“I’m second sister’s helper at the Jia Shu Yuan. I’m just sending her something,” Zeng Shuyi asked curiously.
“How about you? Do you live at the Jia Shu Yuan?”
Chen Pan said no.
“I have a friend here. Since the New Year is coming, I’m bringing him some fresh Youyu.”
“Youyu?”
Hearing that, Zeng Shuyi’s mouth watered a little.
Rongcheng is by the sea, but not right on the shore—it’s still thirty or forty kilometers away from the coast.
Usually, there aren’t many fresh Hai Xian available in the market; you have to go to the fishing village’s supply and marketing cooperative to find more.
Chen Shu nodded.
“There are also some Fengzi and Huajia.”
“Comrade Chen, where did you buy these Hai Xian? I—I want to buy some too!” Zeng Shuyi loved Hai Xian but they were hard to come by, and often expensive.
With the New Year approaching, if Chen Pan could teach her how to get some, she would be willing to spend the money to treat herself.
Selling goods was so tough; she deserved to treat herself a little.
Zeng Shuyi didn’t mind spending money on herself.
Chen Pan shook his head.
“They’re not bought. My aunt’s family lives in the fishing village. She sent the Hai Xian to my grandma. Before, when my grandpa was hospitalized, thanks to a friend’s help, my family specially sent these to express gratitude.”
“Oh, I see.” Zeng Shuyi sighed softly.
Chen Pan was half a head taller than Zeng Shuyi. Seeing her slightly downcast and dejected, he couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry.
“Comrade Zeng, do you really want to buy Hai Xian?”
“A little. It’s just hearing you mention Youyu that made me crave it,” Zeng Shuyi said, almost drooling.
“Boiled fresh Youyu with soy sauce is so fragrant, and with garlic sauce too, all so tasty! But it’s okay, when I have more money, I’ll find a way to get some.”
“Eating a little? Not hard if you have money.”
Chen Pan made a quick sound.
Nearing the intersection, he suddenly said, “If I go to my aunt’s place again, I can bring some for you. It’s not as strict as before. The people in the fishing village all go out to gather Hai Xian, and some sell it privately. As long as you keep it quiet, it’s fine.”
“Great, great! I definitely won’t tell anyone!” Zeng Shuyi gave her address, thinking Chen Pan was a really good person—handsome and easy to talk to. Not bad at all.
The two parted at the intersection, and Zeng Shuyi headed home.
Meanwhile, Zeng Shuyue was cleaning at the Zhou Family.
Zhou Sheng’s son was especially attached to Zeng Shuyue.
When she mopped the floor, he followed with a rag, wiping alongside her.
When they finished, he looked up with his big dark eyes, waiting for her praise, then gave her a sweet smile.
“Ren Kang is so good. Alright, go drink some water. You have A Yi here, it’s good.”
Zeng Shuyue coaxed the child away, changed the water, then went to wipe the living room furniture.
“Shuyue, come over here.” Li Dandan had been feeling especially comforted by Zeng Shuyue’s care these days.
It was clear she liked her sincerely.
“We were careless before. You shouldn’t be walking home alone at night every day. You must have been scared yesterday at the hospital, right?”
Zeng Shuyue said she was okay.
“I told Zhou Sheng, so you don’t have to come on New Year’s Day. You work a bit extra the day before, and I’ll make some dumplings myself the next day.” Li Dandan didn’t want her to work on such an important holiday. “Also, here’s a red envelope for you.”
She handed over a red envelope and pointed at the bag on the table.
“I know you have a daughter. Inside are some snacks for her to eat.”
“A Yi, I…”
“It’s for you, just take it. You’re living at your mother’s home with your child. It must be hard for you. Don’t be so polite with us. It’s not much money.” Li Dandan knew about Zeng Shuyue’s family situation.
These days, Zeng Shuyue was very thoughtful, and everyone who visited praised her.
Some even wanted to hire her after she finished here.
But her leg still needed two months of recovery, and the two kids really liked her.
The rest could wait.
Zeng Shuyue felt embarrassed but wasn’t good at turning down offers, so she blushed and accepted.
