Chapter 70

Lin Hongna didn’t expect her mother to be so bold, planning to give Mother Sun laxative powder to cause her discomfort.

Mother Sun, who valued her reputation above all, would be utterly humiliated if she had to suffer such an embarrassment in front of everyone. It would be impossible for her to continue her work smoothly after that.

Although Lin Hongna detested her mother-in-law, she would never let Li Aifeng do something that would harm both parties.

Li Aifeng was unaware of the complexities involved. Lin Hongna didn’t elaborate but warned her to be careful.

Li Aifeng, with her typical chatter, looked at the egg cake on the table with bright eyes. “You have egg cake here. Let me have a piece. I’ve suffered so much in the countryside, eating nothing but dark flatbread. It was so hard to swallow, so tasteless.”

There was only a plate of egg cake in Lin Hongna’s room, which wasn’t very nutritious, but it was the best she had.

Li Aifeng quickly ate two or three pieces. With the hot weather affecting Lin Hongna’s appetite, she had to rely on the egg cake to fill her stomach. Lin Hongna discreetly moved the plate to the counter, trying to divert her mother’s attention.

“Mom, where does the old hag want you to stay tonight?”

Li Aifeng licked the crumbs from her fingers and replied, “There’s a small room where an old woman used to stay. I’ll tidy it up and stay there.”

With such a large yard at the Sun house, they could certainly spare a bed for Li Aifeng.

Li Aifeng wiped her fingers clean and, without washing her hands, boldly opened Lin Hongna’s wardrobe, rummaging through her belongings, including the rattan box on top of the wardrobe.

“Oh, this blouse is really nice, it must be silk. It’s so expensive outside. Buying fabric is also costly. Nana, your body has grown, and you won’t wear it much. Why not give it to me? I don’t have any good clothes, and if I wear it, it’ll also help our family’s image.”

Li Aifeng’s hands were filthy as she rummaged through the wardrobe, touching and pinching items. Lin Hongna looked at her disheveled wardrobe, watching as her mother handled her underwear and even tried to wear it herself to see if it fit.

“Mom, what are you doing? You can’t wear my clothes!”

Furious, Lin Hongna walked over, snatched her underwear from Li Aifeng’s hands, and said coldly, “Let me remind you that the Sun family does not tolerate any sand in their eyes. You’d better fix your habit of sneaking and stealing, or if something goes wrong, I won’t be able to help you.”

Li Aifeng, feeling righteous, retorted, “I’m your mother. What’s wrong with taking a few things from my own daughter’s home? Besides, you’re pregnant now and won’t be wearing these small clothes. I could take them home and have your brother turn them into shorts. He doesn’t even have a decent pair of shorts, and as a sister, you should help out.”

Li Aifeng’s bizarre comments nearly made Lin Hongna faint with anger.

In these times of scarcity, she barely had a few pieces of underwear to change, and the money Lin Hongwu took from her was over thirty or forty yuan. He spent it all on smoking, drinking, and gambling. If he’s not living well, it’s his own fault!

Lin Hongna felt she didn’t owe anyone anything!

Besides, what kind of mother repurposes her daughter’s clothes for her son to wear?

If Mother Sun knew about this, she’d surely scold Li Aifeng for being shameless!

Struggling to keep her temper in check, Lin Hongna said, “These are my clothes, and I can’t give them to you. If you want to make clothes for Lin Hongwu, buy them yourself.”

Li Aifeng still wanted to argue, but seeing her daughter’s face, which was not as healthy and glowing as other pregnant women, she felt a pang of sympathy. “You’ve had a hard time. In the famine years, being pregnant is tough. Your mother-in-law doesn’t even give you extra nutrition. I’ll make you a bowl of egg brown sugar water to boost your blood and energy.”

Lin Hongna touched her face. The doctor in town had said she was low in energy and might risk premature labor or miscarriage.

Lin Hongna spent money to hush things up and had asked Sun Jiliang to take her to see a gynecologist in the county.

Sun Jiliang was disheartened by the suggestion. He couldn’t stand the mention of the county hospital and said angrily, “Why go to the county? It’s natural for a woman to be pregnant. My mother had three children and never went to any county hospital. You’re just being fussy!”

Lin Hongna gritted her teeth. Fussy, my foot!

Men can’t even try being pregnant themselves!

Taking advantage of the little meat he has, he’s out chasing women. If you provoke me, I might just cut you up!

Lin Hongna drank the egg brown sugar water Li Aifeng made and lay down in her room.

Li Aifeng’s beady eyes were scanning the Sun household. Like a weasel, she sniffed around the house, quickly discovering the glutinous rice dumplings hidden in the grain jar by Mother Sun.

Dumplings! She hadn’t had them in years.

