Chapter 64

Lin Yao touched her chest, hurried inside, and grabbed a jar of preserved plums. She popped one into her mouth. The sour and sweet flavor of the plum helped ease her discomfort.

In Yunshui County, the Mangzhong^[1]The term “Mangzhong” (芒种) refers to one of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. It is the ninth solar term of the year and usually falls around June 5th … Continue reading period is also the time when plums ripen. There’s a plum orchard behind Zhang’s village, with both green and black plums. The fresh plums on the trees are sour and not very filling. The villagers are busy working to earn a living, so except for some children with a sweet tooth, no one bothers to pick them.

Last summer, Grandma Zhang had lost her appetite and only wanted to eat preserved plums. Unfortunately, there were none available in the county. Eldest and Second Uncle Zhang were frantic as Grandma Zhang was on the verge of starving herself. Zhang Cuilan, knowing this, went back to the countryside with her eldest son to pick a large basket of green plums, hoping to make preserved plums for her elderly mother.

The idea was good, but Zhang Cuilan wasn’t skilled at making them.

Lin Yao had seen her grandmother make preserved plums before. The process involves removing the stems from the green plums, rubbing them with coarse salt for ten minutes to remove their sour and bitter taste, soaking them in water overnight, and then air-drying them the next day. After drying, layer the plums with white sugar in a clean jar, sprinkle some coarse salt on top, seal the jar, and after ten days, the preserved plums would be ready.

The reason they are called preserved plums is due to the high amount of white sugar used.

At that time, white sugar was hard to come by. Workers in the city received very little each month, barely enough to make sugar water.

Zhang Cuilan gathered all the sugar coupons she had, borrowed some from Aunt Dafu, and Lin Yao secretly took some from her space. With enough sugar, Lin Yao made three jars of preserved plums. Grandma Zhang ate two jars herself, and the remaining jar was left at home for anyone who wanted some.

Recently, Lin Yao, who usually didn’t care for preserved plums, found herself craving something sour and sweet, perhaps due to her poor appetite.

Today, the sight of the chicken dropping might have been the cause of her discomfort.

The old house’s chicken coop was next to the rabbit pen. The mess from the chickens and rabbits was either cleaned by Gu Shi’an or Gu Shidong. Lin Yao occasionally cleaned it herself and received praise from Zhang Cuilan. Her praise was so exaggerated that even Lin Yao, who usually had thick skin, felt embarrassed.

Lin Yao didn’t think much of it.

Zhang Cuilan, peeling corn kernels, couldn’t help but discuss with Gu Mancang, noticing her daughter-in-law’s recent cravings and nausea.

“Old man, do you think Yao Yao might be pregnant?”

Gu Mancang, who had been out hunting rabbits with his youngest son, didn’t pay much attention to this. In his youth, his family was poor, and he used to hunt rabbits and catch fish for food. Even though he was old now, he still hadn’t lost his knack for hunting.

Returning with a bundle of plump rabbits that had been feeding all winter, he was busy skinning them and didn’t pay much attention to his wife’s comments. He chuckled, “What’s this about being pregnant? These are all male rabbits. Male rabbits can’t have babies.”

Zhang Cuilan rolled her eyes, realizing her husband was too absorbed in the rabbit meat to pay attention to her.

Gu Shi’an carried his bicycle back home and stored it in the shed. His rolled-up pants were covered in mud. Since his wife was particular about cleanliness, he knew she would be upset if he brought mud into the house.

In the old house’s kitchen, a large iron kettle was simmering over a low flame. In winter, hot water was used frequently, and whoever used it would refill it afterward.

Gu Shi’an washed his hands, filled the kettle, added a few pieces of dry wood to the stove, and took care of the household chores. He carried a load of firewood for his parents, then brought another bundle to keep the stove warm.

Seeing her eldest son so busy, Zhang Cuilan felt satisfied. She heard her youngest son jumping around next door and told him to take a break.

Gu Shi’an, though he nodded in response, didn’t stop working until he had heated the stove in his parents’ room and shoveled the snow piled in the corner of the yard. He worked until he was sweating.

Zhang Cuilan commented, “This stubborn eldest son of ours—when he becomes a father, let’s hope the child doesn’t take after him.”

Gu Mancang, hearing this, perked up and asked eagerly, “Cuilan, are we going to be grandparents?”

Zhang Cuilan: “…”

You big head ghost!

*

The snow outside had stopped earlier, but by evening, a light north wind had brought more snowflakes. The heavy grass curtain at the entrance of the old house couldn’t keep out the cold.

The stove in the house was burning brightly, with firewood glowing red. Lin Yao, cuddled up with a hot water bottle on a cotton pad, was reading a book. In the room, Dongzi, the mischievous little boy, was still running around.

