Chapter 204: “have You Lost Your Mind?”
Lin Zhao glanced at the things Zhao Liuniang brought, “For me?”
“Yes.” Zhao Liuniang was a bit embarrassed, “There’s nothing good at home, just vegetables are the most. This pumpkin is the biggest in the field. Qian Bao and Yao Bao love drinking pumpkin porridge the most, right? This pumpkin is sweet, give it to them to eat.”
She also knew the value of these vegetables; they couldn’t be exchanged for much oil, but there really were no valuable things at home.
In the countryside, it’s hard to make money; no coupons if you need them, no money if you need it, tight all year round.
Lin Zhao praised, “The vegetables Second Sister-in-law grows are really fresh and tender.”
Her own backyard also had vegetables, but not many varieties. Usually, if she wanted to eat something else, she would swap with the villagers.
Seeing that Third Sister-in-law didn’t mind, Zhao Liuniang felt more at ease, “This is just a little skill of mine.”
Several people arrived at the Gu Family’s new yard.
Yu Bao and the others had already finished eating the pig head meat in their bowls.
Little friend Yu Bao was very diligent; he casually washed the bowls and chopsticks clean and put them in the cupboard. Now he was looking at picture books with Heng Bao and the others.
Seeing people coming home, the little ones all shouted greetings.
Zhao Liuniang sighed, “Looking at books again. Not surprisingly, they are your parents’ sons; they just love learning.”
Yu Bao smiled politely.
Heng Bao quickly showed off: “We are Daddy and Mommy’s sons, of course we love learning just like Daddy and Mommy.”
After saying that, he lowered his head to look at the book.
Lin Zhao went to the kitchen and took out the oil pot from the cupboard, dividing four taels of oil for Zhao Liuniang.
Zhao Liuniang’s expectation was two taels; she didn’t expect Third Sister-in-law to be so generous.
She heard that city workers only get four taels of oil coupons per month!
If used sparingly, it could last more than a month.
“Third Sister-in-law, do you have any work to do?” Zhao Liuniang took the oil can, her face full of excitement, eyes shining.
“I’ll help you! Do the bed sheets need washing? Don’t be polite. Eldest Sister has no time to come; I can help. We rural people have plenty of strength. Don’t stand on ceremony with me; make full use of me!”
Lin Zhao looked pleased, “There are bed sheets that were just changed…”
“I’ll do it!” Zhao Liuniang immediately responded.
Yu Bao ran into the room thud thud thud, dragging out a bamboo basket full of bed sheets and covers.
He tilted his little face up, “Second Aunt, all here.”
The Third Branch had many people; every time they changed, they changed three sets, and Lin Zhao also changed the ones in the guest room, so the bamboo basket was full.
“Okay.” Zhao Liuniang didn’t think it was too much; she just thought the Third Branch’s bed sheets had really nice patterns, all new-looking with few patches, unlike her own, which she didn’t dare wash hard; a little force and they would shred into cloth scraps.
“These bed sheets are really good.” Her expression showed envy, but not jealousy.
They were all from lucky draws; how could they not be good? Most importantly, not only were they good, the patterns weren’t exaggerated either.
Lin Zhao smiled, “They are all defective product cloth.”
“Defective products are still very good; ordinary people can’t even get defective products.” Zhao Liuniang said.
Cloth coupons were harder to get than sugar tickets.
Yu Bao brought soap and put it in the bamboo basket, “Second Aunt, use soap to wash; my mom likes clothes and bed sheets to smell nice.”
Zhao Liuniang’s eyes widened, her heart aching with distress.
Such a wasteful thing!
Washing bed sheets with soap!!
“So wasteful of soap; washing with soapberry washes just as clean.”
She touched that soap that had shrunk by two circles, her face full of heartache.
Lin Zhao: “It’s fine; we don’t lack soap at home.”
Zhao Liuniang immediately stopped talking.
…Alright then.
Third Sister-in-law works at the supply and marketing cooperative; no one would lack them, the salespeople.
She didn’t say more nonsense; one hand holding the oil can, one hand carrying the bamboo basket, she walked out.
