At this moment, Wang Zhijun didn’t yet know that his mother had just recognized a younger brother for him—one who would become an extraordinary figure in the future.
After washing the bowls, Su Yi moved a small stool over to help the two of them pick vegetables.
“It must be about three months now, right?” Aunt Zhang looked at Su Yi’s belly.
She had once worried that Zhijun’s wife might not be able to conceive, but she hadn’t expected it would be twins at once. Truly rare. Wang Guifen was fortunate: her son was capable, driving a tank, and her daughter-in-law was carrying twins. Everything Wang Guifen did seemed to succeed.
Su Yi touched her belly and smiled. “It’s already five months along.”
Aunt Zhang was taken aback. “Five months with twins? Yi Yi’s belly is still so small. Guifen, you need to keep her nutrition up. Two little mouths mean more food. Eggs are very nutritious—I have some at home. I’ll bring them over for you.” She was about to get up and fetch them.
Wang Guifen quickly stopped her. “It’s okay, it’s okay. Save yours for Xudong. Yi Yi is my daughter-in-law—I won’t skimp on eggs for her. Sit down quickly.”
The daughter-in-law’s belly was indeed smaller than usual. She had been undernourished before, and now it couldn’t all be made up at once. The mountain ginseng would need to be used early.
Once the three of them had washed and cut the vegetables, they rested.
When Aunt Zhang was leaving, Wang Guifen handed her some sunflower seeds and peanuts. “Tomorrow, the men will come, along with some of the older women. The men will drink, and the women just learned that Yi Yi is carrying twins, so they might feel a bit jealous. In the morning, I’ll have Yi Yi go to your house to sit with Zhuzi’s wife for a while.”
Aunt Zhang tried to refuse. “It’s no big deal. Just take the things back. I like Yi Yi too. Whether it’s one day or three to five days, it’s just sitting together. Why be so polite? Are you treating me like an outsider?”
“This isn’t for you—it’s for Meili and Xudong,” Wang Guifen said, putting the items into Aunt Zhang’s pocket and sending her on her way. “Go back quickly.”
“Alright, I’ll take it. Tomorrow, Zhu Er and his father will come to help you receive guests.” She turned and entered the neighboring courtyard.
“Mom, I’ll stay to help you. You’re busy over here—I can’t just sit idle,” Su Yi said to Wang Guifen.
It was already dark. Wang Guifen latched the courtyard gate and turned to help Su Yi inside. “Don’t worry, Yi Yi. We have enough hands. Brother Wangchun will also help me, and Aunt Zhang and the others are plenty.”
Few people would come empty-handed. Even though recognizing a godson wasn’t like getting married, one couldn’t just show up with nothing. And the men and older women who did come were rough-spoken; they couldn’t be allowed to touch Yi Yi’s belly—she was carrying twins, and the older women might get jealous. So Yi Yi would sit with Meili eating sunflower seeds and only return after the guests left.
Su Yi had originally wanted to help her mother-in-law, but now she realized her advice made sense. “Okay, I’ll listen to you, Mom.”
“Good. After this is over, you need to properly take care of your body. The mountain ginseng must be used.”
Su Yi nodded.
The next morning, as the mountain mist cleared, Aunt Zhang arrived carrying a plate with empty bowls and chopsticks. Behind her, Zhu Er carried several chairs, and his father carried a table. The whole family had come.
No sooner had they entered than Shen Wangchun appeared, holding cloth in one hand and two cans of malted milk powder in the other.
“Guifen’s choice of godson was really generous,” Aunt Zhang said to her husband.
Zhao Xi nodded. “A grateful and good child.”
“You only needed to bring one, why did you get two cans?” Wang Guifen laughed.
“Sister-in-law, Yi Yi is pregnant now. These are to help her nourish her body,” Shen Wangchun said, rolling up his sleeves and moving stools into the house.
Wang Guifen and Aunt Zhang went into the kitchen to start cooking.
As soon as people in the brigade saw smoke coming from Wang Guifen’s chimney, small groups began to arrive.
The tables set in the yard filled quickly. Guests were recorded by Zhao Er and his family for future return gifts if Wang Guifen’s family ever had a celebration.
Some wealthier families brought soap or towels. Ordinary families offered homemade cakes, chili paste, or dried beans—practical gifts.
The dishes had been prepared the night before. Wang Guifen, efficient as ever, only needed a few minutes to reheat and serve them.
Two tables were set for the older women, two for the men, and the team leader was present. No one dared to cause trouble.
“I just saw Shen Zhiqing give his godmother a huge piece of cloth and two cans of malted milk powder,” a woman whispered, shelling sunflower seeds.
“What? Malted milk powder? That’s not something ordinary families can afford—it’s expensive.”
“Exactly.”
Wang Qiulan looked on enviously. “Two cans?”
“Yes, two cans.”
“Shen Zhiqing is from the city. He might have tickets and goods that are hard to get. His parents are gone, so these things might all end up with Wang Guifen’s family.”
Hearing this, the women at the table grew even more jealous. Suddenly, the fine dishes in front of them seemed tasteless.
Aunt Zhang reported what they said to Wang Guifen, who carried the dishes to the tables.
“Thud,” she placed them on the table.
Everyone immediately stopped talking and looked up at her.
Wang Guifen smiled. “Jealous, huh? Today I don’t want trouble. Everyone is fine. If you’re jealous, go take a godchild yourself. Instead of envying others, live well yourself.”
Faces flushed. The team leader looked over. “Comrade Wang is right. Instead of envying others, live well yourself. This year, our brigade is aiming to be rated advanced. I don’t want jealousy causing anyone to affect the evaluation.”
With that, the crowd quieted.
..
“Team leader, there are wolves in the mountains. Can someone else do the river patrol? My family only has Chuanzi, and he… he can’t be in danger.” A young daughter-in-law hesitated for days, then finally spoke up in front of everyone.
Previously, the river patrol had been Chuanzi’s alone. With educated youth added later and wolves in the mountains, no one could guarantee the wolves wouldn’t appear by the river.
Everyone looked uneasy. The team leader, being part of Tanghe Brigade himself, didn’t want to pressure anyone. He thought for a moment and said: “Tanghe patrol gets two extra work points. Who wants to cover for Chuanzi?”
Everyone feared for their lives. Two work points weren’t worth risking it. The courtyard went silent; no one volunteered.
The team leader understood. Wolves, unknown in number, were too dangerous.
“I’ll do it,” Wang Guifen stepped forward, wiping her hands on a cloth.