Chapter 53: The Ye Family

As Shen Zhuo busily prepared dinner, Ye Xin sat at the table, sipping from a bowl of hot water. After a couple of sips, she found the plain water tasteless, with a hint of smoke lingering in it. She couldn’t help but think that perhaps it was time to buy some tea leaves. Normally, she enjoyed a cup of tea after meals, and whenever guests visited, she could offer them a cup as well. Last time, when Wang Xiaowei and Zheng Wenwen came over, she hadn’t had any tea to serve them…

It might also be a good idea to buy a complete tea set since she didn’t even have any cups for tea at home…

While she was lost in thought, Shen Zhuo brought up their plans for the next day’s trip to town. He hadn’t had a chance to check on the vegetable garden lately and asked, “Are there still plenty of vegetables? Should we bring some to sell tomorrow?”

Ye Xin put down her bowl and replied, “Not too many. But just one cabbage will last us several days, so let’s leave a couple in the garden. We can take the last load to sell before the New Year. I’ll also bring some dried vegetables along the way—it’s on the way anyway, and whatever we sell is profit. I’ll get everything ready in the morning, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

Shen Zhuo nodded, “Alright, I’ll leave it to you.”

Once they confirmed the vegetable-selling plans, they moved on to discuss what supplies they needed. With Shen Zhuo having no family and Ye Xin’s family not nearby, they had no relatives visiting, making things simpler. Their main focus was on the New Year’s feast, which would largely be organized by Ye Xin, especially since she was the one managing the money. They also needed the traditional couplets that were essential for the celebrations.

As their conversation flowed, Ye Xin suddenly remembered to ask, “Earlier, you mentioned you still had paper and ink, so you didn’t buy any. How’s that been working out in the training class? If you’ve run out, I can get some tomorrow.”

Indeed, Shen Zhuo’s notebook was nearly full. It was already thin, and with daily classes at the training center, each teacher packed a lot of content into their lessons, leading him to fill two to three pages in a single class. He had used it up quite quickly.

However, knowing he still had a few coins left, he said, “I can handle that myself; you don’t need to worry about it.”

Ye Xin shot him a glance. “You say that as if you’re not handing the money over to me! If I don’t worry, who will? You’ve got just a few coins left for emergencies; I’ve told you not to spend it frivolously. Are my words falling on deaf ears?”

Hearing her scold him like this, Shen Zhuo fell silent and replied, “Fine, I’ll let you buy it tomorrow.”

Ye Xin nodded and then asked, “Have you been studying late at night? If you’re using the lamp and run out of kerosene, make sure to tell me.”

Shen Zhuo hadn’t stayed up late studying, but he did occasionally use the lamp for various tasks. He replied, “There’s not much kerosene left; you might as well get some tomorrow.”

Then she sighed, “I would love to buy it, but kerosene requires a ticket. They might not even have any at Chen’s courtyard.”

Shen Zhuo quickly changed his mind, “Then let’s hold off; we can still use it for a little while longer.”

Ye Xin agreed, but she took the opportunity to lecture him, “Staying up late isn’t good for you; it can ruin your eyesight. You have to wake up early every day, and if you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll be sluggish during the day. Rather than staying up late, you’d be better off going to bed early. You’ll be sharper in the morning, and your study efficiency will improve.”

Shen Zhuo understood her hint: her concern about kerosene was just a pretext to discuss his late-night habits. He felt a bit dejected and agreed, “I got it. I won’t stay up late anymore to save kerosene.”

Ye Xin laughed, “You don’t need to be that frugal! I still have plenty in my room; I’ll lend you my lamp for now.”

Shen Zhuo shook his head. “I’ve already used it; what will you do? You should keep it.”

Ye Xin replied, “I don’t stay up late; I usually head to bed as soon as I get back to my room. I don’t need it.”

Shen Zhuo knew this to be true; every time she finished bathing and retreated to her room, it would be silent by the time he emerged to wash up. He couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Why do you go to bed so early every day?”

Ye Xin retorted, “What do you think? Don’t you see how much work I do during the day? Don’t I wake up early? After a long day, how could I possibly have the energy to stay up late?”

Shen Zhuo was at a loss for words.

Ye Xin gave him one last reminder, “You should also go to bed early; you’re still growing. Only with enough sleep can you stay healthy.”

“Long.”

