Chapter 5: What Good Sons

It was the late 1980s. Even though the country had been open and reforming for six or seven years, you still didn’t see many overweight people in the city.

It was true that the original owner of this body was a college student supported by the state, and her life was much better than most people’s—that was a fact. But it was also a stroke of luck: the year before she went to college, in 1981, China started offering the TOEFL exam. The year she entered college, the national TV station began broadcasting BBC programs. With the loosening of policies and the establishment of diplomatic relations with more countries, people’s enthusiasm for learning foreign languages soared.

And so, the wave of people going abroad quietly began.

In her sophomore year, rumors started circulating about reforms to the college graduate job assignment system. Even though they said it wouldn’t be an abrupt change, but a gradual reform, people were still anxious.

Fear, combined with the influence of the study-abroad craze, made her want to save up enough money before graduation to apply to universities in Country M.

But where would the money come from?

For a female college student, it was nothing more than saving from her state stipend, or working as a tutor.

At that time, only families with some means could afford a tutor—either dual-income families or those who had gone into business. But the person in charge of the children’s studies was still usually the mother.

She’d seen and heard enough stories of men who, once they had some money or a bit of status, would divorce their wives and find a younger, prettier one. Who didn’t have their guard up?

The original owner was good-looking, and that alone closed off her path to being a tutor.

So, if she wanted to save money, it could only come from scrimping on her student stipend, or, if she was lucky, earning a little extra by helping her professors with odd jobs.

How much energy could she have left after two or three years of living so frugally?

So, for the moment, she really couldn’t resist the two kids tugging at her, and let them pull her back.

But she was genuinely curious. “Why?”

Why wouldn’t they let her go? Wasn’t that woman their father’s friend’s wife?

Big Egg said, “No reason, just don’t go!”

Little Egg added, “She’s not a decent person!”

Su Qinghu fell silent for a moment, then grew serious and carefully asked, “…Did she ever touch you inappropriately?”

Just thinking about it made Su Qinghu want to roll up her sleeves! If that was the case, she didn’t care who the woman was or whose friend—she’d take her down!

Big Egg and Little Egg were stunned by the question, unable to keep up with her train of thought, and shook their heads blankly. “No.”

Why was their new mom asking this?

Su Qinghu pressed on, “Did she ever touch anyone else inappropriately?”

The two kids shook their heads again—they’d never seen that either.

Su Qinghu quickly reined in her runaway imagination and said with a blank face, “So what’s going on? Tell me clearly!”

“That auntie keeps calling us her little sons-in-law!” Big Egg complained, clearly annoyed. “We told her to stop, but she never listens!”

Su Qinghu: …

She didn’t even know how to describe her feelings at that moment.

There was sympathy, speechlessness, and an urge to burst out laughing…

But the two kids were pursing their lips and glaring at her, their expressions saying clearly: If you dare laugh, we won’t acknowledge you, won’t talk to you, and you’ll have to live on your own without our protection.

Thinking of how the two of them had run around for her in the hospital, Su Qinghu managed to hold it in.

“Let’s go,” she said. “This time, not only will I get us some meat, but I’ll make sure she never calls you that again.” Su Qinghu promised solemnly.

Big Egg and Little Egg both pulled faces at her—what a tall tale!

Not only would they get to eat meat, but she’d also make that woman shut up? Was there really such a good thing in the world?

Su Qinghu said, “If I can do it, you two are on dishwashing and cleaning duty today, deal?”

Little Egg nodded right away. “If you can do it, not just today—tomorrow, the day after—”

He was getting all fired up, but then he felt his brother tugging at his waistband. Little Egg stopped quickly and didn’t extend the time any further. “We’ll wash the dishes, me and my brother.”

No mention of cleaning, and no mention of the day after tomorrow—he’d successfully narrowed the battlefield. Little Egg grinned.

Once Su Qinghu nodded and started walking ahead, he shot Big Egg a look, showing off his quick thinking.

Big Egg didn’t say anything, just mouthed a silent reminder: talk is talk, don’t make empty promises.

Of course Su Qinghu noticed their little antics—she just couldn’t be bothered to comment.

It was June, hot weather, no wind, the sun high in the sky. People sweated just standing still, let alone walking.

She’d had her stomach pumped, been observed for six hours, and stayed in the hospital for almost a day. Aside from IV fluids, she hadn’t eaten anything.

As for why they were walking home? The buses were just too crowded. Just looking at the long lines at the bus stop made her dizzy, never mind getting on a bus packed chest-to-back. She might as well walk home slowly.