Li Aifeng grabbed a dumpling without hesitation. To her surprise, she bit into it and found two pieces of good meat. As she chewed, she grumbled, “Damn that old woman. She hides the good stuff and makes me find it myself. So stingy!”

*

After Qingming Festival^[1]The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese holiday dedicated to honoring and remembering ancestors. It typically falls on April 4th or 5th each year, depending … Continue reading, the sun began to shine in the mountains. Zhang Cuilan planted two rows of corn seedlings in her yard.

At that time, all the land outside was public, and people worked to earn work points.

The Gu family had no land at home, and planting food or vegetables outside would lead to forced labor.

Fortunately, the old Gu house had a large yard, about half an acre. Planting two rows of corn wasn’t too much and was enough for the family’s daily consumption.

With plenty of rain lately, the old Gu family fertilized and weeded, and the corn grew very well. The tender, shiny leaves swayed with the wind, looking very pleasing.

Lin Yao was five months pregnant, and her belly had swollen like a ball, causing her to waddle when she walked.

In the evenings, Gu Shi’an would fetch water to wash her feet.

Lin Yao touched her belly and joked that she felt like a green-skinned frog.

Gu Deputy Director, gazing affectionately, said, “Even if it’s a frog, Yao Yao is the most beautiful one.”

Lin Yao: “…….”

Come on, if you can’t speak sweet words, don’t speak at all.

Once he started speaking, he managed to offend his wife, but that’s just Gu Shi’an, the ironclad man who can’t speak properly.

Lin Yao angrily threw the blanket aside, turning her back to him.

Gu Shi’an came back with the foot-washing water, hoping to cuddle up with his wife.

Lin Yao kicked him, saying irritably, “It’s hot. Sleep on the side.”

Gu Shi’an didn’t understand but obediently slept on the edge.

When Lin Yao woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, she clung to Gu Shi’an like an octopus, resting her head on his arm and sleeping comfortably.

Lin Yao quickly slipped out from Gu Shi’an’s embrace. Her belly suddenly moved, and the baby inside kicked quite vigorously.

Lin Yao couldn’t help but exclaim, “Ouch.”

Gu Shi’an immediately opened his eyes, his deep gaze fixed on her.

“Yao Yao, is your belly uncomfortable?”

Lin Yao, hugging her belly and lying on the pillow, grumbled, “It’s nothing. The baby’s just kicking.”

Gu Shi’an gently massaged her, and Lin Yao noticed he looked clear-headed, showing no signs of having just woken up. “You didn’t sleep?”

Gu Shi’an’s lips curled into a smile. If it weren’t for the baby’s vigorous movements, Lin Yao would have buried her face in embarrassment.

—The expression said it all, he was pretending to be asleep.

After a while, the baby settled down, and Gu Shi’an took her to the bathroom.

Lin Yao washed her hands and automatically nestled into Gu Shi’an’s embrace, enjoying the warmth and comforting scent of her husband. She quickly fell back to sleep, her drowsiness overtaking her.

Unbeknownst to Lin Yao, during the latter part of the night, Gu Shi’an held her close, his large hand resting on her belly. Occasionally, the baby inside would kick, while Lin Yao, the expectant mother, slept soundly.

Feeling the vitality of the little life, Gu Shi’an’s eyes grew a bit misty. He lowered his head and gently kissed Lin Yao’s belly.

The next morning, Gu Shi’an went to the county public security bureau.

Lin Yao continued to sleep until well after sunrise, eventually emerging from her room slowly.

Zhang Cuilan was weeding the cornfield in the yard. Lin Yao put on a straw hat, donned long sleeves, and took a small stool to help.

Zhang Cuilan quickly waved her off, “Yao Yao, don’t come over. This work is dirty. You’re heavily pregnant, so we won’t take any risks.”

Lin Yao stopped, noting that the corn leaves had sharp tips that would leave red marks on her delicate skin if brushed against.

She obediently put down the stool and sat on a recliner, gazing at the drifting clouds.

The April mountain breeze was gentle and carried the scent of the countryside’s rapeseed flowers.

Lin Yao had barely sat for a moment when she began to feel drowsy.

“Sister-in-law, sister-in-law!”

Outside the yard, Dongzi ran over in a flurry.

Lin Yao’s sleepiness vanished instantly. She stood up, supporting her belly, and looked out through the fence.

Dongzi, the little rascal, was rolling up his trouser legs, wearing straw sandals and holding a banana leaf as he ran towards her.

Lin Yao called out, “Slow down, don’t fall!”

The mischievous child called for his sister-in-law and then his mother.

Zhang Cuilan peeked out from the cornfield, scolding, “What are you calling for? Are you trying to call your mother’s soul? And look at your wet trouser legs! You’ve been fishing again!”

Zhang Cuilan began searching for a tool to scold her older son.

