After coming back from You Sanmei’s room, Ge Zhaodi had been lost in thought. Even when scrubbing the medicine pot, her movements were listless and uneven.
Yang Cuilian endured it for a while before she could take it no more. She stepped over and snatched the loofah scrubber from her hand. “You’re getting more useless as you get older! At your age, dragging your feet over every little thing—what, are you trying to copy that good-for-nothing brother-in-law of yours too?”
“Move aside! If you don’t want to work, don’t stand there blocking the view!”
“Hey, it’s not that…” For once, Ge Zhaodi didn’t snap back. She shook the water off her hands and leaned in closer. “I just… accidentally heard the sickly girl talking to that Lin Mei a moment ago.”
“I don’t know exactly what they were saying, but I heard her—she said…”
Yang Cuilian gritted her teeth. “What are you holding it in for? Spit it out already!”
A suspicious flush crept up Ge Zhaodi’s sallow face. “She said… we two are really nice people…”
“—!” Yang Cuilian froze, jaw hanging open in shock.
Ge Zhaodi picked nervously at her hem. “Goodness, I’ve never heard anyone say I’m nice before.”
“What do you think… what should we do now?”
“Do what with what!” Yang Cuilian huffed and turned away stiffly. “It’s just empty chatter between girls—polite words, nothing more! Don’t go taking them seriously!”
“Even polite words are something I’ve never gotten,” Ge Zhaodi mumbled. “My husband, that block of wood, has never said anything like that to me. And our mother? Forget it.”
“What about yours? Has your husband ever told you that?”
Yang Cuilian clamped her mouth shut and said nothing.
As Yang Cuilian started getting the fire ready for cooking, Ge Zhaodi hesitated where she stood. Then she held her breath, tiptoed carefully, and crept slowly toward the basket of eggs—
“What do you think you’re doing?”
It was as if Yang Cuilian had eyes in the back of her head.
Ge Zhaodi let out a nervous chuckle. “N-nothing at all.”
“Think carefully,” Yang Cuilian warned. “Every egg is counted.”
“If Chen Haonan starts wailing again tonight and keeps everyone awake, I swear I’ll never speak to you again!”
“I won’t, I won’t!” Ge Zhaodi grinned, crouched down, picked up an egg, and said smugly, “Anyway, the sickly girl doesn’t take sugar with her medicine—what does she need eggs for too?”
“Besides, she’s looking better these days. The doctor said extra nutrition will help her recover faster!”
“Think how much money we’ll save on medicine then!”
“All that money can go toward our own kids later, right?”
That was what she told herself. But once the egg was boiled, she hid it guiltily against her chest.
Yang Cuilian cooked three dishes: cowpeas with a little minced meat, shredded potatoes, and another green leafy vegetable. And after much wheedling from Ge Zhaodi, she cracked the egg into the pan and scrambled it in—so it would be broken up and harder to count exactly how many had gone in.
Normally, eggs for the children were always boiled whole. That way, each child got one to themselves, and they wouldn’t feel like they had to share.
When mealtime came, Chen Haobei and Chen Haonan came sprinting in with their schoolbags on their backs. Xu Linghua, Eldest Brother Chen, and Second Brother Chen also returned from the fields, sweating through their clothes.
Chen Jinsheng was the last to arrive, looking in surprisingly good spirits—his lips twitching like he was trying not to smile. He’d spent almost all his money on apples earlier, leaving only a few cents in his pocket. But that morning, he’d gone over to Big Pi’s place to play mahjong and luck had been on his side—he’d won a few more dollars back.
Seeing the boys still carrying their bags, Yang Cuilian asked in confusion, “You’re only coming home for lunch—why are you bringing your schoolbags?”
“The school leaders have a meeting in the city,” Chen Haobei replied. “Classes are cancelled for the afternoon.”
Chen Haonan jumped up and down in delight. “Holiday! Holiday! After lunch I’m going out to play with big brother, hahaha!”
“It’s sweltering out—what do you want to go out for?” Ge Zhaodi frowned.
