Liu Xiuqin’s expression shifted, a hint of a smile finally gracing her face. “Why bring so much?”
“Mom!”
Jiang Yingying coquettishly unwrapped her bundle, revealing an oil-paper package. Inside was half a rabbit, salted and preserved!
Even Jiang Changru turned to look, furrowing his brow. “Where did this come from?”
Shen Yao was about to speak, but Jiang Yingying cut in, “Dad, Yao caught it in the mountains. We kept half for ourselves and brought the rest especially for you to try.”
Although their family’s circumstances were decent, they were still just managing to get by. Meat was a rare treat, maybe once a month. Even the fish they were having today was only because of Jiang Yingying’s return visit. On ordinary days, everyone made do with flatbreads and pickled vegetables.
Liu Xiuqin’s smile became more genuine. She tugged at her second daughter-in-law’s sleeve. “What are you standing around for? Go brew some tea! And check with the eldest’s wife—see if the fish is stewing yet?”
Chen Ruixue’s expression soured. She had hoped to witness some embarrassment, but instead, the impoverished Shen family had brought so much! So many eggs, half a rabbit, and two chickens! They could raise the chickens, but the eggs and rabbit had to be eaten, right? Comforted by this thought, she felt a bit better. When the goods were divided among the families, she’d surely get at least half a bowl of meat. Her son, Gangzi, had been craving meat for days!
Shen Yao wasn’t much of a talker, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t hold a conversation. Seated to Jiang Changru’s right, his tall frame upright, he answered questions with neither humility nor arrogance. “My father saw a doctor in the city last time and is much better now. My mother and I are tending the fields—we can manage.”
Jiang Changru nodded. “Yingying has a bit of a temper. As her husband, you should indulge her more. Her mother has spoiled her, but deep down, she’s a good girl.”
After saying this, Jiang Changru felt a flush of embarrassment. He knew his daughter’s temperament all too well, but judging by today’s demeanor, she seemed to be slowly improving…
Shen Yao lowered his gaze and replied briefly, “Yes.”
What else could he say in front of her father?
Outside, Jiang Yingying sat with Liu Xiuqin, clinging to her arm, her girlish demeanor on full display. Seeing her daughter in good spirits and noticeably less sharp-tongued, Liu Xiuqin felt relieved. “Yingying, keep the money I gave you well hidden. Don’t take it out carelessly! The Shen family is poor, and his father’s medical expenses are a bottomless pit. Don’t be foolish and throw your money into it.”
Jiang Yingying smiled faintly. “Mom, I remember!”
As they spoke, two more women entered the courtyard. One was Jiang Yingying’s eldest sister, Jiang Hongying, and the other her second sister, Jiang Jingjing. They had come together, both carrying gifts.
“Mom! Little sister!”
Spotting the people in the yard, they approached with smiles.
A short while later, the three brothers returned from working in the fields. The spacious courtyard soon filled with people.
Jiang Hongying had married within the village. Her family was reasonably well-off, and she had a lively, energetic personality—clearly, life was treating her well.
Jiang Jingjing, in contrast, looked sallow and thin, her demeanor subdued. Compared to her eldest sister, it was evident she wasn’t faring as well, and she spoke very little.
The eldest brother, Jiang Qianjin, was an honest and simple man; the second brother, Jiang Shengge, was rough and boisterous; and the third brother, Mancang, who was only a year older than Jiang Yingying, had not yet married and had a more lively personality.
“Little sister, Third Brother will give you something nice later!” Jiang Mancang grinned mischieviously, winking. “I guarantee you’ll like it!”
Liu Xiuqin tapped his head lightly. “You should focus on finding yourself a wife! You’re the only bachelor left in the family now!”
Jiang Mancang rubbed his head and chuckled. “Mom, aren’t there enough grandchildren for you to dote on already?”
Liu Xiuqin shot him an exasperated glare. “I don’t care how many there are! If they misbehave, they’ll all get a taste of the rod!”