When his older brother brought home some candy-coated hawthorns, Dongzi gleefully grabbed a few and ran off, followed by the plump orange cat bouncing along.

With Dongzi gone, Lin Yao put aside the hot water bottle and snuggled into Deputy Director Gu’s arms. His strong physique made him as warm as a furnace on a cold winter’s day, much more comfortable than the hot water bottle.

Lin Yao, who enjoyed sour foods, held up a string of glistening candy-coated hawthorns. She ate one, then offered another to Gu Shi’an. The hawthorns, covered in a thick layer of sugar, were sweet and tangy.

Lin Yao ate half of them, satisfied, and lay in Gu Shi’an’s arms, contentedly smacking her lips.

Gu Shi’an chuckled, “If they’re so good, I’ll buy more for you tomorrow.”

Lin Yao replied seriously, “That won’t do. Candy-coated hawthorns are only for once a week. They have so much sugar. Eating them every day would make me fat.”

Gu Shi’an’s throat moved as he thought of commenting that she was already not so slim and that her face had grown rounder. However, recalling his past experiences of being kicked out of bed by the young lady for speaking his mind, he wisely decided to change the subject.

In the following days, as the New Year passed, the situation worsened. The disaster victims were left without food, carrying burlap sacks and bundles, begging for alms. A new wave of refugees flooded in, bringing all sorts of people and creating a commotion in Yunshui County.

The county was overwhelmed with refugees, making the bus station chaotic. Pickpocketing and petty theft were common, and even though no major incidents had occurred, it was essential to be cautious.

The county leaders, still haunted by last year’s robbery during the Laba Festival, were determined to avoid any trouble. They assigned a leader to monitor the bus station each day, with the county police, armed forces, and militia patrolling. Gu Shi’an’s long commuting hours meant he couldn’t let his family duties interfere with his work.

The old director stayed at the office, and young people were expected to endure some hardships.

From the 20th day of the first lunar month, Gu Shi’an lived and worked in the office. Zhang Cuilan, aware of this, fussed over preparing food for her son. Good food was scarce in the city, and money couldn’t always buy what was needed.

“Times are tough outside. At least you can have a few peaceful days at home. Dongzi, stay home and don’t wander around the city.”

Following his mother’s instructions, Dongzi behaved.

Zhang Cuilan packed a bundle with a can of malted milk, half a dried wild rabbit wrapped in paper, and some cured meat. She also made two large batches of dumplings with pork and cabbage filling, all neatly frozen for Gu Shi’an. She even baked a few scallion oil cakes. With this, he would have enough food for a few days.

Gu Shi’an returned home every two or three days to collect the food.

Lin Yao, feeling drowsy, made sure to fold Gu Shi’an’s clothes neatly, the garments smelling of soapberry. She folded them perfectly, with sharp corners. After several days of vomiting, her family was concerned. Gu Mancang hired an old Chinese doctor, who, after feeling her pulse and with a shaking white beard, declared, “The pulse is smooth and floating, like pearls rolling in a dish. It’s a good sign.”

The old doctor spoke in an archaic manner, causing the Gu family to be anxious.

The doctor adjusted his white beard and said, “This is a joyful pulse, indicating over a month of pregnancy.”

Now the Gu family understood.

Zhang Cuilan was overjoyed, her eyes squinting with happiness. “That’s wonderful! Our Gu family is going to have a new addition. Doctor, is Yao Yao’s health okay? She’s weak, and pregnancy is hard on her.”

The old doctor was surprised. In the mountains, it was rare for elders to concern themselves with how their daughters-in-law were faring during pregnancy. They usually focused on the new grandchildren.

Gu Mancang was also thrilled. Normally reserved, he sent the doctor away and excitedly sought out the village carpenter, wanting to buy good wood to make a small bed for the baby himself.

Lin Yao spent most of her time sleeping. Compared to most pregnant women who suffer from severe nausea and food aversions, Lin Yao was quite fortunate. Apart from initial morning sickness, she now had a good appetite and could sleep soundly for most of the day.

When the old doctor came for a visit, Lin Yao was still asleep at home.

Lin Yao accepted her pregnancy well. Ever since the news of Gu Chunmei’s pregnancy, she had felt that her turn was near.

And so, the little one arrived.

When Gu Shi’an returned home and learned the news, he was stunned. He walked into the room with a dazed expression and, seeing Lin Yao peacefully asleep, felt his heart soften. The flickering candlelight on the wardrobe cast a gentle, serene glow over her.

Gu Shi’an carefully got into bed, holding her gently, burying his head in her fragrant hair, and smiled silently.