Chapter 82: Xizi

Zhang Guoqing rushed into the kitchen, where his two sisters-in-law were still busy. “Big Sis, Second Sis, this mutton soup has been simmering for four hours—it should be ready to drink, right? Wait a moment, I’ll ladle some into a small pot and add some red dates to stew together. That’s good for nourishing the blood. Remember to drink some of the red date mutton soup later.”

Big Sis glanced at him tidying up. “Why don’t you leave it to me? This is for Jiaojiao, isn’t it? Just use the ladle directly—good thing we haven’t added the green onions and other seasonings to the big pot yet.”

“No need, I’m strong, I’ll be much faster. Sis, why don’t you ask Mom if we should bring the mutton soup over for everyone to drink before bed? Xizi and the others are still awake. If they eat their fill, they’ll sleep better.”

Big Sis shook her head. “No need, we can bring it up now. The two of us can carry the big tray and the buns.”

With that, the two sisters-in-law stood up, tidied things, and carried the food to the main room.

Zhang Guoqing saw the red dates in the small pot hadn’t softened yet, so he found two eggs, washed them, and put them in to boil as well. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, he picked out some good pieces of meat from the big pot and put them into the small pot. Then he ladled himself a bowl from the big pot, grabbed two buns, and sat down to eat.

As soon as Xizi and the others came in, they saw him eating. “Uncle, we haven’t eaten yet. Can you get some for us too? I want a bun. Uncle, can I talk to you about something?”

Zhang Guoqing had them all sit around the small kitchen table, served up six bowls and six buns. “Be careful, it’s hot. One bun each for now—when you finish, Uncle will get you more. Xizi, what’s up? If it’s too hard, don’t make things difficult for your uncle. Go ahead, little man.”

Xizi grinned at him. “It’s hard for others, but not for you, Uncle. It’s just a word from you.”

Zhang Guoqing ruffled his hair. “You little rascal, up to no good, huh? Let me guess—it’s not about food, and you don’t want me to bring you anything. Is it because you saw your uncle can go to the provincial capital and you want to tag along? No way, absolutely not. Uncle has business to do. Next time, when we go shopping in the provincial capital, I’ll take you. But not this time.”

Xizi rolled his eyes at him, then looked at the younger kids staring at them. “Don’t look at me like that. Uncle has business, so none of us can go. Besides, the provincial capital is too far. If you get lost, you won’t find your way home. When you’re ten, you can go. Now eat up and go to bed early. There’ll be lots of guests tomorrow—it’ll be lively.”

Zhang Guoqing chuckled, watching this kid use the “wait till you’re ten” trick. The younger ones were still too easy to fool—even at seven, he himself had stopped falling for that at five.

Xizi watched his uncle’s face and spoke slowly, “Uncle, are you really okay with Grandma driving alone? I think Aunt is pretty worried. This won’t do. My uncle always says, ‘If you want your mother-in-law to feel at ease, you have to reassure her. Then your wife will be happy.’”

Zhang Guoqing happened to be drinking soup and almost choked from surprise. “You little rascal, you’ve got some lines, huh? What else has your uncle taught you?”

Xizi looked at his uncle, a bit worried. “Are you okay, Uncle? You should be more careful. I just think your mother-in-law is so young, about the same age as my mom, and really pretty. When Grandma goes out, someone should protect her—not too old, not too young.”

“Oh my, you little smooth-talker, where did you learn that? Careful or your mom will give you a beating.” Zhang Guoqing couldn’t take it—he couldn’t even drink his soup.

“Alright, finish up and tomorrow morning go see your grandma and your very young grandma, see what they say. Xiaoyou, why are you staring at your brother? Eat up and go to bed early.” After finally finishing his soup and bun, he hurried to check the small pot, took out the two eggs, and soaked them in cold water.

“Are you all done? Go to the main room and find your moms. Xizi, you lead the way.”

“Got it, we’re going now.”

