Chapter 42: Family Interactions (Part 3)

“Sister-in-law, you hear how lively Jiao Jiao and the girls are, but I can’t imagine what that Maishui girl finds so interesting to talk about,” Lin Juhua said as she worked the sewing machine. The machine was quiet, and she could faintly hear their voices and laughter from the other room.

Huang Cuilan didn’t even look up. “Jiao Jiao’s still a child herself. Don’t think she’s all grown up just because she’s a mother now. It’s just big kids playing with little kids.” She chuckled as she finished speaking.

Lin Juhua laughed along. “When they first got married, those two would take Shitou and the others out to play—either picking wild fruit up in the hills or fishing in the river. They really were just big kids. Dad said we’ll pick up the kids tomorrow. Are you or big brother going? Please help me send my regards to Uncle and Auntie. Shitou’s going to trouble them again this time.”

“It’s fine. Looking after one sheep or a whole flock, it’s all the same. The old folks love having the kids around. I’ll go myself tomorrow and visit my parents while I’m at it,” her sister-in-law replied, handing her the cut fabric. “I’m done here. Anything else that needs doing?”

“Not much left. If we hurry tonight, we can finish up tomorrow—just need to sew on the buttons and such. This machine works even better than the one at Meili’s house. What are you off to? Stay and chat with me for a bit.”

Her sister-in-law tidied up the scissors and fabric scraps on the kang, dusted off her hands, and looked with satisfaction at the finished clothes. “Alright, tell me what’s been happening in the village lately. Wait a sec, I’ll go grab my things and make some shoes, and I’ll bring Ma苗 over too.”

She left the west wing, glanced at the dark, empty kitchen, and headed toward the main room. Before she reached the door, she could already hear the men inside chatting and joking around.

“I bet it was second brother who did it—put something in their food to give them the runs. That night, I even heard the courtyard gate open,” came Zhang Guoqing’s voice.

“What do you mean ‘definitely me’? I’m not admitting to anything. Who saw it, huh? Ha! Those bastards probably shit themselves silly,” Second Brother replied, feigning innocence but clearly pleased.

The eldest Zhang brother spoke calmly, “Let’s just leave it. Even if we wanted compensation, they don’t have a penny to spare. There were a lot of them, but Xiao Wu still managed to take them down. I saw them—black eyes, broken arms and legs. If someone hadn’t ambushed Xiao Wu, they’d all have ended up in the county hospital.”

Old Zhang laughed, “That’s for the best. No point making a big fuss. They’re from the neighboring village, after all. For the sake of their parents, let’s just let it go.”

Huang Cuilan entered the main room and saw the men still drinking, though not much wine was left. Zhang Mother sat on the kang, sewing shoe soles by the lamplight. She waved Huang Cuilan over. “All done cutting? Why not take a break? I’ll tidy up here later. It’s rare for the men to get so chatty.”

“Second brother’s wife is still working the sewing machine. I came to get some things to make shoes over there. Mom, why don’t you come too? It’s brighter in that room. Ma苗, come with me to your aunt’s—Ma穗 is there too.”

Zhang Mother picked up her little dustpan and went with them, calling out to Old Zhang, “You men take your time chatting. We’re off to have our own talk.”

She led Ma苗 to the west wing, and Huang Cuilan, familiar with the dark, fetched her own dustpan from the east wing. The three of them entered the small sitting room, where the two women set to work—one sewing soles, the other making shoes. The soft whir of the sewing machine filled the quiet night, making the atmosphere especially cozy. Every so often, they’d exchange a few words and burst into laughter.

Four-year-old Ma苗 was a bright, cheerful little girl. Her formal name, Zhang Miao, was specially chosen by Old Zhang after consulting someone, since she was born with a “water” deficiency in her five elements. She was the family’s little treasure, especially cherished after three grandsons in a row. She was also thoughtful, often looking after her younger cousin Ma穗, who was two years her junior.

Ma苗 wanted to go into the inner room. She glanced at her mother, who gave her a slight nod, and she dashed into the bedroom, smiling sweetly at Zhou Jiao. “Auntie, I’m here to play in your room. Is little brother still awake?”

Zhou Jiao had already heard the laughter and chatter from the other room. Since the children weren’t asleep, they didn’t bother lowering their voices. “You came with Grandma? The men are still drinking?”

Ma苗 wrinkled her nose in distaste, then remembered that wasn’t polite. She stuck out her tongue playfully and said shyly, “Grandpa and the others finished their snacks and are just chatting now. Grandpa said peanuts would go great with wine, but Grandma wouldn’t let him—those are for planting next year.”

“Oh? So why are you only coming over now? Auntie was hoping you’d bring something. Are you brave enough to go out on your own? I actually have some peanuts here. Bought them ages ago and forgot all about them. Good thing you reminded me.”

Zhou Jiao thought for a moment, then took out a big packet of peanuts wrapped in oiled paper from the bedside cabinet.

Ma穗 crawled over to Ma苗 and slid down to the floor. “I’m not scared. I’m a big girl now. Auntie, save some for us. We’ll have some when we get back.” Ma苗 grabbed Ma穗’s hand, both of them eyeing the packet eagerly.

“I’ll set some aside for you two to eat when you get back. Take these to your grandpa and the others. Tell them to finish them up—if they sit around too long, they’ll go bad. Be careful walking over, don’t trip,” Zhou Jiao said, handing the peanuts to Ma苗.

Ma苗 took Ma穗’s hand, and the two sisters walked out slowly, calling out to Zhang Mother as they passed, “Grandma, Auntie asked us to bring something over. We’ll walk slowly.”

With the light from the sitting room, the two girls made their way to the main room. As soon as they saw the men, they called out, “Grandpa, Auntie gave us these. She said if you don’t eat them soon, they’ll go bad. She even forgot she had them. Good thing I reminded her, otherwise it’d be a waste.”

“Well, well, our Xiao Wu is living the good life—forgetting about treats like this. No wonder she said she’d go look for snacks just now,” Zhang Guofu said, taking the packet from his daughter and opening it. “Wow, these are plump and fragrant—almost half a jin!”

Zhang Guoqing had wanted to go look for snacks earlier, but the others wouldn’t let him, saying men shouldn’t fight women for food. “Alright, they probably don’t know where things are. I really do have wine and snacks in my room. I’ll go get them. If not, we’ll just have wine with brown sugar, ha!”

Zhang Guofu quickly stopped him. “Let’s just finish these. No need to fuss. Save the rest for next time. Too much isn’t good for you. Next time, you prepare some meat dishes, and we’ll drink again.”

Zhang Guoqiang nodded in agreement, stopping him from leaving. “The peanuts are enough. We’ve still got wine. Sit down—unless you’re just looking for an excuse to get out of drinking?”

Ma苗 and her sister saw they weren’t needed anymore and hurried back to eat peanuts.

“We’re heading back now, Grandpa. Auntie’s waiting for us. No need to save any for us—Auntie already set some aside. We’ll eat with Ma穗 when we get back.” With that, Ma苗 took Ma穗’s hand, and the two girls trotted off."