Chapter 3

The old man was walking slowly with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky filled with colorful clouds. The sky was bright red and the clouds took on various shapes — some looked like a ruyi (a ceremonial scepter symbolizing good fortune), others like a fiery phoenix. These were auspicious signs, very big auspicious signs.

Mrs. Zhou pushed the door open with a beaming smile that she couldn’t hide. Seeing Mrs. Zhou’s reaction, everyone guessed pretty accurately—this fourth daughter-in-law of theirs probably gave birth to a girl.

The eldest son Song Fusheng’s wife, Mrs. Zhu, who usually understood her mother-in-law well, saw how happy she was and immediately smiled and approached her.

“Mother, why are you so happy? Did the fourth daughter-in-law have a girl?”

Mrs. Zhou nodded happily. “Yes, she had a girl. The fourth daughter-in-law is truly a contributor to our family. From now on, none of you are allowed to make her upset. The girl is so proper and beautiful.”

Although Mrs. Zhou wasn’t as difficult as some mothers-in-law, she still wasn’t particularly kind to her daughters-in-law. But now that the fourth daughter-in-law had given birth to a daughter, her status immediately changed.

Mrs. Zhu was also very pleased. When the mother-in-law was happy, the whole family’s life would be better. She had three sons and now the family had a little girl — that was pretty good.

As soon as she said this, the second son Song Fucai’s wife, Mrs. Zhang, and the third son Song Fugui’s wife, Mrs. Zou, also came out from the side rooms, both with joyful expressions.

Mrs. Zhou looked like a victorious general proudly surveying her troops. She glanced at the three daughters-in-law and somehow found them all pleasing to the eye.

“Eldest daughter-in-law, go heat the kang (heated bed) in the south room of the east wing. Early spring is still cold, don’t let my dear granddaughter catch a chill.”

“Second daughter-in-law, go to the kitchen upstairs and get three eggs, boil two, and make a bowl of pure white flour egg noodles for the fourth daughter-in-law. You must help her recover her strength.”

“Third daughter-in-law, you’re the most talkative. Go to the crowded village places and tell everyone that the fourth daughter-in-law has given birth to a daughter. Look at this colorful sky — so beautiful.”

Farmers also liked auspicious signs. Mrs. Zhou wanted the whole village to know that this colorful sky was to welcome her little granddaughter.

The eldest and third daughters-in-law readily agreed and hurried to carry out their tasks. The second daughter-in-law Mrs. Zhang also went, but felt a bit jealous.

She had given birth to three sons. Every time she delivered, the mother-in-law was just as expectant. Unfortunately, no daughters were born. If she had a daughter, she would be the one eating the eggs.

Mrs. Zhou no longer cared what others thought. She was extremely happy and quickly ran to tell the old master Song, who was a bit hard of hearing and didn’t know yet.

Several grandchildren ran noisily into the yard, which usually annoyed Mrs. Zhou, but today her mood was good.

“All of you stand there! From now on, no noisy shouting when entering the house. Your fourth auntie has given birth to a little sister, don’t disturb her. Also, you must protect her. With so many older brothers, if she still gets bullied, that won’t do.”

The little kids stopped immediately and looked at Mrs. Zhou smilingly. Having a little sister made them especially happy, particularly the eldest son of the fourth family, Song Dajin.

Mrs. Zhou didn’t bother with the kids anymore and hurried outside to find old master Song. She saw him smoking by the vegetable garden outside the yard.

“Oh dear, old man, big happiness, big happiness!”

Hearing Mrs. Zhou’s words, old master Song looked back. Seeing her smiling face, he thought the fourth daughter-in-law must have had a girl; otherwise, his wife wouldn’t be this happy.

“A girl?” he asked cautiously.

Mrs. Zhou quickly nodded as she stepped forward. “Yes, a girl. She didn’t cry when born, she smiled. A fair, chubby little baby with big eyes, just like your three sons when they were small.”

Old master Song’s eyes narrowed into slits. Storytellers say people with such fate are no ordinary folks.

Looking up again at the sky full of colorful clouds, this was extraordinary. The Song family had been poor for eight generations, and now a noble person was about to emerge.

The whole family had been hoping for a daughter, and this was a daughter with auspicious signs — truly a joy and sweetness in their hearts.

“All right, all right, finally as wished. The fourth son is very lucky, now has both sons and daughters. I’m happy, happiest today. Tonight I’ll fry some dishes and have a drink.”

Mrs. Zhou lowered her voice and added, “There’s one strange thing—I can hear what the little girl is thinking in her heart, but don’t tell anyone. Otherwise, people will think my granddaughter is a monster. My granddaughter is a little goddess.”

Old master Song didn’t seem quite as joyful this time. He looked at Mrs. Zhou and sighed softly.

Is his wife crazy with happiness or just talking nonsense?

Of course, old master Song didn’t believe it. How could there be such strange things? It was just that his wife had been hoping for a daughter since she was young, and finally got her wish.

She was just confused by joy.

Seeing old master Song’s reaction, Mrs. Zhou knew he didn’t believe her. That stubborn old man must think she was crazy.

“You stubborn old man, believe it or not, you’ll believe it eventually,” Mrs. Zhou said but didn’t argue further.

Facts speak louder than words.

While the old couple was talking, Chunsheng from next door came back carrying a fish basket. He didn’t go straight home but stopped by the Song family gate.

“Uncle, Auntie, why are you so happy?” Chunsheng asked with a smile.

Mrs. Zhou’s face lit up. “The fourth son’s family had a girl.”

Everyone in the village knew the Song family was hoping for a girl, so Chunsheng nodded eagerly.

“Congratulations! This colorful sky is clearly a good omen. Also, my older brothers had a big catch today. There were so many fish they couldn’t carry them all back. They had to send for the ox cart to meet them at the road.”

This place was surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on one side. Besides farming, they also fished. But in winter, it was cold and the sea near shore froze. They waited until spring when the ice melted to go fishing.

Because the fishing boats were small and the fishing methods traditional, the catch wasn’t usually much. But it was better than doing nothing, so many men still went out to sea.

Usually, going in the afternoon and catching half a basket was good enough. How come there was so much fish today?

Old master Song and Mrs. Zhou exchanged a glance. Usually, each son could carry his own catch back; it wasn’t much.

Why did they need the ox cart to pick up so much fish today? Such good luck — could it be brought by the little granddaughter?

Remembering that this never happened before, and that today the granddaughter was just born but the fish basket was already full, it must be the good fortune brought by the little granddaughter.

“All right, I’ll go now,” old master Song said and hurried to get the cart.

Mrs. Zhou went back into the yard and just then heard several hens clucking. Hens only cluck like this when they are laying eggs.

It was just March, and the spring weather in the north was still cold. The hens hadn’t started laying yet; not a single egg. Were they laying eggs now?