Chapter 396: United We Stand
Chapter 396: United We Stand
Zhou Chenglei understood Jiang Xia's question and replied, "Yes."
"No wonder you didn't go to school," Jiang Xia said. "Don't we have a school for the deaf and mute in our city?"
"Not yet, only Suicheng has one, but it's quite far. Moreover, Aunt Fen's family has financial difficulties, with an elderly relative bedridden and in need of medication and medical care. The entire family relies on the income from her parents' chicken farming and farming. It's not feasible to send her to Suicheng for school, and they probably wouldn't feel at ease with her being so far from home."
Zhou Chenglei shared the details about Aunt Fen's family with Jiang Xia.
Jiang Xia was about to ask someone to help He Xinghuan with making dried fish when she noticed Aunt Fen and her daughter's clothing. Although worn, they were clean. She asked, "What do you think about me asking Aunt Fen to help with the dried fish?"
"It's up to you. Aunt Fen's cooking is delicious. I used to go to her house for meals when I was little."
Jiang Xia recalled that Zhou Chenglei had mentioned his classmate's mother, and he was being considerate by saying this. It was clear that this classmate held a special place in his heart.
"What about your classmate? What does he do now?"
Zhou Chenglei replied, "During my third year of military service, I heard that he had jumped into the river to save someone who was shouting for help, but it turned out to be a dog."
Jiang Xia found his words a bit strange and asked, "What do you mean by someone shouting for help?"
Zhou Chenglei spoke with a serious tone, "At that time, there were cries for help, and Zhou Quan thought someone had fallen into the river. It turned out to be a dog."
Jiang Xia was speechless.
During his third year of military service, they were classmates, and Zhou Chenglei had joined the army at the age of sixteen...
Three years had passed, and he was now 19 years old.
"Zhou Quan doesn't have many siblings; he only has an older sister. He is the only male heir in his family. When he wanted to join the army with me, his family strongly opposed it. His grandmother was the most adamant against it. After Zhou Quan's accident, his grandmother couldn't bear the shock and suffered a stroke. Zhou Pan, Zhou Quan's younger sister, was born after his passing."
Jiang Xia was surprised to learn that it was not only a deaf-mute child but also Zhou Quan's younger sister.
After sharing this information, Zhou Chenglei fell into a rare silence. He was usually more talkative in the presence of others, but now he chose to remain quiet.
When they were alone, he would always find something to talk about with her, whether she was awake or asleep.
Whenever something or someone triggered his memories, he would share them with her, bit by bit, in great detail.
On this occasion, he shared less than usual.
With no one else around, Jiang Xia leaned against his shoulder and embraced his waist, saying, "I feel a bit sleepy. I didn't sleep well last night."
Due to his height and upright posture, Jiang Xia couldn't actually lean on him, but she could rest her arm on him.
Feeling responsible for her sleeplessness, Zhou Chenglei adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable. "You can lean on me and sleep."
Jiang Xia, unable to sleep, suggested, "I can't sleep. How about singing me a song?"
It was then that Jiang Xia realized she had never heard him sing before! With his pleasant voice, she anticipated a delightful performance.
Zhou Chenglei paused for a moment before continuing, "United we stand, united we stand, this strength is iron, this strength is steel, stronger than iron, tougher than steel..."
Jiang Xia couldn't help but want to laugh.
But she dared not! His singing was off-key!
Zhou Chenglei, aware of his own limitations, encouraged her, "Go ahead and laugh if you want to!"
He knew his singing was off-key, but he sang anyway, to entertain her.
Jiang Xia smiled, "I won't laugh. It's nice. Keep singing."
Zhou Chenglei had no choice but to continue, entertaining her as they traveled alone.
After all, it was said that pregnant women should be kept happy.
Zhou Chenglei started from the beginning, "United we stand..."
Throughout the journey, he sang all the songs he had learned in the army for her.
It's settled, and Jiang Xia was successfully coaxed to sleep.
As they neared the city, Jiang Xia was awakened by the honking of a car's horn.
