Chapter 39: “she Always Has People To Boss Around”
Her tone was serious, yet brimming with irrepressible joy.
Uncle Song stopped slurping his noodles and looked up at his wife, his forehead creased with deep lines.
“What good news?” he asked.
“Sister Zhaozhao has become a salesperson at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative!!” Aunt Song’s voice rose cheerfully, her face overflowing with smiles, utterly delighted.
Uncle Song’s hand tightened on his chopsticks, his expression one of surprise. “Really?”
“It couldn’t be fake! Sister Zhaozhao came specifically to tell us.”
Aunt Song recalled Sister Zhaozhao’s outfit that day and said with a smile, “Sister Zhaozhao was wearing a brand-new white shirt today, an ankle-length linen skirt, and a new watch on her wrist, which she said Cheng Huai sent the money for just yesterday, so she bought it.”
“That little face of hers was rosy-lipped and white-toothed, so pretty, without a hint of hardship, even better complexion than right after graduation. I can tell she’s living well. Now that she’s a salesperson, her days will definitely be even more comfortable.”
Uncle Song had always worried about Lin Zhao, his only niece.
Over these years, he hadn’t failed to find her work, but the jobs were all in the workshop, standing for hours on end—stifling hot in summer, tough in winter. A young girl would get cracked hands after just a few days.
He could endure hardship himself, but he couldn’t bear for his Zhaozhao to suffer like that. He wanted to find her something easy and respectable.
But.
Jobs in the county were one radish one pit; ordinary work was hard to find, and something easy and respectable like salesperson was even harder.
“It’s definitely good news.” Uncle Song let out a heavy breath, the big stone weighing on his heart finally lifted. “Did Cheng Huai help find it?”
Aunt Song nodded. “It was just a lucky coincidence.”
“Cheng Huai has a comrade whose older brother-in-law is the director at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. They were just expanding and needed two more salespeople. Our Zhaozhao is a high school student, with connections and education—the job was hers.”
Uncle Song knew the whole story and felt Zhaozhao was lucky. “She’s always had good luck.”
Having worked all day had made him hungry indeed. He slurped two big mouthfuls of noodles, then remembered something and asked Uncle Song again, “How did Zhaozhao eat lunch?”
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll have Yun Cheng deliver it to her.” Yun Cheng was a temporary worker, not too busy. When he got busy, she’d have Yun Jin do it. Aunt Song already had it planned.
Song Yuncheng: “…” Biological mother?
Song Yunjin: QAQ
Uncle Song grunted in agreement. “I’ll leave the bicycle behind.”
The sun slowly set, the western sky and vast swaths of clouds dyed orange-red.
Riding a bicycle was much faster than walking, though it did chafe the buttocks.
“Yun Cheng, have you found work yet?” Lin Zhao shifted her body, trying to distract herself.
Hey, looking down on who!?
Song Yuncheng brushed back the hair from his forehead and said, “Sis, you think I’m like you?”
“I’m not as spoiled as you. I can do any job. Finding work for me is simple as pie.”
Lin Zhao swung her feet, not angry—she was spoiled and couldn’t handle hardship.
Song Yuncheng pedaled on, continuing, “I got into the motor factory, temporary worker. I reckon I’ll become permanent next year.”
“Right, you’re a formal worker, aren’t you?” he asked.
Lin Zhao nodded, realizing Yun Cheng couldn’t see, and said, “Set in stone.”
That’s what they call having someone inside helping out.
“Really enviable.” Song Yuncheng’s tone was full of envy.
“You didn’t ask Uncle to think of a way for you?”
Song Yuncheng burst out laughing. “Sis, you mean using connections? I wouldn’t dare mention it. If I did, Dad would beat me to death. Old Song’s temper is as explosive as Aunt’s, and his beatings hurt. I’ll just grind it out slowly.”
Lin Zhao twisted his arm.
The biking youth’s face twisted in pain, hissing.
“Sis, biological sis, you trying to strangle me?” Song Yuncheng nearly jumped off the bike.
“For your nonsense!” Lin Zhao rubbed the spot she’d pinched, saying irritably, “Mom and Uncle both have good tempers, never raise their voices. Where’s the explosive temper?”
Both have good tempers?!!
Song Yuncheng’s arm twitched, and the bike handle wobbled side to side.
After steadying it, he turned his head, face full of shock. “That’s not explosive?!”
Thinking of how his dad spoke softly to Sister Zhaozhao, always smiling, he switched to a knowing expression. “Fair enough. Dad’s never fierce with you, always grinning at you…”
The youth muttered discontentedly, “Who’s the biological one, anyway.”
Song Yuncheng brought Lin Zhao back to the brigade.
He was a stranger, looking sharp and riding a bicycle; the village aunts immediately zeroed in on him.
When they saw Lin Zhao on the back seat, their expressions changed instantly, eyes full of undisguisable curiosity.
Song Yuncheng’s mind turned, immediately guessing what they were thinking.
He called out loudly, “Sis, we’re here.”
This “sis” rang out exceptionally bright.
Sis?
Lin Zhao has a younger brother!?