Zhang Guoqing peeled the eggs, put them in a big bowl, poured in mutton soup and meat, covered it with a bowl, and left the rest for his two sisters-in-law. He hurried to the bedroom.

“Jiaojiao, our son’s asleep. Be careful, it’s hot. Let me tell you something Xizi said.”

Zhang Guoqing cleared his throat. “‘Uncle, are you really okay with Grandma driving alone? I think Aunt is pretty worried. This won’t do. My uncle always says, “If you want your mother-in-law to feel at ease, you have to reassure her. Then your wife will be happy.”’ ‘I think your mother-in-law is so young, about the same age as my mom, and really pretty. When Grandma goes out, someone should protect her—not too old, not too young.’ I laughed so hard I choked.”

Zhou Jiao covered her mouth to keep from waking the baby, giggling. “He just wants to go to the provincial capital with Mom. That kid’s a real little rascal. I just don’t know if Mom will agree. I think she’d be happy to take him. Go check the main room, and bring the new towels we bought yesterday for Mom and the others. Also, check if there are chamber pots in the rooms—after all that soup, it’ll be a pain if someone needs the toilet at night. And see who’s sleeping with Grandpa Lin, and how everyone else is arranged. I’ll eat this myself, you go check, and get some rest. I’m exhausted.”

Zhang Guoqing looked at her—she really didn’t look well. “You’re looking pale. Drink up and get some sleep. Don’t wait for me. I’ll come back after they’re all settled. You must have overdone it when you went out at noon.”

Zhou Jiao suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right, I almost forgot. The stuff in the small sitting room—like I said, wait till they’re back in their rooms, then take it over. Don’t bring it to the main room. If you wait too long, no one will get any sleep.”

Zhang Guoqing looked at his son, his little face rosy and sleeping soundly.

“I’ll do as you say. When you’re done, just put the dishes on the floor, I’ll clean up. Don’t blow out the oil lamp—the baby will need milk at night. I’ll go take care of those things now. Get some rest.”

He grabbed the new towels and washbasin and headed out. The main room was empty, so he went straight to Grandpa Lin’s room and checked that the chamber pots were all there.

“Grandpa, Mom, here are towels and a washbasin. Jiaojiao was worried you didn’t bring towels for washing up. Is Brother Zhou and Xiaofei sleeping here with you tonight? Won’t three people be crowded?”

Little Zhou took the washbasin and put a towel in with hot water. “No, this kang is big enough for five. The other two rooms only have three people each. If it were crowded, I’d have gone there. We all brought towels, so you don’t need to check.”

Xiaofei nodded. “We brought our own toiletries. Tomorrow morning, get up early and come hunting with us. Go to bed early. Your mother-in-law doesn’t need anything, just go rest.”

Grandpa Lin finished washing his face. “Tell Jiaojiao not to worry, I’m going to sleep. You should get some rest too—the baby will wake up in the night.”

“Go on, don’t worry. Tell Jiaojiao, Grandpa’s got me here, and your mom’s all set.”

Zhang Guoqing checked the other rooms—each had a chamber pot, and Grandpa’s kang was warm, so the other rooms should be too. He nodded in relief. “Alright, I’ll go. You all get some rest.”

He peeked into the main room—his dad was already lying down and the lights were off, so he didn’t go in. His mom was probably still in the kitchen—he’d seen a pile of trash there earlier. The three women in the family had been busy all night.

“Mom, are you and my sisters-in-law still cleaning up? Anything I can help with? The small pot is for you, with red dates added.”

His mother looked around—the cleaning was almost done. “No need, it’s all done. Tomorrow we just need to make some plain porridge, and there are still lots of buns left. The men drank more than they ate. Your sisters-in-law need to sleep too. The small pot is for them and Jiaojiao in the morning—they’re too full now. Go on, go to bed.”

Seeing they were heading to their rooms, Zhang Guoqing hurried to the small sitting room, grabbed the pile of things, and delivered them one by one. He didn’t care about waiting—he just wanted to get it done and rest. He was exhausted."