Hongguo resolved to spend the New Year at Gu Changzong’s grandparents’ house. She packed some New Year goods to snack on during the journey, leaving the rest for neighbors.
Auntie Liu’s family had two large bowls of meat and vegetable balls. After their autumn harvest and months of selling at the stall, they earned a few hundred yuan, yet didn’t buy so much meat.
Hongguo and Changzong had earned a bit more—roughly three or four hundred yuan. A considerable sum for the countryside. In the city, New Year’s goods were expensive; the money would be well spent. Auntie Liu felt contented.
Most in Dayang Village knew about Gu Zhiqing’s situation. His grandmother and step-grandfather formed new families after divorces. Gu Zhiqing didn’t grow up with his grandmother; he kept his distance for self-preservation and was caught in the mess.
After the college entrance exams resumed, other young people returned to the city. Gu Zhiqing couldn’t, which caused him distress. Once his grandmother was cleared, he could return—but he had already rooted himself in Dayang Village. The Gu family’s sincerity was questionable, so there was no need to go back.
“Guoguo, Changzong said he won’t go back. Don’t meddle. If he changes his mind and stays in the city, what will you do? You’re pregnant now.”
Jiang Hongguo said, “If Changzong won’t go back, then I’ll stay with him in the city. We can earn money selling at the county market; doing the same in the provincial city is no problem.”
Indeed, the young couple could work in the provincial city. Aunt Liu felt envious—they had no ties in Dayang Village and could leave whenever they wanted. Though she couldn’t leave herself, her son could take exams and escape the small mountain village. Yes, if Hongguo could marry a city person, her son could marry a city girl too.
“Guoguo, we should go.”
Changzong had already packed a large bag with clothes and bedding, and a smaller bag for food, water, and essentials. Hongguo’s hands were empty; she slung a crossbody bag with money and documents, leaving a key with Aunt Liu to check the house every few days, sweep, and dust, even slipping her five yuan.
“This trip to the provincial city will probably last a month. The backyard still has chickens and ducks—thank you for taking care of them, Auntie.”
Aunt Liu protested but accepted the money, telling her husband that Hongguo had given her some cash to watch the house and feed the animals.
In the countryside, people usually didn’t give money. Old Yang said, “Aren’t you afraid people will call you miserly?”
“We won’t speak of it, so who will know? Besides, Hongguo earns more than us. With money, she can get a few days of help—it’s better than relying on favors. Both of us feel good about it,” Aunt Liu replied.
Old Yang wasn’t convinced. Hongguo now dealt only in money, not social favors. If in the future people needed something from her, they would feel awkward asking. The emphasis on money could slowly distance them from Hongguo; it wouldn’t be as easy as before.
….
Hongguo had never been to the city before. The provincial city, she had only heard about. This was her first visit. Compared to the small county town, it was bustling, the streets wider, buildings taller. Changzong’s grandmother lived in a two-story courtyard, with small bridges and flowing water—having a small green oasis in the city was impressive.
Hongguo was visiting for the first time, though Changzong had been here a few times before cutting ties with his grandmother. This visit was Hongguo’s idea, so he stood coldly and didn’t speak.
On the way, Hongguo had instructed him to stay quiet, fearing his grandparents would notice his changed demeanor.
They arrived earlier than expected; Uncle and Aunt hadn’t yet arrived—something must have delayed them. And their earlier claims weren’t accurate: it was Changzong’s grandmother who was ill, not his grandfather.
Seeing Changzong back, Hongguo felt a bit relieved. The elderly woman, fastidious as ever, dressed neatly and leaned on the sofa to speak.
Hongguo explained why they had suddenly decided to spend the New Year here: “I heard Changzong crying in his sleep, calling for you, Grandma. He pretends otherwise, but he wanted to see you.”
The step-grandfather said, “Changzong cut ties with his grandmother, no contact for six months. I thought he wouldn’t come. It’s good that he did. Forget the past.”
Hongguo nodded. “Yes, forget the past. Thankfully, I discovered Changzong’s true intentions. Uncle and Aunt said the sick one was grandfather. Seeing him so well—did grandmother fall ill after he recovered?”
