Chapter 387: Auntie Tian Is Here

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Having completed the topic, Tian Zao pulled out a document from the pile in front of her and handed it to Jiang Chuan, “The army will be stationed in the mountains in two days, and there are some materials here that need to be registered. Please trouble you to register and bring them to me. Meanwhile, let’s also discuss the next steps for planting rice in the spring, and estimate how much rice seed we’ll need for the canals, so we can report and apply for them.”

“Alright,” Jiang Chuan replied, and went to work.

Jiang Chuan usually had his lunch sent by Jiang Xia, so he rarely ate in the canteen. However, this morning, Zhou Lan had specifically told him that the vegetable vat would be delivered at noon, and she had a lot of other things to take care of, so she wouldn’t be sending lunch and asked Jiang Chuan to sort it out in the canteen.

When Jiang Chuan went to the canteen, he saw the seat next to Tian Zao was empty, so he took his meal and sat down next to her to discuss the content they had registered in the morning.

While the two were discussing, someone suddenly came over and interrupted, “Captain Tian, your mother is here.”

Tian Zao, incredulous, confirmed repeatedly and, receiving affirmative answers each time, immediately put down her chopsticks and went out to meet her old mother.

It was no wonder Tian Zao found it hard to believe; Auntie Tian was not sure about the exact location of the village and it was nearly impossible for her to take a bus early in the morning. Moreover, her mother, being the head of the village committee, was usually very disciplined, never disturbing Tian Zao during work hours. Today, her sudden appearance, all the way from the county town to the village, was beyond belief for anyone.

In contrast, Jiang Chuan was much more composed, because Auntie Tian’s visit to the village was partly his doing—he had specifically gone to the county town to persuade Auntie Tian to come.

Tian Zao rushed out and saw her mother standing lost in the center of the commune square with a heavy vegetable basket on her back.

Tian Zao hurried over, helped her mother unload the basket, and realized how heavy it was. Thinking of her mother carrying it all the way from the county town, she felt a twinge of heartache.

Auntie Tian, having traveled a long distance to see her daughter who had come to pick her up, couldn’t stop smiling, her face wrinkling into a bundle of joy. Her first question was to Tian Zao, “Daughter, have you got used to the life here?”

Tian Zao quickly replied, “Yes mother, why are you here? Why didn’t you tell me in advance?”

Auntie Tian said, “Didn’t you call your brother asking for white sugar? Since someone needed to deliver it, I came over.”

It turned out that the heavy basket was filled with white sugar.

Tian Zao said, “Mother, you could have asked brother to have a factory worker deliver such things. Why did you have to make the trip yourself? In this cold weather, what if you caught a chill?”

Aunt Tian said, “It’s mainly to see how you’re doing here. Besides, it wasn’t heavy, and I didn’t walk much.”

After a short chat, Jiang Chuan came out from the canteen, greeted Auntie Tian enthusiastically, and helped her carry the vegetable basket.

Tian Zao was shocked, “How do you two know each other?”

They looked at each other and smiled, briefly recounting how they had met.

Only then did Tian Zao realize that the two were old acquaintances. She was still stunned by this revelation when Jiang Chuan had already begun to warmly look after Auntie Tian.

“Auntie, we were just eating. Why don’t you sit down in the canteen first? Have you had lunch? Shall we get a meal for you?” Jiang Chuan assisted Auntie Tian into the canteen.

Tian Zao snapped back to reality and followed closely behind them, knowing exactly what her mother liked to eat and went to get her favorite dishes.

During the meal, she asked Auntie Tian, “Mother, what time are you planning to go back this afternoon? Why not pack up after lunch and head back early? It gets dark early in the winter, and I won’t worry if you get home before dark.”

Aunt Tian replied with discontent, “Go home for what? I plan to stay for a while. Don’t you welcome me?”

Tian Zao’s face showed difficulty, “But the conditions here are not as good as in the city. I’m afraid you won’t be comfortable. Plus, I have to work during the day and won’t have time to come back to cook for you at noon, nor will I have time to take care of you….”