Chapter 7: So Embarrassing

“Brother, you should go bring Sister-in-law back tomorrow! You know how her family is—she’s probably not eating or sleeping well these days.” Besides, she was likely already pregnant!

Big Brother Chen looked at his younger sister, who seemed different than usual, and happily said, “Alright! I’ll go first thing in the morning to bring your sister-in-law back!”

“Take that piece of cured meat hanging in the kitchen and give it to your mother-in-law too,” said Mother Chen as she headed to the kitchen. Soon she returned with a slab of cured meat and half a bag of rice. “Here, take these with you. And remember to be sweet with your words!” She was a little exasperated—he didn’t even know how to coax his wife, always needed teaching!

Big Brother Chen scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. “Got it!”

“Alright, now let’s eat! Look at this—our daughter is so capable, the food she made tastes even better than what they serve at the state-run restaurant!” Mother Chen picked up a glistening piece of braised pork belly—rich but not greasy, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and full of flavor.

Father Chen nodded in agreement. “It really is!” In this era, with limited seasonings and no common practice of blanching or using cooking wine to mask odors, this braised pork was simply outstanding.

Da Hu chimed in, “Mom’s food is so delicious, I love it!”

“Mom’s cooking is the best!” Erhu said as he wiped the oil from the corners of his mouth, his voice soft and sweet.

Even Lin Shuhe, who was usually quiet and reserved, couldn’t help but speak up, “It’s really good.”

A flood of compliments lifted Chen Manman to cloud nine—she felt completely satisfied!

“Well, of course! I’m naturally gifted at cooking!” she said proudly. “From now on, while you all are out working, I’ll be the one cooking!” And just like that, she happily made the decision.

“Alright! But keep it simple—don’t tire yourself out,” Mother Chen agreed. It was autumn harvest season, and their production team was currently picking cotton. Once that was done, they’d begin harvesting wheat. The year’s yield depended entirely on these two months—tight schedule, heavy workload.

And so, bite by bite—meat, porridge, and flatbread—the family unknowingly finished off the entire pot of braised pork.

Big Brother Chen patted his round belly with satisfaction. “So satisfying!”

Dahu copied him, patting his soft little tummy too. “I wish we could eat braised pork every day!”

“Hey! Don’t corrupt the kids! Dahu, don’t follow your uncle’s bad example!” Mother Chen gave Big Brother Chen a sudden smack.

“Ma, got it!” Big Brother Chen replied sheepishly, then looked at Dahu. “Hehe… come on, Uncle will take you back to the room.”

After dinner, Mother Chen began cleaning the kitchen. “Girl, we must’ve used at least three jin of meat today. Do you still have enough money? Want me to give you more?”

“I still have some, Mom!” Chen Manman quickly helped her tidy up.

“Alright. If you ever run out of money, just ask me,” Mother Chen said, knowing her daughter likely still had plenty left and didn’t press further. “Go inside and wash up—I’ll finish this.”

“Mom, I’m planning to go to the county tomorrow to buy some nutritious food. Dahu had a tough day—I want to get them some treats to make up for it.” Chen Manman took the opportunity to share her plans.

“Okay. Just drop Dahu and Erhu off at your grandma’s and ask her to watch them for the day. Bring a few eggs with you too,” said Mother Chen. She knew her daughter’s nature well—every few days she’d head to the county, either buying cloth to make clothes for her husband or buying him food. This time was no different.

“Alright, Mom.” Chen Manman didn’t continue the topic. Seeing that the kitchen was nearly cleaned up, she said, “Mom, I’ll go bathe Dahu and Erhu.”

In this season, they kept a large water vat in the courtyard, filled with water and covered with a layer of thin plastic film used for growing cotton. After sitting under the sun all day, the water inside would be nice and warm—perfect for bathing.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do—Chen Manman lifted a big wooden basin, scooped in the hot water, and headed to the bathhouse. “Dahu, Erhu—come here!”

Their bathhouse was in the backyard—a small structure with a flat stone floor. Surrounding the stone was a shallow drainage trough, so bathwater would flow straight into the garden plot behind the house—killing two birds with one stone.

“Coming, Mom! What’s up?” Dahu led his little brother over.

“Time for a bath. Dahu, your arm is injured today—Mom will wash you.” Chen Manman wasn’t sure who usually bathed the kids. It wasn’t mentioned in the book.

“Mom, I’m a big kid now—I can bathe myself!” Dahu’s pink cheeks began to blush—he was clearly shy.

Chen Manman was amused and poked his red little cheek. “Aw, is Dahu embarrassed~? Does your arm still hurt? I’m just worried water will get into it.”

“Dad said real men have to bathe themselves! You’re a girl, Mom, and I’m a boy—shame shame~” Dahu declared with a serious face.

Erhu echoed, “Mhm! I’m a real man too!” He nodded like a little chick pecking rice, a shy smile on his face—absolutely adorable.

Chen Manman: “……” Wow, kids are really this grown-up nowadays?

She couldn’t believe Lin Shuhe had said all this to the boys. “What else did your dad say?”

Dahu: “Dad said we should handle our own problems and not trouble others!”

Erhu: “Dad said real men bleed and sweat but don’t cry!”

Chen Manman: “……” Uh. Okay. Better get Big Brother to bathe them.

She really hadn’t realized Lin Shuhe was so close to the kids. She thought…

“You two wait here, I’ll go get your uncle to bathe you.” With that, she turned to leave.

After only a few steps, she noticed a shadow ahead in the dark and jumped—rural homes had electricity, but their yard didn’t have lights installed. “Big Brother?” she called out uncertainly.

“It’s me.” A hoarse male voice answered from the dark.

It was Lin Shuhe!

“You scared me!” Chen Manman walked up quickly, glared at him, and headed toward the front yard. “Big Brother!”

Lin Shuhe: “……”

“Big Brother, what are you doing? Go bathe Dahu and Erhu for me—the two little guys won’t let me do it,” Chen Manman pouted and puffed up her cheeks, pretending to be annoyed.

“Hahaha~ So even you get rejected sometimes! Alright, I’m on it.” Big Brother Chen laughed heartily at his sister’s frustration.

“Geez, Big Brother!” Chen Manman groaned. Ugh, so annoying! “Wait a sec.” She ran into her room.

Closing the door, she quickly pulled out a few bars of soap from her stash.

“Here—this one’s for you, and this one’s for Dahu and Erhu.”

“Me? A grown man using scented soap?” Big Brother Chen immediately refused. Soap was still a luxury—several yuan a bar and required ration coupons.

“Just take it! If you won’t use it, let Sister-in-law use it. I bought them through a contact—it wasn’t expensive,” Chen Manman explained.

He was still hesitant, but the scent was too pleasant. He gave in. “Fine. I’ll keep it and let your sister-in-law use it when she gets back.” He’d buy something nice for the kids next time.

With that, Big Brother Chen walked toward the bathhouse. Before he even got close, he heard the sounds of laughter coming from inside—his brother-in-law and the boys were already having fun. They must’ve started bathing.

He opened the door. “Here! My sister gave this—use it to wash Dahu and Erhu.”

Taking the soap, Lin Shuhe paused, surprised. “Your sister gave this?”

“Yeah. Who else? You think it was for you?” Big Brother Chen had always looked down on Lin Shuhe, thinking he was a freeloader. With that, he walked out.

Lin Shuhe stood frozen for a moment, holding the soap.

Something… felt different.