Chapter 87: New Neighbors and a New Home

Two days later, Su Yue went to the supply and marketing cooperative with her tickets and money and bought a brand-new bicycle. With it, the family could finally go out more conveniently.

The moment Dabao and Xiaobao saw the bicycle, their eyes lit up. At such a young age, they already showed great enthusiasm for vehicles. Knowing that this was something to ride outside, they tried to drag the bicycle out themselves.

“Mom, let’s go play!” they called out in unison.

Su Yue quickly waved them off. “You two are too small. You can’t even reach the pedals yet.”

Xiaobao wasn’t ready to give up. He ran over, hugged Su Yue’s legs, and coaxed with a sheepish grin, “Mom, you ride.”

Su Yue sighed. “Mom doesn’t know how to ride either.”

Hearing that, Xiaobao’s lips drooped, and he turned to look at Dabao for help.

Dabao, always the calmer one, immediately went over to Han Aimin who was watching from the side. Standing on tiptoe, he tugged on his uncle’s hand and asked sweetly, “Uncle, can you take us for a ride?”

His soft, milky voice, paired with those big black eyes brimming with hope, was impossible to resist. Han Aimin’s heart melted instantly, and like Su Yue, he couldn’t refuse the children’s pleading. He nodded right away. “Alright, little ones, Uncle will take you for a ride.”

Su Yue could only press her forehead helplessly, while Old Lady Han laughed and said, “Dabao is clever. He knows exactly who to ask.”

Indeed, Su Yue thought. Xiaobao was lively and quick to act, but when it came to strategy, Dabao had the upper hand. Though quiet, Dabao was sharp and steady beyond his age. If they wanted something done, Dabao knew the surest way to make it happen. Just like now, when Su Yue refused, he immediately went to his uncle, who would never say no.

Since the two children were still small and might fall if they sat directly on the back seat, Han Aimin thought for a while and came up with a solution.

He fetched a large basket from the house, padded it with clothes, and tied it securely onto the back seat of the bicycle with a rope. Then he carefully lifted the two little ones inside and they just fit right.

“Are you sitting properly?” Han Aimin asked.

Dabao nodded, gripping the edge of the basket tightly.

“Sit down!” Xiaobao echoed loudly, brimming with excitement.

“Alright then let’s go!” Han Aimin announced. He got on the bike, pedaled hard, and the bicycle rolled forward smoothly, the breeze brushing past their faces.

Xiaobao’s delighted laughter rang out, high and magical, echoing all across the compound.

Su Yue and Old Lady Han stood on the balcony, watching the scene below. Su Yue sighed, smiling. “Now that their uncle takes them on rides, I doubt these two will stay at home anymore.”

Her words proved true. Once the children discovered the joy of cycling, there was no stopping them. Every day after meals, they would cling to Han Aimin’s legs, begging him to take them out. Han Aimin adored them and indulged their requests. Not only did he ride them around the compound, but sometimes he even took them along to the commune for errands. With the basket carrying the two little ones, he pedaled all the way, and often spent his pocket money at the cooperative to buy them treats to nibble on during the ride.

Slowly, in Dabao and Xiaobao’s hearts, their uncle became just as important as their parents. Each morning when they woke, they no longer ran to Su Yue first, but went looking for Han Aimin.

Unfortunately, good times don’t last forever. With school starting soon, Han Aimin had to attend high school in the provincial capital and couldn’t come home every day.

On the day of his departure, the two children were devastated. Tears streamed down their faces as they clung to their uncle, refusing to let go. Xiaobao hugged Han Aimin’s legs tightly, sobbing, “Uncle, don’t go… don’t go…”

Dabao’s little hands also latched onto his trousers, unwilling to release him.

Han Aimin’s heart softened at the sight. He lifted one child in each arm, trying to coax them. “Uncle’s only leaving for a few days. I’ll be back soon to play with you. Don’t cry, alright?”

But Xiaobao wouldn’t stop hiccupping through his tears. Hugging his uncle’s neck tightly, he pleaded, “Uncle, take me with you…”

Han Aimin was at a loss, not knowing how to deal with it.

Su Yue had to step in, half-teasing, half coaxing. “Alright then, you two can go with your uncle. But if you do, you won’t get to eat Mommy’s cooking anymore. No cakes, no sesame biscuits, no sushi, no fried twists, no cheese. Hm, I guess I’ll have to give all those snacks to your father instead.”

The magic words worked. Xiaobao froze mid-sob, his face streaked with tears. After a long pause, he reluctantly let go, planted a wet kiss on Han Aimin’s cheek, and whispered, “Uncle, come back soon.”

Dabao, though calmer, also followed his brother’s example and kissed him goodbye.

Han Aimin: … Wait, wasn’t this a tearful farewell a moment ago? Where did all that reluctance go?