Second Brother Chen Zongming nodded gravely. “You finally get a day off—why not spend it reviewing your lessons? Where’s your sense of discipline?”
Eldest Brother Chen Xiaoxian added gently but firmly: “Haonan, your father is right. We scrimp and save just so you two can go to school—that money can’t be wasted.”
You Sanmei, who had just stepped in, happened to overhear all this. Even as an outsider, she could feel the heavy, suffocating pressure hanging in the air. There was no doubt that going to school was a good thing. But was scolding and pressuring them like this really the right way?
Besides, both Haonan and Haobei loved learning. Haonan in particular was so excited and eager about getting good grades—proof enough that their teacher had found clever, fun ways to spark their interest.
She glanced at the boys, and sure enough, both hung their heads and fell silent. Haonan glared at Chen Jinsheng resentfully from under his lashes, clearly bursting with things he wanted to say—but too afraid to speak up in front of his rogue uncle.
Chen Jinsheng paid no mind to any of it. Slouching, he filled his bowl with food and sat down in the corner.
You Sanmei reached for her own bowl, but Ge Zhaodi stopped her in a fluster. “W-wait! I’ll bring it over to you!”
You Sanmei paused, then smiled sweetly. “Alright~ Thank you so much, Second Sister-in-law~”
Ge Zhaodi nodded absently, her mind entirely fixed on the boiled egg tucked against her chest. She’d thought about waiting until after everyone had eaten to give it to her—but it was hot, and unlike apples, eggs spoiled quickly. And if she ate too much of the other food first, she wouldn’t have room for this most nourishing bite!
As she ladled out rice, she glanced nervously at her son. Seeing him hunched over his bowl, listless and quiet, she made up her mind.
Now was the time!
Ge Zhaodi carried a bowl of rice and vegetables over to the corner, using her broad frame to block You Sanmei from view. Quickly, she pulled out the peeled boiled egg, wiped it hastily against her clothes—
“—!”
Before You Sanmei could say a word, Ge Zhaodi shoved the whole egg straight into her mouth!
“??” Chen Jinsheng stared in absolute shock. His eyes went wide as saucers, and he swallowed hard—almost choking himself in sympathy.
Ge Zhaodi winked furiously, hissing urgently under her breath: “Eat it! Hurry and eat it!”
“What are you staring at me for? Chew it up and swallow it already!”
“……”
You Sanmei was in agony. She shot her a frantic look: No, Second Sister-in-law—it’s stuck!
Just then, Chen Yuanyuan skipped in like a happy little bird. “Phew, it’s so hot out—”
“Eh? Little Auntie, why is there—”
“Ah!” Ge Zhaodi gasped in panic. Acting on impulse, she slapped the egg hard—right into You Sanmei’s throat!
“Urgh!!”
There was a loud gulp. The egg slid down smoothly… and jammed tight in her windpipe!
You Sanmei’s face turned bright red instantly. A wave of suffocation crashed over her, and she dropped her bowl, coughing and gagging desperately. She clawed at her throat, trying to force it down, but it wouldn’t budge.
Ge Zhaodi was terrified. “Oh no! What have I done? It’s stuck!”
Chen Jinsheng, who had watched the whole thing, felt the veins in his temples throb with rage. He surged to his feet and shoved Ge Zhaodi aside.
“I’m done! How could you shove it in like that?!”
“Her mouth is tiny—what were you thinking?!”
Roaring, he reached out, lifted You Sanmei up easily, and held her upright. The rest of the family dropped their bowls and crowded around in a panic.
“What happened to Sanmei?!”
“What did you give her?!”
“Her face is turning purple! I’ll run for the doctor right now!”
Chen Haonan squeezed through the crowd to the front. As You Sanmei gasped for air with her mouth open, he caught sight of the large boiled egg wedged in her throat.
He froze, then screamed in horror: “MOM!!!”
“How could you sneak Little Auntie a boiled egg?!”
“Did you give her mine again?!”
“SHUT UP!” Chen Jinsheng roared back. “Her life is on the line—who cares about some stupid egg?! I’ll buy you ten more later, alright?!”
“GET BACK! GIVE US SOME ROOM!”