She worked even harder after that.
That night, she stayed over at the Zhou Family.
But late at night, Zhou Mei Li held her little brother’s hand and knocked on the door.
“A Yi Zeng, can we sleep with you tonight?”
Zeng Shuyue wanted to ask why, but Zhou Mei Li continued, “When Mom was here, she always slept with us and little brother.”
Hearing this, Zeng Shuyue couldn’t refuse.
She covered the two kids with blankets and turned off the lights.
Zhou Kang held onto Zeng Shuyue’s arm, warm and cozy.
The little ones soon fell asleep.
Zhou Mei Li sat beside her, looking at Zeng Shuyue.
“A Yi Zeng, can you work at our house forever? I don’t want you to work for others. I’m telling you, Xiao Liang’s mom is very demanding and hard to get along with. Second aunt’s grandma is very fierce—we’re all afraid of her.”
Zeng Shuyue didn’t quite understand at first.
After Zhou Mei Li explained, she realized how many people at the Jia Shu Yuan were paying attention to her.
Everyone praised her for keeping things clean, cooking delicious meals, and being kind and easygoing.
Thinking of these compliments, Zeng Shuyue felt a little proud.
She couldn’t be as bold and spirited as her sisters, but she had her own strengths.
That night, as she fell asleep, the corners of her lips gently lifted.
Until the afternoon of the twenty-ninth day of the lunar year, Zeng Shuyue finished all her tasks and then carried the gifts Zhou Family gave her back home.
The Zhou Family had already paid her for the month in advance, along with a five-yuan red envelope.
Now with money in hand, she stopped by the state-owned store and bought a ball of Yangmao, planning to knit woolen gloves for her daughter.
“It’s Shuyue! It’s almost New Year, why haven’t I seen you back at your in-laws’?” Liu Xiwang, at the Alley Entrance, was lounging with his legs crossed and hands in his pockets.
Seeing passersby, he always had to say a few words.
“And your man? Is he treating you well?”
Zeng Shuyue was not good with words, so she just nodded in agreement.
She had planned to go home but was stopped by Liu Xiwang’s call.
“Don’t rush home. Listen to me, if you two young couples are still good, you should go back to your in-laws for the New Year. A married daughter can’t stay at her mother’s house for the New Year.”
Liu Xiwang was speaking energetically, completely unaware that Zeng Shuyi was approaching.
“Lao Liu, did your food come out too salty today?” Zeng Shuyi approached with a teasing smile.
Liu Xiwang instinctively said no.
“Really? I thought your wife made the dishes too salty today.” Zeng Shuyi held her second sister’s hand. “But if you say no, then it’s no. It’s just that your son Liu Yong has been at my house, saying my mom’s meatballs smell so good and he wants to celebrate the New Year there. My family is generous. Whether sons or daughters or neighborhood kids, if they want to celebrate, they’re all welcome.”
After speaking, she led her sister home.
Liu Xiwang didn’t immediately catch the hidden meaning in Zeng Shuyi’s words.
Xu Zhaodi snorted, “Lao Liu, people say you’re just bored with nothing to do, meddling in others’ business. This Shuyi really has no mercy, even mocking elders!”
“What? She said I meddle too much?” Liu Xiwang angrily stormed into the Zeng family courtyard, about to call out to Zeng Shuyi when he saw her with his grandson.
The boy’s face was still oily, smiling and thanking Zeng Shuyi.
“Grandpa, did you come to call me home?” Liu Yong ran over laughing.
“Aunt Zeng’s fried meatballs smell so good, she gave me one to try. I said my mom’s Lu Rou is tasty too, I want to swap fried meatballs for Lu Rou with Shuyi sister!”
Liu Xiwang, thinking only about food, was still angry and slapped the boy’s face twice.
“Eat, eat, eat. You only know how to eat. Don’t you know people are scolding you for being greedy?”
