gone.

“It’s fine, don’t worry,” Little Tiger comforted him. “Liangliang and them are ahead in the queue. You can just cut in. You’re so short, no one will even notice.”

His words were more detrimental than helpful. Xiang Chen’s expression darkened further after hearing them.

He was already ten years old this year, but his growth had been remarkably slow, and his face remained round, still exuding a childish innocence.

“I’m just a late bloomer! I’ll shoot up when I’m a teenager!” Xiang Chen retorted indignantly. “Look at my brother, my eldest uncle—are any of them short? I just haven’t started my growth spurt yet!”

He completely overlooked the fact that Song Wenbin and Xu Hengzhou were not biologically related to him. However, before his transmigration, he hadn’t been short; while not quite 1.8 meters, he was still 1.76 meters. And at only twenty, he still had room to grow.

“Yes, yes,” Little Tiger conceded, unwilling to argue with him. Xiang Chen usually had a good temper, but any mention of his height would make him explode. At times like this, it was best to humor him.

“Hey, we’re here! Go find your eldest uncle for the coupons, I’ll go see where Liangliang and the others are.” They had arrived while speaking, and people were lining up in long queues to buy things.

Little Tiger gave Xiang Chen a push, then ran off in the opposite direction, disappearing from sight in an instant.

Xiang Chen found a slightly elevated spot, stood on his tiptoes to peer inside, and quickly located his brother.

Xu Hengzhou, dressed in a grey cotton jacket and trousers, with a wool scarf around his neck, stood quietly amidst the crowd.

He was already seventeen this year, with little of his youthful naivety remaining. Just standing there, he exuded a distinct aura, different from those around him, making him easy to spot.

Xiang Chen jumped down the steps.

Xu Hengzhou looked over at the sound. As Xiang Chen stopped in front of him, he immediately said, “Why aren’t you wearing your scarf? And where are your gloves?”

He then took his own scarf and tied it around Xiang Chen’s neck.

“Brother, you wear it,” Xiang Chen twisted a few times, unable to evade Xu Hengzhou’s hands, and could only wrap the scarf, still carrying his brother’s body heat, around his neck.

Xu Hengzhou continued to fuss, “Are you still feeling cold? You just recovered from a cold. If you get sick again, you’ll really suffer.”

“I know, Brother,” Xiang Chen reached into Xu Hengzhou’s pocket for the coupons. “Give me the coupons. I’ll go queue too. Let’s finish buying and head back quickly.”

Hu Hengzhou rummaged through a pile of coupons and handed him the oil and sugar coupons. “You go buy these two. Here’s the oil bottle too.”

He took an oil bottle from his own basket and placed it in Xiang Chen’s. After a moment’s thought, he reached into the burlap sack beside his feet and pulled out a small paper packet, handing it to him. “You didn’t eat breakfast, did you? Have some of this first to tide you over.”

Xiang Chen opened the paper packet and saw several large biscuits. He immediately guessed that his brother must have just taken them out of his spatial dimension.

“Did you all eat?” Xiang Chen asked. “Should I take some to Eldest Uncle?”

Hu Hengzhou replied, “No need. We ate before we came out this morning.”

“Then I’m off to queue,” Xiang Chen rewrapped the paper, placed it in his own basket, waved to his brother, and went to find his friends.

After checking two queues, he heard someone call out, “Xiang Chen, over here!”

Xiang Chen looked in the direction of the voice. It was Little Tiger, who was queuing with Liangliang in separate but closely adjacent lines.

He ran over and asked. Little Tiger’s line was for side dishes, while Liangliang’s line was for oil.

Taking advantage of his small size and agility, Xiang Chen squeezed through. Liangliang moved back, making a space for him to stand in front.

The adults behind them glanced over, seeing that they were just two children, and ultimately said nothing.

Xiang Chen slung the basket over his arm, opened the paper packet, and distributed a biscuit to each of his two friends, while slowly munching on one himself.

“This is so good,” Liangliang said, placing his oil bottle on the ground and catching biscuit crumbs with his other hand. “I only had a steamed bun this morning. I’m starving.”

“At least you had a steamed bun,” Little Tiger grumbled. “I didn’t eat anything this morning. My mom said we have to finish buying things before we go back for breakfast.”

He didn’t bother savoring it, quickly finishing the biscuit in his hand and even pouring the crumbs into his mouth, muttering, “I’ll be starved to death by the time we get back.”

“Here, have another one,” Xiang Chen said, hearing this, and offered him the paper packet in his hand.

“Eat it, it’s fine,” Xiang Chen generously extended his hand. “I don’t really like this for breakfast. I’ll eat when we get back.”

Only then did Little Tiger and Liangliang each take another biscuit, slowly munching on them.

Xiang Chen pursed his lips and smiled, saying proudly, “My brother is the best to me, and my eldest uncle is good to me too.”

