Chapter 17 - 7: "Kill Two Birds with One Stone

Chapter 17: Chapter 7: "Kill Two Birds with One Stone

Lin Zhao ruffled her two little ones’ hair. ’Kids this age copy everything. They’re so cute.’

Tie Niu whooshed over to Er Zai, his face full of envy, and exclaimed, "Er Zai, you’re having dumplings?"

He was practically drooling.

"Yup, my mom is making dumplings today," Er Zai said, beaming as he proudly showed off.

Lin Zhao didn’t stop him. ’Her kids have heard more than their fair share of mockery from the villagers behind their backs. What’s wrong with showing off a little?’

"What kind of filling is your mom making?" Tie Niu asked, wiping the corner of his mouth.

"Pork and green onion." Er Zai was the most enthusiastic little eater, so he had already asked his mom what kind of filling they’d be having today.

’Pork and green onion.’

’It must be all meat!’

Tie Niu’s eyes turned red with envy. "Your mom is so nice. I want to eat dumplings too. The New Year is still so far away." His tone was a mix of melancholy and regret.

His family was one of the better-off ones; they could afford a meal of dumplings at the end of the year. Other families in the village couldn’t bear to use the fine flour, as all fine grains had to be traded for coarse ones.

"My mom’s the best! She’s the best mom in the whole production brigade!" Er Zai declared proudly, craning his neck high.

It was the first time he had ever felt proud of how well his mother treated them. His face grew hot with happiness, but his skin was too dark for anyone to see the blush.

The envy on their friends’ faces stirred a strange new emotion in Er Zai and Da Zai. It was indescribable—partly happy, but also making them want to cry.

They squeezed Lin Zhao’s hand a little tighter, all they could do was grin from ear to ear.

"The sun’s killing me, let’s go home," Lin Zhao urged. She rarely went out in this scorching weather and could feel her face burning.

The family of five quickened their pace and headed home.

At the Gu Family’s old house, the old couple stared at the things Lin Zhao had brought, looking at each other in disbelief.

’This is the first time.’

’The first time they had ever received a gift from their third son’s wife.’

Father Gu wanted to say that his third son’s wife had become more sensible, but he had always been a quiet man. His chapped lips moved, but he couldn’t force out a single word.

Mother Gu sat there, staring blankly at the small bundle containing meat buns and brown sugar. It felt like a dream.

"You have no idea, I nearly had a heart attack when I saw our third son’s wife show up with something. When does she ever not come empty-handed? Seeing her suddenly bring a gift, I thought she was plotting something big... getting ready to cause a scene. It scared me so much, my heart was pounding out of my chest."

"Old man, what do you think is going on with our third son’s wife? She isn’t holding something over us, is she?" Mother Gu’s mind was a mess. Her heart had been unsettled since yesterday.

’What mother-in-law has to be so wary of her daughter-in-law?’ Mother Gu felt truly aggrieved.

Father Gu was more laid-back. "What’s the point of overthinking it? She gave it to you, so just take it. Even if our third son’s wife really does come asking for a favor, are you going to say no?"

"...Of course I’d have to help," Mother Gu replied. "I’d have to help for the sake of the children."

’Thinking about it that way, she has us right where she wants us.’

The Gu Family hadn’t eaten meat in two months. On top of that, the recent farm work had been heavy and exhausting. Father Gu was craving the taste of meat, too. If it weren’t right there, he could have endured it, but with the meat buns sitting there looking so fresh and tempting, he found it hard to resist.

"We should buy some meat another day to replenish our strength," Father Gu said after gulping down some water.

’Meat rations are so hard to come by,’ Mother Gu thought to herself.

She also felt bad for the man of the house. At his age, the farm work was really taking a toll on him.

Mother Gu stood up, walked to the cabinet, and opened the paper package. The aromas of wheat and meat rushed into her nostrils.

Swallowing hard, she took out a meat bun and pressed it into her husband’s hands.

"There are three buns. You eat one, and we’ll save the other two for the kids at home."

Father Gu accepted it with a chuckle. He broke the bun in two and gave half to his wife. "Let’s eat together."

After speaking, he took a bite and let out a long, satisfied sigh.

"This is the taste. It’s so good."

He had been craving this for years but could never bring himself to buy one.

Mother Gu also ate her piece of the bun. "It is good," she said. "White flour and meat are both delicious on their own, but even better together."

In those days, every family was poor, and everyone’s nose was as sensitive as radar.

Tie Dan from the Gu family’s eldest branch was passing his grandparents’ room when he caught the scent of meat. He stopped in his tracks, sniffed the air, and exclaimed excitedly, "I smell meat!"

His shout brought all the other children running out.

They were all chattering noisily.

Father and Mother Gu had four sons and two daughters—

The eldest son was Gu Yuanshan, married to Huang Xiulan. The couple had a daughter and two sons. Their daughter, Gu Lan, was twelve, and their sons, aged seven and five, were named Tie Dan and Tie Chui, respectively.

The second son was Gu Yucheng, married to Zhao Liuniang. They had two sons and one daughter: eleven-year-old Bangbang, eight-year-old Laimei, and two-year-old Yu Yu.