“Lao Liu, you wouldn’t dare say that. My mom is such a good person, how could she scold anyone?” Zeng Shuyi stood in the doorway with her arms crossed. “It’s just a greedy kid, does it have to be like this? Fine, fine, it’s your family’s business. I’m just an outsider; better not meddle since my family doesn’t eat that much Lu Rou.”
After saying that, Zeng Shuyi went back inside.
Liu Xiwang stood in the Zeng family courtyard, not knowing whether to be angry or walk away, embarrassed, stuck for a long time.
It took his son shouting from behind the wall to finally make him leave.
“Dad, did you say something about the Zeng family again?” Liu Jiaqiang hated his dad’s gossiping.
It was because of his dad’s nagging that his mom left.
Liu Xiwang felt wronged.
“What can I say? I’m just trying to be kind, telling Shuyue to pay more attention to her in-laws. Can’t I say that?”
Liu Jiaqiang frowned.
“I’m telling you, Shuyi wouldn’t mess with people without reason. You’re in a bad mood. Does she eat your food or use your things? What does she have to do with your in-laws?”
Taking a deep breath, he added, “Dad, I’ll say it again, don’t meddle in others’ business. Stop hanging around at the Alley Entrance gossiping. Everyone else is a woman who likes to chat, but how come you, a man, are the biggest gossip?”
Liu Xiwang was scolded by his son and couldn’t take it.
Pointing at his son’s back as he went inside, he cursed, “You little bastard, teaching your old man a lesson, are you looking for a beating?”
At that moment, a child from next door ran over smiling.
“Lao Liu, Uncle Liu is a bastard, then are you a bastard too?”
“Get lost, you little brat! Does your family even teach you manners? Want me to come get you?” Liu Xiwang raised his hand, but the kid ran off yelling, “The Liu family are all descendants of turtles!”—making him so mad he went next door to argue.
Inside, Zeng Shuyi laughed aloud.
“That Lao Liu is a real gossip. His wife running off was a wise choice. Second sister, why are you still bothered? This is your home now; you pay the rent!“
“I… I’m afraid Mom and Dad think the same,” Zeng Shuyue said.
Zeng Shuyi puckered her lips.
“Even if Dad thinks that, he wouldn’t say it out loud. Back then, when he made you go to the countryside, got you bullied, and forced you to marry, no matter how biased he was, he wouldn’t have voluntarily let you go. Mom wouldn’t either. She has no backbone, but the four of us are her lifeblood.”
“Second sister, people live for themselves. Even if big brother and sister-in-law say something, just think of them as eating shit and spouting nonsense. Don’t take it to heart.”
“Shuyi, I wish I could be as clear-headed as you,” Zeng Shuyue said.
Zeng Shuyi smiled. “You can change. Heaven didn’t say everyone has to stay the same forever. Besides, look at Shengnan, so timid and tiny. You even named her Shengnan. Don’t you want her to be a little stronger?”
Zeng Shuyue fell silent.
Zeng Shuyi sighed deeply, “Think it over carefully. You live your own life. That’s all I can say.”
Having said what she needed to, she wouldn’t waste breath repeating herself.
Whether they listened or not was up to them.
After all, it was their fate, not hers to decide.
Zeng Shuyi picked up a biscuit second sister had brought back.
The rich milky aroma filled her mouth.
“So tasty. These biscuits can only be found in the military district’s Jia Shu Yuan. Looks like the Zhou Family really likes you.”
Zeng Shuyue nodded. “Shuyi, I’m thinking, can I keep working as a housekeeper?”
“As long as you think it’s okay, then it is. Second sister, don’t care what others say. They have their flaws, so do we. If it’s not pleasant, just curse them. Nobody owes anyone anything.” After she finished, her mom called from the living room to eat Ma Zhijing. Zeng Shuyi dashed out. “Auntie, I want a big piece!”
Ma Zhijing is glutinous rice pounded until soft and elastic, then dipped in Zhi Ma Fen or Hua Sheng Fen.
It’s a rare treat, as both glutinous rice and sesame are precious.
Lin Jiazhen came back inside to call the two daughters.
“Shuyue, hurry up or Xiangmin and Shuyi will eat it all.”
