Chapter 15 - 015 Past Events

Wang Qiuyang saw them out of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. After Tian Sisi settled herself on the back seat of the bicycle, she sweetly said to Wang Qiuyang, "Little auntie, why don't you bring Zhenhua and the others to our house, and Donghua and I will show them around." "Alright, I'll have your little uncle bring them over in a couple of days. Zhenhua and the others have been longing to visit as well. Second elder brother, ride slowly and pay attention to the road." Wang Qiuyang laughed as she sent off Tian Sisi and the others before she turned and went back in. "Sister Li, weren't you saying your second brother's family is from the countryside? Your niece doesn't seem at all like a country girl; she's dressed even more stylish than city folks." Sister Li curiously inquired. Wang Qiuyang tidied up the biscuits and the cream on the table, then sat opposite Sister Li and said with a smile, "Sister Li, you don't know, my niece is the apple of my in-laws' eye. Even though my second brother is from the countryside, both my in-laws draw salaries. The Old Man is an old revolutionary who fought against the Japanese, and he receives a regimental-level treatment. If it weren't for his leg injury, he'd still be living in Beijing." Wang Qiuyang's face showed a hint of pride, but there was certainly a deliberate element to it. Sister Li, relying on her husband being the director of the Revolutionary Committee and being older than her, liked to put on airs even though it wasn't a big deal; it was quite annoying nonetheless. Now was a good opportunity to talk about her family's background and take the wind out of Sister Li's sails. Indeed, Sister Li's expression turned more respectful. Regimental-level old revolutionary, that was something significant, and his salary must have been substantial too! "Then, both your in-laws' salaries together must be almost 200, right? My goodness, can you even spend all that? No wonder your niece has so much money on her." Wang Qiuyang just smiled without saying a word. Sister Li didn't mind and, after learning about Mr. Tian's status, her whole attitude changed subtly, becoming unawarely more magnanimous and gentler. "Sister Li, do your in-laws live with your second brother's family?" After a while, Sister Li suddenly asked. "Yes, why?" "Nothing much. But if the Old Man's salary is so high, he must give some to you and your husband, can't just let your second brother's family keep it all to themselves," Sister Li asked with a suggestive tone. Wang Qiuyang, who could guess Sister Li's intention to stir up trouble between her and her second brother's family, felt uncomfortable inside but did not show it on her face, "How the Old Man and his wife wish to spend their money is up to them, Man Tong and I have enough with our salaries." This was indeed the truth. The job opportunity for Tian Man Tong was originally offered to the second brother, Tian Man Jin, but Tian Man Jin, saying he was used to being a villager and that he also needed to take care of their parents, gave the chance to his younger brother. If Tian Sisi knew this, she would probably be moved again, thinking how her father was addicted to being a Lei Feng. That's why the Old Man called all three sons and daughters-in-law together when she just married into the family, stating that his and Granny Zhao's salaries would be used to support the second son's family. Tian Ai Guo and Tian Man Tong both had no objections. They genuinely appreciated Tian Man Jin and felt guilty towards him. Later, when Wang Qiuyang found out how high the Old Man's salary was, to be honest, she was dissatisfied. She hinted a few things to Man Tong once, and Tian Man Tong immediately got upset, giving her a harsh scolding. Seeing his wife feeling wronged, Tian Man Tong told her the full story and sternly warned her not to have such thoughts again, otherwise, she should not blame him for being rude. Since Wang Qiuyang was a woman who saw her man as her sky, seeing such anger from her husband, she dared not mention her thoughts again, even if they were significant. Over time, as Tian Man Tong's extra earnings increased and their family life became more prosperous, she became sincerely grateful to Tian Man Jin. If it wasn't for the second brother's concession, how could she have had such a decent life? When Tian Man Tong returned from driving that evening and saw his third son happily eating biscuits, he frowned. "Don't spoil the child, why would a boy need biscuits? He should be grateful for just having rice to eat." The tradition of the Tian Family has always been so; they are quite harsh on boys but relatively lenient towards girls. Wang Qiuyang brought her husband a basin of hot water, allowing him to wash his face and relieve his fatigue, and explained, "This was not