Chapter 106: “little Gourd”
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang saw that their mother-in-law hadn’t come out for a long time, exchanged a glance, and stepped into the kitchen.
As soon as they entered, they saw the Vegetable Box in the basin.
“Wow, Third Son’s Wife made so many!” Zhao Liuniang restrained herself, not letting the smile at the corner of her mouth be too obvious, to avoid stabbing at her mother-in-law’s heart.
Huang Xiulan felt heartbroken, but said nothing.
Third Son’s Wife had used her own oil and hadn’t taken from the family pool, so it wasn’t appropriate for her to say anything.
Following the principle of family harmony above all, she didn’t say it was wasteful, only that Lin Zhao had worked hard.
“Da Zai’s mom started cooking right after coming back, without waiting for us. It’s such a hot summer day in the kitchen, no wonder I saw her face all red. Don’t get heatstroke.”
Gu Mu’s attention was diverted.
“It does seem a bit red. There’s mung bean soup in the well, I’ll scoop a bowl for her.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she hurried to the backyard.
Zhao Liuniang wanted to say something, but seeing her mother-in-law’s back, she could only swallow it.
“Eldest Brother’s Wife, it smells so good.” She stared at the vegetable box, her eyes shining, “I heard Tie Chui say it’s all filled with eggs, even better than dumplings.”
Huang Xiulan hadn’t eaten in the afternoon either, her stomach empty and craving, her belly rumbling, but she picked up the bamboo basket nearby and covered both the basin and the Vegetable Box.
“Let’s cook.” She squatted down, dragged out a snakeskin bag from under the cutting board, and took out a few misshapen, cracked potatoes.
“…” Zhao Liuniang said resentfully, “At least let me smell it more.”
“Isn’t the kitchen full of the aroma? The rice still needs to be cooked.” Huang Xiulan said.
Zhao Liuniang sighed and cooked with Eldest Brother’s Wife.
In the yard outside.
Gu Chenghuai had finished cutting the hair of each boy one by one. Lin Zhao looked at Si Zai, half-squatted, brought her face close, and said with a squinting smile: “Cub, how about Mom trims your hair too?”
Si Zai could understand, her short and chubby little hands blocking her head, shaking it like a rattle drum, “No, no.”
“No it is then.” Lin Zhao didn’t force it. She had originally wanted to give her daughter an even cuter hairstyle.
If the cub didn’t agree, so be it.
Bang Bang and Lai Mei took the initiative to clean up the scattered hair on the ground.
“Da Zai, Er Zai, I should go home. We’ll play again tomorrow.” Mao Dan’er said. He left the fish he caught, his attitude firm.
Lin Zhao accepted the fish and immediately packed a few Vegetable Boxes for him, stuffing them into the little friend’s hands without allowing refusal, “We’ve accepted your fish. This is the return gift you can’t refuse.”
Mao Dan’er thought of his grandma and didn’t refuse, thanking her solemnly: “Aunt, thank you.”
“I’ll accept this thank you.” Lin Zhao’s smile softened, “Can you cook?”
Mao Dan’er said honestly: “I can cook it, but it doesn’t taste good.”
After a pause, he added, “My grandma can’t cook either. No one taught me.”
Gu Mu, who had brought the mung bean soup, heard this.
She said: “Of course your grandma can’t cook. When your grandpa was still alive, your grandma never entered the kitchen door, not even washing a single bowl.”
Later, the daughter-in-law they married in was exceptionally capable, so she didn’t need to do anything. Unfortunately, that daughter-in-law passed away early. Otherwise, the grandma and grandson wouldn’t go without a hot meal.
Lin Zhao spoke up: “Mao Dan’er, next time you come, I’ll teach you to cook.”
She had four cubs at home and not much energy to manage Mao Dan’er’s affairs, but teaching him self-reliance was feasible.
Mao Dan’er’s eyes lit up, “Thank you, Aunt. I’ll learn well.”
He learned everything quickly and would surely master it early without troubling Aunt too much.
“Good.” Lin Zhao hesitated for a moment, rubbed his head. This child was so sensible it made her heart ache. Seeing him reminded her of the twins in the original book—
In the original book, they lived even worse than Mao Dan’er, her good cubs, just thinking about it made her heart ache like a knife.
Er Zai’s petty jealousy flared up. He quietly squeezed between them, looking at Lin Zhao, “Mom, Brother and I will see Mao Dan’er off.”
“Take Da Huang with you.” Lin Zhao instructed.
“Okay!” A clear voice rang out.
Tie Chui followed, with Da Huang and Amber close behind.
The little friends had just stepped out of the Gu Family gate.
Yuan Bao’s loud and excited voice rang out, “Da Zai, Er Zai… there’s something lively at the village entrance. Wanna go see?”
Er Zai rushed over, asking repeatedly: “What lively thing? What lively thing?”
“Don’t know. Someone was brought to the village… to receive education. Wanna go see?” Yuan Bao was very anxious, his toes spinning in the dirt, ready to dash off anytime.
Er Zai remembered the main task and shook his head, “You go first. I’ll come later.”