First, put the precious oil can back in the room, then go to the river to wash the bed sheets.
Knowing the Third Branch’s bed sheets were very eye-catching, she didn’t dare go where there were crowds; she found a remote big stone, plopped her buttocks down, and started washing hmph hmph.
Oh, such good fabric; it’s good just to touch it.
Doing hard labor, but her face was full of smiles, looking very happy.
When she finished washing and went back, just reaching the brick and tile house door, she smelled an intensely fragrant aroma.
This smell could make people dizzy with fragrance.
She pushed the door and entered the yard.
Several little radish heads were clinging to the kitchen window, peering inside eagerly; beside them were one big and one small dog, and that golden snub-nosed monkey called Xiao Jin was sitting cross-legged on Yu Bao’s head, occasionally bouncing down to stretch and pat Yu Bao’s head, looking very excited too.
“…What are you kids doing?” Zhao Liuniang hugged the wooden basin, looking toward the kids.
“My mom is frying beltfish!” Heng Bao answered in between.
“Beltfish?” Zhao Liuniang had never heard of it, never eaten it; definitely something city people eat.
She didn’t say more, went straight to the backyard, wiped the clothesline clean, hung up the bed sheets and covers, and walked to the front yard.
She shouted toward the kitchen: “Third Sister-in-law, the bed sheets and covers are hung up; don’t forget to take them in at night. I’m heading out first.”
Just as she finished speaking, Lin Zhao came out of the kitchen, holding a porcelain bowl in her hand.
“Hard work, Second Sister-in-law. Take these pieces of beltfish home.”
Lin Zhao stuffed the bowl into Second Sister-in-law’s hands and turned back to the kitchen.
How domineering is the smell of fried food? No need for words; Zhao Liuniang, whose stomach lacked oil and water, smelled it head-on and was directly dazed by the fragrance.
Her nose twitched hard, as if to suck all the fragrance into her stomach.
She swallowed some saliva, with difficulty shifted her gaze to Lin Zhao, her voice full of joy.
“Thanks, Third Sister-in-law. I’ll have Bang Bang and Lai Mei pick firewood for you, stack it high for you; guaranteed you’ll have firewood to burn all winter.”
Lin Zhao didn’t refuse, “Good, we do lack firewood at home. Don’t let them pick for nothing; I’ll swap things with you.”
“No need!” Zhao Liuniang said, “They also eat the oil you gave, and this… fried fish. What status people are they? To have this blessing! To eat fish that city people eat, who needs a bicycle.”
After saying that, she left a message that Bang Bang would return the bowl later, and left in a gust of wind.
She carried the fish out of the Gu Family door; after a few steps, she was surrounded by village adults and children.
“Fish Fish’s mom, what did you get? It smells so good!”
“Yeah, what is Yu Bao’s mom making again? I smelled it from far away; looks like fish, is it fish?” The aunt speaking looked closely at the bowl in Zhao Liuniang’s hand, very close, “Shiny with oil, fried in oil? Hiss, is your Third Sister-in-law not watching the household?!”
Another person also looked heartbroken, “Yeah, that much oil; my family could eat it for half a month!”
They had expressions of real wastefulness.
Zhao Liuniang also thought it wasteful, but didn’t like hearing villagers say it; she turned away, not letting them look more, and directly retorted: “My Third Sister-in-law has work, Third Brother has allowance, her maternal family has several brothers with work, they subsidize her from time to time; what can’t she afford? Not to mention fried fish; even delicacies from land and sea she can afford. No way around it; who let her have good fortune.”
“Before Third Brother went back to the troops, he said let you mother and children eat whatever you want, don’t save; if there’s something you think of but can’t get, send him a telegram, he’ll get it… Third Sister-in-law’s Third Brother also said that. With this, do you think she needs to scrimp and save, reluctant to eat or wear?”
Everyone thought, yeah, no need indeed.
In an instant, moods were very complicated.
“Your Third Sister-in-law does have good fortune; none of the brigade’s girls have fortune as good as hers.” The one who lectured before said.
If it were her, she wouldn’t scrimp either; nothing lacking at home, definitely wouldn’t even calculate on food and drink.