The Brigade Leader’s Wife stepped forward, smiling. “Cheng Huai’s Wife, you have a younger brother? I thought you only had three older brothers.”
Nonsense, she clearly had four older brothers!!
Not wanting the villagers to gossip and spread family matters, Lin Zhao said no more.
“This is my cousin. Aunt Song had him bring me back.”
The Brigade Leader’s Wife nodded. “So he’s from your uncle’s family.”
Lin Zhao was high-profile about having a powerful city uncle; everyone in the brigade knew.
Because of that, no one dared mess with her.
The Brigade Leader’s Wife eyed Song Yuncheng, eyes gleaming, and pressed, “Young man, got a girlfriend? If not, Auntie can introduce you.”
“Sure.” Song Yuncheng actually agreed, then rattled on, “My family has three workers. The girl Auntie introduces has a job too, right?”
The Brigade Leader’s Wife choked, her smile fading instantly.
She was from the countryside—where was she to find one with a job?
The whole brigade had only produced Lin Zhao with an iron rice bowl.
“Your standards are pretty high.”
Song Yuncheng looked disapproving. “Not high. Where’s high? My family has three…”
He casually held up three fingers. “Three workers, all with iron rice bowls. Asking for the girl to have a job isn’t over the top.”
“In the city, no job means no grain; no grain means no food. That’s reality—you can’t ignore it.”
Hearing this, the Brigade Leader’s Wife and the village aunts felt he had a point.
“Yeah.”
“With three workers at home, wanting a girlfriend with a job isn’t over the top.”
Song Yuncheng nodded seriously. Yeah, not over the top.
Behind the enthusiastic matchmakers, he winked at Lin Zhao.
His brows arched, eyes starry, flashing a row of white teeth—the youthful vigor hit full force.
“Home.” Lin Zhao beckoned him.
“…” Sis, can you not call me like summoning a dog.
Song Yuncheng’s gaze turned resentful.
He obediently followed.
He didn’t rush back to the county because he wanted to see Da Zai and the others.
When he got home, his parents would definitely ask; if he couldn’t answer, they’d disdain him.
Song Yuncheng and Lin Zhao went to the Gu family home. Seeing the earthen house before him, he froze, face full of disbelief and some heartache for his sis.
“Sis, you live here?”
“Yeah, this is my home.” Lin Zhao nodded frankly, shooting him a threatening glance. “What, my home not worthy of you visiting?”
Song Yuncheng didn’t mean that and huffily pushed the bike inside.
He was so stupid.
Heartache my foot.
Seeing strangers enter, Da Huang’s ears perked up; he barked, baring sharp teeth in a threatening growl.
Amber stood by her mom, barking too, looking fierce and milky.
“Da Huang, Amber, they’re family.” Lin Zhao said.
Da Huang really had spiritual energy; as soon as she spoke, he stopped barking and came forward with Amber, tails wagging wildly around their female owner.
“Sis, you have dogs? You actually have dogs!?” Song Yuncheng’s voice rose higher each time, frowning worriedly. “Sis, are you eating enough?”
Lin Zhao thought he was talking nonsense. “Of course I’m eating enough. If I weren’t, how could I keep dogs? My brain’s not broken.”
Song Yuncheng relaxed, staring at Da Huang and Amber with some disdain. “So ugly.”
After catching his sis’s glare, he changed his tune. “…Look pretty clever.”
Lin Zhao satisfactorily withdrew her gaze and petted each dog’s head in turn.
Song Yuncheng asked, “Sis, where are Da Zai and them?”
“Probably playing at the old house or in the village.” Lin Zhao said.
“I’ll go find them!” Song Yuncheng dashed off excitedly, thinking kids loved bike rides, so he pushed the bike out and rode around the village looking for Da Zai and the others.
Lin Zhao saw it was getting late, washed her hands and face, and went to the kitchen to cook.
She’d drawn two bags of braised beef noodles in the lucky draw; the flatbreads weren’t small, so she boiled them all, added extra eggs, some green vegetables—should be enough.
Enough or not, whatever; it was convenient.
Yun Cheng still had to head back to the county later.
Song Yuncheng pedaled the bicycle leisurely around the village looking for Da Zai and Er Zai, calling out loudly.
“Da Zai!”
“Er Zai!!”
Da Zai and Er Zai were splitting canned food with Tie Chui, cheeks bulging as they ate. Hearing their names called, they clutched their cans and followed the voice.
They saw a stranger.
Er Zai spotted Song Yuncheng… and his bicycle; his eyes lit up. He wiped his mouth and hurried over, staring at the bike.
“Bro, come look at the bicycle!”
After calling his brother, he looked up at Song Yuncheng without shyness. “Who are you? What are you doing in our brigade? How much did this bicycle cost?”
The little friend’s eyes were bright as stars fallen within, his smile cute and lively, very endearing.
Song Yuncheng liked him at first sight and smiled. “Are you Da Zai or Er Zai?”
Er Zai was a clever one and wouldn’t easily say who he was; he stood with arms crossed, chin slightly raised.
“I asked first. You say who you are, and I’ll consider if I want to be friends with you.”
Song Yuncheng saw the kid’s cocky pose and nearly burst out laughing internally.
