After work at the factory, Sister-in-law Qian came to Li Hong’s home to ask about Lu Jingyi’s family’s preferences.
Upon hearing that Lu Jingyi planned to hire Sister-in-law Qian to cook for Yunshu’s Full Moon Celebration Feast, Li Hong sat up anxiously.
“How come I didn’t know about this?”
“That’s right, Li Hong. I remember you and Comrade Lu gave birth on the same day. When will you hold your child’s Full Moon Celebration Feast?”
“She doesn’t deserve it!” Li Hong instinctively glanced at Xiao Tao sleeping beside her.
Sister-in-law Qian: ?
Realizing she had spoken incorrectly, Li Hong quickly tried to cover it up. She raised her hand to wipe away nonexistent tears, “Sister-in-law, you know my husband passed away five months ago. I just gave birth and now survive on relief funds. How could I afford a Full Moon Celebration Feast for my child? Ah, my sister-in-law is truly fortunate—she has both her natal family and husband doting on her.”
“Li Hong, don’t be too upset. Life will surely get better in the future.”
Li Hong glanced at her and hurriedly continued, “If I had a more easygoing sister-in-law, I might swallow my pride and suggest pooling some money together—at least include my Xiao Tao in the celebration to share the joyous atmosphere. But you know my sister-in-law’s temperament; she would never agree.”
Sister-in-law Qian’s expression grew increasingly hesitant.
She couldn’t decide whether to take the job.
Cooking one meal would earn her twenty yuan—equivalent to half a month’s salary.
Sister-in-law Qian sighed, “Every family has its struggles. Li Hong, tell me about your sister-in-law’s family’s tastes, and I’ll consider it further.”
Seeing this, Li Hong quickly told Sister-in-law Qian the truth.
She only wanted to slander Lu Jingyi, not actually ruin Yunshu’s Full Moon Celebration Feast.
After finishing, Li Hong sighed and said, “Sister-in-law Qian, don’t be too afraid. My sister-in-law is actually quite kind to outsiders. I’ve heard that recent visitors checking on Yunshu have received plenty of candy.”
Although the soldiers’ monthly subsidies were sufficient, everyone was accustomed to saving money.
Few people were as willing to spend money on candy as Lu Jingyi.
Sister-in-law Qian: “I’ll think about it some more.”
After Sister-in-law Qian left, Grandma came in carrying a bowl of eggs and asked, “What did that sister-in-law come to see you for? I heard their factory offers good jobs. If you’re clever about it and get lucky, you might join their factory and earn more.”
“Their factory has been fully staffed for a while. They only hire educated intellectuals—they wouldn’t want me.”
Li Hong took the bowl, glanced at it, and said, “Mom, why is it eggs again? I heard Jingyi eats chicken and meat with every meal.”
“Who hasn’t gone through this? How can you compare your situation with Jingyi’s?”
Upon hearing this, Li Hong took a fierce bite of her egg.
If she weren’t in postpartum confinement, her mom wouldn’t even spare her eggs.
If only Mom could go help take care of Lu Jingyi—then she could tag along and enjoy good food and comforts.
She even suspected Lu Jingyi had argued with Zhijun on purpose so she couldn’t move in and share the luxuries.
Li Hong quickly finished the egg, smiling as she rubbed her hands together. “Mom, what about Xiao Tao’s Full Moon Celebration Feast?”
“What feast for a full moon?”
“Then why does Lu Jingyi get to have one?”
Grandma only uttered two words: “Where’s the money?”
“How will we collect red envelopes without a feast?”
“Don’t even think about it. Hosting a feast is a thankless task.”
“Then why does Lu Jingyi get to?”
If they held a Full Moon Celebration Feast, the red envelopes from attendees would be hers.
Grandma gave her a cold glance. “How dare you compare yourself to Jingyi?”
“Did Lu Jingyi pay for the child’s Full Moon Celebration Feast?”
“Of course not, it was Second Brother who paid. You need to understand the difference between your situation and Jingyi’s. If you insist on competing with her in everything, you should at least consider whether you’re worthy.” Grandma sneered and walked out directly with her bowl.
Li Hong was nearly furious to death.
How was she not worthy!
They were both daughters-in-law of the Xu family, both had given birth to daughters, and she was even Lu Jingyi’s sister-in-law. Why did Lu Jingyi always have the upper hand!
Just then, little Xu Tao beside her started crying from hunger before even opening her eyes.
“Cry, cry, cry, all you know is crying!”
