Starting a new chapter in life

I slept soundly until I naturally woke up. After getting up and having breakfast, I started playing the Great Wall game at home. And let me tell you, the rules are different in every place!

Following the principle of majority rule, He Zhijun and Jing Yan learned the rules from the other three people. After playing a couple of rounds, they understood the rules and officially began.

Northern Mahjong differs from Shanghai Mahjong in that it doesn't calculate money based on suits or scores. Instead, it's based on the number of hands played: discarding a winning hand, self-draw, or following the trend. There are only three billing methods, which is simple and, of course, cheaper.

They played for most of the day, but it only cost one yuan to play. Although they had a lot of fun, they still needed to eat. Fourth Sister is a long-time card addict; she doesn't usually play because she doesn't want to spend the money.

We only get to spend a few days together as a family during the Lunar New Year. After all, money is all in the same pot within the family, so we don't feel the pinch. Now that my sister is finally back to play with me, it's really great!

After Jingyan promised to continue tomorrow, they reluctantly packed up the card table and began preparing dinner. Peng Chunsheng whispered to them:

“We eat three meals a day during spring planting and autumn harvest, except when we play mahjong, which means we only eat two meals a day. Do you know how addicted your sister is to mahjong?”

Jing Yan smiled but didn't speak. He Zhijun looked at her teasingly: "So you two are from the same lineage?"

Peng Chunsheng was a little confused. He Zhijun turned to him and said, "In the past, when there were many people in the family, we would set up two tables during the Spring Festival. Jingyan was the one who would stay at the table even when we switched tables. She also loved to play."

As soon as she finished speaking, Jingyan blushed, while Jinghuan smiled and said, "We really are sisters."

“Third sister also loves to play, it’s true that we’re of the same ilk.” Jingyan also dragged Jingxian into the mess.

Everyone chatted and laughed while cooking together. After three days of leisure at home, my eldest brother, second brother, third brother, eldest sister, and second sister finally came to the old house. My eldest brother also brought some Beijing specialties that An'an had mailed to us.

Yes, there were a lot of bags and packages. Jingyan distributed them to everyone on the spot, and each family received a few items. An'an probably bought more rather than less, so there were enough things to distribute.

Everyone had prepared a lot of things: paper money, gold ingots, silver ingots, and offerings. Each person carried a basket. They were all quite old, and the younger members of their families helped them walk up the mountain to the Zhang family's ancestral graves.

The Zhang family used to be quite well-off. They owned a small hill that belonged exclusively to them, so every time they came to burn paper money and sweep the tombs, they would clean each grave individually, since they were all their relatives and ancestors.

This time was no exception. Rows of graves were cleaned, paper money was burned, and offerings were made. Fortunately, each family brought their younger relatives, so the process was relatively quick.

Jingyan hadn't been here for many years. She and He Zhijun went directly to their parents' graves, cleaned the dust from the graves, placed the offerings, and began burning paper money. As she spoke, she said, "Dad, Mom, I'm back. After being away for over thirty years, I've finally come back to see you. Did you miss me?"

This is my husband, He Zhijun. He was very good to me, and his family was also very good to me, but they all passed away one after another in recent years. I now have a son and a daughter, both good children. Back then, I was the one you were most worried about.

I believe you can see me in another world and will always protect me, so my life has been very smooth. Don't worry.

He Zhijun also said something, and Jingyan's tears welled up in her eyes. After He Zhijun burned the paper, Jingyan looked at him and said, "Go and burn some paper for the Zhang family ancestors for the others. I want to talk to my mother alone for a while."

He Zhijun nodded, picked up a basket containing paper money, and walked away. After he left, Jing Yan continued burning paper money as she spoke:

"Mom, I don't know if my past life was real or just a dream, and I'm not sure if this life is real either, but I'll just pretend I really did live it."

My past life in the dream was indeed very difficult; I suffered from heart disease, but it wasn't without its rewards. I'm doing well now. I don't know if you helped me get a second chance, or if I had other opportunities.

I've always felt like this life was stolen, and I've always worried that for every gain, there will be a corresponding loss. That's why I've never dared to pursue personal gain according to the societal development I envision.

I'm afraid of gaining too much that doesn't belong to me, and then losing even more in some way in the future. I don't know if I'm just too timid, but I know that if you were alive, you would support all my decisions.

