Zhou Chunxia still prepared the midday meal. Wang Haiyang had a few more days before reporting to the town, so he’d been working at home these days. Being diligent was his way of ensuring his wife and child could live better.
The lunch was the same as usual – a bland stew of potatoes, cabbage, and beans cooked in one pot, with a small clay pot of smashed cucumbers that only had coarse salt sprinkled on them, nothing else.
It wasn’t that they didn’t want to add more flavor, but they didn’t dare. Without the old lady’s permission, no one would dare use more oil, salt, or soy sauce. Otherwise, if the old lady flew into a rage, there would be no peace.
Su Qing rested on the kang for a while. Wang Baoguo only came to knock on her door and ask her to come out for lunch after he’d returned from work and washed his hands. Having already eaten a banana and two baked pancakes in her Space, she wasn’t very hungry, but she still came out of her room.
Wang Yongqiang, who had worked all morning, had been hoping for another delicious meal at noon, but there wasn’t a trace of meat to be seen. Even the oil and salt seemed nonexistent, making the food as bland as plain boiled water.
Watching everyone else eating heartily as if enjoying a feast, Su Qing skeptically tried two bites, then tightly furrowed her brows.
Wang Baoguo’s heart sank, and he quickly put down his chopsticks.
“Mother, what’s wrong? Doesn’t it suit your taste?”
His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but Zhou Chunxia heard it clearly. She straightened her back nervously, watching her mother-in-law. Noticing this, Wang Haiyang also looked over.
“Hmm, this food is so bland it’s tasteless, yet you can still eat it. Alright, alright, I won’t eat. I’m going back to my room.”
Wang Baoguo sighed, extremely worried. Why couldn’t she eat? Hadn’t they been eating like this for all these years? Could it be that Mother’s taste had changed as she aged, now preferring stronger flavors?
After carefully supporting Su Qing back to her room, he returned to the dining table. In the brief time he was away, the food in the pot had been completely devoured. Enraged, he slammed his chopsticks on the table with a loud “smack.”
“You… you’re really something! Mother can’t even eat her meal, yet you all have such good appetites. And… what about Mother’s portion? Did you eat that too?”
Dabao, Erbao, Sanbao, and Wang Yongqiang, who had secretly eaten more, hung their heads guiltily, not daring to move.
“Hmph, Big Brother, don’t be angry. There’s no other way. It’s all because Seventh Sister-in-law is useless – can’t work in the fields, and can’t even cook properly. It’s only right that Mother is angry.”
“If you don’t like Chunxia’s cooking, then don’t eat it! Weren’t you talking about splitting up the family? Why don’t you leave sooner!”
“You!”
Just as Liu Aijun was about to argue back, Fengzhi pulled at him. No one else was speaking up, yet here he was showing off. He was the one who had angered Grandma earlier, and now he couldn’t keep his mouth shut, volunteering to be a target.
Stupid. Even stupider than Sixth Aunt.
“Hehe, Old Seventh is right. Third Sister-in-law, why is your mouth so foul? Chunxia worked hard to cook for everyone and even washed clothes for the whole family, yet you still pick on her. What are you trying to achieve?”
Wang Fengzhi: “…”
What the hell are you thinking? They’re all idiots who wear their schemes on their faces!!!
Although Li Hongmei was speaking in support of Zhou Chunxia, Wang Haiyang didn’t appreciate it at all. He hadn’t forgotten that when he first brought his wife and child home, this Sixth Sister-in-law was the first to jump out against them.
He stood up, holding Zhou Chunxia with one hand and Tiezhu with the other, then turned and angrily returned to their room.
Qian Maizi and Zhang Xiulan, the sisters-in-law, sighed and began clearing the pots, pans, and dishes, carrying them to the water vat to wash. Although they were good-natured, they weren’t without their tempers.
