Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 134 Visiting Relatives

Shen Yixiang and Shen Yiyue both turned their attention to Yang PeiMin.

Everyone knew she liked children and had the patience, and Xiao Fen and the others also loved to stick with her, so she was now the best one to look after them.

Chen Guizhi chuckled while waving her hand, "What’s there to worry about? When I took care of all you kids back in the day, everything was all right. Now with just two little ones, what’s there to tackle that I can’t handle? Don’t underestimate me."

"Just sleep with sister-in-law. Xiao Fen and Xiao Fang must really miss sleeping with her," Shen Yiyue said with a chuckling smile.

Shen Jiayue also said, "Exactly, since she doesn’t have to go to work anyway."

Yang PeiMin wasn’t really bothered by taking care of children, but she had absolutely no experience in sleeping with kids, and she herself slept restlessly. She had grown accustomed to sprawling on a large bed all by herself since she was young, rolling about in her sleep, which wasn’t much of an issue during winter when she was snugly wrapped in thick cotton quilts.

If she accidentally pressed down on the children, she didn’t even want to imagine it.

Hence, she quickly shook her head, "I’m afraid of crushing them."

But she felt somewhat embarrassed about this and, to make amends, she said to Chen Guizhi, "Mom, let me make some clothes for Xiao Fen and her sister."

Chen Guizhi nodded cheerfully and turned to Xiao Fen and her sister, "Haven’t you thanked your auntie yet? Look, you’ll have new clothes to wear. Are you happy?"

The two children opened their mouths in smiles, though their cheeks were still streaked with tear marks.

Yang PeiMin felt her heart soften. The children resembled He Dal quite a bit, dark and lean, and they did not seem as lovable as those plump and fair kids, but their eyes were the same - clear, pure, utterly innocent, and filled with a certain dependence on you.

The sewing machine that came with Yang PeiMin as part of her dowry was only placed in her room when she later learned to use it. She had previously torn some fabric pieces and practiced in secret, the wasted material carefully hidden from others. She made her own undergarments, so even if the stitching was crooked, no one would notice beneath her clothes.

Later on, on a whim, she also made thin coats for the elder Shens, delighting Chen Guizhi to the point that she couldn’t stop smiling and she kept urging her not to waste fabric, but to save it for herself.

Yang PeiMin intended to make something bright and colorful for the two children, not to constantly dress them in the same dull colors as the adults, which lacked any sense of vivacity.

Shen Yiyue said with envy, "I want to make clothes too."

Chen Guizhi glared at her, "Didn’t you just knit a sweater? Stop barging in for no reason."

Shen Yiyue stuck out her tongue.

Perhaps it was Yang PeiMin who stirred up a flood of maternal feelings, as all the women expressed their desire to participate in making clothes for the children.

When Yang PeiMin specially went out to buy fabric to showcase her skills, a letter from Shen Yiguang arrived.

Of course, it was one letter for the elders and one for Yang PeiMin.

And then everyone knew, the letter contained one piece of news: his military region was allowing family visits, so his suggestion was for his family to come and stay for a few days.

Shen Erniu waved his hand, "I’m old, my legs aren’t good, and I can’t travel that far. Let his wife go."

Shen Yiguang’s unit was a thousand kilometers away, a train journey of two days and nights, which was too taxing for some of the older folks.

Everyone looked at Yang Peimin.

Yang Peimin raised her eyebrows. The letter had arrived at a curious time, and she laughed, "Yiguang must be looking forward to seeing Dad and Mom as well." But seeing everyone so enthusiastic, fully intent on seeing her off to visit her relatives, she didn’t think much of it. To visit was to visit; she too wanted to see what the army was like.

Chen Guizhi cheerfully seconded her husband, "The journey is long, and your father’s legs can’t withstand it. It’s more important for you young couples to spend time together."

Shen Yixiang, on the other hand, wanted to go.

But she was stopped by Chen Guizhi, "Go where? Don’t you have school?"

Shen Yixiang pouted, obviously displeased.

No one paid her any mind.

Chen Guizhi had already gotten off the kang and called Shen Yiyue and her sisters to hurriedly start packing.

"Last time Yiguang’s comrade said our home-cured pork was tasty, but we’ve run out and can’t dry any in this weather. What do you think we should bring over?"

Shen Erniu sat cross-legged on the pit, chuckling as he watched his wife and daughters busily preparing and joined in, "Don’t think about bringing heavy or miscellaneous items. Look at what your sister-in-law wants to bring and help her pack. Bring more clothes so she can stay longer and also pack some of her favorite foods."

"Mom, you should think about some money for Yiguang’s wife to take. After all, you need money wherever you go, and pack some herbs for headaches and colds too."

The last was directed at Yang Peimin, "Daughter-in-law, I’ve heard the weather at the military region can change drastically from morning to evening. You need to prepare a variety of clothes. Although it’s warm enough here for light clothing, it’s not the same there. You should bring your winter cotton-padded jacket, woolen sweater, and cotton shoes. And if possible, bring your quilt as well."

Yang Peimin laughed, "Dad, how could I? I’m not going to stay long, just a few days. Even if there’s a temperature difference there, it surely wouldn’t necessitate cotton-padded clothes, right? And I have enough money, no need to worry about that."

Shen Yiyue also exclaimed, "Dad, aren’t you exaggerating a bit? Bringing a quilt, that’s just hilarious."

Shen Yixiang laughed so hard she had to hold her belly.

Chen Guizhi also chided her husband with a glance, "Old man, have you been drinking today? Talking nonsense?"

Shen Erniu just chuckled, not embarrassed by their laughter, and waved off the concern, "I didn’t drink anything. Listening to Dad is right; it’s good to bring more. Being well-prepared means you won’t have to waste money buying new things later."

"Dad, even if my sister-in-law wanted to bring that much, she couldn’t possibly carry it all. Do you want to wear her out?" Shen Yiyue called out.

Shen Erniu also seemed a bit troubled by this, "Then should we find someone to accompany her over?"

Yang Peimin hastily said, "No need Dad. Since none of you are going, I can go by myself, and I’ll try to bring as much as I can."

Shen Erniu nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, bring lots. We have nothing urgent at home, so you can stay there longer. Don’t worry about us here and don’t hurry back."

Yang Peimin agreed with a smile.

Shen Erniu and his wife seemed to be very eager for her to leave right away, which also influenced her. After a couple more words, she returned to her room to pack her things.

Ah Guizhi followed Shen Erniu to the inner room to get the money together, intending to provide for Yang Peimin. As she was preparing, she said to Shen Erniu, "You know, this is the first time our daughter-in-law is traveling far. I’m still a bit worried. She’s a young girl and attractive at that. Although she’s educated, she’s traveling alone, and I just can’t help but worry the more I think about it."

Without lifting his head from the money he was counting, Shen Erniu responded, "How could that be? Our daughter-in-law is bright. We’ll send a telegram to our son beforehand so he can meet her at the train station. We’ll also send someone to accompany her to the city’s train station. As long as she doesn’t leave the train mid-journey, with people taking care of her on both ends, how could she get lost?"