She had not expected that after a hard life, she would enjoy having young children about her in her old age.
Spring slowly arrived. Gu Qingyao continued to study hard in her hometown.
She was filled with hope for this lifetime. Now she had the interspace, so she had more time and she studied even more fervently.
Because of Sun Mei and Wang Jie, everyone’s attention was focused on Sun Mei. The Sun family was wild with delight and went around boasting all day. Many of the surrounding brigades had heard the news.
With everyone’s focus on Sun Mei, the Gu family returned to its low profile.
School had started. Once spring began, the Gu children attended school, including Little Six, Little Nine and Gu Fangting.
Over at the Mo family, Mo Chengrui, Mo Chengxu and Jiang Jing went too.
Mu Mu was still too young to attend school.
Jiang Xun and his brother, Jiang Ping, stayed at home.
This had been decided earlier. Mo Beihan did not want to attract attention by sending so many children to school at once.
Especially Jiang Xun and Jiang Ping. If they went to school too, it would attract a lot of attention and speculation. It was more normal for them to remain at home.
It was March, and the weather had turned warm. Sun Mei’s wedding was at hand.
She had finally fulfilled her dream of marrying and moving to the city.
The wedding was not a grand one. In fact, given the Wang family’s circumstances, it seemed to Gu Qingyao that it was a rather sorry affair. But to the villagers, it was considered to be very creditable.
Sun Mei and the Sun family had not yet discerned the Wang family’s attitude towards them. They were honored by this marriage and they rejoiced as they sent Sun Mei off.
On the day of the wedding, the entire brigade went to join the festivities. This included the Qing River Brigade as well as the Southern Lake Brigade. Some from several neighboring brigades also attended.
Gu Qingyao did not go. She was not interested. She peacefully remained at home, learning from the old folks.
She seldom left the house and led a very secluded life. Sometimes, she would go to the foot of the mountain to visit Chen Feng and his sister, Chen Qingqing, and give them some things.
The younger children were all in school, so Gu Qingyao brought Jiang Xun and Jiang Ping to attend lessons with the old folks. She even included Mu Mu. This child was so intelligent that he must not be neglected.
Jiang Xun was only a few years younger than Gu Qingyao, but because of Mo Beihan, he always respectfully treated her as his young aunt. He remembered that before his young uncle left, he had instructed Jiang Xun to study hard.
He was very obedient. Whenever he had time, he would run over and attend lessons. After a while, the old folks grew to know him.
Jiang Yiru had not noticed him at first, but later on, when she happened to see Jiang Xun’s smile, she felt that there was something familiar about him, but she could not put her finger on it.
“Old man, take a close look. Does that Jiang Xun look a little familiar?”
Old Master Qin was startled. Familiar?
He scrutinized Jiang Xun, who was nearby.
The child had rather handsome features, but they were not obvious because he was still young. Also, many years of hard living had worn him out and his complexion was very poor.
His life had only improved after he joined the Mo family.
But when he looked closely, the child did indeed seem familiar.
Old Master Qin said, “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have noticed. But now that you mention it, the more I look at him, the more familiar he seems.”
Jiang Yiru called Jiang Xun over and asked, “Child, where are you from? What line is your family in?”
