A Room Filled with Fragrance (Era 1V2) - Chapter 9

The weekend arrived, and the factory was hosting a movie night.

On Friday evening, Shi Ze returned home with a large bag of snacks for Juxiang—dried fruits, candied peanuts, and hawthorn balls.

He didn’t usually eat these snacks himself, so it was clear who they were for.

Juxiang was astonished. “Where did you get the money to buy all this?”

Some of these items required not just money, but also sugar tickets and flour tickets. Altogether, they must have cost several yuan. For reference, a meat dish from the cafeteria cost only four jiao.

Shi Ze shrugged nonchalantly. “I helped someone with a small job, and they gave me the money and tickets.”

He had exchanged the tickets for these treats. To him, the old had to make way for the new, and Juxiang’s happiness was more important than anything else.

He popped a sesame candy into her mouth and asked, “Happy?”

Juxiang savored the candy, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Happy.”

Shi Ze kissed the corner of her mouth. “Then it was worth every penny!”

Before long, Shi Hai also returned home. He brought a soft, warm scarf. It could be worn around the neck to keep warm or used as a blanket for the baby.

Juxiang was delighted. “Thank you, Big Brother. I’ve been wanting a scarf like this.”

Shi Ze rolled his eyes. The weather wasn’t even cold yet, and his brother was already giving out scarves.

He fed Juxiang a piece of dried fruit. “Whose gift do you like more? Mine or Big Brother’s?”

Juxiang felt a sudden tension, as if both men were eagerly awaiting her answer.

“I… I like both,” she stammered.

Shi Hai glanced at Shi Ze. “Alright, don’t put her on the spot.”

Shi Ze said nothing but fed Juxiang another candied peanut, ensuring her mouth was never empty.

On Saturday evening, after dinner, Juxiang carried the baby, Shi Ze brought a stool, and Shi Hai carried the snacks. The family headed to the factory’s open-air plaza for the movie night.

In those days, entertainment options were limited, so a movie screening was a big event for the whole family.

The plaza, usually used for meetings and gatherings, was packed with people eager to watch the movie. Vendors sold melon seeds, peanuts, pickled plums, and soda around the perimeter.

The chatter of children, the discussions of adults, and the calls of vendors created a lively atmosphere.

Qin Guotao waved at Shi Ze from the crowd. “Over here!”

Shi Ze, tall and strong, parted the crowd with the stool in his hand. “Excuse me, coming through.”

He quickly set up the stool and returned to help Juxiang and the baby. Shi Hai followed with the snacks.

As soon as Juxiang sat down, He Jiajing leaned over to coo at the baby. “Hello, little one! Say hi to Auntie…”

The baby, only a few months old, could only gurgle in response, but it was enough to make He Jiajing smile from ear to ear.

“He’s got your good genes, look at that fair skin and those bright eyes like glass marbles…” she gushed.

Meanwhile, Qin Guotao turned to the brothers. “Shi Hai, why did you apply for a separate dormitory? You two have always lived together, why split up now?”

Shi Hai picked at a piece of candied hawthorn. “It’s not strange. I need to get married and start a family too. I can’t live with them forever.”

Qin Guotao thought about it and nodded. “True. I’ve just always seen you two together, it’s hard to imagine you apart.”

“Yeah, Shi Ze already has a kid. You should start a family too, Shi Hai.”

Shi Hai found the candied hawthorn suddenly tasted sour and astringent.

Shi Ze stuffed a piece of dried fruit into Qin Guotao’s mouth. “Alright, can’t you just eat and shut up?”

As the sky darkened, the movie screen lit up.

“Quiet down, it’s starting!” someone shouted from the front.

The opening music played, and the crowd hushed, their eyes glued to the screen.

Juxiang held the baby, her gaze also fixed on the screen.

Seeing everyone engrossed in the movie, Shi Ze leaned in to whisper to Shi Hai, “I’m going.”

Shi Hai reminded him, “Be careful.”

Juxiang only heard her husband say, “I’m going to the bathroom.”

She nodded absently, her attention already back on the movie.