The step-grandfather tucked a blanket around the weak grandmother. “I told Yan’er to make a couple of extra dishes tonight. Let Changzong and Guoguo sit and talk with you.”
He got up, and Hongguo pulled Changzong closer. “Grandma, Changzong used to be pampered. In the countryside, he learned to do everything. He can build the baby’s crib and walker himself. He even learned from masons—he can help build houses. He really learns everything.”
The grandmother seemed disinterested. “In the countryside, people need skills to live well. If you’re weak, what would he do without learning?”
Hongguo nodded. “You’re right, Grandma. During the off-season, we sell flatbreads at the county market.”
The grandmother looked at Changzong, still scowling, and remarked flatly: “Being from the countryside, there’s no need for pretension. Earning a bit is enough.”
Hongguo smiled. “You’ve lived a lifetime, Grandma, wiser than us. I’m young and naive, but I remember your advice well.”
Their first confrontation at home was straightforward. Hongguo could adapt—she and Changzong were young, capable, and could earn their own way. If the grandmother wanted to gamble with the inheritance, it didn’t affect them.
Changzong’s current attitude made Hongguo unsure if he still considered himself her biological grandson. She wasn’t attached to the inheritance at all.
After dinner, they were assigned to the second-floor bedroom. Hongguo, without checking the room, requested bluntly:
“Grandma, may I use the bedding I brought from home?”
The grandmother nodded. “If you want, go ahead.”
The step-grandfather laughed: “Guoguo, you’re a rural girl, but so particular—just like your grandma. When she was sent down, she used to exchange bedding with locals.”
Being “sent down” wasn’t the same as going to the countryside freely. Those sent down had better conditions than ordinary laborers? Hongguo admired the grandmother: “You’re remarkable. Even with such harsh conditions, you lived well. No wonder Changzong shares your resilience.”
The grandmother smiled faintly. “Resilience? It’s just money opening doors.”
She returned with a small handful of gold melon seeds. “Yan’er, exchange this for cash. Guoguo is pregnant; make sure there’s enough nourishing soup every day. If not, I’ll give you more.”
The handful weighed at least ten grams. Even after several exchanges, it equated to 600–700 yuan. A month’s worth of delicacies wouldn’t consume all of it.
The step-grandfather smiled: “Guoguo is carrying my dear great-grandchild. This small sum is nothing. Exchange it for cash and improve the meals.”
The maid carefully stored the gold.
Hongguo asked, “Grandma, did you hide this before being sent down?”
The grandmother replied, “Of course. Only I know the hiding place. No one else can find it or know the amount.”
Hongguo admired her wisdom. Even with just a little gold left, they didn’t fall into anyone’s trap. Unlike Uncle and Aunt, who claimed grandfather was sick but hid grandmother’s condition.
The grandmother chuckled: “A little cleverness is fine. Your uncle and aunt are still devoted; they care for me more than Changzong ever could.”
Hongguo realized the grandmother was hard to read. Touching her belly, she felt the baby had helped her see Uncle and Aunt’s intentions—this visit was necessary.
At night, the bedding smelled slightly musty, but Changzong quickly replaced it with their own. Hongguo was satisfied.
She had never been so particular before, but pregnancy changed her—picky about pickles, bedding. She blamed the baby for her whims.
Changzong said, “Guoguo, I don’t think Grandma dislikes us. If we stay a couple of days, we can still spend the New Year here.”
Hongguo lazily replied, “If she hasn’t kicked us out, we’ll stay. Otherwise, the money from the gold melon seeds can’t be spent.”
Changzong could find the gold himself, but Hongguo forbade it. Seeing the step-grandfather and maid’s eyes glitter with gold, it might not be a good thing.
After changing the bedding, she slept comfortably. She awoke naturally, hearing sounds downstairs—visitors had arrived.
Changzong went down and returned. “Grandma’s student is here, a lawyer. He wants us to come discuss establishing the will.”
Yesterday, Grandma’s attitude toward them had been poor. Today she brought the will lawyer—it might have been arranged overnight or even earlier. Grandma remained unpredictable. Hongguo hurried downstairs.