Fortunately, the two sisters who had gone to deliver the dishes returned quickly.
Su Caiqing had already finished stir-frying the other two dishes, and everyone eagerly gathered around the table.
At that moment, Su Dazhuang noticed that the other dishes were excellent as well. One was celery with dried tofu, and the other was eggplant stir-fried with chili peppers.
Once everyone sat down, Zhang Yunbing took the initiative to pick up several chicken drumsticks and placed them into the bowls of her younger brothers and sisters.
Seeing this, Su Dazhuang suddenly felt a pang in his heart. The child was so considerate that it made him ache. He quickly searched his bowl and picked two pieces of meat with plenty of flesh, placing them into Zhang Yunbing’s bowl.
Su Caiqing understood his intention immediately and explained, “The siblings made an agreement among themselves. They take turns eating the good parts. This time it’s their younger brothers’ and sisters’ turn. Next time it will be hers.”
Su Dazhuang was surprised. “I’ve always seen families where the older children give way to the younger ones. I thought your family was the same.”
Su Caiqing said, “No matter how old a child is, they are still a child and deserve to be cared for. If the older ones always have to give way to the younger ones, then the older children will never get to enjoy good food or treats. That wouldn’t be fair to them.”
Zhang Yunbing nodded vigorously beside her. Zhang Yunqing said nothing, while Zhang Yunyang quietly nodded once in agreement.
Su Dazhuang had always believed that older children yielding to younger ones was only natural. But hearing Su Caiqing’s reasoning and seeing the older children’s approval made him begin to reconsider his own thinking.
In the afternoon, Su Dazhuang had thought he had already eaten his fill and would not be able to eat much at dinner. Yet somehow he still ended up eating four bowls of rice.
He blamed it entirely on how delicious his sister’s cooking was.
After dinner, it was time to read the newspaper again.
When he saw Zhang Yunyang holding the newspaper, Su Dazhuang was astonished. “This child can already read the newspaper? He hasn’t even started school yet, has he?”
Su Caiqing glanced at Zhang Yunyang while continuing her sewing without pausing. “He’s clever. His father used to hold him while reading books and newspapers and writing, so he learned quite a few characters. He’s not old enough for school yet, though his two older sisters are.”
Su Dazhuang praised the boy repeatedly. Among all the children in his own family and among relatives, he could not think of a single one this clever.
In just half a day at his sister’s house, Su Dazhuang felt he had seen many surprising things.
When it was time to sleep that night, there was not enough space on the bed. Su Caiqing also had no desire to share a bed with another man, even if that man was her own elder brother, even if seven children lay between them.
So Su Dazhuang had no choice but to sleep on the floor, though fortunately he did not mind.
After Su Dazhuang arrived, Su Caiqing felt that the time was right to negotiate with her in-laws.
More than a month after Zhang Min’s death, both sides finally met face-to-face in the meeting room of the machinery factory to discuss the matter.
On Su Caiqing’s side were Su Dazhuang and Director Zhao. As the director of the neighborhood committee, it was entirely appropriate for her to attend such a matter.
The other side had brought quite a few people as well: Zhang Min’s mother, which meant Su Caiqing’s mother-in-law Zhu Yinglan, along with his elder brother Zhang Aiguo, sister-in-law Gao Juxiang, and third brother Zhang Jianshe. Zhu Yinglan had brought both of the men in the family who could represent them, making their side appear numerous and confident, clearly determined to win.
Before the factory director and the others arrived, Gao Juxiang rolled her eyes repeatedly at Su Caiqing. If Director Zhao had not been present, she probably would have started cursing already.
After a short wait, the factory director finally arrived with several people. Everyone immediately stood up.
“Director Zhao, you’re here as well. I was in a small meeting just now and kept you waiting. My apologies,” the factory director said, addressing only Director Zhao.
Director Zhao smiled gently. “Maintaining stability in the neighborhood is part of my job. If you are busy with production matters and arrive a little later, that’s perfectly understandable. After all, we are all working for the people.”
The two exchanged a few polite words. The factory director did not openly favor either side, yet since Director Zhao had come on behalf of Su Caiqing and he had chosen to greet only her, his attitude carried certain implications.
After taking his seat, the director said, “You may all sit down as well.”
Only then did everyone take their seats.
Looking from side to side, the director continued, “This matter has been delayed for some time already. Dragging it out further is not a solution. Since you are willing to sit down and discuss it, that is a good start. Today we must come to a reasonable arrangement.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. Even the usually overbearing Gao Juxiang behaved as meekly as a rabbit.
In a gentle tone, the director said, “Now tell me your thoughts.”
Su Caiqing remained silent. She had no intention of speaking first.
Gao Juxiang stood up, about to speak, but Zhu Yinglan shot her a sharp glance that stopped her immediately. Swallowing awkwardly, she sat back down.
Turning to the factory director, Zhu Yinglan instantly adopted a sorrowful and pitiful expression. “Let us speak first. My son had been weak and sickly since childhood. It was thanks to the organization’s care that he grew up safely and obtained a stable job at the factory. Now that he’s gone, it’s not only a loss for our family but also a great loss for the factory.”