My two children are doing well, but I can't stop worrying about the daughter in my dream. If it really happened in a past life, could you, in heaven, please take care of my little Yue?

Over the years, I seem to think about that period of my life less and less. The people and events from that time are becoming increasingly blurry in my memory. I think that one day I will completely forget that dream. After all, life isn't always perfect.

Now I should be content and cherish what I have. My third sister is doing very well now. Although she is divorced, her children are filial, and she lives a carefree life. It's actually not bad that she doesn't have a man who holds her back.

Sometimes I wonder, what exactly is marriage? A good marriage is about mutual support, sharing joys and sorrows, and cherishing and caring for each other. But what about a bad marriage? Is there any point in maintaining it?

I don't want to force marriage on my children. Zhizhi was surprised by my indulgence towards her, but I know that an unsuitable marriage will consume one's enthusiasm for life. I can't bear to see her sad in the future, just like your indulgence and pampering of me back then. Isn't this a kind of passing on the torch?

Mom and Dad, don't worry, I'm truly happy and content. I married far away and it's been so many years since I last came to see you. Please don't complain. I just don't know how big your world is, and if I ever go there, will I be able to find you? Then I'll still be your most beloved daughter, right?

The contents of the three baskets in front of her were all burned. Looking at the flickering flames, Jingyan seemed to see her parents in the firelight. Seeing their loving smiles, she smiled, but tears streamed down her face.

Everyone saw her talking alone in front of her parents' graves. None of her siblings came to disturb her. They come every year, but Jingxian and Jingyan live too far away, so they don't try to get a spot.

After visiting the graves, Jingyan returned home and composed herself. She and her fourth sister prepared to cook. There were so many people there today, nearly thirty people, so the appetites were quite large.

Fortunately, this is an old house, and the house is big enough, with plenty of tables and chairs. The tables and chairs that have been stored in the storeroom for a long time were moved out, and the bowls and plates were found. The young people washed and cleaned, while the older people gathered together to pick vegetables and chat. It was quite lively.

Even the lowest mood can't be lifted when faced with cooking for so many people. It's quite a busy time, and it's not easy to put together more than ten dishes. Fortunately, we have a lot of dried goods at home, so we managed to put together enough food for thirty people.

After a lively meal, everyone chatted for a while. Before it got too late, they took their leave one by one. By the time the house returned to quiet, everyone was exhausted.

Less than a week later, spring plowing began. Jingyan, who hadn't done it for many years, suddenly found herself... suffering from back pain. He Zhijun wasn't much better off. The total amount of work done by the couple couldn't even match the amount done by Jingxian alone, and well, the quality wasn't as good either.

After working for half a day, the two were sent home by their fourth sister. It was true that she really looked down on their work. Despite being disliked, Jingyan was not discouraged and took over the cooking job when she got home. He Zhijun was in charge of tending the fire, and Jingyan was the head chef.

The fourth sister and her husband worked very smoothly in the fields, and they could have a hot meal when they got home without having to cook for themselves, which saved them a lot of effort. When the spring plowing was almost over, An'an and Zhizhi also arrived.

The two went directly to their maternal uncle's house. Their eldest brother, Zhang Jingtian, personally brought the children over. The two children were very excited to see their parents: "Mom and Dad, it's been more than two months, do you want to go home?"

Jing Yan smiled and nodded: "Yes, but I'll also take you to your aunt and uncle's house to meet them. You can't not even know how many relatives you have, can you?"

So, another group of people went from house to house visiting each other. It was the first time the two children had ever seen so many relatives. After all, their father's side of the family only had one uncle and two other uncles from his great-uncle's side, and they had never met them more than twice.

It's quite remarkable that the two of them have such good memories; they actually remembered almost all of their aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters. After going around in circles, about three days had passed, and Jingyan's family was about to leave.

Fourth Sister reluctantly saw them off at the village entrance, while eldest Brother took care of putting them on the train. Peng Chunlai accompanied them all the way to the city, and only returned home after seeing the family off. This farewell meant they didn't know when they would see each other again.

After returning to Beijing, Jing Yan went to see Fu Zixu. The first three months of her pregnancy had passed, and she was in good condition. She was not missing work and looked great. Seeing that she didn't need any help, Jing Yan went home first.

