CHAPTER 114: CHAPTER 95: LIGHTING THE STOVE

The county town’s coal supply point. A long queue stretches to the street corner, everyone pressing together, discussing what is lacking at home and what the supply point has been short on.

Mr. Zhang sits on the horse cart, listening to the city folks talking, his back straight with pride. It seems his family’s life isn’t much different from those in the city. Secretly pleased in his heart, he looks at his new clothes and at the long queue; he could count those not wearing patched clothes with a slap of his palm.

The Zhang family’s eldest son-in-law, Zhang Chunming, is in line. After finally getting over three hundred pounds of coal balls, the two of them sit directly on the cart and head to the newly bought courtyard. Yesterday, they completed the household registration, and the original owner had just left. Now, Zhang Meili is already tidying things up, and when she sees her father coming, she quickly hands hot water to the two of them.

"Dad, this army coat is really thick. Just right for your son-in-law to wear for night shifts; you should have one too, Xiao Wu must have prepared yours. Chunming and the others all have them. I guess that’s not just five pieces, is it?

Wow, Jiao Jiao’s mother is really generous, buying something you can’t even purchase otherwise. You don’t have to worry at all, I heard Uncle Chen say that our Xiao Wu might come to work in the county town, is that true? Should I start looking for houses?"

Mr. Zhang put down the cup after drinking water, listening to his daughter’s suggestion, and said after thinking: "No need to rush. This time, when we go back, we’ll see what he says. If there’s no change, he’ll go to the county town.

Try to look quietly first, don’t spread the word. They’re not in a hurry either. If he really goes to the county town, it’ll be at least until the weather warms up to come, no earlier than February or March. When you look, try finding one close to you, not too old, or they won’t like it, and it should be peaceful. Don’t have nosy neighbors.

No problem with the price, they have money. This time I estimate his mother-in-law gave him quite a bit again. And, Jiao Jiao’s house in Beijing rents to the government for 50 yuan a month; calculate how much it is over the years. So you can take your time, and it’s more important to be to their liking."

Zhang Meili opened her mouth wide, stunned for a moment, and shouted: "Oh my, it’s truly a golden baby. Now our Xiao Wu is going to be successful. No wonder Uncle Chen said the county might not keep him. I was wondering why those few words were said out of nowhere."

Mr. Zhang gave her a contemptuous look, really so unaccomplished, yelling over that already, "Stop calling him a golden baby, he hasn’t been that for a long time, don’t shout foolishly, it sounds bad, be low key.

Haha, some things I don’t tell you, but you’ll know later. Among the family’s five kids, you’re the silliest, the dullest, and you still don’t see where Xiao Wu is now, who he’s with."

After speaking, he ignored his silly daughter, smiled, and said to the eldest son-in-law, "Chunming, I’m leaving. Any messages you want to be passed on to your parents? Also, hurry with warming up the new house, move sooner. This house is bought right, big and in a good location. Once the date is set, let us know directly."

Zhang Chunming nodded repeatedly, saying: "Dad, why not eat before you leave? Meili, cook a bowl of noodles for Dad to eat before he goes back. It’s cold sitting on the horse cart."

"No, I have to host people back at home today for building our courtyard, so I must leave now."

Zhang Chunming originally wanted to say that his brother-in-law was preparing to develop in the county town, so there’s no need to build more in the village. Thinking about what his father said about his father-in-law’s discreet wealth, and marrying off two daughters-in-law not long ago and paying eight hundred yuan in bride price for a younger daughter-in-law, considering those eight hundred yuan and his own monthly salary, he ultimately refrained from advising against it.

Watching his father-in-law drive the horse cart away from a distance, Zhang Chunming returned to the house and looked at the spacious courtyard, feeling joyful inside. He now too has some assets. With more effort, once debts are paid off, life won’t have many difficulties.

Looking at his wife grinning foolishly, he shook his head secretly, realizing his father-in-law was right. She is indeed a silly girl, still grinning now. He knew early on that his brother-in-law was capable; even without Jiao Jiao’s family, he would become successful. He saw his father-in-law often take him to visit officials’ homes.

Mr. Zhang drove the cart back to the village. Just then, the small living room in the west wing had its stove installed. Mr. Zhang changed into old clothes and, upon checking, saw he didn’t need to do anything himself since the coal balls had already been unloaded and placed under the eaves outside.

Looking at the eaves, he went to the warehouse to find some tools and carefully handled them to make sure they wouldn’t get wet in rain or snow and freeze in winter, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

He contemplated whether, after his second son and Xiao Wu moved out, the west wing should be left for Xi Zi alone, hoping his eldest grandson would be as successful as his little uncle.

Once the stove was burning, a new kettle was put on. Zhou Jiao seemed to see steaming, fragrant red-braised pork, chicken stew with mushrooms, spicy hare meat, fish with sauerkraut, and couldn’t help but swallow her saliva.

Watching her daughter eat with craving was both amusing and heartache-inducing for Lin Lishan, secretly planning to drive around looking for things to supplement her, knowing this month of postpartum recovery is like rebirth for women.

After a conversation between the mother and daughter last night, Lin Lishan had a clear understanding of her daughter.

From small things, it was apparent she belonged in the city, cold in demeanor, unable to hide a pride that was rooted in her nature. She was incompatible in the countryside, not used to hygiene, gossip from women, or interacting openly with strangers. She didn’t like coarse meals.

She enjoyed brewing tea leisurely, filling the room with tea fragrance, savoring it in fine teacups; relishing reading and appreciating books in a room brimming with the scent of books; savoring delicious pastries with elegant plates with a few close friends, chatting delightfully, embodying a scholar’s taste at her core.

Her daughter’s pursuit of an exquisite life was inherited, even her cleanliness obsession.

Lin Lishan stroked her daughter’s little head, saying, "Once you’ve gotten Ping’an to sleep, I’ll drive around to get something good for you to eat. Tell me what you like."

Zhou Jiao thought for a moment and still shook her head, saying, "Forget it, you’re new here and unfamiliar with the area. The streets are unlikely to have anything good now. Once Xiao Wu returns, he’ll know what to do. We still have what you brought from home for these few days, and given their character, they probably won’t use it. So let’s eat that first."

"I’ll go have a look regardless. In the countryside, you don’t need tickets, just pay more. Buying a few hens to make soup for you is a good idea. Seize the cold weather to prepare more eggs. Toss a few eggs in a pot for you when there’s nothing to do; peel and taste a few when you feel like eating.

Luckily, we have Ah Jiao, I’ll stew it first for you. Your grandmother’s preparations are finally useful." Lin Lishan cheerfully scurried back and forth, grabbing Ah Jiao, red dates, walnuts, brown sugar, and others, busy preparing a stew as sweets and snacks for her daughter.

Holding Ping’an, breastfeeding him, Zhou Jiao awaited Zhang Guoqing’s return to transfer items from the space, thinking of the delicious food, secretly delighted to finally bid farewell to cornbread.

Changing the diaper, looking at her son, and observing her busy mother, she hummed a little tune.