Chapter Six: The Jin Family

"Let's visit Grandpa and Grandma first!"
Shopping could be done any time at her convenience, but tomorrow was a weekend, and it was best to take advantage of her father's day off and go together to her grandparents' house.
She missed the elders, but had been so immersed in her studies lately that she hadn't managed a visit this month.
Both Wu Jingzhong and Jin Yu were working professionals, with fixed schedules; most opportunities to go to her mother's family were weekends and holidays.
Wu Tong had grown up at her grandmother's house since childhood. After Wu Tong was born, the Wu family side, Old Lady Wu, claiming she needed to help her eldest son with his grandson, refused to care for Wu Tong.
It was a kindness when elders helped with childcare, and if they didn't, the couple couldn't complain. Wu Jingzhong and Jin Yu had to make a living, so staying home to care for their child wasn't feasible. Jin Yu's own mother helped during her confinement, but once that period ended, the couple discussed and decided to squeeze out some money to hire a nanny for weekday childcare.
Grandpa Jin Yongqing, upon learning this, scolded his daughter and son-in-law for being ridiculous, treating them as outsiders. He and his wife took the newborn Wu Tong back to the Jin home to care for her, declaring that if the in-laws didn't cherish their granddaughter, they certainly did. Wu Tong stayed there until she finished kindergarten and entered elementary school at the same school as Jin Yu, only then returning home.
In those memories, when she stubbornly refused school and went to work, Grandpa and Grandma worried about her difficulties living away from home, secretly sending her money and urging her to take good care of herself.
The Jin family lived in the southeast part of the county, in their own old house, expanded with land purchased from neighbors, and built a new three-story home atop it, where they'd lived for ten years now.
There was a front and back courtyard, offering utmost comfort. Jin Yongqing disliked living in apartment blocks, feeling they lacked the warmth and familiarity of this neighborhood, where all who came and went were old acquaintances.
The old couple were veteran workers from the county's machinery factory, absolutely loyal and upright in those special times. Jin Yongqing, a Level Seven machinist, was a renowned master in the factory, proud and respected wherever he went.
Unfortunately, most state-run factories later fell on hard times, and they too faced the great wave of layoffs. Jin Yongqing, decisive and believing that heaven never abandons anyone, used the family's buyout compensation to set up a car repair shop.
Both father and son in the Jin family had skills, and with their hearty personalities and improving economic circumstances, what began as a means of survival became a four-bay repair center, and their life in the county was quite comfortable.
In recent years, Old Jin had stepped back, passing the family business to his son Jin Yuan, who, in his prime, aspired to upgrade from repair shop to a full-fledged 4S car dealership.
The Jin siblings—Jin Yu, the eldest, became Teacher Jin after being admitted to Central Plains Normal University, benefiting from state subsidies and guaranteed placement, and now teaches at the county elementary school.
Her younger brother, two years her junior, Jin Yuan, married early and has a son, Jin Xin, Wu Tong's cousin, who is two years older than Wu Tong.
This was because Teacher Jin went to university and married late; even with a smooth marriage and childbirth, Wu Tong still arrived a bit later.
...
"Grandpa."
When Wu Tong's family of three arrived at the Jin house, Jin Yongqing was sitting leisurely at the stone table in the courtyard, sipping tea from a cup, under a grape arbor whose green leaves glistened in the sun. Clusters of grapes hung half-hidden, their purple sheen lively and tempting.
The grape vine, lush and thriving, had been planted after the house was rebuilt. Old Jin tended it with care, and now, in the peak fruiting season, Wu Tong had recently tasted Grandpa's grapes, which were exceptionally sweet.
"Oh, my precious granddaughter is here! Grandpa just picked grapes for you and washed them—come eat!" Seeing the family enter, Jin Yongqing's face lit up, and he set aside his tea, rising to greet his beloved granddaughter.
Indeed, in the Jin family, Wu Tong was always treated as the eldest granddaughter. As Old Jin often said, with only two children in the family and no outsiders, he scoffed at distinctions like 'niece' or 'granddaughter.'
"Grandpa, I missed you! Where's Grandma?" Wu Tong smiled as she approached, cuddling up to the old man and hugging his arm affectionately.
"Really missed me? I don't believe it. Heartless girl, it's been a month since you last visited Grandpa!" Old Jin feigned disbelief, remembering how in previous summers, Wu Tong would spend most of her vacation here, only occasionally shuttling between both homes.
This summer, she hadn't shown up in a month. Had he not asked his daughter and learned the child was diligently studying, he'd have gone himself to fetch her long ago.
"Grandma's inside; it's hot out here. Let's go in."
"Grandpa, I was just making up for lost time. I hadn't been diligent before and fell behind in my studies. I struggled with the exercises, so I spent extra effort reinforcing what I'd missed. School starts soon, and I'll be in eleventh grade. If I don't work harder, I'll fall behind!" Wu Tong spoke honestly, making no excuses for her earlier mischief.
"My hard-working granddaughter! Grandpa got up early today and bought a big carp, keeping it in the backyard. I'll cook your favorite boiled fish tonight to nourish you well."
Old Jin was open-minded and insightful, never hindering his children's ambitions. When his eldest daughter got into university, he was prouder than anyone. His son lacked academic drive, so he pushed him to finish high school, and when he couldn't pass further exams, taught him a trade, ensuring he had a skill to support his family rather than wander aimlessly.
"My Lady Tong finally remembers she has an uncle waiting for her; I've waited so long, the flowers have wilted!" Hearing the commotion, Jin Yuan emerged from the living room, laughing.
Wu Jingzhong had called ahead to let them know they would be visiting, so Jin Yuan had stayed home instead of going to the shop.
He was the archetype of a tall, robust northern man, seasoned from years of car repair, his physique solid and strong. Back in the days of reform and opening up, he'd wanted to be a fashionable trendsetter, but his strict father, wielding his stick, quickly extinguished such dreams before they could take root.
Yet, his cheerful, lively nature remained, evident in his attire today: a pink polo shirt, cream-colored casual trousers, and sporty sneakers—a striking outfit that would turn heads in their still-developing county town.
"Uncle, no one tied your feet and stopped you from visiting me at home!" Wu Tong, arm in arm with Grandpa, emboldened by his presence, scrunched her nose and glanced sidelong at her mischievous uncle, accustomed to their informal banter.
"Oh dear, my heart aches! Autumn chill is coming, and my little cotton-padded jacket still hasn't covered me—how am I feeling the draft already?" Jin Yuan, ever the entertainer, responded theatrically to Wu Tong's tease, clutching his chest in mock distress. Seeing a burly man act so delicately was almost enough to make one cover their eyes.