bought by me, but by your beloved niece." Wang Qiuyang served a meal that was still hot, and poured some warmed yellow wine. When Tian Mantong sat down to eat, she recounted the afternoon's events involving Tian Sisi in detail, "And believe it or not, Ah Nan really matured a lot after her illness, acting like a little adult, and even insisting on buying me a bottle of Snowflake cream, refusing to take no for an answer." Tian Mantong was quite pleased, "Ah Nan has always been sensible. Since it's a gift from your niece, you should just use it. But Ah Nan, doesn't she even think of buying me something? I must ask her someday." Tian Mantong felt somewhat slighted for not receiving a gift. Wang Qiuyang gave him a coquettish glance, "Do you really have the nerve to ask your niece for gifts?" Tian Mantong chuckled, what's there to be embarrassed about? In his heart, Tian Mantong regarded Tian Sisi as his own daughter, so he really didn't feel embarrassed. As for why Tian Mantong was so good to Tian Sisi, there was a reason behind it. Actually, Tian Sisi was a child that Tian Mantong had brought back. Back when Tian Manjin and Zhu Aiqing had been married for five years without any signs of children, and after medical checks showed that both had no issues, Granny Zhao thought of adopting a girl from outside to bring some good fortune home. At that time, he had just graduated from high school not long ago. One evening, he had arranged to go see a movie with a group of classmates in the neighboring town. After the show ended, as he was walking home alone on the main road, with only the moon accompanying him, he found a young woman lying on the ground, with a small baby in her arms. Tian Mantong quickly poured some water from his canteen for the woman to drink. Only then did he notice the woman's beauty. He had never seen such a beautiful girl before, who looked to be about his own age. The woman regained consciousness after drinking the water and looked at him attentively, making Tian Mantong, who had never had a conversation alone with a girl before, blush, yet felt a sweet and flustered feeling in his heart. The woman must have been starving. After eating the pancake Tian Mantong gave her, she regained some strength. Despite eating in a hurry, her manners were still refined and elegant, clearly not from an ordinary household. Later, when a group of people started to pursue her, and the voices grew closer, the woman gritted her teeth and thrust her child into Tian Mantong's arms, only saying, "Please take good care of my daughter. My name is Mu Xiulan. If I don't die, I will surely come back for my daughter." She also slipped off a bracelet from her wrist to give to him before running off in the opposite direction. Tian Mantong was left in confusion, wanting to chase after the woman, but she ran quickly towards the mountainside, with a crowd of people with flashlights following behind her. Tian Mantong was startled; he knew this matter was not simple. Thus, he carried the little girl home and told his parents about the incident. After a long silence, the Old Man said, "It's fate, this child is sent by God, from now on, this child is part of the Tian Family." And so, the little girl became the daughter of Tian Manjin, named Tian Zhaodi. To outsiders, they claimed the child was adopted from another place. Only Mr. Tian, Granny Zhao, and he knew about Tian Sisi's origins; even Tian Manjin and his spouse were unaware. Old Man Tian surmised that the child's birth must have been extraordinary. Those pursuing were definitely from the Rebel Faction. One could tell from the jade bracelet and the intricate clothes and blankets on the child that her family was from a very good background. But in that era, having a good family background meant disaster, even calamity. That's why the Old Man made Tian Mantong keep the secret, not letting anyone else out, otherwise, it would not only harm Ah Nan but also bring disaster upon the entire Tian Family. Tian Mantong understood the severity of the situation. For ten years, he guarded the secret because of that first befuddled encounter, and also because of that woman's single plea. He felt a special closeness to the girl he had personally brought back. As the child grew older, she resembled more and more her birth mother. Tian Mantong didn't understand why a brief meeting would remain in his memory for a lifetime; each time he remembered, he felt ashamed of his initial foolishness but also felt sweetness. Over so many years, that woman called Mu Xiulan never appeared. Tian Mantong didn't want to think the worst; he just assumed she couldn't find the place. After all, he didn't have the time to tell her where his home was. Perhaps that was why she hadn't come; Tian Mantong always thought so. It seemed this was the only way his heart felt a little better.