Zeng Shuyi’s mouth was full.
Seeing her mom and second sister come out, eyes sparkling with smiles, she hadn’t even swallowed the Ma Zhijing and couldn’t help but sigh, “New Year is really great. Mom… ow, I got burned… haha, still, New Year is the best!”
“Slow down!” Lin Jiazhen laughed tiredly.
Outside, someone set off Tiao Hua.
The alley was alive with sounds.
The children ran out to pick up the firecrackers.
The alley immediately felt lively, full of New Year’s atmosphere.
After New Year’s Eve, Zeng Shuyue returned to work at the Zhou Family.
Zeng Qingliang and the others who worked had shifts, so at home there were only Zeng Shuyi and her mother with the two kids.
After putting the children to sleep, Lin Jiazhen smiled and held her daughter’s hand.
“Shuyi, after the New Year, when you’re twenty, I was already pregnant with your big brother.”
“Mom, I’m not interested in blind dates,” Zeng Shuyi immediately guessed her mother’s intentions.
“Why reject so quickly? There’s the Xu Family in our alley. They have a nephew who works at the city’s post and telecommunications bureau. He’s very handsome. How about I arrange a meeting?”
Zeng Shuyi refused firmly. “Mom, I said I’m not ready to date yet. No use arguing. I’ll think about it in a couple of years.”
Meanwhile, the Chen Family relatives crowded into the cramped living room, looking at Chen Pan with eager eyes.
“Pan, I heard your work is going well. My aunt’s family in the fishing village has a niece who’s very pretty and works at the supply and marketing cooperative. Aunt wants to set you two up.”
Ma Shufen immediately said, “Yeah, your village’s cooperative isn’t good enough. Our small neighborhood found a resident. I like a girl who’s beautiful and lively. Xiao Pan, grandma arranged a meeting for you.”
Everyone looked at Chen Pan.
Before he could answer, others chimed in, “Yeah, after New Year’s Day, the twenty-second day. You’re not getting any younger.”
Chen Pan couldn’t handle it and hurriedly explained, “Grandma, aunt, I’m at a crucial point right now. I don’t want to date. Wait two more years. Really, I’ll think about it then.”
“How can that be?”
“Yeah, get married early, grandma wants to hold her great-grandchild soon.”
“Better sooner than later, listen to us.”
Chen Pan’s head hurt.
He made an excuse about going to the internet café and ran.
Too scary.
How come his family was so eager when he’d just started working?
Chen Pan didn’t understand.
Walking on, he unconsciously walked a bit far.
He saw some people playing Xiangqi by the roadside.
He wasn’t interested, until he heard a familiar voice and stopped to look.
“How can you regret a move? No way, I said no, so no. I’m already in checkmate. If you can’t get out, then switch players.” After running from home, Zeng Shuyi played Xiangqi here.
Whoever lost had to get up and give way.
Zeng Shuyi had won five games in a row, making the older men lose their tempers.
No one wanted to face her again, fearing losing and being embarrassed in front of their friends.
“You come.”
“No, no, I’m not feeling well right now.”
“You come.”
“Ah? I… I also want to go to the internet café.”
They pushed each other until Zeng Shuyi spotted Chen Pan by the road and waved cheerfully.
“Comrade Chen, is that you? How about you come play a game with me?”
“Me?” Chen Pan was stunned.
Before he could answer, two uncles pressed him down to sit.
One uncle patted Chen Pan’s shoulder.
“Don’t be afraid, young man. Uncle will be your advisor. I don’t believe today us old guys will lose to a young girl.”
Zeng Shuyi playfully raised an eyebrow.
“No worries, Uncle Yu. Losing to me isn’t shameful. I won’t go around boasting about it. Come on, a new game starts.”
She arranged the pieces and looked up at Chen Pan, her eyes sparkling like stars.
“Comrade Chen, you first or me first?”
Chen Pan was stunned. “Ah?”
“I’m asking, do you go first or do I?” Zeng Shuyi saw the confused look on Chen Pan’s face and thought maybe he had been drinking at lunch.
The dazed look suited him well.