She figured if they ran into a taxi on the way, she’d flag it down. But as soon as the drivers saw her with two half-grown kids, they wouldn’t even stop.

There was no point arguing—taxis were a new industry and not well regulated yet. Even if you argued till you were blue in the face, if they wouldn’t take you, that was that. At most, people would scold them for lacking morals.

“Ice pops! Ice pops! Get your ice pops!”

A man on a bicycle with a foam box rode toward them, his face tanned, a towel draped around his neck, smiling as he called out, “Three ice pops for just one mao! Want some? Mine are cheaper than anyone else’s!”

Big Egg and Little Egg’s mouths instantly watered, and even Su Qinghu’s eyes lit up. She pulled out some money and handed it over. “Three, please! Thank you!”

The man was quick, handing each of them an ice pop.

Seeing that there weren’t many people on the street, he got back on his bike and slowly pedaled toward the busier area. Just then, Big Egg spoke up. “You just had your stomach pumped. You can’t eat cold things.”

Su Qinghu was happily about to take a bite of her ice pop when Big Egg grabbed her wrist.

She: ?!!

“Mom, you should listen to the doctor. If the doctor says you can’t eat something, then don’t. If you really want one, I’ll buy you one next time.” Little Egg chimed in, looking genuinely sincere.

Su Qinghu: Are you kidding me? Why didn’t you say anything when I was buying them? Now you’re all concerned for me?

“So what should I do? I already bought it. Wouldn’t it be a waste not to eat it?” Su Qinghu put on a troubled face, gently loosening her grip.

Little Egg said, “Mom, I can eat it for you. Next time, I’ll buy you two.”

Su Qinghu: …What a good son you are.

Still, she handed it over.

Just holding the ice pop had cooled her off, and the sweet smell had perked her up. Whether she ate it or not, her life was more important!

Little Egg, satisfied, finished his own and then started on Su Qinghu’s.

When he’d eaten two-thirds and still wasn’t stopping, Su Qinghu narrowed her eyes. Little rascal, so selfish!

When he finally finished, Su Qinghu pretended to have a sudden realization and handed five fen to Big Egg. “Here you go.”

Big Egg didn’t even ask why—he just took it politely. “Thanks, Mom.”"

"**Chapter 6: The Master of Shutting People Up**

The group ambled along, stopping here and there, and by the time they reached the deli, it was already three or four in the afternoon.

Based on Su Qinghu’s experience from her previous life, three or four in the afternoon in June was usually the quietest time. But when they arrived, only cooked beef and mutton were left; the pork with lard and some of the cheaper side dishes that went well with alcohol were all sold out.

Cooked beef was 1.8 yuan per jin, while mutton was pricier at 1.96 yuan.

There wasn’t much beef or mutton left either, but Su Qinghu wanted both.

“Hey! Look who’s here!” a hearty voice called out, quickly followed by, “Isn’t this my little—”

Da Dan and Er Dan’s eyebrows instantly knitted together. They pressed their lips tight and stared at Su Qinghu.

Didn’t she say she had a way? Didn’t she say that from today on, she’d make sure this improper woman would never call them her little sons-in-law again?!

Su Qinghu quickly stepped forward, smiling as she cut in, “Isn’t what? Your little darlings? Hahaha, Sister-in-law, if you like these two kids so much, why don’t we become god-relatives? From today on, we’ll be family!”

Sister-in-law Chang was thrown off by Su Qinghu’s words. Little darlings? And besides, “Who are you?”

Su Qinghu strode up confidently and said warmly, “Me, Su Qinghu, Chen Lie’s new wife, and the new stepmother of these two kids.”

Not just Da Dan and Er Dan—even Sister-in-law Chang was stunned by Su Qinghu’s introduction. Good heavens, in her whole life, she’d never heard anyone introduce themselves like that!

A new wife, a new stepmother—she just blurted it out, not caring at all that people would know she was a second wife…

Besides, she’d just heard that Chen Lie had specially taken leave to come back and divorce his ex-wife, and now, just a few days later, he’d already married a new one?

She could hardly believe it and turned to look at Da Dan and Er Dan. “Little darlings—”

She’d barely said it before realizing it was wrong. She spat twice and was about to call them little sons-in-law, but Su Qinghu blocked her again, “Sister-in-law, like I said, either you become god-relatives with our family soon, or you stop calling them that. I’m worried these two kids will take it seriously. Just the other day, these two rascals were saying that in the future, they want to study abroad, come back and serve the country, and go work in the toughest places in the Northwest doing research.”