Seeing these people convinced, a flash of pride in Zhao Liuniang’s eyes; she puffed out her chest high and strode away.
Walking along, Yuan Bao’s mother chased up to her.
“Fish Fish’s mom, your Third Sister-in-law gave you quite a bit of oil today, right?”
Zhao Liuniang stopped, looking at her warily, and countered: “Who told you?”
This woman’s tone was certain; no need to deny.
“Don’t look at me like that, as if I’m some second rascal always staring at you.” Yuan Bao’s mother was amused and exasperated, softening her voice to explain, “I saw it…”
“You holding the oil can, your smile almost splitting to the back of your head; so obvious, if I couldn’t see it, no need for the pair of eyes under my eyebrows!”
Zhao Liuniang was stunned; she didn’t expect it was because her smile was too bright.
Her expression eased, “You know, the Gu Family just separated households, and it’s near the end of the month; the oil at home was empty early. Stomachs already lacked oil and water; eating more plain boiled vegetables, I was afraid Husband wouldn’t have strength to work. So I had to thicken my face and ask Third Sister-in-law. Third Sister-in-law is good; knowing the oil can at home was empty, she divided me a few taels.”
“Why are you asking this? Your home out of oil too?!”
“You bet.” Yuan Bao’s mother revealed her purpose, “Give me one tael; I’ll pay you back next month.”
Zhao Liuniang was baffled, “You’re asking me? Why not directly ask my Third Sister-in-law?!”
Yuan Bao’s mother: “How could I have the face.”
She stood in front of Lin Zhao and couldn’t even speak.
“You’re fine asking me?” Zhao Liuniang rolled her eyes.
What kind of person; really picks the soft ones to pinch.
She pretended to be annoyed and turned to walk forward.
Yuan Bao’s mother hurried to chase, “The way you say it, isn’t it because our relationship is good!”
Seeing Zhao Liuniang unmoved, she continued saying nice words.
“No one else has your capability.”
Zhao Liuniang’s mouth corners curved up; mouth saying: “The capable one is my Third Sister-in-law.”
She knew her own weight.
Yuan Bao’s mother had a different view, “You getting along well with her is your capability! Why can’t your sister-in-law even enter the Third Branch’s door? Isn’t it because she’s unlikeable, no capability!”
Not to mention other things, in terms of getting along with people, Liuniang was formidable.
Zhao Liuniang was happy inside and relented: “Fine, I’ll give you one tael.”
Before Yuan Bao’s mother could speak, she reminded, “Pay me back next month.”
“Definitely.”
Zhao Liuniang said seriously: “Don’t tell others; I’m afraid everyone will come borrow from me. I only have four taels total.”
“Definitely won’t blab.” Yuan Bao’s mother knew the score.
Villagers inconvenient to go to county; borrowing salt or oil normal, but if all came to Liuniang, it would trouble her; harming others without benefit, no.
“I’ll have Yuan Bao come get it; no one will notice.”
Zhao Liuniang didn’t think their caution exaggerated, “…Good.”
Having resolved the most worrying matter, Yuan Bao’s mother brought up the big gossip she just heard, “Did you hear? The family where your sister-in-law stays is making a fuss.”
Zhao Liuniang looked over, “Second Branch?”
The Second Branch here referred to Gu Lao Taitai’s Second Branch.
“Yeah, listen to me tell you…” Yuan Bao’s mother excitedly started.
“Your sister-in-law isn’t staying in Second Branch? She doesn’t do any proper work all day, even robs eggs from children, goes idling in the county every day, only returns after sunset.
Your Second Aunt had been tolerating before; don’t know why suddenly she couldn’t tolerate anymore, wants to drive your sister-in-law out. Gu Lao Taitai unhappy; when I came over, your Second Aunt was about to hang herself…”
Zhao Liuniang’s pupils dilated, “What? It’s reached this point!”
She hurriedly rushed home, put down things, then hurriedly came out again, rushing toward Second Branch.
Such big gossip, couldn’t miss it.
When she arrived, many people at the door; some pulling apart fights, some watching the excitement.
Zhao Liuniang didn’t dare get too close, afraid of inexplicably getting involved.