Soon, a large table was laden with dishes, surrounded by the entire family. There were also three children: two daughters from the eldest brother’s family and a son from the second brother’s family.
In the center of the table were a plate of fish, scrambled eggs with chili peppers, boiled sweet potatoes, and taro… It was as lavish as a New Year’s feast.
Chen Ruixue immediately picked up a piece of fish and placed it in front of her son. “This little glutton has been craving this for days! Hurry up and take advantage of your aunt’s visit to have a taste!”
Before Jiang Xiaogang could open his mouth, a sharp slap echoed through the room, startling the child.
Liu Xiuqin’s face was stern. “It’s one thing to have no manners on ordinary days, but today we have a guest! Since when do children eat first? Second Son, is this how you usually teach your child?”
Jiang Shengge glared at Chen Ruixue and quickly tried to smooth things over. “Mom, Ruixue just cares about the child.”
Jiang Xiaogang, only five years old, saw the fish he was about to eat taken away and burst into loud sobs.
“Cry, cry, cry—that’s all you know how to do! A boy crying all the time is so shameful!” Liu Xiuqin shot him an impatient look. “If you keep crying, you won’t get any lunch!”
Jiang Xiaogang immediately covered his mouth, too frightened to make another sound, though he continued to sniffle.
Chen Ruixue’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she couldn’t help but defend herself. “Mom, Gangzi is still young.”
“He’s young, but are you young too? You’ve raised the child with no sense of discipline! If you’re unhappy with how I do things, then split from the family and live on your own! I’d be glad not to have to deal with this!”
At the mention of splitting the family, Chen Ruixue immediately fell silent. Her father-in-law was the village chief, and her eldest brother-in-law was honest and capable. If they were to leave, how could they possibly enjoy such a comfortable life?
Jiang Hongying stepped in to mediate. “Mom, don’t be angry. Yingying is back today—let’s just eat!”
Only then did Liu Xiuqin’s expression soften. She picked up the softest and most delicious part of the fish belly and placed it directly into Jiang Yingying’s bowl. “Eat up, daughter!”
Chen Ruixue felt resentful but didn’t dare to say another word.
After the meal, the eldest and second sisters rushed to clear the dishes but were scolded by Liu Xiuqin. “Did you come back to your parents’ home to work?”
She then glanced pointedly at her two daughters-in-law.
Li Meijuan immediately stepped forward to stack the bowls. “Eldest Sister, Second Sister, why don’t you chat with Mom?”
Chen Ruixue, having just been reprimanded, didn’t dare to slack off and forced a smile. “That’s right. Yingying just got married—she must have a lot to share. You sisters should catch up.”
Meanwhile, Shen Yao and Jiang Changru sat in the main room drinking tea.
Tea at this time was quite simple—just tea leaves picked from the tree, washed, dried, and left unprocessed. It was bitter, but even so, not every household had the leisure to enjoy it.
Jiang Changru glanced at him. “I heard from the villagers that you were working in the city a couple of months ago?”
At this time, private enterprise hadn’t been fully liberalized yet, but the authorities had already eased up on enforcement. When people spoke of “working in the city,” those in the know understood it meant selling goods on the black market.
Shen Yao made no attempt to hide it. “Yes.”
“That won’t do.”
Jiang Changru disapproved. “It’s too risky. If you get caught, what will happen to Yingying alone?”
Having been village chief his whole life, he had always acted cautiously. Coupled with the inherent timidity of rural life, he would rather go hungry than engage in such activities.
Yet these were times when the bold prospered while the cautious starved.
Shen Yao found it difficult to explain and simply said, “I’ll be more careful in the future.”
Jiang Changru sighed. “Regardless of the past, since you’ve married Yingying, you’re half a member of the Jiang family now. As long as you treat her well, your mother and I will help you if you encounter difficulties.”
He then pointed to a half sack of rice in the main room. “Take these grains with you when you leave. I’ll keep the gifts you brought, so my elder son and his wife won’t gossip about it.”