Dongzi grinned as he entered the house, “Mom, I caught fish in the trap we put in the water! There are grass carp and carp, several of them!”

Gu Shidong opened the banana leaf to reveal several wriggling fat fish.

Fish in spring are the most delicious, though harder to catch compared to winter. In winter, fish would jump out of holes in the ice.

In spring, the number of people fishing in the village increases, and the fish learn to swim deeper when they see people.

Earlier, Gu Shi’an had placed a few fish traps in the river, baiting them with earthworms, hoping for a catch.

After three or four days, they had caught no fish, and the Gu family had almost given up hope—until now.

Lin Yao was thrilled to see the fish swimming in the basin. She winked at Dongzi, who was drooling, “Tonight we’ll have fish balls.”

Gu Shidong wiped his mouth, “Fish balls? What’s that?”

The poor child had never had fish balls before. In the past, when the family lived in the county, they only had fish once a year, either stewed or steamed with garlic and scallions.

What were fish balls?

Dongzi’s little head was filled with curiosity.

Lin Yao clapped her hands, “You’ll find out when your brother comes home tonight.”

Dongzi scratched his head, not thinking much further, and continued to eye the plump fish in the basin.

Daju, the cat, was also eyeing the fish, tilting its head and eagerly trying to leap into the basin.

Gu Mancang saw this and carried Daju away, locking it in a room. Daju meowed and scratched at the door, frustrated.

The noise from Daju annoyed Lin Yao, so she had a calm “negotiation” with the cat, eventually settling with half a bowl of fish flakes to quiet it down.

After lunch, Zhang Cuilan and her husband tidied up, changed their clothes, and planned to go to the city to visit their daughter.

Gu Mancang carried half a bag of dried sweet potatoes, while Zhang Cuilan carried two fish and some dried wild vegetables in a basket.

Zhang Cuilan asked her younger son if he was going to the city.

Gu Shidong shook his head vigorously, “No, I’m waiting for my sister-in-law to make me fish balls.”

It was just as well. The city was chaotic with steel production and factional disputes. It was safer to stay in the countryside.

The dirt road from the Gu family’s house to the county was used twice a day by the village’s mule cart.

Gu Mancang and his wife set out early. Gu Mancang gave the mule driver a cigarette, which the driver sniffed appreciatively.

“Da Qianmen, a nice cigarette, Mancang is generous.”

Gu Mancang smiled sheepishly. The cigarette was a gift from Yao Yao before they left, though he had initially refused it.

It seemed that the children were quite assertive, and it was essential to offer a little sweetness when seeking favors.

Zhang Cuilan repeatedly reminded her younger son, “Listen to your sister-in-law while we’re gone. Don’t run around like a fly, and stay away from people who gossip. Don’t show off any good stuff from home. The village is just like the city—people who live well attract envy. Your brother will be back in the afternoon, so stay at home.”

Gu Shidong nodded earnestly.

“Mom, when will you and Dad come back?”

“It’s uncertain. Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow or the day after.”

“Okay.”

The mule cart clattered away, gradually becoming a small black dot.

Gu Shidong watched until it disappeared, then turned to head home.

In the evening, as the sun set, Lin Yao estimated it was time for Gu Shi’an to finish work. She took Dongzi and Daju to wait at the crossroads.

A significant case had emerged in the county that day.

A farmer from Liujiawa Production Team in Yunshui County came to the county to report that his eldest daughter had disappeared two years ago while visiting her parents’ home.

For the past two years, the old farmer and his son-in-law had searched the surrounding area thoroughly but still couldn’t find the daughter.

The son-in-law was adamant that his wife had been kidnapped. Without any sign of her, he couldn’t keep waiting forever. As a man, he couldn’t remain single for life, and the family needed to carry on the lineage.

Initially, the old farmer thought little of it. The son-in-law had been diligently searching for the daughter for the past two years.

If the daughter couldn’t be found, it was perhaps fate, and it shouldn’t delay the son-in-law’s life.

The old farmer agreed, and the son-in-law married a widow from the same village a few days later. The old farmer even gave a gift to the son-in-law.

The widow was a recent widow, her previous husband having passed away only half a year before. She had a child from her late husband. After entering the home, she quickly gave birth to a chubby baby boy.

The son-in-law’s family was delighted, setting off firecrackers and offering sacrifices at the ancestral hall.

The old farmer began to have doubts. He secretly went to see the child and was stunned to find that the child looked exactly like his former son-in-law—clearly father and son!

There was definitely something fishy. Additionally, the old farmer discovered that the former son-in-law’s family had built a new grass shed, which was unusual in the countryside where grass sheds were common.

No one else had two grass sheds, and the timing of the construction coincided with when his daughter went missing!

The old farmer found this suspicious and immediately reported it to the county.