8
Dating
Fortunately, with the two roast ducks Lin Jianchun had bought at noon, the lunch table was adequately covered.
After the meal, Mother Lu took money and ration coupons to the farmers’ market, where she bought a chicken, a fine cut of pork belly, two large bones, and some mutton offal. She even purchased several jin of freshly available spring vegetables. On her way back, she stopped by the supply and marketing cooperative to pick up some pastries.
As Mother Lu returned to the rear courtyard carrying a full basket, she was spotted by a neighbor.
“A Zhou’s mother, how can your family manage in the future if you buy so many things all at once?”
Mother Lu smiled and replied, “It’s only right to treat my in-laws properly on their first visit. It wasn’t easy for their family to raise my daughter-in-law, so they deserve a good reception.”
“We’ve been neighbors for decades, so I’ll speak frankly—take my words if they’re helpful, ignore them if they’re not. Don’t be too naive. Your rural in-laws came empty-handed. Anyone with basic manners would at least bring a few eggs. Don’t end up like the Chen family in the front courtyard, stuck with in-laws who only know how to suck them dry.”
Mother Lu’s smile faded. “That’s not the case. My in-laws truly care for their daughter. Besides, they came to confront the Song family after hearing about the marriage swap—why would they bring gifts? I was the one who insisted they come to our home.”
Though she said this, Mother Lu felt uneasy and lost her enthusiasm for boasting about her in-laws’ visit.
Walking step by step toward the rear courtyard, she replayed the Lin family’s every gesture and action in her mind. They seemed entirely different from the in-laws of the Chen family’s daughter-in-law in the front courtyard.
When she reached her doorstep, she saw Mother Lin sweeping the ground with a broom.
Mother Lu’s anxious heart finally settled. The in-laws of the Chen family’s daughter-in-law acted like entitled guests—they wouldn’t even lift a finger to straighten a fallen broom.
“Dear in-law, you shouldn’t be doing this! You’re our guest—how can we let you work?”
Mother Lin waved her off. “We country folks can’t sit idle. Besides, this is my daughter and son-in-law’s home. Sweeping a little isn’t really work. Oh, and I noticed it looked like rain, so I took in all the laundry and folded it in Xiao Chun’er’s room.”
Mother Lu flushed with shame. She had nearly let outsiders drive a wedge between her and her in-laws. The thought filled her with remorse.
In her embarrassment, Mother Lu wanted to cook everything she had bought. Mother Lin tried to stop her but only managed to save the pork belly.
Mother Lin said fretfully, “We just had meat at noon. A simple porridge would suffice for dinner. It’s not a festival or holiday—there’s no need for so many meat dishes. Dear in-law, listen to me. At most, we should only cook a bit of the mutton offal.”
Mother Lu paid no heed and began chopping ingredients briskly.
When Lu Xuanzhou returned, he carried a sizable clay pot. “Chef Jiang at our factory is from the south. Today he made Dongpo pork, and I had someone save six pieces for us.”
Mother Lin was touched by her in-laws’ hospitality but couldn’t help fretting over the expense. She exclaimed, “If only we had left right after lunch…”
The aroma of meat wafting from the Lu family’s stove made the children in the Courtyard cry with craving, begging their families for meat.
In those days, ration coupons were strictly limited. Even in families with children, meat was only bought once or twice a month as a treat.
The elders who doted on their grandchildren grumbled under their breath, calling Mother Lu a fool for serving such lavish dishes to poor rural relatives. “Once they get a taste for it, they’ll come every day—then we’ll see how amusing it is,” they muttered.
After washing up, Mother Lu said, “A Zhou will sleep with his brother tonight. Mother-in-law, will it be too crowded for you three to sleep together?”
Mother Lin shook her head, “It’s enough space, completely enough. It’s just that A Zhou will have to make do for one night.”
Lu Xuanzhou also shook his head: “It’s no hardship.”
He truly wasn’t suffering – he had originally been sleeping on the floor, but now he had a proper bed to sleep on. How could that be considered hardship?
The door to his room was closed, and Lu Xuanzhou went to Little Lu’s room.