At this point, she even forced out two tears, as if she were truly grieving for her son who had died so young.
Zhang Jianshe thought his mother was genuinely upset and patted her back.
Everyone present listened quietly, as though they believed her words. Only those who observed carefully would notice that Director Zhao’s lips curved slightly in faint disdain, while the factory director lowered his head to shuffle the papers in his hands, concealing his own expression.
After wiping her tears, Zhu Yinglan continued, “He was clever since childhood and loved studying. For the sake of his education, we didn’t even let him do household labor. The organization also gave him many opportunities to learn and improve. If it hadn’t been for his poor health, he might even have gone to university. Being able to marry and have children was all thanks to the organization’s kindness. But I feel that before he passed away, he hadn’t yet repaid that kindness. So I think that if his elder brother could take his place working in the factory, it would be a way of repaying that debt on his behalf. Our whole family is deeply grateful to the Party and the country. Only by doing this can we feel at peace.”
By the end of her speech, her voice even trembled slightly, as though it were filled with boundless patriotic devotion.
Su Caiqing almost felt like applauding Zhu Yinglan. The speech was beautifully crafted. By elevating the idea of Zhang Aiguo replacing Zhang Min to the level of repaying the country’s kindness, she made it sound noble and completely justified.
No wonder Zhu Yinglan had maintained such a good reputation over the years. Outsiders all believed she was a generous and virtuous mother-in-law.
After hearing her words, Su Dazhuang was so angry that he was about to argue back, but Su Caiqing pressed his arm down.
Before he could speak, Gao Juxiang stood up and said loudly, “Exactly! Back then Fourth Brother was such an outstanding person. How many contributions did he make to the factory? Can just anyone casually replace his position? It must be someone capable and hardworking. If Su Wumei goes to the workshop, will the work she does be worthy of the wages she receives? Our family would never do something like exploiting public property!”
Su Wumei was Su Caiqing’s original name. When she married Zhang Min and transferred her household registration, Zhang Min had changed it to her current name.
Zhang Aiguo and Zhang Jianshe nodded in agreement.
Gao Juxiang had spoken cleverly, instantly placing a heavy accusation on the matter. If Su Caiqing were allowed to work in the workshop, it could be interpreted as exploiting public resources.
In that era, any act of taking advantage of state property or harming socialist interests would be condemned by everyone.
Lowering her gaze thoughtfully, Su Caiqing realized that such words could never have come from Gao Juxiang’s own mind. Most likely Zhu Yinglan had instructed her beforehand.
Factory Director Wang turned toward Su Caiqing. “What is your opinion?”
Su Caiqing replied calmly, “I think what they said makes sense. Neither side of our families has anyone capable of replacing Zhang Min’s work.”
Among the entire Zhang family, from the elders down to the youngest, only Zhang Min had completed high school and possessed real education. The position he left behind simply could not be filled by any of them.
The factory director sighed slightly, clearly regretting the loss of Zhang Min. He truly had been a talented writer of reports and documents, and much of the factory’s paperwork had been handled by him.
Now that Zhang Min’s position was vacant, regulations allowed the Zhang family to send someone to fill it. But the family wanted Zhang Aiguo to take the position, and the director did not approve. Zhang Aiguo had once been fired from the factory after drinking on duty and nearly causing a serious production accident.
Originally, the director believed that emotionally it would be appropriate for Su Caiqing to take a position in the workshop, and practically she needed the job to support her children. If she asked for it, he could pressure the Zhang family on her behalf.
Yet now Su Caiqing had unexpectedly agreed with the other side, leaving the director unsure how to help.
Su Caiqing continued, “Since everyone is thinking about the interests of the state and the factory, then the best solution would be to find someone capable to replace my husband Zhang Min’s original position, ensuring that the work he left behind can still be completed with the same quality and efficiency. Although Zhang Min’s screw has come loose, we can replace it with a new one. I believe Zhang Min would gladly see that. He was someone who always placed the public good first.”
Both the factory director and Director Zhao were surprised. They had never expected Su Caiqing to propose such an idea.
“Then what about you? What will you do?” Director Zhao asked anxiously. Was she really giving up the opportunity just like that?
Su Caiqing replied, “I will find suitable work. The country is developing now. Would it really allow someone willing to work to remain idle?”
Director Zhao recalled something Su Caiqing had vaguely mentioned before and realized she likely had her own plan, so she no longer felt as worried.
While Su Caiqing remained calm, Gao Juxiang across the table became anxious. “You… What do you mean? This opportunity belongs to our family. Why should it go to someone else?”
Su Caiqing straightened her back, her tone becoming sharper and more forceful. “By rights, this opportunity should belong to my household. Ever since Zhang Min married me, he had already separated from the rest of you! Over the years, how did you treat him? You know it yourselves. Zhang Min truly had poor health, and he felt guilty because of it, believing he had burdened the family. That was why he gave up his chance to attend university and entered the factory early so he could repay you sooner. During all the years he worked, you took several yuan from his wages every single month. But what about you? Did you ever think about how he needed more meat to strengthen his body? Did you ever consider stuffing a little more cotton into his winter coat so he could stay warm?”