Chapter 16

An hour later, the tractor finally arrived at the village. Back then, the “Village-to-Village Road” program hadn’t yet been implemented, and the main roads leading into the villages were still stone roads, practically shaking you off. Once inside, Song Ci remained silent, clutching the side of the tractor with one hand and the small tree with the other, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The small tree, however, was excited, clinging to the side of the tractor with both hands, staring around in curiosity.

After climbing a high slope, the group finally arrived at Lijiawan. Song Ci and his family went down first, while Li Yanchao continued to drive the tractor team to take Song Zhen and his wife to her home.

Song Ci and the others hadn’t taken two steps when they heard a boy shout, “Grandma, Second Uncle and the others are back.”

Obviously, he had been waiting here for a long time.

Songjiawan is right next to the main road, separated only by a large pond.

Before reaching home, Song Ci saw a large crowd pouring out of the old Song family’s home. Standing in the middle were none other than Zhang Xiumei and Li Qingfeng. The old Song family had many children; the old couple had four sons and four daughters. Song Ci guessed that they should all be home today. It was dinnertime, and everyone was already eating at the door with their bowls in hand. Li Yannian couldn’t help but stop and chat with them. Song Ci was originally an educated youth from the village, so seeing his familiar sister-in-law, he naturally had to chat a little. Perhaps because everyone knew she had been admitted to university, they were much more enthusiastic towards her than before.

Zhang Xiumei couldn’t wait at home, so she came over quickly, said hello to her son and daughter-in-law, and then hugged the little tree in her arms.

Xiaoshu was a cheerful person. After shouting “Grandma” loudly, he let her carry him home.

The whole family was waiting for them to return for dinner. Li Yannian and Song Ci didn’t talk to anyone for long, and soon arrived at the door. After a long exchange of pleasantries, they finally sat down at the table and ate a hot meal. There were so many people that they split the table into two: one for those who drank and one for those who didn’t. Even so, there were still many people who hadn’t sat down. It turned out that in addition to Li Yannian’s brothers and sisters, all the uncles and aunts from the family had also come.

Song Ci naturally sat at the table. Seated on her left was her third sister-in-law, Li Zhen, and on her right was her fifth sister-in-law, Zhang Ping. One worked at a town sales agency, the other at a textile factory in the city. They didn’t live in their hometown on weekdays, so it was the eldest brother’s family who truly lived with the old couple. Seated across from them were her three married sisters and several aunts and uncles: Li Yanyue, Li Yanxing, and Yanzhen; her eldest aunt Guo Xiu; and her third aunt, Li Juhua. Her eldest sisters-in-law, Shi Yan and Li Yanfang, and Zhang Xiumei were absent from the table, busy in the kitchen. As for the children, they were fishing around the table.

Song Ci had originally planned to call Xiaoshu out for dinner, but Zhang Xiumei told her to eat her own meal while she took care of Xiaoshu. Song Ci had been away for over two years, and aside from the initial questions about her college and military service, she hadn’t been able to get a word in. She could only listen to her aunts and sisters talk while they ate. During this time, the sisters also called Zhang Xiumei and the others out for dinner, but they didn’t come to the table. They didn’t start eating until everyone else had finished. Song Ci disagreed, but she kept quiet.

The weather was hot, and there was no electric fan or air conditioning. It was very stuffy sitting in the house, so they quickly cleared the table. However, the group of people who were drinking were still at the table, drinking happily. After they finished eating, Zhang Xiumei and the others came to the table. People were poor in those days, and even though Zhang Xiumei prepared a sumptuous meal, there were still not many dishes left on the table. There was only the bottom of the plate, so they could only make do with the meal. Song Ci was looking uncomfortable when Li Yannian suddenly came over and called her, asking her to take out her admission letter for everyone to see. Because she was in a hurry, Song Ci planned to take the train directly from her hometown to Beijing, and of course she would bring her admission letter with her. At this time, Li Yanchao also came back. She hurried to the west room of her house, took out her admission letter, and showed it to the female relatives first, and then gave it to Li Yannian.

Li Qingfeng, perhaps drunk, not only read over his admission letter but also called Song Ci over and showered him with praise, making him blush. Afterward, he sobbed, saying that the Li family had finally produced another scholar, which had caused Zhang Xiumei to scold him. Only then did he stop crying and yell, “Drink, drink, drink!”

Not only Li Qingfeng praised her, but the eldest uncle and the third uncle also praised Song Ci, and praised her as the number one daughter-in-law in the Li family, which made Zhang Ping and Li Zhen secretly pout.

Song Ci naturally didn’t dare to accept it. He praised both his sister-in-law and his brother’s wife before putting the notice back.

When they came out, Zhang Xiumei and the others had already finished eating and were clearing the table. Song Ci wanted to help wash the dishes, but Zhang Xiumei stopped her, saying that she must be tired after sitting on the train all day, and asked her to go to her room and lie down for a while.

Song Ci was indeed very tired, but she definitely couldn’t rest at this time, so Zhang Xiumei didn’t let her wash the dishes, so she helped with odd jobs.

After a long busy day, they finally returned to their own room. Their family also had a two-room compound in their hometown, right next to the main house. Li Yannian, perhaps drunk, fell asleep upon returning. Song Ci began packing up the things she had brought back. Although the third and fourth children had settled in town, gifts still needed to be prepared. Besides the extra can of malted milk from the main house, Li Yannian’s uncles and aunts each received a bag of brown sugar and a can of canned food. The rest was for the old couple. Song Ci not only bought them enough cloth for a set of clothes, but also bought each a pair of shoes, along with brown sugar and malted milk. As for the four younger sisters, they each received a handkerchief for washing their faces. Even these few things were only purchased after she had to ask many people to exchange tickets. After packing up, she went out and called Li Yanfang in to help deliver everyone’s gifts. In the countryside, these gifts were considered generous. Everyone who received them was very happy and said many polite words. Only Zhang Xiumei asked her why she was spending so much money and told her not to buy it in the future. Song Ci agreed, thinking that she would have to buy it in the future.

In the afternoon, Xiaoshu’s third and fifth uncles left. They’d only taken a day off, but they weren’t going home. His sisters, though all married not far away, didn’t stay long, saying they had family matters to attend to. Song Ci understood the reason: food was limited at that time, and if they treated him to an extra meal, they might not have enough to eat at home. They were being considerate of their families. Before they left, they invited Song Ci and his family to visit them, and Song Ci naturally agreed. Whether he went would be decided later.

After everyone left, not only Shi Yan breathed a sigh of relief, but Song Ci also breathed a sigh of relief. Although Zhang Xiumei had cleaned the house before returning, Song Ci still cleaned it again. They stayed in their hometown for quite a while, and it was not appropriate to always eat with the old people. It was better to cook by themselves, since they had a kitchen here. Seeing her cleaning, Zhang Xiumei had to come over to help her, and she complained to her in words that why she bothered so much, it would be easier to eat together. She was her own son, so what was wrong with him having a few meals with her. She also said that Li Yannian had sent a lot of money home in recent years, and anyone who had objections was heartless. Song Ci just listened and asked if it was better to cook by herself. Zhang Xiumei couldn’t persuade her, so she said that the food and firewood were provided by the old couple, and she was not allowed to pay. Song Ci once again felt grateful to her for being a good mother-in-law, so she didn’t refuse, thinking that she would pay her when she left.