Chapter 20: Mother’s Fragrant Scent
Xie Jinghao, listening to her words, only managed a sheepish smile. A sister-in-law wouldn’t try to instigate her brother and sister-in-law to split the family. However, Shen Meng’s idea, she thought, was quite good, given that things were already on the verge of an open conflict. She let the topic drop, no longer pursuing it.
Lu Mingkai pushed the enamel cup away. He’d already taken several sips, hoping to share the sweet, delicious brown sugar water with his sister.
As he reached for Lu Mingfang, however, he hesitated, glancing up at Shen Meng and Xie Jinghao.
“Mingfang, have some, have some more, then offer it to Third Sister-in-law.” Shen Meng looked gently at Lu Mingfang. The young girl looked at her, and for some reason, accepted the cup. She found the mother’s smile truly beautiful, warming her heart.
Shen Meng assessed the two children. Lu Mingfang’s hair was dull, her clothes ragged, and the worn shoes on her feet showed the marks of winter’s harshness—one could see her toes poking through the tattered lining. It was a pair of shoes that had seen countless seasons.
Lu Mingkai, though thin, was clean and well-kept, clearly well-cared for. Remembering Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang, Shen Meng felt a pang of satisfaction. This brotherly and sisterly affection was reassuring. These children, for now, were still good children, hadn’t been tainted.
“Jinghao, I have a favor to ask. You know I’m not very good at sewing. I got some fabric to make Mingfang a winter coat. I have the cotton, can you check if it’s enough?”
Shen Meng rose, taking out the green, peony-patterned fabric she had earlier shown to Lu Mingfang. She then stepped down from the kang and retrieved a bundle of cotton from the wardrobe. This cotton, naturally, was hidden, taken from her space, high-quality Xinjiang cotton.
“Goodness gracious, so much cotton! How much can you possibly need?”
Xie Jinghao’s surprise was understandable. If she had known Shen Meng possessed such resources, Liu Sanjin, the mother-in-law, wouldn’t have taken it. She had been allowed to keep it.
“My husband sent some cloth coupons. After buying the fabric, I gradually saved the cotton. Mingfang is a girl, and girls her age should have at least one decent outfit. My own daughter doesn’t have one, and it troubles my conscience. I saved it for a long time, but I didn’t tell the children, fearing it might not be enough, causing disappointment.”
Lu Mingfang stared at Shen Meng in astonishment. She hadn’t expected that what she had been told about the coat would be true. During the move, she had given back the fabric to the bad mother and couldn’t even touch it. Now, her mother was actually having Third Sister-in-law make her a coat! The fabric was soft, and the cotton plentiful. She wondered how long her mother had been saving it. She’d heard that some families saved for their daughters since childhood, so that when their daughters got married, they would have enough for proper bedding.
“Mother,”
Shen Meng saw the tears welling up in Lu Mingfang’s eyes and gently stroked her head. She wanted to embrace her and kiss her, but the girl still seemed a little afraid. Excessive affection might scare her.
Xie Jinghao, seeing Shen Meng’s tenderness towards the children, was happy for them. She immediately expressed her willingness to help.
“Alright, I’ll take care of this. Any extra fabric, please have Jinghao make Mingfang a pair of cotton shoes. When I’m feeling better, I’ll go to the commune’s supply and marketing cooperative to see if there’s more fabric. I’ll get some for the boys too. Any extra fabric, use it to make some small shoes for the kids. The due date is December, right?”
“Yes, late December. Sister-in-law, you are truly kind. Look after the children well, and have a good life with your husband. You’ll be fine. I think I’ll do the sewing here at your house. I’m not working, and I have time now.”
Shen Meng understood her intention. How could this fabric and cotton be taken back to the old Lu family’s house?
“Alright, thank you. Xiao Gang is still young, so we’ll let him play with Mingkai.”
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“Okay, Sister-in-law, I’ll go then.”
Shen Meng didn’t let her leave immediately. She offered Lu Mingfang a cup of brown sugar water and waited until she’d finished before letting her go.
After Xie Jinghao left, only mother and the two daughters were left in the room. It was an awkward moment, mainly for Shen Meng. While she’d imagined having children, this wasn’t what she’d expected. These children had endured so much under the original character, and she was afraid that excessive affection might arouse suspicion, especially since Lu Mingyang was so astute.
“Mingfang, good girl. Mother hasn’t done well in these past years. You, and Mingyang and Mingliang, have taken good care of Mingkai. Thank you. Mingkai, remember your brothers and sister. When you’re successful, repay them, understand?”
Lu Mingfang hung her head, tears falling. Lu Mingkai watched the soft-spoken woman, and instinctively reached out.
“Mother.”
Shen Meng held Lu Mingkai close, gently stroking his head.
“My son, Mother’s here.”
Taking advantage of the moment, Shen Meng gently embraced Lu Mingfang.
Lu Mingkai, having grown up with his siblings, hadn’t been held in his mother’s arms much. He had seen other children snuggling close to their mothers, being gently patted on the back. He’d envied them greatly.
Now he was held by his mother. He leaned in closer, inhaling her fragrance. Her touch was soft. Being held by her felt good. He couldn’t help but giggle.
Lu Mingfang leaned against Shen Meng, her lips pressed tight. The afternoon felt like a dream.
Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang, returning home with firewood, found only Mingfang, Mingkai, and the sometimes-threatening mother. They worried greatly.
Entering the house, they tossed the firewood down and rushed to the west room. Seeing no one on the kang, they hurried to the east room, their minds racing with the worst possible scenarios for their siblings.
When they entered the east room, they saw their siblings nestled in their mother’s embrace, a scene of heartwarming comfort. They looked at each other, momentarily believing they’d seen a ghost.
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