Shen Zhuo realized that Ye Xin’s early-to-bed and early-to-rise routine was all about growing taller. She was still a bit short, appearing small and delicate. Though she was undeniably pretty and cute, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of concern. Especially during busy farming seasons or when she was carrying heavy loads, her petite frame seemed to make her struggle all the more noticeable. Yet, she never shied away from hard work, taking on any task without hesitation. Sometimes he worried she might overexert herself.

Thinking about it, it was better for her to sleep early, grow taller, and gain more strength—then the work wouldn’t be so taxing. He decided he should also try to sleep earlier; he didn’t want her to outgrow him!

Feeling uplifted by this thought, Shen Zhuo skillfully finished cooking dinner, preparing a meat dish, a vegetable dish, and a soup. He called out for her to eat, serving her a generous bowl of rice, hoping she would eat plenty.

Ye Xin accepted the food and began to enjoy her meal. She had always had a good appetite; as long as the food wasn’t terrible, she could eat quite a bit. Plus, Shen Zhuo’s cooking had been getting better and better, making every meal a satisfying experience.

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Meanwhile, in the city, Ye Huan was finishing up her shift at the factory and heading home. With the New Year approaching, the streets were bustling with more pedestrians, and the festive atmosphere was growing stronger.

As she passed by the post office, she noticed it was packed with people, filled with a cacophony of chatter. Feeling a spark of hope, she decided to step inside. She had sent a letter in October, and after nearly two months of waiting, she was desperate for a response. Every day, she anticipated a reply, especially as the lunar month came to an end; she figured the letter should have arrived by now. However, each time she checked, she left disappointed. Surely, with the year coming to a close, it was time for good news?

Finally squeezing her way into the crowded post office, she was greeted by a delightful surprise! Her heart raced as she grabbed the letter and a sizable package—heavy and substantial, it filled her with joy.

Rushing home, she excitedly announced to her family, “Xin Xin has written back!”

Her mother, Li Meiyue, was initially slumped in a chair, hand on her waist and brow furrowed, exhausted from the strains of pregnancy and work. Yet, hearing her daughter’s news, she perked up, reaching out for the letter. “Let me see!”

Meanwhile, her fourteen-year-old brother, Ye Wu, eagerly snatched the package from his sister’s hands, impatient to tear it open. “What goodies did our second sister send back?”

Ye Huan ignored his impatience, instead taking the letter to her mother so they could read it together.

The letter was brief, just a few sentences that could be scanned in a heartbeat. After reading, Li Meiyue turned to her eldest daughter with a frown. “You sent her money again? I told you not to keep secrets with your salary. You’re not even married yet, and you’re already hoarding a stash! With our expenses rising, you should be giving your whole paycheck to the family!”

Ye Huan felt a rush of indignation. “Isn’t Xin Xin part of this family? She’s so small and fragile, working the fields in the countryside must be exhausting for her. What’s wrong with sending her some money? She’s not a stranger!”

Li Meiyue scowled, pointing at the letter. “Look! She says she can manage on her own now. Before, she was lazy at home because we took care of her. Now that she’s in the countryside, can’t she figure things out? You shouldn’t have to worry about her. Keep your money here; we’re about to have another little brother or sister, and our expenses are only going to rise!”

Feeling frustrated and at a loss for words, Ye Huan fell silent.

Meanwhile, Ye Wu had finally unwrapped the package, only to shout in disappointment, “What’s this? Just a bunch of dried vegetables? There’s nothing tasty!”

Li Meiyue, upon hearing him, abandoned the letter and leaned over to see the large bag of dried veggies. At first, she nodded approvingly. “Good! At least she remembered to send something this time, and it’s more than last time.”

However, she quickly shifted to dissatisfaction. “Besides these dried veggies, couldn’t she send something else? It’s not like they don’t have land to grow food or raise chickens and ducks in the countryside. It should be easier for her to get food than it is for us in the city. Plus, it’s almost the end of the year; they’re distributing bonuses and meat out there! She should be thinking about the family—what a waste of raising her!”

Hearing her mother’s complaints, Ye Huan couldn’t help but defend her sister. “This is Xin Xin’s first year in the countryside! She’s still inexperienced—how could she manage everything?”

“Even just maintaining her own living is a big enough deal; how can she raise chickens and ducks so quickly? Besides, the bonuses and meat distribution only happen at the end of the year, and she hadn’t received anything when she sent that letter! Mom, bro, don’t be so harsh!”

Li Meiyue’s brows shot up, and she turned to glare at her. “Harsh? Ye Huan, how can you talk like that? Who brought you into this world? Who raised you? Now that you’re all grown up and capable, none of you think about giving back to the family! You’re not even married yet, and you’re all ready to fly the coop, right?!”