An'an and Zhizhi have very limited time; it's already quite difficult for them to spare a week. Jingyan didn't expect that in just over two months, the people and things around her would change so quickly.

Chu Han followed his family's arrangement and got engaged. It was said to be a good match between them. The girl was a rich young lady with outstanding temperament and appearance. However, because it was an arranged marriage, there was no affection between the two. But judging from Chu Han's looks, it shouldn't be too difficult.

Upon learning of the couple's return, Chen Ping came to visit Jing Yan. During their conversation, she expressed her deep distress, saying that Xiao Xiao was getting on in years, and if she didn't get married soon, she would miss the optimal age for having children.

Seeing that she was really troubled, Jingyan patted her hand and asked, "Sister Chen, how's your Xiaoxiao's job going? Is she earning enough to support herself?"

When this is mentioned, Chen Ping is quite proud: "Xiao Xiao has a lot of work now, and she has to schedule her time. She's quite busy. And she does earn a lot in this industry. Although her expenses are also high, she has some fame now and often gets sponsorships from brands, so her expenses are not as high as they were at the beginning."

Jingyan nodded with envy in her eyes: "Yes, she earns a lot and dresses very elegantly. If she gets married, her husband's family can't find someone too bad. What if they make Xiaoxiao go back to her family and live a life of asking her husband and mother-in-law for money every day? Would you be willing to do that?"

Chen Ping paused, her tone hesitant: "Then finding an ordinary family would be fine too."

"An ordinary family? Xiaoxiao earns money to support her husband's whole family? In the end, she might still be blamed for being too strong-willed and making her husband seem useless. Do you think she'll end up doing all the work for nothing?" Jingyan sneered.

“But we can’t just not get married and have children,” Chen Ping said, her tone still firm.

Jingyan laughed and said, "So what? As long as I'm happy and not lonely, I don't have to get married. As for children, she might have plans for the future. If she wants them, she'll take care of them."

It's better than parents forcing you to go through all the major life events. What if things don't go well later? Do you think she'll blame you or herself? And can you really stop worrying about it?

Chen Ping was stunned for a while before asking Jing Yan, "Your Zhizhi is also of marriageable age, aren't you really worried?"

Jingyan shook her head: "I promised Zhizhi that if she meets a suitable person she wants to marry, she must bring him back to us to meet and let us know. If she doesn't meet anyone and doesn't want to get married, I won't pressure her. As long as she's happy, that's all that matters."

So, if both kids get old and still unmarried, they can keep each other company. Each generation should manage its own affairs; why should we interfere so much? It's just annoying and pointless.

Chen Ping sighed, "I'm also worried that she'll be lonely in the future. She's our only child, so we always have a lot to worry about. But since you can let go of Zhizhi, I'll try to let go too."

But I'm not as open-minded as you. When you're around, I can't help but want to control you. I'm planning to go back to Haishi. From now on, it's fine for her to go back or for us to come over during holidays.

As the old saying goes, "familiarity breeds contempt," which applies to all interpersonal relationships. Let's give each other space; at least I can avoid seeing it altogether.

Jing Yan smiled contentedly: "It's best if you think it through. As parents, we all want what's best for our children, but we can't interfere too much under the guise of doing what's best for them. We were young once too, and we didn't want our parents to interfere too much back then either."

Chen Ping shook her head: "My parents sacrificed their lives early, and I never felt their love. So I wanted to make up for what I lacked in Xiaoxiao, but I never thought about whether she wanted it or not."

"But with you setting an example, even if I don't agree in my heart, I should be able to follow your lead in my actions. My Xiaoxiao likes your house so much, which proves that your ideas are what she likes. I'll just go with the flow."

After seeing Chen Ping off, Jing Yan felt quite sad. Chinese parents spend their whole lives planning for their children, but often it's just so strange that the more you want your children to develop according to your ideas, the more they resent you, and things always go against your wishes.

In the end, the children are unhappy, the parents are frustrated, and some even become enemies. You tell me, what's the point of all this trouble, with both sides dissatisfied?

Hearing the door close, He Zhijun came out of the bedroom and saw her standing at the door in a daze. He walked closer to her and said softly, "Sister Chen is still quite traditional. She can't change her mindset for a while. Take it slow. As long as she doesn't urge Xiaoxiao to get married, there aren't really any other conflicts between the mother and daughter."