“Okay.”
The “kay” trailed off, and the little friend’s figure whooshed away.
Mao Dan’er knew Er Zai wanted to see the excitement but said embarrassedly: “Er Zai, it’s fine. I can go back alone.”
“No, we’ll see you home.” Er Zai’s words were full of dominance, “What if Wang Yaozu is hiding somewhere to block you.”
“Exactly, exactly.” Da Zai also said, “The excitement isn’t something you have to see.”
However.
He still kind of wanted to see it.
So Da Zai changed his tune, “We can watch later too. Yuan Bao’s there. He can watch for us and tell us later.”
Mao Dan’er broke into a brilliantly bright smile, “Da Zai and Er Zai, you’re so nice.”
Glancing at Tie Chui beside them, he added: “Tie Chui too.”
Er Zai hooked his shoulder, “We’re good brothers. Good brothers help each other.”
Mao Dan’er smiled so happily his eyes and brows curved, finally looking a bit like a child.
“Come on, I’ll take you to my house. Next time you want to find me, come straight to my house.”
The Ning Family stood alone at the village entrance, an old tiled house, square and sturdy. Roughly four rooms, the roof tiled with patches of weeds, but in this small yard, it didn’t look messy or dilapidated; instead, it had a unique vitality.
Especially.
Beside the persimmon tree sat a kindly smiling old grandma, making this yard even more distinctive.
Her clothes were ordinary, but her temperament was extraordinary. Her face was fair and firm. Even at over sixty, the wrinkles weren’t unsightly; they seemed like the gift of time to a beauty, very unique.
Except for Mao Dan’er, the other little friends who saw this were stunned.
…They had never seen such a grandma.
Hearing the footsteps, Ning Lao Tai turned her head, deftly hid the small bowl, and was somewhat surprised to see her grandson’s shortened hair. Then she smiled and waved to the little cubs, “Mao Dan’er brought friends home.”
With her one movement, Mao Dan’er knew the situation.
The little friend straightened his dark and skinny little face, saying sternly: “Grandma, you sneaked sugar again!”
“You child, what do you mean sneaked!” Ning Lao Tai didn’t admit it.
“I saw it!” Mao Dan’er puffed his cheeks, his little brows furrowed tightly, “You put so much in, I saw a whole dark patch. Putting that much brown sugar in porridge, your teeth will all fall out.”
“Nonsense!” Ning Lao Tai pretended to be serious, “I brush twice a day, morning and night. My teeth are even better than yours.”
Not wanting to hear her dear grandson nag, she looked at Da Zai and Er Zai, “You two are the Gu Family’s twins, right? So handsome and neat.”
She didn’t forget Tie Chui, “This little guy looks sturdy and reliable too.”
The three little cubs grinned.
Da Zai spoke for them, his words clear and polite: “Hello, Grandma Ning. I’m Gu Da Zai. I’m Mao Dan’er’s good brother. We’re here to see Mao Dan’er home.”
Er Zai said in a loud voice: “I’m Er Zai.”
“…I’m Tie Chui.”
Ning Lao Tai loved excitement. Seeing these energetic little friends made her feel years younger.
“Good, good, good kids all.”
Mao Dan’er set down the tin thermos and said: “Grandma, this thermos is a defective product Lin Aunt brought back from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. She and Gu Nai Nai said to give it to us.”
He explained the situation fully to Ning Lao Tai.
Ning Lao Tai didn’t go out much but knew the village families and who Lin Aunt was.
“Grandma, Lin Aunt made Vegetable Boxes. I ate two, and she let me bring some back. I’ll cut them for you.” Mao Dan’er knew his grandma’s habit, took the Vegetable Box to the kitchen, cut them open with a knife, put them on a plate, grabbed a pair of chopsticks, and came back out.
Ning Lao Tai never touched food with her hands. It wasn’t pretentious; it was a habit from her girlhood that lasted a lifetime. Now, she wouldn’t change, and the elderly person wasn’t willing.
Besides, the family indulged her, and it didn’t bother anyone.
“Grandma, eat quick. It’s still hot. Lin Aunt’s skills are great. The Vegetable Boxes are especially delicious.”
The twins stood tall, faces full of pride.
Right, their mom was that awesome!
Ning Lao Tai knew from one look and a sniff that it was good.
She was born with a silver spoon. The first half of her life had no hardships. Later, when she sent off her black-haired son as a white-haired mother, she didn’t feel like she couldn’t go on. Her son sacrificed for the greater good of the nation, and she was proud of him.
Her daughter-in-law was gone, her old man gone, but she got through it. The dead were gone; the living had to live well.
What hadn’t she experienced in her life?
“Looks great.” Ning Lao Tai said smiling, “After your grandpa passed, I haven’t had many decent meals. Today, thanks to the Gu Family.”
Mao Dan’er said seriously: “Lin Aunt said she’ll teach me to cook from now on. Grandma, I’ll learn diligently and make them all for you.”
“I promised Grandpa I’d take good care of you.” Thinking of his grandpa, Mao Dan’er’s nose soured.