“That might not always be the case from now on,” Liangliang suddenly interjected.

Xiang Chen looked at him, puzzled. “What do you mean by that?”

Liangliang leaned in closer and lowered his voice. “I heard that someone from the union is dating your eldest uncle.”

“Impossible!” Xiang Chen immediately retorted. “If my eldest uncle were dating someone, he would definitely tell us.”

Over the past few years, as they had lived longer in the machinery factory, they had gradually integrated into this large community.

As a bachelor raising two children, Song Wenbin had inevitably encountered various matchmakers and proposals.

Song Wenbin was tall, robust, and upright. He had a proper demeanor and good work abilities. Although he was a bit older and had two children, he was still considered a desirable son-in-law by many.

Over the years, Xiang Chen had seen many aunties and older women trying to set up his eldest uncle, and some of the young women had quite good backgrounds.

However, Song Wenbin was dead set against discussing the matter. Xu Hengzhou and Xiang Chen feared he was refusing because of them, so they directly told him that they didn’t mind at all.

Both of them hoped that Song Wenbin would have someone to care for him in the future.

But Song Wenbin still refused, and no one could persuade him. Xu Hengzhou and Xiang Chen couldn’t force him either, so they simply let the matter drop.

Therefore, if Song Wenbin truly were dating someone, it was inconceivable that he would keep it from his own family, given his personality. He would surely ask his two children for their opinion first.

“Really!” Seeing that he didn’t believe him, Liangliang couldn’t help but raise his voice. “I’m not lying to you. My second brother-in-law works at the union too, right? I heard my second sister telling my mom.”

He spoke with such conviction that Xiang Chen felt a flicker of doubt. “Really? How come I haven’t heard anything…”

“I heard it’s a new officer who just passed the exam,” Liangliang scratched his head, recalling his second sister’s words. “Her name is something Ping, in her twenties…”

Xiang Chen clicked his tongue. In her twenties? That would make her more than ten years younger than his eldest uncle!

If this was true, then his eldest uncle was quite the ‘old ox eating young grass,’ which explained why he wouldn’t tell them.

“I’ll go ask when we get back,” Xiang Chen said, then cautioned Liangliang, “Don’t tell anyone else.”

“I definitely won’t,” Liangliang promised, raising his hand, then added, “I won’t let my mom say anything either.”

“Good brother!” Xiang Chen wanted to pat Liangliang’s shoulder but realized he was a bit too short, so he awkwardly pulled his hand back.

“Quick, quick,” Little Tiger urged. “It’s almost your turn. Get your coupons ready.”

Xiang Chen held the oil bottle firmly and clutched the coupons in his hand. When it was his turn, he handed over the money, coupons, and bottle together, and a little less than half a bottle of oil was quickly poured for him.

“Wow, there’s so much oil this month!” Little Tiger, who still had two people ahead of him, exclaimed as he looked at the oil bottle in Xiang Chen’s hand.

“It’s almost New Year, after all,” Liangliang’s bottle was also filled. He took his family’s oil bottle, lifted it to examine it, and said, “I wonder if my mom will fry meatballs for me to eat.”

Little Tiger, while stuffing bok choy into his family’s burlap sack, retorted, “Dream on! With this little oil, how many meatballs can she fry? You’ll only get one meal for New Year! It’d be great if you could even have dumplings. I just want to eat dumplings.”

Xiang Chen and Liangliang both helped him pack the bok choy. It filled a large burlap sack, and once the three of them had finished packing it, they could only drag it aside to await an adult to carry it.

“I’ll help him carry one side, you go buy the candy first,” Liangliang suggested, seeing that Xiang Chen still held the sugar coupon.

“Alright,” Xiang Chen nodded slightly and told Little Tiger, “If I see anyone from your family, I’ll tell them to come over.”

After they had decided, Xiang Chen went to find the candy queue. After checking several lines, he finally located it. This line was also long.

Xiang Chen scanned it but didn’t see anyone he knew, so he resigned himself to standing at the very end.

There were too many people buying things today. Xiang Chen had barely stood still for a moment when many more people joined the queue behind him.

Having nothing to do, Xiang Chen looked around and then spotted a girl in her early teens, carrying a basket, lining up behind him in the queue.

“Xiaohua!” Xiang Chen quickly called out to her. “Over here! Why did you go to the back?”

Chen Xiaohua hurried over, saying as she ran, “I didn’t see you. I thought you went to queue in a different line.”

Xiang Chen moved back, making space for her. Chen Xiaohua stepped in, and an auntie behind them complained, “How can you cut in line like that!”

Chen Xiaohua remained unperturbed, smiling. “Auntie, my younger brother and I got separated. We’re family; do we really need to queue twice?”

