Chapter 74 ☆ Sour beans

The three of them, each with their own thoughts, chatted until late into the night before falling asleep. Cheng Yaoyao, not used to sharing a bed, woke up early the next morning. She vaguely felt someone beside her and instinctively tried to move closer to Xie Zhao, but realized she was in the wrong place.

Opening her eyes, Cheng Yaoyao saw she had accidentally pressed her legs against Han Yin. Han Yin had kicked off the blanket and was comfortably resting on the edge of the bed. Cheng Yaoyao quickly moved away and saw the blanket beside her neatly folded, but Zhang Xiaofeng was missing.

Panicking, Cheng Yaoyao shook Han Yin awake: “Wake up! Zhang Xiaofeng is gone!”

“Stop making noise…” Han Yin mumbled, barely opening her eyes.

Desperate, Cheng Yaoyao lifted the mosquito net and saw Zhang Xiaofeng standing by the desk. Hearing the commotion, she turned around with a smile and asked, “What’s wrong?”

In the morning light, Zhang Xiaofeng looked upbeat, with only slight swelling under her eyes. Cheng Yaoyao blinked in surprise: “You…”

Zhang Xiaofeng smiled nonchalantly, “Don’t worry. Things are what they are. It’s a choice between crying or laughing, so why not just live well and not let the person who reported me find any satisfaction?”

“Well! I’m glad you’re thinking positively,” Cheng Yaoyao said, feeling uplifted by Zhang Xiaofeng’s optimism.

Zhang Xiaofeng held up a textbook and said, “By the way, I read your book.”

Cheng Yaoyao got out of bed and walked to Zhang Xiaofeng in slippers, noting a math textbook among the few books on the desk. She had already put away anything potentially troublesome.

Cheng Yaoyao smiled and said, “It’s fine, feel free to look through them.”

Zhang Xiaofeng had been diligent in the dormitory for educated youths, always reading after work despite the exhaustion. Seeing so many books now felt like a blessing. She read eagerly.

Cheng Yaoyao poured two cups of water and handed one to Zhang Xiaofeng. As she drank, she felt the tension lift and her body lighten.

Zhang Xiaofeng came back to herself and said, “This water…”

Cheng Yaoyao said, “It’s good to drink water in the morning to refresh yourself.”

“Yes, I feel much better after drinking it.” Zhang Xiaofeng observed the tea set on the table—simple yet elegant.

Zhang Xiaofeng smiled, “You’re really living well with the Xie family. Look at all the nice furniture. They really treat you well.”

Cheng Yaoyao, combing her thick, black hair by the window, casually replied, “Of course. I’m grateful to Grandma for taking such good care of me.”

“You’re lucky. Everyone seems to adore you.” Zhang Xiaofeng turned back to the books and asked, “Where did you get all these books?”

In the educated youth dormitory, Cheng Yaoyao had only a red book in her luggage.

Cheng Yaoyao played dumb and said, “My father sent them to me. He mentioned that students in Shanghai have resumed studying, though he’s not sure why.”

Zhang Xiaofeng’s face changed as she thought deeply: “Shanghai is always ahead. If students are reviewing, and your father sent you materials… Could it mean…”

Zhang Xiaofeng’s eyes lit up as she asked, “Could your father know some news?”

Cheng Yaoyao pretended to be puzzled, “What news?”

Zhang Xiaofeng lowered her voice and asked, “Is there a chance the college entrance examination will be resumed?!”

Cheng Yaoyao was startled, almost dropping her comb. Zhang Xiaofeng’s insight was impressive. Did she really deduce the situation?

Cheng Yaoyao feigned surprise: “How could that be? The college entrance examination has been canceled for so long. How could it suddenly be resumed?”

Zhang Xiaofeng, excited, pounded her left palm with her right fist: “Even if it doesn’t happen now, it might in the future! Yaoyao, don’t you see why I study so hard even in the countryside? Knowledge is vital for building socialism! Your father must have heard something, so she sent these materials.”

Cheng Yaoyao feared Zhang Xiaofeng’s excitement might be premature, so she dampened her hopes: “Don’t get too excited too soon. This is just your personal guess. What if the college entrance examination doesn’t resume?”

Zhang Xiaofeng’s initial excitement gradually faded, but her eyes remained bright with enthusiasm. “Even if the college entrance examination isn’t restored, learning more won’t hurt. Yaoyao, could I borrow these books to copy? I’ll return them once I’m done. I promise not to delay you!”

Cheng Yaoyao laughed and waved her hand, “Feel free to pick a few books to read and return them when you’re done. I’m too lazy to study anyway.”

“No way!” Zhang Xiaofeng insisted, slamming the table with authority, “You and Han Yin both have to study with us! We can’t stay here forever. We need to try!”

She decisively pulled Han Yin up and whispered her plan. Han Yin, half-asleep, thought Zhang Xiaofeng was dreaming and asked her to be quiet to avoid trouble.

Zhang Xiaofeng added, “Yaoyao, Han Yin, keep this between us. If word gets out, we’ll all be in trouble.”

Cheng Yaoyao nodded, smiling inwardly. She had been worried about how to hint to Zhang Xiaofeng and Han Yin about the college entrance examination but hadn’t expected Zhang Xiaofeng to deduce it on her own and encourage her to study.

As they were talking, there was a knock on the door. Cheng Yaoyao called, “Come in.”

