Shenjia Bay (Shenjiawan) was considered a relatively well-off village within the Hongqi Commune. Besides growing all kinds of grain crops, they also planted a patch of watermelons. When there was a surplus, villagers would occasionally spend money to buy a few to bring home and quench their thirst. The rest would be harvested together later and sent to the commune to be sold, bringing the village a bit of extra income.
Whenever guests came over or a banquet was held, watermelons were a must-buy item.
“Mom, you’re back.”
“Little Girl, what are you drawing water for?”
“Big Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law just came back from the fields. I’m getting some water for them to wash their faces. Mom, should the watermelon be chilled in the well? Leave it here, I’ll do it.”
Even without a refrigerator, letting a watermelon soak in the well for a while made it cool and refreshing to eat.
Zhou Chunfeng didn’t think there was anything wrong with her daughter drawing water for her sisters-in-law. Instead, she felt her daughter had become sensible. “Little Girl is so good.”
She set the watermelon on the ground and reminded her, “Rinse it first before putting it into the well.” There was still quite a bit of dirt and dust on the rind.
Earlier, Zhou Chunfeng had already picked plenty of vegetables for Huo Yanxiu. She went back to the fields to pick some more, and Liu Lanying carried two baskets of vegetables to the river to wash them.
Shen Qinghe wanted to go along, but Zhou Chunfeng stopped her. Her daughter had almost drowned in the river, and for the time being, she didn’t dare let her go near the river again.
With no other choice, Shen Qinghe stayed in the kitchen to help prepare the other ingredients.
Zhou Chunfeng felt sorry for her. “Little Girl, you just fell into the water. You should rest properly. Your two sisters-in-law and I can handle the kitchen.”
Zhu Yuxiu also said, “Yes, little sister, go rest in your room.”
Of course, Shen Qinghe refused. “Mom, Big Sister-in-law, I feel great right now! And Comrade Huo is my lifesaver—let me cook this meal today.”
“You?” Zhou Chunfeng wasn’t exactly doubting her daughter. Although she often cooked, it was usually simple home-style dishes. She’d never handled a spread like today’s—after all, this meat was precious.
“Mom, I’ve watched you cook for guests many times before. I can do it!” Shen Qinghe said seriously. In her previous life, she had studied cooking and achieved decent results. She just didn’t know whether the seven years in the psychiatric hospital had dulled her skills.
Zhou Chunfeng was half-convinced, half-doubtful, but she didn’t want to discourage her daughter. “Alright then. You make one dish first. If it doesn’t work, Mom will step in.”
“Okay!”
…
Summer days were long. Even though it was nearly five o’clock, the sun outside was still blazing.
When Shen Laoda and Shen La’er came back, they were carrying several bighead carp. The younger kids followed behind them, their clothes soaked through and smeared with mud.
Wu Bao was holding several crayfish. Their legs had pricked his hands, making him grimace in pain, and his face was also covered in mud. The other older kids looked much the same—girls were a bit cleaner, while the boys had even taken off their shirts to carry fish and shrimp.
Zhou Chunfeng exclaimed, “Oh my! Where did you come from looking like this? You’re filthy! You little monkeys—are you asking for a beating?”
Shen Dabao, the oldest and a bit more sensible, immediately shouted when he heard there might be a beating coming. “Second Uncle told us to go!”
“Second Uncle said we should catch some fish and shrimp to cook for the guests! Grandma, if you’re going to hit someone, hit Second Uncle!”
Shen Qingsong laughed in exasperation. This Shen Dabao really sold him out without hesitation.
Shen Qingshan said, “Mom, Lao’er and I were right there with them. Dabao and the others were fine.”
Zhou Chunfeng didn’t care. She shot Shen Qingsong a fierce glare. “Haven’t you heard the saying, ‘Those who can swim are the ones who drown’? It hasn’t been that long since your little sister’s accident, and you still took the kids into the water! You’ve really got some nerve!”
“Next time I catch any of you doing this again, I’ll beat whoever it is, no exceptions!”
After giving them a harsh scolding, she glanced at them again. “Aren’t you going to deal with these things?”
“Yes, Mom!” Shen Qingsong replied with a cheeky grin, showing no sign of having just been yelled at.
“You kids—go wash up and change your clothes!”
“Got it, Grandma!”
…
Shen Qinghe had just plated the stir-fried cured pork when Zhou Chunfeng picked up a piece and took a small bite. After chewing a couple of times, a flash of surprise crossed her face.
“Mom, how is it?”
Zhu Yuxiu and Liu Lanying, who were chopping vegetables, also looked over curiously. They’d already smelled it—it was very fragrant! But then again, it was cured pork. Wasn’t it always delicious no matter how you cooked it?
“Not bad. Then today, Little Girl will be the one cooking,” Zhou Chunfeng said happily. She was secretly overjoyed—she hadn’t expected her daughter’s cooking to be this good. Tomorrow she’d definitely go brag about it to others!
“You two have a taste as well.” Zhou Chunfeng tore the unfinished piece of pork into two small bits and gave them to the two sisters-in-law. The rest she quickly stuffed into Shen Qinghe’s mouth.
Liu Lanying exclaimed in surprise, “Since when did little sister’s cooking get this delicious? It was good before, but not this good.”
Shen Qinghe smiled. “Maybe it’s because the meat itself smells good—and I used more oil.”
She wasn’t lying. When she stir-fried the cured pork, she’d scooped out a full spoonful of lard, which had made Zhou Chunfeng’s heart ache. But thinking that they were hosting Huo Yanxiu, her daughter’s lifesaver, Zhou Chunfeng held back. A bit more oil was fine—just this once. They couldn’t let Comrade Huo think their family was stingy!
“Mom!”
“Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law are back,” Shen Qinghe said. She had already heard the bicycle bell in the courtyard earlier. She wiped her hands on her apron and looked toward the doorway with anticipation. Among the whole family, Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law were the only ones she hadn’t seen yet.
All four Shen siblings were good-looking. The best-looking of them were Shen Qinghe and Shen Qingbai.
Shen Qingbai had a refined temperament and the gentlest disposition among the brothers. He was also handsome—otherwise, the third sister-in-law, who came from the city, wouldn’t have insisted on marrying him.
Shen Qingshan and Shen Qingsong were men of the fields, with darker skin, but their features were still quite pleasing.
“Mom, little sister!” Shen Qingbai put down what he was carrying and immediately went into the kitchen, asking anxiously, “Mom, you weren’t clear on the phone at all—I was completely confused listening to you. What exactly happened? How did little sister fall into the water? And what’s this about her engagement to Gu Linchuan being called off?”