The auntie glanced at the two of them, muttering, “Family… they don’t look alike at all…”

Xiang Chen suppressed a laugh and offered her his unfinished biscuit. “There are two pieces left. You eat them all.” He knew Chen Xiaohua likely hadn’t eaten anything that morning.

Chen Xiaohua didn’t stand on ceremony with him. Over the years, she had eaten many things from Xiang Chen and received much help from him. In her heart, Xiang Chen was like her younger brother, and she was determined to repay him someday.

Xiang Chen felt happy watching her eat with such relish. He had always regarded Chen Xiaohua as a little sister.

After Chen Xiaohua finished the biscuits, she folded the paper and placed it in her basket before resuming. “I haven’t had time these past two days. My dad said we’re going back to our hometown for New Year this year, and we’ll be leaving in a few days.”

“Then I’ll give it to you when you come back,” Xiang Chen said. Then he casually asked, “You’re going back again this year? Your mom actually agreed?”

He remembered that Cai Zhen was very resistant to going back to Chen Guoliang’s hometown. The year he was with the Chen family, it was said that Cai Zhen hadn’t gone back to her hometown with Chen Guoliang for New Year in several years.

“Why wouldn’t she agree?” Chen Xiaohua scoffed with a cold smile. “She has a son now. It’s glorious to bring him back.”

Xiang Chen suddenly understood. Four years ago, Cai Zhen had given birth to a boy, named… Chen Youcai.

Indeed, Cai Zhen had chosen the name: Youcai for his formal name, and Digua (Sweet Potato) for his nickname. ‘Having wealth and grain’ expressed Cai Zhen’s beautiful wishes for her precious son.

Since Chen Youcai’s birth, Cai Zhen had completely turned her fortunes around. Chen Guoliang, overjoyed, held his precious son and never again mentioned the word ‘divorce.’

Old Lady Chen, upon receiving the news, unusually softened her demeanor towards Cai Zhen and personally came to the city to help her through her confinement period.

She even brought her half-basket of hoarded eggs to nourish Cai Zhen, fearing she wouldn’t have enough milk to feed her precious grandson.

In all the years Cai Zhen had been married, apart from the very beginning, she had never seen the old lady so affectionate. At first, she was somewhat overwhelmed, but then she realized she had given birth to Chen Guoliang’s only son, making her a great contributor to the Chen family.

Consequently, her back straightened, her head held higher, and even her voice gained a certain firmness. Chen Guoliang’s attitude towards her, which had been harsh, now softened. For a time, the Chen couple’s relationship became harmonious once more.

However, Chen Xiaohua’s current resentment had its reasons.

Chen Youcai and Chen Xiaocao, the fourth child of the Chen family, were barely two years apart, born to the same parents, yet their destinies were worlds apart.

Cai Zhen had barely cared for Chen Xiaocao after her birth. She breastfed her a few times initially, but when Cai Zhen’s milk dried up, she had the older girls feed her various gruels.

The two older sisters lacked the patience to look after their younger sibling, so it was only Chen Xiaohua who spoon-fed her, one spoonful at a time.

Chen Xiaohua was only five years older than Chen Xiaocao, yet she acted like a little mother. If asked who she felt the deepest affection for in that household, it would undoubtedly be Chen Xiaocao, whom she had raised.

When Chen Youcai was just over two years old, Chen Guoliang took his entire family back to their rural hometown.

Xiang Chen wasn’t clear about what exactly happened that day, only learning the situation later from Chen Xiaohua.

Chen Baogen, the Chen family’s precious grandson—the same one who had once tried to beat Xiang Chen—threw Chen Guoliang’s two youngest children into the large water缸 in their home.

Chen Guoliang and Cai Zhen were frantic. After pulling the children out, they rushed their precious Digua back to the city.

Only after repeated checks confirmed that the boy was unharmed did they remember that the girls were still in the countryside.

Upon their return, Chen Xiaocao began to run a fever that very night. Cai Zhen gave Chen Xiaocao a pill from some medicine they had at home, but despite Chen Xiaohua’s desperate pleas, she refused to take her to the hospital.

She even slapped Chen Xiaohua twice for waking up Chen Youcai.

Chen Xiaohua stayed awake all night, caring for her sister, and the next day, she secretly ran to Xiang Chen for help.

Song Wenbin took the child to the hospital, where the doctor said she was on the verge of developing pneumonia. Even then, Cai Zhen came to argue with Song Wenbin, implicitly scolding him for meddling.

Fortunately, the child recovered, and Song Wenbin couldn’t be bothered to argue with such a person.

However, not long after, Chen Xiaohua noticed that sometimes when she called Chen Xiaocao, her sister acted as if she hadn’t heard anything.

Chen Xiaohua felt uneasy. After several tests, she secretly took her sister to the hospital again, begging the doctor to examine her.

The results were devastating: Chen Xiaocao’s ears had been damaged by the fever.

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