Wind Chaser: Rebirth in the 18th Year of the Republic of China

Soon the only loudspeaker in the village began broadcasting, announcing the good news to the entire village.

Bursts of cheerful laughter came from the streets, one after another, never stopping.

Shen Jinzhen carefully supported Xu Nuo and slowly walked out of the house to enjoy the bustling scene together.

Seeing the people in front of him smiling and having fun, Xu Nuo's heart moved and he suddenly spoke:

"Jin Zhen, what are your plans?"

Shen Jinzhen thought that Uncle Xu was asking about the action in the near future, so she smiled and said:

"Of course I'll take you along for the gathering. It's such a memorable day. Let's have a meal together and chat."

On such a happy day as today, everyone must have similar thoughts.

"I mean in the future," Xu Nuo turned to look at Jin Zhen, "your brother's leg should be treated in a large hospital. The conditions here are still limited."

Over the years, Shen Tunan has been taking medicine on time for treatment, but he has not seen any improvement. His health has just recovered a little and he doesn't look as thin as before.

This was indeed what she was concerned about. She had considered it with her sister-in-law before. Either go to Shanghai to try, or go abroad.

Traditional Chinese medicine is never as effective as surgery, but now that the country is unified, there are not too many concerns.

"Then we'll see what my brother and sister-in-law think. If they need help, Ruolai and I will help."

Shen Jinzhen supported Xu Nuo and walked to the yard where everyone had gathered before.

There is a tree under the yard, which was planted by the comrades when they stationed here a long time ago. Now it has grown lush and green with branches and leaves.

There was a table next to the tree with chairs placed around it. Shen Jinzhen helped people sit down and waited for everyone to gather.

After hearing the news of the founding of New China, Niu Chunmiao came over holding Jianguo, feeling very happy.

Su Cishu also came over pushing Shen Tunan, with Xiao Yuer beside him holding his younger brother and sister.

Wei Ruolai came over and said to everyone with a smile:

"Today is a good day, why don't I go to the street to buy some meat and some wine, and we won't go home until we are drunk."

Before anyone could answer, Niu Chunmiao at the side had already patted his chest and promised, "Okay, I'll go buy some wine, and I'll make sure you all get drunk today."

Shen Jinzhen stood aside, smiling without saying a word, watching Chunmiao put the child down and walk out.

Wei Ruolai and Shen Jinzhen exchanged glances, and they went together to buy vegetables and meat, leaving Shen Tunan and the others to chat on the side.

When the sun was high in the sky, Shen Jinzhen and his companions returned with a full load. Everyone smiled and divided the work to wash the vegetables and cooked a large table.

"Today, for the reunification of our motherland, we will not return home until we are drunk!"

Niu Chunmiao stood up and took the lead in drinking. Everyone else smiled and didn't want to be outdone. After a few rounds of drinking, except for Shen Jinzhen and Xiao Yuer, everyone else looked a little drunk.

"Look, everyone said they won't leave until they are drunk, but how much do they have to drink to get drunk?"

Xu Nuo had not drunk any alcohol due to health reasons, and just watched others make a fuss from the sidelines.

They all talk a lot, but in the end they can't drink as much as Jin Zhenzhen.

"I'm not drunk yet. Keep drinking. This cup is for the prosperity of our motherland—"

Niu Chunmiao stood up and continued to drink a glass. When Wei Ruolai was about to follow, Jinzhen pulled him by the clothes.

"Drink less, we'll go give Wenlan Lecheng a brother or sister in the evening."

She looked at Wei Ruolai lovingly. Time didn't seem to have left too many traces on Shen Jinzhen. She was still as beautiful and charming as she was back then. Wei Ruolai looked deep and smiled dotingly.

"Okay, it's all up to you."

Wei Ruolai took Jinzhen's hand under the table, and they smiled at each other, their eyes filled with hope for the future.

(End of the article)

Extra: Return to Qibao Street

Shen Tuanan's condition still requires treatment in a large hospital. After discussion, Shen Jinzhen's family was transferred to Shanghai along with his brother and sister-in-law.

After packing up the small home she and Ruolai had originally lived in, they took some time to return to Qibao Street together.

"Soy milk, two cents a bowl"

"Dough figurines, 1 cent each, don't miss it if you pass by"

“Osmanthus cake, sweet and soft”

……

Shen Jinzhen held Ruolai's hand and walked in the streets of New Shanghai, looking at the brand new scene.

"Now that our party has taken over, we have abolished the high taxes on merchants, provided subsidies, and built new textile and flour mills here, so that unemployed workers have a place to go."

Wei Ruolai slowly said that nowadays people no longer have the landlord system when making money, every penny is earned by themselves, and they are more motivated.

"You two, would you like a ride? I'm a very reliable tricycle driver!"

