Rebirth in 1980: The Farm Wife Makes a Comeback
Chapter 310: Relationships

Chapter 310: Chapter 310: Relationships

"Brat, you’ve gotten so heavy, eat less tomorrow."

Taotao pouted, sucking on his little finger in a milky voice, "Mommy says Taotao is very skinny."

Jian Zhiqing slapped Taotao’s little bottom lightly, "Go, sleep with your Brother Linlin."

Taotao was a child raised by shepherds, and from a young age, the two children always slept together. While other families worried this and that, only the Jian boys were left to their own devices, roughly raised yet still managed to grow so big, and also rarely fell ill. Like Jian Zhiqing, Jian Zhiqin, and Taotao.

Jian Zhiqing tossed Taotao next to Jian Zhiqin to be looked after, the two kids tangled up playing. With a snap, Jian Zhiqing closed the door, not to disturb Qin Xiangnuan’s studying later.

Qin Xiangnuan had just finished tidying up the yard and was about to go inside when something occurred to her.

"Brother Jian, your thing."

As she spoke, Qin Xiangnuan ran into her own room and came out holding something in her hand.

Jian Zhiqing took it and saw it was a thick cotton-made garment, which seemed to have a layer of cotton stuffed inside, a robe with a belt of the same color.

Jian Zhiqing was smart, so with a quick thought, he figured out what the garment was for.

If one were to put it on straight after a bath and tie the belt, it would indeed save a lot of trouble.

"Thank you, I really like it," Jian Zhiqing pinched Qin Xiangnuan’s face, "Is your brother’s comrade coming over for a meal tomorrow?" Jian Zhiqing seemed to remember that this week Qin Xiangyang was having a comrade over for dinner.

"Yes," confirmed Qin Xiangnuan, clearly remembering too, "It has been mentioned for a long time, and since big brother has a day off tomorrow, he’ll bring a few comrades to pay a visit."

"Uh-huh," Jian Zhiqing’s fingers gently caressed the bathrobe in his arms, "If it’s not a problem later on, you can ask him to bring some comrades over more often. Building good relations with people from the military academy can be a great help to your brother in the future."

His words struck directly at Qin Xiangnuan’s heart. She had had this thought before, but she hadn’t dwelled on it much. Now that Jian Zhiqing brought it up, she realized how important connections would be in the future – and comrades were indeed not like ordinary friends, men’s friendships could be deep and strong enough to go through thick and thin for each other.

Their family had no power or influence; if her brother could truly make friends with people of different status, then as far as his future was concerned, it would be all to his benefit and no harm.

In her past life, she had led such a banal and aimless existence, never making plans for herself. Her brother died young, owning nothing, and she had thoroughly experienced the coldness of the world. Now she was aware that networking could be crucial, and it wasn’t like she didn’t know it.

One needed connections for schooling, housing, and nearly everything; having a strong backer could prove more effective than striving for a lifetime.

It couldn’t be called opportunism, it was just human nature in the future.

She didn’t like it, but she needed to adapt.

Her elder brother was a honest man; learning these skills would take him years. So, she took on the task willingly, indifferent to what others said – she was determined to earn extra for her brother no matter what.

The weather got increasingly colder these past few days. Qin Xiangnuan found some time to make a pair of boots for each child, warm and stylish. Many parents had inquired about the boots, but were somewhat disappointed to learn she made them. Still, they placed orders with her, offering ten yuan a pair.

Qin Xiangnuan agreed to the requests, as the system could produce a pair after just a brief wait. This also gave her some practice. Although she didn’t take many orders and couldn’t produce them too quickly, she could still make about fifty to sixty yuan a month.

Not long after she set up her stall, three people came over.

Jian Zhiqin was wearing a pair of black cotton boots, simple and elegant, warm too. Little Taotao wore milk-white boots, onto which Qin Xiangnuan had embroidered little flowers and sewn bells. Whenever he walked, the bells tinkled, a sound that was especially useful since he loved to run around. At least with these boots on, one could hear where he was by the jingle, ensuring he wouldn’t get lost.

"Big sis, Taotao wants some pancakes," said Taotao, who had let go of Jian Zhiqin’s hand. The bells on his boots chimed as he ran over, his little tummy almost caving in from hunger.

"Oh, Little Taotao, come here for Auntie to give you a hug."

Xie Yonghong adored children. Seeing Taotao, her maternal instincts overflowed. She would have been happy to have a child who grew up looking like him, even if it cost her life.

Taotao scurried over with his little legs, instantly charming everyone – young and old. With his cute face and plump figure, dressed cleanly without any odd smells, who wouldn’t love him? In his thick winter clothes, he waddled like a little duck, making adults constantly worry he might fall. Thankfully, although his walking sometimes looked precarious, he actually never truly fell.

Xie Yonghong lifted Taotao, remarking how heavy he’d gotten – wondering what delicious food his mother made for him.

Taotao just smiled cutely, prompting Xie Yonghong to playfully nibble his face several times before setting him down. She then served him a bowl of porridge while Qin Xiangnuan cut him a small piece of scallion pancake to eat.

This was their daily routine. Those who worked went to work, those who studied went to school, and each day they’d come to Qin Xiangnuan’s for scallion pancakes and Xie Yonghong’s thin porridge, always leaving with their bellies full without ever feeling deprived.

After everyone finished eating and went to work or school, Qin Xiangnuan continued selling scallion pancakes.

"I’ll be off then, Master’s wife," she said.

"How come so early today?" Xie Yonghong rolled up her sleeves and looked at her watch.

Indeed, it was quite early, just past seven, and it was a weekend – no classes needed.

"We have guests at home today, I need to go grocery shopping."

"Oh, I see," Xie Yonghong said, then thought for a moment before asking, "Do you need help? Can you manage on your own?"

"No need, thank you, Master’s wife," Qin Xiangnuan smiled, washing her hands in a basin at the side. "I can handle it. It’s just some of my brother’s comrades coming over. A few home-cooked dishes will do. My brother said they’re not picky."

Of course, Qin Xiangnuan didn’t take it literally; she wouldn’t presume that simply because Qin Xiangyang said they weren’t picky, she could serve them a simple meal of salted vegetables in buns.

She gave the unsold pancakes to Xie Yonghong for her to take home and enjoy, as her family of three liked them very much. As for The Jians, it was likely they’d had enough, being quite choosy, and they definitely wouldn’t want scallion pancakes for dinner. They might settle for noodle soup instead.