Chapter 132:  A Blessing to Eat and Sleep Well

Shen Chuning worked long hours during the five days of grain collection, but thankfully, Zhou Yubai came every day, dropping her off in the morning and picking her up at night.

She wasn’t a diligent person.  The first three days, fueled by initial enthusiasm, she worked diligently.  But the last two days, she felt extremely tired and sleepy.  She even fell asleep on the bike, leaning against Zhou Yubai’s back.

It was strange.  Usually, after a night with Zhou Yubai, a soak in spiritual spring water left her refreshed.  But these past two days, despite being exhausted, she still felt sluggish.

Her brother was returning to the army tomorrow, so her father asked her to have dinner at home.

Zhou Yubai rode his bike into the Shen family courtyard.  Shen Chuning, her arms around his waist, was fast asleep against his back.

He carefully tried to lift her without waking her, but she was easily startled.  His movement woke her.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes, looking around, “We’re here?”

“Mm, we’re here,” Zhou Yubai held her waist and lifted her from the bike.

Seeing them, Shen’s father shouted to the kitchen, “Eldest, Second, Third, your sister’s back! Bring out the food; let’s eat!”

Zhou Yubai, understanding, presented his gifts of cigarettes and alcohol to his father-in-law.

Shen’s father liked alcohol but didn’t smoke.  He returned the cigarettes, “I’ll keep the alcohol.  You can keep the cigarettes for personal use.”

Zhou Yubai, shedding his usual aloofness, said, “Father, I brought them; I can’t take them back. You don’t smoke; you can use them for my brother-in-law’s wedding.”

Shen’s father considered this.  The cigarettes were Golden Leaves, a good brand.  Cigarette coupons were hard to get; villagers usually smoked pipe tobacco or rolled their own.  Using these cigarettes for his son’s wedding would be impressive.

Shen’s father accepted them happily.

Dinner was prepared by the three Shen brothers.  They had fish, tofu buns, braised pork, steamed egg custard, and several vegetable dishes.  They hadn’t eaten this well even during the New Year.

The meat for the tofu buns and braised pork came from the piglets Shen Chuning and Shen Zhengliang had caught.  Shen’s father had rendered lard from the piglets and used it to braise the meat, creating a unique flavor.  The braised pork was soft and delicious.

Shen Chuning ate two large bowls of rice and still felt hungry.  As she reached for a third bowl, Shen Zhengrong said, “Little sister, have you been too busy with the grain collection? Did you skip lunch?  Even if you’re busy, you must eat.”

Shen Zhengxu added, “Yes, little sister, you need to eat.  Your work is already demanding; you shouldn’t skip meals.”

Shen Chuning looked at her brothers, confused.  Why did they assume she’d skipped lunch?

Before she could respond, Shen Zhengliang stood up, saying emotionlessly, “I’m finished.  Enjoy your meal,” before entering his room.

Shen Chuning watched him go, sighing.  Since the incident, he’d been like this like a lifeless puppet, going through the motions but barely speaking, refusing to interact.

Shen Qingsong, seeing Shen Zhengliang close the door, said sternly, “Don’t worry about your brother, eat.”

“Why didn’t you eat lunch at the commune? No time, or didn’t like the food? If it’s time, I’ll tell the secretary.  If it’s the food, I’ll send you lunch tomorrow.  There’s not much farm work now.”

Shen Chuning, putting aside her brother’s issue, said, “Father, brother, I did eat lunch. A whole lunchbox full.”  She gestured to show the size.

“Really?” Shen Zhengrong doubted.

“Really!” Shen Zhengrong said firmly.

“It seems Yubai takes good care of you. You eat more than before,” Shen Zhengrong said.

Shen Chuning: …

Her brother’s comment made her realize she had been eating more.  She used to eat only half a bowl of rice at lunch; now she ate two bowls and still felt hungry.

She smiled sheepishly, “Maybe I’m just more tired and hungry from work.”

Her father and Zhou Yubai immediately said, “It’s a blessing to eat well.”

Zhou Yubai added, “Wife, eat whatever you want, as much as you want. I can afford it.”

Shen Chuning glared, “I have my own salary. I don’t need you to support me.”

Zhou Yubai immediately praised, “Yes, Ningning is the best.”

After dinner, Shen Zhengxu washed the dishes.  Shen’s father, Shen Zhengrong, Zhou Yubai, and Shen Chuning talked in the main room.

Shen Chuning listened to them talk about the army, but drowsiness overcame her.  Her eyelids felt heavy, and her head nodded.

“Thump!” Her head hit the table.

Zhou Yubai, although talking, had been watching her.  He quickly caught her, supporting her head.

Shen’s father and Shen Zhengrong felt sorry for her, “Yubai, Ningning is tired. Go home and rest.”

“Darling, the grain collection is over.  If you’re too tired, take a break. Don’t overwork yourself,” Shen’s father said worriedly.

Shen Chuning opened her eyes, “Yes, Father, I know. I won’t overwork myself.”

Seeing her condition, Zhou Yubai, ignoring his father-in-law and brother-in-law, picked her up and carried her out.

Shen Chuning, used to being carried, settled comfortably in his arms and fell asleep.