Thanks to Su Yue’s little trick, Han Aimin was finally able to leave. But from then on, every day, the two little boys would run hand in hand to the compound gate, clinging to the iron bars and peering outside, waiting eagerly for their uncle to return.

And so, Han Aiguo gained a new duty, when he came home from work each evening, he would pick the children up at the gate and carry them back for dinner. Sitting high on their father’s shoulders, the boys giggled with delight every time. Watching them, Su Yue sometimes couldn’t even tell, if they were waiting for their uncle, or for their father?

That day, a new family finally moved in next door, into the house that had been empty for several months.

The new arrival happened to be a company commander under Han Aiguo. His wife, Mao Xue, shared a similar background with Su Yue; they were both educated youths who had once gone to the countryside. Mao Xue was a pretty woman with a capable personality. Su Yue learned this firsthand because, on the very first day of moving in, Mao Xue brought her child over to visit.

She even carried some apples as a greeting gift. Su Yue quickly waved her hands. “We’re going to be neighbors from now on. No need to be so polite, take these back.”

Mao Xue only smiled. “They don’t cost much. It’s bad manners to visit empty-handed the first time. Take them, I won’t be polite otherwise.”

Seeing her insistence, Su Yue had no choice but to accept. In return, she brought out some cake she had made and offered it to Mao Xue’s child.

Mao Xue had a son named Maomao. He was a year older than Dabao and Xiaobao, yet about the same height, and much thinner. The boy was so skinny that his cheeks had little flesh, his large eyes and big head making him look almost frail. Compared to the round, healthy Dabao and Xiaobao, the sight of him made Su Yue’s heart ache.

Though living conditions weren’t great these days, a child shouldn’t be that thin. Could it be that his body wasn’t absorbing nutrients well?

Still, since they had just met, Su Yue didn’t ask. Instead, she gently offered the cake. “Here, sweetheart, have some cake.”

Maomao’s eyes flickered with longing as he looked at the treat, but he didn’t reach out. Instead, he glanced up timidly at Su Yue, and then shuffled back two steps, as though frightened.

Mao Xue’s smile tightened. She gave the boy a displeased look before turning to Su Yue. “This child has been afraid of strangers since he was small. Please don’t mind.”

Su Yue shook her head with a soft smile, and then handed the cake to Mao Xue so she could pass it along herself.

Mao Xue coaxed gently, “Auntie gave this to you. Eat it quickly.”

After some hesitation, Maomao finally stretched out his little hand and took the cake, biting his lip nervously before tasting it.

Meanwhile, Dabao and Xiaobao had already snatched their share without waiting for instructions. They grabbed small spoons, and when Maomao received his, the brothers patted his shoulders encouragingly.

“Hurry up and try it,” Xiaobao said proudly. “The cakes my mom makes are unmatched in the whole world!”

He then scooped a large spoonful into his own mouth, eyes narrowing in delight as he shook his head dramatically, as though savoring the most wonderful food ever.

Su Yue ignored the little drama king.

But Maomao was drawn in by Xiaobao’s exaggerated performance. Cautiously, he took a spoonful himself. The moment the sweet taste hit his tongue, his eyes widened in surprise, his already large eyes looked even bigger now.

Xiaobao raised his chin smugly. “Isn’t my mom’s cooking amazing?”

Maomao blinked and nodded quickly.

That was all Xiaobao needed to puff up with pride; wrapping an arm around Maomao’s thin shoulders, he declared, “If you listen to me, I’ll reward you with good food.”

Maomao stared blankly, clearly confused.

Su Yue immediately swatted Xiaobao’s little bottom. “You naughty boy! Maomao is older than you. He doesn’t need to listen to you.”

Xiaobao rubbed his butt, pursed his lips, and wisely fell silent.

Mao Xue chuckled. “My boy is silly and nowhere near as clever as yours. He should listen to your child.”

Su Yue quickly waved it off. “No, no, Maomao is very good. I only have two rascals at home. If he listens to them, he’ll turn into a monkey too.”

“I’m not a monkey, I’m a good boy!” Xiaobao protested with a pout.

Su Yue rolled her eyes. This kid really had no sense of self-awareness.

After chatting for over half an hour, Mao Xue stood up to leave with Maomao. Before she went, Su Yue packed some pastries for the boy to take home.

When the door closed, Old Lady Han remarked, “This family seems nice, much better than the last one. The child is about the same age as our two little ones, so they’ll have another playmate. But that boy looks far too timid. He hardly said a word. His mother doesn’t seem timid, so why is the child like that?”

Su Yue couldn’t say for sure, but she also felt something odd. Maomao seemed cautious even a little afraid of his mother.

Old Lady Han added, “I heard Mao Xue’s husband is also from the countryside. But she herself; she seems a lot like you. Not at all like someone from the village.”