Little Lu hadn’t slept with Lu Xuanzhou for a long time and kept pestering his brother to talk. “Brother, when are you going on your driving route? Can you take me along?”
“You’re a student. Don’t you want to study, following me on driving routes instead?”
Little Lu replied, “What’s the big deal? Only about ten people in our class are still attending classes. The others are either working or married.”
Lu Xuanzhou frowned. In two more months, Little Lu would graduate, and upon graduation would face being sent down to the countryside.
“I’ve been asking people to keep an eye out for job openings, but there aren’t any.”
Little Lu shook his head somewhat indifferently, “Even if there are job openings, there are only a few positions. How could I possibly get one? Our family doesn’t have any connections. I was thinking that if I go on more driving routes with you, I could learn some driving skills. Then when I’m sent down to the countryside, I’ll at least have a skill. Maybe they’ll assign me lighter work.”
Lu Xuanzhou’s expression darkened, “I’ll ask around tomorrow.”
“Great! Thanks, brother.”
Little Lu was simple-minded and fell asleep as soon as he rolled over after speaking.
Lu Xuanzhou glanced at the time – almost eight o’clock.
For some reason, Song Caiwei’s words suddenly came to mind – Song Zhian had arranged to meet Lin Jianchun at the alley entrance at eight…
Mother Lin had been chattering away, asking Lin Jianchun many questions and giving her plenty of advice.
Lin Jianchun had talked until her mouth was dry and drank plenty of water. Using the bathroom as an excuse, she slipped away. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Lu Xuanzhou sitting at the entrance, a faint glow from his cigarette flickering in his hand.
Hearing the door open, Lu Xuanzhou looked over, his eyes dark and unreadable, making it impossible to discern his emotions.
“What are you going to do?”
Lin Jianchun was slow to react, “Ah—I need to use the bathroom.”
The public toilet was at the alley entrance.
Lu Xuanzhou’s eyes grew increasingly dark. She was in quite a hurry, after all it was already ten past eight – she was late for her date.
Seeing Lu Xuanzhou wasn’t moving, Lin Jianchun grew anxious and reached out to pull him aside.
“Hey, move out of the way!”
Lu Xuanzhou really wanted to ask Lin Jianchun how she could say such things in that soft, delicate voice of hers. Just yesterday they had agreed to a one-month trial period, and today she was going to meet her old flame.
How stupid he was to believe her nonsense.
Lin Jianchun stamped her foot in frustration, “Why are you blocking me? I need to go to the public toilet.”
She had even prepared her excuse in advance.
Could he still stop her? He couldn’t stop her, and instead had to escort her to the alley entrance.
There were no streetlights from the Courtyard to the alley entrance. He had to ensure she arrived safely since she was leaving from his home.
Lu Xuanzhou gritted his teeth: “I’ll go with you.”
Lin Jianchun didn’t object. The two of them left home one after the other.
Lin Jianchun walked in front with a flashlight, while Lu Xuanzhou followed behind with a cigarette in his mouth. They walked single file toward the alley entrance.
When they reached the alley entrance, sure enough, they saw a figure pacing anxiously.
“A Chun—”
The beam from Lin Jianchun’s flashlight shone directly into Song Zhian’s eyes, causing him to instinctively shield them.
“Is that you, Achun?”
Song Zhian took a step closer, recognizing Lin Jianchun, and eagerly moved to grasp his hands.
“Achun, your coming to meet me—does it mean you still have feelings for me?”
“These past few days, I’ve been constantly thinking of you, remembering your smile, your kindness. Achun, I regret everything. Can we start over?”
Song Zhian gazed at Lin Jianchun with deep affection, while Lin Jianchun curled his lips slightly.
“Oh, really?”
“Are you trying to be a male third party, trying to come between me and my husband?”Song Zhian’s deep affection faltered for a moment.” “I won’t be a male third party, and I’m not here to intrude on your relationship. Achun, you were always mine, and you can only be mine.”
As Song Zhian reached out to embrace Lin Jianchun, Lin Jianchun stepped aside.
“Husband, this male third party is trying to snatch me right at our doorstep. Aren’t you going to do something?”