Zhou Chenglei held her hand and comforted her along the way, noticing her startled state and patting her back gently.
Jiang Xia sat up, feeling a bit dazed: "We're here? Where are we going now?"
"First, we'll deliver the dried fish, then head to the publishing house to submit the translated manuscript. After that, we'll go to the tractor registration office to get the license plate and apply for a temporary permit. Then, we'll grab a bite to eat, and after lunch, you can go home for a nap. In the afternoon, we'll make a trip to the mall to buy a water heater and lights."
"What kind of temporary permit are we applying for? A tractor operation license?"
"I've already applied for that one. Aren't you planning to process a large batch of baby fish? I intend to apply for a food processing production license. With the license, you can buy oil and sesame without coupons. Otherwise, how would we fry five thousand pounds of dried fish without the necessary oil?"
"Can't we apply for a license at a factory?" Jiang Xia had been thinking about getting a license, but she hadn't found a suitable factory to rent.
Factories were being constructed everywhere in the city, but they were all for personal use and not for rent.
She temporarily lacked the capital to build one herself.
"What about a small workshop in the village? We're about to move into the new house, aren't we?"
Jiang Xia: "..."
Alright, that makes sense! Zhou Chenglei picked up a water bottle and offered Jiang Xia a drink, but she hadn't taken a sip the whole way: "We're only applying for a temporary license for now."
At that time, individual businesses were supported, and it was easy to obtain a license, but most of the issued licenses were temporary.
It was a period of feeling the stones to cross the river.
If things went well, they would eventually obtain a formal license.
The two first went to the dock to deliver the baby fish to Houye, then made a trip to the publishing house, and Zhou Chenglei also took the opportunity to mail a letter at the nearby post office.
After that, they arrived at the relevant department, the Administration for Industry and Commerce, and submitted the required application materials, along with a registration capital of one hundred yuan."
To avoid complications, Jiang Xia filled in Zhou Chenglei's name as the person in charge and also submitted a black and white photo of his identification.
Zhou Chenglei's identification photo was taken some time ago, and he looked particularly handsome in his uniform. The staff processing the application couldn't help but take a few extra glances at him.
They even stole glances at Zhou Chenglei.
The application form was filled out incorrectly several times.
Jiang Xia glanced at Zhou Chenglei: "I've never seen you in a uniform before."
Zhou Chenglei looked at her and said: "I'll wear it for you when we get home."
After submitting the application, they would need to come back a week later to collect the license. The two then left on the tractor.
It should have been a quick process, but the staff made mistakes several times, and it was already time to clock out for the day.
As they drove, they encountered Jiang Fu's car on the road.
The driver recognized Jiang Xia and informed Jiang Fu.
Both vehicles pulled over.
Jiang Xia got off the tractor, and Zhou Chenglei helped her down. He then followed her off the tractor.
Jiang Fu got out of the car and with a smile, he said: "You bought a tractor? Good choice, very practical."
Jiang Fu praised and then asked: "Have you eaten? Let's go for a meal together."
Since they met, it was only natural to have a meal together.
Zhou Chenglei suggested that Jiang Xia ride with Jiang Fu, while he followed in the tractor.
As it was time to clock out, the staff member was riding a bicycle home. Seeing Jiang Fu escorting Jiang Xia into the car, he hurriedly squeezed in, almost colliding with the nearby utility pole.
What was going on? What was their relationship?
In the car, Jiang Fu asked Jiang Xia how she had been doing lately and if she was feeling well.
Jiang Xia had gained some weight, but each time he saw her, her complexion was better than the last.
Moreover, her hands still retained the delicate appearance they had before her marriage, not roughened by farm work. It was evident that Jiang Xia was doing well, even better than when she was living at home as an unmarried girl.
Each time he saw his daughter thriving, Jiang Fu felt more at ease.
This son-in-law was someone he had carefully selected, and he had boldly asked his superior to arrange the marriage. He could vouch for Zhou Chenglei's character with his life, and although fate had its twists and turns, things were getting better and better.
"When will you move into the new house?"
(End of Chapter)
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