Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

Chapter 1169: Chapter 1169: Hidden Affection

After dinner, Zhang Xinhua still went to work. The two brothers also ran off, usually spending their time skating on the lake. They only come back when they’re hungry; if there’s food, they definitely won’t return.

Zhao Yanli came over in the afternoon; she had to buy tofu in the morning, as their family usually sells tofu together, each pushing a cart.

"Why are you bringing me tofu? There’s still some at home."

"Fresh tastes better, don’t you think?"

"It’s too cold, and Hai Yan isn’t feeling well."

"Did she take medicine?"

"She did, don’t worry, she’s fine now."

"Is Ming Ran okay?"

"He’s perfectly fine, lively as ever, and already went out to play."

"I didn’t expect the old lady to pass away just like that."

"There’s nothing we can do, everyone has their time."

"Ugh. I won’t stay, I have to go back to work; I have a few orders for tofu tonight."

Zhao Yanli returned home, and their family of three was grinding beans.

"Mom, let me do it, you go rest."

"Alright, are your sister and them okay?"

"They’re all fine, just Hai Yan caught a cold, otherwise everyone’s okay."

In the evening they still made two slabs of tofu, and the couple went out to sell them.

When Zhang Xinhua came back, he bought twist bread for Hai Yan. It sold well, so the younger two also got some.

He’s the eldest, particularly kind to the two younger ones, and they enjoy being close to him.

The thing Zhao Yanping wants most is to see this.

Three days later, Zhang Fusheng found his eldest son in the evening.

Zhang Xinhua knew it would be like this. He knew that day his dad must have overheard.

"Xinhua, she is your sister."

"Dad, she’s not my biological sister."

"Xinhua, but your household registration is together."

"Dad, my household registration can be transferred to the unit in the spring of next year."

"But you are my son, and she is nominally my daughter."

"Dad, her surname is Xiang."

"Xinhua, in the future many people will talk, and there is fear in people’s words."

Zhang Xinhua laughed, "Dad, I’ve never cared what others say.

Besides, someday the power plant will move abroad, then I’ll apply to go. Who would know me or this matter?"

"But I’m afraid your mom won’t agree."

"Dad, don’t worry, I’ll handle it myself; if Hai Yan agrees, I’ll seek my mom’s consent."

"What if Hai Yan doesn’t agree?"

Zhang Xinhua smiled, "Then I’ll be alone for life."

"Xinhua, why do you have to do this?"

"Dad, it’s fate. But rest assured, I won’t make any moves now. I won’t bring it up until she graduates high school.

I am already planning, and in the future, I’ll let her work with me at the power plant."

Zhang Fusheng looked at his son, realizing he had everything arranged.

"Xinhua, when did you start thinking about this?"

"Dad, is that important? I am determined to marry her, you won’t need to bother finding someone for me, I won’t meet them."

"But how old will you be in a few years? You’re much older than her."

"Dad, there’s an eleven-year difference, it’s not a problem."

"You may not think it’s a problem, but what about others? What about Hai Yan? Your mom?"

"Back to this issue again, Dad, after all these years, how have I treated Hai Yan?"

"But she might think it’s just a brotherly care."

"She’s still young now, she might think that way, but I’ll wait until she’s grown to let her know.

Dad, don’t worry. I know how to handle this. Rest assured, I won’t let you and mom face any difficulties."

Zhang Fusheng originally wanted to persuade his son, but with a few words, he was dismissed by his son.

He lay on the kang feeling very distressed; would his son wait until over thirty to marry, and even then only if Hai Yan agrees?

Zhao Yanping was stitching soles beside him; the little ones’ shoes wear out as quickly as they eat, and she couldn’t keep up with their needs.

"Fusheng, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing, just tried to advise Xinhua, but he told me he wouldn’t look, even if I introduce someone he won’t meet them."

"But Xinhua is already twenty-four."

"Forget it, let him be." He knew his son’s temperament well.

"But people might think I, as the stepmother, didn’t help find a wife for the son."

"Why care about others’ opinions? Xiao Ping, life is too short, just live according to your own wishes.

I was causing worry for my mom back then too; I didn’t have any intention to settle down, but after meeting you, I did.

A pair needs fate; let’s not interfere, let Xinhua decide for himself."

Zhao Yanping didn’t speak anymore; though her relationship as the stepmother was good, she still didn’t dare expect too much from Xinhua.

Xinhua is a really good child; they’ve never argued, and he’s sensible, filial, and good to her children.

She truly hopes to see Xinhua have a happy family.

Zhang Fusheng lay on the kang, comforting his wife with words also intended to console himself. What else can he think?

After learning about this, he’s been observing the two children daily, and there’s truly nothing unusual.

Xinhua treats Hai Yan well indeed, but doesn’t show any special affection like for the opposite gender.

This also let Zhang Fusheng breathe a sigh of relief. It’s still early, still young.

If any clarification needs to be made, it should wait until Hai Yan is older.

Life here on the farm is quite good. Sun Yun, now twenty-seven, cooks meat stew to feed her three daughters, not her own family nor her in-laws.

This standpoint can be justified. Zhao Qingxiang initially wanted to send some to his parents but didn’t dare to speak up.

Sun Yun is different from before now.

He has come to realize this over the past few days; the conclusion is his wife doesn’t care about him anymore.

This makes him even more anxious, so now he’s treading carefully.

The atmosphere is not great at Zhao Qingjie’s home; previously, An Lixia helped with the work. Now it’s all taken on by Qi Xue Mei, which naturally tires her, so her mood isn’t great.

Besides, they originally planned to slaughter a pig, but the father-in-law said to wait until they send fertilizer later.

But during New Year, the house cannot be without meat, right?

Sometimes, on a favorable wind, you’d catch the aroma of someone’s meat stew.

It’s the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, and their family is having cornbread with sauerkraut.

Sauerkraut is an oily dish, but there’s not much oil left at home; usually, they slaughter a pig in December, and the oil lasts for meals.

There’s cottonseed oil at home, but it doesn’t taste good with sauerkraut.

The family silently eats, Zhixue doesn’t say anything, he eats whatever is made at home, and when free, he coaxes his little brother to sit and rub corn on the kang.

An Lixia has indeed been feeling discomfort lately, her back and waist are in pain.