“You can’t even have a Full Moon Celebration Feast, what use are you?”
Not only did Li Hong not breastfeed the child, she even beat Xiao Tao.
Xiao Tao’s cries grew faint, and eventually she fainted from hunger.
Li Hong wouldn’t let the child die—she would occasionally breastfeed when she was in a better mood.
Still seething with anger, Li Hong wrapped herself up tightly and found a passing sister-in-law, asking her to call Xu Zhijun over.
Xu Zhijun came after finishing dinner and washing his clothes.
Since he hadn’t visited for a while, if anyone saw him, he could say he was just checking on his mother and little niece.
As soon as Xu Zhijun entered the room, he said, “Mom, I’m craving your Cornbread Buns. Could you make me one?”
“Alright, Zhijun. Have you lost weight?”
Old Mrs. Xu stepped closer to take a good look.
Xu Zhijun waved his hand. “How could that be? My mother-in-law cooks delicious meals for my wife every day, and I get to enjoy them too. There’s no way I’ve lost weight.”
Old Mrs. Xu found this reasonable and turned to the kitchen to make the buns.
Seizing the opportunity, Xu Zhijun quickly slipped into Li Hong’s room.
Li Hong immediately sat up, giving him a reproachful look. “You haven’t come to see me for so long, I thought you’d forgotten about me.”
Although Li Hong wasn’t as beautiful as Lu Jingyi, her sidelong glance carried a certain charm.
Xu Zhijun scowled. “Are you out of your mind? How could you just ask anyone to call me over to your house? What if Jingyi finds out about us… what then?”
“I did it for Yunshu’s Full Moon Celebration Feast.”
At the mention of Yunshu and the thought of his adorable daughter, Xu Zhijun’s tone immediately softened.
“What is it?”
Li Hong: “Let’s just hold Xiao Tao’s Full Moon Celebration Feast together with Yunshu’s. That way, I can also see Yunshu.”
“No!”
Li Hong widened her eyes. “Have you fallen for that bitch Lu Jingyi?”
“What nonsense are you talking about? Xiao Tao is always crying. If she ruins Yunshu’s Full Moon Banquet, wouldn’t you, as her mother, regret it too?”
Li Hong also thought this made sense.
“But Lu Jingyi has everything. I eat eggs every day, but when I want chicken, Mom won’t make it for me. Xiao Tao doesn’t even get enough to eat every day.”
Xu Zhijun glanced at the sleeping Xiao Tao and couldn’t harden his heart completely.
After all, Xiao Tao was his child too. He pulled out all the money from his pocket and handed it to Li Hong.
“This is all the money I have. After your confinement period, go to the State-Owned Grand Hotel and eat something good to nourish yourself.”
“Okay.” Li Hong quickly took the money and put it in her pocket. “I can skip Xiao Tao’s Full Moon Celebration Feast, but I want to see Yunshu.”
“Fine.” Xu Zhijun thought for a moment. After all, Yunshu was her daughter too, so he agreed.
“But you have to promise not to ruin Yunshu’s Full Moon Banquet. I’ve also invited several leaders, so you absolutely must not cause any trouble.”
“Is this for your promotion?” Li Hong’s eyes lit up as she asked.
“Yes.”
Li Hong quickly smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t make any trouble.”
“Zhijun?”
Old Mrs. Xu’s voice sounded from outside the door.
Xu Zhijun quickly stepped back a few paces and opened the door with a smile.
Before his mother could ask, he explained, “I came to see my niece.”
Old Mrs. Xu shook her head and sighed, “That child is in poor health and needs careful nurturing. It’s a pity that black-hearted Li Hong always hits her. When she grows up, Xiao Tao’s health should improve somewhat.”
“Mom, don’t worry too much. Sister-in-law knows her limits. After all, it’s still her child.”
“Ever since our eldest passed away, Li Hong has become like a completely different person.”
The voices of the mother and son gradually faded into the distance.
Meanwhile, Li Hong remained immersed in the joy of soon seeing Yunshu.
Since Yunshu was born, she had never actually seen her, only hearing from other sisters-in-law and Zhijun about how adorable Yunshu was.
She couldn’t wait to see the child.
Elsewhere.
Su Yaqin, who had just taken off her white coat, was about to ride her bicycle to visit her goddaughter when a comrade rushed in anxiously saying, “Comrade Su, something terrible has happened! Your mother-in-law has fainted. You need to go back quickly to check on her.”