A coachman was enthusiastically soliciting customers.

In today's Shanghai, human-powered rickshaws have been eliminated, and bicycles and tricycles have become better choices for carrying passengers or goods.

Shen Jinzhen politely declined with a faint smile on his face:

"No, thank you. I'll find you if I need anything when I get back."

The two walked all the way to Qibao Street, which was bombed into ruins during the war, but now looks brand new after reconstruction.

Relying on memory, I walked to the place where Wei Ruolai used to rent.

Another yard was built here, surrounded by a wall, and has become a private area.

Wei Ruolai felt a little regretful. He had originally wanted to revisit the place and take a good look at it, but now it had become a private residence and he couldn't disturb it.

He pulled Jinzhen and prepared to go back.

"If you come?"

A familiar voice came from not far away. Wei Ruolai turned around and saw the middle-aged Awen standing there with two jars of wine in his hands.

When she saw it was really him, she immediately went up to him and hugged him excitedly, "It's really you. I just looked at your backs and felt that you two looked familiar. I didn't expect it to be you."

Seeing his good brother whom he hadn't seen for many years, Wei Ruolai hugged him tightly and said, "Yes, it's been many years since the Anti-Japanese War."

Ah Wen greeted him, and then greeted Shen Jinzhen, knocking on the door and saying:

"A few years ago, those bastards almost killed us. If it weren't for Brother Jiang who decisively led us to establish the Anti-Japanese Alliance, I'm afraid we would have been bullied to death by those people."

During the Japanese invasion, everyone was busy taking care of themselves, and the lives of ordinary people were not taken seriously.

They immediately rose up in rebellion, and Jiang Huhao led them to secretly attack and kill the Japanese army, deliver supplies to the New Fourth Army, avoid enemy pursuit, and managed to carve out a name for themselves.

The courtyard gate opened quickly. Jiang Huhao saw his old friend, put on a hearty smile on his face, and called Awen in.

"Let's go inside, let's have a drink together, brothers."

Ah Wen let him go out of the door and saw Wei Ruolai and Shen Jinzhen: "Look, who did I meet?"

Seeing the two of them, Jiang Huhao was stunned for a moment, then became even more enthusiastic. He walked out and embraced Wei Ruolai.

"I haven't been here for so many years, and I thought you forgot about us. Now that you're here, let's have a good drink and not leave until we're drunk!"

Wei Ruolai was a little amused and helpless. Lao Jiang didn't give him any chance to refuse.

The two of them walked in together, and Awen and Shen Jinzhen followed behind and came in.

The yard doesn't look big, but there are flowers planted in the corner, which looks very warm.

"My wife did it, and my daughter liked it too. I don't understand this, so I just let them do it."

Speaking of this, Jiang Huhao began to talk nonstop...

During the meal, Jiang Huhao and Awen talked about many things that happened over the years, and also talked about where the other brothers and Aunt Zhou had gone.

The banquet lasted until late at night, and Shen Jinzhen supported Wei Ruolai and walked back together.

After strolling around Qibao Street, the two of them decided on a date to visit Aunt Zhou.

Now that Aunt Zhou is old and has no children, her niece and her family sent her to a nursing home. As soon as Shen Jinzhen stepped into the gate of the nursing home, he saw Aunt Zhou standing in the yard, doing simple activities.

As they approached, Aunt Zhou noticed someone and slowly turned her head, her eyes full of surprise and relief.

"Come on, you've grown up so much! Do you have a child now?"

Aunt Zhou's originally black hair had turned completely white, but she combed it meticulously and put it neatly behind her ears.

She had lipstick on her lips and earrings on her ears. Although she was old, she still looked radiant and energetic.

"Yes, twins, they are already over ten years old." Wei Ruolai helped Aunt Zhou sit on the bench, looked at Jin Zhen beside him, with a doting smile on his face, and continued:

"I am pregnant with another baby now. We don't know the gender yet, but no matter what, she is our baby."

He likes children very much and is willing to have more than one.

Nowadays the salary is much higher than before, so we can afford to support a few more.

Aunt Zhou followed his gaze and saw Shen Jinzhen. She smiled kindly and greeted him warmly:

"It's Miss Shen. I haven't seen her for many years, but she's still as bright and beautiful as ever."

Aunt Zhou and Shen Jinzhen did not meet each other very often, but Aunt Zhou always remembered this beautiful and well-mannered girl.

"Thank you, Aunt Zhou. I brought you some snacks this time. They are all sugar-free, soft and delicious. Please try them."

Shen Jinzhen handed over an oil-paper bag, and Aunt Zhou took a piece to taste it and chatted with the two of them.

As the sun set, the staff of the nursing home called her back for dinner, and Shen Jinzhen and she said goodbye and left together.

(End of the book)