“Why pick on Chunxia for no reason? Since she came to our family, she’s been diligent and willing to do any chore without complaint. If Mother doesn’t want to eat, then so be it. She might just be tired from going to town and wants to lie down for a while. Maybe she’ll get hungry later. With people at home, it’s not like the old lady would miss a meal, right?”
“Exactly. I think Chunxia is quite good, and Tiezhu is very sensible too—honest and nothing like the mischievous kids in our family.”
“Heh, she’s a good one.”
In the room, Su Qing lay quietly, undisturbed by anyone. Although she didn’t know exactly what was happening outside, some rumors had reached her ears.
The bamboo basket was still on the floor where Juxiang had left it. Su Qing hadn’t moved an inch. Her thumbs, resting on her stomach, twisted and turned as she mulled things over.
Wang Yongqiang, who had secretly eaten his mother’s dish at noon, had originally been full of grievances he wanted to vent. But in the end, he said nothing. After finishing his meal, he wiped his mouth and rushed out the door.
He found a shady spot on the ridge between the fields to wait for work to start. Suddenly, a fragrant breeze wafted by. He looked up and saw Zhao Su’e standing gracefully beside him.
“Yongqiang, what are you doing here?””
Seeing his sweetheart, Wang Yongqiang quickly scrambled to his feet. He sniffed the air—a scent of osmanthus flowers—and felt overjoyed.
Had Su’e sprayed osmanthus perfume just to see him?
“Su’e, you’re here. Are you hot?”
Zhao Su’e shook her head and wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Wang Yongqiang’s dazed expression and smiled inwardly.
Sure enough, the next moment, he said, “Su’e, I’m sorry. You mentioned needing a handkerchief, and I’ve been wanting to buy you one, but I’ve been short on cash lately. Don’t worry, though—my mom said she’ll give me money in a couple of days. I’ll definitely get you the trendiest and prettiest one then!”Oh, no, no, Brother Yongqiang!” I was just complaining casually. Please don’t take it seriously!”
Wang Yongqiang grew anxious. “How can I not take it seriously? Don’t worry, Su’e. I’ll talk to my mom tonight. She dotes on me the most and will surely give me the money. Oh, and she went to town this morning—she must have brought me some treats. Wait for me; I’ll bring them to you tonight.”
Zhao Su’e’s eyes lit up. Life in the countryside was too hard. Fortunately, she had this obedient fool who often brought her food, drinks, and other things. Otherwise, she didn’t know how she could endure even a single day.
She smiled sweetly and let Wang Yongqiang gently brush her hand. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was watching, she hurried away.
Wang Yongqiang gazed entranced at Zhao Su’e’s retreating figure, thinking about how he would ask his mother for money that evening. He resolved to work hard in the afternoon so that his mother would be more willing to give him the money when the time came.
When the work bell rang, the people of Hongxing Brigade saw Wang Yongqiang “whoosh” into the fields and start working frantically, using both hands and feet. His fervor was such that it seemed he could plow two acres of land in one go.
By mid-afternoon, Su Qing had woken up and asked Zhou Chunxia to make her a bowl of egg, tomato, and shredded pork noodles. She supervised closely and even had her fry some chili flakes in hot oil.
The delicious aroma instantly filled the courtyard.
Several naked children immediately swarmed over, their eyes gleaming with greed.
“Give each of them a bowl, Tiezhu should have one too. How did they raise this child? So skinny and scrawny, looks like a simpleton.”
Tiezhu had been keeping his head down the whole time. When the old woman mentioned him, he glanced up at her before lowering his head again, his face still devoid of any extra expression.
But inside, two little figures were fiercely battling: This old woman must be pretending. Everyone says she’s a mean and nasty old hag. Her being nice to me now must be an act, all for my stepfather’s wages.
Pah, what am I thinking? Even if I don’t give it to the old woman, my stepfather’s wages still wouldn’t be spent on me. The old lady might look unpleasant, but she’s actually a good person.
Su Qing, unaware of the scrawny kid’s rich inner monologue, held the delicious noodles with widened eyes, her slanted eyes opening even wider.