Chen Weimin was supposed to coordinate deliveries to various counties and districts. To facilitate his deliveries, he even bought a small truck and hired a driver.
Xie Min was supposed to be helping Hu Pan with errands at the factory. How did these two suddenly return?
A rare look of embarrassment flickered across Chen Weimin's tanned face. Holding a box of tonics, he first greeted Grandma Xie, "How have you been, Elder?"
Grandma Xie's gaze was sharp. "I'm fine. Sit down, Xiao Chen. How old are you this year?"
Xie Sui's eyes held a strange look. Why was Grandma asking that?
"I'm thirty-three. I had a wife before, but back then, my family was poor, and she left. I've been busy ever since and haven't remarried."
Xie Min listened to their conversation, feeling a bit nervous. Even Xie Sui, usually slow to catch on, sensed something was amiss.
Grandma Xie said, "You're not poor anymore. You should think about starting a family."
"Yes. After spending some time with Xiao Min, I want to help her take care of the children and be filial to you. What do you think?"
Xie Sui: "..."
This guy wanted to be his brother-in-law.
Lin Wanwan snapped back to reality, looking at the two of them with a smile. "When did you two get together? I didn't hear a word! Qingqing, Wenwen, let's go play inside."
"No need, let's talk here. The children are grown now, and some things require asking for their opinions, especially for girls. Their hearts are more sensitive. I think you still need to make sure the children like you. Old Chen, did your previous wife have children?"
Chen Weimin: "No, she didn't. I'll raise the two children as my own, you can rest assured about that."
Xie Sui: "I'm not reassured. If you want to raise children, have your own. Besides, you won't have time, right? Just live here for now, and we'll see when the children grow up."
Xie Min said, "Xiao Sui, are you agreeing or not?"
As a woman, Xie Min couldn't quite gauge Xie Sui's thoughts. She wanted him to be clearer.
Xie Sui snorted, his eyes unfriendly. "Second sister, you're so decisive. Would you listen to me if I disagreed? We're all adults, over thirty. Make your own decisions. I reserve my opinion. The only condition is that the children must not be unhappy."
Chen Weimin glanced at his two daughters and asked Qingqing, "Will you be willing to have Uncle take care of your mother in the future?"
He took out many dolls and children's clothes from the car, almost as if he were moving the entire children's clothing factory. Qingqing wasn't swayed by his "sugar-coated bullets." She had seen plenty of good things and wasn't the bumpkin she used to be.
"Uncle, if you think it's good, we have no problem. As long as Uncle doesn't drink and curse and makes Mom happy."
Wenwen was younger and didn't quite understand. She asked him, "Can you come to my parent-teacher conferences?"
In the past, Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan would go together. Children still hoped for both parents to attend. Everyone else had a father, and she wanted one too. He Liang was a scoundrel, and Wenwen had long forgotten him.
"Yes, that's a must."
Chen Weimin said happily, smiling affectionately. These two children were good, polite, clean, and beautiful. He genuinely liked them.
Xie Sui said, "You two go back to the village and get your parents' consent. Hold a wedding banquet and do things properly, so people don't gossip."
"We know. We'll get the marriage certificate too. Xiao Sui, this time sister is serious. Brother Chen is a responsible and good man. Second sister believes he will treat us well. Second sister knows you don't mind us being a burden, but we can't let you support us forever. Thank you, Wanwan, for taking care of the children during this time."
Lin Wanwan: "I haven't done much. The nanny does everything. Second sister, you don't need to say that."
Money could solve ninety percent of life's difficulties. The nanny handled the housework, and tutors could be hired for homework. Lin Wanwan only cared about the children's feelings, buying them clothes and food. Things that money could solve were not big issues.
This was why the family was harmonious. If it were like before, and her own children couldn't even eat enough, while also raising two nieces, Lin Wanwan, no matter how kind, would have had complaints.
Xie Sui didn't know how the two of them had fallen for each other, but it was a good thing. His second sister was still young, and her life was long. He could rest assured if she had a happy family.
With this event as a distraction, Lin Wanwan had no time to dwell on the past. Life seemed to return to a state of peace.
Both were remarrying and didn't have a grand ceremony. Coupled with their busy work schedules, they got their certificate, returned to the village for two tables, and held a simple banquet to form a new family.
The banquet was held in the village, at the Xie family's home. A few tables were set up at the county's state-run restaurant for Chen Weimin's friends and some of Xie Sui's friends who were willing to attend. Xie Sui didn't send out invitations or impose formalities, as it was his sister, not his son, getting married.
People attending were doing him a favor; not coming wouldn't be considered rude.
Friends from the county were fine, but there were always a few troublemakers in the village. Xie Min's quick remarriage to someone from the county inevitably led to some sour remarks.
Chen Weimin was ordinary-looking, but he had connections in both legitimate and illegitimate circles, and he carried himself with an air of success. His clothes and shoes were high-end, presenting the image of a successful person, which inevitably stirred envy. Xie Min, a woman who had been married before, found such a good man. Had the Xie family been on a streak of good luck in recent years?
The banquet was very lavish. It was originally intended to be simple, but so many people came that more than a dozen tables were added at the last minute. The Xie family once again became the focus of village gossip during tea breaks.
Xie Min, dressed in a stylish red dress, looked fashionable and beautiful. She was cheerful and generous, appearing no older than twenty, not at all like a mother of two.
The children had run off to play. Lin Wanwan was busy helping with the banquet preparations and was too tired to think about anything else.
The next day was the main event. The previous day was for preparing the banquet items. The aunts from the village came to help with the cooking.
It was time for dinner, but the children hadn't returned yet. Lin Wanwan went out to look for them. As soon as she stepped out, she saw the children returning, soaking wet, and was startled. "What happened?"
Qingqing said, "Zhang Shitóu said Mom is getting married, and we're just burdens, that she'll abandon us. Dòudòu and Dīngdīng argued with him, and Wenwen even cried. So I fought with him, and then we fell into the water pit."
Qingqing was still very unhappy. They were not burdens.
Lin Wanwan quickly told them to go back and change and shower. "Don't listen to their nonsense. You know you're not burdens. Uncle and Aunt can support you, so why bother with them? Hurry and shower so you don't catch a cold. Aunt will make you ginger soup."
"Thank you, Auntie. My uncle said there's no need to argue with those gossips. A slap to their face will stop them from spewing their nonsense. Don't think you can speak carelessly without feeling the pain. I'll make them feel the pain."
Lin Wanwan: "..."
The aunts helping with the cooking were stunned. They lowered their heads and continued working guiltily, feeling as if Xie Sui's words were directed at them.