His grandpa was so good to him, knew how to do everything, made him bamboo frogs, bamboo dragonflies… and his cooking was delicious.
Just as the little guy was about to sink into melancholy, Ning Lao Tai stuffed a Vegetable Box into her mouth, squinting in delight at the taste.
Teasing her grandson: “Missing your grandpa?”
“Your grandpa worked hard his whole life. He wants to rest. Don’t make that face; let him rest in peace.”
Mao Dan’er hadn’t even gotten sad yet; that little spark of sorrow was doused by his grandma’s words, not a single ember left.
“…”
Ning Lao Tai thought the twins hadn’t exaggerated; their mom’s skills were indeed good.
So fragrant!
“Mao Dan’er, get me something.” Ning Lao Tai directed her grandson, “There are three jade gourds in the cosmetic box in my dressing table. Go get them.”
Mao Dan’er went without a word.
The Gu Family children grew up loved, never timid around people, bold and open. They looked around the Ning Family yard, comparing to their own, spotting differences.
Er Zai was a chatty baby. After the Ning grandma and grandson finished talking, he eagerly asked: “Grandma Ning, is that persimmon tree in your yard?”
His eyes black and bright, looking clever.
Ning Lao Tai smiled kindly, “Yes. Come September, it’ll bear persimmons. Come pick them then.”
Little friends don’t stand on ceremony; he’ll respond to what’s said.
“Thank you, Grandma Ning.” Er Zai thanked politely, not standing on ceremony, “I’ll come. Have Mao Dan’er call me then. The pomegranates at my grandma’s house are about to ripen. My second uncle said he’ll bring us the biggest reddest ones. I’ll share with Mao Dan’er too.”
Mao Dan’er heard this as soon as he came out, his heart warming, eyes curving in a smile.
“Er Zai, I know where there are bird eggs. Tomorrow I’ll take you to pick them.”
Er Zai’s eyes lit up, “Great!”
He turned to Da Zai, tone full of excitement, “Bro, Mao Dan’er knows where bird eggs are. Tomorrow we can roast bird eggs for Mom.”
Ning Lao Tai thought the little friend was greedy, but it was for their mom.
The old lady’s expression dazed a bit.
She remembered her son was so filial too, always thinking of good things for his mom.
“Grandma, jade gourds.” Mao Dan’er handed over the jade gourds.
Ning Lao Tai snapped back, took the jade gourds, and beckoned the twins and Tie Chui.
“Children, come here.”
The three little friends approached in a daze.
Ning Lao Tai gave each a jade gourd.
“Meeting gift. Keep it. Bring Mao Dan’er to play together from now on.” Her voice gentle, face smiling.
The little friends didn’t know the value, happily accepted.
“Thank you, Grandma Ning. This gourd is so pretty. Mao Dan’er is our good brother. We won’t let anyone bully him.” Da Zai said seriously.
Er Zai added: “Yeah, whoever bullies Mao Dan’er bullies me, Gu Er Zai. I’ll pound him!”
Tie Chui scratched his head bashfully, “I’ll listen to Da Zai and Er Zai.”
The three little boys’ temperaments were fully revealed.
Ning Lao Tai laughed heartily.
So fun.
“Mao Dan’er, what’s with your hair? Who cut it?” Only now did she think to ask.
Mao Dan’er wasn’t surprised, calmly answered: “The twins’ dad, Uncle Cheng Huai.”
“Pretty good job. Looks much more spirited. Hair covering the eyes was so gloomy, like a drowned male ghost in the river.” This was snark from his own grandma.
She said she’d cut it, but the boy wouldn’t let her.
Totally forgetting how terrible her skills were—uneven cuts were bad enough, but every time Mao Dan’er’s head ended up with extra nicks.
Hearing Grandma Ning’s description, the three young cubs covered their mouths, laughing loudly.
Mao Dan’er felt a bit embarrassed, but his mouth corners lifted.
The Ning home was always quiet; today it was really lively. He was so happy.
“Grandma Ning, Yuan Bao said there’s excitement at the village entrance. Can Mao Dan’er come watch with us?” Er Zai still remembered his little pal’s words.
“Sure.” Ning Lao Tai smiled.
“Mao Dan’er, Grandma Ning said yes. Let’s go quick!” Er Zai pulled Mao Dan’er outside.
Da Zai and Tie Chui hurried after.
What was the excitement at the village entrance?
Mao Dan’er remembered something, turned back to Ning Lao Tai: “Grandma, the Vegetable Boxes are for you. Eat them all. I’m full.”
Ning Lao Tai waved at him.
She ate one, saved the rest for evening with her grandson.
The four little friends reached the village entrance; the excitement Yuan Bao mentioned was long gone.
Er Zai’s round little head drooped. Da Huang saw his little master listless and swept his hand with his big tail.
The little friend grabbed the fluffy tail, rubbing it, his inner gloom dissipating quite a bit.
“Er Zai, what are you doing at the village entrance? Everyone went to the old dilapidated house at the foot of the mountain.” A passerby saw the few silly little cubs and spoke up.
Shaking his head as he left: even shit, they couldn’t get it hot.
