Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
On the twenty-sixth of Lunar December, Hu Ruoyun had guests at home, and this time there were quite a few of them. Zhao Hongtao drove the company car to bring Jiang Qiuying, Tong Caiying, and Brother Biao, forming one group. Later, Zhang Meina and her boyfriend Li Yingjie were also brought over by a driver from the Pingbei Township Government in a 212 Jeep. They had arranged for the driver to return at three in the afternoon. Just as Hu Ruoyun was settling these two groups into the living room, Xiao Hu ran in from outside and said, "Brother, someone else is here to see you!"
When he went out to greet them, he found it was Chai Hongmin. With the driver's help, he brought in a pile of things and arranged for the driver to leave after dropping him off. The table at home was small; setting one table felt a bit cramped. Hu Ruoyun suggested opening two tables, but Chai Hongmin and Zhao Hongtao stopped him: "It's not easy to get everyone together; if we sit separately, it won't be lively. Just bring in another table and add a couple of dishes... We're not outsiders; there's no need to make it so complicated."
Zhang Meina, Jiang Qiuying, and Tong Caiying sat close together while their father and Second Uncle arranged for Chai Hongmin to sit in the middle. Chai Hongmin firmly refused: "Uncle, if you make me sit there, it feels like you're trying to chase me away..."
Hu Ruoyun, as the host, introduced the three groups of people to each other. When he introduced Chai Hongmin as "the director of our Laogu Township Party Affairs Office," Li Yingjie raised his glass: "Uncle, my dad is Li Mingqing from Pingbei Township..." Chai Hongmin also lifted his glass: "Yingjie, right? I heard your dad say you're studying at Jiangbei University?"
The generational hierarchy became complicated, but fortunately, Chai Hongmin was well-versed in social etiquette. After taking a drink, he told everyone else: "I have a very good relationship with Yingjie's father. He calls me Uncle, so I’ll go along with that; but as for you all, just stick to your own ranks..."
After everyone was introduced, it was time to eat and drink. Later on, Zhang Meina asked Hu Ruoyun: "I heard you were supposed to go find Sister Mona with Yingjie. But then you got busy and didn't manage it. When is she coming?" Li Yingjie beside her looked hopeful.
Hu Ruoyun lied through his teeth: "Last time she specifically said she wanted us four to get together when she had time. But I was busy those days; when I finally had time, she had something else going on... Anyway, she plans to come after the New Year; she just hasn't set a specific date."
Chai Hongmin asked curiously: "Mao Na?"
Zhang Meina quickly answered: "That's Hu Ruoyun's girlfriend; her dad is County Chief Mao."
Chai Hongmin suddenly understood: "No wonder..."
He raised his glass again and clinked it with Hu Qihua and Hu Zhenhua: "Uncle, let me toast you both again!"
After dinner, the driver from Pingbei Township Government arrived again. Mao Na and Li Yingjie left first; Li Yingjie even invited Hu Ruoyun to visit his home sometime.
Chai Hongmin offered cigarettes to Hu Qihua and Hu Zhenhua: "Uncle, we're not outsiders here; next time you come over, don't buy such expensive liquor!"
Hu Qihua's cheeks were flushed from drinking: "...You've helped our family a lot these past couple of years—like with fertilizer and pesticides... This liquor wasn't even bought with money; it was brought by Xiao Na's dad..."
Director Chai thought to himself that some matters needed further discussion with Township Head Feng when he returned.
Just as they were talking, a 212 from the village arrived. Chai Hongmin shook hands with Hu Qihua and Hu Zhenhua: "Uncle, no need to see us off... We don’t need to exchange formalities; just let us know if you need anything!"
After sending off the first two groups of people, their father Hu Qihua and Second Uncle Hu Zhenhua also left the table.
What remained were his classmates from middle school and high school.
Hu Ruoyun began sharing about his studies over the past few months. Brother Biao teased him: "With your grades, you're still able to rank in the top three? Jiangbei University isn't that impressive after all?"
Then Zhao Hongtao spoke up—after receiving his high school diploma, he had transitioned from being a temporary worker to a full-time employee. He had just been transferred from a local office to the central society and was doing quite well; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to drive the company car.
"Let me speak!" Brother Biao raised his hand. "I can handle the cooking now; making three to five dishes is no problem... This year aside, next year everyone should come to my house and taste my cooking!"
Everyone applauded in agreement.
Next was Jiang Qiuying. With a solid foundation, she continued to work hard even after attending Jinan Normal University. After briefly sharing her situation, she asked Hu Ruoyun, "Meina has been asking what Sister Mao is up to?"
Hu Ruoyun replied, "Her boyfriend's father is Deputy Township Head Li from Pingbei Township..."
The crowd suddenly understood, "So that's it."
Finally, Tong Caiying spoke up. The girl had shed her high school shyness and gained a lively spirit: "I am very content; I came here..."
She then turned to Hu Ruoyun and said, "I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart!"
As they were leaving, Zhao Hongtao remarked, "Next year Forward should be able to visit home; it would be even better if he could come back!"
Second Aunt pulled Hu Ruoyun aside for some gossip: "That girl with short hair is the daughter of the Party Secretary from Pingbei that your uncle Jian Guo introduced to you, right? By the way, didn't she complain about our family's poverty? Why is she back here?"
Woodzi Woman came over as well, commenting on Hu Ruoyun: "That girl from Pingbei is taller than your Mao Na now and also fairer..."
This made Second Aunt glare at her: "She may look good and be tall, but she just doesn't compare to our Mao Na!" She then turned to Zhao Meirong and asked, "Sister-in-law, isn't that new outfit you and my brother are wearing also bought by Mao Na?"
Zhao Meirong replied, "Not only are our clothes from Mao Na, but Xiao Hu's and Xiao Feng's outfits too. All four of us got our cotton shoes from her as well... Oh, and Dezi's Sister-in-law, come sit inside; Mao Na's dad brought some good wine. Today the director of the village said that wine is quite expensive. We won't drink wine; we'll have tea instead. The tea leaves were also brought back by Xiao Na's dad. Let me brew you a cup to taste..."
In the evening, through the courtyard wall, they could hear another argument erupting in the front yard. Woodzi Woman first scolded Woodzi for being useless since the Household Responsibility System was implemented; their few acres of land were poorly cultivated, and they harvested less grain than others. She then scolded Third Sister Wu Mingliang: "You're going to be Town Chief in a couple of years; why aren't you hurrying to find someone? Do you want your parents to help you with that too?"
She also berated her older sons: "You two have forgotten your mother after marrying your wives! Do you even know how much money was spent building your house? How much more was wasted on your weddings? Now that you're living well, no one cares about your mother or father's well-being..."
During the New Year festivities, the noisy arguments disturbed the neighbors.
The younger daughter-in-law was playing cards at her sister-in-law's house when Second Aunt came over and said, "You’re still playing cards here while your mother-in-law is causing a ruckus at home? Shouldn't you go help her out?"
The eldest daughter-in-law Mu Xiumei replied, "Second Aunt, why worry about that? Come on, sit down and play a few hands with me..."
The second daughter-in-law had just married this year but had already heard many stories from her sister-in-law. She slammed her cards down loudly: "Second Aunt, I just moved in; I don’t know anything about family matters yet. I can't just jump in blindly!"
Wu Mingyang and Wu Minghui went over but ended up being scolded out. Their younger brother Wu Mingliang tried to persuade them not to meddle too much.
Comment 0 Comment Count