A delicate fourteen- or fifteen-year-old girl poked her head in timidly and said, “Sister, Grandma said breakfast is ready and wants you to come out.”

Zhang Xiaofeng smiled at her, making Xie Fei blush and try to retreat. Cheng Yaoyao reassured, “Xiao Fei, they’re my friends. You can call them Sister too.”

Encouraged by Cheng Yaoyao, Xie Fei gathered her courage and said softly, “…Well, hello, Sister.”

Han Yin greeted warmly, “Your name is Xiao Fei, right? You’re so pretty. Let’s go have breakfast together.”

The weather was cool that morning, and Grandma Xie had set up breakfast in the yard. The table had a pot of sticky millet porridge, pickled cucumbers, stir-fried sour beans with bell peppers, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. The meal was hearty and fit the village hospitality standard, so it didn’t seem suspicious.

Cheng Yaoyao glanced around and asked Xie Fei quietly, “Where’s your brother?”

Xie Fei replied, “Brother went out this morning for something.”

“What’s he up to?” Cheng Yaoyao smirked, thinking Xie Zhao might be avoiding the many women in the house.

As they sat down to eat, Zhang Xiaofeng and Han Yin thanked Grandma Xie profusely. Grandma Xie smiled and said, “These are all homegrown. They’re not much. Eat plenty.”

Han Yin complimented, “This breakfast is as good as in a state-owned restaurant. I’m already hungry just from the smell. No need to be modest!”

Seeing the enthusiasm, Grandma Xie was delighted. “Okay, eat more! Eat more!”

The millet porridge was smooth and comforting, perfect for breakfast. The pickled cucumbers were crunchy, the sour beans tangy, and the bell peppers fresh and slightly spicy.

Han Yin and Zhang Xiaofeng praised the food, “These sour beans are delicious. We also make sour beans at home, but they’re not as crispy and fresh as these.”

Cheng Yaoyao proudly said, “Grandma’s pickled beans are a specialty. Her pickled basil leaves and cucumbers are also fantastic!”

Han Yin immediately praised Grandma Xie, making her smile even more.

Grandma Xie said cheerfully, “The beans are doing well this year. We can’t eat them all. I was planning to pickle some. I’ll bring some for you when I’m done!”

“Thank you, Grandma!” Han Yin said gratefully.

With no work planned for the day, Han Yin and Zhang Xiaofeng stayed after breakfast to help with pickling sour beans.

The weather was nice, and the Xie family’s garden thrived, thanks to the spiritual spring. Beans and cucumbers grew abundantly. To prevent overgrowth, many cucumbers were picked early and pickled.

A large basin of beans was soaking in water. Cheng Yaoyao, Han Yin, Zhang Xiaofeng, and Xie Fei gathered around, carefully washing and sorting the beans.

Han Yin, being outgoing, teased the shy Xie Fei. Xie Fei, not used to interacting with others, responded with naive comments. Zhang Xiaofeng and Han Yin were considerate, and Cheng Yaoyao protected Xie Fei, who gradually became more comfortable and chatty in her own home.

Xie Zhao returned from outside, wearing a new shirt he wasn’t accustomed to. He had rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong arms, and carried a piece of pork. His arm, no longer bandaged, was now fully healed.

When Xie Zhao entered the room, the girls’ laughter stopped momentarily as they noticed him, followed by a louder burst of laughter.

Confused, Xie Zhao looked at Cheng Yaoyao, who was laughing heartily, holding her stomach. Even Xie Fei was giggling.

Xie Zhao put the meat in the kitchen and retreated to Grandma Xie’s room, while the girls laughed even more.

Han Yin nudged Cheng Yaoyao with a smile, “Xie Zhao is so honest. He’s too shy to look at us.”

Xie Fei agreed earnestly, “Brother is a very kind person!”

Cheng Yaoyao, still laughing, thought, “Kind? Ha!”

When Xie Zhao returned to the room, Grandma Xie was picking stones out of the rice, which was often dirty. She had only removed a few stones, distracted by the commotion outside. Seeing Xie Zhao return, she said, “Listen to how happy Xiao Fei is.”

Xie Zhao replied, “I learned bad habits from my sister.”

Grandma Xie laughed, “This is a good thing. It’s a relief for us. But Xiao Fei is so timid; we need to do something about it. Anyway, let’s not talk about this. What did Lin Dafu discuss with you today?”

Xie Zhao said, “Nothing much. They just asked if my hand felt better and said there was no rush to return to work. I bought some pork from a vendor at the village entrance.”

“Great, let’s fry some sour beans with lard at noon. Sour beans taste better with lard,” Grandma Xie smiled. “Alright, you can go out now.”

Xie Zhao didn’t move. He sat down and helped Grandma Xie pick the rice. “Let me do it; it’s hard on the eyes.”

Grandma Xie suppressed her laughter and looked at her grandson’s tanned neck. “Alright, you feel uncomfortable seeing a group of girls and think they’re noisy. I thought Yaoyao had cured you of that problem.”

Xie Zhao was busy picking up rice and replied gruffly, “No!”

“Chengcheng^[1]refers to a nickname for Xie Zhao, used by Grandma Xie to show her familiarity and affection for him., if you don’t like it, then don’t. You’re such a stubborn kid!” Grandma Xie poked him on the forehead.

Cheng Yaoyao’s voice came from outside: “Xie Zhao, come out and help me get some water!”

Xie Zhao stood up immediately. “I’m coming!”

Grandma Xie: “…”