Su Yue thought so too. Mao Xue lacked that rustic air. But then again, not every rural woman carried it, just as not every city girl lived with refinement.

Before long, the mystery was solved, thanks to the “information bureau” upstairs that is Old Madam Sun. This elderly woman always had an endless supply of gossip. She asked around and then hurried over to share the news with Old Lady Han.

“The new Mao daughter-in-law next door? She’s actually a city girl. She married her man only because the educated youths were sent to the countryside.”

Old Lady Han sighed. “Well, that’s fate.”

Old Madam Sun sniffed. “Fate? More like necessity. Educated youths all have high ambitions but little ability. The girls couldn’t endure hardship, couldn’t return to the city, so they had to marry whoever they could.”

Midway, she suddenly remembered Su Yue’s past and faltered, quickly correcting herself with an awkward laugh. “Of course, not all of them; your Xiao Su is different, she is such a good girl. It was truly fate she married into your family.”

Old Lady Han only smiled.

Su Yue held back a laugh. Old Madam Sun really did have a careless tongue.

When she saw neither mother-in-law nor daughter-in-law seemed offended, Old Madam Sun grew bolder, continuing, “On the outside, that Mao girl seems fine. But I heard she lived with her in-laws in the countryside, and their relationship was terrible; they argued constantly. That’s why she wanted to come here to the army. A wife like that isn’t good, doesn’t know filial piety. If she’d married into my family, my son would’ve divorced her long ago. Why should she follow him to the army?”

Old Lady Han frowned. “You can’t blame everything on the daughter-in-law. Sometimes the elders are at fault too. Not every bad relationship is the younger woman’s fault.”

“Yes, yes, true.” Old Madam Sun quickly puffed herself up. “That’s why being a good mother-in-law is important. People like us are good, so our daughters-in-law are naturally filial.”

Su Yue shook her head silently, and then decided to take the boys out for some air.

But as soon as they stepped out the door, they saw Maomao squatting alone nearby. No adults were around. Curious, Su Yue asked gently, “Maomao, what are you doing here?”

The boy startled at her voice. He stood quickly, glanced nervously at Su Yue and her sons, and then dropped his head without saying a word.

Su Yue frowned. This child was far too withdrawn. He didn’t even dare speak.

So she tried again. “Maomao, Auntie is taking Dabao and Xiaobao out to play. Do you want to come with us? You can play games with your little brothers.”

At her words, a flicker of longing lit his eyes, but he still didn’t answer.

Su Yue walked to his house and saw the front door ajar. Inside, Mao Xue sat at a table reading intently.

“Mao Xue,” Su Yue called softly.

Mao Xue looked up and smiled. “What’s the matter? Come in and sit.”

Su Yue waved her hand. “No, I was just taking my two boys out to play and saw Maomao by the door. I wanted to bring him along, but thought I’d ask if that was alright.”

Mao Xue tucked her hair behind her ear, smiled, and nodded. “Of course, this child never goes to play on his own. If he’s with you, that’s even better. Sorry to trouble you.”

“No trouble at all.” Su Yue took Maomao’s little hand. He flinched at first, but didn’t pull away.

“Your mother agreed,” Su Yue reassured him. “Let’s go play. Later we’ll try eagle-catches-chicks.”

Though silent, Maomao obediently followed. Su Yue could tell he wanted to go.

Downstairs, several children were already playing. Su Yue let the oldest child play the hen at the front, protecting the chicks, and placed Maomao between Dabao and Xiaobao so they could look after him. She herself acted as the eagle, swooping and clawing as she pretended to chase them.

“Look at these plump little chicks!” she cried in a mock-evil voice. “I want to catch them and eat them!”

“Ahhh, the eagle is coming! Run!” the children squealed, scattering in laughter. Even Maomao, usually so timid, ran along with the others, a small smile breaking across his face.

By the time the game ended, the children were drenched in sweat. Su Yue wiped Dabao and Xiaobao’s foreheads with her handkerchief and then leaned down toward Maomao. But the moment she raised her hand, Maomao dropped into a squat, hugging his head as though bracing for a hit.

Su Yue froze. “Maomao, what’s wrong? Auntie’s just wiping your sweat.”

The boy peeked up blankly, saw no anger in her face, then slowly stood and fidgeted with his hands nervously.

Su Yue’s heart sank with unease, but she said nothing, gently wiped him clean, and took the three children back upstairs.

As they climbed, Xiaobao grabbed Maomao’s hand. “Maomao, do you want to play with us again tomorrow?”

This time, Maomao didn’t stay silent. He nodded quickly, his eyes full of hope.

Su Yue smiled faintly. It seemed this child wasn’t naturally timid. With more time around lively playmates, perhaps he would slowly come out of his shell.