Ye Wu, sensing his mother’s fury, quickly sidled up to her and added in a hushed voice, “Even if she hasn’t received any bonuses yet, she could always borrow from someone until she gets paid back! She clearly doesn’t care about us; she’s selfish!”

Ye Huan felt a chill at her brother’s words, her anger rendering her speechless.

She silently approached the opened package, noticing how her brother had carelessly rifled through the neatly stacked dried vegetables. Despite the mess, it was clear that each item was top quality, perfectly sun-dried and devoid of moisture. It must have taken nearly a hundred pounds of fresh vegetables to produce this bounty. It was evident that Ye Xin had carefully selected each piece, imbued with love for her family.

It was a shame her family showed no gratitude whatsoever.

Looking at the large bundle of dried vegetables, Ye Huan felt a mix of emotions—touched by her sister’s thoughtfulness yet heartbroken for her. She quickly began to tidy it up.

Just then, their father, Ye Shunli, emerged from his room, clearly annoyed by the commotion. After glancing at the letter and the package, he told Ye Huan, “Alright, stop dilly-dallying and start cooking!”

Li Meiyue chimed in, “Make a stew with those dried vegetables tonight. They look great! We finished the last batch and have been craving more…”

Ye Huan didn’t respond, keeping her head down as she gathered the dried veggies and carried them to the kitchen.

The kitchen was a tiny area partitioned off from the balcony, cluttered with various items that made it feel cramped and chaotic. Clothes hung nearby, separated from the cooking area by rickety boards and cardboard boxes. The narrow space barely allowed for turning around, and the balcony itself was overflowing with junk, making it hard to navigate.

Ye Huan had grown accustomed to it all. Silently, she cooked, simmering a pot of dried vegetables.

Despite having three family members working, their financial situation was tight. Her father had a penchant for smoking and drinking, which inflated their daily expenses. He also maintained social connections, which required spending a fair bit of money. Moreover, he was saving for Ye Wu’s future job and matchmaking; with their mother now pregnant, another child meant even more expenses. It all added up to a frugal existence, just enough to get by.

Their meals were typically simple—just some greens and tofu, with meat being a rare treat. Now, with ten pounds of dried vegetables, they had enough to last for a while, perhaps even through the New Year, perfect for warm stews in winter.

These dried veggies were far superior to store-bought ones—not only did they taste better, but they were also cleaner. Previously, the cheap ones were often gritty, requiring extensive soaking and washing before cooking.

Their mother had felt unwell during her pregnancy but had found relief in the dried vegetables sent by Ye Xin, prompting her to ask for more. Ye Xin had complied, sending a generous amount.

This time, their mother praised the food, while their father and brother eagerly gobbled it up, yet none of them offered a word of thanks to Ye Xin.

Ye Huan enjoyed the meal too, proud of her sister’s hard work, but she couldn’t help but feel it was all so unfair to her.

As she ate, she regretted bringing it up in her letter; perhaps it would have been better for Ye Xin to keep the vegetables for herself, considering the effort she put into growing them…

After dinner and a shared bathroom routine, Ye Huan returned to her room. With both parents working, they had been assigned a small apartment of about seventy square meters. Originally, it had two rooms, but with the growing number of children, they had converted part of the living room into a cramped, dim space. Ye Huan had once shared that little room with Ye Xin; now that Ye Xin had gone to the countryside, Ye Huan found herself with a bit more room, yet she often reminisced about their time together.

Restless and unable to sleep, Ye Huan pulled out the letter from earlier and read it again. The few short sentences radiated confidence, sincerity, and a zest for life, as if she could see the writer’s hopeful face envisioning a brighter future.

Her heart swelled with pride. Though Ye Xin was small and frail, she had quickly adapted to the demanding life of farming and was managing on her own. She had matured, showing a sense of responsibility that was commendable.

Yet, Ye Huan also felt a pang of sympathy. In the past, Ye Xin had been willful, often clashing with family members, but now, faced with the hardships of rural life, she didn’t complain. It seemed she had endured her share of struggles, which had transformed her.

With a sigh, Ye Huan carefully placed the letter into a wine box alongside the previous two letters, storing them away with care.

Finally, she lay down on the creaky wooden bed, covering herself with a stiff, thin blanket that didn’t offer much warmth.

As sleep eluded her, she thought about her family’s indifferent attitudes toward Ye Xin, and she realized that perhaps sending her to the countryside wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

In that vast, open land, where the air felt freer, perhaps Ye Xin had truly changed for the better, becoming stronger in the process.