As soon as Sister-in-law Chang heard “study abroad” and “come back after studying,” her face went blank.

Studying abroad was great! People got hundreds of dollars in scholarships every year. If you were really capable, you might even get a green card and become a citizen of the United States.

If that happened, the wife could benefit too and immigrate.

But if they came back, and went to the toughest parts of the Northwest…

Su Qinghu continued, praising, “With a daughter raised by someone like you, Sister-in-law, she must be hardworking and resilient. If these two boys go to the Northwest, the family will have to rely on your daughter…”

Sister-in-law Chang’s body tensed. Whatever she was thinking, her face twitched involuntarily.

“If the kids from our two families really hit it off, I wouldn’t object. Just, I hope you won’t go back on your word when the time comes.” Su Qinghu sighed. “Don’t be fooled by how lively my two boys are. Their personalities take after Chen Lie—serious and reliable. They mean what they say.”

Thinking of Chen Lie’s cold face, his way of divorcing as soon as he said he would, and remarrying right after, Sister-in-law Chang started to get nervous, and her smile grew stiff.

But Su Qinghu acted as if she hadn’t noticed, still chatting enthusiastically, “I heard your husband transferred back from the army and got a pretty good job. In another ten years, he might get promoted a few more times. He’s always had a soft spot for national researchers—maybe by then, he’ll agree to the match without a second thought…”

Sister-in-law Chang, listening to Su Qinghu, started to imagine the future along the lines she’d suggested.

The more she thought about her husband’s future prospects, the more she felt she’d be losing out. The more she thought about his usual attitude, the more she regretted it.

Truth be told, if things really got to that point, her husband might actually agree to the marriage between the two families!

Even if people were advocating for free love these days!

Su Qinghu laughed, “Sister-in-law, keep an eye on the kids over the next ten years. If you like one of them, just say so, and we’ll let them start building a bond early!”

Sister-in-law Chang didn’t respond. If her husband got a few more promotions, her daughter could marry whoever she wanted—why pick some fool who always wanted to run off to the Northwest!

Her daughter could stay in the city, dress stylishly every day, and visit her family with her husband—wasn’t that nice?

It was! That’s why she didn’t pick up Su Qinghu’s words, instead awkwardly changing the subject to hurry her along. “So, what kind of meat do you want?”

Forget little sons-in-law—she didn’t even want to become god-relatives. In these times, once you became god-relatives, you had to interact like real family, and bring gifts for every holiday.

Su Qinghu: “Sister-in-law?”

She feigned confusion, looking at Sister-in-law Chang as if to say, Weren’t we just talking about the kids? How did we suddenly get to buying meat?

Sister-in-law Chang felt awkward, forcing a smile as she tried to be helpful, “If you want to buy meat, you’d better hurry. When it gets a bit cooler, more people will come, and you might not be able to squeeze in.”

Su Qinghu sighed, “Beef and mutton are tasty, but they’re all lean. I wanted to get the kids something with a bit more fat…”

Sister-in-law Chang: “Want something fattier? Then come early tomorrow and buy pork belly.”

How hard could that be? Just get up a bit earlier and line up.

“I don’t have any meat coupons.” Su Qinghu looked at her and sighed. “You always call these two boys my little sons-in-law, so you must know our family’s situation better than I do. Before… well, there’s nothing I can do. We really don’t have any meat coupons at home.”

Sister-in-law Chang wished she could knock herself out with the deli’s big ladle! Why did she have to run her mouth? Listen to what she’s saying—wasn’t that just asking for meat coupons?

She did have some, but not many. Well, maybe a bit more than others, but not enough to just give away. Besides, both her own family and her in-laws counted on her…

“Sister-in-law, do you have any extra meat coupons you could spare? Just to help your two little sons-in-law get some nourishment.” Su Qinghu sounded so sincere. “Once I get my ration tickets in July, I’ll pay you back.”

Sister-in-law Chang’s face darkened.

Da Dan and Er Dan were in awe. “Little sons-in-law” could be used like this?!

“Not much, just three jin of meat coupons will do.”

As soon as Su Qinghu said it, Sister-in-law Chang nearly fainted. Who asks for three jin of meat coupons right off the bat?

Did she think meat coupons grew on trees?

“I…”

Sister-in-law Chang had just opened her mouth when Su Qinghu continued, “Sister-in-law, don’t tell me you don’t even have three jin of meat coupons? I heard your job is pretty good, you can usually…”"