Chapter Eleven

Seeing her three siblings wearing speechless expressions, Bi Chunliu spread her hands and said,
“Let’s play it by ear. Once we get there, talk less and eat more. After the meal, if they bring up work, you all need to be sharp. Third Brother, you go close the gate and keep watch. Second and Fourth, you two are strong—keep an eye on Bi Guangyao and Wang Di. If Third Aunt starts crying and screaming to call people over, then be quick on your feet and think of an excuse. As for the rest, leave it to me.”

Bi Chunliu curved her lips in a faint smile and waved her hand.

Bi Weiguo, Bi Xiahe, and Bi Qiuguo all thought the same: Big Sis’s smile looks weird… even scary!

After waiting a little longer, once the crowd had mostly dispersed, Bi Chunliu carried the two bags of pastries and a bag of brown sugar she had prepared for Grandma, and led her siblings forward. Sometimes, when you spend money, you can’t just let it go to waste. She refused to be the “heartless granddaughter” who silently gave without being appreciated ever again!

They had only walked a few steps when one of Tongxi Village’s famous gossipmongers, Aunt Gui, came over, greeting warmly:
“Chunliu girl, back home already?”

Seeing the Bi children, Aunt Gui’s face lit up dramatically, only to turn into a look that said You missed so much!
“Oh my, isn’t this Chunliu? Why are you all coming back at this time?”

Bi Qiuguo, who was friendly with Aunt Gui’s daughter, quickly chimed in:
“Hello, Aunt Gui! My third uncle wrote to us, said Grandma was sick, so we came back to see her.”

Tch! Aunt Gui cursed in her heart. That Bi Laosan couple are really no good! Clearly they’re trying to scam some good stuff again. Just look—oil is seeping through that paper wrapping! That must be something really valuable and delicious.
“Is that so? Then you’d better hurry home. I’m sure your third uncle will feel a bit better when he sees you.”

Bi Chunliu knew Aunt Gui was waiting for her to ask, so she played along with a surprised tone:
“My third uncle? What happened to him?”

Aunt Gui’s face bloomed with satisfaction, and she recounted everything from beginning to end—the whole story of Third Aunt and Wang Lao’er’s wife, complete with all the imagined thoughts in their heads.

Bi Chunliu: As expected of you, Aunt Gui.

That’s how they learned how the brigade leader had handled it. Because of a recent incident with a co‑op director, the commune was currently inspecting every village. At such a sensitive time, Tongxi’s production team had the audacity to have a nasty brawl! The brigade leader had severely and mercilessly scolded—no, “educated”—the two fighters. Then, to set an example, he fined Wang Lao’er’s wife and Third Aunt Bi three workdays each.

On top of that, Third Aunt Bi was punished to clean pig pens and collect pig manure for three days. Trying to profit from the collective? Not a chance!

Aunt Gui even mimed the scene as she spoke:
“You know what your third aunt’s like—of course she didn’t agree. Work points are already scarce. She even argued with the brigade leader. He told her if she didn’t want the deduction, then she’d have to clean the pig pens for half a month. He said it had to be spotless, neat and tidy, so the pigs could live comfortably. Tsk! The brigade leader’s just spouting nonsense. Your third aunt herself isn’t even that clean—how’s she going to clean pig dung? She’ll probably sneak some home!”

Bi Chunliu: …

“But honestly, I think your third aunt just ran into Wang Dayou’s grandson—ugh, I mean, ran into the brigade leader’s bad mood. He went to the commune earlier, and when he came back, his face was stormy. Must’ve been scolded.” Aunt Gui waggled her brows knowingly.

Bi Qiuguo laughed, “Aunt Gui, you really know everything—nothing escapes your eyes. You’re the production team’s very own spy!”

“Hahaha, oh, I just notice things. The brigade leader never looked that pleasant, but today his brows were scrunched so tight they could squash a fly. Anyway, I won’t hold you up. Hurry home for dinner. I should get back too. Qiuguo, come over to play with my Pingping when you’re free.”

Bi Qiuguo agreed cheerfully.

“Big Sis, let’s go.” Bi Xiahe reminded softly. She sighed inwardly—after this mess, who knew if Third Uncle would be even more eager to take extra shifts? After all, a county official is still weaker than the one in charge right now. If the brigade leader wanted to trip them up, life wouldn’t be easy for Third Uncle’s family.

…

“Oh my! No wonder the magpies were chattering so happily today—my eldest grandson is back!” As soon as the four entered the courtyard, Old Madam Guo spotted Bi Weiguo and rushed up enthusiastically, grabbing his hand, asking all sorts of questions. She fussed over whether he had eaten well, whether anyone bullied him, all while leading him into the yard. She didn’t spare so much as a glance at Bi Chunliu and the other two girls.

“Grandma!” Bi Weiguo called out. Seeing how spry she looked, he asked curiously, “Grandma, are you feeling better?”

Hearing her eldest grandson’s concern, Old Madam Guo grinned so wide her gums showed.
“All better, all better! The moment I see my Weiguo caring for me, I feel perfectly fine.”

Bi Chunliu and her sisters, who had also greeted her only to be ignored: Wasn’t it you who insisted we come back today? Why does it feel like we just ruined a surprise party?

Fine. They were used to it anyway.