“…Cough, I’m your uncle.” he said.
“?!” A big question mark popped on Er Zai’s face.
Uncle?
He huddled shoulder-to-shoulder with Da Zai, whispering to his bro, “Bro, this guy’s definitely a nasty kidnapper pretending to be uncle. We’ll trick him to brigade headquarters, let the Brigade Leader catch him, so he never tricks kids again!”
Er Zai’s voice was loud; even whispering, it wasn’t quiet.
Song Yuncheng heard every word.
“…!!” The youth’s mouth twitched.
First meeting, and his own nephew loudly plotting to turn him in!!
“I really am your uncle. Don’t believe me? Go home and ask your mom.” Song Yuncheng felt helpless and bitter.
Da Zai and Er Zai froze, then their faces lit up; the two little brothers joined hands and bolted.
Straight home.
Seeing the door open, their smiles shone brighter than the sun.
“Mom!”
“Mom!!”
Two voices, joyful and excited, drew near.
“Mom, you’re back!” Er Zai rushed to the kitchen door and shouted, “Mom, why didn’t you call me and Bro when you got back? We’ve been waiting forever, waiting till we’re starving.”
Smelling the aroma from the kitchen, his saliva nearly dripped.
“Mom, what are you cooking? Smells so good. Is there some for me and Bro?!”
Da Zai remembered Song Yuncheng and clung to the doorframe, peeking his little head in. “Mom, a weirdo on a bicycle says he’s our uncle. Do we have this uncle?”
What this uncle that uncle—Lin Zhao thought the little friend talked so amusingly.
“Yeah, the one who rode the bicycle to find you is your uncle too. Besides him, you have another little uncle, but he’s still in school. When there’s a chance, I’ll take you to see him.”
Da Zai’s voice was crisp. “Okay.”
“Mom, Er Zai’s belly is starving flat. I wanna eat.” Er Zai clutched his gurgling belly, coquettishly pleading with his mom.
“Dinner’s ready. Take your uncle to wash hands.” Lin Zhao ordered, ladling the cooked noodles into bowls.
Song Yuncheng hadn’t planned to mooch a meal, though the aroma from the kitchen made him swallow involuntarily.
“Sis, it’s late. I’ll go home to eat.”
“No nonsense!” Lin Zhao glared at him.
Song Yuncheng shut up, touched his nose, and obediently followed Er Zai to wash hands.
Er Zai sneaked a grin.
The uncle ruffled his nephew’s head. “Where’s your hair?” he asked while washing.
Er Zai scratched his prickly head. “The barber shaved it. Mom says bald is cooler.”
Song Yuncheng didn’t quite believe it—probably little critters on their heads, and his sis was disgusted.
Da Zai dried his hands with a towel, glancing at the new uncle now and then. “How come I never saw you before?”
“Ask your mom.” Song Yuncheng kicked the ball back.
Da Zai pursed his lips and said nothing.
No need to ask—Mom must be too busy taking care of them to introduce this uncle.
After washing, Song Yuncheng and the two boys went to serve the meal.
Once in the kitchen, the aroma was even richer.
This smell was indescribable.
All three were dazed by it!!
They squinted with smiles, noses twitching rapidly, as if to suck all the fragrance into their chests.
One big, two small—expressions in sync.
“Sis, your cooking skills are getting better and better. Smells amazing; must taste even better.” Song Yuncheng recalled before, how Sister Zhaozhao occasionally cooked, casually thrown together yet tastier than his mom’s careful efforts.
His dad said it was talent.
Spot on.
“Eat quick. After, you gotta head back to the county. Leave early to avoid riding in the dark.” Lin Zhao said.
Song Yuncheng nodded, dove into the noodles, stuffing a chopstickful of twirled strands into his mouth. His pupils dilated as he gave a thumbs-up.
“Amazing!!”
One compliment, then he scarfed it down.
Da Zai and Er Zai were starving too, faces in bowls, slurping away, too delicious for words.
Song Yuncheng was a city kid, sure, but rarely ate so comfortably.
One bowl down, he patted his belly standing up. “So comfy!”
Seeing Da Zai and Er Zai clearing bowls and chopsticks, he hurried to help.
Da Zai held out a hand to stop him. “Mom says uncle’s rushing back to the county. Er Zai and I will clean up.”
Song Yuncheng thought the two nephews’ movements were too practiced and asked curiously, “Usually you two wash dishes too?”
Da Zai calmly nodded his little head. “Mom works hard. Er Zai and I can wash.”
Song Yuncheng felt, compared to the two boys, he was so useless.
“You guys are awesome.” he praised.
His sis used to boss him and Yun Jin around; now it was Da Zai and Er Zai.
She always had people to boss.
Received tons of tickets and good reviews—thank you so much for the support, Treasured Ones~~!!
So encouraged.
The author wishes she could tie her ponytail to the roof and type 24/7, but as a wage slave she still has to go to work, with only a few hours at night to write. Can’t add updates for now, wuwuwu.
But I’m saving up—explosive updates at month’s end, owing y’all for now.
Thanks again, Treasured Ones. Love you~(ε)