Anything about sister-in-law, she wished to stay far away; if not for the excitement, she wouldn’t come.
Gu Family Second Branch’s yard door wide open.
Inside was lively.
Gu Xing’er covered her bleeding arm, hiding behind Gu Lao Taitai, mouth nonstop clamoring, “Grandma, look at my Second Aunt; she took a knife to chop me! She wants my life! I want to report to the police!”
Just as words fell, Gu Er Shen threw a stone at her.
“Ah!” Gu Xing’er screamed, whole body shrinking behind Gu Lao Taitai, using her own grandma as a shield.
Gu Er Shen didn’t dare hurt mother-in-law; naturally threw the stone off to the side.
Didn’t hit Gu Lao Taitai.
She coldly glanced at Gu Xing’er, thinking that face was truly detestable.
Gu Er Shen looked at Gu Lao Taitai and said: “Mom, open your eyes and see; this is the granddaughter you spoiled and raised. She uses you as a shield; do you still want to protect her?”
“Gu Xing’er is just a heartless beast!”
“She can even abandon her own parents, says sever relations and severs them; she’s a venomous snake. I absolutely disagree with her registering household here!”
Gu Lao Taitai heard her spit this out, face blackened.
So embarrassing; the family’s face to be completely lost! If this spreads, how will Xing’er marry.
Dissatisfiedly looked at Second Son’s wife.
Gu Er Shen’s voice wasn’t small; the people pulling apart were dumbfounded.
“…What does sever relations mean?” Someone asked in a high-pitched tone, full of surprise.
“Oh, everyone doesn’t know yet?” Gu Er Shen full of sarcasm, “Gu Xing’er published in the newspaper severing relations with First Branch!”
Everyone shocked.
“What?!”
“Real or fake?”
“Never heard; when did it happen?”
…
Members spat out one question after another; looks at Gu Xing’er like looking at some monster.
Gu Xing’er annoyed, “What are you looking at! Nothing to see!!”
“Who let them be biased! I just want to sever relations with them!”
“Gu Qingzhou and I are both their biological children; at separation, why did Gu Qingzhou get fifty more than me? They don’t like me; I hate them too!”
She huffed, “Leaving them I can live better; from now on that family won’t get to ride my coattails.”
People present had twitching mouth corners.
Gu Xing’er going mad?
Her.
Hilarious!!
Old Gu Family relies on anyone but not her; with Third Branch couple there, what business of hers.
Can’t tell big from small jacks.
Zhao Liuniang thought the same; looked at Gu Xing’er like a fool, speechless to death.
Village elders couldn’t stand it, transformed into messengers of justice.
Scolded Gu Xing’er.
“You’re too heartless; your parents worked hard to raise you, even supported your schooling. Which girl in the village went to junior high? Your schooling went to the dog’s belly!”
Gu Xing’er was haughty to family, but facing outsiders, especially those with some status, was quite obedient.
The speaker had high seniority, many children and grandchildren; she didn’t dare confront, afraid of angering to illness.
So pretended not to hear.
Gu Lao Taitai felt ashamed, turned to curse Gu Er Shen, “What are you making noise doing, only doing things not presentable. What can’t be said behind closed doors; making whole village know… You have face, huh.”
Gu Er Shen thought, behind closed doors how to make things clear.
“If I had a way, would I make a scene?”
“Mom, consider me begging you; let’s live our own peaceful days, don’t mind Gu Xing’er’s matters anymore. She has so many ideas; let her handle her own affairs, you just don’t interfere!!”
“Still the same words: Gu Xing’er don’t think of entering my household; I won’t agree!!”
Today no matter what, she absolutely wouldn’t let Gu Xing’er enter her household.
This is a troublemaker; who knows what disaster she’ll cause!
Most importantly, home is tight; where’s the grain to feed Gu Xing’er this outsider!!
Gu Xing’er had been chopped on the arm by Second Aunt before, harbored deep grudge against her, also didn’t want to move household to Second Uncle’s home.
She had an uncaring expression.
“Who cares.”
Gu Xing’er smug, “Soon I’ll be a city person; wouldn’t care to enter your household…”
